#1 for 1 day...

Kentucky basketball experienced its first loss today against South Carolina, in what used to be KY's perfect season. Ironically, our #1 ranking just came out (either yesterday or today)....so we weren't at the top for long at all. While I'm not happy about it, a loss was imminent. In my opinion, it's healthy to lose every now and then--can't win 'em all, and would you really want to? Would wins be as appreciated if a loss didn't find its place somewhere along the way? Just a thought.

Devan Downey was USC's star...The last I saw, he had 36 points--he could've very well had more by the time the game finished. The man was relentless. He was USC's hero! At the end of the game, the sports anchor was interviewing him, inquiring about various things, here are some quotes. (I paraphrased the sports anchor's question, but Downey's words are verbatim--they distinctly stuck with me.)

Sports Anchor: What were you saying to your team during time outs etc... to keep them motivated?
Downey: "Keep fighting the good fight, good things are going to happen."

Sports Anchor: When the team is under pressure, not much time left, what was going through your head?
Downey: "Ball in my hand, I wouldn't have it any other way."

I couldn't help but make the connection in our faith journeys.

Fight the good fight...isn't that what God asks us to do? God promises us the very same promise Downey made to his team: keep fighting the good fight, good things are going to happen.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." ~2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)

...and "ball in my hand, I wouldn't have it any other way"...I am finding that there is no possible way I could survive life on this earth without the Word of God. No. Possible. Way. It hasn't always been like this...in fact, it hasn't become like this till just recently; but somewhere in the last couple of months, God has sparked an intense fire in me for the Scriptures. So, in my faith journey on this earth, I guess you could say, "Bible in my hand, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." ~Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

Awesome game tonight. KY Basketball never ceases (or seizes?) to amaze me! I do have to admit, the fair-weather fans are kind of annoying, but I guess I'll just love 'em anyway. :-)

GO CATS!