This Chapter Series is from the Book – “Take Me Out With The Crowd”
Welcome to the Continuation of The Game Changer!
Today, we continue our journey, exploring how your passion for sports intersects with your faith. In this chapter, we will delve deeper into how your love for sports can both inspire and challenge your spiritual life.
This chapter isn’t about criticizing sports fandom but finding a meaningful balance between your enthusiasm for sports and your spiritual commitments. We’ll examine how sports can be a source of joy and connection and discover ways to channel that passion to enhance your faith rather than overshadow it.
As we navigate this exploration together, we will uncover fresh insights into how sports can coexist with and even enrich your spiritual life. Our goal is to approach this with grace and wisdom, helping you find a harmonious balance that honors both your love for the game and your spiritual path.
If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, I encourage you to check it out here before proceeding. We are exploring a profound and transformative topic, and starting from the beginning will help you fully engage with what’s to come.
I believe this message is inspired by the divine, and my hope is that it will bring inspiration and change into your life. Let’s continue discovering how sports can be a Game Changer in your spiritual journey. Welcome to the next step of our enlightening adventure!
The Game Changer Part Two
As the clock ticked closer to kickoff, fans eagerly made their way to Soldier Field, where the sea of dark navy and orange grew larger, creating a sense of community among the loyal supporters. The sound of cheers and chants filled the air, creating an electrifying atmosphere that only true sports enthusiasts can appreciate.
The image of Jesus Christ riding a donkey to Jerusalem serves as a powerful reminder of the way people come together to support and celebrate someone or something they love.
Now, I’m not suggesting that we compare the NFL to Jesus, or even worse, “Da Bears,” but there is something intriguing about the parallel between these gatherings. In both cases, people gather and chant and cheer, showing their unwavering support. They claim to love and cherish what they are cheering for, whether it be a sports team or a religious figure.
However, loyalty can be fleeting in the face of fear, anger, or following the crowd. This phenomenon is not exclusive to any particular group or situation, and can be seen in politics, relationships, and various aspects of life. People can be fickle and easily influenced, and loyalty can be fleeting in the face of adversity or when popular opinion turns against them.
This raises questions about the depth of our love and commitment, and whether we truly stand by what we claim to love even when times are tough.
James 1:22 – New Testament for Everyone – (NET)
But be people who do the word, not merely people who hear it and deceive themselves.
Reflecting on these thoughts, I am reminded of Jesus riding on that donkey to Jerusalem. The cheers and adoration He received were fleeting, as the same crowds later turned against Him, demanding His crucifixion. It serves as a reminder that true love and loyalty should surpass the highs and lows of popular opinion.
The spectacle of people gathering, chanting, and cheering can be a powerful display of support and love, but it also serves as a reminder of how easily loyalties can waver. It prompts us to reflect on our own commitments and strive for a deeper and more steadfast love that remains unshaken, even in the face of fear, anger, or the influence of others.
John 12:13 – English Standard Version – (ESV)
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
One aspect that stands out is the striking change in the attitude of the crowd towards Jesus. Just days before His crucifixion, this same crowd had gathered to welcome Him with Open Arms, hailing Him as a beloved figure deserving of their worship. However, their sentiments quickly shifted, and they found themselves shouting for His crucifixion.
It is a perplexing and sobering observation, how a group of people could go from adoration to condemnation in such a short span of time.
What could have caused this drastic change in their perception of Jesus? Was it the influence of external forces? Or was there an inherent fickleness within the human heart?
One explanation could be the manipulation of the crowd by influential figures who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority. These individuals might have used their power to sway public opinion and turn the tide against Jesus. Perhaps they spread false rumors or twisted the words of Jesus to paint Him in a negative light, ultimately leading the crowd to turn against Him.
Another possibility is that the crowd’s initial enthusiasm was based on superficial reasons. They may have been attracted to Jesus because of the miracles He performed or the promises of a better future He offered. However, when faced with the reality of His teachings, which called for self-sacrifice, humility, and a radical change of heart, they found themselves unable or unwilling to commit to such a demanding path. Their initial love and adoration quickly faded when they realized that following Jesus required more than just a surface-level commitment.
The fickleness of the crowd serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of blindly following popular opinion. It urges us to examine our own motives and convictions, ensuring that they are rooted in truth and not swayed by the ever-changing tides of public sentiment.
To Be Continued …
Coming Soon – Revised Edition Part Three
Willie Torres Jr.
08/22/2024
If you feel inspired and uplifted by this content, please consider supporting my work at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/willie13. Every contribution helps me create more of what you enjoy!
If you are finding this story captivating, stay tuned for more tales in my upcoming works. You can also delve deeper into this and similar narratives in my book, “Take Me Out With The Crowd,” accessible on various platforms such as Amazon, Books-A-Million, Google Books, and Barnes and Noble. Explore a collection of stories and testimonies crafted for your enjoyment, edification, and study. Dive into the richness of these narratives and embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration.
When you purchase a book, you’re not just supporting me financially, but you’re also providing the encouragement I need to continue following God’s calling. Your support means the world to me. Thank you sincerely.
Willie Torres Jr. 
100 responses to “The Game Changer -2”
Great observations, Willie. I agree and tend to think that it was fear of the self sacrifice that led people away from Christ. They needed to go against their normal spiritual leaders of the day , the Sadducees and the Pharisees. They felt that was too much to ask. We are blessed to live in a society right now that allows us to worship openly. That may not always be the case. In the face of opposition would we do the same thing?
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We once posed a question in our small group: If you were faced with the threat of a gun or beheading and had to choose between denouncing your faith or Christ as Lord, would you do it? The answer is always, “No, I would not.” But when actually confronted with that moment, with life on the line, many of those “no’s” might change.
But those people had a choice—they didn’t have to be there chanting, “Crucify Him.” They could have stayed at home. We may not know all the reasons why they did it, but they did, and it serves as a powerful reminder to us. It challenges us to consider how much we truly love God, how important our faith is, and whether we are willing to fully surrender everything to Him.
This will make for a Great Post and discussion 🤗
Thank you for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
Have a Blessed Weekend.
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That’s really fascinating, Willie and yes, a great question. My dear friend just found out yesterday that her cancer has returned yet she posted that God has called her to spread love, joy and peace and the Cancer Clinic. She begins treatments again in a couple of weeks. We are all asked to measure our faith at some point in our lives, aren’t we? Thanks for posting. 🙏🏻💕🥰
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Thank you for sharing that. I’m truly encouraged by your friend’s Faith and Strength. Her commitment to spreading Love, Joy, and Peace, even as she faces cancer again, is a powerful testament to true devotion. It aligns with what we’ve been discussing—that despite trials and challenges, a genuine Faith in God should remain steadfast. If we deny Him once or even as much as Three Times, it reveals the depth of our true faith. I’ll keep her in my thoughts and prayers as she begins her treatments.
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Thank you so much. She really has always had a servant’s heart and she would appreciate your prayers as much as I do.
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It is my pleasure, and you know you are always in my Prayers
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👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
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Thank you for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
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Thank you for sharing this post! 🔥❤️
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To God Be All the Glory, Honor and Praise.
Thank you so much for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
I hope you enjoyed this and will stay tuned—there’s much more to come.
God Bless You today and always.
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Good morning, Mr. Willy Torres. Best wishes for happiness, success, and success. Great post
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Good Day and Happy and Blessed Weekend.
Thank you so much and Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
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😍Peace be upon you and your family. Happy Sunday
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Have a Blessed Weekend to you and your Family.
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🥰👋🏻💐
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Great insights. The heart is indeed fickle and your point about always checking to see where we’re grounded is spot on. Great post 😎
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Amen 🙏🤗
To God be All the Glory, Honor and Praise.
Thank you so much for Visiting, Reading and Commenting. I’m so happy you enjoyed the post.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.
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Great share!
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Thank you so much and Thank You for Reading, Commenting and for your Support.
Hope you are having a Blessed Weekend.
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My pleasure. 😉
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I believe your right that people, like Nicodemus, couldn’t turn from job, family, or posessions to follow Jesus, and that what he needed them to do. I can’t imagine hearing Jesus teach and heal and still turn away. The whole fanatical sports fan analogy is a good one, Willie.
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Amen
Thank you and Thank you for Reading and Commenting. I appreciate your engagement more than you know. I anticipated some criticism for this post and the series, and it’s already starting to come in. Still, I am grateful for your open-mindedness and willingness to understand the message, which I genuinely believe was guided by a higher purpose for me to share. Your support means a lot as I navigate these challenging discussions.
Have a Blessed Sunday .
You Are Loved.
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Of course, Willie. This is the same reason much of my husband’s songs and Art haven’t been supported. But God finds a way!
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Amen
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a wonderful share, Willie… 🤍
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Thank you so much . To God Be the Glory, Honor, and Praise.
Thank You for Reading and Commenting.
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pleasure always 🤍
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BUONA DOMENICA
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Hope you had a Great Weekend.
May God Bless you in the week ahead.
Thank you for Visiting, Reading and commenting.
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GRAZIE GENTILISSIMO WILLIE.
BUON INIZIO SETTIMANA
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🤗🤗
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:-)
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Thank you and Blessings to you. Have a Wonderful Week.
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:-)
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Hello! I’m so glad I didn’t miss this!
I liked what you said about Jesus and what his true teachings were, also that the crowd was probably there because of his miracles. But that was not his message.
I saw a TV show the other night where someone said the verse about the wide gate and the narrow gate. And one person said something like, “The wide gate looks more fun.” And the one who said the verse answered, “The wide gate has no answer to death.”
Thinking about self-sacrifice for Jesus is what reminded me of that.
Happy Sunday, Willie! 🌺
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I’m glad the thoughts on Jesus’ teachings resonated with you. The idea of the wide versus narrow gate is powerful—often, the easier path may seem more appealing but lacks true answers to life and death. Self-sacrifice and following Jesus’ teachings can be challenging but lead to deeper truth and fulfillment.
I’m already facing backlash for sharing this, but I felt strongly led to do so. The word must be shared, and we must remain open to receiving and embracing the truth. Thank you for understanding.
Thank you so much for Reading and Thank you for Sharing your message .
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.
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Thank you, Willie. As for the backlash… “…and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved…” Matthew 10:22.
I hope you have a blessed week.
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Amen
Thank you Sis .
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So true. Blindly following people is harmful to self as well. Great game changer series.
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Thank you so much for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying this series and hope you’ll stay tuned for more. It will be lengthy but impactful. While some may agree and resonate with the message, others—like I’ve already seen—might oppose it. I encourage everyone to pray about it and ask the Lord to open your eyes, ears, and heart to His message.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.
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Most welcome :)
Slow but will happen.
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🙏🤗
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Thanks for sharing 🙏
GREAT POST 🧡
Blessings 🙏
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Thank you so much for Reading and for your Heartfelt Comment.
To God Be All the Glory, Honor and Praise.
Have a Wonderful Night and a Blessed New Week.
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Humans are fickle creatures that tend to go with the flow. It’s important to stay grounded and cultivate independent thought, even if it’s not the popular opinion in the moment. Great imagery and devoted share, Willie. 🙏
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Thank you so much for Visiting, Reading and for your Thoughtful Comment.
I completely agree, staying grounded and nurturing independent thought is crucial, especially when the prevailing opinions shift. It’s important to seek truth and remain faithful to our convictions, even when they diverge from popular views. I truly appreciate your support and encouragement!.
Blessings to you today and always.
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Good job Willie 👏👏👏
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Thank you Irene for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
All the Glory, Honor and Praise belong to God.
Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing.
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Thank you for the interesting post on sports and faith. People, like sports fans, can be fickle about their faith. We shouldn’t blindly follow popular opinion. We must ask God to help us so that our faith is steady and true.
God’s blessings…
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Amen 🙏🤗
Exactly, faith, like sports fandom, can be quite changeable if we’re not careful. It’s crucial to rely on God’s guidance to maintain a steady and genuine faith, rather than just following the latest trends.
Thanks for bringing this up—it’s a powerful reminder to stay anchored in our beliefs.
Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.
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Ah yes, mob mentality can definitely serve as a cautionary tale! Looking forward to the next part.
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Definitely, mob mentality is a fascinating and important topic to explore. I’m glad you’re looking forward to the next part. Thanks for your enthusiasm and Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
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Great work Willie dear friend… Keep shining 🙏🌸
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Thank you so much and Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
To God be All the Glory, Honor, and Praise.
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Amen.. GOD BLESS You dear 🙏🌸
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🤗🤗
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Thanks for your continued likes of my articles; your are very kind. Please continue with your good articles.
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Thank you for Reading and Commenting on my Post.
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You are very welcome.
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Amen, Brother! Powerful reminder that while Jesus loved people, He knew the hearts of all men and that they could not trusted at all, worse when it really matters. Everyone will desert you like He was deserted when standing up for truth goes against popular opinion or places wellbeing or life at risk. The Word of Truth is needed more than it’s ever been! Thank you for consistently bringing it! 🙏🙏🙏
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Amen 🙏 Thank You Sister Bev.
Thank you for Reading and Thank You for your kind words.
Indeed, Jesus’ example reminds us of the importance of standing firm in the truth, even when it means standing alone.
The world may turn away, but His Word remains our unwavering foundation.
All Glory and Praise to God for the opportunity to share His message.
Let’s continue to uplift and encourage one another in these challenging times.
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Indeed, “perplexing how the heart can go from adoration to condemnation.” Feeling are fleeting, it’s devotion that changes everything! Nice share!
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Amen 🙏🤗
Thank you for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
God’s Blessings to you today and always.
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My pleasure!
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🤲🏼🌺🌹Have a good day and good luck, my dear brother
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🤗🤗
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This is a beautifully thoughtful reflection on the balance between our passions and our spiritual commitments. It really makes you think about how easily our loyalties can shift and the importance of grounding our faith in something deeper than just the highs of life. Love how it connects sports passion with deeper spiritual insights. It’s a nice reminder to stay true to what really matters. Thanks for sharing,Willie🤗🌷.
Blessings and happiness to your way…😊🌟✨.
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This is a beautifully thoughtful reflection on balancing our passions with spiritual commitments. I anticipated some backlash for this series, knowing that opinions will vary—some might agree, some might feel convicted, and others might see only what they want to see, missing the message the Lord is trying to convey. I’m not against sports; there are even mentions of sports in the Bible, showing that God doesn’t hate them. My message is about evaluating whether our love for sports surpasses our love for God. Are we giving more to sports than to the church or to God? I hope readers can see the broader picture and reflect on whether they’ve been fully aware of their priorities.
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Thank you for Reading and Thank you for your kind words.
I’m so happy and Thankful that this post resonated with you and sparked thoughtful consideration about balancing passions with spiritual commitments.
It’s important to remember what truly matters and keep our faith grounded.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessings.
Have a Wonderful Day.
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The call to examine our own commitments and ensure they are grounded in truth rather than popular opinion is a powerful message.🤝👍👌🌷
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Amen 🙏🤗
Thank you, Brother, and Thank you for Reading and Commenting.
To God Be ALL The Glory, Honor and Praise.
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👏🙏🌷
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This is an interesting perspective because most of our affection for our teams can become bitter when they lose a game that they should not have lost.
Perhaps the crowds who were cheering on Jesus when he rode in on a donkey colt were expecting the tide to turn from Roman occupation to liberation, it is what they were expecting from Messiah.
Within the next day or so Rome is still very present and in charge, and now the established religion has arrested Jesus and turned him over to Rome for crucifixion.
No wonder that the people were so ready to have him crucified, he worked wonders with only a touch, could he not overturn Rome with a word?
I don’t fully subscribe to this thought, but perhaps that may have been what was on their minds, especially with all the zealots around.
Anyway, it’s an interesting thought.
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You’ve raised an important point that I hadn’t fully considered. It’s interesting how both Sports and Religion can lead to strong reactions when expectations aren’t met. Just as we feel let down when our team loses, the crowd’s disappointment with Jesus’ crucifixion might have come from their unmet hopes for liberation. This is why I wanted to highlight the parallels between sports and faith—many of us don’t realize how similar our emotional responses can be.
Thank you for Reading and for your Comment! I hope you stay tuned for the rest of this series. It will be lengthy, but I believe it’s worth the read. While it might seem a bit dense at times, there’s purpose behind every word. I hope it blesses many, convicts some, and even if others disagree, that they remain open to the message from the Lord.
Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing.
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Likewise, and keep ’em coming.
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Thank you for your Support and Encouragement. 🙏🤗🤗
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Very interesting! It is necessary to strike a balance between spiritual life and devotion to sports. There are many churches that promote sports among participants on Saturdays as a way to unite people who attend and others who need a word of enlightenment, as well as to raise awareness about the balance between spiritual life and sports. Thank you for sharing this insight! 😉👏🏻
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Funny thing is, I actually talk about this in my book. I even talk about how some churches hose Superbowl parties. I might share that part of that chapter at some point. The entire book is based on Sports and Religion.
Thank you for Reading and for your enlightening Comment.
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I am sure that this book will bring much clarification and light.😉👏🏻✨
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May it be the Lords Will
Thank you 🤗
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🦁🙂✨🙏
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Your discussion about finding balance between sports fandom and faith is so relevant. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, but this post reminds me to keep my spiritual priorities in check. The way you’ve connected this to the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion adds a deep layer of meaning to the discussion.🤝👍👌🌷
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Thank you so much for Reading and Commenting.
I’m thrilled that the message resonated with you and that you understood it so deeply.
I hope you’ll stay tuned for the rest of this series. It may be lengthy, but I truly believe it’s worth the read. Though it might be a bit dense at times, every word is chosen with purpose. My prayer is that it blesses many, challenges some, and that even if others may not agree, they stay open to the message from the Lord.
Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing.
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A book that will help establish boundaries between sport and spiritual faith. Thank you for this text!🙂👏🏻🦁🏈📖
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Thank you so much for Reading and Commenting.
All Glory and Praise to God for the opportunity to share His message.
Have a Blessed Day.
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Amen 😇
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🙏🤗
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Thanks for your like on the Abraham Covenant; you are very kind.
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👍🏻🤗
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Thank you
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Thank you
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🤗🤗
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You have great topics on your posts, appreciated!!
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Thank you so much my Dear Friend and Thank you for Visiting, Reading and Commenting.
Be Blessed, today and always.
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Thank you, much the love of God to you and yours!!
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Thank you my Dear Friend.
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Your welcome! You are very supportive guy, that is very precious. Thank you for it😊
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We need to support and encourage one another, rather than being self-focused or seeking Recognition. That’s why I give all the Glory and Praise to God for everything I share. I’m not gifted or talented on my own; I simply share what He places in my heart. If it Blesses someone, all the Glory belongs to Him alone, for I am just a humble servant.
Thank you for the Heartfelt Comment.
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You are really right with that you write. People are nowadays a little bit selfish and seek their own, but luckily everyone can turn away from that anytime and start to live a better life with noticing others too. And when it comes to any kind of arts or anything else, all the Glory goes to God. It is a long story but briefly, everything I have, that all has come from God and the greatest are love, peace and being free from all. May God bless you even more👍
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful words my Brother 🙏. You’re absolutely right, it’s so easy to get caught up in our own world, but we always have the choice to change and live with more compassion and awareness of others. All Glory truly goes to God, and it’s beautiful to remember how Blessed we are with love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits of the Spirit guide us to live better lives.
May God Continue to Bless you today and always. 🌟
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