The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer...

...is watching this Dave Barnes Christmas Extravagan Za (Part 4) and sharing it with friends both far and near.

Trust me. You want to watch this.

But be careful. You might pee your pants from all the laughing.



Also check out parts one, two and three.

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Also on a completely different note, I wanted to share this post by Annie Downs that really spoke to me as a fellow July baby.

THIS...Is Your SEC Bowl Game Headquarters

I am an SEC football fan.

More so, I am a fan of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Bowl season gets me so excited (not as excited as March Madness) because it calls for practically 24/7 college football. And there's only one thing that I love more than college football.

Mashed potatoes.

Anyhoo, I'm turning this blog into my own little SEC football headquarters. Need to know who is playing who and when and in what bowl and on what channel? Forget ESPN and all their mumbo jumbo. All they will be talking about his how great Alabama is and how "The Bear" shall live again. Or is it Ole Miss and how the South will never rise again because we are now the US of A and have been for a really, really long time now?

I know that everyone thinks that the SEC secured 10 out of 12 teams into bowls games. Not so true. Mississippi State and Vandy will be playing as well. Keep reading to find out where they will be going.

Now, in chronological order, here are your SEC bowl games (all times are central):

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl (Nashville, Tenn.)
Kentucky vs. Clemson, Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Advocare V100 Independence Bowl (Shrevport, La.)
Georgia vs. Texas A&M, Dec. 28, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Atlanta, Ga.)
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m., ESPN

Outback Bowl (Tampa, Fla.)
Northwestern vs. Auburn, Jan. 1, 10 a.m., ESPN

Capital One Bowl (Orlando, Fla.)
Penn State vs. LSU, Jan. 1, 12 p.m., ABC

AllState Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, La.)
Florida vs. Cincinnati, Jan. 1, 7:30 p.m., FOX (If anyone has a way to get me tickets to this game, ring-a-ding ding me. I am will to sacrifice employment to see Tim Tebow play live and in person.)

AT&T Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Tex.)
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss, Jan. 2, 1 p.m., FOX (Go Cowboys!)

Autozone Libery Bowl (Memphis, Tenn.)
Arkansas vs. East Carolina, Jan. 2, 4:30 p.m., ESPN

PapaJohns.com Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.)
South Carolina vs. UConn, Jan. 2, 1 p.m., ESPN (If you're in town, come by and visit!)

Citi BCS National Championship Game (Pasadena, Calif.)
Texas vs. Alabama, Jan. 7, 7 p.m., ABC

And last but not least...

An unforgettable SEC matchup in the...

CHARMIN ULTRA TOILET BOWL
Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt
Appearing in your nearest bathroom.

(Now don't get me wrong, I love m' Bulldogs and I know that next year we will be heading to a bowl game but for the time being, let's just poke fun at ourselves. It helps ward off all the tears.)

Why Aren't More Libraries Like This?

It's no secret that I'm not a big fan of libraries. Complete and utter silence is not conducive to my study habits but the Mississippi State library was always more of a social environment to me. I could never go in there and not see someone that I knew and not stop and talk. There were just too many distractions in there.

I know. I know. How can a library be distracting?

Whatevs.

But somehow, Mississippi State's Mitchell Memorial Library has completely lost all its marbles and decided to host a rave last night to break up the monotony of exam week.

I think if more libraries were like this all the time, I might actually consider spending more time in them. Except I'd really never get anything done.

Take a look.

Nutzo!



This girl really wants them to turn the lights off.



There's nothing better than a little school spirit and hatred of "The School Up North" to fuel some intense study energy in a bunch of college students.

Jesus Has New PR

It's no secret that Tim Tebow is one of my favorite people in the world. Let's overlook the fact that I have yet to meet him in this life. I met him in my dreams the other night, we went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and raced lawnmowers. He was a perfect gentleman. He let me win. But I digress.

I just wanted to point out the fact that Jesus has a new public relations coordinator and his name is Tim Tebow.

Actually, Jesus has a whole team of public relations coordinators and it's called the body of Christ.

The question every Saturday now has changed from, "What's the spread on this or that game," to "What verse will Tebow choose today?"

I would love to know how many people google or grab a bible and look up the verses he has on his eye-black every week. It's got to be an astounding number. I admit that I looked his verse from last night which was John 16:33.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

What an awesome verse to share with the world! I can't think of another verse, besides John 3:16, that any person in the world can find hope in other than this one.

Millions and millions of people saw that verse yesterday and I am willing to bet (except that I don't) that over half of those millions and millions looked that verse up upon seeing the reference.

Although Tim Tebow has been very verbal with his testimony and sharing his faith with the world, he does it every Saturday without speaking a word. He shows the Word. With a helmet on and ball in his hand, he does what God put us on this earth to do. Share Him with the world.

And that my friends is commendable. And good PR.

We can do that too. Although we may not appear on national television every week or have reporters seeking to tell the world our story, we do have a purpose on this earth. We all may be the only Jesus that people experience on a daily basis.

What are you doing everyday to show the Word? How do you use your platform (because everyone has one) to reach the nations (and your neighbors) for His glory?

Blog-Linkity Goodness 12.4.09

1. This post at (In)Courage yesterday blessed my soul to no end.

2. For those fans of the movie, A Christmas Story, here are a couple of fun links for crazed fans.

3. This story at ESPN also blessed my soul. A real kid, dealing with real problem, backed by real friends.

4. The Christian Rap. I found this humorous.

5. Six grand has been raised to build two more kindergartens in Vietnam. $60,000. That's a 6 with four of those "0" things behind it. Read about it here. Ain't God awesome?!?!

6. If you haven't checked out the Mocha Club Experience, please go check it out now. Two college guys giving up three months, including the biggest holidays of the year with their families, and going all over Africa to show the world what Mocha Club is doing with their projects.

The last video they posted was about their safari in the Masai Mara. Check it out.

A Safari Adventure: Webisode 8 from Mocha Club on Vimeo.

7. And this...

Random Dozen

Lid's Random Dozen. Here we go...

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like?

Why, Dorothy, of course! I've wanted to be her all my life. I love the way she befriends the strangest characters in the story, the ones who are looking for that missing piece in their puzzle. They help her out as she helps them out. They bring out the best in each other. And they work together to defeat the greatest evil. I like to think that's how it is with my own friends.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first?

I think the main piece (the shirt or dress). Then go from there.

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without?

I'm sure they serve a great purpose but snakes really do just creep me out

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home?

Only one right now. I don't have much room for more.

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it meant you didn't have to feel a heartbreak?

Absolutely not. The good in my life has always outweighed the bad and if I were emotionless I would be robbing myself of the joy that God has blessed me with.

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression?

If I have, I haven't really noticed.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music?

I really do. PYT. Thriller. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough. Mostly his older music.

8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reason, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma?
That's a good question. I actually thought about that today because I saw someone with an abnormally sized nose. I thought to myself, "Self, if I had a nose like that, I believe I would have to get that fixed just to make myself feel better." But I've often said that people should be thankful for what God gave them. I'm such a hypocrite.

9. Enjoy horseback riding?
I really do. It's so relaxing. I wish I could do it more. I don't think I've ridden a horse since I was in seventh or eighth grade.

10. Shoes -- practical or stylish?
I tend to lean more towards unnecessary. Ha. I'd have to say practical because I'm all about some flip-flops in the summatime, but really when it comes down to it, I love me a stylish shoe. (Just have some flip-flops in your bag, just in case.)


11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic.
Sandy. I really wish I had a picture to post. She was a great dog. Part basset hound, part yellow lab. Oh, she was loyal.

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done?

Oh, dear. Zero.

A Few Words From Matt Wyatt

For those of you who don't know, Matt Wyatt was Mississippi State's quarterback from 1995-1999. And he's possibly my most favorite quarterback in recent Mississippi State history because he's just a sweet and precious as can be. You know, he was on that team that played in against Peyton Manning and the Vols in the SEC Championship game in 1998 and versus Texas in the Cotton Bowl the same year, and then led the largest fourth quarter comeback the next season against Auburn (after going into the game undefeated at 5-0). (Click here is you want to see a blurry version of those highlights.)

Anyway, after a short-lived career in the German Football League, he's done several different jobs while also doing some freelance work. He contributes for Bulldawg Junction from time to time and recently pitched in his two cents about this past weekend's Egg Bowl.

I just love when former players give their opinion about games like this because they really see it in a different light.

Check out what he had to say here. I promise you won't be disappointed.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

I dreamed (dreamt?) last night that I went on a special blogger mission trip with Tim Tebow (score!). For some reason, I think it was Nicaragua (sp?).

And we raced lawnmowers.

And I won.

Take that, Timmy T! You may be number one on the football field with a ball in your hand but you have no idea as to the skillz I have behind the wheel of a lawnmower. I mean I've only run into a tree once in my many years of grass-cutting experience.

Anyhoo, so Tim, if you're reading this and planning your next mission adventure for Spring Break, give me a call. I can make myself available.

We're All In This Together

I'm channeling High School Musical.

No, really. I experienced two things today that really made me think about this thing we call "the world" and what humanity really is.

The first...

The large certified can of Whoop-Yo-Butt Mississippi State put on Ole Miss today to bring that sweet little (ahem...big) golden egg back home to Starkville. Y'all, work in athletics and I work game days which means I don't get to cheer a lot so in a way, I've sort of become desensitized to the yelling and screaming of it all because well, I'm forbidden to do all the yelling and screaming because I'm expected to be an unbiased professional at the "workplace".

However, when I get home, away from all the professionalism, and close to my rowdy fan of a mother, I tend to get rowdy myself. And today, I'm pretty sure I shredded my vocal chords on that last pick-six by Corey Broomfield. That sweet kid played three quarters with a separated shoulder, y'all. All to bring me that Golden Egg.

Anyway, this is why it's good to be a college football fan. You end up celebrating with complete strangers. After the game, you're at Lowe's. You get out of the car and are greeted by other State fans, yelling, "Go Dawgs!" You're at the movies. A lady notices the shirt you're wearing and asks who won. You give her the news and what does she say? "That's just like Ole Miss to lose." Ha.

The second...

I went to see 2012 at the movies with the parental units this afternoon after the Egg Bowl. I was afraid of how this movie would turn out. I was hoping it would be a little more than ohmygoodnesstheworldisending. And I should've known that these kinds of movies always have a moral to the story.

To paraphrase what one of the characters said towards the end of the movie, humanity isn't sacrificing others lives for the sake of our own. It's caring for each other in this thing we called life.

So, what is the big epiphany that I came away with today?

It is this.

In triumph or tribulation, we, humankind, come together at the end of the day. That's why it's called humankind. Human. Kind. Kind. Human. We care for each other. We share this thing called life. Together. Whether we like it or not.

Because we are human. We can't help but care for each other.

Ain't that just like God to make us care for each other and stuff.

Thankful

DVR. Gummy Bears. Grapes. Cheese Pringles. These are things I'm thankful for.

Chips and rotel at Bulldog Deli/Pepper's. The hilarity of Amanda Bynes. So You Think You Can Dance. The music of Switchfoot, Hillsong, Dave Barnes, Green Day, Dave Matthews, Brandon Heath and so many more.

I'm thankful for...

...the family I have. A mom. A dad. Still together after 32 years. Loving each other unconditionally. And teaching me how to love everyday.

...A sister who always has my back. Who completely uses her God-given gift as her ministry. Who gave me the coolest nephew ever.

...A brother-in-law who has seemed more like a real brother than an in law. Who serves the Lord in the church and out and has no less made me a secondary LSU fan.

...Friends. Young and old. Friends whom I seek out for wisdom and friends who seek me for wisdom. Growing together in the love of the Lord. Spurring each other on and keeping each other in check.

I'm thankful for...

...the job I have. That it meshes my three of my passions together into one cool gig.

...A Heavenly Father whose mercies are new every morning. Who gives me a reason to live everyday along with the breath and sustenance to live that day. Who saved me from myself so I could serve him and glorify Him. Who has completely changed my heart to align with His desires for my life.

I'm thankful for...

...the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. The only thing that can get me up early on a holiday at my age. The Rocketts. The Broadway showcase. The balloons and floats and marching bands.

...Extended family who seem more precious every time I see them.

...Mississippi State football and the Egg Bowl. GO DAWGS!

...Mississippi State basketball and Jarvis Varnado.

...Football on holidays. Period.

I'm thankful for the ability to express myself through the written word. On this blog. For the whole world to see.

What are you thankful for?

I'm profoundly apologetic that my NaBloPoMo efforts have been less than desirable. November has turned out to be both an incredibly busy month and an incredibly uncreative one in my brain. I'm sorry to say that I don't think I'll make it to 30 posts this month. I have failed. Here's to hoping I don't try to do this again.