Thursday Trifles
Faith can be a numbers game: An athletic miracle story... Real and raw: The kind of worship song we need... What will you give God for Father's Day this year?
Tim Tebow’s Holy Numbers
So maybe y’all already know this story, but to me it was new—and so astonishing that I just had to share it.
Tim Tebow, a devout Christian, became famous as a college quarterback for writing Bible verses on his eye blacks.
He started out with Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”), but for the National College Championship on January 8, 2009, he felt that God wanted him to change the verse to John 3:16. (“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”)
The rest is history.
During the game, 94 million viewers googled “John 3:16.” Unfortunately, we don’t have any records of how many people converted.
But that wasn’t all.
Exactly three years later to the day, on January 8, 2012, Tebow played for the Denver Broncos against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Playoffs.
They won, with a stellar performance by Tebow. And God Himself performed a miracle that would make football history…
Watch this 3:33 minute video clip.
Transcript if for some reason you can’t watch:
“Do you know what happened?”
“Yeah! We just beat the Steelers; we’re going to play the Patriots,” I said, “yeah, I know what happened, Dude.”
Like, why do you ask me such a silly question?
He says, “No. You know what happened? Timmy, it’s exactly three years from the night that you wrote John 3:16 under your eyes.
“During the game, you threw for 316 yards.
“Your yards per rush were 3.16.
“Your yards per completion were 31.6.
“The ratings for the night were 31.6.
“And the time of possession was 31.6.”
Incredible. VatiGod*, I am awestruck by your power and goodness (and yes, your sense of humor) every single day. How great is our God!
*VatiGod is my personal term of endearment for God the Father. Vati (pronounced fah-tee) means Daddy in German.
The Best Modern “Hallelujah” Song I’ve Heard
What a voice, and you can tell he sings from the heart. “Hard-Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake is so beautiful because it speaks of the real everyday struggle, the real spiritual fights, the real ups and downs most of us have to face. Faith is not always easy to maintain; often, it’s an uphill battle against seemingly overwhelming obstacles. But in that dark night of the soul, Christ’s light, when it shines, will shine so much brighter.
What Will You Give God for Father’s Day This Year?
Speaking of VatiGod, June is coming up, which is Sacred Heart of Jesus month but also “God the Father month,” kind of, because Father’s Day is on June 15.
God loves it when you think of Him and love Him and adore Him, so make an extra effort next month to show Him how much He means to you.
You can go all out and do what I did one year, and give Him small daily gifts from June 1 all the way up to June 14—like a flower next to a Jesus statue, or a poem, or a special prayer, or a song you sing in the shower just for Him—and then one big gift for Father’s Day.
If you’re worried that this is silly, don’t be. Remember, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:13) VatiGod is a real dad; He delights in His little kids drawing Him crayon pictures, and He loves each and every one of them, no matter how clumsily they are done. He will put them all on His gigantic, glowing fridge in the sky and rejoice in the loving thoughts you put into them.
And by the by: Don’t forget to send your parish priest a “Happy Father’s Day” card because he deserves your love and gratitude too!
God bless you!