War Eagle from ToraGirl

[ToraGirl 5,498]

Hello, AUFamily! I have been happily underground for a year, after my 835-some-odd posts from our miraculous 2010 season until my last, right after the Chick Fil-a Bowl on December 31, I believe. I left for many reasons, not the least of which were other priorities that needed my attention. As you know, hanging around AuburnEagle/AUFamily can be addicting...so after this post, it's back to National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification pursuit, summer planning, and living my life with those I love and serve, planting seeds of hope everywhere I am called to do so.

Those who remember my posts know my viewpoint regarding football and faith. I'm not really going there specifically...but I do have some interesting things to share that really open my eyes.

Yesterday in Auburn, we had a yardsale at the home of my late grandmother. To our surprise, we met a sweet lady who turned out to be the wife of James Owens, the aunt of present-Tiger Ladarius Owens. Before I ever knew who she was, both of us clad in all-AU, of course, we began talking faith immediately, because those who "get life in 3d" have a way of connecting . In fact, we can't help but see all of life that way, no matter how many want to separate life into little compartments. It takes living life in such a way to make the steps...and the history...that James Owens made.

http://www.al.com/au...ools_first.html

Just recently, our women's ministry group spent the evening at the Adullam House in Wetumpka. This home houses the children of incarcerated moms at local Tutwiler Prison until they can get on their feet again. They are loved, nurtured, educated, and prayed over . You may or may not know that the Chizik Foundation has contributed largely to the needs of this organization by putting the finishing touches on their new dorms. You probably won't hear Coach Chizik saying that, either, although many would shout their accolades. Something similar happened when we served in June at Bridges of Faith, a ministry that welcomes Ukrainian orphans and serves as a connection point for adoptive families near and far. Many orphaned children in the Ukraine are turned out of orphanages into lives you do not want to imagine once they turn 16 . There is simply no room for them. The directors at the center explained that the two beautiful dogs that cross the language barrier for each group of children as they hit rural Alabama were a gift from Gene and Jonna Chizik. Again, you won't hear them tell that.

http://www.adullamhouse.org/

http://www.facebook....22997170&type=1

That's all fine and good...so what if Coach Chizik is busy saving the world? We want to win games! After all, that's what "we hired him" to do.

And believe me, I agree. I am so flustered and yes, frustrated by this season's events that I barely know how to pray. And I'd keep it separate if I could, because "football IS football"....but the problem is, Auburn is NOT. The only way to speak the language that our university was founded upon is to speak the language of faith and prayer.

I also know that seeing life in big-picture format was on the minds of many who have given their lives to invest in Auburn football. Do your own research and see the viewpoints of Shug Jordan, Tommy Tuberville, and Chette Williams. Better yet, read Hard-Fighting Soldiers (Chette) and All In (Coach Chizik) to see what is going on here. YES, we want to win, but winning games alone isn't enough in life. That is a life calling way too small.

As for the specifics and the logistics of AU football 2012, I can't tell you. Every one of us and every one we know has a "reason". I don't know the answer to the problem that is obvious. But I know WHY it is happening. Our school will face pressures and struggles in both the 2d and 3d sense because of stands we have taken in the past. When our spring troubles began shortly after the winning the NC, that was the first straw. In a spiritual sense, there is "so much STUFF"...because there has been a great stride for overall good both on and off the field. And whether or not you believe in an Enemy that doesn't like it, you have to wonder when you connect all of the dots. The first thing to be attacked is unity...among the fanbase and everywhere else. We see this in our own relationships..."divide and conquer."

I do know that I responded to a calling to pray with commitment and inspire others to do so during the 2010 season. If you remember, all you-know-what broke loose that fall, too. I didn't pray for us to WIN, much as I wanted it, but I did pray for the big picture...and you know, based upon things we will never fully understand or admit to, we won every game in 2010. I believe it is because of the way things lined up in an earthly AND a spiritual sense. I shared earlier that I have struggled with the faith to know how to pray this year, and I have allowed those who refuse to see life as something bigger to distract me when I could be inspiring those of similar perspective to band together and get busy. So I apologize for this.

Whatever comes, whoever goes...no matter the results, this university was built on a different foundation than many others, including the one that "appears" to be doing so well down the road. It sure is...in an earthly, winning, arrogant sense. That fact alone makes our issues all the more overwhelming, and for those who live in the midst of the ignorant, it's even harder. I am there, too...having grown up in the Loveliest Village myself...and it's a bitter pill to ignore. But we'll never do or say anything that will impress them. Let's remember, when we were on top of the world, our trees got poisoned...so face it...rivals will talk and act out whether we win OR when we lose. They will have their day...they HAVE had their dayssssss, though they forget so easily. So throw them out of the loop. It's got to be about us and what we are going to do about it.

"As for me and my house..."

Who will join me? And what do we have to lose? "A house divided cannot stand"...Abraham Lincoln quoting Jesus...

WAR EAGLE, now, forever, always!

[wde21 344]

Well said. I believe in Auburn and love it! I definitely get what you are saying about Auburn and agree completely.

[Weegle777 63]

Good to see you around again Tora. And nice post.

[bwillaub 0]

Nice to hear from ya, TG. Glad to see you are taking care of the important things. It's been a very disappointing season and I know a lot of "family" members are very frustrated at this point. Frustration breeds discontent and discontent lends itself towards disorder. Football fans are a mostly fickle bunch, happy when winning and mostly disillusioned when not. Hopefully order will be restored more sooner than later.

WAR EAGLE ANYWAYS!

[war_eagle80 0]

Thank You, for your awesome perspective... 2nd wake-up call for me on AU Family in same day...

[Grumps 3,394]

Great post! I appreciate it very much. I wish that more people "got it".

[auburn4ever 1,266]

That is truly awesome. WAR EAGLE and Thank you. God bless each of you.

[AUBourne 425]

I don't understand the point of this post. I don't understand what a belief in supernatural powers has to do with football. You can try and judge Alabama for winning or how they win but they have real success that can be measured. I don't mind saying I want a coach that can win championships and make AU a consistent top 10 program. That coach will need to teach discipline and hold the players to high moral standards to be effective. I don't care if the coach goes to church or not though. That is not what he gets paid for.

[war eagle6 0]

Tora-girl thank u 4 opening my eyes!! U just Made me remember how indeed satan works, I understood mrs chizik a statement on Facebook that caused a little controversy the other day but i did not implement it. In 2010 we shocked the world by winning the championship when the other school n this state was supposed 2 repeat. If I recall, n one of our wins or maybe more, chizik said it was a GOD thing! Immediately the media jumped all over it and started poking fun of our fan base and our coach. Then came pay 4 play scandal, chizik held us down during those trying times. Next came updykes poisoning, trying to destroy our joy and winning culture of rolling toomers corner, who could ever 4get the alledged bagman accusations trying to divert our celebration of being champs during sec media days? we barely get over that to learn the tragic deaths of former players from senseless acts at a party. So now we r dealing with this frustration of our team going thru hard times!! I want to apologize to my AUfamily 4 posts against coach chizik and co. This is how satan wants it, he sees what's in our future so he cripples it and make us turn against the very man that gives GOD honor n everything he does, and boy does satan hates that!! I now know why this may b happening to such a good man, I did not know he and his wife were doing such noble deeds like what tora-girl has informed us with. GOD loves a cheerful giver and he also said don't let one hand know what the other is doing. Most would give and put it n the news so we could say look at him he's such a great human being, it's not always about us!! Thanx tora-girl for reminding me of family! WDE

[augolf1716 20,206]

Well a blast from the pass. As always great post TG.

[AtlantaAU 0]

I also don't care at all about the religious belief of our head coach. While I don't want someone with the track record of Petrino (jetgate, the way he left the Falcons and Arkansas), I also don't think the guy needs to be a saint. Auburn is not just for bible believers. I graduated from Auburn 25 years ago and I know I'm not the only one from that time period who feels that way (even if we are likely in the minority).

[tbone4jc 2,111]

I completely believe in the power of prayer and also believe that there is a reason for everything that happens in our lives. Football is just a game but it is also a way to get an education that would have eluded most of the players involved and while it is vitally important to lead men to Christ and be a living example for Christianity, Coach Chizik is being paid to win football games. It's that plain and simple. I love the man Gene Chizik, everything I know about him is what I would want in a friend and brother but he cannot perform as a head coach. I want nothing more than what is best for these kids and Auburn physically, spiritually and mentally. War Eagle

[war eagle6 0]

Well I pray that things come 2gether real soon

[AUGradinTX 0]

Does this mean we can talk religion here?

I praise CGC for what he does to help others. However, like a couple others have said here. He is our football coach; not our director of humanitarian aid. Therefore, he should be evaluated on how he does his JOB and not how well de does other things.

[PoetTiger 1,842]

Some of you clearly missed the point of her post...

[AUGradinTX 0]

Highly likely. I definitely didn't read that entire thing. From what I did read, it wasn't really about football.

[aubaseball 2,406]

I don't get it (the post). Am I to believe that if we are a group of people that pray the most or believe in GOD the most, will win more games? This is the most concede post I have ever read. Are we really the school that thinks it is better (morally) than any other school. Sounds like a cult to me.

[80Tiger 882]

I don't get the post either and I read it twice. Am I being asked to pray more for Auburn? Is AU under spiritual attack because of the Chiziks faith? Is AU a more moral university than others? If that is what is inferred then I take offense.

I will start with the fact that I am an AU graduate. Love my time there and love the university. I pray almost every day. I believe in it. I do not pray for AU or AU athletics. There are so many things more important than football that IMO to do so cheapens truly important things.

I am glad the Chiziks do good things. I hope they continue to do so. Those good things should have no impact his job at AU. To bring those type things up is insulting to them.

AU is a land grant university. We are not religiously affilated nor do have a divinity school or missions oriented function. Again while I love AU we have no higher moral ground than most universities. I know many people and family that went and go to the university of Alabama. They are fine solid people.

That said War Eagle and let's win the rest of them.

[NoALtiger 3,666]

Nice post Tora, good to hear from ya again!

[Friedchickenman 0]

"The only way to speak the language that our university was founded upon is to speak the language of faith and prayer."

So you're telling me that unless you believe in prayer and God, you're not a true Auburn fan...okay, whatever Tora. The problems we see on the field have nothing to do with God, and nothing to do with what is being talked about here. I take offense to your notion that I'm not an Auburn fan because I don't believe in God, there are Auburn fans of all faiths here, or lack thereof in my case. The last thing we need is more fans here thinking that because Gene Chizik and Jay Jacobs go to church on Sundays we should keep them and place our "faith" in them to pull us out of this mess. If you have logical points as to why they should be kept around then sure I'll listen but high-handed religious propaganda is just annoying to me.