1 May, 2007
Game over for Pacman
In suspending Pacman Jones for the 2007 season and Chris Henry for eight games, Commissioner Roger Goodell not only cracked down on two of the league's most troublesome players, he also sent a warning to everyone:
Mess with the law and your job's on the line.
"I must emphasize to you that this is your last opportunity to salvage your NFL career," Goodell wrote the two players, emphasizing they must end their wayward behavior to have a chance to play in the league again.
He also hit them where it hurts - their wallets. Jones, who plays for Tennessee, will forfeit his $1,292,500 salary; Henry, who plays for Cincinnati, will lose $217,500.
Jones and Henry, former teammates at West Virginia, were suspended under the old disciplinary policy.
While he was meting out penalties, Goodell also announced the league's new, tougher personal conduct policy that will allow longer fines and suspensions for players and also could penalize teams, perhaps by taking away draft picks.
"It is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right," Goodell said. "These players and all members of our league have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis."
photo courtesy images.google.com & story foxsports.com, 4/10/07
Game on?
2 Timothy 2:5
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about obeying God's rules?
Rules in athletic competition exist for several reasons. They make the competition fair and protect the athletes from injury. Most kinds of games include penalties or fouls as consequences for players when they don't play fair or when they are trying to harm someone from the other team.
In today's verse, Paul makes it clear that we must follow the commands or rules that God has given us. His commands are given to us because He loves us and wants us to win the race He has given us to run.
How are you doing at following the "rules" given to us by God, found in His Holy Word?
The head guy for the NFL said, "It is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right."
Pacman Jones has lost the privilege of playing pro football for this season - one of the consequences of breaking the rules. If we take the privilege of being God's child for granted or break God's instructions, we too will experience heartbreaking consequences.
Obeying God's rules not only leads to victory, but it demonstrates our love for Him!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- As you read God's Word, look for any commands He wants you to keep and write them down. This will be your personal list of God's "rules" that will help you keep your "game" on with Jesus.
- Pray every day for Jesus to help you live according to God's "rules".
- Memorize today's verse as a reminder to stay motivated.
- Thank God right now for giving us rules to live by and please Him. Confess any of His instructions in His Word which you know you have been ignoring or breaking. Thank Jesus for providing forgiveness and giving you a clean record! Praise Him for giving you the Holy Spirit's power to obey the rules!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Use today's story about Pacman Jones being suspended as a conversation starter with one of your sports-minded friends who needs Jesus. Ask him or her if they think Pacman's suspension is fair? If they agree with the consequence, use this as an opening for you to share what you are learning about the privilege of being in the "game" with Jesus. Be vulnerable and share how you have been "suspended" as times, but God always gets you back in the game.
- Use today's DAILYBIDE as a resource in your small group or youth group to talk about the importance of following God's "rules" in His Word.
- Be a good listener to others as you try to learn their stories. When you hear them talk about the rules or restrictions in their lives, use this opportunity to share more about your story as it relates to God's "rules" in your life.
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