August Newsletter, 2021 Rick McPherson
Since childhood, I’ve been a sports fan. Growing up in Canada my sport of choice was hockey, but that did not preclude my interests in baseball and football particularly. I can still recall starting line-ups, statistics and general information for my favorite teams. Names like Frank Mahovlich, Gordie Howe and Bobby Orr are cataloged in my brain, along with Carl Yastrzemski, David Ortiz and Willie McCovey. And who could forget, Roger Staubach, Gale Sayers and Lawrence Taylor?
As the years have passed, I have realized that what intrigued me about these sports was the strategy behind them. Tactics that were carefully, even meticulously, honed to gain an advantage over the opposition were a vital part of preparation. Games days were not happen-stance and casual, they were the results of hours of preparation, study and insights. Strengths, weaknesses, tendencies and habits were all carefully dissected and known, so that the slightest advantage would insure victory. A well-prepared game plan was the key.
Thinking through this metaphor I realize that the greatest game we will ever play offers our soul as the trophy. Can we live our lives in a lackadaisical manner? Can we be casual and unprepared? Can we under-estimate our opponent? I think not.
Peter wrote these words to help us with our life, game plan. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith…” I Peter 5:8
Another translation says, “…prepare your minds for action.” One coach I know would say, “Alright, alright, alright! Get ready, get ready, get ready!” What he was saying was to focus, pay attention and not get fooled. In the spiritual realm, pull in all the loose ends of your thinking, and reject the false teachings of the world. After all, deception is one of the main tactics that the enemy uses against us. When Peter says, “…be on the alert…” he’s talking about deception. It’s a terrible thing when we’re deceived; tricked, scammed, hustled. Don’t let it happen to you.
Now, let me remind you that we have The Greatest Play Book, ever written. It contains every play, offense, defense, and strategy that you will ever need for anything that your opponent throws against you. But you have to read it, study it, memorize it, know it and do it…for it to be of any benefit. It’s up to you.
As Coach would say, “Alright, alright alright! Get ready, get ready, get ready!”
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In the midst of the ongoing Corona Virus Pandemic, our ministry to Native Americans continues. Recently, we responded and helped a family on the Yakama Reservation at Celilo Indian Village with much-needed car repairs. In addition to the groceries, boots, clothes, school back-packs and household items that we frequently deliver to the Reservations in the Pacific Northwest, we’re often able to help with other needs and convey the message of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness. THANK YOU for your ongoing faithful and generous financial support for this important ministry to our Native American brothers and sisters and their children. GOD BLESS YOU!