[1]

Can you say, “Adrenaline dump?”
That’s exactly what happened to me. I got the ball. I was
supercharged with strength. I shot the ball with all the power
I had. It went right up, just over the rim. Then it went just over
the backboard. Then it went just over the fence, just over the
cars and just over the parking lot and down the street.
It was a bad moment. I’d been called by the king of basketball
and I’d just shot the worst air-ball in the history of the game.
I looked over to see the response of the three guys from the
opposing team. This was the only victory they’d had the entire
game. They were laughing, rolling, pointing, calling me names,
questioning my heritage. I was so embarrassed.
But, I’ll never forget what happened next. The king of basketball,
the state’s leading scorer walked over to me, put his arm around
me and said, “Well, you certainly have enthusiasm for the
game.” Then he added, “I guess we can teach you the rest.”
* * * * * * * * *
What’s that mean? “Enthusiasm for the game?” It simply
means interest, desire. It is a willingness to step up, to engage in
the game.
The King who called you is not the king of basketball. The King
who called you is the King of the universe. He’s the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords. He is Jesus Christ. He has called your name,
and he’s invited you to come alongside him, to be with him.
Maybe you haven’t begun to dream the dream that God
ultimately has for your marriage, for your family, for your life.
The truth is, you’ve only begun to scratch the surface of God’s
great plan for your life. You are valued, precious and cherished.
You are loved. Accept the King’s call. Have enough enthusiasm
to get in the game and He will teach you the rest.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.
−John 3:16-17 (NIV)
God has called to you. It’s a new day; it’s a new beginning.
Words for Jesus. Words for You.
Rob Wegner
Let’s go back 2,000 years to the time when God’s Son, Jesus,
entered flesh and blood in a dusty, back-corner part of the
world. Let’s go back to the time before Jesus ever stood in the
public eye. Back to the moment where Jesus was surrounded by
the safe and familiar things he knew—hammers, nails
and wood.
Imagine Jesus standing in Joseph’s (his earthly father) carpentry
shop, gently running his fingers across the saw blade that Joseph
had given to him years before. All around him—hanging on the
wall, lying on the table—are the tools of his trade, each in its
assigned spot. He is folding up the rags that have polished some
of his life’s finest work.
He sweeps up the dust that fell from his saw that day. All the
while, there is a strange look in his eye; a look of finality. Jesus
shuts the door to the wood shop for the last time and turns his
back on the life he has known.
He walks 15 miles in the desert that day, kicking sand and stone.
The final three years of his life, years that will split time and
history, await him as he descends into the Jordan Valley. He
begins to hear the rumble of a crowd—the voices of those
he came for.
These people had traveled far and gathered there at the river
to be baptized—all sorts of people—religious zealots,
tax collectors, prostitutes, the sick, soldiers, the homeless—you
name it. They are all gathered there. They are everyday people
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