Football Christianity Does Hardin Valley Church of Christ practice "Football Christianity"?

Football Christianity Does Hardin Valley Church of Christ practice "Football Christianity"? Backfield in Motion: Making two or three trips outside the Church during serviceORMaking a trip to the foyer (restroom or water fountain) during the service.

Bench warmer: An inactive church memberORThose who do not sing, pray, work or apparently do nothing but sit. The Blitz: The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.

Blocking: Standing inside the church door complaining to the Elders about the sermon. Draft choice: Choose a seat near the back door of auditorium. Extra point: What you receive when you tell the preacher the sermon was too short.

Draw Play: What many children (and a few adults) do with their bulletins and Connection during service. End Run: Getting out of church quickly, without speaking to any guest or fellow members. Flex Defense: The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.

Fumble: A lousy sermon, lesson or bible class. Halfback Option: The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service or small groups. Halftime: The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave.

Illegal motion: Leaving before the announcements and closing prayer. Instant Replay: The preacher or teacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations. Quarterback sneak: Sunday school teachers sneak into the church building five minutes after Sunday school begins.

Stay in the Pocket: What happens to a lot of money that ought to go to the Church contribution. Sudden Death: The penalty to the preacher who preaches more than twenty minutes. Trap: You're called on to lead opening prayer and are asleep or not paying attention.

Two-minute warning: The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and all belongings.

In our daily lives, we all have a “Martha” side that is hidden to even our closest friends. Which one of these am I guilty of: • On most mornings, I wear an apron before getting ready to go to work; • On a weekly basis, I provide a type of day care to kids other than my own; • Most days, I am either a bus driver or taxi driver; • All of the above

In today’s world of texting, I have been guilty of? • Sending text to close friends that has either offended them or caused broken friendships; • Sent text that has strengthened a close relationship; • Sent enough text in a month to write a book; • All of the above

When being a “manly man”, what will my kids remember about their Dad? • Taking time to paint the girls finger nails; • Iron my own clothes; • Wear a gun and badge to work most days; • Play hide-n-seek outside, way after dark; • All of the above

When being a “manly man”, what will my kids remember about their Dad? • Enjoy a cold beer on Sat nights; • Cursing and inappropriate language; • Choosing certain activities/entertainment to attend instead of church services; • Distant relationship, not connected or concerned with daily activities; • All of the above

Many of us have close friends and/or family that have done things that cause shame. I personally know of these and am reminded that God will forgive ALL! • A victim of rape; • A mother allowing abortion of her unborn child; • An Uncle involved in a kidnap and murder for hire; • Broken family as a result of divorce;

I Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV) 24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Running The Race The Christian’s race is not a sprint – it’s a marathon. God has a race for you to run! What a challenging and exciting thought – God has given me a race to run. God has designed a purpose for my life – a purpose that I can discover and fulfill. What is this race?

This race begins, not when you are born, but when you receive Christ and his gift of complete forgiveness. The race for me began 35 years ago when I asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life and lead me. It was the starting gun of the race God set before me, and I’m still running that race!

Racing flags_ used in auto racing and similar motorsports to indicate track condition and to communicate important messages to drivers. Typically, the starter, sometimes the grand marshal of a race, waves the flags atop a flag stand near the start/finish line. Track marshals are also stationed at observation posts along the race track in order to communicate both local and course-wide conditions to drivers.

In our race, we are not competing against other racers. . . Just against ourselves and against the enemy of our souls; who wants to wreck us. Sometimes we have to slow down. God wants us to come into the pits at least every seven days to gather. Often he wants us to slow down to help fellow racers who have had trouble or wrecked on the track. Sometimes we get stopped, and it’s no fault of our own.

Getting STOPPED is part of life! What’s important isthat we get going when the green flag comes back out. The white flag is for those nearing the end and either due to terminal illness or nursing-home years. The black flag is for the people who get disqualified, like the unrepentant sinners; those that tenderly call Him Lord, but don’t really mean it.

The checkered flag is waved when we meet the Lord face-to-face. It’s great to finish well, but it’s crucial to finish. The ideal is to hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Matt 25:23

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) The Race of Faith 12Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Bristol Raceway Ministries Mission Statement: "To exceed expectations by providing outstanding customer service while showing the love of God at Bristol Motor Speedway and in the community."

In I Timothy 2:1-4, Paul exhorts believers to pray specific, need-based, intercessory prayers on behalf of all men. The focus of our intercession is God's kingdom work in people's lives. People matter to God. He created them and He desires to redeem them in Christ. When believers walk in their world and pray, they join His activity as they intercede toward God's redemptive purposes in people.

Raceway Ministries believes the best way to do this is by getting the Word of God into the hands of race fans, vendors, and workers around the track. The newly published Winner’s Circle New Testament will appeal to everyone in attendance. The special edition of this high-quality NASB New Testament includes: - A picture of Bristol Motor Speedway on the front cover - A picture of Bristol Dragway on the back cover - New Testament text with the “plan of salvation” - Scripture Helps for a diverse set of problems and needs - Historical pictures from Bristol Motor Speedway - Pictures and testimonies of several of the drivers

Who is your favorite Christian athlete? To be in the public spotlight and live out your faith in Christ is not easy for anybody. They were all Christians first and used their athletic ability to bring glory to God.

John Smoltz- MLB Pitcher Smoltz has shared that he is a born again Christian and has served on the board of a Christian school in Alpharetta, Georgia. He was also involved in the development of a Christian school in the Atlanta region. Kurt Warner – NFL Quarterback He believed that God healed him from a concussion in 2000. Kurt and his wife Brenda started the First Things First foundation. This is a Christian non-profit organization that helps those in need. Mike Singletary – NFL Linebacker/Coach/Hall of Famer One of his nicknames was “Minister of Defense” because he was also an ordained minister. Mike was known for his intensity on the field but more importantly for this intensity for his love of Christ!

DesireEven with all the preparation and accuracy of "perfection" in any sport, unless one has the desire to compete and win, his training is useless. We can have all the know-how and go through the religious gymnastics of Christianity; but unless there is within us an unquenchable desire to "follow hard" after the Lord, to know him in his fullness. . . . the final record will reveal our place as falling far short.

Albert Pujols- MLB Outfielder/First Baseman Pujols is a professing Christian who has been quoted as saying: “My life’s goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. But baseball is not the end; baseball is the means by which my wife, Dee Dee, and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.” A.C. Green- NBA Forward A.C. Green is best known for his days with the L.A. Lakers but had an amazing streak of not missing a game from 1986 through 2001. A. C. Green is also noted for his faith and living it out. He was often teased for admitting he was a virgin and teammates would often send women to his room to tempt him. Green would use this as an opportunity to quote Scriptures to the women.

PreparationMany weeks, even years go into the training of a successful athlete. The actual competition or test of endurance, however, is often a matter of only a few minutes, even seconds. Jesus Christ was hidden away in the carpenter's shop till the age of 30; his public ministry only lasted for three years. Joseph served 14 years in a place he later was made to rule over. Noah invested a great length of time building an ark that was to keep him and his family alive for several months. Moses didn't receive his call till 40 years of age.

Allyson Felix – Gold Olympian runner Felix's father is a New Testament professor, and she has touted his Bible classes and her own seminary training on her website. Felix uses her platform as a runner to testify about her faith. "My speed is a gift from God, and I run for his glory," she told Christianity Today. "Whatever I do, it all comes from him." Michael Waltrip – NASCAR Driver and owner In an "Ask the White House" interactive forum, Waltrip said, "I talk to God and I talk to Jesus when I'm racing and before I race." Waltrip is also active in his support of Motor Racing Outreach (MRO), a Christian ministry that aims to introduce NASCAR drivers, crews, and their families "to a personal faith in Christ, to growth in Christ-likeness, and to active involvement in the church through relationships that provide care in times of stress, knowledge of God's word, and assistance in the development of leadership skills."

DisciplineAn important part of God's training program is becoming sure-footed. Before we can compete we must become "established, firmly rooted, grounded and settled in the faith." In order to enter the race, or even qualify as a contestant, one must learn to cast aside anything detrimental to his program of training.

Joe Gibbs- NFL Coach, NASCAR Owner Gibbs lives out his faith and is not shy to teach Christian principles in his coaching and owner duties. Gibbs wrote a book called “Game Plan For Life” which talks about God and the importance of his relationship with God. Reggie White- NFL Defensive End The late Reggie White is one of the toughest defensive lineman to put on a helmet in the NFL. He is the second all-time sack leader. Also called the “Minister of Defense” on the field and was known for his Christian ministry work as an ordained pastor. Tim Tebow- NFL Quarterback/Heisman Trophy winner He is very open about his faith and they even coined a phrase called “Tebowing” off of his kneeling on one knee to pray. In college Tebow wore Bible verses on his eye black which caused many to search out those verses during or after the game.

ObedienceTo qualify for the finals, one must abide by the rules of the competition. In God's kingdom, as well, certain laws and guidelines must not be violated. Jesus spoke of those who offered to work for him and follow him but did not complete the instructions. Afterwards, they "went their own ways."

Zach Johnson– PGA golfer Johnson believes he is never far from Jesus, even when walking the greens. When he won the Masters, one of golf's biggest tournaments, on Easter Sunday in 2007, he said that Jesus had been walking with him every step of the way. No matter how one feels about athletes saying such things, Johnson's faith is clearly authentic. He is the only player in golf history to win the Masters while being ranked outside the top 50 players. Others mentioned: Derek Fisher (NBA) Shaun Alexander (NFL) Curt Schilling (MBA) Tony Dungy (NFL) George Foreman (Boxer) David Robinson (NBA)

Enduring to the End Many focus on the initial speed of their progress, but overlook one far greater factor of successful athletic competition: consistency. We may start out in the front lines, leading, but if our progress is not consistent -- if we become entangled with the affairs of this life (II Tim 2:4; Gal 5:1) -- we will fall back as we weary with the stress of the race.

Run with endurance the race that God has set before you

Football Christianity Does Hardin Valley Church of Christ practice "Football Christianity"?