Real Challenges

Once again I was blessed with the opportunity to travel with some amazing people to Haiti on a short mission trip to share Christmas with the One Vision orphanage who had never seen snow, never seen Santa, and never heard of reindeer which would later be described to them as horses with horns that fly. This description made me hope that no one ever has to describe what a unicorn is but that is neither here nor there. A lot of times on a trip like this one you go into it thinking how you may be able to go and show Christ to the people you meet and wonder just how God is going to work and speak through you to meet the needs of those you come in contact with.

This was my second trip to Haiti and the same thing happened. God spoke through the kids that I worked with to reveal more about myself that I had ever imagined. Just as was the case last time I went, I know without a doubt that my place is on the mission field. I don't know where quite yet and while it isn't what I want to do I know that if I am patient God will reveal that in his time as well. This post is about something that I feel will affect all 22 of the people that I had the absolute pleasure of traveling with.

Both times I have traveled I have gotten so jacked up about going to a place and sharing the Gospel and winning all these people to Christ and then writing a book about how everyone else should go to a foreign country, get sick as a dog, but do it for the Lord and just be an all around great person for doing it. Some of that was obviously in jest but the main point is true. Many times we get so amped about traveling x amount of miles to bring glory to the kingdom of God. Something we hardly ever are able to get excited about though is what happens after we get back? Is it not true to say that even if you are red hot for God for 5 days on a mission trip, but ice cold once you get back in the states, you are lukewarm on average. If this is the case, which I believe it is, Revelation 3:15-16 states, "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." This warning is terrifying but needed. I think a lot of times we get caught up in thinking about how hard it is to go to a place where no one knows us, where we have to take cold showers and deal with heat with no air conditioning, eating food we have no idea of what it is, and getting things stuck in our feet when we are trying to swim. We think all these things are so difficult, but the real difficulty lies ahead of us when we return home. I'm not saying that any of those things are easy, but honestly which would you rather do, sit your best friend or co-worker down who you know does not follow after Christ and have a heart to heart with them over a slice of pizza, or travel 1400 miles to a place where no one knows you and tell them how much Jesus loves them then leave and have the possibility there that you will never see them again.

Now is when we are in the mission field just as much as when my team and I were in Haiti. Now is when people know my background, people know what my short comings are, people know what I stand for and how I still fall victim to sin. It's now that the real battle begins. If I really sit down and think and am honest about why I want to go back right now, it's because I don't want to face the judgement that will fall upon me as soon as I walk through the doors of work tomorrow. There is a higher standard now of what is expected of me and I don't want the responsibility of living up to that because its hard and because I am weak. The guys I work with know what I have done before the trip, they know how some things are easy for me to fall into, and I am 100% confident that they will try very quickly to get me there again. Making it harder will be the jeers that will come when they use this trip as a guilt thing saying things like, "Well now he has gone to Haiti and doesn't want to do anything now." or something of that nature. My test is not trying to combat that. Christ says in John 15:18 that "if the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you." I can take comfort in that but above all know that no matter what is thrown at me, the Love of Christ and mercy and grace of my God covers all that. It's the decisions I make moving forward that will really be what this trip is all about. I am called to foreign missions, and I know I will be somewhere over seas eventually, but right now I am in a mission field. Right now is the best chance my team and I will have to show the love of Christ. We are in a country where we love the food, we are not battling heat, we are not having to fight a language barrier, and we know how to approach those that are closest to us.

I keep repeating a verse over and over in my head to remind myself not to get so caught up about when I am getting back to Haiti or when I am finally going to be on the mission field over seas. Matthew 6:34 reminds me that there are going to be enough trouble and things to worry about in the next 24 hours that I have no time to dwell on tomorrow. I can do that in the morning, right now I need to focus on what is in front of me, be it children that I love in Haiti or co workers that get on my nerves at the office. At the end of Matthew Jesus tells us all what we are supposed to do as Christians saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Our call as Christians is to be a missionary where we are. My prayer for my team and I is that we don't get so caught up in wanting to go back or remembering what happened and what we were able to be a part of so much that we miss opportunities to have and share that EXACT same joy here in Knoxville or Nashville or Maryville or Sevierville or where ever we may be. My hope is that the bonds that were formed over the last 5 days will be lasting and not fleeting, so that when one of us becomes tired, the other 21 will build them up and give them the push they need to look to Jesus to give them the strength to carry on, knowing that whether in this life or in the next they will see Fabi, Love Dina, Kervin, Dernise, MacKene, Francis, or whoever the child was that they loved on for three days was again. Not only will they see them but it will be just like stepping off the bus again except infinitely better. I hope my team and I can hold fast to the everlasting hope we have in a Savior that covers all transgressions if we just ask and believe. I hope that we continue on now that we are back with the same love and focus here as we had in Haiti, and I pray that no matter what we remember this past weekend for reasons that go far beyond how cute the kids were. God truly is raising a generation that is going to do great things, and it isn't just the one that left from Knoxville on Friday.

Saturdays In The Fall - Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee

In a game that was do or die for the Vols, James Franklin brought in one of the best Vanderbilt teams in a long time to square off against arguably the worst Tennessee team ever. I knew this would be a tough game and honestly I was quite worried. However I also knew that with a win in this game, a sure fire win in Kentucky next week would put Tennessee at 6-6 on the season and send the Vols to a bowl game for the third straight year. I went to the game with my dad and when we got to our seats in the stadium I knew right away it would be interesting because about 3 rows in front of me there was a former Vanderbilt offensive linemen. Upon further inquiry I learned that he had played for the 'Dores during the 2005 season in which Vanderbilt won.

The game started out in Tennessee's favor. After Vandy got the ball to start, a Jordan Rodgers fumble gave the ball to the Vols and they were able to stroll right down the field on three plays and punch the ball across the goal line on a 2 yard scamper by Tauren Poole. Vols lead early 7-0. Tennessee got the ball back on a Jordan Rogers interception made by Austin Johnson but an interception thrown by Bray put Vandy in business and Zac Stacey scored one play later on a 6 yard run. Tennessee was able to gain the halftime lead however when Tyler Bray threw a brilliant pass to Da'Rick Rogers to put the Vols up 14-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter Vandy tied the game when Tyler Bray tried to zip one across the middle to Mychael Rivera but his pass was intercepted and taken 100 yards the other way to tie the game at 14. Vanderbilt took the lead in the forth quarter when Jordan Rodgers hit Chris Boyd with 12:21 left in the game and Vanderbilt looked like they may pull off the win. Tennessee took the ball down to the redzone on the ensuing drive, but on a field goal attempt by Parlady that first looked blocked, then after review showed that a Vandy player did not touch the ball, Tennessee benefited from a running into the kicker call and on 4th down, Bray hit Rogers who made a ridiculous catch, tying the game at 21 and eventually being the play that sent the game into overtime.

Reminded me of catches I used to make in my old playing days. . .

In overtime Tennessee won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Vandy came down to play at our end of the field. After picking up a first down, on third and 6 Jordan Rodgers again looked for his tight end on an out route. This time Nashville native Eric Gordon was there to pick the pass off and return it 94 yards for a game clinching touchdown. The only problem was that a ref had blown him down at the 6. Tennessee was going to have to come back out on offense and try to win the game. Just before the Vols took a snap the play was reviewed. Confusion rang throughout the stadium as it seemed Tennessee was about to get screwed out of another win. However this time vindication arrived in the form of the head referee announcing that Gordon's knee had not touched the ground, and that the touchdown would stand. Tennessee won an overtime thriller 27-21 and would now travel to Lexington to try and beat Kentucky for the 27th year in a row to make them bowl eligible.

I've never been so happy to be Vanderbilt. This is where we are.

Saturdays In The Fall - Tennessee vs. Arkansas

Not really a whole lot to comment on with this game. Tennessee was out played and out matched. For a second towards the end of the first half I honestly thought that maybe Tennessee could pull an upset. Arkansas was extremely hyped for the game and it was obvious that Tennessee just couldn't match it. Tennessee got the ball to start the game but after a promising drive stalled, Arkansas quickly moved the ball down the field and ended up converting a third and goal to score.

From the Tyler Wilson pass to Wright for the first touchdown, to the 23 yard De'Anthony Curtis run for the final touchdown, Arkansas was absolutely the better team all night long. What was also obvious was the fact that they had more experienced players and all around better athletes. Tennessee will be here in a year or two, but right now it just was not meant to be. Arkansas's McAdams had quite possibly the more impressive punt return I have ever seen.

Arkansas got the scoring started when after a lengthy Tennessee drive that was snuffed out, Arkansas quickly went right down the field and Tyler Wilson found Jarius Wright for a seven yard touchdown pass. Tennessee had to punt on its next possession and that is when Joe Adams broke no less that 62 tackles and sprinted down the sideline for a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter it was Arkansas 14, Tennessee 0.

The second quarter didn't start any better. On the second play of an Arkansas drive, Dennis Johnson broke through a gap and after Tennessee didn't wrap up he was on his way to a 70 yard gain with a touchdown at the end of it. As halftime approached Tennessee seemed to be getting it together. Worley found Neal on a 50 yard bomb and then Neal finished the drive with an 11 yard run for a touchdown. The Vols went into the locker room down 21-7.

The third quarter dashed all hopes of the Vols possibly winning. Johnson busted off a 15 yard run for a touchdown after Wilson found wright on a 26 yard pass. Joe Adams scored again when Wilson found him on a 40 yard touchdown pass after Tennessee couldn't convert on a 4th and one from their own 40. Tennessee could not do anything positive and the fourth quarter included more of the same. Broderick Green got in on the act by starting an Arkansas drive with a 40 yard run then finished it by being on the receiving end of a Tyler Wilson pass for a touchdown. De'Anthony Curtis finished the scoring when he scampered in from 23 yards out, setting the final score of 49-7 in the Razorback's favor. Tennessee now has to win their last two games against a tough Vandy squad and then at Kentucky in order to be bowl eligible. This could get interesting.

Luckily no more of these types of athletes.

Saturdays In The Fall - Middle Tennessee State vs. Tennessee

So this week's game started at 7pm with the game I actually wanted to watch more starting at 8pm. By my count I would be able to watch the 4th quarter if Tennessee was able to put it away early and the fans left allowing traffic to be light. After getting to campus my dad informed me that we would be able to upgrade our seats with his boss and sit in the Tennessee Terrace for this game. To me that meant one thing, TV's inside a warm atmosphere. I was also pretty excited about getting to check out the new Terrace that had only been open about two years. We got our new tickets and headed to Phillip Fulmer Way to see the Salute to the Hill performed by the band. Something I had forgotten was that the Alumni Band marched in front of the Pride on homecoming weekend so that was something we had to endure.

Once you're out of the Pride, you shouldn't be allowed to march. When was the last time Carl Pickens ran a post route for the Vols?

Once we finally got inside the stadium I was amazed at how large and open the terrace was. HUGE orange shaded pictures lined the inside above the walkway in what seemed like an 80 foot ceiling. My biggest concern was locating the TV's, but while I was looking for that, I noticed an open taco bar. This had to be heaven. Once the game started and it was apparent that Worley was going to throw for nothing short of 500 yards and 8 touchdowns, I decided to just take in the whole experience. I was living with the kings. For one moment I was able to look down on the peasants in the cheap seats and feel like royalty. Once Tennessee had built a comfortable lead I walked outside to see how Alabama was doing. I also wanted to take in the view of Peyton Manning Pass from the large bow window area that hung over Phillip Fulmer Way. I have no idea how much the entire project cost but I do know that it is money well spent.

Glad I was able to enjoy a real game while Tennessee had the exhibition outside. WHERE IS MY TACO?!?!?!

Honestly I couldn't tell you one thing about this week's game. I remember Da'Rick Rogers making a catch that seemed unbelievable and making me wonder why he couldn't have made that catch last week against South Carolina. Worley took a huge step forward all be it against a team that at it's best is still really bad. With Arkansas on the horizon the entire team will need to take another big step forward and hopefully walk into Arkansas poised to snatch up the upset. It was nice to get a win but unfortunately Tennessee is still a really bad football team without Tyler Bray and Justin Hunter. No matter the record though, it's always great to be a Tennessee Vol.

Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top, ain't alot of wins as well.

Saturdays In The Fall - South Carolina vs. Tennessee

The final shot for Tennessee not to go 0 for October in the SEC came Saturday when South Carolina limped into Neyland Stadium. Marcus Lattimore was out for the season with a torn ACL and Stephen Garcia had one too many and had been kicked off the team. Connor Shaw had taken over at quarterback and Alshon Jeffery was struggling at wide out. However, there is nothing like a Tennessee secondary to make your woes in the passing game get better it seems. I went into the game fully expecting Tennessee to give up nothing short of 300 yards receiving to Jeffery.

Tennessee started the game right where they left off in Alabama. Three and out, punt, but this time the receiver of the punt was not very good at catching, and pulling his best impression of a Tennessee punt returner from 2010 he allowed the ball to bounce off his chest and onto the turf. Tennessee recovered and after they were stuffed on three straight plays, Michael Parlady came on to bang home a 22 yard field goal. After this small victory, the exercise in futility continued.

After the two teams exchanged punts a few times Tennessee finally got back into a position to allow Parlady to try another field goal that would put Tennessee ahead 6-0. This time the 47 yard attempt was blocked and the teams exchanged punts again. Tennessee's defense was playing great, until on a forth and one play the secondary got caught looking run and allowed the Carolina tight end Anderson to break free. Shaw found him for a touchdown and South Carolina took the lead 7-3. On the following series Tennessee had a third and one play from the South Carolina 44. Worley dropped back to pass and had Rogers down the sideline. Worley couldn't have put the ball in a better place, tight spiral, just over the defender, right into the hands of Da'Rick Rogers for what would have been a Tennessee touchdown if Da'Rick hadn't allowed the ball to go right through his hands. More punts ensued and Tennessee went into the half down 7-3.

Oh what could have been.

To open the third quarter Dooley chose to try an onside kick. The ball bounced out of bounds and South Carolina started with excellent field position. Shaw threw pass straight to Prentis Waggner though and Waggner took off down the field. The entire time he was running I think everyone in the stadium was thinking the same thing, GET INTO THE ENDZONE!!! It was not meant to be though, and Waggner was tackled at the three yard line. On the first play Poole was stuffed three yards deep and then on play two Worley threw an interception. South Carolina then proceeded to go on a drive lasting 20 plays, and covering 98 yards, ending in a touchdown when Shaw scored on a QB draw play from five yards out. Tennessee was now down 14-3 going into the forth quarter after running just four plays in the entire third quarter.

In the forth quarter Tennessee seemed to be loosing ground fast when South Carolina began another drive that looked to be one able to run the clock down again when Brian Randolph forced a fumble and Tennessee recovered. Worley ended any thought of Tennessee maybe making a comeback when on the first play from scrimmage he threw his second interception of the game. A three and out for South Carolina, followed by an unproductive drive lead by Matt Simms, lead to South Carolina being able to run out the clock and win 14-3.

Guess we are still watering the bamboo. Just keep watering.

Saturdays In The Fall - Tennessee vs. Alabama

The third Saturday in October. Which actually is now technically the forth Saturday in October. Either way, this is one of the most storied rivalries in college football and the older I get the more I am beginning to appreciate the opportunities I get to witness it live. It was a no brainer then that I had to jump on the chance to head down to Tuscaloosa with a couple of my friends to watch Tennessee take on the Crimson Tide in Bryant Denny. I had been down once before and all I remember was how much the Alabama fans A) loved and worshiped Bear Bryant and B) were incredibly awful hosts. That was when they were bad. I could only imagine what it was going to be like now that they were good.

Jordan and Phil met me at my apartment around 9 and we were on our way to watch either one of the biggest losses in Tennessee history, or one of the biggest upsets. We stopped in Birmingham for some ribs at Dreamland BBQ then back on the road we went. When we got to Tuscaloosa I was pretty floored with how evident the damage from the tornado was even 6 months after it had ripped through in April. there was a very clear path leveled through the middle of Tuscaloosa.

We drove right down the middle of University Blvd. and caught plenty of stink eyes seeing as how we had our Tennessee flags flying from the car. I feel comfortable in saying that we were three of the bravest souls there for about 30 minutes. We parked about 6 blocks away from the stadium and to my surprise the first Alabama fan we came in contact with was extremely inviting and just when I began to debate if I had fallen into some type of paradox, another Alabama fan went out of his way to welcome us to town and wished us well. Surely the rapture was next, as the lamb was laying down with the lion. It didn't take long for things to change. Shortly after these encounters we made our way to Denny Chimes and I got separated from Jordan and Phil. I asked a fan who was tailgating with his friends if I could cut through in order to catch up. He said sure but after I did this another one of his buddies made it very clear he was unhappy with my action. After cussing me out and threatening my face, I told him he didn't have the intestinal fortitude to back up his threats.

I will say, Alabama's campus is surprisingly beautiful. Very obvious that it is southern.

It was finally time for the game to start, and it couldn't have started any better. Alabama got the ball to start the game, then out of no where Austin Johnson intercepted an AJ McCarron pass and Tennessee was in business. Parlady kicked a field goal and Tennessee was on the board first. That's right. Tennessee was leading the Alabama Crimson Tide. In order for Alabama to win this game they were going to have to come back and win. If I wasn't sitting in the stratosphere I would have taken a picture but the scoreboard was about a half mile away so it was not happening.

Alabama answered with two field goals but with about three minutes to go in the half Parlady hit his second field goal of the game, this time from 52 yards out. Tennessee was doing something to Alabama that no one has been able to do all year, be within 14 points of them at halftime. The score was 6-6 going into the break. The Pride of the Southland Band won the halftime battle by performing the circle drill. That is always a crowd favorite.

The best part is leaving the field in the form of a giant Power T.

Alabama came out looking like the team we all knew they were. What surprised me more than anything was after they scored their first touchdown, some random Alabama girl ran up about 6 rows, got in my face throwing the bird, and cussed me out. I had never met her before in my life, and she passed 6 rows of Vol fans to get to me. I must have really made an impression on her. It was the most bizarre thing I have ever witnessed in my life. The assault of points continued and after the Tennessee defense looked so good in the first half, the Vols looked equally terrible in the second. Alabama dominated in every facet of the game during the second half. The final score was 37-6 meaning Alabama covered the spread. Jordan, Phil, and I all left the stadium defeated.

More Alabama high jinx ensued as while we were walking down the ramp with the 99,000 other people that were at the game, one Alabama fan decided Jordan wasn't moving fast enough for him and ran right up his back, then informed him he should walk instead of texting. Where do you want us to go Usain Bolt. We can only move as fast as the people in front of us. While walking down University some Alabama sorostitutes made it known that they could not wait for the puke orange to be out of their city. News flash hun, we are even more eager to be out of this crap hole. Glad we are back in Knoxville for the next two weeks. Fayetteville looms.

Every time I see the Alabama state flag, I wonder how long it took some of Alabama's finest to think of that design. "Guys, I got it! A red x!"

Saturdays In The Fall - LSU vs. Tennessee

This was the start of the two week gauntlet. First Tennessee was taking on the top team in the country with LSU coming into Knoxville, then traveled to face the second best team in the country in Tuscaloosa. Three of our top players were missing after Janzen Jackson was dismissed from the team and then Justin Hunter being injured and lost for the year. Follow that with the Tyler Bray injury and you had a recipe for a terrible outcome for Tennessee.

The more I started thinking about the game, the more I started to think about how during every national championship season there is always that one game that is close one you should have won bigger or the game where the team you lost to had no business being in the game. Why couldn't that be us? Why not now? The closer it got to kickoff, the more I honestly started to truly believe that at the end of the game I would be on the field helping to rip down the goal posts. It is frustrating to see the team you love have so much talent only to not have the depth and experience to close games out. The first quarter couldn't have started any better, and it only gave me hope that maybe this could happen. However Matt Simms threw and interception that was returned 95 yards to the Tennessee to set up a Jarrett Lee pass to Reuben Randle for a touchdown, putting LSU ahead 7 - 0 early in the 1st.

No matter how hype you are coming out of the tunnel, you still have to play the game. Sometimes the emotion just isn't enough.

LSU put another touchdown on the board after Tennessee had a three and out. Jarrett Lee found Spencer Ware for the touchdown this time and it looked as though Tennessee was starting to fade. Things looked to have taken a turn for the worse when LSU intercepted another Simms pass but luckily wasn't able to capitalize and the Vols came out on the next drive and surprised everyone. Tennessee had a 12 play drive that consisted of 8 running plays and covered 80 yards. FINALLY Tennessee had something that resembled a running game. Unfortunately that joy was short lived as LSU was able to close out the first half by driving down the field seemingly with ease, kicking a field goal to take a 17-7 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Things didn't get any better in the second half. LSU opened with a scoring drive that was highlighted by Jordan Jeffereson's first appearance in this game and capped off by Spencer Ware punching it in from a yard out. Tennessee tried to answer but after a Matt Simms pass fell incomplete, Matt Darr pinned the Tigers down at the LSU one yard line. LSU proceeded to absolutely define the term "cramming it down their throat." The Tigers went 99 yards in 17 plays without completing a pass making the score 31-7 Tigers and essentially ending the game. LSU would end up scoring once more making the final 38-7 but it was over as soon as Tennessee couldn't answer the bell after LSU made the game 24-7.

Tennessee is making improvements and no one can argue that point. However it is also extremely apparent that the Vols have a ways to go before they are competing with the top teams in the conference. One has to assume that next year the offense will be much better and the defense will improve and depth will build. The only sticking point is that the fans and administration stand behind this coaching staff and understand what they inherited. Obviously time will tell but I can't wait to see Dooley and his orange pants hoisting the SEC championship trophy in a few years and I have full confidence in his ability to make it happen.

Keep your head up, better days are ahead.