What if you gave a teacher or a leader  everything they wanted?

At Fellowship, I’m teaching through a series called “I want to be one of them” and highlighting some heroes of the Christian faith.  I’ve shared the stories of George Mueller and Tony Dungy so far with two weeks left.  One of those weeks we will be talking Jonathan Edwards, one of the great pastors/theologians/authors/philosophers of 18th century New England.  As I’m reading one of his biographies, a thought came to my mind concerning learning from other people:

What would happen if I gave everything I had to mimic the teachings and example of ______________________?

Whether the “fill in the blank” for you is Jonathan Edwards, Joel Osteen, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Billy Graham, Rob bell, John Piper, Martin Luther, or Martin Luther King, what would happen if you gave them everything they wanted from you in their lives?

Now I understand the rhetoric that’s coming next from most people that we just follow Jesus, but every teacher and leader wants us to do and give something, and finding out what that is might be important.  Because we, being human, tend to be very one dimensional and like people who are like us and do not like people who are not like us.  If you like Jonathan Edwards or John Piper, you might like to have fun, but probably not when it comes to church.  If you’re into Joel or Nelson, I’m guessing you believe everything’s changing slowly into this ultimate utopia.  If mother Theresa or Martin Luther is your thing, then you want to work, work, work for the kingdom, kingdom, kingdom, and when you’re done, you have to keep going.  Clearly these are huge stereotypes and not to be made a big deal of, but the question is…

What would be the end result if you wholeheartedly followed the people you listened to?

This is the last book I finished.  What was the last book you read? 

And should I read it?

On Sunday, I started reading Tony Dungy’s (the coach of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts) memoir, “Quiet Strength:  The principles, practices, and priorities of a winning life.”  I thought I’d share with you some of the highlights of the book:

Intro, pg. xiv – “It’s the journey that matters.  Learning is more important than the test.  Practice well, and the games will take care of themselves.”

“Success is uncommon and not to be enjoyed by the common man.  I’m looking for uncommon people because we want to be successful, not average.” (by his football coach, Coach Stoll at U of Minnesota)  “The truth is that most people have a better chance to be uncommon by effort than by natural gifts.”
pg. 29

“Winning would create greater potential than talk alone.”  pg. 95

“Champions are champions not because they do anything extraordinary but because they do the ordinary things better than anyone else.” (Coach Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers)  pg. 105

“I told them we expected several things of them:
*Be a pro.
*Act like a champion.
*Respond to adversity, don’t react.
*Be on time.  Being late means either it’s not important to you or you can’t be relied upon.”
*Execute.  Do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it.  Not almost, all the way.  Not most of the time.  All the time.
*Take ownership.”
pg 116

“Excellence that feels it has to be proclaimed. by the mere fact of its proclamation admits the doubt of its existence.” (his mother, CleoMae Dungy) pg. 151

“Parents, hug your kids-every chance you get.” (at the funeral of his 18 year old son, Jamie)

“Leaving the game plan is a sign of panic, and panic is not in the game plan.” pg. 267

“People will tell you that in the playoffs we have to ‘raise our game to another level’ whatever that means.  The perception is that New England does this, and that they have such success in the playoffs because they do something special or better.  But here’s the reality:  New England does so well because in the playoffs they play exactly like they play in the regular season.  Smart.  Energetic.  Passionate.  Disciplined.  And then when the other team gets uptight and self-destructs, New England keeps doing what they do.” ( to his players before the 2006 AFC Championship Game) pg 282-283

“And so we press on.  We press on with our memories, our hearts buoyed by a God who loves us and wants us to know Him deeply.  We press on with our sense that life’s not always fair.  And we press on with the knowledge-and assurance-that even though we can’t see all of God’s plan, He is there, at work and in charge, loving us.” pg. 297

What’s the memoir that you’ve read that I “have to read”?

This is a part of Randy Elrod’s Watercooler Wednesday.