Spiritual Awakening: The Spiritual Football Game

There is something very spiritual for me about being in a press box and being the public address announcer for a football game. It is like the universe telling me this is your calling to bring joy to others through the use of your God given gift of an announcer voice. From the moment I walk into a stadium until the time I leave I feel a sense of joy come over my body and a feeling of gratitude in my mind, and my soul is nourished with the knowledge that my efforts are making others happy.  As I left the field today (8/25/12) as the Lauderhill Broncos Games were cancelled due to tropical storm Issac I looked to the heavens and asked God for guidance and he guided me right to A Starbucks and  sent the message to write this blog. As I began to write the blog all that I needed started to appear in front of me through searches and I realized that the cancellation of The Lauderhill Broncos games was a blessing as God had other plans for me today.

    Riley Nelson may not be a be a big name star but to those he served in Barcelona on a mission trip he is a hero. Riley Nelson is now a senior at BYU and I know I will be following him this season.

I choose BYU because of their honor code and the fact that many of their players do a mission trip of 2 years. I applaud any player that makes the commitment that BYU asks them to make as they are spreading their beliefs and helping others to come to a spiritual path by seeking salvation in the lord.  BYU’s mission statement is “To assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life. That assistance should provide a period of intensive learning in a stimulating setting where a commitment to excellence is expected and the full realization of human potential is pursued.” While it is strongly encouraged that nineteen year-old Mormon men  and 21 year old women serve a mission, it is not mandatory. 

 This is Nortre Dame Stadium where this mosaic is often refered to as Touchdown Jesus. Think about it if you were a quarterback  and could through a pass to Jesus how your life would change.

Spiritual Awakening: Playing The Spiritual Football Game

 Before you begin to play the game you have to pick your players. Here is the starting offense and defense. The head coach would be GOD.

OFFENSE:
QB – John as he was Jesus’s Right hand Man and Play Caller

WR- Jesus for his great hands

WR- Paul as he received the messages well

TE- Matthew as he went from serving money to serving God

RB- Timothy as he carried Paul’s Message

FB- Job as he initially blocked Jesus but then came back to be a loyal servant

C-  Luke as he was a recorder and pointed out history

RG- Jacob as he wrestled with God and came to further the message

RT- Isaac as he stayed in Cannan his entire life and protected the land

LG- Jonathan as he was s killer warrior

LT-  As he was a leader and protected God’s words

DEFENSE:

DE- Abraham as he was led by faith

LT- Saul as his decision to find a suitable king protected Israel

LG- Simon as he watrched over and protected Jesus

NT- Peter for he called the signals for the other aopostles

RG- Silas as he accompanied and assisted Paul

RT- Ezra as he had God’s back by protecting the teachings of the temple

MLB- Nehemiah as he was a rebuilder

LOLB – Ezekiel for his outstanding vision

ROLB- Daniel for his ability to anticpate what will occur

CB- Malachi for his lessons of respect

FS- David for his courage to be the one to fight and become the last line of defense

After the team is selected the training begins and tat includes mediatation, sharing of strategies, commitment to help one another, and then creating a desire to win.

Spiritual Awakening: Those Who Play or Have Played The Spiritual Football Game

 Tim Tebow is perhaps the most recognizable spiritual football player today and beyond his winning on the field he wins off the field by giving back to the community. In our spiritual football game we will be winning on an off the field as we continue to score touchdowns by shining our light on others while defending our beliefs against those who would do harm to others.

Reginald Howard “Reggie” White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and was recognized as an All-American. After initially playing two professional seasons for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), he was selected in the first round of the 1985 Supplemental Draft, and then played for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 13-time Pro Bowl and 12-time All-Pro selection holds 2nd place all-time amongst career sack leaders with 198.5 (behind Bruce Smith‘s 200 career sacks) and was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. During his professional career, he was also known for his Christian ministry as an ordained Evangelical minister, leading to his nickname, “The Minister of Defense.” White is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.