One of my favorite Civil War heroes is General Thomas Jackson, best know as “Stonewall” Jackson. He was given the name “Stonewall” at the first major battle of the Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run, because he stood like a “stone wall” in the face of a Union counterattack. His life story is well told in the movie Gods and Generals.
Jackson was highly disciplined, courageous and a military genius. He was also known for his fierce loyalty and devotion to Robert E. Lee. On one occasion, Lee sent a message to Jackson to come by his headquarters and visit with him concerning a certain matter the next time he was in the area.
The next morning, Jackson rose well before dawn, riding by horseback through a heavy snow and arriving at Lee’s headquarters just as the General was having breakfast. Lee expressed surprise on seeing Jackson so soon, commenting that his message did not convey a spirit of urgency, but rather asked Jackson to report at his convenience. Jackson responded, “Sir, your slightest wish is my greatest command.”
When our children were small Patti and I wanted them to understand the importance of obeying God. We taught them the scriptural definition of obedience – obedience is doing exactly what I am asked to do, when I am asked to do it, with the right heart attitude. Delayed obedience, incomplete obedience or begrudging obedience is actually disobedience by God’s definition.
Jesus communicated the importance of obedience like this, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Obedience is one of the clearest evidences of a sincere love for God. My brother, is your obedience to Christ a complete obedience? Is it timely? Is it done with the right heart attitude? If not, join me in asking God to form in you a heart of absolute obedience to Christ.
Shoulder to Shoulder,
Gregg
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Tennis Anyone?
As the U.S. Open Tennis Championship moves towards the finals this weekend, I am reminded of a former U.S. Open finalist named Michel Chang. In 1996, Chang was facing Pete Sampras in a rare all-American Open final. Though Chang lost in straight sets, he used the opportunity to do something he did throughout his professional career, point people to Christ.
Over his professional career Michael Chang won 37 tournaments, earning over $19 million and reaching the #2 ranking in the world. His rise to being a top ranked world player started with a huge win in Paris in 1989. Seventeen year old Michael Chang shocked the tennis world by defeating the top rated seeds to win the French Open. He became the youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam event. World Tennis magazine described his performance in Paris as "tennis’s purest example of intelligence."
But Chang had another explanation, one that stayed consistent through the years since he gave his life to Jesus Christ: "I wasn’t playing out there. Jesus Christ is alive and well!" Chang believes his continued success is testimony to something-or Someone-else entirely.
"People sometimes ask me, 'Don't you wish you were bigger?' There’s a reason God made me 5-foot-9 in a world where the average height of players is 6-foot-2. If I’m able to go out and win a tournament, it’s really to God’s glory. It obviously has nothing to do with my height or anything else." "I felt God used me to show the world that you don’t always have to be bigger or stronger to come out on top. When the Lord is with you and wants you to be victorious, you will be."
When discussing his incredible achievements in the world of professional tennis, Chang has said, “Success for me is using my talents in the way that God wants me to use them. When you touch people in a Christ-like way, it lasts a lifetime. That’s the way success should be defined." What a great reminder that true success will ultimately be measured by what you take with you into eternity. Only two things last forever, the Word of God and the souls of people. The time and energy you commit to influencing people for Christ is an eternal investment. True success will be defined by who is in heaven because you took the time to tell them about Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 reminds us, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Let’s follow Michael Chang’s example and start touching people around us in a Christ-like way.
Shoulder to Shoulder,
Gregg
Over his professional career Michael Chang won 37 tournaments, earning over $19 million and reaching the #2 ranking in the world. His rise to being a top ranked world player started with a huge win in Paris in 1989. Seventeen year old Michael Chang shocked the tennis world by defeating the top rated seeds to win the French Open. He became the youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam event. World Tennis magazine described his performance in Paris as "tennis’s purest example of intelligence."
But Chang had another explanation, one that stayed consistent through the years since he gave his life to Jesus Christ: "I wasn’t playing out there. Jesus Christ is alive and well!" Chang believes his continued success is testimony to something-or Someone-else entirely.
"People sometimes ask me, 'Don't you wish you were bigger?' There’s a reason God made me 5-foot-9 in a world where the average height of players is 6-foot-2. If I’m able to go out and win a tournament, it’s really to God’s glory. It obviously has nothing to do with my height or anything else." "I felt God used me to show the world that you don’t always have to be bigger or stronger to come out on top. When the Lord is with you and wants you to be victorious, you will be."
When discussing his incredible achievements in the world of professional tennis, Chang has said, “Success for me is using my talents in the way that God wants me to use them. When you touch people in a Christ-like way, it lasts a lifetime. That’s the way success should be defined." What a great reminder that true success will ultimately be measured by what you take with you into eternity. Only two things last forever, the Word of God and the souls of people. The time and energy you commit to influencing people for Christ is an eternal investment. True success will be defined by who is in heaven because you took the time to tell them about Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 reminds us, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Let’s follow Michael Chang’s example and start touching people around us in a Christ-like way.
Shoulder to Shoulder,
Gregg
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