A Tribute to the Gamecocks

I have a friend at one of my churches whose birthday was last Friday. Steve Spurrier did not deliver a good birthday present for him, yesterday. Vandy is reportedly eating fried chicken in Columbia today before returning to Nashville.

I must hand it to Spurrier, though. Carolina is a totally different ball program under him. What I have been told through the grape vine is that upon arriving at Carolina, he sent several ball players on scholarships to the slaughter house. Though mama and daddy had purse strings, these players weren't earning their keep. Reportedly Spurrier has said that he is here to serve South Carolina, not simply to keep a few prominent parents happy. He plays the players who want to play, and want to play bad enough to be good enough. Out of this bunch players are selected for scholarships. I can easily see Carolina winning the SEC in the next year or two, if not a national championship.

Oh that we in the church would strive for excellence in the Christian life and in our church lives. How serious do we take Jesus? Serious enough to reach out to people that are completely different than us? Serious enough to reach out to people ravaged by sin? Serious enough to passionately serve at church (in other forms than simply supervising other people that actually work)? Serious enough to believe that the pastor is not simply paid to do everyone else's ministry for them? Serious enough to actually show up at church? May we, who claim to wear the most excellent name in heaven and under heaven--Jesus--actually strive for excellence in Christianity!

Photo is from http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&change_well_id=2&url_article_id=7827