Time for Tebow

While everyone else in the world is putting out their two cents on the Miracle Man Tim Tebow, I thought I would join the party.  I am really not sure where this blog about the QB leading Denver is going to go, but this much I am sure of, there is a 10 year old boy in my house who has found a hero. Now Drew just sees the tough runs, come from behind victories and the overtime 80 yard bomb that sunk the Steelers.

As a parent I see the post-game news conference where Tim comes off awkwardly charming and sincerely genuine, incredibly out spoken about his faith and love for Jesus.  While the half world is taking shots at his arm angle, orthodox throwing style and his lack for being a true QB and the other half argues if there is a place for faith in football and sports in general, I see someone that for my boys is worth watching.  And not just between the lines.

I grew up emulating Ryne Sandberg.  I knew nothing about his character or him as a person.  I just knew he played second base for the Cubs and that is what I wanted to do when I grew up. #23 was the number on my jersey and number in my heart.  I defended him as nearly perfect, the best second basemen the game ever had.  I love that my boys love a winner on the field.  I love more that my boys love a person who is a winner off the field and in life.

Tim Tebow may, but possibly won't win a Super Bowl or an MVP, but he has won over my kids and as a parent that is just fine by me.  Sometimes we need to measure a winner by not only the wins and losses on the field but the man he is off.

So Go Broncos, at least Go Tim.  (Still and always will be a Bears Fan)

Leaving Athens

Today was the first day of the 2012 at least in terms of LifeGate Church.  We have taken residency of Veterans Park Elementary School and looking to be a light into that immediate community.  Tucked in the message of my good friend Ashley Wilson was a statement that was as much a side note as anything, but it stood out like a flashing light blinding my eyes.

Ashley mentioned how the Apostle Paul worked and toiled in Athens to plant a church with very little success and he left Athens for Corinth.  It got me thinking about the Athens in our lives.  Athens is the places that we have labored, toiled, sweat, blood and tears poured out only to find little success.  Funny how Paul never mentions that Athens was a worthless venture, only that his work bore out little success.

Could it be that the Athens in our lives are preparations for the Corinth's to come?  In the sacred text of the good book we find two letters to the church at Corinth.  Those two books are filled with some wonderful praises for that group of saints and some pointed corrections for that same group of saints.  Yet we find no letter to Athens, no further mention of fledgling fellowship.

I have had Athens in my life.  Blood, sweat and tears and little success found.  Although Corinth might have been the 1st Centuries Las Vegas, Paul found success in the hearts and lives of those people.  The lights of the strip of Corinth could be blinding, but Athens has prepared my for what is ahead.  May the days ahead bring great fruit as we leave Athens and move to Corinth.