GAME DAY

IT IS THE DAY OF THE OHIO STATE V. MICHIGAN RIVALRY. THIS MAY BE THE BIGGEST ONE EVER. I FELT LED OF THE LORD TO SEND THIS NOTE TO MY FAMILY THIS MORNING:

You all know that since my earliest childhood I have memories of the tradition of enjoying college football with the people that I love. Well, it’s game day again and I have been thinking.

Jim Elliot once attended a great college football game. It was one of the most exciting games in college football history, a rivalry game between two great teams attended my multitudes. After the game he went back to his room, picked up his journal and wrote:

“O Jesus, Master and Center and End of all,
how long before that Glory is thine which has so long waited Thee?

Now there is no thought of Thee among men;
then there shall be thought for nothing else.

Now other men are praised;
then none shall care for any other’s merits.

Hasten, hasten, Glory of Heaven, take Thy crown, subdue Thy Kingdom, enthrall Thy creatures.”

Our Beloved Woody and Bo are now both in eternity. Some day so will I and so will you. In the deepest part of my being I pray this morning that I will be with you then in the presence of Jesus, on my face, at his feet, and I pray that I will have crowns to cast at his feet, the rewards I have gained by being a faithful steward of the opportunities that have been entrusted to me in this life. Crowns gained by giving my time and energy, my loyalty and enthusiasm, my diligence and creativity to the things of God.

Here is my game-day prayer this morning: “Lord take my life, my breath, my time, my tongue, my mind, soul, my strength, every human power and every earthly opportunity and make eternal good of them by your own work in me. I shudder to think that I would waste them on temporal things that do not last and do not matter. I pray that my precious family, my wife, my sons and daughters and all of those I love gather with me in that day when faith becomes sight. Then we will have something to cheer about.” In Jesus’ Preeminent Name and for the sake of His Kingdom, His Power, and His Glory I pray. AMEN

No matter the outcome today of the game we all have emjoyed as a family tradition for generations, my heart will be glad because my life is hid with Christ in God

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
Ken Pierpont
Game Day
November 18, 2006

Read my brother Nathan’s response:

Thanks, Ken

I am at the church right now preparing to help with a funeral. One of our dear Saints preceeded us to His presence. Your reminder of Jim Elliot’s response to an “important ball game” is very fitting today and I am with you. By God’s grace, I will also be with you with all of mine in that Day when we cheer for our Great Champioin and bow before the Lord Jesus.

Thanks so much for your thoughts on GAME DAY. 🙂

Love ya, Nate

My brother Kevin sent me this:

P. S. They all love Jesus, too.