You can.
Really, you can.
I don't care what they say. You can.
You know what gets me fired up and motivated? People who tell me I'm not qualified. Or capable! I love it when someone tries to put me in my place. You know the place I'm talking about. Down with them. Way down low where people have forgotten.
People forget that you can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength.
A favorite story of mine from the Bible is when Goliath showed his enemies their true colors... faithless. In the middle of Goliath forcing these men of God to focus on their fears, David stood up to take the power of God.
There is a wonderful moment when the giant gets irked at the sight of his younger opponent. "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" he roars (1 Samuel 17:43). Goliath is truly insulted. " Come here... and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" (v.44)
David doesn't flinch. He doesn't reconsider his options. There is no hiding behind a rock or tree to rethink his plan!
Absolutely not.
" As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him." (v.48)
Do you see it!? That's what God wants from us today! Run quickly towards the challenge. Get in the middle of it with your unqualifed in the world's eyes self.
Go! You can. I don't care what they say.
David's weaponry was rediculous; a slingshot and five stones. Yet, it didn't matter because David was not the one fighting the fight. This was God's battle and who can defeat the creator of the universe?
To this day God still uses foolish tools in the hands of weak people to build His kingdom! I know this because I am living proof.
Backed by prayer and His power, we can accomplish the unthinkable.
You can... and don't let 'em tell you differently.
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Prayer Request:
*I know it's French Open time and the tennis word is busily focused on Roger and Rafa. But, I'd like to ask if you could take the stars out of your eyes for a moment and pray for the familes of Hussain Ahmed Rashid and his junior students, Nasir Al-Hatam and Wissam Adel- Auda.
All three were murdered by Islamic extremists in Iraq because they wore tennis shorts during practice. Rashid, 34, was one of Iraq's best Davis Cup players and recently played in the 2006 Asia/Oceana Group IV.
These men and their murderers were not Christian. If a few of you reading this would like to offer assistance for an ICTA Mission Outreach to Iraq, let me know. We can gather racquets, balls, books, videos, shoes, posters, etc and ship them to the national tennis center. Or deliver the shipments in person while sharing the Gospel to tennis players we meet.
*One of my special friends is a sports agent. She has been with IMG over 20 years. She has seen everything in the pro tennis world... the good, the bad, and the ugly. She is a source I go to for advice and support when dealing with pro tennis players.
She is heading out of the country for 3 months. Please keep her in your prayers as she is pretty special around here.
*The pro tour is without a qualified chaplain to care for the players. A group of chaplains needs to be formed over the next year in order to provide professional counseling at tennis events worldwide.
Please keep the spiritual safety and care of the men and women pro players in your prayers as God guides qualifed, healthy chaplains to International Christian Tennis Association and helps us form a plan to implement their services in a God honoring way.
God bless!
Scotty
