Do not fear... (My thoughts on Refugees)

Do not fear… Anything

The last few weeks at Heartland we have been in a series borrowed from Andy Stanley at NorthPoint Church called The N Commandment. In this series we have been called by Christ to Fear Not, Worry Not, Doubt Not, Sin Not and this coming week will close out with Judge Not. This is a great series that helps us to understand these commandments in the light this side of the Resurrection. We are able to truly live without fear and worry.

Peter was a great example of a life changed due to the resurrection of Christ. He tried to do things on his own, sometimes even out of fear and worry. He almost drowned when he was walking on water and focused on his fear of the wind and waves. When Jesus was arrested he tried to protect Jesus with a small sword, and among the trouble after the arrest Peter denied Christ three times.

But after the resurrection of Christ Peter lived a live of complete surrender spreading the Gospel to all those that needed to hear. He saw the resurrected body, saw the scars and knew this was the real deal. He was even willing to give his life for the cause. He lived a different life after the resurrection.

I think this is also our call to live differently in the light of the resurrection and trade our lives of fear for trust, worry for peace, and doubt for hope and faith. In the light of the recent events in the world many online are sharing stories about ISIS, Muslim extremists. People are sharing their opinions. And most of these opinions are based in fear and worry. I struggle with what exactly the best thing to do is. This is above my pay grade and there are no easy answers. I do know very few people are using scripture to back what they are saying. I know very few are using personal experience. I know people will never come to a consensus but let me share a few things I have learned over the years about what I have learned.

1. Read Matthew 25:31-46- “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” “whatever you do for the least of these you have done for me
2. Matthew 2:13-18 As a baby, Jesus and his family were refugees to Egypt. They feared for their life.
3. Genesis 47- When there was a famine in Israel Joseph’s brothers and family came to Egypt. The pharaoh gave them the best land (vs 6)
4. Hebrews 13:1-2  Do not forget to entertain strangers.

This is just the beginning of what scripture says we should do.

Another thing that I want to tread lightly on is that we are not looking at this with a world view. We are looking at it through the only lens that you might know, as an American. First, I am thankful to be an American. But I am a follower of Christ first. My allegiance is to Christ over everything.  I am called to Love God and Neighbor. Neighbor is not just the person you live next too but also includes everyone, including the refugee.

Next week we will gather around tables celebrating refugees coming to this great land fleeing religious persecution. If no one immigrated to America we would not have a United States and American Indians would be the only people group here. Our country was formed by a bunch of refugees. So if anyone should be willing to welcome a refugee it should be us. 

I also look at this through another lens. When I married Jenny I married into a family that has multiple ethnicities and religions.  Jenny’s aunt Lisa met and married a Muslim man Mustafa Al-Ramly while attending Indiana State University. They have lived in Kuwait ever since and have two awesome adult children. So when I think Muslim I think also of my family who are some of the kindest gentle people I have ever met in my life.

Our scope is very narrow. Most writing comments on Facebook are people I believe are good hearted people coming to conclusions based on fear and worry rather than trusting a loving, compassionate, generous God.

These are my thoughts, they are still being developed. I hope I can listen more than I argue. I hope I love more than I hate. I hope I have compassion more than I judge. I hope I am a peacemaker more than I cause conflict. I hope I pray for the least more than I condemn. I am called to so much more in my life than I actually fulfill.

Today please LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS AND SERVE ALL.

Cause for Salvation

Last week I went to a leadership conference in Sioux Falls. One of the speakers was Roddy Chong. He is a very talented violinist. He shared a story of when he was growing up he would perform at different events. Every now and then he would make a mistake. When he was young he would stop and start the whole song again. When he was a little older and a little more talented he would start again just before the place he made the mistake. It took him a while to learn that most people watching never noticed the mistake. When he learned this he said it was an epiphany. It was then he learned to play through the mistake. Not to look back on the mistake at least in the middle of the performance. Roddy Chong refused to be defined by his mistake.

So many people let mistakes rule their life. They let the mistakes impact their decisions. They choose to avoid certain activities. They write people off because of their mistakes. As a Pastor I have met many people that say they could never step inside of a church because of their past. How I respond to one person is how I respond to all people. You are not your mistake. You are not defined by your worst act. We are not our mess. We all have something better that God has planned for us. Unfortunately so many people are allowing guilt to dictate what they do. This should not be so.

Throughout this month I have been encouraging Cause to invade your life. Causes are important. Causes are something we stand up for, fight for and maybe even willing to put our life on the line for. I have addressed different causes like Celebrate Recovery, Slavery, the Food Pantry and digging a well in Sierra Leone. Every one needs a cause. Some causes involve taking a risk.

Last week I mentioned how you are the cause of Christ that he was willing to risk and eventually give up his life for you. Through his death on the cross and his resurrection a few days later he opened up the door of grace for you and I. This door of grace allows us to leave our mistakes behind us. The door offers forgiveness for us, and the freedom we need to move forward and not to be held down by our past.

Most causes eventually end. Maybe a cure was found. Or the needs were met. But the cause of salvation is eternal. It lasts forever and gives life to those who have a relationship with Christ. Salvation is a cause worth standing up for, fighting for and laying your life down for. If you have any questions about salvation give me or one of the other Pastors in town a call. We would be happy to help. Salvation is our cause.

Celebration of Discipline- Solitude

Well it has been a while since I have read/wrote my thoughts on a chapter. It has been a busy summer, which is why this chapter for me has been really good. It seems like I am always going from one thing to the next. From one loud thing to another. About the only time I am alone is when I am in the office working on something for the church.

Foster says, "without silence there is no solitude." If this is the case I rarely have solitude. It is easy to not have silence. Even now as I type this I have Spotify playing in the background. (But I still do acknowledge the importance of silence, in fact I am shutting off Spotify right now.)

A lot of people have problem with silence. Why is this? Maybe because it leaves us alone with our thoughts? This silence is referring to also not talking. We struggle with silence that we want to even fill it with our own voice because it is awkward. Foster says, "One reason... is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are so accustom to relying upon words to manage and control others... The tongue is our most powerful weapon of manipulation."  He adds, true freedom is to "let God be our justifier."

Foster challenges us to live one entire day without words at all, 4X a year to withdraw for 3-4 hours of solitude, once a year to have a 2-3 day retreat with no other purpose than for solitude.

This chapter has been really good because it comes in a time of my life where my tongue has brought me into a little bit of trouble with one of my relationships. There is a lot of truth in this book that if I learn to apply it should help me in this area.

Being okay with silence is hard but every now and then maybe we should shut down all the noise so we are able to think, pray, connect with our Creator and see what happens in that time. I do not think I have ever regretted a time when I could have solitude. But in order to have it we must make room for it in our lives.

Celebration of Discipline- Simplicity

We fill our lives with a lot more than needs. I would say that it is okay to enjoy and have things we want but the idea of simplicity is more than this idea. As Foster shares in the first line of this chapter, simplicity is freedom.

Have you ever felt like you do not have enough? Or have the desire and need for something more in this life? Throughout scripture we are warned  not to trust in riches, not to build up our treasures in heaven, the desire to be rich will make us fall into temptation. Yet simplicity is still more than this.

When we find ourselves content with riches or in poverty this is when we can find simplicity. The problem with simplicity is it can be seen in our lives easily. The attitude of simplicity can be displayed. If we find ourselves anxious about not having or holding onto what we have it can fall into the idea of idolatry. Foster brings us back to "seek first his kingdom and righteousness."

So how do we live a life of simplicity? Foster gives 10 tips on doing this. Since I dont want to make this blog a book, I will address the ones in my life that I need to continue to work on.

- "Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you." This could be anything from caffeine to tv. But it does not need to be a product. It could be the feeling of power or the continual search for joy while not looking to Christ. Release it. As I stated earlier simplicity is freedom, not slavery. If it holds you down, controls you, if you find yourself desiring it more than the things of God than this is a dangerous place to be.

- "Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry." (That is a mouthful Foster) I dont feel like I need the best or newest but I definitely like the ability that makes me "feel connected." I like Apple, we have a SmartTV.  But not having a lot of extra cash flow helps me in this.

- "Shun anything that distracts you from seeking the kingdom of God." God first, God central.

Simplicity in itself can become legalistic. And I think this is where my problem is. I have never felt like I needed anything. It makes me a hard person to buy for. The problem with this is projecting this same idea onto others. This is when simplicity can become legalism.

The one thing that simplicity allows me to do is give. I have free time to give others. I have left over money that I am able to save and help someone in need. When you dont stretch your money and need to live from paycheck to paycheck you find freedom. Simplicity is freedom.

Confederate Flag Thoughts

Thousands of years ago their was a symbol that represented peace, good fortune or well being. It was used by Buddhist's to represent the sun moving through the sky. It was put on pottery and places of worship. It was known to a lot of people for good.

In 1920, Adolf Hitler, decided the Nazi Party needed a new logo for a flag. This symbol I am referring to is of course the swastika. The next few years Hitler and the Nazi's redefined the meaning of the swastika to mean discourse, pain and hate.

I know a lot of my friends have strong feelings one way or another about the Confederate Flag. For The Dukes of Hazzard fans it means "the good ole' boys." It also represents being from the south, having pride, independence.

Unfortunately racists have adopted the confederate flag as one to spread pain and hate in the United States.

 

We do not use the swastika because even in the short period that it has been seen as evil, the meaning of it has been changed. Like the swastika, the confederate flag for many people is seen in the same evil, hate and more. I am probably not going to change your mind and this is ok. Just think about what you want your life to portray. What do you want to be known for?

 

Celebration of Discipline- Study

Some of the past studies, I admitted that they were not strong points. Study however is one of my strongest disciplines. Not only is it a part of my job where I study scripture of what the context meant by the author, but also how it applies to my and your life. This is something I love to do and is something I would do if I were not paid.

Romans 12:2 Says that we should be "transformed by the renewal of our mind." This is big because the mind can be an inhibitor to the process of our faith. Why do most atheists/agnostics have trouble believing? Because they are unable to grasp or explain God. God does not make sense to them.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  For many the road block to faith is being able to understand. And honestly I dont think it is possible for anyone to be able to explain the existence of God in full. This is why it is faith. 

There are 4 steps of study that Foster discusses in this chapter. 

1. Repetition- The more you read something, the more you notice. The more you notice, the more you understand. Repetition helps you focus. Why do you think a band practices the same song over and over. So they know it inside and out. It gets to the point where they memorize the notes and words. They no longer need the sheet in front of them to tell them what comes next. It becomes a part of you.
      In my devotions I used to read a different passage every day. This was good for a season, and one day I am sure I will go back to this. Right now, I am reading the same passage everyday for a week. I am diving into it, so I can know it inside and out. I want it to become a part of who I am.

2. Concentration- Repetition leads into concentration. If you are able to concentrate of something you dont have all the outside distractions. You are really able to focus. Think about how easy it is to concentrate today. Most homes you walk in and the tv is even if someone is not watching it. The radio is on, the kids are playing, we are receiving texts or notifications. All of these things are competing for our focus. How often do we just get away from what we are doing and focus on God's Word, listen to what someone is saying, or focus solely on a task.

3. Comprehension- If we were able to concentrate, we would definitely be able to comprehend. If we listened to a friend we would know what is going on. Comprehending leads to knowledge, new insights, and discernment.

4. Reflection- Reflection brings in the significance of what we are studying. This shows the importance. As we give ourselves to it, this is where change happens. Our minds are being transformed.

Foster says, "the purpose of study is not doctrinal purity but inner transformation." 

 

Celebration of Discipline- Fasting

If there is a discipline I am worse at I would be surprised. Fasting is difficult for me and it is not just the idea of giving up of food although that is still a valid reason. American culture is adverse to fasting because it is the idea of ridding ourselves of the distraction, of humbling ourselves to focus on the worship of our Lord. We need to learn to simplify to rid ourselves of the things getting in our way of the obedience of Christ.

Foster says their are "no biblical laws that command regular fasting." Is this why we dont focus on it that often? Just because we are not forced into something doesnt mean that it is not a good practice. Foster refers to it as an "opportunity."

Foster also says "we are accustom to cheap grace." In other words we are okay with the benefits of Christianity but avoid sacrifice, discipleship. The problem with cheap grace is that grace was never free. It was offered free to us through the cross but it was never cheap. It meant that Christ gave his life. Fasting will take sacrifice. It will force us to get out of our routine and change things up.

Foster uses a lot of quotes from John Wesley. Wesley was big into fasting and practice it every Wednesday and Friday. He took this practice from the Didache. Wesley was even known to only ordain anyone to the Methodist ministry who also took on this practice as well.


Tips from Foster on Fasting For beginners-
1. Start with skipping a meal.
2.  Begin with a partial fast of 24 hours, from lunch to lunch. Eat lunch, skip supper, skip breakfast than eat lunch again. Drink fruit juices. Try this once a week for 2-3 weeks.
      -most important monitor the inner attitude of the heart. pray, sing, worship.
3. After 2-3 weeks of #1, try substituting the juice with water. if water gets old use a teaspoon of lemon juice to help.
       -in ways the stomach is like a spoiled child, dont indulge the desires. It took many years for your stomach to be used to food at specific times. It will continue to want food at those times.
       - you can master your stomach
4. The more you do it the easier it will be.
5. Fasting is not just about skipping food but the connection we have with Christ. If there are other avenues that get in your way of connecting with Christ try giving those up for a period. i.e. tv, phone, internet, social media, etc
This can only enhance your worship. I will be starting to do this practice a little more often on a consistent basis. Every relationship takes effort on our part to connect. This is the same in our following of Christ. So try adding this discipline to your schedule.

Celebration of Discpline- Prayer

Prayer is fascinating. If meditation is dwelling on the word of God, I think we can define prayer as connecting with God.  Foster says, "prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives." Everyone need prayer like we need connection with God. It is necessary, more so than even air itself. When we are connected with God we live forever.

When we pray, really pray, "we begin to think God's thoughts after him." It will change us, our desires, our love, our will." It is not something that we just do. But it is a part of us, it is bigger than something we add onto our life but it is life.

People ask how can I pray better?  God meets us where we are at. We don't need to be a Martin Luther (prayed for 3 hours to start the day.) Or even a John Wesley who prayed for only 2 hours a day. He meets us where we are and then brings us deeper. Also we need to realize it is our prayer life and not someone else. Something that works for me probably wont work for you. Prayer is about finding a rhythm.

Many people pray, "if it be your will" prayers. Foster sees this as a little dangerous. What if you pray for someone who is sick and he never recovers? Do we blame God because it was not "in his will?" Rather ask his will, what would please you? What would advance your kingdom? "When we pray we are asking God what to do?"

Do you believe in coincidence? Just because someone prays, is it God who healed him. Or did it have to be more about the medicine? Are you one who leans to miracles? Can God work through both?  Archbishop William Temple says, "the coincidences occur much more frequently when he prays." Does not sound life a coincidence.

Celebration of Discipline- Mediation

Meditation for me has always been tough. To sit quietly and to focus is not really one of my strengths. But when it comes down to it, I dont do it because I find other things as more important. Mediation can be defined as "the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word." I am quite positive that I have never heard the actual voice of God and I sometimes doubt people when they come to me saying they have. But as Foster says "God spoke to them not because they had special abilities but because they were willing to listen."

I talk about listening to God often. The problem with this is that I am talking about it, and when I am talking I am not listening. So this is a much needed discipline that I need. When Dietrich Bonhoeffer was asked why he meditated, he replied, "Because I am a Christian."

So how do we meditate? Why do we meditate?

Most people have the view of meditation as and "attempt to empty the mind, Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind." Rather than just detaching yourself from the world and your problems, what is needed is to have a richer attachment to God.

You are not going to be able to master meditation on your first attempt. This is why it is a discipline. It takes effort.

Mediation on scripture is a great place to start. Bonhoeffer recommended meditating on a text for a whole week. This allows it to take root in you. Remember we are "active participants" in the Word of God. He will be there to teach, heal and forgive along the way.

Dwell on the word and then go obey it.

Celebration of Discipline- Ch 1

I have decided to read Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I read it back in college, but I am a completely different person than I was. So this summer I am going to try to read a chapter a week and post thoughts about that chapter, as a form of discipline.

---Foster says "instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem." Instant satisfaction is the enemy of discipline. If I want to be disciplined with what I eat but I see a cookie and eat it because it looked good and I wanted to have it, then I am not being disciplined. I had a goal of being disciplined but I fell short to be instantly satisfied. There is nothing wrong with the cookie or even eating the cookie if I have set it in the parameters of my discipline.

---Foster adds that "disciplines are best exercised in the midst of our relationships." This can be worked through in our family, in our jobs, with friends and neighbors. We behave like we are busy and many of us are. But we make ourselves busy with what we want and shrug off the things we do not. Honestly I do not think we are that busy, we are just not disciplined.

---"Joy is the keynote of all Disciplines." Practice it, it does not mean that you cannot be real about what is going on but Joy is a result of what is going on in the inside when you experience the love of Christ. No matter what is going on their can be some joy.  Joy does not have to always produce a smile. It allows you to hold onto what is important.

---"Spiritual Disciplines are not hard...  All we need to do is long for God." If we do this it will  come. It might not be easy at first but as you keep going and it becomes a part of you God begins to change you.

---"We do not know how to go about exploring the inward life." If this sound like you, you are not alone. Where do we start? W are called  to fast, pray, worship, and celebrate. But how often do we live this out. Disciplines are meant to be personal but not always private.

---"the inner attitude of the heart is far more crucial than the mechanics for coming into the reality of the spiritual life."

---"Our ordinary method of dealing with ingrained sin is to launch a frontal attack. We rely on our willpower and determination." Yet this is usually on our own struggle. If we achieve it than pride sets in, but if not we go back to frustration and maybe depression. This should not lead us to "will worship" as Foster calls it.

--- Foster says we can fight this "will worship" with "disciplined grace." We all know that grace is free, but disciplined grace is the idea that there is still something for us to do. Now we still do not earn grace but we can aline ourselves to receive grace more often. Disciplined grace "places us where the change can occur." We must continue to fight by placing ourselves on the right course, choosing the better option, the more we choose this path the more grace comes into our lives. We do not only receive grace after we sin. But grace comes to us through communion, fellowship, baptism, fasting, being in God's Word, etc.

--- "Spiritual Discipline are intended for our good... but law bound disciplines breathe death." We do not always need to control. We dont always need to put our "discipline" on display. We do not need to put the burden of our chosen discipline or conviction as one that everyone must fulfill.

---Leo Tolstoy "Everyone thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself."
So this summer this is what I will be trying to do. Join me if you like in reading through this great book, choose another, Take on a fast of some sort. Whatever it is, do something.

Untraditional Lent- What Anger Does

People argue. Arguments come in all different sizes, some are calm, while others are anything but with harsh words and maybe even physical violence. Is it possible for people to disagree and not to become angry? Is it possible that being angry is okay?

            In the Old Testament there are many representations of God’s anger. He becomes upset when people build idols. This is explained as a jealous anger. He is also mad with Uzzah when he touches the Arc of the Covenant. Of course God also flooded the earth to rid it of all unrighteousness. He also destroyed Soddom and Gomorrah. In the New Testament Jesus becomes angry with the Pharisees due to their stubborn hearts. They were upset with Jesus due to his healing on the Sabbath. Jesus also became mad when people were misusing the temple. Many people would call this righteous anger.

            I think there are times in this world that when it is okay to become angry. Watching the news or having a friend that has gone through an abusive relationship, racism, pornography, bullying or sex trafficking. I think these same things still cause God to become angry today.

There is a lot wrong with the world and it should cause us to be upset. But how do we handle anger in the everyday. We cannot become angry about everything. This is no way to go through life. The end result is loneliness as anger can drive a wedge in our relationships. The bible address anger quite a bit. Look at some of these verses.

Proverbs 12:6- Fools quickly show they are upset but the wise ignore insults.

Romans 12:19- My friends do not punish others when they wrong you.

Ephesians 4:26 "When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day"

James 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires

1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

These verses can give us some very applicable ways to deal with anger.

1. Get over it quickly, do not dwell on it, and stop being angry before the end of the day. This can cause you to have a restless night and not sleep very well. Do not hold grudges. It will affect you more than the person you are angry with.
2. Listen well. Most of our anger is because we do not fully understand. Let others talk to hear how they feel. This will allow the person you are communicating with you respect and care what they have to say.
3. Be quiet. Allow what you hear to sink in, think about it, you don’t have to settle the conversation that day. Come back and revisit what you are thinking. When we react to what people have to say we are usually responding out of pride. When we take time to think, it allows the truth to sink in.
4. Slow to become angry- What are the things that anger you? If you get angry about everything, you go from a person who becomes angry to an angry person. No one wants to be defined as that

John the Baptist lived out all of this. When approached one day by his disciples in John 3 they had just been arguing. They were upset about some things one of them being that Jesus and his disciples were baptizing and people were going to them. This means less people were coming to John and his disciples. They were making it about them. I like how John responds. He tells them about the Bridegroom and how he should be the center of attention on the big day. John goes as far to say that he is more of a best man. His actions are to make this day special for the groom. John adds, “He must become greater, I must become less.”

How amazing would it be if we all had this attitude with Jesus and our neighbor? It would definitely keep a lot of arguments from ever happening.

Untraditional Lent- What Arrogance Does

Arrogance. John the Baptist, however is one of those guys that is the complete opposite of this. One might describe him as humble.  Traits of being humble are that they think more about others than they do themselves. They do not necessarily have a low opinion of self but hold such a high view of the relationships they have that they are willing to do anything and everything for.

At Heartland right now we are looking to shift our souls from this attitude of arrogance to an attitude of humility. This is a work that is done in the fabric of who we are. We literally want to shift from a selfishness to a selflessness that puts God and others before ourselves. We call this shift from Me to You.

There are a few things that we have to achieve to see this happen. First we have to be real about who we are. Our opinion and perspective is not always truth. John the Baptist definitely knew who he was. John 1:19-34. (Please check it out.) John was talking with some others and they wanted to know who he was. Was he the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet? He answered no to all three.  So they asked him again who he was. This was his reply; “I am the voice of one calling in the desert. Make straight the way for the Lord.” Even his answer shows that he was humble in who he was. By pointing to the Christ, he took the attention away from himself.

Next we are to, Build up others, not yourself. The culture today would rather seek fame than character. We have replaced real heroes from the military, firemen, and police to those who become famous by releasing a sex tape, being on a reality series, or one who can play guitar. If we are willing to do anything for fame then we have lost our humanity in the process. John the Baptist never sought fame for himself but always tried to bring attention but to Christ.

Third we should be authentic enough to talk about our faults, not about the faults of others. John said this about Jesus, “the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to tie.” This is the job of a servant and he sees that he is not even worthy of doing something like this for Jesus. Our world is missing authenticity and humility in the worst way. How many of us would “rather serve than be served.” But this was the mission of Christ from the beginning. We must be willing to serve.

We must also use the gifts God blessed us with to build the kingdom. Some of you may be a little too humble, thinking that God could never use you because of your past or still present lives. Do not limit God by saying your gifts are not good enough. God is the one who gave you the gift, and he gave it to you to be used to serve the world and build His kingdom.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Next week- What Anger Does.

Untraditional Lent- What fear and doubt do

This was originally for an article I wrote for the Progress Review Which I will be continuing for the month of March.

Zechariah was visited by an angel in Luke 1 and he was “gripped with fear.” I am sure at some point in your life you have been scared, whether watching a movie, a friend surprising you, being held at gunpoint or being told that you have cancer. This can be a scary thing.

Fear can be paralyzing, not knowing what to say or how to react. Some people when scared have a reaction to fight back with words or in a physical way. Others react with flight by running away. These are very common reactions when we are afraid.

Fear can lead us to do a lot of things. Fear can hinder our faith. But it also can cause us to avoid. Let me explain. I am afraid of roller coasters. The combination of the height and speed just seem unnatural to me. At times, fear leads to I don’t. My fear of roller coaster leads to the fact that I DON’T ride roller coasters.

The angel told Zechariah that his wife was going to have a baby. Zechariah basically laughed off this comment and said, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” Zechariah was filled with doubt. He didn’t believe what the angel was sharing with him. Zechariah’s doubt led him to say I CAN’T. 

He knew that he and his wife had never had children and why would that ever change at his age. Zechariah was more focused on what he could not do rather than what God can do. Is not this what we do so often by focusing on our own limitations, imperfections, failures, hurts and doubts. We rely on what we cant do as our only experience. Zechariah was right, he would never be able to get his wife pregnant. But there is something at work in this that is more powerful than Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Due to his doubt, Zechariah had his voice taken away. So he could not go home and share this news with his wife. But I am sure that Zechariah was ecstatic a few months later to here his wife was pregnant. God provided this couple with a miracle and even though Zechariah and Elizabeth could not do it, Christ could, and Christ did, and he still can.

Faith is bigger than our self. We might not believe it, but that does not mean it cannot happen. Because of my limitations I don’t have great faith in myself. Because of others imperfections I don’t have great faith in others. But I do have a great faith in Christ and his ability to transform myself and others. Do not let your fear of something tell you that God wont. Do not let your doubt tell you that God is not able. In fact I think we should doubt our doubt more than we do our God.

Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Focus on the second part of that line. We only have strength through God. Matthew 19:26 says, Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

IF... Deflategate

I am a huge Patriots fans. I was born into a Boston sports team house in Northern Maine. Seasons were not summer or winter. They were Red Sox, Celtics or Patriots.  I never knew anything different. I did not even know I had a choice of who to root for. I would not want to root for any other team. Why would I want to? In my life time (born in 1981) I have seen multiple championships from each team.

My adult life has been outside of New England, in places like New York, Indiana, South Carolina and Iowa. But for me, my professional sports teams have never changed. I have watched AFC Championships in Indiana surrounded by Colts fans while cheering for the Patriots. I lived in SC when New England beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl.  I have cheered for the Red Sox in Yankee Country.

For me I love sports. Playing, watching, and for the first time last summer coaching little league. Sports teaches team work, sportsmanship, work ethic and character. It is a release for stress. A way to exercise and a reason to get together and have fun with friends.

Sports for me has also been a way for me to connect with home. Living 1600 miles away from family is  not always easy. But when I put on a game, I know friends and family are also watching it as well. Sometimes I will even Skype with my parents while watching the game. Which my tv seems to get everything 5 seconds behind my parents so my dad will let out a yell and I will expect something good or bad to happen.

This past week has been stressful. As much as I know it is a game. Allegations of cheating are serious accusations. I am a big believer that character and integrity will play into every role of your life. I am also a Pastor. So I teach frequently on the subject. This past fall as a sermon series I taught The Home Run Life, It was based on a book with the same title by Kevin Myers.

Basically, it can be summed up that everyone starts at Home Plate. People recognize their need for God. And then they work on character, relationships, and results. But the world would rather focus on results first so they try to run the bases backwards. Meaning they are willing to put aside character and relationships for the pursuit of success.

I am not sure what happened with these footballs. I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. No matter who they are. I do not care about the past. I try not to judge based on someone's past. So I have tried to run all the scenarios through my head on what could have happened. I read everyone's social media posts and I wonder why so many people are reacting the way they are?

From the Black Sox, to Pete Rose, the Bounty Gate, to Spy Gate and PED's people are willing to put aside character for success. They want an advantage above their competitor. They want to earn more money and they are willing to risk everything that is important for things that are temporary.

If Deflate Gate is true and someone took the actions to give an advantage I am ashamed. There have been many comparisons to Bounty Gate but I would rather compare it to the PED scandle. I wonder what would possess someone to take the step to give an advantage?

There do seem to be more questions with Deflate Gate than there are answers. Let's look at what we do know. 

1. The football pressure was less than it was supposed to be. Sport balls lose pressure in the cold. We all know this. This professor tested it  One of the things that was talked about was the Colts balls were not changed... So does this rule it out?

2. It all started with the LB for the Colts they say that started this. But he himself says he never noticed it. 

3.  Refs check the footballs before the game. How much difference is the feel of a football that is within the rules and where they measured it at. How noticeable is it? The refs touched the footballs and they didn't notice anything. 

4. The Patriots played better in the second half with balls that had the right amount of air pressure. Why would anyone take the chance when they are already so much better than the Colts?

5. I highly doubt anything will ever be proven because there is a lack of evidence in the case. In the court of law this does not prove innocence but would give them a verdict of not-guilty.  In the US we still are innocent until proven guilty. Yet most of what is involved in Deflate Gate is all based on opinion. 

I close with this. If Deflate Gate is true I am ashamed. But there must be more evidence for me to be convinced that it is. If Deflate Gate is true I feel sad for those who did it. Like Lance Armstrong he held onto the truth for a long time and it destroyed him. And if Deflate Gate is true I hope they will be willing to ask for forgiveness. No one should be judged by the worst thing they have ever done. You are not defined by your mess.

If it is false unfortunately the Patriot name will still be tarnished in the public eye. Why? because it is easy to jump on the bandwagon and attack someone's character. Mob mentality has not always proven truth. Majority opinion is not always fact. But I guess it does not always have to be fact for there to be an accusation and for someone to fall from grace.