 |
|
Saturday, 20 September 2008
|
"The Real vs. the Pretend"
Devotion by: Pat Williams, Sr. Vice President, Orlando Magic
September 20, 2008
|
Editor's Note: Currently our weekly devotion series is being written by various leaders in athletics. If you are affliated with sports and would like to have an article considered for publication, please contact Joe Savage at jsavage@winnersinfluence.com or respond to this email.
Coach John Wooden was a teacher and role model of character because his father taught him by word and example, "Your reputation is merely how you are perceived by others, but your character is who you really are." A politician may have a great reputation for character-until he is caught taking a bribe. An author may have a great reputation for character-until she is exposed as a plagiarist. A pastor may have a great reputation for character-until he is caught in a tryst with the church secretary.
Your reputation is your outer image. Your character is your inner reality. It's possible to live for years behind a false façade, with no one suspecting who you really are. You can pretend to have integrity while living a lie-for a while. You might even fool your family and friends. But the façade eventually crumbles. The dissonance between the real you and the pretend you will become visible sooner or later. And when your failed character is exposed in the form of ethical corruption, dishonesty, sexual immorality, substance abuse, or moral cowardice, it will cost you. It may cost you your career, your marriage, your family, or even your freedom. It will certainly rob you of your reputation and self-respect.
Don't let that happen to you. Be a person of character. Teach, exemplify, and live out authentic character every day of your life.
TODAY"S VERSE
"Jesus said to them, 'Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town'" (Luke 12:2-3).
TODAY"S PRAYER
"Keep me clean oh God that I might be the same person behind closed doors as I am in public. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
ABOUT TODAY'S GUEST AUTHOR
Pat Williams is Senior Vice President of the NBA's Orlando Magic and one of America's best-known sports executives. He drafted Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, and 12 of his former players have become NBA Head Coaches. He is the author of 44 books. Williams is also a devoted father to 19 children, 14 of whom are adopted from four foreign countries. As one of America's top motivational speakers, Williams travels the United States speaking to companies, associations, churches and schools. For information about scheduling Pat Williams as a speaker at your next event, please visit his website www.PatWilliamsMotivate.com. |
Sunday, 14 September 2008
|
"Summer Vacation: Enjoying God's Creation"
Devotion by: Bob Morris, Midwest Regional Scout, Cleveland Browns
September 12, 2008
|
|
July is the time that NFL employees have a chance to get away from their job, and spend quality time with their families. This summer our family took an unforgettable trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Throughout the trip I was reminded of the greatness of God, and how spectacular his creation is.
We began our trip playing golf in the Phoenix area. I was amazed at the growth in the Phoenix area and how the "Valley of the Sun" has grown using the water of the Colorado River. Isaiah 35:2 - "The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel on the plane of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God."
We then traveled to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Wow! What a spectacular sight. How can one river, the Colorado do all of this? I heard all of the theories of how the Grand Canyon was created, and I am more convinced then ever that God's hand was guiding the "paint brush". Psalm 104:8, 10 - "Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed. You make springs pour water into the ravines so streams gush down from the mountains."
Quick USA geography quiz: Which four states come together at the four corners? The answer: Page, Arizona where we toured the Glenn Canyon Dam and saw Lake Powell. It is amazing how man has tamed and used the power of the Colorado River in this part of the country. What a great challenge we have as humans to use the earth's resources wisely. Genesis 1:28 - "God blessed them and God said to them 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule the fish of the seas, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.'"
We then traveled to Breckenridge, CO and spent three days playing golf and hiking in the high country. Then it was on to the Ft Collins to tackle the Poudre River and do some white water rafting. In our travels in CO, we saw the start of the Colorado River, the Arkansas, the South Platte and the Poudre River. My son could not believe that all of the water, even the water we saw in the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell comes from the snow packs in the Colorado Rockies. People in biblical times had the same observations as my son. Jeremiah 18:14 - "Does the snow ever disappear from the mountain tops of Lebanon? Do the cold streams flowing from those distant mountains ever dry up?"
 I always feel refreshed and more alive after a trip to the Rocky Mountains. I call it my "mountain fix". The majestic peaks, the mountain streams, and the beauty of the flowers represent God's hand in creation. I had my first one on one encounter with God at an FCA camp and later at a Young Life camp in Estes Park, CO. Those were life changing events for me. I can understand why Jesus went to the mountains to pray and have quiet time.
The most amazing fact about God and his creation that struck me after this trip is that God made us to rule over his creation. James 1:18 - "He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word, and we out of all the creatures became his prized possession." Wow! The God that created the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains created me, too, to be his prized possession!
Today's Prayer
"Lord, thank you for your creation. I am in awe of you, as I view the Grand Canyon and travel through the Rocky Mountains. I cannot imagine how great and powerful you must be to create such awesome geographical features, and the intricate ecosystem that is the Colorado River basin. Yet, you also created beauty with the small flowers of the mountain fields. I love your Columbine. Thank you. It reminds me of my mother every time I see it blooming. Lord, you created us in your image to oversee your creation, I pray for guidance as we find ways to use your resources wisely, and preserve the beauty of the west for generations to come. I am humbled, but thankful that I am your most prized possession. I hope I can in some small way live up to that great responsibility as I travel this fall. I feel closer to you when I am in the midst of your creative beauty in the mountains. I can see why Jesus went up into the mountains to pray. I pray that I can keep this feeling of closeness to you as I go out on the road this fall. I have the images of this summer's vacation to give me strength, and lift my spirit when I get down. In Jesus name I pray. Amen."
Bob Morris is in his seventh year as the midwest scout for the Cleveland Browns. Prior to coming to the Browns, Bob was a collegiate assistant coach at the Division-1A level for 21 years (Northern Illinois, Colorado, Indiana, Purdue, and Akron). A native of Boulder, CO, Bob is married to Jennifer and has two sons, Jerod, 27 and Joshua, 18. Bob is an active member of Winners Influence, serving in an advisory position, as well as an advocate across the NFL and a volunteer in a number of outreach events.
NOTE: If you are a member of the NFL and would like to share a devotion through Winners Influence, please respond to this email or get in touch with Joe Savage at jsavage@winnersinfluence.com.
|
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
|
"A Special Message & Prayer of Blessing for my NFL Readers"
Devotion for Sept. 6, 2008 - From: Dr. Joe Savage
|
|
My first devotion, written almost three years ago, was intended to minister to guys working in the NFL. Knowing that most of those working in the NFL have very little spiritual support during the season, I decided to begin writing a weekly devotion to simply encourage each reader and try to help each person remain focused on Christ.
Today, more than two hundred NFL executives, scouts, and coaches have requested the weekly devotion. It is awesome to hear from the individuals who say they have been blessed by the devotion. It is so amazing to hear about entire staffs who read the devotion each week as a group. I thank God for this privilege.
While the devotion has expanded outside of the NFL, to more than 1,400 recipients, the real heart is still upon ministering the NFL leaders. With that in mind, I want to offer a special prayer of blessing upon our NFL readers as they start a new season tomorrow.
Guys, I want you to know that I am here for you as you need me. I know that I don't know all of you, but I do care, love, and respect each of you. As the season progresses, if you need prayer, help, or simply someone to help you stay accountable, I am here. I truly do love you and want you to know that you are the number one person that I am called to serve and minister to. So with that being said, you need to know that you can call or email me anytime you desire. My cell is 863-899-9461.
As you start a new season tomorrow, may I offer each of you a prayer of blessing and protection.
"Father, I pray for all of my readers and friends in the NFL. As you know, tomorrow starts a new season for them. Thank you for giving each of them their jobs. Thank you for giving each of them an amazing amount of talent, skill, and ability.
Lord, I want to ask you to please watch over each one as they work, travel, and encounter weary bodies and tempted souls. Guard their minds in Christ Jesus. Bless their families - each one. Oh God, help their wives to stay strong, healthy, and loved. For those who have children, help their kids to be blessed, encouraged, and know that they are loved even when their dads so often aren't home. Help those who are single to remain pure, focused, and content in all things.
Lord, help each scout to stay safe in their travels. Help each coach to be a continuous positive influence on their players. Help each executive to be wise in all that they do.
Lord may each remember you and find strength and fortitude from you. May you help each one stay close to your Son Jesus. May they be blessed by Your hand. Father, may they be blessed by YOUR hand.
Thank you for each one. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
A Special Verse for YOU this 2008-2009 season
"God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always" (Psalm 121:7-8).
God bless you!
Joe Savage
|
|
|
|  |
 |
|
DR. JOE SAVAGE
AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO YOUR CHURCH, GROUP, SCHOOL, OR COMPANY!
Click for more information
Spoken more than 1,400 times!
|
|
|
|
