DAILY BREAD, Tuesday 1-30-07
A Reason To Love LovieNeal Pollard
A Chicago Bears player was interviewed in Miami on Sunday. Asked if his head coach, Lovie Smith, ever raised his voice on the field in practice or a game, he replied, "Never! And, for sure he's never even used a curse word." I have always been impressed with Smith's demeanor in post-game interviews. He comes across as a man very much in control of himself, composed and poised. In fact, one has to go back to the days of Landry and Shula to find such a collected person in Smith's profession. I have no way to know whether or not Mr. Smith is a New Testament Christian, but the world needs so many more men and women who are Christians to have such glowing testimony from those who know, work and play with them.
In Titus two, Paul gives commands to Titus concerning the old and young and male and female members on Crete. In Titus 2:6-8, he tells the young men, "Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. " In these three verses, Paul gives the command for these young men to "think soberly." How were they to obey this imperative?
Paul tells Titus they were to be found "holding along an example of good works." That means that others should be able to look at them and see the right way to live. Good works are then further defined as incorruptible teaching and healthy words. They were to be teaching the right things and using the right kind of speech. So much was at stake. There are plenty of people in the world who speak evil of Christianity. However, Christians who are disciplined enough to teach the truth and use godly language demonstrate a dignity that puts the scoffers on trial!
Choose wholesome speech and avoid ungodly talk. As Lovie demonstrates, there are others, even those whose language and lifestyle may be very suspect, who are watching. The positive leavening effect can be tremendous. That's why I'm beginning to love Lovie!
In Titus two, Paul gives commands to Titus concerning the old and young and male and female members on Crete. In Titus 2:6-8, he tells the young men, "Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. " In these three verses, Paul gives the command for these young men to "think soberly." How were they to obey this imperative?
Paul tells Titus they were to be found "holding along an example of good works." That means that others should be able to look at them and see the right way to live. Good works are then further defined as incorruptible teaching and healthy words. They were to be teaching the right things and using the right kind of speech. So much was at stake. There are plenty of people in the world who speak evil of Christianity. However, Christians who are disciplined enough to teach the truth and use godly language demonstrate a dignity that puts the scoffers on trial!
Choose wholesome speech and avoid ungodly talk. As Lovie demonstrates, there are others, even those whose language and lifestyle may be very suspect, who are watching. The positive leavening effect can be tremendous. That's why I'm beginning to love Lovie!
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