Barry Bremen is best known for his outrageous stunts as an imposter. Not surprisingly, he acquired the title The Great Imposter. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Barry would pose as a professional player and figure in professional sports. He posed as a Major League Baseball umpire at the World Series, a player in an MLB All-Star Game, a player in an NBA All-Star Game, a referee in the NFL, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and a professional golfer.
He lived by the motto, “no guts, no glory.” Ironically, he dissuaded copycats by telling them, “Don’t do it. It’s against the law. Stay away. This is my act.” Throughout the years, he continued his imposter stunts attempting to pass off as the real deal. He was so audacious that he once attempted to pose for a group picture with future Hall of Famers George Brett, Reggie Jackson, Joe Morgan, Mike Schmidt, Gaylord Perry, Dave Winfield, Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, Carl Yastrzemski, Lou Brock, and Tommy Lasorda.
During one of his last stunts, Bremen got up and accepted a Best Supporting Actress award for Hill Street Blues actress Betty Thomas at the 1985 Emmy Awards. He was arrested and later apologized to Thomas, telling her he had thought she wasn’t there to accept the award.
His story reminds me of how many men walk around posing as unbelievers. They walk, talk, and act like those without a relationship with Christ. They’ve become so comfortable with sinning that you can’t tell them apart except when they show up on Sundays for church service.
If you’re one of those men, Christ is calling you to set yourself apart and make known your loyalty to him. If you profess to know Christ, then its time to stop blending in and start standing out.
Daily Directive:
Answer and Journal the Following
Read:
Read and meditate on James 1:21-25.
Pray:
How would those who know you describe you? Does “follower of Jesus” come up in that description? Be real; be honest.
Meditate / Make It Real:
Pray and ask God for the courage and strength to live a holy life representative of Christ. Create a plan on how you would do this. Be specific.
Share / Show:
Share this with a fellow brother and have them hold you accountable.