Challenges & Conversations (02/16/16)

To enjoy a ballgame at the park, you have to see it.  You can't see it when your line of sight is obstructed repeatedly.

That awkward moment when the person in seat 8 in the middle of the row stands up and squeezes past 7 people to get to the stairs.  You know that what squeezed in front of you to exit your row must squeeze in front of you to re-enter.  Then you will get distracted a second time.

If that scenario happened once during the ballgame, you would be fortunate. Fan movement, however, is both inevitable and continual.  It is likely that every person in your row will get up at least once.  Okay, you're a patient fan.  You can handle that.  Some people get up twice. You're starting to feel a bit agitated.  Then there are the "special few." They should've stayed home, since they have no clue what's happening on the field and they have no sense of courtesy to their fellow fans.  Of course, this is America. These present-yet-wandering ticket holders have the right to walk around, get in your way, or miss most of the game.  The problem is that they are starting to ruin the game for you.

I'm concerned that church services are going the way of baseball games.  What movement in and out of the sanctuary!  Do you realize what a distraction you are when you stand up, walk out and walk back in?  If you insist on being highly mobile, how come you don't sit in the back?  Does the Guest of Honor no longer matter?  I mean, you seem quite comfortable randomly getting up and walking out on Him.

The culprit is lack of reverence.  You sing to the King, welcome the King, and say that you want the King to remain.  Then you can easily get up and walk out on Him?  Usually that is during His time to speak to you (a.k.a. the sermon).  Obviously, our understanding of "King" is flawed.

If Jesus were really King in your life and that is what you truly believed, there is no way you would miss even one minute away from Him.  May the fear of the Lord return to His people!  Then and only then will the needless, distracting movement cease.

100 Years Ago Today

October 6, 1910. It was in Boston. It was a baseball first, a moment to remember. Bill Collins was the first major league player to hit a "natural cycle." (For those unfamiliar with baseball terminology, this means he got a base hit his first time up to bat. The second time he ripped a double. The third time at bat he belted a triple. Bill's fourth time at bat was a home run.)

Your efforts won't always line up like Bill's, but you never know when they might. I'm sure Bill would tell you he never saw the cycle coming. God can't bless the swing you don't take. Attempting nothing is a sure sign you're expecting nothing.

Got a Hit, Took Second

Little League Baseball is in swing. The first game was last Saturday. Aaron got a hit and was able to take second. Way to go, Aaron!

When Is Something "Wrong"?

Is something wrong because you feel badly about it? Is something wrong only when someone gets hurt over it? Is something wrong only when enough people say it is?

In yesterday's edition of the Union Sun and Journal (Lockport, NY), there was a story called "McGwire and the Steroid Buzz." The author suggested Mark McGwire's taking steriods really isn't such a big deal. The article really has less to do with Mark McGwire or steroids. It has more to do with morality.

I agree with the author that we all make mistakes. That being the case, I agree we should be merciful. We should be careful not to be judgmental. What I disagree with is the possibility Mark McGwire did nothing wrong. What I disagree with is the idea that even if he did do something wrong, it is culture's fault. "We pressured him. The game pressured him. He just wanted to fit in and he misused a drug to do it, hurting no one but himself in the process." Is that really the message we want to send?

Mark McGwire made a mistake. He has apologized for it. He should be forgiven. What we should not do is pretend nothing bad happened. Rules were broken. Guidelines were violated. Lies were told. All that is okay?

There is such a thing as sin. Mark McGwire struggled with it. I struggle with it. Just because we struggle with it doesn't mean results should be deflected or excused. Forgiven, yes. Excused, no. Culture is not responsible for my sin. My parents are not responsible for my sin. I am responsible for my sin. Let's stop the blame game.

Something is "wrong" because it violates the teaching of the Bible. Something is "wrong" because it violates conscience. Something is "wrong" because it offends a holy God.