Cam Newton lived in a virtual lovefest all season and for two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl…as everyone played Peyton Manning’s gag reel. Good for the old guy. I’d ride off into the sunset in Elwayan fashion.

Now about Cam…

Cam himself said the NFL hadn’t seen anything like him (meh), and he celebrates jubilantly after touchdowns or great plays in the face of his opponents…and…

I actually have no problem with that.

I do have a problem with making yourself a victim or pouting then when you lose. Don’t be a bad winner and a bad loser. Be a flamboyant winner and a humble, respectful loser if you’re going to be an flamboyant winner.

Or, be a gracious winner but a non-gracious loser…that’s what truly competitive people sometimes do. Loving winning and despising losing is normal. It’s the behavior.

At the same time, he’s young (though an NFL veteran)…and we need to give him some time to grow out of it. If he doesn’t like criticism, he can start by lowering his opinion of himself and stick with playing football until he’s held the trophy.

Enough of all that.

Churches that claim they are hospitals for the hurting sometimes leave people the impression they are simply places to be sick if they don’t point out the reason a person goes to the hospital is to be healed.

Jesus always aims toward health and healing for people. Pastoral care in churches should have the same aim.

Emily and I spent a great deal of this week at a cohort-style ministry conference in Las Vegas. Some might be thinking—a ministry conference…in Vegas?

I thought it was a great place for such a gathering.

I’ve always wondered how Christians expect people far from God to find Him if all Christians avoid cities like Vegas. TV preachers? Sky writing? Carrier pigeon?

And, what if Paul had approached Corinth the same way—or the Jews couldn’t have overcome their aversion to all things Gentile?

And, what better place to reflect on the task of ministry than a place with such obvious need for Christ.

They might not admit it, but my guess is some Christians fear they themselves would sin if they spent much time in such a setting. Or, they loathe the sin in Vegas, so apparent and egregious, that they genuinely disdain the city and its inhabitants.

It’s usually easier to condemn Nineveh than to preach to it. Unfortunately, our mission is redemption not condemnation…and those people…so lost…so lost…are like sheep without a shepherd.

To great churches in Las Vegas getting it done for Jesus—I salute you. Christians in Las Vegas may be proportionately few, but I’m guessing they are a sight to behold. You go! We’re with you!

“Never make a decision today that can reasonably be put off till tomorrow,” says Steve Sample, former USC President in a Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership. Why?

I used to make decisions quickly in my younger years. These days, I often wait as long as possible before making an important decision (not basic decisions). This isn’t because I’m indecisive. It’s because it gives you the most access to most recent data and circumstances in making the decision.

This can frustrate those wanting to get their own objectives accomplished. But, when making big decisions–its usually best to make the best decision rather than submit to artificial deadlines set by another that cause you to work at their speed rather than the speed of appropriate leadership.

However, legitimately dragging one’s feet or procrastinating is exactly that. Not good leadership.

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just a few days. Let the people rejoice.

The New Hampshire primaries taught us a few things. But, here are some fearless predictions. Neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton will be their party’s nominees.

Any one notice what’s been happening to the stock market?

I heard or read this somewhere: “Many want to be a leader. Few want to do leader.”

As an early Valentine’s Day treat, Emily and I saw Mariah Carey in concert. She’s been one of my favorites since I was in High School. She is the top-selling solo artist in American music history, with 18 number 1 singles (only the Beatles have more)…and a lot of hits that didn’t quite hit #1. She sang all 18 #1 hits in chronological order—which I loved.

She’s 45 now, and though I thought she kind of mailed in the first half of the concert, she smoked the second half. She can still hit the high notes, too.

So, she gets song of the week honors. Mariah, I salute you—for I’ll be There, live, with Trey Lorenz (who also sang it with her in Vegas)

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Dr. Tim Spivey is Lead Planter of New Vintage Church in San Diego, California. He is the author of numerous articles and one book, "Jesus: The Powerful Servant." A sought after speaker for events, Tim also serves as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Pepperdine University. Tim serves as a church consultant, and his writings are featured on ChurchLeaders.com, Church Executive magazine, Faith Village, Sermon Central, and Giving Rocket.