17 – 14!!!! What A Game!!!!

I was so nervous. I had a difficult time watching the first half of the Super Bowl, so I worked with one eye on the television. During the second half, I gave in and just became a football fan regardless of who would win.   

By the way, I picked the Giants 24-21, and really was rooting for the underdog. You cannot take anything away from the Patriots. An 18-1 season is one of the very best in NFL history, but no Super Bowl championship. They were just one game away from being one of the very best football teams ever — maybe they still are or will be.

What do we learn from watching a great game like this? 

• First, you need the opportunity! You can't pick the winner before the game is played. Most people did.
• Just because you are the underdog doesn't not mean you have to play like one.
• When you have been maligned (e.g., Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin), you must believe in yourself. You are playing the game; your critics are not.
• You never know who will step up to make a heroic play (e.g., unbelievable catch by David Tyree on the first touchdown scoring drive).
• In the church, we do not call it luck, but in football you need some luck. Point: You do your best, and good things will happen.
• You need a game plan and a coach who has the respect of their players.
• You will most likely play hurt, but if you believe in yourself, your team and the cause at stake, you will survive. Sometimes defense is your best offense.
• No matter what the score, winning feels better than losing.

Wow! What I have just shared with you sounds a whole lot like pastoring a church, with one very big exception — you are a winner no matter what! In fact, you are more than a conqueror! Why? Because of the Coach you follow and the cause you represent.

Have a great week! WHEW — what a game!

Comments

[David Eden]

YES! What an unforgetable superbowl! Thanks for your words & for all you do, HB & crew. I'm a kids pastor, songwriter & dad who's benefitted from 30 yrs of Focus (& lately your) wisdom. Thot you might enjoy a sporty tune the Lord gave us after my son & I were working thru yet another tough loss of his b-ball team.

THE REAL GAME

You can run the touchdown.
Throw the bomb on 3rd down.
Heisman Trophy & you’re Super Bowl bound!
But are you winning at the real game?

You can hit the homerun.
Arm like a shotgun.
World Series hero, but let me ask you, son—
Are you winning at the real game?

They know your name. They know you got game.
But who knows the price you paid for the fame & the glory?
Who sees your fears? Who sees the years?
Dry all the tears, reporters are here
to write your story, your life story- How's your real game?

So are you winning... at the real game?

You can burn the ice up.
Skating for the Stanley Cup.
Face-off. Slap shot.
Man, you can control the puck!
But are you winning at the real game?

Backhand at the net.
Ace your serve. Win the set.
Hey, that Wimbledon Trophy
is as good as it gets.
Yeah but are you winning at the real game?

Walk off the field. Walk off the court.
Now what is real? Who’s keeping score?
Where is your glory?
Back with your friends where life begins,
where your family & kids are waiting to win
in your story, your life story- That’s the real game!

So are you winning... at the real game?

You can drain the jump shot.
In the paint you’re too hot!
Fast break. Penetrate.
Man the moves that you got!
But are you winning at the real game?

You can get the knockdown.
K-O in the third round.
Hey heavyweight champ,
when the final bell sounds--
Are you winning at the real game?

They know your name. They know you got game.
But who knows the price you paid
for the fame & the glory?
Back with your friends where life begins,
where your family, your kids are waiting to win
in your story, your life story - It's the real game!

So are you winning... at the real game?