Joe Willie Namath

Joe Namath played college football at the University of Alabama. His coach was the legendary Bear Bryant. After a successful college career, Namath signed with the AFL's New York Jets. This was before and during the merger of the AFL and NFL and the birth of the Super Bowl.

Namath's nickname was "Broadway Joe"; he is sometimes called "Joe Willie Namath", a characterization popularized by Howard Cosell. The apex of his career was his stellar performance in the Jets' January 1969 win over the Colts in the World Championship Game, now referred to as Super Bowl III. The Colts were touted as "the greatest football team in history". Namath is now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Jets' all-time team and the American Football League All-Time Team

Most recently, in December 2003 Namath gained new notoriety, apparently after partaking of too much celebratory champagne at the Jets' announcement of their all-time team. During live ESPN coverage of the following Jets game, he was asked about Chad Pennington, and then what he thought about the current Jets struggling. Namath expressed confidence in Pennington, and then stated to the interviewer, Suzy Kolber, "I want to kiss you. I couldn't care less about the team struggling." He has since apologized. Later, he publicly admitted to an alcohol problem, and entered into an outpatient alcoholism treatment program on January 12, 2004, the 35th anniversary of Super Bowl III.

Namath has also released a book, "Namath", that gives his side of the National Football League. But what impresses me about Namath now is that when he is interviewed the "sin of December 2003" is ever before him. He is now been sober for more than a thousand days and seems to be cleaning up his life.

Our sins are always before us. Let's be like Namath and admit them. But lets carry it a little farther - let's bring God into the picture. For confessing is worthless if God is not there to forgive. Confess your sins to one another. Ask God to forgive. Heaven awaits a heart like that.

Sid

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Paul Harvey tells of a mother taking her 3-year-old son to the grocery shopping in Mobile, Alabama.
She gave him serious instructions - "don't even get started about chocolate chip cookies. We are not buying chocolate chip cookies. Don't ask, don't bring it up, we are not buying any chocolate chip cookies.
She puts him in the cart and off they go. And as they go down the aisles he sees the cookies. "Mama, mama can we have some chocolate chip cookies?" "I told you not to ask for any. We're not buying any chocolate chip cookies. Don't bring it up any more. Do you understand?
They turn a corner and he can see the cookie aisle again. Mama, can't we get some chocolate chip cookies? This went on several more times with the mother holding her ground and refusing to buy chocolate chip cookies
Finally they are in the check out line about to leave the store. The 3-year-old has summed up the situation and figures this will be his last chance to get some cookies. He stood up in the grocery store cart and shouted, "In the name of Jesus can't we get some chocolate chip cookies."
All the people around either began to laugh or applaud. With the generosity of the people in the store the mother went to the car with 23 boxes of chocolate chip cookies.
What do you scream for? Is it God? Is it Jesus? Is it selfish? May we ask God for more than chocolate chip cookies.

Radical Christianity

"Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like the United States.” Those words were not spoken by Osama bin Laden but by comedienne turned talk-show hostess Rosie O’Donnell on a nationally broadcast program in October. Her statement generated a wide range of reactions.

I am not sure what motivated her statement. Maybe she was upset that Christianity teaches a lifestyle that she cannot agree with. Maybe she can't agree that people are suppose to submit to God and serve mankind. Maybe she is concerned that people financially support their local church. I am not sure why she said it, but I wished it was true.

Let me explain. I wish all Christianity was radical. That there were millions that were totally and completely committed to the call of God. Christianity would not be social, but life-changing. That is what I read in Scripture. That is what I want for my life and my church. Don't kill other people because of your faith. Die to yourself. Give yourself to the Christ. Be radical.

Sid