I'm sorry...not that I did it, but that I got caught.

So it's come to light that Reggie Bush received hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts while playing for the Univeristy of Southern California. I suppose this sort of thing happens pretty often even though it's strictly prohibited. What gets me is NOT the fact that it is going on. I'm sure plenty of amateur athletes receive gifts and bribes under the table. What gets me is the way that Pete Carroll (the coach) and RB respond.

"I'm absolutely shocked and disappointed in the findings of the NCAA. I never thought it would come to this." Pete Carroll

"I have a great love for the University of Southern California, and I very much regret the turn that this matter has taken, not only for USC, but for the fans and players." Reggie Bush

I wonder what Pete's disappointed about. I'm thinking he's disappointed that this all came out. What turn did this matter take that Bush regrets? The fact that he got caught?

This got ME thinking about what WE think when we choose to do something we know is wrong. How do we justify it in our mind? Do we make excuses? Do we think about getting caught? Do we think about the cost? Does anyone plan on getting caught? Does anyone ever really "get away" with anything?

Is this what He intended?

I've been thinking hard lately about how biblical my life is.

What if you asked "church goers" if they live a biblical life. Ask em..."Does your life match up with what the bible says?" I think that the vast majority would say yes. I'm thinking they should say no. Me included.

The question that's been bouncing around in my mind is "Where am I missing it?" What part of my life would make Jesus sick to his stomach? What part of scripture am I ignoring? What non biblical behavior am I justifying? Is this what He intended when he chose me before the foundation of the world?? holy? blameless?

Am I living the safest life I could possibly live?
Am I seeking this middle road?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7MdYV8gRws&feature=related

Am I alone in this? Can anyone relate to what I'm feeling?

Friends, please be bold and show me where I'm missing it.

What do I have to do?

I've been thinking and talking with some close friends about salvation and how it goes down. I've been reading through the book of Luke with the boys at bedtime and what Jesus says to people about how to get right with God. For instance...

In Luke 5:20, these guys bring their friend to be healed (he was lame) and Jesus heals him AND forgives his sins.

Luke 8:47 says that this "sinner" woman kisses and washes his feet with her hair. Jesus says her sins are forgiven.

3 words...Rich Young Ruler

If this rich young ruler came to you and said, "What must I do to be saved?" What would you tell this guy? Pray a prayer? What does Jesus say???? Give away all your STUFF!! What? That's not the Romans Road.

What about Zacchaeus? Dude gave half of what he had to the poor and paid back all the people he cheated 4 times! What did Jesus say? Salvation has come to this house!!

Check out Luke 10:25-28 Jesus says to inherit eternal life is to love God with all and love your neighbor like you love yourself.

A lot of times we present salvation as a simple agreement with God.

What else did Jesus say?

Build em up

How many people have you complimented today?

How many people complimented you today?

It's so easy to tear each other down. My students tear each other down constantly and it wears on me. They say things like, "You're such a retard!...Just kidding!"

When I confront them about it, they say, "It's ok we're friends!"

Strive to build up people around you. Find something good to say!

Ephesians 4:29

You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Romans 14:19

So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.

How do you do it?

Today something happened to me that was pretty neat. I couldn't help but share.

During 6th period, we were reviewing for the final exam. One of my students asked if he could talk to me outside so we went next door into an empty classroom.
The topic of our conversation kind of surprised me. He asked why I was always happy. He said I am always smiling, never have bad days, never seem to complain, never talk about fighting with my wife, or gripe about my kids.

In my room, I have lots pictures with Cort, the kids, and my family. I've noticed him looking at these pictures before.

He said, "Mr. T, I just wanna know how you do it."

Praise God! One of my students saw a difference in me.

Before I tell you how I responded, I'd like to know how you would respond to a similar question.
Let's say someone notices that there's something different about you and ask about it.

They say, "Why do you act the way you do?"
What do you say to them?

Before you can correct someone else, check yourself!

Matthew 7:3

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

Building a Tower

Genesis 11

1 The whole earth had a common language and a common vocabulary. 2 When the people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” (They had brick instead of stone and tar instead of mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people had started building. 6 And the Lord said, “If as one people all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be beyond them. 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse their language so they won’t be able to understand each other.”

8 So the Lord scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why its name was called Babel – because there the Lord confused the language of the entire world, and from there the Lord scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

How much of our time and energy is spent trying to make a name for ourselves? We want to be remembered. We try to do something worth remembering. We try to develop a reputation. We throw our energy into trying to be popularity, sports, academics, jobs, etc. so that we won't be forgotten. I saw one of the senior T shirts the other day and it said "class of '10 You Won't Forget." I started to tell the kid, "Yeah, Right!" but held my tongue and just thought about it.

If you build a "Tower of Babel," God will set things straight!

My claim to fame used to be football. People knew who I was. I was recruited and all that junk. I thought I was hot stuff. Really humble and all. You know. In college, I started at linebacker for 4 years. As a junior, I was voted the Defensive MVP of our team and this really helped my humility. Coming back for my senior year, I had high hopes for the season.

Although I had achieved some individual success, I had never played for a winning team.

As a senior, I split time with another linebacker. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but we went undefeated! We were playing in the playoffs in South Dakota the first week of December. Talk about cold! The temp was in the teens and the wind was blowing in the 20s!

Late in the game, I dropped an interception that probably would have won the game for us. We went on to lose the game. This was one of the last plays of my football career. I left the game with a bitter taste in my mouth. I always took pride in my play and to finish like that hurt.

Looking back, it's clear to me that I took too much pride in my play.

This is what it came down to...

Luke 14:11

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

INAM