I Blinked and He Grew Up!

OK, so life has been happening at break-neck speed. Thus, the lack of blog posts. My oldest son is graduating from high school today, we will celebrate his 18th birthday on Sunday, and I am struggling! Apparently I blinked and he grew up. My wife, Kristie, has put together a collection of letters from friends and family for Matt's graduation. Here are the thoughts of a proud Dad to his son:

Matt,
18 years ago, I saw this day looming on the horizon. I had no idea how fast it would get here! While you’ve looked forward to it with eager anticipation, I’ve looked forward to it with mixed emotions. For you, this day couldn’t get here fast enough because it marks the beginning of adulthood. For me, it has arrived much too quickly because it marks the end of childhood.
I remember the day that Mom and I discovered you were on the way. We were more excited than you can imagine! I remember holding you in my arms for the first time and thinking, “What a miracle!” I remember Father’s Day 1991 – your first Sunday in church, and my first Father’s Day as a DAD. I remember your first day of school, your first steps, playing catch for the first time, and your first official at bat. You have brought us immeasurable joy as we have watched you grow up into the man that you are today. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished as a student, as an athlete, and as a leader. I could not be more proud of you, son!
More than any of your accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic field, I am proud of who you are becoming. Your spiritual journey started the day that you committed your life to Christ. One of my proudest days as a Dad and as Pastor is the day that I baptized you. It has been so much fun discovering how God has uniquely gifted you to make much of Him. My prayer is that you will live every moment of every day for the glory of God! Make certain that your relationship with God is more important than any earthly relationship. Make certain that your time with Him is more important than anything else on your calendar. Make certain that knowing Him is more important than your batting average.
As you begin the next phase of your life, know that your proud parents will always be in the stands cheering you on. We will be praying for you every day as we look forward to all that God has in store for you. Always remember: God is more concerned about who you’re becoming than where you’re going or what you’re doing.

I love you more than you know!
Your Proud Dad

A Friday Nugget from the NQ&A File

After a long two-week silence, I'm back! The blogging break was intentional. Really. I dedicated a significant amount of time during these two weeks to work on some projects that really needed my attention. I have also been doing a mammoth amount of study and research for upcoming sermon series.

Anyway, here's a Friday nugget from my Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes file...

"God doesn't want a place in your life. He demands and deserves preeminence. God's throne is not a duplex."

Read it again...let it sink in...

Coram Deo

Fridays are for NQ&A!

Early in my ministry I was challenged to maintain a file of Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes. This advice has proven to be invaluable in my sermon preparation. After all, preaching is really gathering all the ingredients to "make your own chili". My NQ&A file has changed through the years. What started out as an actual manila file folder stuffed in an actual metal filing cabinet has become a simple NQ&A file on my computer. (Look for a future post on how Bill Gates and Al Gore have revolutionized my ministry) Anyway, I plan to dedicate my Friday posts to sharing some of my NQ&As. I hope you enjoy!

Today's gem: "Nothing is politically correct that is morally wrong."

Discuss... Talk amongst yourselves...

How 'bout a Heap of Happiness?

A couple of weeks ago I started a Sunday morning series, The Big Ten, covering Exodus 20 and what is commonly known as The Ten Commandments. The feedback that I have received from the church has been both encouraging and enlightening. One of the truths that I have tried to communicate through this series is this: God is not some cosmic kill-joy. Every time He says, "Thou shalt not," He's saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time He says, "Thou shalt," He's saying, "Help yourself to happiness." Dr. Adrian Rogers often said, "God only wants for us what we would want for ourselves if we were smart enough to want it."

I'm not certain that most people really know what they want. When you consider the foolish decisions that are made every day, you can't help but wonder, "Is that really what they wanted?" Our local news reported this morning that a 72-year-old man is heading to jail because he shot his wife during a domestic dispute, then turned his gun on sheriff's deputies. Is that really what he wanted? Did he really think shooting the wife and a couple of peace officers would solve his problems? He will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. I doubt that's what he wanted. Do you know what you want? If you're looking for happiness, head straight to God's Word with a heart-attitude that says, "I'll have a heap of happiness, please."

Martin Luther and Psalm 46

If you study church history, you will certainly come across a guy named Martin Luther. A natural-born German and the son of a lawyer, Luther devoted himself to a thorough study of the Scriptures. After graduating from college, he went to an Augustinian monastery and in 1507, was ordained a priest.

On a mission to Rome in 1510, Luther found himself appalled by the corruption of the papacy. He became a professor of theology and began teaching salvation by grace through faith rather than works. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Cathedral of Whittenburg, Germany, condemning the teaching and practices of the Roman church. It was this event by which the Protestant Reformation was formally born. Luther was excommunicated and was summoned to appear before the Diet of Worms in 1521, in which he was to retract his teachings. Luther refused, and faced the fight of his life.

Birthed from the turmoil, unrest, and persecution that he faced was a hymn that has stood for centuries as the believer's battle cry. The exact date of its writing is unknown; however, it is thought to have been written for the Diet of Spires in 1529 when the term "Protestant" was first used. It is the immortal hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God. Luther wrote the hymn based on Psalm 46, his favorite Psalm.

Tonight at FBC Queen City, I will begin a Midweek series, Great is the Lord. The series will be a verse-by-verse walk through Psalm 46. My hope and prayer is that we will finish the study with a profound appreciation for God's security, stability, safety, sovereignty, simplicity, and sanctity. Great is the Lord!

And That's a Good Thing!

I'm at the Word of Life Conference Center in Hudson, FL. this week. I'm here to speak at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention. After giving a morning challenge to the students, I had the chance to connect with a pastor who is attending the convention with his students. I was so encouraged by our conversation. He was sharing with me some of the challenges he has faced in recent days, and yet he was encouraged by the opportunities that lie ahead. I was reminded of how seldom I see the problems of ministry as opportunities. Rarely do I welcome those nasty "disruptions" to my agenda. However, those problems usually present an opportunity for me to grow as a pastor, husband, father, or friend. When the dust finally settles, I am usually stronger as a result of the trial. My faith is stronger. I'm more resolved to remain faithful to my calling. I am more dependent on God. And that's a good thing!

A Week in the Sunshine State

I found little time for blogging last week. Most of my time and energy was devoted to preparation for Resurrection Sunday. Not only was I busy with sermon preparation and "normal" pastoral duties, but we were also putting the finishing touches on our Family Life Center. I am so proud of our staff and the multitude of volunteers who have labored tirelessly for the past month to help remodel our FLC. Apart from new carpet - which should arrive in a couple of weeks - it is now a beautiful temporary worship center. We had an awesome Easter service with great attendance in spite of terrible weather. To God be the glory!

I'm in Hudson, Florida this week preaching at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention. We started with a great evening rally last night with the students and their sponsors excited about the week ahead! I hope to post more through the week...

The Resurrection: Fact or Fiction?

Whatever one believes about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, everyone has to acknowledge that something significant happened on that morning. That day changed the course of history, even to the point of changing the calendar from B.C. (before Christ) to A.D. (Latin anno domini - the year of our Lord). So dramatic were the events of that day that it completely changed the lives of eleven men, causing them to endure suffering and even death for the cause of Christ. They would tell us that the tomb of Jesus Christ was empty! Reports of that empty tomb and personal appearances by the resurrected Christ have shaken the foundation of belief and shaped the course of history from that day forward.

If someone wanted to "explain away" the events surrounding Christ's resurrection, they would have to deal with certain FACTS. The fact that something happened in spite of both the Jews' and Romans' security precautions - crucifixion, burial, entombment, sealing and guarding the tomb - makes it very difficult for critics to defend the position that Christ didn't rise from the dead. The remainder of this Holy Week will be dedicated to exploring the facts surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the mean time, contemplate the words of Paul recorded in I Corinthians 15:5-8:

5. and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
6. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
8. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

What The Resurrection Means to Me

Christianity claims that Christ rose from the dead while the unbelieving world thinks, "That's amazing, if true, but ultimately, so what?" "What does the death, burial, and resurrection of a man thousands of years ago have to do with me in the twenty-first century?"

Here's what the resurrection of Christ means to me: What happened to Christ can happen to me! Like him, I will die, but his resurrection is a promise that death is not the end. His resurrection gives me hope for a glorious future - free from pain, sorrow, and death. My most outlandish dreams of peace, love, and harmony can be fulfilled!

I love the words of the Apostle Paul recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4:

1. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2. by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.
3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4. and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

I Love Surprises!

The truth is, I love to be pleasantly surprised. It is so frustrating to de-plane in an airport far away from home only to be surprised that my connecting flight is delayed or canceled. And who likes to be surprised by a flat tire? Think of the surprise and shock that comes when you learn that a friend has unexpectedly been killed in an accident. Some surprises are just not fun. But, I secretly loved the time that my wife convinced a small army of our friends to show up at our place after midnight to yell, "Surprise!", when I walked in the door. I think it was my 24th birthday. I love the thrill of being pleasantly surprised.

After Roman soldiers determined that Jesus was dead, they removed his body from the cross so that he could be buried in a new tomb. Mary Magdalene was determined to visit his tomb after the burial was completed. Early Sunday morning she made her way to the tomb only to be dreadfully surprised. Not only had Jesus been unjustly killed, but the tomb was open and his body was gone. Fearing that the body had been stolen, she ran to Peter and John to inform them of what she had seen. When they arrived, they saw the grave clothes still intact, but the body was nowhere to be found. They, too, were surprised.

Later, Mary Magdalene was asked a question: "Dear woman, why are you crying?" Clueless as to whom she was speaking, she said , "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him" (John 20:15). She loved Jesus dearly and wanted to pay her respects. But then in a moment of remarkable tenderness Jesus called her by name: "Mary". "Teacher!" she cried as she finally recognized him. She rushed to him, embracing him in ecstatic joy. Jesus was alive, healthy and well because death could not hold the promised Messiah. And don't you know Mary was pleasantly surprised!

Let's Talk About the Resurrection

Like most pastors, I find this time of the year exhilarating. Easter provides a great opportunity to declare real hope in a world filled with doubt, dread, and despair. For example, consider this comment posted by a girl on an Internet atheist website on July 16, 2007:

I'm confused...I always believed science would be the cure-all for my problems, but I don't know if I can keep living without eternal life. I guess I'll just have to find a way myself to make it through this meaningless existence. I just wish I knew of someone who could show me the path to eternal life. If science can't provide the answers, though, then who or what can!? Doesn't it seem like there is a higher power that gives our lives purpose? Well, science says there isn't, so there isn't.

This girl unknowingly articulates the whole issue in a nutshell. If life on this earth is all there is, then existence is meaningless and one is forced to, "find a way myself", as the girl states. She wishes there was some kind of higher power that would assure her of eternal life.

Now, imagine the despair of a small band of followers as they stood watching the Messiah, their deliverer, breathing his last agonizing breath on a Roman cross. They had forsaken everything to follow him. He was the one they believed would reestablish the kingdom of Israel. But now he was dying on a cross. Life must have seemed meaningless! But far more than the fate of the disciples or even the fate of Israel hung on the cross that day. The fate of the entire human race was at stake. Christ was humanity's last hope, and yet the supposed Savior was dead, and any hope of deliverance was buried with him...or was it?

For the next few days, I'll be posting some thoughts about the personal meaning of the resurrection. Additionally, I'll be pointing out some rock-solid evidence for its validity. Hope you'll stay tuned!

The Kindle Has Landed

It was waiting for me when I got home from last week's trip to Wisconsin. Yes, the Kindle has finally landed in my hands. With little effort, I am resisting the temptation to refer to this nifty little gadget as a "he" or "she". That's just weird. I will not be giving it a people name like "Reed" or "Cindy". That, too, is weird. But I must say Kindle is cool. I haven't spent much time exploring all of it's features, but my first impression tells me this thing will be in my hands plenty. It is certainly as sleek as I expected. And I am reasonably sure it is as practical as I had hoped. One of the features that I already like is the ability to download a sample of books that interest me. These samples are more than a couple of paragraphs, too. It's like walking the aisles of Books-a-Million and thumbing through actual books! Just this morning I clicked one button on Amazon.com and downloaded a sample of The Works of Jonathan Edwards. Before I could say, "I love my Kindle", it was wirelessly downloaded! That's pretty cool!

Spiritual Barrenness

Leroy Eims' Daily Discipleship devotional gripped my heart this morning. The thought of being grieved over a lack of spiritual fruit is sobering. Be challenged! Once again, here's the link: http://www.navlists.org/dailydiscipleship/

Nothing Like that New Book Smell

One of the reasons I struggled with the Kindle purchase is I LOVE BOOKS. I love the smell of books. I love to turn pages. I love to dog-ear my place. I love to highlight nuggets of wisdom that challenge my thinking. I love to write little notes in the margin. In short, I use a book.

All of this got me to thinking. What is it that I really love about books and reading? It is really the "feel" of the book in my hands? Is it really the smell of the paper? Is it really the fine art of dog-earing my place? After some serious soul-searching (sounds dramatic, huh?), I came to the conclusion that I love books because they are a conduit for the transfer of knowledge from the author to me. They provide an opportunity for me to drift into the world of fiction, created in the mind of the author. Books are a communication tool; a means for one person to deliver a message to the masses.

By the way, there is a highlight feature on the Kindle. You can make notes and store them forever. You can electronically turn pages and bookmark your place. And whenever I get my car detailed, one of the air freshener options is "new car" scent. Surely they can make "new book" scent. Because there's nothing like that new book smell.

I Made the Jump

Yep. I did it. Finally made the jump. I ordered the Kindle 2 last week. I am currently tracking its progress from Campbellsville, KY to my doorstep. I've never considered myself a "gadget freak", but I'm pretty excited about this thing. The Kindle is an electronic reading device that allows one to store over 1,500 titles. It is offered exclusively by Amazon. The folks at Amazon currently boast 230,000 titles available for wireless download; the average cost for most titles is less than $10. Kindle weighs less than 10.5 ounces and is pencil thin. Being an avid reader and a fairly frequent traveler, there are many Kindle features that have me licking my chops. Just yesterday, I was packing about 35 pounds of books around with me. (OK. That included my laptop.) The total cost of those books: about $120. A little research on Amazon.com Kindle Store told me those same books would have cost me $50 in Kindle format. And...they would have all weighed less than 10.5 ounces.
I'm finding that more and more publishers are considering different forms of getting their stuff in the consumer's hands. Many are already offering books in PDF format. This makes me wonder if the traditional ink-on-paper book will ever be a thing of the past. What do you think? More thoughts tomorrow...

What I'm Reading

I love to read and usually have 2-3 books going at any given time. Sounds like it would be confusing, I know. But it keeps me interested because it adds variety to my reading. I read my Bible the same way. This year I am using the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. Each day the DJ plan takes me to two Old Testament and two New Testament texts. Again, I like the variety and it seems to remove the "I'm just reading to check off my list" mentality.
Here's what I'm currently reading:

1. Lost and Found by Ed Stetzer with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes
The subtitle is The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them. I have grown increasingly burdened for the young adults who seem to be drifting away from the church. Stetzer heads the research division of Lifeway Christian Resources and his team's research and insight in this area are invaluable. So far, a very helpful book.

2. Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones
This is a book that came out about three years ago. It was so helpful to me then, that I am reading it a second time. Andy Stanley is one of the top communicators of our day. Because I am always striving to improve my skills as a communicator, I pay attention to what he has to say on the subject.

3. How Can a Good God Let Bad Things Happen? by Mark Tabb
I recently joined the Blogger Review Program with Navpress. The program requires that I read a selected book, then write a review that will be posted on the Navpress website as well as one retail site such as Amazon.com. This is the first book that I chose to review and just received my copy in the mail this week. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

So what about you? What are you reading? What authors are influencing your life?

On a Personal Note

Since I just finished blogging through a book, I thought this would be a good time to shift gears. For the next couple of weeks Here's My Point... will be a bit more personal. Hope that doesn't cause you to stop reading!

This time of the year is especially busy for me. Along with the "normal" demands of pastoral ministry, I also do some traveling in the spring. For the past 20 years I've had the privilege of preaching at a number of regional student conventions. These conventions are a gathering of Christian school students from all over their respective regions to compete in over 100 different events. The conventions are held at a variety of venues all over the country, although many are held on university campuses. I usually preach anywhere from 4-8 times at each convention. Because I competed at these conventions as a high-schooler, it is both humbling and rewarding to minister to the students each spring. I'm looking forward to being in Oshkosh, WI for the Wisconsin Regional Student Convention next week. Pray for warm weather.

Being away from home serves as a reminder of how important my family is to me. Since Kristie seldom gets to travel with me, I find myself missing her with a vengeance. Another of the drawbacks to traveling is that I often miss my kid's activities. Last week I missed Ashley's induction into the National Junior Honor Society. Both Matt and Tim play baseball; Ashley plays softball. Next week, it looks like I'll miss a couple of games. Before you start feeling sorry for me; however, you must know there are some trade-offs. When I'm home, I miss fewer games than most other dads whose jobs require them to "punch the clock".

Here's my point...ministry is often demanding and allows little freedom. Thankfully, there are aspects of ministry that give me more freedom than a lot of other guys. I plan to make the most of those opportunities!

Chapter 7 - Tying it all Together

Blogging through Stephen Altrogge's Game Day for the Glory of God has been a great experience for me. God has used sports in such a profound way in my sanctification that it was a no-brainer for me to blog through this book. Altrogge is a young man (twenty-four when the book was written) who has a handle on the significance of sports in the life of a Christ follower. He certainly makes the point that, if not kept in check, sports can pull us away from God. He also makes the point, however, that sports can serve a higher purpose in our lives than just playing games. In the final chapter, Altrogge reminds us of his two-fold purpose in writing. First, sports are gifts from God for our enjoyment. Second, sports are opportunities. He ties it all together like this:

"Sports provide us with opportunities to grow in godliness. Few things allow us to grow in humility, conquer our anger, discipline our bodies, persevere in the face of adversity, and pursue excellence, all in the span of an hour or two. Sports expose our sinful pride and desire for personal glory. They reveal our sinful self-sufficiency, self-worship, and self-centeredness. They also present unique opportunities to grow in humility, a character trait that deeply pleases God."

Here's my point...the next time you find yourself living a game day, determine to make it a game day for the glory of God.

All These People Going Somewhere

I'm sitting in the Indianapolis International Airport waiting for my flight home. I've been humming Brandon Heath's Give Me Your Eyes. Great song with a great message! As I watch all these people pass by - every size, shape, and color imaginable - I can't help but wonder where they're all going. I'm not wondering where American or Southwest will carry them today, but where they will spend eternity. The family sitting to my left trying to figure out a crossword puzzle from the morning paper -are they going to heaven? The middle-aged man sitting across from me reading Men's Health Magazine - is he going to heaven? The oriental lady who just sat down beside me; she seems frustrated - is she going to heaven? The 20-something Purdue fan that just walked by - is he going to heaven? The song says, "All those people going somewhere, why have I never cared...give me your eyes..." It takes on a different meaning when you're sitting in the middle of a busy airport.

Chapter 6 - Parents, Children, and the Glory of God

Back to Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. Chapter six is my favorite chapter in the book. It is a clarion call for all parents to use sports as a tool for training their children in godliness. Altrogge makes this observation: "When children play sports, they learn values and priorities that will stay with them throughout their entire lives. In the heat of competition attitudes are forged. But these attitudes aren't formed independently. They are shaped by friends, parents, and coaches. Children are like sponges, soaking up everything that goes on around them. Values and priorities held by parents will be transferred to their children." (pg. 86) With these truths serving as a foundation, Altrogge identifies three specific ways parents can help their children grow in godliness while on the playing field.

1. Help Your Children Savor Christ
"Something small and seemingly insignificant, such as the desire to play sports, can quickly become idolatrous. If it isn't addressed quickly, this desire can become all-consuming, stealing away any love they have for the Lord." (pg. 87)

2. Help Your Children Set Godly Priorities
Altrogge reviews the four priorities outlined in chapter 4: Humility, Passion, Trust, and Dependence upon God. He looks at each of these priorities with a specific emphasis on a parent's relationship with their children.

3. Help Your Children See the Big Picture
"As Christians we must strive to maintain a biblical perspective on sports and to help our children do the same. Without this perspective our children may place too high a priority on sports while neglecting things that are far more important." (pg. 96)
Altrogge then gives us this simple list of biblical priorities: God, Family, and Church.

This is definitely a powerful chapter that carries a timely message. In a day when sports has become an all-consuming passion for many Christians, it is more important than ever for us to keep sports in their place. We can either use sports as a tool for training in godliness or they can quickly become a liability in our walk with God.

Heartland Regional Student Convention

I'm speaking on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, IN this week. The Heartland Regional Student Convention is a gathering of Christian school students from all over this region. They are here primarily to compete in hundreds of different events. I get to be their pastor for the week. Today's schedule had me speaking two times. The first session was a "let's get acquainted" kinda thing. While I had some fun giving the students some little-known, trivial information about myself, I also used it as a teaching time. I talked about the danger of knowing stuff about Christ, but not really knowing Him.
In tonight's session I challenged the students from James chapter 1. I talked about the enemy being a master of fascination. James talks about being "drawn away" and "enticed". Satan would have us continually fascinated with his junk; he really wants to take us from fascination to assassination. Here's my point...don't play with the devil. He doesn't play fair. He's out to get you - beware! I'll be back to Game Day for the Glory of God tomorrow.

Chapter 5 - Winners and Losers

A quick turn of the page and we are looking at chapter 5 of Stephen Altrogge's Game Day for the Glory of God. The focus of this chapter is the winning and losing aspect of sports. Altrogge makes the point that for every winner, there is a loser. He states, "God has ordained that our lives be spent in both the winner's circle and the loser's bracket, and he wants us to learn how to please him in both places." Altrogge identifies a series of temptations that accompany both winning and losing. Then, he gives a remedy for each temptation. First, the temptations that come with victory:

1. The Temptation of Achievement
The Remedy: "The humble athlete battles the temptation of achievement by recognizing that all success and achievement come from the hand of God." (pg. 75)

2. The Temptation of Image
The Remedy: "The humble athlete battles the temptation of image by realizing that only God is truly glorious." (pg. 76)

3. The Temptation of Vindication
The Remedy: "The humble athlete fights the temptation of vindication by realizing that he's little and weak." (pg. 77)

4. The Temptation of Superiority
The Remedy: "The humble athlete combats the temptation of superiority by realizing that God is infinitely superior to him." (pg. 77)

And the temptations that come with defeat:

1. The Temptation to Criticize
The Remedy: "We must realize that criticism is a fruit of pride. The proud man is quick to criticize those around him because he believes they make many more mistakes than he does." (pg. 81)

2. The Temptation to Agonize
The Remedy: "Agonizing over or being crushed by a loss is an indicator that we're not trusting God, who sovereignly arranges all things to work for our good." (pg. 82)

3. The Temptation of Shame
The Remedy: "The final truth that will help us in the midst of a loss is to realize that we have no image to maintain. Shame in sports is often the result of failing to meet the expectations of others." (pg. 82)

Altrogge closes the chapter with an important reminder about our perspective on winning and losing: "No matter how significant they may seem, all our wins and losses are very insignificant in the grand scheme of things. There are no lives hanging in the balance, nor is the peace of the free world dependent on whether we win or lose." So....winning isn't EVERYTHING?

Chapter 4 - Game Day Priorities

Like chapter 3, the 4th chapter of Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge answers an important question. "We must answer the question, what does God care about when I'm on the playing field?" The answer to that question comes in the form of five priorities:

1. The Priority of Humility
Altrogge makes the point that the humble athlete recognizes God as the source of all athletic ability, encourages others, is team-oriented rather than me-oriented, and refuses to argue with the referees. (ouch! - I'm pretty sure most referees need a good eye exam.)

2. The Priority of Passion
"So let us play sports with all the passion that we can summon, not for our own glory and honor, but for the honor of Jesus. Let us remember for whom we're truly playing, and let's play in a way that will bring him pleasure." (pg. 57)

3. The Priority of Self-Control
As a former coach, I often reminded my players that sports not only develop character; sports reveal character. It's amazing how otherwise civil people can lose their minds over a game! More often than I would like to admit, I've been right there with them.

4. The Priority of Trust
"If you're a Christian, you can be absolutely confident that God is working everything in your life together for your good and his glory." (pg. 64)

5. The Priority of Dependence
"The truth is we are not independent. We are weak, frail creatures who quickly fall apart. We desperately need God to provide us with both spiritual and physical strength." (pg. 66)

To wrap up chapter four, Altrogge makes this observation: "Sports provide us with an opportunity to purify ourselves. When we grow in humility, passion, self-control, trust, and dependence, we become more like Jesus Christ." I like that. More like Jesus.

Chapter 3 - The Joy of Sports

I'm in the middle of a chapter-by-chapter review of Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. The third chapter is really a response to the question, "Why is it that we feel such joy in sports?" Altrogge answers the question by pointing out four reasons:

1. The Joy of Excellence
"Doing things excellently is a reflection of God, who does all things with excellence. The same is true in watching sports. When we see an athlete perform exceptionally well, we're seeing a small portion of God's character." (pg. 37)

2. The Joy of Victory
"Victory in sports is a faint reflection of our victorious God. He's created us to love victory. No one enjoys losing. Part of the reason we have such a passion for victory is that it allows us to catch a faint glimpse of God's glory. Granted, our motives for wanting victory are often smeared with pride and arrogance. But victory in and of itself can be something very good." (pg. 40)

3. The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness
"Self-centeredness only leads to unhappiness and misery. Sports are gifts from God that allow us to temporarily forget about self." (pg. 42)

4. The Joy of Character
In this section Altrogge highlights three character qualities that can and should be developed through sports: leadership, perseverance, and endurance.

The closing statement of this chapter is top shelf. "Let us recognize that sports are indeed gifts from a generous God to undeserving sinners, and let our enjoyment of sports be marked by thankful hearts. In this way we will enjoy sports for the glory of God."

Chapter 2 - The Source of All Talent

In chapter 2, Altrogge makes the point that we are obsessed with our athletes. Consider the cult following that many modern "superstars" enjoy. Kids (and often their parents) wear their favorite player's jersey. Endorsement deals that amount to more than most people will earn in a lifetime are signed every day. Sports stars are regularly given more attention than the American soldier who is fighting to preserve the American dream.
Altrogge points out the fact that every bit of talent that an athlete possesses is a gift from God. He appeals to David, the psalmist, to make his case:

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14

Altrogge also points out that in our sinful pride we long to be praised. We often crave the glory that belongs to God. So, what to do? Altrogge gives us three important principles:

1. Realize that God isn't impressed with our athletic abilities.
"The Maker of all things isn't amazed when I rattle in three consecutive jump shots."
(pg. 26)

2. Avoid the comparison game.
"Sports always generates comparisons. They aren't necessarily wrong. It is wrong, however, to compare yourself to others for the purpose of exalting yourself." (pg. 28)

3. Give thanks for the athletic abilities that God has given us.
"It's very easy to watch and play sports without giving a single thought to the One who created them. Let us fight this sinful tendency by thanking God for the wonderful gift of sports." (pg. 31)

The chapter concludes with the thought that sports are not the ultimate source of our joy. If they were, what would happen to our joy after an agonizing loss? That's why God must be our ultimate joy and deepest satisfaction.

Chapter 1 - A Life for the Glory of God

Chapter 1 of Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge is a presentation of the gospel. I love the fact that Altrogge makes the point that sports cannot bring glory to God apart from a life that brings glory to God. He makes it crystal clear that one's life cannot glorify God outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Altrogge states:

"This is the foundation of living a life that glorifies God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is what makes it possible for us to glorify and please God in all that we do. Those who aren't reconciled to God cannot obey him." (pg. 22)

If we are to use sports as a platform to glorify God, we have to make certain that our lives outside of sports glorify God. The atoning work of Jesus Christ makes that possible. Do you know Him as your Savior and Lord? For an ESPN highlight-type version of what that means, check out Romans 6:23.

Game Day - The Preface

As promised, I'll be blogging my way through Stephen Altrogge's Game Day for the Glory of God this week. I hadn't originally planned to post anything on the preface, but Altrogge does a great job of making the main thing the main thing. My favorite quote of the preface:

"As Christians we are commanded to be like Jesus Christ in every facet of our lives, including the way we play sports. We are to pursue godliness. Godliness doesn't come, however, by just getting out there and playing. You won't pick up a baseball bat, feel a tingling sensation in your fingers, and then suddenly be possessed with a passion for holiness. No, godliness requires intentional and diligent pursuit. Sports provide a context for that to occur."

All too often, we have a tendency to "compartmentalize" our lives. And sports usually fall in the secular compartment. Altrogge is saying every aspect of our lives, including sports, should be an arena for developing Christ likeness. Good stuff!

Game Day for the Glory of God...Next Week

I finally got my copy of Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. I mentioned doing a book review in an earlier post, Is God a Big Fan? dated February 2nd. Next week is the week. I plan to review chapter by chapter, so check in regularly.

Precious Memories...How They Linger

We're heading to the DFW Metroplex today, where I'll have the rare privilege of coaching in an alumni basketball game at my Alma mater. Scheduled tip off time is 7 pm. I will, of course, be coaching the alumni team, made up mostly of guys who played back in the 90's when I was the head basketball coach at the school. I'm having some difficulty with the thought that most of these guys are in their 30's now and many of them have children. Makes me feel old!

I realize that a fading memory is part of the aging process, but wouldn't life be pretty boring if we only had short-term memory. Can you imagine if we could only remember as far back as yesterday? Granted, there are things that all of us would like to forget - past failures, heartaches, and disappointments. We learn from these. It's the good memories that we cling to like a baby blanket. I plan to spend valuable time this weekend with some old friends talking about old times and laughing until my side hurts! Here's my point...memories are a gift from God - the good, the bad, and the ugly. One other note of eternal significance: Old School Patriots rock the house!

Chunks of Chocolate

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

What a great verse to consider when your country is in the middle of a greed-induced economic meltdown. People are naturally wondering what's going on. What's going to happen next? Why do I feel this way? The whole situation seems impossibly complex.
This verse says worry, or an anxious heart, will weigh you down while good words will cheer you up. Down with anxiety. Up with encouragement. Pretty simple, huh? Don't miss the subtle challenge of this verse, however. We are supposed to distribute kind words like chunks of chocolate to our friends. Here's my point...Your friends have hearts that are bringing them down. And you have just what they need to bring them up - a good word.

Sleep on This

I love the fact that God never sleeps or slumbers - even when I do:

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep: for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."
Psalms 4:8

The rich promises of God and a clear conscience make for a very soft pillow, and that's something to sleep on.

The Three Amigos

While reading through the Old Testament book of II Samuel recently, my attention was arrested by the valor of David's mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. These guys apparently stood head and shoulders above the rest in the bravery department. The headlines of their day may have read like this: "Chief Josheb-basshebeth Spears 800 Philistines", "Eleazar's Battle-Weary Hand Pried from Sword", "Shammah Stands at Lehi When All Others Flee", or "Brave Trio Fetches Bethlehem Water for King David". This is the kind of stuff they make into movies! It's the kind of bravery that young boys dream of having when they "get big".

We desperately need some mighty men of valor in the 21st century! We need some guys who will rise up on the battlefield of life and take a stand; some guys who will be there when everyone else runs and hides. I'm praying for some real men who will make Heavenly headlines: "Band of Brothers Whips Pornography", "A Few Good Men Remain Faithful til 'Death Do Us Part'", or "Three Amigos Conquer Mt. Compromise".

I've Had This Day Circled on My Calendar

I've known this day would eventually get here. I've thought about it many times over the past several years, I just didn't think it would come so quickly! Our daughter - the baby of the family - celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday. That means I woke up this morning the father of three teenagers. Yep, three teenagers in one house. Depending on your perspective, it can strike fear in your heart. I can't begin to tell you the joy that our children have brought to our lives. Kristie and I thank God for Matt, Tim, and Ashley every day. They are truly a gift from God! Sometimes parenting can be quite an adventure, but it is so awesome to see God working in the lives of our kids. It's on the parenting adventure that God has taught me some of life's most important lessons and I suspect I've got a lot more learning to do!

The Circle of Love

Happy Valentines Day! I hope that you will take the time to express your affection to those in your circle of love today. It's really pretty easy to do. Let's face it, there are reasons these folks are in the circle to begin with - your spouse, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your children, your extended family, your bff. You have some sort of established relationship with these individuals. Time and energy have been invested into maintaining the relationship. These people have, or still are, adding value to your life. But what about all those people outside your circle of love? You know, the ones who are difficult to love. The obnoxious co-worker. The neighbor who isn't so neighborly. The small- group member who dominates the conversation with personal issues. Anyone who drives you CRAZY. Do we have any obligation to love the not-so-lovable, or can we just push them outside our circle of love?

I John 4:11 says, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another".

God's Word makes it clear that God loved us before we were lovable or deserving of His love. There was no way that we could earn His love, no way that we could impress God enough to love us. He just loved us! Why not take the opportunity to spread a little love outside your circle today? It has the potential to change your life.

What I'm Reading

I am often asked the question, "What are you reading?". So....here ya go:

Criswell Theological Review - The Fall 2008 Edition cannot be found at a bookstore near you. I picked it up at our Association office. I have found Ronald Sider's article, "Thinking Biblically about Politics", especially helpful.

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is an excellent book that I am reading for the second time. I rarely read a book two times within a 3-4 week period, but Mark is on to something about reclaiming the adventure of pursuing God. It has arrested my attention, and will likely lead to a sermon series in the future.

Do the Right Thing by Mike Huckabee is a run-down of Huckabee's political platform. Aside from being a behind-the-scenes look at his recent presidential bid, Mike has me doing some serious thinking about the "Fair Tax", and what it really means.

Cut It Up and Throw It In The Fire?

In our Midweek Bible Study I have been teaching a series titled "Who Are You?" The focus of the series has been getting to know some little-known characters in Scripture. Ahithophel, Hobab, and Hephzibah are some of the folks we've gotten better acquainted with. Last night, we looked at Jehoiakim. Jeremiah 36:23 tells us, "As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot." If we had been there, our first response might have been disbelief and outrage! Someone actually cutting up God's Word and throwing it into the fire is hard to imagine...or is it? Many people mistakenly think of God's Word as a collection of "nice sayings" or "tidbits for successful living". While God's Word certainly contains some nice sayings and is a collection of wisdom for successful living, it is self-described as "powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword". The Apostle Paul describes it as "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction." The message that God had given to the prophet Jeremiah, and was delivered to Jehoiakim, was one of impending judgment. I suspect Jehoiakim didn't especially like what he heard, which led to his chop-and-burn course of action.

Here's my point...Sometimes we find God's Word offensive. It has a way of "calling us out" on our sin. It smashes our pride, laziness, lust, greed, anger, and the list goes on. If we aren't careful, our response can be the same as Jehoiakim. No, we may not physically cut up God's Word and throw it in the fire. But we can choose to ignore its message or scorn its truths. Either way, the result is the same.

A Little Food for Thought

Here's something for you to chew on:

"If you are correcting someone else to prove yourself the smartest guy in the room, that automatically disqualifies you from the contest." - Erin McKean

Warning: this quote may stick to the roof of your mouth, but if you think about it long enough, you'll digest the wisdom that's there.

A Bold Step of Faith

FBCQC is taking a bold step forward. In spite of tough economic times, we are moving ahead with our Master Plan. Overcrowding in our 11:00 am Sunday morning worship service has made it necessary for us to move to our Family Life Center. This will require some remodeling, which means spending money. I prefer to think of it as an investment. The move will allow us to accommodate more people to hear the gospel and be changed by the awesome power of the Word of God. It will undoubtedly be a little inconvenient while the work is being completed, but we can look forward to a new worship environment, hopefully in time for Easter. Here's my point...I am so grateful to pastor a group of people who have a vision to step out by faith for the glory of God!

A Bit of Angst

News reports abound of an increasingly vocal nonreligious movement that appears to be gaining popularity. According to the Washington Post Foreign Service:

"Thousands of people in Britain recently raised $200,000 to place an ad on 800 London buses that reads: 'There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.'"

This seems to be the theme of many such campaigns that are spreading world-wide. I have a few questions: Why would these athiest groups choose to use the word "probably" in their statement, and if there is no God, then what is it that these athiests believe people are worried about? Could it be their God-implanted conscience that causes them a bit of angst?
Here's my point...according to Psalm 51:3, it's merely a fool who says in his heart there is no God.

Spinning Out of Control? Really?

I've been reading Mark Batterson's Wild Goose Chase, a work that has caused me to look at the adventure of pursuing God in a whole new way. In the third chapter titled "Dictatorship of the Ordinary", Batterson does a great job of challenging his readers to take a look at those things that we often consider routine.

"When was the last time you thanked God for keeping us in orbit? I'm guessing never. Lord, thanks for keeping us in orbit. And I was a little nervous about making the full rotation around our axis today, but You did it again. Most of us don't pray that way. But isn't it a little ironic that we have a hard time believing God for the little stuff while we take the big stuff for granted. Come on, if God can keep the planets in orbit, don't you think He can reorder your life when you feel like it's spinning out of control?"

Here's my point...I'm gonna work at thanking God for those things that I often take for granted. I suspect that if God can keep the universe together, He can handle an economy that seems to be spinning out of control.

Is God a Big Fan?

Athletics has played a significant role in my life. Some of my earliest memories include playing flag football as a 7 or 8 year-old kid. My Dad was our coach. I have learned some of life's most important lessons on the field (or court) of play. Discipline, teamwork, self-control, and the importance of hard work are just a few of the principles that I picked up while playing sports. But, then God called me to ministry and I found myself wondering, "Does God really care about sports?" "Does He approve of sports?" After some serious soul-searching and careful study of God's Word, I came to the conclusion that the answer to both of those questions is YES. Certainly sports can assume an unhealthy place in our lives, but sports can also provide a platform for Christians to grow in godliness and glorify the Lord. Stephen Altrogge has written a book, Game Day for the Glory of God . I plan to read it and do my first book review on Here's My Point. Look for it.

Who Will Say What at Your Funeral?

I have conducted over 100 funerals in the past 20 years of ministry. Each one has been unique, for obvious reasons. The funeral (or memorial service) typically serves as a final tribute to the deceased, and in some cases, their Lord. I readily admit that preaching funerals is not my favorite pastoral duty; however, I see it as an opportunity to point people to Jesus, something I love to do! The living testimony of the deceased determines how easy or difficult my task. I often have conversations with folks in my church who say, "Pastor, you better preach the gospel at my funeral!" Sounds like a mandate to me. So, that's what I do - preach the gospel.
North Carolina State women's basketball coach, Kay Yow, died last Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Many people could have spoken at Yow's funeral, but she chose to do it herself. That's right, she made a 25 minute video. What a powerful way for someone to share their living faith, and tell friends and family about a way to sorrow WITH HOPE. Here's my point...Who will say what at your funeral?

The Tragedy that is Ted Haggard

Here is an insider's perspective on the tragedy that is Ted Haggard. This is written by a former staffer who served with Haggard.

Reproductive Choice?

Something on the official White House website caught my attention. In the section labeled the Agenda, under the heading Women - Reproductive Choice, you will find these words:

"President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Administration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case."

No surprises here. Everyone knows the President is pro-abortion. But the phrase "consistent champion of reproductive choice" got me to thinking. I, too, am in favor of reproductive choice. I believe that folks should be very, very selective in when, where, and with whom they choose to have sex. Here's how it works: I choose to have sex exclusively with my wife. God has blessed us with three wonderful children, the fruit of our union. We gladly take responsibility for our children, never expecting the government or anyone else to provide for their needs. Now, that's real reproductive choice!

The vast majority of abortions performed today are matters of convenience, or inconvenience, as the case may be. People fail to make wise decisions on the front end of reproductive choice, so our government steps in to help take care of the consequences while responsible people foot the bill with their tax dollars. Our new President promises to lead the charge as the "champion" of this flawed plan. Here's my point...I like God's plan of reproductive choice much better!

Mental Metabolism

Mark Batterson's blog is one of my regular stops in the blogosphere. Reading today's post made me burn some mental calories. Here's my point: check it out and find yourself doing some mental situps.

Also, exercise your mind on some wisdom from the late Adrian Rogers:

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”

Good Stuff.

A peaceful transfer of power...and policy

The peaceful transfer of power from one president to another is something that makes me proud to be an American. Let's face it, in other parts of the world it would take more than a moving van to move one Head of State out and another in. In some places it takes military action.

In the case of the Obama-for-Bush switch, there has also been a profound transfer of policy. You know, the substance of a President's agenda. As the clock struck 12:00 on Inauguration Day, the White House went from defending the lives of the unborn to supporting their death. Here's my point: The demolition of pro-life policies in America is officially underway. It began before the movers finished unloading the boxes and furniture.

Here's my point...again

A couple of years ago I made a feeble attempt at blogging. I think I posted a whoppin' 8 times! Impressive, I know. One of the reasons I was a blogging failure is I was never convinced that anyone cared to read my thoughts in the first place. I rarely view my thoughts as profound or intriguing enough to capture some one's attention. But, I have come to realize that it's not necessarily the profound or intriguing that causes someone to say, "hmmm". It is often a different point-of-view. So....here goes another attempt at blogging under the simple title, Here's my point...