ACC YOU pick em Challenge Week 2

Here are the games for week 2 of the ACC YOU pick em Challenge.  There are a lot more games during the week but they are all tournament games so it is hard to determine who will play who so we are leaving those out.

Your picks are due by Monday at noon to be considered for the week.  I will list the week 1 winners and overall leaders on 11/21/11.  Please feel free to play along each week even if you missed the first week. You might be winner for that week!  It's all in good fun!  So far the ACC looks good!  Keep it up!

11/21/11

1.  Duke vs. Tennessee
2. Massachusetts @ Boston College
3. Florida Gulf Coast @ Miami
4. Tennessee State @ North Carolina
5. Coastal Carolina @ Clemson
6. Siena @ Georgia Tech
 11/24/11

7. Boston College vs. St. Louis
8. Florida State @ Massachusetts
9. Wake Forest vs. Dayton

11/25/11

10. Miami @ Ole Miss
11. Elon @ NC State
12. Florida Gulf Coast @ Maryland
13. Furman @ Clemson
14. Green Bay @ Virginia

15. North Carolina vs. South Carolina

16. St. Bonaventure @ Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va.

Pilgrimage “Unplugged”

This past weekend, myself and 25 other youth and mentors from church attended a youth conference in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  This conference has over 5000 youth that attend and participate in the conference.  They are bands that play praise and worship music, youth that give awesome testimonies, skits, and videos as well as the key note speakers. This year’s theme was Follow the way, speak the truth, live the life. 

Our youth did an amazing awesome job this weekend.  From getting to the church on time to leave, to following directions and being where they needed to be when I needed them to be there.  They interacted with each other, talked to everyone, and engaged even the shyest youth in conversation.  They were respectful and listened to the speakers and the people pouring their hearts out through testimonies and they stood and danced and sang the praise music.  They did all this and on top of it, they were “unplugged.”

That’s right, our youth did not have their cell phones or I pods at Pilgrimage.  In fact they didn’t have their cell phones at all on the trip.  This is something we started a couple of years ago because cell phones were taking our youth’s attention away from each other and what the lessons we were trying to teach.  They went the whole weekend without being plugged in.  The best part of the scenario is the fact that they noticed the other kids around us and how disrespectful they were to the speakers.  They saw them listening to their I-pods or facebooking while the speaker was speaking.  The thing that got all of us, youth and adults alike, was all the talking that not only other youth did during the speaker’s time, but that adults did as well.  It was interesting to watch.

It is amazing that people spend so much time and money to come to such a wonderful conference and then don’t respect it.  I know that it is wonderful and great that they are there in the first place, but I want my youth to grow spiritually.  There is a time for fun and games.  I love to play and joke around, but I want my youth to learn.  I want them to grow.  I want to know that there are other youth and adults out there in the world that have the same beliefs as them and they are proud to share them with the world.   Our Youth not only paid attention all weekend but also showed their spirituality through a video they put together that was shown to all 5000 youth at the conference.  It was amazing to watch and see them up on the big screen.

I am so proud of them for everything they did this weekend.  It was a great experience and I hope that they got as much out of the conference as I got out of their maturity and actions this weekend.  I know that they get upset at me sometimes because of the cell phone thing,  but I only want what’s best for them, and that  involves them being engaged and respectful of the world around them.  You never know what you might learn, or better yet what you might teach someone else!  Thank you youth group for a fantastic weekend!  You are the best.

ACC week 12 Eric's "Predictions"

I have to do my picks early this week because I am headed up to the Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina game on Wednesday.

Last week I went 5 and 1.  My Hokies pulled out the win but NC State let me down.  I don’t know how you can beat  North Carolina but lose to Boston College.  Boston College has been a thorn in my side this year, winning when I don’t choose them and losing when I do.  Oh well let’s get to the picks!

Last week:  5-1                                              Overall:  48-23

 North Carolina vs.  Virginia Tech:  My hope is that the game on Thursday night gets the Hokies going.  Although they have only lost one game all year they have looked sloppy doing it.  Last week they came to play on both sides of the ball and it was a lot of fun to watch.  North Carolina has played well during the year.  They have lost some games I expected them to win.  I want the Hokies to play in the ACC championship.  My pick is the Virginia Tech Hokies!  I can’t wait to get to Blacksburg although I am bringing some Carolina fans with me! 

Georgia Tech vs. Duke:  Georgia Tech is a good football team.  That option game is scary and really hard to beat.  Duke has had some good games this year.  They played Virginia Tech very hard, but I think the option will be too much for them.  My pick is Georgia Tech.

Maryland vs. Wake Forest:  Maryland got stomped by Notre Dame, and Wake played a really tough game against Clemson.  I was very impressed with Wake’s effort.  Maryland has let me down so much this year.  I don’t know what happened to them.  My pick for this game is Wake Forest.

Miami vs. South Florida:  Miami comes and goes.  Sometimes they are really good and sometimes they are really bad.  South Florida hasn’t done much this year and struggled in conference play.  I think Miami will put a good game together after losing to Florida State last week.  They will not want to lose to another in state school.  My pick is Miami.

7 Clemson vs. North Carolina State:  Clemson secured the Atlantic Coast Division spot in the Championship game on Saturday.  I really want a rematch with them.  I think we will get it.  This game doesn’t mean much to Clemson so NC State could catch them sleeping but I don’t think they will.  I think Clemson gets off to a hot start and plays well against State.  My pick is Clemson.

Boston College vs. Notre Dame:  Boston College got a good win against NC State on Saturday.  Notre Dame crushed Maryland.  I think that this game could start out close because of location but I think that Notre Dame will be the stronger team.  My pick is Notre Dame. If Notre Dame wins they will be 3 and 0 against the ACC this year.  Should they join the conference?

Virginia vs. 25 Florida State: Florida State has gotten themselves ranked again after that three game losing streak.  Virginia has played really well this year.  The Virginia vs. Virginia Tech game could have meaning behind it this year.  However, I think that Florida State will beat Virginia this week.  I think they are too good of a team for Virginia.  My pick is Florida State. I think Virginia loses and Virginia Tech wins giving Virginia Tech the spot in the Championship for the Coastal division. 

Day 128

This week has been crazy.  Finally on Monday I felt well enough to get back on the horse and start exercising again.  I didn't realize how much I missed it until I felt that boost of energy all day long.  I am back!  My plan right now is to work hard and not weigh myself again until the first of January.  That way if I slip up and down over the holidays I won't get fustrated.  I will just start fresh as far as worrying about what I weigh on the 1st of January.  Let's hope that is a good plan!  Thanks for the support, we will see what happens in the Hokie game tomorrow night.  I hope they pull it off!  Let's go Hokies!

It’s about the Youth!

Most of you know what is going on at Penn State right now.  I won’t go into details but it is truly horrible and upsetting, especially to someone who works with youth for a living.  There are a lot of people in this world that need help.  Unfortunately a lot of them don’t get it and that is why things like what is happening at Penn State happen.  I can’t imagine a youth that I know going through something like that. 

I started working with youth because I found a passion for it while at the YMCA.  I was called into ministry and have dedicated myself to the understanding, care, and loving of the youth that are involved in my program.  Each of them deserves just as much time and respect as the others.  They all have a special place in my heart, our mentors’ hearts and our church’s hearts.  They come to us from different backgrounds.  Each has their own problems, phobias, flaws, gifts, inner beauty, and personalities.  They are all unique in their own way and that is what makes working with them so fun.

I have dealt with a lot of things when it comes to my youth, some of them terrible and hard to fix while other times it was an easy fix.   Each problem or situation is equally important.  This is their lives and although they might not have all the problems and concerns of the adult world, there are still a lot of hard decisions and life changing actions going on for them.   When they are youth group age, they have to make decisions that can affect the rest of their lives.

This is way I say that it is all about the Youth.  I know that it is my job to have that mentality but I would say that anyway.  It is obvious that they need a safe place to be.  They need people that love them and care about them and will be there for them when they need someone to listen to them.  Our youth program provides that for them.  We want to teach our youth to be Christ like and in order to do that, we need to be Christ like.  Life provides to many opportunities for them as well as mentors to act in a manner that is not Christ like.

If we can teach them that, provide them with a safe place to be, have activities that help them grow spiritually but are fun at the same time, they will grow up with the love of Christ in their hearts.  I may not be perfect in what I say and do when it comes to our youth program, but I love my youth and I try really hard to be that shining light for them.  I want our youth group to be that beacon of hope for those that are drowning in the sea of life.  It’s about the youth, not one of you but all of you.  You are the future of this world we live in and we must help mold you into who you will be.  Live life, love life, center your life, and then you shall find Christ.

ACC week 11 Eric’s “Predictions”

Last week North Carolina again as every week goes, Maryland let me down again!  Well I still got four picks right as I picked LSU it win against Alabama.  This week is going to be really hard on a couple of games so let’s get to it!

Last week: 4 -2                                  Overall:                      43-22

10 Virginia Tech vs. 21 Georgia Tech: This is such a tough game to predict.  The Hokies haven’t shown up for a complete game yet this year.  The defense is hurting bad with so many guys out for the year.  The offense put up a lot of yards against Duke but only two touchdowns.  Virginia Tech always seems to be given a bad rap for barely winning football games but the funny thing is they win football games.  It is so hard to be a fan when you expect them to blow somebody out and they don’t.  Georgia Tech is coming off a huge game where their offense looks really good and is scary.  We have never fared well against the option and we have given up a lot of yards.  This is at Georgia Tech on the national stage, a Thursday night game.  It will really depend on which Hokie team shows up.  They are not getting a lot of love from the websites I go to that predict the outcome of the game.  Everyone has the Hokies losing.  I have decided to go with what seems to be the upset and I my pick for tomorrow night’s game is Virginia Tech!  Go Hokies!

Wake Forest vs. 9 Clemson:  I saw a lot out of Wake Forest last week.  They really played a complete game and had a chance to win.  Clemson is a tough team to play and I was really shocked that they got beat so badly by Georgia Tech.   I don’t think Wake has enough in the tank to beat Clemson.  They really need to work on the passing game.  We will see what happens but my pick this week is Clemson.

Duke vs. Virginia:  Man Duke has had Virginia’s number the past couple of years.  I really think that this could be a close game.  I really want Duke to win so that Virginia has another loss, but it might not matter much depending on tomorrow night’s game.  I think Virginia is playing well right now and they will get another W.  My pick is Virginia.

Miami vs. Florida State:  This should be a really great game.  I wish I could watch.  Both of these teams have played well this year.  I think Florida State is on a roll.  Miami has been up and down.  If both quarterbacks are hot and on target this game could be really high scoring.  I think that Florida State has the advantage though so my pick is Florida State.

North Carolina State vs. Boston College:  The wolfpack looked good on Saturday. At least their defense did.  I am not sure about the offense.  Boston College has its work cut out for it I think.  I wish Boston College had been better this year but I think they are going to be thrown to the wolves this week.  My pick is N.C. State!

Maryland vs. Notre Dame:  I am not spending time analyzing this game.  Maryland has let me down for weeks.  My pick is Notre Dame.

Prep and Landing

A couple of years ago this new Christmas special came out called "Prep and Landing."  It is an awesome 30 minute cartoon about the elves that go to each girl and boy's house before Santa arrives to "prep" it for him.  Crazy things happen along the way and one of the elves doesn't get a promotion he wanted so he is doesn't take the job seriously.  A storm comes and because the elf is not paying attention to what he is doing, Santa is going to miss the house they are working on.

A new elf that is so excited to be on the "Prep and Landing" team helps the other elf realize just how important their job so he helps to make sure Santa gets there for Christmas.  It has some really funny parts but the main focus is on what all goes into getting ready for Christmas.

This made me start to think about what we do to "Prep" for Christmas.  After Thanksgiving, (hopefully) you put your tree up and decorate the house.  You start to buy gifts for your friends and family.  You bake cookies and sing Christmas Carols.  You listen to holiday music, wear festive sweaters, and watch Christmas Movies.  You wrap those presents and buy Candy canes.  You go to Christmas parties and make homemade ornaments with the kids.  You spend time with family and see relatives you haven't seen in a long time.  There are so many things you do to "Prep" yourself for the holidays. 

However,  I think that we spend too much time "Prepping" for the wrong way to celebrate Christmas.  Don't get me wrong, I love everything about the secular holiday of Christmas.  I love presents and movies and the spirit that it brings out in people, but too many people overlook the true meaning of Christmas.  They have a tendency to get so wrapped up in everything that they forget to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  They forget to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  Why is that?  Why do we spend so much time on Christmas but so little time on Christ-mas? 

I think you should "Prep" differently this year.  Instead of buying so many toys for each other, buy a birthday present for Jesus.  Give to your Church.  Be Christ like in your actions and feed the hungry, give to the organizations that support the homeless, put some money in Santa Claus' bucket in front of Walmart.  Take an angel from the tree at Church and buy a gift for a child in need.  Attend the choir's Christmas concert so that you can worship by the sound of music.  Go see the Christmas play put on by the children of the church.  Attend worship on Christmas Eve and this year on Christmas Day.  Enjoy that time together as a family.  Pray over Christmas dinner and be thankful for the birth of the one who died for your sins.

It's time to "Prep" for Christmas properly.  Don't forget to do that because if you "Prep" and spend all the time on the other type of Christmas celebration then you might want to watch out for that "Landing."  I'm just saying...