I AM SECOND

When the I Am Second campaign rolled out last December, I was so happy to see the interest that it piqued. You couldn’t miss those black and white billboards, simple, with just a person’s face, the words I AM SECOND and iamsecond.com.

Since then, the website (which features video testimonies from various folks) has gotten more than 1 million visits from people all over the world. Nathan Sheets, a Prestonwood member and vice president of e3 Partners Ministry, and Norm Miller, chairman of Interstate Batteries ... the men behind the campaign ... will be guest speakers at PowerLunch at Prestonwood on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

This week, I Am Second launched a second round of billboards and videos. And my story is one of them. By providence, the billboard with my picture is in Fort Worth, less than one mile from my boyhood home. I invite you to watch my film. And if you live in the Dallas area, come to PowerLunch to hear more about this amazing campaign.

A Conversation with Tony Dungy

When high school football kicks off across the country this Friday night, many of the players will step onto the field a little differently ...having been impacted by Super Bowl-winning Coach Tony Dungy. Thousands watched his Red Zone ’09 in theaters nationwide last night, with pro players and coaches talking not only about performance and conditioning but also about integrity and character.

As I said in an earlier post, we were excited to host Coach Dungy, who taped the event here at Prestonwood on Monday night before a live audience. (Read the blog post below.)

While Coach Dungy was here, I had the opportunity to sit and talk with him. I thought I’d share the conversation with you. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

Prestonwood North Anniversary

This past weekend we celebrated the Third Anniversary of our second location—Prestonwood North. I can’t tell you what an amazing journey this has been. God led us to reach those northern communities of Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Little Elm, The Colony and so many more ... and we can’t wait to see all He has in store for that region. Check out this video for a glimpse of the daily blessings that continue to unfold at Prestonwood North.

Tony Dungy’s Red Zone ‘09

Every once in a while, a coach comes along who leaves an impression on the landscape of his sport. In football, there’s been Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Tom Landry and most recently Tony Dungy. Now, Coach Dungy might not have quite the same collection of Super Bowl championships as the others. But when it comes to character and integrity, and respect from his players and peers, Tony Dungy is in a league of his own among his contemporaries.

So I’m thrilled about hosting Tony Dungy’s Red Zone ’09, his first-ever National High School Football Kickoff, at Prestonwood on Monday at 7:00 p.m. He and some current and former coaches and players will talk to high school players about conditioning, teamwork and character. He’ll have taped interviews with great players like Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Peyton Manning … and Michael Irvin will be here live.

Then on Tuesday, the program that we tape on Monday evening will be broadcast in nearly 500 theaters across the country. Imagine the thousands of young athletes all over America who will be impacted by this great event.

The evening also includes former NFL player and motivational speaker Joe Ehrmann. If you’ve never heard of him, you need to go pick up a copy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx that highlights him. He and coach Dungy will sign books after the event at 9:30 p.m. at our Prestonwood Bookstore. You can also still buy tickets at the bookstore.

Visit http://www.prestonwood.org/red-zone/ for more info.

I’ll be there. If you live in the area, drop by and join us!

GRACE

I’ve been thinking about the struggles Texas Rangers All-Star Josh Hamilton is dealing with right now stemming from the powerful tentacles of addiction ... struggles that he’ll deal with the rest of his life, but so painfully public right now because of who he is. And, really, I think it’s best to just let his wife, Katie, speak to it. She responded so articulately and honestly a couple of times to posts by readers recently on a Dallas Morning News sports blog:

Hi everyone, This is Josh's wife, Katie. I thought I would share some of my own thoughts and feelings on the subject- as you can imagine, I have a few things to say. First of all, thank you so much to those who have a forgiving spirit and for praying for and supporting our family during this whole ordeal. I honestly appreciate it and I'm very thankful to you all. Secondly, to all those who "just can't forgive" Josh for this one night- I have a question for you: Why is it that I (his wife- the one whom he hurt the most, by far through this) can forgive him, but you can't? I mean, to say something is "unforgivable" is an inaccurate statement. You can forgive- if you choose to do so. It really isn't that difficult- and I pray that you can and will, in time, forgive him. Josh is a wonderful man, father and husband who happens to be human. We are all flawed and that's why we need a Savior. I pray that you all know that he is a very sincere individual with a love for the Lord that is REAL. Again, he's not perfect- this was a night that he's certainly not proud of, but I am very proud of how he handled it. He was very honest with me and those involved and didn't try to hide anything or cover up his mistake. That has made this weekend far easier than you can imagine on me, b/c I was able to deal with it back in January. Again, thanks to all of you for praying and to those who "cant forgive" I will pray that God will soften your hearts as we are all human. In His Grip, Katie Hamilton

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Josh will always have temptation- as we all have temptation, whether he's in baseball or not. The pressure and consequences of leaving God's will for our lives based on one night of defeat, would or could be far more detrimental that staying right where God has placed us. That kind of "defeated thinking" is exactly what the devil would want....to make Josh think that he is a failure and he should just quit. Well, I know better and you won't be able to convince me otherwise.

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One day we will leave baseball...it certainly doesn't last forever. However, GOD gave Josh that talent and it's FOR HIS GLORY. There are always "what ifs" in life. And yes, it was ONE NIGHT- you can choose to believe what you want. JOsh is in no way shape or form "chasing millions" that very thought or statement sickens my stomach. This job isn't about money, fame or "being a homerun king"...none of those things bring happiness and if that's what it was all about- neither Josh nor myself would be a part of it. WHat is IS about is glorifying God through a talent that HE gave Josh- and being obedient to the call in which He has placed on our lives. Which for right now.,,,IS BASEBALL. When God takes us out of baseball- He will provide something else for us to do to bring Him glory. ( but that timeline is for HIM to decide- not us) I know without a doubt, that God did not bring Josh this far and allow him to play (after all he's been through) if that wasn't HIS plan. But I will certainly NOT encourage Josh to quit or tell Josh he should quit playing as I feel that would be direct disobedience to the Lord and if there is ONE thing I'm sure of after all of this it's this: God has absolutely equipped me to be Josh's wife- baseball included. I'm sorry that you will have to deal with us a while longer. If that upsets you, you should talk to the team about a trade. But just so you know....I love Dallas and I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with Texas Rangers. Take care, and God Bless.

As Christians, we should pray for one another on the road to redemption. Not judge each other. Who among us can throw a stone? We should lift up in prayer Josh and Katie, not because of who they are but because of whose they are.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We should give grace ... and give it freely.

Summertime ... Burgers

For those of us in Texas, there’s no doubt the dog days of summer are upon us. Whew, it’s hot! Triple digits here are as predictable as the afternoon showers in South Florida. And right about now, the only triple digits I like seeing are off the radar gun aimed at a Neftali Feliz fastball! (Texas Rangers fans, you know what I’m talking about...Feliz, which means happy in Spanish, makes us very happy.)

So summertime makes me think of grilling burgers (and a few veggies, of course) in the backyard. And that got me to thinking about my other favorite fast food burgers. Here’s my list, let me know yours:

1) In-N-Out Burger (wish we had ‘em in Texas)
The absolute best...like an old-time fresh burger you would get at a counter grill...plus Scripture including John 3:16 is printed on the cups...gotta love the Bible and burger heaven. I will send a photo of one of my stops here next week so you can see for yourself.

2) Whataburger (a Texas original)
Born in Texas the year of my birth, 1950...will smell your car up with onions for a week. The best in Texas.

3) Krystal (glad it made its way to Texas from the Southeast)
Soft delectable you can eat by the sack full...perfect balance of roll, meat, mustard, pickle and onions...Deb and I get them and eat them on the parking lot on Sunday nights...a great date and cheap!

4) Five Guys Burgers and Fries (glad it made its way to Texas from the Northeast)
In the Galleria Mall. Very good...my buddy David McKinley’s favorite.

5) Sonic (from our neighbor, Oklahoma)
The Number 2...gotta love a good burger at a drive-in especially when you add a Dr Pepper Blended Float.