Friday, February 22, 2008

NFL Allows Church Groups to show Super Bowl

This just in from ESPN.com....

The NFL will allow church groups to show the Super Bowl on large-screen televisions, reversing a policy that drew criticism from elected officials.

In a letter to U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will no longer object to "live showings -- regardless of screen size -- of the Super Bowl" by religious organizations, The Washington Post reported.

An earlier story in The Post about church groups canceling Super Bowl parties over fear of legal action by the NFL led to protest by some lawmakers and conservative leaders.

At the center of the issue is an NFL policy which holds that organizations showing public viewings of its games on televisions larger than 55 inches violate the league's copyright. Sports bars are exempt from the policy, but last year, the NFL sent letters to two church groups, advising them of the rule, according to The Post.

In its letter to Hatch, the NFL said it would not object to big-screen viewings in churches as long as they are free and held on premises that the church uses on a "routine and customary" basis, according to the report.

Hatch said in a prepared statement that he was grateful that the NFL made the exception.
"Many families want to enjoy the Super Bowl in a group atmosphere -- but obviously aren't going to take their kids to a sports bar," he said, according to The Post.

Steve Holley, executive pastor of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, Va., which canceled its big-screen Super Bowl party this year over the policy, was also pleased by the change.

"[The NFL] decided to set aside profit for community spirit," Holley said, according to The Post. "I'm encouraged by that."

THIS IS COOL; HERE'S A FEW PICS FROM OUR PARTY THIS YEAR. WE HAD 75 OR SO FROM THE VARIOUS HOMELESS SHELTERS IN TOWN COME AND PARTICIPATE! OH, AND NOTICE THE TOM BRADY PINATA...ALSO KNOWN AS THE "TOMNATA"


Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Most Redeeming Films of 2007


I like movies, I just don't go that often. Busy, its expensive, etc. But we do rent from time to time, and occassionally there is a good movie that comes along. Anyway, Christianity Today has a list of their Most Redeeming Films of 2007. I've seen one...the cartoon rat that cooks. The rest I'll get around to via rentals. If you're interested, click here to see their list and a short synopsis of each film.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Saturday, February 16, 2008


The writer's strike is finally over, and some of the most creative stuff happening in the entertainment industry can now resume production. I know everyone doesn't get the humor in The Office, but its one of my favorites, and I'm looking forward to the next episode (which isn't until April). Pretty clever stuff. If you're not into it, its worth giving it a chance for a few weeks...maybe it will grow on you. Or maybe not. As for me, I'm in withdrawal and can't wait!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Jeff Coffin with HS Jazz Honors Band




OK, so this guy is awesome. Cool that the young Marshall lad is playing bass right behind him. Kid playing the alternate sax part is from the same school (this is an honors jazz band made up of kids from several schools; they only practiced a little Friday night and a little Saturday morning.) Coffin plays with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and has played sax with anyone who's anyone in music. Very, very cool. (try a youtube search for him and find some very cool clips - he's kinda famous for playing 2 saxes at a time...video coming soon)

If you have time, watch this video, with Bela Fleck and bassist extraordinaire Victor Wooten - Coffin does the double sax thing for a bit toward the end.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

What if...

Top ten ways the Bible would be different if it were written by
college students

1.Last Supper would have been eaten the next morning - cold.
2.The Ten Commandments are actually only five, double-spaced, and written in a large font.
3.New edition every two years in order to limit reselling.
4.Forbidden fruit would have been eaten because it wasn't cafeteria food.
5.Paul's letter to the Romans becomes Paul's e-mail to abuse@romans.gov.
6.Reason Cain killed Abel: They were roommates.
7.The place where the end of the world occurs: Finals, not Armageddon.
8.Out go the mules, in come the mountain bikes
9.Reason why Moses and followers walked in desert for 40 years: They didn't want to ask directions and look like freshers.
10.Instead of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, He would have put it off until the night before it was due and then pulled an all-nighter.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Free Hugs

OK, so I'm a little behind. This has been around for a bit, but I just came across it. Made me smile. Hope it does you too...