Ducks Soccer wins Conference Opener against Huskies 2 – 0.

On Friday, the Oregon soccer team won a convincing 2 – 0. home win over Washington Huskies to open Pac-12 Conference play. Ajanae Respass scored first and KessElmore scored late to win the homestanding Ducks. Leah Freeman, Oregon’s goalkeeper, recorded her 17th career shutout, which tied the school record.

In some ways, Washington’s tactics in the game were similar to those employed by the University of Portland against the Ducks last week. To try and free a Duck player, the Pilots had repeatedly sent deep searching balls around and in the Oregon penalty area. Although the Huskies kept moving the ball into Oregon territory, Washington took much longer shots at goal than they did trying to find space within 35 yards. It’s not clear what the Huskies were trying to accomplish because Freeman had no trouble with any of these attempts. Washington may have been hoping for an Oregon defense deflection or Freeman to make a mistake. Many were floated directly to Washington, but they were easily corralled or simply floated over the bar. Washington outshot Oregon 28-8, but only half of the Huskies shots hit the target.

The teams traded possessions at the 35-yard line, trying to find a way to score. Perhaps Washington’s best scoring chance of the game came in just the 10th minute, when a UO giveaway in its area led to an open look by a Huskie forward that was closed down by Defender Anna Phillips at the last moment. Phillips was able to redirect the ball from the Huskie forward and score an Oregon goal kick.

In just the next minute, Ajanae Respass – Oregon’s leading scorer on the year and the recipient of a lot of unhelpful defensive pressure over the last several games – gave the Ducks a lead they would never relinquish. Forward Kaitlyn Pakulba ran down the right side to pass the ball to Respass, who was at the near post. Respass shot the ball across Washington’s goal face immediately, taking Washington’s goalkeeper out of play and placing the ball in the lower left corner of the goal. Oregon held the lead 1 to 0. Washington was the better possession and had more shots.

Ducks defend on Leah Freeman’s long kick that causes a little tug-of-war between Kaitlyn and Ajanae Respass. Respass scores her fourth goal of the season.#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/BZTtVnSdvR

— Oregon Ducks Soccer (@OregonSoccer) September 24, 2022

The second half was a similar affair. Washington made good use of their ball possession to press Oregon. This disrupted Oregon’s ability to build up attacks. Nevertheless, the Ducks created a few more opportunities before the halftime whistle, including a 30th minute cross that was just a bit too high for 2 Oregon forwards and an entry pass to Respass that was just a bit too far and taken off her feet by Washington’s goalkeeper. Most of Washington’s chances were from too far away, or high or wide, or were saved by Freeman.

SECOND HALF

There was little change in either team’s strategy as the second half opened, and the early results were just the same. Washington kept launching long-distance shots, crosses and crosses with little success. The Ducks also tried to resist the Huskies’ pressure to get the ball down to scoring position. The majority of the game took place between the 18-yard boxes, but Oregon started finding the range as the second half progressed. After Respass’s long pass, Lexi Romero was able to miss the goal from the left side in the 55th minutes. Romero’s close range shot also went over the line in the 58th minute. In the 70th minute, Kess Elmore scored an opportunistic goal, her first action since returning from injury. It was from 16 yards following an Oregon corner kick. After a scramble, Elmore was awarded the ball. She scored when the ball deflected from a Huskie defender to the left side. Oregon led 2 to 0.

Oregon found itself in the fortunate position of needing to win the game within 20 minutes. The Ducks weren’t satisfied to just sit back, play defense and waste time, however. In the 71st minute, a cross from Romero just missed Croix Soto’s head and in the 72nd minute Oregon had a free kick just outside the Huskie 18-yard box that generated a header and a subsequent corner kick. Washington continued to try shots and crosses from 35 – 50 yards, but Oregon’s defense and Freeman were always equal to the task. Freeman made an outstanding save on a UW breakout in the 86th minute, and Oregon was able run out the clock to secure victory. Freeman was able to save 14 shots, one more than the school record.

Oregon is working with its injured players to get them back into the lineup. Graeme Abel, Oregon coach, said this week that the Ducks’ recent schedule has allowed them ample time to rest and recover. Players who have been pressed into service they aren’t used to – as starters, perhaps, or playing longer minutes than normal – have had a chance to be fully ready for the next game action.

GAME NOTES

Oregon’s goal this season, as last, is to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Oregon’s pre-season failures were due in large part to injuries. The Pac-12 season will now be more important if they are to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Washington was not as tough in the pre-season. The Huskies entered the game undefeated, but suffered their first loss of year. Oregon is now 3-2-4 (W–L-T), and Washington is 6-1-2.

Normal sporting matches will have teams commit similar numbers of infractions and fouls. In tonight’s game, Oregon was whistled for 20 fouls and was issued 3 yellow (caution) cards while Washington had only 13 fouls and no yellow cards. Oregon was often surprised at the fouls they received, especially when players were trying to get a ball. They were likely equally responsible for all fouls. Oregon was the victim of most 50/50 foul calls.

NEXT UP

The Ducks will face top-ranked UCLA in Eugene on Thursday, at 7:00 PM.

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Granite Highway section gets a new look

The drive from Sumpter and Granite is different than it was a few weeks ago.



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Mayor Wheeler restores Old Town’s carfree zone in an effort to reduce violence

(Source: Mayor Wheeler’s Office)

Beginning tonight, a 12-block area of downtown Portland will be closed to cars for two nights per week.

It’s part of an effort from Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office to improve safety and reduce gun violence in Old Town Chinatown’s entertainment district. To announce the plan, Wheeler held a press conference Tuesday at Kells Irish Pub. “As we emerge out from the pandemic, the crowds in Old Town have returned by the tens-of-thousands. The streets are jamming up — particularly on weekends — and people need more room to spread out,” Wheeler said. “We need bigger sidewalks. We need more space for pedestrians. In lieu of that, we’re going to close lanes and streets to give people the elbow room they need to move around more freely and enjoy themselves.”

If this sounds like deja-vu, that’s because the City of Portland first made the connection between crime and cars in this area in 2009 And then expanded it further in 2012 Former Mayor Sam Adams urged Adams to do so. Adams worked on the issue last summer as a Wheeler advisor. According to The OregonianSafety in Old Town fell to its lowest point after the pandemic. A temporary solution was reached after a lengthy discussion with the transportation bureau, local business owners and the administration regarding the authorization of barricades to stop violence.

Wheeler’s announcement This week brings a more permanent solution for the ongoing issues.

The new entertainment district will double the size of the old one. Wheeler has authorized the Portland Police Bureau’s ban on vehicles from NW 1st Avenue to NW 5th Avenue, West Burnside to NW Everett Friday and Saturday evenings. The carfree zone will likely be in effect from around 9:00 pm to 3:00 am (I haven’t heard back on requests to clarify the exact times).

In addition to not allowing vehicles into this 12-block area, Wheeler said the PPB will deploy a “small” team of officers to patrol the area and will install additional lighting. It also “builds upon work to remove problematic encampments that block the right-of-way,” Wheeler said Tuesday. They hope that the new zone, which is car-free, will encourage people to take transit instead of driving.

Jo Ann Hardesty (City Commissioner) is not mentioned in the story. She oversees the Portland Bureau of Transportation. It seems that the effort aligns perfectly with many of her top priorities including the use of street-based interventions to reduce gun violence the creation of carfree zones downtown.

Back in July, Wheeler’s office validated some aspects of Hardesty’s approach to street-related violence when he announced a new gun violence reduction plan. His new plan also echoes an approach endorsed by the Old Town Community Association in September 2021 More street and sidewalk activations in the area.

Bike riders were not permitted to enter the entertainment district in the past. Now that it’s twice as large, and would impact major cycling routes like SW 3rd and 4th avenues, we’re curious if bike traffic will be permitted. We’ve reached out to Hardesty and Wheeler’s office to find out more and have yet to hear back.

Get in touch with us at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Please also, if this site is something you enjoy, please become a supporter.

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Duck Tape: Washington State Film Analysis 2022

Special thanks to Michael Preston This is CougCenter for joining me on the Quack 12 Podcast to talk about Washington State’s roster. LISTEN HERE

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Wazzu has gone back to the Air Raid after two years of a heavily modified Run & Shoot, though as discussed in my Summer preview The new OC Morris, who is also known as the Cougars has merged it with a lot spread-option concepts. He uses a tight finish on approximately a third all snaps.

It’s been a bumpy start at the FBS level for FCS transfer and Jerry Rice Award winner #1 QB C. Ward, who came to Pullman along with Morris from Incarnate Word. He puts a lot of zip on the ball and triggers very quickly when his read is open, and I think he’s a very dangerous quarterback at the couple of things he does well. But there’s only a few of those things, and I think his toolkit right now is fairly limited. Michael and I discussed his performance so far on the podcast at length; I would characterize him as a one-read QB at this point, his throwing motion and footwork are very unorthodox, and I haven’t seen him throw deep down the field with accuracy at all.

That’s resulted in some pretty uncharacteristic passing efficiency and explosiveness numbers for the Cougs compared to their years under former head coach (and Morris’ mentor at Texas Tech) Mike Leach. Outside of garbage time and including their surprisingly tight opener against FCS Idaho, they have 44 successful designed passing plays vs 52 failed ones, given the down & distance, underwater at just 46% efficiency. (Only one of the twelve stats I track on both sides of the ball changes significantly when excluding the FCS data, and it’s on defense.)

The Cougs average just 6.8 yards per attempted, which is slightly less than the average for a team who throws the ball three quarters of the time. Their explosiveness rate is slightly higher than average with 16.5% of passes gaining more than 15 yards. Wisconsin blew many big ones. For comparison, in Leach’s last year with Wazzu they were at 55% efficiency, 8.2 adjusted YPA, and 18% explosiveness … and that was a 6-7 season.

The Air Raid offense’s passing tree is characterized by a series short routes that are used to move down the field in a methodical manner. Most of the downfield passing game will look familiar to observers of Leach’s teams, and Ward executes these throws pretty well when they’re there. Some examples:

(Reminder – after pressing play, you can use the left button to slow any video to ¼ or ½ speed)

1. :00 – This RPO quick slant has been by far the most productive addition that Morris has made to the system. The safety and backer both bite on the run and there’s no underneath coverage. The RT goes too far downfield, and should have drawn an IDP Flag.
2. :06 – Adding a tight end has been useful as well, creating another angle for the defense to cover in zone. Here he takes the OLB out and leaves the quick hitch open.
3. :12 – The LG just plain misses his block and Ward has a backer in his face, but his release is so quick he can still dump it off.
4. :18 – Here it’s the RG getting dumped in his lap, but Ward still puts so much velocity on the ball that he can place this far hash throw exactly where it needs to be to elude the corner and convert the 3^rd down.

The most significant issue with the passing offense is that if the first read isn’t there then the play is likely to result in some pocket drama. The offensive line, which lost both its longtime tackles after last year, has a very hard time sustaining sufficient protection for Ward to even get to a second read, and Ward hasn’t yet shown that he’ll step up and go through the progression rather than scramble or take a sack. One-third of all downfield pass dropbacks result in a sack scramble or throwaway. This is very poor in my experience. Six of those scrambles resulted in positive gains. Some examples:

1. :00 – With past versions of Wazzu’s Air Raid I’d tell anyone who’d listen not to blitz because the line would pick it up and the scheme had so many quick routes built into it that it wasn’t worth sacrificing pieces in coverage. With this line, the calculus has changed and the back is now allowed to block more than run out for a checkdown. I have seen multiple cover-1 blitzes beat both tackles.
2. :08 – Wisconsin played an interesting 1-4-6 for most of the game, taking away the first read simply by having more guys in coverage. They’d still get through, as with the RG getting beat here, and Ward would often run around and then try something ill-advised.
3. :27 – The defense is dropping the OLB to the boundary and overloading from the field by rushing a DB instead. The RT doesn’t see him and Ward pays the price.
4. :33 – Here’s the other predominant result from combining a first-read takeaway with beating a lineman – a scramble followed by a completed but unproductive pass.

Screen passes make up a large part of the offense. They account for more than 16%. The Cougs have scored two of their greatest gains and two touchdowns through screens. However they’re not very efficient at them and have one more failed screen than they do successes, between telegraphing the play, perimeter blocking problems, and some weird ball placement issues from Ward. Here’s a representative sample of all screens:

1. :00 – I’m not sure if Ward is adjusting his angle because of the rusher or if that’s where he’d normally put it because of his near-sidearm release, but at any rate putting it on the receiver’s shoelaces on screens wasn’t uncommon. Poor WR blocking blows up the play before he can even recover from stooping down for the ball.
2. :11 – The center’s not fast enough to properly set up this tunnel screen block, but the defender whiffs on the tackle and they still get some chunk yardage.
3. :21 – Trips without an immediate release up the sideline is a dead giveaway of a receiver screen, this DB has done his film study.
4. :33 – Just great timing here, slip screen against the blitz with all the DBs run off in man coverage. Not accounting for 3^rd This defense is making a huge error by lowering.

Wazzu’s rushing offense so far is difficult to characterize. The data is too small to be confident in their results. Nearly a quarter of their total planned rushing yards comes from one play against a very poor Colorado St defense. I believe that the Cougs’ rushing numbers are best captured by simply striking that one big play from the data, in which case they have 13 successful designed runs vs 19 failed ones which is under 41% efficiency, at 4.9 adjusted YPC and 15% explosiveness, which are poor to mediocre figures. Here’s a representative sample of all runs:

1. :00 – Short yardage, a light box, and the DE giving up his leverage to make a useless hit on the puller is a recipe for a successful run.
2. :07 – The DT gets past the C into the backfield quickly enough to interrupt the pull, meanwhile the LG just misses his block on the other DT, and the LT loses control of the backer.
3. :14 – This might look familiar from last week, it’s a zone run with the LG/C combo blocking one of the DTs, but then the C never moves up to the second level so the backer has a clean hit on the ballcarrier.

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The new head coach Dickert has done a great job of cleaning up the Pac-12 defense, which had been its worst for many years, and switching seamlessly to his 4-2-5 system. Although there are still some depth issues in this team, especially with the secondary linebackers, the speed and quality of their defensive front as well as the number of good edge players is amazing considering their talent ratings. In what might be a first for Wazzu, this appears to be a defense-led team, and it was fun to hear Michael’s take on that flip on the podcast.

That said, I’m not yet convinced the Cougs’ good defensive efficiency numbers so far are sustainable in Pac-12 play. They lost to an FCS team and beat a G5 team with one of the worst stats in the country. However, they managed to win a P5 victory against a Wisconsin team that made a surprising number of errors. Like Oregon, there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding Wazzu since I think both teams’ marquee win to date was against an overrated team that wasn’t as physical in the trenches as their coaches thought they were.

Statistics show that the 2022 Cougs have made the most statistical improvements over previous seasons. This is because they are now a formidable rush defense team, which has been an area where they have struggled for most of their existence. In Wazzu’s three games so far this season, they’ve successfully defended 43 designed runs vs 33 failed ones outside garbage time, or 56.5%, an above average number though not championship-caliber. Explosiveness is even better: they’re limiting their opponents to an adjusted 3.8 YPC, and only about 9% of opponent rushes gain 10+ yards, both excellent figures. These are examples of high quality rush defense

1. :00 – The DT and DE beat the right side of the line inside and clog up the gaps, and the LB comes down for outside containment when the back tries to bounce.
2. :08 – The speed of the ends off the snap is remarkable, and key to their success against a much bigger set of blockers. One gets in the TE quickly, the other just embarrasses LT.
3. :19 – This type of play was the dullest part of my film study, everybody watching knows it’s going to be yet another run including all eight guys in the box who just gum up the works with bodies. This is why Wazzu was man coverage for the majority of the game.
4. :29 – When the opponent showed run, like this 20-personnel look, Wazzu usually brought down a safety into the box as a third quasi-backer. The blocking scheme doesn’t account for him and he gets an easy tackle.

The reason I remain skeptical as to whether Wazzu’s rush defense is for real is that I think a lot of it is based on stacking the box against a very stubborn rushing team in Camp Randall and otherwise aggressively slanting right off the snap, which can result in running themselves out of the play if they play a better (and smarter) blocking approach. Some examples:

1. :00 – The OL stretching one way always got the DL to slant the same way, and they’re so aggressive they run themselves out of the play and don’t have the ability to stop the OL from climbing to the second level and taking on the backers. Wazzu’s only defense against this type of play is the backside, but that can be stopped by a gentle push from the slicingTE.
2. :07 – Here it’s the backers themselves overpursuing playside, the only one who’s left backside is a corner who’s easily blocked by a TE. This results in a one-on-1 with safety. The back loses.
3. :15 – On the reverse angle, watch the backside DE and DT turn their bodies sideways to the line of scrimmage, completely out of the play and allowing the RT to climb to the backer. The DB defeats the WR in the inside, but the back sidestamps him and the puller defeats the other backer.
4. :36 – Both backers take the same gap, a miscommunication I saw pretty often. The DE is frustrated by the LT.

Pass defense has improved even more, though I’m also uncertain as to how much of it is for real. Over all three games this year, Wazzu has successfully defended 61 designed passing plays vs 35 failures, or 63.5%, which is a championship number (this falls to 56% if the FCS data is excluded, but that’s still an above average number). They’re allowing 7.1 adjusted YPA, which is a bit better than average, and 18% of opponent passes gain 15+ yards, which is a bit worse (those numbers don’t meaningfully change by excluding the FCS data).

Mostly what I’m seeing is a great pass rush, and Michael and I were both shocked at how much the tackling has improved this year, but I also think their veteran starting corners are finally showing some real aptitude for the occasional high stakes pass break-up. Some examples:

1. :00 – The backups are no slouches either but these two DEs have been the starters since Dickert took over in 2020 and I’ve always thought they were this defense’s best asset.
2. :11 – I never would have expected effective man coverage the entire route concluding with a breakup out of Wazzu’s corners prior to this year, but both the starters here got at least one like this in each game.
3. :29 – Wazzu’s been effective at generating sacks not just because their ends keep beating tackles, but because the inside guys stay disciplined when the pocket breaks down and help clean up instead of rushing for glory themselves. You can see how the DT waits for a QB to choose a escape lane.
4. :44 – This is the surprising thing about the Cougs’ ends – you’d expect fast guys to run around the corner, but lots of times they just muscle the tackle aside instead, like this play in which he strikes to get the RT off his base then blows past him to affect the throw.

But I haven’t been very impressed with the linebackers and safeties in coverage, and if the pass rush doesn’t get home right away offenses have been able to pick them apart for big gains. Some examples:

1. :00 – A cover-1 blitz, Wazzu’s most common, leaves the DBs on islands and the high safety is rarely fast enough to get to the play. Four downfield releases will typically produce at most one open guy, particularly against the nickel or strong security.
2. :13 – The other option against man is attacking the backers with TEs, I thought this was a real vulnerability and was baffled why Wisconsin didn’t try it more.
3. :26 – Now for cover-2 zone, but the safeties aren’t aggressive enough. Once the WR clears the 45 he should be coming down hard since that’s the only possible receiver who could be in his zone, but instead he’s caught in his backpedal.
4. :36 – When they say this coverage shell is “open middle” they’re not kidding. 4-verts also works against zone, the safeties have to bail against the deeper routes and the backers aren’t reacting fast enough to get into the hole.

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© 2022 Oregon Datashare (KCAR | MLSCO | SOMLS). All rights reserved. The information regarding actual property on the market on this website online is available in half from the Web Information Change Program of the Oregon Datashare. Actual property listings held by IDX Brokerage companies apart from Central Oregon Residence Professionals | KW are marked with the Web Information Change emblem or the Web Information Change thumbnail emblem and detailed details about them contains the identify of the itemizing Brokers. Info supplied is for shoppers’ private, non-commercial use and will not be used for any goal apart from to determine potential properties the viewer could also be all for buying. The buyer is not going to copy, retransmit nor redistribute any of the content material from this web site. Info supplied is deemed dependable, however not assured. Itemizing courtesy of Central Oregon Residence Professionals | KW. Information final up to date: .2022-09-23T17:14:41.773

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Live scores: Salem-area high schools football Week 4 updates, photos, and more

The high school football season continues tonight through Saturday in Week 4, including the Statesman Journal Game of the Week — Sprague vs. Roseburg. 

You can check back over the next three day for scores, updates and photos. 

Thursday’s scores

Crescent Valley at Central, late

Willamina at Culver (late).

St. Paul 57 (final), Cove 22

Friday’s games

Roseburg at Sprague: 7:15 p.m.

South Medford, South Salem, 7:05 p.m.

Sheldon McNary at 7:15 pm 

North Salem at North Medford, 7 p.m. 

West Salem at Grants Pass, 7 p.m. 

South Albany at Silverton 7 p.m. 

Dallas at West Albany, 7:15 p.m. 

Marist at Stayton, 7:15 p.m. 

Cascade at Henley, 7:15 p.m. 

Woodburn at Seaside, 7:15 p.m. 

Scio at Salem Academy, 7 p.m. 

Kennedy at Dayton 7 p.m. 

Newport at Jefferson, 7 p.m. 

Regis at Colton, 7:15 p.m.

Santiam, Gervais, 7:15 p.m. 

Willamina at Culver 7 p.m. 

Vernonia, Sheridan, 7:15 p.m. 

Perrydale at Ione/Arlington 7 p.m. 

Saturday’s games

McKay at Galena, NV, 4:30 p.m. 

Santiam Christian at Amity 1 p.m. 

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Prayer for Teachers, Mamas, And Anyone Who Wants To Give Up – Your Daily Prayer, September 22

A Prayer for Teachers, Mamas, And Anyone Who Wants To Give Up
By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

Do not let yourself get discouraged by doing good. If you don’t give up, you will reap the rewards. – Galatians 6:9

A few weeks back, I received a note from an ex-student. Because of the beautiful one it was from, it made my heart smile. He was a big boy. Although he was smarter than a whip, he was still a challenge every day. He was a master at listening comprehension, imagination, creativity and math. Reading and his behavior were another story. I let him sleep for short periods of time when he was needed. He arrived tired almost every day. His mom worked late at several jobs. He stated that he would wait patiently for her. Sometimes, a hug and sleep are the most important things. As I read his letter, I thought back to these fond memories and smiled. When I read his letter, my eyes were filled with tears. “I appreciate that you never gave up on me,” 

Wow. Wow. I don’t. And I won’t. However, I won’t. He wasn’t the only one who was challenging me in that class. He wasn’t the only one who didn’t get enough sleep. There were also days when I felt just plain tired. I was tired of it all. It’s exhausting to work all day teaching and then to return home to my family, husband, children, housework, and to grade more papers.

Every teacher understands what I mean (the stories that we could share). Every mama knows what my talking about (yes, stories too). Anyone who has ever believed in yourself even when all else tells you to stop, knows what I mean. 

There are students that you don’t feel you can reach. It seems that there are many children who will never be able to follow instructions. Many relationships, jobs and dreams seem dead ends. Sometimes, it seems like there is no light at end of the tunnel.

All of this is true for me. However, I know that God places people, situations, and tasks in our lives to fulfill His purposes, regardless of how difficult. We sometimes end up in places we do not want to be if we place our trust in His will and His plans. I know because I have been there. I am certain that He will give us strength and power to persevere. Here are some reasons I believe it’s worthwhile.

1. There are Will Be a harvestIf we don’t give up, then it is possible to win.

Do not let yourself get discouraged by doing good. If you don’t give up, you will reap the rewards. – Galatians 6:9

This verse hangs in my house and is on my desk at work. It serves as a reminder every day. It helps me to remember that when I’m feeling tired and frustrated or out of ideas, it is there for me.Don’t let your guard down. When I declare that “it’s” not going to happen, it doesn’t matter how long I wait.When the right time is right, you will reap a harvest. When I’m ready to give up…If you don’t give up, you will succeed. 

For all the hard work we put in, it is possible to not be acknowledged. We might not get noticed or applauded by the masses. We might not even get a thank you for our efforts. However, He sees us. He is the most important.

2. We can do anything with all of our hearts… For the Lord.

“Whatever you do – work hard at it, as if you were doing so for God and not for others.” – Colossians 3:23

Do whatever you want. Teaching, changing diapers or cooking dinner, taking care of the kids, driving to work, paying the bills, disciplining them, etc. With all of your heart.

Don’t do it for people, but the Lord. This is just too hard! Because the Lord isn’t visible. It doesn’t feel like He’s right there beside us all the time. And people…are people. They are often demanding and selfish. 

However, this is not an option. When you feel like it. If you have the time and it doesn’t interfere with your plans. Nope. No. We love Jesus and are called to work for Him in all that we do. Period.

3. And most importantly, Jesus hasn’t given up on us… so we shouldn’t give up on others.

“I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? We praise God! Thank God! Jesus Christ Our Lord.” Romans 7:18, 24-25 

Every day I make mistakes. Every. Single. Day. Tomorrow is not looking so good. I will do what is right.  I desire to be like Jesus. However, somewhere in my brain and between my mouth and my actions…some signals get crossed. Words can come out wrong. My selfish nature wins. I choose to work for myself and not for others.  I complain. Some days it isn’t pretty. 

Thanks be to God, I can be saved from this death by the one who saves me… Jesus. And because He forgives and loves me, shows mercy and grace on my worst days… I will do my best to do the same thing for others. 

Let’s pray:

Jesus,
I’m tired, and frankly, I’m ready to give in some days. You can help me find people to support me and to point me to you, as I try to love other people as you do. You inspire me to choose to be faithful, hopeful, and persistent in my search for you, even on the hardest days. Let me follow your lead and know that all my hard work has not gone unnoticed. Let me show grace and mercy to others and myself, as well as to you. We are grateful for everything you have done and will continue to do.  

In Your Mighty Name
Amen.

Photo credit: ©SalemDesign

Maggie Meadows Cooper A wife, mother, educator, author and blogger, she longs to see women grow a love for Jesus and others. She is the author of the children’s book “Bumper” and blogs at The Little Moments about what the Lord is teaching her through her children and everyday life. She is a contributor to Blogs by Christian Women and Devotional Diva. She Disciples and Connecting Ministries. An educator with a master’s degree in education. Auburn University (War Eagle) – Early Childhood Education!She has 20 years of experience working closely with children. She is a lover of chocolate and real Coca-Cola. She lives in Opelika with her husband and three children.

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