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Weekend like Bernie’s

Theme: Weekend like Bernie’s

Verse: One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12)

Recently one of our devotional group members, Bernadine (or as we call her, Bernie), celebrated her birthday (of course, her 29th) by taking several days off to disconnect from the trappings of the world. No cell phones, No social media, No television, No e-mail. She said she used this time to re-charge herself and does so every year. It sounded like a good idea when I heard about it.

She was following a practice Jesus modelled for us two thousand years ago where He often disconnected from His ministry to pray alone. In Mark’s gospel, while Jesus was building his group of disciples the word of His ability to heal the sick was starting to spread. One particular night an entire town came out bringing their sick, so He spent an entire evening healing people of various diseases. Mark 1:35 describes Jesus’s actions the following day, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Luke 5:15-16, records that, “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. BUT JESUS OFTEN WITHDREW TO LONELY PLACES AND PRAYED.”

In Matthew, after feeding the five thousand (with five loaves of bread and two fish) he withdrew to the mountainside to pray.

Analysis: If Jesus needed to withdraw to recharge, it’s probably a good practice for us to adopt.

So, thank you Bernie for modelling in modern day that time disconnected in solitude is a healthy thing.

Have a GREAT Week!

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NIL

Theme: NIL

Verse: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

It would be the understatement of the century to say that college sports have been transformed by the introduction of NIL or (Names, Likenesses, and Images). For those that are unfamiliar with NIL it is a way for college athletes to earn money for their exploits on the field of play.

There is another kind of NIL that might be helpful to not only college sports, but everywhere we go in our daily lives. I’ll call it NEW INFLUENTIAL LEADERS.

In 1986, before one of the versions of the Oklahoma-Nebraska Games of the Century two of the combatants, one Sooner and one Cornhusker led nine teammates out to midfield to have a pre-game prayer. The “859th” straight sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln was confused by the players’ action. The players prayed, not for victory or earthly glory, but for a clean, hard fought, injury free contest that would honor God. They invoked our feature verse Matthew 18:20.

At the time, such an action was risky behavior. Opponents were putting God on display in a very public setting asking for Him to be with them in advance of the activity. While that seems to be common sense it was at the time quite rare in college football or other high-level competitions. They were saying “Before we even start, let’s pray and ask God to be at the center of everything.”

What a message! And these young men were NILs. In that moment they transformed the focus of the game from being on them to being on God.

Can you imagine a world where opponents on the field of play stopped and asked God to be with them during the game. To take focus off of them and give Him the glory for their ability to compete. It would completely change the way we play and watch sports.

But most of us are not college athletes. Never fear, stopping to pray can apply to non-sport endeavors as well. We need NIL everywhere, in our homes, our work, and yes in our sports. You can be one! Try it and see the change happen before your eyes.

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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We’ve Got the Power

Theme: We’ve Got the Power

In the movie “Bruce Almighty” news reporter Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey), frustrated with his life, challenges God and throws the blame for his problems in God’s direction. God, played by Morgan Freeman, responds by giving Bruce all of His powers. Seemingly a great gift, Bruce really has no idea how to use the power he has been given.

While a silly premise, it made me wonder how much power each one of us possess already. As it turns out quite a bit. But like Bruce, we likely have no idea how to best harness that power.

Power #1: Power over the flesh. We face several temptations in this area. Desire for alcohol or drugs, excessive food, laziness all fall in this category. From where does our power to battle this come? In Galatians 5:16 we can read, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Power #2: Power over the World. This goes to our theme from a couple of weeks ago (PRIDE). We can get hung up on our earthy achievements or the things we can possess due to our earthly (monetary) success. Our counter? 1 John 5:4 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Power #3: Power over the Devil. Satan has a singular purpose. That is to destroy us usually by distracting us from obeying God. What is our defense? James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Unlike Bruce, we don’t need to challenge God to receive the gift of His power. We already possess it, written in His Word. When faced with various challenges you need to look no further than the Bible for guidance and a way to overcome whatever challenge is before us.

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Use Response #5

Theme: Use Response #5

Verse: Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. (Psalm 141:4)

Saying: “He that is good for making excuses, is seldom good for anything else.” (Attributed to Benjamin Franklin)

Upon arrival at the United States Air Force Academy in June 1978, I was greeted with an altitude of over 7,000 feet above sea level, a buzz haircut, and a limited choice of vocabulary. We were given five basic responses, the only things that were supposed to come out of our mouths in the presences of upperclassmen. They were 1) Yes, Sir (Ma’am), 2) No, Sir (Ma’am), 3) Sir (Ma’am), may I ask a question (Ironically, we already had), 4) Sir (Ma’am), may I make a statement, and my personal favorite and most often uttered 5) No Excuse, Sir (Ma’am)!

Doolies (which is what freshman are called at the Air Force Academy) rarely get much right. Sometimes even when they are right, they are wrong (if you know what I mean). Response #5 is important for all of us to consider. Learning and embracing it sets us up well to tackle life’s inevitable challenges.

Mistakes are part of our life. Life coaches often suggest we learn more from our failures than our successes. Granted failures don’t feel nearly as good, but they are wonderful teachers.

Excuses, on the other hand, don’t help at all. Excuses NEVER make you better! They don’t change the circumstances of what happened. So, while I don’t wish failures on any of you, understand they are opportunities to TAKE responsibility and MAKE changes. In that way, we exercise a spirit of humility and assume ownership of both the action and the solution.

In that spirit, let’s accept that mistakes are part of life. Try not to make them, but when they occur, remember RESPONSE #5 and not amplify the problem by trying to explain the mistake away with an excuse.

NO EXCUSE, SIR (MA’AM)!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Drop the E-Bomb!

Theme: Drop the E-Bomb!

Verse: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18)

Spanish Proverb: Tell me what you brag about, and I’ll show you what you lack.

Pride is a difficult thing to manage. Unfortunately, it is part of our human nature. Often, we slip into a prideful nature without warning and unbeknownst to us. When we do so, it is known as dropping a Pride Bomb.

Pride Bombs can go off in the form of one-ups-man ship when sharing stories (especially true in the military). They also can go off when competing in or training for a race and we reach a personal best or a significant milestone. Or possibly if we do something fantastic in school or on the job. There is a fine line between sending encouragement to others through your example (communicating that they too can reach their goals) and bragging about how awesome we think we are.

God wants us to be humble in all that we do. We see it is postgame interviews a lot. The athletes we respect the most are the ones who, even though they say hit the game-winning grand slam, does something like gives credit to the three teammates that got on base allowing a grand slam to be possible.

Any time you feel the urge to use the pronoun “I” or “WE” in a sentence describing a time when something went well, stop for a moment, consider those around you that contributed to the success. Then, instead of dropping a PRIDE BOMB (I am / WE are great!), try dropping an ENCOURAGEMENT BOMB (or E-Bomb). Turn the accolade around by using “YOU” instead! Chances are there are many contributing factors to every success so it should be easy to find a way to provide genuine praise for members of your group or team.

Encouragement to others can be transformative in a world where many people struggle with self-worth. Help be part of the solution and drop a few E-Bombs whenever you can.

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Throw the Challenge Flag

Theme: Throw the Challenge Flag

Verse: Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)

In the interest of getting the game officials’ calls right, Challenge Flags have become a reality in today’s sports.

Technology being what it is, we now have the ability to review film to correct a sports official’s calls (except apparently a kicked ball violation in the NBA-See Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1) or as coaches to help students review technique and help them improve.

But reviewing the “film” occurred long before instant replay was invented.

In Psalm 139 David asked God to search into his life, look for anxious thoughts and lead him in the way everlasting. That may be the first recorded instance of throwing a Challenge Flag.

Like David, if we allow God to look into our hearts from various angles (read: our accountability group) and in slow motion we often are confronted with the reality of our words, attitudes, and behavior.

If you are in someone’s accountability group, take that responsibility seriously. The person who issued you the Challenge Flag is counting on you to be there when they need you most.

If you have not issued any Challenge Flags (are not in an accountability group), consider doing so you can have someone available to help you “get the call on the field” right!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Character is Formed under Fire

Theme: Character is Formed under Fire

Verse: Endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:4)

The second greatest tradition in sports has to be the handshake line at the end of hockey playoff series. (The first is the order the Academies sing their respective alma maters after inter-Service Academy football games. Go Air Force! Beat Army! Beat Navy!) But back to hockey: Athletic warriors have just spent a week to 10 days battling for each loose puck and ramming each other into the boards all while skating around 20-30 miles per hour. THEN after all that, the victors pause their celebration to honor their vanquished foe who stays on the ice in their moment of disappointment to congratulate their conqueror.

There’s a great takeaway in both of these traditions. Both demonstrate the character of the participants. After they battle, when the struggle is complete, both sides honor the others’ effort, showing respect for the other as a team and as individuals.

Struggles are not confined to sports fields of play. We all have them in many ways throughout our lives. While no one likes them while amidst them, they have a role in creating who we are.

In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced an unimaginable trial by fire (literally). When they refused to worship a false god, they were thrown into a fiery furnace where the true God protected them from harm. When the king who had sentenced them saw them come out unharmed, he immediately praised our God recognizing that He alone could save in a way that earthly false gods could not.

Our trials hopefully are only metaphorically going into a fiery furnace. But whatever they are, they present opportunities for God to transform us, making us unshakable in our faith and His power unmistakable.

Every season of life will have some adversity; injuries, setbacks, disappointments. Each of those is an opportunity to GROW and BE TRANSFORMED. Without them our character’s sword cannot be sharpened.

Embrace the challenges of life. Praise God that we have them so our character can be formed by fire.

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy PageTheme: Character is Formed under Fire

Verse: Endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:4)

Struggles are not confined to sports fields of play. We all have them in many ways throughout our lives. While no one likes them while amidst them, they have a role in creating who we are.

Embrace the challenges of life. Praise God that we have them so our character can be formed by fire.

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Unlocking Greatness in Others

Theme: Unlocking Greatness in Others

Verse: So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19)

This is the 20th anniversary of my good friend Ron Rook inviting me to run the “Saturday Morning 12 miler”. I think the longest distance I had run up to that point from about 8 miles. Ron encouraged me that once I got out there, I wouldn’t know the difference between 8 and 12 miles.

For the record, that characterization was a bit of a fabrication.

After a restless Friday night, I arrived at the start point at “Oh-Dark Thirty.” (You don’t want to know the actual time of day.) Ron had positioned some Gatorade at a couple of key locations along the route so with hydration arranged, we were set up for success and off we went!

After a bit over an hour (and several stories about his running career and other topics), we hit the 2nd water stop. Having just passed the longest distance I had gone previously I was tired, but because of Ron’s encouragement, felt good enough to finish the final leg. Then, as the saying goes, the rest is history. From that day, I have been out on the running path most Saturday mornings all thanks to Ron’s encouragement.

Ron, a retired Marine Colonel, was what we call a BUILDER. That is someone who helps others reach their full potential. We all need BUILDERS in our lives to help us reach the finish line when getting there seems impossible.

If you have had a BUILDER in your life (Hint: We all have had one!), reflect on who that is and how they mentored you. As a THANK YOU to that person (or more likely, persons), look for opportunities to “Pay It Forward.” We all have something to contribute that will unlock the greatness God has in store for them. Maybe it is in athletics, or an academic situation, or even guiding them in their faith walk. You might be the very person God has in mind to guide someone to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Never underestimate the power of being a BUILDER. After all, Jesus’s earthly father was a carpenter!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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We Have Nothing to Fear!

Theme: We Have Nothing to Fear!

Verse: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Soccer (or Futball) is one of the only sports in America in which it is OK for the game to end in a tie. (NFL football is another but that is only after a tie-breaking process has run its course.) The point is in our culture, sport competitions ending in ties seems to be abhorrent to our collective sports psyche. Accordingly, our sports have developed and refined their respective tie-breaking processes over the years.

One of the most interesting of these is the Braveheart tiebreaker in the game of lacrosse. The Braveheart tiebreaker is played with one player and one goaltender for each team with the game ending in sudden death (first goal wins).

What enormous pressure on the participants! It is in these moments you find which players are ready for the challenge, and which may have let fear overcome their ability to play in the moment!

How does this apply to our faith lives? For example, what happens when our faith is challenged? Most of us have a fear of failure. Fortunately, the Bible has many stories of how FAITH overcame FEAR. Examples: 1 Samuel (David and Goliath), Judges (Gideon’s army force reduction), Esther (Esther standing up to the king to save the Jewish people).

Our verse in Joshua gives clear guidance and great hope. It implores us to be courageous. But how?

Being courageous doesn’t mean having NO fear. Rather, it means you act BY FAITH in the face of fear. The stories of David, Gideon, and Ruth provide SPLENDID examples of how to choose faith over fear.

So, do you want the ball in your hands when the “game” is on the line?

Do not fear - God will be with you wherever you go!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Theme: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Verse: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)

Whether it is proper running technique or how to execute a proper pick and roll in basketball, fundamentals cannot be stressed enough especially when learning the sport. Legendary coaches Vince Lombardi (U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Green Bay Packers), Bill Belichick (Father coached at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis), Mike Krzyzewski (West Point and Duke), and Bill Parcells (U.S. Air Force Academy and New York Giants) all taught fundamentals and achieved extraordinary success in their coaching careers.

That’s great for basketball and football, Dave, but what about our faith walk? What are the fundamentals of a Christian walk? Where do we find those concepts? God has provided those in His Holy Word. No matter the situation, God has the answers recorded through parables and other lessons in His Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, the BIBLE.

This week’s challenge: Ask yourself when is the best time for you to experience the Bible on a daily basis? What do you have to re-prioritize to make the time?

Make the decision to make Bible time a priority. When you focus on this fundamental, success in life will not be too far behind!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Be a Jackie to Someone

Theme: Be a Jackie to Someone

Verse: “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

This past weekend about 60 people gathered at the local YMCA to conduct a mini-Triathlon in the memory of our dear friend, Jackie Okun. The Triathlon really exemplified her life at the YMCA. She could do it all; running, biking, swimming, weightlifting, yoga, you name it. And she did everything with such passion. The epitome of this was her 67th birthday when she swam 67 laps (50 yards each) in the pool to “celebrate” her birthday. (I’m not going to do the math here but trust me, that’s a lot of swimming.) Sadly, two days later Jackie went to be with Jesus after being struck be a vehicle while she was on an early morning run.

That day reminded me that we all are on the earth for such a short period. Since we have no idea when our time on earth will end, it might be healthy for us to reflect on Jackie’s inspirational example and ponder these questions.

-Are you being a good steward with the life you have been given? Take good care of your body by exercising as well as eating and drinking in a healthy way.

-Are you helping your fellow man? Ask your co-workers, family, workout partners, etc. “What can I do for you today?”

-Are building a relationship with God? Make Him your central focus and all other things will fall into place.

-Are you living with a purpose? We all have things to contribute to the world. Sometimes we just have to get out of our comfort zone and just “DO IT”!

Jackie hit the bullseye on these every day! How about you?

This week’s challenge. Try a couple of these questions on for size and see how they fit. When you can say yes to all four, you will be making the world a better place by “Being a Jackie to Someone.”

Have a GREAT Week!

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Protect this House

Theme: Protect this House

Verse: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

This week is the conclusion of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s college basketball tournaments. College basketball is famous for home teams having tremendous advantages. The legendary Marquette basketball coach and basketball commentator, Al McGuire, often said any time the road team wins in college basketball you consider the result an upset.

Winning at home is sports is often referred to “Protecting Our House.” While perhaps not intending to be theological, sports make an important observation about our faith lives. It is important for us to protect ourselves from the negative influences that can derail us OR in other words PROTECT OUR HOUSE.

Ok, Dave, how do you suggest we Protect Our Spiritual House”?

God gives us two tools that are always at our disposal: Prayer and His Word. Matthew 4 provides the model. After 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan in various ways (relief of his hunger, challenging him to prove God’s protection, and finally offering Jesus all the worldly kingdoms if he would worship Satan. In each instance, Jesus relied on God’s Word to resist temptation, demonstrating unwavering faith and obedience.

Using that as the model, let’s strive to go on a long home court winning streak and PROTECT OUR HOUSE!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Going Backstage

Theme: Going Backstage

Verse: Iron sharpens Iron, and one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17)

Have you ever had a backstage pass to a concert or other event? Those passes are typically reserved for people that have connections to the performers, those they are comfortable letting inside the inner workings of their on-stage productions.

For most people, a backstage pass is about seeking accountability. That accountability might be about running or exercise; that is the person that gets you up at 4:30 each morning to knock out a five miler or some other workout. If you are in school, maybe it is studying for the biology exam. In our Christian life, it might be reading a passage of the Bible in preparation for Small Group or Sunday worship.

In our culture, especially in sports, we are taught to be self-reliant. Self-discipline is considered a high value. But it is problematic to take that self-reliance too far moving into isolation. Isolation is where we pull back from community to do all things, including live out our faith, on our own.

The problem with isolation is that it makes us think that when we experience a particular difficulty or addiction that we are the only ones that this has ever happened to. We fear that no one else can possibly understand our situation so we resist opening up and seeking help. Nothing could be further from reality.

Having people with a backstage pass to our life are essential in our Christian life. We all need someone (or a group) we can share the joys and sorrows of our life. Those people keep our lives in balance and keep us inside the lines.

Who has the backstage pass into your life?

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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If You aren’t Serving, You aren’t Leading

Theme: If You aren’t Serving, You aren’t Leading

Verse:

My Dad was a Rotarian. My Brother-in law, Tab, is one as well. The Rotary Club is a great community organization with a motto that is the theme for this week, Service Above Self.

Contrary to popular belief, being a leader is not being served, rather it is about being a servant. At least if you want to be a successful leader. Jesus was the ultimate servant leader. In John 13, He performed what in that day was the ultimate servant act. When the disciples forgot to secure a foot washer for the Passover Feast, none of them volunteered to fill this void. Instead, they argued over which of the twelve was the greatest and should not be subjected to such a duty.

Meanwhile, Jesus took matters into His own hands (literally). He took a basin of water and a towel and began washing his disciples’ feet.

What a lesson for leaders! This story teaches leaders that they need to be SECURE ENOUGH IN WHO THEY ARE so that they know they don’t abandon their leadership position by assuming the servant position. It also teaches that leaders should look to INITIATE SERVANT ACTION when required.

As we go through our week, think about how Jesus acted in this story. Look for opportunities to be a Servant Leader. You and the world around you will be better for it!

Have a GREAT Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Put the FUN in Fundamental

Theme: Put the FUN in Fundamental

Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

The best part of running races is the after party. Most race organizers create a party-like atmosphere to honor the hard work and best efforts of the runners to celebrate everyone’s achievement.

Anything we plan to put our heart and soul into needs some element of FUN if we are going to make it for the long haul. Sports coaches understand this. That is why you often see coaches allow the players to have a bit of unstructured silliness sometime during practice. I recall during my undistinguished high school basketball career I would start most practices heaving a shot from the half court line. Every once in a while, the ball would actually go in. Coach Cook and Coach Bowden allowed it probably because they knew my skill limitations and rightly assessed that since we were trying to win ball games, that may be the only time I would get to shoot the ball.

Our spiritual life needs to be the same way. Fun and Worship are not polar opposites. In fact, often they go hand in hand. Devotions need not be drudgery. Going to church should be something we look forward to, not simply a Sunday task we check off the list. These spiritual moments are FUNdamental to a successful Christian walk. Without others seeing our joy and the FUN our walk brings us, the less likely they are to follow our path, which is “Making More and Better Followers of Jesus.”

Have a FUN Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Keep Moving the Chains!

Theme: Keep Moving the Chains!

Quote: I run 6 plays, split veer. Like Novocain. Just give it time. It always works! (Herman Boone, Head Coach T.C Williams High School, “Remember the Titans”)

Have you ever watched an Air Force Academy football game? The offensive scheme is pretty consistent, lots of running plays. Three yards, Four yards, Three yards, and they go for it on 4th down if they are just a little short.

Opposing defenses dread it as their defenses are on the field for over 7 minutes while the offense just keeps getting first downs or MOVING THE CHAINS. Before you know it, the Falcons have the ball at the five-yard line and are ready to score. (Then the Doolies (the freshmen) get to do some push-ups.)

MOVING THE CHAINS is a great metaphor for life. In life, it doesn’t require flashy things, just doing what it takes to reach your goal. Doing the little things that lead to growth. It also means doing the hard things when you are tired and want to quit or you don’t see the results you want immediately.

In our spiritual life we need to have a MOVE THE CHAINS mentality. We need to spend time in His Word daily, being the one who consistently gains 3-4 yards. Seeking God on a daily basis will make us more like Jesus, which is our goal. Most days transformation will not be apparent but as you continue MOVING THE CHAINS, before you know it you will be 1st and Goal and the enemy will have already been defeated.

Go AIR FORCE, Beat ARMY, BEAT NAVY and Have a Great Week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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Don’t Worry, Be Praying!

Theme: Don’t Worry, Be Praying!

Verse: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)

Last week we discussed planning. Some of those who know me are aware that I tend to plan things to the extreme. I ask “what if” about 15 times more than the average person. It doesn’t matter if it is writing a contract proposal for work, preparing the next group workout, or considering how the group is going to celebrate the next set of birthdays, I think I’ve heard the phrase hundreds of times, “Don’t worry, Dave, let it go, it will be just fine”.

So, I apologize up front, this week is one of those devotionals I’m writing to myself. You all get to come along for the ride.

While prudent planning is a good thing, WORRY about the eventual outcome has no redeeming value. Worry is truly GOOD FOR NOTHING. Human nature is such that we like CERTAINTY and CONTROL. Unfortunately, the higher we move on those two scales the lower we move on the TRUST scale. Low levels of trust lead to WORRY.

So, in a world where CERTAINTY and CONTROL are never absolute, how do we bridge the gap and not fall into WORRY? Philippians 4:6 gives us the answer. “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD.”

LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN, also known as prayer! Yes, Prayer is that bridge! Max Lucado says, “No one can pray and worry at the same time.” Prayer is being in real communication with God not necessarily to let Him know what we need (He already knows). Rather, it is a way to open the lines of communication so that we can hear God’s voice telling us how to navigate the life conundrum we currently face.

With apologies to Bobby McFarrin, this week’s call to action to avoid worry is a paraphrase of his greatest hit.

Don’t Worry, Be Praying!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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The Game Plan

Theme: The Game Plan

Quote: Plan Ahead. It was not raining when Noah built the ark. (Richard Cushing, Archbishop of Boston)

If you were one of the 120 million people that watched the Super Bowl, you probably noticed some of the coaches walking the sideline with laminated papers and wearing headsets. If you were one of those watching not just to see the $7 million commercials, to see what Taylor Swift was wearing, or to see if Usher was going to sing “Yeah!” at halftime you may wonder what was on those pieces of paper.

Those papers held the results of the coaching staff’s game preparation or the Game Plan. It was the action plan that those in charge believed would put their team in the best position to win the game.

For our lives, our “laminated papers” are the Bible. It has the parameters we need to live a successful life in harmony with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God put the plan together; the offense and defensive schemes as well as the method to prepare for the competition. But none of that does any good if, as the players on the field, we don’t study the plan, so we are ready for the game.

So that is our part. Study! If you are not already doing so, think about making a 90-day commitment to studying God’s game plan for us.

Have a great week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page

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It’s Not Easy Being Green

Theme: It’s Not Easy Being Green

Quote: When green is all there is to be It could make you wonder why? I am green and it'll do fine. It's beautiful and I think it's what I wanna be (Kermit the Frog / Jim Henson)

My grandson, Wyatt, just finished his extended stay at our house. On the drive to return him to his refurbished home, we listened to songs we have become oh so familiar with over the past several weeks, Sesame Street’s Greatest Hits.

As I found myself singing along to ALL OF THEM and nearly being able to pronounce ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ (the most remarkable word Big Bird has ever seen) it was Kermit the Frog’s “It’s Not Easy Being Green” that inspired this missive.

Kermit starts the song sad about his lot in life because “HE’S A FROG, AND THAT MEANS HE IS GREEN YOU SEE!” He wonders why he isn’t “RED OR YELLOW OR GOLD OR SOMETHING MORE COLORFUL LIKE THAT.” But by the end he realizes that green is the “COLOR OF SPRING” (the season of renewal and baseball) and realizes that being green is OK.

God has a plan for each one of us. We have no idea what the totality of that plan is until we live it out. In Sunday’s Super Bowl each team had 53 roster players and they all had a role in getting their team to the game with a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy. Plus, for each of those players there were coaches, teachers, teammates, and even rivals that all have since blended into football obscurity and like Kermit they seemingly “SPEND EACH DAY THE COLOR OF THE LEAVES.” But they inspired each of those players in some way to get to them to football’s pinnacle on Sunday night.

For someone in this world you are the right person who will come along at just the right time to make a game-changing impact on their lives. To them you will be “BIG LIKE AN OCEAN OR IMPORTANT LIKE A MOUNTAIN OR TALL LIKE A TREE.”

Have a great week!

Guest User 2/8/24 Guest User 2/8/24

Run with Jesus

Theme: Run with Jesus

Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7: Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.

Have you ever been in a large race where they have pacers? Those are people who train to run a very consistent pace throughout so racers have help meeting their time goal. If you want to finish in the time that person has on the sign they hold, you just stay with them side by side through the race and they will get you there.

We all need pacers in our lives. Someone to show us the ropes in a new job or new exercise routine. That is especially true in our faith walk. The pacer is Jesus. All He asks of us is to run with Him. Matthew 22:37 is “pace” on Jesus’ “sign”. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Have a great week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page