Football Famine

OK OK folks, I know this isnt a very "spiritual" post, but it's ok to lighten up a little from time to time from all the seriousness of this forum.

Most of you know that football is a big part of my life. When I was a young buck I played from the time I was 7 yrs old all the way to my senior yr in HS... linebacker, defense end, tight end on offense... and full back when we needed 2 yards for a 1st down. And now that I'm old and put out to pasture, I coach... and I love it. And my two older boys are playing the same positions I did. The only difference is they are now both 1" taller than me... and they are only 13 and 14 yrs old! Wait till they hit their growth spurt!

Anyway, I've posted things on here from time to time written by Charlie Daniels (yes, of 'Devil Went Down To Georgia' fame), and it's generally got something to do about his faith, or the direction of America.

This time, he hit a chord with me... and I loved this article because it is so much what I was feeling yesterday afternoon. Folks like Mike (crsschk) and Mr. Bill I'm sure can identify.

Anyway, for those who want something a little different to read... enjoy...

Krispy

[b]Football Famine[/b]
[i]by Charlie Daniels
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

I truly love the Super Bowl and I thought that this year's was one of the best ever.

The only thing I don't like about the Super Bowl is that it signals the end of the season. I know, I know, there's the Pro Bowl, but it's not the same. It actually don't mean anything except to honor the best players of the year by giving them a trip to Hawaii.

No more Monday Night Football, no more Thursday Night Football, no more Sunday doubleheaders or Saturday college games of the week. It's a sad state of affairs.

Actually I suffer at the end of every season with P.F.S., or Post Football Syndrome, and I've got the feeling that I'm not alone.

When you stop and think about it, football comes easing in with the preseason , when they're really not serious, just trying out the rookies and protecting the stars, only letting them play a quarter or so.

In the eyes of a real dyed in the wool fan it's a little aggravating to see your team take the first string out when you know they coulda won if they'd just left them in for another series of downs.

But we just have to suck it up and wait until next month when the season comes roaring in like a lion and consumes us for five months and then starts tapering off to the playoffs and finally the Super Bowl.

Every year when the Lombardi Trophy has been presented it seems that the wind has just gone out of my sails. The sight of the stadium hosting the Super Bowl emptying out is like letting the water out of the pool after summer is over.

I get a feeling like it's graduation night all over again. You get your diploma, say goodbye to your friends and wonder, "what the heck am I going to do now?"

My son, Charlie, Jr., is just as rabid about football as I am. He uses his season tickets for every Titans home game and is probably the loudest fan in the stadium. If I'm on the road, I'll call him on his cell phone and get live updates.

Now Hazel is not nearly as big a fan as Charlie, Jr. and myself but she does occasionally get excited about a football game, especially if the Oklahoma Sooners are playing. She is from Tulsa. I never pull for whoever is playing Oklahoma, no matter who it is… at least not while she can see what I'm doing. She can get downright ornery about it. Needless to say that she was not happy with the outcome of the National Championship Game this year.

It's not that I don't like other sports. In fact I like them all to one extent or another. I have been an Atlanta Braves fan for over four decades and March Madness and the Final Four get a little rise out of me. I like to watch Tiger Woods and the guys swat the little white ball around and if I understood it better I could probably get into a hockey game or two.

But let's face it; none of them is football…bone crunching, mouth smashing, adreniline pumping, heart stopping football.

I'm sure I'll get through the offseason. At least I've got one thing to inspire me in this drought. My beloved Tennessee Titans are playing in the Hall of Fame Game next season, the very first game of the year. It's only a preseason game, but it's still football.

Bring it on.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

February 6, 2009[/i]

OK OK folks, I know this isnt a very "spiritual" post, but it's ok to lighten up a little from time to time from all the seriousness of this forum.

On the topic of sports this is quite a good sermon

[b]The Christian View Of Sports (To The Parents) by Alex Marini[/b]
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=463

Description: A challenging message on the proper view Christians should have about sports. Competition in sports is examined in the light of the scriptural admonitions to love and esteem each other better than ourselves.

OK... sorry.

Heard that message before. Has some good points, however as coach I disagreed with other points of the message.

Coaching is the greatest mission field God has given me.

Anyway, I apologize for posting this if it is outside the bounds of the rules.

Krispy

Brother I would encourage you that the main tenor of the forums should be serious.

The sermonindex.net site is not meant to be a community where we can express all facets of our life. But rather it is a place we can come to discuss and meditate on "things above".

Take a chill pill, Bill.

Krispy

The sermonindex.net site is not meant to be a community where we can express all facets of our life. But rather it is a place we can come to discuss and meditate on "things above".

With all due respect, Greg... coaching football is a ministry to me.

Granted, this article was not about that, but I think you know me well enough to know that this conversation would more than likely turn into me testifying about how the Lord has used me over the years to touch hundreds of lives of kids... especially the unchurched young men with no dad in the picture.

I understand where you're coming from, and I respect that. And again, I apologize for posting something that you dont think should have been. But before writing something off as temperal or not set on "things above"... why not give it a moment and see how it develops?

This topic is a huge part of who I am, and what God created me for... and since my mind IS set on "things above", then it would be a very natural thing for this to turn into a very spiritual conversation rather quickly.

The cheese maker doesnt just go to the farm an pick up cheese... he gets it in the form of milk, and then it develops into cheese over time.

Krispy

This comment is not about kripsy, his ministry, or kids playing games. It is solely about the article posted by a proclaimed Christian author.

[u]I truly love the Super Bowl[/u] and I thought that this year's was one of the best ever.

The only thing I don't like about the Super Bowl is that it signals the end of the season. I know, I know, there's the Pro Bowl, but it's not the same. It actually don't mean anything except to honor the best players of the year by giving them a trip to Hawaii.

No more Monday Night Football, no more Thursday Night Football, no more Sunday doubleheaders or Saturday college games of the week. It's a sad state of affairs.

Can the beloved apostle provide a word from the Lord on this matter?

1 John 2:15-17

[u]Love not the world[/u], neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, [u]the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life[/u], is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

What a sad day when professing Christians blatantly state that they love the things of this world. Is their no shame for our worldliness or smallest desire to wrestle against it in the prayer closet anymore? No, instead we can boast about it and get a big smile in reply from the church in babylon...

To end in the words of the author

It's a sad state of affairs.

-Jim

It was not my intention to post something that would cause strife among the brethren. But it is true that anything anyone posts here has the potential to cause strife.

Therefore, I regret having posted.

By the way, I love sunsets... venison... and my wife and children. How is that any different? (not arguing w/you Jim, you know I love you... just asking)

Krispy

By the way, I love sunsets... venison... and my wife and children. How is that any different?

Brother, please pray about it and read a few commentaries (I recommend Henry and Wesley for balance) on 1 John 2.

In Christ - Jim

Jesus was a joyful person, continually urging his followers to be joyful. He explains to his disciples, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" John 15:11.

Christ's joy did not come from the world and the things of this world. Nor did He come to teach us how to live our best lives now. Christ's joy is completely different then what a man gets from watching football.

See...! A spiritual discussion has broken out!

I could start a thread about changing the oil on my Jeep and the Holy Spirit would come and turn it into a spiritual discussion.

I've been here a long time, and I've seen the most spiritually benign comments and threads become great sources of inspiration, conviction and encouragement.

Krispy

So if he did not come to teach us how to live our best life, that to me would only mean he did not want us to follow him. I want to try my best to live my best life, so if Christ lived a perfect life, I would only assume he lived the best life.

If I didnt know better I would think you went to Osteens church...

;-)

Krispy

So if he did not come to teach us how to live our best life, that to me would only mean he did not want us to follow him. I want to try my best to live my best life, so if Christ lived a perfect life, I would only assume he lived the best life.

Bill-

That was speaking of the false teacher / devil Joel Osteen. I am not going to get into an argument with you, your folly is manifest on its own thoughout the history of this forum. I will however write to keep others from being seduced from the true faith and becoming reprobated through their love of the world (such as presented in this article) and also by false teachers (and their faithful disciples on this forum).

SI -

Christs version of living your best life now does not include loving the world and things of this world.

-Jim

Uhmmm... Bill, I have serious issues w/ Osteen too. But I've beaten that horse enough.

Krispy

Well, I have serious issues with a lot of Pastors out there, but I still do not call them the Devil, after all they to are Gods children "aren't they"?, I guess it's ok to call Gods children the Devil in somes world, but you sure won't catch me doing this.

May all of the true saints on SI consider these words against the word of God. We truly live in a day of deceived deceivers.

*EDIT*

And consider the original subject of this thread in light of God's word as well.

-Jim

No, actually not everyone is a child of God, Bill.

[b]1 John 3: 1-2[/b]
[i]Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that [b]we[/b] should be called the [b]sons of God[/b]: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, [b]now[/b] are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.[/i]

The clear implication here is that the children of God are those who believe and have been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And the second clear implication here is that those who do not believe the truth, and have not been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit are [b]not[/b] children of God.

I'm not going to pretend the judge Osteen's salvation. I cant possibly know his heart. But what you said here about all being the children of God is exactly the same thing that Osteen said on the Glenn Beck show last month when he said he's been to India and met hundreds of Hindus who love God with all their hearts.

Bill I love you... but you need to examine the influence your under.

Krispy

And consider the original subject of this thread in light of God's word as well.

I have, and it's ok to like football in the proper framework and context of a godly life.

Krispy

Getting back to the original article and the scripture I posted, I was hoping we could take a closer look at it for edification.

1 John 2:15-17 KJV

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

This scripture gives a very frightening warning that those who love the world have not the love of God in them. This certainly flies in the face of what the average evangelical church goer ("laity" included) lives and teaches (let alone popular tv preachers).

From Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary...

The things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but believers must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them. The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays. The things of the world are classed according to the three ruling inclinations of depraved nature. 1. The lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after honour and applause. The things of the world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away. The love of God shall never fail. Many vain efforts have been made to evade the force of this passage by limitations, distinctions, or exceptions. Many have tried to show how far we may be carnally-minded, and love the world; but the plain meaning of these verses cannot easily be mistaken. Unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain an unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the god and prince of it.

You know Paul, you can sit next to a person having a beer or two and getting drunk, but that does not mean that you are under the influence of alcohol when you get up and leave, right?
I am not under the influence of "ANYONE" but Jesus Christ. I am old enough and wise enough to know what to intake and what to let go out. O by the way for all those that are not up to date on Mr. Bill's life because I see some here are not, I have not attended Lakewood for 9 months now and I am attending a smaller Church called Faith Assembly right down the street from my home. Should I post this pastors name so all of us "saints" can judge him also?

Like Obama sitting under Jeremiah Wright for 20 years and not being influenced by his socialist racist rants?

Yea... there's no evidence of socialism in what we see in the Obama administration.

Wright was right when he said America's chickens are coming home to roost. We're seeing it right now!

Bill, the Bible tells us to "avoid", or seperate from false teachers... not sit under their teaching.

Krispy

heading towards perfection

... oh that would be fun. Another discussion about "sinless perfection"! :-?

Krispy

Yes, I did miss that. I think I knew that, but I forgot.

My apologies. Well done.

And yes, please post his name so I can get to work on exposing him... lol. (just a joke!)

Krispy

How about I just pray for him... since you're in his congregation! lol

Krispy