LIVE BOLD would like to welcome out newest contributor to the writing team: Douglas Barton. Douglas will be offering insight into the world of sports and the world of finance as it relates to being a man of faith. We welcome Douglas and look forward to offering you another viewpoint form a man who desires to live his faith.. BOLD. – Greg

The December 15 cover of Sports Illustrated features Florida Gator QB Tim Tebow after he rallied the Gators past Alabama with two fourth quarter touchdowns to win the SEC Championship and gain a berth in the BCS title game. In that game as throughout his 3-year career Tim wore Phil 4:13 on his eye black patches. The reference is to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The NIV version says “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” What power-laden words. What an even more powerful message on a guy who has already won a national championship as a freshman, became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy and now will be playing for his second national title. In today’s world I wonder how the message plays to the masses?

As a proud Virginia Tech Hokie graduate I get a second-straight trip to the Orange Bowl so I’ve got no dog in the hunt at the BCS title game. Two things have me pulling for Tebow. Wearing his Faith, literally, on college football‘s biggest stage. And second… I like outta the norm offenses. Urban Meyer plugged in Tebow as a throw-back single-wing QB in their spread offense. Same thing Army did when they dominated in the early 1940′s. In football, innovation is dredging up something that’s been done but fallen out of flavor.

I came to know Philippians 4:13 in the early 90s when a mentor gave me a copy of Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. It is without a doubt one of the best books ever written. Phil 4:13 has been one of the belief pillars of my Faith. It has carried me through a lot of crunch times. I’ve stuck it on a card in my wallet to carry it with me at all times. In 2002, during the height of the 2001-02 bear market I made a career leap to financial planning from public relations. Phil 4:13 and a bunch of sweat equity carried me. The verse has also been a common thread for my wife and I. As I look back through life’s journey the practice of ‘the deeper the problem, the deeper the prayer’ and Phil 4:13 have always led the way.

Seeing Tim wear Phil 4:13 does my heart good. The son of missionaries, he spent last summer on a whirlwind tour of third-world countries. Even though I don’t particularly care for the Florida Gators, Tim is a story that makes you say “yeah!” When he goes to the NFL next year it will be interesting to see how he will continue his faith message. On-field signage on uniforms and players is deeply guarded by the NFL league office. I hope he finds a way.

In the meantime I wish Tim Tebow well against the Sooners. Oklahoma has the highest scoring offense in the history of major college football. The Gators answered every challenge in the rugged SEC. Should be an awesome game.

I hope Tim gets to glare his eye black in the spotlight one more time.

- Douglas