Penn State sure has been in the news a lot lately and none of it has been flattering. A longtime assistant coach is convicted of child molestation and a legendary head coach is disgraced because he may have participated in a cover up. Emotions are running high and a lot of Penn State football fans are devastated by all the developments.

But fans can be passionate. I should know, since I’m very passionate about my Kentucky Wildcats.

I was reminded how passionate fans can be last week while on vacation at Myrtle Beach. Each day as we walked to the beach, we passed a rental house with a huge flag tied to the bannisters on the 3rd floor front porch. You’ll notice in the photograph below that it was a Penn State flag. Obviously the renters that week were passionate fans of the Penn State Nittany Lions and they wanted everyone to know it. They were not ashamed and they were going to support their school and team during a very difficult time.

Seeing that flag each day caused me to wonder how proud we are of Jesus and of our church. Are we proud to be identified as Christians and as members of First Baptist Church? Are we willing to wear clothing that bears our church name or a Bible verse? Are will willing to pray before eating in public? Are we willing to invite people to church or share our testimony with a coworker? Are we proud of Jesus or not? Are we proud of our church or not?

Pastor Steve Hogg