Tag Archives: Green Bay Packers

From Songs of Praise and Promises to Doubt

One of my favorite Vince Lombardi’s quote is”Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”  However, if Vince’s team, the Green Bay Packers, did not respond to the vision he cast, Super Bowls would have been lost and his fame erased from history.  In a flash, when success is not achieved, songs of praise and promises often turn toward doubt and in football cries for FIRE the coach escalate.
At the pinnacle of the Egyptian Empire, a new king forget what Joseph had done to save their citizens from 7 years of famine, Exodus 1:8-10.  Thus, 400 years of slavery ensued.  Once finally freed, the Jews witnessed of one the greatest miracles ever recorded, Psalm 106:9-11.  A spontaneous celebration of singing praises to God followed, inspiring a new devout belief.  Nonetheless, as time widdled away, promises of faith faded from the memories of those who saw the Red Sea part in two.
Not much has changed since the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years.  People still experience a roller coaster of emotions, drawing near to God, then falling away.  Perhaps, there is a lesson from the past, one which involves clinging to the promises of God.   Despite what you may endure, fight through or see, God’s faithfulness never ceases, Psalm 106:8.  Since the Lord does not let go, press on to sing songs of praise like the apostle Paul in Acts 16:26, until the power of the Holy Spirit breaks through any walls of doubt that remain.
by Jay Mankus

Out of Place

Since the preseason began in August, the National Football League locked out their regular officials due to a labor dispute.  Thinking these officials could be replaced, the NFL gathered a collection of referees from high school, division 3 college and the lingerie football league.  If you ever watched Sesame Place as a child, one of these things is not like the other; it is simply out of place.

As opening night approached, the commissioner Roger  Goodell, insured fans that these replacements would improve gradually without hurting the integrity of the game.  Except for week 1 of the regular season, the officiating worsened with each game, making it nearly impossible to watch a game from start to finish without talking to yourself, throwing something at your television or complaining after each bad call.  Unfortunately, the officials stuck out like a sore thumb, a pack of zebras at the mall or a toucan flying around in your backyard.

On Monday night, early Tuesday morning on the East Coast, this lockout came to a climax.  On a play now known as the Failed Mary, one official overruled the guy next to him, clearing missing the interception which would have one the game for the Green Bay Packers over Seattle.  Instead, the replacement officials gave Golden Tate a touchdown on this play, sparking  a firestorm of controversy which will likely allow the old officials to return soon.

In our politically correct culture, its hard to speak your mind, tell the truth or vocalize what you believe.  Several NFL coaches learned this lesson, receiving fines from the commissioner’s office.  Whether people like your worldview or not, certain things or absolutely true and others are false, John 18:23.  However, television talk shows have enabled opinions to become equal to or even greater than certain facts.  When the truth becomes out of place, its a clear sign that our society is on the verge of collapsing.  Like the classic Asia song, Only Time Will Time.

by Jay Mankus