An Incorruptible Crown

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Tonight is a huge night in the world of hockey. The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Tampa Bay Lightning in game seven of the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals to decide who will play the San Jose Sharks for the right to hoist the Stanley Cup. If you're as big of a sports fan as I am, you understand when I say that there's no bigger part of the sports year as far as I'm concerned.

If you try to convince me that there is any more prestigious trophy in sports than the Stanley Cup, you might as well try to argue with a brick wall. I can tell you right now that there will be no sale. There are several reasons for that. First, it's no ordinary trophy, but it's nearly three feet tall and is made up of 35 pounds of silver. Second, it has a history that no other trophy can come close to competing with. If you don't believe me, a quick Google search will reveal some of its bizarre experiences. Third, the winners have their names engraved into the rings on the Cup's base, literally etching them into the history of the sport. Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, it's unique. There's only one Stanley Cup, meaning that no team has a case full of them, including the 24-time Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens.

Well, perhaps a bit of an asterisk should be attached to that last point. While it's technically not incorrect to say that the Cup is unique since the same trophy is awarded year after year, there are, in reality, three Stanley Cups. Obviously, the original 1892 Cup is one. The "Replica Cup," which was made in 1993 is another. Its purpose is common sense. When the "real" Stanley Cup is on official business, the Toronto-based Hockey Hall of Fame displays this version so that fans can still interact with the prized trophy. However, for the purposes of this post, the third version, 1963's "Presentation Cup" is likely the most relevant.

It was in 1963 that NHL President Clarence Campbell commissioned the creation of a new Stanley Cup because he was afraid that the original had become too fragile to stand up to the rigors the trophy was subjected to. If you made that Google search I suggested earlier, you won't have to wonder why. Again, the decision was one based on common sense. If you have as prized of a relic as the Stanley Cup, you naturally want to take care to preserve it. Since its retirement, the Original Cup has been on display in the Vault Room of the Hall of Fame.

In the story of the Stanley Cup, we find that the most timeless of trophies still fall victim to time. Nothing lasts forever. Everything in this world eventually fades away. As the hymn "Abide with Me" says, "change and decay in all around I see." Eventually, this old world itself will burn up, and everything in it will be gone.

I'm not going to tell you that there is no value in some temporal things. I do some work as a high school sports photojournalist, and personally, I think there's a great deal of value in the athletic pursuits those kids I cover take part in because of the character building that can take place. Still, it doesn't last forever. In 100 years, I and the vast majority of them will have long been forgotten for our involvement, proving that point. What then, can we do to establish something that will last forever?

There's only one answer to that question. It is to live a life of service to God. The Apostle Paul used multiple sporting analogies in his epistles to illustrate the importance of perseverance in God's work, but he also pointed out that the glories offered by those sports were temporary. The crown won by ancient Olympians faded away, just as the original Stanley Cup weakened. However, a life lived in service to Jesus Christ will be rewarded with an eternal crown that will survive eternity. It will be something that we can cast at the feet of Jesus in thanksgiving for what He's done for us and be an everlasting reminder.

Ask any hockey fan, and they'll tell you that the Stanley Cup is special. I'm a hockey fan, and I think so. Still, even its grandeur and the glory it bestows upon those that win it are nothing when compared to an eternal reward granted by God Almighty. What kind of trophy are you working for? Is it temporary or permanent?

Whiter Than Snow

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalms 51:7

Very few people seem to think that they aren't good. They can easily recite the reasons that they believe they are good, and they always seem to have an excuse for their bad behavior. Truth be told, we all have plenty of bad behavior to make excuses for, and ultimately that proves the point that we aren't so good after all. Jesus pointed that fact out when He spoke to the rich young ruler: "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." In the Lord's case it was, of course, true. He is God, and He is good. That label however, doesn't apply to any of the rest of us.

By extension, the fact that we're not good means that we're also dirty. In fact, we're filthy at best. Isaiah 64:6 says that our righteousness is as filthy rags. If that's the best we have to offer, how bad must our worst be?

The fact that we are dirty means we can't enter into Heaven. That's a concept that any parent can easily grasp. Imagine a group of kids that have been playing in the mud after a rainstorm. They end up with mud caked onto their clothes and their bodies. Once they've had their fun, they decide to go inside, but their mother stops them. She won't let them in the house until they're out of the muddy clothes they're wearing. If she were to do so, there would be mud all over the carpet and everything they touched. That being the case, why would we expect God to be any different?

We see then that we have to be clean to have any hopes of getting into Heaven. Our biggest problem is that God's standard of clean is much different than ours. His is nothing less than perfection. White has long been associated with cleanliness, and as such, God uses it to represent spiritual cleanliness in the Bible so that we can relate to it. Snow specifically is used in the Bible to represent something that is clean. Freshly fallen snow has an albedo of up to 0.90. That means that it reflects up to 90% of the light that hits it. A completely white object would have an albedo of 1.00.

That means that not even snow is completely "clean." We therefore have to be whiter than snow. In fact, there's not a single object in the universe that reaches the standard of being perfectly white. Of all known objects in the Solar System, Saturn's moon Enceladus (seen in the photo above) likely has the highest albedo at 0.99. The surface of Enceladus is made of ice, which can be compared to snow since snow is crystallized flakes of ice. In other words, even the brightest known object in the Solar System isn't completely "clean."

Going back to the concept that our best is filthy rags, we see just how far short we truly come. If there's nothing in the universe that reaches the standards of pure whiteness, there's no hope to be found for us unless the only "good" One does the job for us. The good news is that He did. He came to this earth and lived the perfect life that we were incapable of living, and traded His righteousness -- His "whiter than snow" life -- for the filthy rags that we wore. In fact, He literally became sin so that we could be righteous.

The only way to get into Heaven is to be whiter than snow. The only way to become whiter than snow is to have our sins washed away by the precious blood of Christ. Are you whiter than snow? You never will be in your own right. A spiritual trip to Calvary to meet and trust in the Saviour is the only thing that will do it. The good news is, He's eager to do it. If you'll call on Him, He'll take you to Calvary and wash you whiter than snow.

Yet Will I Not Forget Thee

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:15-16

I'm not a youth pastor, a teacher, or a coach, but in the last several months, I've spent a good deal of time around teenagers. That's because in my capacity as a part-time high school sports photojournalist, I've walked up and down the sidelines of football and soccer games, and I've stood in the dugouts of baseball and softball games. I have to say, it's really a lot of fun, and I love interacting with those kids. To say that they can be entertaining would be a huge understatement. If it were to ever turn into a full time job, that would be perfectly fine with me.

Of course, in the position that I'm in, I don't learn the backstory of most of them. There are a few of them that I've had deeper conversations with, but for the most part, I only know what I see and hear on those sidelines or in those dugouts. I see the fronts, but I don't see what's under the surface. I do not need to see that, however, to know that many of them are hurting. That doesn't mean that I know which ones they are, but I know enough about human nature and the state of the world today to know that it must be true.

I believe it is that knowledge that helped to create the main character of the book that I'm currently working on. I'd like to introduce her to you. Her name is Caelynn Aucoin, and she's 14 years old. She's originally from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, but has recently moved to Moncton, New Brunswick. There's a huge hole in her world, but I'm not referring to the one created by moving away from her longtime home, even though it meant leaving behind her beloved older brother who is attending university back on the Island. Rather, I'm talking about a hole that was created eight years ago when her father walked away from her family.

Caelynn, like so many young people in reality, knows what it's like to feel rejected and unloved by someone that she should have been able to count on. It's not just young people either. Many of us as adults have experienced the rejection of those we felt that we could always count on. There are some people we feel will never turn their backs on us, and yet, all too frequently, the sinful nature of humanity kicks in and we find ourselves deserted. One thought that has been on my mind lately is that if that sort of thing is so painful as an adult, it would have to be excruciating for a child or a teen.

Surely, a parent would never walk away from his or her child, right? We all know that's not true. We all know of instances in which it has happened. If that can happen, there's no guarantee from anyone. right? Wrong. There is a guarantee that God Almighty will never forget His children. A mother might leave her child, but that child is not forgotten by God. A father might walk away, but then God becomes a father of the fatherless. But still, some might be wondering, how can I know that God won't forget me? The answer is simple. It's in His hands.

When the nails ripped through the flesh of Jesus' hands when He was nailed to the cross, something amazing happened. Those nails did the most impressive work of engraving ever performed. They etched the names of all of those who would ever trust in Him into his palms. Every time Jesus Christ looks down at the scars in His hands, He sees my name. If you're a child of His, He sees yours as well. He also sees the names of any of those kids whom I've hung out with on those sidelines or in those dugouts that have trusted in Him. He sees the names of all believers. There's no way He can forget us.

Maybe you're hurting and feeling the pain of rejection today. If you know Jesus Christ as Saviour, He's right there with you holding you in His arms. If you don't know Him, those arms are extended out to you. Perhaps you know someone who feels that pain. Why not point them to the Saviour that loves them so much. Let them know that He loves them enough that He allowed those nails to do something so special. He never forgets.

Musical Guidelines

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

In the past, I've written quite a few posts on this blog that are based on hymns and gospel songs. There are a couple of reasons for that. For one thing, music is an important part of my life. I've always been a music lover, and I've been the music director at my church for the past five years. Secondly, well-written music can teach us a lot. It is no substitute for the word of God, but when done correctly, it can teach us about scripture.

When it comes to music, we are certainly confronted with a lot of options. There is plenty of debate about what is acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to music choices. Fortunately, we can search the Bible and find guidelines that will help us make that determination. In this post, I'd like to look at some Biblical principles that will help us determine what is acceptable and what isn't in our musical choices.

1) Does it sound like something from the world?

I believe that there shouldn't be doubt about what a Christian is listening to when someone else comes along. If their first impression is that we're listening to something from the world, that should be a red flag. Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 say that we are to be a "peculiar people." Second Corinthians 6:17 tells us to be separate from the world. That should apply as much in our music as it does to any other part of our lives. Our musical choices should be peculiar to the world and show that there is a separation.

2) Does it stir the spirit or the flesh?

Our own flesh is our worst enemy because we have to contend with it all day long, every day. We should always strive to avoid things that will arouse it and turn to things that will lift up our spirits. There is a reason that the Bible refers to "spiritual songs." Galatians 5:24-25 tells us that those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh and that they walk and live in the Spirit. If we're in a spiritual battle, shouldn't our music reflect that?

3) Does it glorify God or man?

Revelation 4:11 tells us that God is worthy to receive glory and honour and power. That is something that no human has any claim to. Ultimately, our musical selections should point us to the fact that God is indeed the worthy One. If a song glorifies a man, it's no good. Any song that has a person as a central character should use that person's life to point us to God and encourage our faithfulness to Him, such as the song "Dare to be a Daniel." That's what the accounts of the heroes of the faith in the Bible do, so why should it be any different in song?

4) Does it teach sound doctrine?

Music is no substitute for the preaching of the word of God, but if it is done correctly, it can play a key role in preparing the heart for worshiping the Lord during preaching and in teaching us about the Bible. Colossians 3:16 makes it clear that music can teach us. If we're going to learn from it, shouldn't we make sure we're learning the right things? I do want to say that we can violate the spirit of this if we're not careful. I've read articles online in which people attacked the song "Victory in Jesus" because it mentions "angels singing" and the Bible never mentions angels singing. Ultimately, I find something like that to be trivial and inconsequential. Talking about angels singing has nothing to do with central Bible doctrines. If a song teaches something that does violate those principles, however, we should steer clear.

There you have it. It is my prayer that the principles above will help to guide anyone who has questions about Godly music and point them toward things that are edifying. Music is indeed powerful, and it's important to know how to harness that power for good to edify ourselves and other believers, and maybe even help to point a lost soul toward Calvary and the Lamb of God.

God's Time and Purpose

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's been a while since I posted anything on here. I've had a lot of things going on, not the least of which was finishing the publication process for my first book, Hazard at the Haunted House. Now that that particular task is finished, it seems that the time is right to get back to writing this blog, and I believe that book actually makes a good topic for a post.

You can read a little about the book and find purchasing links here if you're interested, but I won't spend too much time on that, because that's not the purpose of this post. Rather, I'd like to tell you a little bit about how the book came about and what it has meant in my personal life. You see, that book helped me to learn that there really is a time and a purpose for everything that happens in life.

"One day, I'm going to write a book." I can't tell you how many times I said that over a period of a decade or more. Let's just say that I wish I had a dollar for every time I said it. There were a couple of abortive attempts during that time, but I'm not sure how serious I really was about them. I think there were several reasons that it took so long before I decided to tackle the challenge. Honestly, I believe in one respect I was afraid of failure. That was a personal issue that I fought for a very long time, and have really only begun to overcome fairly recently. Be that as it may though, I think the primary reason was that, little known to me, it simply wasn't the right time.

I believe that the desire I had was a good one. I believe that there are few things in life that are worth more than a good book. I can relate to the Thomas Jefferson quote, "I cannot live without books." Books are an excellent way of sharing knowledge and understanding. However, I believe that for my book to be as edifying as it needed to be, there were some changes that had to be worked in my own heart.

I've spoken in the past on this blog of how I've experienced things that I never would have imagined I'd ever go through, and how those things have helped me more fully realize the grace and sufficiency of God. One of the things He used to bring me through the (so far) most devastating events of my life was writing. Just under two years ago, when I felt that I was near total despair, the idea of writing a book came back to my mind. This time, for better or worse, I was going to give it my best effort. It was finally time.

I say that it was time for two reasons. First, the time I begun my "career" as an author was the time that I needed it the most personally. At that time, it was edifying for me personally, and helped to rebuild my spirit from the pain it had recently suffered. Second, the trials that I was going through helped to turn my heart to the Lord in a way it had never done before. I was already saved, and had been for many years, but when I faced those trials, they drew me much closer to the Lord. A heart that is close to God is a heart much more able to do something edifying to others. And so it began. I started out with a very basic idea and started writing. Hazard at the Haunted House, a story about the importance of obedience and family, was the end result. Other books, which will hopefully be released in the future, followed.

That explains why I said that the book taught me about the timing of things, but briefly, I'd like to explain what it taught me about the purpose of things. If I had not gone through the heartbreak that I did two years ago, the book might have never been written, Now that it has been, it is my prayer that it will be a blessing in the lives of young people and that it will help them grow. If that happens, it will be something good that comes out of something very bad that happened.

You see, all things aren't necessarily good, but they work for good in the life of a child of God. If they draw that child closer to his Father's side, that's good. If they equip that child to better help and serve others, that's good. If my writing this book -- something that happened because of something bad happening -- helps others, that's good.

I certainly hope and pray that my book will help young people to learn something that will be good for them spiritually, but even if it doesn't, it has already taught its author a valuable lesson: God's timing is always right, and He has a purpose for everything.

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

It goes without saying that I'm a big hockey fan, but like many other hockey fans, I don't at all like many of the changes that have been made to the NHL in recent years. One such change was made this year, when the All-Star Game was converted into a three-on-three tournament with a team from each division. When that announcement was made, I immediately lost all interest in the event.

Before long, however, something happened that made me start paying attention. Fans were allowed to vote on the league's website for the captain of each team. The highest vote-getter from each division was to win that honor for his team. Every player in the league was eligible, and the fans decided to have some fun with it. A campaign was started to elect John Scott -- then of the Arizona Coyotes -- as the captain of the Pacific Division team.

Before this season, many hockey fans would have responded by asking, "Who?" if someone mentioned Scott. Those who did recognize the name would likely have known of him only because at 6'8", he's one of the tallest players in NHL history. I don't mean to sound brutal, but Scott's on ice stats are far from attention grabbing. In 285 NHL games to date, he has merely five goals and six assists, for a total of 11 points.

Yet, somehow, the campaign took off, and it began to look like a real possibility that Scott would win the vote. Publicly, the league insisted that the fan vote would be honored, no matter the outcome, but it was no secret that the front office was not happy about what was happening. Some fans even charged that back-room deals were at play to keep Scott out of the game. First, he was traded from the Coyotes to the Montreal Canadiens, which the league suggested could affect his eligibility because he was in a new division, and then, he was demoted to the AHL, which was also suggested could make him ineligible.

Those ideas caused an uproar among the fans. In the weeks of the campaign, they had gotten to know John Scott better than some obscure enforcer. They started to get to know him as a funny, happy-go-lucky human being that just about anyone would enjoy hanging out with -- and they were not at all happy about what they thought the league was doing. The response was deafening, and in the end, the league allowed Scott to play.

This is where things start getting stranger than fiction (if they weren't already). Scott not only played, but he scored two goals in the game, and was chosen as MVP. and as a member of the winning team, earned a share of a million dollar bonus -- not a bad deal for a guy whose wife was expecting twins any day!

John Scott certainly appeared to have some pretty powerful enemies to his chance to play in the All-Star Game, and we have some powerful enemies that we battle in our spiritual lives. The world, the devil and his demons, and even our own flesh fight against us every day of our lives. Sometimes we feel like we're all alone, but the truth is, we're not. In John Scott's case, the outrage of the fans was more than enough to offset any plans the league might have had to keep him out of the All-Star Game, and we have forces much more powerful in our corner as we serve the Lord.

First and foremost, we have the Lord. He's far greater than anything the forces of evil can ever conjure up. If he can create a universe in just six days, certainly he's more than sufficient to give us strength in our every day battles. Second, we have the support of the heavenly angels. "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." While I do believe that the concept of guardian angels is greatly overblown in our society, there is some truth that underlies it. The heavenly host does look out for us as we serve the Lord. Thirdly, we have the watchful eye of the saints that have preceded us into Heaven cheering us on. They experienced the same things in their lives that we do, and in many cases, much, much more.

My dear brothers and sisters, as we serve the Lord, we have quite a cheering section behind us. I hope you'll remember that the next time you're tempted to give in or respond wrongly to the pressure of life. We all have those times, and we all know they're coming. If we continue to serve faithfully, we have much more waiting than a temporal MVP award and a monetary bonus. We'll receive eternal rewards that we can lay at our Saviour's feet in thanksgiving for what He has done for us. Remember: they're all cheering for you!

He's All I Need

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

I remember that when I was a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up. For a kid, there's an attraction to the concept of the additional "freedom" that comes with being an adult. If you're an adult, you no doubt understand why I but the word freedom in quotation marks. That freedom comes with a much higher level of responsibility, and a requirement that you face the world on your own. No longer is there another person that stands between you and the trials that life throws at you. Now, you must face them yourself.

Because of that, I look back at that desire to grow up so quickly and marvel at the innocence and naivete of it. Becoming an adult proved to be nothing like what I expected. With that knowledge now in hand, I'd encourage any teenager reading this to enjoy your youth as the blessing from God that it is Once it's gone, you can't get it back.

Those first two paragraphs seem to paint a pretty dark picture of life, I know. The reason is, life can be a very dark thing. Just when you think you have everything planned, something unforeseen, and certainly unplanned and unwanted often comes into the picture. Life often feels like a battle in which you can't win for losing. I've been at that point. I've seen my world and the worlds of those I love turned completely upside-down. All of that said, however, I've also learned that life isn't hopeless There's always strength to be found if you know where to look.

Despite the difficulties involved in the responsibilities of adulthood, however, I've learned a lesson that more than makes up for all of that: I've learned from experience about the sufficiency of the grace of God. In truth, if not for the struggles of life, that's a lesson I might not have ever learned. The song in the video above is one that really didn't mean a lot to me as a child, but now it means the world to me. Now, it's one of my favorite songs to sing.

The details might be different, but I have a feeling that the essence of my life's story is very much like that of many of you reading this. I've been through a few of those things that I never thought I'd see happen. I've been through battles that were much too big for me to fight alone. I've fought through emotions that I didn't understand. And through all of that, I've become a stronger person. That strength has nothing to do with me, but with the fact that Jesus Christ is all I need.

When many people think about God providing their needs, they think of their physical needs. That's certainly a part of it, but there's much more to it than that. Jesus is my comfort. He eases my pain. Every time I find myself desiring something more than what the world can give, He fills that need. As the song says, He's my soul's inspiration and my heart's consolation. In fact, Jesus isn't just enough to satisfy my needs. He's more than enough.

Not only have I never gone without something I needed, but I've had a lot of extras in my life. God has given me opportunities to do things and experience things that, while not necessities have enriched my life and brought me joy. Writing blogs and books isn't needed to make life livable, but I enjoy them, and God has given me the chance to do that. Attending and writing about sporting events isn't a need, but God has given me that chance as well, and I draw enjoyment from that. I'm sure all of you could tell similar stories.

Yes, youth is a gift of God that most of us don't appreciate until it's too late, but at the root of it all, even the struggles that we face when we grow up are gifts as well. They teach us that Jesus is all we need. They teach us that He supplies our necessities and more. They teach us that He's all we need, and so much more. If I know anything, at the top of the list is the fact that Jesus is all-sufficient. He's my everything, and He's all I need.

All That Thrills My Soul

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:27

The words above were spoken to Jesus Christ by a lawyer, seeking to justify himself. The occasion was not a rare one. Many times, throughout the text of the gospels, we find religious leaders and highly religious individuals tempt Jesus and try to trip Him up into acknowledging their righteousness. This attempt, like all of the others was centered around his works and a hope to show that they were sufficient to prove him a righteous man.

Jesus asked the man how he interpreted the law, since that was the foundation upon which he was trying to build his self-righteousness and he gave a concise, yet accurate answer, and Jesus recognized it as such. Then, in an attempt to show all around him how wonderful he was, the man asked Jesus who his neighbor was. Jesus then told the parable of the good Samaritan, and proved once and for all that no one can live up to the concept of "love thy neighbor as thyself."

I find it interesting though, that the man didn't try to tempt Jesus on the concept of loving God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind. I also think it's pretty obvious why he didn't: he knew that he'd fall flat on his face if he tried to go that route. It's easy to recognize that he, in his arrogance and pride, didn't come anywhere close to passing the first part of that test. In truth though, every one of us falls far short of passing.

Yesterday, there were countless individuals and even entire churches that proved that when they gave the Super Bowl priority over the worship of God. That said, let's not start preparing a pile of stones to throw. No, I didn't do that, and my church didn't do that, and it grieves me to think that so many did, but I can't plead complete innocence. Maybe you didn't skip church for the Super Bowl, and maybe your church didn't throw a Super Bowl party in place of a true church service, but you can't plead complete innocence either.

Have you ever allowed something to come between you and your time in prayer or in God's word? I have to admit that I have. Have you ever allowed your mind to wander while your pastor stood in the pulpit preaching? I have. It stings to admit that, but honesty demands that I must in this case. I'll even go so far as to say that I'd have a great deal of difficulty believing anyone that tries to claim that they've never done those things. This is a point that my pastor has brought out a couple of times recently, and it has been working on me last night and today.

I've dealt with this sort of thing in a couple of posts in the past. I've posted about why Jesus is Precious to the true believer and how we must be careful about Practical Idolatry when we allow other things to come in front of the Lord. Still, this is a little different. This time, it's not a generality. It's more than Jesus simply being of the greatest value, and being in first place in our lives. This time, it's about Him being our all in all at all times.

As long as we're in the flesh, we're never going to get there, and if we want to be all that we can be, we're going to have to face that. When we get to the point that we think we've arrived, no more growth can take place. Instead, this is a call to dedicate ourselves to the Lord every day. Every day, we should strive to do our duty toward God. Taking it one day at a time, we should strive to be fully His.

Does Jesus thrill your soul? If you want to love Him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, He'll have to. If not, if you're a Christian, it's a sign that you've left your first love and need to return to Him. If not and you're not a Christian, you need to confess your sin, call upon Him, and trust in Him to be your personal Saviour. The life of the individual whose soul is thrilled by Jesus isn't a perfect life, but it is one that's dedicated to Him.

Plenty of Time

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

"I'm going to live to be 100!" Many people have made that or similar brash statements when asked about their futures. Everyone knows that life can be cut short, but most seem to assume that it can't happen to them. The truth is far different. There are plenty of people in cemeteries all around the world that thought that same thing. Everyone thinks that they have plenty of time, but time has a way of slipping away from us.

Anyone who has ever procrastinated on a project or assignment at work or school can testify to that last sentence. What begins as seemingly more than enough time slowly, but surely, ticks down until the deadline seems to be breathing down one's neck. The decision to wait because there was "plenty of time" has been a thorn in the flesh of countless people.

When it comes to life, there's an added level of uncertainty. When dealing with an assignment at work or school, we deal with known deadlines. Life doesn't work that way. Not only do we not always know when things will happen, but often, we have no idea as to what will happen. Even when we have plans to do a certain thing at a certain time, the unexpected has a way of creeping in and forcing a change to those plans.

Sometimes the things that change on us don't have a big impact in the long run. It could be a simple visit to a friend or family member or a lunch meeting that has to be cancelled or rescheduled. In a case like that, the consequences are probably no more than a bit of disappointment. But, what if the plans in question are of a more serious nature? What if they deal with eternity?

Every day, people gamble with their souls. I'm not even talking about people who deny God and the Bible. I'm talking about people who do believe in God and believe that the Bible is true, but delay salvation because they want to "live life to the fullest." They want to have their fun while they have the opportunity, and plan to accept Jesus Christ later in life. But what if later never comes? They say, "I'll do it tomorrow," but what if there's no tomorrow?

Laying aside the fact that a life without Christ is not life to its fullest, there's an even bigger problem with that idea. People who wish to live out their lives and accept salvation on their deathbed fail to recognize the fact that they might not have a death bed. Death for many people comes entirely unexpectedly. I have a feeling that everyone reading this can think of someone he has known that has passed away without warning.

What about you? Are you waiting to make the "deathbed confession?" If so, what if an accident snuffs out your life before you reach that point? Some teach that there will be opportunities for repentance after death, but you won't find that idea in the word of God. It is true that eternity will give you plenty of time, but it won't be plenty of time to get saved; it will be plenty of time to wonder why you never did.

The Unbeatable Foe

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

It's considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history, and one of the greatest moments in American sports history. It was a huge shot in the arm to a nation mired in a period of malaise. Even with the long, illustrious career Al Michaels has, 36 years later this event is still his signature moment. By now, you've probably figured out that I'm talking about the "Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. hockey team defeated the "Big Red Machine" of the Soviet Union.

That a bunch of college kids could beat the Soviet team of amateurs in name only was unthinkable. The Soviets had won five of the last six Olympic golds, and they dominated the world championships of the era. They had taken some of Canada's top professional players to the brink in the 1972 Summit Series and then beaten them handily in the 1974 rematch. Many of them were teammates on the club level with CSKA Moscow, as well, so they were a true team.

There really wasn't need for any proof that the Soviet team would likely destroy the American team, but we were given some in the run up to the Olympics. The Soviets went 5-3-1 in exhibition games against NHL teams and won the Challenge Cup by defeating the NHL all-stars 6-0. Plus, the American and Soviet teams squared off in a pre-Olympic exhibition match, and unsurprisingly, the USSR won 10-3. Since a stunning loss to the Americans in 1960, the Soviets had been on a tear in the Olympics, going 27-1-1, and they showed no signs of letting up.

There was no reason to believe that February 22, 1980 would be anything other than just another day at the office for the Soviets. There was no surprise when the Soviets struck first, but the the Americans answered. The Soviets scored again, and the Americans tied it again in the last second of the first period. The lone goal of the second period was scored by the Soviets, and going into the third, it appeared that the inevitable would happen, even if not by the margin expected.

Then, something amazing happened. The Americans tied the game on a power play. Then, halfway through the period, Mike Eruzione scored from the slot to give the Americans their first lead of the game, a 4-3 lead that they would hold on to.

The call is now familiar: "Do you believe in miracles?! YES!" As far as hockey was concerned, it was a miracle. The sports world couldn't possibly give more of a David over Goliath than that game did. It seemed impossible, but it wasn't; it happened.

In the Christian life, we will face tasks that seem impossible, and if we try to tackle them in our own strength, they are. If we tried to battle all of our trials ourselves, we'll find that we face steeper odds than the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. The truth is, however, that they are not impossible. We have a source of strength that will allow us to win every battle if we will tap into it.

In Matthew chapter four, Jesus was tempted by Satan, and He easily overcame it by quoting scripture. We as Christians have that same resource. We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, meaning that God Himself is with us at all times, and is there to help us. He has promised us a way to escape temptation. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

In a one-on-one battle with Satan, you're a huge underdog, and so am I. In fact, we're guaranteed losers. But, thanks be to God, through His strength, we have the chance to win every battle. That's more cause for celebration than the "Miracle on Ice." It's part of the miracle of salvation.

Hand in Hand with Jesus

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Once from my poor sin-sick soul
Christ did every burden roll.
Now I walk redeemed and whole,
Hand in hand with Jesus.

Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way.
Walking thus I cannot stray.
Hand in hand with Jesus.

It's not at all uncommon to hear people talk about how much they trust in God, but all too often, when we watch the way they live, it's clear that it's not really true. Before any of us cast stones, however, can we all admit that we've been guilty of that same thing at some point or another? That said, no matter what we say or how we live the truth is, we're heavily dependent on God. In fact, we're fully dependent on Him. If not for His hand on our lives, we'd have nothing.

First, we need the hand of God to reach down to us in salvation. If it weren't for that, you, I, and everyone else would be bound for Hell, and quite honestly, that's what we all deserve. Our sin guarantees that, and it guarantees that there's nothing that we can do to climb out of the pit that we all naturally find ourselves in. One of my favorite songs is Squire Parsons' song "He Came to Me," because it tells that story exactly how it happened. When we couldn't get to God, He came to us and rescued us.

Even after we're saved, however, we're still dependent on God. Unfortunately, we still have to live in the flesh, and its desires don't change. If we give in to its wishes, it will continue to dominate us, and we will know nothing but defeat in our spiritual lives. To live in victory, we have to continue to walk hand in hand with Jesus Christ.

I chose the photo above for a reason. We are much like a small child, who while taking in everything around him overlooks potential stumbling blocks in his path. If not for his father holding his hand, he would likely fall and get hurt. From time to time he sees something that really catches his attention. If not for his father holding his hand, he would run to it, once again oblivious to any potential danger. As much as we don't like to admit it, that's just how sin is after we're saved. Sin has a way of appealing to the worst in us, and can draw us away if we're not close to our Father. He sees all of the stumbling blocks and the dangers, and if we'll hold on to his hand, He'll catch us when we stumble.

That's not to say that we'll never trip. We will. We're all human, and that humanity is certain to mess up at times. But as long as we're walking with Him, and we'll allow Him to guide us, we can find ourselves quickly back on track. Our Father wants to do nothing more than to restore us when we trip. He always wants what's best for us.

Are you walking hand in hand with Jesus today? If not, I'd suggest that you take a hold of His hand today and let Him take that role in your life. He wants to guide you down the rough path of life. He wants to help you back up when you trip. If you'll let Him help you and you'll depend on Him, you'll know just what it's like for Him to uphold you with His righteous hand.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Tonight, I watched the movie Woodlawn for the first time. It occurred to me that despite the fact that I was born years after the events, that I've never lived in Alabama, and that I never played high school football, I have a closer connection to the story than the vast majority of people who have seen the movie probably have. You see, my parents attended Woodlawn High School at that time. I heard plenty of stories about Tony Nathan as a kid, and I've been a lifelong Alabama fan. Because of the opportunities I've had to work the sidelines of local high school football games, I understand the football side of it much better than most with my background. I think that makes me appreciate the story more than I otherwise would or could.

This post is not going to be a review of the movie, nor will it be any kind of a social commentary. There's something far more important that I want to try to do here. I want to look at the impact of one character who appeared early in the movie and the ripple effect that he created by doing one thing: he chose to be a peacemaker.

If you've seen the movie, you likely know that I'm talking about Hank. Hank acted as a peacemaker between two groups of people that hated one another. Eventually, his impact also struck Woodlawn's biggest rival, Banks, creating a level of friendship between two teams who were arguably the most bitter rivals in the State of Alabama at that time.

How did he do it? As he told Woodlawn head coach Tandy Gerelds at their first meeting, he wanted to tell the team about Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." That's what Hank did. He lifted up Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ drew the young men on that team to Him. Jesus Christ brought peace into the hearts of those young men, and the change they experienced demonstrated how to have peace to those around them.

Jesus Christ, and He alone, is the source of true peace. Everyone has a desire for peace, but there are many who fail to find it. The reason is that they search everywhere but the right place. The things that the world tells them give peace only lead to destruction. The world's route to "peace" often leads to hatred and violence. It doesn't take a genius to look around at our world and see that.

The children of God are to be peacemakers. We know something by experience that many of the people around us are completely unfamiliar with. We know the secret to true peace. The thing is, it's our job to make sure that the secret gets out. We as Christians know something that can change the world. Not only that, but we have been commanded to share that knowledge.

Are you a peacemaker? As unbelievable as it might seem, to be one is a simple thing. All you have to do is share Jesus. Tell people that He's the answer to the longing in their souls. Tell them that He is the source of the peace they've searched for. As shown near the end of Woodlawn, there is One Way. That way is Jesus Christ.

What Kind of Church Would You Make?

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Revelation 2:19

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 2:4

I watched the video of the song above on YouTube yesterday and started thinking about the idea of this post then. I decided once and for all to do it after the service at my church last night, in which my pastor spoke about the importance of having a zeal for the Lord. Our level of zeal affects other people, and I'd like to use this post as an examination for us all to see if we could pass the test.

If you're saved, you know what it's like to be on fire for the Lord. If at no other time, a Christian experiences that when he is first saved. There's an excitement at that point, knowing what Jesus Christ has done, and the newborn believer just can't wait to tell everyone about it. While that individual still needs to grow, if we lay the lack of spiritual maturity at that moment aside, that new Christian is living his life exactly how he should.

Sadly, if we're all going to be honest, we'd have to admit that there are times that we our lives don't even come close to reflecting that type of zeal. We're all imperfect, and we're going to have times that we aren't as zealous as others, but as soon as we realize it has happened, we need to get that right, and turn back to the Lord. In this post, I don't want to focus on the fluctuations, but rather, I want you to consider which of the above verses is the norm in your life. To make that question seem a bit more applicable to your every day life, I want to ask you a question: if every member of your church were like you, what would your church be like?

When I ask that, I'm not asking what your church would be like if everyone had the same talents and gifts as you do. A church needs many different types of people in that respect. But, what if everyone at your church was just as sold out to God -- no more, no less than you? Would your church be able to function like that? If you were (or are) a pastor, would you want to see a church full of you sitting in the pews?

How much of a giving attitude do you have? If everyone gave in the same spirit as you, would the church be able to keep the lights on? If everyone had the same burden for souls, would anyone get saved? If everyone had the same heart for their fellow Christians, would any edification take place? If everyone had the same desire to serve, would all positions in the church be filled? If everyone had the same desire for a strong mission program as you, would there be any missionaries sent out?

Even in what we would call the strongest churches, I can guarantee you that there are plenty of "bench warmers." These are the people who come (or maybe not, if it's not convenient that day), but do nothing once they're there. I'm not talking about people who are unable to do things right now, but those who simply refuse. If we had a church full of nothing but that kind of people, nothing would get done, and the doors would likely be shut sooner rather than later.

So, what kind of church would you make? Would a building full of you make up a church that was vibrant, active, and on fire for the Lord, or would you do just as well to sit home on Sunday and watch football if the entire membership were like you? If you're not satisfied with the answers to those questions, you can change that. Return to your first love, and put Jesus back at the center of your life. If you turn to go back to Him, He'll run to meet you and receive you with open arms.

How Much Is Your Pride Worth?

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Today I saw a very interesting post on Facebook. It was shared by one of my favorite current quartets and was originally posted by one of their members. This member of the group had some big news to share: he got saved yesterday!

Before any rocks are thrown, allow me to remind everyone that this is something to be celebrated, and it's not the time to criticize anyone for "living a lie." Regardless of how or when an individual comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, the most important thing is that it happens. That said, I can understand why someone would ask how a person could be involved in singing gospel music and not know the Saviour personally. Well, he had an explanation for that.

He told that when he was 12 years old he "prayed a prayer," and talked about all of the things that he had been involved with since then. He said that he knew the word of God and that on the outside, he appeared to be a great Christian. The problem with that is, it's not the outside that matters; it's the inside. You and I might not be able to see through the front that someone puts up, but God can, and He looks directly at the heart.

The thing I want to focus on today, however, is the thing that he said held him back from making things right for so long: pride. You see, it requires swallowing a lot of pride to be saved, since we have to recognize our total dependence on God. But I think that someone who has long been identified as a Christian by others has to swallow even more. Human nature would much rather justify itself that admit to wrong. The flesh will be concerned with "what others think." It's easy to dismiss that by pointing out that spiritual people will rejoice over the salvation and tell someone not to worry about what a few might say, but that's not an easy thing for someone who doesn't have the new nature to do.

Fortunately, this young man didn't allow his pride to control him until it was too late. For so many, however, that is not the case. Many people take that pride to the grave, being much more interested in preserving their temporary reputations than their eternal souls. That's a very high price to pay, and in doing so, they're saying that their pride is more valuable to them than anything. I'm happy to say that I've seen people that I know quite well swallow that pride and accept Jesus. I don't say that in a gloating manner, but I say it in that I'm happy that they realized that their salvation was more important than anything else.

Pride doesn't get in the way of salvation only. Sometimes it can get in the way of our relationships with others, or our relationship with God. Sometimes, it allows hurt feelings to prosper which drain us emotionally, physically. and spiritually. Pride does a lot of damage. Sometimes it hurts only the one harboring it, but other times, it hurts others as well.

How much is your pride worth to you? If you aren't saved, are you willing to let it doom your soul to Hell? If you are saved, are you willing to sacrifice your relationships with others and your Saviour? Are you willing to allow your pride to tear you apart while you continue to self-justify yourself? If you've done any of those things in your life, I plead with you to sacrifice your pride for the good of your soul. Trust me, it's not worth the loss you'll suffer if you say no.

The Test of Time

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8

The truth given in today's text verse is one that many people try to ignore. That's not surprising since so many in our day want to live their lives doing things that are condemned by the word of God. But, although it pricks the hearts of unbelievers, it is quite possibly the ultimate comfort for believers out of all the promises found in the pages of scripture.

I know that's a big statement to make, because there are plenty of "major" promises in the Bible that we cherish. That said, I'm more than willing to stand by my comment, because in one sense, they all hang on this single statement. Yes, all things work together to them that love God, but how do we know that will always apply to us? Yes, God said that He would never leave us nor forsake us, but how do we know He won't change His mind? We know those things because we know He never changes.

We read the Bible, and we marvel over the miracles that we see and the great feats that servants of the Lord accomplished. We read the accounts of those events with amazement over the way that God used those men and women. But, while Hebrews 13:8 is a verse that is familiar to virtually all of us, and most of us could probably quote it in our sleep, I have my doubts that it has every really occurred to us what it actually means. I want you to stop and think about this for a moment: The God we serve is the same God that performed all of the miraculous works in the Bible.

I'm not going to say that God doesn't still perform miracles, because He certainly does. We've all seen Him move in wonderful ways, but I think we'd have to agree that He doesn't do things in exactly the same way that He once did. Because we now have His complete word, we no longer have the need for the sign gifts that were so prominent in Bible days. Even so, as the song above asks, "how could I ever doubt it, when mountains get too hard to climb?"

If God could do all of the things we read about in the Bible, what will we ever face that is too much of a challenge for Him? In fact, what will we ever face that is any kind of challenge to God? In Genesis 18:14 and Jeremiah 33:27, God asks if anything is too hard for Him. In neither instance is the question answered. It is the ultimate rhetorical question. To answer it almost seems ridiculous, because the answer is so obvious, but I'll answer it anyway: No!

Have you ever faced a challenge as large as a worldwide flood, a murderous bloodthirsty giant, the entire Philistine host making sport over you, a den of lions, or a fiery furnace? No? Well, if God could take care of Noah, David, Samson, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in those trials, don't you think He can take care of you in any situation you'll ever face considering the fact that He has never changed?

We frequently talk about people and things that have stood the test of time, but no one and nothing has ever done that as well as God, and never can. When is the last time you thanked God for the fact that He's never changed? When is the last time you considered the fact that you can trust in Him for everything and always will be able to? Praise God, He has stood the test of time!

Are You a True Champion?

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

On Monday night, I made a Facebook post celebrating the Alabama Crimson Tide's win in that night's national championship game. A friend of mine who's an Ole Miss fan decided to tease me a little and asked me if it bothered me to know that there Alabama had lost to Ole Miss and that there was "someone better" out there. That made me think. It's what inspired this post.

There has been a lot of talk about the fact that this is Alabama's fourth national championship in seven years. That's obviously a big accomplishment, but did you know that only one of those four teams (the 2009 team) went undefeated? As already mentioned, the 2015 team lost to Ole Miss. The 2012 team lost to Texas A&M, and the 2011 team lost to LSU. Fans of those teams made a lot of comments about beating the national championships, some in jest, some not, but in the end, none of those comments change anything. You see, it's not the small picture of the single game that matters; it's the big picture of the full season.

Interestingly enough, the 2011 Alabama team famously rematched with the LSU team that beat them in the regular season in the national title game. When all was said and done, they left no doubt about that game, winning 21-0 with the most outstanding defensive performance I've ever seen on any level. Instead of packing it in because their opponents had already taken them down once, the Crimson Tide played with determination, ready to prove that they were champions.

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that this is the perfect analogy for the Christian life. No one outside of the Lord Jesus Christ has ever won every battle of life. He, and he alone, can claim the perfection of an undefeated life. Friend, you and I are imperfect. We've all lost games, so to speak. I'm not trying to excuse sin, but it's a fact that as long as we're in the flesh, we're going to continue to do so. The important thing then, is how we respond to those failures. Do we allow them to define us, or do we get back up and continue to battle? Sometimes, we'll even have to fight the same battle more than once. When we do, do we allow our previous failures to doom us to failure a second time?

We all want to be champions, but if we give up after a defeat, it will never happen. I don't think I'll ever forget a quote from a high school football coach this past season after his team battled through a difficult second half to manage a comeback win in a south state championship game: "Never underestimate the heart of a champion!" The heart of a champion of faith is one that will stand fast in the faith and be strong. A champion is one who learns from his mistakes and allows them to draw him closer to the Lord. A champion is the one who never quits.

Yes, three of those Alabama teams lost a game, but that doesn't change the fact that they're champions. Their commitment to excellence and their willingness to fight on after those losses defined them far more than the losses did. Can the same be said of you?

Fighting for Victory

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:4

I've been an Alabama football fan for my entire life. This season, I watched the least college football I've ever watched in a season by a long shot, but I still watched most of Alabama's games. Despite the fact that I generally find that my interest in football is waning, there was no way I was going to miss them battling Clemson for the national championship last night.

To say that it was a hard fought game would be an understatement. The Crimson Tide emerged with its 16th national championship in program history 45-40, but they had to battle for all 60 minutes to secure it. To be perfectly honest, at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter, I thought that it was going to slip away. I had never seen Alabama lose a game that could win a national championship, and things appeared to be heading that way.

Yet, somehow, the game didn't go that way. Alabama came up with key plays when they needed them, and they staved off an attempt by Clemson to rally in the waning minutes. The final bits of doubt weren't erased until Bama recovered an onside kick attempt by the Tigers with 12 seconds left. From that point, a knee killed the clock and brought the confetti down as the Tide celebrated.

The ironic thing about the whole game is that even though, as I said, I didn't watch much football this year, I think I enjoyed this championship more than any of the others I've seen. My apologies if your favorite team is mentioned ahead, because I'm simply trying to make a point. I watched the 1992 team rout the heavily favored Miami Hurricanes 34-13. I watched the 2009 team hook the Texas Longhorns 37-24. I watched the 2011 team get revenge against the LSU Tigers 21-0, and I watched the 2012 team throttle the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 42-12. What then, made this one so special?

I'm not far removed from the game at all, but I think I've already figured it out. While the 2009 team got a little bit of a scare in the championship, none of those teams were challenged in the title game like the 2015 team was. If they wanted to win, they were going to have to fight for it, and that's exactly what they did. The more I think about it, the more it reminds me of life. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but life is tough. As the text verse above shows, life is a battle. Every day, we're met with new and difficult challenges. To be a success, we have to fight them.

Just like last night's game, there will be times that we feel like we're up against the ropes. There will be times that we feel like failures, and truth be told, we're going to fail at times. When that happens, the question we have to ask ourselves is, how will we respond? Do we simply throw in the towel and assume we've lost, or do we fight on, and try to regain the ground we gave up? Those slipups are one of the things that we're not supposed to be entangled in.

Nowhere in the Bible do we find sinless perfection. God expects us to give our best to stay away from sin, but the Bible makes it clear that we will fall sometimes. Some of the greatest men in the Bible met with some of the greatest failures found in its pages. Men like Abraham, David, Noah, and Samson come to mind immediately. Yet, despite their faults, we don't think of them primarily in regards to their shortcomings, but for the incredible faith they displayed. When they fell, they picked up the sword and continued to fight.

The next time you fall, what will you do? Will you stay down and let your mistakes get the best of you, or will you get up and continue to fight for a championship? The game isn't over until God calls you home. Keep fighting until the clock hits zero, and the Lord will reward you with something much better than a gold trophy. You're going to see plenty about the Alabama football team in the upcoming days. Let them inspire you to continue to work for the Lord.

The "Repentance" of Stan Mikita

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

I Peter 3:15-17

After every NHL season, the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is presented to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." An enforcer or a player known for rough play cannot win the trophy, no matter how skilled they are or how well they perform on the ice. Stan Mikita won the award in 1967 and 1968, but just two years before his first win, no one would have ever dreamed that he would ever receive it. You see, there was a key event in Stan Mikita's life that caused him to change his style from that of a bruiser to the sport's ultimate gentleman.

Five times in the early years of his career, Mikita was in the top 10 of all players in the NHL in penalty minutes, amassing anywhere from 97 to 154 PIM in those seasons. He was known as a dirty player -- a reputation that he very much deserved -- and everyone knew not to mess with him on the ice. While no one likes a dirty player that doesn't play for the team he cheers for, that physical style of play has always been considered to be a part of hockey. Everyone understood that, and no one asked questions... Well, almost no one, that is.

Upon returning from a road trip, Mikita's wife told him a story that made him re-evaluate his style of play. She and their daughter had watched one of the Black Hawks' road games, and the young girl had asked her mother a question: "Why does Daddy spend so much time sitting down?" Mikita's wife related that story to her husband when he arrived home.

For a moment, try to put yourself in Mikita's place. What would you say? Would you really want to say, "Well, Sweetheart, Daddy breaks the rules a lot and does mean things to people?" Of course not! Neither did Mikita. He credits that incident for changing him as a player. The effect was immediately noticeable. In 1964-65, he had 154 penalty minutes. That number fell to 58 in 1965-66 and 12 in 1966-67. He never again had more than 85 PIM in a season or finished in the top 10 in that stat. In fact, he's generally now thought of as a gentlemanly player.

Mikita's daughter was watching him, and there are people who watch you. Maybe they're your children, your grandchildren, or your nieces and nephews. Maybe they're not related to you. Maybe they're not children. It doesn't really matter who they are; the way you live your life in front of them is what you're telling them life should be like. If someone were to come to you and ask you why you do the things you do, could you answer in confidence, or would it be a sting to your conscience in the way that Mikita's daughter's question was?

If life had a penalty box, how much time would you spend sitting down? Would someone be likely to ask why you spend so much time sitting down? We're all human. As long as we're in this life, there's no such thing as sinless perfection, but the times that we fall should be the exception rather than the rule. It would have been a lot easier for Mikita to answer his daughter in one of the seasons that he had 12 penalty minutes than the one in which he had 154. By the same token, if our lives are lived in accordance to the principles of God's word, it will be much easier for us to give the answer about the hope that is within us. That's what makes us ready to give the answer.

Stan Mikita's penalty minutes are now a matter of record, and nothing can change that. Your past is in the past, and nothing can change it. You can, however, change the future. Is there something in your life that would discourage someone from wanting Jesus Christ in his heart because your life tells him it's not worth it? If so, do what Stan Mikita did. Repent of those things and with the help of God, turn over a new leaf.

And Can it Be?

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

The questions posed in the first verse of the classic hymn "And Can it Be" are very piercing. The answer to them all is the same -- yes -- though it's quite difficult to understand why. In fact, humanly speaking, I can't think of a single reason why the answer should be yes. Still, it's all true, and this song gives us one of the most personal expressions of the experience of the grace of God that we are ever likely to see.

The first question of the song seems to be one of disbelief. Is it really true that I of all people have access to the blood of Jesus? As remarkable as it seems, we do. "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Despite the fact that I have done (and can do) nothing to earn this right, Jesus Christ made Himself the propitiation for my sins, and in doing so gave me an interest in His blood.

But that doesn't tell the whole story. Despite the fact that the offer is made to so many, there is enough to go around. Though many will refuse this most generous of offers, the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for them as well -- He did enough for the entire world. As the songwriter said, "Though millions have come, there's still room for one." That will always be true.

The second question is one that is answered by our text verse. Yes, we're all sinners, and that is what necessitated the crucifixion of our Saviour, but He still died for us. Note that the Bible doesn't say that He died because of us. It wasn't necessary that He died simply because we are sinners and that there was no way for Him to avoid death. It was necessary that He died because He loved us and wanted to save us. His death was by His own choice. He died for us.

We have the answers to the first two questions, and yet, Charles Wesley asked one more question in the first verse of this beautiful hymn. Yes, we did gain an interest in the Saviour's blood, and yes, He did die for us. He told us so in His word. Even so, the depth of that love caused Mr. Wesley to exclaim his wonder and ask his God how He could pay that price. Even though we have those answers in the Bible, the extreme lengths that God's love was willing to go to makes it all incomprehensible to us. I know that God loves me, and I know that He gave His Son for me, but I'll never understand why.

One day, those of us who have experienced this incredible love and grace will be caught up to Heaven to spend eternity with the Saviour who made it all possible. And yet, as long as that eternity rolls, I don't believe we'll ever get past the wonder of it all. Throughout eternity, we will continue to praise God for this amazing love. This hymn gives us a bit of a peek into the praise of Heaven, but it still falls short of the splendor we'll behold when we finally se our Savoiur face to face. We're on the small end of something very big!