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CONVICTIONS

The most famous and expensive baseball card in the world was displayed at a sports collectibles convention in Illinois this summer. The card, produced in 1909, is worth an estimated $1.3 million dollars. It is so valuable because the baseball player on the card decided to take a stand. 

In 1909, a tobacco company sponsored the card featuring Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner. Before the company got many cards into circulation Wagner, known as "The Flying Dutchman" persuaded the company to pull his card because he did not smoke. Wagner's decision left about a dozen cards in circulation. Though The Flying Dutchman did not have a card with his likeness on it, he played good baseball. Wagner was one of the original inductees into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. 

—http://www.nbc4.tv, "Flying Dutchman" Makes Appearance", July 28, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 

CONVICTION

Lately, several law enforcement officials have been taking confessions from criminals that approach them and willingly give themselves up for their crimes. Johnny Olsen, a Norwegian neo-Nazi confessed to the bombing of a youth group headquarters, a crime he committed in the 1990’s. Turner Lee Bingham turned himself in for several burglaries he’d committed in Arizona, and Dan Leach admitted to killing his girlfriend, whose death had been ruled a suicide. All of these events took place after the criminal viewed Mel Gibson’s 2004 movie, “The Passion of The Christ.” 

—http://www.local6.com/entertainment/2960558/detail.html Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

The gospel is powerful. Whether it is proclaimed in a church, a movie theater or in someone’s home, it brings conviction of sin and leads to repentance. 

Romans 1:16 KJV “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” 

CONVICTION/PERSECUTION

Over 4,000 priests, pastors, and ministers from all denominations gathered in the Soviet Union and elected Joseph Stalin as their honorary president. One by one the Conferees went to the podium and declared that Christianity and communism were fundamentally the same. They could "get along." 

One young woman could not bear what she was hearing and begged her husband to go forward and "wash the shame off" the face of Jesus. Her husband, Richard Wurmbrand protested, "If I speak against the communists, you will no longer have a husband." His wife replied, "I do not wish to have a coward for a husband." 

Pastor Wurmbrand went to the podium and spoke of loyalty only to Jesus Christ. He said Christianity could not "co-exist" with any entity that opposed the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus. Wurmbrand paid dearly for his stand. He spent years in Communist jails, being beaten and abused. 

Wurmbrand went on to write books about his experience, and to found the organization Voice of the Martyrs. His message encourages many today. Christians are not to hate those who oppose them. We are to stand against deception, and advocate love and truth. Believers in Jesus need to seek peace, but never trade it for compromise. 

—Have we shamed the face of Jesus? Voice of the Martyrs, December 2001. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell 

Philippians 3:7-8 NIV "But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things." 

For more information on Christian Martyrs, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310243912/fm082-20

CONVICTIONS

Cardinal Ignatius Kung died in March of 2000 at the age of 98. Though I'm not a Catholic, I admire Cardinal Kung who stood by his convictions, and withstood persecution for his faith. 

He was ordained as a Bishop of Shanghai in 1949, shortly after the communists took over China. The Chinese government pressured him to align his loyalties to the "Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association," he refused, choosing to remain loyal to his church's chain of command. In 1955, he was rounded up with 200 other priests and brought to a stadium in Shanghai. The government ordered him to "confess his crimes." Instead, he shouted "Long live Christ the King! Long live the Pope." 

Shortly thereafter, he received a life sentence, where he spent the next 30 years in prison, most of the time in solitary confinement. He was freed in 1987. 

—ReligionToday March 14, 2000 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10 KJV) 

CONVICTIONS/LEADERSHIP

John Wooden, in his book, They Call Me Coach, tells about one of his rules that some of his players didn’t like—that they would be clean-shaven with short hair. He wouldn’t relent on this rule, even if it meant losing a star. He writes, “‘Once during the summer when his hair was quite long, another very prominent player asked me, ‘What would you do if I refused to have my hair cut?’ 

‘I wouldn’t do anything.’ 

‘I thought you wouldn’t let us wear our hair real long.’ 

‘I won’t. It’s quite all right; you can wear your hair any way you want. I can’t determine how long you wear your hair. All I can determine is whether or not you play.’” 

—They Call Me Coach, p. 159 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson 

Consistency of convictions is a necessary trait of effective leaders. 

Daniel 6:4 (NASB) “Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.” 

For more information on They Call Me Coach, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071424911/fm082-20

A farmer in Northern Ireland displayed an unusual response to the wardrobe of a pop star.  Farmer Alan Graham had given permission for pop star Rihanna to use his farm to shoot a video for her latest music single.  In the middle of the shoot, Graham decided the singer had gone too far and stopped the production. Graham pulled up on his tractor and blocked the view of the star after she removed a long checked dress revealing a red patterned bikini underneath. The 61 year-old farmer described as a devout Christian said, “Her behavior was inappropriate” and her told her to cover up.

 In an interview, Graham said he was not aware of what the production team had in mind for the video when he agreed to let them use his farm. He had helped the team prepare for the shoot, and helped pull recording equipment that was stuck in the mud.  The farmer said someone had explained that Rihanna was as big as it gets as far a pop stars go, but admitted he really didn’t know about those things. Graham said the singer understood his concerns and they parted company on good terms. He said he did not wish ill will against the artist and her friends, he added, perhaps they could acquaint themselves “with a greater God.”

--Christian Irish Farmer Kicks Out Rihanna for 'Inappropriate' Music Video http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-irish-farmer-kicks-out-rihanna-for-inappropriate-music-video-56644; September 27, 2011; Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell 

1 Timothy 2:9-10 (GW)  I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable. Their beauty will be shown by what they do, not by their hair styles or the gold jewelry, pearls, or expensive clothes they wear. (10) This is what is proper for women who claim to have reverence for God. 

Recently the Government presented the Catholic Church with a dilemma. They have passed a law that Catholics believe requires them to violate their conscience. They believe they would have to disobey God to obey the law. Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren commented on the situation by saying, “I’d go to jail rather than cave in to a government mandate that violates what God commands us to do.” 

--World Magazine, February 25, 2012 p. 16 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Acts 5:29 (ESV) But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”