Insight Super Bowl Special by Review and Herald Publishing, Association

BiGGaMe

speciaL

issue

because life is full of decisions

insightmagazine.org

The

Gridiron of

Life off-

Tired of kicking, clawing, and struggling through life?

The

season Off-season actions make or break the season More Than

The GaMe Cowboys’ star Jason Witten— a success at community service, too! everyone needs

a coach

Tony Dungy’s goal? Coaching like Christ. LeavinG The Playing pro football

fieLdversus following God’s will

WinninG in Life his month,

playbook and learn how to execute plays flawlessly. They sacrifice for

two NFL

the greater glory of the team. Super Bowl winners are not born; they’re

teams will

made. They begin with the end in mind.

Photo • Kim Peckham • iStockphoto

meet in the Super

If football players are willing to sacrifice all to win a game, how much

Bowl. The game it-

more should we be willing to sacrifice to win the biggest game of all—

self will last a mere

the game of life? Believe it or not, you can win in life; God has the plan to

60 minutes, but in

help you do it. He sees you walking in His purposes, living a meaningful

those fleeting min-

life that blesses others, mastering the everyday challenges that you face.

utes one team will

Here’s His pep talk to you: “Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble

be immortalized as champions. For years to come we will remember

with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my

their names, the winning plays they made, the crunch-time moments

arm and give you victories” (Isaiah 41:10, CEV).*

they mastered, the coach who guided them to victory. That’s the

You can win the game of life, but you’ve got to start early. You’ve got

heartbeat of the Super Bowl, and the reason why more than 90

to give God a chance right now.

million people will tune in to watch it all unfold. Super Bowl winners start early. They set a course for the big game the moment the *Scripture quotations identified CEV are from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright © American Bible Society 1991, 1995. Used by permission.

previous season ends. While we splash around at water parks to beat the summer heat, they

work out in it. They master the

New@InsightMagazine.org Miranda Writes: God and Satan battle for the heart and mind of each of us. Dwain’s got more to say—and so does the Insight staff! Check out their ever-changing blog at insightmagazine.org. The Seventh-day Adventist® magazine for youth.

February 5, 2011 Vol. 42, No. 6 Printed in the U.S.A.

Call Genia Blumenberg at 301-393-3170.

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by David Robinson or NFL fans and athletes the

off-season is a difficult time—longing for the thrills

of next season to start. Eventually the fans move on to other things in the meantime, but

The offseason

what do the players do in the off-season? Well, before the NFL became the moneymaking monster it is today, players used to have to look for regular jobs for the rest of the year, because they didn’t make enough money playing football. Imagine that: playing in the Super Bowl one day and working at the local grocery store

Off-season actions make or break the season

the next. Nowadays they get paid so much (a minimum of $325,000 in 2010) that they can vacation during the off-season.

how do we get anybody ready to play?”

removed from their prying eyes, away from it

However, players know they can’t just take

If the off-season is when an individual gets

all, really. Jesus used those times to connect

months off and then expect to be ready when

to improve his or her craft, then Jesus just kept

with His heavenly Father, to stay strong spiritu-

the season begins. So they keep up some kind

adding to His excellence like no one else. Did

ally. And He is our example in all things.

of training regimen. They work to maintain their

you know that the Bible mentions many in-

While looking up some of the tips the NFL

bodies so that when the season starts, they’ll

stances when Jesus used His “off-season” to

has for training in the off-season, I found three

be ready. The players know that doing the little

improve? (See Mark 1:35; Mark 6:45, 46; Luke

main things: focus on your legs, have a partner,

things here and there in the off-season will help

4:42; Luke 5:16.) Jesus’ off-seasons consisted

and improve communication. These same prin-

make them better. And if each player improves,

of the times when He was away from crowds,

Continued on p. 15

the team improves. Thus the individual can have a great impact on the whole. No Off-season? The NFL is seriously considering (as of the writing of this article) extending its regular season to 18 games and cutting back on the preseason games. Regarding this, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning commented to Michael Silver, of Yahoo! Sports: “They’re trying to get rid of off-season workouts. They’re talking about extending the season to 18 games, so they’re going to cut down the off-season stuff in return. That’s not a fair trade. Off-season workouts—that’s how we’ve gotten our edge over the years. It’s how you really develop a player and improve your craft. Without the off-season,

New England Patriots' Victor Hobson stretches during team football training camp, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

by David Robinson he gridiron is one of the most

feared playing fields in sports.

A football field contains some

of the highest levels of testosterone on earth. So it’s hard to imagine that somewhere in football’s coliseum-like world coach Tony Dungy found success. Adjectives such as fierce, tenacious, and un-

everyone needs a coach

yielding describe some of the best NFL coaches, but not Dungy. In the NFL Dungy is synonymous with soft-spoken, calm, and gentle. Throughout his coaching career Dungy stressed that coaches should be like teachers. While others used swearing and steel fists to handle their teams, Dungy chose the road less traveled. “I really wanted to show people you can win all kinds of ways. I always coached the way I’ve wanted to be coached,” Dungy explains. The ability to coach one player is a tough task in itself. Now multiply that by 53! Dungy believes in coaching all 53 players on the team roster! It’s called the Next Man Up theory. It’s related to the idea that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Dungy believes that the fiftythird person on a team is just as important as the first. This mind-set prompted him to uplift the structure of the whole team rather than just certain individual players. If one of the players on the team is injured, the next man up should be equally trained to fill the position. Bearing Fruit Now, is this theory successful? Well, in Dungy’s time as a head coach he had one conference title, six division titles (the last five of which were consecutive), and one Super Bowl championship. Of course, it also helps to have some of the best players in the business on your team. Regarded by many as one of the best quar4

February 5

2011

Tony Dungy’s goal? Coaching like Christ.

terbacks of all time, Peyton Manning flourished

4:15). Jesus never yelled at people for their

under Dungy’s coaching. Since his arrival in

mistakes or shortcomings. He was always gen-

1998 as the number one overall pick, Manning,

tle and caring in His ways—guiding but never

along with Dungy, has brought much success

goading.

to the Indianapolis Colts. Notable current head

Christ set an example for Tony Dungy and

coaches who once coached under Dungy include

all the rest of us to follow. He first showed us

Lovie Smith, Jim Caldwell, and Mike Tomlin.

that by building up individuals, we can unite the body of believers and transform it. He taught

Living It

that one person isn’t more important than the

A lot of people don’t see Dungy’s soft-spoken

next one. Someone who’s just been baptized

way of coaching as the best way to win, but you

into the church is just as important as an elder

can’t argue with his impressively successful

in the church. We all have our roles to play

stats. Besides, Dungy chooses to measure his

within the team that is the church. As the old

success differently. He says: “I know I probably

saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum

didn't get a couple of jobs in my career because people could not see my personality or the way I was going to do it. . . . For your faith to be

Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy carries off his son Jordan after a Colts 23-0 win over the Tennessee Titans in a NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

more important than your job, for your family to

of its parts. Don’t let anyone run pass interference on your chosen ministry by telling you you’re not doing it correctly. As long as your heart and

be more important than your job, . . . we all know

at various prisons to give the inmates the hope

mind are turned toward Christ, He’ll shape you

that’s the way it should be,

of the gospel message. He’s also a national

and use you as He sees fit. Your mind-set should

but we’re afraid to say

spokesperson for All Pro Dad, a football-themed

be that earthly rewards won’t last, so you don’t

that sometimes. . . . I’m

organization that offers practical fathering as-

need to focus on them. Just keep working to

not afraid to say it.”

sistance and aims to help men be good fathers.

truly help people and win them for Christ until

Dungy is a big

Through these activities Dungy embodies the

He returns. And on that awesome day, don’t

things that truly matter.

worry—there’ll be no penalties for excessive

believer in faith and family. Even though

Dungy tries to follow Christ’s way of teaching.

he retired from

Rather than yelling or screaming his point, he

coaching football

chooses “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians

celebration! David Robinson lives in Maryland and loves to write about sports.

on January 12, 2009, the game of his life is far from over. He’s

J e s u s P r ay s For His Team

involved himself in numerous community outreach

Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth. . . . In the same way that you gave

programs since then.

me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. . . . I’m praying not

For instance, he’s spoken

only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are

Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, left, talks with quarterback Peyton Manning after Manning led the Colts to a 34-31 win over the Denver Broncos in their football game in Denver, on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Bill Ross)

in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.”—John 17:17-21. From The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

by Janna Peterson hat becomes of an 8-

year-old boy who is made to endure years of

relentless torture at the hands of his father? Who is forced from his toddling days to witness the violent, disrespectful treatment of his mother? Who spends his adolescent years in a single-parent household after fleeing from

More Than The GaMe

a place he once called home? Nine times out of 10 that boy won’t grow up to become a loving husband, a caring father, and a successful, respected athlete. But that’s exactly what Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason

Cowboys’ star Jason Witten— a success at community service, too!

Witten became. You might have heard of his stunning, historic play in 2007 during a game between Dallas and the Philadelphia Eagles. After catching the ball, Witten, hammered by two opponents, stumbled and lost his helmet but still didn’t go down, instead pressing ahead for 25 extra yards. Off the field, those obstacles from his childhood can’t take him down either. He uses his father’s negative example as a guideline for what not to do. At home Witten loves spending time with his wife, Michelle; their two young sons, C.J. and Cooper; and Tink, their dog. Witten scores high not only in the area of family life but also in community service. Four years ago he established a foundation called SCORE, which is an acronym for support, community, overcome, rebuild, educate. This foundation places full-time trained male mentors in battered women’s shelters across the state of Texas. Their purpose is to demonstrate positive male behavior to abused women and especially to abused children so that the cycle of domestic violence will be broken instead of continuing from generation to generation. In addition, Witten’s foundation has recently started another program to prevent domestic 6

February 5

2011

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) looks to throw the ball during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, October 17, 2010, at Mall of America Field at the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won the game, 24-21. (AP Photo/James D Smith)

violence, Coaching Boys Into

long time. That Someone is Jesus.

(see Matthew 19:13, 14). He fought against sex-

Men. This unique program in-

From His birth until His death,

ism by defending Mary when she washed His

structs high school coaches on

Jesus’ entire mission on this

feet with expensive perfume (see John 12:3-

how to educate their team mem-

earth was to change lives for the

8). He fought against elitism by washing the

bers about the dangers of dating

better. He Himself said, “I have

feet of His disciples (see John 13:3-17). In a

and relationship violence and

come that they may have life,

time when it wasn’t popular, He showed com-

how to avoid them.

and that they may have it more

passion for those who were disabled by healing

abundantly” (John 10:10).

blindness, lameness, many diseases, and even

Even more recently Witten has taken steps to help fight childhood obesity by

Jesus was a poor man and didn’t have the

speaking with elementary students about the im-

funds to donate to any causes, let alone start a

Granted, we can’t perform miracles, and the

portance of eating healthfully and staying active.

foundation. So instead He lived His causes. He

majority of us won’t be award-winning tight

spoke out against racism with His stories about

ends, but we’ve all got a shot at helping others

It’s Our Turn

the Samaritan woman at the well and the good

in this game of life. So get ready, get set, and

As much as Witten is trying to do to make

Samaritan (see John 4:5-10 and Luke 10:30-

let’s play!

life better for as many people as possible, he’s

37). He fought against ageism when He scolded

still only one person. He can’t stop every teenage

His disciples for trying to shoo away children

demon possession.

Janna Peterson writes from Alabama.

girl who looks in the mirror and loathes her own

HoW To HelP

reflection enough to starve herself. He can’t respond to the desperate plea of every young guy who’s being pressured to join a violent gang.

JANNA PETERSON

He can’t provide food for all the young people who feel driven to sell their bodies for a meal.

Don’t know where to start? Here are a few pointers.

He can’t mentor everyone struggling with an Ask questions. Call or visit some charities and service organizations and find

addiction. He can’t convince every high school dropout to stay in school. He can’t stop pollution,

out some different ways in which you can help. Ask your teachers, coaches, etc. if they

or shelter all the homeless, or put an end to

have any ideas or have heard of people or groups that need help. Start small. Instead of trying to form a movement to end world hunger, start off

racism, or stop every hopeless person who feels tempted to commit suicide. But you

with your family or a few friends and take a trip to a local shelter or soup kitchen to

(and I) can help in some way!

help out. Or get organized and ask some adults to go with you to distribute blankets,

With just a little of your time and effort, you can start to make a difference. Pick a

warm clothing, sandwiches, etc. to people living on the streets. For safety reasons, do this in groups and not by yourself.

cause—maybe something meaningful to you

Volunteer. Find a charity or organization involved with a cause that you feel

or a family member or a friend or your school

passionate about. Then sign up as a volunteer. Try searching a volunteer database

or your pet—and support it in some way. Start

such as www.volunteermatch.org. Enter your zip code and some key words to describe

small and increase your efforts gradually. Know

what you’re interested in doing. Some examples include mentoring, environment, dis-

that there’ll be times when the task seems daunt-

aster relief, the elderly. The site will link you to possible groups to contact.

ing and you’ll feel that your efforts can’t possibly

Be positive. Think of all the good you have the potential to do. And even if you

be making a difference. But remember that you

end up helping only one person, that’s still one person who wouldn’t have gotten help

can always call on a certain Someone for

without you!

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

by Omar Miranda ootball players often talk

about how games are won

and lost in the trenches, the

line of scrimmage. Players scratch and claw, push and shove, run through and over one another, just to win the game. The gridiron is the place where the battle is won or lost, the spot where players are tested and proved.

The Gridiron of Life

Life today isn’t much different from football, many say. People are willing to do almost anything to get ahead these days, to succeed. Is this truly God’s plan for our lives? Can we find

How to win your biggest game

lasting joy, contentment, and peace this way? Is this how we were meant to live? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no! Jesus came to this earth so that each one of us could have life—not just a 4inch black-and-white TV life, but a 52-inch flat screen, 3-D, HD, surround-sound, color TV life! Jesus puts it this way in the Bible: “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I [Jesus] came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest” (John 10:10, CEV).1 Jesus also said: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, Message).2 And we can have that full life right now! We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven, where everything is perfect. The moment we accept New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent (92), Bradie James (56), Mike Jenkins, third from left, Alan Ball, above, and Gerald Sensabaugh, right, during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) 8

February 5

2011

Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we can have heaven right here on earth! Jesus as Savior What does it mean to accept Jesus as both our Savior and Lord? To accept Jesus as our Savior means to accept the fact that there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves. Because all of us have a sinful nature and have sinned. As the Bible says: “All

Jesus says: “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, Message).

of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

Son’s life. And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us” (Romans 5:611, CEV). Are you wondering why Jesus died for us? The answer is very simple, very basic: “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son [Jesus], his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and

But God treats us much better than we deserve

No one is really willing to die for an honest per-

[gives us grace], and because of Christ Jesus,

son, though someone might be willing to die

he freely accepts us and sets us free from our

for a truly good person. But God showed how

sins” (Romans 3:23, 24, CEV).

are at peace with God, we will be saved by his

lasting life” (John 3:16, Message). Jesus as Lord

much he loved us by having Christ die for us,

Now, to accept Jesus as our Lord is more

Without Jesus as our intervening Savior,

even though we were sinful. But there is more!

difficult than to accept Him as our Savior. Be-

guess what the penalty for sin will always be.

Now that God has accepted us because Christ

cause when we accept Him as Lord, we sur-

That’s right—death! Listen: “Sin pays off with

sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept

render our wills to Him and let Him call the

death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by

safe from God’s anger. Even when we were

shots in our lives. We give up control, and He

Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, CEV).

God’s enemies, he made peace with us, be-

leads us “in paths of righteousness for his

The Bible explains further: “Christ died for

cause his Son died for us. Yet something even

name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3, NIV).3 One of the

us at a time when we were helpless and sinful.

greater than friendship is ours. Now that we

Continued on p. 15

THe CruCial KiCKoFF by

OMAR MIRANDA

Want to learn more about having a right-now relationship with Jesus? It’s easy. There are only three things you need to do: 1. Agree with God that you’re a sinner, that you’ll always be a sinner, and that there’s nothing you yourself can do to change that.

In return God will do two things: 1. He’ll forgive your sins. Here’s the Bible’s promise: “If we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away” (1 John 1:9, CEV).* 2. God will give us an abundant life filled with joy, contentment, and peace. Jesus says: “I give you peace, the kind of peace that

2. Humbly confess your sins to God and sincerely ask for His forgiveness. 3. Ask God to apply to you the credit that belongs to Jesus for the perfect life that He lived and the death that He suffered on your behalf.

only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid” (John 14:27, CEV). To view a simple presentation explaining this information in more detail, please go to the following Web site: www.hutchcraft.com/yoursfor-life/presentation/alpha. To learn more about what the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes, please go to the following Web site: www.adventist.org/beliefs. * Scripture quotations identified CEV are from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright © American Bible Society 1991, 1995. Used by permission.

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

by David Robinson ention the name Albert

Haynesworth to Washington Redskins fans,

and 95 percent of the time the response will be some kind of groan. Haynesworth is one of the most talented defensive tackles in the league. In fact, when the Redskins signed him, the New York Times considered

pracTice, pracTice, pracTice

Haynesworth to be the best at his position in the entire league! So why in the world would Mike Shanahan, the Redskinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; head coach, not want to play him? One word: discipline.

Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (92) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, in Landover, Md. The Giants won 45-12. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

February 5

2011

Talent and potential are nothing without practice

All the talent and potential in the world won’t make up for a lack of discipline. Discipline leads to practice, which in turn leads to excellence. That’s exactly what Haynesworth’s problem was; he was losing his discipline. When you lose your discipline, the next thing you begin to lose is your credibility. Why? Because you start manufacturing all kinds of excuses for why you don’t want to practice. One time it’s a stomachache, another time it’s a headache, and on it goes. As sad as it is, there are people in the world like that, and usually when we come across them, we write them off

When you lack discipline, you seldom reach excellence, and then you lose something you can’t afford to— your credibility.

because they’re not credible. Within the sports realm, such people are referred to as divas. Credibility is one of the most precious things

to have in sports. Think about it: If no one be-

6:1, 2; John 8:1-11). They wanted to kill Him long before they actually managed to do so (see John 5:16-18). Now, it was within Jesus’ power to ask His Father for “more than twelve legions of angels” to prevent Him from being put to death (Matthew 26:53), but if He had done so, the plan to save us from our sins would have failed. As Jesus Himself put it: “How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled?” (verse 54). He suffered then so that we can choose to be saved now. In Luke 6:3-5, Jesus refuted His haters with the Bible. Then, in Luke 6:8, 9, Jesus flipped it on them and challenged their motives. Finally in Luke

being watched for the slightest mistake. It’s a

6:10, instead of getting angry, Jesus channeled

high-pressure position to be in, but Jesus gladly

His energy into His ministry.

wore those shoes . . . er, sandals.

Practice is essential because it helps you to

lieves in you, do you think you’re going to be

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and other Jew-

prepare for the big moments in life. It also helps

one of the team’s go-to guys? Will you get much

ish leaders were all after Jesus. They “prayed

you to be a better leader. There’s a lot of truth

meaningful playtime? Not likely. A player who

and prayed on His downfall,” as some might

in that old saying “Practice makes perfect”—

wants to be a leader has to lead by example.

say. They tried to entrap Jesus by asking Him

both in the sports world and in the spiritual

And you don’t stop leading when practice is

trick questions; nitpicked about His behavior;

realm. So stay in practice!

over or a game is over. It’s a 24-7 job. In other

scoffed at His values; and stalked Him and His

words, there’s no off-season. You’re constantly

disciples, trying to catch them in wrongdoing

David Robinson lives in Maryland and loves to write about sports.

(see, for example, Matthew 22:15-45; Luke

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

by Benjamin Baker outh. Talent. Fame. Money. Glory. Legend . . . Exit!

Looking at it from a worldly point of view, Glen Coffee’s August 2010 announcement that

LeavinG The fieLd

he was quitting the NFL after his rookie season to go back to school and enter the ministry seemed crazy. Already a star at 23, Coffee faced a fabulous future in football. A coveted position on one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. A contract that guaranteed him awesome wealth in a few short years. An opportunity to

Playing pro football versus following God’s will my life, but it wasn’t football. . . . I’ll be happier, not necessarily because I’m without football, but because I’m letting Him do His work. Whether it was leaving football or leaving something else, another job, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be happy because I’m following His will.” The beauty of Coffee’s words is that this is no fake miracle story in which everything falls perfectly into place. He’s just like the rest of us— not sure of everything, not having all the answers, not having worked everything out, but knowing when a decision brings him peace. “I’m at peace with God now,

San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee (29) slips a tackle during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos, Aug. 14, 2009, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game 17-16. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

more easily to his turning his back on the fame

and that’s what’s most important to me,” he

and fortune. Ever go where you knew God wasn’t

said at the time of his announcement.

be known—even adored—by millions of people

should have left the University of Alabama to be

leading your life? Coffee admitted that he never To Obey Is Better

drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, because it

But why not play in the NFL a couple more

Why?

was clear to him that God didn’t want him to have

years and use the resulting fame and money

“I found Christ my junior year in college,” he

a career in football. So after a solid rookie season

for the ministry? Coffee was asked.

worldwide. And he left it all—just like that.

Coffee couldn’t resist God’s voice any longer.

said. Once he explained this, we could relate a bit 12

February 5

2011

He said, “I don’t know what call God has for

“Christ was the one that gave me the money in the first place,” Coffee replied in answer to

the NFL. He can open any door He wants.”

First, give your heart to Jesus

and you will know that you’re

and decide to follow Him fully.

following Him when you’re at

Although new to the Christian faith, Coffee

Jesus said: “If anyone would

peace. God also leads through

possesses a surprisingly mature view of God.

come after me, he must deny

His Word (the Bible), through

He had already reasoned it out that if God was

himself and take up his cross

open and closed doors in your

leading him to do something other than play

and follow me” (Matthew

life, and through wise counsel

football, it wouldn’t honor or please God for him

16:24). Deciding to follow Jesus

from godly people.

to keep playing—even to get publicity and

is the single most important life

Third, you can know God’s

money for the purposes of ministry. As the bib-

choice you’ll ever make. It will

plan for your life by doing what

lical prophet Samuel said to King Saul after the

involve denying yourself by giv-

He tells you to do. “The path of

king had disobeyed the Lord: “Does the Lord

ing up some things in your life

the righteous is like the first

delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much

that you know aren’t part of

gleam of dawn, shining ever

as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is

God’s plan for you—just like it

brighter till the full light of day”

better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than

did in Glen Coffee’s life.

(Proverbs 4:18). When you fol-

the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).*

Second, as you develop a

low what you know God is

So Glen Coffee walked off the field that day

relationship with Jesus through

telling you to do today, tomor-

last August. In doing so, he gave us an example of

regular prayer and Bible study,

what it means to put God first and follow His will.

He will make His plan for your life clear. Wise

admits that he doesn’t totally know what God’s

King Solomon said: “In all your ways acknowl-

plan is for him, but leaving football was step

Purpose

row you will know more. Coffee

edge him, and he will make your paths

one. And since God led him in that, he knows

How can you know God’s purpose for your

straight” (Proverbs 3:6). God will direct you by

God will lead him in the future.

life? You can discover it by taking three steps.

speaking to your heart, as He did with Coffee,

Continued on p. 15

CHanged in a momenT Victory over a vicious opponent Like Glen Coffee, countless others have experienced change in

synagogue leaders authorizing

suddenly a brilliant light from

their lives as a result of a saving relationship with God. Ever

him to arrest any Jewish

heaven flashed around Saul.

heard of the apostle Paul? Here’s his story of change, as found

Christians he found there.

He stumbled and fell blinded

in Acts 9:1-29 from The Clear Word,* an expanded paraphrase

He would then bring them

to the ground. Then he heard

of the Bible. As you read this, search your heart. Have you let

back to Jerusalem to stand

a voice, saying, ‘Saul, Saul,

God change you?

trial, whether they were men

why are you persecuting me?’

or women. The high priest

“Trembling, Saul said, ‘Who

pened to find them. One day

gave Saul the letter of authori-

are you, Lord?’ The voice an-

he went to the high priest and

zation he requested and im-

swered, ‘I’m Jesus, the One

now a member of the

asked permission to go as far

mediately Saul headed for

you’re persecuting. You’ve been

High Council and full

north as Damascus in search

Damascus. After days of

fighting against your own con-

of hatred, threatened to kill the

of Christians. He said that all

travel, he and his companions

science and covering your guilt

believers wherever he hap-

he needed were letters to the

were nearing the city when

by persecuting my people

Saul Converted

n the meantime Saul,

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

that question. “It wasn’t His will for me to be in

ever since you consented to

I’ve heard about who’s been

he stayed with the believers in

in a large basket (for he was

Stephen’s death.’ Saul said

going from house to house in

Damascus.

small), and with ropes gently

weakly, ‘Lord, what do you

Jerusalem looking for Chris-

want me to do?’ The Lord an-

tians, arresting them and send-

swered, ‘Get up and go into

ing them to prison. I’ve also

lowered him to the ground. Paul Preaches in Damascus “Immediately, Paul was con-

Paul in Jerusalem

Damascus. There you’ll be told

heard that the high priest gave

victed to preach. So he went to

what to do.’ The men who were

him the authority to come here

the nearest synagogue to tell the

to Jerusalem to make peace

with Saul stood speechless.

to arrest us and take us back

people that Jesus Christ was the

with the believers there. But

They had heard a voice but be-

to Jerusalem.’ The Lord said,

Son of God. Everyone who heard

they were still afraid of him

cause of the bright light didn’t

‘Go and do as I’ve told you. I’ve

him preach was amazed and

because they thought he had

see anyone. When Saul stood

chosen Saul to serve me and

said, ‘Isn’t this the man who

been sent to spy on them and

up and opened his eyes, he

I want him to carry the good

went from house to house in

that his talk about conversion

realized that he was totally

news of salvation to the Gen-

Jerusalem arresting and de-

wasn’t true. But Barnabas be-

blind. His companions had to

tiles, to princes and kings and to

stroying those who worship

friended him, learned more

lead him by the hand the rest

the Jews scattered throughout

Jesus? Wasn’t he sent here by

about his conversion, then took

of the way to the city. For the

the empire. I also need to share

the high priest to do the same

him to the apostles. Barnabas

next three days, Saul sat in his

with him how much he will

thing and to take believers back

explained to them what had

room, blind, refusing to eat or

have to suffer for my sake.’

to Jerusalem for trial?’ Yet each

happened to Paul on the way

“From Damascus Paul went

drink, his mind going over the

“So Ananias went to the

day he preached more power-

to Damascus and how the Lord

prophecies about the Messiah.

house where Saul was staying.

fully than the day before, show-

had appeared to him and spo-

When he met him, he said,

ing from the Scriptures that

ken with him. He also told them

Saul Baptized and Called Paul

‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus

Jesus was the Messiah. The

about Paul’s days of fasting

“In Damascus there was a

Christ who stopped you on the

Jews who argued with him

and prayer, his baptism at the

could not disprove what he said.

hands of Ananias and how he

follower of the Lord Jesus Christ

way here has sent me to heal

called Ananias. The Lord spoke

you.’ Then he placed his hands

to him in a night vision, saying,

on Saul’s head and said, ‘Re-

‘Ananias?’ He answered, ‘Yes,

ceive your sight and be filled

Lord, I’m here.’ The Lord said,

with the Holy Spirit.’ Instantly,

that the Lord directed him to

‘Get up and go to Judas’ house

something like fish scales fell

Arabia where He personally

stay with them. He went

on Straight Street and ask to see

from Saul’s eyes and he could

taught him for three years. Then

all over Jerusalem with them,

had gone into the synagogue Paul Escapes “Their hatred grew so intense

and boldly preached Jesus Christ in Damascus. So they welcomed Paul and had him

a man from Tarsus named Saul.

see. He stood up and went down

Paul returned to Damascus to

preaching the good news about

He is fasting and praying, asking

to one of the rivers with Ananias

preach. The Jews were so upset

Jesus. Everywhere Paul went to

for help. I told him in a vision

who baptized him. (From then

that they decided to kill him. But

preach, he did so openly and

that a man named Ananias

on those who knew about his

he found out about their plot and

boldly, telling the people that

would be coming to see him and

conversion began calling him by

learned that they had stationed

Jesus Christ was Lord.”

that you would restore his sight

his Roman name Paul.) Then

men at each of the city gates to

by placing your hands on his

Paul ended his fast, and after

kill him as soon as he came out.

head.’ Then Ananias answered,

eating something, his strength

So the believers took him to an

‘Lord, this sounds like the man

began to return. For a few days

opening in the city wall, put him

February 5

2011

Continued from p. 3, The Off-season ciples can be applied to the Christian life. Focus on your legs: NFL coaches want their

the off-season provides players with motivation

also should ask the people closest to them what

and encouragement to reach goals. Having a

areas of their Christian experience could use

partner on your Christian walk accomplishes

improvement.

the same things.

Follow these three tips, and when seasons

players in shape when the season starts. Ap-

Improve communication: NFL coaches want

of trial occur in your life, you’ll be prepared to

plying this to the Christian life, make sure your

their players to sharpen their listening and com-

overcome through God’s strength. Remember,

spiritual “legs” are strong enough to walk that

prehension skills so that they know what they’re

if you don’t have a plan, then you plan to fail.

straight and narrow path that leads to eternal

supposed to be working on and so they’re on

Staying in top spiritual condition at all times is

life (see Matthew 7:13, 14). Keep in shape

the same page with the coach. Christians need

how to win in the game of life.

through daily prayer and Bible study.

to focus on really talking with God and listening

Have a partner: Having a workout partner in

Continued from p. 9, The Gridiron of Life

to Him—by reading His Word, the Bible. They

David Robinson lives in Maryland and loves to write about sports.

Ten Commandments—which He established for

4:11-13, Message).

the happiness, peace, and safety of us all. King

Do you want to start winning the game of

most difficult things for any of us to do is to

Solomon, whom the Bible calls the wisest person

life today? Make a connection with Christ. Ac-

allow Him to decide what’s best for us. But the

in the world (see 1 Kings 4:30, 31), gives us this

cept Him as your Savior and Lord right now.

Lord reassures us with this promise: “I know

advice: “Respect and obey God! This is what life

Don’t wait.

what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans

is all about” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, CEV).

to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to

Are you searching for peace? For joy? For

give you the future you hope for” (Jeremiah

contentment? The apostle Paul wrote something

29:11, Message).

amazing while he was in prison: “I’ve learned

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of fighting,

by now to be quite content whatever my cir-

Omar Miranda is a Christian counselor with 20 years of experience working with youth in public and private middle and high schools. He’s married and has two kids. He enjoys teaching the youth at his church, reading, writing, gardening, and camping. 1

kicking, clawing, and struggling my way through

cumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with

life. I’m tired of trying to grab as much as I can as

much, with much as with little. I’ve found the

fast as I can, thinking that this will help me win in

recipe for being happy whether full or hungry,

life. I’ve discovered that everything is worthless

hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have,

and meaningless unless I decide to love and follow

wherever I am, I can make it through anything

God and choose to obey His laws—especially the

in the One who makes me who I am” (Philippians

Continued from p. 13, Leaving the Field

Him, and they will lead even more to Him. Only

Then he described the feelings he experienced:

in heaven will you fully realize the power and in-

“It was like a slow motion type of thing. It was

Will everything always be crystal clear? No.

fluence of your decision to follow God’s plan for

almost like shackles falling off my feet.”

Will following God always be easy? No.

your life all the way.

Will people always understand? No.

On Glen Coffee’s last day with the NFL, after

But a life lived with and for God promises

he had made the decision to follow Jesus com-

peace, happiness, and ultimate fulfillment. In ad-

pletely, he cut the tape off of his ankles for the

dition, your witness for Jesus will lead others to

final time—the tape that football players use.

Benjamin Baker writes from Maryland. *Bible texts in this article are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers

i n s i g h t m a g a z i n e . o rg

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