What I'd Like To Hear From Colin Kaepernick

I've been a fan of Colin Kaepernick and his gifted athletic talents every since he burst onto the NFL stage a few years back. However, my level of respect and admiration for the man has been diminished with his recent stance and comments. Here's what I'd like to hear Colin say (perhaps in a prime-time news conference) so that I could take seriously his "passionate" reluctance to show respect for his country and one of its most important symbols, the U.S. flag, during the pre-game singing of our National Anthem:

"I am clearly under-performing and not representing the fans of San Francisco to the best of my abilities. Until I can perform up to the level that I am capable of as a skilled quarterback in the NFL and represent well the fans and organization who so graciously provide me with the opportunity to earn a living while playing this wonderful game, I will not be accepting the generous paychecks that I currently receive. I will voluntarily ask the front office to suspend such payments until such time that my play and leadership are representative and well worth the oppressive price that both the fans and the San Francisco 49ers' organization sacrifice to see me perform. In addition, if I cannot perform at the level that I am capable of, I'll either consent to re-structure my contract to be more reflective of my current level of performance, or gladly accept a trade to another team. Thank you."

 My previous level of respect and admiration would then return, for both the man himself and his "passionate" stand on other matters outside of football, even while being disappointed in his failing to secure the starting QB job in San Francisco and returning to at least the level of play he showed during that marvelous Super Bowl run a few years ago. This wonderful, albeit imperfect, country provides for you, Mr. Kaepernick, the opportunity that you now enjoy and are compensated so handsomely for. In no other country would you be afforded that opportunity (perhaps excepting Canada) ... not Cuba, or any other truly "oppressive" regime (of which there are many) that don't hold a candle to the stature and level of freedom afforded and enjoyed by you, me and so many others here in the United States of America.

It's not likely, but here's hoping that Colin changes his tone and tenure before tonight's pre-season game with the San Diego Chargers, who by-the-way are holding their annual Military Night to salute the contributions to our country of so many wonderful military personnel. No doubt, it will include a show of respect and honor for the flag they all have helped to protect. Hear, hear!

Live A Life Free From Worry

For 2016, resolve to live your life focused on one day at a time, without anxiety for the next. What will give you the power to do that? You make the proactive decision to not live life self-propelled and self-focused, driven by the pressure of performance or burdened under the weight of the expectations of others. You decide for a life of God-worship ... of returning to the Creator who made you and provides you with the very essence of who you are. You resolve to commit, lean and have confidence in the One who gives you the breathe of life; that's called trust ... placing your life within the reality of something that's larger than yourself. That's my prayer for you and I. With that focus, life can be so much better ... and so much more freeing. What's it worth to you?

The Bridge To God ... Finding What You Were Made For 

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds.

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

- Jesus of Nazareth (from the Good News according to Matthew, 6:25-34 MSG)