a Greater Glory

You have to feel for a guy like Tim Tebow.  Actually I guess i’s more like we should be praying for him and his boldness for standing up for what he believes in.  If you don’t know what I am talking about then you probably have not been reading the news as of late.  Tebow is set to be in a Super Bowl ad where him and his mother talk about his birth.  Long story short, Tebow’s mother was told by her doctor to have an abortion because the child (Tim) was most likely not going to make it because of how sick his mother was.  Needless to say he did make it and went on to be one of the greatest college football players of all time and possibly one of the most influential individuals in the U.S. over the past 2-3 years.  Well, here is the latest from the “debate”.

http://usat.me?37436256

It will be interesting to see what transpires over the next few days.  There has been more talk about this commercial than there has of the game, which is fine by me.  I hope that they tie (even though that is not possible for all of you non-sport people).

When you think of an athlete desiring to be the best at his or her particular sport, what do you imagine them doing in order to get there?  A football player may spend countless hours in meetings and in the film room, disecting a particular 3-4 defense or Cover 2 defense.  An All-NBA defender may scout a top scorer for weeks, deciding where his weaknesses are on the court.  A pitcher may weigh the strike zone of the league’s best hitter – what is he prone to swing at to induce a double play?

All these practices have the same concept underlying each of them:  meditation.  In order to achieve their potential, each player must go above and beyond to unlock those areas of talent that are, until that point, hidden.  It’s working hard even when one feels like kicking back and watching Sportscenter.  Matt Birk, Baltimore Ravens center, explains the grind of studying through the notorious NFL playbook:

“This is my 10th year in the league, and I still take my playbook home. Because the defenses are always changing, too. They’re always giving different looks. It’s kind of like a cat-and-mouse game between the offense and defense. That’s why football, I think, is a great game. Very few guys can get by on just talent.”

And this guy went to Harvard!  He brings up an excellent point as well.  The end result is not just to be better in and of yourself, but to have an edge over the enemy, which in football is the opponent.  If Birk isn’t on his game, he is liable to get dominated by a defensive tackle on a stunt move.  He always needs to be aware of his schemes, lest he become vulnerable at the most important times.

I think about these athletes and how seriously they train to become the best in the game.  Shouldn’t we, as Christians, be striving for the same thing?  Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 4:7-10:

“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

Just as in sports, Christianity requires training – reading God’s Word, praying without ceasing, filling our minds with pure thoughts.  Paul says that all this is not in vain.  We are to receive the prize of glory at the end of our struggle.  That is one end to which sports will not provide.  In sowing godliness in this present age, we will reap the privilege of seeing Jesus face to face one day.  And about enemies:  Paul asserts in Ephesians 6 that our war is not against the tangible things of this world – people or governments.  No, our war is against the principalities that stand in opposition to the Word of God.  The Bible talks about the devil prowling around like a lion, ready to devour.

Paul endlessly speaks on “standing firm” in the faith.  That’s our call.  And it comes through daily meditation on the good things of God.  One final note:  Unlike an athlete, we will never arrive, so to speak, in this life.  God has far greater plans for his sons and daughters.  He gives us this promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

Former Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was found shot dead late Saturday night.  McNair who was only 36 was found dead alongside a woman whom is being called a “friend” of McNair’s, Sashel Kazemi. McNair who was a three time pro-bowler may be best known for his drive of the Tennessee Titans against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV in the last minute of the game where the Titans came up one yard short of sending the game into overtime.  During times like this many people will speculate about the life that McNair led and will remember the great things that he did on the field.

However, as Christians it is important that we take opportunities such as this to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ.  In a world as lost as this, it is essential that The Good News is shared with those in search of it. In times of hardship and trouble Christians can lean on Psalm 18:2-6:

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me;the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

The truth of the Gospel is that Jesus paid for our sins with his life.  Nothing we can ever do in this world will ever be enough to repay the debt that we owe.  As details will continue to emerge McNair and Kazemi will be cast into different spotlights.  No matter what the outcome of the investigation, it is important for Christians to remember that our life here on earth is short, it is only in God we can find our refuge and no matter what things come our way we can call upon the Lord and He will hear us.

So here’s one for you, Michael Vick may be joining football faster than originally thought.  An article by ESPN.com shows that the new United Football League is interested in bringing Michael Vick into the fold.  The league is obviously interested in the marketability of Michael Vick (think MLS bringing David Beckham into the league).  While the move is not definite it provides another opportunity for Vick who is still awaiting a decision from the NFL regarding reinstatement.   To read the article by ESPN click here.

Being an athlete who excels in professional sports is tough, maybe one of the most difficult things in the world.  That is why there are so few of them.  But something that may be even more difficult than being a professional athlete, is being the coach of those professional athletes.  In no other job are you criticized for the failure of your team and then forgotten about when your team does well.  Being the coach of a professional team is a job that requires you to shoulder the blame when things aren’t going well and then step into the background when your team is doing well. Coaches must love to coach and must be willing to do just that, coach.

While coaching is important, it seems that we have now entered a time in professional sports where a coach can no longer coach or attempt to bring about change on a team.  Typically when a coaching change is made it is a chance for players to hear another person’s voice and allow for the new coach to do some things differently, but how often is to often to change? A New York Times article highlighted the short leash that NBA coaches are on, that article can be read here.

Since when did coaching in any major sport become something that changes when the weather patterns do?  An interesting study although extremely time consuming would be to look at the number of coaching changes that have occurred in the major sports (football, baseball, basketball, and hockey) over the past five years. For basketball Jerry Sloan has been coaching since 1988. During that time there have been over 225 coaching changes.  Did you read that number??? That means that there is on average 11 job changes every season.  Remember, there are only 30 teams in the NBA so that is a little over a 1/3 of the teams every season.

By no way am I saying that every coach should be kept, but the firing of Michael Curry that occurred yesterday is a bit frustrating. Curry wasn’t a great coach after only getting the team to a 39-43 record, but look at what he was given.  He had to deal with Allen Iverson in a mid-season trade that was anything but beneficial to the Pistons. Joe Dumars is quickly becoming the Matt Millen of the NBA with 5 coaches now in 9 years.  Dumars needs to make sure he gets it right with this next coach.  Typically, the most successful franchises are the ones who “stay the course”.  In the NFL you have the Pittsburgh Steelers, MLB you have the NY Yankees, in the NBA you have the Utah Jazz.  Does consistency mean you will win and make the playoffs every year?  Of course not, but there is something to be said about consistency.  All I am asking is that given the current state of our country, economy, and speed of life, one would think that consistency and staying the course would be appropriate and important.

Michael Vick, fresh off his two-year stint in federal prison, was recently put on a construction crew in Virginia.  Once the NFL’s highest paid player, Vick is now making $10 per hour working in the hot sun.  This has got to be a humbling experience for the former Falcon.  Some will put the question out there, “Should he really have served that long of a sentence for what he did?”  While this question is alright to entertain, it’s not going to matter.  It is what it is.

For his own sake, I hope things turn around.  Although when asked to liquidate his assets in order to pay unsecured creditors, Vick was reluctant to give up one of his two homes and other luxuries.  One verse comes to mind when I read things like this:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”  James 4:10

I can say from experience that the Lord humbles the proud, that he breaks us down in hopes that we search Him out.  My prayer for Vick, if he does not know Christ, is that he will recognize the fact that there is hope.  No, it’s not in football, money, or fame – but in Christ alone.

Follow this link to see the full article:  Vick to work at Boys & Girls Club

I can’t honestly say I know Plaxico Burress and what his heart is like.  What I can say is that God’s word is very clear on “reaping what you sow”.  Galatians 6:7-8 says this,

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Plaxico Burress is currently embroiled in all kinds of legal issues.  These legal issues stem from an evening where Burress was carrying a concealed weapon (without a permit) and shot himself in the leg.  While it sounds almost humorous Burress and then teammate Antonio Pierce tried to cover up the shooting.

That has led us to where we currently are.  Burress has been indefinitely suspended by the NFL and is “reaping what he sowed” in the earthly sense.  There is a chance that Burress may have to go to jail and/or be on probation.  Commissioner Roger Goodell is waiting to see what legal actions are taken before handing out a punishment.  With all of that being said Burress could possibly be back in the NFL this season with a couple of teams.  The punishment or the reaping what you sow, seem almost insignificant at best.

However, the idea of reaping what you sow is not necessarily an idea for gaining pleasures on this earth. Yes, Burress may be able to continue his profession on earth and play professional football.  The key is that God does not forget.  We must all remember we will be called before God to stand for the lives we have lived.  No matter whether you are a Christian or not you will be called before the throne of God and asked to give a testimony of your life.  Hopefully, this situation has brought Burress to his knees and asked for the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus Christ.  Only then will he truly be forgiven.  This story though is an interesting reminder that even though many athletes, actors/actresses, musicians, and politicians may “get away with things” on earth, this will not always be the case.  Let us remember what ROmans 8:6 says and set our minds on the Spirit and not on on our flesh.

The great female tennis player Chris Evert has taken something of a shot at some of today’s female tennis players.  In an article on ESPN.com Evert talks about how the shrieking has gotten out of hand in women’s tennis,

“It is distracting when you are hearing this and I think the grunts are getting louder and more shrill now with the current players.”

While I agree with Evert I think that her and Martina Navratilova need to relax a bit.  Navratilova has gone as far as saying that shireking or grunting was considered cheating, according to the ESPN article.  I could deal without all of the moaning, shrieking, and grunting, but I could also deal without Sergio Garcia regripping the club 10 times before he hits the ball, NBA players going through a free throw shooting ritual which includes everything except for getting a drink before they shoot, and place kickers having to walk off the distance between them and their place holder (don’t you think if you have kicked the ball as much as some of these guys you could just walk right to the spot, I mean the fields are marked every yard for goodness sake).  All of these things are part of these sports and shouldn’t change just because it bothers some people.    Here is the article though for your enjoyment: Evert: Shrieks distract from matches.

Yes, the title is bold and yes, I am a fan of soccer.  So before you get all huffy puffy at least hear me out my reasons as to why soccer will never matter in the U.S.  Soccer as everyone knows is a global phenomenon.  In a typical World Cup year viewing records are set boy those who watch the final.  For the 2006 World cup ti is estimated that 26 billion individuals watched the World Cup at some point during the tournament.  Of those 26 Billion the estimate is that 829 million were from North America and the Caribbean.  This was with every game being broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2.  That number compared with every other continent is so small that it is almost laughable.  Europe brought in 5 billion, Asia had 8 billion, Central and South America had just under 4 billion, Africa had just under 5 billion, and the Middle East which isn’t even a continent but is broken out for statistic purposes had 847 million.  The numbers themselves show how little attention is truly paid to soccer in the U.S.

Many will argue that soccer is growing and that bringing over big named players and allowing people a chance to watch will increase viewership and this may be true to a point.  But whether soccer lovers want to admit it or not, soccer is not fast enough for American viewers, the stretches of play are too long without a stoppage, and the sport suffers from an identity problem.

The speed of play in soccer is actually quite amazing.  When watching a fast paced soccer game there are few sports in the world that rival it (possibly only ice hockey or badminton). The problem for America isn’t necessarily how fast the players are with the ball, it’s the fact that the scoring and scoring chances aren’t frenzied enough and defensive games are normally not played in front of one team’s goal.  In any of America’s favorite sports scoring can and does typically come in bunches. That’s the first reason why Americans don’t enjoy soccer.

Along with there not being enough scoring or the speed of play not being fast enough is the fact that halves are too long for most American viewers.  Every major sport that we have has commercial breaks built into it.  You can get up and go to the bathroom, grab a drink, look outside and still only have missed a Viagra commercial, a truck commercial, and a trailer for a movie.  Soccer isn’t like that.  You are sitting for 45 minutes without a break.  Could you imagine if an inning of baseball lasted 45 minutes straight.  Baseball, Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey all have natural built in breaks and commercial breaks so they are easier for people to watch.

The last reason and maybe one of the best reasons that soccer will not matter in the U.S. is because it suffers from an identity problem.  Most soccer fans are the guys who didn’t play American football.  In our macho man America those Football players woud never be caught dead watching a soccer game, it’s just “not manly enough”.  The reason it isn’t manly enough is because every little kid plays soccer.  So it’s a little kids game, not a game played by men.  While David Beckham brought lots of little girls out to games, he didn’t fit the image of a guy you want to follow or a guy you would necessarily want to hang out with.  Imagine if Tom Brady played soccer.  If he played soccer and were marketed the way he is with football, that would bring in more men to the sport and would also get it covered a bit more.  Until soccer is seen as a sport that men play, it will continue to not matter, at least in America.