C'mon Lidge, I'm pulling for you (really)

If Brad Lidge were just another Astros' farmhand who had never been a dominant closer in the bigs, he'd probably be starting the season in Round Rock or Corpus Christi playing for one of the team's minor league affiliates. Why? Because most guys who carry a 12+ ERA through most of the spring usually don't break camp with the big league club.

Most baseball fans know that ever since Bert Pujols' HR off of him in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS, Lidge has pretty much lost his mojo. However, through a very rough 2006 that saw him demoted from his closer role to mid-relief, back to closer and then demoted again, Lidge remained a stand-up guy. The local reporters in H-town have nothing but respect for the guy and the way he carries himself out on the field, he just doesn't have the look of a beaten man.

As of now, Lidge is slated to begin the season as the Astros' closer. I really want to believe that the Lidge can be the closer, but given the fact that the Astros only lost the division by a game and a half last season, I just think the margin of error they have is too slim to be patient. Particularly when you have guys on the squad who can close today.

I really am pulling for you Lidge because if you can get yourself back into circa 2005 post season form, I really like the Astros' chances of getting back into the post season. But if it's up and down Lidge like last season, then I hope you enjoy your battle for third place guys.

Happy Birthday Chandler Bess!

Happy Birthday to Chandler Bess! I cant believe my little girl is 7 already. Seems like just yesterday she was waking me up on Saturday mornings at 7 am when she was 2 (I think) and lie on my chest while watching PB&J Otter and Rollie Pollie Ollie.

Even though she drives me nuts (and I'm pretty confident that trend will continue) I am completely in awe of how smart she is and how nothing ever gets by her. God has blessed Tricia and myself with a wonderful and unique little girl and I know without a doubt that He has great things in store for her.

I love you Chandler Bess.

Daddy.

Our little girl is turning 7

Today we celebrated Chandler Bess' seventh birthday. She wont actually be seven until Wednesday but her celebration was tonight. Chandler invited her friends Avery and Michaelah to come to dinner at one of her favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse, and then to go make some stuffed animals at Build-a-Bear.

Third base is my home...

8 am t-ball wasn't as bad as I originally thought it would be. As you can see from the pictures, Clancy played 3rd base today. Brooks Robinson's legacy is secure ... for now.

Clancy connects!

8 am T-ball with 4 year olds

Tomorrow at 8 a.m. Clancy has a T-ball game. I want to know what genius created a schedule where 4 year olds who can barely focus on eating breakfast at that time of day are going to be expected to play T-ball?

Normally on a Saturday Clancy is up around 7:30, my guess is I'm having to wake him up tomorrow. Should be an interesting morning, I'm betting a third of the kids don't show.

Derek Webb and the prayer of Jabez

Derek Webb is quickly becoming one of my favorite singers. It is amazing how he is able to write some deeply spiritual songs without a praise chorus in them. Not that there's anything wrong with a praise chorus, but those songs are all very similar in nature and serve a specific purpose. However, they never really drive me take a look at myself and my relationship with God. That's what Derek's songs do for me, they make me think, make me question.

I recently listened to Derek's podcast that was posted on iTunes. He ended up spending a lot of time talking about a book that has sold millions of copies among Christians and I would assume some non-Christians as well. I myself read the book a few years ago, it is called "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson. I thought the book was ok and the one sentence prayer itself (which is in the Old Testament in 1 Chronicles) is a good one but I wasn't necessarily overwhelmed by the book as others may have been.

Anyhow, Derek's point about the book is that he feels Wilkinson has set the expectation with people who pray this prayer daily that God will "reward" them even more than he already has. Whether its increased wealth, advancement at work and other general good feeling blessings. Here's a good example from the book that Webb is likely referring to:
If Jabez had worked on Wall Street, he might have prayed, "Lord, increase the value of my investment portfolios."

Wilkinson's point is that we shouldn't be ashamed to ask God for the things we WANT as well as the things that we NEED. Pray the Jabez prayer each day and ultimately you'll get what you want according to Wilkinson. I can see why Webb might take issue with this. I may have to read the book again (it's a very quick read) now that Webb has called out some of these points. Like I said, the guy does make you think and question, regardless of whether you agree with him.

Here's the link to Webb's podcast. If this doesn't work, go to iTunes and get it. It's free.

Tonight's 24 (3/19) - Dont read if you havent watched yet!

Hopefully tonight's episode was a departure from the mid-season doldrums the show had fallen into. I guess the book is officially closed on Charles and Martha Logan as there was no mention of them in the 'Previously on 24' or at all on tonight's episode.

I just keep feeling like I've seen this scenario all before. Mole in CTU (season one), trigger happy VP (season two) and another nuke disaster averted (seasons two and six.) However, the writers and producers of this show have not disappointed me yet and I have come to accept these "bridge" episodes as the natural course.

I not convinced that Nadia is the mole however. I'm a bit suspicious of Milo.

The whole Audrey dying thing is interesting and Jack's statement about finding the people responsible for her death (if she truly is dead.) Could that be season seven perhaps? Instead of Jack saving the world it becomes all about Jack seeking revenge. Go back to first episode of this season and the look Jack gave his Chinese captor when he was released. Something tells me he and Jack will see each other again either this season or next.