Would You Default the Match?

Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

Fools give full vent to their rage,

    but the wise bring calm in the end.

In the 1975 Masters Tennis Tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, tennis star Arthur Ashe ahead 4-1 in the third and decisive set of their round-robin match with Romanian-born Ilie Nastase, sometimes dubbed "Nasty" Nastase for his flamboyant on-court antics.

Behind in the match, Nastase went into his act again, stalling and arguing, cursing, taunting, and acting like a madman. Finally, Arthur Ashe put down his racket and walked off the court, saying, "I've had enough. I'm at the point where I'm afraid I'll lose control."

"But Arthur," cried the umpire, "You'll default the match."

"I don't care," replied Ashe, "I'd rather lose that than my self-respect."

Agreeing that Nastase's unruly behavior had unfairly interrupted the match and driven Ashe to the sidelines, referee Horst Klosterkemper came up with a solution to the fiasco. He announced that Nastase was disqualified. He refused to condone Nastase's bullying tactics and he insisted that Nastase default the match for his unsportsman-like conduct. Arthur Ashe won both in the game of tennis--and in the game of life.

Do you control your anger or does your anger control you?  This is something we face each day. Let’s pray together for the strength to put the racket down and not let the anger destroy our self-respect and our witness for Christ

Dear Lord, we give the problems we face today that may cause anger. We pray that Your Spirit will control us in all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Does Your Character Say About You?

Psalm 18:25-26 (NIV)

25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

    to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

26 to the pure you show yourself pure,

    but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

In his autobiography Days of Grace (Random House Audio, 1993), tennis great Arthur Ashe relates a defining incident that occurred when he was 17 years old. He was playing in a tournament in West Virginia. As was often the case, he was the only contestant of color in the tournament.

One night, some of the kids trashed a cabin. They absolutely destroyed it and then decided to say that Arthur was responsible. The incident was reported in the newspapers; Arthur denied his involvement, but the boys would not change their story. The worst part for Arthur was worrying about what his father would say and do. He eventually made the dreaded phone call.

As he surmised, his father had already learned of the vandalism. His father's tone was grim. He asked Arthur only one question. "Arthur Junior," he asked, "all I want to know is...were you mixed up in that mess?"

Arthur answered, "No, Daddy, I wasn't." His father never asked about it again. Arthur learned that day why he had always been encouraged to tell the truth. There would come a time when he must be believed, and this was such a time. Because he had already earned his trust and respect, he knew his father believed him. From that day on he was determined, above all else, to live a life of integrity.

Unfortunately, we find notable examples of modern leaders in every field who give low priority to personal integrity. But we do not need saints - we need people like you. People who will be known for their integrity. People who will determine to be their best selves. People who daily earn the trust and respect of others, regardless of their age or station in life. People who insist on the importance of character.

Our world does not need another saint. But it needs you.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be people of integrity today.  Help us be the best people we can be so those around us can trust us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Does Anger Rule?

Proverbs 29:11 (New International Version)

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.






In the 1975 Masters Tennis Tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, tennis star Arthur Ashe ahead 4-1 in the third and decisive set of their round-robin match with Romanian-born Ilie Nastase, sometimes dubbed "Nasty" Nastase for his flamboyant on-court antics.


Behind in the match, Nastase went into his act again, stalling and arguing, cursing, taunting, and acting like a madman. Finally, Arthur Ashe put down his racket and walked off the court, saying, "I've had enough. I'm at the point where I'm afraid I'll lose control."


"But Arthur," cried the umpire, "You'll default the match."


"I don't care," replied Ashe, "I'd rather lose that than my self-respect."


Agreeing that Nastase's unruly behavior had unfairly interrupted the match and driven Ashe to the sidelines, referee Horst Klosterkemper came up with a solution to the fiasco. He announced that Nastase was disqualified. He refused to condone Nastase's bullying tactics and he insisted that Nastase default the match for his unsportsman-like conduct. Arthur Ashe won both in the game of tennis--and in the game of life.


Do you control your anger or does your anger control you? Today in prayer, give any problem of anger to the Lord and ask for His Spirit to control you.






Dear Lord help us to be able to conquer our anger. Help us to turn in all over to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.