Stings a bit....

So I'm listening to Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio the other day.  I can't remember exactly what he was talking about but he said, "you hear it and it stings, because it's true and it's uncomfortable".  How many times have you heard "the truth hurts"?  Sometimes it does.

Then I started to think about a little different angle.  Many years ago, boxer Cassius Clay decided to be a follower of Islam and took the Muslim name Muhammed Ali.  Fine, fine, it's really fine.  Your choice, man.  Bless you for having the courage of your convictions.  Shortly after his commitment of faith, he would begin each interview after a (successful) fight with "First of all I'd like to give praise to Allah".

Nary an interviewer ever mentioned, complained, editorialized or pontificated about this.  And it wasn't just once and, remember, Ali was about the biggest name in sport for a time and truly a citizen of the world.  Not a peep out of mainstream "journalism". 

There was an NBA basketball player, might have been Mahmood Abdul Raouf or someone like that, who would not stand for the US National anthem before games (or anytime I suppose).  He claimed it was due to his religion (Islam).  There was a bit of a clamor, but it died down, and this guy was no Kobe Bryant, anyway.

Many boxers in the 70's and 80's when the networks televised a lot of middleweight, welterweight and other boxing matches would give praise to Allah, after a win.  I guess nobody interviews the loser much anyway.

So then we've had Kurt Warner, for one, and Tim Tebow for another give glory to Jesus.  Warner took some much publicized flak about it.  Tebow has been villianized, vilified and pulverized for his open declaration of faith.

Why not so much as a whimper when someone in a prominent position praises Allah and why so much disdain, really, when someone praises Jesus, or simply praises God?  Well, maybe it's as Cowherd said, "it stings a bit, because it's true and it's uncomfortable". 

I believe even aetheists know there is something to this Jesus guy.  It's written in the Bible "even the demons know his name...and shudder".  And when He (Jesus) gets good press, it stings a bit, because the truth hurts.  So sometimes we try to bury a stinging truth by ridicule, maybe by ostracizing someone, maybe by trying to "find the bad" in someone who trys to "act so good".  You know, Tim Tebow, Kurt Warner, and others still give the glory and praise to God even when they lose a game, or have bad day at work, or school, or at home because Jesus said "I AM the way and the truth and the life."  If you try to ignore it, it stings a bit, because you know it's true and it's uncomfortable.

I'll sign off, still giving the glory and honor and praise to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Amen.