A Sure Fire Guide on Becoming a Sports Talk Show Host

I've had the opportunity to listen to the big sports talk station in town this week and I've discovered a few simple steps for hosting a sports talk program.  It's really pretty simple so if you've ever listened to such programs and thought to yourself, "Hey! I could do this!" I urge you to put these three steps into practice and soon you'll be rubbing elbows with Dan Patrick and Bob Costas and, well, probably not.

First, learn to repeat every sentence you say at least three times.

Say something like, "The Suns did not show up to play tonight." Then say it again.  Say it one more time.  Apparently, those who listen to sports talk program aren't very swift so you've got to repeat your points over and over again until the listener gets what you're saying.

(Or maybe the host is not very swift and simply repeats stuff over and over again because they've got no real insight or anaylsis to offer.  Nah - that's couldn't be true, right?) 

Ah, but repetition in and of itself is not enough!

Second, as you repeat every sentence three times, crank up the volume!!

Let me try and demonstrate (you can't hear me so use your imagination, OK?)

"The Suns did not show up to play tonight.  The Suns Did Not Show Up To Play Tonight!  THE SUNS DID NOT SHOW UP TO PLAY TONIGHT!!!!!"

Cranking up the volume proves that you are a passionate sports talk show host and we sports fans are nothing if not passionate about our teams and their performance.

Third, remind your audience over and over again that you were at the game.

I guess this lets your listeners know that you weren't watching the game from the comfort of your living room where with all the good camera angles and instant replay, you can see the game much better than at a seat in the stadium.  You were there at the game! That must lend more creditability to what you say.

So, say something like, "You're right, I was at that game and the Suns did not show up to play.  No way did they play hard.  I was there and the Suns didn't show up.  I was there at that game and the Suns did not show up, no way! I WAS THERE AT THE GAME AND THE SUNS DID NOT SHOW UP!" (a good use of rules 2 and 3).

Now I know that there are only a few sports talk show hosting opportunities out there so maybe you can use these rules where you work.  If you're a pastor, use them in the pulpit: (The devil fooled Adam and Eve.  The Devil Fooled Adam And Eve! THE DEVIL FOOLED ADAM AND EVE!!!)

Or maybe you can apply the rules with your fellow employees: (I was there at the meeting and our benefits have been frozen.  They're frozen! I was there.  I heard it with my own two ears.  I WAS THERE AT THE MEETING!!!)

Of course, should you apply these three rules to your place of work, you might run the risk of having happen to you what I did to the sports talk station.

Tune it out.

The Basic Bible Atlas

In April, 2017, l led a group of over 30 on a trip to the Holy Land.  We traveled all the places you would want to visit - the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, Capernaum, Bethlehem and Jerusalem to name just a few.  I just wish I had had "The Basic Bible Atlas" with me.

John Beck is an expert on the Holy Land.  His latest tool, "The Basic Bible Atlas" would have helped me put into context the places we were visiting with the larger part of Israel.  To read about the Mount of Olives and then consult the Atlas to see where it was in relation to the Garden of Gethsemane lets you use your imagination to picture what the journey from the Upper Room to the Garden might have been like.

Wonder where Canaan is? Where did David and Goliath's battle take place? Where was Jesus seen during those 40 days before His resurrection.  The answer to those questions and more are easily answered when you refer to "The Basic Bible Atlas!"

Book provided for review from Baker Books.

Sage Advice for a Friday!

Got this sage advice from Prof. Reed Lessing:

1) There is a God.

2) You are not it!

OK, folks, go out and make it a great day!

Focus on the "how" and not the "what"

A life of significance is measured by the quality of how we live in the present.  "How well have I served my spouse today? How well have I focused on caring for my neighbor? How well have I used my God-given talents at work today?" When we focus on the what, we turn inward, making it more difficult to hear God's voice.  When we focus on the how, we look outward, diminishing our own selves so that the lives of others may be enhanced.

Kurt Senske, "The Calling - Living a Life of Significance," page 21

A friend and not an enemy

What made the Jason Bourne movie series so compelling? It's when Bourne finds that his superiors have turned on him and now, suddenly, he is the enemy.  The films in the series show Bourne at work, trying to clear his name and keep himself alive.

That was the apostle Paul's problem.  Because of his ministry to the Galatians, many Jewish people began to wonder if Paul was forsaking his Jewish heritage.  So, the people began to spread rumors that Paul had turned his back on Jewish customs and, worse, had become an enemy to Jewish people.

If you have time this week, read Romans 9 through 11.  In these three chapters we see Paul answer his accusers.  Paul offers many illustrations and quotes the Scriptures often as he defends his ministry.  He proves that he is not the enemy - far from it! Paul provides many convincing proofs of his love for his people and his heritage and his deep desire that Jewish people enjoy the same confidence and hope that the Gentiles have through faith in Jesus Christ.

As you read those three chapters you'll discover that Paul has much to say to encourage us in our daily walk of faith with our Lord.  As always, Christ Jesus is at the center of his teaching.  By the time you're finished reading, you'll join Paul in saying, "To God be the glory forever! Amen."

Can God Make a Rock So Big He Can't Lift It?

Can God make a rock so big He can't lift it? If He can't lift it then He is not all powerful.  Then the rock has more power than God and whatever is more powerful than God is God.

If God can make it, He can lift it.  If He can create it, He can destroy it.  What He creates is under His jurisdiction, under His control.  It can never have equality.

From "LetUsReason.org"

Love Notes

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Remain in My love.  John 15:9

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  1 John 3:16

Let these verses remind you of one important fact - God's love is constant.  It is not limited to one special day.  Everyday is Valentine's Day when you are with Jesus.

Go be with Jesus today!  Rest in His love!