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The Cheesehead Devotional: Daily Meditations for Green Bay Packers, Their Fans, and NFL Football Fanatics
Sample Devotion
1 Chronicles 16:7-36 - Memories FROM THE PLAYBOOK: Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth. 1 Chronicles 16:12
1962. The last time the Green Bay Packers started a season 10-0. That winning streak ended on Thanksgiving Day against the Detroit Lions. At halftime, the Lions were ahead 23-0 and won the game 26-14. Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi were no longer undefeated.
That day was a terrific day for the Lions, who had been in second place behind the Packers. It was like the Lion's Super Bowl. Jerry Kramer, Packers' starting right guard in 1962, said, "They ought to give them a ring or something for it, have a holiday or something because it's a highlight in their history." Bart Starr, famed quarterback for the Packers, got sacked eleven times. The Packers earned only 122 yards of offense. Lions' Linebacker Joe Schmidt said his team, at that time, was out to prove to the world they were as good as or better than Green Bay. The Lions finished the season 11-3, while the Packers were 14-1.
The comparisons to that 1962 season were everywhere preceding the 2011 Thanksgiving Day game. The Lions hoped to repeat history.
However, the Packers shut down Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, the man who turned many Lions games into victories with his superior play. Even missing three injured starters, the Packer defense showed one of their best games. Ryan Pickett tipped a pass from Lions Quarterback Matt Stafford. Linebacker Clay Matthews made a great grab for an interception. The Packers won 27-15, almost an exact flip-flop of the 1962 score.
Historical reruns can make for a great conversation and story. However, in our minds and spirits, they can sometimes be more detrimental than good. It is so easy to fall into the mindset that because a situation went a certain way once, it more than likely will go that way again. It can be a defeatist mentality if the event was negative and can be an unsupported hope if one simply assumes history will repeat itself in the positive events.
The Bible warns us against this type of thinking when it tells us to forget what lies behind and press on to what is ahead. We are told to remember the good things God has done and put our faith in Him, not in repeating history by fate. Faith and fate are not the same. Faith has eyes that look ahead, hearts that believe God's promises, minds that make right choices, feet that diligently move forward in obedience, and hands that work hard.
History is great for reminiscing, enjoying, and making future plans, but trusting fate will leave you in the dust, while faith in God will take you to new heights.
EXTRA POINT: God, I put my trust and faith in You no matter what has or has not happened in my past. I expect great things ahead, because You are a marvelous God.
1 Chronicles 16:7-36 - Memories FROM THE PLAYBOOK: Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth. 1 Chronicles 16:12
1962. The last time the Green Bay Packers started a season 10-0. That winning streak ended on Thanksgiving Day against the Detroit Lions. At halftime, the Lions were ahead 23-0 and won the game 26-14. Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi were no longer undefeated.
That day was a terrific day for the Lions, who had been in second place behind the Packers. It was like the Lion's Super Bowl. Jerry Kramer, Packers' starting right guard in 1962, said, "They ought to give them a ring or something for it, have a holiday or something because it's a highlight in their history." Bart Starr, famed quarterback for the Packers, got sacked eleven times. The Packers earned only 122 yards of offense. Lions' Linebacker Joe Schmidt said his team, at that time, was out to prove to the world they were as good as or better than Green Bay. The Lions finished the season 11-3, while the Packers were 14-1.
The comparisons to that 1962 season were everywhere preceding the 2011 Thanksgiving Day game. The Lions hoped to repeat history.
However, the Packers shut down Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, the man who turned many Lions games into victories with his superior play. Even missing three injured starters, the Packer defense showed one of their best games. Ryan Pickett tipped a pass from Lions Quarterback Matt Stafford. Linebacker Clay Matthews made a great grab for an interception. The Packers won 27-15, almost an exact flip-flop of the 1962 score.
Historical reruns can make for a great conversation and story. However, in our minds and spirits, they can sometimes be more detrimental than good. It is so easy to fall into the mindset that because a situation went a certain way once, it more than likely will go that way again. It can be a defeatist mentality if the event was negative and can be an unsupported hope if one simply assumes history will repeat itself in the positive events.
The Bible warns us against this type of thinking when it tells us to forget what lies behind and press on to what is ahead. We are told to remember the good things God has done and put our faith in Him, not in repeating history by fate. Faith and fate are not the same. Faith has eyes that look ahead, hearts that believe God's promises, minds that make right choices, feet that diligently move forward in obedience, and hands that work hard.
History is great for reminiscing, enjoying, and making future plans, but trusting fate will leave you in the dust, while faith in God will take you to new heights.
EXTRA POINT: God, I put my trust and faith in You no matter what has or has not happened in my past. I expect great things ahead, because You are a marvelous God.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
108 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2012
6 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 18, 2016
I am a huge Packers fan and enjoy reading devotionals, so when I was asked if I would be interested in this blog tour, I went ahead and said yes.
I usually like to read one devotional a day so that I have time to think on the subject matter and work to add that into my life, but this was a last minute thing and I sat down to read it in one sitting.
The book is a light read, but has some substantial information in it. Each chapter is short (two to three pages), beginning with a story about the Packers, and then adding information on the subject in an easy to read manner, helping you to take a look at your life and live in a way that God would want you to.
I like how the author incorporated the stories into the subject and how she explained each thing in a way that is easy to understand, plus the fact that each chapter ends with a small prayer.
Throughout the book, though, I wondered how the two go together. Yes, Reggie White - as well as the rest of the Packers - have always been religious, but it seemed like an odd thing to mix together, football and prayer. As I continued reading, though, I was reminded of just how much, when I was growing up, the two were combined, and was glad to see that prayer had not been forgotten in football.
It was a good book, one I plan to go back and take a look at as I make some of these a part of my life.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
I usually like to read one devotional a day so that I have time to think on the subject matter and work to add that into my life, but this was a last minute thing and I sat down to read it in one sitting.
The book is a light read, but has some substantial information in it. Each chapter is short (two to three pages), beginning with a story about the Packers, and then adding information on the subject in an easy to read manner, helping you to take a look at your life and live in a way that God would want you to.
I like how the author incorporated the stories into the subject and how she explained each thing in a way that is easy to understand, plus the fact that each chapter ends with a small prayer.
Throughout the book, though, I wondered how the two go together. Yes, Reggie White - as well as the rest of the Packers - have always been religious, but it seemed like an odd thing to mix together, football and prayer. As I continued reading, though, I was reminded of just how much, when I was growing up, the two were combined, and was glad to see that prayer had not been forgotten in football.
It was a good book, one I plan to go back and take a look at as I make some of these a part of my life.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
December 12, 2013
Okay - I might read again. I am quite torn with this book. In one sense I really like it - In another, I'm slightly against it. Judy DuCharme has some really great reflections and devotions. She begins each chapter with a story about the Packers which she connects very well to a meditation. I was really impressed with how she transitioned. Many times it made me stop and evaluate my life. I think DuCharme did a wonderful job making these devotionals accessible to the everyday Packer fan. Packer fans can easily relate and make the connection in their own lives. It's a well thought out book from the "extra points" to the "playbook" to the discussion and the bible passage connected to each devotional. I enjoyed the Foreward by Sara White as well.
On the other, it is very difficult for me to make that strong connection between faith in God and a sports game. As much as I love the Packers, I do not pray for their success in football. In the end, it's just a game meant for our entertainment. In the end, this book is not for the person seeking a deeply spiritual book; it is a great book for Packer facts with a small dose of daily reflections.
On the other, it is very difficult for me to make that strong connection between faith in God and a sports game. As much as I love the Packers, I do not pray for their success in football. In the end, it's just a game meant for our entertainment. In the end, this book is not for the person seeking a deeply spiritual book; it is a great book for Packer facts with a small dose of daily reflections.
December 15, 2013
I received an ARC from Goodreads as a First Reads winner, and I thank them and the author for the opportunity to read the book. The book is a quick read, 39 "chapters". Each one starts by relating a Packer atory - a situation related to the team, the events of a specific game, or the actions or words of a player. Following each illustration, the author provides a tie in to the Bible, specifically the New Testament, and how the Packer game or player promoted G-d, faith, or adherence to Christian principals.
As with most Packer Fans, following the team is almost like a religion and I was looking forward to reading the book to broaden that devotion. However, I was not looking for actual spiritual religion. If you are a Packer fan who goes to church every Sunday, you may enjoy this book more. If not, you might enjoy the Packer stories but may want to skip the religious indoctrination.
As with most Packer Fans, following the team is almost like a religion and I was looking forward to reading the book to broaden that devotion. However, I was not looking for actual spiritual religion. If you are a Packer fan who goes to church every Sunday, you may enjoy this book more. If not, you might enjoy the Packer stories but may want to skip the religious indoctrination.
June 28, 2016
This was an okay devotional. If I was a cheese head I probably would have liked it more than I did, but since I'm not it was just okay. This truly is geared to fans of the Green Pay Packers, I thought it was just a fun title since the author is obviously a big Packers fan, I thought it would be more applicable to all football fans and it is in a way, but it does go into an in depth look at the Packers team and players and events that they faced.
That being said I thought it was well written, and an interesting devotional, it just didn't hit home with me as much as I would have liked and while I found the devotionals interesting, I didn't feel like I learned or grew much from reading this. It was a pleasant read, but just not quite right for me.
3 Stars
That being said I thought it was well written, and an interesting devotional, it just didn't hit home with me as much as I would have liked and while I found the devotionals interesting, I didn't feel like I learned or grew much from reading this. It was a pleasant read, but just not quite right for me.
3 Stars
July 17, 2015
I was a lucky winner of this book here on Goodreads. This is an excellent devotional for both the believer & the football fan. I feel like it would also be a great tool for reaching an unsaved person that happens to be a football fan. You get great Bible verses, helpful insights, & great football facts about the Packers. I hope that Judy DuCharme does another volume of devotionals to accompany these.
August 5, 2020
A cute and creative devotional. Each day there’s a bible passage and then a Packers story connected to that passage. She does a good job of connecting the story back to the Bible, and there’s even an “Extra point” section with a short prayer. A good devotional for Packers fans, especially if you’re new to the faith. Not sure I would recommend to someone who is mature in their faith and has known Christ for a while.
May 7, 2013
Fun read. Enjoyed the Packer stories, a lot of which I remembered and then tied into Bible versions. Very good life lessons. I'm sure there could have been more but it was nice having 39 short stories/devotionals.
The stories were relatively recent so the stories were also very public in this day of instant news. This will be one book I revisit.
The stories were relatively recent so the stories were also very public in this day of instant news. This will be one book I revisit.
March 5, 2014
Gave to my husband for Christmas. Reads it everyday and loves it. True inspiration! Thanks for writing this beautiful devotional. You don't have to be a packers fan to love it.
August 23, 2016
Wow, author, Judy DuCharme, sure is a big Packer fan! She certainly has the football knowledge and has the facts straight. I really enjoyed the stories she recounted and the devotional she ties in.
September 6, 2016
What I expected. Cute stories with devotionals that sometimes related to scripture readings. Some matched better than others. It was ok. Good way for Packer fans to start a new football season.
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October 30, 2013played sports & now watch them luv 2 win/read this book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews