sweet spot
the plan was to come on here and share something deep and insightful, but i guess i just wasn't in the right mindset. i was feeling a little down, not a lot, but a little. and i was reading the word and just thinking who am i to advise anyone else? who am i to analyze scripture, to teach at church, to do anything like that? i realize i am nobody, but its God through me who does these things. just saying things like that gives me a big head, its so hard to find humility. i really am trying. i'm starting to think how people in important positions must feel. they have to deal with their own sense of inadequacy, yet try and fight off pride in the same moment. its not logical on paper until you've felt it. i guess its impossible to be in that sweet spot everyday, but i'm gonna try. not that i do anything important yet, but i have some plans. this whole life thing takes time to build and get right i guess. hmm... maybe i was in the right mindset to get a little deep.
voice of the heisman
hate all you want on my gators, but you have to love an athlete humble enough to know that there are things much bigger than football. one who uses his platform as a football star to tell people about Christ. check out this article about Tim Tebow at the SEC Media Day. That's why this guy is my favorite player, plus the 40+ touchdowns last year.
Florida’s Tim Tebow hopes to use football as a platform for philanthropy
By Joseph Goodman / McClatchy Newspapers
Thursday, July 24, 2008
HOOVER, Ala. - It was a bizarre beginning to the Southeastern Conference Media Days on Wednesday. There was a football player at the dais - perhaps the best in the country - and there were football writers in the audience, but the topic of football seemed like a footnote.
Then Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, told hundreds of sports reporters that football isn’t that important.
"I want to do everything in my power that football gives me to influence as many people as I can for the good, because that’s going to mean so much more when it’s all said and done than just playing football and winning championships," Tebow said.
Yet another group converted. College football is a religion in the Deep South, but when Tebow shows up for the season’s kickoff party, the whole thing turns into a tent revival.
"I can take what I do in playing football as a game and change people’s lives with it," Tebow said. "That’s why football is such a great game. That’s kind of why I do the things, preaching in prisons, doing those different things, trying to take advantage of that platform that God has blessed me with."
Tebow spoke to media from around the country for about 25 minutes Wednesday. Unlike every other player from every other school who attended the first day of SEC Media Days, Tebow addressed the media from the area reserved for head coaches. Reporters asked about Tebow’s stardom and missionary work more than the Gators’ spread offense or chances of winning a national championship.
Tebow made headlines this offseason with mission trips to the Philippines, Croatia and Thailand. He also spoke at prisons and preached at churches. Tebow’s father, Bob, is a missionary.
"Sometimes my biggest message to other athletes is, ’Yeah, we know you’re great in football, but take that greatness, your platform, use it to influence other people,’ " Tebow said. "That’s much more important than football."
Florida’s Tim Tebow hopes to use football as a platform for philanthropy
By Joseph Goodman / McClatchy Newspapers
Thursday, July 24, 2008
HOOVER, Ala. - It was a bizarre beginning to the Southeastern Conference Media Days on Wednesday. There was a football player at the dais - perhaps the best in the country - and there were football writers in the audience, but the topic of football seemed like a footnote.
Then Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, told hundreds of sports reporters that football isn’t that important.
"I want to do everything in my power that football gives me to influence as many people as I can for the good, because that’s going to mean so much more when it’s all said and done than just playing football and winning championships," Tebow said.
Yet another group converted. College football is a religion in the Deep South, but when Tebow shows up for the season’s kickoff party, the whole thing turns into a tent revival.
"I can take what I do in playing football as a game and change people’s lives with it," Tebow said. "That’s why football is such a great game. That’s kind of why I do the things, preaching in prisons, doing those different things, trying to take advantage of that platform that God has blessed me with."
Tebow spoke to media from around the country for about 25 minutes Wednesday. Unlike every other player from every other school who attended the first day of SEC Media Days, Tebow addressed the media from the area reserved for head coaches. Reporters asked about Tebow’s stardom and missionary work more than the Gators’ spread offense or chances of winning a national championship.
Tebow made headlines this offseason with mission trips to the Philippines, Croatia and Thailand. He also spoke at prisons and preached at churches. Tebow’s father, Bob, is a missionary.
"Sometimes my biggest message to other athletes is, ’Yeah, we know you’re great in football, but take that greatness, your platform, use it to influence other people,’ " Tebow said. "That’s much more important than football."
Peru
i'm just warning you all i'm writing this post at 3 in the morning. so please excuse the poor vocabulary, lack of wit, and overuse of the word awesome.
well everybody, i made it back home from peru. the trip was amazing, and everything about it was awesome. it was pretty awesome.
the first day we got in we went outside this english institute and started handing out keychains for frc lima. we were timid at first but picked up speed and started conecting with people. this lady me and keith talked to actually showed up that weekend!
after speaking broken spanish to complete strangers for a few hours we went to this mall in peru. the place was pretty big and i ate a nasty hamburger from this fast food resteraunt called Bembos.
the next day we got up and went to a local orphanage that our church has connected with. the kids there were so happy to see us. we fed them chicken and fries. then i played soccer with some of the boys and played hide and seek, well really just chased, the little girls throughout the orphanage. we spent all day there, and afterwards cleaned up at the hotel. from there, we went to the rd., the frc lima student ministry. christian translated the lesson for us, and a few of the kids even got to play two worship songs. overall, i was impressed by the energy and pimpin set up at the jazz club. after that we all went and ate at the hottest papa johns in the world.
i got up to do set up, just like every sunday, only this time for frc lima. it was much quicker than sawgrass. then i helped out on the first impression team and greeted people as they came into the theatre. i used my awesome spanish vocabulary as i told everyone that came in "hola, como estas?" that night, we went out to larco mar, which is this beautiful outdoor mall on the water.
monday, we went to the david wilkerson school. it is a scholarship driven school with kids from poor areas. it was amazing to see the joy in the kids' faces when we gave them a simple goody bag full of candy and pencils. pencils! they loved them. i visited three classrooms and met two 6th grade boys who chatted up a storm with me. they talked about everything from wwe wrestling to what love is like. i missed most of the song and dance numbers the kids put on because those two boys were talking to me. but connecting with those kids was probably my favorite part. it was so cool to see how interested they were. from there, we went back to the street corner to hand out keychains. that time, we hit the ground running and handed out keychains left and right. we were really on our game. that is until we got kicked out by a cop who i gave a keychain to. he said we didn't have a permit and all this junk and asked us to leave. the Lord had His hand on it though, the two officers were christians and polite about the ordeal and our seem didn't seem downtrodden, they seemed strengthened if anything. i think we were happy for all the people we were able to connect with in such a short time. blessed are those who are persecuted in His name.
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tuesday, we went to a shanty town on the outskirts of lima. it was called apachacutec. all the people out there lived in shacks with dirt floors. it was such a dirty place and amazing that it was home to so many. the place seemed hopeless, i just couldn't see a way for people to get out. im sure most people born there, probably die there. but they were so happy with nothing. we brought them lunch and a few toys and toiletries, they were so thankful and so content. we got to meet the pastor and give him some things too. poverty is just evident from sin, i mean whats worse, that or living in america so lost in our possessions that we miss God? some of those people were truly dependent on Him and it was evident.
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wednesday was our last day, we spent time going to the inca market and i bought some gifts for my family. then we went on a little tour of peru and saw the country. after getting something to eat and a shower it was time to head to the airport. i slept most of the way home but was sorry to leave. overall, it was a great experience.
what ill take away most from the trip was not just the typical. although i did feel more grateful for all of my blessings and opportunities, i felt reaffirmed that i need to live for Him. that God is the sole provider of happiness and joy. that we are meant to live for Him. that doing His will is the reason i am on this earth. i want to make a difference and make this world a better place, and the only way i know how is through the love of Christ. so i pray i take this with me and continue to focus on Him throughout my life, because to me, thats the only way to have a life worth spent.
(not all the pics are up yet, ill try to put some more in when i get them)
well everybody, i made it back home from peru. the trip was amazing, and everything about it was awesome. it was pretty awesome.
the first day we got in we went outside this english institute and started handing out keychains for frc lima. we were timid at first but picked up speed and started conecting with people. this lady me and keith talked to actually showed up that weekend!
after speaking broken spanish to complete strangers for a few hours we went to this mall in peru. the place was pretty big and i ate a nasty hamburger from this fast food resteraunt called Bembos.
the next day we got up and went to a local orphanage that our church has connected with. the kids there were so happy to see us. we fed them chicken and fries. then i played soccer with some of the boys and played hide and seek, well really just chased, the little girls throughout the orphanage. we spent all day there, and afterwards cleaned up at the hotel. from there, we went to the rd., the frc lima student ministry. christian translated the lesson for us, and a few of the kids even got to play two worship songs. overall, i was impressed by the energy and pimpin set up at the jazz club. after that we all went and ate at the hottest papa johns in the world.
i got up to do set up, just like every sunday, only this time for frc lima. it was much quicker than sawgrass. then i helped out on the first impression team and greeted people as they came into the theatre. i used my awesome spanish vocabulary as i told everyone that came in "hola, como estas?" that night, we went out to larco mar, which is this beautiful outdoor mall on the water.
monday, we went to the david wilkerson school. it is a scholarship driven school with kids from poor areas. it was amazing to see the joy in the kids' faces when we gave them a simple goody bag full of candy and pencils. pencils! they loved them. i visited three classrooms and met two 6th grade boys who chatted up a storm with me. they talked about everything from wwe wrestling to what love is like. i missed most of the song and dance numbers the kids put on because those two boys were talking to me. but connecting with those kids was probably my favorite part. it was so cool to see how interested they were. from there, we went back to the street corner to hand out keychains. that time, we hit the ground running and handed out keychains left and right. we were really on our game. that is until we got kicked out by a cop who i gave a keychain to. he said we didn't have a permit and all this junk and asked us to leave. the Lord had His hand on it though, the two officers were christians and polite about the ordeal and our seem didn't seem downtrodden, they seemed strengthened if anything. i think we were happy for all the people we were able to connect with in such a short time. blessed are those who are persecuted in His name.
tuesday, we went to a shanty town on the outskirts of lima. it was called apachacutec. all the people out there lived in shacks with dirt floors. it was such a dirty place and amazing that it was home to so many. the place seemed hopeless, i just couldn't see a way for people to get out. im sure most people born there, probably die there. but they were so happy with nothing. we brought them lunch and a few toys and toiletries, they were so thankful and so content. we got to meet the pastor and give him some things too. poverty is just evident from sin, i mean whats worse, that or living in america so lost in our possessions that we miss God? some of those people were truly dependent on Him and it was evident.
wednesday was our last day, we spent time going to the inca market and i bought some gifts for my family. then we went on a little tour of peru and saw the country. after getting something to eat and a shower it was time to head to the airport. i slept most of the way home but was sorry to leave. overall, it was a great experience.
what ill take away most from the trip was not just the typical. although i did feel more grateful for all of my blessings and opportunities, i felt reaffirmed that i need to live for Him. that God is the sole provider of happiness and joy. that we are meant to live for Him. that doing His will is the reason i am on this earth. i want to make a difference and make this world a better place, and the only way i know how is through the love of Christ. so i pray i take this with me and continue to focus on Him throughout my life, because to me, thats the only way to have a life worth spent.
(not all the pics are up yet, ill try to put some more in when i get them)
Peru
i'm leaving for Peru tomorrow. keep me in your prayers. i'm excited, and a little worried. i'm praying that i grow closer to God during this trip. it should be awesome.
FGCU Orientation
So me and Scott (my girlfriend's sister's boyfriend) drove up to Florida Gulf Coast University today early in the morning. I was running off of 2 hours of sleep. The girls were at their orientation and we wanted to surprise them. Well, in our infinite wisdom and lack of math skills, we got there about 2 hours before we wanted to. So we killed time and wandered the campus. It was pretty nice, but tiny compared to UF. Anyways, we end up waiting to surprise them outside the wrong door and completely miss them as they go to breakfast. Luckily we were able to catch them on the way out, and it kind of worked.
The rest of the day was very laid back, we explored the bustling city of Fort Myers, checked out their various gated retirement communities, and enjoyed a sub sandwich from the gas station. All in all, it was a good day.
School is coming soon and it is pretty intimidating. I feel like I haven't even had time to think of my trip to Peru in 5 days. I got to get on that.
Yeah... that's that. I figured you might enjoy a little update on my life, use it as a break from thinking about your life. That's what these blogs are for, killing time, and taking your mind off things.
Maybe to keep you more entertained, I'll give you nice picture to look at too. Hold on... let me find one on the internet...
Ah... here we go, some big mountain in Colorado.
Relaxing, awe inspiring, and makes you think of the glory of God. Overall, a pretty good picture.
The rest of the day was very laid back, we explored the bustling city of Fort Myers, checked out their various gated retirement communities, and enjoyed a sub sandwich from the gas station. All in all, it was a good day.
School is coming soon and it is pretty intimidating. I feel like I haven't even had time to think of my trip to Peru in 5 days. I got to get on that.
Yeah... that's that. I figured you might enjoy a little update on my life, use it as a break from thinking about your life. That's what these blogs are for, killing time, and taking your mind off things.
Maybe to keep you more entertained, I'll give you nice picture to look at too. Hold on... let me find one on the internet...
Ah... here we go, some big mountain in Colorado.
Relaxing, awe inspiring, and makes you think of the glory of God. Overall, a pretty good picture.
UF Preview
hey guys i just got back from University of Florida orientation. i've decided to major in history, because it has a lot of freedom and only a few absolutely required classes. because i want to go into the ministry as soon as possible, and figure that i need some sort of college degree to get hired by a church, i put myself on the fast track since i already have a lot of credits that go towards the history major. wow, i'm tired and can't write anything but run on sentences, and i'm going to college! well, the whole process was very drawn out and full of many many presentations that didn't seem that important to me. but i got done all the things i had to get done so i'm pretty much set for college. i have to work out a couple kinks in my schedule but it should all be good.
don't get me wrong, i'm not exactly expecting perfectly smooth sailing, but i'm trying to make the transition as easy as possible. you see, this is a big step for me, as with anyone, but i'm still a little nervous, though not as much as before. see i was debating whether i should go to college at all or jump right into the ministry. both sides have arguments to support them, but right now i feel as if i should at least give college a shot. if God calls me into the ministry before that, i'm down. its hard to know whether i'm doing this whole college thing because myself, my family, and society wants me to, or if that is God's will. i've had contradicting advice on which is my best plan, but ultimately its up to God.
i just pray i'm making the right choice and not choosing the world over God.
who knew wanting a college degree might pull me away from God?
i was about to go into detail about the pros and cons, and my philosophy on what either choice means, but it is too much to write at 2 am and i have to work tomorrow.
just pray that i have wisdom and am going where God wants me.
thanks to everyone who reads this/prays for me.
i need guidance...
don't get me wrong, i'm not exactly expecting perfectly smooth sailing, but i'm trying to make the transition as easy as possible. you see, this is a big step for me, as with anyone, but i'm still a little nervous, though not as much as before. see i was debating whether i should go to college at all or jump right into the ministry. both sides have arguments to support them, but right now i feel as if i should at least give college a shot. if God calls me into the ministry before that, i'm down. its hard to know whether i'm doing this whole college thing because myself, my family, and society wants me to, or if that is God's will. i've had contradicting advice on which is my best plan, but ultimately its up to God.
i just pray i'm making the right choice and not choosing the world over God.
who knew wanting a college degree might pull me away from God?
i was about to go into detail about the pros and cons, and my philosophy on what either choice means, but it is too much to write at 2 am and i have to work tomorrow.
just pray that i have wisdom and am going where God wants me.
thanks to everyone who reads this/prays for me.
i need guidance...
