Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[Twin Cities.com]

Green Bay’s new Catholic bishop livened his installation ceremony by breaking into song during his sermon with parts of a couple country songs—including one called “Drop Kick Me, Jesus.” Bishop David Ricken, former bishop of Cheyenne, Wyo., first told the assembled church leaders, family members and others from the Green Bay and Cheyenne dioceses about traveling to his Cheyenne assignment after being ordained a bishop.

Read more here.

[From me]

As long as he doesn’t break out in a Terry Bradshaw song or The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Today we had a special service at our church. Mike Minter, former NFL All Pro for the Carolina Panthers spoke to a packed out crowd.  It was exciting to see so many people there today. Mike has an awesome testimony of how God used an injury while a starter at the University of Nebraska back when Tom Osborne was the coach.  Mike used humor and made a clear presentation of how one can come to know Christ. I can’t wait to see how many people gave their lives to Christ.

The music rocked (a mostly Fee set) and the videos and prizes added to a great day.  I haven’t seen that many people since I started earlier in the year.  Our prayer is some people will visit us again in the future.

If your church wants a dynamic speaker who will hold no punches, I would encourage contacting Mike to speak.  Above is a picture of my son Jacob and Mike.  (Jacob is on the right and Mike is on the left)

Tom Brady has All American looks and an NFL MVP arm as a quarterback for the New England Patriots. He has won 3 Super Bowls and has dated some of the most beautiful women in the world. He has more money than he could ever spend. Yet, he says him self that something is missing. This video is less than 3 minutes long but I think it is worth watching.

If you don’t watch anything else–go to 2:31 into the video and listen to what he says:

“Why do I have 3 Super Bowl Rings and still think there’s something greater out there”

“There has to be more to live than this”

Interviewer, “what’s the answer?’

Brady. “I wish I knew.”

Wow! Tom Brady is living the dream that most American Boys could only imagine and yet he seems unhappy. I know the answer. The answer to life is a relationship with Jesus Christ. The moment I gave my life to Jesus the world is different. I have a purpose everyday. I see the world differently. I look at people differently. I confess I have pulled against Brady because of his lifestyle. No more. I was wrong and will pray for him.

If you are wondering is there more to life? Yes, and all you have to do is ask Jesus to become the leader of your life.

What do you think?

[Christian Post]

Super Bowl Champion Coach Tony Dungy, who announced Monday that he will continue as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, said his return is a chance to continue his ministry. After the Colts’ loss to the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoffs last Sunday, Dungy spent a week talking and praying with family members and friends to decide on whether he should return to football or retire.

On Monday, the deeply religious Dungy, who has published a memoir on how his Christian faith has affected him on and off the field, said he felt coaching was the best pulpit for his message.

“I enjoy my job, the players, the staff we have here and Bill (Polian) and Jim,” Dungy told reporters. “But it is a platform and that’s something I talked to my wife and pastor about. I said ‘I could stop and start a ministry, but I might not have a platform like this.’”

“I look at this as a job,” he said, “but I also look at it as a ministry … I might not have as effective a ministry as I have right now.”

Read about it here.

[From me]

I love Tony Dungy. He is the real deal. Just imagine if every believer saw their job no matter what it was to be an effective witness for Jesus. If we all allowed Jesus to live through us we could truly change the world.

What do you think?

I love the NFL.  You have the best Professional Sports Product in the world.  I have always been a fan.  I remember watching the old AFL/NFL rivalry.  I had  Len Dawson & Dick Butkus posters on my wall.  I enjoy Thanksgiving day games.  The NFL is fun to watch even when your team(s) aren’t in the playoffs.

As a kid I loved December NFL games.  Why?  Because the college regular season was over and the NFL would show 2 games on Saturday afternoons. Then enter the NFL Network.  I’m one of the few households who receives the NFL Network since we have Dish Network.  I actually like watching it.

Yet I have one beef.  Since last year when the NFL Network started showing games after Thanksgiving there are no more CBS and FOX Saturday afternoon football games.  I don’t want to watch a Saturday night game.  Please let Troy Aikman and Joe Buck (FOX) or Jim Nance and Phil Sims (CBS) do Saturday afternoon games again.  I miss them!