Never turn your back on a charging turtle.

What can possibly be the explanation for this situation?

You come here for the pictures, don't you.

Nobody outside of Michigan wants the Lions to win tomorrow, and I suspect half the people in Michigan feel the same. I heard one sportscaster ask another which team has more pressure going into tomorrow's game - the Lions who have this last chance to win one, or the Packers who could be the only team to lose to Detroit all year. He answered that the Lions have more pressure but I disagree. Nobody expects them to win. If I played for Green Bay I'd be up all night.
Packers by seven.

As long as we're making predictions, here are a few of my prognostications for 2009:

• The housing market will be on the upswing in most markets by September. Not a complete turnaround, but the early stages of a reversal. The hints are already there. The network morning shows have the same housing gurus, but now, instead of telling us how to avoid foreclosure they're talking about how to find the best deals. The rate of depreciation is slowing, as is the rate of foreclosures.
  
• Global attention will shift away from the Persian Gulf and focus on India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The latter will be our new Iraq, and just as troublesome for our new President. The former two countries, both nuclear powers, will escalate their posturing, taking things near the brink.
• The Yankees will raise ticket prices for bleacher seats to $145 per game and charge $75 for a hot dog and drink in order to make payroll. They still won't make the playoffs, but images of Osama Bin Laden will surface showing him wearing pin stripes.
  
• A growing number of respected scientists will publicly state that we have no evidence of any relationship between human behavior and global warming. People in Michigan and Seattle will be heard to say, "doh!"
• Gov. Rob Blagojavech will get his own game show named - you guessed it - "Pay to Play!" Contestants will bid for the opportunity to see how many hidden $1 coins they can pull out of the governor's hair in 60 seconds.

I ran, er, jogged two miles this afternoon. Oh my! It's going to be a long way back.

FWIW, I think it's clear from Scripture that God's foreknowledge is based on his sovereignty, not the other way around. Eph. 1:11 says he works out all things in accordance with his will, placing his will as the first cause. And if his sovereignty were based on his foreknowledge of what we would do, then he is not truly sovereign, in free and total control. He would instead be subject to our will as the primary cause.

Up and out early tomorrow. They had a rehearsal at the dance studio this afternoon so I have to do set-up in the morning. But being there early helps me get my head ready.
I'm looking forward to the morning's services.