Q and A

I was posed some current event questions and chose to answer them here;

Q: Allen West (R- FL) said, “I believe there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party. ... It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus." What do you think of this?

A: We’re talking about raising some pigs this year so I went to a local hog farm to look at some. I don’t chose normal pet names for my animals. I like to choose names for my animals which make it easier at harvest time. I wanted to name a pig John Boehner but the pigs each had a spine. Look, Speaker of the House, John Boehner is silent about Allan West’s outrageous communist claims. He is the Speaker, why isn’t he speaking? That makes me wonder if his silence is due to the amount of money West brings in to the GOP partly because of his ridiculous comments. Come to think of it, where is House Majority Leader Eric Cantor on this?
… I think I found names for two of our chickens.

Q: Ted Nugent said, “I will either be dead or in jail if Obama gets re-elected” Are you still a fan?

A: I think cat scratch fever is causing him to go stormtroopin’ and his comments should be taken within the context of this illness, which clearly has a stranglehold on him. Hopefully he can borrow his buddy Mitt’s etch-a-sketch, shake himself clean and start over again. I do support his freedom to speak however ill advised his comments may be. I love the Motor City Madman’s music … not so much his politics.

Q: What are you reading right now?

A: Firstly I am always reading some biblical and extra-biblical texts. Currently I am working on a four part sermon series on Sin, Oneness, Love and Acceptance. Also, I like to read what my kids are reading so I just finished a couple books by Jordan Sonnenblick, “Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie,” “Zen and the Art of Faking It” and am starting “The Hunger Games,” by Suzanne Collins. As far as newspapers and magazines, I subscribe to and read the local papers, and some farm related magazines such as American Bee Journal. I do some online news reading from USA Today and The Washington Post as well as numerous other sources.

Q: What’s your prediction for the Yankees this year? How about the Giants, another playoff birth, another bowl appearance, ring?

A: The YANKEES are going to have a great year and will win their division, without a doubt. I believe they will do well in the playoffs. It’s a long season; we’ll see how it goes. I’m not ready or willing to claim another World Series Championship yet although I’d love to see it happen! The New York Football GIANTS are facing a tough schedule but should fair well and make the playoffs with at least ten regular season wins this year. They’ll make the playoffs and as much as I’d love to see them get another ring much depends on how healthy they stay. They have to play their way through the same teams they beat in the playoffs last year and that will be no easy task.

 If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email; revmotta@hotmail.com and maybe I’ll answer you via my blog.

NY Sports in Brief

I was reminded this past Sunday of a shortcoming when a friend of my son said, “Man Albert, you are brutally honest.” Yes, I try to tell the truth, and am trying even harder to do it in love. It is with this in mind that I am editing my next post regarding my family and friend’s complacency towards and acceptance of ignorance when today’s technology leaves absolutely no excuse. While you await the upcoming post, with great anticipation I am sure, here are a few quick thoughts about sporting news.

Pitching coach Dave Eiland will not be returning next season as pitching is scapegoated for the ALCS YANKEE loss. Girardi appears to be safe with Cashman saying both parties want to go forward together. I have respect for Cashman but regarding Eiland and Girardi I think he is dead wrong, and would have gone forward exactly the opposite direction.

My disappointment in the YANKEE loss to the Rangers in the ALCS was brief as I find solace in the 27 World Series Championships, and what is shaping up to be another New York Football GIANTS championship season.

The New York Football GIANTS manhandled the crygirls this past Monday night bringing their record to 5-2 as they go into their bye week. They have faced some tough opponents to date but the schedule really gets interesting after the bye as they face the crygirls at home and the Eagles and the Skins twice. These Division games are of paramount importance but the games at Seattle and Green Bay aren’t exactly unimportant or a surety either. Yes, that’s right … I didn’t even mention the Jaguars or the Vikings.

10-10-10 and Conflicted

Sunday, 10 / 10 / 10 finds me conflicted. Firstly, as a NY Football GIANTS fan I root against the Skins but they were playing the Pack and I am still plagued with the aftertaste from how they treated Favre. I know that is old news however, my memory is refreshed as now the Skins have McNabb who was treated similarly by the Eagles and I quietly root for McNabb’s success. Go Skins, beat the Pack … then go back to losing while McNabb has a record-breaking season. Secondly, and also as a NY Football GIANTS fan, I necessarily despise the crygirls. Today they play the dirtiest team in the NFL the Titans. I want everyone to beat the Titans because cheaters should not prosper however I can’t root for the crygirls. I am so conflicted.

Today will soon be over, and with a W in the result column of my GIANTS schedule the aforementioned conflicts may not be resolved but certainly put aside, as I look forward to Friday 10/15/10 and game one of the ALCS. GO YANKEES!

Yankee in the Deep South

I am deeply grateful for DirecTV and the MLB Extra Innings package. The YANKEES are still number one with less than forty games to go in the regular season. The Sox are only 6.5 games back however with their injuries and lack of pitching a wild card birth is all but a distant dream. No love lost here. I'm not sure if I posted this earlier, I know I said it several times, the YANKEES will repeat this year.

The New York football GIANTS begin the new decade in a brand new stadium. Too bad that doesn't factor into anything in the W column. I don't know what to make of the G-Men this season. If they make it to the post season I will be tickled. According to the schedule we might get to see six of the sixteen games and that is a good thing because we really can't afford NFL Sunday Ticket ... today anyway.

Vitriolic rhetoric seems to be increasing exponentially as the midterm elections approach. Seeing so many people jumping on extremist bandwagons I felt it necessary to list a few facts to help people make an informed decision.

1. Are you aware that the proposed community center-mosque is located at 45-51 Park Place, just over two blocks from the northern edge of the sprawling, 16-acre World Trade Center site, roughly half a dozen normal lower Manhattan blocks from the site of the North Tower making this location not “AT” Ground Zero at all?
Are you still opposed?

2. Did you know that from Ground Zero you cannot even see 45-51 Park Place and from 45-51 Park Place you cannot see Ground Zero?
Are you still opposed?

3. Did you know that there is a Mosque at 245 West Broadway, about a dozen blocks north of the World Trade Center grounds and that the Manhattan Mosque, stands five blocks from the northeast corner of the World Trade Center site?
Do you want these closed too?

4. Are you aware that Muslims hold a daily prayer service Monday through Thursday and a weekly worship service on Fridays in the Pentagon close to the area where hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the building, killing 184 people in a mussallaah opened in November 2002 over a year after 9-11-01?
Do you think this should be stopped?

5. Did you know the proposed community center which has a multi-faith board will house not only a mosque but also a basketball court, an Olympic size pool, a culinary arts training institution and more all open to the public?
Are you still opposed?

“I see our country teetering on the edge of an abyss. At its bottom brews the simmering bile of deep, dark hatred. Hatred that's dividing our country: politically, racially, economically, geographically, in every way- whether it's political vendettas, sports brawls, corporate takeovers, or high school gangs in cleats, the American competitive ethic has changed from 'let's beat the other guy, to let's destroy the other guy.' Too many, too many are too willing to stigmatize and demonize others for political advantage, for money or for ratings. ... This cycle of tragedy-driven hatred must stop, because so much more connects us than that which divides us because tragedy has been, and will always be with us. Somewhere right now, evil people are planning evil things. All of us will do everything meaningful, everything we can do to prevent it, but each horrible act can't become an ax for opportunists to cleave the very Bill of Rights that binds us. America must stop this predictable pattern of reaction.” Charlton Heston's NRA Keynote Speech excerpts May 1999

As a wave of hate seeks to divide us we must not be silenced with fear. As the airwaves fill with vitriolic rhetoric we must speak the truth from every platform afforded us. Now more than ever before we must choose to educate because knowledge is power and the truth will set you free.

The NFL Season is Drawing to a Close

Having had a excellent season of picks so far, if we do not look at my NY football GIANTS predictions – which may reveal an inability to remove my emotion regarding the greatest team in the NFL, and after last weeks 100% record I have been asked to pick again this week albeit a bit earlier and with greater depth.

Lets get right to it; Colts over the Jets and Vikings over the Saints

Here is a brief explanation:

As a NY Yankee fan I must necessarily hate the Mets. This is true for all Yankee fans. The NFL however, is hugely different than MLB. In the NFL, NY football GIANTS fans do not hate the Jets or the Bills unless playing each other. In many cases GIANTS fans actually root for the Jets and/or the Bills. Truth be told, I was a young Jets fan and wore a Namath (12) uniform much to my father’s dismay. And hating to admit it, I had NE Patriot bed sheets. That being said I will be rooting for the #1 ranked defense in the NFL today and for rookie Sanchez and expect great things although I do not believe they can beat Payton Manning. The freshly minted four time MVP has too much experience and will be seen in Florida come February. Manning, along with his toolbox filled with Wayne, Clark, Garcon, Addai, (if you need to read the entire roster check the Colts site) will put too many points on the board even against the Jets defense for the rookie Sanchez to match.

Now on to the late game:

Two words, Brett Favre. Nuff said. Sure Drew Brees is an elite quarterback, a freakishly accurate window passer who has proven himself this year. Today he will be sacked 3.5 times, hit and rushed each in the double digits. Yes, Allen, Williams2, Greenway, and Edwards will have their way with the Saints O-line today, even in the Superdome. I do not believe the 12th man will have much impact on today’s game at all.

That being said and knowing I do not have a dog in this fight we will be attending a Colts vs. Vikings Super Bowl party this February. As far as Eli and my NY football GIANTS ... the 2010 season begins on Monday, February 8th so enjoy these few weeks ‘off’ and we’ll see you then.

Inerrancy; Baseball is Drawing to a Close as The NFL Season gets Underway;

I offer this statement in the spirit of God’s humility and grace, leaving open the possibility for further discussion that may arise from time to time as we continue to grow in the knowledge of God’s character and nature. In the matter of inerrancy and infallibility one must necessarily have knowledge of the terms definitions as well as an understanding of the differences in application as they pertain to biblical text. Inerrancy and infallibility must necessarily be both defined and separated. Inerrancy is understood simply as being without error. Infallibility means not liable to mislead or deceive, also trustworthy in that it is incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals. The authority of biblical text is at the center of our faith. We, who profess faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, are called to a lifestyle of surrender and obedience to God, following Jesus by the power of the indwelling Spirit. Biblical text is not only a guide for defining our position as joint heirs with Jesus and a guide for behavior but also a revelation of the very character and nature of the Creator. The Spirit inspired the various authors but their personalities were neither overrode nor were their words chosen. This fact allows biblical text to be read with richer texture, color and greater depth. Allowing the human element into the text allows us to accept contradictions rather than try to explain them away. 1)'Manipulating biblical text in order to manufacture consistency or support the unbiblical doctrine of inerrancy only shows disrespect for both God and scripture.' In my opinion the understanding of biblical authority through the lens of infallibility as opposed to inerrancy is a sure foundation for any age.
The preceding comments come from the scholar in me, and the following come from the pastor. 2)'As the Spirit prospers our study we should trust and submit to all biblical teaching about Jesus, salvation, life and any other topic the text deals with. We should also constantly be working to fulfill our commitment to God as our grasp of biblical text grows. For us to live in Christ is more important than which words we use to explain biblical authority.'

It is 2:29CST and I am still rubbing my eyes in wonderment; The YANKEES have swept the RedSox ... yes, you read exactly what I typed, The NY YANKEES beat the RedSox like redheaded stepchildren over and over again. In fact, the YANKEES swept the series. The RedSox scored a run here and there but they didn't win a single game of this series. This has not happened for almost a quarter-century. The question I have been asked is are they peaking to early with just over fifty games remaining in the regular season. Peaking? Who said they are peaking. In my opinion they are merely beginning to build up a head of steam to take them to and through the playoffs to the World Series.

With the return of Osi Umenyiora, the intensity of the GIANTS D-Line has increased exponentially to unmeasurable limits. Manning is seeing and completing better than ever as long as he gets the ball from center. The regular season opener is 35 days away and this NY Football GIANTS fan has already stocked his fridge and cabinets with everything needed to enjoy each and every crack of the helmets and pads.

I'll save the 'On The Home Front' information 'til next time.

*Special thanks to 1)Kent Leslie and 2)Al Hearne for their ideas about the subject of inerrancy and infallibility.

Some of y'all might not like it but ...

It has been so long that I am bursting at the seams! Except for the three little ones, everyone was around the television last night to watch the All-Star Game. If you missed it you missed a great game. It actually looked like the National League was finally going to win one. The final score was AL over the NL 4-3. How about those Yankees! Not only did Jeter get on base twice last night he scored both times. Both Jeter and Teixeira played solid defense and Mo shut the NL down in the bottom of the ninth. The season is half over and we are just 3 games out. Not too bad for a bunch of over the hill players (rofl).

The NY football GIANTS are to begin practice at Albany, Monday, August 3rd. This is their final contract year at the U so get out and support them. IF you remember, please do a couple of things for me while you are there. Chant OSI OSI OSI OSI (that’s pronounced oh-see for the uninitiated) and don’t forget to send me some pictures!

This past week and one more time we brought contemporary worship back to Hope! We led service at Hope Family Church and had a great time.

We will continue to worship as we have for over the past year, every Sunday morning in Blevins, The Church of Hempstead County meets at 10am, Knowing Christ and Building Christian Community, where contemporary worship in song and relevant, compelling biblically based messages are staples. Join with us whenever you’d like!

On a personal note: Summer is almost over and we are getting back in school mode. The kids are going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. We still have not found property to build our house on yet, but we know we will soon. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers especially regarding some acreage.

Baseball Pre-Season Has Begun

So here we go, another MLB pre-season is underway and my NY YANKEES look like this is the year of #27! I know it is early and there are many variables, anything can happen and some most likely will, but I am calling it; The NY YANKEES will win the World Series! I know what you are thinking, Albert said the same thing last year, and well, I didn’t ... not exactly anyway. During the off season the front office worked its magic filling the much needed pitching spots with nothing less than the very best, Sabathia and Burnett, and keeping Pettit at the back end of the rotation securing a spectacular season from the pitching staff. I know I didn’t mention Mo, but common’ does the greatest closer of all time need to be mentioned? As far as a few variables go, what kind of season will Wang have, and how many games will my hero and current favorite YANKEE Jorge Posada be able to catch? I hope most! Can Joba prove himself a starter? I think not. Will A. Rod get past the drama? Will Cano be consistent all season long? How will Teixeira handle the pressure cooker that is the New York market? Like Jeter I am not as fast as last year but I have hope, and I can see October.

Go YANKEES!

I need to mention howbeit quickly that even though the NY football GIANTS have shored up the defense with the additions of Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, and Michael Boley my thoughts and prayers are with the Buffalo Bills as they have picked up the leagues premiere problem child whom I won’t even name.

Sunday, March 8^th, was the first Sunday I have missed since we began meeting in Blevins on January 6^th, 2008. An argument could be made that I should have missed at least two other mornings but I pressed through. I appreciate all those who aware of my disability lifted me in prayer especially this past weekend. I have recently been approved for a program where Pfizer will send me one of my medications free of charge. The medication they send me would cost me just over $150 each month. For this and other programs that help people in need, I am truly grateful.

This week I am continuing my studies on tithing. It is my desire to see others free from all kinds of bondage. Pray from the Church of Hempstead County and me as we continue to search the scriptures for the truth about tithing.

Because I have been writing this for several weeks now and I have not added a post to my blog in way too long, I am cutting this short.

Check back next week for rants about the current administration, marijuana, and more.