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This should be a time to seek God more

Embed from Getty Images “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

We are all at home more these days and I am perfectly fine with that. In fact I am really digging into my Bible more as well as a men’s small group. God is good.

I have had to train myself to get to the point where things that were one an idol have become much less important and God has become THE source that I crave. He is the only idol I truly chase. As I said it did not happen over night.

If this whole COVID-19 pandemic had happened before 2007, T.V., video games, movies would have eaten up much of my time. Now as I start my day with my beautiful wife we read God’s word together. It brings us unity in our marriage and our household.

There are many things that can take our eyes off of God, things that seem to increase as the weather gets nicer outside. One Bible verse really caught my attention.

It says: “The Lord looks down from heaven on all man kind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” Psalm 14:2. Wow! So God seated on His throne in Heaven looks down to see who is seeking Him?

That is exciting, humbling, nerve wrecking  and downright intimidating. I do not view God as a creeper, but the man is watching. He is looking for those who are actively seeking Him. I want to be counted into this group. It is better the a Super Bowl championship, World Series ring or Masters jacket.

When you seek God, He blesses. He fills you with what you need. He supplies everything. You become rooted to the rock. In theses days that have an uncertain feel to them. God is looking for people who are looking for Him.

To seek God, one must be or become consistent. Set a time everyday to read God’s word. Before you do say “Lord I’m looking for you, would you meet me today?” He will!! It does help to have someone who you can both be accountable to. If not, there are other ways. Set a time to start and even a timer to end.

Do whatever works for you. But do it!! Be consistent. God is.

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Detroit Lions Amani Oruwariye could have an expanded role

Embed from Getty Images The 2019 Detroit Lions defense struggled. The Detroit secondary which had it’s share of ups and downs, was the group largely to blame. With the departure of top cornerback Darius Slay, second year corner Amani Oruwariye could see more playing time.

Drafted in the fifth-round of last years draft, the Penn State product Oruwariye played in just nine games as a rookie. His production in those nine games gives the Lions some hope.

With a respectable 17 solo tackles with two interceptions Amani Oruwariye showed promise while playing in only 19% of the Detroit Lions defensive snaps.

The 2020 NFL draft is two weeks away and the Lions will look to improve the secondary. With that said Oruwariye may be Detroit general manager Bob Quinn’s best late-round draft picks.

Amani Oruwariye, has both very good speed and the the ultra important length, teams look for at the cornerback position. Entering only his second pro season Oruwariye has the making of a player who could push for CB2.

As well as he played Amani Oruwariye is still growing into his role. Oruwariye plays physical and improved his tackling. Something scouts wondered if he could before last years draft.

Oruwariye has been praised for his intense film study habits. Oruwariye who has to face Detroit Lions wide receivers Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay in practice has said he believes facing them has helped in his game.

If the Detroit Lions draft a cornerback with the teams first round draft pick it would give the Lions a young athletic combo at DB. Something the team has struggled to do through their history.

Two young dynamic corners would give the rest of the Lions defense the flexibility to rush the quarterback and stop the run. This must be the path Bob Quinn takes. It would be a quick way to fix the defense.

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Report the Detroit Lions have had talks with multiple teams for the third pick in the draft

Embed from Getty Images NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell informed all 32 NFL teams that the 2020 NFL draft would proceed in a fully virtual format. This is to make sure the the NFL is in compliance with current regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Detroit Lions who currently own the third pick in the draft are looking to trade back.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport, broke the news that Detroit has had talks with multiple teams interested in the third overall pick. This comes as no surprise that Detroit is “open for business.” The ideal is that the Lions would move back while gaining more draft picks.

The Detroit Lions currently have seven picks in the 2020 draft, including one in each of the first four rounds and two in the fifth round. With Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa having been cleared medically, quarterback needy teams began calling Detroit general manager Bob Quinn.

The Detroit Lions have been linked heavily to two defensive players, Ohio State cornerback, Jeff Okudah and Auburn’s defensive tackle, Derrick Brown. Also to a lesser degree Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.

The defensive needy Lions could land anyone of the three who would upgrade the defense even if they traded back. The Miami Dolphins were said to have serious interest in Tagovailoa.

Bob Quinn is in good position. He could make a trade and get more draft picks and improve the Lions roster. Quinn could also choose to stand pat  and draft one of the defensive players.

The guess here is that Detroit will move back. It is the right move to make. Get the defensive player at a better slot for the value pick. The Dolphins with three first round picks have the assets to pry the third pick in the draft from Detroit.

58 NFL draft prospects are going to be joining the draft virtually.

The draft runs from April 23-25, with the round schedule as follows:

Thursday, April 23: Round 1
Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7

The first round Thursday, April 23 starts at 8 p.m. ET and will be shown on ESPN.

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Major League Baseball looking into starting the 2020 season in May, can it happen

Embed from Getty Images ESPN and MLB insider Jeff Passan dropped a bombshell yesterday, One that has sparked a lot of debate. “NEWS: Major League Baseball and the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association) are focusing on a plan backed by federal health officials that could have players in training camps by May and games soon thereafter.” Passan wrote. Is it possible during the Covid-19 pandemic?

First we need to back up a little bit. Last week United States President Donald Trump said he wanted to get people back in their jobs around Easter. Guess what? Here we are the Holy week in upon us and now MLB is working on a plan.

Last Saturday Trump had a conference call with the heads of all sports owners, general managers, player reps. With one goal. Getting back to work. It was a four hour call that most likely came with a framework.

Back to Jeff Passan, who said the framework would be for all MLB teams to head to Arizona. The teams would use spring training complexes as well as college ballparks. There would be no fans in the stands but games would be televised.

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, the main question is can extended spring training and games be played safely? The batter is close to the catcher, the catcher is close to the home plate umpire. A runner on base is close to the nearest defender.

Meeting on the mounds and pitching changes have people within inches of each other. How can MLB during a global pandemic do this in a safe manner? Listen my love for baseball knows no bounds. But this is (to use a baseball term) a pickle. Peoples lives and well being are on the line. As are their family members.

Unless, the President and health officials know some things they have not released as of yet. Then this looks like a tremendous gamble. Again, the President gave a time frame.

Millionaire owners and the current President have something in common. They are all businessmen. People who work and direct deadlines. They are also creative in how they get their business done.

With players, coach’s, umpires, trainers, field crew and others lives at stake. This will have to either be really creative or better yet, postponed to July or August when it is safer.

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Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline dies

Embed from Getty Images Known as “Mr. Tiger,” Al  Kaline was a first ballot Hall of Famer in 1980 after making 18 All-Star games and helping the Detroit Tigers win the 1968 World Series. Kaline spent all 22 playing seasons with the Detroit Tigers. He is and was a Detroit sports icon.

Al Kaline played in more games as a Tiger and hit more homers than anyone else in the history of the organization Kaline compiled a batting resume second only to another Tigers legend Ty Cobb.

Unlike Ty Cobb who was gruff and downright mean, Al  Kaline was the opposite. He was respected for his on field elegance and off field kindness by teammates as well as other players around MLB.

Al Kaline signed with the Detroit Tigers the day after he graduated from high school, Kaline would make his major league debut one week later. Al Kaline would never play in the minor leagues. He would never wear another uniform but the Detroit Tigers. Kaline was 18 years old when he played his first game for the Tigers on June 25, 1953.

Kaline played his final game in 1974, he would retire with 3,007 hits, and 399 home runs. When he received the call from the Hall of Fame the ever humble Kaline said he was in “shock.”

As good a hitter as he was Al Kaline was an equally as good defensive outfielder. As a rookie Kaline threw out three Chicago White Sox in consecutive innings.

At Comerica Park, Kaline is one of six former Detroit Tigers with a statue behind the left center field fence. Even with 3,007 career hits and those organization record 399 homers, the statue shows Kaline not with a bat in hand, but making a leaping, one-handed.

For all he accomplished on the field. Al Kaline was the same off the field. Always happy to take a picture with fans. He would stand and talk with anyone for long lengths of time.

The news of his passing was met with shock and a tremendous amount of sadness not only in Detroit and the entire state of Michigan but around all of MLB.

So goodbye # 6, no matter how hard it is, and it is hard.

 

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Worry kills joy

Embed from Getty Images Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Luke 12:22

Worrying is a sin. Did you hear that? Did you read that? Do I have your full attention? Listen, I am not a Preacher, Pastor or Priest, I am a follower of Jesus and if (and He did)  says not to worry and I/ we do it is a sin.

Have you ever thought about that?  What is exactly gained from being worried when situations come up where some anxiety take control and cause such panic and unrest in us that it rubs off on the people around us. Did you think about that?

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Now I admit this is difficult to do and easy to read. It took me years before I was able to achieve this. But the reward has been a worry free, fear free household.

The key to over come worry, doubt and or fear (which all work together in unhealthy ways) is to brace for it, read the Bible. Daily. Jesus Himself tells us if you want to be at easy, read God’s word: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4.

So in short it is a choice. Sometimes we get so comfortable in being uncomfortable the lines get blurred. God knows our heart. When we are ready to lay down worrying  and see what life is like peaceful as we read God’s word it allows Him to renew our minds Romans 12:2.

In my house, I came up with a saying years ago when our children were young, : “Do not let your emotions dictate your actions.” Again I had to work a long time at that to be able to apply to our family.

I would like to encourage the worry-warts out there. If you do not know Jesus and are tired of fighting your thoughts, open a Bible and begin to read. If you had no idea the words in the Bible account for everything in life, again I encourage you to open one up and examine for yourself.

In today’s age you can find a Bible app download it and put worry, stress or fear in the search bar then begin to to read the verses. Be open to what God is saying, it is better than the current way your handling worry, stress and fear.

 

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Online/streaming church services just as good as being in a church

Embed from Getty Images Man we are an excuse making machine! Social media has been bombarded with posts, Tweets, this’s and that’s about how people “just can’t into church on the t.v.” But hold up, online and streaming church services are at an all-time high. So what is Heaven’s name is the deal?

So people who have gone to church their entire life, somehow can not do church any other way. Okay cool.  My question is why not? If God’s word is important enough in person, it should be any other way you are able to receive it.

I am going to be bold for a moment. In this era of Covid-19/ social distancing, keep your cooties to yourself day, people need to get out of the norm and into a new way. Sound familiar? A man name Jesus walked the earth and and challenged people to get out of the norm and into a new way.

The battle people face is in between their ears. The mind. Then add in when we start listening to voices that tell us something is not for us, it is time to self-evaluate. The current state of the world IS NOT FROM GOD! That does not mean Christian’s should allow the devil to win and squash their joy from what the Lord has from them.

No Christian’s should be like the lady who could not stop bleeding. Fighting through just to get close and perhaps even touch Jesus. Now let me say this, a person is no less devote if they are getting the word on a screen. Let me say that again, a person is no less devote if they are getting the word on a screen.

God is still God. His word is still true. He still saves, heals, frees. Oh, did I mention if you watch on Facebook live you can leave a comment, not only that but you can be with your church family, while honoring the boarders we have been placed under.

So set you mind free! Watch and receive the word of God. I promise God will be near to you.

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Quarantine date nights ideas

Embed from Getty Images The order “Stay at Home.” Fine we all know this is the smart thing to do. But, keeping the romance ball rolling has become a bit of a challenge. Factor in kids, and it seems like mission impossible. Alas, there are things to do to keep the romance alive. You just have to be willing.

I am in no way, shape or form an art person. Unless you consider stick figures art. Last night my wife and I sat at our kitchen table and Facebook lived a water coloring class. I found it very enjoyable. To sit listen, paint and joke with my wife, make mistakes. It was worth it! Oh and our oldest plugged in headphones and played video games so it was like he was not even there.

Take long walks. Mind you we have two dog’s so this is a bit easier for us I admit. We also have a fenced in backyard so there is a choice to be made. Do I leash and walk one dog and my wife does the same with the other dog, take a long walk while holding her hand? I think yes. It is a good statement to our neighbors.

Sit down and watch a movie together. First and foremost (this is for the guys) ask her what she wants to watch. Guy’s I ask for an umbrella of mercy, we tend to be remote pigs. Let go and let her pick what you watch. It is the little things.

Share what God is showing you. Listen my wife and read through the Bible every year and have since 2007. Yet, God shows me new things every year and usually daily.

Sit with your wife while she does tasks. My wife, God bless her is making masks which are in shortage. It is nothing to go up to our loft and sit with her, encourage her and maybe sneak in a smooch.

Order flower and have them delivered. Delivery is huge right now. Take advantage of it. The person dropping items off wear masks and gloves. They walk it up to the front door ring the doorbell and drive away. Try it, order flowers when the doorbell rings tell your wife you think it is for her. When she opens the door she will be surprised and again there just maybe a smooch involved.

If you have quarantine date ideas, feel free to drop them in the comment box. Until then, look for ways to keep the romance going.

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Covid-19 showing why living by a list is not always the best

Embed from Getty Images Some of us are list makers. We map out grocery trips, school drop offs and pickups. We write a  list about things we need for vacation or things to do around the house. We leave a list for the babysitter. We jot down what we need for our hobbies or when we see a friend. It goes on and on. Then along came a global pandemic and the list makings came to a screeching stop.

Is there anything wrong with making a list? No. I say that carefully. While on the surface lists are a good idea, they can hold us in captivity. If we make a list and either have to stick to it no matter what. Or feel disappointed with ourselves at the end of the day because one or two things did not get done then our list can creep into idol worship.

It is not that I think all lists are an idol. But lists without allowing flexibility puts us in captivity. Listen there are plenty of things out there to put us in captivity. Words on paper should never be one of them.

Now let’s toss in Covid-19. A small (I kid and in no way make light of the issue at hand) global pandemic that has made mockery of nearly every list out there. As well as calendars. Perhaps, and just hear me out that is a gift from God.

Lists are null and void. Perhaps this is God saying “check with Me, I’ll help you through your day.” As Christ followers that is what we should be doing daily. This allows God’s Holy Spirit to flow through us the way He intended. Something a list puts a blocker of sorts between us and the Spirit of God.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10: 10, again a list is not a thief unless we allow it to be.

In my opinion, God is giving some rather strong clues to His church as to what He expects during this time. One is do not live by lists, live by asking Him. When we do, we may find we have more peace and happiness. That is what He wants and died for us to have.

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What has your perspective been like since and during Covid-19

Embed from Getty Images “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

Admit it, doubt and fear have crept into your thoughts from time to time. Also thoughts of having to spend one more day cooped up in your house, apartment or condo. It is easy to start to complain. It may even seem right to be angry at God. But, now just hear me out, what if we change our perspective?

2 Corinthians 4:18 tells us “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” This is a good example of perspective change.

We all see things, stores, movie theaters, grass, trees, the list is expansive. What if during the “social distance” or “quarantine” mandates we take 2 Corinthians 4:18 and apply them?

Sitting in my house I see the four walls and t.v. mounted on the wall. But if I slow down. If I open myself up to what God is exactly doing right now on the earth, I find peace. Psalm 46:10 puts it best ” “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

When I am still, I do not focus on what my eyes see. I see a God who is giving me protection against an enemy we can not see by allowing me to be safe in the house He provided for my family. I see a God who despite my wanting, is providing me health so I can tend to my family, friends and neighbors.

You can take this time to be angry, or to invest it or you can even waste the time God has given to slow down. I leave you with this thought, choose to be content, God is good and has given us much more than we can ever give Him.

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6: 6-8