Growing Spiritually and Playing Fantasy Football

What does growing spiritually and playing fantasy football have in common? Glad you asked and the answer is nothing except that I am going to mention both in this blog. So first things first, great conversation last week. I love interacting with the people in the trenches. You guys are using the studies we are working on and it is great to hear directly from you and have the chance to respond and learn from you. So last week was lots of fun. Again this week, I am going to let Matt speak for his own study. Here is his take on the last point in the lesson entitled, “Don’t stand by the punch bowl.”

She was beautiful, and it was Senior Prom. Being a good Southern Baptist, I didn’t really come to the prom to dance—just a picture for memories and a tuxedo evening … My date had already gone home. It was a bit complicated. In truth the night was dreadful until another girl much further up the social stratosphere sashayed toward the punch bowl where I was standing. She smiled that perfect smile and looked at me with those baby-blues. This girl with whom I’d had perhaps two conversations containing more than 50 words apiece, asked me, “Wanna dance?” I wish I could say that I answered based on some high moral reasoning, but that would be a lie. For whatever reason I mumbled a regretful decline of her offer. It would have been the perfect movie ending to the memorable, comedy of errors I recall today. Instead the moment passed, and I went home wondering why I didn’t dance. I’ll always remember the evening that ended my high school years.

The writer of Hebrews concludes this charge by pleading for us not to stand by the punch bowl. The great dance of life is now in our hands, and we have a chance to celebrate, work, and live with great love. Be diligent! He says. Don’t be lazy, passive spectators. He’s watching to see how you live out His love in this world. The saints of old are in the stands. It’s your turn. Lord, wake me up from the slumber of laziness. I don’t want to be a spectator watching Your kingdom come all around me. I want to be a part of the plan!

I love the way Matt writes and the way his mind works. This reminds me of how incredible God’s story is and the fact that it is going on all around us and too often we find ourselves “standing by the punch bowl”. His story of redemption is amazing and we would all do well to look for ways every day to get involved.

Alright, now it is time for the Fantasy Football time of the blog. It is that time of year again when guys get together all around the country and act like NFL owners and GM’s and pick their players. I was wondering if we could get an all LifeMatters users fantasy league together. This does two things: one is I can justify looking for waiver steals during the week, and two is that it will allow us to get to know each other better. Spending the next 3 months battling for fantasy superiority will allow us to have plenty of time to get to know other young adult leaders from around the country. So, if you are interested email me at Chad.Jordan@lifeway.com or post a reply here and I will contact you. First nine are in and if we get enough we will do many leagues to accommodate everyone. Of course there will be a prize to the winner, guys can’t compete just for fun you know!

Update on last week’s challenge: I will decide a winner this weekend so there are still a few days left to answer this question: When could you use the phrase, “and I had to use my Bible” in a negative way? The two best entries can be found in last weeks blog by clicking here. Be creative its all in good fun and we all recognize there really is not ever a time when using your Bible would be a bad thing.