High-level athletes used to come with some sort of integrity. They are well-known, well-paid, and should be well aware of the place they hold in society. Sports fans young and old become fans of their favorite players: some because they play for their favorite team, some because they believe the athlete is one of the best in their chosen field, and some simply because the icon is popular. Whatever the reason, we become fans of these players and hold them up as role models and people we look up to. In recent years, these players have fallen short of glory - in the arena of integrity. From Plexico, to Pacman, to Tiger, and now Big Ben (AGAIN) - these men are not only embarrassing themselves, they are letting down untold numbers of fans. Most of them being the impressionable youth of America.
Winston Churchill said "With great privilege comes great responsibility." Would that he come back from the grave and beat that concept into the heads of the 'upstart Colonials'. What Ben Roethlisberger needs to realize is that he is making extremely bad judgment calls for a face-of-a-franchise quarterback worth $102 million. He is making bad judgment calls for a 28 year old man - quarterback or no quarterback.
The pure fact he just hired one of the top 5 defense attorneys suggests one of two things: a) he is guilty of these recent charges or b) he is once again being falsely accused and wants to nip his problem in the bud. Either way, he definitely has a big problem on his hands.
Jesus says in Luke 12:48 "...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Ben has been made starting quarterback of one of the most respected, hard-working teams in the National Football League. He has been paid a lot of money to win championships. He has won two and still has a long promising career ahead of him. If he stops acting stupid and mans up. The Steelers organization has invested a lot of money, marketing and time into making him the face of their franchise. Hence, they ask a lot of him. Recently, he has been falling short of their requirements.
Whether he is guilty or innocent of the accusations, i hope he learns a very important lesson from this (he could learn it from Tiger's mistakes as well) - he is not above the law. Making the choice to leave a questionable situation is a good one. One he is going to have to learn sooner or later. For his sake - and for the sake of the millions of kids who look up to him - I hope it is sooner.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Spiritual Warfare
Did you ever have something you wanted to do? Not really that important, but something you wanted to look up or a book you wanted to read? I for one, have multiple wish lists on multiple websites, of multiple books I would like to read at some point in my life. I go through these lists about once a month, updating new ones and deleting ones I've actually read. There is this one book in particular that has been hanging around on one of my wish lists for about five years. I never bought it, because I wasn't sure of the author and I wanted to try and find it at the library. I've searched here and there and it was never on the search list - let alone available. Anyway, about a month ago, out of the blue, I searched for it on my library account and found it. So, I requested it in and went and picked it up (with many others) and brought it home. It sat on my table for three weeks. I renewed online. It sat for another 2 1/2 weeks. I got a notice it was due. So I decided I had better put down the other books I'm reading and get to it. It was due on Saturday. I finished it today.
It changed my world.
It's called The Veritas Conflict by Shaunti Feldmann. It happens to be a novel about spiritual warfare and it's about a girl who goes to Harvard University and the many things that happen at college that can shake your belief system. The story is a riveting ride through the history of Harvard and the spiritual battle going on behind the scenes there. A great read - I highly recommend it. There are also a lot of great conversations that often come up for Christians going to a secular university. She brings out some really great points that I've never even thought of before. Those parts of the book were a bonus.
I've read a few novels that dealt with spiritual warfare before (and yes, they are novels but they have some great research behind them - not to mention divine inspiration) and they always get me thinking. We as Christians often take for granted that there is a battle being fought -for us. All around us. This book in particular showed how beings - be they angels or demons - actually influence our every thought. I knew feelings of doubt, discouragement and inadequecy were of the devil, but I never really thought about how they were put into our mind. The idea that we are in a constant battle is a bit overwhelming - and yes, a bit scary.
I was brought up in a legalistic church environment where our parents and church leaders refused to talk about demons. "They are of the devil. We don't speak of them. Doing so may let them into our homes" were some of the reasons we were given. So, I never really thought about them. We just basically believed they only existed in biblical times. Boy, were we wrong.
The veritas (truth) is - there is a battle going on all around us. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Satan and his minons are trying to twart the plans of God and the lives of those carrying out those plans. Do you realize that trying to do something of your own strength gives evil control? Any time we think we don't need God that day, or that we "got this all under control", we are pushing God and those beings fighting for us to the back of the fight. I never really thought about it that way before. Makes you wonder what God can accomplish in your life if you just give him the controller daily, doesn't it?
So, be aware of when your day isn't going right, or something seems off. Pray up before you make any decision - important or petty - and listen for the leading of the Spirit.
Maybe, just maybe, you'll give your angels a slight break that way.
And to think, that book sat on my table for six weeks before I read it.
It changed my world.
It's called The Veritas Conflict by Shaunti Feldmann. It happens to be a novel about spiritual warfare and it's about a girl who goes to Harvard University and the many things that happen at college that can shake your belief system. The story is a riveting ride through the history of Harvard and the spiritual battle going on behind the scenes there. A great read - I highly recommend it. There are also a lot of great conversations that often come up for Christians going to a secular university. She brings out some really great points that I've never even thought of before. Those parts of the book were a bonus.
I've read a few novels that dealt with spiritual warfare before (and yes, they are novels but they have some great research behind them - not to mention divine inspiration) and they always get me thinking. We as Christians often take for granted that there is a battle being fought -for us. All around us. This book in particular showed how beings - be they angels or demons - actually influence our every thought. I knew feelings of doubt, discouragement and inadequecy were of the devil, but I never really thought about how they were put into our mind. The idea that we are in a constant battle is a bit overwhelming - and yes, a bit scary.
I was brought up in a legalistic church environment where our parents and church leaders refused to talk about demons. "They are of the devil. We don't speak of them. Doing so may let them into our homes" were some of the reasons we were given. So, I never really thought about them. We just basically believed they only existed in biblical times. Boy, were we wrong.
The veritas (truth) is - there is a battle going on all around us. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Satan and his minons are trying to twart the plans of God and the lives of those carrying out those plans. Do you realize that trying to do something of your own strength gives evil control? Any time we think we don't need God that day, or that we "got this all under control", we are pushing God and those beings fighting for us to the back of the fight. I never really thought about it that way before. Makes you wonder what God can accomplish in your life if you just give him the controller daily, doesn't it?
So, be aware of when your day isn't going right, or something seems off. Pray up before you make any decision - important or petty - and listen for the leading of the Spirit.
Maybe, just maybe, you'll give your angels a slight break that way.
And to think, that book sat on my table for six weeks before I read it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)