Name on the front of the Jersey....

Do you know the Definition of the word MIRACLE?

Miracle: an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature, held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.

I have to admit to you, I LOVE sports!! every aspect of them!!! From the time and preparation it takes to go the

extra yard, to the impossible task or defeating the "Big Bad Rival".My movie tastes also fall into those categories.My

faves include: Remember the Titans, Blind Side, For the love of the Game, The Natural, Seabiscuit, Friday Night Lights,

and most of all Miracle.

After watching the USA team take it to overtime on Sunday with Canada, I find myself watching the movie all over

again. Nothing beats the 1980's team, in my eyes. A team that did the unthinkable. Defeated a team built solely for

playing hockey in what was once the USSR. Truly a countries name not even recognized by ANY history student,

unless they seriously pay attention. This story line is full of passion and an extreme goal.

Herb Brooks was known as on of the best Ice Hockey coach's, who put together a team of young men, united for one

goal, to win the gold medal- taking it away from the Soviets. He took athletes from not only his own team, but others

he had played, to bring together the "right" team. They all had specific purpose and tasks given to them, to work together

as the unit Brooks needed. They didn't always understand the method to his madness, however, they did understand the

goal they were trying to obtain.

I see the same thing when I look across the body of Christ. We are all united for His Glory, His Renown, we are never

from the same backgrounds and are as diverse as the 1980 USA hockey team, who ultimately won the gold medal.

But, oh what those boys went through to get there. I see this daily in the lives of saints that are around me.

From challenges in marriages, to singleness, divorces, and oh yes, don't forget our insecurities. Fallen pastors,

earthquakes, starvation, our culture in general. We are all pushing ourselves to get to the ultimate goal, and boy does

our culture give it to us in the chops.

One thing I constantly seem to forget, is that we are all on the same team. My mind so many times doesn't wrap

itself around my role in all of it. I am a team player, however, at times my role is just simply following orders, to

condition myself with prayer, to be ready to do battle by keeping my mind in the Word. To shine my Light in the

darkness of places in which I have the experience of life to show others there is a God that you can trust. Yet to also

come along side the player to my right or left, to pass the puck so to speak, when needed, or skate harder, or press

into conditioning more. We may all be from various places, but God saw us fit as His team, to bring Him Glory.

Besides the ending of this movie, which I have pretty much ruined for you, the scene tag below is my favorite.

There is a line Brooks says, " You need to get it through your head, the name on the front of the

jersey, is a "heck-of-a" lot more important than the one on the back", the scene doesn't end there. They continued

until the team captain, Mike Eruizone, says his name, and states he plays for the USA. Brooks had done it, brought a team together unified to fight a tough Soviet team, and onto the gold medal.

Jesus did the same for us. We took off our old "team" jersey's and replaced them with the name YHWH on the front, because the name on the back truly is irrelevant. As we continue to be "conditioned" as athletes, striving toward the prize, I hope we too can lay aside our old teams, and theories, and run the race with the passion of our coach, desiring to honor and Glorify His Father's name. We are apart of that team. We may have to face some serious opponents. Yet our "Coach" has worn our skin, has walked this earth, has sat on the bench and played His game, so we can play in His.

Father, thank you for allowing an incomplete teammate like myself onto your team. I know that ultimately the prize is won, and we will see the victory - let me use my daily conditioning to your Glory, and never let me forget the name on the front of the jersey is the one i represent! I am a called, chosen, and faithful follower, let me do you proud. I love you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9AajQn7b18

Ps. 138

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise

your name for your love and faithfulness,

for YOU have exalted above all things

YOUR NAME AND YOUR WORD.

When I called, you answered me;

you made me bold and stouthearted.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,

when they hear the words of your mouth.

May they sing of the ways of the LORD,

for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is on high, He looks upon the lowly,

but the proud he knows from afar.

Though i walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve mu life;

you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,

with your right hand you save me.

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD,

endures forever do not abandon the works of your hands.