Yesterday was the final game of the season for my oldest son's 7th grade basketball team. I am so proud of the way he played (and I told him so). His performance was noticeable to most everyone... his game has come a long way since the beginning of the season. One of his team-mates (also one of the best players on the team) told him this same thing.
One of the things that help him over the season was to gain an understanding of the game. Since this was his first time playing in an organized league he had a learning curve in front of him. You could tell that his confidence was not there... he wasn't sure what he needed to do. Even though he had a clear advantage over most everyone with this height, his lack of understanding of the "how" to play the game and what was expected of him stole away his natural ability.

This last game, however, showed a tremendous increase in knowledge and confidence on the court... and it did a lot to boast his game!

My devotional reading this morning described those that attempt to live the Christian life on their own strength with un-confessed sin in their lives... It's just not possible. One thing I've come to understand about confession is that it requires humility before God. Humility can be defined as dependence on God and respect for others. Am I being humble before God or am I simply using God when I confess? Something more for me to explore...

This morning I took my oldest son to school. On the way he began to talk about one of his experiences with his youth group at a nursing home. The youth would play games with the residents and just talk with them. There was one lady he remembered distinctly... she was always wanting their attention. In fact, on one occasion when their attention went in the direction of another resident close by this lady commented, "Don't worry about her, she's almost dead anyway." As my son was telling me this story he wasn't joking (although we both did chuckle)... he was saying "Can you believe that she said that!"
What a sad reminder of how so many people live in this world (outside of the nursing homes). Our unmet needs in our lives are very powerful and can cause us to develop tunnel vision. All we tend to see is what, or who, it is on the other side that we believe will meet a need... And we lose sight of all the other things around (just like tunnel vision). Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and all the other necessities of life will be supplied... I believe this also includes needs (or perhaps more importantly we'll know how to fill the needs of others around us).
Today I go to a local high school to teach about dating relationships. I pray for God's help in delivering a message that is helpful for these kids. May God be glorified in what is said and done.