Competing is about performance. We prepare hard and we quickly learn there are two outcomes: perform or perish! As competitors, we step onto the field or court, set everything aside and perform our best! Regardless of what is going on inside, we are expected to play well. We train ourselves to not let the inside struggles affect the outside performance. We are still expected to compete at a high level.

I don’t usually watch the show “The Biggest Loser,” but when I get a chance to see it, I always love it. There’s always something to learn about our human nature through that show, and I usually come away from it inspired in some way.

Last night, I caught part of the show and was struck by a particular comment from trainer Jillian Michaels. One of the participants had been giving her particular trouble through his poor attitude, and she commented on how it was affecting not only him, but also his entire team. I might botch the quote, but Michaels said something like, “The problem with teams is that the actions of individuals don’t just affect individuals, they affect the other people on their teams.”

Of all the silly games that I learned as a child, the one I remember best was a game some of the older kids in the neighborhood played—one that we didn’t exactly brag about to our parents. “Knick Knocking” was the practice of approaching a neighbor’s front door, knocking loudly several times, and then running away. Serious Knick Knockers would retreat to a nearby hideaway so that they could watch the unsuspecting neighbor open the door and search for a visitor. This was actually entertaining to the mischievous kids on our block!

I know all of us have heard about "the story," right? The story of how we are forgiven for all our sins because Jesus came and died for us.

Last weekend I was in Medford playing soccer. In our last game, I was a little too fired up and used some words I don't want to mention again. And before the game I had specifically said, "Lord, I’m playing for You." After the game was over I realized that I had completely gone back on my word. I’d gotten caught up in the competition.

There are great responsibilities that go along with the great privileges of being a champion. NASCAR driver Kurt Busch had a less-than-stellar image prior to winning the series championship in 2004--something he had worked hard to repair in the early part of the 2005 season. However, heading into the Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge, after a couple of relapses by Busch, NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said, "Kurt has a responsibility to the sport and must conduct himself like a champion."

After I had my blood cholesterol levels checked last week, I met with the doctor to discuss my results. Because I exercise regularly and eat well, I anticipated good results. As I expected, the doctor said my results were great and that he was very pleased. In fact, he said he wished that all of his patients had such positive results and that 90 percent of them didn’t.