A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUPER BOWL WIN

February 7, 2006

Seattle Seahawks' coach Mike Holmgren and his family won on Sunday.

THINK ABOUT IT

WHILE MIKE WAS COACHING AT THE SUPER BOWL,

HIS WIFE, KATHY, WAS ON A MISSIONS TRIP IN AFRICA...

WIFE, DAUGHTER WITH HOLMGREN IN SPIRIT

By Jerry Magee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 31, 2006

DETROIT – With a choice of being with Mike Holmgren for the Super Bowl or in the Congo, the Seattle coach's wife and daughter have decided to be in the Congo.

Holmgren's wife, Kathy, a nurse by training, and their daughter, Calla, a physician, are scheduled to leave for the Congo on Thursday on a mission for Northwest Medical Teams.

“We didn't know when we signed up for this thing four months ago that we would be in the Super Bowl,” Holmgren said. “In fact, we didn't even think about the dates being a problem. My wife was a young missionary nurse out of college 35 years ago. When my daughter signed up for the trip with 10 people, I asked Kathy, 'Where's she going?' ”

He learned Calla had the same destination that his wife once had. “A little mission station right in the middle of the jungle,” Holmgren said. “I said, 'Why don't you go with her?' It was the best present I could ever give her. Fast forward and here we are.”

Holmgren said he is proud of his wife. “She works very hard at a lot of things that are a lot more important than coaching a football game,” he said. “She has her life. Her heart is here, even though she is going to be in Africa with our daughter. She gets nervous at games, anyway. It's a 17-day trip. I'll let her know who wins when she gets back.”

photos courtesy googleimages.com & story courtesy signonsandiego.com, 01/31/06

TAKE A LOOK

Matthew 23:11-12 - (NLT)

¹¹The greatest among you must be a servant. ¹²But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

AFTER READING TODAY'S SCRIPTURE, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE HOLMGREN FAMILY PERFORMANCE ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY?

Prior to the big game on Sunday, Coach Holmgren said "I'll let her know who wins when she gets back.”

I'm sure they already know that in spite of losing the Super Bowl, they won from God's perspective. While most of us were indulging in too much food and checking out the most expensive commercials in television history, there were other scenes going on in the world during the world's biggest sporting event...

The Holmgren family is applying the teaching of Christ:

23:11,12 Jesus challenged society's norms. To him, greatness comes from serving - giving of yourself to help God and others. Service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on oursleves. Jesus came as a servant. What kind of greatness do you seek? *

photo: googleimages.com & notes: *Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank God that His Word on greatness is very clear. Confess any way in which you have been giving in to the secular world's view on greatness. Ask Jesus to give you His heart of compassion and serving. Ask Him to enable you to reach out to someone every day with His humility and love.

TRY IT

Memorize today's scripture as a reminder of what's really important.
In your daily time of prayer, ask Jesus to teach you and empower you to serve someone and then follow through on the opportunities He gives you.
Pray that God will use the Holmgren family example to draw many people to a Christ-like attitude of service.

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.