Athlete Spotlight: Is Tebow good enough?

Tim Tebow. Let me just say that I have rooted against him a lot in the last few years. I am a Seminole fan. My wife, Cassidy is a gator fan, but a bigger Tim Tebow fan. Hands down, he is a great athlete. Anyone who says otherwise has no understanding of sports or ability. I could not stand watching him beat the Seminoles each year. It was painful, but I learned to respect not only his leadership on the field but his leadership in life.

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He is a good example of what a man of God should be in life. Why do I think this? Tim loves Jesus and is not ashamed. He kneels to give God thanks after a game ("tebowing" as they call it). He is ridiculed for his radical faith, for example, remaining pure until marriage. (Why is that funny? It takes more courage to be pure than it does to be impure!) He was raised in a godly home that taught him the importance of knowing Scripture, which was one reason he wore Scripture verses as his eye black (outlawed soon after Tebow graduated). I had the privilege to meet his mom in Jacksonville. She spoke at a women's event and did a great job. I could see her love for Christ came first in her life. Knowing her bravery to deliver Tim despite the doctors warnings reveals their outlook on life.

I was homeschooled (or homeskooled?). I know you are not that surprised! I grew up playing basketball and baseball in Palm Bay, Florida and later walked on at the college level. If the state of Florida did not allow homeschoolers to play sports in high schools, none of this would be possible. Tim Tebow was the first homeschooler to win the Heisman trophy! In most states you cannot play sports as a homeschooler. Did you know Jason Taylor was homeschooled as well? We are not all into chess club and spelling bees!

I have heard both the negative and positive things about Tim Tebow. Most of those who dislike him are usually the ones that lost to him for years. Here are a few stats from his college career:

• 2006, 2008 National championship
• Career Passing: 661 Cmp, 995 Att, 9285 Yds, 88 TD
• Career Rushing: 692 Att, 2947 Yds, 4.3 Avg, 57 TD
• Career Scoring: 57 TD, 342 Pts
• Consensus All-America: 2007
• Heisman Voting: 1st in 2007, 3rd in 2008 and 5th in 2009
• Career Pass completion percentage: SEC* 66.4 (1st)
• Career passing touchdowns SEC* 88 (1st)
• Career rushing touchdowns SEC* 57 (1st) (More stats HERE)

We all agree (those who are sane) that Tebow was an exceptional college QB. Even haters usually agree that he was a winner. One reason that Tebow has struggled in the NFL is because he is used to having a spread option offense. Urban Meyer was a genius to embrace his offense with Tebow's strengths. Josh McDaniel drafted him with a desire to use him in the offense. McDaniel said this about Tebow, "He has all the traits you look for. It's a good pick." Tebow was ready to prove the critics wrong and make his new coach proud. McDaniel is now gone and the new coach is not his biggest fan.

He is now the starting quarterback for the Broncos, but has yet to find his rhythm. Tebow is a polarizing athlete. He is both criticized and loved by the media. Imagine being in his shoes? If you do not win, you are ridiculed and you hear people say, "Why Tim Tebow will never be a good NFL Quarterback" or "Face it...Tim Tebow just isn't good enough."

People said that when he was in college and now they are saying it in the NFL. Whether Tebow becomes a high quality QB or not, he has consistently revealed an attitude of character. In my opinion, his example for Christ will impact many long after his football career is over. Tim will use every criticism as fuel to improve. Am I a little biased? Maybe. But I know his identity is not found in how great he throws or runs a pigskin ball across a field. His identity is in Jesus Christ and that truly is all that matters.

 

Do you think Tebow is good enough? I'd like to hear your thoughts! 

Encouragement or Flattery?

Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. –George Mueller We all want encouragement. We all need encouragement. Even if your "love language" is not words of affirmation, a kind word is uplifting. I can remember the times in my life that people invested in my life. I can give encouragement but my inclination is criticism. Sad isn't it? It is much easier to find fault than to encourage. Personally, I can remember the criticism I have received over the years more than the encouragement. We need to encourage more and criticize less, especially within the church!

You see, encouragement is not flattery. Flattery is giving praise to someone for an unchangeable attribute God provided (mental capacity, family, nationality, skin complexion, hair...). Our culture thrives upon flattery (just go watch reality TV!). Focusing on the outward attributes leads to temporary joy.

Flattery can be...

•  "You look so good in that dress"
•  "Look at how handsome you are!"
•  "Your hair is so pretty"
• "Wow, you have a great voice. You should go on American Idol"
•  "Your message was amazing, you inspire me"

It gets even messier when you apply flattery in ministry. We all appreciate comments that lift us up. We crave it, especially when discouraged. Danger arises when we only listen to people who flatter us. What happens when we are criticized? Encouragement is not just telling each other how amazing we are. If we base our worth on flattery, we will have false identity.

So the real question is, are we looking for encouragement of flattery?

To encourage means “to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence.” It is to give courage to others. Courage to face the trials, insecurities, and pain in life. Encouragement is to give courage to one another to run the race with determination and perseverance (Hebrews 12:1). It is much more about how we finish, then how we start! Encouragement is pouring the hope and love of Jesus into each other's lives.

Encouragement is expressing character qualities exhibited in a person's life. It is focusing upon the grace of God in each other's life. Encouragement can also mean listening to correction from those who love you. When close friends say  hard things to me, it is hard to swallow. If we want to be encouraged but stay humble, we need accountability and vulnerability. We need encouragement to battle the struggles and humility to die to self.

Practical ways to encourage one another:

• Speak sincere words (Ephesians 4:29). Avoid sarcasm when encouraging others.
• Share encouraging scripture (Romans 15:4).
• Pray on the spot privately if someone expresses a need to you (don't just say, "I'll be praying, see you later").
• Buy someone's lunch without expecting anything in return.
• Send a quick text message, card or note to a friend.
• Privately encourage a person based on their growth in Christ. "Thank you for leading prayer today, I can see God using you."
• Encourage first before criticizing (Proverbs 10:11).
• Give encouragement without expecting it in return. (Only then is it true encouragement and not flattery).

What about you? Do you want encouragement or flattery? 

What Do You Crave?

We all have cravings. For me, I crave E.L. Fudge cookies and during the fall, candy corn! We love sports, the national peanut festival (it is a big deal here in Dothan, AL), our hobbies, and more.

Cravings are a result of what we fill our minds with consistently. Many times I spend time thinking more about the negative aspects of life than the positive. I guess more of a cup "half empty" type of approach. For others, there is a more positive way to view and think about life. The world offers darkness as if it is light.

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever" 1 John 2:15-17.

When I think about the world's cravings, it is just like John wrote in verse 16, "physical pleasure, craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions." In 1 John, he is writing specifically to Christians everywhere. The focus of 1 John is that worldly success equals doing whatever makes you feel good (sexual, lust, etc) and focus upon self (achievements and possessions). The kingdom of God is focused upon craving the glory of God!

What about when we have the wrong appetites? How do you respond when you fail? When my attitude, words or actions are not bringing glory to God, I tend to become discouraged. The discouragement is not from God, but from the enemy. You see, Christians aren't perfect. The world wants to point the finger and say, "hypocrite!" Our appetites can quickly crave the immediate cravings of the flesh. But we have been given life through Christ, how can we dive into the old cravings anymore? When we have been given the gift of salvation and restoration, how can we go back to the toilet of the world anymore? The reality is that everyone who is a follower of Christ is a sinner saved by grace. We are made new through Christ but still wrestle with our sinful nature. We should be convicted by the Holy Spirit but that leads to forgiveness and encouragement to run after God. The discouragement you and I feel on a regular basis is not from God, but the enemy. Don't lose heart and don't beat yourself up. Admit the appetite of the world and fill your mind with truth in order to crave the heart of Christ!

The outward, physical world is fading away. Every moment we are one step closer to eternity. Every moment the cars, houses, clothes and our possessions are deteriorating. We are not bodies with souls, but souls with bodies. Our bodies are temporary. Our lives on earth are here and gone the next. Every moment we live on the earth is a gift. Every breathe. Every heartbeat. Every moment. What will spend our life craving?

I am still a work in progress. One thing I do know is that God has given us a new identity as His sons and daughters! We should crave His kingdom and not the kingdom of this earth. What are you craving? Are you hungry for the heart of God or the "stuff" of the world?