Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
No Spectator Sport Theme of the Week: A Spiritual Workout Wednesday, April 14, 2004
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Men of IntegrityMarch/April 2004No Spectator SportTheme of the Week: A Spiritual WorkoutWednesday, April 1472
Key Bible Verse: "You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others" (Hebrews 5:12). Bonus Reading:Hebrews 5:12–14
The smallest and weakest among us can participate in sports, but only the strongest can survive as spectators, heart specialist Dr. George Sheehan says. According to Dr. Sheehan, when you become a spectator rather than a participant, the wrong things go up and the wrong things come down. Body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol go up. Flexibility, stamina, and strength go down.
Being an onlooker of Christianity is also risky. Discouragement, criticism, and boredom go up. Sensitivity to sin and reliance on Christ and the Holy Spirit go down.
Sure, there's a certain excitement in hearing others' testimonies. But there's nothing like the joy of being there yourself —of piling up your own experiences of faith and using your own God–given abilities.
Don't settle for being a sideline Christian. Don't sit idly by and watch as fellow believers develop a heart for God. Nothing beats going in there and doing it yourself. It's worth the clammy hands, butterflies, and anxious moments that might come. If you're going to be an involved, God-used Christian, get out on the playing field.
—Mart De Haan in Power Up!
My Response: What is one arena where I can exercise my faith?
Thought to Apply: Discipline is the soul of any army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success for the weak, and esteem for all.
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