Category: Random

Thwarting Plans

In my devotions currently I am reading through the Psalms.  This morning I came across Psalm 33:10 – 11, “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the people.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. ”  I’ve read these verses before, many times, and they encourage me that God’s plans will come to fruition.  Yet today they struck me in a new way.

Christians often exhort one another to pray that God’s purposes will be fulfilled in our nation and in the lives of our family and friends.  And we should.  Our nation needs to turn our collective hearts back to serving God–the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Christians across our nation pray that our leaders will seek God’s guidance in decision-making, that our nation will repent of its sins, and that we will acknowledge our dependence on God.

Yet, Psalm 33:10 encourages us to do more.  It tells us that God will thwart the plans of those who oppose Him.  It says to me that I should pray deliberately for the plans of those who do not honor the Lord to fail.  I should pray not only for Congress to pass laws that are in keeping with God’s commands, but I should actively pray for the failure of bills that don’t agree with God’s word.  I should pray for our President to make decisions that honor God and to be dissuaded from decisions that do not honor God.

On the one hand, this differentiation might seem like mere semantics.  However, as I see it, praying for the failure of those whose who purposes are not in line with God’s will puts me on the offensive.  Many Christians in America are very passive concerning the government.  We pray as Christ taught us through the Lord’s prayer, “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done,   on earth as it is in heaven.”  (Matthew 6: 9, 10)  We feel that we have done our part by praying for God’s will to be done, and we sit  back and watch our nation move further and further from God.

The time has come for Christians to actively pray against the forces that are driving our nation from God.  We need to pray for God’s will to be done and we must pray for the plans of those whose purposes are not godly to be thwarted.   Our God is strong and mighty; He is fully capable of ‘foiling the plans of the nations’ and causing His plans and purposes to be achieved, if we ask Him.

I encourage you today to go on the offensive.  Begin to pray for God’s will to be done and for God to thwart the plans of those who oppose Him.  If Christians across this nation do so, I believe American can still be a nation under God.

Honoring God With Our Money: Practical Money-Management Tips (Part 2)

This week’s lesson on honoring God with money focused on practical money-management tips.  These ideas have been culled from books, magazine articles, and internet sites, including Crown Financial Ministries and Christian Financial Concepts.

Today’s tips focus on ways to save on clothing and medical expenses for your family.

Saving on Clothing:

1)      If you can sew, consider making clothes.
2)      Make a written list of clothing needs and purchase during the “off” season when possible.
3)      Select outfits that can be mixed and used in multiple combinations rather than as a single set.
4)      Frequent the discount outlets that carry unmarked name-brand goods.
5)      Shop at authentic factory outlet stores for close-out values of top quality.
6)      Select clothing made of home washable fabrics.
7)      Use coin-operated dry cleaning machines instead of commercial cleaners.
8)      Practice early repair for damaged clothing.
9)      Learn to utilize all clothing fully (especially children’s wear).
10)   Check out Goodwill and the Salvation Army for clothing.
11)   Have clothes swapping parties.  Works for kids’ clothes and grown up clothes.

 Saving on clothes

Reducing Medical Expenses:

1)      Prevention is cheaper than treatment.
2)      Teach children to eat the right foods and clean their teeth properly. Good diet, rest, and exercise will most likely result in better health.
3)      Ask doctors and dentists in advance about costs.
4)      Shop for prescriptions and use generic drugs when possible.
5) Be sure to use doctors and labs that are in your insurance network.

Coupons for medical services

Falsely Convicted

Yesterday a man was released from prison in California after a judge determined he had been falsely convicted.  Daniel Larsen was sentenced to 27 years to life in 1999 under California’s “three strikes” law after being convicted of illegally carrying a concealed weapon.  Larsen claimed that a knife found under a car at the scene of a fight was not his but was thrown under the car by another man.  No one actually saw Larsen with the knife. Larsen served more than 13 years of his sentence before a judge ruled that Larsen is “actually innocent” of the charge, thus freeing him.  For more detail on the story, please go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/daniel-larsen-freed_n_2916889.html

While Daniel Larsen was not guilty of the crime for which he was imprisoned, he is a twice convicted burglar.  The previous convictions resulted in Larsen receiving a much harsher sentence than one would expect for a concealed weapons violation.  Still, Larsen was not guilty of the crime he was charged with and I am thankful that he has been rightly released.

I have been thinking a lot about wrongful convictions in the past few weeks since I watched the movie ‘The Next Three Days.’  In this movie, Russell Crowe plays the husband of a woman convicted of murder on the basis of circumstantial evidence and sentenced to 20 years in prison.  Crowe is absolutely convinced of his wife’s innocence and exhausts all his resources and legal options in an attempt to have her conviction overturned.  When all his efforts fail, he decides to break her out of prison.  I won’t reveal any spoilers–the movie description tells you everything I have mentioned.  It’s an intense, dramatic movie, and I highly recommend it.

Watching ‘The Next Three Days’ got me wondering how I would cope if I were falsely convicted of a crime.  I’m certain that I would not want to my loved ones to attempt to break me out of jail.  Committing a crime and risking innocent lives is not the way to right a wrong.  Of course, I would want my family to exhaust all legal options to secure my freedom, and I would pray that God would intervene on behalf.  But, what would my atttitude be?  I would hope that my attitude and my behavior would point others to Jesus Christ.

The Bible is full of examples of godly men who were imprisoned, enslaved, or murdered when they had done nothing to deserve those fates.  Joseph comes to mind as an exemplary role model.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and later imprisoned after being falsely accused by his master’s wife of making inappropriate advances.  Yet, Joseph honored God in prison. We read in Genesis 39:21 -23  “The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.  The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”

Because Joseph honored God, God honored Joseph.  Eventually, Joseph was released from prison and elevated to the second highest position in the land.  Joseph could look back later in his life and tell his brothers that he forgave them and that his imprisonment was part of God’s greater plan.   “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  (Genesis 50:20)

Of course, I hope and pray to never have the experience of being falsely convicted of a crime and imprisoned.  However, if it did happen, would have the faith and trust in God to view it as part of His larger plan?  Would I use that time to share God’s message of mercy and His plan of salvation with other prisoners?  Would I be able to focus my attention on heavenly goals, knowing that what happens on earth is but for a moment, but that which glorifies God has eternal value and significance?

I don’t know the answers to those questions, and I truly don’t want to find out.  However, every day I have the opportunity to find myself in circumstances that are less than ideal.  I need to view every circumstance as an opportunity to share the love of Christ with those whom God puts in my path.  Whether I am confined to a jail cell or a hospital bed or a desk at a job I don’t like, I am free to be all that God has called me to be in my present circumstances.

I rejoice that Daniel Larsen has found earthly freedom.  I pray that while he was in prison that he had a real encounter with Christ and that he experienced true freedom even while still incarcerated.  Today we all have the opportunity to chose true freedom in Christ or bondage to sin.  If we know Christ as our Savior, we have the opportunity to look at every circumstance as a chance to share Christ.

How do you think you would respond if you were falsely convicted of a crime?

Charity is the Duty of the Church

Historically, charity has been the duty of the church, yet today much of that responsibility has been abdicated to the government.  A large portion of the federal budget, and hence of the taxes we pay, is allocated to social programs, such as providing assistance to the poor.  Yet, Jesus made it clear that caring for those in need is a primary responsibility of His church.

In Matthew 25: 31 – 46, Jesus talks about the end times.  He tells His disciples that at the judgment He will separate the sheep and the goats.  The sheep will be rewarded with eternal life and the goats will be condemned to eternal punishment.  Who are the sheep?  The sheep are described as those who have provided food and drink to the hungry and thirsty and clothing to those in need, those who extended invitations to strangers, those who cared for the sick, and those who have visited prisoners.  The goats are the people who did not do these things.

This teaching taken by itself seems to indicate salvation by works.  Yet, we know from a thorough reading of the Scriptures, that we cannot achieve salvation by our works.  Salvation is a free gift bestowed on those who will accept it through belief in Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.  We can never do enough good works to be ‘good enough’ for Heaven.  Only if we acknowledge our sin and inadequacies and allow the blood of Jesus to pay the price for our sin can we be saved and receive the gift of eternal life.

Food pantry ministry
Food pantry ministry

What then was Jesus trying to tell His disciples?  I believe that He was emphasizing how serious it is for His church to carry out His work of ministering to those in need.  As a church, the body of Christ must: (1) feed the hungry, (2) provide clothing to those in need, (3) reach out to strangers and make them feel welcome, (4) care for the sick and lonely, and (5) visit those who are incarcerated.  These actions are not voluntary; Jesus mandated them as the primary work of His people.

Visiting the sick
Visiting the sick

Jesus came to minister to those in need.  When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) Jesus went out of His way to interact with those who were in need, whether the need was physical, financial, or spiritual.  After their immediate needs were met, they were receptive to Jesus’ message of grace and redemption.

The church should do no less than Jesus did.  Charitable outreach cannot be something we do randomly or haphazardly.  It must be done regularly and with a plan.  To paraphrase a popular saying  “no one cares what you believe until they believe you care.”  We will only be able to reach the lost, the hurting, the lonely, and the needy if we reach out to them with the love of Jesus and minister first to their physical needs.  If the church truly fulfills this mission, sinners will flock to churches and many, many people will receive salvation.

I am happy to be a part of a church that believes in ministering to those in need.  We do this specifically by providing food to anyone who calls us and asks for help.  Most of the people we assist do not attend our church.  We are happy to share Christ’s love through providing food for them.  It is our prayer that many of these people will want to fully experience Christ’s love and will seek out a Bible-believing church to attend.  We also visit visit the sick and elderly in the hospital and nursing homes.  And, of course, many other churches in our community do their part to fulfill Christ’s mandate to serve the poor and needy.  Still, there is more that needs to be done. 

Each church needs to step up and take primary responsibility for the needy in their communities.  If they did, the government could reduce or eliminate many social programs and the church would have the influence it should rightly have in the world.

What are you and your church doing to share Christ’s love with those in need?

Broken Weather Promises

The weatherman broke his promise to me, again.  Last weekend he promised a gorgeous, sunny weekend with a high temperature near 70.  We got a wet, cold, dreary weekend, instead.  I don’t mind an occasional rainy weekend, but not in the midst of winter when I’ve been promised a rare springlike weekend.  It was a bit depressing.  To add to our misery, the entire week has been rainy and cold.

snowyday[1]Yesterday the weatherman promised us a change of weather in the form of snow.  I love snow!  One of my favorite children’s books is The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.  That was the day I was expecting. I love to watch the flakes fall from the sky and cover up the dead of winter.  It is particularly beautiful when it is deep enough that all you see on the ground is a solid blanket of white.  I enjoy being out in the snow, but I am reluctant to go outside because I don’t want footprints to mar the pristine surface.

So, I was excited by yesterday’s forecast of snow.  As I drove to work Wednesday, the weather reports said to expect flurries.  Later in the day the forecast was changed to measurable amounts of snow, which increased from 2-4 inches, to 5 inches, to 8 inches with blizzard conditions expected by 5 pm.   My heart soared with each new weather bulletin.  Even if the weatherman was wrong about the snow fall totals, we should be in for a beautiful snowy day.  If the weatherman was correct, not only would I likely miss work on Friday, but their was a distinct possibility of being sent home early on Thursday.

The Thursday morning forecast called for the first flakes to appear around noon, with snow continuing until midnight or so.  Total snow fall predictions had been downgraded to 4-6 inches.  Throughout the day, the snow’s impending arrival was pushed back and the predicted total were decreased.  Yet I was still hopeful of getting a ‘decent’ snow.  As I drove home, I saw a couple of snowflakes mixed with the rain that had fallen all day.  It is now almost 11:00.  No snow has materialized.  No sleet.  No frozen rain.  The temperature has not plummeted to several degrees below freezing.

Alas, I must face the fact that the weatherman has broken another promise.  There will be no day off tomorrow.  It is highly unlikely that there will even be a delayed opening.  I, along with thousands of local school children and a few other adults, am feeling disillusioned.  I have friends who don’t like the snow and who are quite pleased that the weather man broke another promise.

How can the weatherman be so very wrong as to predict 8 inches of snow, when what we got was a sixth consecutive day of rain?  Why do I always believe the weatherman when he promises snow?  Why do I let my hopes soars, when there is such a high probability that this prediction is just another broken promise?  I don’t know.   Perhaps it would benefit me to become a skeptic–to doubt all the weatherman’s snow forecast, so that I am pleasantly surprised when the snow actually does come.

The forecast for tomorrow is for the sun to reappear.  After the rain of the last six days, the sun would be a most welcome sight.  Just the thought of seeing the sun in the morning is making me feel better, almost cheerful.  Am I setting myself up for another weather disappointment?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Tonight, October 31, children across American will don costumes and take to the street to collect candy from their neighbors in the annual celebration of Halloween.  As a Christian, I have struggled with whether Christians  should (1) celebrate Halloween, (2) ignore Halloween, or (3) partake in an alternative activity, such as a Fall festival.  I have given this much thought over the years and have decided that for me, as a Christian, providing a wholesome, safe alternative to traditional Halloween celebrations is most in line with my beliefs.

As a child, I looked forward to Halloween only because I received lots of free candy.  Our family was never put up elaborate decorations or tried to scare young children.  We simply dressed up and collected candy from our neighbors, then came home to examine our loot and start eating it.  

When I hit my teens, our church began offering an alternative event to Halloween.  Children were permitted to dress in “nice” costumes and were treated to an evening of fun, games, and food.  It was basically like going to a party.  I enjoyed these Halloween-alternative events more than our past tradition of walking around the neighborhood to get candy. As an adult, I have helped to put on many such events at my church.

My boys have always loved to dress up in costumes.

Halloween isn’t all fun and candy, however.  There is a distinctly dark aspect of Halloween.  Witches, ghosts, and goblins are displayed throughout neighborhoods.  Horror films abound on television.  Haunted houses are erected.  This scary, evil part of Halloween is what makes many Christians object to the entire celebration.  They feel the day glorifies Satan, while at the same time teaching children that Satan is a fictional character.  If the scary parts of Halloween are make-believe, then Satan probably is make-believe, also.  Unfortunately, Satan is very real and he is using every opportunity to deceive people and keep them from believing the truth.

So, why then, would I as a Christian support and participate in any events on October 31?  Psalm 118:24 tells us, “This is the day that the Lord has made.”  Every day belongs to God.  We have not been instructed to give over even one day to Satan.  Therefore, I will not be silent on October 31.  I will not ignore this day.  By offering alternative celebrations, I believe we reclaim October 31 as a day belonging to God.

Additionally, by offering an alternative to children, we have the opportunity to provide a safe environment for children to have fun.  Children need to see that the Christian way of life is not a life of restrictions but rather a life of opportunity and freedom.  Jesus came “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)  We are trying to introduce children to the freedom and joy that comes from making Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Having a event on October 31 is one way to do that.

Our church will host a Trunk or Treat event tonight. Along with candy, children will participate in games and be fed dinner. They will also get a brief introduction to Jesus Christ.  We will not be celebrating Halloween.  We will be celebrating the Creator of the Universe–the one who makes October 31 possible.

How will you honor God this day?

Trunk or Treat car

Welcoming Home A Returning Hero

On my recent trip to New Orleans, I was seated beside one of our military heroes as he flew the last leg of a very long trip home from Afghanistan.  Sam had been away from his family for a year, serving with an Army unit.  His trip home had taken him from Afghanistan to New Orleans by way of Africa, Germany, Indianapolis, and Atlanta over a period of 36 hours.  He was exhausted but willing to talk to me about his family and his life in New Orleans.

Sam’s military service qualifies him as one of America’s heroes.  He put his life on the line to protect our freedoms and defend our nation. Additionally, Sam is helping to rebuild New Orleans while realizing the American dream and supporting his family.  Sam has been able to purchase damaged homes, renovate them, and rent them.  He is building a future for his children while helping to rebuild his home town.

I enjoyed my visit with Sam and looked forward to witnessing Sam’s reunion with his family after his long absence.  So I was disappointed to learn that Sam was sneaking into town unannounced. He planned to surprise his family by suddenly showing up at home.  I’m sure it was a great surprise and that his family was delighted to have Sam home.  However, I couldn’t help but feel that Sam had denied them the great pleasure of waiting excitedly for their first glimpse of him as he made his way through the airport.

Many years ago I waited at the Savannah airport with my mother, three sisters, and little brother as Dad returned home safely from Vietnam.  It is one of the best memories of my life.  Even now, forty-four years later, there are tears in my eyes as I recall that joyous day.  Dad had left home 13 months earlier and served in Saigon during the TET offensive.  Although we were in elementary school,  my sisters and I couldn’t escape the daily barrage of news on the war in Vietnam.  We were aware that he was in harm’s way everyday and there was nothing we could do except pray for God’s hand to protect him.

Mom received word of Dad’s homecoming a day before he arrived home.  I think he had called her from Hawaii to let her know he was on his way.  She tried to keep the news a secret from us, but we noticed her whispering to the neighbors and figured out that something was up.  Mom soon realized that we feared something was wrong and told us the wonderful news.  Shortly afterwards, Dad called from California.  It is impossible to describe the joy I felt as a nine-year old girl upon hearing Dad’s voice for the first time in more than a year.  There was little sleep in our house that night and in the morning we piled into our station wagon to make the trip to the airport. 

In 1968 airports were not equipped with the security systems now in place.  We stood behind a chain-link fence and watched as Dad came down the steps of the plane.  Then we raced into his arms.  It was so wonderful to have our Dad home. 

Dad could have chosen to surprise us, as Sam did and as many fathers are choosing to do these days.  I’m sure we would have been just as thrilled to have him home.  But we would have been denied those glorious hours of anticipation, knowing that he was on his way home, and the pure joy of watching him step from the plane.

Thanks, Dad, for your service.  You deserved the hero’s welcome you received from your grateful family.  And Sam, thank you for your service.  Thank you for making the sacrifice to serve your country thousands of miles from home and those you love.  I hope your homecoming was as special and joyous in its own way as my father’s was so many years ago.

Football Passion, “Sports Hate”, and Loving Your Enemy

Just prior to the Houston Texans inaugural season in 2002, Sports Illustration wrote an article that opened with, “When I was born the first thing my mother said to me was ‘You hate the Dallas Cowboys.'”  It was a quote from a fan of the newest NFL team.  His mother had been a fan of the Houston Oilers before they moved to Tennessee and were renamed the Titans.  Despite the team’s move, this fan and his mother continued to hate the Dallas Cowboys. They were delighted that professional football was returning to Houston.

My son read the article and then asked me, “Was that the first thing you told me?  ‘You hate the Dallas Cowboys'”  I responded that it was not the first thing, but it was something that I said to him soon afterward and often.  The Cowboys are division rivals of our beloved Redskins.  Our hatred is not limited to the Dallas Cowboys; we also hate the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants for exactly the same reason.

Football fans are a passionate bunch who wear their loyalties proudly.  Some paint their faces, while others paint their bodies.  Packers fans wear cheese-shaped hats and refer to themselves as CheeseHeads.  Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels, while Saints fans hold signs reading “Who Dat?”  The Redskins’ best known fans are the Hogettes, a group of men who wear dresses and hog noses to each game.

With such devoted fans, it is to be expected that emotions run high during games.  Sometimes this passion carries into everyday life, and fans start to hate not only their biggest rivals, but also fans of their biggest rivals.  I have a friend Larry who is a passionate Dallas Cowboy fan.  We attend the same church and enjoy ribbing each other.  One week Larry’s daughter overheard her father say that he hated me.   Larry’s daughter is one of the girls I teach at church and one of the lesson  I teach is to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  (Luke 6:27, 28)   Larry’s daughter was horrified that her father could hate her teacher.  Of course, Larry quickly explained the difference between ‘sports hate’ and real hate and that he only hates me when it comes to football.

Occasionally passionate sports fans get confused between ‘sports hate’ and real hate.  When this happens, frustrated fans tend to take out their disappointment on their sports enemies, better known as the other team’s fans.   This type of violence is not limited to football fans.Tragically, this happened last year at Dodger Stadium when a Giants fan was badly beaten on the opening day of the baseball season.    

As a new football season begins, I hope that all football fans will remember to leave the tackles and blows to the players on the football field.  Cheer your favorite team on with gusto and passion, but remember when the game is over, it’s time to treat your enemies with love and respect.  This year let’s modify the words of Christ to say, “Love your football rivals and treat with respect to the fans of the teams who compete against your team, bless those whose teams outscore yours, and pray for those fans who taunt you after a victory.” 

 

Washington Redskins Hogettes

Handling Disappointment with Class

On Tuesday, the Washington Redskins cut Chris Cooley, despite Cooley being one of the most loved members of the team.  Like many, many other Redskins fans, I cried as Cooley, choking back tears, said goodbye to the fans whose cheers of “Cooooooooooley” have rocked FedEx Stadium.

In saying goodbye, Cooley displayed great class and provides a great example for others who face disappointment, particularly job loss.  Four major themes that echoed through his farewell speech were gratitude, lack of bitterness, best wishes for those who let him go, and a hope that he might one day return.

1) Be grateful for the opportunity.  Cooley had a rare opportunity to play football in the NFL.  Many boys dream of that but few make it.  Cooley expressed his thanks to the team, the media and his friends.  He recognized that, “This organization has changed my life in every way for the better, and I appreciate it.”

2)  Allow no bitterness or hard feelings to cloud your feelings. Cooley made it clear that while he was very disappointed in the team’s decision, he is not bitter about it.  He recognized that the coaches had to make the best decision they could for the team.  He expressed that as, “There’s really no hard feelings from me….I’ve trusted everything that they’ve done and everything that they want to do, and even though I’m not a part of that today, I still do believe in what they’re doing.”

3) Wish your former employers all the best. Cooley has been the heart of the Redskins for the past 8 years and his passions for the ‘Skins will not end just because he is no longer playing for them.  He expressed his good wishes by saying, “I can’t tell you how much I think of this staff and the players on this team. I’m thrilled for what they can accomplish and I wish everyone here the best.”

4) Leave the door open for a future relationship.  Right now, it appears likely that Chris Cooley will never again play for the Washington Redskins. However, the future is not certain.  Football is a sport where trades abound and cut players are re-signed when another player is injured or fails to live up to expectations.  Cooley left the door open to return by not burning his bridges. He also expressed the hope that he might return, when he said “so today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin.”

My husband faced a similar situation four years ago when he was laid off from his job.  He too acted with great class.  He thanked his employer for the opportunity to work for him for five years, he was never bitter toward his former boss, he hoped and prayed for his boss’s success, and he let his boss know that he was open to returning to work there when the company’s situation improved.  Consequently, he was rehired more than three years later.

I don’t know what is in store for Chris Cooley.  I can only hope and pray that one day the Redskins will realize they still need Cooley.  I long to hear the chants of “Coooooooley” from the faithful fans of the ‘Skins.  In the meantime, I wish Cooley great success on whatever team picks him up.  And after his football days are over, I wish him continued success.  Chris Cooley is a class act and we would be wise to follow his example when we are faced with disappointment.

For those who would like to read Chris Cooley’s farewell speech, the full text follows:

“The Washington Redskins are releasing me today, so today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin. It’s been awesome. I’ve been very, very fortunate to play for a franchise that has embraced me and for a fan base that has embraced me the way that they have. This organization has changed my life in every way for the better, and I appreciate it. I’ve loved every minute of playing here, and it’s been a good run. It’s been a pleasure. I guess, for me, I’ll take some time and decide what I want to do moving forward. I have every belief that I can play football. I have every belief that I can be not only a productive player but a starter in this league. I’m very confident in my abilities to continue to play the game. It would be a tough decision for me to put on another jersey. It’s something that I really never had to imagine, so for now, I’ll take some time and make sure what I do in the future is exactly what I want to do.

“Again, it’s been a pleasure to be a part of this team. I’m so excited for the group of guys and the coaches that are here this year. I think that there’s a lot in store for the Redskins. I think the future’s awesome. [His phone rings – “Now I feel bad.”] I can’t tell you how much I think of this staff and the players on this team. I’m thrilled for what they can accomplish and I wish everyone here the best.

“There’s really no hard feelings from me. I’ve had good talks with Bruce Allen. It’s been – he’s been great. I talked to all the coaches, and it’s OK that – it’s OK with me the direction they’re moving. Since Bruce and Mike have been here, I’ve trusted everything that they’ve done and everything that they want to do, and even though I’m not a part of that today, I still do believe in what they’re doing.

“I want to thank all you guys. Our media has been so, so good to me. I appreciate everything. [Chokes back tears] I’m sorry. I’m a baby. I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I guess, finally, just to say thank you to our fans [voice wavering] … it’s been great. Thank you.”

Our Hometown Olympians

I have always loved watching the Olympics and cheering on the USA.  In 1992 the Summer Olympics held a special significance as two recent graduates of  my alma mater, Stafford High School, were selected to represent the United States in Barcelona. 

Mark Lenzi graduated from Stafford High in 1986.  He had been a wrestler in high school, but he switched to diving after watching Greg Louganis win Olympic gold in 1984.  Mark joined a nearby diving team and quickly excelled in the sport.  He went on to dive for Indiana University, winning two NCAA  Championships. In the 1992 Olympics, Mark competed in 3-meter diving.

Jeff Rouse was a couple of years behind Mark, graduating in 1988.  Jeff had been swimming since the age of 5 and had set national age records at the age of 11.  He swam in college for Stanford University, specializing in the back stroke.  In the 1992 Olympics, Jeff competed in the 100-meter backstroke and the  4 x 100 medley relay.

Having two local residents competing in the Summer Olympics created quite a stir.  We live in an area where football and basketball dominate the local sports scene.  However, the entire community was proud of our local Olympians and prayed for their success.

Remarkably, both men returned home from Barcelona victorious.  Mark won the 3-meter diving competition, becoming the last American man to win a Gold medal in diving.  He returned to the Olympics in 1996 and won a bronze medal in his event.  Jeff came home from Barcelona with two medals–he won Gold in the relay and Silver in his individual event.  He bettered his results in the 1996 Olympics, winning two Gold medals.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of their Gold medal performances in Barcelona. To the best of my knowledge, Mark and Jeff are the only local athletes to have achieved Olympic success.  It is amazing that they graduated from the same high school and they competed in the same two Olympics.  We are very proud of our hometown Olympians.

Sadly, Mark Lenzi passed away earlier this year.  Jeff Rouse lives in our area and is a valuable member of our business community.