College football – My God, My Music, My Life

Image result for choosing to live a christian life instead of a game quotes

What a great first weekend of college football. The Buckeyes looked like they might be better than last years team. You know, the team that had a record number of NFL draft picks. It is early. We will see how how the rest of the season goes.
It was great to see the upsets. Houston beating Oklahoma. Texas A&M beating UCLA in overtime. Wisconsin beating LSU. Clemson almost losing to Auburn. Tennessee almost losing to Appalachian State. South Alabama beating Mississippi State. Western Michigan upsetting Northwestern. Richmond upsetting Virginia.

Texas upset Notre Dame on Sunday night. Texas was my first choice of schools to go to but out of state tuition was/is too expensive so I became a Buckeye instead.

Most of the SEC struggling to win or lost. Seven SEC teams losing in week 1.

Alabama losing. Oh yeah, that was just a dream. They looked unbeatable , but they said that two years ago also.

All these great games, close games, upsets, etc…..

But sometimes it’s more than a game.

James Conner, star running back for Pittsburgh, coming back from Hodgkins Lymphona cancer. He broke Tony Dorsett’s records that had stood for 38 years. He was invincible…until he wasn’t. He played in the first game in 2015 then was out the rest of the year battling for his life. You can read his story in his own words here : http://www.theplayerstribune.com/james-conner-pittsburgh-college-football-cancer/

Travis Rudolph, Florida State wide receiver, was visiting a school and saw a boy eating alone. He sat down and joined him for lunch. The boy, Bo Paske, has autism and often eats lunch by himself. Travis says he didn’t think it was that big of a deal. We are all the same and one man can make a difference. You can read the full article here: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/us/photo-of-fsu-football-star-sitting-with-boy-eating-alone-at-florida-school-charms-internet.htmlnyskyz.com.

photo credit : Michael Halligan, Associated Press.

Sarah Hill, the wife of Weber State’s head coach Jay. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Weber State football players, coaches, family and friends shaved their heads in support. At the end of each practice they chant How strong are we? Strong like Sara. You can read the story here : http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4275503-155/weber-state-football-wildcats-rally-around

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sara Hill hugs her daughter Allie, 5, after she and her husband, Weber State football coach Jay Hill, talked about her battle with Hodgkins lymphoma and how the Wildcat family has rallied around her and her husband at Stewart Stadium, Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Weber State football players, coaches and family and friends shaved their heads in support of her chemotherapy treatments. — photo credit Leah Hogsten , Salt Lake Tribune

The one that really brought a tear to my eye is Nebraska. On July 23rd, they lost their senior punter Sam Foltz in a car accident. Michigan State punter Mike Sadler also passed away in the accident. On Nebraska’s first punt of the game they only sent out 10 players, the punter didn’t go out. They took a delay of game which the opposing team, Fresno State, respectfully declined. Tell me you don’t get goose bumps watching this video. http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2016-09-03/nebraska-football-honors-sam-foltz-lines-10-men-first-punt?cid=ncaafbsocial_fb_sf35087046

Lions by Skillet –

Cheer You On by Jordan Feliz –

We March On by Hillary Scott and The Scott Family –

Beyond Me by TobyMac –

It’s Alright by Stephen Marley –

Artists Stand Up To Cancer –

College football starts tonight.

I don’t even know why we are playing this season. Everyone knows God wants the Buckeyes to repeat. I mean, He was with them last year and He helped them win so I believe He will help them again this year. It’s not like He has anything else to do. Since God is for us, then He must be against every other team.

I am joking of course. I am sure God doesn’t really care about who wins or loses a game. Maybe about how you played the game, with teamwork, honesty, integrity, 100% effort, but not who wins. Using the ability He gives you to glorify Him in all you do.

Since I know God doesn’t care if the Buckeyes win, I will be sure to do all I can to guarantee that they will. I just bought my new scarlet and gray toothbrushes one week before the start of the season, like I always do. I will listen to Ohio State Pregame (listed below in songs) four times, once for each quarter, before the game. I will listen to The Buckeye Battle Cry four times, once for each quarter, exactly 30 minutes before kick-off. I will wear my lucky Ohio State shirt every game day. I will eat the exact same meals before and during the game. The only time I didn’t wear my lucky shirt last year, they lost to Virginia Tech. What I do determines whether they win or not. It is tough having the entire Buckeye Nation on my shoulders but I have to do what I have to do.

Uh-oh, I have made Ohio State football an idol. I can’t say I have ever said every Monday I have to get up and read John, Mark, Matthew or Luke. I have to thank God for today while I brush my teeth with my scarlet and gray toothbrushes. I haven’t said that exactly 30 minutes before I do anything that I have to pray about it first. I can’t say I have ever said I better not eat that because it isn’t good for me and could lead me to have problems later in life that only God could cure. I can say though that I have said I will wear a Run for God shirt or another God/Faith shirt when I run races.

Football is a game. It is not life and death. Don’t find happiness or sadness in how your team does. Don’t let a loss ruin your day or weekend. Don’t let a win give you too much excitement. Spend time with your family. In a few seasons your kids will be out of the house and you will wish you had these four months back. I’m not saying not to watch football because I will be watching. I’m saying incorporate family time into your weekends as well.

Go Bucks!

History by Lauren Alaina – new College Gameday song –