Excellence

Nick Saban, the football coach at the University of Alabama, has coached two American college football teams (Alabama and the Louisiana State University) to national championships and is currently one win away from another national championship game.  Speaking about the fact that many of his former players have gone on to professional football careers and that many of his current players probably will do so, he gave his players this advice: “Don’t save yourself for something that won’t happen if you don’t spend yourself now.” This is very good advice.

Very good advice indeed. It can be applied to any endeavor. Never accept mediocrity when you can display excellence by the full application of your abilities.

Jesus said this exact thing in Revelation 3:16.  “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”

This is not expecting excellence. It is demanding excellence. It is disgust with half-hearted, nominal Christianity. Jesus is worthy and deserves our best.

"Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

The Passing of a Witness

Sixteen year old Sid Ortis died on 31 October 2015 after a fifteen month battle with osteosarcoma. 

He has become known around the world for the brave way he lived his life after his diagnosis and for his devoted love of Louisiana State University (LSU) football. Most of the reports also mention his “faith.” The real focus of most of the news reports is actually about the intense relationship which developed between Sid and Les Miles, the coach of The LSU Bengal Tigers football team.

Coach Miles exchanged cell phone numbers with Sid, gave Sid’s family a set of box seat tickets to the football stadium, and told Sid, “Life is not how long you live, but how well you live it.”

The news reports for the most part mentioned Sid’s “faith” without elaborating on what that actually meant. Either they were uncomfortable with it or did not actually understand what “faith” meant. Sid’s parents understand.

Of course, not everyone is impressed. One commenter said that this kind of thing is what drove him to be an atheist. He sarcastically wanted to know what kind of God would seem to ignore prayers and allow such a kind and gentle young man to suffer so much. Sid’s mother responded that her son was transformed into a fearless person by the power of the Lord. 

Sid’s mother, Lynn Ortis, said, “We are so proud of our son for not getting bitter, living life, trusting Jesus until the end.”

Sid’s father, Scott Ortis, knows the effect of his son’s illness, “Dozens and dozens have come back to a spiritual belief because of Sid.” Scott said that Sid told him that he was lucky because, if he lived, he was able to stay with his family and, if he died, he would be with Jesus.

Here is a prayer, one of the last things Sid was able to say before he died, 

"Dear Lord, thank you for everything you've given me and these wonderful friends who have been there with me through the fight. And let them all live prosperous lives once I'm gone, and let everybody stay on the path of righteousness and not get away from You. Amen."

"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:23 

"Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)