Dumping Ground for Random Thoughts

 Originally Posted February 2, 2011 in the Baptist Press

Posted on Feb 2, 2011 | by Art Stricklin

ARLINGTON, Texas (BP)–NFL experts and newspaper headline writers have been quick to label Green Bay starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers the "Leader of the Pack."

Something about 4,712 yards passing and 34 touchdowns, and leading the Packers to the verge of their first Super Bowl title in more than a decade will do that for you.

But Rodgers made it clear in Tuesday’s jam-packed Super Bowl XLV Media Day he only wants to be a leader of God’s pack when it comes to influencing others to see his faith in Jesus Christ.

"We all have a platform, we all have a message in our lives," Rodgers told Baptist Press and a worldwide media turnout, which ringed his individual interview area. "I just try to follow Jesus’ example, leading by example."

During his six years with the Packers, his career has seen enough twists and turns, dead ends and detours to test anyone’s faith. An expected top 10 draft choice, he lasted until the end of the first round for reasons he never understood. He stood on the sidelines for three seasons while Packers quarterback Brett Favre went through his yearly will-he-or-won’t-he retirement routine as Packers QB.

Finally given a chance to start three years ago, he has matured into one of the top quarterbacks in the league, but not forgetting his past, present and future in Christ.

"God always has a plan for us, a path. Sometimes we wish we knew it sooner," Rodgers said with a bit of a laugh, "but He always shows up His way."

He credits his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, who still live in Northern California where he was raised, for showing him a loving and Christ-centered household. He also remains close to his two longtime accountability partners, Pastors Andrew Burchett of the Neighborhood Church in Chico, Calif., and Young Life Christian youth group leader Matt Hock.

Even in the midst of the craziness of Super Bowl week and Tuesday’s Media Day at Cowboys Stadium, Rodgers had already checked in with his accountability team.

"They won’t be here Sunday, but they’ve been calling and texting me," he said. "Matt sent me a photo of his entire Young Life group decked out in Packers gear."

Rodgers’ quiet and humble testimony has been enough to inspire Christian NFL fans everywhere and his own teammates as well.

Rookie defensive end C.J. Wilson, whose father is a Pentecostal minister in Mt. Olive, N.C., said he really didn’t know what to expect when he showed up for his first NFL season this year. But when he saw the experience of his star quarterback and his witness, Wilson felt encouraged with his own professional football faith.

"I think it does help when your superstar quarterback is walking with God. I’ve been blessed to be around him and see how God makes all things possible in our lives," Wilson said.

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is one of Rodgers’ receivers and teammates on the field, but more importantly, a spiritual brother on and off the field. He said he’s determined to let Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers be his platform for God.

"I just want to let people know what it’s all about. One of the Scriptures I refer to a lot is, ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’ and I’m required to have a voice [for God] because I have a stage and a platform," Jennings said.

"Number one, all glory goes to God. That’s where it starts and that’s where it finishes."

His father, Greg, Sr., is the pastor of Progressive Deliverance Ministries in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Packers defensive tackle Ryan Pickett has been inspired to join an anti-pornography campaign in the NFL this year to help rid the destructive influence among his friends and teammates. He said he had to turn down the invitations of his teammates this week and other times who wanted him to go places he knew was not right.

"I value my family and my wife. I try to stay away from that," Pickett said.

Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby doesn’t have to be reminded about the number of Super Bowl games which have come down to a final touchdown or field goal, including the last Super Bowl held in Texas when the New England Patriots won on a last-second kick in Houston.

But he said his faith in Christ won’t allow him to be defined by a single kick.

"I think He helps me knowing that kicking is what I do, not who I am. It’s not everything that I am. I can escape knowing that my relationship with Christ is what carries me."

Crosby has also noticed his quarterback’s faith and his example to his teammates and the sports world.

"Aaron has a great relationship with the Lord," Crosby said. "He’s the face of the franchise and it helps to see he’s living the message all of the time.

"I’m always reading in the Proverbs and Psalms to relax my mind before we play," Crosby added. "I know that God cares for me all the time regardless of any outcome here."

–30–

Art Stricklin is a Dallas-based sports correspondent. With reporting by Jerry Pierce, managing editor of the Southern Baptist TEXAN (www.texanonline.net), newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, ’Jesus knows you’re here.’  He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze.

When he heard nothing more , after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, ’Jesus is watching you.’  Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice.

Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.  ’Did you say that?’ he hissed at the parrot.

‘Yep’, the parrot confessed, then squawked, ‘I’m just trying to warn you that he is watching you.’

The burglar relaxed. ‘Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?’  ’Moses,’ replied the bird.  ’Moses?’ the burglar laughed. ‘What kind of people would name a bird Moses?’

‘The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.’

A few minutes before the church services started, the congregation was sitting in their pews and talking.

Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.

Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate.

Soon the church was empty except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God’s ultimate enemy was in his presence..

So Satan walked up to the man and said, ‘Do you know who I am?’

The man replied, ‘Yep, sure do.’

‘Aren’t you afraid of me?’ Satan asked.

‘Nope, sure ain’t.’ said the man.

‘Don’t you realize I can kill you with one word?’ asked Satan.

‘Don’t doubt it for a minute,’ returned the old man, in an even tone.

‘Did you know that I can cause you profound, horrifying AGONY for all eternity?’ persisted Satan.

‘Yep,’ was the calm reply.

‘And you are still not afraid?’ asked Satan.

‘ Nope,’ said the old man

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, ‘Why aren’t you afraid of me?’

The man calmly replied, ’Been married to your sister for 48 years.

Each Friday night after work, Bubba would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a venison steak.. But, all of Bubba’s neighbors were Catholic. And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on Friday. The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest.

The Priest came to visit Bubba, and suggested that he become a Catholic. After several classes and much study, Bubba attended Mass.. and as the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, ‘You were born a Baptist, and raised a Baptist, but now you are a Catholic..

Bubba’s neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood. The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors, and, as he rushed into Bubba’s yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement.

There stood Bubba, clutching a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat and chanted: You wuz born a deer, you wuz raised a deer, but now you is a catfish.

Everyone seems to be wondering why Muslim terrorists are so quick to commit suicide.

Let’s see now:

• NO Jesus
• NO Christmas
• NO Television
• NO Cheerleaders
• NO Nude Women
• NO Car races
• NO Football
• NO Soccer
• NO Pork BBQ
• NO Hot dogs
• NO Burgers
• NO Chocolate chip cookies
• NO Lobster
• NO Nachos
• NO Beer nuts
• NO Beer !!!!!!!!
• Rags for clothes and towels for hats.
• Constant wailing from the guy next-door because he’s sick and there are no doctors.
• Constant wailing from the guy in the tower.
• More than one wife.
• You can’t shave.
• Your wives can’t shave..
• You can’t shower to wash off the smell of donkey cooked over burning camel dung.
• Your bride is picked by someone else.
• She smells just like your donkey.
• Then they tell you that when you die it all gets better!

I mean, really, is there a mystery here?

Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers.

The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem and they give him $50.”

The second boy says, “That’s nothing.   My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song and they give him $100.”

The third boy says, “I got you both beat.  My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon and it takes eight people to collect all the money!”