Since taking my new position with the NFLPA, I have been forced to rely on public transportation which is truly fascinating.  Every morning when I get off the metro I have the same routine that I use to get to my office.  It’s funny how we can become such creatures of habit. 

Since the District of Columbia is so busy I hardly ever see the same people each morning and to be honest most of the time I am not even paying attention, but this morning it struck me that I always see this one man every single morning.  He also must be a creature of habit, because he is always sitting on the same bench in the same spot with the same black trash bag next to him.  He also has the same look on his face every morning that I walk past him. 

I find myself wondering every morning as I pass him on the street, how did he get here?  Was it his fault or circumstances beyond his control?  Does he have a family or friends?  How long has he been homeless?  Does he wish for a new life?  All of these thoughts are running through my mind.  Then after I get about a block from him, the thoughts fade into what I have to get done for the day and generally I don’t give him another thought until the next morning when I see him in the same place on the same bench with the same look of hopelessness on his face. 

This morning I decided to do something different, I was going to find out his name and tell him that I would be praying for him.  So I approached him and said hello and not a word was spoken.  So I just continued on my way. Now every morning I plan to speak in hopes that maybe one morning we will have a conversation and I will be able to tell him about the love of Jesus Christ.  Explain to him where he can find hope again.

Peter and John had a similar encounter with a man as they were headed to the temple for prayer. (Acts 3)  The difference was this man that they passed was crippled and he begged them for money to which Peter replies, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Chris of Nazareth, walk.” (v.6)  Then taking the man by the hand, Peter helped him up and instantly the man’s feet and ankles become strong. (v.7)  The bible says that the man immediately began jumping up and praising God. (v.9)

Peter and John prayed to the Lord and God provided healing to the man’s body, but more importantly they gave the man hope.  Hope for a new life, a better life with Jesus taking control.  That is what we all need.  That is the cure to all of our problems today.  When we have no hope, I think it is worse than any disease or  circumstance that we could ever find ourselves in.  Jesus is our hope.  I pray that I will have an opportunity to share with this homeless man that fact that can change his life.

Yesterday the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints received their championship rings.  Having played in four super bowls, I can tell you that there is no greater feeling in the world than getting those rings after all your hard work.  This weekend being Fathers Day weekend, I began to think will I recieve ring for being a championship father?

The Apostle Paul who wrote about the similarities between athletics and our spiritual lives, gave us fathers some keys to assuring that we will recieve a ring for our work here on earth.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

1. We need to Run to Win. (v.24)  For some of us that might mean that we spend a little less time at the office or playing golf and spend more time with our kids.  Remember kids spell love T.I.M.E

2. We need to Remain Self-controlled. (v.25) A wise man told me once that I need to learn to reflect and respond instead of reacting and rejecting to everything that my kids ask or  do.  That has been some great advice.

3. We need to Rely on the Fundamentals. (v.26)  The first fundamental of a championship father is loving your wife.  One of the best things we can do for our children is treating their mother with love and respect.

4. Finally, championship fathering Requires a Disciplined Life-style. (v.27) No father can be a champion unless he is living what he is preaching.  If we are living lives that lack discipline it is highly unlikely that we will win a ring for being a championship father.

Championship Fatherhood doesn’ t mean you do everything perfect.  Your kids won’t remember the things you did perfectly, however, they will remember the things you did period!

Whether you are a baseball fan or not you have to be impressed with Detroit Tigers pitcher, Armando Galarraga.  This week, Armando would have pitched a perfect game had it not been for the umpire’s incorrect call on a play at first base; which would have been the last out of the game for Galarraga.

First base umpire, Jim Joyce admitted after the game that he made a mistake and wished they could overturn the call and give Armando his perfect game.  Commisoner Bud Selig said he will not change the call, but did say that the Tigers organization showed “dignity and class and that their conduct was admirable and embodied true sportsmanship.”

Over the years we have seen plenty of stories of little league parents getting into it with coaches and officials over their kids games, especially when it relates to a bad call against their child.  How refreshing was it to see a professional athlete respond to a unquestionably bad call that cost him a perfect game say, “nobody’s perfect, everybody makes mistakes.  The more important thing is for my heart, I know I threw a perfect game.”  No pouting or profanity laced tirade, just a simple act of grace on the part of a true class act.

The bible is filled with men of integrity, but none more than Joseph.  In Genesis 39 we see that his bosses wife cast longing eyes at him and one day when no one else was around she threw herself at him. (v.7) But Joseph responded the way only a true class act would by saying, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God.” (v.9)

Who you are when no one else is looking, will be the same person that is going to come out when times of testing and trials come your way.  Both Armando and Joseph showed by their actions they they are the real deal.  Both are true class acts.