Top That

I  have not posted a blog since last July.  While some people experience writer's block my problem has been having too many things I wanted to write about.  Not knowing where to begin actually kept me from writing at all. I re-married in June, took a once in a lifetime honeymoon trip in July and gave away my youngest daughter to her husband in October.  I wanted to write about all of those events.  I also had thoughts on Robin Williams' suicide, attending a new church, same-sex unions and terrorist attacks.  I have thoughts about Brian Williams' mistake and the wonderful skills of CBS newsman Bob Simon.  Perhaps someday I will get around to putting those thoughts in writing.

It was nearly one year ago today that I posted a blog about the Finley Awards given at this time every year.  This is the 20th Finley Awards since the death of the long-time Berry football and girls basketball coach.  If you missed my blog last year perhaps you will want to check it out below this post.

My dear friend, Bob Cofield was the deserving recipient this year for the Hoover City Schools employee honor.   Bob's name was announced at an assembly last Friday morning before the entire senior class.  He accepted the honor with his typical humility.  You see, know one who thinks they deserve this awards actually does!

One of the people who nominated Bob for this character recognition put it this way:

"I remember when the Bob Finely Award was first created for both a student and an employee of Hoover City Schools.  The original goal was to identify individuals who may fly below the radar.  The award was not designed to add to the trophy case of individuals that are frequently recognized for personal accomplishments but rather to call attention to the quality of the life lived.   Bob Cofield has lived that type of life.  He has touched the life of hundreds of people inside the walls of Hoover High School and out.

I know that Coach Bob Finley would be proud to know that hundreds of young people have been acknowledged for their character since the advent of this award in his name.  However, it is my belief that he would also be uncomfortable that so much time and effort has been invested in keeping his name and legacy alive.

Bob Cofield does not desire, seek or pursue the recognition of the Finley Award.  He does not set his sights to be like Bob Finley, his desire is to live a life that reflects his faith and devotion to Jesus Christ."

The Finley Award is a wonderful honor but it pales in comparison to the eternal rewards promised to us by God. The interesting thing is...we really don't deserve that! And the adversary continues to remind us. He reminds each of us in an effort to get us to give up, to quit, to submit to our will and not that of God. Yet God has provided for our redemption through His son, Jesus Christ.

You CAN earn a Finley Award.: do all the right things, say all the right words, be just a little bit better than somebody else. That does not work with God. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. For Christians or non-Christians reading this blog: You CANNOT earn salvation! No amount of good works will get it done. The stark reality is that we are deserving of death when compared to a holy and perfect God.

The battle between ego and humility takes on an entirely different look when we exam it through a heavenly lens. Ego: "I can do it on my own. I can go on mission trips, feed the homeless, pray, get baptized...I can earn it. Thanks Jesus for dying on a cross and dying the death that I deserved to die. I appreciate that you conquered sin and death but I think so highly of myself that I am going to work my way to heaven on my own!"

Humility: "I know I have messed up. I know I don't deserve forgiveness. I know I don't deserve grace. I know that I cannot do this on my own. I need a savior! I give my life to you to use me as you would see fit. Thank you for forgiving me and loving me when I do unforgivable things and when I am unlovable. Forgive even when my pride and ego tells me that I don't need forgiveness."

Christ dying on the cross is not a "get out of jail free card"! Christ never promised an easy life. Ask the 21 Coptic Christians beheaded by ISIS!  "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." (Mark 8:35)   Damned to hell be the wealth, health and prosperity gospel.

I am thrilled that Bob Cofield will be honored at a banquet recognizing his great character.  Even though this is an award he never sought or one he even feels he deserves, few men I know deserve it more.  I will be there that night and look forward  to listening to his acceptance speech. Knowing Bob, he will give the honor, glory and praise to the person that promises the greatest gift...and no award on earth can top that!.