Line Upon Line

"We knew we could play with these guys, but we had to prove it to everybody else." Chauncey Billups, 2004 NBA Finals MVP

Last Tuesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Detroit Pistons reached the top of a mountain that few thought they could climb. Defying the odds makers, and ignoring grim predictions by the "experts," the Motown team stood triumphant at center court with the 2004 National Basketball Association championship and the gleaming, gold Larry O'Brien Trophy in hand--this, following a decisive 100-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in game five of their best-of-seven series.

The Pistons-Lakers matchup was a modern-day David and Goliath drama, played out before the second largest TV audience to ever watch an NBA final game. As it turned out, the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers were, as Piston's owner Bill Davidson noted, "lucky to win one game." The giant fell--and fell hard!

As a native Michigander and longtime Pistons fan, I've been savoring "the thrill of victory" this past week. And when I learned of plans for a victory rally last Thursday afternoon at The Palace, I decided to make the 60 mile drive from Port Huron to Auburn Hills to join the celebration.

22,500 fans packed the home of the Pistons, and the triumphant team once again took center court amidst the flash and flare of pyrotechnics, the thundering strains of "We Are the Champions," and a deafening roar of approval from the red, white, and blue-clad crowd.

Lessons for Living

"Maybe we don't have two superstars like the Lakers, but we've got five stars in their own way in the starting lineup and a lot of other solid players." Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations, Detroit Pistons

There are many stories that could be written, and life lessons that can be learned from this memorable victory: such as the triumph of teamwork over individual talent, the willingness to sacrifice one's self for a greater cause, the determination to do "whatever it takes" to get the job done, and the value of having an optimistic "keep on believing and never give up" attitude.

Over the past 25 years, the NBA has been ruled by teams that have been carried to the top by "franchise" players: names such as Jordan, Johnson, Bird, Thomas, Duncan, Bryant, O'Neal, Robinson, and Miller, have dominated the headlines. But the 2003-2004 Pistons have no such names. They're just a group of hard-working guys (Coach Larry Brown included), who overcame adversity, setbacks, and disappointments, and who never gave up the dream of winning a championship title.

These hardwood warriors remind me of the band of misfits, outcasts, and malcontents who made up David's army of old (See 1 Samuel 22:1,2). Ben Wallace was an unheralded, undrafted player from second division, Virginia Union University; yet, "Big Ben" has come to make his presence known under the boards and above the rim as the Piston's starting forward. The 2004 Finals Most Valuable Player recipient, Chauncey Billups, entered the league in 1997, and played for Boston, Toronto, Denver, and Minnesota before landing in Detroit. He never seemed to fit in those other places; but finally found a home in the Motor City. Eight-year veteran Rasheed Wallace was best known for technical fouls and his hair-trigger temper when he played for the Portland Trailblazers in the Western Conference; but he changed his ways and has become a dominant force in the Piston's line-up. Small forward, Tayshaun Prince, is only in his second year in the NBA, and, well...you can ask Reggie Miller about Tayshaun.

"Are You a Superstar?"

Richard "Rip" Hamilton, the Piston's 26 year old, 6' 7", 193-pound shooting guard, was the team's leading scorer in the regular season at 17.6 points per game. But, Rip stepped his game up in the postseason, averaging a team-high 21.5 points per game in the playoffs. Of his own performance, Hamilton said,

"I've always felt I could play with anyone in the league. I didn't need to do some of the things I've done in the playoffs to feel that way. That's just who I am, very confident."

So, what is the source of Richard Hamilton's confidence?

Maybe the answer can be found in Rip's response to a question put to him in an interview prior to Tuesday night's game. Hamilton was asked, "Are you a superstar?" Rip's answer came without a moment's hesitation: "Yes, I am!"

Now, I didn't detect that Rip's answer was given with any hint of pride--but, rather, with a sense of confidence and conviction. He went on to say, that when he was 6 or 7 years old, his father began telling him, "You're a superstar." Wow! Did you get that? Rip's father spoke words over him for the past 20 years that created an image of success inside his son. The things that Rip has believed from childhood, the rest of us are seeing demonstrated on the basketball court.

Do You See What God Sees?

Do you realize that God, your Heavenly Father, is speaking words over you, too? If we could only see ourselves as God sees us, and say about ourselves the things that God says, it would absolutely change the way we think and live--and change the world around us, too!

Yet, too often we see ourselves as "old sinners," while God see us as "new creatures in Christ." We see ourselves as "grasshoppers," while God see us as giant-slayers--"more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us."

Are you getting this? This is not merely the power of positive thinking--this is believing in the presence and power of God in you. This is simply agreeing with the truth of God's Word concerning you.

The fact is, if you are in Christ, you are righteous, you are holy, you are created in the image and likeness of God--and you are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens you! That's what God sees--that's what God says!

In the same way that Piston Richard Hamilton took the words of his father to heart, we, too, need to start believing what our Heavenly Father has to say about us. When we do, we will soar to new heights and experience the victory that belongs to those who are on God's team!

We are the champions!

think on these things...

Ephesians 1:15-20 (NLT)
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Insight for Leaders, from Literature Ministries International is a daily email devotional based on the always thought-provoking, and straightforward writings of A.W. Tozer. Today's edition, "Worship: Discharging Our Obligation," is "right on" (or as the Brits would say, "spot on"). I thought you might enjoy reading it, too.

"Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

I have to be faithful to what I know to be true, so I must tell you
that if you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not
worship Him on one day a week....

Too many of us try to discharge our obligations to God Almighty in
one day--usually one trip to church. Sometimes, nobly, we make it
two trips to church, but it's all on the same day when we have
nothing else to do--and that's supposed to be worship. I grant
you, sir, that it can be true worship, provided that on Monday and
Tuesday and the other days you also experience the blessings of
true worship.

I do not say that you must be at church all of the time--how could
you be?

You can worship God at your desk, on an elevated train, or driving
in traffic. You can worship God washing dishes or ironing clothes.
You can worship God in school, on the basketball court. You can
worship God in whatever is legitimate and right and good....

So that's all right. We can go to church and worship. But if we go
to church and worship one day, it is not true worship unless it is
followed by continuing worship in the days that follow. (from The Tozer
Pulpit, Volume 1, 51-52)

think on these things...

John 4:19-24 (NLT)
"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?" Jesus replied, "Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father here or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know so little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."

Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

"After the wall was finished and I had hung the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. " Nehemiah 7:1,2 (NLT)

Our nation and the world are observing the passing of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan. Ronald Reagan is being remembered for his courage, conviction, and determination. But what was the source of his strength of character and eternal optimism? It was his unwavering faith in the faithfulness of God.

Paul Kengor, associate professor of political science at Grove City College, and author of, God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life, researched the numerous writings and speeches of Ronald Reagan, and discovered the deep, abiding faith that guided the personal, public, and political life of this extraordinary man. The following is from Mr. Kengor's lecture, "The Intellectual Origins of Ronald Reagan's Faith," presented April 30, 2004, at the Heritage Foundation:

"History has aptly acknowledged Reagan's legendary sense of conviction. Americans never had to struggle to figure out where this man stood on any particular issue. And yet, while Reagan's key political beliefs remained consistent from the late 1940s onward, his religious beliefs were consistent even longer. The historical record abundantly reflects that Reagan was driven by those core political convictions. What the record has overlooked is that his core religious convictions carried him yet longer.

"Where did he get his spiritual values? There were a number of influences. First and foremost was his mother, Nelle Reagan. I'm confident that had Nelle Reagan died in the winter of 1918-19--a near-victim of the devastating influenza epidemic that killed millions of healthy, middle-aged mothers around the world--Ronald Reagan very likely would not have become President. It was Nelle who insisted her boy go to church--a request he happily obliged--and it was in church that Reagan picked up not only those core beliefs and values, but also the intangibles so vital to his success: his confidence, his eternal optimism (which he called a "God-given optimism"), and even his ability to speak. Indeed, history has also overlooked the fact that the Great Communicator found his first audiences in a church. He learned to speak in a church."

Walking in the Light

In a March 24, 2004 World Net Daily commentary, "The Passion of Ronald Reagan," minister Jerry Falwell shared his personal observations of the faith of Ronald Reagan:

"I had the unique privilege of knowing Ronald Reagan and seeing firsthand his markedly Christian faith. It was my pleasure to personally discuss matters of faith with Mr. Reagan on a few occasions. These times were quite humbling for me, really just a country preacher who God saw fit to place in the public spotlight. It was truly awe-inspiring to experience intimate Christian fellowship with the man I have long considered my ultimate political hero. I truly believe that it was Ronald Reagan's deep faith in Christ that defined him as a man and molded him as one of our nation's finest leaders.

"I know it's not accepted these days to live out one's faith in the public spotlight, but maybe that's the primary problem with our nation."

When President Reagan proclaimed 1983 The Year of the Bible, not everyone was thrilled. The following year, Reagan answered his critics:

"I was pleased last year to proclaim 1983 the year of the Bible. But, you know, a group called the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) severely criticized me for doing that. Well, I wear their indictment like a badge of honor."

Ronald Reagan took seriously Jesus' admonition to, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (See Matthew 5:10-16). He never hesitated to share his faith in God.

"I Am Not Ashamed..."

The apostle Paul often got himself in trouble, too, for sharing his faith. Nevertheless, he was not deterred. He declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16). In one of his letters to a young minister named Timothy, he wrote:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day (2 Timothy 1:7-12 NKJV).

Ronald Reagan will be remembered for many things, but in all our remembering, this one thing should not be overlooked: his unashamed and unwavering faith in God. He has left us all a shining example to follow.

think on these things...

1 Peter 3:15,16 (LVB)
Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good.

"And I hope that when you are my age, you will be able to say as I have been able to say: We lived in freedom. We lived lives that were a statement, not an apology." Ronald Reagan

"When the Lord calls me home ... I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I know that, for there will always be a bright dawn ahead." Ronald Reagan, November 5, 1994

"My father is dancing with God now, which is where he wanted to be." Michael Reagan, son of Ronald Reagan

You might enjoy reading these articles, also:

An interview with author Paul Kengor, "The Christian Faith of Ronald Reagan", by Insight on the News senior writer, Stephen Goode.

A tribute by Barbara Stock, titled, "Ronald Reagan: The Passing of a Great American."

"Ronald Reagan, R.I.P.," by Joseph J. Sabia, a Ph.D. candidate in economics at Cornell University.

And this revealing look at Ronald Reagan by Jeremy Reynalds: "Former President Ronald Reagan: 'I am Born Again and I am a Bible Believer.'"

"Though it is a wonderful truth to know that we are saved by grace, it is equally wonderful to know that we live by it as well. Though we labor, just as the birds of the air labor, we do not need to grasp and grab frantically, because we have One who cares for us just as he cares for the birds of the air." Richard J. Foster

think on these things...

Matthew 6:24-34 (NLT)
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Philippians 4:6,7 (NLT)
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.