On Journalists Covering Christian Athletes

As one who has been writing for BP Sports, I really enjoyed Sarah Pulliam Bailey’s recent column for the Wall Street Journal titled, “When God Talk Gets Sidelined: Sports journalists are reluctant to tackle faith on the field.” I personally applaud the boldness of Christian athletes when they speak up about their faith in Christ. But I also agree with Sports Illustrated’s Peter King when he struggles with those whose walk do not match up with their talk. That’s why these athletes need prayer and accountability.

HT: Ed Stetzer

Hallelujah for the Cross! (Harvest)

Fighting Sin

Came across this great quote by Billy Sunday over at Trevin Wax’s blog:

I’m against sin. I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, and I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist. I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head. I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. And when I’m old and fistless and footless and tootheless, I’ll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition!”

Urban Meyer: The Case for Balance

My latest column is published HERE.

AP Story on Pastor Matt Chandler’s Battle with a Brain Tumor

Be moved, challenged, and inspired by Eric Gorski’s AP story on Matt Chandler’s battle with cancer. Also, get some more details and behind-the-scenes insights from Gorski’s blog post on the same subject.

You can also keep up with the Chandlers via Lauren Chandler’s blog as well as follow Matt and Lauren on Twitter. We also discovered that Lauren is quite the singer!

OK, Maybe I Do Struggle With Envy…

…minus the overabundance of flowers:

Hope for the Unemployed

Greg Gilbert of IX Marks Ministries offers hope to the employed with these two helpful blog posts:

“Trusting God Through Unemployment, pt. 1″

“Trusting God Through Unemployment, pt. 2“

HT: Justin Taylor

Herschel Walker Wins MMA Debut; Should Christians Support MMA?

I read this morning that Herschel Walker is now officially an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter. He made his professional début Saturday night in South Florida. defeating Hungarian Greg Nagy in a 3rd round TKO (technical knock out). The 47-year-old looks incredibly in shape for his age, which is not too surprising for those who have followed Walker’s career and are familiar with his famous natural workout regimen (he’s never lifted weights).

Walker, a professing Christian, is entering a brutal sport. Some would say barbaric. Is this the kind of sport a follower of Jesus Christ should get involved in?

“Higher Calling” – Bryant on Dungy

Howard Bryant, a senior writer for ESPN.com, has written a masterful piece on retired NFL coach Tony Dungy’s post-coaching days. An excerpt:

In his first year outside the NFL since the early 1980s, Dungy is a unique and powerful figure. He has developed an enormous broadcast profile while emerging as a confidant of NFL owners, coaches and the commissioner himself. He is a connected insider, yet strives to maintain a special rapport and credibility with the country’s disadvantaged.”

Bryant probes into Dungy’s rehabilitative efforts with Michael Vick, LeGarrette Blunt, as well as lack thereof for former wide receiver Marvin Harrison.

Being a pastor zealous for the truth, I can’t help but mention that Bryant makes a minor theological misstatement in the story. See if you can find it.

Read the whole thing HERE.

“Should I Get A Christian Tattoo (Even If My Parents Don’t Like It)?

Dr. Russell Moore gives a very thoughtful response. What do you think?