Death of a Friend and Christ as Gain

So last post I left you with tales of my crazy adventures of downtown Detroit. Also, as I recall I was sitting under a huge tent anticipating my friend Jordan's concert. Needless to say, the concert did not disappoint. Jordan and his wife, Jessa, put on a top notch concert. Also, the pastor of the church was a guy I had met when we attended TLC together. I didn't know him really then, but I recognized the name and he had pictures from the week with Brad Pausley, Jon Burkhart, and Colin Smith (Not the prof, a kid from highschool.). 

Sunday was an interesting day. The day rolled along great, church was outstanding, lunch was out of this world, Sunday evening was epic because we watched Louis Giglio's "How Great is our God" talk with the middle schoolers, and then the college age small group was combined guys and girls which was kinda cool because I'm still getting to know the college age/young adults. I say it was only kinda cool because I think often times whenever guys and girls are in the same discussion group the level of openness and honesty takes a back step because of the desire to impress the other gender. 

At the end of the discussion time I stepped outside to respond to a voicemail only to have my friend tell me that a friend of ours, Janet Bauernschmitt, had died in a car accident that day. Talk about a total shocker. Janet was 24 and we had worked at Lake Ann together and went to a Passion Conference together. She was just one of those people who, in my mind, wasn't supposed to die yet. Maybe you know what I'm talking about. Like, I know Christ has

conquered the grave and death has no sting, but sometimes you're just not ready for someone to die.

I was talking to a good friend today and we were talking about being o.k. with death- getting to a place in life where we consider dying and being with Christ to be gain. And not just gain in the sense of "better than what we've got right now," but gain as in "better than anything we could hope for." It all comes down to our greatest fear (I learned of this idea from Tim Keller and Mark Driscoll). For example, if my greatest fear is being single for the rest of my life, then my functional heaven is marriage and my functional savior is a girl. If my greatest fear is being poor, then wealth is my functional heaven and my functional savior is whatever way I find of getting money. Only if my greatest fear is being separated from God will my heaven be the heaven of the Bible and my Savior be Jesus. So death can only be properly seen as total gain when I really see and believe Jesus to be my Savior.

On paper it makes sense and is easy to write about but to live in such a way that I don't have functional hells, heavens, and saviors is difficult. This thought became a reality today because the fact that Janet is in heaven with Jesus only serves as a comfort if I see Christ as being gain. Janet never married, never had kids, never did a lot of things that serve as our functional saviors. And my own idolatrous heart has wrestled with this idea and continues to wrestle with it. To see Jesus as Savior makes Heaven gain. Let me know what you think. 

Also, here is a pic of me some friends, Janet is in the front middle. 

Just to Catch You Up on What's Been Going Down

This post will simply serve to update you all on what I’ve been up to for the last week. Last Saturday was the Cornerstone Golf Outing 2008.  It was a 4 person best ball tournament, and I golfed with Dan and DJ Rudd (the father and son of the family I live with) and Parker McGoldrick. As a team we shot a +1. We were near the bottom of the pack, but, with the exception of Parker, none of us are avid golfers so we had a great time. Just so you understand the competition lever, the winning foursome shot a -11. Sunday through Friday were all pretty typical days in the office. I went to an 8^th grade girls’ basketball game on Wednesday to cheer on one of the middle schoolers. Her team won by two in overtime.

Last night was pretty crazy. After watching the debate (zzzzzz…) Ryan and Logan Gasperado and I drove to downtown Detroit and went to the Lafayette Coney Island, or whatever the place is called. I know it has Layfayette in the name. Basically, picture a run down waffle house type establishment that serves far-from-wholesome chili-cheese fries and coney’s 24 hours a day. The place was recently featured on Good Morning America or one of those shows for stay at home moms as a Detroit hotspot. It’s the kind of place that’s fun to go with the guys, but that you would never take a girl to on a first date. Or a second date for that matter.

After the high quality eats, Ryan and Logan took me for a tour of downtown Detroit. We saw the famous landmarks and that was all good and fun, and then we took a drive to what I refer to as, “The Danger Zone.” It was the kinda neighborhood where you kept the windows rolled up and fought every urge to look at people who pulled up next to you at stoplights. Random question. Am I the only one who can’t help but look to see who pulls up next to me at every light? Anyways. We drove past the “Dolla” store. Like a “Dollar Store” but more ghetto.

 And then they took me to this creepy art exhibit that sits on an old vacant lot. Some dude turned this run-down lot into a, well, still run-down lot that now just looks a lot creepier. I’m going to include a few pictures of the exhibit. It is an actual art exhibit protect by law. The picture of the house that looks like it has stuffed animals nailed to it all over is in fact a house with stuffed animals nailed to it all over. It’s not creepy, it’s art. Actually, no, it’s just creepy. It’s creepy art.

Today I’m typing this from a huge tent at an outdoor college fair near Flushing, MI where I’m spending the day hanging out with Gerty while she represents Faith Baptist Bible College. I can’t hang out with her the whole time because she has to do her job, but it’s still good to see her and hang out for a few minutes here and there throughout the day. Tonight I’m going to a Jordan and Jessa Anderson concert in Lansing. It will be fun. Enjoy the pictures and have a blessed Sunday.

CSI and the Gospel (pt. 2)

Here are some thoughts I wrote this morning pertaining to my blog entry last night. These last 2 posts have been a break from the norm for my blog, but it is helpful for me to be articulate my thoughts. Let me know what you think. Also, Rob Bell is a popular target today in Christian circles, but I didn't set out to target his preaching. I just happened to listen to one of his sermons the other day so this was fresh on my mind. Hence, the journal entry:

I was listening to a Rob Bell "sermon" a couple days ago and a few of His thoughts really bothered me. The following quote can be found from 22:37-26:46 on his "Grasping and Giving" sermon on Philippians 2 from Sept. 7, 2008.

Sometimes what people get into is they get into this, "God wanted Jesus to die." But what kind of God needs someone to die so they can love? See, sometimes it's like, "Oh, God willed Jesus to die (emphasis his)." But you have to realize, that's not what the poem is saying. The poem is saying that Jesus became obedient to death, even death on a cross. You realize what the poem is saying? The poem is saying that Jesus decided to do the right thing, and then to do the next right thing, and then to do the next right thing, and then to do the next right thing. God didn't necessarily will his death, God willed his obedience, and his obedience had consequences. And the main consequence was his death.

...his resurrection was God's way of saying, "This way is better." It, like, vindicated Him. And it inspires us to know…your act of power in killing Jesus actually empowered the whole Christian revolution…. only God could do that.

I have big problems with anybody who says God didn't will Christ to die. Isaiah 53:6 says, "...The LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him (NASB)." 53:10 says, "Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him (ESV)." Romans 3:25 says, speaking of Jesus, "whom God put forward as propitiation by his blood...". Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all." There are other passages that come to mind, like the one in Revelation that speaks of Jesus being the Lamb that was slain from before the foundations of the earth.

I am not attempting to quote Bell out of context or twist his words, so in addition to the actually words he says, I sense that the whole tone of what he says in this part of the message takes away the awful, bloody, glory of the cross. He has simply turned the cross into a motivational act of obedience for us to follow. The cross and the resurrection simply "inspire us"? "God willed Christ's obedience" but not his death, Bell says? This message is not Biblical but tickles peoples ears. If Christ's death is simply an example for us, the message of the gospel is lost. There is no need for wrath. No need for propitiation. Christ didn't not die because God was angry at sin, but because he was showing us "how do to the right thing. And then the next right thing." as Bell says in his message. This turns the message of the cross into a message of morality. It sounds good but still leaves people going to hell.

CSI and the Gospel (pt. 1)

As I write this entry I am watching a re-run of CSI Miami.  That show is just so cool. I love how Horatio always says a clever little pun that leads into the intro credits. The characters on the show seem so perfect. They never say anything stupid. They never need hair cuts. They never wear shirts with stains on them. They never have something stuck in their teeth. They never crack a joke and then find out the reason people are laughing is because their fly is down. Even the criminals on the show are attractive. But I still watch the show. I like it. I like watching perfect people make perfect decisions so that every show is perfect. 

Maybe it's shows like CSI that give America such a false sense of reality. Come to think of it, TV in general promotes artificial reality. Take a reality tv show like Survivor which portrays reality as a tropical island full of skinny people who like good in swimsuits. I would like to see Survivor: Antarctica,  when every contestant wears, at a very minimum, a turtleneck, jeans, and big thick wool socks. Even the e-Harmony commercial that just featured two beautiful people who met through the website. "Join e-Harmony and you will find hundreds of picture perfect people who are just waiting to meet you and satisfy your every longing!" the commercial seems to say. 

Entertainment today screams that life is about superficial beauty, independent strength, and perfect social skills. "Be perfect, and you'll be happy!" "Hang out with us and we'll never tell you you're wrong!" "Any imperfections you have are not your fault! You just weren't hugged enough as a child!" All these messages tickle our ears and make us feel warm inside. Unfortunately, these messages are found not only on tv but in the church. Many churches today are largely becoming about a feel good message. 

I know feel good messages are not a new problem in the church, but I just felt like commenting on it. I'll try and post a part two in my next post that includes specific examples of what I'm talking about. Primarily this topic manifests itself in people's discussion of the cross of Christ. 

I want to give a big hello to my brother in Christ, Pastor Philemon, who is reading this blog from Lyberia (I think it's Lyberia). I appreciate your prayers. Also, after the Bug Man gets back from his exotic bug collecting trip to Arkansas (yes, you read that right), I plan to interview him and give him some free publicity. 

Ministry Mayhem!

What a crazy Wednesday! Tuesday was fairly uneventful - a typical day in the office broken up by my scheduled lunch with Patrick. Tuesday night at 11:00 I received a call from Patrick, who was spending the night at the hospital with a family because their father/grandfather wasn't expected to live through the night, asking me if I could speak in his place at a Bible study the next morning (Wednesday) at 10:00. Patrick speaks every Wednesday morning at 10:00 for an "Adult Bible Study" held at the church, which is comprised of adults who all qualify for the discount breakfast price at Perkins, if you know what I mean. "Senior Saints", if you will. Except for Ross and Karen Stevens, they are incredible young but attend anyways :). Anyhow, I told Patrick, "Sure, no problem." A good intern always has a message in his metaphorical back pocket. 

I arrived at the church at 8:30 the next morning to prep for the Bible study, only to find a note on my office door from Brien Brough, director of childrens' minstries, asking me to come see him ASAP. I did. He asked me if I would be willing to come up with and lead the games at that afternoon's Connect* program instead of leading the singing like I had planned. This was because the guy who was supposed to lead the games was the son of the man who passed away the night before and whose family Patrick had spent time with at the hospital. "Sure, no problem," I said. A good intern always has rambunctious games capable of entertaining 170 elementary students in his metaphorical back pocket.

I then went back to my office, read through the book of Ruth as prep for my back pocket Ruth sermon, and went to the the Adult Bible Study at 10:00. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, due in large part to the wonderfully nice folks and the 

kickin' southern gospel songs played on a CD player at the beginning of the Bible study. 

After the Bible study, I had an hour of time to run to the local music store to pick up a guitar for that night and prep for Connect. To make a long story short, Connect got started a little late so we decided to do away with game time for this month, so I ran and got my guitar and led the singing for the 5th-6th graders. When the singing finished, another leader poked her head in the classroom and  asked me to go lead some spontaneous game time for 55 k-1st graders. I did. It's amazing what can happen with a big room, a few dodgeballs, and some folding chairs. While the students were still filing out of game time, I got called to go back to the group I had led music for and now lead a discussion group. I did. I enjoyed the discussion time and getting to know my group, Cassidy, Christopher, Aaron, Delynde, and Heather. 

After proof-reading what I just wrote, I can't help but think to myself, "That's not that crazy, Kevin. You falsely advertised your post. You lied to the general public." Oh well, I'm not mad at me, and that's all that matters.

This is a long post so thanks for reading. Hopefully it was a profitable read for you and you now feel compelled to go change the world as a result. This picture is of me and few amigas from church, Rachel and Charrisa (sp?), who differ in many ways but unite around a love for cardigans. Long live the collarless knitted sweater that opens down the front.

*Connect is an new afternoon program (Wednesday was the first time) Cornerstone puts on for public school students from the neighborhood public schools. It happens one Wednesday afternoon a month from 1-3. It involves Bible teaching, discussion groups, singing, snacks, and games. Wednesday we had approximately 170 K-6th graders. It was nuts!

Ministry is Fun and Funny Ministry

I have not eaten pizza or hot dogs in 3 days! Sunday was Applebees (chicken and broccoli alfredo bowl) for lunch and pulled pork sammiches for dinner. Monday lunch was the old school brown bag special (sammich, chex mix, pudding cup) and McDonald's 99 cent menu for dinner (Did you know 1 double cheese sammich has more calories than a 10 piece chicken nuggets?). I ate at McDonald's for dinner because the high school ate there on their way to God's Helping Hands. 

GHH is a food pantry/clothing closet in the greater Detroit area that the Cornerstone high school students volunteer at one Monday night per month for two hours. The pictures you see are of various students sorting food and clothes. Typical turnout for this ministry is 25 students! It was a great experience and I look forward to being about to participate in ensuing months. 

Do you wanna hear a funny story?

 Awesome. I have one to tell. Wednesday night I spoke on grace for approximately 30 minutes. The students all paid good attention until the end when one student accidently "let one slip." It actually scared the student, and everyone heard it, and students and leaders alike were laughing and couldn't regain composure. It was just one of those moments. Upon surveying the stinky situation, I realized any productive teaching time was gone like a a gaseous vapor in the wind so I stared down the students with a silent, but deadly glare and ripped into them for their noisy behavior. Actually, I didn't do that, but I enjoyed typing that sentence for reasons that maybe only humor me.

Back to the funny story, after seeing everyone laughing I quickly closed up the message and sent everyone on their way. Immediately afterwards, a student came up to me, waited in line for a moment while I talked to a different student, and then after saying, "Hi", said, "When you first started (referring to when I started the internship) you told us you were going to teach for only 20 minutes at a time because you figured that was about as long as our attention span was." (Keep in mind, I had just spoken for a solid 30 minutes.) I proceeded to apologize to the student and acknowledge that I did go long and I said I would try and work on going a little shorter next time. "I just wanted to let you know," he began, before pausing for a second, "that you kept my attention for the whole 30 minutes!" He burst out in a big smile, quickly turned, and walked away. I burst out in a big smile and just sat there. "Uhhh, thanks man!" I said to his back. He didn't turn around.

It's About Time...

...the Hawkeyes beat the Cyclones. I was able to watch the game today on the Big Ten network and enjoyed every minute of it - except for the minutes when the Hawkeyes were throwing interceptions or missing wide open sure thing touchdown passes. Thankfully, the many, many minutes when the Cyclone kicker couldn't make a field goal to save his life made up for the bad minutes. 

After the Hawkeye game I received a call on my cellular phone from a certain Dave Kaynor (see photo of me at the Tiger's game to see a picture of Dave) inviting me to his house to watch the Michigan vs. Nortre Dame game with a bunch of the teen adult leaders from church. I went. I watched. Michigan turned the ball over 8 times. For the first time in my life I almost felt bad for Michigan football. Almost.

[This picture isn't too exciting, but it's the best I have. It's of some of the middle schoolers play dodgeball. The 7th graders beat the 8th graders in back to back games. Ouch!] 

Last night was the middle school open gym activity. We ended up having a little over 30 students come, plus 8 leaders so the night was a blast. I've never seen a group of junior high students who were so passionate about dodgeball. I could have put 4 ping pong balls in the middle of the room and the students would have figured out a way to play dodgeball with them! Just kidding. But seriously the would have. We ending up playing for over an hour using 3 dodgeballs, 2 torn up foam footballs, and an oversized squishy ball that was so lightweight it was pointless to have in the game because you (and by "you" I mean "I") couldn't throw it more than about 8 feet before it floated gently to the ground.

In other news, after eating hotdogs at various events last weekend on Saturday night, Sunday night, and Monday lunch, I have eaten pizza for my main course this week for Tuesday dinner, Wednesday lunch, Wednesday dinner, Friday dinner, Saturday (today) lunch, and Saturday (tonight) dinner. Oh the life of a youth intern. Chances are we'll have pizza tomorrow night again at the SNAC. I think I might just eat the chips and veggies instead. I have never been sick of pizza before, but I'm approaching my limit. 

The Middle School in a Metaphorical Nutshell.

I got an email from my parents today asking if I would post an entry about some of my first impressions about the church and students and provide a sort of demographic about the students in the middle school. I think that is a great idea and I will do my best to provide as good of description as possible despite my still limited knowledge of such matters.

Sunday mornings appear to be the high attendance time for the middle school. We had around 50 middle schoolers (I think) on Sunday morning and around 30 on Wednesday night. Because of the Sunday evening Parents of Teens meeting I have yet to see how big the turnout is for Sunday night Bible studies. I'm gonna name the leaders so I get an accurate count...Ray and Ashley, Joe and Jessica, Rico and Shelly, April, Keith and Ann, and Dan and Sarah. There you have it, 11 leaders. Not all of them attend both Sunday and Wednesday events, but between them all every event is sufficiently attended. 

I'm learning that not every youth group is like what mine was in Iowa. I think that out of my highschool youth group, 90% attended our church school. Here at Cornerstone, I think there are about 397 schools represented, or at least it seems that way. There is one small Christian school in the area that a few students attend, a large number of public schools, a "couple two tree" (Scranton talk for "two or three") private schools, and then a large number of homeschool students.

Ethnically, the area is predominately white and the church attendance reflects that with only a few students being Black or Asian. As far as personality is concerned, the middle school is very diverse. There are some students who seem to be able to go all night without saying a word, some who are eager to answer any question I ask, some who raise their hands during my "message" to ask their own questions, and some who like to talk, just not about what is going on at the moment.

Externally, there are teens who dress conservatively, some who dress on the edge of fashion, some who wear black and have chains hanging from their belt, some who love Salvation Army stlye clothing, some who have earrings, some who would have earrings if their parents would allow it, some who wear tight jeans, and some who wear jeans big enough to hold several people at the same time.

Most unique, in my mind, is this kid affectionately called, "Bug Man." Bug Man is in 7th grade, stands about 3'6" and loves bugs. He knows so much about bugs that he has literally taught a lesson or two at the local library about bugs. He has "Bug Man" business cards which advertise himself as a "pet insect expert" marketing towards  "teaching - birthday parties - insect and spider care sheets - bug keeping containers - bug craft kits - and free consultations." He also makes and sells "customized weaving crafts, coasters, bookmarks, placemats, and zipper pulls." He likes to catch caterpillars or various other bugs, put them in a bug-container, and bring them to church to show other students and teach them about his new pet. Bug Man is awesome. I'm glad he's a part of the middle school.

That's all I have for ya. Tomorrow night the middle school is having a big open gym night to just hang out and run around and play games. It should be fun. 

Hopefully this has been informative and somewhat interesting at the same time. I leave you with a picture of Parker and a pillow with his name written all over it. 

Tigers Win!

Saturday was a day of relaxation. I watched some football, finished Manly Dominion, rotated the tires on my car, and went with DJ and his girlfriend to some friends' house for a barbeque. I got to do the grilling which was fun, and then we did a little hot tubbin' for a while because it was a nice night out. After hot tubbin' we watched the Brian Regan special on the television console. 

Sunday I kicked off the teaching series on the life of Christ in the morning, went out to eat for lunch with DJ and his grandma, attended the Parents of Teens meeting at 5:00, and at 7:00 went to the college age men's Bible study led by Pastor Bob at the Hutech's house. The college age guys have been, and will continue to be, studying the lives of church fathers. This week we are all supposed to find a unique fact about the life of John Bunyan and present it to the group next Sunday. I'm looking forward to being a part of this Bible study as it will give me opportunity to "not be the intern" and spend time with guys my own age. 

 Today, Monday, was a typical day at the office. I finished the prep for Wednesday (Marked by Grace) and Sunday (Is Jesus Legit?). Tonight, on a not so typical note, I went to a Detroit Tigers game with Dan and Sarah Schnepper (two of the middle school leaders) and Dave Kaynor (a high school leader). We sat in the 4th row down the first base line. If you don't know much about baseball, just think, 

"Dangerously close to the action." The game was an offensive showcase with 5 home runs, one of which was a grand slam, 4 triples, and one dude getting beaned twice in the same inning. Poor guy. The final score of the game was 14-8, I think. Almost better than the time spent watching the game was the time spent listening to Dave heckle the grounds crew who spent much of the game sitting uncomfortably squashed behind the big rolled up tarp anticipating a rain delay that never came. The rain came, just not strongly enough to demand a delay. 

Also, today was the 4th day in a row I have not visited Starbucks. 

What's First CCM concert!

These last few days have been fairly uneventful. I didn't have any speaking responsibilities Wednesday night as it was the last combined (Jr High/Sr High) session of the summer so Patrick spoke. Thursday was my day off so I spent time reading Manly Dominion and drinking a "hot cup o' hoffee." I plan to finish reading the book tomorrow. Manly Dominion is a call for men to return to biblical manhood as it is originally presented in Genesis and to stop being pushed around by circumstances and emotional whims. Following in the pattern of Pastor Shirk, I highly recommend the book for men of any age and for single women who are looking for a biblical description of what to look for in a man. 

Last night, I went to a Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith concert. The concert was held at an outdoor theatre and some friends and I had seats in the lawn section. I enjoyed the SCC part of the concert moreso than the MWS part, even though SCC spent over half the time talking. [An incredible 6 part interview of SCC and his family discussing the recent death of their adopted daughter and sister on Larry King Live can be seen here.] SCC's concert would have fit much better in a smaller venue with an older audience due, in part, to the tranquil tear-jerkers "I Will Be Here" and "Cinderella." My comments I realize are sounding more critical than I'm intending, so if you watch the interview I mentioned above, you will see what I like about SCC despite his tendency to spend the majority of his concert time talking. On a lighter note, Michael W. Smith is still as pretty as ever and ended the concert (pre-encore) with "Friends" ...groan. It was the only old school song he did all night. Personally, I had a hanckerin' for "Place in This World" but, no luck. 

Today was spent at the office finishing up final touches on Sunday's and Wednesday's Lesson. I'll finish this post with a general outline of my upcoming Sunday series on the life of Christ. 

1. Why study about Jesus?

2. Is Jesus legit?

3. Why four gospels?

4. Why do we worship Jesus?

5. What's wrong with saying Jesus was just a good guy? aka Can Jesus be my homeboy?

6. Was Jesus a wuss from the suburbs whose head glowed all the time?

7. If I really want to follow Jesus, is it o.k. if I still like to have nice stuff?

8. Does Jesus really love everybody?

9. Would it have been o.k. if Jesus just died in His sleep?

10. How do I know Jesus was raised from the dead?

11. Is it o.k. if I follow Jesus half the time? aka Does Jesus play "Let's Make a Deal"?

12. If Jesus isn't dead, what's He up to now?

13. Is it o.k. to love Jesus and not like Christians or going to Church?

And on the second day of the week, America "Picnic'ed"

This weekend was pretty awesome. Sunday morning the youth group had a picnic breakfast at church because so many people were going to be out of town for the weekend. I guess the pancake breakfast happens a couple times a year because Patrick loves it so much. The award of "most pancakes eaten" was won by Rachel Klein. She ate 11 pancakes. Rachel's mom is the youth ministries secretary. Her name is Ruth. She is married to Mark. Mark's son is Matt. I went out to eat with the whole Klein family after church Sunday.  We went to El Charro's (please roll your rrrrr's when pronouncing El Charrrrrrro's). It was awesome. Then Sunday night, believe it or not, I went to Starbucks and sat and read Manly Dominion for an hour and a half. The experience, like El Charro's, was awesome. I want to acknowledge, at this point, that my Starbucks visits have been made possible by my friends from Patsel's in Pennsylvania who gave me a gift card of sorts to use for my enjoyment in Michigan. They (my friends), like El Charro's and Starbucks, are awesome. 

Monday morning/early afternoon was spent, in part, relaxing at the house with Zeke the dog and chatting on the phone with Bob the youth pastor. Later in the afternoon (as can be seen in the picture) I went to a picnic with a bunch of folks from church at the Ackerman's house. One of their sons, Ian, is in the junior high. Their house was pretty awesome. There was pool, ladderball (aka "Redneck Horseshoes"), a bean bag toss (aka "CORNHOLE!!!!!!!" for my Senior Trip friends), a big trampoline, and a big patio upon which to sit and chat. The day turned out great. 

I returned home that evening and chilled with the Rudd's (Mrs. Burn, how does one properly punctuate a family name when it is in such a grammatical context? Rudd's? Rudds' Rudds?). We, me and the Rudd, Rudd's, Rudds', watched drag racing on the TV. Dan, the dad, knows a lot about such matters. I know nothing. Check that, after last night I know one thing. Did you know the long skinny drag racing cars have about 8,000 horsepower? I wonder what horse they, whoever "they" are, used to determine how much power a horse has. Is the horse stuffed somewhere in a museum so people can stare at it through glass windows and take family pictures in front of it? Let me know what you think.