Last night we went to P.F. Chang’s with Peyton, Josh, Kate, and Kate’s parents. He is coming into his own. He loves to eat. He loves to have his environment just like he wants it. If he does not get it, he declares his disappointment in many ways. He may cry, throw some stuff on the floor, throw his head back in displeasure, or just not display happiness. Of course, within 10 seconds he may be laughing or attempting to make you laugh.

At seventeen months, he is doing what he does best: acting seventeen months old! Our time together last night was a reminder of so many things. He is growing and changing continually. While walking across the street to Starbuck’s, he walked on his own and was enthralled with the blue lights on the street. The little guy notices and does all the little things – you know, the things we do daily and never even notice anymore.

One of the great things about grandchildren is they help remind you of the world that they live in and of course, the world of their parents as they care for their needs and desires. They are God’s reminders to us of so many things:

• Life is a journey towards maturity.
• The little things of life are really not that little, we just take them for granted.
• Laughter is good for the soul.
• Seize every moment you possibly can–you don’t want to miss their new tricks!

These are just a few of the reminders God brings to us through grandchildren.

By the middle of September, we will no longer have one, but three of those little critters! I have two words to say…

Oh my!

Yes, I am nearing the end of blogging on this year’s Super Bowl, but you must see this. Rather than me write about it, read carefully this entire article we are giving you today. My friends, “showing you can win doing it the Lord’s way,” needs to resonate in the arenas of business, family, ministry, and yes, even sports. Read in detail!

MIAMI (BP)–Tony Dungy closed out a soggy night riding the back of his players with his fists clinched, pointing to the sky, after his Indianapolis Colts captured Super Bowl XLI, 29-17, over the Chicago Bears Sunday night in Miami.

Dungy again used his nationally televised platform to give glory to God during the post-game awards ceremony.

In the awards ceremony in Dolphin Stadium, CBS announcer Jim Nantz asked Dungy to comment on the significance of being the first African American head coach to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory. “I’m proud to be representing African American coaches,” Dungy said. “… It means an awful lot to our country.”

But Dungy continued: “More than anything – and I’ve said it before — [Chicago coach] Lovie Smith and I [are] not only the first two African-Americans, but Christian coaches, showing that you can win doing it the Lord’s way,” Dungy told Nantz while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy given to each year’s NFL champion.

“And we’re more proud of that.”

Dungy and Smith -– whom Dungy hired when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — spent much of the week leading up to the Super Bowl talking about the source of their strength and explaining that one win or loss would not define them as a person.

To hear Dungy give a testimony to his personal faith in Jesus Christ at the biggest of television venues came as little surprise to those who know him best.

“Tony Dungy is going to be the same way all the time, win or lose,” Colts chaplain Ken Johnson said. “God is going to get glory in all situations and He always will with Tony.”

After Monday’s victory parade in Indianapolis and wrapping up some office details, Dungy will return to Tampa for a brief period to rest, spend time with his family and worship in his home church.

He said he will ask his family members again, as he does each year, if he should continue coaching the Colts, but with one year left on his Indianapolis contract, he expects to return. He said Saturday at the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast that he remains in coaching mainly because of the positive effect he can have on players’ lives and the public platform he has for sharing his testimony.

“I think God’s way is the best way,” he said during one of his pre-Super Bowl news conferences, “and I appreciate the opportunity to share.”

In Tampa, where Dungy continues to have ties to Idlewild Baptist Church, pastor Ken Whitten noted that “Tony Dungy made the Indianapolis Colts very happy, but he made the entire body of Christ happy when he accepted the Lombardi Trophy and gave the credit to the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Tony Dungy is the type of church member every pastor would like to have,” Whitten said. “It was great for him to show God’s way as a coach.”

The Super Bowl victory celebration that highlighted the Indianapolis Colts Owner and Head Football Coach was a tremendous testimony to Jesus Christ. The testimony given verbally by both of these men was veryspecial. Coach Tony Dungy’s testimony of the Lord raising him up for this moment and giving glory to God alone, along with the testimony given by him concerning him and Coach Lovie Smith, “not only being coaches of winning people, but winning doing it the right way.” The right way was him not yelling and screaming, cursing God’s name and everyone else. It was done with class, excellence, and honoring God and others in every way.

I have already heard great words about Sunday’s message and messenger Dr. Charles Lowery. I am so glad you enjoyed him and were inspired by him. I also know that snow still filled the side streets of the region, but still many of you came.

Jeana and I were away in Colorado, enjoying a weekend away that was given to us by one of our families in honor of our 20th anniversary as leaders of our church. It was a great diversion. I only skied the slopes on Saturday, but the time away, even though brief, was refreshing. We are thankful to God for this gift and thankful to God for this couple who provided it in the name of Jesus to us. You know, one thing I have learned through the years as a pastor, it is not the size of the gift that a pastor enjoys as much as it is the real thought of love and appreciation given by any gift of all sizes or levels.

I realize that so many people from other churches read this blog along the way. I hope you will honor your pastor in some way any time you have the opportunity. Your gift may be a hug, a word of encouragement, or even a gift that has some type of monetary reward or value. Men of God who serve as pastors of churches all over the world are in major spiritual warfare. Each pastor needs men and women to be the Hur and Aaron to their lives just as these two men lifted up the arms of Moses. Your gift, at whatever level, is a way you can hold up the arms of your pastor. I can assure you, their arms grow weary and their hearts grow tired in the fight. Be a great testimony of encouragement to them. It is not about “their lives” or “their value or worth” or “their level of success,” but it is about bringing honor to the Office of the Pastor. God honors it and so should all of us, including pastors who hold that office.

Back to Tony Dungy – he is a born again follower of Jesus, an active member of a Southern Baptist church in Tampa, Florida. His pastor, Dr. Ken Whitten, a friend of this pastor, testifies of Dungy’s authenticity and strong commitment to Jesus and to the church. Yes, he does it the right way. This is not only a lesson for coaches, but for all Christian lay people and yes, even pastors.

We need to know, “God honors all who do it the right way.”

This will be one great Super Bowl, and I wish I was able to experience it personally. I love South Florida, and I appreciate the leadership of both of these outstanding coaches. As well, I am a Peyton Manning fan. Oh well, television will have to do, right?

I am picking the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears to win the 2007 Super Bowl in Miami. Yes, the Bears could win and this is a tough pick. I am glad I do not gamble because this one would be tough call. My perspective is this: if it is low scoring, the Bears will win. If it is high scoring, the Bears have turned the ball over and Peyton will get on fire and win the World Championship. If the former happens, it could go to the last two minutes of the game. If the latter happens, the poor Bears will watch a runaway. Could either happen? Yes, and this is why it is a great Super Bowl. On this occasion, I just cannot choose against Peyton Manning. Go Peyton!

One of the great quotes I heard from Peyton Manning occurred just before he began his last season at the University of Tennessee. He was asked how he was dealing with the pressure. He was the Heisman Trophy hopeful that year (by the way, he should have won it but did not) as well as expected to win the SEC Championship, perhaps even a National Championship. I will never forget how he responded to that question, “Peyton, how are you dealing with all of the pressure?”

Peyton Manning responded and said, “Pressure means you do not know what you are doing.”

That statement calls each person to the greatest level of preparation, which Manning is known for in his life. Trust me, he will be ready on Sunday. He will enter in as the most prepared quarterback in the history of the NFL. Sunday night we will see it it pays off and rewards him as the Quarterback of the World Championship Team.

We will enjoy Sunday as Dr. Charles Lowery speaks to both campuses on Communication within the Family. Listen, I learned a long time ago, if someone is more gifted than me about a subject, bring them in and let them feed all of us spiritually. Well, this week, he will instruct biblically, challenge practically, and lead us to laughter personally. He is always a great hit wherever he goes and communicates on family matters. We are blessed and honored to have him here, sit at his feet, and grow in the area of communication with each other.

I hope we will all experience a Super Weekend…