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Represent

Today I will haul my geek bag downtown one last time before I return home and trade in the cell phone, headsets and laptops for barefeet,  sand and oysters.  Yep, I will be taking the week off from this crazy world, following an example set out by our Savior himself:

31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.  Mark 6:31-32 (New International Version)

Next week there will be some treats in store for the Buffet, as I know just because I am resting that the remainder of you are still out in the world, training and buffeting yourself each day.  So here is a little video that may keep you going.  Its by Weezer.  Evidently this song is the theme song for our tension loving soccer team, and since they go up against Ghana tomorrow, I thought it would be appropriate.  Its called Represent.

The chorus here is very interesting

You know it
It matters how you play the game
It matters that you can take the pain
You don’t wanna lie, steal or cheat your way to the top ohhh
It matters what your people think
You represent your family
But that’s just one more reason to see that it matters whether you win or lose

Well, as much as I like soccer, and as much I want the US to win. ( I did by the way take a run around a section of cubicles with my hands in the air screaming GOOOAAAALLL after the 91st minute goal on Wednesday)   As much as that’s true.  There’s only one thing where it does matter if you win or lose, and that’s a life full of love and the spirit,  given over to our Savior.  That’s how you Represent!

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:34-37

Enjoy the Week.  Cheer for the Yanks, and Represent!

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Go World

The Soccer World Cup starts today!  Isn’t the awesome!  I always think it is so amazing when the whole world gets together around one thing, even it is it sport.  Its good to see the people although they have their favorite team, still can realize that we are all people!

Its also interesting to think about this event taking place in South Africa.   A few weeks ago, I took advantage of pay per view to watch Invictus, the story of the South Africa rugby, but really a story about the power of forgiveness.  Its worth the watch, and its a really powerful story of the way people can work together to make things happen, but really it all started with forgiveness.

So as the world comes together today, putting aside their differences today to play futbol, how about taking a look around you and see how forgiveness can change the world around you.

36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:36-38 (New International Version)

Oh, and for all you Englanders out there, watch out, the Yanks are coming!

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A Chance to Renew

Last night I think I witnessed the longest soccer game in the history of the world.  That’s unofficial, but check this out.  After my team, the Bucs, were completed dominated, at least possession wise, for the first 58 minutes of the game, the traditional summer weather pattern produced its traditional afternoon thunderstorms and whamo, we were in a one hour lightning delay.   ( On a side note, I thought that maybe I had missed the supposed ‘rapture’ during this part of the game.  While the players where pulled from the field, and the rain still a few miles away, I decided to run to the restroom, while everyone just milled around waiting for something to happen.  After a rather long line in the restroom, I exited, to see the wind whipping around in circles, the rain starting to fall and to my surprise everyone and everything off of the soccer field.  For a moment I thought I was left behind.  – oh TMI I know, back to the game)

Before this break, the Bucs were beat.  Their faces said it, their body language said it. They were struggling to keep up, but at least they had kept their opponent out of the goal. After the lightning break, they were completely different.  They were renewed, focused, determined, and just barely missed several chances to get the ball into the goal. The game continued scoreless for the remaining 22 minutes and the 30 minutes of extra time- which lead to the famed shootout.  Fortunately, the Bucs put in 3 while keeping the opponent to only 2, to earn quite an impressive hard earned victory almost 5 hours after the kickoff, that really was the product of a renewing of their focus.

Whats interesting to me is how our days are like this some times, and for me yesterday was.  Yesterday, I was being mastered by my insane schedule and the pressure of the world and work.  I felt similar to the Bucs  – running around, chasing a ball, and having to take a highly defensive posture to survive.  However, this is not where we want to be.  We want to be living for our master, not being mastered by the world. It times like this that it may be best to declare a lightning break and regroup and refocus.  With a renewed mind,  you can continue to transform yourself into a champion of life.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)

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First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Man, I am stoked today.  But before I tell you why, let me apologize for the erratic nature of the feed the last few days, I am not sure what’s up there, but hopefully it will settle down today.

Anyway, I am stoked, its the last day of school, my nephews soccer team is one game closer to wining the Tennessee State Championship ( 3-0 victory last night) and I get to live another day in service to my Lord and Savior – Mr JC.

So lets through out a quick Psalm of praise today:

Psalm 117

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.

2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

Its the end of school, but its the first day of the rest of your life, what are you going to do with it?