Don't Give Up...Don't Ever Give Up

Some of you may have noticed that ESPN has been running events and promos highlighting the Jimmy V foundation during the past couple of weeks. Jim Valvano, or Jimmy V as he is more affectionately called, was the head coach of the NC State team that pulled a miraculous upset over Hakeem Olajwon and the University of Houston to win the 1983 national championship in basketball. The jubilation and excitement was evident as Jimmy V danced across the court. This normally would be the thought of as the greatest moment in a head coach's career. Jimmy V was not your normal basketball coach. His last mission after being diagnosed with cancer was to start a foundation to help save lives by helping find cures for cancer. His speech from the 1993 ESPY awards program still plays 15 years later on national TV and has millions of hits on YouTube. Cancer didn't defeat Jimmy V....it gave him focus for his passion and his perseverance created a lasting legacy.

Hearing Jimmy V's famous speech, my thoughts can't help but to turn to Philippians 3:13-14 "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Acts 20:24 teaches us a similar lesson in regards to focus "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to God's grace." If we can stay passionate in our focus for sharing God's grace, then we can say like Paul at the end of his life "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

So, what can we do to press on and finish the race strong? Well, we can be prepared through: 1) staying in constant communication with God through prayer, 2) reading the playbook (Bible), 3) spending time in the video room (remembering what God has done in our own lives), and 4) having a group of mentors/friends that provide God-guided counsel. Utilizing these tools to be solidly prepared, we can more fully understand God's love and grace and share why no one should ever want to be separate from God. As we are in the midst of the Christmas season, do you know of someone who needs to know God's love more? What good words will you have for them?

Who's Number One?

All this past weekend, the college football world was wondering who would win the Big 12 South and have the inside track for playing the SEC champion for the National Championship. Texas Tech fans were rooting for Oklahoma to lose, while Texas fans were rooting for Oklahoma to barely win so they might win a 3-way tie. As it turns out, all three teams won their games leaving it to the computers to determine whether Oklahoma or Texas would get the nod. Ultimately, Texas' petitioning for supremacy due to their head-to-head win over Oklahoma was not heard by the computers which awarded Oklahoma the Big 12 South championship. As you can imagine, this decision has sparked a lot of debate, consternation, pain (or happiness) among football fans.

Do you ever try to argue with God about who is number one in your life? You are not the only one. Samson bragged about his ability to kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey instead of crediting God for his strength (Judges 15:14-16). Wanting to be the best in our own strength can also lead to taking credit for what others have done in order to increase our reputation, like Saul took credit for Jonathon's victory over the Philistines in Geba (1 Samuel 13:3-4). It can also make us think that we have no faults like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.

Well, there is only place for number one in our lives....there isn't 1a and 1b...just like 2 teams from the Big 12 South can't play in Kansas City this weekend for the Big 12 Championship. If we humble ourselves, we will be exalted...but if we try to exalt ourselves, we will be humbled (Luke 18:14). Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” There really should never be any doubt since God created the Earth, rescued His people from Egypt by parting the Red Sea, gave David the ability to slay Goliath with a sling and stones...the list goes on and on....most importantly having power over death by Jesus atoning for our sins. So, the next time you want to be number one, try to remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Being Matt Cassel

Can you imagine having to sit on the sidelines for 7 years before getting your big chance? Matt Cassel of the New England Patriots can. He can because he went to USC to be the quarterback for one of the great college football teams in the country. Instead, Cassel learned that he would be standing on the sidelines while Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart were leading the Trojans and winning Heisman trophies. He saw Carson Palmer get drafted as the number 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft and Leinhart follow by being selected number 10 overall in 2006. Cassel was drafted (pick number 230 overall) by the New England Patriots in 2005. Most folks thought the Patriots were razor thin at quarterback and doomed to fail when Tom Brady got injured during the first game of the season. Admittedly, Cassel has grown into the position over the past 10 weeks...but who would have thought that he would be 1 of only 5 quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to pass for over 400 yards in 2 consecutive games and that the Patriots would have a winning record while both Palmer (injury) and Leinart (due to Kurt Warner's great play) have been on the sidelines for weeks?

So, what's Matt Cassel got to do with anything relating to God? Directly, he may or may not (as I don't know him or his relationship with Christ)...but I'll give you some examples of men God used for extraordinary purposes after waiting in what seemed to be everyday activities. David was tending his family's sheep when Samuel came to anoint him as the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:6-13). God waited until Moses was 40 years old to deliver his plans for Moses by speaking to him from the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-4). Peter and Andrew were just doing their jobs when Jesus came and recruited them to be His disciples.

The bottom line is, we never know when God is going to come calling with His new mission for us (Proverbs 16:9). All we can do is to be faithful with what we have been given, have open ears, and a pure heart...and be ready to play when God calls our number, just like Matt Cassel was ready for the Patriots.

Are You Playing Not to Lose?

If you watch many football games, you will likely hear a commentator discuss the perils of a prevent defense (a defense where the team with the lead is willing to give up chunks of yards because they think it gives them the best chance of winning). Some commentators will go so far as to say that the only thing a prevent defense does is prevent a team from winning. While one can certainly debate the relative strengths and limitations of the prevent defense in football, I believe God is firmly against us living life in a “prevent defense” type of mode.

God promised the Israelites that He would rescue them from Egypt and give them a “...good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey...” (Exodus 3:8). That being said, God didn't want the Israelites to just be on cruise control seeking comfort and actively demonstrating their faith in God. God gave the Israelites opportunities to grow and reveal their faith in Him. Likewise, David was anointed the future king of Israel as a young shepherd boy (1st Samuel 16:1-13), but still hat to face Goliath (1st Samuel 17) and be harassed by King Saul. Another example is Jesus' calling of Peter to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-20). Peter and the disciples were certainly not on a vacation cruise of the Mediterranean just listening to Jesus talk about how wonderful heaven is going to be one of these days....in fact Peter and the disciples were in for all sorts of persecution including being arrested and killed for proclaiming that Jesus is the resurrected Messiah.

While the eternal destination of all people who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour is known and not in doubt, this knowledge doesn't mean that we should just live the rest of our lives seeking comfort. We are to be like John, preparing the way for Christ's return to Earth....telling all who will listen “...I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ' Make straight the way for the Lord'” (John 1:23). Let's go about life swinging for the fences and not just limping to the finish line with a prevent defense to gain temporary comfort.

The Benefits of Chopping Wood

The slogan for Rutgers football team during their 2006 rise was “chopping wood”. Chopping wood was meant by the coaching staff to symbolize staying focused on the task at hand. How often are we distracted by circumstances that are out of our control or things that really aren't that important in the big picture? What could we gain by keeping focused on the task at hand?

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say a being diligent (and folks say Proverbs is only about wisdom!). Diligence is rewarded with positions of authority (Proverbs 12:24), an abundance through hard work (Proverbs 28:19), and the ability to give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26). So, what does it take to be a diligent person? Diligent people are planners (Proverbs 21:5), take care of business without procrastinating (Proverbs 10:5), and prize their possessions (Proverbs 12:27).

Things may not always look like they are going our way. If you don't believe me, just ask David (Psalm 13) or Job. If this is where you are, Romans 5:3-4 has good news for you, “...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” So no matter whether things are going well or we're in need of some good news, let's keep chopping wood.

Quarterback/Receiver Communication

Have you ever watched a football game and seen a football thrown without a receiver in sight? If it is a team you are rooting for, you may have found yourself saying “What are you doing?”. The pass is usually either incomplete or intercepted by the defense. The television cameras often pan to a scene where the quarterback and receiver are trying to figure out what happened.

Football commentators will tell you such throws are often the receiver’s fault. With God as our quarterback we never have to wonder where the fault is because God is always on the right page. We are told in Deuteronomy 32:4 that God “is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all His ways are just” (also see Psalm 145:17, Hosea 14:9, and John 14:6). We, on the other hand, are not perfect and may 1) break off the route due to fear or lack of faith or 2) not know the proper route because we haven't spent enough time in the playbook.

We are told in Joshua 22:5 to “...love the Lord you God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to him and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” That may sound pretty daunting, but we are to ask for help like those before us. Moses put forth a humble request to the Lord, “...teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you...” (Exodus 33:13). David echoed this request in Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” If two members of the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11) ask God for direction in His ways, why are we so stubborn to figure things out by ourselves?

Remember, saying I don't have enough time is not an acceptable excuse. Are you saying that God failed to meet your needs? If so, Matthew 6:33 and 7:7 offer a strong rebuttal. So, let's get our noses in the playbook so we know the plays God wants us to execute on the field of everyday life.

Commitment to Excellence

If you follow the history of the National Football League, you are probably familiar with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis' slogan “commitment to excellence”. The slogan seemed quite fitting back when the Raiders won 3 Super Bowls between 1976 and 1983. Now, the once proud franchise (and owner) appear to be in disarray. The team struggles to have a winning record, fires coaches on a routine basis, and is considered a laughing stock of the league.

That only happens out in the “secular” world though, right? Well, the Israelites had a proud history out being God's chosen people that were delivered from bondage and given the promised land. However, they often failed to remember why these great moments in their history occurred and focused on “their” strength (or weakness) instead of relying on God. Many Jews during Jesus' day thought they had everything figured out and wound up missing out on the Messiah, the cornerstone of our faith (Romans 9:33). Another example is Judas, one of the 12 disciples, who wound up selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 27:3-10).

Certainly, none of us are perfect and we all lose focus. Peter is a great example of this as he walked on water (Matthew 14:27-30), preached the sermon at Pentecost where 3,000 were saved (Acts 2:38-41), and was crucified upside down because he told the authorities that he was not worthy to die in the same fashion as Jesus. However, at times he lost focus chopping off a Roman soldier's ear (John 18:10), denying Christ 3 times before the crucifixion (John 18:25-27), and wanting to build altars to Moses and Elijah on the mountain instead of focusing on Christ (Mark 9:5-7).

We are told to live in “manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). Fortunately, we are also given the truth that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). So, are you ready to live a life dedicated to Christ where others see the commitment to excellence you display?

Playoffs and Focus

We are on the eve of the baseball playoffs and 8 teams have the opportunity to end the year as World Series champions. For the next month, individuals on these teams will have a single focus...everything else is comes second to winning that title. Have you ever felt that way...whether it was about a friend, girl/boyfriend, family member, or work? If so, you know how your thoughts can be a runaway train and everything else is an afterthought.

We all know that a single focus on another human or a secular event can have adverse consequences. Maybe you've seen the person who plastered himself into a wall just to look at a beautiful lady/gentleman for one more second...or seen the person who got in a car wreck because they were texting on their cell phone while driving.

Now flip the switch...what if our sole focus was on God? We are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom, and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). We are also told to meditate on the God's word day and night, that we may be careful to do everything in it (Joshua 1:8). Psalm 84:10 reminds us that one day in God's courts are better than 1,000 days anywhere else. The beautiful thing about this is that serving others is part of our single focus on God. Jesus told us that the most important commandment in the Law is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).

I don't know about you...but if Jesus tells us 2 principles to follow will help us be right in every other area of our lives, it's good enough and you can lock it up and take it to the bank (not only is Jesus better than Tiger and Shaft...He's also better than banks). We love to focus so much on things that will only let us down with time....let's flip the switch and focus on the one who is the great I Am...because at the end of the day if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

Building a Legacy

If you haven't heard, tonight marks the final game to be played at historic Yankee Stadium. Which got me to thinking about how I will be remembered when I am no longer around (i.e. moving for a new job, new set of circumstances that don't allow interaction with with as many people, or the end of this life). Will I be remembered as a good pharmacist, teacher, or colleague? Or as the guy who used to host some fun parties and some Bible studies? Or as a good friend? Or as a man who loved God with all his heart? How would you be remembered if you moved to a different city tomorrow?

Roy Hobbs said in the movie The Natural that he wanted folks to remember him as “the greatest hitter there ever was”. We are told to use what God has given us in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We are also taught that to be the greatest in God's kingdom we must become the least (Mark 10:44-45). Furthermore, we are told that working for God's kingdom will come at a price in this world...”If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to world it would love you as it own...That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). However, one of the greatest legacies possible for a human is for God to say “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Another is how David is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I know that work, friends, and family are all battling for our attention...but when it is time for us to move on, God's legacy is the only one worth leaving.

Hope and Change

We've already heard a lot about hope and change in this presidential race. How one candidate can improve America and our lives better than the other. One candidate talks about how decreasing taxes and government involvement will solve all America's ills. The other talks about how the government needs to increase taxes on businesses and the rich to level the playing field for all Americans. I am not here to tell you which side is closer to the correct answer or who to vote for this November. However, I believe that God is the only one who can offer us the blueprint for the hope and change we so deeply desire.

We are taught to be honest in our dealings or “not have two differing measures in our house” (Deuteronomy 25:13-16). When an Israelite was freeing a servant, the owner was to “supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 15:13-15). In short, we are to “maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed” (Psalm 82:3) and be a “refuge for the needy” (Isiah 25:4).

I would hate for us to think that this is just an Old Testament thing, so here are a few example from the New Testament. In Galatians 2:10, we are reminded to remember the poor and to be eager to do so. In Acts 6:1-6 we are told of the selection of the seven to help ensure that widows were not overlooked when food was being distributed. In Matthew 12:31 we are told to “love your neighbor as yourself”...there doesn't seem to be an exception to exclude the poor here.

Regardless of your political affiliation, we can serve as God's agents of hope and change for the poor. Job found that wealth can be given, lost, and given again...wealth does not define our relationship with God and should not define our relationships with people. Jesus warned us that “a man's life does not consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). So, let's treat all people fairly and be the agents of hope and change that God desires us to be.

Wish Lists

Do you ever just let your mind wander and let your imagination be a Christmas catalog? Once we start down that road, it is real easy to keep going and going. Instead, we are to be happy with what we have been given. I know that it is easy to get wants and needs mixed up sometimes...a fan may want his team to win by 100, but all the team needs to win is one more point than their opponent. Similarly, a player may want to hit a home run every time he steps up the plate...but sometimes a walk will work just fine.

Don't get me wrong here...I'm not saying that nice things or wish lists are automatically bad. However, we can get our priorities out of line and place our wish lists in front of God's plan for our lives. Before we get self-righteous and say “I deserve this”, remember that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9)”. Jesus told his us God the Father “knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8)...and Paul told us that “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)”. Jesus also told the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) where the rich man planned to do everything for his own benefit without consulting God...he wound up losing his life that very night. Let us be thankful for God giving us what we need and be in constant communication with Him to use what He has given for the benefit of His kingdom.

Playing with the Hand You're Dealt

Maybe you've heard about some of the professional football players (i.e. Chad Johnson, Antwan Boldin, Steven Jackson) who haven't been happy with their contracts this off-season. Implicit in their demands for higher paying contracts is the sentiment, “I'd be happy if the team would only pay me what I'm worth”. Or maybe there's a player on your favorite sports team who says they want a bigger role. Maybe it is one of your colleagues at work saying “if only I were in charge of things” or one of your friends saying how things would be great if that “one thing” in their life would get fixed...it sounds so simple, right?

God is clear that we are not all dealt the same hand of cards in this game of life (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-28). If you would like to have more responsibility, be faithful with God has given you...then He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come share in your master's happiness!”. If you want God to be unpleased with you, bemoan your circumstances and just try to hold on to the little bit you've been given. We are also warned that the stakes go up when we are given more by God, as we also inherit more responsibility (Luke 12:48). So let's be faithful with what we have been given and God will be faithful in granting us additional opportunities for us to show off His glory.

Following the Playbook

Have you ever not done something that you know you should do? Maybe it is because you have too much on your mind and you forgot or it is something you just didn't place enough importance on or you thought someone else would take care of it. Regardless of the reason, it was something you should have done and you didn't do it. I know that I have overcommitted myself before and not been able to fulfill all of my commitments. Maybe it is as simple as not paying attention to a friend saying they need someone to hang out with or talk to.

Jesus told us that when we mistreat others though our lack of action, that we treat Him the same way (Matthew 26:41-45). We are taught to provide simple, honest answers (James 5:12)...and that God wants us to show others mercy (Hosea 6:6). Jesus is a great example of how using the playbook and video room (the Bible) and continual communication with the Father makes the knowing and doing the right thing so natural. It is kind of like someone who has never seen a football playbook can't understand much of the information inside...but it makes more and more sense when the person spends more time in it and talks to the writer/creator of the playbook...of course, seeing the playbook executed is helpful as well. God will continually prepare us for His use if we will let Him...unlike football, helping meet people's needs and pointing them towards Him isn't a one day a week game...it's an on-call 24/7 thing.

Mice and Men

Have you ever wanted something so bad that I drove your focus in all areas of life? I know I have. I thought I was leaving St. Louis for only one year after pharmacy school to get a view of the "outside world" and then return to St. Louis for my specialty residency and faculty position. Little did I know that God had much different plans for me that would take me to San Antonio for a year and then to Dallas. I wondered why roadblocks were keeping me away from St. Louis while applying for these positions…what I didn't realize is that I was about to find a great group church, fantastic group of friends, and wonderful career in Dallas. It turns out that the best laid plans of mice and men don't come close to stacking up to God's plans for us.

You might say, "Well, that's your opinion" or "you still didn't get what you asked for". True...but let me share a few examples with you to show God's consistency in His word. Jonah was quite unhappy with God for asking him to go to Nineveh and tried to run opposite of God's will (Jonah 1:1-3). God used this experience to teach Jonah about His compassion and for people (Jonah 4:1-11). David was not happy about being chased endlessly by his enemies, but God used his circumstances to teach David about God's unfailing love (Psalm 13:1-6)…David goes on in the next chapter to say how only the fool denies God. So, let us remember that God is with us not only on the mountaintop, but also in the valley...and He is worthy of our love, worship, and obedience in both places.

Mike Tyson and Focus

You may not think that Mike Tyson has anything to offer when it comes to being focused. You may think that someone who has had domestic violence issues and put a tattoo on his face has nothing to offer. However, one of his famous quotes, "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." offers some insights that we can utilize in our daily lives.

We usually think we have our plan in place to deal with temptation until it comes. Then we get hit in the mouth and think we have to rely on our own strength to overcome the temptation. James 4:8 says "Come near to God and He will come near to you". Psalm 23:5 tells us that the Lord prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies…so coming near to God doesn't mean that we no longer have enemies. Jesus provided us with the blueprint to overcome Satan's attacks: 1) be in consistent communication with the Father through prayer, 2) be familiar with His word, 3) remember that whose we are matters much more than who the world thinks we are (or thinks we should be). So, as the saying goes "practice makes perfect"…it is much easier to execute something in a game that a team has practiced over and over until it is second nature…so let's make our practice help our fight against temptation and not to work against us.

The Closer's Mentality

For those of you not as familiar with baseball, the closer is the pitcher who usually comes in the 9th (or last) inning to protect the lead. Perfection is the standard for pitchers chosen to serve as a closer for a team. However, no closer is perfect…they can often make fans nervous by giving up hits and home runs even when they are successful... they even sometimes lose the game all together. If you ask any successful closer what is the secret to being able to go after the next hitter or save the next game, you'll hear a strikingly similar refrain...you have to have a short memory and focus on the hitter that is at bat (or the game that is being played that day). In other words, it doesn't matter how bad (or good) things went the last time around…this time is what you can control right now.

Peter offers a great example of someone who had many captivating moments in his life (walking on water and then taking his eyes off Jesus in Matthew 14:28-30, denying Christ 3 times before His crucifixion in John 18:17-26, and speaking to the crowd the day 3,000 were saved in Acts 2:41...among others)…good and bad...that he could have gotten stuck on and not moved on to what he could control that moment. After all of this, Peter was able to preserve and have a short memory of his failings…this helped him to follow Christ all the way to dying on a cross himself (John 21:18). So, let's don't beat ourselves up over what happened 5 minutes, a day, a month, a year, or 5 years ago (Let me be clear here…I am not saying that we don't have to confess our sins to God)…but we need to be able to move on quickly in order to be effective in the only place we can take action…the present.

Meatloaf and Manna

Have you ever been to a dinner table and heard the expression "Oh no…meatloaf again" (feel free to insert your own dish here)? The Israelites complained about eating manna every day and not having meat to eat (Numbers 11:6). They were so frustrated that they claimed they would be better off back in Egypt (Numbers 11:18). Obviously, the Israelites were so frustrated that they forgot that God delivered them from Egypt by parting the Red Sea and drowning the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:26-31) and the promised land still to be given to them (Exodus 4:16-17).

Before we say that we would never be like that, how often do we say how much better things would be if God would only give us this or that? What is it in your case…a raise, a promotion, a fancier car, a nicer place to live, more or better friends, a husband/wife, a child…something else? Have we forgotten what God has already done for us (John 3:16) and what He has promised to do for us (Jeremiah 29:11, John 14:1-4)?

The funny thing about thinking that anything other than God will complete our joy is that it will always leave us wanting more. Wyatt Earp asked in the movie Tombstone, "What makes a man like Ringo, Doc, makes him do the things he does?" To which Doc Holliday answers, "A man like Ringo got a has great empty hole running right through the middle of him...he can never kill enough, or steal enough, or inflict enough pain to ever fill it." Only God can make the joy of our salvation complete (Psalm 51:12) and our obedience to His commands allows us remain in His love (John 15:9-11).

Field Trip

You might have heard that all NFL rookies are visiting the pro football hall of fame this year. This field trip was sparked by a suggestion from former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin that young players might be less likely to get in trouble if they had the opportunity to see that the game is bigger than them. Other potential benefits of such a trip include gaining an appreciation for the history of the game and committing to put in the work that is required to be truly great.

Have you visited the hall of fame lately? I'm not talking about any sports hall of fame, but instead about faith's hall of fame (Hebrews 11). It is certainly a reminder that 1) God's plan is bigger than any one of us; 2) God rewards those who demonstrate their faith through works; and 3) allows us an opportunity to commit to being faithful to God and allowing Him to show us the great life (maybe not great by the world's standards) that only He can give. Of course, just visiting (or working/volunteering for) a hall of fame doesn't make you a member of it. We have to put into work what we learn from those who have come before us. Let's go take a visit to the hall and then go and try to live up to the great examples laid out before us.

Perfect Games and Misdemeanors

Have you ever heard someone (maybe even yourself) talk about generally being a good person…not committing any of the "big" sins. The person makes it sound like their sins are misdemeanors and that the "big" sins are felonies that God cannot redeem. This just sounds plain silly to me (although I've been guilty of this thinking before myself). Have you ever seen a pitcher pitch a perfect game that just gave up a walk or an error instead of a game-losing home run? Anything less than perfection is not a perfect game and anything less than a life without sin is less than perfection.

Fortunately for us, God is able to forgive all sins…little ones, big ones, even seemingly unforgivable ones (John 3:16-18). The only sin that God will not cover is a person who never admits his sin and never accepts Christ as Lord to receive His gifts of salvation and eternal life. When people were ready to stone an adulteress, Christ said that he who has no sin should cast the first stone…and suddenly everyone accusing the woman was gone…Christ then told her to go and sin no more (John 8:3-11). Let's learn from this example in two ways: 1) being thankful for Christ's sacrifice, love, and mercy and 2) let us offer that mercy to others that has so freely been given to us.

Mental Toughness

Did you hear about Tiger Woods winning the US Open this weekend while fighting through knee pain? If so, you may have seen the new ad featuring Tiger's father talking about him. In the ad he says, "Tiger, I promise you that you'll never meet another person as mentally tough as you in your entire life. And he hasn't; and he never will." Maybe in his admiration for his son Earl Woods forgot about Jesus, who exhibited greatest mental toughness of all time, or made an obvious exception in his head.

I am sure hitting a golf ball through distractions, the pressure to win the US Open, and knee pain is quite challenging. However, I doubt that Tiger will ever have to play golf after having a spear stuck in his side or being nailed to a cross. Don't get me wrong, I respect the heck out of what Tiger did this past weekend (even more so now knowing that he will need season ending knee surgery)…but it wasn't nearly the punishment that Christ went through for us and it didn't save my soul. So, not only is God better than Shaft…he's also better than Tiger.

We should be overfilled with joy that Christ our Lord has the greatest mental toughness of all time. How wonderful is it for us to be able to rely on the great I Am who does not change in spite of difficult circumstances (Numbers 23:19)? When we trust in God and His resolve, He is able to accomplish great things for His kingdom regardless of how the situation looks at the time. The accounts of David slaying Goliath (1 Samuel 17), the account of the fiery furnace (Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendnego in Daniel 3), Paul on his missionary journeys, and the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60) all show us how we can reflect God's mental toughness when we remain in Him.

Casey at Bat (alternate version)

Casey is up to bat in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs and the bases loaded. His team is down by one run. Casey swings wildly at the first pitch, which is in the dirt. The second pitch arrives with the same result. Surely, mighty Casey won't strike out on 3 pitches the fans said…but alas Casey swung at the third pitch which bounced 5 feet in front of the plate.

How often do we want to come up with the big hit so desperately that we swing at the first thing that comes along? We think, "I've been put in this position to come up with the big hit"…right? Do you know what happens when we are focused and patient? The count of balls and strikes will turn in our favor. The pitcher is then faced with a choice. Either the pitcher walks in a run or gives us a better pitch to hit. Abraham tried to use a maidservant as a shortcut to God's promise of being made into a great nation (Genesis 17:17-22). Solomon could have trusted that God would provide His people with peace. Instead He married and Egyptian princess to barter a deal for peace (1 Kings 3:1) that ultimately would not last (1 Kings 11:11-13). It doesn't pay to be impatient.

What about us? Are we willing to trust God and follow His direction? Are we willing to take unconventional timetables or steps that may not follow our logic? It has been said that if we get ahead of God that He may not follow. Instead He tells us to remain in Him (John 15:4) and to take His yoke because it is easy (Matthew 11:30). Let's focus on following almighty God who always knows when it is time to swing and when it is time to take a pitch.

Conversation with a Russian Cab Driver

I'll probably never forget my first cab ride to Beverly Hills. I landed at LAX for a professional meeting. I had no idea that I was about to be in for a terrific conversation when my driver picked me up. While we were going through a Jewish community, we started talking about how if someone saved our lives from being shot with a bullet (run over by a vehicle, stabbed, etc.) how thankful we would be. We would be telling all of our friends, our family, and people we didn't even know. It wouldn't matter if it was in a church, board meeting, airport, or bar. And every time we saw something that reminded us of that person it would remind us of how lucky we are to be alive.

At that point, the switch was flipped. How often do we tell people about Jesus and what He has done for us? Do other people see the joy in our lives from the Holy Spirit living inside of us? Wouldn't we want to do everything we could to show Jesus how thankful we are for His sacrifice? Someone saving me from a bullet saves me temporarily from physical death…Jesus saves our souls permanently and offers us eternal life.

One way we can show our appreciation for what Jesus has done for us is to obey God's commands. Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We are also told to pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17), and to exhibit the "be" attitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). And when Jesus was asked the greatest commandment in the Law, He stated that we should "Love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). In other words, We have a lot to be thankful for…let's act like it.

Fluff and Stuff

Have you ever invited friends over and then realized that you weren't prepared for their arrival. If so, this is typically when the "fluff and stuff" tactic is implemented to impress guests. It's not that the host is actually cleaning up the disorganization, but instead is focused on avoiding potential embarrassment from guests seeing the house in disarray.

The "fluff and stuff" approach is similar to the rapper Jay-Z telling us to "Get that dirt off your shoulder". God isn't satisfied with us only looking good to other people, because He wants us to allow Him to create in us a pure heart. He doesn't want us putting on appearances of living perfect lives to the community around us, when we are really just hiding our sins in private (1 Samuel 15:13-23, 2 Samuel 12:1-10). The Pharisees are a great example of this type of behavior and show us the utter disgust that God has for such hypocrisy (Matthew 12:1-8, 9-14). Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice", on more than one occasion to the Pharisees. Let's be more concerned with being used under God's direction than looking good for others.

Airline Miles

We like to earn things and be appreciated. The success of frequent flyer programs highlight this. Sometimes we can carry this consumer first analogy over to our relationship with God. We start listing off all the “great” things we have done for God and expect Him to come through with our “rewards”.

Do we really think God needs our help? Do we really think that we would be able to do anything significant without using the gifts that He has so freely given us? It’s kind of like a kid who gets an allowance from his/her parents and is so proud of what he/she “bought” for them.

So, serving God is not about racking up the airline miles. It’s not getting the gold star on the refrigerator for the day. It’s about loving our Lord and Savior because He first loved us even when we were still dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-5). We deserve nothing and He has already given us everything we need (1st Corinthians 1:4-9). There’s no need for an airline miles program with God because He has already poured out His bountiful blessings on us. Let’s get out of the rat race of what we want so we serve God out of love and respect.

Performance Enhancement

The words "performance enhancement" probably don't sit well with most folks these day. Those words likely bring to mind the steroid and human growth hormone scandals in professional sports…possibly even tarnishing baseball's greatest record. Others used these substances to get a chance to play in professional sports that they might not have had otherwise.

Christians need to be in favor of performance enhancement. I don't mean taking steroids or human growth hormone, but instead enhancing their relationship with almighty God. We go to great lengths to succeed in our careers, family life, and social circles…but how much effort do we place into having a closer fellowship with God. Trust me, the problem isn't on God's end…as my grandpa often told me, "We walk away from God, He doesn't walk away from us".

So, what can we do to enhance our performance? Well, we could just do the things that point toward success (reading the Bible, praying, attending to church) and look like we should be doing ok…but this doesn't guarantee success. Someone can go the batting cages or the weight room every day and not improve for at least three reasons: 1) they aren't trying to start with…they are just there to be seen; 2) they are satisfied with their current performance; or 3) they don't have goals set for themselves. Before you accuse me of being a Pharisee, I am not saying to read 6 chapters a day and pray 7 times each day come hell or high water just to do it. What I am saying is that success usually doesn't come without some type of a plan and the perseverance to follow through with it. The actual number of verses we read or how much time we spend on the "prayer clock" isn't what God wants…He wants us to allow Him to rule our lives. That's sounds really scary…because we like to be in control…but wouldn't you rather have almighty God, the greatest guide ever, to direct your steps?

The Burger King Mentality

"Have it Your Way"….sounds great, doesn't it? Wouldn't it be great to get what you want and when you want it? But this brings up a bigger question…do we actually know what is best for us? You might question my sanity at first for asking this…you might ask me who else knows what we want/need better than ourselves. However, you don't have to look very far around to see that our desire to fulfill our short-term wants can have some unintended consequences. Do you think the cheating spouse, the gossiping co-worker, the person suffering from addiction really thought about how much their actions could cost them in the long run?

Fortunately, God is able to see our past, present, and future all at once (remember that foreknowing is not the same as forechoosing). He knows what is best for us, even if we can't see why at the time (see the account of Noah as an example, Genesis 6:9-9:28). Does any athlete really enjoy having to run in practice for hours on end? But this training is necessary for the athlete to be able to perform at his/her best during the competition (2nd Timothy 4:7).

It is easy to think we have all the answers and that the world should run he we see fit. Think about how that would really work out…do you really know how to run the world better than its Creator? How about our own lives? Are we able to do any better there? We need almighty God to make our ways straight (Proverbs 3:6). Isn't it time for us to turn to the greatest Counselor of all time to lead our steps?

God is Better Than Shaft...

And Kobe....and Tiger….and anyone else we try to line up against God. Hollywood stars, no problem….Political figures, forget about it….Military leaders, please. None of these are able to claim the title of almighty God or Lover and Savior of our souls.

Why then do we pay so much attention to these "stars"? We give them our awe, respect, and praises. Then we so often take what God has done, is doing, and will do for granted…at least until we get in a bind and try to use God as a "spare tire". Imagine for a moment that you were invited (undeservedly) to a party by Tom Brady, Bill Clinton, or Julia Roberts…do we think they would appreciate us making a total mess of their events? How much would they appreciate it if we waited to ask for help when things got way out of hand? Why then do we treat God this way? Don't get me wrong here…we certainly can (and should) ask for God's help when we are in trouble. What I am trying to say is that we often give more respect and obedience to people than we do to the Creator of the universe. We fear the temporary that is right in front of us (Psalm 27:1; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 51:7; Luke 12:4-7) instead of respectfully fearing almighty God (Proverbs 1:7, 1:33, 9:10, 10:27, 14:16, 14:26, 19:23, 31:30…there are many more). Talk about having things upside-down.

Let's give almighty God the respect, awe, and adoration that He deserves. Scratch that, we cannot ever give God enough of these qualities as He deserves…but that doesn't mean that we can't try our darnedest to do just that. That doesn't mean that we can't appreciate the gifts God has given people to use here on Earth….let's just don't forget who the Greatest really is.

The Receiver’s Mentality

Have you ever noticed how many receivers always want the ball? Have you noticed how some receivers will pout, get angry, and even quit playing as hard because they are not getting the ball as much as they want?

These receivers sometimes say “I want the ball because I give my team the best chance to win.” How arrogant is this? Do these receivers honestly think that their coaches and quarterbacks are trying to sabotage their chance of winning? How poorly must they think of the other receivers and running backs on their team in order to say this?

Now turn the switch…how often do we act like one of these receivers with God? How often do we say that I want what I want, when I want it and not a moment later? How often do we pout, get angry with God, or excuse ourselves for disobeying Him because we feel that He “didn’t answer our prayers”? Did we ever consider that God has other options available that we might not have considered? Did we ever consider that maybe we aren’t ready for the option we want so badly and need more training? Is the route we want to run an option that pleases God? Are we loafing because the ball wasn’t thrown our way recently?

God is the greatest quarterback and wants to use all Christians that make themselves available for His use. However, he won’t use us when we aren’t willing to following His play calls or take plays off when we don’t feel like we are being used properly. It’s a beautiful sight to see a quarterback pick apart a defense. God is able to plow through the defense on His own, but He wants to use us as part of His game plan. So, let’s accept God’s gracious offer to use us as tools to accomplish His great work.

Country Club Culture

Have you ever gone to church and think that you took a wrong turn and wound up at the country club instead? I’m not trying to run down dressing nice or church programs that develop Christians for service. However, there seems to be a mentality of “what am I going to get out of going to a church” out there.

The last time I checked “big church” was called a worship service. This means that we are coming together as believers to celebrate the almighty God of the universe. It is our chance to give a little back to Him out of the bountiful gifts that he has given us in acknowledgment of all of who He is and what He has done for us. Don’t get me wrong…God doesn’t need us to tell Him that He is great…we need these times to reminded of His greatness and His plans for us.

So, going to worship isn’t about how nice we look, what type of car we drive, or what types of church programs we lead. It is acknowledging how great God is and learning how we can allow Him to make us more like Christ…and lest we forget, Christ was welcomed to the world by dirty, raggedy shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), recruited a tax collector (Mark 2:14…tax collectors were hated back in the day), and saved a repentant criminal while on the cross (Luke 23:40-43). So let us think twice before we judge people for their wardrobe or their church attendance. Let us come instead to focus of the God that is the great Savior of our souls.

The Ultimate Quarterback

Have you ever watched a football game and seen a receiver leap in the air for a pass thrown over the middle? This type of play especially catches my attention when the defender(s) is (are) ready to knock the receiver’s head off. The amount of trust the receiver places in the quarterback is huge (as his career could be ended by a huge hit on any given play…and this play is particularly risky to the receiver). The quarterback certainly doesn’t want to the receiver to get hit (or hurt) for no purpose. However, making a large gain sometimes comes at a cost (whether it is a hard hit that requires extra time in the whirlpool the following week or a serious injury).

God is the greatest quarterback because he knows what is needed to advance His kingdom. His passes are always on target for the route we are supposed to run. Missed opportunities (incompletions) only occur when we run the wrong route (being in our will instead of God’s) or when we see the defenders lurking (challenges in the world) and refuse to leap in the air for the ball (lack of faith). There are times when our bodies and mind may be rattled by the hits put on us by the defenders, but our obedience advances God’s cause. However, if a Christian’s career on Earth is ended in serving God (dying in the firm grip of His will), he/she has contributed to something much greater than the game of football. God can use our witness long after we have played our last play on Earth (see the account of Stephen’s death in Acts 7:54-60 which led to the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:1-30 as an example).

So, the real question is who (or what) are we willing to leap over the middle for? Do you trust God enough to follow His will? What about when it looks like doom and gloom are all around and just waiting to pounce? Are we willing to pay the temporary price it may take to work as tools for the greatest quarterback of all time to lead His team (that He created…least I forget that God is also the Coach, GM, and owner of His team) to victory? He’s already won the game (so our obedience or lack thereof won’t affect the final outcome), but wouldn’t it be great to be able to be a tool and catch some passes from the greatest quarterback of all time and advance His cause?