“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 .

If you can believe it, we have already reached the halfway point of 2024! While this year is flying by, it is important for us as a ministry to reflect on the work that the Lord has accomplished through the various programs and opportunities that have gone on up to this point in the year. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive recap of the ministry activity that has happened so far this calendar year, to encourage you about the work that the Lord is accomplishing through USG! Academy Teams One of the constants for our ministry each year is our USG Academy program. The Academy is an eight-week virtual program that allows participants to grow in their relationships with Christ and as aspiring sport industry professionals through one-on-one discipleship, daily sport industry-specific devotionals through our curriculum, and practical hands-on assignments. You can learn more details about the USG Academy here .  So far this year, we have had two Academy teams go through the full eight-week program, and two more are coming up in the year's second half . In total, 39 young professionals have completed the eight-week Academy this year. Below is a list of the individuals who have graduated from the USG Academy: Team 38: Anthony Wedel (Liberty University), Andriejus Simkus-Sukauskas (Canada Games), Christian Light (Liberty University), Jakob Mayhall (Northern Texas PGA), Parker Lovett (LaGrange College), Aaron Magnuson (Pacers Sports & Entertainment), Arnold Haynes (Kutztown University), Carter Stanton (SMU Football), Cole Cameron (Taylor University), Conner Evora (Seminole Boosters), Gage Holder (Taylor University Football), Roland Pilizota (Grand Canyon University), Gabby Webster (University of Northwestern St. Paul), Maria Maroun (Concordia University St. Paul), Anna Hunsinger (Asbury University), Christina Shelby, Grace Normand (Taylor University), Kelsey Luther (Coastal Carolina University). Team 39: Elijah Bell (University of Minnesota), Marcal Johnson (Wichita State University), Matthew Hecmanczuk (Liberty University), Ben Edwards (Georgia Southern men’s basketball), Derek Bast (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports writer), Nick Peterson (Sporting Kansas City), Richard Martin (NCCAA), Ryan Paddock (University of Virginia), Shane Sinon (Texas A&M men’s basketball), Tyde Coffey (Covenant College men’s basketball), Zach Mayfield (Middle Tennessee State University), Cedrick Joseph (Barry University men’s basketball), Dawson Dean (Oral Roberts University men’s basketball), Grayson Rulon (University of Kentucky), Matthew Faulks (Taylor University), Titus Skistad (Grand Canyon University), Kenzi Brewington (Crown College), Madison Lowery (Valdosta State University women’s basketball), Autumn McGowan, Liz Wood (Covenant College women’s basketball), Ruth Brueckner (Crown College). Impact Weekends Upon completing the eight-week virtual USG Academy program, participants are allowed to attend an in-person event called an Impact Weekend . These weekend events are fully funded by USG and provide the participants with hands-on experience both to help them grow in their walks with Christ and as sport industry professionals. Throughout the year, USG hosts a few Impact Weekends at different locations in the United States. Below are short recaps of each Impact Weekend in 2024. Dallas Impact Weekend- February 16-18: This Impact Weekend brought together ten USG Academy graduates to Dallas, Texas, for an exciting and fruitful weekend. The group was able to fellowship with one another through a social event at a bowling alley, receive a tour of the University of Texas at Dallas’ athletic facilities and hear from their Director of Athletics, partner with a local Christian non-profit for a service project, and tour the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T stadium, and hear from a USG member that is working in guest services at the stadium. You can read a more detailed recap of the Dallas Impact Weekend here . Minneapolis Impact Weekend- June 21-23: This Impact Weekend brought together nearly 40 USG Academy graduates to USG’s home base in Minneapolis, MN. This particular Impact Weekend was unique because it happened directly alongside the second annual Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference. Over the course of the weekend, the participants were able to hear from the speakers at the conference, fellowship with one another through small group discussions, tour the Minnesota Vikings practice facility, and participate in an outreach activity in downtown Minneapolis. You can read a more detailed recap of the Minneapolis Impact Weekend here . 2nd Annual Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference The Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference is hosted by Uncommon Sports Group each year in Minneapolis, MN. The conference aims to provide an opportunity for Christians working in college and pro sports to gather together to get connected with one another, get encouragement in their faith, and get equipped for ministry in their roles. This year, USG hosted the second annual CWS Conference on June 20-21. The conference brought together nearly 150 Christians working across the college and pro sport industry, and featured a lineup of experienced and gifted speakers. You can read more about this year’s conference here . USG Member Opportunities Thus far in 2024, USG has funded seven spiritual and/or professional development opportunities for its members to participate in. Once participants complete the USG Academy and Impact Weekend, they become members of Uncommon Sports Group. Membership provides opportunities for individuals to receive funding to attend a variety of events including international mission trips, conferences, and conventions. Below is an overview of each member opportunity that has occurred in 2024. In early January, USG was able to send one of its members, Nathan Doremus, to the 2024 Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA. Nathan currently works at Liberty University as the Assistant Director of Ticket Operations. Read a short testimony from Nathan’s experience at Passion 2024 here . Later on in the year, USG was able to attend both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Conventions alongside the men’s and women’s Final Fours, respectively. USG funded a group of ten members to attend the NABC Convention in Phoenix, AZ, alongside the men’s Final Four weekend. You can read a detailed recap of the convention here . USG funded a group of two members to attend the WBCA Convention in Cleveland, OH, alongside the women's Final Four weekend. Read a detailed recap of the convention here . Earlier this summer, USG funded a group of nine members to take part in an international mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. The mission trip team spent nine days in Nairobi serving alongside two local partners through sports-focused ministry initiatives. Read a detailed recap of the mission trip to Kenya here . USG has funded members to a variety of other events throughout the year, including to the Daniel Summit, NACDA Convention, AEMA Convention, and AD’s 4 Christ. Conclusion It has been amazing to see the ways in which the Lord has used these opportunities to help young professionals working in college or pro sports to be strengthened in their faith and to assist their professional development. The funding for these events and opportunities is made possible by USG’s funding operation, Clean Out For A Cause (COFAC). Through the generous donations of sports apparel from countless college and professional sports teams, the COFAC operation can monetize these donations to provide funds for USG’s ministry initiatives. You can learn more about COFAC here . We are thankful for what the Lord has done through our ministry so far this year, and are excited to see what will be accomplished in the second half of 2024! If you would like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, or get involved with our ministries, tap the link here !

Often, the most impactful prayers can be found in a room where you can hear a pin drop. Why? When we sit before the Lord there is a reverential awe and wonder, a Holy fear of the Lord that comes when His presence is upon us. Even heaven will be silent before Jesus. “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Revelation 8:1 When coming before the Lord in prayer it’s wonderful to be still. I heard once, “You’re praying when you forget you’re praying.” In the stillness, I’ll often ask the Holy Spirit to take over my mind, and my imagination. My goal is to see Jesus. I don’t just want head knowledge of Jesus, I want my heart to know all of Him. While we hold our tongue outwardly, inwardly there is a meditation of the heart that beautifully ushers in His presence. This satisfaction, this fellowship is not for a select few. It’s the children’s bread. It’s the way of life for those who believe in Jesus. He fills the hungry. If you want a deeper hunger for God, simply ask for it. Dependency and neediness before the Lord is the posture of a Christian. We are not independent. We’re fully and radically dependent on Jesus. He has everything you need. Allow Him to show you the easy and light burden of prayer. Time in His presence doesn’t negate the cares of life, it overcomes them. One of my favorite songs says… “O soul are you weary and troubled No light in the darkness you see There's light for a look at the Savior And life more abundant and free Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace His word shall not fail you he promised Believe him and all will be well Then go to a world that is dying His perfect salvation to tell” Are you weary? Are you tired? Come to the Lamb. He will lead you beside still waters, He will quiet your soul.

Have you ever wondered how executives in professional sports reach the positions they are in? In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, former Pittsburgh Pirates Assistant General Manager and Vice President, Kyle Stark, discusses his journey through the majors and provides practical advice for young professionals that are just getting started on their career journey. 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 the largest community of Christian leaders of the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the college and pro sport industry. A large part of how USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend international mission trips that help develop them in their walks with Christ. In June of 2024, USG traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of nine of its members and two staff for an eleven-day short-term trip. While in Kenya, USG served alongside local ministry partners in a variety of ways, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery in Kenya. If you want to learn more about the trip to Kenya, you can read a detailed summary here . Justin Wrenn was one of the attendees on this summer's trip to Kenya. Justin is a USG member and currently works as a Data Scientist with Overtime Elite Basketball. Justin formerly served as a student manager, graduate assistant, and video coordinator with Georgia Tech men's basketball. Below is a testimony from Justin reflecting on his experience in Kenya: "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.   For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ” (Matthew 16:24-26) For the past year this verse has been central to the conviction I’ve felt in my life, which is centered around one of Jesus’s most simple commands; “follow me”. I know that I have experienced spiritual growth within the last year although at times it feels very small. I have been on a journey of asking myself “if I believe what the Bible says is true, why do I live like a regular resident of this world instead of a devoted disciple of Jesus being transformed by the Holy Spirit?” Looking for ways to be more obedient I knew one way would be to make myself uncomfortable and go on my first mission trip, so I applied for the USG Kenya trip. It was an amazing trip and very challenging, providing more questions than answers to ask myself now that I’m back home. Serving the children at the Huduma school was such a beautiful experience as our team of virtually strangers got to come together and serve and share in something we all share a love for which is teaching Christlike behavior through sports, teamwork, and competition. The children we got to serve were so smart, kind, and joyful in the midst of a life where they return home and don’t have clean water, sanitation, or adequate food supplies. It leaves me asking, “Would I be this joyful in life if I wasn’t living a rich, comfortable, American dream life?” We also spent an afternoon going out and doing evangelism with local members of Huduma Church in the nearby neighborhood of the school. This was very far out of my comfort zone and a stretch but the Holy Spirit provides what we need. The people of Kenya were so kind and welcoming to us. Most of the team agreed after we were done that it felt easier to go door-to-door in Kenya than it would in America. But this begs the question, why aren’t we going door to door in America to try to make sure our neighbors know the gospel? Similar to America, one of the pastors at Huduma reminded us during evangelism that many people know of God and Christ, but they do not know if they have true salvation. I saw that many people in Kenya were indifferent to the gospel, similar to America, which has led to me think more about if people who know the gospel still struggle to find salvation, how much more should we be desperately looking for ways to get the gospel to people who have never heard it at all? This trip was also special because we got to worship with two local churches and meet people that I would never have met otherwise. Worshiping in another country was so rewarding as a reminder that our God “YHWH” is not an American God but the God of the whole world. These brothers and sisters in Kenya had so much joy in their worship that it was challenging to me and left me asking, “Why am I not more excited to have a relationship with the sovereign God of the universe?” I saw Psalm 51:12 in action from believers in Kenya which says, “ Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit” and am praying that this type of attitude would come to describe my life as well. I am thankful for the opportunity to go on a trip like this, and the prayer for myself and the whole team is that these questions we were all faced with while in Kenya would drive us to take action back home and live our lives for God’s eternal kingdom more than the temporary earthly one." Seeing the impact that the Lord brought about from this trip, both on Justin's life and on the individuals we served in Kenya, has been such an encouragement! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Lord in Kenya with this group of future Christ-centered leaders of the sport industry. If you would like to learn more about the trip to Kenya, click here  to read a detailed summary. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a part of USG's growing community of Christian sport industry professionals, click here !

Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the college and pro sport industry. A large part of how USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend international mission trips that help develop them in their walks with Christ. In June of 2024, USG traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of nine of its members and two staff for an eleven-day short-term trip. While in Kenya, USG served alongside local ministry partners in a variety of ways, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery in Kenya. If you want to learn more about the trip to Kenya, you can read a detailed summary here . Natalie Osborne was one of the attendees on this summer's trip to Kenya. Natalie is a USG member and a recent graduate from Grand Canyon University. Natalie aspires to work in sports psychology and is currently working to earn her doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University. Below is a testimony from Natalie reflecting on her experience in Kenya: "I went on this mission trip to Kenya without many expectations, as it was my first mission trip ever. I was expectant for how the Lord would work through our team, partners, and the people we served. However, I never could have imagined the impact this trip would have on my spiritual life. When I witnessed people without many of their basic needs being met still worshiping the same God I serve, it changed my perspective. I can no longer sit in comfort daily without feeling called to be bold and share my faith with those around me. I pray that the kids we served were blessed by the time we spent loving on them and that the coaches took away something valuable from the clinic we hosted. However, I am also so grateful for the Bible studies and conversations with our team that challenged me to take action in my faith upon coming back to our country and communities. My biggest takeaway from this trip was that we have a responsibility as followers of Christ to serve the less fortunate and pray for the lost. One memory I will have for the rest of my life was during our outreach in the community around Huduma Church. I was incredibly nervous, as many others on our team expressed, and didn't know how I was going to verbalize the Gospel for people who speak a different language and experience a completely different culture. In every conversation, the Holy Spirit took over and provided me with the words so that it was not by my strength but by His that these people got to hear about our God. I remember the last woman my group got to talk to before we left to meet up with the large group again. Our pastor asked her some difficult questions about salvation and life after death, and I saw a look of fear on her face. She genuinely knew nothing about Jesus, and after we got to share of the hope we have in Him, her entire expression changed to reflect hope and a hunger for more of the Gospel. I learned that even a small conversation can change someone's life, and if we are obedient to what the Lord is asking us to do, He will carry out those moments for His glory. We don't have to go to another country to speak to strangers, pray for the lost, and serve others well. While I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity (and would recommend it to anyone) I am also grateful to have a community in USG that is encouraging me beyond our trip to be a light in the spaces I am now." Seeing the impact that the Lord brought about from this trip, both on Natalie's life and on the individuals we served in Kenya, has been such an encouragement! We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Lord in Kenya with this group of future Christ-centered leaders of the sport industry. If you would like to learn more about the trip to Kenya, click here to read a detailed summary. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a part of USG's growing community of Christian sport industry professionals, click here !

This past month, Uncommon Sports Group hosted the 2nd Annual Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference in Minneapolis, MN. The conference brought together approximately 150 followers of Christ from across the sport industry for two days of connection, encouragement, and growth. This year's conference provided attendees with fifteen Christ-centered speakers from across the sport industry. The list of speakers included Wayne Simien, Dayton Moore, Beth Wilmeth, Molly McManimie, Ryan Saunders, Chris Klein, Mike Linch, Toks Arowojolu, Jay Jacobs, Moses Ehambe, Kelli Masters, Johnny Shelton, Angela Marin, Paul Allen, and Hans Malebranche. These experienced speakers from the sport industry discussed various relevant topics including the importance of community as a Christian in sports, the legacy of encouragement, navigating trials and temptations in sports, and lessons in Christian leadership, amongst others! Along with hearing powerful messages from the speakers, attendees were given the opportunity to engage with one another through small group discussions. In between sessions, attendees were able to discuss the message from the session with one another providing opportunities for mutual edification and relationships to form. On the first night of the conference, USG hosted a social at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis for attendees. The social included a meal and a time for relationship building, a panel session hosted by Paul Allen on the topic of the importance of community, and a tour of the Target Field facility. On Sunday of the weekend of the conference, select attendees who signed up to participate were given the opportunity to serve the Minneapolis community through a gospel outreach activity. Attendees were split up into twelve groups and sent out to different parts of the city to minister the gospel to people in the area. The 2nd annual CWS Conference was impactful in many ways, and we thank the Lord for the work that He accomplished in the lives of those in attendance to help them be powerful witnesses to Him while serving in the sport industry. Registration for the 2025 CWS Conference is now open! The dates for next year's conference are June 20-21, 2025. Visit cws.uncommonsg.org  to learn more or register. Tap the link here to view the full catalog of photos from the 2024 CWS Conference!

My mom, Donna, just recently started attending a women’s Bible study group at her church. At first, she was hesitant to pray out loud. But, as she began to saturate herself in the Word, coming before the Lord daily to seek His face, her boldness to proclaim His excellencies outwardly grew. She’s asked the Holy Spirit (the Comforter) to be her comfort, especially in situations that stretch her. I’ve often talked with my mom about how performance pressures can be prevalent even in Christian circles. We tend to form hierarchies on the “holier than thou list.” Jesus confronted this in the church. In Matthew 6 Jesus says,  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.” What’s our motive behind prayer? Is it to impress others or to meet with God? Freedom, joy, and great delight come with the latter. Jesus, also in referencing the religious leaders said, “they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” Pause & Pray: “Holy Spirit purify my heart. Help me to crucify the desire to people please and deliver me from the fear of man, in Jesus' name, amen.” In Exodus, Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Paul wrote this to the church of Corinth: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the ]testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Two men, with tremendous impact, who put their trust in the power of God, not the ability to speak with eloquence. Nowadays anyone can stand up on a stage, platform, or social media page and “woo” people with words. But, the Word needs no wooing. The Word is life itself. The blood of Jesus is still speaking on our behalf. (Hebrews 12:24) Because of His sacrifice, the Lamb who was slain, we can boldly enter into the Holy of Holies as a royal priesthood ministering to the Great High Priest.