[Note: This article was originally published in January 2025.]
Almost every Monday at lunchtime I meet with a small group I consider my dearest friends at our favorite hamburger place. We meet to honor Jim Lindsey, the outstanding Razorback and Minnesota Vikings football player and founder of one of the largest real estate companies in Arkansas. Jim is admired and loved by all of us including former coaches, players, and devotees of our Razorback mentality. Several former Razorbacks who love and respect Lindsey attend. A few weeks ago, at a single luncheon we had Kenny Hatfield, Houston Nutt, Harold Horton (and son Tim who is a football coach at the Air Force Academy), Lewis Campbell, and Bobby Fields (great Razorback player who went on to coach at Alabama and UCLA). Bill Burnett, our Hog touchdown king (#46) used to attend until his health broke. (Please pray for him and his wife Linda.)
As Lindsey’s pastor for years, one of his closest of spiritual friends, and as Razorback Chaplain I am included in the lunch. Coach Frank Broyles named me Chaplain of the Razorback in 1968, and I served for 30 years under Kenny Hatfield, Lou Holtz and Houston Nutt. Please forgive me but I have to point out that the Hogs mostly won while I was chaplain!
Each Monday I usually lead the prayer of blessing and share a brief challenge to follow Christ better. While Coach Hatfield usually takes the lead, he and others say that the prayer was too long (15 seconds) and my comment (30 seconds) was too complicated. The first Monday we met in 2025 I lead them in reading from the devotions for December 31 and January 1 in Sidlow Baxter’s book, Daily Wings. Sidlow, my mentor from England who loved Lindsey, says things with brilliance. I copied what Sid said and gave it to the men. I hope you all enjoy reading it and all of us will heed Sid’s words in 2025.
Let the Past Go
Amid the solemn march of ages, Amid the world’s successive stages, Amid all turns of history’s pages, My Savior changes never.
Above eventful time’s surprises, Above all scheming man devises, His hand restrains and supervises, And holds me safe forever.”
A New Year Vow
“Now let me, as the year begins, My vows to God renew;
The God who pardons all my sins, And brings me grace anew.
By covenant bond is He my God, My proven shield and stay;
He overruled the path now trod,
He plans my future way.
Each secret grudge, each evil way, Lies bare to His pure eyes;
Let me renounce, this New Year’s day, All guile, all compromise.
Let me now ask that in their place
The Spirit may impart
The Savior’s tenderness and grace
To sanctify my heart.
Yes, let me on this first of days Subscribe my name anew
To live indeed, Lord, to Thy praise Each day, the whole year through.
