March Madness - Give Me The Ball!

March madness is great to watch not because I have
basketball ability, (you can tell that by my
height), but because every year there are some
good players that become great players. Some of
the tournament games are nail bitters and come
down to last second shots. When they do there are
maybe one or two players on the team that have
this attitude of, "just give me the ball." They
want that pressure shot, they want to be the one
making or breaking the teams future. Those are the
players that go on in life to be the Michael
Jordan's, Larry birds, and Magic Johnson's of this
world.

Do you know that Jesus is just like one of those
players? He lives for the moment. He wants the
pressure shots, and he wants to have the ability
in our lives to determine where we are going.

A few of you know I have had a hard time finding
understanding in events in my life these last
three weeks. Events out of my control, events with
seemingly not much logical understanding, and
events mixed with love, frustration, and fear.
Monday evening I happened to be working late at my
office, which I rarely do on Monday's. Also I
parked my car on the side of my office, in which
any one passing by wouldn't have known I was
there.

Finally realizing that I had no control, there
doesn't have to be any logic to love, and
frustration was just giving me headaches and
stomach aches. Monday was one of those days in
which I felt in my heart I was turning the corner
and releasing everything that the past three weeks
had brought upon me to God and moving on with my
life. At 5:00 my last client left and I decided
to be still for a while. (A common theme I heard
on three separate occasions this week in sermons).
I guess you could say, I finally needed and wanted
to pass the ball to someone else.

As I sat there quietly in my office I had this
sudden urge to get on my knees and pray. But not
the normal attitude prayer that normally comes out
of my mouth. That morning I turned to Matthew and
read about asking for things, knocking on Gods
door and receiving his blessings. This time I
said, "God you say in Matthew, now I am asking,
just give me a "sign" one way or another with
Amber that's it. That's all I am asking." And I
said all in a confidence and a strong voice.

As God as my witness not even five minutes later I
hear a knock at my office door, in walks Amber
Smith! I have not spoken, seen her nor thought I
ever would again in almost three weeks. Then all
of a sudden she walks in. Needless to say, I was
shocked not just because of her showing up, but
because of what God had just did. Saving you with
all the mushy details (which is none of your
business anyway) we spoke for fifteen minutes
answered some concerns of each others, took a step
forward, hugged and said our good byes.

But, much greater than the details is what Jesus
did because I handed the ball off to him. All
along he would say to me, "Be still, give me the
ball, let me make the pressure shots, and let me
have your play book of life." However, all I
needed to do was take the ball of burdens stretch
out my arms and hand it to him. The minute my
hands (thoughts and emotions) left the ball (my
willingness to control and have answers) he
answered and took the pressure shot. But not until
I totally let go and let God.

What I learned was this, humble yourself before
God (on your knees be the team player it's not
about you)? Continually read the word and stand on
it (study the play book). Go boldly to Jesus for
answers (give him the pressure shots)

I don't know where my future is with Amber Smith,
I still love her and I hope she believes that.
What I do know is this; God is faithful on his
time table. Whether we know it or not he watches
over us always. And practice the Golden Rule no
matter what.

So the next time you want to make the great shot,
remember there are greater players around you if
you just give them the ball.
March madness is great to watch not because I have
basketball ability, (you can tell that by my
height), but because every year there are some
good players that become great players. Some of
the tournament games are nail bitters and come
down to last second shots. When they do there are
maybe one or two players on the team that have
this attitude of, "just give me the ball." They
want that pressure shot, they want to be the one
making or breaking the teams future. Those are the
players that go on in life to be the Michael
Jordan's, Larry birds, and Magic Johnson's of this
world.

Do you know that Jesus is just like one of those
players? He lives for the moment. He wants the
pressure shots, and he wants to have the ability
in our lives to determine where we are going.

A few of you know I have had a hard time finding
understanding in events in my life these last
three weeks. Events out of my control, events with
seemingly not much logical understanding, and
events mixed with love, frustration, and fear.
Monday evening I happened to be working late at my
office, which I rarely do on Monday's. Also I
parked my car on the side of my office, in which
any one passing by wouldn't have known I was
there.

Finally realizing that I had no control, there
doesn't have to be any logic to love, and
frustration was just giving me headaches and
stomach aches. Monday was one of those days in
which I felt in my heart I was turning the corner
and releasing everything that the past three weeks
had brought upon me to God and moving on with my
life. At 5:00 my last client left and I decided
to be still for a while. (A common theme I heard
on three separate occasions this week in sermons).
I guess you could say, I finally needed and wanted
to pass the ball to someone else.

As I sat there quietly in my office I had this
sudden urge to get on my knees and pray. But not
the normal attitude prayer that normally comes out
of my mouth. That morning I turned to Matthew and
read about asking for things, knocking on Gods
door and receiving his blessings. This time I
said, "God you say in Matthew, now I am asking,
just give me a "sign" one way or another with
Amber that's it. That's all I am asking." And I
said all in a confidence and a strong voice.

As God as my witness not even five minutes later I
hear a knock at my office door, in walks Amber
Smith! I have not spoken, seen her nor thought I
ever would again in almost three weeks. Then all
of a sudden she walks in. Needless to say, I was
shocked not just because of her showing up, but
because of what God had just did. Saving you with
all the mushy details (which is none of your
business anyway) we spoke for fifteen minutes
answered some concerns of each others, took a step
forward, hugged and said our good byes.

But, much greater than the details is what Jesus
did because I handed the ball off to him. All
along he would say to me, "Be still, give me the
ball, let me make the pressure shots, and let me
have your play book of life." However, all I
needed to do was take the ball of burdens stretch
out my arms and hand it to him. The minute my
hands (thoughts and emotions) left the ball (my
willingness to control and have answers) he
answered and took the pressure shot. But not until
I totally let go and let God.

What I learned was this, humble yourself before
God (on your knees be the team player it's not
about you)? Continually read the word and stand on
it (study the play book). Go boldly to Jesus for
answers (give him the pressure shots)

I don't know where my future is, what I do know is this;
God is faithful on his
time table. Whether we know it or not he watches
over us always. And practice the Golden Rule no
matter what.

So the next time you want to make the great shot,
remember there are greater players around you if
you just give them the ball.