Change in the NBA and beyond

I always love the off-season in professional sports.

From the draft to free agency, it’s interesting to see how teams address their needs and to see players switch teams.

Teams can get much better or much worse in a hurry depending how they handle this crucial time. That’s why I’m looking forward to tonight’s NBA draft (7:30 p.m., ESPN).

The Cleveland Cavaliers have two of the first four picks and are actively involved in trade talks for other players. Chances are good they will have a dramatically different team after tonight. The hope is they will be able to add talent to do better than they did last year.

Personally, I would love for them to get Derrick Williams of Arizona and Brandon Knight of Kentucky. What do you think?

I love seeing change with my favorite basketball team, and it’s easier to see change when it doesn’t have a direct impact on my personal life (and when my team needs a lot of improvement).

But change can be really scary when it touches me personally.

When the unexpected happens, I turn to the unchanging God, whose love for me is steady and constant. I and other Christians have the privilege of enjoying a wonderful relationship with Him through Jesus. Paul wrote these words to the Roman Christians of his day:

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death or life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor or worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of Hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38 NLT).

Do you know His love? If you don’t, shoot me an e-mail at viewfromthepugh@yahoo.com.

I’d love to talk to you about it.

—Chris Pugh

(EDITOR’S NOTE—Photo: Thomas Northcut/Digital Vision/Thinkstock)

Finding joy through trials

I’m a Nick Gilbert fan.

The 14-year-old, who is battling neurofibromatosis, a serious nerve disorder, became an instant Ohio legend while representing the Cleveland Cavaliers last week as the team won the NBA Draft Lottery.

Nick’s positive outlook is very inspiring. It was clear as he responded to a question about how it feels to be the personal hero of his father, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
“Well, I mean, what’s not to like?” Nick said on the ESPN broadcast of the event (see The Sporting News story here). “I’m the oldest of five. I have a good life. I’m going through this disease, but I’m going through it well, I’m getting better . . . Everything’s going good.”

I’m not sure about the source of Nick’s joy, but I’m glad to see he has it.

It’s easy to let life get you down, but no matter what you’re going through, you can find eternal joy through trust in God.

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

Are you living with joy today?

— Chris Pugh

(EDITOR’S NOTE—Nick Gilbert is associated with the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Please support Nick and the Foundation by visiting the Web site!)