tony dungy provides us with a teachable moment

Most of you know that Tony Dungy is the Head Coach of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. Those of you who are familiar with Dungy know that he is a strong and faithful Christian who has used his position as a famous sports figure as a platform to tell others about the Good News of Jesus Christ.

What you may or may not know is that Dungy just recently came out with a hardcover non-fiction book (co-written with Nathan Whitaker) entitled Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life. He has also written a companion book in paperback--with Karl Leuthauser--entitled Quiet Strength: Mens Bible Study. My mother-in-law just gave me an autographed copy of the hardcover book and I started reading it last night. It's outstanding! Naturally, the book talks a lot about Dungy's football career because football has been his profession for over 30 years. Football is not the main focus, however. The focus of the book is how living life God's way ultimately leads to more joy and fulfillment than does following the world. I highly recommend it.

I noticed something this week concerning Dungy's book. It ranks #1 on the NY Times Bestseller list, two spots ahead of a book entitled God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. Mr. Hitchens is a man who has devoted a great deal of effort over the past several years trying to destroy the influence of Christianity on America's culture. Judging from the NY Times rankings, his efforts have not been entirely successful.

Go to www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=318 to read a wonderful story about Dungy, written by Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly. It's called Coaching the Grief-Stricken. If you are as sick and tired as I am over stories about dog fighting quarterbacks, gambling basketball referees and steroid-shooting baseball freaks who hit lots of home runs, then this is just the story to lift your spirits.