I’m sure that many of you have heard the name “Gene Stallings.” Stallings has played a very prominent role in football both college and professional. He played for Texas A&M and then served as their head coach, he also was head coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and then, the University of Alabama where they won the national championship. Coach Stallings was inducted into the College Football Hall Of Fame in 2010. But, did you also know that Gene Stallings is also a very faithful member of the Lord’s church. Just a few weeks ago, the Lewisville congregation in Lewisville, TX had Coach Stallings there to speak for a special men’s retreat. The following is some of what he shared with those men while there about what he learned from his son, John Mark, who he lost to Down’s Syndrome.
“My complainin’ days are over”
“My complainin’ days are over!” That’s how Coach Stallings began his outstanding devotional thoughts at our Men’s Kickoff Classic last night. He then related to us how he learned this wonderful lesson from his son, John Mark who was born with Down’s Syndrome. He told us how Johnny never complained about anything. He recalled noticing that Johnny didn’t seem to feel well one day and he asked him how he was doing. Johnny said, “I’m doing fine, Daddy.” The next day Johnny passed away. Coached talked about how we live in a time when people complain about everything. He talked about how many Christians complain about the elders, the preachers, the deacon, the Bible school teachers, and the Church in general. It seems to me that some people who are followers of Christ are convinced that they have the gift of complaining or criticism. It seems that Satan wants to use otherwise good people to destroy the morale of the Church through their complaining attitude. Some try to justify complaining by saying, “I believe in speaking my mind.” Some are convinced that they are right about everything and that they know more than anyone else, therefore they have the right to complain. Some think if their complaints or criticism are constructive they can just say whatever they want to say regardless of how it makes others feel. Isn’t it time we quit our complaining? Isn’t it time we follow the command of Scripture and speak words that are filled with grace? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everybody had the heart of John Mark Stallings and say along with Coach, “Our complainin’ days are over?”
Brethren, some great thoughts here for all of us to seriously consider. It is really easy to allow ourselves to get so busy “complainin” that we don’t see the good that is happening. Each of us needs to truly ask ourselves, “are my complainin’ days over?”
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
“My complainin’ days are over”
“My complainin’ days are over!” That’s how Coach Stallings began his outstanding devotional thoughts at our Men’s Kickoff Classic last night. He then related to us how he learned this wonderful lesson from his son, John Mark who was born with Down’s Syndrome. He told us how Johnny never complained about anything. He recalled noticing that Johnny didn’t seem to feel well one day and he asked him how he was doing. Johnny said, “I’m doing fine, Daddy.” The next day Johnny passed away. Coached talked about how we live in a time when people complain about everything. He talked about how many Christians complain about the elders, the preachers, the deacon, the Bible school teachers, and the Church in general. It seems to me that some people who are followers of Christ are convinced that they have the gift of complaining or criticism. It seems that Satan wants to use otherwise good people to destroy the morale of the Church through their complaining attitude. Some try to justify complaining by saying, “I believe in speaking my mind.” Some are convinced that they are right about everything and that they know more than anyone else, therefore they have the right to complain. Some think if their complaints or criticism are constructive they can just say whatever they want to say regardless of how it makes others feel. Isn’t it time we quit our complaining? Isn’t it time we follow the command of Scripture and speak words that are filled with grace? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everybody had the heart of John Mark Stallings and say along with Coach, “Our complainin’ days are over?”
Brethren, some great thoughts here for all of us to seriously consider. It is really easy to allow ourselves to get so busy “complainin” that we don’t see the good that is happening. Each of us needs to truly ask ourselves, “are my complainin’ days over?”
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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