Nephos 9: Tebow Version

Tags

Christian, criticism, Denver Broncos, football, Sports, Tim Tebow

I’ve not posted much (if anything) about Denver Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow. Mostly, I’ve sat and watched, or read, his incredible story unfold this season. That said, here in a special Monday edition of Nephos Nine are 9 thoughts about Tim Tebow:

1. Everyone who criticizes him is not anti-Christian. To characterize every attack as faith-based is disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst.

2. Everyone who likes him is not unaware of his short-comings on the field.

3. There HAS been criticism (open and some not so) of HOW he expresses his faith. Ironically, the sharpest criticism I’ve seen about this seems to come from other Christian athletes.

4. I appreciate his desire to live a righteous life. This has been true since college, and I believe this is partly why he is such a mystery to some people. For him it is just part of his commitment to God – to our society it is an anomaly.

5. While I’ve not been a big fan of him as a player (he IS a Gator, and old habits die hard), I DO appreciate his desire to bring glory to God as a person.

6. It’s no big deal that he prays during a game or after a touchdown. God may not care about the final score of a football game. He does care that His children give Him thanks and acknowledgement when they succeed. I’ve heard Tebow give glory to God in wins AND losses.

7. He purposefully uses the “platform” of his popularity. His clearly specific answers regarding his relationship with Christ demonstrate this strategic approach. Others athletes have used their “platform,” but few as vocally and intentionally as he has. In the interviews I have seen of him, he tends to be more aggressive and/or clear in his expression of how his faith shapes his life than your average “I thank God for that win,” or pointing to the sky after a score.

8. I am amazed at those who seem obsessed with a desire for his failure. The vehemence of those who predict his failure is part of what makes his success so dramatic.

9. You can’t help but be impressed with his passion/drive/enthusiasm for the game. It’s infectious. Yesterday’s win vs. Chicago was like watching a kid playing in his backyard after Christmas dinner.

Whatever your opinion of him, Tebow has certainly elicited passionate responses (positive and negative) from the public. I pray for him because he has a huge target on his back. It’s true of any “celebrity” Christian – “With increased recognition comes increased risk.” Like all the rest of us he is not perfect, and the moment he slips, even slightly, it will be amplified beyond proportion.

So how about you? What do you think of Tebow? Fan, critic, or indifferent?

Nephos 9

Tags

9 Marks, Albert Pujols, Michael Hyatt, Tim Ellsworth, Tim Tebow, Yoda

1. Awesome book giveaway by Blogging Theologically: I’m Giving You a Library for Christmas!

2. Tim Tebow Uses Words At All Time addresses Tim Tebow’s boldness in speaking for Christ.

3. Michael Hyatt has an enlightening infographic that explains Why Sitting is Killing You.

4. Another good post by Michael Hyatt on The Difference Between Trying and Doing.

Which brings this interesting graphic to mind . . .

5.

6. Aaron Earls at The Wardrobe Door evaluates the intolerant tolerance at the University of Buffalo.

7. Tim Ellsworth is the co-author of Pujols: More Than a Game. He gives a superb assessment of Pujols departure from St. Louis to Anaheim in The better Angels of Pujols’ nature.

8. If you’ve ever been to a Sunday School Christmas party, you’ve participated in a gift-exchange game of some sort. You’ll also relate to the Top 5 Gift-Exchange Gifts Everybody Brings, But Nobody Wants. Been there . . . and got the chocolate covered cherries to prove it!

9. And . . . as a public service more holiday deals! Christmas specials on resources from 9 Marks ministries.

Update: Just caught an incorrect link in #6 above. My apologies, and here is the bonus link – the feel good movie of the year! Jaws! (Disneyfied)

Meyer, Meyer, Pants on Fire?

Tags

deception, honesty, morals, Ohio State Buckeyes, Urban Meyer

The headlines this morning read, “Urban Meyer Officially Joins Buckeyes.” Despite retiring as the head coach at the University of Florida less than a year ago after citing time with family and health reasons, Meyer will take the helm of one of the most prominent teams in college football.

I’m willing to understand his statement that his retirement was a mistake and he missed football. He has given his family assurances that his over-commitment will not be a problem again. OK.

My issue is, was he lying less than a week ago when he denied being offered a job from Ohio State? A job that apparently was in discussion at the time? If so, is he lying now when he says coaching won’t be an issue in his commitment to his family and his health? Will he be truthful when winning, his program or his job is on the line?

Maybe I’m wrong here, but we penalize players for their moral lapses, yet ignore and even condone deception in coaches. “I’m going nowhere!” – stated just hours before leaving for a more lucrative and desirable position. “No job has been offered.” – mere days before announcing this non-existent position has been accepted.

I know all the reasons and rationalizations behind these “white lies,” there are worse moral failures out there (I’m certainly not comparing a coaches’ deception over a job to the current scandals at other schools), and perhaps it’s too much to ask in our society for simple honesty. Maybe that’s a part of the problem. If we aren’t careful in the small things, will we continue to succeed in the larger?

Brett Favre, Will You Please Go Now!

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Brett Favre, Dr. Seuss, Marvin K. Mooney, Philadelphia Eagles

Definition of “retired” – I was tired of Brett Favre’s drama last year, and I’m re-tired of it this year.

Report: Eagles interested in Favre.

The Redemption of Tiger Woods

Tags

Chuck Warnock, Masters, redemption, Tiger Woods

At Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor, Chuck Warnock has posted on why he, as a Tiger Woods fan, is glad he did NOT win the Masters. Chuck closed with

Tiger has a long way to go. I for one wish him well. I hope his marriage survives and his family is reunited. But if that happens it won’t be because of what happens on the golf course. It will be because of what happens in his heart. After all, redemption doesn’t come at the Masters; it only comes from the Master.

In comments I responded,

True redemption – the redemption he needs WILL only come from the Master. Redemption with the American public? That will come with time and a well-designed public-image strategy.

Which redemption will he choose? Unfortunately, it seems pretty obvious that, at least for now, the one he’s after is not the one he needs. With you, I hope that changes.

What are your thoughts on “Tiger’s redemption?”

Shutting Detroit Down

I Just Finished Watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony

Tags

China, freedom, Olympics, opening ceremony, Politics

Wow! Whatever your feelings about the Games being held in China, you have to acknowledge the impressive achievement of the opening event. The scale, precision, and artistic beauty exceeded all expectations. If you’ve ever directed people to do anything, you have to be impressed with the discipline and precision of thousands of participants in complex choreography. And those closing fireworks!

Personally, I’m torn between a sense of protest over the human rights history of the Chinese government and a hope that hosting the games will lead to a greater sense of openness and freedom for the Chinese people. If history has taught us anything, we should know that freedom beget freedoms. An exposure to liberty will often develop an appetite for it.