Represent

Well, it's official.  Football season is over...  So here are some funny fan pics to help ease the pain:

        

I get a kick out of looking at their crazy getups but I have to give it to the superfans- they love their team!  They're loyal and they show their passion.  They're not afraid that someone will make fun of them or of hurting the others teams feelings.  They want their team to win and they want everyone to KNOW IT!!!

 

Christians should learn something from these football fanatics.  We have a passion that is way more important than a football team and we need to show it.  The Bible says that with Jesus as your Savior you will spend eternity in Heaven and without Him you'll spend eternity in Hell.  Everyone has to pick a side- Jesus' or not. 

 

With Jesus you will have peace, satisfaction and belonging.  He doesn't ask you to do anything, He just wants your trust.  He's the Ultimate Friend who offers love, hope, forgiveness and protection.  I don't know about you but I'm on HIS TEAM!!!

 

Christians need to be a little more like those crazy football fans and show our love!  Who cares if people make fun, Jesus is Awesome whether they like it or not!  The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.  That hurts people's feelings but it's the truth and they need to hear it if they are ever going to trust Him to get them there.   

 

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes," Romans 1:16a NLT

 

"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.   No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."  

Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

 

So get out there and REPRESENT!

 

 

 

The Hunger Games

       What an exciting and poignant story!  The Hunger Games presents a country where twelve districts are under the choking control of the Capitol.  Seventy-four years after their failed rebellion, the districts are still being punished by the Capitol.           
        Every year, each district selects one girl and one boy from the ages of twelve to eighteen to be offered as a tribute participant in the Hunger Games.  Selected by lottery, the young participants are taken to the Capitol where they are primped, polished, trained and then forced into a large arena of wilderness where they must fight, hide and die until only one remains.  The survivor is labeled the winner and receives wealth and fame.  The entire spectacle is televised for the entertainment of the people of the capitol and the manipulation of the people of the districts.       

        Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is from District Twelve, a district used for mining and trapped in their poverty by the Capitol.  When Katniss' little sister is chosen as tribute at the annual "reaping", Katniss volunteers to participate in the games in her place.
               I'm sure there are many impressive spiritual metaphors I could find in a story as emotional and engaging as The Hunger Games.  But the feeling I get from it is simple and intense.  People in the real world are suffering under oppressive governments, unfair circumstances, scarcity, poverty and loss.  Some of us have rich and luxurious lives.  We should be doing something to help the suffering.  There are many people who have need and we have excess.  We're a match made in Heaven.                                             
Isaiah 1:17
"Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows"

 
                Like the fictional citizens of the Capitol, some of us have wonderful things and an easy life.  The characters spend theirs being self-serving, cruel, shallow and cowardly.  We should spend ours being champions for the hurting.  Money, time, prayer, encouragement, advocacy.  It's simple:  The suffering are real and important.  They need help and we can help. 

2 Corinthians 9:7 "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.' " NLT

More importantly, we represent Jesus and we can share the good news of His love and salvation.  That good news is what everyone needs most! 

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16 NLT 

"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes" Romans 1:16a NLT