Touchdown Theology
Micah 6:8
"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection by Lillian Daniel
A few weeks ago, Tim Tebow's pastor, Wayne Hanson, said he knew why the Denver Broncos were 7-1 since installing Tebow as quarterback. "It's not luck," Hanson said. "Luck isn't winning six games in a row. It's favor. God's favor."
To be fair, the player himself made no such outrageous claims. But his pastor seems to have skipped a few theology classes. Surely there are other Christians praying just as hard on other teams. And what about the players of other religions?
Does that pastor really think God is sitting up in Heaven on a Barcalounger, with a beer, a bratwurst and a Bronco's jersey, handing out touchdowns? Do God and Jesus support the same team? And if not, then which team does the Holy Spirit work through?
Does Mary, the sports fan, sit glued to the heavenly television set while resentful Martha makes chicken wings and guacamole in the kitchen for the Disciples? During commercial breaks, does Jacob wrestle the angel for the remote?
My guess is that God delights in prayers of all kinds, whether they come from the cathedral, the mosque, the meeting house, the exam room, the doctor's office, the traffic jam, the homecoming dance or the football field. All prayers and praise are welcome.
But as for touchdowns, skillful surgeons, happy first dates and fast lanes, those are human affairs. God doesn't reward one player with a touchdown and curse another. God gives us the instructions on how to withstand the hard times, and how to withstand the good times, with these wise words from Micah: do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.
Prayer
God, let my successes bring glory to you and to others. Let my failures prepare me for whatever is next. Don't allow either one to define me. Or you, for that matter. Amen.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Copy and Paste
What2Say2Day? I read this in my devotionals today and want to repost it here. I really liked it.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
New and Improved
What2Say2Day? Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ. As we read the story in the Gospels we all note that Jesus was quite the adult when he was baptized. Most scholars believe he was 30 years old at this time. The baptism a;so signifies the official beginning of his ministry. There are varied ways to baptize someone into the community of faith and every religion, or non-religion, gas a way to baptize.
Baptism is a ceremonial action used to initiate someone into a particular group. Think of all the baptisms you've had over the years. Some of these may include making friends on your first day at a new school or getting your name tag at a new job. It may include the day your partner declared their love for you or the night your child offered to pay for dinner. There are many types of baptism for many kinds of reasons and they all have two things in common. They are done in community and they signify entering into a new life.
In our reading today from Mark 1:4-11 we see the same combination of community and new life. Jesus is baptized in front of a crowd and his ministry begins. No longer is he the son of a carpenter, no longer is he Mary's child, no longer is he that boy from Nazareth. Jesus is now ready to live what has been his purpose all along; the life of the Son of God.
In this, and in Jesus, God is pleased. My belief is that God loves us regardless of who or what we are. Of course, love isn't the same as like and I think sometimes God doesn't like some of the choices we make. As I finish this writing I want you to think of a few things...
If we are pleased every time something goes right in our lives, don't you think God is pleased as well? And if we can make better choices to help things in our life to go better, don't you think God wants to be there to help? And if God wants to help us make better choices in our life, don't you think God would surround us with people to help us live out our choices?
Try this today for a new life - Love God, Love others and Love yourself. Let's call the decision you make today to do these things your baptism.
Baptism is a ceremonial action used to initiate someone into a particular group. Think of all the baptisms you've had over the years. Some of these may include making friends on your first day at a new school or getting your name tag at a new job. It may include the day your partner declared their love for you or the night your child offered to pay for dinner. There are many types of baptism for many kinds of reasons and they all have two things in common. They are done in community and they signify entering into a new life.
In our reading today from Mark 1:4-11 we see the same combination of community and new life. Jesus is baptized in front of a crowd and his ministry begins. No longer is he the son of a carpenter, no longer is he Mary's child, no longer is he that boy from Nazareth. Jesus is now ready to live what has been his purpose all along; the life of the Son of God.
In this, and in Jesus, God is pleased. My belief is that God loves us regardless of who or what we are. Of course, love isn't the same as like and I think sometimes God doesn't like some of the choices we make. As I finish this writing I want you to think of a few things...
If we are pleased every time something goes right in our lives, don't you think God is pleased as well? And if we can make better choices to help things in our life to go better, don't you think God wants to be there to help? And if God wants to help us make better choices in our life, don't you think God would surround us with people to help us live out our choices?
Try this today for a new life - Love God, Love others and Love yourself. Let's call the decision you make today to do these things your baptism.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Sign?! What Sign?!
What2Say2Day? I was going to work this morning and watched a lady walk down the sidewalk as I was waiting for the traffic light to change. Of course I'm sitting in immense traffic so I wasn't planning to move for at least 2 or 3 light changes. As I watched this lady walk I looked ahead to see where she was going and noticed there was some construction going on which actually blocked the sidewalk. So, as she came across a sign that actually said "Construction Ahead Cross Here" and was meant to guide her to the other side of the road, she just walked past it.
As she continued down the path which brought her closer to the construction area she reached the part of the sidewalk that was blocked off by a red temporary fence. On the fence was a sign which said "Danger Do Not Enter". I watched in amazement as the lady stopped, read the sign, then stepped off the curb into oncoming traffic. As the car entering the lane swerved to miss her it honked its horn, she literally threw a fist in the air, seemingly irritated that she had been honked at.
Maybe it's just me, but I see examples of this type of obliviousness all the time. When I was in retail we used to joke that even if we had a 6-foot blinking pink neon sign saying we don't have a certain item, someone would still ask if we had that item in stock. People, and that includes me sometimes, don't see, pay attention to, notice, or adhere to signs. period.
Unfortunately the same lack of attentiveness is applied to spiritual signs. God gives us signs all day long, every day. God's signs are in the songs of the birds, the splash of the ocean, and the rustling of the trees. God's signs are in the smiles of those you pass by, the sincere greeting of a friend, the holding open of a door by a stranger and the thank you of a sales clerk. God's signs are in those who fight for justice and the fair treatment of all, in the homeless family sitting outdoors in the coldness of a winter night, in the cry of a child who hasn't eaten in a couple of days, and in the man who asks for spare change on the street corner.
God's signs are in everything and everyone. God's sign is creation itself. Let's begin to notice those signs, follow them, and adhere to them. Maybe we won't have a need to "step off the curb" of the path we're on if we can just acknowledge God's signs.
As she continued down the path which brought her closer to the construction area she reached the part of the sidewalk that was blocked off by a red temporary fence. On the fence was a sign which said "Danger Do Not Enter". I watched in amazement as the lady stopped, read the sign, then stepped off the curb into oncoming traffic. As the car entering the lane swerved to miss her it honked its horn, she literally threw a fist in the air, seemingly irritated that she had been honked at.
Maybe it's just me, but I see examples of this type of obliviousness all the time. When I was in retail we used to joke that even if we had a 6-foot blinking pink neon sign saying we don't have a certain item, someone would still ask if we had that item in stock. People, and that includes me sometimes, don't see, pay attention to, notice, or adhere to signs. period.
Unfortunately the same lack of attentiveness is applied to spiritual signs. God gives us signs all day long, every day. God's signs are in the songs of the birds, the splash of the ocean, and the rustling of the trees. God's signs are in the smiles of those you pass by, the sincere greeting of a friend, the holding open of a door by a stranger and the thank you of a sales clerk. God's signs are in those who fight for justice and the fair treatment of all, in the homeless family sitting outdoors in the coldness of a winter night, in the cry of a child who hasn't eaten in a couple of days, and in the man who asks for spare change on the street corner.
God's signs are in everything and everyone. God's sign is creation itself. Let's begin to notice those signs, follow them, and adhere to them. Maybe we won't have a need to "step off the curb" of the path we're on if we can just acknowledge God's signs.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Do You Remember Yours?
What2Say2Day? I'm beginning to prepare for this Sunday's Youth Talks (aka Sunday School) and am taking a look at baptism as it pertains to the Christian faith. Some of you may know tomorrow is the Epiphany, the day Christians celebrate the coming of the Magi to proclaim Jesus is born for the entire world. It also signifies the end of Christmastime (sad, but not really because Christmas is everyday...remember?)
The Sunday following Epiphany is known as the Baptism of Christ Sunday. The story we're using comes from Mark 1:4-11 where Jesus comes across John the Baptizer and gets dunked in the Jordan River (the passage does a far better job at telling the story). Then, as Jesus is being lifted out of the water we here God's voice as it proclaims, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.".
The focus of our Youth Talks will be whether or not we remember our baptism. And, if we were baptized as a baby, do we know the promises made for us when we were baptized. Chances are if you were baptized as a baby you won't know what these are or remember a thing. Yet, I see parents everyday in church trying their best to live out the words they pledged before God and the Church universal. I personally applaud these parents for the great sacrifices they make on behalf of their children - Thank you!
So, what exactly are those promises made on your behalf? That's your assignment for today. Talk to your parents, grandparents, an elder, a cousin, anyone who may have been there that day and ask them. Or, if you've been to a baptism recently recall the words and promises made. Then, ask yourself this question: Am I now prepared to live out these promises on my own?
I think you are, with the help of God.
The Sunday following Epiphany is known as the Baptism of Christ Sunday. The story we're using comes from Mark 1:4-11 where Jesus comes across John the Baptizer and gets dunked in the Jordan River (the passage does a far better job at telling the story). Then, as Jesus is being lifted out of the water we here God's voice as it proclaims, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.".
The focus of our Youth Talks will be whether or not we remember our baptism. And, if we were baptized as a baby, do we know the promises made for us when we were baptized. Chances are if you were baptized as a baby you won't know what these are or remember a thing. Yet, I see parents everyday in church trying their best to live out the words they pledged before God and the Church universal. I personally applaud these parents for the great sacrifices they make on behalf of their children - Thank you!
So, what exactly are those promises made on your behalf? That's your assignment for today. Talk to your parents, grandparents, an elder, a cousin, anyone who may have been there that day and ask them. Or, if you've been to a baptism recently recall the words and promises made. Then, ask yourself this question: Am I now prepared to live out these promises on my own?
I think you are, with the help of God.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Vacation is Officially Over...YAY!
What2Say2Day? Today I go back to my full time job of assisting students in the class room. And I'm happy! I miss the kids I work with. I miss sitting with them and talking about their day, weekends or what happened last night. I truly can't wait to hear what happened over the holiday break.
Will all the stories be good and filled with joy? Probably Not. But that is what I look forward to most; being there to listen to them and letting them know that I have love for them no matter what. And so does my God.
The word listen appears over 400 times in the NRSV of the bible, and not all of those listening times are of good news. But still the people in those stories listen. Listening should not be confused with hearing. We hear all kinds of things during the day; cars, birds, music, leaves rustling. Listening is a skill where we pay attention and process what we hear.
Do you hear your children or listen to them? Do you hear your partner in life, or do you listen? Do you hear or do you listen to God? Today, I get to listen to God through the youth and teachers I work with. That makes me really happy!
Who do you get to listen to today?
Will all the stories be good and filled with joy? Probably Not. But that is what I look forward to most; being there to listen to them and letting them know that I have love for them no matter what. And so does my God.
The word listen appears over 400 times in the NRSV of the bible, and not all of those listening times are of good news. But still the people in those stories listen. Listening should not be confused with hearing. We hear all kinds of things during the day; cars, birds, music, leaves rustling. Listening is a skill where we pay attention and process what we hear.
Do you hear your children or listen to them? Do you hear your partner in life, or do you listen? Do you hear or do you listen to God? Today, I get to listen to God through the youth and teachers I work with. That makes me really happy!
Who do you get to listen to today?
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Back Pains for God
What2Say2Day? This post is later in the day than normal and that's a good thing. The church I serve as the youth and young adults leader is going to attempt building a dedicated library space for the children's program at one of our local homeless shelters. Today was the day to pick up the lumber - heavy work. As I was doing this work, though, my mind kept thinking about Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Yes, the work was difficult (especially at my age) but worth it, especially knowing who the work was being done for. And that was the phrase that stuck - who the work was being done for. Okay, so we're building a space for children to read and/or be read to; so is the work being done for the children? And we're putting the library in a homeless shelter, so that must be who the work is being done for, right?
Maybe because the work is being sponsored by the youth and young adults that's who this project is for, or because it's being built by varying members in our church we should say the work is being done for them. So many to choose from and give credit to, but which one deserves it most?
Thinking about it the whole day I finally think I have the answer. The work being done by all these people is for...God. Yes, God. That's what Jesus' point is in the telling of that story. In everything we do, whether alone or in community, big or small, light or heavy, we do it for God. Keep that in mind the next time you help someone; no matter what you do.
Yes, the work was difficult (especially at my age) but worth it, especially knowing who the work was being done for. And that was the phrase that stuck - who the work was being done for. Okay, so we're building a space for children to read and/or be read to; so is the work being done for the children? And we're putting the library in a homeless shelter, so that must be who the work is being done for, right?
Maybe because the work is being sponsored by the youth and young adults that's who this project is for, or because it's being built by varying members in our church we should say the work is being done for them. So many to choose from and give credit to, but which one deserves it most?
Thinking about it the whole day I finally think I have the answer. The work being done by all these people is for...God. Yes, God. That's what Jesus' point is in the telling of that story. In everything we do, whether alone or in community, big or small, light or heavy, we do it for God. Keep that in mind the next time you help someone; no matter what you do.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
What2Say2Day? This is a day late, but I made a promise to be electronically disconnected yesterday, and so I was. I spent the day in church talking to our youth and families, visiting my wife's family, spending an evening with mine, eating too much food, and being with my wife - in other words doing all my favorite things. Some people say that how your first few days go in the New Year so will the rest of your year will go. If that's true then my year will be filled with God, family, friends and good times.
I'm sure there will be challenges, there always is, but God and the relationships in my life will get me through them. My wife's first words to me after "Happy New Year" was "remember to hold on to each other". This year my focus will be on just that; holding on to those we love and reassuring them it's okay to hold on to me. Mother Teresa says it best when she said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other."
Let 2012 be the year we remember we belong to each other.
I'm sure there will be challenges, there always is, but God and the relationships in my life will get me through them. My wife's first words to me after "Happy New Year" was "remember to hold on to each other". This year my focus will be on just that; holding on to those we love and reassuring them it's okay to hold on to me. Mother Teresa says it best when she said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other."
Let 2012 be the year we remember we belong to each other.
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