Arenas: Choose Wisdom over Money

Wizards superstar Gilbert Arenas appeared to have it all, 28 years old in the second season of a six-year, $111 million dollar contract. However, when you lack wisdom you really have nothing at all. Arenas pleaded guilty Friday to carrying a pistol without a license in D.C. which is a felony. You have to wonder how Arenas thought it was okay to carry guns, even if they were not loaded, to the Verizon Center which is in essence his workplace.

Just because you have money does not mean you have wisdom. The irony is the Bible states wisdom is to be desired over jewels, money and everything else. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Then you will walk safely in your way and your foot will not stumble (Proverbs 3:13-15,23).

Arenas who is known for his great moves on the court stumbled big time on this one. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26th. Prosecutors agreed not to ask for more than 6 months, but the judge has the final say and could impose the maximum sentence of five years although that is unlikely. The three-time All-Star has also been suspended indefinitely by the league without pay. He is almost certain to miss the rest of the season and stands to lose about 7 million dollars.

Arenas had all the money but failed to obtain wisdom which is free. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). The Bible contains the wisdom of God. Those who read it and apply it will not stumble.

See also Proverbs 2:10-11, James 1:5

McGwire Carried an Unnecessary Weight

After 20 years of dishonesty Mark McGwire finally came clean about using steroids. Let me start by saying I forgive McGwire. However, is it just me or haven’t we all moved on a long time ago. The way he conducted himself in front of Congress in 2005 was all we really needed to know about McGwire and his steroid use. He says he wanted to speak out at the hearing however his lawyers advised him otherwise. That would have still been 15 years after he started taking steroids.

McGwire and many other players cheated themselves and cheated the game. The main reason he told the truth now is because he knew the heat would be on as he gets back into the game as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

McGwire says he started using steroids prior to the 1990 season consequently he’s been carrying this unnecessary weight for about 20 years. Hebrews 12:1 says, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. It’s hard to run when you are carrying unnecessary weight. Is there any weight you need to get rid of today? Unnecessary weight slows you down and delays you from reaching the blessed place God desires you to be in. Change those bad habits and come clean about any lies you may have told. Then you will be able to start running toward your blessing.

How to Keep Your Job, Watch Your Mouth

Chiefs Running Back Larry Johnson was only 75 yards away from breaking the team record when he was released, all because he couldn't watch his mouth. Following a loss Johnson belittled his head coach and directed a gay slur towards a heckler on twitter. The next day he used the gay slur again towards members of the media in the locker room. Whether we realize it or not words are powerful and should be used wisely.

Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." In other words watch the foul language. Words should be used to build up others and not tear them down.

Sometimes we may forget God made everyone. So when we call them ignorant, ugly or a gay slur we are talking about God's creation. It cost Larry Johnson his job in Kansas City, it could cost you even more.

For more scriptures on words see:Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8, Proverbs 16:24

Complaining is not the way to solve problems

After coming off the bench in his first game with the Memphis Grizzlies Allen Iverson made it perfectly clear he is not satisfied with his role. Iverson played 18 minutes and scored 11 points. Following the game Iverson was asked how he felt."I had no problems (physically.) I had a problem with my butt sitting on that bench for so long," Iverson said.

Keep in mind Iverson is in his first season with the Grizzlies. He missed all eight preseason games and the first three regular season games with a hamstring injury. If the coach decides to have him come off the bench Iverson should let his game do the talking and see if things improve as time goes on. Instead, the 34 year old proceeded to gripe about how he's not a bench player or a sixth man.

Philippians 2:14 states do all things without murmurings and disputings or in other words complaining and arguing. Ultimately you are complaining against the sovereign God who controls all things. That surely is not pleasing to the Saviour!

In Numbers the children of Israel who complained to God about being in the wilderness died before reaching the promised land. Whether its complaining about your coach, spouse, boss or whoever it may be that is not pleasing to God.

He sees what you are going through and the proper response is to rejoice knowing that his plans are perfect. No matter what, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

True Friendship:Taking one for the Team

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have a book coming out in November titled "When the Game was Ours." In the excerpts released Magic shares some interesting details about how his close friendship with Isiah Thomas has deteriorated over the years. Magic accused Isiah of spreading rumors he was gay/bisexual when he was diagnosed with HIV back in 1991. Johnson also admitted he played a role in keeping Isiah off the dream team in 1992.

It is very surprising to me that Magic would air his dirty laundry so to speak in such a public forum. In the book Johnson said the failed relationship with Thomas is the biggest personal disappointment of my life.....nothing else is even close. Those are some strong words. However, true friendships are based on love and the Bible says love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:8)

Colossians 3:13-14 says, Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

Friends may say things about you or do things to you that hurt deeply. But as Christians we are commanded to forgive just as Christ has forgiven us. That is what love is all about. Magic is writing a book and bringing up incidents that happened nearly 20 years ago. The motivation behind this all seems to be selling books and making money. It's ironic, Magic always had great vision on the court, I guess he doesn't see making amends would be the best play in this situation. Regardless of who is right or wrong we should do what's best for the team or in this case friendship.

Staying on Track

Alabama moved up to number two in the latest college football poll. However, Head Coach Nick Saban wants to make sure his team isn't drinking the kool-aid in other words getting caught up in the hype. Whether you like him or not Saban realizes if the Tide does not put in the work that it took to become the second ranked team in the country they will not stay the second ranked team in the country for long.

Likewise as Christians as we begin to develop in our walk and become mature in the faith we can't forget the foundational principles we have learned. Hebrews 2:1 says, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip. We should never forget the basics. Jesus showed his love for us by dying on the cross, in turn we show our love for him by dying to self. It's not our will but his will.

As Alabama climbs in the college football poll they can't forget the fundamentals and the hard work it took to get to that point. As God promotes us let us not forget the fundamentals (reading the Bible, praying, and going to church). As long as we work hard on those three things we are sure to stay on track.

Changing the way you think

http://www.truthaboutit.net/2009/09/deshawn-stevensons-new-tattoos-and-abe-lincoln.html

Just when you thought you had seen it all DeShawn Stevenson proves you have not. Getting tattoos has become part of the NBA culture. But getting a tattoo across your neck, come on that is way over the top. Stevenson's latest tattoo is of a five dollar bill with Abe Lincoln smack dab on his adams apple accompanied by a 5 on both sides. Wow, what was he thinking? It doesn't stop there. He also has the backwards P logo for the Pittsburgh Pirates on his cheek and to top it all off he has a little crack at the top of his forehead symbolizing people try to break him but he never cracks.

I don't have any tattoos and the focus of this article is not whether having one is right or wrong. However the Bible does address the topic in Lev. 19:28. Ye shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks upon you. I am the Lord. You can also refer to Deut. 14:1. You can interpret those scriptures however the Spirit leads you.

Stevenson's tattoo goes well beyond the images imprinted on his neck to what is going on inside his mind. Ephesians 4:18 refers to the mindset of the Gentiles. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of the heart.

As Christians we are called to live in the world but not to be of the world. Though we live here we are called to be a light not to blend in with the ways and cultures of the world. That can only happen when you are renewed in the Spirit of your mind. (Ephesians 4:23) Don't get caught up, ask the Lord to renew your mind today.