I'm giving up sports, and some other things...

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

I grew up a sports fan. I grew up loving sports. I have been a huge fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Falcons, and the Atlanta Braves. I have also had a "following interest" in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 

I even used to tell people that it was "Biblical" to be a Braves fan. After all, God said to Joshua, "be strong and courageous." Another word for courageous is BRAVE. In other words, "be a Brave." And for the Pharisees who happen upon this blog: I said that as a joke, not as a true Biblical command. However, it did sum up a lot of my feelings about "my team."

I've long since stopped watching sports. Giving up TV will do that. However, I have kept up through sports talk radio. I drive a truck for a living. Drive time needs to be filled right? 

However, I came to a decision not long ago. I've stopped listening to sports radio, talk radio, and any secular entertainment, at all (of any kind). Basically, if something isn't Christian oriented, I'm not listening, watching, or reading it. 

But, what's the harm? It's just a sports team. Are you saying sports are sinful? 

In and of themselves? No. There's nothing wrong with the games themselves. 

However, sports are permeated with much evil: gambling, ungodly ads, ungodly ideas being spouted by the talking heads, scantily clad "cheerleaders" (I realize you can't see them if you don't watch it, but I'm supporting it by listening). 

But, this is not the main reason I'm quitting. The real reason is about my life. 

I'm not getting any younger. I'm 48 years old. I had a heart attack last year. I have Arthritis in my back, Diabetes, and high blood pressure. I also have a blood condition that causes my blood to clot too much. I take 6 pills a day just to stay alive.

My mom died in 1999 at the age of 55. Others in my family tree have died between 50 and 55. Though I may live another 20 or 30 years (the Lord willing), it's not even a given that I will live out this day I'm in, much less live to be over 90 like my grandma. 

As such, I'm taking personal inventory of my life. I need to spend more time with my God and family. Sports and other distractions may not be sinful, but they are time thieves. And once that time is gone, I can never get it back. 

I have also noticed that, since I've stopped these activities and have begun to surround myself with godly and edifying things, my attitude has begun to change. I don't get angry as quickly. Some of the things that used to really get under my skin, don't bother me like they did. I'm becoming less harsh and more caring. 

I've also begun to feel a drawing to a deeper place in God. A closer walk with him. I feel like I'm peering through a window into God's house. I'm able to catch a glimpse of what he's drawing me to, but I can't experience it or get a clear view of it. I want to go inside and see what's for dinner!

Am I perfect? No. But, I'll never even get close unless I try. Grace is a partnership, not a free pass. I've got to try.

I want more of Jesus. I must increase and he must decrease. I want to become saturated in him. I want to be used of him in ways I never imagined, so I'm clearing away the clutter. 

There's no sports team in existence that can offer me the joy of one minute with Jesus. There's no TV show, movie, book, computer game, website, etc, than can fulfill me like Jesus can. In fact, the "satisfaction" that we feel with these distractions doesn't last and leaves us empty.

Yet, time spent with family, friends, and especially Jesus gives satisfaction that can never be lost. 

So, I'm clearing away the clutter. I'm not gonna spend near as much time online as I have before. 

I can live without football. I cannot live without Jesus. I can live with less Facebook. I crave more time with Jesus and my family.

I have a job to do that has nothing to do with delivering Ice Cream to stores. I am called to love Jesus. I am called to love and lead my family. I am called to love people and help them along their journey to and with Jesus. 

I have books to finish and proofread. I have songs to sing, lessons to teach, sermons to preach, and prayers to lift up to the throne. I have hugs to give, and quality time to spend with my family and friends.

My priorities need to be Jesus, my wife (Della Mae), my children, my grandchildren, others, my job, and then myself. Giving in to lot's of entertainment places ME above all else. Some entertainment (as long as it's godly) is OK. Lot's of entertainment weighs us down and hinders our walk with God and our relationships with our loved ones. 

Pray for me as I keep myself in check and strive for a closer walk with Jesus and my family. I will do the same for you.      

For my sweetheart!

Romans 13:7

King James Version (KJV)

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today, I want to step out of character a bit and get personal.

I remember when I was single (again). I remember how lonely and miserable I was. I remember crying out to God for a wife- literally crying. I told him I wanted a woman that loved HIM more than she would love me. 

The next day, I met Della Mae. Not only was she beautiful (and she still is), but she truly loved God in all she did. 

I remember vividly the night we were at her mother's grave. She was grieving. I was trying to be a comfort to her and praying for her. The Lord broke into my prayers and actually spoke to me: "This is my gift to you, and your responsibility. Take care of her."

We were married on Feb 23, 1999. I have never regretted it. This wonderful woman has tolerated me working long hours- for not much pay. She has never had "the best" this world has to offer. Yet, she loves me just the same.

She prays for me and our children (and grandchildren). Her health is not the greatest, but she keeps pushing herself to perform her wifely duties and to pray.

She gets up with me (at 2 or 3 AM) and fixes my lunch. She talks to me on the phone to make sure I make it safely to work. When she hangs up, she reads the word and prays for us all. Then, she tries to get a little sleep. And she greets me with a hug and a smile when I get home 12-14 hours later.

We've lived in 14 different homes in 6 different states in the last 15 years. Yet, she doesn't whine and complain as most women would. She deserves to live in a mansion! But, she accepts what little I can do.

She tolerates the time I put into writing, because she loves me.

She cooks. She cleans. She does her best to make our small income stretch as far as it can. She takes care of the animals. She home-schooled our daughters. We only have one vehicle, so she's "stuck at home" all day, but she never pitches a fit about it. She gives godly counsel to the whole family. She even gets in our faces if we need it.

When I've grown frustrated and wanted to throw in the towel and give up, she's the one who helped me to keep standing. When I've started to get out of line, she prayed. Many's the time, I have been spanked by God because of her praying, "You get his attention, Lord."

But she's not just focused on us. When she sees other's needs, she prays and tries to reach out to them. Several times, her godly generosity has turned potential enemies into friends.

Our children know she loves them and would do anything she can for them- except sin.

I've never met a sweeter, kinder, more giving and loving woman than my Della Mae.

Many have wounded her heart, but she keeps on loving. Many have used and abused her, but she keeps on giv
ing. Many have stopped being friendly with her because she won't compromise the word of God, but she loves them anyway.

So, for no other reason than to say, "I love you, Della Mae Winskie," I write this today. Honey, you are the sweetest, most wonderful, most beautiful woman God has ever made. I am humbled and honored to be the undeserving recipient of your love and devotion.

Thank you for teaching me what true love is. I see it every time I look at you.
I love you with all my heart.

Your devoted husband, Mike