As we complete the editing of this issue of the paper, the football team of West Virginia University has won the 2007 Big East Conference crown and is making a very creditable run for the National Championship. These accomplishments do not come easily or without great dedication and sacrifice. How many hours, days, weeks, months, and years of hard work in the form of coaching, studying, exercising, practicing, and playing of games are represented in the individual coaches and players to get them to this point in their careers?

The New Testament compares the Christian life of worship and service with athletic contests. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:13, 14; 2 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:1, 2. Note these essentials: We must be determined to run to win. We must be temperate (self-controlled; disciplined) and keep our bodies under subjection (control). We must be certain of our goal and keep our eyes upon it. We must lay aside every weight and sin that can easily cause us to stumble and fall. We must not waste our strength in useless or harmful efforts. We must realize the possibility of failure. We must strive according to the rules (lawfully).

There can be only one national football champion; somebody has to lose. Not so with the Christian race. Athletic contestants can only win crowns that are corruptible. In Christ, all of us can win incorruptible crowns crowns of glory and of life!

Thank you, everyone, for your personal and your gift subscriptions. Our circulation last month was 2,783 copies. Please continue to help us with prayers, new subscribers, and renewals. Albert.

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