"The Thrill of Victory?..or The Agony of Defeat"- 'You Choose...'

Like many, I watched the 'Super Bowl'.
(okay, fine..mostly the commercials, while chatting with some girlfriends, while the men and a few amazing girls watched the actual game).
But still, it was almost unbearable to watch the scene unfold and the eventual demise of an amazingly talented team.

No one knew,
who would actually win or lose...at first,
but it became apparent as the minutes and seconds ticked down to the finish.

In the wake of the victory over the losing team, I have noted a lot of reaction.

Some were jubilant, while others were simply disgusted, as is often true when emotions run high and your heart gets involved.

I'm sure the logical character,  Mr. Spock from the 1960's Star Trek series would find it all "fascinating", as do I.

But when the heart and emotions get involved,  it really is fascinating how we take personal ownership of "our" teams...or whatever it is that pulls at our hearts.

I think the depth of emotions underlines the statement..

'There's strength in numbers!' 

When you rally behind someone or something there is an inevitable force.

The challenge is being able to separate ourselves
from that force into the forcing questions
which ultimately matter more in this life.

The most interesting and compelling reaction I witnessed was this little segment that someone filmed of a handful of men, before the game when they were asked a single question.

Regardless of your thoughts or reactions to Super Bowl  2014.

We would all do well ..to ask ourselves this same heart felt question. Whether you are jubilant or devastated...over last night's game or even over the place in this life where you may find yourself.

Victory is within reach.

You may also find it fascinating just where this unique group of men
found victory greater than the thrill of a Super Bowl success.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s8U_ewtHZdw

When the video ends, ask yourself the same question...plus one.

Why not?

"Keeping it Real and Taking Inventory"

According to Ellison Research...

“Sin,” as defined by the research organization, is “something that is almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective.” 

 When you sin, do you find yourself ...."beating yourself up"??..

The following are just a few of the sins that keep us from freedom...

Galatians 5:19-21  "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,  envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

I thought so...We have all been there...Sometimes our hidden and not so hidden sins keep us enslaved
either to the old sin...or to brand new ones to 'replace the old ones'...
What???...That sounds crazy,..right??....

It's crazy behavior for sure....but sadly quite true.

Or sometimes we try to 'fix' sin by thinking that virtuous behavior can sanction our sins.
Though it may appease, it does not teach us how to 'escape' sinful habits.

According to the "Ellison Research Study":

"Americans overwhelmingly believe in the concept of sin whether they are religiously involved or not.."

So what do the scriptures teach Christians and those inclined to at least reference the scriptures as a source of truth?

We have all messed up * 

Romans 3:23  "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."

We are not alone*

Isaiah 64:6 "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind."

We have the Way to be free*

Proverbs 28:13 "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."

We have His Hope*

1 John 1:7-9 "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness".

There is really only one way to escape sinful habits..

And that is by beginning again, with the Only One, who can save you from yourself. 
He is sitting here right with you as you read these words.

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Make no mistake, sometimes sin just creeps into your life, and at other times we put on blinders and run headstrong into it...

Either way...we find ourselves separated from living the life we were born for.

Don't you think it's time to take some spiritual inventory? You won't surprise God.

And He will meet you where you are and love you though it all. 

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

1 Corinthians 15:57 "But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."

For more on this topic check out July 1st, 2012

"A New Day, Time To Start Again"

Simply scroll through the blog archive at the top right of this page.

To read more on the Ellison Research Behavioral Study

http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-behaviors-americans-consider-sinful-31504/#CCRixzvMgIAcyS3T.99