Saturday, October 22, 2005

We Lost - Praise the Lord

This will sound like a crazy post. We lost a heartbreaker last night. One of the worst kind of losses- we had opportunities to win. Please understand that losing kills me- my heart hurt very deeply last night. I always feel like I have let my players down. But my hurt will not keep me from praising the Lord Jesus. He will always bring glory and triumph- it is hard to see because He sees in the light of eternity.

As I walked off the field, an opposing parent came to me. She asked if I was the coach and I said yes. She said, "I went to your (school) website this week and wanted to commend you on your stance for Christ."

Now I have to face my team and tell them what is facing us- if we win next week we keep playing in the playoffs, if we lose we are out. Playoffs begin for us a week early.

Psalm 112 says, "1 Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten. 4 When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.

6 Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 9 They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. They will have influence and honor. 10 The wicked will be infuriated when they see this. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted."

A football game isn't much in a world of war and cancer- I went from hurting to happy in Christ and desire for the gospel to go forth. I wish others could have what Jesus Christ has given me!

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Give Thanks and TELL

Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies. 3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in the desert, lost and homeless. 5 Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. 6 "LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. 7 He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. 8 Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. 9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains. 11 They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. 12 That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one helped them rise again. 13 "LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 14 He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. 15 Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. 16 For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.

17 Some were fools in their rebellion; they suffered for their sins. 18 Their appetites were gone, and death was near. 19 "LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He spoke, and they were healed – snatched from the door of death. 21 Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. 22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

God has redeemed me
He has saved me
He rescued me
He freed me
He healed me

How can I not tell of Him and praise Him and sing joyfully?

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Standards

1 A psalm of David. I will sing of your love and justice. I will praise you, LORD, with songs. 2 I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to my aid? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. 3 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them. 4 I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. 5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. 6 I will keep a protective eye on the godly, so they may dwell with me in safety. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. 7 I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence. 8 My daily task will be to ferret out criminals and free the city of the LORD from their grip.

We are not saved by good deeds- but our desire to serve Christ should cause us to have some of these uncompromising standards.

I have violated almost all of these.