Impression

Written by cycleguy on February 17th, 2013

AS IN SILENT IMPRESSION…

This will begin with a confession: I am going back on my word.  That doesn’t  bode well, I know, but in this case I think it is good.  🙂  Last week in this post I raved about a book by my friend, Artie Davis.  I also stated that I was going to begin working my way through it on a daily basis beginning March 1.  Aaaaah, I lied fibbed changed my mind.  After reading the responses I had begun to think about changing my start date.  Then I read a devotion Saturday morning from Tony Dungy’s book The One Year Uncommon Life.  Here is the gist of it:

Tim Tebow has received about every award a football player can get in college (and he names them).  His father, Bob, tells the story that at the end of one season, he was helping Tim pack up his belongings in the locker room when Tim asked him to carry a box to the car. When he peeked inside the box it was full of trophies, plaques, and certificates, most of which his dad never knew he had won.  His parents are amazed at how many people will come up to them expressing their thanks for a phone call, note, or visit they or someone they knew received from Tim. All without fanfare.  Visits to the hospitals that would often take hours…all without fanfare or publicity.  (How about that for so-called faith healers hucksters?)  When working on a book, Tim excused himself to make a phone call that lasted 10 minutes.  The author found out the next day back in Florida Tim’s phone call was to someone battling cancer.  But it didn’t come from Tim’s mouth; it was from the person himself.  A friend of a friend has asked him to call.

Say what you will about Tim’s football ability in the pros (frankly I think he needs a chance), but you cannot say a word about the impression he makes on people…all without fanfare and publicity.

Artie’s book, Craveable, is subtitled The Irresistible Jesus In Me.  I want that.  I don’t want a flashy, showy faith that draws headlines. I don’t want the bright lights of the media or accolades to rain down.   Artie used a bumper sticker in the introduction: “Lord, please save me from Your followers.”   Yep, gotta go along with that.  And I be one of them.  As I see it, God is not interested, nor is He impressed by our flash.  He is not impressed by our “dance moves.”  He wants our hearts.  He wants our consistency.  He wants us to be craveable.  So my journey begins Monday, February 18th.  I’ll keep you posted along the way.  Join me if you want.

Any thoughts you want to express?  Have any thoughts about “publicity hounds”, especially those who call themselves Christians?

 

18 Comments so far ↓

  1. Betty Draper says:

    (He wants our hearts. He wants our consistency. He wants us to be craveable.) It is these thoughts that helps me pick myself up and go at it again. I have wanted a lot of things in my live but this want is deep and persistant and has been there since I first met Him. I read this the other day on a blog….If you don’t do private live well..everything else is meaningless. Dave Sparks….talk about conviction…those who privately live with us are the hardest to be craveable with. It must start there…with those who know us the best…then it’s real. Even the desire to be Christlike has to come from Him. Thank God His mercy is new every morning since I always use up my allotment each day. The book is on my list…but for now I need to just walk what I already know. Good post

  2. I’ve never been a fan of Tebow the layer, but I like Tebow the person.

  3. Daniel says:

    How many times have we seen folks make a donation to charity, whether monetary gifts or putting some time in, only to have it made immediately clear that it is all about the publicity for that person? My mind always flashes, well you just received your reward.

    • cycleguy says:

      Those type of gifts fry me also Daniel. Giving without fanfare is the way we ought to go. And like you stated: they have received their reward. I’d rather wait.

  4. Jeff says:

    I like Tim Tebow. Seems like a “REAL” nice guy. What he believes doesn’t matter to me. What he does is what matters. Maybe thats the point of the book. I find it kind of rare when a person is a “REAL” nice guy and a vocal supporter of Christianity. You need to hang on to this guy. I hope he doesn’t blow it in his upcoming talk to the First Baptist’s of Dallas. I am curious as to what he is going to say to this anti- gay, anti-jew, hate group.

    • cycleguy says:

      From what I have seen he is “REAL.” I pray for his example to remain firm. As for the speech? Don’t know. Don’t see it as a venue for any of the anti’s you speak of.

  5. Dan Erickson says:

    I question the intentions and sincerity of “Christian publicity hounds.” Is there motive to gain followers for Christ or themselves? And did the ever think that maybe they turn off more potential Christians that they attract using these methods. I make a point to rarely emphasize my faith in my promotional communication. I would rather others see me for my own talents and ideas and slowly discover that I have some specific attachment to Faith.

    • cycleguy says:

      Exactly my thoughts Dan. I take it a step further (and hinted at it in my post) about so-called faith healers doing their schtick in private with media attention. I am also not an upfront type of guy, but when people do find out I don’t want them surprised in a bad way.

  6. floyd says:

    Nothing worse than seeing a Christian toot their own horn. The left hand needs to practice humility for our Father to receive the glory He’s due.

    I got my book in the mail this last week!

    • cycleguy says:

      Totally agree Floyd. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the book. If I wasn’t doing this Love Works I would suggest we do something with Craveable. Let me know what you think.

  7. Phil says:

    Tebow has character, there is no doubt about that. I need to pick up Artie’s book. It’s been on my list of things to do. I’ll just have to make it my next read.

  8. tcavey says:

    I’m with you. I don’t want the flash…I want God. I want to seek His face, not His hand. I want to simply shine because of the time I spend with Him. I want to be a follower of Christ, not a leader of men.

  9. Wow, I had never really heard those stories about Tebow. He was really a good steward of his platform. I bet that’s fun for him though in a way 🙂

  10. Debbie says:

    This makes me wonder about Christians that kind of just get caught up in publicity .. thrust into it by a book or a song or a movement of God. Maybe hard to deal with and stay balanced. Thank you for helping us think about the impressions we make! God bless you!