Gulfport Gridiron

As much as it agonizes me to admit it, I thoroughly enjoyed tonight's Gridiron Club meeting in Gulfport. Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me be quick to point out that I thoroughly enjoy Gridiron every week. What made tonight so different was that the speaker was an Alabama man. And that is what makes enjoying the evening agonizing! (BTW, for those of you who may not know, I am kidding......well, for the most part anyway!)

Tonight, Jay Barker spoke and did a wonderful job too. Jay, as many of you will remember, played quarterback for Alabama from '91 through '94 (which includes the national championship they won in '92). But, more significant than that for me (which, admittedly, is not saying much for an Auburn fan, because almost anything would be more significant than that!), is that Jay is an outspoken, committed Christian. Tonight, he challenged us as men to strive to be champions in our lives. He used that word (champion) as an acrostic to highlight 8 characteristics that he believes it takes to be a champion. And I wanted to share them with you in order to challenge you as well:

C - Committed to Excellence. A champion is committed; he/she doesn't quit. And he/she always gives their best and expects others to do the same.
H - Humble. A champion is humble. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
A - Attitude. A champion has a winning attitude at all times and always looks for the best in himself/herself and in others.
M - Motivates. A champion motivates others to be and do their best at all times.
P - Prepared. The difference between a champion and a failure is not the will to win but the will to prepare to win. Everyone wants to win.
I - Integrity. Champions operate with integrity in every area of their lives.
O - Opportunities to Serve. A champion doesn't live for himself/herself but looks for opportunities to serve others, to influence others for good, and to make this world a better place.
N - Never Compromises. Champions never compromise their convictions or their families just to get ahead. The divorce courts are full of successfull businessmen and women.

Thanks for the reminder, Jay! I, for one, am thankful for your commitment to Christ, your family, and the church.