The Grace To Swim
October 2, 2009 at 7:31 am | In BiblicalSwimming | Leave a CommentTags: 1 Thessalonians 5, Biblical swimming, Biblical waters, Canaan, Exodus, Exodus 14, Ezekiel, Ezekiel 47, Israel, Jordan River, Joshua 3, learning to swim, promised land, quotes about swimming, Red Sea, spiritual swimming lessons, spiritual testing, swim lessons, swimmers, swimming, swimming in grace, swimming in the Bible, swimming in the deep, swimming in the deep end, swimming lessons, swimming quotes, the prophet Ezekiel, water in the Bible, waters to swim in
When God delivered the Israelites out of their bondage in Egypt, He parted the Red Sea so they could pass through it. (Exodus 14:22) When it was time for them to cross into their promised land in Canaan, their obstacle was another body of water: the Jordan River. (Joshua 3:14) In both cases, the people had to step out and pass the test of faith in the face of potentially overwhelming waters.
The prophet Ezekiel saw a vision of miraculous waters flowing from the throne of God. These waters grew deeper and deeper until the only way for Ezekiel to have continued his tour would have been to start swimming!
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Ezekiel 47:4-5
A large area of water can be a wonderful sight for somebody who loves to swim. The wonderful refreshing waters of God’s grace are indeed “waters to swim in” for those who love the Lord. However, waters sometimes present an obstacle – and we need help to go through them. Thankfully, when God graciously calls us to pass through the waters of testing, He will also provide us with the grace to pass through, what we could never pass over on our own.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
I Thessalonians 5:24
The 11 Quarterback Commandments
September 10, 2009 at 9:39 am | In Quarterback Commandments | Leave a CommentTags: 1 Corinthians 10, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Corinthians 3, 1 John 1, 1 Peter 3, 1 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Thessalonians 5, 11 Quarterback Commandments, 2 Corinthians 10, 2 Corinthians 5, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Timothy 2, 2 Timothy 4, Acts 27, Biblical leaders, Biblical leadership principles, Biblical quarterbacks, Bill Parcells, Bill Parcells's quarterback commandments, Christian leaders, Christian leadership principles, Christian quarterbacks, Dallas Cowboys, Deuteronomy 20, Ephesians 5, fantasy football, Hebrews 12, Isaiah 2, John 11, John 18, leadership principles, leadership training, Luke 13, Matthew 10, Matthew 11, Matthew 12, Matthew 21, Matthew 23, NFL football, Philippians 3, pro football, Proverbs 10, Quarterback, Quarterback Commandments, quarterbacks, Romans 14, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Titus 3, Tony Romo, Tony Romo's quarterback commandments
Just a few short days until the real beginning of football season! The Dallas Cowboys will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13. Bill Parcells is long gone, but his influence on star quarterback Tony Romo lingers. Below is a recap of Parcells’s 11 Quarterback Commandments, and the spiritual applications that go with them.
Commandment No. 1: Ignore other opinions – press or TV, agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers-on – on matters related to football. They don’t know what’s happening here.
Spiritual Application: The time to disregard the advice and influence of those who mean well is the second that they deviate from the Word of God as revealed in Scripture. The Word of God is not only where you should go FIRST to determine if what you are doing is right. It is also where you should go LAST. Wait upon the Lord to show you what to do, and then let Him be the one to give the final evaluation on whether you are doing it His way. (Isaiah 2:22; II Corinthians 10:5)
Quarterback Commandment No. 2: Clowns can’t run a huddle. Don’t forget to have fun, but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.
Spiritual Application: Christians are supposed to be Christ-like. We are supposed to act the way Jesus acted. There is no evidence in Scripture to indicate that Jesus was generally morose, pedantic, boring, overly austere, or just plain old “no fun to be around.” However, the instances of Jesus joking around are extremely rare in the Gospel record. We see Him angry (Matthew 21:12). We see Him grieved (Luke 13:34). We see Him challenging the status quo (Matthew 23:33). We see Him teaching the greatest and most valuable truths ever taught. We even see Him crying (John 11:35). Whether we are running a prayer huddle, a Sunday School class huddle, a family worship huddle, or a Biblical counseling huddle, let us remember that “Clowns for Christ” is an oxymoronic idea.
Quarterback Commandment No. 3: Fat Quarterbacks can’t avoid the rush. A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arm. Squat and run.
Spiritual Application: Just as a quarterback must stay in shape physically in order to perform well, Christian ministers must always be striving to condition ourselves spiritually. (II Timothy 4:2; I Peter 3:15; Proverbs 10:26; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 3:19)
Quarterback Commandment No. 4: Know your job cold. This is not a game without errors: Keep yours to a minimum. Study.
Spiritual Application: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Thessalonians 2:15) Just as mistakes will inevitably occur during the heat of battle on the gridiron, so a Christian will, more often than he likes, fall into sin. (I John 1:10) Realizing this fact should not make a Christian complacent about the inevitability of sin. It should make him more determined than ever to know his job cold – to know where temptation lies, and to know the escape routes that God has made to avoid it. (I Corinthians 10:11-13)
Quarterback Commandment No. 5: Know your own players: Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.
Spiritual Application: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13) Christian ministers are exhorted to be familiar with their brothers and sisters in Christ – especially the ones they minister together with on a regular basis. The Bible says that fellow-Christian laborers are to know each other, to esteem each other (which means to treat each other as very valuable), and to be at peace with each other.
Quarterback Commandment No. 6: Be the same guy every day – in condition, preparing to lead, studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.
Spiritual Application: Christian ministers, like good quarterbacks, need to be consistent, insistent, persistent, and resistant. (I Thessalonians 2:9-12) Christian quarterbacks must lead. Leading involves both training and trusting.
Quarterback Commandment No. 7: Throwing the ball away is a good play. Sacks, interceptions, and fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those.
Spiritual application: Christian ministers must learn to avoid strife over non-essential issues which will ultimately hurt the cause of Christ. (II Timothy 2:1; II Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:8-9; Matthew 12:19; Matthew 11:29; Matthew 10:14)
Quarterback Commandment No. 8: Learn to manage the game – personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.
Spiritual Application: The life of a Christian quarterback involves much hectic multitasking, but we must not forget that we do not have a limitless amount of time to do the work of the Lord. (Ephesians 5:15-16; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; I Corinthians 15:52,58; I Thessalonians 5:2-4)
Quarterback Commandment No. 9: Get your team in the end zone. Passing stats and TD passes are not how you’re going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone and that is how you will be judged.
Spiritual Application: A Christian minister will be judged, not for how popular he is, and not for the number of followers, converts, or students he claims, but for his obedience to the Lord, and for how well he managed the resources God gave him. (Romans 14:10; II Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 3:13-15; Philippians 3:4-8)
Quarterback Commandment No. 10: Don’t panic. When all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button, so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have a panic button.
Spiritual Application: In the heat of spiritual battle, when things seem as though they are getting out of control, God’s leaders must be thermostats, not thermometers. A thermometer just reflects the temperature of a room. When things get hot, the mercury goes up. When things are cold and dead, the mercury dies down, too. I must instead ask God to make me a thermostat. A thermostat is not controlled by the temperature; it does the controlling. When I walk into a room of spiritually cold people, I need to warm things up in the Spirit of God. And when I walk into a room of hot-headed chaos or knee-knocking panic, I need be calm, and help to cool things down. (Deuteronomy 20:3; John 18:10-11; Acts 27:41-44)
Quarterback Commandment No. 11: Don’t be a celebrity quarterback. We don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out, every day, every week, and every season, and lead their team to win after win after win.
Spiritual Application: Christian ministers are not to seek glory for themselves. The Christian life is a race and battle and a pilgrimage, not a parade or an awards banquet. A Christian minister may be a leading soldier in the battle of the Christian life, but He still serves a Commander Who is over him. This Commander reminds us not to get ourselves enmeshed in this world’s false ideas of leadership, to the point where we forget to serve, and expect to be served. (I Thessalonians 2:2, 6; II Timothy 2:3-4)
Seeing and Following Instead of Scratching and Stabbing
August 11, 2009 at 8:24 am | In Biblical Violence | 1 CommentTags: 1 Thessalonians 5, back rubs, back-scratching, backstabbers, Biblical principles, Biblical Violence, Christian living, Christian standards, Godly principles, Hebrews 12, paths of righteousness, quid pro quo, stabbed in the back, the flesh, the world, tit for tat, vigilance, violence in the Bible
Christians are called to live at a higher level than the world. The principle of the world, when dealing with someone who treats you well, is, in general, treat them well in return. We call this theory, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” On the other hand, the world’s principle for dealing with someone who treats you badly, is that it is now acceptable for you to treat them badly in return. We might call this theory, “You stab me in the back, you had better not turn your back on me.”
However, the Bible contains God’s principles for God’s people. And His standards are always higher, and always better.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
I Thessalonians 5:15
This is a standard that requires vigilance, for our flesh finds it repulsive. Who can tread such a narrow path of righteousness, and not fall? Only the Christian who “watches” always where he is going. (I Thessalonians 5:6; Hebrews 12:15) Thus the reminder to, “See that…” Keep your eyes open, and fixed firmly upon Christ and His Word, and you will always follow that which is good.
This Big Light of Mine
August 10, 2009 at 7:27 am | In Biblical Parenting | 3 CommentsTags: 1 John 1, 1 Thessalonians 5, Biblical Parenting, Biblical vigilance, children of darkness, children of light, Christian parenting, creation of light, darkness, day vs. night, daytime, distinction, divine nature, fornication, Genesis 1, God is light, God's nature, immorality, light, light in the Bible, modesty, night and day, nighttime, parenting in the Bible, parenting principles, principles for parents, principles for training children, proper dress, regeneration, sleep in the Bible, soberness, vigilant
God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all. (I John 1:5) In fact, the very first creation that God recognized as “good” was the creation of light. (Genesis 1:4) Keeping this in mind, it would only make sense that the children of God (those that, by the spiritual birth of regeneration through faith in Christ Jesus, have become partakers of God’s divine nature) would be children of light.
Following this reasoning, children of light would have a desire to walk in the light, and to tend toward performing daytime, rather than nighttime, activities. Children of light should be sober, for the favored time of drunkenness is nighttime. Children of light should be properly dressed, for daytime is the time for getting dressed, and nighttime is the time for getting undressed. Children of light are to flee from the temptations of immorality and fornication, and these sins are most likely to occur in the dark.
Furthermore, children of light should be awake and alert, watching and working, staying ready for the coming of the Lord, which could happen at any moment. Physical sleep is something that promotes growth and good health when done in proper balance, but spiritual sleep – for the sons and daughters of the Most High God – is to be avoided.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
I Thessalonians 5:6
Character and Integrity Part 1
July 20, 2009 at 9:40 am | In character and integrity | 3 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 16, 1 Thessalonians 5, 2 Timothy 2, abstinence, appearances can be deceiving, Character, Character & Integrity, Christ-likeness, don't judge a book by its cover, football, God's omniscience, Godly character, greed, integers, integrity, Nerf, Nerf footballs, omnipresence, omniscience, properties of salt, Proverbs 22, Psalm 26, Psalm 7, qualities of salt, questionable associations, salt, salt of the earth, trustworthiness
Integrity is a quality of “soundness.” It comes from the idea that an “integer” is something that is “whole,” or “complete.” When something has integrity, nothing can get inside it and mess it up. Example: A real football has integrity. It will can get wet on the outside, but not on the inside. A Nerf football has no integrity. If it gets wet, the inside will get all soggy.
When it comes to people, integrity is determined by what we do when no one is watching.
[A Psalm of David.] Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
Psalms 26:1
It’s easy to have integrity when everyone’s watching. Pretend that we are in a room, and I show you a container, and tell you that inside is something very valuable, very exciting, very personal to me, and very secret. If I left the room, and told you not to look in the container, would you be tempted to take a peek? Probably not if other people were watching, but what if you were left completely alone with the container, and no one would know?
That’s a test of integrity. Integrity is between you and God.
“Character” is a little different. Character is the combination of qualities that make you the “type” of person you are. If you are honest, hardworking, always on time, you have a trustworthy character. If you are selfish, unfair, sneaky, you have a greedy character.
Integrity is between you and God. Character goes into how other people perceive you.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1.
We might say that your character is what kind of name you have – what you are known for.
Does God want us to have integrity? Yes.
The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
Psalm 7:8
Now, let’s examine what kind of character God wants us to have.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
I Samuel 16:7
When God looks at us us, He sees more than just our physical appearance; He sees us in light of the things we do, and our reason for doing those things, and our true attitude while we do them.
God does care about the appearance of the things we do.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I Thessalonians 5:22
One reason why God is concerned about the outward appearance of our actions is because we have an influence on others. People in general often adopt the actions of others with whom we spend time. People who hang out together often wear the same clothes, use the same language, and listen to the same music.
One reason that I need to spend time with Jesus – praying, reading my Bible – is that, if I spend time with Him, I’ll start to act like Him.
Many times, we have a challenge when we have an opportunity to do something that might not necessarily be “wrong” in and of itself, but would appear questionable to others. Our challenge is to remember that Christians are being watched by others, and we are supposed to be the “salt of the earth.” Salt adds flavor, but it also has an astringent quality, a cleansing quality. And it has preserving quality.
Christians have a responsibility to God, to ourselves, and to others.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
II Timothy 2:2
Quarterback Commandment No. 8
June 1, 2009 at 2:09 pm | In Quarterback Commandments | Leave a CommentTags: Bill Parcells, Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo, Quarterback Commandments, quarterbacks, Ephesians 5, Eternity, Christian quarterbacks, running a huddle, football terms, Biblical quarterbacks, 1 Thessalonians 5, NFL football, Jesus Christ, football illustrations, 1 Corinthians 15, When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, James M. Black, Biblical football, football in the Bible, Michael Vick, dogfighting, gambling, bad investments, time management, game clock, the rapture, clocks, huddle, multitasking, 1 Thessalonians 4, Luke 19, Palm Sunday, return of the King, Jesus Christ the King, Jesus Christ's return, hymns, favorite hymns, like a thief in the night, hotel management, Parable of the Pounds
When Bill Parcells included Commandment No. 8 in his list of Quarterback Commandments, he wanted Tony Romo, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, to be very conscious of time.
Quarterback Commandment No. 8: Learn to manage the game – personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.
Spiritual Application: The life of a Christian quarterback involves much hectic multitasking, but we must not forget that we do not have a limitless amount of time to do the work of the Lord.
Let’s start with a strong dose of reality. NFL quarterbacks are not beleaguered martyrs. They are pampered multimillionaire superstars. Their wristwatches cost more than my house. They drive expensive cars, they live in mansions, and unless they get addicted to drugs, gambling, fast women, dogfighting, or bad investments, neither they nor their grandchildren, nor their grandchildren’s grandchildren, should ever need to lift a finger to do any real work a day in their lives. Do they receive some harsh criticism in the media? You bet. But, the bottom line is, they are worshiped, adored, and feted for playing a game. Do they deserve it? No, they don’t! Except for Romo – he deserves every penny, perk, and privilege. (Hey, leave me alone – I’m a Cowboys fan!)
Now, having taken that strong dose of reality, and having chased it down with a shot of levity, I hope you will, for spiritual illustration purposes, note that there are an impressive and daunting number of things that Parcells understands an NFL quarterback must tend to during each and every play:
Personnel: Which of my teammates are actually on the field for this particular play, and what particular skills and reactions are they capable of utilizing given the ever-changing situation?
Play call: Which of the 88 plays printed in microscopic code on my wristband, or being barked at me over my helmet phone, are we going to run next?
Motions: Which players are going to be moving around after we line up but before the ball is snapped, and which ones must remain completely motionless?
Play fakes: Will I make sure not to allow the ball to bump into my own player or a marauding defender in my own backfield, as I fake handoffs and passes in an attempt to misdirect the other team?
Proper reads: Which defenders are lined up where, and what does that mean about where I look first, and throw next?
Accurate throws: Will I need to loft a high floating pass beyond a linebacker’s outstretched fingers, or plant my feet and rifle a crisp bullet pass between a blanketing cornerback and a rapidly closing safety?
Ball handling: Oh yeah, I’ve got to remember to get a good firm grip on the ball before I snatch my hands from under the center’s rear-end, or none of this matters, anyway!
And all this must be computed in about 25 seconds max (!), through a brain that wouldn’t have passed “hotel management” at Midwestern U without the help of “special tutoring.” As Parcells says, “Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.” I was pretty hard on the quarterbacks, as far as having things easy, but that is a lot to think about.
Now, Christian ministers, the quarterbacks of, not just a game, but the work of God’s Kingdom, must also be very conscious of time.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
We live in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. All the signs that we can discern from the Bible for Christ’s imminent return seem to be readily apparent. No man knoweth the exact hour or day. But Scripture is clear. We are to love, live, and lead as though the trumpet could sound at any moment.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:52,58
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
I Thessalonians 5:2-4
I think one of the main reasons that Jesus taught the parable that begins in Luke 19:11 – the so-called “Parable of the Pounds” – was to remind His disciples, and all His “Christian quarterbacks” today, to not forget that the game clock is running down, and that our time must be managed effectively. We must act with a sense of “cool” when things get hectic, but always have a sense of “urgency,” knowing what’s at stake. Now is the time for Christian quarterbacks to break the huddle, remember all our assignments, call for the ball, and use every tick of the clock to reach the goal line, anticipating the final whistle, which will signal the return of our King!
One of my favorite hymns says, “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more…” One day, those who have been given eternal life by Christ Jesus will live outside of time. Until then, however, Christian ministers must remember: Clock, clock, clock… Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.
Quarterback Commandment No. 5
April 27, 2009 at 10:58 am | In Quarterback Commandments | 2 CommentsTags: 1 Thessalonians 5, 2 Corinthians 2, 2009 NFL Draft, Aggies, besetting sins, Biblical quarterbacks, Bill Parcells, Christian quarterbacks, Christian unity, Dallas Cowboys, devices of Satan, Dow Jones, dropped passes, esteem, football, football strategies, fullback, motivation techniques, NFL Draft, Proverbs 17, Quarterback, quarterbacks, spiritual gifts, spiritual warfare, Stephen McGee, strategy of Satan, Texas A&M, Tony Romo, tough love
Yesterday the Dallas Cowboys selected Texas A&M quarterback, Stephen McGee, in the 4th round of the NFL draft. There is speculation that he will be groomed as a potential long-term backup for star quarterback, Tony Romo. If this is correct, it will be interesting to see if Romo shares with McGee his insights concerning the “Quarterback Commandments” given to him by Bill Parcells.
We are going through a series of brief comparisons between these Quarterback Commandments and certain spiritual applications. Today, we will look at the quarterback’s/Christian minister’s responsibility in being familiar with his teammates.
Quarterback Commandment No. 5: Know your own players: Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.
Spiritual Application: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)
A good quarterback is not going to take the snap from center and immediately heave the ball 60 yards downfield, if the play calls for the fullback to be the primary receiver, and said fullback runs slower than molasses in wintertime. A good quarterback is not going to try to rifle a crisp pass into triple coverage to a receiver who has earned the nickname “Dow Jones” because of the number of “drops” he had last season.
Quarterbacks need to know the different skills and personalities of their teammates. They need to know that some of their teammates will be motivated by a taunting challenge, some by a kick in the pants, and some by a quiet chat on the sidelines.
If a quarterback has to study what his team’s opponents will do during the game, it stands to reason that he should be even more familiar with what his own players are likely to do.
Similarly, Christian ministers are exhorted to be familiar with their brothers and sisters in Christ – especially the ones they minister together with on a regular basis. The Bible says that fellow-Christian laborers are to know each other, to esteem each other (which means to treat each other as very valuable), and to be at peace with each other.
If I am going to be an effective Christian quarterback, I need to know which of my fellow church members or ministry partners work quickly, and which ones need more time. I need to know which ones need kind words of encouragement, and which ones need to be held accountable with “tough love.” I need to know which spiritual gifts have been given to each one. I need to know if some are struggling with particular besetting sins. I need to be doing my part to make sure that we are unified, and all following our Great Leader, Jesus Christ.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
I Thessalonians 5:14
Quarterbacks are to “be precise,” and Christian ministers must be guided in precision by God’s Spirit, knowing what to say, and when to say nothing.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Proverbs 17:27
We have studied the quarterback’s knowledge of his opponent before, but it bears repeating: Christian ministers must know their fellow-laborers, and must know the strategies of our enemy.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
II Corinthians 2:11
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