The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Finishing Strong

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher

3 September 2003

John Earle inspired me Sunday with his message of encouragement. He used football analogies to explain some of the Bible's message. When you know his background, you understand why.

Earle is working with head pastor Bruce Goettsche, as the new Associate Minister of Youth and Education at the Union Church in La Harpe.

He's a graduate of Western Illinois University and played professional football in the CFL and the NFL for six years.Ê He has been a part of Team Impact Ministries and also serves as part of Sportsworld, which sends Christian speakers into high schools, grade schools and colleges across the country.Ê

John was an assistant football coach for The Thunder and now assistant coach of the West Prairie/LaHarpe Cyclones.

The charge in the Bible about finishing the race strong is an important one - and of course - the Cyclones game Friday night fit the analogy to a T.

Pittsfield trailed 22-6 in the first quarter, but out played the Cyclones for most of the middle portion of the game then took the lead in the 4th.

"Things looked bleak for the Cyclones," the Hawkeye news account said. But the Cyclones "drove 50 yards, in just four plays, to tie the game and send it into overtime."

"Senior fullback Christopher Link did the rest"

"All I was thinking about was that I was going to get into that end zone, " Link said.

And he did just that by taking a handoff up the middle on the first play of overtime and barreled in from 10 yards out for the score. DeCounter scored on the two point conversion.

Earle said how proud he was of the Cyclones. They never gave up. They finished strong.

This is what we need to do instead of looking back and dwelling on the mistakes or the things that are wrong. We need to start from where we are, give it all we got, and finish strong.

I like the paragraph that Matt Levins wrote in the Hawkeye to underscore this point.

"With sweat pouring down his face and his legs cramping so bad it was painful just to move, Butterfield rambled up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown on the Cyclones' first play from scrimmage in overtime."

"The Cyclones' defense then blew the Saukees backward and the Cyclones escaped with a wild 38-30 overtime victory in the season opener."

And you say it is only just a game.

As Coach Will Bavery always said, "It's a game that can teach you an awful lot about life."

Earle underscores this point...... "Finish Strong!"

The analogy can be applied to so many things that teaches us about success.

Earle was referring to the Bible's charge to finish strong as a Christian. Don't let the excuse that you have made too many blunders in your life to change now, but take charge of what life you have left, and live it for God.

Even if sweat is pouring down your face, legs are cramping, and the pain seems too much to bear, the reward you will receive in victory will be well worth it.