No Religious Borders

I had to do this, just because everyone else is. But I am going to take a different look at Tim Tebow. It is crazy how 1 year of doing the unthinkable has lifted Tim Tebow into stardom. Some people acted like this was his rookie season, it was his second season. He was put into the starting lineup, like all backups when the starter goes down, and he succeeded. The Broncos were 1-3 in the first 4 games. He starts the next 12 games and has a winning record of 7 wins and 5 losses. That is not bad for a backup, well third stringer. He came into the season as the third string quarterback based off of Preseason.

The reason for the phenomenon is he is being portrayed in every aspect of life, from SNL skits to politicians using him as reference. Has there been someone this significant in American's lives since Muhammad Ali? Ali held nothing back, he was who he was. Same thing with Tebow. He doesn't hold back what he believes in and isn't ashamed of who he is. It is all he knows. Now don't take this as a comparison between Ali and Tebow. It could be done, but I am not stepping that way. Just saying the way they are, people wish they could be.

Here is a quote from a column by Rick Reilly on ESPN:

 "I purposely didn't use the words "God," "Jesus" or "faith" in the column because I wanted people to see that this kid gives of himself tirelessly purely because he cares about others. Whenever you bring religion into it, some people immediately reject whatever comes next. Yes, most of the guests turn out to be Christian simply because a vast percentage of Tebow's most ardent fans are Christian and they write him. But from what I've seen, Tebow's generosity and selflessness to the sick and suffering have no religious borders."

I like Reilly's take. As a Christian isn't this how we should be? No religious borders. Christ had no religious borders. He talked to Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, etc. Jesus accepted everyone, we should to. We should want to impact other's lives in a way that they say I want to be like that. What do I need to do to have that in my life?

Do you have religious borders you can't look past? I remember going into Mexico for a couple of mission trips. There is always a border patrol that searches your vehicle for anything to keep you out or to keep you in. I remember having to get out of our vehicles. This is how we view meeting people. We walk up to them and "check" them. Why? If we truly are Christ like then why not invest in that person in front of you.

I type this not for you, but for myself. So many people around, so little time. I don't have time to have a border up around me and only choose who I want to make an impact on. It should be everybody everywhere.

I will ask again: Do you have religious borders you won't cross, or won't let others cross?

Hail Mary!

Most of you know that I love sports. Due to that I love fantasy sports. I have been "playing" since 2003. I have only played on Yahoo!. The main sports I play are football, baseball, and basketball. I have tried golf, but too tough to remember to change my guys out. I don't know enough hockey, but could learn to do well in that league. The title of this post is dedicated to my dad, Jeff Allee. He is the one that started the family tradition of fantasy sports. We battle constantly football and baseball leagues.

It is all about STATS!! It doesn't matter on Sunday if my QB has a horrible game in real life as long as he gives me 80-90+ points I am happy. He helps me to win. For example Curtis Painter(WHO?), Indianapolis Colts Starting QB. He is available in my league. Only owned by 11% of the Yahoo! users. In week 8, his stats were 250 yds passing, 0 TDs, 2 INTS, 79 rushing yards...105.9 points!! Good enough to be 4th overall last week. See horrible real game, nice fantasy game.

A little about myself: Recently I won my baseball league. CHAMPS!!! The Rangers couldn't do it in real life, but helped me win mine. My wife "loves" hearing about it. She even acts like she sympathizes about my pain. Recently in fantasy football I lost 3 running backs in 1 week due to injury. I can hear the sympathy from my fellow fantasy players. Honest sympathy. I tell my wife all about it and that I need to find at least 2 RBs to get in my lineup. She says, "Oh I'm sorry. Hey can you do the dishes tonight?" Back to reality for me. I don't think it is sympathy other than she realizes I have no one else in the house to talk to about this. Thanks for listening, I do appreciate it. Honestly.

In this post I am going to give out my midseason awards for fantasy football. I won't be giving a Super Bowl prediction. I won't give out a real MVP, or ROY award. The following midseason awards will be based upon Yahoo fantasy stats only.

1st award and the only award that most us care about because we will be putting him at the top of our draft boards for the 2012 season. In all cases this award will go to a QB. Whoever has the most points gets this award.
MVFP - Most Valuable Fantasy Player is not Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, or Tom Brady....Drew Brees. His stats are: 972 total points, 2746 passing yards, 19 TDs, 10 INTs. He averages 340 ypg, just over 2 TDs and 1 INT per game. His fantasy point total is 141.8 points more than second, Cam Newton.

Speaking of Cam, He gets my MVFR - Most Valuable Fantasy Rookie. I don't think there has been a bigger impact in the fantasy world than Cam Newton. He is mobile and smart with his throws(60% completion). His stat line is 830.20 total points, 2393 passing yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTS, 319 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs. There isn't a close second in this category. Andy Dalton is second in total points for a rookie with 558.10.

MVFW - Most Valuable Fantasy Wideout. You might be thinking this is a no brainer, but it is actually close between Calvin Johnson and Wes Welker. Welker has a great chance of passing Johnson this week for overall totals due to Johnson being on a bye. Johnson's stats: 47 REC, 804 RYDS, 11 TDs, 193.40 total points....Averaging 26.8 FP/G. Welker's stats: 57 REC, 824 RYDS, 6 TDs, 82 Return yds, 19 Rush yds, 186.50 total points.....Averaging 24.35 FP/G.

MVFRB - Most Valuable Fantasy Running Back....Not a running back that begins with the letter "A", even though Arian Foster is making up lost time from the injury he had. This goes to Saints RB, Darren Sproles. Very Brian Westbrook like. He runs, catches, and returns. He does not lead in any category overall for RBs. He is not in the TOP 25 in rushing yards!! But he is second among backs in receiving yards and leads them in receptions. He is second in return yards by a RB. 305 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 51 Receptions for 389 yards, 2 receiving TD, and 637 Return yards with 1 TD...total of 214.10 total points. Averaging just over 27 FP/G. Average draft spot was 109.6 in the 11th-12th round!! Congrats on whoever got him.

MVFTE - Most Valuable Fantasy Tight End - Jimmy Graham, Saints....He averages 18.61 FP/G with a total of 150.30. He leads all other TEs by at least 32.7 points. Stats are 49 REC, 713 REC YDS, 5 TDs. This category could really be anyone each year. Most household name TEs will ge their points, Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Jermicheal Finley...you can't go wrong.

MVFK - Most Valuable Fantasy Kicker - There really isn't a definite winner here. But by just going off points the award goes to Jason Hanson, Detroit Lions. He has a total of 89 pints. Something to keep in mind is he was the 10th kicker drafted. He has always been consistent, but with the way Detroit has played this year it is no surprise he has jumped to the top.

MVFD - Most Valuable Fantasy Defense - This is always a tough choice. You have your usuals to choose from Steelers, Ravens, but this year the New York Jets are #1 right now with a total of 199.60 points and a FP/G average of 28.10. In a close second, the 49ers have 195.90 points, who average 27.70 points.

That will be all the midseason awards I will give out. I am going to leave you with some parting wisdom and a few surprises. I play in a league that allows us to choose defenders as well. Every position of CB, S, DT, LB, and DE. One tip is to choose a CB or S that returns kicks/punts on a normal to semi-normal basis. That is an easy way to get points from your those players.

Need a defense to help your team? Look into the Arizona Cardinals, averaging 21.99 FP/G. Ranked 6th and only 14% owned.

That's it and good luck in the 2nd half!! I am out.

Allee-Oop: Letting Go

Allee-Oop: Letting Go: You might be able to tell where this is going and what subject this will be on. I have been convicted about this recently and felt I should...

Letting Go

You might be able to tell where this is going and what subject this will be on. I have been convicted about this recently and felt I should share.

I have done some research on a verse to use and it is hard to find. There weren't video games back in Jesus' time period. This has really just become popular in the last 30 years. Hmmm.....as long as I have been alive.

I am not saying video games are evil, or of the devil(as Mama Boucher said off Waterboy). There are worse things out there than playing a video game. I am not getting on a soap box saying quit all video games. It becomes an issue when addiction sets in. There are plenty of verses on addiction through out the Bible.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way to escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

I have enjoyed playing video games ever since I can remember.

Our first system was an Atari. Then we graduated to a Nintendo, that eventually we had to blow on the games and position them just right for them to work. The games of Bases Loaded, RBI Baseball, Double Dribble were my favorite. I still remember Contra's code for unlimited lives: UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A SELECT START. Amazing the things we memorize.

Then we followed Nintendo on to the Super Nintendo...Donkey Kong Country, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV, F-Zero...StarFox was dad's favorite game. My brother enjoyed the Final Fantasy series, as I played with him sometimes. Street Fighter was a favorite. I had a birthday party where that is all we did. Super Nintendo to Playstation, then PS2. Now I have a Wii. A lot of fun.

Great memories that I would never give back.

The issue I see myself facing now is...why do I still play? It is a habit. I have gotten hooked into Dynasty modes in any sports game that I play. A dynasty mode allows you to become the General Manager of a team. You determine who plays for you and who coaches your team. My thoughts become consumed with what can I do to make my team better. I am not in a competition except against myself. There is no reward.

My confession is that I have an addiction to a video game. I have to let go. I have had thoughts of this for a while. I believe God has told me that I need to take a break from playing for a while and get back to Him. In my downtime instead of studying God's word I would play a game. I took valuable time away from God to satisfy my addiction. No matter the addiction, it is still put before God and that is not how it should be for a Christian. We should be addicted to finding where God is working and join Him so He can work through us.

Is your addiction God, or is it something else?

NBA Championship

The picture to the left is of Dirk Nowitzki. NBA Champion. NBA Playoff MVP. Two amazing accomplishments for anyone who plays basketball. The culmination of a season is bringing home the championship. There really isn't anymore that could be accomplished. Now onto the next season where there will be more headlines about how whoever vs. the Heat in the Finals.

This past season will be just a statistic in the near future as we start hearing about next season and read countless columns on when the Heat will win their multiple NBA titles. The Heat are young enough that we will get columns about this for probably the next 6-7 years with 4 years after that being about how their time is over. Can't wait...just kidding.

A lot of times when we become a Christian we feel that is our championship trophy. We did it, now onto the next phase of our life. We just let it set. We don't make the relationship with God more. For some reason we don't feel there is more to being a Christian. Is there more? I made the decision to follow Christ, so now what?!

Our reaction to accepting Christ is a lot like Dirk's reaction to winning the NBA Championship. We pump our fists in the air and even have the emotional break down that he did. We let our emotions spill out that we have been forgiven. That our sin does not rule our life anymore. The difference between winning the NBA championship and becoming a Christian is the game never stops once we switched teams from sinners to Christians. It really has just begun.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith," 2 Timothy 4:7.

When we have finished our lives here on earth this should be the verse that describes us. It isn't about just becoming a Christian, which is amazing, but it is about the journey we take. How has your journey been?

Losing Team?

The image you see to the left is the end of a championship soccer match. The guy you see is one of the world's greatest players. If you follow soccer then you know him, but if you don't his name is Lionel Messi. He plays for Barcelona. They played Real Madrid. This just happened on April 20. The score was 1-0.

The look on his face is just devastating. I imagine this is the look that all of Jesus' followers had when they saw Him dying on the cross.


Can you imagine following someone or something for so long and then all of sudden they are gone?

All of Jesus' disciples disappeared when he was arrested. Even Peter fled and then followed Him from a distance, only to deny that he ever knew Jesus or even followed Him. Reminds me of bandwagon fans. They follow a team that is hot and upcoming only to flee when they are losing. This happens all the time in sports everywhere.

The disciples were pulled from their everyday jobs right on the spot. Jesus said, "Come follow me." Guess what, they did!! They joined the team. Jesus recruited to create a diverse team that would go out and preach the Gospel. Jesus was the ultimate coach. He gave strict instructions on how to execute the game plan (Read Matthew chapter 10; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-9). The best coaches don't waiver from their rules they set. This has made some coaches very successful. Take a look at John Wooden's coaching career. He had set rules the team followed. If they didn't they were not welcome there. He had a very successful coaching career.

It is a good thing God does not kick players off the team otherwise no one would make it to Heaven. He forgives our actions without explanation. We mess up and he says it is alright I forgive you. No questions asked. We don't have to run laps or do pushups. We just have to get back to His game plan and we will succeed in life.

If you notice within the picture above Messi is being consoled by a coach. I am sure this coach has been with the team for a while and knows Messi on a more personal level. The coach is the one that consoles you when you are down. He picks you up. He gives the pep talks. He gets you going when nothing else will. Before going into the playing field, the coach gives one last talk. Even during All-Star games the coach will still give pep talks to the players to get them ready. No one wants to lose, but it happens. It is a part of being human. You will lose more than you win. Winning is what keeps you going. Winning that one championship, that one case, that one job....it is what keeps you coming back to do it again.

The disciples weren't on the losing team, even though in that 12th round they got the wind knocked out of them and they were stammering. But Jesus came back. In John 20:19-31, Jesus appears to the disciples after his death. This let them know they were on the winning team. They had a "losing" streak for a little bit, but now He is back. Jesus is alive!!

God's Timing

"Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:23

The verse above is in a holder next to my bed. Within this holder are numerous verse cards. Also, I can set the date just by changing the month and date card out.

On April 8th, last Friday, I changed out the verse card that morning. The verse above is what came next. Coincidence? I think not.

I felt really good about this day. I was expecting some news and wasn't sure when this news would come. The board of Sports Crusaders was voting for me to be apart of their staff.

I put in a previous post that I had been praying about this day. Some of you even prayed with me. Thank you. All I knew is the meeting started around 9:30a.m.

I have always felt a tug in my heart towards Sports Crusaders. Obviously I hadn't been "grown-up" enough to fully commit to God's calling until now. I feel it is time to take that step of faith. A lot like how Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade comes to an opening and can't see the bridge that connects the 2 mountain sides. He just decides to jump. I have that feeling. The movie reference is really the only way to describe it. For the longest time I have gone back and forth with taking the jump.

The thing is it was never really my choice. It has always been the Holy Spirit guiding me back to the path that God set out before me. So I wait for the phone call letting me know what the vote is. I receive the call at about 4pm that afternoon. The board still has some questions and wants me to meet with a committee at the end of May. So I still wait. All indications even from the executive director is that everything is good to go. All in all it was really good news. There were a few details that I left out, but overall everything is moving as God wants it to.

So I ask for more prayer until this time arrives. Thank you in advance to those that really will pray for me and my family.

I came up with the title for a couple of reasons. There is a guy on the board that is from Texas. He flew in just for this board meeting. Also, at the church this board meeting was held at there was another guy from Dallas Theological Seminary out of Dallas, TX. I don't believe these are coincidences. I believe it was all in God's Timing and it still is.