Who Would Have Thunk It?

I was never a Michael Irvin fan. In fact, I've never really been a Dallas Cowboy fan. I have been a huge fan of certain players and coaches for the Cowboys(Coach Landry, Staubach, Cornell Green, Lilly, Leroy Jordan, Bob Hayes) but never the team itself. I guess it goes back to the 70's when they were winning so many games and getting so much hype.....America's Team stuff......and were playing in the NFC, which at that time was pretty much a patsy conference. While they were playing the mighty New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions (remember my temptation to default to sarcasm) my Raiders were playing the Steelers, Jets, Chiefs, and Dolphins.
Kinda like college teams today that get to play in the Pac-10 as opposed to the SEC.
I just perceived them as being WAY WAY overrated. In more recent years, I for sure didn't care for Jimmy Johnson and his Cowboys.....with Irvin being the main cowpoke.
I appreciated Emmit's work ethic, and Troy Aikman's class. Other than those two players, I could have cared less as to them winning or not.

Then came the inductions into the Pro Football Hall of Fame yesterday. Michael Irvin went last, and even before he got up to give his induction speech I found myself feeling sorry for him because he was having to follow some GREAT speeches by some of his fellow inductees.......Bruce Matthews and Charlie Sanders especially. I didn't think there was any way he could match the heart wrenching speeches they gave, especially Sanders. Then it was Michael's turn. He started with a prayer, a very moving prayer. His speech came from a man who had been broken, and this was not a private breaking.......his was one that millions had witnessed. Cocaine busts, hookers, etc. You name it, Michael Irvin's name was associated with it......that is if it were bad. But he told of coming out of that darkness into the light, the light of the Gospel. He mentioned T.D. Jakes, and if any of you have watched Pastor Jakes or read any of his books, you know why Michael was impacted. The old Michael Irvin is dead, and a new one is now alive because of the power of Jesus Christ and His saving grace. Irvin encouraged the crowd there and the millions watching on TV to do these things when they find themselves flat on their face: A) Look up to God B) Get Up C) Never Give up . He had tears streaming down his face as he spoke. He didn't have any notes.........this was coming straight from his broken heart. He was very passionate and transparent. And he influenced a lot of people for the Lord last night!

I remember Jim Woodroof talking about David in the Bible once. He said David had two distinguishing characteristics about him. David was a great sinner and David also was a great worshipper. He went on to comment that you don't HAVE to have BOTH characteristics to become a great worshipper, but you also can't discount how often the two go hand in hand. It's hard to appreciate God's wonderful loving grace if you don't feel like you've ever needed it. David had no doubt he did........Michael has no doubts either.

Michael Irvin has a new fan today. I think I may have interpreted passion for showboating when he was a Cowboy. I think he will forgive me, in that Jesus told us that those who have been forgiven much also love much.

You go Michael!