A physician in our church recently told me of how he was able to share his faith with a patient who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and how, in the course of the ensuing conversation, he was ultimately able to lead the elderly gentleman to faith in Christ. It was clear that his efforts to share his faith resulted not only in a blessing for his patient, but for the physician as well:

My heart leapt for joy as I left his hospital room. It was as if I could almost physically sense the angels of heaven that I know by the authority of God’s word were at that very moment rejoicing over this one dear lost soul who had finally found Christ!

There is no limit to what God can do both in and through a medical professional who is willing to be sensitive and obedient to God’s leading as he carries out the duties of his profession. The medical profession affords wonderful opportunities to impact the lives of people for Jesus Christ. And yet, as I related in yesterday’s blog article, a recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that, while physicians are more likely to attend church services than those in the general population, they are less likely to consciously make efforts to apply their religious beliefs to other areas of life.(1) Certainly sharing one’s faith with one’s patients would fall into this category.

Yet, patients are often most ripe and open mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to discussing spiritual issues when they are experiencing physical illness. Most want to discuss spiritual issues with their physician. In fact, various studies show that between 63 and 77 percent of patients would like to discuss spiritual issues and matters of faith as a part of their medical care,(2-3) but only 10 to 20 percent of physicians actually do so.(4-5) In spite of this, 91 percent of physicians surveyed said their patients also seek help from a spiritual leader, such as a minister, in dealing with their health problems.(6)

Moreover, according to another source, roughly half of all patients would like their doctor to pray with them.(7) In a personal communication with another physician in our church recently, he relayed to me that he makes a point of praying with all of his patients prior to their scheduled surgical procedure. He pointed out that in all the years he has been doing this, only three patients have ever refused.

The bottom line in our discussion is just this: Christian medical professionals have a unique opportunity, and a ready audience for discussing spiritual issues with their patients. The opportunity to impact the lives of their patients for Jesus Christ is there. The question is…will we do it?

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"
Then I said, "Here am I! Send me.€"
(Isaiah 6:8)

(1) Curlin et al. "Religious Characteristics of US Physicians"€. J Gen Intern Med 2005; 20.
(2) King AP article April 3, 1996; based on USA Weekend magazine Easter issue.
(3) King DE, Bushwick B. Beliefs and attitudes of hospital inpatients about faith, healing and prayer. Journal of Family Practice 1994;39: 349-352.
(4) USA Today. Barbara Reynolds, May 3, 1996.
(5) Maugans TA, Wadland WC. Religion and family medicine: A survey of physicians and patients. Journal of Family Practice. 1991;32: 210-213.
(6) American Academy Family Physicians poll reported by AP 12/20/96.
(7) David Larson, MD, quoted in USA Today, p. 10A, Barbara Reynolds, May 3, 1996.

For the Christian in the medical profession, many aspects of his or her life will remain the same after coming to faith in Christ: he will continue to evaluate his patients, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe treatments, etc. Christianity does not change our circumstances or surroundings; those things remain exactly as they were.

But one thing faith in Christ will always do—it will change us. The scripture tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17, NKJV). Now, in what sense is this true? It is true in the sense that the Christian sees everything differently—he has what the great pastor and missionary Jonathan Edwards described as “…those new dispositions, and that new sense of things, that I have since had,” after becoming a Christian.(1) It leads to powerful change in one’s life and outlook:

Two men look out through the same bars;
One sees mud, and one the stars.
— F. Langbridge

How does this inner change manifest itself in the life of, say, a Christian in the medical profession? How will this “new sense of things” affect his or her medical practice? Unfortunately, according to a recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, while physicians are more likely to attend church services than those in the general population, they are less likely to consciously make efforts to apply their religious beliefs to other areas of life.(2)

Recently I came across a book by Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a man who was trained as a physician, but later answered a call to preach the Word of God. He continued, however, his interest in medicine with regular reading of the medical literature. In his book, Healing and the Scriptures, he lists several points concerning the life of the Christian physician. Of course, these principles apply to those in other disciplines as well, both inside and outside of healthcare. Today we will consider just a few these, and apply them to the Christian medical professional.

The Christian Medical Professional will…

…pursue the glory of God in all that he does. The Christian medical professional conducts his life according to a new standard. It affects his attitude to his work and to whatever else he is doing. He says, “Everything I now do, I will do to the glory of God.” This is a biblical command: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Again, we read in Colossians 3:23, 24: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

…seek to maintain balance and perspective in his life and profession. “The greatest danger which confronts the medical man is that he may become lost in his profession,” Lloyd-Jones writes. “As a one-time medical man who still loves the profession and the men and women who belong to it…I beseech you not to allow the profession to make you forget yourself, that you are a man, and not merely a doctor.”

…keep a close watch on his life and doctrine. Paul warned young Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16). The Christian medical professional must certainly heed this advice. Lloyd-Jones warns that this is especially important for the physician, who often has a “proneness to objectify everything, or in other words, to take a ‘detached view’. I suppose that this is to some extent inevitable. If a medical man were continually to allow himself to be affected emotionally by every case he meets, it is fairly clear that he could not continue long in practice. Breakdown would be inevitable. He therefore has to put up something of a protective barrier. He must not feel anything too deeply. He must protect himself and his own sensitivity against the assaults which are constantly made upon him by the troubles and worries of others – especially, perhaps, by the fact of death. While that is all perfectly understandable, it does however lead to a particular danger. It becomes a fixed habit of mind. The doctor has so objectified himself that he never faces up to himself and to his own life at all.(3)

…attempt to see his patients through the eyes of Christ. The patient will be regarded as a soul, as a human being who is in trouble and needing help. He will give his best to his patients. Dr. Lloyd-Jones writes:

What is it, therefore, that the doctor needs at this point? Clearly he must have a true view of man. At this juncture mere knowledge of medicine is not enough. He must know what man—the whole man—really is. He must know the meaning and nature of life. He must have clear views about death. These are bare essentials… And I would not hesitate to assert that it is only a man who is a Christian who conforms to this ideal and who possesses this knowledge.(4)

The Christian physician will consequently have a more holistic and deeper understanding of his patients. He will no longer see them as just a body, or a mere diagnosis (e.g., the “gallbladder” in Room 5, or the “M.I.” in the cath lab, etc.). Instead, he now makes a more conscious effort to see them as a soul, a fellow human being created in the image of God and in need of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

…resist the pull of ambition and greed. Some physicians suffer from affluenza—a disease of the heart that tends to afflict those who have tasted some measure of financial and worldly success. But Jesus warned his followers in Luke 12:14, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And again, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Again, Dr. Lloyd-Jones warned his physician listeners,

Men have lost the true concept of what a living man is, and have taken to thinking of themselves in terms of possessions and success . . . Yet, surely our true riches consists in peace of conscience.(5)

…approach ethical issues from a biblical perspective. As technology continues to develop and expand into the world of medicine, so do the ethical challenges. The Christian medical professional must seek to address ethical issues from a biblical perspective.

These problems which I have mentioned – contraception, abortion, euthanasia and the rest of them – are not really medical problems but theological problems pure and simple. They are moral, ethical and ultimately theological. What decides these issues is your view of man and of life, your view of death, your opinion about what may or may not happen after death.(6)

There are many more aspects of the Christian life which apply directly to those in the medical profession, but these should provide adequate food for thought on this day after Christmas. Let me challenge you to consider these and other ways in which your faith in Christ should impact your medical practice. Readers who are not in the medical profession will certainly notice that these principles can easily be applied to virtually anyone seeking to honor Christ in any field of endeavor. It is my view, however, that those in the medical profession are afforded a particularly useful opportunity to serve God through their profession. May God help each of us not to squander the opportunities we are given, but to maximize all to the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ!
(1) Jonathan Edwards, Personal Narrative, accessed at: http://edwards.yale.edu/images/pdf/personal.pdf
(2) Curlin et al. “Religious Characteristics of US Physicians”. J Gen Intern Med 2005; 20.
(3) D.M. Llloyd-Jones, Healing and the Scriptures, Nashville: Oliver-Nelson, 1982, pp.13,14.
(4) Ibid., p.46.
(5) Ibid., p.17.
(6) Ibid., p.134.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up into glory.
(1 Timothy 3:16)

Today, Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. How incredible that “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a)! Yet, so familiar we can become with the story that we are prone to pass over it without giving it a second thought or even a moment’s consideration. We are far too easily lulled to sleep by over-familiarity with the Gospel truth.

Recently, I was jolted awake by a sermon on this text by the great Baptist “prince of preachers,” Charles H. Spurgeon. At the conclusion, Spurgeon drives home two powerful encouragements:

• How this text ought to encourage us to spread the Gospel!
  “When I am preaching the Gospel, many may say, “Oh, he is only telling us commonplace Truth.” Just so, I know that. And yet I feel within myself as if I were wheeling up God’s great cannon which will yet blow the gates of Hell to pieces! What? None of the venerable mysteries of Rome? What? None of the new philosophical discoveries? None of the imposing ceremonies? No, Brothers and Sisters, not one of them—they are all wooden guns, shams and counterfeits—and if ever they are fired off they will go to shivers. This plain Truth of God, that “God was made flesh and dwelt among us,” is God’s great battering ram against which nothing can stand!”
  

• Look for nothing greater, the Gospel is great enough!
  Again, Spurgeon encourages us: “Never lose heart in the Gospel, my Brothers, but think you hear the Apostle calling across the ages, ‘Great is the mystery of godliness.’ Keep to it. Never think you have told men enough times about it. As Napoleon told his warriors at the pyramids, “A thousand ages look down upon you!” Bleeding martyrs, from their graves, call to you to be faithful. Confessors who ascended to Heaven in fiery chariots implore you to be steadfast. Hold fast that you have received. Attempt not to mend the Truth! Venture not to shape it according to the fancy of the times, but proclaim it in all its native purity. By this hammer the gods of Rome and Greece were dashed to shivers. By this lever the world was turned upside down! It is this Gospel which has brought glory to God, filled Heaven with redeemed souls, and made Hell to tremble in all its palaces of flame. Bind it about your heart and defy the hosts of Rome or Hell to unloose its folds! Wrap it about your loins in death and hold it as a standard in both your hands in life. This simple Truth of God, that “Jesus Christ has come to seek and to save that which is lost,” and that, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life,” must be your jewels, your treasure, your life!”

What a great encouragement for the Church to hear today! Is Jesus your jewel, your treasure, your life? As we celebrate this Christmas season and prepare to usher in the New Year, let me encourage you to consider the gospel afresh. Determine to share your faith throughout the coming year, and ask God to make it a banner year in your life.

Church, let’s do something BIG for God in 2008!

I’ve asked a friend of mine, Dr. Scott E. Kaufman, to write this week’s blog posts. Scott serves as our Director of Healthcare Ministries at the Church at Pinnacle Hills. This cutting-edge ministry reaches people in the medical field and trains them to incorporate their faith with work. Scott holds a Masters of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Nursing Degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Doctorate of Pharmacy from UAMS. This will be a unique opportunity to hear from a great minister and medical professional.
- Ronnie Floyd

Enemies Reconciled: The Christmas Truce of World War I
Scott Eric Kaufman

Christmas Eve, 24 December, 1914, saw the unfolding of one of history’s strangest, most powerful, and yet largely forgotten stories. World War I had been raging only four months when, on Christmas Eve, all along the battle lines of the Western Front, soldiers on both sides laid down their weapons, climbed out of their cold, rain-filled, mud-slimed trenches, and briefly came together as friends. When senior officers angrily ordered the soldiers to return to their trenches and resume shooting at enemy troops, most just fired harmlessly high over the heads of the opposing side.

Eventually, the unofficial “Christmas Truce” spread for miles down the front lines. Soldiers on both sides placed candlelit Christmas trees outside their trenches, sang Christmas carols, or emerged from the trenches to retrieve and bury their dead comrades. In time, soldiers on opposing sides even began to disarm themselves, cautiously approaching each other to meet in “No-Man’s Land”—a soldier’s term for the area of ground between opposing trenches on the battlefield. Mortal enemies now exchanged gifts, shared food, drinks, cigarettes, and showed each other pictures of their girlfriends, wives and families. Christmas parcels, sent from families back home, were shared.

The entire scene was surreal, even for its participants. There were even several documented games of soccer, though these were actually more like ‘kick-abouts’ than structured matches. Kurt Zehmisch, a German lieutenant of the 134th Saxons, recorded one instance in his diary:

Eventually the English brought a soccer ball from the trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued. How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time…(1)

In this powerful but true story we find some strong biblical contrasts:

• The German soldiers were the enemies of the British—We were the enemies of God.
• The soldiers laid aside their weapons and walked behind enemy lines—Christ laid aside His glory in heaven and walked among us.
• The story of the Christmas Truce is surreal and difficult to understand—But the mystery of Christ’s humanity, that God clothed Himself with human flesh, defies all comprehension.
• For the soldiers, Christmas, the celebration of Love, brought mortal enemies (British and German) together as friends for a time—For the Christian, Christmas, the celebration of Love, brings mortal enemies (man and God) together as friends for eternity.

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.

(1) Stanley Weintraub, Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce. Plume: New York, 2001, p. 105.

Jeana and I are so proud of our son, Nick He graduated with his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He received this 93-hour Master of Divinity degree from an advanced program on Friday, December 14.

Nick has been tentatively accepted to begin his Doctor of Ministry degree at Liberty Theological Seminary. He will be able to continue his ministry in Dallas, or wherever the Lord may lead him, while he works towards his doctorate.

We praise God for Nick, Meredith and our little Reese Caroline. This degree is rigorous and, as I attended a party for him in which many of his Prestonwood leaders and friends were present, I was amazed at God’s favor upon him in all of those relationships. Nick is only 23, will be 24 on the 28th, but he serves as the Minister of Adults for the Prestonwood North Campus. Yes, we are more than blessed with our sons and their families. God is very, very good to us.

Nick, Meredith, and Reese Caroline will be coming home on the evening of December 23 and staying through the afternoon of January 1st before returning to Dallas. It will be Reese’s first Christmas so we are excited about having them with us. Additionally, we haven’t spent this long of a time with Nick and Meredith since right after they were married.

Nick and I will be Team Preaching on Sunday, December 30th. We will be speaking on “Making Final Preparations for the Greatest Year of Your Life.” We will be doing it at all services on December 30th and preaching it together like a tag team. We are making that a special Sunday for those who will be here as we will hear a couple of testimonies and be led in worship by Kim Noblitt, Josh Stanbery and a unique praise team put together for that day.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

This week I’ve been talking about One Thing for 2008. We all need to intentionally focus in on one thing in seven different areas of life. If you’ve missed them, look back at this week’s posts to understand what this One Thing is all about. Here are the final three areas to focus in on as you identify your One Things for 2008.

5. Community. We should all be active members of our community. Are you? In 2008, you could decide to volunteer for a community project or you could help out at your children’s’ school. You could get involved in a booster club or maybe even make your community better by running for public office. Consider participating in one of our missions projects. We have many, many opportunities to help locally and across the world through mission projects.

6. Personally. If we don’t take time to evaluate ourselves, we can be overwhelmed, run down, distracted and frustrated. Where do you need to focus personally in the new year? Maybe you just need a vacation. Maybe you need to get healthy by starting an exercise and healthy dieting program. Would you like to take up a sport you used to love to play? Think about where you need to grow personally.

7. Supernaturally. There are some things that only God can do. We all have areas like this in our lives. This is something that cannot happen in your life unless God does it. This one is exciting! Think on it.

If you focus in on the seven areas of the spiritual, family, church, job, community, personal and supernatural, I promise God will do great things in your life in 2008. Use this 1 Thing guide that’s attached to help you identify and remember your 1 Things throughout 2008. Please utilize this guide to achieve your 1 Things for 2008. Establish your 1 Things, pray over them, and then do them!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a special post.

Today I want to introduce to you the seven areas we each need to be pursuing goals in for 2008. These seven areas of life are spiritual, family, church, job, community, personal and supernatural. I will cover all seven of these in the next couple days, but today I want to focus on the first four. Let these challenge you to forget your baggage from 2007 and focus in 2008 to do 1 Thing. I want to challenge you to focus, to pray over daily, and to do 1 Thing in these seven areas of life.

1. Spiritually. Maybe you’ve really neglected God in 2007. You’ve pulled away from Him, haven’t prayed, haven’t ready your Bible. Then your spiritual 1 Thing should be to reconnect with him. Or maybe you need to go on the Holy Land trip with Jeana and me in March. Maybe you need to establish a daily prayer list of family and friends who need God’s touch in their lives. What’s your spiritual 1 Thing for 2008?

2. Family. Family is one of the most important things we have in this life. It’s easy to run off track if you aren’t focused on 1 Thing for your family. I try to spend one day a totally focused on my family. Sometimes it’s difficult, but if I’m not intentional with this one day a week, my schedule is so crazy that I could end up barely seeing my family. For some of you, the best thing you could do for your family in 2008 is get them back in church instead of being distracted by sports, or personal things, or whatever else is keeping you away.

3. Church. God has called us to be involved in the local church. That means YOU need to be involved in a local church. I don’t care whether that’s one of our two campuses or not; you need to invest yourself in a bible-believing, evangelical church. You could renew your commitment to attend worship services every week. You could get involved in a connection group. Maybe you need to find an area to serve others with your talents. Some of you need to be faithful to give 10% of all that God gives you financially. Whatever it is, identify it and do it!

4. Job. It doesn’t matter whether you work in the church or the marketplace, your job is important to God. He has placed you there to reach others for Christ. What needs to be your 1 Thing for your job in 2008? Have you lost focus and need to consider changing jobs? Maybe you just need to change your attitude. Do you need to be more open about your faith in the workplace? Do you need to be more ethical?

Think about these things over the next few days. Ask God what he wants you to change in 2008 in each of these areas.

First, please pray for my friend Dr. Keith Thomas. He has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is having surgery today at 10:00 a.m. at M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. I have great concern for Keith, as he is one of my close friends. I have traveled to Houston to be with him during this time. Please pray today. If you’d like to read previous posts about Keith, click here.

Now, moving on to our 1 Thing series.

As we continue exploring the 1 Thing God has put before us for 2008, we need to be aware of something, the one thing you must do to become more like Christ and win on this side of life is wrapped up in these two words—release and focus.

Release. We must all learn to forget what lies behind, just like Paul did. Victories, defeats, hurts, struggles, these are just baggage. You have 14 days left to carry a grudge, glory in your achievements, wallow in the mire of your self-pity, or to have a poor attitude about something, but when the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2008, let it go!!! You need to release your past, not carry it around with you.

Focus. Paul says he is “reaching forward to what lies ahead.” He is focused on the goal! How focused are you? Are you moving towards your goals? Do you even have any? We live in a world with too many choices. I read this past week we suffer from over-choice! We have: “67 varieties of toothpaste, 487 styles of shoes, 186 brands of cell phones with 137 telephone companies. We demand more variety than we could possibly need or want; and as a result, we get lost in options, opportunities, and choices. There are 87 varieties of lawyers, and 75 specialties inside medicine.” No wonder we can’t focus! In a world of over-choice, it is difficult to focus on one thing and to not be distracted.

Pastor Rick Warren says this, “Today’s leaders set goals way too small and try to accomplish them way too fast. We need to set huge goals and take a lifetime to accomplish them.” These words are challenging words. They are convicting to me. We need to stop setting small goals and then failing to follow through.

A goal is a statement of your faith. Any goal you have in your life needs to be a S.M.A.R.T. goal:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

Begin to ask God what S.M.A.R.T. goals he has for you in 2008.

Usually in life, the simple is what we remember the most. For example, simple statements capture our thoughts and are etched into our memories. Think about these:
“Love makes the world go around.”
“Know Thyself.” Socrates
“Inches make Champions.” Vince Lombardi
“Well done is better than well said.” Benjamin Franklin
“Never give in, never, never, never, never.” Winston Churchill
“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” Seneca
“Do first things first, and second things not at all.” Peter Drucker

The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament, but one statement he wrote captivates my attention more than any of these others, “But this one thing I do.”

Think about this for a moment: out of all things he would do in life, Paul said, “This one thing I do.” We need to sit up, pay attention, and listen to this one thing he would tell us to do.

“Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

We need to have the focus of the Apostle Paul. We should all forget those things behind us that may be pulling us back and down and reach for those things God has set before us.

This week, I want to share with you some thoughts from a sermon I preached recently, 1 Thing. I want to help us all focus in on what 1 Thing God wants us to “pursue as our goal” in 2008.

I am going to use my blog today to share my annual bowl picks. Personally, I think there are way too many bowl games. If you can have a 6-6 record and go to a bowl game, then the system is distorted. Yes, I favor a major Division 1 playoff system to find out who the real champions are on the field of play. The following will serve as my bowl picks for the upcoming bowl season. We could not do much worse than anyone who gets paid millions of dollars to do it. Look how ridiculous everyone has looked through the college season in this topsy-turvy year of college football!

Holiday Bowl: Texas vs Arizona State
Winner: Texas
*Pac 10 football wake up time!

Alamo Bowl: Penn State vs Texas A&M
Winner: Texas A&M
*Same as above, plus A&M is not a bad football team.

Independence Bowl: Alabama vs Colorado
Winner: Alabama
*Same as above; Alabama is better than they finished out the season.

Music City Bowl: Florida State vs Kentucky
Winner: Florida State
*Too much defense for Kentucky!

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Clemson vs Auburn
Winner: Auburn
*Defense will win this one for Auburn, even though Clemson is a very good team.

Outback Bowl: Tennessee vs Wisconsin
Winner: Tennessee
*Tennessee must want to end the season well after losing the SEC Championship Game.

Gator Bowl: Texas Tech vs Virginia
Winner: Texas Tech
*Too much offense for Virginia…..will not be able to stay up with Tech on scoring.

Capitol One Bowl: Michigan vs Florida
Winner: Florida
*Florida is a great football team. At least Michigan is going to be defeated by a great football team this time!

Rose Bowl: Illinois vs USC
Winner: Illinois
*Illinois, I love to watch them play and USC will be shocked!

Sugar Bowl: Hawaii vs Georgia
Winner: Hawaii
*I am a Mark Richt fan; however, Hawaii is much better than most believe….a shocker!

Cotton Bowl: Arkansas vs Missouri
Winner: Arkansas
*This is probably not a good pick, because Missouri is a great football team and mad about losing that last game denying them the national championship game; however, I choose Arkansas for two reasons: McFadden and Jones. Both are probably playing their last game in Arkansas uniforms. Quite honestly, even though I picked the Hogs, I would not be surprised if we lose by 10. However, I am a huge believer in McFadden and Jones. Get them guys!

Fiesta Bowl: West Virginia vs Oklahoma
Winner: West Virginia
*West Virginia deserved to be in the big game and would have been if their QB had not been hurt . . . highly unfortunate. Now they will demonstrate that to the nation.

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Kansas
Winner: Kansas
*Kansas had one bad ballgame and it happened in the wrong game. . . they will finish well.

GMAC Bowl: Tulsa vs Bowling Green
Winner: Tulsa
*An air raid will occur in Mobile and Bowling Green will not know what hit them. I predict 600 yards of offense by Tulsa!

BCS Championship Game: LSU vs Ohio State
Winner: LSU
*Ohio State does NOT deserve to be in this game. I do not believe they are probably one of the top five teams in the nation on a head-to-head match up. They are the favorite son of all the pollsters. They creep into a bowl game unworthily and will once again leave disappointed. LSU is a fabulous football team.

Okay, this is my shot, what do you think? I will be lucky to be .500.

Have a great weekend.