Among the passages of Scripture that ministers to me time and time again is Paul's letter to the Philippians. In the letter, he writes to them (3:10), of his desire to know God and the power of His resurrection.
Do you long to know God? Do you have a desire to fellowship with the Creator of the Universe? He encourages and invites us to do just that. To know God involves communication with Him. As we learn to commune with Him more and more, He reveals more of Himself to us. We can begin to understand Him better.
It has always been intriguing to me that people choose not to read the Bible because they do not understand it. Though it may sound contradictory to nature, the Bible is a book that becomes easier to understand the more we read. The more we invest in trying to understand, the more God will reveal Himself to us.
Knowing God is not an accident. Knowing God is a choice of commitment to Him. It is the concept of contentment in being able to trust Him with our lives. Knowing God is the courage of changing our minds to be more like His. Will you accept the challenge to chart the course of your life to know God in all His glory?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Joy of Intercessory Prayer
It was the middle of the night when I received a tweet from a friend about her father who was being rushed to the hospital. This dad had been battling some physical issues for a few months and it was rearing its ugly head again. She texted me that she wanted to pray, but when she tried, nothing came out. As I thought about that statement, I saw a difference in a well-known predicament that sometimes when we pray, it seems our prayers only hit the ceiling. She wasn't dealing with some "prayer-to-the-ceiling" syndrome. This is a helpless, overwhelming feeling that is indescribeably painful.
As I thought about how to respond, my mind went to the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. Paraphrasing, he said the Spirit understands our weaknesses and when we can't pray, He prays for us. He intercedes on our behalf to the Father! When I don't know what to say, He says it for me!
What a blessing to know we have a Father in Heaven who loves us enough to extend His grace and comfort to us. What a joy, knowing that even in my most uncertain times, I can be certain He is interceding on my behalf. When I'm experiencing the most hurt, even beyond being able to verbalize it, He is praying for me!
In an effort to fully release the purpose of the Holy Spirit's intercession in your life, consider these practical habits to make a part of your life.
-> Ensure your personal response prepares you for eternity with Christ.
-> Enjoy resting in the peace that passes all understanding.
-> Experience the reassuring presence of His Holy Spirit to comfort you in your emotional hurts and struggles.
As I thought about how to respond, my mind went to the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. Paraphrasing, he said the Spirit understands our weaknesses and when we can't pray, He prays for us. He intercedes on our behalf to the Father! When I don't know what to say, He says it for me!
What a blessing to know we have a Father in Heaven who loves us enough to extend His grace and comfort to us. What a joy, knowing that even in my most uncertain times, I can be certain He is interceding on my behalf. When I'm experiencing the most hurt, even beyond being able to verbalize it, He is praying for me!
In an effort to fully release the purpose of the Holy Spirit's intercession in your life, consider these practical habits to make a part of your life.
-> Ensure your personal response prepares you for eternity with Christ.
-> Enjoy resting in the peace that passes all understanding.
-> Experience the reassuring presence of His Holy Spirit to comfort you in your emotional hurts and struggles.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Independence Bowl 2009
The University of Georgia Bulldogs football team did not have a pleasant 2009. That could probably be the understatement of the sports decade. In fact, after the 2007 Sugar Bowl victory over Hawaii, the Bulldogs have arguably had one of the worst slides of recent memory in college football.
Entering the 2008 season as the pre-season #1 ranked team in the land, injuries plagued the Dawgs even during the pre-season practices and the 10-3 record, including a January 1 bowl victory, just wasn't good enough. After all, two of the three losses were to arch rivals Florida and Georgia Tech.
The Bulldogs entered 2009 with less fanfare, yet started the season with four consecutive victories. A loss to then #4 LSU, followed closely by losses to Tennessee and a huge loss to Florida provided reason for the Bulldog faithful to get a bit irritable. The unthinkable happened when Kentucky came to Athens and beat the Bulldogs, and many were ready to write the season off and would not be satisfied until the entire coaching staff was replaced. That is, after the proverbial tarring and feathering, and running them out of the state on the nearest railroad, without cashing in their $200 for passing 'GO'.
Georgia got by Auburn, and looked decent doing it. Georgia Tech hosted the Bulldogs and everyone except Mrs. Richt expected the Jackets to make Georgia's season sting even more. The Bulldogs played the game of their season and chased the Jackets back to their clubhouse, stinger between their wings.
Coach Richt made the difficult business / athletic decision to fire three coaches, including Defensive Coordinator Willie Gonzales a couple of days after the Tech game. The defense just hadn't been getting the job done. Nevermind the turnovers, causing many short yardage fields for opponent's offenses to run. Or the penalties the Dawgs kept being assessed with at the most inopportune times.
Through all the difficulties of the season, a couple of constants seemed to remain. The kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler. They have been tremendous all season long for Georgia. Walsh has made 20 of 22 field goals this season, including an incredible 7 of 7 from the 40-49 yard range. Even more impressive is his streak of 92/92 career PAT's. The 2009 Ray Guy Award recipient, presented to the nation's best punter, went to Drew Butler. He averaged well over 40 yards per punt this season.
Most talk of successful teams includes all sorts of information about offense and defense. The quarterback, running back, and wide receiver are so often mentioned, as well as maybe a linebacker or defensive back. They have to do their jobs, but one can never, ever overlook the importance of special teams.
Case in point, consider the Georgia Bulldogs victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2009 Independence Bowl. The Aggies had more first downs than Georgia. They outgained the Dawgs in total offense by more than 100 yards. The differences in this game, you ask? Georgia won the turnover battle, ending the game with a 2-1 advantage. Georgia has been one of the most penalized teams in the country the past two years. They only committed 6 penalties for 39 yards in the bowl game. Couple these two factors with the play of Georgia's special teams unit: One kick-off returned for a TD; a blocked field goal; a blocked punt deep in the Aggies territory, allowing a relatively quick score; plus recovering a foiled punt attempt when the snap went sailing over the Aggie punter's head, leading to another touchdown. On the flip side, Walsh made his 49 yard FG attempt, and nailed a record setting 5 PATs.
I sat and watched the Independence Bowl on pins and needles during the first 27+ minutes of scoreless football. I briefly sat in stewing anger as I watched the Aggies draw first blood after a long pass completion set up a touchdown. The kick return helped some, and then the blocked punt, setting up another TD made half-time bearable. The pins and needles came back in a hurry when A&M scored on the opening drive of the second half. Georgia made some halftime adjustments to the offensive line personnel, and it was obvious in the second half. This win gives Georgia a little something to ease the offseason pain of a less than average season by Georgia standards.
Special teams can teach us a pretty good lesson after this game. There are not two distinct parts to a football team. There are most assuredly three; offense, defense, AND SPECIAL TEAMS. Incidentally, many times special teams are made up of younger, less experienced players. The young man who ran the kick back for the touchdown ~ a sophomore. The young man who blocked the punt setting up another touchdown ~ a redshirt freshman. Even the "skill special teamers", punter Drew Butler is a redshirt sophomore and kicker Blair Walsh is a sophomore.
If you're a Georgia fan, I can't help but feel the future is bright. I am looking forward to seeing what 2010 holds. Is there a GO DAWGS in the house?
Entering the 2008 season as the pre-season #1 ranked team in the land, injuries plagued the Dawgs even during the pre-season practices and the 10-3 record, including a January 1 bowl victory, just wasn't good enough. After all, two of the three losses were to arch rivals Florida and Georgia Tech.
The Bulldogs entered 2009 with less fanfare, yet started the season with four consecutive victories. A loss to then #4 LSU, followed closely by losses to Tennessee and a huge loss to Florida provided reason for the Bulldog faithful to get a bit irritable. The unthinkable happened when Kentucky came to Athens and beat the Bulldogs, and many were ready to write the season off and would not be satisfied until the entire coaching staff was replaced. That is, after the proverbial tarring and feathering, and running them out of the state on the nearest railroad, without cashing in their $200 for passing 'GO'.
Georgia got by Auburn, and looked decent doing it. Georgia Tech hosted the Bulldogs and everyone except Mrs. Richt expected the Jackets to make Georgia's season sting even more. The Bulldogs played the game of their season and chased the Jackets back to their clubhouse, stinger between their wings.
Coach Richt made the difficult business / athletic decision to fire three coaches, including Defensive Coordinator Willie Gonzales a couple of days after the Tech game. The defense just hadn't been getting the job done. Nevermind the turnovers, causing many short yardage fields for opponent's offenses to run. Or the penalties the Dawgs kept being assessed with at the most inopportune times.
Through all the difficulties of the season, a couple of constants seemed to remain. The kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler. They have been tremendous all season long for Georgia. Walsh has made 20 of 22 field goals this season, including an incredible 7 of 7 from the 40-49 yard range. Even more impressive is his streak of 92/92 career PAT's. The 2009 Ray Guy Award recipient, presented to the nation's best punter, went to Drew Butler. He averaged well over 40 yards per punt this season.
Most talk of successful teams includes all sorts of information about offense and defense. The quarterback, running back, and wide receiver are so often mentioned, as well as maybe a linebacker or defensive back. They have to do their jobs, but one can never, ever overlook the importance of special teams.
Case in point, consider the Georgia Bulldogs victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2009 Independence Bowl. The Aggies had more first downs than Georgia. They outgained the Dawgs in total offense by more than 100 yards. The differences in this game, you ask? Georgia won the turnover battle, ending the game with a 2-1 advantage. Georgia has been one of the most penalized teams in the country the past two years. They only committed 6 penalties for 39 yards in the bowl game. Couple these two factors with the play of Georgia's special teams unit: One kick-off returned for a TD; a blocked field goal; a blocked punt deep in the Aggies territory, allowing a relatively quick score; plus recovering a foiled punt attempt when the snap went sailing over the Aggie punter's head, leading to another touchdown. On the flip side, Walsh made his 49 yard FG attempt, and nailed a record setting 5 PATs.
I sat and watched the Independence Bowl on pins and needles during the first 27+ minutes of scoreless football. I briefly sat in stewing anger as I watched the Aggies draw first blood after a long pass completion set up a touchdown. The kick return helped some, and then the blocked punt, setting up another TD made half-time bearable. The pins and needles came back in a hurry when A&M scored on the opening drive of the second half. Georgia made some halftime adjustments to the offensive line personnel, and it was obvious in the second half. This win gives Georgia a little something to ease the offseason pain of a less than average season by Georgia standards.
Special teams can teach us a pretty good lesson after this game. There are not two distinct parts to a football team. There are most assuredly three; offense, defense, AND SPECIAL TEAMS. Incidentally, many times special teams are made up of younger, less experienced players. The young man who ran the kick back for the touchdown ~ a sophomore. The young man who blocked the punt setting up another touchdown ~ a redshirt freshman. Even the "skill special teamers", punter Drew Butler is a redshirt sophomore and kicker Blair Walsh is a sophomore.
If you're a Georgia fan, I can't help but feel the future is bright. I am looking forward to seeing what 2010 holds. Is there a GO DAWGS in the house?
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