Still In The Game by Devon Still

Still in the Game is an autobiography about how one young man overcomes great obstacles to reach one of the pinnacles of sports achievement and how his faith came into play throughout his journey. In his book, Still shares how growing up with both parents involved in his life made a tremendous difference in the choices he made, in spite of his surroundings and what his peers were doing. He shares how seeds planted in his childhood helped him to keep his focus on God during trying times.

I found this selection very easy to read and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. As a football fan, I was familiar with Devon Still and the story of how his daughter fought cancer. However, reading this book allowed me to truly see his devotion and dedication to his daughter. I would highly recommend this book to others who are in need of inspiration to keep up their fight in life. It's very inspiring and Biblically sound.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sometimes You Lose to Gain

My dad had part of his leg amputated this week. I know this doesn't directly concern me, yet I've had to deal with my share of emotions surrounding this change in his life. Over the last several years he has had 8 surgeries on the same leg due to blood clots and other issues. We visited him a couple weeks ago for his birthday and he said there would be no more surgeries if the problem arose again. He knew amputation was the next option. Several days after we left, his leg began hurting again. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I've had to deal with a roller coaster of emotions. The biggest being the knowledge my dad will never "walk" me down the aisle. My husband and I were married in January, but are planning a ceremony and reception for the fall. My dad mentioned several times how he wanted to walk me down the aisle. That is no longer possible. In fact, based on the date we have picked out and the rehab time for him, he may not be able to be there at all.

Then there is the change in how I see my dad. I know as our parents get older, how they are and how we think of them doesn't always align. My dad has always been one of the strongest (and most stubborn) people I've ever known. He was a Marine. And not just any Marine. He's a 20 year, served in Vietnam driving a tank and earned a Purple Heart Marine. For him to admit he's in extreme pain means he is in a LOT of pain.

Today I received a picture of my dad's new leg...or lack of. I asked how he was handling the change and I was told, "It doesn't hurt anymore." This brought tears as I thought of how true this is for much of our life. In order to find healing, sometimes we have to lose, or cut, something off. The pain of keeping something, or even someone, can be so great the only way to not be in pain is to be willing to let go. It may not be something as extreme as a limb. Perhaps it's a friendship. Or a job. Sometimes it's letting go of a dream or pursuit if the pursuit is causing pain and misery. What once was good, is no longer good, but infected and if not treated or removed could bring death.

Lately I've been feeling God has been telling me it is time to let go of some things in my life that at one time were good and useful, but now bring stress and pain to my life. While they may not bring a physical death, if I continue to hold on to them, they could bring a spiritual and emotional death. Hearing the statement from my dad of how, "It doesn't hurt anymore," has confirmed it is time to let go of certain things. Instead of stressing over the, "But what about this...." type of questions I've been asking God, I know it is time to trust Him again. There are changes happening that don't make sense to me, and yet I know they are from God. The peace is found only in the losing.

Have you had to let go of something in order to find healing? Is there something in your life causing pain and sickness and God is telling you it's time to let it go. I pray He gives you peace to trust Him and let go. Even though it may cause a limp, it's worth not living in pain anymore.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? 

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." 

Isaiah 43:18-19

I've set up a Tupperware fundraiser for my Dad. 40% of all purchases will be donated to help him in remodeling the bathroom in his home. You can visit http://www.tupperware.com/?fundraiser=55d649b7a0da73531f7bae74 to shop the fundraiser. 

Trust in the Lord. Not Horses.

I have been reading the book of Isaiah over the last few weeks. If you want to read scripture that will scare you a bit, I definitely recommend starting here. Isaiah didn't hesitate to share what God spoke to him to share. I read the following verses this evening and wanted to share my thoughts. 

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the number of chariots and in the great strength of charioteers. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel and they do not seek the Lord's help." Isaiah 31:1

Sadly, when I read this verse my first thought was of the modern day church. In the battle for souls, we neglect to seek the help of the Lord and instead turn to the methods of the world. Churches spend obscene amounts of money in marketing research and developing media to attract our entertainment based culture. We think that changing the word of God into a gimmick shows how clever we have become. As if scriptures have not stood the test of time based solely on their divine origin. The success of a church is measured by the cost of their sound system, the technicality of their light shows, what clever props are used to illustrate a sermon point, and the jokes of the pastor. Too many leave church talking about everything except encountering Christ. My Facebook feed on Sunday is full of statuses proclaiming how "on fire" their pastor was or how their church is "the best!" To these posts I want to reply and ask why theirs, of all the churches in the world, should be deemed "best" of all. Perhaps I will start asking. Personally I believe at this point in my spiritual journey, the church I attend is the best for me. Should God direct me to leave, I will follow Him as I have in the past when He directed me to leave prior churches. 

Just as in the above verse, we place our trust in the number of chariots (campuses?) and in the strength of charioteers (personality-driven pastors?) I've heard the argument that the best of everything is necessary in order to show people how special they are to God. Perhaps it is just me, but when I was hurting the most, I didn't really care about whether or not the worship team was playing through smoke from a hazer. I needed Jesus. I needed the presence of the Holy Spirit. I needed hope and the infallible word of God. I needed to hear I was created for more than my present circumstance and receive encouragement to become all that God intended. I didn't need a music concert, I needed to be carried into the presence of God when I didn't have the strength to go there by myself. 

If our trust is in one's strength (or worldly beauty), then what about all those who are not as strong or as "beautiful?" The truth of God's word is that He most often uses those who the world rejects. Moses stuttered. David was a child who tended sheep. Rahab was a prostitute. Even Jesus was described as having no worldly beauty and being rejected (Isaiah 53:3). If we place our trust in our programs, our "larger than life" pastors, or any other trappings of the world, then we are refusing to seek the Lord's wisdom because He often places the greatest treasures in fields not easily seen by men. 

What kind of Christianity would we begin to see if we stopped placing our trust in the "horses" and instead began to trust fully on God? Having learned to trust Him in my personal life, I can only imagine the revival that would take place if we did this corporately as believers! This is when people would begin to take notice of our faith and ask where our hope comes from. People would see us no longer looking like the world, but living set apart. I'm not saying there aren't certain things needed to function as a church body and building, but perhaps many are taking it way too far. What if we trimmed the budget to give away more than we spent? What if we saw a need and met the need rather than referring people to government agencies for assistance? If God can provide it once, could He not provide it again if we give it away? 

Where have you placed your trust? Is it in "horses" or "charioteers?" I pray today for God to examine anything in you that is not trusting Him and Him alone. I pray you have the boldness and faith to trust only in Him!