NFL Draft humbles Copper

From Jon Copper’s blog we read, “My agent called this morning, and I received an invitation to the Packers minicamp this weekend. Best-case scenario would be if things go well and they like me, then they’ll offer me a free agent contract while I’m up there. . . . C.J. Mahaney in his wonderful little book ‘Humility: True Greatness’ wrote, ‘Humility is our greatest friend.’ I must say that the past 12 or so hours have been humbling, knowing things are out of my hands at this point, and knowing that all my other friends on the team that have come out either got signed or drafted. It’s not so much that I care about what the outcomes are; it’s just the not knowing what is next that can unsettle me.” Click here for this week's lesson.

Hall passes test at Boston Marathon

America’s newest marathon sensation, Ryan Hall, is a religious, introspective 26-year-old who hopes someday to leave a legacy by bringing peace to the world and help to the less fortunate according to the Boston Herold. Yesterday, Hall did his best to leave an imprint on the 113th Boston Marathon by finishing in third place in 2:09:40. He is the only American man to finish in the top three in the race since 1985. “I’m not disappointed at all,” said Hall, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. “I ran the very best I could, especially coming off the Olympics (where he placed 10th in 2:12:53). I thought this was a step in the right direction for me. I’m 26 years old and I feel like I’m learning so much all the time. Click here for the rest of today's lesson.

Death of top pitching prospect

Los Angeles Angels rookie Nick Adenhart, just hours after fulfilling his dream of being a full-time big-league starter, was killed by a suspected drunk driver.

Most of us avoid making eye-contact with death. Though we might avoid the obituary section in the newspaper, eventually each one of us will face it. C.H. Spurgeon said, “We know that we will die. But we tend to imagine that it will be far off somewhere in the distance. But death will not spare us because we avoid him.” This week's lesson here teaches the purpose of death and importance of the resurrection of Christ.

Griffin leaves mark on NCAA

Even in defeat, Blake Griffin had few doubters that he is the best basketball player in college. After Oklahoma’s loss to North Carolina in the South Regional NCAA tournament, many fans and reporters wondered if they had seen the last of him. His sophomore season ended with a 23-point, 16 rebound game leading to speculation that he will likely turn pro next year after making his mark on the NCAA this year. When his coach was asked if his 6-foot-10 star player’s college career was over, Sooner coach Jeff Chapel said, “It probably is, but we’ll see.”

What’s true in sports, is also true spiritually. There are certain characteristics or fruit as described in the “fruits of the Spirit” that mark a person’s spiritual life (Galatians 5:22-23). Click here for this week's Doing Sports God's Way lesson on the "Marks of a Committed Christian."

Blake Griffin's involvement with FCA...
"I first started going to FCA when I was a freshman (in high school) at Oklahoma Christian School. I was actually one of the class officers as a freshman, and that’s really when I first started going. Throughout high school and throughout college I've gone. I haven’t gone as much since I’ve been here just because my schedule hasn’t really allowed it sometimes, but I’ve been a Christian my whole life, been in the church my whole life. I was saved when I was 6, and I go to Life Church now."

Gordon Thiessen

Christ-Centered Passion in a Sports-Centered Culture

Let the madness begin! As conference tournaments come to an end we are seeing teams enter into the magical journey of the Big Dance. Basketball fans across the country are strategizing the best ways to see as many games as possible and are going to extreme lengths to make it happen. Every office in the country is itching to start their bracket pool. People are planning their “sick days” for opening weekend. To sum it up, passion is running rampant.

What a person is passionate about is a great test of the heart. With that in mind we all need to check where our passion lies. It is a fact that we all live in a very sports centered culture. If you are reading this blog then there is a good possibility that you are one of those crazies who will be watching game after game.

Let me take a moment to clarify. Passion is not bad. In fact, God is the one who created us to be passionate people. When it becomes sinful—idolatry—is when our passion for March Madness (or any other athletic venues) outweighs our passion for Christ. So enjoy athletics and be entertained. I know I am! But remember where your true source of joy comes from.

So, as March Madness comes storming in, where will your passion lie? Is the Gospel something that gets your blood pumping? We need to immerse ourselves in the truth of the Gospel and God’s Word so that passion just pours out of us at the thought of Christ. If not, maybe this March marks the time that we all need to prioritize what drives us in life.

Brian Conklin
Omaha FCA Area Director