Billy Taylor’s Remarkable Story

Do you like bad news? Of course not. But that’s what we’re served on a daily basis by much of the media. So I’m always on the lookout (Send me links!) for good news; stories where people overcome the odds, or perform some almost miraculous feat, or where God helps an individual become better than they were before. This story includes all three.

Billy Taylor’s story is a riches to rags and back to riches story. Taylor was a superstar running back at the University of Michigan. But in 1972, after leading his team to three incredible seasons, his world came crashing down around him. I’ll let you read the article for details, but it was truly a nightmare. He spiraled downward until he became nothing more than an alcoholic, homeless person… for 25 years.

In 1997, he heard the voice of God. It changed him so profoundly that he hasn’t touched alcohol since. Today he’s touching the lives of kids who are facing the same kind of problems he faced. He’s also written a book called Get Back Up. It’s a powerful story of a man far from perfect, who’s shown what can be done in the face of tragedy.

“The man who gives up accomplishes nothing and is only a hindrance. The man who does not give up can move mountains.” -Ernest Hello

Movie: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

The big day had finally arrived. It wasn’t every day that we made taking the boys to a movie such a high priority. But I owe a great deal to one Mr. C.S. Lewis. You see, it was his books that led to Tolkien; which then on to all the fantastic tales of science fiction I’ve enjoyed ever since. I expect there are millions out there with a similar experience. So with fond memories I took my young boys to watch the first Narnia’s film.

I must say it was a bit distracting for me to watch the CGI animals live along side the natural actors. A character flaw I have is that I’m compulsively on the lookout for the flaws, or to put it positively, ways to improve and enhance. But you can’t thoroughly enjoy the show when you’re busy finding slight imperfections in the film. On the whole, the special effects were superb but for a few green-screen glitches that came off as old-fashioned.

The story is grand but scaled to younger tastes. Don’t expect the colossal world of Middle Earth, but rather a more digestible sampling of what makes science fiction and fantasy a growing sub-culture. The acting was fine but nothing spectacular. Lucy likely the best of the lot.

I don’t want to give anything away, but the movie appears to be true to the book. The creators spared no expense in the production of the film either. It’s top notch. All in all, I enjoyed it thoroughly, though it was a bit long and I’m certainly looking forward to the next installment.

7.5 out of 10

AP Is Back, Bay-Bay

Just a note to say my brother’s site is back up after being down for several months. Head over and say a prayer for their 3-month-old baby girl, Macy, who’s surgery is scheduled to begin at 10 EST. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

Update: Baby Macy’s surgery went well!

Natural Gas and Oil in ANWR

The bill that passed in the House by a 308-106 margin, has been filibustered by the Democrats in the Senate. (Maybe they should change their name to the Filibusters?) Proponents of the bill fell 3 votes shy to remove the filibuster.

Remember, the bill calls for drilling in just 2,000 of the 19,600,000 acre reserve. That’s just 0.01% of ANWR’s total acreage. I’m all for environmentalism, but you only need to look at the high (and rising) prices of natural gas and oil to see how every American family is being hurt.

Let your Senators know your thoughts. And if you really want to get on them, RightMarch has an automated fax system that’s quite simple.

Looking to Comfort the Hurting

My father passed along this wonderful story, of a family fighting cancer. It’s a story of a gift—the lifelong dream to play at the Augusta National—and the kind-hearted gentleman who made it happen.

In this season of giving, it is stories like these that remind me to search out the hurting, because they don’t always come calling.

Dojo Info 12/27/05

1. Damon, dollars and you
   There’s wisdom in the words of Bill Simmons, The Sports Guy, as he chides fans for their outcry against Johnny Damon who recently signed with their hated rival, the Yankees.
2. Wisest man ever, huh?
   The Monkey man does his best to state his position on same-sex marriage, polygamy and Solomon apparent lack of wisdom; all in one post!
3. Information Operations
   If the Dominant Press won’t cover any of the good news associated with the war, I have absolutely not problem with our military getting the message out. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Sen. Edward Kennedy calls it “a devious scheme to place favorable propaganda in Iraqi newspapers.” He’s so predictable.
4. Half of us ‘spiritually transformed’
   “Like Tanana, half of all Americans say they have experienced at least one “spiritual transformation” in their lifetime.”
5. The Story of Kwaanza
   Kwaanza, which began in 1966, isn’t a religious holiday, but it did begin from Karenga’s hostility toward Western religion. Interesting read.
   Update: More History

Merry Christmas Everyone

Been offline the past couple of days, but wanted to hop back on and greet my much appreciated readers with a Merry Christmas and hopes for a wonderful 2006. One other tidbit of good news on this day is the House passing the Illegal Immigration Act HR4437. It’s a step in the right direction. Have a great day!

Dojo Info 12/22/05

1. Playing favorites on the Net?
   A nasty nest of problems is now cropping up as those with vested interests want their content given a higher priority.
2. Pixar: 20 Years of Animation
   Pixar makes the MoMA. Well deservered recognition. They’re batting .1000… so far.
3. Pepsi beats Coke with stock surge
   Is Pepsi the new Coke? Not New Coke just… the new standard… by which, oh nevermind.
4. The advantages of being in the weeds
   I’ve been saying for years that everyone should spend at least 6 months as a waiter. It teaches: organization and time management skills, responsibility and above all, the value of good customer service.
5. The Twelve Days of Christmas – DAY TEN
   The folks over at Six Meat Buffet will poke fun at anything and everything. Check this one out.

Richard Scarry Get’s the PC Treatment

Every book up for a re-release could use a few updates, I guess. Just check and see how many of the changes from the 1963 version to the 1991 version are chronicled are motivated by political-correctness. How dare Mother Rabbitt be seen in the kitchen! [via Lileks]

Tebow: Talent and Integrity

It may be my entering those “middle years.” Or, it could be I’m softening up as a result of working with the 7-year-olds on my son’s YMCA basketball team. More likely it’s a result of being so active in my two boys’ lifes with a baby on the way. Whatever the case, I’m easily moved these days, to put it mildly.

Last week I was glued to my TV watching ESPN’s profile piece on High School senior Timmy Tebow. He’s the fifth child of some strong Christian parents who home school and take annual mission trips to the Philippines. And despite the fact that he was the nation’s #1 ranked Quarterback, it’s his attitude that impresses me most; built on a strong foundation of faith. Well, that and his intense desire to win. In one game, he played the entire 4th quarter on a broken leg and lead his team to a victory.

It’s going to be impossible for Tebow to live up to the expectations, in fact, some bloggers are already calling him a bust. But now that Tubow has committed to Florida, he’ll be out there for the world to see. As ardent Kentucky fan, football season is annually brutal. But with Tebow on the scene, I’ll be cheering for the Gators solely to see this fine young man succeed.

Letter Movers

Kobe Goes Ballistic

Love him or hate him, you’ve got to admit that Kobe is a baller. Last night he laid 62 points on the Dallas Mavericks; in three quarters. Now everybody is debating whether Phillip should have left him in for the 4th. It’s not hard to see why many see the NBA as having mixed up priorities.

Dojo Info 12/20/05

1. The web has grown more in 2005 than it did at the height of the dotcom boom, says a study.
   Sooner or later this will have to level off. Here are the latest stats.
2. Pa. Awaits Intelligent Design Ruling
   School have been allowed to teach the theory of evolution for decades. But lately the theory of intelligent design has been banned. How this isn’t indoctrination, I’ll never know. At least everyone is being civil about it, um scratch that… one professor was assaulted in Kansas for planning a course on the topic. What happened to open open and honest debate on the issues?
3. The early bird gets the $149 Toshiba laptop
   Whattabargin!
4. Glory Road Misses the Boat on a Couple Points
   Bob Tallent, a player on Kentucky’s famed Rupp’s Runts, has seen the movie Glory Road and has only a couple of inaccuracies with Jerry Bruckheimer’s film.
5. Lileks: Tuesday
   Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s experienced hardware failure this week. Aarrruuuuugga.

Cord Blood Research Wins in Senate

Very good news on the research front as both Democrats and Republicans came together to approve HR 2520, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act. This after Democrats initially tried to block a vote on this bill. Basketball superstar, Julius Erving, worked to gain support for this legislation as well.

The point of emphasis it that that stem cells, which can be used to combat various diseases like leukemia, can be gained from umbilical cords without the need for embryos, or developing humans. This is a positive alternative to the legislation being proposed to gather stem cells from embryos that many pro-abortion groups are supporting. The House has already passed a embryonic stem cell bill, even though the President has threatened to veto it.

Soldiers Fight For Each Other

Back in March I posted about a soldier who amazingly killed 15-20 terrorists single-handedly. Well, yesterday Timmy Haag found this blog and wanted everyone to know that he wasn’t fighting for God or against Satan but “for my guys.”