|
|
      |
| The Lounge | Champions | The Wire | Schedule | Audio | Arcade | The Top Ten | Historical | Email | Video |
|
|
|
| The Lounge | Champions | The Wire | Schedule | Audio | Arcade | The Top Ten | Historical | Email | Video |
 |
March Madness - Give Me The Ball!
March madness is great to watch not because I havebasketball ability, (you can tell that by myheight), but because every year there are somegood players that become great players. Some ofthe tournament games are nail bitters and comedown to last second shots. When they do there aremaybe one or two players on the team that havethis attitude of, "just give me the ball." Theywant that pressure shot, they want to be the onemaking or breaking the teams future. Those are theplayers that go on in life to be the MichaelJordan's, Larry birds, and Magic Johnson's of thisworld. Do you know that Jesus is just like one of thoseplayers? He lives for the moment. He wants thepressure shots, and he wants to have the abilityin our lives to determine where we are going. A few of you know I have had a hard time findingunderstanding in events in my life these lastthree weeks. Events out of my control, events withseemingly not much logical understanding, andevents mixed with love, frustration, and fear.Monday evening I happened to be working late at myoffice, which I rarely do on Monday's. Also Iparked my car on the side of my office, in whichany one passing by wouldn't have known I wasthere. Finally realizing that I had no control, theredoesn't have to be any logic to love, andfrustration was just giving me headaches andstomach aches. Monday was one of those days inwhich I felt in my heart I was turning the cornerand releasing everything that the past three weekshad brought upon me to God and moving on with mylife. At 5:00 my last client left and I decidedto be still for a while. (A common theme I heardon three separate occasions this week in sermons).I guess you could say, I finally needed and wantedto pass the ball to someone else. As I sat there quietly in my office I had thissudden urge to get on my knees and pray. But notthe normal attitude prayer that normally comes outof my mouth. That morning I turned to Matthew andread about asking for things, knocking on Godsdoor and receiving his blessings. This time Isaid, "God you say in Matthew, now I am asking,just give me a "sign" one way or another withAmber that's it. That's all I am asking." And Isaid all in a confidence and a strong voice. As God as my witness not even five minutes later Ihear a knock at my office door, in walks AmberSmith! I have not spoken, seen her nor thought Iever would again in almost three weeks. Then allof a sudden she walks in. Needless to say, I wasshocked not just because of her showing up, butbecause of what God had just did. Saving you withall the mushy details (which is none of yourbusiness anyway) we spoke for fifteen minutesanswered some concerns of each others, took a stepforward, hugged and said our good byes. But, much greater than the details is what Jesusdid because I handed the ball off to him. Allalong he would say to me, "Be still, give me theball, let me make the pressure shots, and let mehave your play book of life." However, all Ineeded to do was take the ball of burdens stretchout my arms and hand it to him. The minute myhands (thoughts and emotions) left the ball (mywillingness to control and have answers) heanswered and took the pressure shot. But not untilI totally let go and let God. What I learned was this, humble yourself beforeGod (on your knees be the team player it's notabout you)? Continually read the word and stand onit (study the play book). Go boldly to Jesus foranswers (give him the pressure shots) I don't know where my future is with Amber Smith,I still love her and I hope she believes that.What I do know is this; God is faithful on histime table. Whether we know it or not he watchesover us always. And practice the Golden Rule nomatter what. So the next time you want to make the great shot,remember there are greater players around you ifyou just give them the ball. March madness is great to watch not because I havebasketball ability, (you can tell that by myheight), but because every year there are somegood players that become great players. Some ofthe tournament games are nail bitters and comedown to last second shots. When they do there aremaybe one or two players on the team that havethis attitude of, "just give me the ball." Theywant that pressure shot, they want to be the onemaking or breaking the teams future. Those are theplayers that go on in life to be the MichaelJordan's, Larry birds, and Magic Johnson's of thisworld. Do you know that Jesus is just like one of thoseplayers? He lives for the moment. He wants thepressure shots, and he wants to have the abilityin our lives to determine where we are going. A few of you know I have had a hard time findingunderstanding in events in my life these lastthree weeks. Events out of my control, events withseemingly not much logical understanding, andevents mixed with love, frustration, and fear.Monday evening I happened to be working late at myoffice, which I rarely do on Monday's. Also Iparked my car on the side of my office, in whichany one passing by wouldn't have known I wasthere. Finally realizing that I had no control, theredoesn't have to be any logic to love, andfrustration was just giving me headaches andstomach aches. Monday was one of those days inwhich I felt in my heart I was turning the cornerand releasing everything that the past three weekshad brought upon me to God and moving on with mylife. At 5:00 my last client left and I decidedto be still for a while. (A common theme I heardon three separate occasions this week in sermons).I guess you could say, I finally needed and wantedto pass the ball to someone else. As I sat there quietly in my office I had thissudden urge to get on my knees and pray. But notthe normal attitude prayer that normally comes outof my mouth. That morning I turned to Matthew andread about asking for things, knocking on Godsdoor and receiving his blessings. This time Isaid, "God you say in Matthew, now I am asking,just give me a "sign" one way or another withAmber that's it. That's all I am asking." And Isaid all in a confidence and a strong voice. As God as my witness not even five minutes later Ihear a knock at my office door, in walks AmberSmith! I have not spoken, seen her nor thought Iever would again in almost three weeks. Then allof a sudden she walks in. Needless to say, I wasshocked not just because of her showing up, butbecause of what God had just did. Saving you withall the mushy details (which is none of yourbusiness anyway) we spoke for fifteen minutesanswered some concerns of each others, took a stepforward, hugged and said our good byes. But, much greater than the details is what Jesusdid because I handed the ball off to him. Allalong he would say to me, "Be still, give me theball, let me make the pressure shots, and let mehave your play book of life." However, all Ineeded to do was take the ball of burdens stretchout my arms and hand it to him. The minute myhands (thoughts and emotions) left the ball (mywillingness to control and have answers) heanswered and took the pressure shot. But not untilI totally let go and let God. What I learned was this, humble yourself beforeGod (on your knees be the team player it's notabout you)? Continually read the word and stand onit (study the play book). Go boldly to Jesus foranswers (give him the pressure shots) I don't know where my future is, what I do know is this; God is faithful on histime table. Whether we know it or not he watchesover us always. And practice the Golden Rule nomatter what. So the next time you want to make the great shot,remember there are greater players around you ifyou just give them the ball. Greg Ryan is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE OUT series. A powerful five step plan to better your life, get healthier, and have more energy! For FREE mini Course click here! http://www.resolutions.bz
MORE RESOURCES:
'Biggest Loser' Dolvett Quince's Best Advice For Staying Motivated Through The ... - Huffington Post
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Benefits of Keeping A Journal Keeping a journal has many advantages and benefits. Whether you write a few lines or pages, through journaling, you can record and track a lot of information that can be easily retained for future reference. ABCs for High Achievers A im for what you want by focusing clearly on priorities.B elieve in yourself and your goals, and then begin to strive for them. 12 Reflections on Personal Responsibility Responsibility means being accountable for what we think, say, and do. Personal responsibility involves working on our own character and skill development rather than blaming others for situations and circumstances. Understanding What Motivates People to Take Action So I wanted to buy a car. It was a tough choice but I decided that my next new car would be a Volvo. The ONE Question Winners ALWAYS Ask?. Over the past several years I have experienced my fair share of success. However, it has not been without its fair share of obstacles and setbacks. Is Failure the End of Everything? "The important thing is to learn a lesson every time you lose." --John McEnroeMuch as we would like, not everything is going to go our way. Nobodys Perfect Being human is being fallible. Evolution determines that we all are naturally different. Five Great Ideas From Aristotle It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy is to help each of us become "an excellent human". That seems like a respectable and reasonable big-picture goal for every person on the planet. Staying the Course Are you willing to stay the course? Once you have decided on a course and set sail toward your destination, you will undoubtedly face moments along your journey, perhaps even long stretches, where it seems that you are not making progress toward your goal even though you are doing the things necessary to reach it. We've all heard the saying "it's darkest before the dawn" and it's often true that we are on the verge of great success when it is most difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Wake Up to the Life You Love While speaking at a San Diego university recently, I was fortunate that I was not asked to leave the stage. You see, I chose to share with the students in my audience some frightening statistics. Excuses, Excuses, Excuses Lately, I've become super sensitive to the amount of excuses people make for not living up to their fullest potential.I have a friend who is starting out on a new venture. Are Millionaires and PhDs Really Smarter? The Answer May Surprise You! I've had a vast array of job experiences. While in high school, I worked as maid for a local motel. Comment on Extra Ordinary Men of Our Time Remember during the missions of Apollo. And others we knew every astronaut by name, we made them heroes. Habit Change--Six Steps to Success As every New Year approaches, many of us are doing the usual?thinking, "This year will be different. I'm going to change?(fill in the blanks)?my work habits, my attitudes. When the Door of Opportunity Opens Anybody can achieve anything - do you believe that? I do. But there is a caveat that must be made. How to Take Your Stalled Projects to the Finish Line Q. I have several projects going at once -- but I never seem to finish them! I'm pulled in so many different directions -- and I end up with nothing to show for my efforts!A. Sow the Seed - See the Harvest The story is told of two boys who were walking through a field and found some corn seeds scattered across the ground. They each took one of the seeds home and planted it. The Power Of The Brain THE BRAINThe Brain is the instrument of the mind, the body is the servant of the mind. The Brain is the most complex part of the nervous system. Whats Your Zipline? A few years ago, I was with 20 of America's most effectivepresenters - The Speakers Roundtable - at the Pecos RiverConference Center near Sante Fe, NM. We were working on ourcommunication skills, not unlike the work we do in ourown Excellence in Speaking Institute (ESI) classes. Prime That Pump! Part 3 How healthy is your vision of yourself? How does your mental image of yourself stack up against that of, say, some hero of yours? Let's find out.Take a few seconds and picture yourself in your mind's eye.
|
Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved. 
|
