Friday Links Roundup: Open Door Edition

With USC’s loss last night (hope I didn’t ruin a DVR’d surprise for anyone), the door is open for someone else in the national title game. In the pre-season, I picked USC to beat Oklahoma. I still think the Sooners are going. So, “who’s up next?” Here are the five teams I now think have the best chance…until they, too, lose.

1. Georgia. They play a very strong Alabama team this weekend, but, if they get past that, they have a very strong chance. Unless they lose to…
2. Florida. It may very well be that the winner of this game is in the title game.
3. Penn State. Yes, you read that right. They look like the best team in the Big 10 now (for what that’s worth)
4. Missouri. The thing that knocks them down to four is that they would have to play, most likely, Oklahoma in the title game. That is, unless my ‘Huskers knock off the Tigers next Saturday…yeah, right.
5. BYU or Boise State or Utah or TCU. Yes, it is very, very possible we could have the ultimate “BCS Buster.” The last few years, we have seen non-BCS teams make one of the big bowls (Utah started the trend with Urban Meyer as the coach). With so many strong performances from these schools this year, it is very possible one of them could work all the way up to #2. It’s not highly likely, but it is very possible. Best chance? BYU, since they started ranked in the mid-teens. (Remember, that I gave them as a BCS Bowl team before the season started!)

Who else still have a legit shot? Alabama, LSU, Texas, and Texas Tech would be the next in line. If Alabama wins this weekend, they move into the first list (best five chances).

Okay, with that confusion out of the way–or made worse–we move on to the links for this week.

1. I love the parable of the sower. It has so much impact on our daily life, and it continues to be a goldmine of useful encouragement. Neil Richey writes a great post on this fantastic parable.

2. Next Sunday evening, Lord willing, I’m preaching a “general” lesson on the change agent movement. It will, very much, be a survey-style lesson. So, when Phil Sanders posted this article, I printed it to use for some helpful information.

3. I love those sweet older ladies that hold congregations together. They are so supportive and loving. (And they give the BEST hugs!) They are just one part of the congregation, though. How do we know as many people as possible in our congregations (especially when we are growing)? Chris Gallagher gives some tips.

4. Think you’ve seen it all? Now you (might) have.

We hope you have a great weekend. If all goes according to plan, we should have a very exciting announcement to make sometime next week. Be looking for that!

If you are near Nashville, stop by and see us at Lebanon Road on Sunday. No matter where you are, don’t forget the Lord on His day.