Dayle, I had to laugh at your earlier comment, and Mike gave the very answer I was thinking of, only he looked up the stats. I was going to ask if you were 6'9," could deliver a no-look pass between two opponents and into your teammate's hands ... consistently, and brought the term "triple double" into the basketball lexicon.

I have no doubt that Magic would be as dominant today if he was in his prime as he was back in the 80s. Jordan? Too many great defenders, and the refs would take away his favorite moves.

And Dayle ... QB for N.E. ? Come on, my friend. Even Jordan when he tried to switch sports couldn't make it out of the minor leagues. Do you really have a good handle on your abilities?

Which of course makes your comments about Magic et. al. even more ... entertaining. I hope you're saying all this with tongue in cheek.

Becky

Mike, I agree with everything you said.

But this thought came to me. Recently what's his name starred in a movie about the Nazi officer who tried to assassinate Hitler. How many people thought it was wrong for those in that plot to make the attempt?

I'm not saying they were right or justified. It's just that few, few, precious few look at that historical event without thinking something along the line of, If only ... Many consider the plotters to be heroes. Martyrs.

I bring it up to point out, once again, the double standard we hold when it comes to abortion.

Myself? Murder is murder. And the old line from my childhood: two wrongs don't make a right.

Becky

I think "vanity" is fast dropping off as a term for self-published works. But you asked So why is it we’ve come to see the self-published author as more vain than the traditionally-published author?

I think you already said it—some authors, not all by any means, are too hasty. And too unwilling to have someone (an editor) tell them to change their work. They are in charge. Of the whole process, including book cover and what edits to accept or reject. The ones who go their own way became associated with the subsidy publishers, and perhaps early on, defined them.

Houses like WinePress, however, have done remarkable work to change this view. An author can go to such a house and receive exactly the same professional service any other publisher gives. The difference simply is that the author is taking the financial risk instead of the publisher. No vanity in that.

Becky

Mike, I'm so happy to hear others speaking up about the treatment James receives. Stu Lance even said it last night on the radio.

I had a Facebook discussion making the point because in rounds one and two, media types were handing the championship to the Cavs. Never mind that they were up against teams that wouldn't have even made the play-offs if they were in the west.

As to Jordan, would that the NBA had tightened up the traveling and palming violations when he was playing! Would that the refs didn't think the superstars should go to the line because a defender looked at them cross-eyed.

Surprisingly, that latter seems to be back in place for LeBron. Kobe has never received such "respect." (You think the refs would have missed LeBron being pushed in the back on drives to the basket or kneed in the stomach on his shot?) I've wondered why. Kobe's no Dennis Rodman or Rasheed Wallace, but he's certainly been Teed up a lot, especially the last couple years.

But back to Jordan. He lost my respect when he started referring to his teammates as his supporting cast. Yes, that may have originated with the media, I don't know, but he used it. Ugh!

I completely agree that Jordan was over hyped. Magic and Bird had created such popularity and revenue for the NBA, and I think the powers that be were terrified when they both were gone so quickly that all the new found wealth would go away.

Oh, and don't forget the power of Nike. Of course they wanted all the kids to be like Mike, so he had to be tabbed as the greatest.

Honestly? I don't think he was better than Dr. J.

And no one was better than Magic when it came to making everyone around him better. Just my opinion. ;-)

Becky

Well, I probably won't be published in the CBA either, but I still care about the industry. I care about Christian fiction because I care about the association with Christ's name.

And yes, I say things that conflict with the status quo. I've taken on some of the highly respected professionals, and in at least one case made a friend as a result.

I guess I don't think speaking the truth in love is debatable. It's a Biblical command, so if I'm going to speak, it better be the truth (to the best of my ability) and in love (ditto).

The bad thing with the internet is the sudden association with people I would never have had such consistent access to in the past. I mean, I can leave a comment to Michael Hyatt. I've even received an email from him. Imagine in days gone by getting a letter from the CEO of Thomas Nelson.

As to the five star reviews ... well, one of the drums I beat is the need we Christians have for discernment

Becky

Mike, as I said, I don't disagree with the main thrust of this post. I do think it's telling that you tagged it "legalism" as if requiring kids to memorize Scripture qualifies as legalistic. I'm sorry, but then the parent who says Don't get in the street is also legalistic. There are times when kids need to do what is right so they learn to do what is right.

We are sinners with sin natures and leaving kids to flounder through life picking and choosing without spiritual guidance is not what God calls parents to do.

Are there "magic wands" that will lead to magic spiritual health? Of course not. But there are disciplines. That means hard work and doing things you don't always feel like doing. Like eating your vegetables or making your bed. But from what I hear, parents today don't teach their kids to do those things either.

I think it's ironic, is all, that in this permissive environment, Christian parents are warned about the dangers of legalism.

From my view, we should be warning about imbalance. Not legalism. That would translate into a post that says, Memorizing Scripture is great as long as you also teach your children what the verses mean and how they matter to life today. As long as you, parent, also love God's Word and live it out in your dealings with your child. How then could Scripture memorization be "wrong"? It's not the activity. It's the attitude.

And Michelle, I can only say I'm sorry you didn't have someone bring the two in sinc for you when you were growing up. May God be your help as you try to do differently by your children.

Becky