Never Give Up!

The Monday Night Football game between the Cowboys and the Bills was one of the most exciting we have seen in a long time. After five turnovers in the first half, the Cowboys trailed by seventeen points. Quarterback Tony Romo, along with the entire team, showed incredible composure in the second half, coming back to score 9 points in the last 20 seconds to win the game. It moved them to a 5-0 record on the season and gave all of us plenty to talk about around the water cooler on Tuesday morning.

Not only was it a tremendous win, but it also demonstrated a great lesson in coming back from failure. Tony Romo in his second season as the Cowboys’ quarterback threw five interceptions, resulting in two Bills’ touchdowns and fumbled away another turnover. Six turnovers in a game is any NFL quarterback’s worst nightmare and could severely impact job security. His performance in the last three minutes of the game, however, demonstrated that Romo could become one of the NFL’s great quarterbacks by maintaining incredible concentration under some of the most strenuous circumstances. Ultimately Romo and the ‘Boys won because they refused to give up.

In October of 1941 the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was asked to speak at the Harrow School where he had attended as a youth. After summarizing the overwhelming threat that Hitler and Nazi Germany posed for Great Britain and the free world, Churchill spoke these words, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” His iron will and the resolve of the British and American people ultimately prevailed over the Axis threat.

Proverbs 24:17 reminds us, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.” This verse reminds us that failure is a normal part of life. The question is not “Will you fail”, but rather “When will you fail?” We fail at times in our business pursuits, career objectives, financial investments, personal relationships and in our spiritual walk. Sometimes we fail because of bad choices, sometimes due to lack of execution or preparation. Sometimes we fail because we cannot get beyond obstacles that block our path.

My friend in Christ, don’t allow the failures of the past to keep you from tomorrow’s victories. It is time to get up, dust yourself off and get back on that horse. Remember, never, never, never, never give in or give up!

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg

A Lesson in Obedience

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

It's Never Too Late!

Recently Robert Nuranen returned a library book to his local library in Hancock, Michigan. Normally, an event like this would not draw a lot of attention. This one, however, made the national news, because along with the book Nuranen handed the librarian a check for $171.32 to cover 47 years worth of late fees.

The book Prince of Egypt, with its last due date stamped June 2, 1960, was part of the young Nuranen’s fascination with Egypt. He said his mother misplaced the book while cleaning the house. The family came across it every so often, only to set it aside again. He found it recently while looking through a box in the attic. “I figured I’d better get it in before we waited another 10 years,” he said after returning it. He added, “Fifty-seven years would be embarrassing.”

Nuranen said he went on to visit Egypt and 54 other countries, and all 50 states, but he never did finish the book. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he teaches seventh-grade social studies and language arts. Commenting on Nuranen, librarian Sue Zubiena said, “The library had long ago lost any record of the book. I’m going to use it as an example. It’s never too late to return your books.”

Men, there are some other things that it is never too late to do. It is never too late to start telling your wife that you love her or your children that you are proud of them or your parents that you appreciate them. It is never too late to ask forgiveness for wrongs committed or say you are sorry. It is never too late to start spending time with God in Bible Study and prayer or sharing the gospel with other people.

Hebrews 3:7-8 reminds us, “So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ....” When God speaks, we become instantly accountable to what He tells us. Thankfully we do not have to live in the prison of the past. Through God’s grace and forgiveness we can start again fresh and new.

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg

How's Your Attitude?

With the 2007 baseball season in full swing, here is a great story to remind you of the importance of attitude. Larry King, the CNN interviewer and radio/TV personality, tells of a visit to Miami’s Joe Robbie Stadium before a spring training game. King says manager Tommy Lasorda was introducing him to players and having a good time. They walked past Eddie Murray at first base and Lasorda said, ‘Hey, Eddie, how you doing?’ Murray replied simply, ‘Okay.’

At that, Lasorda went wild. “Okay? Okay? Two million dollars a year. It’s March. There ain’t a cloud in the sky. You’re standing there wearing a major-league uniform. You’re thirty-three years old, you’re going to the Hall of Fame, and you’re saying okay? You say, ‘Great, Tommy!’” Murray, looking at Lasorda like he was a maniac, seemed at a loss for words. Lasorda tried again, “You say it: ‘I feel great!’” So Eddie started saying, “I feel great!”

I have heard my friend Bill Glass, professional football player and evangelist, say many times, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” By that he means that you will only go as far in life as your attitude allows. Nobody wants to be around or follow someone with a bad attitude.

How do you change your attitude? Your attitude is shaped by what you think about. Our tendency is to focus on the negative, what someone has aptly called, “stinkin’ thinkin.” Too often we are fixated on the challenging circumstances of our life. While you may not be able to change your circumstances, you can change your attitude. Perhaps you have heard the old rhyme, “Two men looked past prison bars. One saw mud, the other saw stars.”

Philippians 4:8 reminds us of the importance of what we think about, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” Men, I encourage you to do an attitude check. Is your attitude in line with things mentioned in the verse above? If not, what will you do about it?

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg