Game Day for the Glory of God...Next Week

I finally got my copy of Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. I mentioned doing a book review in an earlier post, Is God a Big Fan? dated February 2nd. Next week is the week. I plan to review chapter by chapter, so check in regularly.

Precious Memories...How They Linger

We're heading to the DFW Metroplex today, where I'll have the rare privilege of coaching in an alumni basketball game at my Alma mater. Scheduled tip off time is 7 pm. I will, of course, be coaching the alumni team, made up mostly of guys who played back in the 90's when I was the head basketball coach at the school. I'm having some difficulty with the thought that most of these guys are in their 30's now and many of them have children. Makes me feel old!

I realize that a fading memory is part of the aging process, but wouldn't life be pretty boring if we only had short-term memory. Can you imagine if we could only remember as far back as yesterday? Granted, there are things that all of us would like to forget - past failures, heartaches, and disappointments. We learn from these. It's the good memories that we cling to like a baby blanket. I plan to spend valuable time this weekend with some old friends talking about old times and laughing until my side hurts! Here's my point...memories are a gift from God - the good, the bad, and the ugly. One other note of eternal significance: Old School Patriots rock the house!

Chunks of Chocolate

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

What a great verse to consider when your country is in the middle of a greed-induced economic meltdown. People are naturally wondering what's going on. What's going to happen next? Why do I feel this way? The whole situation seems impossibly complex.
This verse says worry, or an anxious heart, will weigh you down while good words will cheer you up. Down with anxiety. Up with encouragement. Pretty simple, huh? Don't miss the subtle challenge of this verse, however. We are supposed to distribute kind words like chunks of chocolate to our friends. Here's my point...Your friends have hearts that are bringing them down. And you have just what they need to bring them up - a good word.

Sleep on This

I love the fact that God never sleeps or slumbers - even when I do:

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep: for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."
Psalms 4:8

The rich promises of God and a clear conscience make for a very soft pillow, and that's something to sleep on.

The Three Amigos

While reading through the Old Testament book of II Samuel recently, my attention was arrested by the valor of David's mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. These guys apparently stood head and shoulders above the rest in the bravery department. The headlines of their day may have read like this: "Chief Josheb-basshebeth Spears 800 Philistines", "Eleazar's Battle-Weary Hand Pried from Sword", "Shammah Stands at Lehi When All Others Flee", or "Brave Trio Fetches Bethlehem Water for King David". This is the kind of stuff they make into movies! It's the kind of bravery that young boys dream of having when they "get big".

We desperately need some mighty men of valor in the 21st century! We need some guys who will rise up on the battlefield of life and take a stand; some guys who will be there when everyone else runs and hides. I'm praying for some real men who will make Heavenly headlines: "Band of Brothers Whips Pornography", "A Few Good Men Remain Faithful til 'Death Do Us Part'", or "Three Amigos Conquer Mt. Compromise".