Jack’s Winning Words 8/14/13
“It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith.”  (Tim Tebow)  After each football game Tim Tebow kneels in prayer, and he’s been criticized for that   Things religious have always had a place in his life.  His parents were missionaries.  His belief is “Faith, Family and Football, in that order.”  The Sermon on the Mount begins, “Don’t hide your light under a bushel.  Let it shine.”  Is that, Tebow-ing?  BTW, Tim turns 26 today.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  Putting God first certainly doesn't mean you can't play football; nor does playing football mean you're not putting God first. I'm glad his priorities include keeping God at the forefront of his life while performing in his job -- something we all need to do. Whether or not he is going to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL is another issue.====JACK:  Vince Lombardi said something similar when talking to his players.  "There are three things important to every man in this locker room. His God, his family, and the Green Bay Packers. In that order."  And he was a successful football player and NFL coach.

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  I suppose my Swedishness  is coming thru but I think sometimes we can let our light shine too brightly so that it blinds us to reality====JACK:  You're right!  Most Swedes are more comfortable praying privately.  ...and they feel that they are following the advice of Jesus:  "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.".

FROM HY YO SILVER:  I share a birthday with Tim Tebow and Magic Johnson!====JACK:  You also have the same birthday as Mark "the Bird" Fydrich.====HY:  I didn't know that. Cool!

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Does Tebow go off the field and use his time off the field to do something in the community? I would like to see praying people at people's hospital beds or working in the soup kitchen or articles in Sports Illustrated or something with pictures of him and his family in a Bible study at church, to some of us non-sports people football just seems like a distraction from life and not really very serious--sorry sports fans, maybe it's because I never played and experienced "being on the field and challenged by the game".====JACK: Here is some information about Tebow's life beyond the football field.  He was born in the Philippines where his parents were missionaries.. He's gone back with them throughout his entire life to work at their association's orphanage and to preach in villages across that country. As a college athlete he spoke in U.S. schools and prisons and at church conferences and youth group meetings.  He's also started a nonprofit organization, the Tim Tebow Foundation. Its priorities are:  A wish-granting program for children with life-threatening illnesses.  A charity to create children's playrooms in hospitals throughout the world.  The Foundation also helps support a Christian home for 49 orphans and 13 staff in Mindanao, Philippines.

FROM TARMART REV:  Two men "out-spoken about their Christ-like faith" (that's you and me, Jack), letting their Christ-like lights shine while traveling down two different pair of tracks that brought them together for a time and then sending them on aways apart for another season of ministry, and then bringing them back together for a enjoyable season once again . . . interesting thought for me to ponder today, finding me very appreciative of the fact!!====JACK:  Life is a mystery.  I love mysteries (sometimes).

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  thank you for reiterating our most basic right as americans... seems it is being usurped by political correctness these days. tebow can't tebow anymore.when i was agnostic, i was never offended by others' beliefs or the symbols of their beliefs. i am offended, however, by the govt's attacks on christianity, while awarding the utmost respect to the "peaceful" religion of islam.====JACK:  Religious freedom in the USA applies to all religious groups.  Many immigrants came to this country in the 19th century, because they didn't have that freedom in their homeland.

 FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS:  Ahh but then aren’t there verses about not acting like the Pharisees, insted “not letting your right hand know what your left is doing” or, not praying for spectators to observe your pious behavior but in private, behind a closed door where those who give in secret are rewarded in secret?  Sometimes my heart is warmed by these guys who express their faith publicly and other times it seems like grandstanding.  Hmmmm.====JACK:  I'm satisfied to let people pray as they choose,,.whatever their posture.  I had an opinion about Tebow-ing until I read more about Tim's background.  That's the case with most (if not all) of our prejudices   I'm exasperated by those who think their's is the only way that counts. 

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  More and more people are being outspoken about their faith.  More tv programs include faith....Duck Dynasty for instance.  Hopefully, this will be the start of a push-back from people who want to remove God from this country.====JACK:  A country is somewhat like a family.  You take what you get and try to make the best of it.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:   Tim has made a name for himself in a good way;, if you are a committed Christian.  A  few years ago he would have been idolized, instead of inspiring snide remarks and satire.  Our sons were admired for being Christian Athletes, and  both older boys were Spirngfield "Athlete of the year", so it didn't hurt their chances. Our value system has changed as a nation.  I love football, and also our Lord,  so I do hope he has a chance to show what he can do in the NFfL.
I tend to be outspoken, myself. (Did You Guess?)  Until I joined my two bridge clubs, they never offered grace at our luncheons....now we never miss.  And these are good people, but not used to praying aloud....until now.:-)====JACK:  In Sunday School we used to sing..."Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light, like a little candle burning in the night.  In this world of darkness we must shine...You in your small corner, and I in mine."

  FROM ANONYMOUS:  Football season is starting soon! Hooray! Tim Tebow amazed us here in Florida....most of us. A winner in so many ways. Whether he makes it in pro football is iffy....for many reasons.....but it's gratifying to see that he doesn't compromise . As God has a plan for each of us, I believe, His plan for Tim Tebow is just early in the game.--------

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Yes, and he is very popular down here.  BTW have you read Duck Dynasty? My grandchildren introduced the series to me, and the book is all about this guy's faith , how got there, and how he lives his faith.====JACK:  You're the second person who's mentioned Duck Dynasty to me.  Is that some like Swamp Men, Mountain Men and Ice Road Truckers?====SHIRL: No. I don.t think so.  It has a constant Christian basis for living.====JACK:  Have never seen it.  Probably watching Tigers' baseball instead.