As I wind down a very productive week, the following are several things I am thinking and focused on as we approach the weekend.

  • Congratulations to the New York Yankees, the gold standard of American team sports. I found it interesting that everyone kept focusing on their pitchers starting with limited rest. What everyone neglected was that during the final month of the regular season, Sabathia, Pettitte, and Burnett had extra rest for 15 of their 22 combined starts. This was a strategic move to setup the post-season. Quality leadership makes decisions today that affect tomorrow’s success.
  • I was shocked by New Mexico’s Elizabeth Lambert and her actions during a recent soccer game. As a father of young girl and trying to picture her as the victim here, I think not only should Lambert be permanently suspended and her scholarship revoked, I honestly think she should serve jail time for assault. Some physical actions should not be protected just because they take place between the white lines. I’m sure she’s a talented player. However, I am reminded that your talent can never outrun your character. Check the link below and see if you agree.
  • On the other end of the spectrum, Mike Linch, Lead Pastor of the great NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA, may be the most genuinely nice guy I have ever met. Check out his twitter and blog links on this site. If you live in North Atlanta, go check them out this Sunday.
  • I love Mark Richt as the Georgia Bulldog coach. I could not think of a better leader for young men preparing them for life. Sports is measurable which makes it such a good study of leadership. However, with Mark, you also should measure wins and losses off the field. In that arena, he may be the best coach in America.
  • Is there anything better than serving the under-resourced in your community?
  • Jon Gruden is fantastic on MNF.
  • Alabama will be too big and physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for LSU. Mark Ingram takes the Heisman lead with a big day. Alabama rolls to a 24-14 win.
  • For sheer entertainment value, I am loving the pillow fights between the SEC coaches!
  • The Houston Texans will not win, but they will give the Indianapolis Colts all they can handle. Bob Sanders is out for the season which hurts the Colts deeply. Andre Johnson with a huge day but the Colts hold on 35-31.
  • The game I am looking forward to most this weekend is the entertaining Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Once again, DeSean Jackson puts on a show for a national audience. Eagles 35-21.
  • Percy Harvin is the most explosive offensive weapon in the game because of speed and versatility. You can line him up anywhere on the field. Unbelievable how he lasted to the mid-first round. With limited financial resources, every successful ministry or business has versatile, multi-skilled team members.
  • Finally, the NCAA continued their disappointing decision-making with a full-season suspension of Dez Bryant. Early prediction, like Harvin because of his size and return capability, if selected by anyone other than the Raiders or Redskins, he will be next season’s Rookie of the Year.

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