Texas, the state, is now in a position it neither likes nor understands. Not one team is left standing in the college or professional ranks in football. Doesn't the rest of the world understand football is ours? We didn't invent it, but when oil made us rich, we bought it outright, first in our universities in the early 20th century (UT and A&M), and then professionally when, as Dallas fans like to think, God parted the clouds and his light shone on the city of Dallas as he sent his arch angel, Tom Landry, to coach in Dallas and deliver a champion.
So, when the bowl games didn't deliver us a team eligible to win the Dr. Pepper (a Texas company as well) Trophy in the national championship, we were mildly confused, but Dallas miraculously still had a chance and Houston was okay and had a chance. Clearly Dallas still looks for a QB because Romo, who's yet to fill the shoes of Aikman or (bow your heads when you say it) Staubach, has a collar bone that snaps like a dried twig from a dead oak. Houston goes through QBs like some people go through a buffet line, sampling something new each time, and consequently Kansas City devoured the Texans and Hoyer specifically, who had more completions with Kansas City that he did with Houston. Now, here we are, citizens from Texas, standing dumbfounded like we were in 1959 when Alaska was admitted to the union and became the largest state in the nation. Fortunately, we still say "the lower 48 and the other 2" when we refer to the United States. Football is, by gosh, ours. UT looks to Darrell Royal, A&M Bear Bryant, Dallas points to its existing rings, and Houston still talks of Bum Phillips and Luv Ya Blue. We are lost because we are Texans and football is our eminent domain.
Imagine the Jews and followers of Judaism when Christ came and turned the religion on its head. God's chosen people. Children of Abraham. Follow the law and observe the traditions and you are made right with God. We look to the Jews in the book of Galatians and the Gentiles they influence to see how easily people are confused when the world is turned upside down. "I do not nullify the grace of God for if righteousness were through the law then Christ died for nothing. O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit are you being perfected by the flesh?" (2:21 - 3:3)
We are often referred to as sheep, and in this case being a sheep has resulted in confusion. What do we follow and whom do we believe? Our old ways and the ways we were taught, or the truth? As Paul says, "For freedom Christ has set us free, stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (5:1) We pray we follow the truth as presented in the Word of Christ and his grace that frees us. We pray we do not create those obstacles that confuse people and that instead, we serve as Christ's vessels.
Hope Men's Ministry
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