For sports fans this is an exciting time of the year.  National Football League teams are headed to the Super Bowl...each hoping to win the Championship trophy.

College basketball is in full swing. . .each team with their eye on becoming national champions.

Major league baseball is gearing up for the start of spring training next month with each team dreaming of becoming World Series champions.

Yes, when we think of champions. . .we think of those who win sports titles. . .either as a team or through individual efforts.

It is not easy to become a champion. . .it takes determination. . .practice. . .exercise. . .discipline and, yes. . .commitment to never give up, give in, back up, back down, sit down, quit or walk away until victory is achieved.

To accomplish our goals for 2015. . .an average effort is not enough.  An average commitment is not enough.  Average desire is not enough.

A.W. Tozier, the noted theologian, wrote:

“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.”

Being average is a settled for. . .kind of life.

The average person settles for whatever comes their way. . .by resigning themselves to exist as they are…by refusing to make the effort to move beyond and out of their comfort zone. . .into the kind of life God desires for them.

I got excited thinking about how our first SUNDAY NITE LIVE of the year should be a positive, uplifting and motivating message.

So you can imagine our surprise when we were led to teach the seven things not to do in 2015.

Please understand this is not a negative teaching but rather one that’s instructive providing a clear direction on what the Word says we should and shouldn’t be doing in the New Year. . .or, for that matter. . .any other year.

1.         Bad attitude

Have you ever met someone who was educated beyond their intelligence?  People who think they know more than others. . .or they always have the right answer, no matter what.

I’ve met my share of Christians who feel they’re more spiritually mature. . .advanced beyond ordinary Christians. 

Recently, I had a brief conversation with someone who said. . .”I heard you talking about focus but you need to know that word is not in the King James Bible.

I must admit my first mental response was less than spiritual. . .as I’m not amused by pride and conceit.

I regained my spiritual focus. . .and shared that the word focus is in the Amplified (1);  God’s Word Translation (28); Message Bible (28) and the New Living Translation (4).

Good morning and welcome to Rich Thoughts for Breakfast on this glorious Christmas Day….December 25, 2014.

I’m joined this morning by my fine wife Bev….of 42 years….9 months….21 days.

Do you know if you’re receiving that gift this Christmas that you hinted about. . .the one gift you’re believing for?  Perhaps, it’s that one gift you bought yourself.

I was going to wait until the end of the call to share what I know is my favorite Christmas gift this year.

No, it’s not an Audi A8 thought that would be a HUGE BLESSING.  It’s not a trip to Bora Bora though I would LOVE that.  It’s not a cruise for our 43^rd wedding anniversary on March 4^th thought that we be FABULOUS.

It’s not even more time with our daughters who live in Los Angeles or our sons our grand sugars who live in Fort Worth. . .though that would be priceless.