PITTSBURGH - Watched the Steelers' playoff game against the New Jersey Jets yesterday. Met up with Rick Rosenberger and his wife Terry. The whole of Pittsburgh was rooting for their Steelers. It was wild...and might I say that I almost had a coronary...and I'm not speaking only for myself. It was really an intense game, where even one of the referees had to be replaced due to a torn hamstring.
It’s often said that it’s better to be lucky than good, and the Steelers embodied that yesterday.
After putting together the best regular season in franchise history, and just the fourth NFL team ever to finish 15-1, the Steelers won their divisional playoff game against the New York Jets only because of two missed field goals by the Jests in the final 122 seconds of regulation time.
But then in overtime, the Steelers did what the Jets couldn't do -- make a game-winning field goal -- and the Steelers somehow beat the Jets, 20-17, in a game where the Pittsburgh defense played tight while the offense sputtered in the cold.
Ben Roethlisberger, the rookie quarterback, entered the playoffs with a perfect 13-0 record as a starter, and he seemed to relish putting together performances that belied his status as a rookie. But Roethlisberger did actually play like the rookie that he is. He threw two interceptions, one seemingly more costly than the other, and each had appeared to be the play that was to end the Steelers’ season. It almost seemed like the much loved rookie quarterback, turned star -- restaurants even had sandwiches named after him-- did everything he could to lose the game.
The first interception came in the third quarter when the ball was underthrown, intercepted, and the Jets returned for an 86-yard touchdown that gave the Jets a 17-10 lead. The second came with 1:58 to play in the finl quarter, in a tie game from the Steelers 37-yard line. But just when it appeared he was to wear the goat’s horns, Roethlisberger bounced back to quarterback that decisive overtime drive that began at the Pittsburgh 13-yard line, and it ended with the game winning field goal that allowed the Steelers to advance to the AFC Championship Game at 6:30 p.m. next Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers will play the winner of the Indianapolis-New England game. If they win this, the Steelers will enter the SuperBowl.
"Here we go STEELERS, here we go!!" Hey, what can I say? Taking in the culture of Pittsburgh literally means only ONE thing, and that is to embrace the Steelers as your own.
What captures my heart?
What sets my heart beating off the scale?
What warms it, and what melts it?
The wonders of God in all His creation. Snow capped mountains. The serenity of great still lakes. Beautiful flowing streams. Lush green fields. Autumnal colours. Snow flakes. Wild horses in full flight. The heavens above.
Speed. Well-engineered cars. Watching games of the greatest and most complete basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan. Snowboarding.
Being a blessing to others because I am blessed. The warmth and love of those whom I have grown to love in Pittsburgh. My family. Every single close friend of mine back home. Hmmm...I know it will definitely be my future wife and children.
All those above and much more. But none of them can summarise a revalation I had while I was praying over lunch. Right here in Cornerstone TeleVision, one of its vision is to be "A Platform for the presence of God", and a "Window for the signs and wonders of God to be displayed." There, hanging on the wall just by my left were two pictures for all to see. They were there for God knows how long, but I've never actually noticed them. For 4 months I have been eating my sandwiches there, many times sitting right under those pictures. I've never actually noticed them. I've been praying in my spirit almost every waking minute...silently in my mind...everyday over so many things, waiting for God to speak. Just when the issues are eating up the inside of me and I'm seeking for an answer, I received peace.
Those pictures said:
"I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. Though I do not deserve it, but by His grace alone He gave me life that I might enjoy all things."
"Lord, Help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together cannot handle."
Thank you all, all who have kept me in your prayers. I truly appreciate you guys. Praise God.
