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The Brett Favre Effect Canton August 5-7, 2016 |
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Friday, August 5 the Lord said, “Watch what I do in the next three days as all eyes are on Canton. Canton is my battle-axe as I pour out my glory and expose my righteousness right here.” There was great excitement in my spirit not knowing what to expect and needless to say it was far more than I could imagine. On Friday I visited the place where in my dream from two years ago I was told that Brett Favre was being inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. (2015 Shepherd’s Rod) To be exact, what is now the Stark County Library used to be Mercy Hospital; where I was born. In 2003 they placed a Historical Marker on site honoring President William McKinley’s legacy and for helping to found the Library. This was amazing to me since the Lord showed me William McKinley being the trump card in the current presidential election. (Word of the month, July 2016) I retraced the steps from my dream realizing that I was now stepping into my ministry and it was a new beginning. I walked down Market Street toward the Palace Theatre and behold across the street stood two stone elephants facing me. Praise God! They were a confirmation of a recent dream where the Lord showed me Stark County’s democratic structure being crippled. Stark County would once again return to its Republican roots as it was with President McKinley. Enshrinement Ceremony August 6, 2016 As the Enshrinement ceremony was about to take place, Lyn and I were on our way to Warren for ministry the next morning. When we got to our hotel and settled in I turned on TV to watch the ceremony and just in time to see Brett Favre being presented by his wife Deanna. After looking at his bust and embracing his wife he stepped forward to the podium. And this is how he began: “Thank you. I'm not surprised one bit at the Packer fans here. This is incredible, incredible. So I thank you. Thank you, Canton. Thank you, Hall of Fame. Thank you Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.” Favre went on to say that he was an extremely blessed man who had opportunity to play twenty years and was now sharing his joy with everyone. Favre’s thirty-seven minute speech was not prepared beforehand. He just shot from the hip by speaking those things that are dearest to his heart. He focused a lot on family and shared the importance of spending time together as family. He said this value has been lost in this generation. He gave great honor to his mother and shared how she treated everyone as equal. But his father was the heavy handed one; short on praise and long on tough love. His dad always pushed him to do better. It was easy to see the parallel of the Father’s love by Favre’s expression of his own dad. His father was his high school coach and knew Brett’s potential therefore pushing him harder knowing one day he’d redeem himself. This was day #2 and all eyes are on Canton, Ohio. I’m not sure if Favre realized the importance of what he said but he definitely gave God the glory. He sounded like a great evangelist and I believe everyone’s heart was deeply touched. He could have used this platform to boast about himself however he gave credit with deep appreciation to all those who helped form his incredible professional life. He had absolutely no regrets. Several phrases that really struck a prophetic chord were: His dad believed in toughness. There was no room for crybabies. (Isn’t that God’s heart for us? Be bold and stand firm in Him.) Teamwork was most important. (We must work together in unity of the brethren. Psalm 133:1) Never underestimate the importance of your words. (Life or death is in your tongue; choose life! Deut. 30:19-20) Love your children each and every day. (John 3:16) Brett Favre said that what makes him most proud is how he played the game. He was just having fun and he had no regrets. He gave it all he could although he made mistakes. His final words were, “Don’t ever look back in regret for second chances; work as hard as you can.” I believe that pretty much sums up the Father’s heart of love for His children. As you’re playing this game of life “in Christ” have fun along the way. Always do the best you can even though you’ll make mistakes. Never look back in regret for second chances but take advantage of each challenge you have opportunity to encounter. Give it all you’ve got because God already gave His all for you. The Hall of Fame Game August 7, 2016 Once again all eyes are on Canton, Ohio as thousands of fans gathered in the stadium for the first pre-season football game in this historic place. Lyn and I are ministering in a hotel in Akron that evening. As we’re in the lobby after ministry we notice a lot of Green Bay fans at the bar watching the Rio Olympics. Hmmmm! Then we heard them say the Hall of Fame game was cancelled due to unsafe playing conditions. Apparently this was a brand-new field that had only been used one year at the Superdome in New Orleans. It was sent to Canton to be used for this game “only”. Afterwards it would be removed and replaced when the Hall of Fame Village is completed. The turf was laid, the HOF logo in place and the field passed all safety tests. On the morning of the game when the cover was taken off, once again it passed the safety tests. However the sun came out and beat down on the field, which caused the rubberized surface to become sticky like taffy. Therefor the game was called because it would make it unsafe for players. I believe God had the last say this weekend. The Son of Righteousness literally melted away the idol of man’s heart. The Lord was lifted up and glorified in the place reserved to honor men and most importantly what the HOF represents. Football has long been an idol in America especially Stark County, Ohio. Therefore I believe man lifted God up Saturday night and man was humbled Sunday night. As all eyes were on Canton they watched the breaking of man’s souls yet I believe Favre set a new theme in motion when he said, “Thank you Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.” I believe that this stadium will one day be used to hold great meetings like Billy Graham used to host. And once again all eyes will be on Canton, Ohio as she glorifies God. |
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