The big ten conference games kicked off Saturday when Northwestern came to Columbus. I was fortunate enough to be at that "game". If you didn't know the Buckeyes won 58-7. It was interesting never the less. We got to see fourth string players that you never see play. Actually just before the clock ran out I thought I saw players from the 1942 National Championship team suiting up. Lucky for Northwestern the clock ran out.

Really I am continually impressed with what it takes to get a team of people to the level at which the Buckeyes play. The hard work, dedication and commitment to discipline are inspiring. I heard coach Tressel talk about something else as well. Mission. The team shares a mission , it is a spiritual discipline for the entire team to share a common goal, an almost holy mission to succeed as a team.
They succeed by everyone on the team and coordinating the team knowing their part and performing it as well as they can. It reminds me of the early church. Before someone came up with "Growth formulas" . Explosive evangelism plans . Purpose driven pie bakes.

The early church shared a vision and a mission. As well as the Buckeyes play I don't think many would face death to proclaim their superiority over Michigan. The early church men and women went to their death proclaiming Christ as lord.

Their passion for mission and community enabled them to overlook the worldly shortcomings of their brothers and sisters. If you look in the book of Philemon you will see how a criminal and a slave became Pastor of a church that began in his masters house. A master that earlier on he had robbed. But then they truly believed in the risen Christ, and their hope was tied to faith in him.



At Ironworks prayer time this morning we studied Philippians Chapter 4 8-20.
Our topic was Blessed Subtraction . Not necessarily seeking out something sinful to subtract while a good thing, not the subject of subtraction in this study. We talked about subtracting something we don't deem as necessarily bad and putting Christ in it's place. For instance in your down time instead of vegging out in front of the tube. Take a moment to spend time with God. You don't have to do anything just be still and listen for Him to speak to you. Look for opportunities throughout your day to give a moment to your Father.


"Oh my God, when will silence, retirement, and prayer become the occupations of my soul as they are now frequently the objects of my desires? How am I wearied with saying so much and yet doing so little for you! Come, Jesus, come You the...center and supreme happiness of my soul! -Thomas a' Kempis