BibleSponge

I’ve hesitated, as this stirs up the nest amongst the church and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  I’ve witnessed this first-hand as well as on networks such as TBN.  I’m lying down, unwinding and along comes [ENTER PROSPERITY PREACHER HERE] with his message of health and wealth and how Jesus will bless me with all my desires…blah blah blah.  The list goes on and on.  From Benny Hinn to Jesse Duplantis to Joel Osteen and all in between, I give you the Prosperity “Gospel”.

“Do this” and you’ll be “blessed with that”.  “Do this” and you “won’t have to worry about that”.  You see this works for these false teachers until folks wise up and read the Word for themselves.  It quickly becomes obvious that they are out to lunch in the mind and the pulpit and are “to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:6-10).  Let’s put it into perspective, shall we?

JS

Wow.  Pastor Matt Chandler hit this one out of the ballpark and into the next galaxy.  A fresh dose of why people continue to fall away from the church.  Will the masses ever get it?  Or continue to idly sit by as long as numbers look good and parking lots are full.

JS

First off, congrats Pens.  They definitely deserved the Cup.  They played harder and wanted it more.  Dan Blysma did a great job taking over and getting this team on track.

The idea here is not so much about me being a disgruntled Wings fan who’s blindly disappointed.  Although, I’m extremely let down after a crazy-good playoff run through the Ducks and Blackhawks.  Did the Pens deserve to win the Cup?  Unequivocally YES.  Are they a better team than the Wings?  Absolutely NOT.  Albeit part of the game, not an excuse, the Wings played their most injury-plagued playoff run in history.  A healthy Wings team vs. a healthy Pens team – Wings win in 5.  Anyone with any hockey-sense that actually follows the sport through an entire season, and not just in the finals because a team is geographically close by, would take those odds.

So what is the difference between these cities?  One knows how to win and respect the game, the other still has to learn the latter.  Granted, either you love or hate the Red Wings –but they know how to win and how to lose.  What?  There’s a right way to lose?  Yes, there is.  It involves respect for the game and its athletes despite your grim feelings after losing.

One needs to look no further than the post-game celebration at Joe Louis Arena.  When the Conn Smythe was presented to Malkin, Detroit fans clapped.  When the Cup was presented to Crosby, Detroit fans applauded.  And when the great Mario Lemieux hoisted the Cup, Detroit fans cheered.

Now, let’s contrast this with the Wings’ victory last year at the Igloo in Pittsburgh.  They booed the presentation of the Cup to one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game, Nick Lidstrom.  They booed the presentation of the Conn Smythe to future Hall-of-Famer Henrik Zetterberg after he completely dominated their beloved #87.  Before any Pens fans start commenting, please watch the video below…

At 2:46, Bettman comes out for the Conn Smythe presentation and at 3:05, Zetterberg is announced as MVP with boos that continue into the presentation of the Cup.

Pittsburgh may be ready to hang the banner of 2009 Stanley Cup Champs at the opening of next season, but they are far from being worthy of the title, “Hockeytown”.  Let’s Go Wings!

JS