Actions Count

 

Patrick Mahomes II played college football and baseball at Texas Tech University.  I am a Texas Tech fan, Mahomes fan, and somewhat of a Kansas City Chiefs fan because of that.  Even though the Chiefs lost in the AFC Championship playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals, there were still some noteworthy winning and defining moments for the playoff games.

Bob Barbour is a loyal Chiefs fan.  In a recent post, he shared several of the reasons why he is supportive of the team and the people of Kansas City.  Around Thanksgiving, it was most likely that the Chiefs would conclude their season without earning a spot in the playoffs.  According to Barbour, “Michael Irving ‘stuck a fork’ in the Chiefs and we came out with a vengeance, mounting one of the most remarkable turn-arounds I’ve ever seen, winning every single game but one for the rest of the season.  We don’t give up, we don’t let analysts disrupt our determination, and we never think we can’t fix what goes wrong. We went from the bottom of the AFC West to the projected winners of the AFC Championship, and that all by itself says more about this team than anything.”

 

In the NFL Divisional Game, the Chiefs won over the Bills.  Barbour shared that the Chiefs fans generously donated nearly $500,000 to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s Patricia Allen Fund, which benefits the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.  The Bills fans also complimented the people of Kansas City on their hospitality, good sportsmanship and helpfulness before, during, and after the game.

 

Ashanti was chosen to sing the National Anthem for the AFC Championship game.  Due to technical difficulties, the microphone cut in and out during the song.  Without hesitation, the Chiefs and Bengals fans joined in singing, in beautiful harmony, “The Star Spangled Banner.”  What could have been an embarrassing and humiliating problem allowed the fans and participants to join together for a few moments of patriotism 

 

Barbour also pointed out the respect he has for Patrick Mahomes.  After the game, Patrick didn’t blame the coaches, calls by the refs, or other players for the loss.  After throwing an interception, Mahomes took the blame stating, “Yeah, I did that wrong.”  In such a high-pressure situation, Barbour reminded people, “He has led us to the playoffs every year he has played for KC and has taken us to the Superbowl twice and won once in just 4 years.  This is a remarkable human being who has a long career ahead of him and realizes he still has so much to learn to be as great as he is capable of being.”

 

* Never give up!

* Look for and fix what needs to change.

* Play and work as a team/family.

* Be kind and generous.

* Hospitality makes a difference

* Helping someone in a difficult situation can bring joy and pleasure.

* Lead with integrity.

* Don’t blame others.

* Accept responsibility for your choices and actions.

* Be willing to learn, improve, and grow.

 

May we be intentional about our actions counting for good.

 

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22

Goodness and Kindness

 

This past week, a snowstorm blanketed the northeast.  Due to more snow predicted for the following days, it didn’t take long for Brian DeLallo, football coach at Bethel Park High School in Pittsburgh, to realize that the Monday after school weightlifting session would not be happening.  Coach DeLallo sent out a tweet on Sunday to notify his players that their after-school workout would be cancelled.  He then stated, “Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway.  Don’t accept any money – that’s our Monday workout.”

Team captain Gavin Moul, and his teammates, took the coach’s words to heart.  Whether individually or in groups, they began offering help to their neighbors.  Gavin reported that, “They’re surprised that we’re not taking money.”  Some residents refused their help, since they would not accept payment, but other recipients were grateful for the offer and help. 

 

The athletes also enjoyed their unusual workout request.  Moul reflected, “I feel great about it and think we all feel great about it.  It’s not only helping them, but it’s helping us to become a better team.”

 

Coach DeLallo has received much praise for his tweet to his players.  He quickly gave credit for the idea to his predecessor and said he was “simply carrying on 1 of the many great traditions he established.”  DeLallo continued, “You get a lot more out of this than ‘did you bench press 300 pounds today?’”   “It’s a chance to connect with the community and you don’t get many of those, so this is nice.”

 

In another community, a mother took her three children to a nursing home.  The children made snowmen and played on the front lawn, much to the delight of the residents and workers.

 

What wonderful ways and opportunities to serve and bless others.  May we, too, look for ways to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus this week.

 

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

The Spirit of the Olympics

 

Erin Jackson, 10, and Brittany Bowe, 14, met when they joined the same inline skating club in Ocala, Florida.  Now 29 and 33, they continue to be skating competitors and friends.  Both women have been training for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.  On Friday, Jackson had an unexpected bobble in her qualifying race and came in third place, behind Bowe and Kimi Goetz.  Since only two women can be guaranteed a spot, that meant Jackson would not be competing in the 2022 Olympics.  With reallocation from other countries, there might be a possibility the US could have three women compete in the 500m, but since Jackson did not qualify to be on the team, the third participant would not be an option for her.

Bowe qualified for three speed skating events for the 2022 Olympics, the 1500m, 1000m, and 500m.  On Sunday, Brittany called Erin and then notified the US Speedskating authorities that she was giving her spot in the 500m to Erin, who is currently the number 1 ranked skater in the event.  Even if the US does not have the opportunity to have three athletes for the 500m, Bowe knew it was the right decision.  “In my heart there was never a question that I would do whatever it took if it came down to me to get Erin to skate the Olympics.  It’s just the spirit of the Olympics and being a great teammate.  And yes, it’s bigger than just me.  It’s Team USA.  Erin has a shot to bring home a medal, hopefully a gold medal, and it’s my honor to give her that opportunity.”

 

Because of Bowe’s expression of sportsmanship, Jackson will be able to compete in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, an opportunity she thought was lost.  Erin stated, “Just for her to do something like this for me, it’s amazing.  I’m just incredibly grateful.  I’m really humbled, and she’s an amazing person.  That makes it 1o times more awesome going into Beijing.  Going into it, no matter what, I’ve got my eyes on the top spot, but this just makes it so much sweeter that I was kind of given this gift from a very close friend of mine.  It would be awesome for both of us to be able to stand at the top of the podium in our races and share that moment.”

And with the help and prompting of God’s Spirit, may we, too, look for opportunities to bless, encourage and make a difference for others.

 

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

 

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Serving With a Purpose

 

After retirement, Ranjan Vee’s father began bee keeping and harvesting honey for a hobby.   On a recent visit, his father excitedly showed him the honey he had just collected from the bee hives.  As he lifted the top off of the five-gallon container, Vee noticed that there were three bees that were trapped on the top of the honey.  Because of the coating of honey all over their bodies, the bees were not able to fly away and escape.  Ranjan asked his dad if there was anything they could do to help, but he commented that they would not be able to survive.  Vee still wanted him to try.

Going inside, Mr. Vee found an empty plastic yogurt container.  He used it to skim over the top layer of honey, captured the three bees in it, and then placed the container on a bench in the backyard.  Since the hives had been disturbed earlier, during the collection process, there were still several bees flying around the backyard.  Later, as the dad checked on the bees, he noticed something amazing.  He called his son to come outside and see what was happening.  The other bees had surrounded the container and were cleaning the sticky honey off of the stuck bees.  On a later check there was only one bee left, but it was not alone.  The other bees were still tending to the remaining stuck bee.

 

As it came time to leave, Ranjan went with his dad to check on the last bee.  The container was empty.  “Those three little bees lived because they were surrounded by family and friends who would not give up on them, family and friends who refused to let them drown in their own stickiness and resolved to help until the last little bee could be set free.”

 

Anthropologist Margaret Mead was once asked what she thought to be the first sign of civilization.  Anticipating the response to be grinding stones, fish hooks, or clay pots, the students were surprised with her response.  Mead stated. “The first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed.  A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts.”

 

Maybe we truly are our best when we take time to help and serve others.

 

 

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13

 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11