Faith, Finance, and Fun: February 2009

Monday, February 16, 2009

Sometimes go with your gut

As I was trying to predict a winner of the DAYTONA 500 this past weekend I considered four people:

Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
Matt Kenseth
Kevin Harvick

Predicting this race is especially difficult because the draft works in such a way that anyone can literally win provided "the big one" doesn't take them out of the race. (The big one refers to the inevitable wreck that will take out usually 10 or more cars). This year Stewart, Gordon, and Mark Martin were among the favorites throughout the weekend and I agreed that both Gordon and Stewart should do well. I, however, had a feeling throughout the weekend that Kenseth would have a big race and I thought Harvick would as well. In the end I selected Gordon and Stewart as my fantasy drivers.

GUESS WHAT:

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Kevin Harvick
3. AJ Allmendinger
4. Clint Bowyer
5. Elliot Sadler

8. Tony Stewart
13. Jeff Gordon

Gordon was running in the top five all day untill a tire issue required him to make a early pit stop putting him one lap down. Gordon would eventually get his lap back and march his way to the front but the rain halted him at 13th. Stewart ran strong all day, narrowly avoiding "The Big One" (caused by Dale 'wa wa it wasn't me' Earnhardt Jr.) and was also coming back to the front when the rains came down. So who knows what would have happened if the race went 500 miles, but it didn't, and my other two drivers finished 1st and 2nd. I am sick of being close in predictions. On the bright side I did pick the 80 Hendrickcars.com Chevy driven by Tony Stewart to win the Nationwide race and he did! If you feel you need to confirm this correct prediction talk to Jon Keane.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 1

Q: What is my only comfort in life and in death?

A: That I am not my own,^1

but belong—
body and soul,
in life and in death—^2
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.^3

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,^4
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.^5
He also watches over me in such a way^6
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven:^7
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.^8

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life^9
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.^10

^1 1 Cor. 6:19-20
^2 Rom. 14:7-9
^3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14
^4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2
^5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11
^6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5
^7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18
^8 Rom. 8:28
^9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
^10 Rom. 8:1-17

The Heidelberg Catechism was composed in Heidelberg at the request of Elector Frederick III, who ruled the Palatinate, an influential German province, from 1559 to 1576. An old tradition credits Zacharius Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus with being coauthors of the new catechism. Both were certainly involved in its composition, although one of them may have had primary responsibility. All we know for sure is reported by the Elector in his preface of January 19, 1563. It was, he writes, "with the advice and cooperation of our entire theological faculty in this place, and of all superintendents and distinguished servants of the church" that he secured the preparation of the Heidelberg Catechism. The catechism was approved by a synod in Heidelberg in January 1563. A second and third German edition, each with small additions, as well as a Latin translation were published the same year in Heidelberg. Soon the catechism was divided into fifty-two sections so that one Lord's Day could be explained in preaching each Sunday of the year.

For More:

The Heidelberg Catechism - Christian Reformed Church