Feb 16

Who Do You Represent?

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In the movie Miracle, Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, is selected to coach the United States Olympic Hockey Team. The hockey committee’s only request is that the United States not be embarrassed on the ice. As Brooks’ team arrives at the training facility, he can see that he has his hands full. The team is made up of various collegiate players from rival schools who allow their rivalries to get in the way of their performance. Coach Brooks understands that in order for his team to be successful on the ice, they must come together as one. Each day during practice Brooks asks a player, “Who do you play for?” Inevitably, every day each young man responds the same way: “I play for (their college or university)”. This question is repeated each day, until finally, one young man understands what Brooks wants his team to realize. When asked the question, “Who do you play for?” the young man responds, “I play for The United States of America.”
You see, Coach Herb Brooks wanted his players to realize they were playing for something more than the colleges named on their jerseys. He wanted them to realize they were playing for their country. Until the players realized this, they would never come together on the ice and be successful.
Each time I watch the movie Miracle, I think about that very question. Who do I play for or represent? No, I don’t play for a certain sports team like the guys on the hockey team, but in the game of life who am I playing for? Who is it that I represent? Do I represent my family? My company? My home congregation of the Lord’s church? The answer to each of these questions is yes. I do represent my family, my company and my congregation. However, just like the players on the hockey team, I represent more than a name or group. I represent the creator of all things, God!
The apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17). According to Paul, every word we say and every deed we do should be done for the glory of God. Literally, we are to be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ in every thing.

When we go to work, we represent God (Col. 3:23). When we go to the store, we represent God. When we attend or participate in a sporting event, we represent God. “In whatever we do,” we always represent God; therefore, we must be sure our representation is one becoming of a child of God. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). As children of God, when people see us they should see us representing something far greater than any name or congregation. They should see us representing our Father in Heaven.

The 1980 United States Hockey team came together and did something only one other group of American Hockey players (1960) has ever done. They won the Gold medal. Those young men, from various rival schools, made a nation proud by the way they represented their country. Likewise, when we represent God in a worthy manner in our daily lives, He receives the glory and we make Him proud to call us His children. Do you represent God in a way that makes Him proud?

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Feb 04

>All Good Things Come To An End?

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It was two weeks ago today that  news broke of Jeff Fisher’s tenure as the coach of the Tennessee Titans coming to a close. I remember when I first heard the report, I couldn’t believe it. Jeff Fisher has been the head coach of the Tennessee Titans organization for the last 17 years. During that time the Titans organization moved from Houston to Nashville, changed their name from the Oilers to the Titans, won 13 or more games 3 times, won the 1999 AFC championship and came a yard short of being crowned Super Bowl Champions.
During his press conference Jeff stated that he was proud of what the team had accomplished over the course of the last 17 years. He thanked the owner, Bud Adams, for hiring him and sticking with him for all these years. He thanked the fans for their love and support of him and the team. As he drew his statements to a close, Jeff said, “I have been blessed to be associated with one of the best franchises in the National Football League for this long, but as they say all good things come to an end.”
As I have had time now to reflect on the situation and the comments of Jeff Fisher, I suppose he was right… all good things do come to an end. People we love die, leaving us behind to pick up the pieces and move on with our lives. Jobs we enjoy are taken from us, leaving us to look for employment. Television shows we would never miss eventually go off the air, leaving us to look for something to replace our time with. Our favorite athletes retire, leaving us to look for some younger player to cheer for. And yes, the coaches we have come to trust and respect eventually say goodbye, leaving us anxiously waiting for the next guy to replace him. I guess it’s true; all good things do come to an end at some point.
Now the Titans organization has the tumultuous task of replacing one of the most respected coaches in the game. It will be sad to see someone other than Jeff Fisher leading the Titans into battle next season. I have always appreciated the way Fisher conducted himself, both on and off the field. He was a class act and a good football coach! Titans’ fans will miss him, but now we look forward to a new era. We look forward to the next guy leading us to a Super Bowl victory. As Jeff said, “All good things come to an end.”
Now that’s Something to Think About!
Jan 21

>I Was Sick…And You Took Care Of Me

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It’s that time of year. You know, the time of year when most people have to take time off from work because they are not feeling very well. For the past four days, I have been dealing with what I first thought was the common cold, but now believe to be something different. I have had a fever, intense cough, a sore throat and headaches. I have been very tired and weak no matter how much rest I tried to get. For the past three days I have felt miserable.  
While I have been dealing with this illness, my wife has gone out of her way to take care of me. She has fixed me food, gotten me medicine and even gone to the store and bought me fudge sticks, yes… fudge sticks can sometimes serve as the best medicine. She has done everything that a good hearted, loving wife could do. As she was taking care of me I couldn’t help but think of the words of Jesus where He said, “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me’” (Matthew 25:34-36).
When you think about all the things that Jesus said in this particular passage, notice how simple each of the things really is. It’s as simple as giving someone food or drink, taking someone in and clothing them and even as simple as a little visit. What my wife has done for me the past few days while I’ve been sick is pretty simple (although she might suggest otherwise). She has taken good care of me and that has made a difference. Through her actions I have been reminded of her love for me.
Friends, let us all make a point to look for the little opportunities we have to help someone who may have a need. It does not always have to be something big and fancy. It can simply be sending a card, making a visit or even taking someone food that has been sick or having a difficult time. Doing little things like this shows others how much we love and care for them and demonstrates our love and respect for our Lord.
“The king will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:40).
Dear Father, thank you so much for my loving and caring wife who so patiently and graciously took time to care for me while I was sick. Her love and kindness to me was a reminder of the way I should treat others around me. Her actions have reminded me that I should look for ways to be of service to others when they are sick and in need. Please help me to look for opportunities to serve others in every way, but especially when they have needs that I can meet. In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN!
Jan 12

>God Was With Us!

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The other night, I watched with great anticipation as the Oregon Ducks took on the Auburn Tigers for the BCS National Championship. Many predicted the game to be a high scoring offensive field day. Instead, the game was won because one defense was able to make more plays than the other. In the end, the Auburn Tigers won only their second National Championship in school history and their first in over five decades.
As I watch the post game celebration, I was surprised by a comment made by Gene Chizik, the head coach of Auburn. When answering questions after the biggest win of his career, he said, “Tonight, God was with us.” My first thought was, “WOW, really? I didn’t know God was an Auburn fan?” However, the more I thought about his statement, the more I agreed with him. Not that God cares so much about Auburn football (or any other football team for that matter), but that God is always with us.
The writer of Hebrews said, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). When Joshua was given charge of the Israelites, God said, “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).
God never leaves His children. He is always watching over us. He is with us during all the moments of our lives, both big and small. When I go to the doctor for a major surgery, God is with me. When I am in an unfamiliar place on a mission trip, God is with me. When I’m working in my office, God is with me. When I am participating in something that is a big deal to me but not really a big deal to others, God is with me. And He is not just with me, He’s with all His children.
You see, Gene Chizik was right. God was with the Auburn Tigers. Not because God wanted Auburn to win or Oregon to lose, but because God is always present when it comes to His creation. He was watching over each and every one of the players and fans that were involved in the game just like He always has, because He is a loving and present God! Friends, no matter what you may think, God never leaves you or forsakes you.
Now that’s Something to Think About! 
Dear Father,
Thank you for your omnipresence and the loving way in which you are always watching over us. Father, I know that a lot of times I am guilty of forgetting that you are here with me. Please forgive me of this and help me to be ever mindful that you are always there for me, both in the big things as well as in the small things. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior I pray, AMEN!
Jan 03

A New Year Means A Fresh Start!

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Can you believe that 2010 is now passed and 2011 is here? Most of us are excited about what this New Year holds. It’s as if we have a fresh lease on life. Every bad thing that happened in 2010 is gone, and we have done our best to forget about it.  Today marks the beginning of a fresh start.
            I’m not sure what goals or resolutions you have made for this New Year, but let me suggest to you a few that I think are worth your time and attention in 2011.
            First, make this the year where Bible class and worship are priorities in your life (Heb. 10:25). I never have understood why people like to skip out on something so vital to their spiritual development. Bible class and worship provide an opportunity to grow in our walks with God. Make it a point to begin your week with Bible study and worship. You won’t regret it!
            Second, make this the year where you look for ways to minister to others. There are so many ways to minister to others: listening to them, providing for them, praying for them, etc. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference in the lives of others. Make this the year that you look for ways to minister to those around you.
            Third, make this the year where you give God all of your heart. So many times we are guilty of half-hearted Christianity. Let this be the year where God gets your whole heart and not just what is left over after you have devoted it to all the other things in your life. When we give God our hearts, everything else falls into place (Mt. 6:33). 
            Last year is gone, and we need to make the most of this year. Let’s all make 2011 the best year possible by attending worship and Bible class, looking for ways to minister to others and giving our whole hearts to God. If we do this, 2011 will be a great year!                                                     
            Now that’s Something to Think About!