KRELLFISH

SCL:Claiming Sports are the ROAE

 
(I reviewed this book last week and loved it! The following post is a contest entry. It's a chance to write my own version of stuff christians like and if I win, I'll be featured on Jonathan Acuff's blog Stuff Christians Like.)

We all know those families at Church. They’re hardly ever there due to the amount of sports their kids participate in, but we’ve heard about them. We see them occasionally if they aren’t in an “out-of-state-traveling-competitive-team” tournament.

Sometimes only part of the family will show up on any given Sunday and that’s when we start in. 

If you’re a Christian family who happens to love sports, use this handy guide for shot blocking unsolicited advice.

Well-meaning judger: The Krells aren’t here, they had three games this weekend. Three! They’re totally addicted.

Your response tailored to how many kids you have: We average more like eight games a weekend. An addiction is something you can’t stop doing. We have three boys who each play two sports. Sometimes they play double headers. We are talking simple math here friend, not addiction. 

Well-meaning judger: Sports get in the way of family time.

You: Yes, I can see it would get in the way of couch time in front of ESPN while your wife blogs and your kids play video games.

Well- meaning judger: You never let your kids play, or just be kids.

You: I’m sorry little Johnny/Jane doesn’t have an athletic bone in his/her body. We’ll play, I mean pray for you.

Well- meaning judger: Your kids don’t pray enough.

You: They pray before free throws and point toward the sky in the end zone. That single finger point clearly gives all the glory where it’s due. Sure Matthew 6:5-6 tells us to pray in a secret place. However it’s hard to be humble when you play in eight games a weekend. 

Well-meaning judger: Your kids don’t do God’s work; mission work.

You: You just don’t want my kid to witness more than yours. Obviously when my son kneels in the end zone he’s ministering to the masses. That’s more effective than knocking on one door at a time.

Well-meaning judger: Your kids give up their right to ask for God’s safety if they choose to endanger themselves on the insane court of basketball.

You: I’m still searching the Bible for the list of things I can’t go to God about. When I find it, if “standing on the soccer field” tops the list, we’ll quit. By the way, I find you very competitive, almost sports-like.

Well-meaning judger: Sports are the ROAE. The root of all evil I tell you.

You: Actually in 1 Tim. 6:10, it says the “love of money” is a root of all kinds of evil. The words sports and money are not interchangeable. Unless you’re talking about professional athletes, then indeed the words are synonymous. But the most my kid has asked for is to “show him the Gatorade.”

And finally, when they next level it by stating “Asking God for a win implies that he is an arbitrary God.” You simply reply: I don’t know much, but Jesus loves me, this I know.

Arbitrary or not, this I know.

For the Love of Lent

When I was young, the season of Lent meant managing my friends. At the end of every February I'd make mental notes like these: 

Don't invite Sally Sweet to spend the night, she's given up sugar for Lent. What's The Love Boat and Fantasy Island without a Big Gulp and a candy bar?

And later as a teen:

Please don't let Tom Foolery ask me out! I heard he's given up fun for Lent.

And then as a young adult:

Better not invite the Legume family over for dinner this month, they've given up meat for lent. Whatever would I serve them, rabbit food?

It was all about avoiding those who were avoiding the good stuff. 

Occasionally over the years I'd jump in and try to give up something, touting my omission to anyone who would listen. Finally I realized that fasting from something wasn't enough, I needed to use that time to privately grow and know God.

So this year I'm not giving up Starbucks (shocker), red meat, or my Crazy Heart soundtrack, rather I gave up my notions of what the Lenten season is. I put away past experiences and ideas and started from square one. I researched, read and prayed about Lent and believe I'm different because of it.

Most noticeably, I've learned that Lent isn't about me and my power to preclude. While it's difficult to enter into this season of sadness, joy always comes in the morning and we will celebrate with joy on Easter. 

We will celebrate God, who with his abilities and power is the only reason I can do anything at all.

Biblestick

Faith Comes By Hearing is sending thousands of Military BibleSticks to encourage men and women in our troops. They provide them at no charge and even send a coupon for the spouse and one for a child back home. Please visit the link below to find out how you can help.

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/who-we-are

Chaplains and troops are raving about the Military BibleStick. Since July 2008, Faith Comes By Hearing, the world’s foremost Audio Bible ministry, has sent more than 15,000 of these Audio New Testament listening devices to military chaplains around the world.

Ministry leaders at Faith Comes By Hearing specially designed the Military BibleStick to encourage America’s fighting men and women to engage in God’s Word in audio. 

The Military BibleStick is a portable, digital audio player, which comes pre-loaded with the Audio Drama New Testament. With a matte black finish, matte black ear buds and a red-light-only operation, the Military BibleStick has an intentional low-key design to reduce visibility and to be used in low-light situations. This Audio Bible, which is about the size of a pack of chewing gum, easily fits into a uniform pocket and is rugged enough to withstand unpredictable weather.

“The format is perfect for the military lifestyle,” said one Army chaplain deployed to Iraq.

Chaplains report that the troops enjoy the portability of the Military BibleStick, the dramatization of the Audio New Testament and quality of the recording itself.

“This is awesome,” said a Marine sergeant serving in the Middle East. “You feel like you are there – like you are listening to a story – or watching a movie.  It’s interesting and easy to listen to.”

“Listening to the Audio Bible really helped me to understand the Bible,” said a soldier deployed to Kosovo.  “I can read the words over and over, but to hear the Word spoken to me really puts it all together.” 

During deployments, troops often live in cramped quarters with little to no privacy or personal space. Dangerous environments and long missions also add to the daily stresses.

“Many of us have been here for awhile and the doldrums lifestyle can leave you worn out and empty,” wrote a soldier from Iraq.

One sailor said, “It’s hard to have time out and introspect. People appreciate being able to listen alone, which gives them the privacy and time to focus on God’s Word.”

These responses are no surprise for Lt. Cmdr. Steve Sexton, a Navy Chaplain stationed in southern California. To date, Sexton has distributed roughly 1,000 Military BibleSticks to Marines at the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California. His involvement began after observing what Marines and Sailors in his unit did during their down time.  

“I noticed that nobody walked around with a paperback or magazine in their back pocket.  Instead, they plugged in their MP3 Player, watched a movie or played a video game,” Sexton said.

In fact, a recent study confirms his observation, citing that 83 percent of 18- to 23-year-olds own a mobile media player and listen to it an average of two hours each day.  This demographic reflects the same group who make up the junior ranks in today’s military.

“If these heroes are an audio-visual generation, why not reach them with the Scriptures in the media they are most comfortable with?” Sexton asked.