A Good Name

My son Robbie and I just returned from a weekend trip to Champaign, Illinois where we watched the Buckeyes from Ohio State barely beat the Fighting Illini from Illinois. It was a very fun weekend!

On the way home this morning, we were looking for a place to stop for breakfast. We passed by a couple of local diners that looked to me like they would be worth trying but Robbie said, "No, I'd really rather wait to try to find a Bob Evans." It took us quite a while but we finally found one and enjoyed a great, and really big, breakfast (and one that probably didn't help our arteries much).

Robbie knew what he was getting with Bob Evans regardless of the city we were in. He knew they had a good name so he was willing to wait.

That is a very good thing for a company. It is, perhaps, an even greater thing for an individual. In fact, the Bible says it is better than having great riches. So how is your name?

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1

Buckeyes and People

I'm a big fan of buckeyes…not just the football Buckeyes, but actual buckeyes. This fall, my wife Connie and I have encountered many buckeye trees and we have been able to collect a few of these awesome treasures.

I had a couple of these unopened shells sitting on my desk for a while, waiting for them to open up to reveal the beautiful nut that had been growing inside. After viewing these for a few days I began to think about how similar a buckeye is to a human being.

These outer shells of a buckeye are not very attractive and they even have barbs on them which resemble a porcupine. So not only are they ugly but they can actually hurt you. However, once they open, a surprisingly attractive nut is revealed. Buckeyes actually look like they are made of a rich type of wood that is polished perfectly—very beautiful.

Many people might not look very pretty from the outside and might even hurt others at times. However, each and every person (even the unlovable one) is created by God and loved by God. This makes even the most disliked person someone worth loving. Because, just like a buckeye, under that “ugly” shell there is a beautiful creation inside. Hopefully this will remind us to be more forgiving and understanding and help us to remember to extend a bit more grace to others, even those who drive us crazy…and maybe even our spouses!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Buckeye Fever

I can't believe it, but football season is officially upon us--yea! Very shortly I will be heading south for Ohio State's home opener and I can't wait. Tonight they take on the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Many are predicting a strong season for the Buckeyes and they are slotted at #2 in the pre-season national rankings right behind the reigning champs, Alabama.

So, tonight we will get a glimpse to see how they look. Will they measure up to what the prognosticators say? Will they overlook Marshall in anticipation of next week's scary opponent, the Miami Hurricanes?

These same questions can be applied to each of us as well. Are you all talk and no action? Do you oftentimes not apply yourself when things are boring or the opponent doesn't seem that tough? God's Word clearly states that we are to be doers of His Word (James 2:26) and we are to work at anything as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23).

GO BUCKS!

A Senior Moment

It's that time of year when I annually read about Ohio State football seniors who cannot believe that this is their final season as a Buckeye. Dane Sanzenbacher, a Buckeye senior from Toledo, said this about his career, "I just shake my head thinking about it. Those four years have absolutely flown by - good times, tough times - it all seems to go by so fast." (Click here to read entire story)

I can totally relate to what Sanzenbacher is saying. I distinctly remember my first two years at The University of Toledo. I used to dread basketball practice each day and it felt like my career would never come to an end (This may sound odd, but it wasn't a lot of fun most days...in fact it felt like a tough job much of the time). In spite of my feelings, before I knew it, I was a senior.

Now I look back and it has been over 25 years since I suited up, yet it seems like yesterday...although my body begs to differ!

This is a great reminder to me of how precious and how short life is...it truly is but a mist. So Carpe Diem!

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14

Forgiveness For A Running Back

He went from being loved by the Buckeye Nation to being one of the most disliked players ever. In 2002, the Freshman phenom was one of the key cogs in Ohio State's national championship run. Shortly thereafter it all fell apart...all due to poor decisions on his part. It got so bad that he was released from his scholarship and tried to take his coach, Jim Tressel down with him. He accused Tressel of violating major NCAA rules causing Tressel to go through some uncomfortable media scrutiny before he was proclaimed "clean" by the NCAA.

I'm talking about Maurice Clarett who was just released from prison where he has spent the past three and a half years. He not only was released, but he has enrolled in classes at Ohio State. No, he is not going to play football, but the fact that he is in school is something incredible.

The really incredible part of this story is that Jim Tressel, the very guy Clarett tried to take down, has been helping to make this happen for Clarett. “We've been working for the last three months try to get the i's dotted and the t's crossed to get him back in and move him towards a degree,” Tressel told reporters Tuesday.

While Clarett was easily the most hated man in Columbus, this was obviously not the case in the Tressel household. In an article on one of my favorite web sites, The Ozone, Tressel had something to say that we all can learn from.

“Anytime someone is part of your life, even if it doesn't go well, you've got to continue to be there for him,” Tressel said.

“That's just the way we do things.”

Although Tressel continue to reach out to his embattled former player, Clarett’s life continued to spiral out of control, eventually landing him the slammer in 2006, three years after he was released from the Denver Broncos without playing a down in the NFL.

With his return to classes at Ohio State, Tressel is optimistic about Clarett’s chances of transforming his life story from tragic to inspirational.

“It's what you hope for,” he said.

“We all make mistakes...some are different mistakes than others and there are always consequences for whatever the mistake is and if you take care of that, usually the world is a forgiving world.”

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

Matthew 6:14

Urban Renewal

I must admit before getting started that I am not a fan of the Florida Gators. In fact, I kind of dislike them. It probably stems from the fact that they clobbered my beloved Buckeyes in the national championship game several years ago. I know, I'm a sore loser (and I probably need to get a life).

With that being said, I do respect what they have done. I also respect Urban Meyer, their very successful coach.

This weekend he shocked the college football world by announcing that he was resigning at the age of 45 to take care of his health. Then, within 24 hours, he announced that he will take the offer the university gave him of a sabbatical before returning to the team.

The impression I got from hearing his press conference was that he was burned out. It also appears that it is all or nothing with Meyer and that he clearly works way too much. Some reporters said it was a true 24/7 job with him. This had apparently caught up with him causing him to collapse after this year's SEC Championship Game.

Over his five years at Florida, Meyer has won two national championships and has the highest winning percentage of any active coach--quite impressive. So, this could not have been an easy decision. He is at the top of his game. Plus he makes $4 million per year. He has "success" in the world's eyes. Yet, he is stepping down. He obviously sees that all this "success" isn't worth much if he doesn't have his health or his family to share it with.

I applaud Urban Meyer for making this decision.

Heading into this new year, this can be a great lesson for all of us who are driven personalities. Balance between work and life is so important. We must make time to live, laugh and love...and to rest and renew.

Carpe Diem!

Bad Things Happen

Tate Forcier loses a fumble in the end-zone early in the game resulting in a Buckeye touchdown

On Saturday, my son and I took the 45 minute trip north to Ann Arbor to watch The Game, Ohio State vs. Michigan in what most say is the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

Being Buckeyes, Robbie and I were thrilled with the 21-10 Ohio State victory, their sixth in a row over the Wolverines. Ohio State was able to come up with five turnovers, all from Michigan's quarterback, Tate Forcier.

On Sunday, we watched the recording of the ABC telecast. Matt Millen who was providing color commentary for the game said this of Forcier, "Bad things happen to all players. It's how you react that matters."

So true.

A friend of mine once asked me, "If someone spits on you does that make you mad?"

I said, "Absolutely."

He said, "No it doesn't. It makes you wet. It's your choice to be mad."

He had me. He was right.

We are all going to face challenges and obstacles in this life. How we respond to them will determine the type of person we will become.

"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Jesus in John 16:33

The Heart of a Champion

Stefanie Spielman and her family on the field at halftime of a game in September.

Stefanie Spielman, wife of OSU linbacker great, Chris Spielman passed away yesterday after a lengthy bout with cancer. This is very sad for the Buckeye Nation but it is also something worth celebrating.

Chris said this in an article which appeared today in the Columbus Dispatch, "Stefanie has gone home to be with the Lord," he said. "For that, we celebrate, but with broken hearts. I want to thank everyone for their support. ... Together, with your help, hopefully we made a difference in this fight."

When they received the news, they decided to use this for good. She said this shortly after her diagnosis, "I know there's a reason God gave me breast cancer, and I'm supposed to do something with it," she said that year.

This family is an inspiration to me in many ways and as I have read more about Stefanie, my admiration for her has grown. You can get a glimpse of her faith and positive spirit in these words: "I do not feel sorry for myself. I do not wish this would have happened to anyone else," she wrote on July 11, 1998. "I pray I grow stronger with each passing day. I cannot let this get the best of me, and I will not let this ruin the rest of my life -- no matter how long it is."

What a great example of how to live. Prayers to the Spielman family!

Go Bucks!

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3b-5

Encouragement

"You can be better than me." Those were the words of former Ohio State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith to current Buckeye quarterback, Terrelle Pryor.

In a nice article in the Toledo Blade last Friday, it was revealed that Smith has reached out to the young Pryor to help him to deal with his many critics. Two weeks prior, Terrelle had turned the ball over four times in an upset loss to the Purdue Boilermakers and he was the subject of much criticism in Columbus and beyond.

In reading the article, it sounded like Pryor is very appreciative of the kind words of Smith. Based on his solid performance one game later against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Smith's words might have been just what Pryor needed.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11a

Using Bad For Good

Chris Spielman shows his college football hall of fame plaque awarded to him on

Sept. 5 at Ohio State to his wife, Stefanie.
His four children and Ohio State great Archie Griffin look on.

Chris Spielman is one of my favorite Ohio State football players. He was a guy who gave his all on every play. The team seemed to feed off of his intensity. Without question, he is one of the greatest linebackers ever to wear the scarlet and gray. He also was a tremendous player in the NFL for many years.

However, I gained even more respect for him when, in 1998 after 10 seasons in the NFL, he put his career on hold to be at his wife, Stefanie's side as she began her battle against breast cancer. I don't think many men would have chosen to do that. What a great example.

I was at the game on September 5th of this year in which Chris' induction into the College Football Hall of Fame was celebrated (pictured above). I didn't realize that Stefanie was sick again until I saw her in a wheel chair.

A week or so ago I saw an article online which appeared in the Canton Rep in which they shared a little about their struggle. The last section of the article focused on their Christian faith and how that has gotten them through some difficult times. This same article appeared in our local paper a couple of days ago, only they decided to omit the entire section about their faith. Sad.

This quote was contained in that section:

Their journey together has been about football and fame, but it also has been about strength, courage and keeping things in perspective.

“I think we’ve been given certain assignments in life,” he said. “I like to think we’ve done the best we could for (cancer survivors) in service as opposed to shutting down. Hopefully, we’ve been able to make a difference with the monies raised and the people we met and talk to that our experience can help in a small way.

“This is an honorable and humbling journey we’ve been on. It’s something that is way bigger than being a football guy.”

What struck me as I read this article was they way they have used this as a positive thing. The Speilmans have used their celebrity and influence as a platform to raise millions of dollars for cancer research. But they have done so much more than that...they have given hope to many, many people who are dealing with tough circumstances in their own lives. What an incredible and honorable thing.

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14b

Doing the Impossible

I attended perhaps the strangest football game I have ever seen on Saturday. Ohio State hosted the Badgers of Wisconsin and the game was anything but ordinary.

During the game, the Buckeyes had the ball for 17 minutes versus 43 minutes for Wisconsin--normally indicating a Wisconsin blowout win. The Buckeyes gained a total of 184 yards to 368 for Wisconsin--typically indicating a Wisconsin victory. Ohio State ran 40 plays from scrimmage to 89 for Wisconsin--again, normally indicative of a Wisconsin win.

Prior to this game, I would have told you it was absolutely impossible for Ohio State to win with statistics like these. However, Ohio State won the game 31-13. How did they do it? They scored two touchdowns on defense (both interceptions returned for touchdowns) and they returned a kickoff for a touchdown. In fact, of the 44 total points, only one touchdown was scored from an offensive set (Wisconsin's touchdown came on a fake field goal).

Quite an unusual game. Very similar to life.

The Bible is chock-full of stories where God used individuals who you and I probably would have passed over. For instance, He picked Moses who could not talk very well to lead the Israelites out of bondage. We would have said it was impossible for Moses to complete the task at hand. He also showed up at times when things looked hopeless like when He parted the Red Sea to help the Israelites. Again, we would have said this was impossible.

He does the same today.

So, if you are facing a seemingly impossible challenge or if you are feeling too small for the task at hand, remember, that is when God shows up!

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

1 Corinthians 1:27

Watch Your Mouth!

My son, Robbie and I made the trip to Bloomington, Indiana to watch Ohio State take on the Hoosiers of Indiana Saturday night. Robbie and I had a great weekend together which was helped by the fact that the Buckeyes played pretty well and won easily, 33-14.

During the game we sat in front of perhaps, the most obnoxious Ohio State fan in the world (coincidentally, he is the one who took the above picture). He was not just obnoxious, but he was also LOUD...a bad combination. He would yelled insults at Indiana fans. He yelled at Ohio State players when they didn't do what he hoped they would do. He yelled at the referees. When the Indiana cheerleaders came into the stands to cheer for their team, he even yelled at and booed them.

Not only was this guy annoying to me and others around us, I was actually embarrassed. He was giving all of the IU fans around us a very bad opinion of Ohio State fans. In my experience, I believe most Ohio State fans to be civil and classy people. However, there are a small percentage like this guy who taint the perception of others. Too bad.

The same is true of us as Christ followers. We are all on the same team. We must guard ourselves so that we don't act like the fan who was sitting behind me, otherwise others' perception of Christianity might take a hit.

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:8-10

Hang Loose

On Saturday evening, my wife and I along with some good friends attended the Ohio State vs. USC football game. What a great night it was for football! What an incredible atmosphere it was! The only thing lacking that night was a Buckeye victory (they lost 18-15 when USC scored a touchdown with one minute remaining).

Prior to the game, many were wondering how USC's true freshman quarterback, Matt Barkley would hold up under the pressure of an extremely loud and intimidating environment.

I don't know much about USC's head coach, Pete Carroll, as a person, but I was very impressed with the way he handled his team this night. Before the game I watched through my binoculars as Carroll went from player to player and slapped them five, laughed with them and encouraged them. Then during a critical part of the game, when the stadium was as loud as I have ever heard it, USC called a time-out. As Barkley came off the field to chat with his coach, I watched Carroll laugh with his young player as if to say, "Isn't this fun?"

During a stressful part of a game, most would expect a coach to be serious, not laughing. Most would also expect the same stoic attitude from their leader in a stressful business environment.

Maybe all of us could learn something from Carroll when things are tough. Maybe we need to lighten up a bit and have fun to keep our teams loose.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13

Joy of a Child

This past weekend I went with my family and some friends to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Navy Midshipmen. It was a great day with great friends...and the Buckeyes won, although the game was way more exciting than it needed to be (OSU let a late lead slip away and eked out a win)!

Prior to the game, I was in the restroom with my good friend Tim and his nine-year-old son Ben. Ben was washing his hands and he pulled the lever on the soap dispenser which gave him some foam soap.

Well you would have thought it was Christmas morning. He turned his hand upside down and with a huge smile said, "Look dad!" He then proceeded to jump around the bathroom with his hand upside down trying to get it to leave his hand. Pure joy in action.

I said to Tim, "Wouldn't it be great to have that joy in our life?" Tim said, "I think we are born with it and then we are taught to get rid of it."

I believe Tim is right. I think we are taught by the world to not be too joyful. Sad.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Bummer

Well, the annual Ohio State bowl loss happened in the desert last night in the Fiesta Bowl. Actually, it just kind of feels that way lately. Ohio State has had some incredible bowl wins in recent years; however, they have lost the last three.

Two years ago, they were pounded by Florida in the national title game. Last year they were soundly beaten by LSU in the championship game and this year they were edged out by a very good Texas Longhorn team on a Colt McCoy touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining to lose 24-21.

In their last two bowl losses I did not feel good about the games because I felt that the Buckeyes just did not play well. In fact, many say they did not show up at all. The same cannot be said about their play last night.

Nobody was giving Ohio State a chance against the high-powered Texas offense and the experts had Texas as an 8 point favorite. Ohio State held them to their lowest scoring output of the season in nearly upsetting them and I thought they played very well and gave it their all.

No matter what we do in life, whether it is playing football or making a sales call, if we give it our best that is all we can ask. We can then rest easy knowing the outcome is in God's hands.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

Unselfishness

One thing that seems non-existent in big-time sports anymore is taking one for the team. What I mean is, it is rare to see someone who is not only about themselves. Most players on TV are doing some sort of celebratory dance to draw attention to themselves.

That’s one of the reasons I am a huge fan of Todd Boeckman.

Boeckman, Ohio State’s senior quarterback was first team All Big Ten last year (his first as a starter). He led the Buckeyes to a birth in the BCS national championship game against LSU. He played very well most of last season but his performance slipped a little in the last couple of games.

Much was expected of him this season. He was supposed to lead the Buckeyes to their third straight national championship game. However, that was not to be.

An early season drubbing at the hands of USC changed all that. Boeckman did not have a stellar performance and the following week was replaced by Freshman Terelle Pryor.

Expectations would be that Boeckman would complain and throw a fit because he was being benched. Boeckman, one of the team’s captains didn’t do that however. He supported Pryor and said that he understood why Coach Tressel made such a move.

Was he upset on the inside? I’m sure he was. Did he want to be playing? You bet.

But, he put the well being of the team ahead of his own. Very classy.

And, he comes in at the end of Ohio State’s victory over Michigan to throw a picture-perfect touchdown pass. Great stuff! What a great way to end your career!

In my book, Todd Boeckman is MVT – Most Valuable Teammate.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Working to Glorify Him

Reggie Bush, the star running back for the USC Trojans and now the New Orleans Saints made it fashionable to write something on your "eye black" stickers. Many players wear these to cut down on glare from the sun and I believe many wear them simply to be cool. Bush used to write his area code of his home town on his and many players have begun to do the same thing.

On Saturday in Ohio State's lopsided win over arch-rival Michigan, James Laurinaitis, the Buckeye's star linebacker also had something written on his eye black stickers. He had "John" on one and "17:1" on the other.

John 17:1 says, After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that Your Son may glorify You."

Two months ago I was asked to speak to a leadership bible study group in Toledo. While there I met a young man who is involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Ohio State. He shared with me that James Laurinaitis is one of a handful of players who rarely miss a meeting and he said he is on fire for Christ. He said he is the real deal.

This is so refreshing. So, to me, Laurinaitis was saying that he wanted his play to glorify Christ on Saturday. How cool is that? Let's let what we do glorify Him today!

Watch Your Mouth!

This past weekend, my family and I headed west to Chicago for the weekend. We spent Friday in Chicago and Saturday we braved the cold temperatures and attended the Ohio State versus Northwestern football game.

The Buckeyes played well and won 45-10. We had a blast.

Later that evening we were watching the local news who were discussing the game. Two different sportscasters stated that Ohio State showed poor sportsmanship by “running up the score.” They claimed that they did this because they ran a fake punt on 4th down and 2 with nine minutes to go and they were leading by 21 points.

I was amazed at what I was hearing. I then thought about all the people who were watching this who did not see the game and how their minds would be swayed into thinking this was the truth simply because it was said from a “trusted” source.

I know that OSU did not run up the score for the following reasons:
1) Coach Jim Tressel doesn’t have a “run up the score” bone in his body
2) The Buckeyes were up 21 points in and were playing in weather conditions that were anything but perfect. With 9 minutes to go and a couple of turnovers, Northwestern could have come back. Sure, this was not probable, but it was not impossible.
3) OSU’s offense has been anemic much of the season and Coach Tressel was probably trying to build confidence for the stretch run.

I bring all this up because we need to be careful what we say. Whoever came up with the slogan “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” was wrong. Words can be damaging.

So let’s watch what we say!

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

Blind Date

When introducing this video, I thought about quoting the Bible about having the faith of a child. I also thought about talking about the enemy roaming around like a lion. I could have also talked about standing up for your convictions...but when it gets right down to it, as a Buckeye fan I just think this video is hilarious and I thought you'd like to see it.

National Signing Day

It is called by many the biggest holiday on the calendar of a college football fan. Yes, it's national signing day, when talented high school recruits can sign on the dotted line for the first time, cementing their spot on the roster of the college team of their choosing.

I am embarrassed to say that I pay attention to this stuff. I follow it probably too closely. But it's fun for me. I like to see who the next Buckeyes are going to be and how the staff is working to fill positions of need. I especially like the way that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel goes about it. No promises of playing time. No special favors. He just tells it like it is. I think a lot of players respect that.

Even though this can be fun, I believe it has gotten way out of hand. Certain web sites were inaccessible yesterday due to the large amount of traffic trying to access them. Just to see what player is going where.

There are these mythical rankings of the classes each year which is rediculous. ESPN's can be found here. How can you possibly rank high school players who haven't played a down of college football with any degree of acuracy? There is no way to measure their potential--how much they will grow physically, mentally, spiritually. There is no way to predict what kind of a teammate they will be. There is no way to measure their heart.

Year after year we are shown instances of highly rated players who ended up hardly making an impact on their team. We are also shown players who were never even mentioned during the recruiting days who became key players on their teams. Yet, we don't learn--we still pay way too much attention to these future "stars."

All this foolishness of paying attention to and ranking these players reminded me of a verse from James:

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little hile and then vanishes. James 4:13-14