He Shoots . . . He Scores . . . and the Parents Go Wild!!

Little Dribblers began several weeks ago here in Grandview and can I just say if you have not been to the gym to watch some games you are really missing out! It is so much fun to watch the parents!!! (There is a game going on as well, but the parents are way more entertaining!!) Seriously, it is great to watch the kids work together as a team to try and score and prevent the other team from scoring. It is even more tantalizing to watch the parents when their child gets a rebound, dribbles, or shoots . . . but “Katie, bar the door” if their child SCORES!! There is an amazing glow that overcomes the parents, and they are so proud you can literally see their chest poke out a few inches!! I might add they should be. Their child has succeeded in accomplishing a goal!

I found myself thinking . . . and I know that is a shock to many of you . . . but if you will stretch with me a bit, I wonder as God looks down on his children (granted we are not playing a basketball game) playing the game of life what the Heavenly Parent’s reaction might be? As we set our goals and try to live out a life that would be pleasing to Him, do you think you are doing so well that he is glowing and poking His chest out because He is so proud of you?

As I watch Cameron and Easton play basketball, I realize they are going to make mistakes and turn the ball over and they are going to miss shots. I also know from experience and playing myself that you will never make a shot if you never shoot. You will never make that perfect pass unless you attempt to pass the ball. You have to put forth effort and even be willing to fail if you are ever going to have success.

Our Christian life is the same way. There are going to be times you stumble and fall. There are going to be days you fail in having your quiet time or prayer time. There are going to be situations you might have the opportunity to share Christ with a friend and let it go by. If you are not having that quiet time for several days in a row, you would not care that you missed one day. If you were not faithfully praying for others, you would not be concerned you missed once. If you were not concerned for lost people, then you would not be disappointed in yourself for missing an opportunity. I challenge you to get in and stay in the game -- not to look good to others -- but to please your Heavenly Father!

We just wrapped up a great weekend of Disciple Now. Great job, Preston and youth workers! Now we head into the month of February with the Senior Adult Valentine Banquet with Randy Mac coming to entertain as well as a children’s camp fundraiser. I will be speaking on vision during the month of February. Please be in prayer for me as we look at what vision for the church really means, and then in March I will be laying out the vision and mission for our church.

Continue to pray for one another, encourage one another, and watch what your tongue says about one another! Let’s keep the main thing the main thing!

In Him,