Ok….so I am sitting in my office with a few teens from the youth  and have asked them to give me a topic to blog about and only give me a certain amount of time…The topic one gave me  was “The Super Bowl”…and the others “your heart”…so props to Kirsten, Sydney and Taylor (Giggles) for giving me the topic…and now the timed version of blogging!

So this week every where I go, there is Steelers this, and steelers that….from everything to Ben at Work signs, to Steelers Terrible Towel…I love that a browns fan probably created that towel because we all know they are TERRIBLE…but anyways… I believe that the Superbowl, has overtaken this week and has really grabbed the minds  and the feelings of 75% of people in this world, and they have honestly shifted their focus from many other things to “THE SUPERBOWL!”  I mean I go to the Y, hey Tug, who is going to win the Super Bowl…I quickly respond…”The Cardinals!”  due to my insufficient love and my passionate despising of the Steelers because I am a browns fan!  But you see, I even find myself overwhelmed by the Superbowl, and have already joined so many other youth groups that have changed their Sunday Night services from our normal activities to the “Superbowl Party!” We are even taking a road trip to the “Spencer’s Hall of Fame” to watch the game as a group!!  Am I right in doing this…is this sending the wrong message to the teens, that we should shift off of the momentum that we currently are experiencing, just to  watch this dang game!!  I could argue all of the ways around this, and really make it seem that this is the right thing to do, to build community at this time and for them to experience this sort of thing together!! So although we could argue right or wrongs about if this is really the right thing, we are acknowledging that the focus has shifted from the deepening of the relationship for this week to the betterment of the relationships on this earth…which is not better but is still great!!  So now let us shift from the superbowl to the spinoff on the heart!!
Now that your week has been overtaken this week by the Superbowl, and you have heard all of the great stories about Kurt Warner (previously on my blog), who is injured who, is not, what food are we gonna have, what party are you going to go to….and if you are a Steelers Fan….how you are going to cry when the game is over!!  But I wonder with all of the focus on the game this week, have you really been able to focus on “YOUR GAME.”  Your heart, have you lost focus off of your game, have you been putting in the practice that is needed so that when you step off of the sidelines you are really ready for the next play.  Your heart is prepared and ready to love that next person with the love of Christ.  We could sit here and discuss the game that is happening tonight and just stop there!! But truthfully this week what is going on in your “GAME” How are you stepping onto the field and running it right at the defensive line!! How are you preparing yourself for the ultimate Superbowl…every day life!! My last challenge for you today is…as you see all of the commercials, and think of all the thoughts and marketing schemes that have went into this game, what ways outside of the box are you thinking of bettering your “GAME” and sharing it with the world!!!

So tonight….Go Cardinals, and Browns…but other than that….it is just a game!!!

See you on the field

Tug