It can feel daunting, and even frightening, to approach the topic of politics as a Christian. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, the Assistant Professor of Biblical and Historical Studies at Bethlehem College & Seminary, Timotée Davi, discusses how Christians should engage with the difficult, and often divisive, topic of politics. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

One of the most common questions that come from skeptics of the Christian faith is “If God exists, why does human suffering and evil exist in the world?” This question is not only common among skeptics of the Christian faith but among Christians themselves. Why would a good God allow so much pain and suffering in the world? This is a loaded question with many answers, and thankfully, God has provided us with clarity in the Scriptures as to why He would allow pain and suffering in the world. In this blog, we will unpack the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11 and how this account helps us understand why God allows suffering and evil in the world. God’s Timing is Purposeful In John 11, the apostle John records the story of Jesus miraculously raising a man named Lazarus from the dead. This man named Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha, both who were friends of Jesus. It is recorded in John 12 that the same Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. It is evident in the passage that Jesus was close to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Early in John 11, both Martha and Mary come to Jesus to tell him that his friend Lazarus is sick (John 11:3). Jesus responds unexpectedly in John 11:5-6: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.” The response that would be expected from Jesus upon hearing that Lazarus was sick is immediate action to heal him. However, we see the exact opposite response. Instead of going quickly to visit Lazarus, Jesus decided to stay where He was for two more days. Why would Jesus not immediately go to heal Lazarus? Verse 5 gives us insight into Jesus’ deep love for Martha and Mary, which rules out any temptation to believe that Jesus ignored the suffering of Lazarus because He simply did not care. His love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is clear throughout this chapter. So, Jesus must have had a good purpose in waiting to go visit Lazarus. In verses 14-15, it is made clear that Jesus was waiting for the sickness to take Lazarus’ life. Furthermore, Jesus states in verse 15, “And for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Jesus’ timing was purposeful. While Martha and Mary desired Jesus to come to heal Lazarus right away, Jesus had a timing that was even better and more purposeful. Martha and Mary did exactly what most Christians do in response to pain or suffering. They asked their Lord for help. However, Jesus was not on their timetable and he is not on ours either. While Martha and Mary may have expected immediate action from Jesus, He had a more perfect timing that would provide a greater eternal impact. It is made clear in John 11:15 that Jesus waited to go up to see Lazarus until he had died because He planned on raising Him from the dead, which would lead many to believe in Him as God’s Messiah. In seasons of our own suffering, it is imperative that we trust God’s timing in providing a resolution to the suffering because He has a far greater timetable that is purposed for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom. God Has Compassion For Human Suffering In seasons in which people are facing suffering or loss, it is easy to conclude that God does not care. If he did care, he would do something about it. However, the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11 paints an entirely different picture and shows clearly the deep compassion that the Lord has for people experiencing pain or loss. After Jesus was told that Lazarus was severely ill, he waited a few days before going to see him. In verse 32, we see that Mary approached Jesus upon his arrival. She was moved to tears and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” While this is not clearly stated, it is implied that Mary is expressing her frustration with Jesus’ late arrival. It sounds very similar to the complaints of many others who have experienced pain or loss, “God, if you would have done something, this would not have happened.” Though Mary may have been frustrated, Jesus does not does not correct her. Instead, we see that Jesus is moved to do two things upon seeing Mary’s emotions. First, in verse 34, Jesus asks where they have laid the body of Lazarus. Jesus was moved to do something about the suffering that Mary and Martha were experiencing. Even though Jesus was not working on Mary’s and Martha’s timetable, he still desired to respond to their pleas on behalf of their brother Lazarus. Second, in verse 35, we see Jesus moved to tears. In fact, the Scriptures record that “Jesus wept.” Jesus’ response to Mary’s pain was compassion, a compassion that was so deep that it moved him to tears. It is quite amazing that the Son of God would respond this way, and it tells us something about the character of our God.  Even though Jesus knew that He would soon bring Lazarus back to life, He was still compassionate for the suffering that Mary and Martha were enduring.  This tells us that God Himself is not ignorant to human suffering, but rather cares deeply about our suffering. The tears of Jesus are evidence of God’s deep compassion amid human suffering. God Receives Glory in Suffering Many people ask, “Why does God even allow people to suffer?” While there are many reasons that we may not fully know, the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11 helps us understand why God may allow suffering to occur. First, it is important to establish the fact that God is never the cause of suffering. James 1:13 teaches us that God cannot be tempted to do evil. God does not just act good, He is the standard of good and cannot commit evil. Therefore, suffering is a cause of the sin of mankind in a fallen world. God is not the cause of suffering, but in His sovereignty, He may allow suffering to occur. Back in John 11:4, Jesus says something interesting in response to Mary’s and Martha’s message that Lazarus was sick. Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Right away, Jesus makes it clear that the sickness Lazarus was facing would be purposed to glorify the Son of God. This teaches us that God can use suffering in the world for a good purpose, just as He did with Lazarus’ sickness. In John 11:42 and John 11:45, we see how Jesus was glorified in Lazarus’ suffering. Just before Jesus performs the miracle of raising Lazarus, He states in verse 42, “I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” Furthermore, in verse 45, after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead the Scriptures state, “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.” It is made clear in both of these verses that God’s ultimate purpose in the death of Lazarus was to cause the people mourning Him to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. It was because of Lazarus’ death that Jesus received glory and that many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary came to believe in Him. Conclusion It is difficult to make sense of suffering, no matter how you spin it. However, the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11 helps us understand suffering in the world a bit more. This story reveals to us that God’s timing is purposeful in suffering, that God has great compassion for human suffering, and that God can use human suffering for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. If you would like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, or get involved with our ministries, tap the link here !

How did we get the Bible that we have today? This is a common question among Christians and even skeptics of the Christian faith. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, the Assistant Professor of New Testament at Phoenix Seminary, Dr. Peter Gurry, helps us answer this question. Specifically, Dr. Gurry talks about how the Bible was copied, how the Biblical canon was formed, and how the Bible has been translated. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 “Can I pray for you?” These five words carry a lot of weight, especially in places where hopelessness, anxiety, and all types of darkness exist. Often, in the workplace especially, I’m challenged by the reality that I have the answer to everyone’s problems. The answer is Jesus. Praying with and for coworkers, family members, and unsaved friends, can be super intimidating. But, when we step out in faith, knowing that Jesus has the power to set people free, there is joy in taking the gift of life that Jesus has given you and sharing it with others. When you fall in love with Jesus, He consumes all that you do, say, touch, etc. When He is the most precious, the most valuable there becomes no “off” button on evangelism because you’re oozing with love for Jesus everywhere. Scripture says that what’s done in secret will be brought to the light. So your time with Jesus in secret will effortlessly overflow to everyone around you. Test me on this! My “cup runneth over” is true, when your cup is filled with Him. If you have a need, come to Jesus. He pours His Spirit out without measure. That promise is for all of His children and all of those who will come into the family. He is longing to give Himself away, looking for a heart to receive Him. Lord Jesus, you are the fairest of ten thousand. Hide us behind the cross today. May you be exalted, and may you be glorified in all that we do.

I love the song we sing in church, “I surrender all. I surrender all. All to thee my precious savior, I surrender all.”   But, do we release the grip? Do we walk the talk? I'm guilty of belting this on Sunday, but struggling to hand over control on Monday.   Let’s talk this out…The enemy has no access to a life completely and radically surrendered to Jesus and His Lordship. HALLELUJAH! Do we trust Him enough to morning by morning give Him everything? Each morning in prayer, I’ll usually tell the Lord, “I surrender my life again to beloved Jesus.” He paid for it and honestly, I don’t want it. (John 12:24-26) I don’t want to be the Lord of my life. I’ve been there and done that. Trust me, it’s not pretty. Even when I don’t understand, I know this…true freedom is found in true surrender. Folks, Jesus is coming back. The Spirit and the bride say come. The marriage supper of the Lamb is on the horizon. I can hear the wedding bells. He will have His worthy reward, a spotless bride. Allow the potter’s hands to shift you into rhythms of simplified and deeper intimacy with Christ. Allow the Spirit of truth to daily take you into fellowship with the Father. There the wellspring of life is found. This is how you get to know the Son of Man. The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25  is always sobering to me. I would pause and read it right now, asking the Holy Spirit to open your mind to this section of scripture! Quick synopsis… Five wise virgins had oil in their lamps, ready for the return of Jesus. Five did not. Those without oil were unable to enter the wedding banquet because, “‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” We long to know you, Jesus. Ready your bride. It’s time to surrender and entrust that He is more than able to hold all of your life together for all eternity. He is worthy of this.

Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future college and pro sport industry leaders. A large part of how USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend conferences, conventions, and events that develop them spiritually and professionally. Earlier this summer, USG attended the annual AD's 4 Christ Convention in Nashville, TN, with a group of eight of its members. The AD's 4 Christ Convention brings together Christian Athletic Directors from across the country for a weekend of spiritual growth and fellowship. Lauren Drinane was able to receive funding to attend the AD's 4 Christ Convention this past July. Lauren is a USG member and currently works as the Assistant to the Head Football Coach at Eastern Michigan University. Below is a testimony from Lauren reflecting on her experience at the 2024 AD's 4 Christ Convention: "I am extremely grateful for USG and the opportunity they provided me with to attend the ADs 4 Christ Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, this summer. Spending the weekend connecting with other like-minded Christians who are well-revered in their respective areas of athletics was incredible, but the best part was seeing how faithfully these Athletic Directors and high-level leaders follow Jesus in their everyday lives. Having just started a new job, moving across the country, and being days away from starting my first football season, this weekend helped slow me down and remind me of what is most important: my walk with Jesus. Life can get crazy working in the world of collegiate athletics, and the ADs 4 Christ Convention provided a much-needed pause to connect with other Christians and remember the true reason we do what we do. Additionally, the weekend provided a chance to connect with a handful of other USG members from across the country, which is always my favorite thing. Getting to see friends I rarely get to see and meet other USG members in person for the first time was arguably my favorite part of the whole conference, and I look forward to the next time or opportunity where I can spend time connecting with the USG community.  I am super thankful that the USG staff thought of me for this opportunity and poured into personal, spiritual, and professional growth. Having the opportunity to attend the ADs 4 Christ Convention was the highlight of my summer, and I left with a full cup ready to attack this football season." Seeing how the Lord impacted Lauren and the entire group of future Christ-centered Athletic Directors at the 2024 AD's 4 Christ Convention is encouraging! If you're interested in learning more about Uncommon Sports Group and how we can support you as a Christian in the sports industry,  click here  to contact us or click here  to see how you can get involved in our community.

As the world around us conforms to modern values that go against the truth of Scripture, Christians are put in a difficult position. How do we remain firm in the values and truth we find in God’s Word and continue to engage with the culture around us that opposes these values? For Christians working in sports, this challenge is all too familiar. More and more college and professional sports organizations are aligning themselves with secular values, which puts Christians working for these organizations in a difficult position. Do they conform to the team’s cultural values, or make the difficult stance to remain firm in biblical values?  In this blog, we will help you as a Christian sport industry professional to navigate the challenge of remaining firm to the truth of Christianity, despite the shifting values in culture, as well as helping you continue to be able to engage with culture despite your differences. Who is Your Master? The Bible speaks often of spiritual adultery. The book of Hosea is entirely focused on highlighting the adultery Israel had committed against God with idols. In our modern day, Christians are still able to commit spiritual adultery. James 4:4 warns of the dangers of spiritual adultery, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James makes it very clear that we cannot please both the world and God. We cannot serve two masters. Spiritual adultery leads to enmity with God, and we must be careful to remain faithful to Christ above all else. So, how do we ensure that we do not engage in spiritual adultery amid the many shifting values within our culture? Being Transformed Paul’s letter to the Romans is filled with practical applications for us in the modern day. Christians living in Rome lived in a society that opposed Christian values and morality in some heinous ways, which is not unlike what believers are facing today. In Romans 12:2, Paul provides practical guidance to the believers living in Rome as to how they can remain faithful to Christian values and truth while living in an anti-Christian culture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Paul’s guidance is founded on the first sentence of this verse: do not conform to the pattern of this world. This is the guiding principle that every Christian working in sports should follow. Similarly to the words from James, Paul makes it clear that the Christian must be careful to not conform to the pattern of this world. But the question remains, how do we avoid friendship with the world and conforming to its values and patterns? Thankfully, Paul sheds light on this as he continues in Romans 12:2b, saying, “But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” If we are to be able to deny conforming to the pattern of this world, especially as Christian sport industry professionals working for organizations that are pushing worldly values and ideologies, then we need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which gives us the ability to clearly know what God’s will is. One of the core ways that we can transform our minds, which is communicated throughout Scripture, is by reading and knowing Scripture. In God’s mercy, He has given us His Word as a compass that guides us to know His will and what He calls good. Paul writes in Colossians 3:16 that believers should allow the Word of God to “dwell in them richly.” Furthermore, Psalm 119:11 states, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The Psalmist and Paul both communicate a similar message: allow the Word of God to be stored up in your heart and mind so that your mind and actions can be transformed.  As Christian sport industry professionals desire to live in accordance with God’s Word amidst opposing values in the world, it is essential to have God’s Word stored up in their hearts and mind if they desire to be victorious in this pursuit. Another core way that we can transform our minds is by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture makes it very clear that believers are not changed by their own power but by God’s working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who receive Christ by faith. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” In this Scripture, we are reminded that the renewing of our minds is ultimately a work of the Holy Spirit, not a work of ourselves. It certainly is important to acknowledge the difficulty of denying the temptation to conform to the patterns of this world. It is in our human nature to please the majority, which makes it difficult for us to stand firm in Christ. Thankfully, believers are given the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to stand firm, no matter how difficult it may feel. Conclusion As values in culture drift further and further from the truths and values outlined in Scripture, it is essential as a Christian working in sports to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you will be able to determine God’s will in any and every situation. This can be done through a continual reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit within you, as well as storing God’s Word in your heart so that you will be able to resist sin and walk in truth. We pray as a ministry that you will continue to engage with culture, but not compromise with its opposing values. Instead, stand firm in the truth while faithfully loving those around you who live in opposition to God’s eternal Word. If you would like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, or get involved with our ministries, tap the link here !

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18   Pray without ceasing for years has tripped me up. It seemed like an impossible task. I’d ask…”Lord, if I’m trying to broadcast a game, how do I interview a coach AND pray?” In this human thinking, I realized my idea of prayer was pretty off. What if being in constant unity with the Holy Spirit, meant constantly praying?   When I’m interviewing an athlete, talking to my brother, or exercising in the gym…I’m not doing it alone. I’m communing with and inviting in the presence of the Holy Spirit. That’s a game-changer…and a drug. Once you begin to live constantly aware of His presence, you can’t live without Him. But, here’s the catch. You need Him, to know Him.   By spending time in His Word, in His presence, in fellowship with Him He reveals Himself to you. He teaches you His ways. He reveals Himself and HE PUTS  the burning desire in your heart to be with Him. It’s not something we can conjure up on our own. We’re fully reliant on the Lord, to love the Lord. When you love Him, you never cease from wanting His presence.    Be overcome by Jesus. Enjoy Him forever and ever.

Paul writes in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." As sport industry professionals, how can you be in pursuit of the eternal prize that we have in Christ? In this episode, the Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Dallas Baptist University, Dr. Ryon Phillips, discusses living with an eternal mindset focused on the eternal prize Christ has called us to. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

For the first time in a few years, I had the opportunity to shepherd a group of seven of our USG members alongside our Director of Ministry, Adam Maronde, at the annual ADs 4 Christ convention, in Nashville, Tennessee. This annual gathering brings together Athletic Directors at all levels, Division I through NAIA, for a time of guest speakers, fellowship, prayer, connection, reflection, and a refilling of cups, after a busy year within intercollegiate athletics. This event has been impactful for USG members since 2019, in them being able to build relationships with present leaders within intercollegiate athletics that love Jesus and leave encouraged by what the Lord is doing in intercollegiate athletics, as a whole.  A few highlights stick out to me in regards to how the Lord moved at the gathering. One of the guest speakers, Steven Bunn of College Golf Fellowship, emphasized the importance of abiding in Christ, as noted in John 15. He noted how older translations for this section would use the word "abode". With the translation of "abode" meaning a home or dwelling place, Steven emphasized the vitality and importance for us as apprentices of Jesus, to make our home in Christ Jesus daily. Later in this talk, and after diving into a section of the book of Ezekiel, Steven touched on the greatest gifts that we receive from God outside of salvation in Him. He said that "suffering", "weakness" and "denied abundance" were the other great gifts that we receive from God. This resonated with me, as though these three items don't appear as gifts at first, they really are gifts from God. As we die to ourselves, and go through hardship, pain, and trials, we grow in depth, intimacy, and reliance on the Lord that we otherwise wouldn't have, if we didn't go through these things, revealing true faith. As we "abode" in Him, He shows us that He is all that we need, and we get to experience our relationship with Him, in an honest, authentic, and real way, by dying to self and prioritizing His will over our own. With the flight data breach, most of our group had flight delays and cancellations over the weekend. I was in a similar situation, as I was trying to head to Charlotte from Nashville. At lunch at the conference on Saturday, I reconnected with a former intercollegiate athletics colleague that I found out now lived in Charlotte. After my flight cancellations, I kept trying to rebook new flights, but it had gotten to the point where I likely wasn't getting back to Charlotte for at least a few days.  As I was waiting on what was next, I found out that that intercollegiate athletics colleague and her husband had driven from Charlotte to Nashville, and they offered to take me back with them on their drive. After saying yes, then no, then with my flights getting canceled a fourth time, I felt peace from the Lord to reach out to them, if their offer was still viable. It was, and I jumped into the car with them for an approximate seven-hour drive back home to Charlotte on Sunday morning. I tangibly experienced the Lord as Jehovah Jireh, the God that provided that day, and He knew His plan on how to get me back to Charlotte. Even though I tried doing things with my own strength, He made a way. I was able to build a relationship with that couple and be encouraged by the hospitality and gratitude of the body of Christ within intercollegiate athletics.  In conclusion, I left Nashville encouraged by how the Lord is moving in the mission field of intercollegiate athletics, I was reminded of the importance of abiding in Christ, in how the Lord uses suffering for His glory, and when we surrender to Him and die to self, He provides all that we need in Him, and He makes our paths straight. If you would like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, or get involved with our ministries, tap the link here !

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”   When praying, it can be easy for our minds to wander. But, it’s important to know that by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can take every thought captive.   I love the sports term, “quick flush.” When playing softball in college, if I made an error, I would kick some dirt and tell myself, “Get the next one.” Flush it, and move on. Honestly, I’ve found that mindset useful when distracted in prayer. If I catch myself thinking about online shopping while reading the precious scripture, I’ll re-focus and say, “I’m back Jesus.”   1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Christ not only gave us His body but also His mind. Woah. In joining into prayer, we’re also partaking in such fellowship with Jesus that we can perceive, know, and understand His thoughts. Have you ever been such good friends with someone that you can finish each other’s sentences or have this canny ability to know what they’re thinking? Welp. John 15:15 says,” I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”   Jesus is looking for friends. The best decision you could ever make in life is to befriend Jesus.   Important note: The Lord will often speak in prayer through scripture, thoughts, ideas, “a knowing”, etc. It’s not always this audible thundering voice from the throne, although that would be terrifying and wonderful. If any thought comes to mind that is in direct opposition to the Word of God, take it captive. Seriously, demolish. Don’t give it a second thought. By knowing His Word, you’ll know His voice. You’ll know what aligns with His Word and what does not. In order to know His voice, we must know His Word. Read, and meditate on it daily friends, not turning to the left or to the right.  (John 10:27-28)

What defines a successful career for a Christian working in sports? In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast recorded live at the 2024 Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference, NFL Sports Agent Molly McManimie discusses how her faith has redefined success in her role, and what true success looks like in the life of a follower of Christ. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .