"MICHIGAN FAN OFFERS TO SELL HIS SPIRIT ON E-BAY!" That was the lead-in on a news story carried by Wood TV of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was very interested in this piece because I know the fellow who is behind it. Actually, this is a tongue-in-cheek proposal as a means of raising some funds for a local charity.

Pastor Chad Mccallum of Byron Center, MI said he was distressed by U of M's current start to the football season. He therefore decided to sell his football spirit to the highest bidder on E-bay. To date, he has received many emails, some of them not so complimentary, except for those that came from Columbus, Ohio.

Clever idea, don't you think? While this is all done in jest,for a good cause, still there is an related issue that could be considered, namely, fickleness. You see it especailly in the realm of sports, politics, and even religion.

For example, Coach Carr takes the Wolverines to a national championship a few years ago and he is touted as a great coach. They start out losing the first two games this year and he is a bum. Fans are calling for him to be replaced--the sooner, the better. What happened to loyalty?

Then again, the political scene is rife with examples. Popularity rises and falls like the temperature in the Rockies. Its the old, "What have you done for me lately"
syndrome. Yesterday's hero is today's bumbler. Shouts of "Four More Years!" have been replaced with calls for impeachment. Did you her about the politician who gave his speech his best shot? He felt that it was a stirring, fact-filled campaign speech. When he was done, he looked out at his audience and asked, "Are there any questions?" Someone in the back row called out, "Who else is running?"

One final illustration: attendance at the house of God. Many folks today approach church with a consumer mentality. They shop around, looking for the best deal---the music that pleases them, the program that meets their needs, giving little thought to the idea of receiving inspiration in order to give out to others. One word can chase them away. Loyalty has given way to self-centeredness. They are often referred to by clergy as "hoppers." Their attitude is, "If you play my tune, I'll dance."

An American who was traveling in Syria saw three native shepherds bring their flocks to the same brook, and the flock drank there together. After a time, one of the shepherds arose and called out, "Men-ah! Menah!" the Arabic for "follow me." His sheep came out of the common herd and followed him up the hillside. The next shepherd did the same thing, with the same results. He didn't even stop to count them.

The tourist said to the remaining shepherd, "Give me your turban and crook, and see if they will follow me as well as you." So he did and the tourist called out the same way, but not a sheep moved. They know not the voice of a stranger. "Will your flock never follow anybody but you?" inquired the tourist. The shepherd replied, "Oh, yes; sometimes a sheep gets sick, and then he will follow any one."

By the way, I have been following the Tigers for more than thirty years--in their good and in their lean years. Some people think I'm sick , but I'll probably go to my grave wearing a Tiger's cap!