9 posts tagged “christianity”
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The Indianapolis Colts charged back from an 18-point second-quarter deficit to beat the New England Patriots 38-34 on Sunday, and set up a Super Bowl showdown against the Chicago Bears.
Quarterback Peyton Manning led Indianapolis on a fierce comeback which brought them level at 21-21 in the third quarter before they caught up twice more when the three-times Super Bowl champion Patriots regained the lead.
With the Colts trailing 34-31 with just over two minutes remaining, Manning steered them on an 80-yard, game-winning drive that ended with rookie running back Joseph Addai bursting up the middle for a three-yard touchdown dash that gave Indianapolis their first lead with a minute on the clock.
The victory put the Colts into their first Super Bowl since the 1970 season, when they called Baltimore their home.
The Bears reached their first Super Bowl in 21 years by beating the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC title game in Chicago earlier on Sunday.
Colts coach Tony Dungy and Chicago's Lovie Smith will become the first African-Americans to lead teams to the Super Bowl at the title showdown in Miami on February 4.
In executing the biggest comeback in the history of NFL conference championship play, Manning shook a monkey off his back.
Despite being the league's most prolific thrower, the perennial Pro-Bowl quarterback and twice NFL MVP has struggled in the playoffs.
Manning carried a career 5-6 postseason mark into the contest, and twice his Colts had been eliminated by the Patriots and their star quarterback Tom Brady.
Brady, who boasted a playoff record of 12-1 coming into the game, tried to rally New England for a last ditch touchdown but Indianapolis cornerback Marlin Jackson picked off his pass at the Colts' 35 yard line to end the threat.
"I was really happy for Peyton," Tony Dungy told reporters. "He was very, very calm. He had to bring us back three, four times and took us on a great drive to win."
New England coach Bill Belichick, who was trying to guide his team to their fourth Super Bowl title in six years, felt there was very little between the teams.
"The Colts just did a little more than we did," he said.
Indianapolis came out of the locker room with a sense of urgency after New England took a 21-6 lead into intermission.
Manning directed a hurry-up offense and used intermediate passes to pace the Colts on four successive scoring drives, including one that ended with a two-point conversion pass to tackle Dan Klecko, who was an eligible receiver, that made it 21-21.
Both teams attacked frenetically, trading scores as the tension mounted.
Controversial
The Pats scored on a controversial call that made it 28-21 when Jabar Gaffney came down with a leaping touchdown catch after tip-toeing along the back line of the endzone.
Indianapolis tied it 28-28 early in the fourth quarter when center Jeff Saturday recovered running back Dominic Rhodes's fumble in the endzone for a touchdown.
That score matched a first-half Patriots TD by beefy guard Logan Mankins, who fell on a ball in the endzone that had been fumbled by back Laurence Maroney.
A Pats field goal by rookie Stephen Gostkowski was followed by a similar effort from former New England hero Adam Vinatieri that made it 31-31 with 5:35 remaining.
New England edged in front one last time after a 41-yard kickoff return by Ellis Hobbs set up another Gostkowski field goal from 43 yards for a 34-31 lead with 3:53 to play.
Both teams stalled on their next drives before Manning raced the Colts 80 yards in 1:17 for the thrilling victory.
"I just told them we had to keep our poise and take it one drive at a time," Dungy said.
© 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
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The above article I've included in this post just to capture the moment on my blog. For an Indianapolis Colts fan this is a big deal! :-)
The owner of the Colts is a Christian man and at the post-game award ceremony said he was a humble leader and gives God the glory first off. The coach of the team, Tony Dungy, is also a Christian. He and his family have been through much grief this past year in the loss of their son. At the post-game award ceremony, He said the Lord gave them the strength and also said it had to be the Lord for them to make a comeback the way they did. They had the greatest comeback in a conference game in NFL history. That statement reminds me of the battle in the Old Testament where the Lord wouldn't allow a large number of men to enter a battle. The reason is because the Lord wanted them to see it was Him that gave the victory and not by their number or by their own might (where is this in the O.T.?)
Back to the Colts, at the press conference Peyton was asked if he was praying with a minute to go as it was seen he was sitting with his head bowed. He said I don't know if it's right to pray about stuff like that but , sheepishly, he admitted he was praying. The team members that were later being interviewed included the words 'blessing' and 'blessed'. Many said what a blessing to have Dungy as their coach. It appears Dungy's influence and his faith has impacted and rubbed off on the team.
The Colts have had difficult losses over the last several years in the playoffs. And throughout it all, both losses and wins Coach Dungy has always spoken of how proud he was of his team and of their character.
It's nice to win but I do believe in the saying it's not that you win or lose but how you play the game. In a sport and in life I whole-heartedly agree. I am proud of this team and it is nice to enjoy victories along the way in both sport and life.
I did not pray for our team to win (though I was hoping they would, of course! ::smile::). But I prayed for The Colts to play their best. I'm sure the other team and their fans prayed also. It was a hard game to watch and one of the more exciting comebacks I've ever seen. It seemed like an unformidible task to comeback after being down 21-6 at half-time, but they did it
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!!!! We are Super Bowl Bound, Baby !!!!
I keep my calendars. Calendars are somewhat like diaries. There are 8 quotes from a 1993 calendar entitled, "Footprints... Journeys in Jesus' Care" that I really like and appreciate. I'm posting them both for myself and my neighbors.
The following are quotes from Susan E Fair
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Standing at the edge of the beginning of this New Year, I’m reminded of the opportunity God provides His children each year at this time. This can be a time to reflect on the path we’ve been traveling and to make changes if necessary, or to continue in the same way, praising God for His constant companionship and guidance. |
Dear Father, you have always been my deliverer. Even when I have experienced desert-times on my spiritual journey, you have enveloped my longing for relief and comforted me. So today, I stand with my face turned to heaven waiting for the refreshing rain of your love to renew my spirit. |
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Peace is not a place, someone once told me. It is not a destination to be sought out or somehow earned. Instead peace is a way of living, found in the extra-ordinary life… the contagious laughter only a child can create, the comforting touch from a trusted friend’s hand, and the tender joy that comes from knowing the Creator of peace Himself. |
The path I’ve chosen has its share of obstacles… a broken dream, a wounded heart, a tired spirit. And yet I’ve been promised that if I walk the path with faith, my dreams can be restored, my heart will be whole again, and my spirit will be renewed. |
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My Lord reminded me today that it’s not the destination that matters --- it’s the journey. The journey, filled with seasons of pain, moments of joy, times of frustration, and glimpses of true happiness, should be approached with outstretched arms and then embraced with my whole life. |
Celebrate the journey! Remember, with each step you take, whose you are and what a price has been paid for the road you are traveling. It is a privilege to walk daily with the One who sacrificed His all so that today you could walk with him… receiving His peace, His hope, and His unconditional, life-changing love. |
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Relying on others to guide me, I have lost my way. I’ve been distracted by the noise and confusion of living in today’s world. Now I wait, at last, to hear my Saviour’s sweet voice speak to me. Only with Him as my guide will I be able to weave my way through the obstacles life puts before me. But oh, such grace He will share for the journey. All because I waited for Him to lead. |
As I turn my face to the fading warmth of the setting sun, I realize that, once again, God has heard my cry. As He wraps His comforting arms of love around me. I’m reminded that He knows my heart and understands me completely – and for that I give thanks. |
Additional thoughts from 1999 calendar:
"When God made you, He didn't expect you to make it through life on your own. He made you to know Him, to enjoy Him, and to look to Him for all you need. He didn't make you for failure or defeat. He wants to live His life in you ---- a life of righteousness, peace and joy. He gives you His life freely, by grace, as you trust Him."
"God has a purpose for your life. Everything you do has significance. God wants to work through your hands, speak through your voice and love through your heart. He will bless you and make you a blessing to others as you seek to glorify Him in all you are and all you do."
Still more from 2005 calendar:
You shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.... Philippians 2:15,16
If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me.... Psalm 139:9,10
Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.... 1 Timothy 4:8
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.... Isaiah 6:3
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons.... Daniel 2:20,21
| Tonight on Praise the Lord Sunday, December 31, 2006 |
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| 7:00pm - 9:00pm (PT) | |
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TBN presents, One Night With The King (7pm, 9pm & 11pm) "One Night With The King" chronicles the life of the young Jewish girl, Hadassah, who goes on to become the Biblical Esther, the Queen of Persia, and saves the Jewish nation from annihilation at the hands of its arch enemy while winning the heart of the fiercely handsome King Xerxes. | |
Check out this website for more information on this movie.
I have DirecTV satellite and Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) is on channel 372. I don't know what channel for cable or Dish.
My Mom and I have been wanting to see this movie. I love the book of Esther in the Old Testament and I imagine this will be a good movie to watch. This movie had a limited release in the theatres. We missed viewing it on the big screen but Mom has informed me it can be viewed tonight on television.
God's grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life.
The above statement and bible verse are from a page in a desk calendar.
Neighbors, what do you think about the above statement from the calendar? It's not a verse from the bible and is only a person's words. How accurate or not is it in your opinion?
I've been visiting the neighborhood this morning and I've also ventured into other neighborhoods. I love this Vox environment and the people I've met.
I am blessed......... but where's that sign?
The challenge is balancing the offline life with this on-line life.
God bless each of you today!
A prayer for those who look to Jesus as their Lord and Savior as I do:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Let me take the Words of God in like I'm eating them.
As a Christian, in order to survive I MUST take in the Bible. For I find life there. It nourishes me like no other book. I have many books that refer to the Bible, talk about the Bible, editorialize about the Bible but I must remember they are like vitamins! They are wonderful supplements but the Bible is my food, my nourishment.
So today I will eat. And take my supplements. :-)
When you walk, your steps shall not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.
Proverbs 4:12
From the notebook of Arthur E. Ritchie
Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known of Me.
Thou canst not see the hidden meaning
Of my command, but thou the light shall gain;
Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning,
And AS THOU GOEST, all shall be made plain.
One step thou seest -- then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For STEP BY STEP thy Lord is leading thee.
Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
for I the Strong, WILL OPEN UP THE WAY.
Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having my promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, wher'er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying I go BEFORE.
BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) started Wednesday before last. We are studying the book of Romans. Yep, what a book. I've always seen it as the Constitution of our Christian faith. I look forward to the discipline of the study. A woman in my discussion group invited me to a church that I was an active member of back in the 80's. I sat with her and her family last week. What a blessing.
Well, much has changed there and I prayerfully think I could align myself with the pastor's vision of the church. Seems to be outreach oriented, reaching out into the community. He mentioned in his teaching that if anyone was double-minded (divided loyalties), or had symptoms of contamination such has multiplicity (ambivilance-pulled and pushed thru life) and/or duplicity (falseness in relationships where public person and private didn't match) then they were in prision and needed to bring it into the light. He said, "We can help you". I want to align myself with a pastor and the body of Christ that catch that vision... that want and see the need to get in the trenches and fight the good fight and be real... etc. etc. etc.
I am a work in process, .... I can see God working in my life... and He seems to always be using me 'in spite of myself'.
