Notes From Pastor Anthony’s Desk; March 12, 2006

 
 

“The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”  That is a phrase I grew up hearing every Saturday afternoon as the television program “Wide World of Sports” came on and a fair headed little boy set with his eyes fixed on that television set to see some of the worlds best athletes perform. I sat there week in and week out watching those men and women and I witnessed some of the most memorable victories and I witnessed some brutal defeats.  As I grew up I began to understand what it felt like to lose but I also had my share of victories. This past Friday night Evan’s basketball team lost out in the Little League Tournament.  When we came home there were tears falling from my little boys eyes. Boy did that bring back memories. I use to cry every time my team lost.  Shucks I remember when Indiana beat Syracuse for the NCAA National Title several years ago that I cried when I saw the losing team crying and I was rooting for Indiana.  Needless to say I felt for my team, they played hard and they lost and I know that hurts.  But you know what, before the night was over Evan had dried all his tears and sometime Saturday afternoon I doubt if it will even be on his mind.  Hopefully he will learn from his defeats and let’s face it, a few defeats makes victory that much sweeter.

 

As Christians we all like to be on the mountaintop.  We all want to be in victory lane, nobody wants to suffer any type of set back.  But what happens when we do?  Should we just quit?  Should we have the attitude that if we can’t win we just won’t play at all?   No, as a matter of fact James tells us that we should count it a joy when we fall into different kinds of temptations and have battles with our faith.  Why?  Because they make us grow.  There is going to be a battle here and those that we are not going to win, we will not always be on the mountaintop.  But we need to grow from our less than satisfactory experiences and move on to where God wants us to be.

 

This year in basketball my little team was mostly 1st graders playing against mostly 3rd graders and we took a few whippings.  But next year my team will be more experienced than some of the others and we will be more prepared to reach our goal.

 

With every battle we need to search for the lesson of love that God is trying to teach us and not get our heads down because of bad times, but allow that tough time that you face today make you stronger for tomorrow. 

 

 In my prayers - Pastor Anthony

 

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