Tag: NFL

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What Christians Can Learn from James Harrison

james-harrison-participation-trophyJames Harrison, Outside Linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, made news this past week when he posted on his Instagram account a photo of two Participation Trophies his sons were given for their involvement in the Next Level Athletics Program. Harrison added a lengthy statement explaining his refusal to allow his sons to be given something they didn’t earn. “While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy,” Harrison said.

I admire James Harrison for teaching his young sons this valuable lesson and truth for their life.

I believe this same principle is missed in the American Christian Church, and I think we too can learn a lesson from Mr. Harrison. I think many times we believe we’ve accomplished something or we’ve earned something because we carry the title of “Christian” around. It’s like our very own club we belong to. I’ve often heard the term, “Country Club” used to describe churches and Christian groups.

Christians Aren’t Give Participation Trophies

When we get to Heaven, God’s not going to reward us for simply being. He’s not going to lavish awards and trophies on us because we participated in simply being a Christian, or because we were a part of the Christian club. We’ve earned nothing extra just by placing our faith in Jesus for salvation. Without merit, we’ve gained life in Jesus and if that wasn’t enough we were gifted an eternity with God in Heaven, but we gain no trophies for just being; we’re entitled to nothing more.

Our Rewards are Earned

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Christianity isn’t about finding a church you love so you can sit and soak in all that’s happening around you. 1 Corinthians 3 tells us Jesus is our foundation; He’s the starting point for the new life we’ve been given and whatever we use this new life for will be tested. Paul said, “….on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward“ (1 Corinthians 3:11-14 NLT). Jesus speaks with a sense of urgency as he boldly proclaims, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12 NLT). As Jesus was calling people to take up their cross and follow Him, if they desired to be His disciple, He told them, “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:24-27 HCSB). We don’t earn our salvation, but we do earn our rewards after salvation.

[tweetthis]Christianity isn’t about finding a church you love so you can sit & soak in all that’s happening around you[/tweetthis]

As if Jesus wasn’t enough. As if God’s undeserved grace, mercy, and forgiveness wasn’t enough. As if an eternal home in heaven wasn’t enough. God goes even further and promises to reward us for the deeds we perform in this new life we have in Christ! But, notice, in every instance we are promised rewards there is a condition given; our rewards will be given solely based on the deeds we do within this new life, based on what we build on the foundation of Jesus.

So, what are you building? What are your deeds? What kind of rewards can you expect from Jesus when He returns?

God doesn’t give participation trophies, but He does reward us for what we’ve earned.

Are you connected with a church, but find yourself disconnected and not involved? Find out how you can plug in within the church or the community so you can start building on the foundation you have in Jesus. Are you one of my people from New Passion, but you haven’t plugged in and you’re not building anything on the life you have in Jesus? Don’t delay, register online to start serving right now. God wants to reward you, but you have to earn it!

[tweetthis]God doesn’t give participation trophies, but He does reward us for what we’ve earned.[/tweetthis]

Join the conversation: What are some helpful ways to move people from simply being a Christian to doing good works in the world as a Christian? In what areas do you need to improve yourself?

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From Millions to Tens

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Michael Vick was released from jail early this morning. He will serve the next two months in federal custody in home confinement. It has been reported and confirmed by Michael Vick’s agent that he has accepted a full time construction job that will pay him $10 per hour. Here is a man that was the highest paid player in the NFL with a 7 year contract worth over $130 Million dollars now doing construction work for $10 per hour.

I think there is no better illustration right now than Michael Vick to teach people (young & old) the value of making Wise Choices. I don’t believe wisdom has a pricetag, I truly believe it is priceless. Through my own experience (of 28 years) I am quickly learning that the more I learn, the more I come to understand that there is so much that I have not learned so far and that I have a long ways to go to achieve “Wisdom.” However, as I continue trying to be “Wise” nothing is stopping me from making wise choices along the way.

A wise man once said…

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!” Proverbs 16:16

That was coming from a man who could have asked God fo ANYTHING and chose to ask for WISDOM. How many of us are like Michael Vick where we have chosen to seek after the silver and the gold or the fame and prestige over wisdom? I know I have. Fortunately, its not resulted in the loss of millions of dollars. Fortunately, it hasn’t resulted in public scrutiny and a federal prosecution. It is truly by the grace and mercy of God that my stupid choices have not caused me greater shame and harm.

I believe that that it is vital we teach those people (young and old) who God entrusts to our care to make wise choices. After working with students for 14 years I know that if it is not taught early, the consequences will strike, if not at an early age, most definitely at an older age. Through another conversation I had on facebook, it was reminded to me that we cannot expect people to do what they are not taught or trained to do. How can we expect people to make wise choices if we do not teach them to make wise chioces…and how to make those wise choices?

For all of us, its a personal choice to grow in wisdom and understanding or to reject it. Proverbs 15:32 says,

“If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.”

I believe we all need people in our lives who can offer the proper correction and discipline to help us obtain wisdom and understanding. I believe as God entrusts us with people in our care, we must be available to be those people who can instruct and guide them towards making wise choices. Michael Vick lost millions of dollars and ruined his reputation because of poor choices, however, some people lose much more.

It encourages me to see Michael Vick reaching out to Tony Dungy for guidance. Tony is a great man of God who is full of wisdom and I believe he can direct Vick in the right direction. I believe Vick will have paid his debt to society when his prison term is up and as he fulfills the rest of his probation. I believe he needs to be given every right and responsibility that anyone who leaves prison would receive. I don’t believe it is too late for Vick to learn what the second part of Proverbs 16:6 says,

“…By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.”

And when people make poor choices and fail, I don’t believe its too late for ALL of us to learn what the first part of Proverbs 16:6 says,

“Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin…”

Join the Conversation…Do you have a Tony Dungy in your life to help point you towards wisdom? Has this person been in your life for a long time or did you find them after making some poor choices along the way?

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My Opinion: Philip Rivers is a Jerk!

philiprivers
UPDATE: I wrote this back in 2008 before I knew how much of a cry baby Jay Cutler was too, but I still think Philip Rivers is a jerk.
It is my official opinion that Philip Rivers is a jerk. I remember the statements he made a couple of years ago demanding to trade him if San Diego did not trade Drew Brees, I saw firsthand his actions and attitude towards Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos in week 16, which looked like it was taking place on the playground with a bunch of 7th graders , and this week in the playoffs against the Colts, instead of acting like the winner his team was, he once again acted and looked like a 7th grader by causing problems with the Indianapolis Colts fans. Don’t get me wrong, I love a lot of the players on the Chargers, especially L.T., but Philip Rivers has shown the he is a true blue, childish Jerk! If Philip Rivers had accomplished more in his career than he has, he may have the right to exude more confidence and demand trades as he did with Drew Brees, but his numbers are no where near what Drew’s have been, especially last year. I wonder where Philip Rivers would have the Chargers without Ladainian Tomlinson? Probably under .500.

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