This Election is Going to Go Bad and Why That is OK

Spending time writing on this blog on the election is the last thing I want to do. You can imagine the responses I get on my bloviations on religion....why add politics to the soup of my misery!?


My favorite posts to write are about Coach Bryant, football, or fishing- I actually feel popular!

But it is too hot a topic and too close to a reality- and knowing my little voice is a drop in a sea of insanity..... why not?

Our candidates for president are our fault.

Let me be more truthful.... our choices are my fault and yours too.

You may love your candidate, go vote and good luck. Now back to the rest of the sane people, let's be honest, you are going to cast a vote in a few weeks based on who you hate more or less than the other one.

In Alabama, I'm considering NOT voting for president. I could write in Nick Saban or Jumangi... it won't matter... In Alabama- a red,red, red state.... NINE electoral college votes will all go to Trump and you can take that to the bank.

The same can be said for Vermont on the blue side. If I were living in Vermont (now, Coach Woody McCorvey told me never to live in a town where they don't sell Sunbeam Bread)....coaching football..... I would at least consider not pulling the lever in this mess because no matter what I did, Vermont will cast all THREE votes for Clinton.

I will cast my vote for the down ballot candidates.. but as of this second- I just can't do it for President. There ain't a choice among any of them, Gary Johnson included that I feel can lead our nation. If I were in a swing state- yeah I probably would have to pick the less to two bad options. So my leaning right now is I'm not going to...but it no moral stance...if I am honest.....it is a cop out.

(NOTE: I WROTE SOME OF THIS BEFORE THE 3RD DEBATE- I WILL SAY THAT THE ABORTION ANSWER MAY HAVE FINALLY TIPPED IT FOR ME AND PROBABLY SHOULD)

If there is a disadvantage to the electoral college- it is that it looks like my vote doesn't count...I know, I know... it does... but the way I see it voters in Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida are picking him or her.

Back to our fault. And I will add one more controversial notion.... our fault and God's judgment. Before you get too hung up on this.... God's largest category of consequences, wrath, judgments, penalties.... is simply letting us go our own way. The penalty is contained IN the results of the choices.

BUT- He is not a "I told you so person at all"- but He told us what would happen and we do it anyway. He is ready to forgive me and you right now...

NOT ME... if I were God I would be much meaner about it.

Israel is living history about what happens when a nation forsakes God and His righteousness as their guide and truth.

For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms.
And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.

 and the result?.......
And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”;
in that day he will speak out, saying: “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people.”
For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.
(Isaiah 3:1-8 ESV)

 Now, I can hear the Joker frown at me and say "WHY..... SO..... SERIOUS?"

I can hear the media elites moan... "Another fool with a dystopian view"

And if you know me at all you know I will never give up hope.

But the best way to get on the right road is a real, honest evaluation of painful truth.

I hope you hang with me just a bit (might get worse before it gets better... but it is going to be OK).

OK- so WHY is this our fault? Because, as a whole... in our society:

• SCREENS TELL US OUR TRUTH NOW.... NOT READING/MEDITATING/ ATTEMPTING TO APPLY GOD'S WORD TO OUR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES

• OUR PERSONAL OPINIONS WILL NOT CHANGE IN THE LIGHT OF FACTS

• OUR PERSONAL OPINIONS MATTER MORE THAN ANY OTHER AUTHORITY

• FACTS ARE LOST IN A VAST OCEAN OF UNSUPPORTED TRUTH CLAIMS RETWEETED AD NAUSEUM OVER OUR SCREENS

• LEISURE/CONVENIENCE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SOCIAL JUSTICE

• ENTERTAINMENT HAS REPLACED WORSHIP AS OUR DEEPEST LONGING 

let me illustrate just one of these.....

WHY WIKI LEAKS BECAME WIKI FIREHOSE AND IN THE END, WAS LIKE POURING DASANI INTO A CESSPOOL.

I'm no fan of wikileaks... but wikileaks is what happens when elites decide that they can have two lives...personal and private.

I posted about this before.... right after Jesus condemns hypocrisy IN LUKE 12 he says:



I don't know Assange, Snowden, definitely don't know ANONYMOUS...  but I just can't help thinking their motives are just to upset the applecart... maybe anti-globalists... who knows?

I can't justify their morals... at the same time..what we have seen over the last few months and weeks is beyond disturbing... the attitudes and actions and deceit is shameful.

Now, before you go and call me a sour grapes republican who is just crying in my cheerios because Mrs. Clinton is going to win.... I'm just as disgusted with attitudes and actions in Trump.

No moral high ground here....... on either side... and I will say again.... in me as well.

BUT---- in the long run...does wiki-leaks matter?

If your Newsfeed is anything like mine it goes like this:

table for sale- 25 likes 2 comments

Meme with a crying' Michael- 600 likes and re-tweets

400 million cast sent to Iran- 1.5 k likes

fainting goats video- 3.8 K likes

a nasty virus disguised as my best friend' request for money who is trapped in Sri Lanka (skip)

my liberal friends latest- "I hate Trump" article from of 35 pro-liberal news feeds - 4 likes- 500 nasty replies

my conservative friends latest 'Lock up Hillary" rant from 45 pro-conservative news sites- 100 likes- 300 nasty replies written by 10 people (I am in Alabama)

Chuck Norris meme- 7.5 k likes

Bible verse- 35 likes

And I can go on and on

The counter to the Wiki-Leaks e-mails has been interesting to watch:

1) You get underlings to fall on their sword
2) You attack the illegal acquisition of such material
3) You question the accuracy
4) You just let it go away... as all social media posts do... lost in a sea of meme's and media

Regardless...... we have some mess here- the private opinions and actions of our elites do not match their public reality TV personas. And there is NO MORAL RESPONSE. We seem to have lost our ability to blush or act rightly from moral outrage.

OK- One more dark point before I turn on all the lights I can.....

The Federal Government looks nothing like the Constitution that it is supposed to be ruled under.
The Church looks nothing like the Bible that it is supposed to ruled under.

And my biggest fear is that we have a significant electorate that is unwilling to be ruled at all.

This is a net result of federal mandates that attempt to force what the federal government sees as universal imperatives for a very diverse people.

When I look at our massive, over regulating, over reaching over taxing, over spending Federal government - I get VERY CONCERNED.

My view of Government looks like this-  BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS:

POTUS- picking some laws to enforce and some to ignore- and writing his (or her) rules along the way

SCOTUS- a laboratory to experiment with societal ethics based on legal philosophy, not law.

CONGRESS (I call VOTE-US) - the group that runs for power and raises money 365 days of the year but does NOTHING ELSE 

This next election will be the most challenging attack on the American Constitution that has ever happened. The problem is that the fundamentals of the Constituition rest on the amazing balance of power that is prescribed therein.

We are all mixed up.

Can any candidate we have now fix it? Is it fixable?

Quick election analysis and comment then some good news... I promise!

TRUMP- He might win. I know that sounds absolutely insane from some of you pro and against. If he does, it will be because social media has replaced traditional media as the primary info source of the American people. The only example you need to see the possibility is the Brexit vote. If he does win, he will look like a genius...tapping into populist anger and pulling in record ratings as a Jerry Springer gunslinger ready to 'drain the swamp'.

If he does.... the legitimacy of the election will be fought on every level imaginable. I have found it quite humorous regarding the outrage of the left because Trump has hinted to casting doubt of the election if he loses. Really? Outrage? It will be played by BOTH sides...I promise. My fear is that the Trump blowback has a big probability of being violent in some places. My guess is that he will have to call out martial law to settle the thing down which will only play into his negative reputation.

CLINTON- Likely winner in my opinion. The machine is wide spread and powerful. But she will have a hard time leading as well. I see potential, terrible acts of rebellion against her as well.

Wiki-leaks and Comey ended up damaging her as a leader (of course her actions as well).

Can I mention something about Comey?... he really hurt us.

I am in charge of discipline at my high school.

Let's say I walk through my lunchroom one day and right out in the middle of that crowded lunchroom a student stands up and says, in front of his peers, "Hey Jay, bring that bald head of yours over here and talk some football."

I am immediately facing a very difficult issue-

Had he kidded with me privately (or in a very small group)... I might have a chance to correct him... I might know that he really didn't mean to be disrespectful... I might say, "Hey Jimmy- I like you, but when you call me by my first name, it convey's disrespect...whether you meant it or not. Also, I am fine being bald, but to use a teacher or administrator as the butt of a joke can seem disrespectful as well. If you do it again, I might have to give you some tough consequences... I could do so now.. but this is me giving you some mercy, knowing that you likely won't do that again...let's talk some football...OK?" Let me be clear here... some would tell me that even then, I was not wise in holding back consequences, because it may NOT have helped Jimmy...it might enable him to do it again after he has forgotten that this is a big deal (respect for authority is a BIG deal). If he does it again, I have no choice but to give him MORE punishment because he has directly disobeyed a very clear instruction. Sometimes a little mercy can unintentionally lead to a worse consequence.

But, I have a problem.... he didn't do it privately... he did it in front of everybody. And now I have an unfortunate situation... to go 'light' on him now could send an unintended message that does not adequately dissuade that behavior in the future. (This is where I usually get two negative reactions... "You're making an example out of him" AND "A deterrent isn't as effective as you think it is"- my response is to the first - NO the vicarious experience of others is a secondary motivation.. not primary and to the second, deterrence beats no deterrence for most normal humans)

Back to Jimmy- as much as I don't want to, I'm going to have to have him come in my office, explain why he has to be punished whether he intended to be disrespectful or not. The rule of law has very sharp and sometimes cruel teeth.

When Comey gave Clinton a break, he made a judgment... but he is not a judge. He took it up, criticized her (and I think damaged her) and gave her a pass. I do worry about her intent anyway..not to break the law, but to keep her actions in secret.

Jimmy got a suspension, he will come back and we can talk football and there is still some control of the rule of law in my lunchroom.

Clinton got a pass.... And I think we will suffer for that one for years.

Both parties after this election will have to re-think how they ended up with such poor candidates.

In my opinion, had the no shows in the republican primaries stepped out earlier and whittled the field, there might be a better candidate.

And on the democratic side, someone had to at least try to derail the machine, like Obama did in '08, you would have a more legit leader.

In my opinion- Joe Webb would have beaten Trump in the largest landslide in U.S. history.
Rubio would equal that versus Clinton.


Ok- so this was way too long... here is the light....

God is good and He is in control. Period

Politics will never save us.... but Jesus has already made that possible.

I still love our country and will pray for her.

I will yield to my government... but I will be more active than ever in the things I believe. I have been way too passive. The constitution is a good document and the American experiment is worth fighting for.

I am also going to work hard to keep promoting 'Whatever is Worthy' campaigns... we have to throw off our bickering and strive for unity.

IMPORTANT HERE: I hope I show love, compassion, and true patience..hearing to ALL my social media 'friends' who completely disagree with me. You know who you are!

When the Apostle Paul wrote the following words... the world was in worse shape... believe me..

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:1-8 ESV)

I still believe... how about you?

Third Saturday- Orange and Crimson Memories

There is something really special about the Alabama-Tennessee football game, traditionally known as the 3rd Saturday of October ( yes, I know it isn’t ALWAYS that). This game fits into the pageantry of the fall- when the leaves turn color, they seem to display orange and crimson as decorations on this great event. A cool crisp autumn day with an azure sky helps make this as good as it gets in college football.

Now that the broadcast colors are so good- I think it would be cool to have both teams wear their home colors in a game one day.

I wanted to reflect on why this game is special to me.

Special History- Coach Bryant’s and David Cutcliffe’s Influence

Weren't these pictures corny?

When I got to Alabama in the Fall of ’82, I discovered quickly that Tennessee week was very important to Coach Bryant. Back then, it was a very classy rivalry. Coach Bryant had great reverence for General Neyland and spoke fondly of him on many occasions. Coach Bryant’s emphasis on special teams had a lot to do with General Neyland. I also came to learn that a football catch-phrase “Riverside” (used to tell the offense and defense to change directions and begin going the other way) came from Coach Neyland and was in reference to the Tennessee river that flowed next to the practice fields.




It was also in the Fall of ’82 that my connections to Tennessee began. As I went to Alabama, my high school coach, David Cutcliffe, took advantage of a risky opportunity to join Coach Fulmer’s staff in Knoxville. It wasn’t surprising to me when I learned that Coach Cutcliffe had been instrumental in helping with a game plan that allowed Tennessee to upset Alabama in Birmingham the next season.

This was a note Coach Cut sent me during his time at Tenn

When I started coaching in the fall of 1991, it was Coach Cutcliffe who took great interest and time to help me. From 1993 until 1998, I spent at least a week in Knoxville during either spring practice or summer camp and had the privilege of attending coaches meetings and watching hours of game film. Coach Cutcliffe began teaching me pass concepts and his staff helped me improve our offensive system and pass protections.

This is an awkward picture for my Bama fans

The staff and atmosphere in Knoxville during those years was full of energy and personal warmth. When you consider Coach Fulmer's and his staff in those days.. It is a true ‘who’s who’ in college coaching: John Chavis, David Cutcliffe, Randy Sanders, Woody McCorvey, Trooper Taylor, Dan Brooks, Pat Washington, and I also loved talking to Condredge Holloway.


It wasn’t long before my friends and family weren’t real happy with my appreciation of UT orange. I was working their camps, showing their cut-up videos to teach our offense, and was telling folks about being in meetings with Coach Cut and Peyton Manning.

And Tennessee was having its way with Alabama during that time.


I always found it interesting that we won our 1st state championship at Briarwood(1998 and 1999) about the time that UT won the National Championship in 1999. Coach Cut left for Ole Miss and my time in Knoxville was ending.


t wasn’t long after that that the rivalry turned bitter. I know some inside information about the Eric Locke recruiting saga that was the seeds of that anger. It was unfortunate that fans and talk shows spun that up and for a time, it was harder to tell who Alabama fans hated more… Auburn or UT.

Thrilling Games and Long Streaks

Any research on the series shows long streaks:

1971-1981- 11 straight by Alabama

1986-1994- 9 straight by the Tide

1995-2001- 7 straight by Tennessee

and currently, Alabama holds a 9 game streak going into this Saturday.

Who could ever forget the 1990 game in Knoxville when Tennessee was set to win it with a FG. It was a 6-6 tie with only 1:45 left. Alabama blocked the kick and the ball bounced in such a way, that it was Philip Doyle kicking Bama to the 9-6 win on a 48 yard FG as time expired.

Another memorable FG block in 2009 when Mt Cody saved the unbeaten Tide against the Vols coached by Lane Kiffin.

THE VICTORY CIGAR TRIVIA

In the 1950's, Coach Jim Goostree began the after game cigar.

It was not spoken about a lot during the early years because the NCAA has a ban on tobacco products

 Since, 2005, Alabama self-reports a violation to the NCAA of their tobacco ban if the Tide wins the game.

ANALYSIS OF THIS YEAR'S GAME

I have watched both teams as close as a TV fan can. I was really concerned about this game because of how tough Tennessee played in Tuscaloosa last year.

For some reason , UT hasn't been dominant- though their 'will to win' in unquestioned. They have fought back from big deficits all year.

I think the weakness in UT is their offensive line. And while the opponent's defensive line is fresh, UT struggles to move the ball.

I think the big comebacks are a result of good scheme adjustments, and the defenses getting fatigued as the games move on. I'm also still convinced that signal stealing is an unrecognized factor in SEC games.

For Tennessee to win, the Alabama offense will have to turn the ball over. Is there a game in the future where Jalen Hurts looks like a freshman QB? If it were to happen this week, the crowd noise and momentum could be huge.

WHY I PICK BAMA

I think Tennessee is a beat up team right now. I think their injuries and lack of depth puts them at a big disadvantage.

WHY I THINK IT DOESN'T MATTER

My boldest prediction is that this game is meaningless... I expect both of these teams to play again on December 3rd in Atlanta with the winner getting a bid to the playoffs.

As a fan, I'm hoping Alabama has to self-report TWO NCAA violations this year.

Unusual Passage for Unity- I Corinthians 8

Paul was inspired to address many issues as he wrote a letter to the believers in Corinth in A.D. 55. 

He was in Ephesus at the time, but his heart and prayers were on the struggles that were threatening the church he planted in a strategic city during his 2nd missionary journey.

The church was not flourishing.... it was floundering in a pagan culture and seemed full of problems.

In reading the two letters that Paul sent (and always wondering about a third one), it seems to me that Paul's greatest desire was for believers in Jesus with vastly different backgrounds to find unity within their diversity.

If somehow they found a common faith and common core and a common bond... they would be able to make it through the other important struggles of the day.

I find I Corinthians 8 to be an interesting study on principles of unity.

As we come to the beginning of these points, it is important to notice the lead-up....

'Called to be saints together"... 1:2

"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." 1:10

"I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another." 4:8

"I say this (teachings on sexual immorality and marriage, contentment in the Lord) for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord." 7:35

So here we are in I Corinthians 8-

And Paul has been working through the issues.... division, pride, factions, theological disputes, sexual immorality (likely a common practice in pagan temples and trade guilds- part of career/social expectations) and now we come to idolatry and eating the meat that was sacrificed to pagan idols (and now available in the marketplace at a bargain price).

But the over-riding principle is a call to unity and the foundational truth that it requires:

Now concerning food offered to idols: 

Paul is doing double duty here.... Biblical thinking on a current issue, but having a goal of unity.

The general idea is.....  UNITY WITH DIVERSE CONVICTIONS

A LACK OF UNITY IS, ULTIMATELY, A LACK OF HUMILITY

we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

As he did earlier in the letter, Paul sees the root of divisions as pride. And the quickest cure is a self-killing embrace of humility.

UNITY IS MOTIVATED BY LOVE

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 

Humility and love go hand in hand. And without love, we cannot know God because He is love (I John 4:7,8).

UNITY REQUIRES TRUTH.... BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO SWALLOW IT

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 

UNITY REQUIRES PATIENCE - WAIT FOR MATURITY

However, not all possess this knowledge. 

The ultimate truth... if all idols are false gods and not real... there is no real issue here. This meat is neutral... BUT JUST BECAUSE THIS IS TRUE does not mean that some at Corinth had learned that truth....

UNITY WITHOUT A VIOLATION OF CONSCIENCE

But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.


UNITY WITHOUT CONDEMNATION

For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

UNITY BECAUSE I SURRENDER MY RIGHTS FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS AND THE SAKE OF CHRIST

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAD?

As Corinthians moves on- Paul keeps these principles in mind as he continues to warn against sinful attitudes and practices.

Ultimately, he leads to a higher way... a higher law.. a law of love. One that should carry us all to eternity.

These principles do not change in the 2nd letter to the Corinthians, but the tone is more joyful. The 1st letter is harsh but the 2nd one seems to indicate that the discipline was fruitful.

APPLICATIONS AND QUESTIONS FOR US IN THE 21ST CENTURY

• Do I desire unity? Does it mean enough to us that I would be willing to give up my rights for the sake of the gospel and for others?

• Am I willing to be patient and not offend the immature believer until the Lord grows them up a little?

• What is my attitude toward others who do not agree with me?

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN OUR CULTURE IF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST WORKED FOR, LONGED FOR, AND PRAYED FOR A SPIRIT OF UNITY IN HUMILITY AND LOVE?

Whatever is Worthy Day- April 8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. - Philippians 4:8

Dear Friends,

We live in a day where almost every day is national (something) day. I’m not sure who decides those things… But I AM ASKING A HUGE FAVOR!

I want as many people who would consider doing so- join me in making April 8 (4/8) as Global ‘Whatever is Worthy Day".

I want the only inspiration to be one of Paul’s final exhortations to the Church in Philippi as he found even good aspects of his imprisonment in a Roman prison.

What do we do on April 8th?

We want to saturate the World Wide Web, social media, the radio waves, the television news and entertainment world, the world of art and sports and business… With stories that lift up things that are true…. honorable...just...pure...lovely...commendable….highlighting excellence...proclaiming things that are worthy of praise.

Here are the requests/principles

1. Not everyone will participate and some will use the opportunity to do the opposite….. And the first way we ‘win the day’ is to not return or respond in kind. This is not a time for trolling...this is a day of grace.
2. Plan ahead- think about ways you can do this all day! From Midnight to 11:59 PM in every time zone. We have plenty of time and energy to deal with issues and pain and negativity… But I want you to consider how to minister to people who are in pain. Turn a mess into a miracle.
3. Please be authentic. The only thing you may be able to do is to try to think about these things. The worst thing we could do would be to REQUIRE anything. Let’s agree that we are not going to accuse or condemn any perceived lack of enthusiasm or participation.
4. Sure- we should be like this ALL the time...but is there any problem to find a day to dwell on goodness, mercy, and grace.
5. I have no idea how this will go…. But I'd one person is encouraged by this beautiful verse of Scripture… I will consider it a joy to try.

Ideas?

A website? I did create a facebook page …. https://www.facebook.com/worthyApril8/

A place to post testimonies or stories from the day?

National Empanada Day is April 8- a food holiday and national all is ours day.. These are positive days… I think we are still good… Celebrate!

What is April 8 is a poignant day of sadness for you? Even more so to ‘think’ on ‘whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise’

Suggestions?

Love-serve-forgive- intentional acts of mercy and kindness- write a note of encouragement- say ‘thank-you’ to all who serve you…..

Eat a meal with joy… Write a list of blessings… It is endless…...

So…. Re-tweet- share- pray……

This year. April 8, 2017 will be on a Saturday….. Let’s get the ball rolling.

The Voltron Force- 30 years Ago- Part 3- The Rise Of Voltron

There was no question that we were going to do the team again in 1986.

To be honest, it was refreshing to get back to just playing for fun... almost like being a kid again.

I think most innocent fun is best when there is a child-like quality to it. And speaking of 'child fun', it was about that time we got hooked on a cartoon called 'The Voltron Force'. For a few years it was 'General Hospital' and "Late Night with Letterman'.... but the new show (along with Miami Vice) was Voltron... and we grabbed a chance to watch it every time it came on.

So when we registered the team... we had new colors and a new identity... The Walk-offs 2.0 was now "The Voltron Force'.

We actually had team jerseys (t-shirts) with a Voltron Print on the front.



SNOPES: TRUTH! VOLTRON ENERGY IMPACT ON THE  REAL FOOTBALL TEAM

Ray Perkins' 1985 season was successful... the Van Tiffin kick against Auburn and fun Aloha Bowl win over USC had people feeling good. Few would have predicted that 1986 season would be Coach Perkins' last at the helm.

Despite denying rumors to the contrary... Coach Perkins resigned on December 31 to take over at Tampa Bay. Bill Curry would be the head coach at the start of the 1987 season.

So this is going to be doubted... but the fun and draw of the Voltron Force was putting serious pressure to keep even some scholarship players from joining us. Some of it was the leftover feelings from some of the old Coach Bryant players that they had been shunned in favor of the new Coach Perkins recruits.

One of our Voltron players (name withheld for protection) could do an amazing Coach Perkins imitation. He would entertain Bryant Hall for hours with his Perkins mannerisms and quotes. (Example: Coach Perkins said the word 'great' ALL the time.. one time we counted 73 greats in a 30 minute Ray Perkins TV show.)

The most common routine was this (Voltron Force) player standing in front of Alabama players doing a hilarious Ray Perkins imitation. His final line was..."Men, as far as this rumor about me going to Tampa Bay.. my feet are in concrete." To which a current player would blurt out.. 'WELL THROW HIM IN THE RIVER!".

This became such a hit because a player ACTUALLY said it in the back of the meeting room after Coach Perkins said that quote.

I will only say this... I personally counseled a couple of 'quality playing time players' that they would be glad years down the road that they stayed in the Crimson uniforms instead of trading them for a Voltron Force jersey.

VOLTRON FORCE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

Once the word got out that we were re-doing the team and naming it the Voltron Force... our  roster exploded with quality athletes. Former Huffman HS Viking QB Bart Knight left the football squad to add blazing speed to the Voltron Force secondary.

Before we officially registered the team, we had several former Tide players and some quality high school stars on the roster.

2nd BIGGEST MISTAKE I MADE

Ok- here is where it gets crazy.

I was working on the new playbook one night when my girlfriend (now my wife and best friend of 28 years) came and asked me if I would also coach the Phi Mu sorority football team.

She said they were desperate.. and like a fool.. I said yes. I told her I would practice with them on Sundays... have their games on Thursdays and the Voltron games were on Tuesdays for the most part.

What was I thinking?

For a while- it was incredible.

As soon as my friends found out I was coaching a sorority football team, I had 15 volunteers to be assistant coaches. I had an offensive coordinator, a defensive coordinator, a special teams coach and 12 other guys who showed up to practice to help!

But our season was quickly turned into a disaster...

Our very first game, my girlfriend was pancaked on our sideline by a huge Pi (Beta) Phi beast- she hit her head on a rock as she fell.

In one of those "there's no crying in baseball" moments- I ran to her and raised my voice....

"NO ONE ON MY FOOTBALL TEAM IS GOING TO LAY DOWN AND CRY!"

She sat up and gave it right back to me... "WELL GUESS WHAT... I'M NOT ON YOUR TEAM... I QUIT!!!"  and she did.

We were skunked and destroyed.... as I walked back into my room my phone rang.

It was the discipline chairman of Phi Mu... she called to inform me that my offensive coordinator had 'dated' at least 5 members of the team in a week's time.

So my girlfriend quit, we lost, and I fired one of my coaches in about a 4 hour period.

The team disbanded and we did not finish the season.

THE VOLTRON JERSEY

not the real jersey

Lee Clements showed us the jersey.. it had a Voltron picture on the front and had Voltron Force and our numbers on the back.

We can't remember why.. but for some reason, we couldn't get the front of the jersey done right away.. so we played the first part of the season with a blank front of the jersey. We finally got the picture on the front right before our last game... and to this day... we consider that to be the Omen that cast the winds of fortune against us!

But our jerseys were cool. When we walked on the field... most of the games were already decided.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I MADE

We rolled through the regular season without breaking a sweat. We had size, speed, and depth.

Mike Graham, an amazing receiver and athlete from Bayou La Batre, AL was unstoppable and we had good talent around him.

It was now time to play once again, for the campus championship versus the fraternity champion.

And based on protest work we did in the off season- the Law School was not going to be in the mix.

Our last few games, I noticed we were being scouted... and in our pride- we did not scout in return.

We went into the championship happy, fat, lazy, and cocky.

It was a nip and tuck back and forth game.

I hit Mike Graham early on a wheel route and we seemed to be rolling.

But the machine team answered every score with a score.

They were running a GREAT defense.. it was a hustling, disciplined underneath zone that made it hard for me to squeeze in some throws.

I threw an interception in the 3rd quarter... my first one of the season.

Our defense held and we were holding a slim lead into the 4th quarter.

That is when I made the worst coaching decision of my life......

We had the lead with just a few minutes left to play... and we were facing a 4th and 12.

The rules called for a team to declare on 4th down whether they would 'go for it' or 'punt'- which was an automatic 35 yard run-off.

And like an idiot- I elected us to go for it.

I called a roll-out pass with Mike Graham running a comeback at the chains.

I rolled, he cut, I threw, and it was wide.... out of bounds.

The other crowd erupted like they had won the super bowl.

Our defense came out a little dejected and the frat team scored almost immediately.

We got the ball back with very little time and... on 1st and 10 I threw my 2nd pick of the game... it was an amazing diving catch by their Strong Safety who had given me fits the entire game.

All they had to do now was run out the clock.

They snapped the ball.. the Qb held it and, instead of taking a knee, let Chris Lomabardo pull his flag.

Chris Lombardo called a time out and I saw the guys huddle.

FINDING A WAY TO WIN

The next play will go down in lore and legend.

The next play.... with just a few seconds left on the game clock...

The center snapped the ball and Chris slowly walked up.. and non-chalantly went to pull the flag.. BUT instead of pulling the flag, he tipped the football out of the Qb's arms into his arms and ran down the sideline FOR A TOUCH DOWN!!!!

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! We just won the game......

until the officials conferred....

and though there was no rule in the rule book... decided at that moment... that Chris had done an illegal play...

MACHINE WINS

THUS WAS THE END OF THE VOLTRON FORCE......

Mike Graham on the kick

My football playing days were officially done.

And that my friends all happened 30 years ago.... this fall.

PLEASE HELP ME COMPLETE THE VOLTRON FORCE/WALK-OFF ROSTER:

Jay Mathews
Lee Clements
Ricky Colbert
Chris Lombardo
Mike Graham
Thom Whitley
Mike O'Toole
Larry Strain
Charlie Eddy
David Lee Smith
Jim Hill
Bart Knight
Richard Woods
David Dean
Andrew Boyd

The Voltron Force- 30 years Ago- Part 2- Walk-offs Rock the Campus

Lee Clements and Charlie Eddy in front of Bryant Hall A.K.A. as the U.S.S. Perkins

We registered our team with the University Intramural System in Aug of 1985 under the name 'Walk-offs" which caused a fun buzz at Bryant Hall.

One of our first challenges was TIME.

On top of our required studies, Lee, Chris Lombardo, Charlie Eddy, and I were student dorm assistants at Bryant Hall. Coach Perkins decided to pick up the responsibilities there and, for the most part,we were good at getting it all done.

Recruiting Weekends were all day affairs

Things we did well: put out the mail, checked off meals as players and guests came through, did curfew check with the dorm director (a novel of stories there), put out 10 PM snacks, and we worked long hours during football camps.

Lee and Lombardo on Gameday

We were especially good on recruiting weekends on Gamedays. We put out tables and chairs in the courtyard. We set up the annex for the Bama Bells and guests. We cut up the barbecue. We transported the recruits and families to the game. We served cokes and hotdogs DURING the game. We took some of the recruits back and, occasionally, to the airport and we cleaned up that evening.

There is one thing, however, that we were MAJOR failures at. And I admit this to my shame.

We were awful at putting out and taking up the U.S. and Alabama state flags. Coach Perkins installed the HUGE flagpoles off the front of the dorm. They were so big that we renamed Bryant Hall..... to the U.S.S. Perkins.

We HATED flag duty... mainly because the flags we so large and the ropes weren't installed right...so most of the time the flags were wrapped around the poles so bad that the building looked bad.

Getting the flags unwrapped...especially if they were soaked from rain.. was a major pain. And often...it was just a give up until better winds came and unwound the mess.

At the beginning of the flag raising and lowering process, we were SO CAREFUL to honor the Stars and Stripes. We looked up the regulations and even tried to fold it in the triangle.... but that didn't last... sorry to say we missed some days, left the flags up (but they weren't spotlighted at the time), had no clue if there were half mast requests....a lot of the time we lowered them and literally flung them in the closet on the way to study hall.... it was a fail....

All of this to point out- WE HAD NO TIME TO PULL TOGETHER A FOOTBALL TEAM.

So, what I did next had profound implications for my later years as a coach.

I developed an offensive system that looks like the spread schemes that are used today. I wrote the system on notecards and had it where just about anyone could show up for a game and play without any practice.

And that is one unique factor of the Walk-off's and Voltron Force.... never had a practice. We just showed up at game time.... figured out who was there that day and proceeded to dominate.

THE WALK-OFF SYSTEM

The rules allowed for 3 offensive linemen and everyone was eligible to receive a pass except the center. The only blocking that could be done was a shield block (basically just getting in the way of a rusher).

My playcard system helped us stay organized

The system was about 5 plays that had a pass option regardless of the coverage. It had a built in blitz beater as both up-backs would fast release to the flats if the team used their 1 blitz per series option.

I always had a single cut route on the backside for any man to man defense and then a twins combination to the field to work against a zone.

In two years, the only times we were stopped was a receiver not being able to beat man to man (rare) or a GREAT  disciplined zone where they broke hard on the ball.

Years later (too late for me), I learned the need to use eyes and pump fakes (shoulder hunches) to give space against the zone.

The last advantage of the Voltron system was my ability to take a deep drop and run around until the receivers broke open- I called this 'doing the Flutie' based on what Doug Flutie did at Boston College.

One interesting note about the system.... we had a game that we could not attend and two former starting Alabama football players (and we think it was Joey Jones) took my play cards and totally rocked that game.

The defense was totally run by Clements, Colbert, and Lombardo and they killed it.

Final note about my playcards- Throughout my coaching years, I always carried with me a 'playbook' to team camps for help in 7 on 7's when I was coaching players I had never been with before. I used these at University of Tennessee camp with Tim Couch and Chris Leak. I used them at Ole Miss and a lot of other camps. We were always very successful with my simple notecard plays with throws to make against any defense. Coach Cutcliffe was good about complimenting my readiness to organize an offense quickly.

EARLY CONTROVERSY - The Machine is Real

Anyone familiar with Alabama knows the power of the greek influence, referred to for generations as 'the machine'. As an athlete, I was never in opposition to any machine endeavor and enjoyed watching the independent vs. machine bickering... especially in the realm of politics.

What I didn't realize, is that the machine had control over intramural athletics!

After a few weeks of competition, I began to note when and where games were being scheduled.

The greek teams were on the newest and nicest fields, were most convenient for spectators, and had the most efficient officials.

I soon understood that we were in an 'independent' league playing in a cowfield and using officials who knew little or nothing about football.

So we went undefeated through the regular season without a close game.

"Independent' Official

One funny story involved a team called the "Dawg Pound" who had a middle linebacker who ran his mouth at me the entire game.

"You guys think you're something. I  ain't impressed."

I was always pretty good about keeping my mouth shut. We would score about every 3 or 4 plays.

"I'm bringing some stuff at you QB, how you going to handle it?"

I hit Thom Whitley off of his blitz for a gain of about 30.

Finally, one of his own players went over and blocked him to the ground!

"Shut the #*#&* up man- you're an idiot!"

The official threw a penalty flag and ejected the guy who hit the loud mouth.

Then he marched the penalty off against us!

'Wait a minute I said... he was on their team!"

"Oh sorry."

He put the ball back and walked over to me.

"So how do I penalize that?" He was asking me!

I said, "If I were you, I'd eject the loud mouth, let the other guy back in because he was doing us a favor."

And he did !

MACHINE WINS

So- we won the independent league easily that season and that set-up the campus championship game against the greek league champion.

The game was moved to a Sunday and we showed up to a crazy crowd. These frat guys had brought a good crowd.  This was going to be fun!

One thing I haven't mentioned is that the championship team got to represent the University of Alabama in Mobile in the regional championship. It eventually went to a national championship.

And we played a great game and beat the Greek champion. We were excited about moving on to the region.

That was...... until we got the phone call for the next game.... a championship game against the Law School team... scheduled at the last minute,

What?

That is right... we played the next Tuesday against the Legal Eagles- with former Mt Brook Qb Lee Gresham as the signal caller. They looked sharp and were very athletic... a much cleaner looking group of young men!

They beat us by two Td's and the university was spared from having the "rag tag" Walk-offs move on to other games.

I recently e-mailed Lee Gresham to confirm this TRUE story and here was his reply:

See how he stuck that knife even deeper!

In part 3- we will see how the excitement of that remarkable season in 1985 paved the way for the birth of the Voltron Force and the cult attraction it became.......

The Voltron Force- 30 years Ago- Part 1- Roots of the Movement

This year marks the 30th anniversary season of the Voltron Force- one of deadliest and most controversial flag football teams in the Universtiy of Alabama's storied history.

Lee Clements, a few teammates, and I have recently finished an exhaustive research process to preserve the memory and legacy of two seasons that rattled the foundations of institutional process and control.

I don't know if time will allow us to thoroughly explore all of the providential circumstances that led to the formation of the cultural icon. But no one could have predicted the powerful attraction that some say threatened to weaken the actual Alabama football team in 1985 and 1986.

We believe it is safe now to tell the TRUE story of this group of dedicated athletes and competitors.

Part of the roots of this team go back to when a small but insane group of walk-on football players pushed the envelope of scout teams in the early days of Ray Perkins coaching era at Alabama.

In the fall of 1983- Lee Clements, Chris Lombardo, Ricky Colbert, Mike O'Toole, Scott Connell, and I began to explore ways to have 'fun' as scout team defensive backs.

The year before was not much fun - as I spent Coach Bryant's last season as the scout team QB. In those days, it was live tackling to the ground during team time. I have written on previous occasions that running scout team wishbone plays against Emmanuel King, Eddie Lowe, Tommy Wilcox and company wasn't the easiest gig in town.

But Coach Ray Perkins came in with a passing offense that sent me to defense and from the punished to the punishers.

THE TARGET

I don't know who started the 'ritual'- but the scout team defensive backs that spring decided to create what became known as the daily 'target'. Before every full pad practice, there was a brief vote on WHO would be the target on that particular day.

Then, a delegate from the crew would go into the varsity dressing room and 'post' on the chalkboard who was the (un)lucky winning receiver for that day.

That person was put on proper notice that if we had a chance to put the wood on them... there was going to be no hold back at all.

We justified our system by picking the guy who needed toughening up.

If a starting receiver had loafed or had a bad game the week before... we just made him the target of a weekly practice to 'increase' the intensity of his effort.

It was widely known that Jesse Bendross HATED being the target- which caused him to win a lot of votes. If we put a target with a number 88 in the middle of it... he would stop getting dressed, storm into the scout team dressing room and plead his case.

No one would pay him any attention and finally, someone would blurt out, "Get out of here, Jesse" along with, "I hope Walter doesn't hang you out to dry on that crossing route."

There was one receiver who was never voted the target.... Joey Jones.

We were afraid of him and no one minded admitting that.

(The next Spring, I was moved to receiver and was targeted a few times... which does prove that 'your sin will surely find you out")

But the Fall of 83 was interesting.... Lee and I decided to try a few things to pick up practice....

Coach Perkins had used white helmets for some of the games and we decided to use them for the scout team when we played Tennessee. We grabbed as many orange T decals that we could find and decorated the helmets.... then we went and hid in the bushes around the outside of the practice field.

When the varsity came out- they were looking around to see where the scouts were.

We planned when to come out..... right before team stretching and we tore out from the bushes wearing Tenn Orange and screaming like a bunch of banshees.....

The varsity guys got a good chuckle out of it and we had a fast, fun practice- but it didn't help as we lost  34-41 at Legion field.

We did the same thing for the Auburn game... Lee and I drove to Birmingham to buy the decals from Hibbett's Sporting goods.... same result ... lost 20-23.

I moved to Wide Receiver the next Spring... after that, Coach Perkins offered for Lee and I to work for the athletic department as student dorm assistants in Bryant Hall, but it meant our official football days were over.

Well, we thought they were over.....

That next fall, 1985- we realized we had a lot of former Alabama players who were still wanting to compete... so we organized a team we called 'The Walk-offs' and entered the world of Intramural flag football. That team was the pre-cursor of the Voltron Force in 1986.

In Part two....

We will explore the Walk-offs inaugural season and how it  took  the league by storm and challenged the university intramural system to its limit.

I'm sure these stories will go viral soon.........

Winning

With college kickoff weekend just in our sight, I thought I would spend a time on a topic we think we know a lot about, but usually, haven't taken the time to study it or analyze it.

What is winning?

Coaches of all sports at all times have given inspirational speeches and spent seasons or years teaching about it.

One of the first things to understand about winning is that it is in a context..... winning is always in a context of competition where there is also a chance to lose.

The intensity of the competition elevates the enjoyment of winning and increases the pain of losing.

Winning and losing can actually become a trend in a person's life. Winners don't win all the time- but they contain certain attributes that allow them to experience it more often.

Losing can become a habit as well. Losers may win on occasion, but generally, their composition is such that winning is sheer luck and losing is almost an expectation.

I have a 6 domain approach that outlines winning in any context- sport, life, business, or relationships.


Winning the Investment

The harder you work the harder it is to lose. I find that a sacrificial and personal investment in a cause or desire will allow for the greatest chance of success.

My guess is that we know this enough to pay lip service to it.

The will to win is conditioned by the will to prepare to win. And the best yardstick of future success is 'what are you doing right now?". What you do today will shape who you are in the future.

I will mention one other thing... there is a rare breed of a champion who is willing and able to invest with the same intensity while on top as they do in their climb to the top.

Most people scratch and claw until they achieve their quest... then they lay down in satisfaction and soak it in. And there is a healthy way to do that.

But I admire and give great props to those who still dig hard every day even after they have reaped great success!

Winning the Intelligence

There are some winners who understand that work is one thing... but SMART work is even better.

Every time you compete..you learn. A winner takes a loss and studies it to the point that it will be harder for that circumstance to ever happen again.

A winner MUST be a learner. A winner needs to thirst after wisdom and knowledge.

A winning coach must always be open to evaluation and correction.

Losers are afraid of information... they protect themselves from it....

They are afraid of being exposed for a lack of knowledge.

But their fear of showing a deficit prohibits them from learning.


Winning the Messaging

Winners are constantly sending a message...it is a body language... it is a narrative. Winners know how to send that message deep inside themselves as well.

By the way... there is no more POWERFUL message than BIBLE verses.

It is what Jesus used in the wilderness of temptation.

If you have never tried it- I encourage you to plant God's Holy Word DEEP in your heart. And I promise, you will win the messaging...

on the inside AND on the outside!


Winning the Unity

A winner is never alone and a winner understands that success is a 'we' and not a 'me'. Even great champions of individual sports know how to build a team. AND. nothing is more powerful than a unified TEAM.

When I was coaching football... that was my one desire... could I somehow press and request and push and teach... that this whole deal was bigger than any one person.

The common denominator of all of the state championship teams that I was blessed to be a part of was BONDS OF BROTHERHOOD... and it wasn't just players. Players loved and trusted players... loved and trusted coaches... loved and trusted support personnel... loved and trusted parents... loved and trusted administration... who loved and trusted  parents... who loved and trusted ...

well you get it.

Some of you, I bet, believe that this is just talk and not true....

I feel sad if you have never experienced it... the power of UNITY

It doesn't mean perfection..It doesn't mean total agreement....

but it is love and trust...

hard to achieve.

But when it happens, LOOK OUT- that group will NEVER lose..no matter what the score may say otherwise!

Winning the Battlefield

The battlefield is the reality of the competition. It is no longer prep and planning- it is fight in a flurry and adjust as the conditions change. It is a disciplined fight. It is incredible intensity at the point of attack while still having eyes to study the flow and the flanks.

Winning is 'being' not 'doing'

This last domain is almost a summary of all of the others. A winner doesn't win as much as that person IS a winner. That is their very blood flows with positive expectations and an unbending hope.

BOTTOM LINE:

This weekend.. there will be a lot of intense competitions between very talented and well coached teams.

When time expires, there will be a 'winner' and a 'loser'.

But true winners will not be marked by that declaration....

if they won- GREAT- but let's keep moving forard

if they lose- HURT- but then a rugged determination to correct and conquer next time.

True losers will not be confirmed either.

if they win... they begin to bask in the glow and do nothing to get better

if they lose... they employ defense mechanisms and speak sour grapes..

they will blame... and blaspheme....

and deep inside they will long for something that they know they will never be......

When you go to bed tonight- thank the Lord.... and tell Him you want to WIN

And when you wake up tomorrow- thank Him again- and tie your shoes tight and walk tall like a winner.

Tell yourself.... I am NEVER going to give in and keep fighting.

Victory is just around the bend.

A Story and A Journey

Note: Every testimony is unique. Some are dramatic and some are the sweet blossom of good seed and soil. Some come to faith in a moment and some are led on a path of years. 



This is my story.

Do you remember having your eyes opened to the gospel- the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ?

My parents were good to get me in church a lot growing up. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Bible sword drills all began the process.

I remember, Jack Rutledge, father of Alabama QB Jeff, putting his arm around me and quietly asking me to give my heart to Jesus. I tensed up and was unwilling… little did I know that those faithful seeds were going to root in time…. ( I was excited to tell him years later of my conversion).

My first 'experience' with God was at the age of 8 when I was baptized at Ruhama Baptist Church in Birmingham. It was during a revival and I felt like I was ‘supposed’ to go down the aisle. I remember a Pastor meeting with my mother and me. During this meeting, he showed me a Good News Bible and pointed to a picture of a shepherd and sheep. I just shook my head “yes”. I really did not know what I was doing.. no understanding at all!

The baptismal ceremony was performed in freezing cold water because the water heater was broken. It took my breath away as I went under. In later years I laughed that this was a little humor from the Lord about my “cold” baptism.

I tried to be a good boy for about 2 weeks but eventually regressed to being the same ole me.

All of these were important experiences with God… but it wasn’t the ‘eye opening’ experience that precedes conversion. I do, however, vividly remember that initial time of understanding….

It was in 8th grade, I remember a Sunday School teacher explaining the gospel in a way that I actually understood it. My sin was real and Jesus’ sacrifice made complete sense in bridging the separation I had with God.

Even though the good news had been presented maybe hundreds of times before that.. I did not understand.. it did not ‘click’. But that day.. it made so much sense..I was in sin… Jesus was the substitute for sin… but it created a PROBLEM!

I vividly remember thinking “I’ve already been baptized, so I can’t tell anyone that I’m not a real Christian” And I lived in conflict off and on for a long time. I knew I wasn’t living for God and I believed that I was going to hell. It disturbed me whenever I thought about it.

I was playing a video game in the mall and a little girl came up with a gospel tract. I treated her very rudely, but inside I still felt condemned.

Another time a girl I knew well told me that I couldn’t be a Christian because of my behavior. I told her that I had been baptized. She said that baptized or not, I lived like I was going to hell. Deep in my heart, I knew she was right.

Getting to high school actually provided escape from these thoughts and found that I was hardening to the idea that I was not a believer. Sports were a great diversion and offered some reward as an idol. I received recognition and relationships and I experienced a lot of success.

My realization about eternity abruptly came back up in the summer before my junior year. An acquaintance of mine was tragically killed while robbing a convenience store. He was with a group who was doing it just for the thrill. I was heartbroken and our school was in despair!

I remember receiving this news from my mom as I was coming home from Sunday School. I don’t know why I went to church that day and remember nothing from the visit.

All of the students were grief stricken and I was confronted once again with the idea of death.

We had a student gathering at a home and I was very impressed by the message. It was my first experience with Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. A minister, Tom Caradine, gave a clear gospel presentation along with Biblical answers for grief and loss. I was stirred immensely.

After the meeting, a college student who had been an athletic role model for me, Benny Parks, found me and shared a gospel tract with me. The tract had a drawing of two lives (see below) and I knew that my life was not being directed by Christ.

The above image was me… and I wasn’t happy with my life at al!

This is what I desired… and it led me to a desire to get it right with God!

I went home and re-read the tract and knew it was time to make a choice. I got on my knees and prayed that God would forgive me and take me back. At the time, I thought I was re-dedicating my life to Christ. I now know from thinking through Scripture that this was my actual conversion.

Right after that prayer, I got up and went to sleep..no smoke or fireworks. But when I woke up the next morning..I remembered and I knew something was different.

Some immediate changes took place. I told my mom and a few friends that I had re-dedicated my life with Christ. This was a big step for me. I also began to read the Bible with great interest. I read the whole New Testament in about 2 days and the words seemed to burn in my soul. I have not had that sensation since, but it was a really cool moment.

I had a friend of mine make a poster for me to put in my football locker. I wanted coaches and teammates to know that I had made a change.

I also had a real sensation of peace with God. My anxiety about eternal destruction was completely gone. I have had this peace for so long now, that I have almost forgotten what the stress of condemnation was like.

All of this took place 36 years ago! 

Looking back in the light of Scripture like Romans and others, I now see that prayer night of my Junior year as being my conversion. And though there were times I did not live like a believer after that, I know that that was the moment of repentance and faith. I have failed Him many times... but He has never failed me!

In all of those years since, I have had the joy and agony of what it means to walk with God. I have had times of power and purity and I have had seasons of sin and sorrow.

In a long trail behind me are people who I shined a beautiful and loving light for Christ and there are others who might be convinced I am the devil.

I will say this.... it is one decision I have never regretted... and having Jesus in charge is a blessings. His plan for my life is much better that I could have ever done alone.

When I post these things....my all-too-human  motive is always in question.

But my heart aches in these moments with a prayer.....

What is keeping you from Jesus?

Some men think they are too good for Jesus. "I have everything I need... I don't really need Him... I'm not a bad person... I haven't robbed a bank or killed someone."

Most men think they are too bad for Jesus. "If you only knew what I have done!"

Are you afraid of what people may think?

Are you too stubborn to let the air out of your pride?

Drop all of your pretense and bow your head... right now...

And simply ask .....

My greatest prayer I have ever prayed is "God, please help me!"

And Your loving Heavenly Father RUNS to those kind of heart prayers.

And for a few days... just spend some time with Him.

Read the Bible.... I recommend Philippians and I John for those who feel new or weak in the faith.

Find a Bible believing friend and ask them to meet with you once a week.

Find a Bible believing church and start attending on Sunday mornings.

All of those recommendations are not to get you religious... they are places to get to know Jesus.

The One who died... so you may live.

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:11-15 ESV)