Big vs. Small

Congratulations to the Durham Bulls who won the Triple A championship game last night. I attended the event here in OKC with a few friends of mine. I have to admit I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the small ballpark last night. At the same time there is nothing like walking into a Major League ballpark, it can take your breathe away.

Which would you prefer? A big environment that is larger than life or the smaller setting that seems to be much more personal.

Can we have the best of both worlds?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Be Jesus!

What does it take to be Jesus to others? Don't you think that is a good question to ask. Millions of hurting people walk the streets daily, including you and me. What is it that they need? More stuff, fame, perfect spouse, better job? I don't think so. Look around you, some of the people that are hurting most in the world seem to have all those things. What they need is someone to be Jesus in their lives! Below are a few ways we can be Christ to others, allowing him to use us to impact the lives of the people that need him the most.

Love-(Rom. 8:35-39) Love people! Loving people is never convenient, not always fun, and always takes effort on your part. But look at the example Jesus gave to us, he laid his life down because of his love for us.

Encouragement-(1 Thess.5:11) Build others up! There are plenty of things and people in this life that will tear you down. Doesn't it feel good when someone encourages you and believes in you. Encourage and believe in others.

Be Real-(John 4:1-26) When people need to hear the truth, give them the truth in love. If you practice Love and Encouragement they will respect you when you are Real with them.

Love, Encourage, and Be Real. Be Christ!

Stay in the Game!

Wow, it always seems like some key player or team member gets injured in the length of a sports season. Last year it was Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. This year we have already witnessed Heisman Trophy Winner, Sam Bradford, fall to injury. And in baseball with 4 weeks to go in the season and in a pennant race, the two key leaders for the Texas Rangers go down (Michael Young and Josh Hamilton).

These seemingly tragic blows leave their respective teams scrambling to stay focused and shifting personnel around to make things work. And in the dugout or on the sideline you see these ambassadors of the game encouraging their teammates and trying to instill any leadership they can to help the team win. All the while on the inside they only desire to be on the field, leading by example.

Question: How good is a leader that is not in the game? How much impact can they really make?

In the real world, coaches aren’t the ones keeping us out of our game. No, most of the time we pull ourselves out. Maybe it is self-perception, bad decisions, or just a bad attitude. The bottom line is you create your own playing time.

Stay on the field, your team needs you!