Well Darn!

Tony Dungy retired today.

I know what you're thinking...oh my gosh, more football. Wait just a second!! For the record, Tony Dungy is a strong man in Christ and he feels it's time to devote more energy to his family and ministry. Wow, you don't hear that everyday! Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. From everything I've read he's involved in a prison ministry and works in a mentoring program with at-risk youth. Well dang, Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. Personally, I'm sad to see him go. He said about Super Bowl XLII that he thought the hallmark of the game was NOT that he and Lovie Smith were the first African-American coaches to coach in the Super Bowl. No. He found the crowning achievement was that he and Lovie are both strong Christian men, doing it with Christian values. Well dang. Tony has something BETTER to do with his life. Maybe all the coaches who sleep on cots in their offices should take notes. Somehow, I have the feeling Tony wasn't doing anything like that. Tony proved that shirking your responsibilities as the leader of your family is not "part of the game". He has something BETTER to do with his life and is, obviously, working hard to walk out his faith. I know Tony's not reading, but if he happens to....good journey to you brother, we all appreciated the ride.

In related news, I heard a great story on NPR the other day on the way to work. (Yes, I listen to NPR when I'm not listening to sports radio; prefer 790 AM down here.) The story revolved around friends (one Israeli and one Palestinian) who both contribute to a blog about life in and near Gaza. In case you've been living under a rock, Israel has invaded a section of Gaza and sparked what is being termed a full on war between the Israeli Army and militants firing rockets into Israel. Basically, people are having to live around gunfire, air raids, mortar attacks, and infantry incursions. Palestinian civilians do not have air raid sirens to warn them of air strikes and hundreds my have already died (no one's account sounds reliable.) Whilst living with that these two friends have crossed boundaries that are taboo on both sides to chronicle what's going on. Reading what they write we must remember that even though we should stand with Israel...God is a God of peace, not war. Do I know the solution? Nope. But God does. Prayer works!