Football season that is. And every year there are a number of names that come to the forefront as players to watch. This season, according to one source, the top ten most important NFL players are Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Tyreek Hill, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Jones, Julio Jones, Kirk Cousins, James Conner, Nick Foles, and J.J. Watt. (Other sources tout other players, but the point is the same––most are offensive scoring players.) Out of the ten I listed, four are quarterbacks, three are running backs, and two are wide receivers. Only J.J. Watt is a defensive player.

However, anyone who knows anything about football or has watched Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side knows the truth in the saying, “You’re only as good as your front line.” It is the offensive line that determines the success and often the safety of those more high-profile players. Many a talented quarterback has been sacked, running back stopped, and wide receiver left empty handed because of a weak front line.

That is why there is such comfort in verses like Deuteronomy 31:8 and 1:30, which read “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed,” and “The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”

And then there is Isaiah 52:12 which gives additional comfort because it says, “You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.” (God moves obstacles out of our way and also protects us from behind.)

True these three verses (and many others in the Old Testament) were directed at the Old Testament Israelites as they moved to claim the Promised Land, but remember the history of the Jewish people is meant to provide a picture to New Testament believers of God’s love, protection and providence. What was good and true for the Jews is also good and true for the believer today.

This is why Paul reminds us (in New Testament lingo) that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), and then asks in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

As Christians we face a lot of opposition, both in our beliefs and the stances we take on social issues based on Biblical guidance. But we have to remember, our success and safety is not determined by how well we run with the ball. It is determined by the strength of our front line, and we need to remember that we have an all knowing, all powerful, ever present front line––God.  His will will be done.

We all know hunger. It begins with that little pang and, if not fed, immediately grows into full-blown embarrassing rumblings. Some of us satiate our hunger immediately, while others of us wait—by choice or by necessity.

When not enough food is available for an extended period of time, a person will begin to starve. And without the person realizing what’s happening, the body starts feeding on itself, consuming its own energy stores to supply the basic energy needs. When it does this, it now cannot supply the necessary nutrients to the vital organs and tissues and they begin to shrink and shut down. Kidneys are impaired and the immune system gets weaker. The protein in the muscles is then tapped, and at that point death is not far off. Sometimes those who are starving are closer to death than they realize.

Recently, I found myself in the beginning stages of sort of spiritual starvation, and I didn’t even know it. Because of circumstances beyond my control, I had not been able to go to church in almost four months.

Yes, I was still able to read my Bible and complete my devotions, and many of the people I spent time with were fellow believers, and we would recognize God’s protection and thank Him for his care. But I had not been able to worship in a corporate setting, and without my knowing it, I had started relying on and consuming my own spiritual “energy sources.” Not until I finally stepped into a church did I realize what I had been missing and needing.

The church service  I was finally able to attend was not of the same denomination as mine. It was not the same size nor did it have the same mix of age groups that my church had. I didn’t know any of the songs nor was I familiar with the order of service. But none of that mattered.

God’s word was the same, and it was preached from the pulpit. God’s spirit was present, and it enveloped me in comfort. God’s people were there, saved sinners praising God for His guidance, protection, and blessings.

Just sitting in a pew or a chair and listening to a sermon does not in and of itself provide any spiritual nutrition. One must be hungry and desire spiritual nourishment. Just going to church does not save a person from eternal damnation. That comes only through personally surrendering one’s life to Christ.

But worshiping with fellow believers does provide nutrients for the soul. It allows us to stop, take stock, support each other, and reset. It provides a safe place for sinners to be transformed by God’s grace into saints. It is God’s family.

I think Michael Cochran of Cochran & CO. says it best in his song “Church (Take Me Back). Enjoy.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
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Today is my mother’s birthday. And to help me honor her, I have asked my siblings to contribute to this blog by providing two words that describe my mother and and then explain why. Here are the results.

Let’s start with the oldest: my brother Doug. I guess I should have said two “different” words because he didn’t quite get the gist of what I meant, but I attribute that to the fact that one of his high school jobs was to shake almonds out of trees without wearing a hard hat.

He said Mom was of “noble character” and based it on Proverbs 31:10-31. This is a great place to start as Mom is definitely a godly woman, and I would agree with him that King Lemuel’s view of a “virtuous wife” does fit my mother. However, I would beg to differ with verse 24, as that says she “makes linen garments and sells them” for as one who had to wear what Mom made, I can attest she probably didn’t sell them.

My brother then came back a bit later with a second two-word description which was classic Doug: scallop potatoes. This is his favorite dish that he keeps insisting Mom needs to make for him when he visits. Fortunately, Mom is her own person and hasn’t succumbed to guilt.

I am next, and my too words are youthful and honest. To see my mom you would never guess she is the age she is. She is still full of energy and good health. Also, I am hoping she looks youthful because on this last trip many asked if we were sisters! So if she doesn’t look young, the only alternative is . . . Hmmm.

Also, Mom doesn’t hold back the truth. I remember once she was in a store where a group of teen boys were talking and using more than their fair share of colorful language. Mom went right up to them and asked them why they spoke like that. “You are good looking boys,” she told them, “and that language makes you look ugly.” (Or something like that. I was hiding behind a clothes rack.)

Jamie is next, but I did not let her say anything because she always shows the rest of us up, especially Pam who always has to follow her. So I have just used the this very recent photo of her and Mom.

I think she just showed us up anyway. (Though I did try to buffer this by including a very cute picture of Mom, Doug, and I below. . . taken a few years ago in case you couldn't guess.)

Finally, Pam. Her words were “altruistic” because Mom always puts others first, and “kindhearted” as she is so understanding and empathetic of others’ feelings and situations. Then in less than an hour she came up with nine more––organized, creative, beautiful, endearing, lovable, intelligent, godly, trusting, and happy. (I attribute this second windfall of words to her not having as many spankings as the rest of us. But as you can see, she also did not have as many pictures taken. Ah, the ups and downs of being the youngest.)​

I know my siblings and I are not the only ones to have a wonderful mother, but we are very blessed to have the one we have. Happy Birthday, Mom.