Troy University Athletics
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Blog
3/30/2010 2:00:00 PM | General
March 30, 2010
Time Travel
Scripture passage: Isaiah 43:18-19
….Missed opportunities can sideline us if we let them.
The papers reported a few years ago a story about a man (who has chosen to remain anonymous) who missed out on winning $66 million Euro dollars. He had purchased a ticket for the Super Enalotto, Europe's biggest lottery, near his home in Italy.
On the day the winning lottery ticket was revealed, the man was preoccupied with the details of his daughter's wedding. In the midst of the chaos, he neglected to redeem his ticket. By the time he realized he has purchased the winning numbers, the deadline for claiming the jackpot had passed. He had forfeited a prize never to be repeated.
What was in his grasp and reserved for him passed him by. Not surprisingly, the stress of the ordeal landed him in the hospital.
Can you imagine the overwhelming regret this man must have felt? The devastation of a missed opportunity? Though your missed opportunities probably don't amount to 66 million Euros, you no doubt have had a few yourself. If you aren't careful, reliving the regrets of yesterday can render you completely ineffective today.
In Isaiah 43:18, God tells the people to let go of the things of yesterday and begin focusing on what He is doing in their lives today and tomorrow. Doing this involves a little bit of time travel!
The question is how? Well, we have to change our address.
Verse 18 says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."
As we all know, the word dwell means to reside. Where you dwell is where you live. God is saying through Isaiah, "Don't live in the past." We should remember and appreciate the past, but don't live there.
A fond trip down memory lane is one thing; being consumed with what life used to be is another. Some have difficulty letting go of the past because it was good. Others have difficulty letting go of the past because it was bad. Both can be equally disabling.
We should learn from the past, but don't live there. Go back, and keep moving forward!
March 8, 2010
What Do You Not Want To Do Today?
Scripture passage: Proverbs 10:4
Legendary football coach Tom Landry said, "The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be."
It's also said that successful people become successful by doing the little things that average people don't want to do.
In your work there are probably a few little things that you don't want to do: items that should be done, but don't have to be done – at least not yet. Though the items on my not-to-do list change from day to day, they all have one thing in common: none of them are impossible. They're all do-able with just a little bit of effort.
They have another thing in common: by ignoring them, we short-change ourselves. We don't like to call this type of delay by its proper name, but Solomon doesn't hesitate to: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)
For many of us, that's all that stands between us and the fulfillment of our goals – a little indolence. That's not a mountain in front of you; it's just a hill, a small, tedious, do-able hill.
Challenge yourself today to make a not-to-do list- and tackle these items first, one-by-one. See what happens!
February 23, 2010
Choosing Your Own Way
Scripture
passage: Psalm 43:5
Victor Frankl wrote, "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in numbers, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Think of all the things you can't control: the economy, your health, your income, the choices that your kids make, the decisions that your boss makes… You may have some influence over these things, but not complete control.
But there is one thing you can control: How you respond to every situation. You can respond with anger, doubt, and self-pity… or with faith, hope, and love. It's your choice!
Again and again in the Psalms we encounter David in difficult situations-surrounded by enemies, struggling with sin, sinking in despair-again and again we see his absolute resolve to think right: Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 43:5)
The key to right acting, even in difficult times is right thinking! No one acts without first having a thought. On the other hand, wrong thinking leads to wrong acting/living and a wrong life.
Message: you can't control what happens today, but you can control your actions. Don't let any situation get the best of you. No matter what you face, you can choose your own way.
Think and choose wisely!!
February 1, 2010
Thank You
Scripture passage: Psalm 116:17
Fulton Sheen wrote: "An interesting phenomenon in children is that gratitude or thankfulness comes relatively late in their young lives. They almost have to be taught it; if not, they grow up thinking that the world owes them a living."
A friend once told me that she didn't want to force her son to say "Thank you" unless he really felt like saying it. She said, "If I teach him to say 'thank you' when he doesn't feel thankful, I'm teaching him that it's OK to be a hypocrite."
That's not even close to what gratitude is. Our feelings have nothing to do with why we express it. Gratitude is not an emotion, it's an action. The act of saying "thank you" is for the benefit of the other person. It's about their feelings, not yours.
The same is true when it comes to saying "Thank you" to God. Thankfulness is the proper response to the goodness of God. We say "Thank you" because He is good, not just because we happen to feel good at the moment. That's why the psalms so often refer to the "sacrifice of thanksgiving"- it's an act of obedience, not just an emotional outburst.
The psalmist said, "I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord." (Psalms 116:17) When we consider all the good things God has done for us; we should get into the habit of saying "Thank you" even when our feelings don't cooperate.
The next crisis that you come through and cannot explain how, just realize that you've had a touch of grace and goodness, then say "Thank you".
Prayer: Lord, help me to be grateful for all things, even when I don't feel like it. Amen
November 30, 2009
Working with a Net
Scripture passage: Psalms 16:8
"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
When the Golden Gate Bridge was being built, a number of workers lost their lives by falling from precariously high positions. As a result, the work proceeded slowly until someone hit on the idea of building a net under the construction area so that when a worker fall, he would not fall to his death but would be caught by the net.
A giant safety net was developed-at a cost of $100,000. This was the first time something like this was used at a construction site. With the security of the net below them, men were able to move about at a faster pace because they knew that if they fell their lives would be spared. With the security net below them, they could work without the dread of uncertainty.
How comforting it is to know that as believers we can work full-speed ahead, occasionally falling, and knowing that failure does not have to be fatal, because God- the master builder has come up with a great idea to accommodate our falls. We may not be able to see the net below us, but it's there. Our security comes from a loving, all -powerful God who protects us every step of the way. David said… I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
If we want the protection David had, we have to do what David did. Have you put the Lord before you? Are you working with a net?
Prayer: Lord, help me to always put you before myself so that I want be afraid when I fall. Amen!
November 16, 2009
Resilience
Scripture passage: Psalm 121:1-2
I received a brochure a while back from a company specializing in "resilient furniture": simple, sturdy, water resistant tables and chairs- not fancy in any way, but built to last. They're not cheap either; a plain white folding chair is about $60. They're not as pretty as the office chair at Sam's for about the same price, but those chairs, as I am reminded every time I have to replace one, don't have a long life-span.
There's something to be said for basic, unadorned resiliency- the ability to get through, get over, and thrive after trauma, trials and tribulations. In this sense, sturdy beats stylish every time.
USA Weekend did a cover story a few years ago on the subject of resiliency, asking the question, "Why do some people bounce and others break?" The article noted how some people who experience trauma withdraw into a shell, while others facing the same crisis not only bounce back, but bounce back stronger than ever before. It talked about how resiliency is being studied in universities and taught in corporate seminars. Resiliency, the article said, could become the most important skill of the 21st century.
Why do some people break down while others bounce back? Unlike furniture, I don't think it has to do with our design. A chair can only be as strong as it was made to be; it can't decide to be more resilient or less resilient. We, on the other hand, have access to support beyond ourselves.
Our "design"- our emotional make-up resulting from parental and societal influences- can be overcome. A person who is naturally weak and easily discouraged doesn't have to stay that way.
There's a verse in Philippians that is so often quoted its meaning is sometimes overlooked. Paul is talking about being able to face hard times as well as good times, and he states confidently, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Resilience often comes down to a decision: whose strength will I draw from- my own, or God's? One of the wonderful truths of the gospel message is that if you will look to God for strength, he will give it to you.
I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Seeds of Light
Scripture passage: Isaiah 32:20 "God will greatly bless his people. Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning once said, "Light tomorrow with today." I think she's talking about planting a certain type of seed: doing things each day-even when today is a little dark-to insure that tomorrow is a little brighter.
This would include continuing to put money in your savings account even when things are tight financially right now, or continuing to give your best effort at work even when your future with the company is uncertain. May be we should even continue to nurture a relationship that might not survive the current storm.
Application: Regardless of what we're going through today, we need to continue to plant seeds for tomorrow. Sometimes it feels futile-the future has a way of appearing all too uncertain, but we can trust in God's goodness. Isaiah promises, "God will greatly bless his people. Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up."
By planting seeds today, we are shining a light into tomorrow. No matter how dark it is today you can begin planting seeds of light for tomorrow. God's faithfulness will ensure a bountiful crop. Make sure you plant!!
Prayer: Lord, help me to plant today, regardless of how today looks.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Taking Action
Key verse: James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Application: We know that what we believe (i.e. our faith) is, in fact, of great consequence. We also know, however, that unless what we believe is expressed in what we do, our beliefs aren't fully genuine. In other words, our faith (beliefs) requires a corresponding action.
James is saying that talking, planning, evaluating, analyzing, and theorizing won't get us where we need to be. What we need to do, more than anything else, is take action. Al Batt said, "It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action."
When you take action, you trigger all kinds of things that will inevitably carry you to success… You begin to learn things from your experience that cannot be learned from listening to others or from reading books. You begin to get feedback about how to do it better, more efficiently, and more quickly… You begin to attract others who will support and encourage you. All manner of good things begin to flow in your direction once you begin to take action.
What action have you been putting off too long?
Key thought: Feelings always come after action!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that you would help me courageously take action this week and not make excuses; For with You on my side, I will fight opposite but not equal.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Tongue's Power To Direct
Scripture: James 3:3-4
"Now if we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires."
Application: Horses and ships were the primary means of transportation when James wrote his letter. They were useless, however, unless they could be controlled by man. The way to control a horse is through a bit in its mouth and the way to control a ship is through the rudder. An unbridled horse cannot only run wild, but also do much harm to people. A rudderless ship is aimless and out of control. In the same way, a tongue that is not bridled can damage a lot of people. When properly directed though, a horse and a ship provide much help and aid. So too the tongue, when properly directed, can be of great help to others. Though small in relation to the whole, the bit, the rudder and the tongue exercise a lot of control. Does your tongue control you or do you control your tongue?
Quote: "Of such use is the tongue to the natural body, that being bridled itself, bridles, directs, and governs the whole body." John Gill
Prayer: Father, because my tongue has the power to direct me, I pray that You help me control it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Intent Gaze or Casual Glance
Scripture verse: James 1:23b-25a "… he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of a person he was. But the one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty and abides by it…"
Application: For most of your Bible, you do not need to know the original language as the English translation is sufficient. In these verses, however, it helps to know that the Greek word used for man is "aner" which is a reference to a male (a hairy-legged creature), and not "anthropos" which refers to mankind in general. James tells us that when we come to the Bible, we should not come as men do to a mirror. Men look at a mirror for identification. It is a casual glance. On the other hand, women go for transformation; they go to do business! When we come to the Bible, we should come as a woman does to a mirror and not as a man comes. We should come to be transformed by God. James tells us that we should look intently at the perfect law and then obey it, not casually glance at it. Which of the two options in today's title best describes your study of God's Word?
Quote: "Men compare themselves with men, and readily with the worst, and flatter themselves with that comparative betterness. This is not the way to see spots, to look into the muddy streams of profane men's lives; but look into the clear fountain of the Word, and there we may both discern and wash them." Robert Leighton
Prayer: Lord, I ask you to help me to intently gaze at Your Word and to obey it in my life.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
One Mouth and Two Ears
Scripture verse: James 1:19 "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak."
Application: I imagine many of us reading this have had a course or two on speaking. Speech is and elective that is taught in most colleges and universities. I wonder how many offer a course on listening!? Have you ever had a course on listening? James tells us that we should have an open ear and be prepared to hear. We should also be slow to speak. A common sin which many fall into is that of the use and abuse of the tongue. One way to guard against that sin is to be slow to speak; this allows for time to think before one talks. We should also be prepared to listen to what God and others have to say. How quick are you to listen? How slow are you to speak? I think God gave us one mouth and two ears, so that we should listen twice as much as we talk.
Quote: "I have sometimes had occasion to regret that I have spoken, never that I was silent." Xenocrates
Prayer: Lord, please help me to be more ready to listen and to learn than to speak.
Friday, September 18, 2009
"Trials Are Not an End, But a Means to Produce Character"
Scripture: James 1:3-4 "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Application: So many people, looking at the trials that they face, gripe and complain because they do not see that God may have a purpose for the trials that they are facing. Yet, trials are not an end in themselves; God uses them to produce character in us. Notice the progression: testing produces endurance which in turn produces maturity. The word for "endurance" means "to abide under." Can you picture someone carrying a load and having to stay the course? That is the idea. And the result of this is maturity, Christlikeness. God wants to produce the character of His Son in you and me. This is done, in part, through the trials that we face. How have the trials you have endured helped produce character and maturity in your life?; Quote: "What a fish would be without water, or a bird without air, that would be faith without trial." Charles H. Spurgeon
Prayer: Lord, may I joyfully endure every trial I face for Your glory and for my maturity.
Above and Beyond verse:
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials," James 1:2
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
"Trials Are Not an Elective, They Are Required Curriculum"
"According to James, genuine faith should make a genuine difference in the way a person lives." David JeremiahScripture: James 1:2 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."
Application: As students, there were certain courses which we could choose to take and others in which we did not have a choice. Certain courses were a part of the required curriculum, regardless of one's concentration. Trials are a part of every person's required curriculum. Did you notice that the text says, "WHEN you encounter various trials" not "IF you encounter various trials?" You will face trials. Tom Nelson of Denton Bible Church has asked the profound question, "Why does God allow dogs to have fleas?" The answer is they let him know that he is a dog. And God allows people to go through trials to let them know that they are people who desperately need their Maker. How do you respond when you face trials? Do you realize that they are part of the course that you have been called to travel?Quote: "God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain, but without stain." C. S. Lewis
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that I would face my trials with the joy that only comes through Christ because He is there with me.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
"Do you have a plan?"
Everyone I know wants to be successful, but without a plan, they will struggle. The writer of proverbs wants us to know it's godly to plan, but it is godless to exclude God from our planning. There are two kinds of planners, the wise and the foolish. Both plan but the wise will include God in their planning. Without God, we have to maintain our plans on our own, but with God, He helps our plans be successful! All self-made people are self-sustainers and will eventually be self-destructible. When it comes to successful planning, everyone needs somebody, and it is a great idea to have God in your corner. I do not know about you, but when my plans are broken it is comforting to know I do not have to fix it myself. He makes a difference! At least just think about the following questions: Do you have a Plan? Are you including God? Are you being a wise or a foolish planner?
Include God, He makes a difference!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR FCA
Tuesday nights - Accountability group from 7-8 pm in Rane Auditorium (ladies only)
