It's that time of year. Time to get out the old softball cleats, dust off your glove and warm up for the new season. It's exciting. I could go many ways with a post talking about slow pitch softball...such as the many hilarious happenings of each game, the fact that many injuries could come from a body going from rest to a dead sprint, or so much more. But I have to address the "Team God".
Today we played Team God. They were set apart. Just as the bible says they should be. Their shirts had big crosses on them, I think I remember something about the Gospel written in their shirts, and they took it one step further...they disclosed the church they went to. Big mistake.
I would like to tell you why I believe these are 3 very perilous steps. Now, let me start off by saying this is my opinion. I won't use any references to scripture saying that there is a clear example that Jesus taught not to play slow-pitch softball with his name representing the team. Maybe I'm wrong and everyone should do this. Hopefully by the end I will figure that out!
Reason # 1: Why you should not make a Team God. To start off, if you even look at someone wrong, they think..."what is this?! Team God is looking at me angerly and I don't like it. Aren't they supposed to love everyone? Some Team God."
Reason #2: If you say something like, "Wow, it was a long night last night!" Nobody knows what you are talking about. Nobody knows that you were leading people to a relationship with Christ and then the baptizing took longer than expected. It's going to be assumed that you were drinking the night before the big Team God game. Not ok.
Reason #3: If you miss an opportune chance to get an out, tag someone, or make a killer dive and you get a little upset....once again, Team God is not allowed to have an ill tempered demeanor. Everyone knows that God people are not to be upset by anything! Aren't they perfect?
Reason #4: The evangelistic God Team. It is the responsibility of every Christian to invite Non-Christians to all the events they are a part of...so Team God seams like the best choice. But it's not. Don't be deceived. What if you invite someone who curses and flat out yells at some of the other players. Or what if they even play in an unsportsmanlike conduct. The opposing team thinks that they are on Team God, but their actions aren't lining up to the Team God Creed. To fix this one...you have to be an exclusive team, but then you can't invite. What's the balance there?
Reason #5: You are representing God. What if you lose? You are playing for God and you lose...what kind of testimony is that?! I guess you could have a good attitude afterwards, but nobody REALLY wants the sportsmanship award. It's kind of just given out to make the lowest scoring team feel some sense of accomplishment. I'm pretty sure God doesn't want a pity trophy. I know I don't!
So, these are just 5 reasons why I believe Team God is a bad, bad idea. You can always play on a God team, but please, for the sake of representing, call it something else! I'm sure they will see that you are acting in a loving way and that you are set apart. With out the title.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
New Life
There is nothing like witnessing someone beginning a new life to bring the purest kind of joy. Last night, I had that very privilege.
I have a conversational English partner and we meet every week. When I first met her, she asked to study the Bible. I first laughed a few Godly chuckles, and then gladly accepted that offer. We started in the book of John.
We typically go to Church together and then get coffee afterwards to have a little 'Latte and the Lord' time. The first time we went to Church together, the message was on baptism. What did we read that night? About John the Baptist. What a "coincidence". There have been many such coincidences, in which God completely has set up.
Every time we talked, I had to stop myself from saying words like "we" or refer to her as a Christian. She believed in God when we first met, but wasn't completely convinced that Jesus really was the source of life. And if you don't believe or follow Jesus, I would then ask, "how can you be considered a Christ follower, or what some say, a Christian?" By the way, I sometimes use the term, Christian, but sometimes that gets lost in translation. So I prefer Christ follower.
So with each week we met, I kept thinking, this is the night...her new life is about to begin. With every week leading up to this point she was closer and closer. Last week I almost asked her...are you ready yet! But with a dose of some holy spirit style patience, I was able to more tactfully ask her that question. Not ready yet.
Yesterday was May 1st. I ask you, what would be a better time to start a new life in Christ then on May 1st?! I mean, you start New Year's resolutions on the beginning of the year so there is definitely something about the start of a new year, month, week, day that gives you the feeling of a fresh start. So, we were hanging out in the least attractive type of place having one of the most glorious conversations. We went through a lot of verses about all sin being offensive in God's eyes and how that separates us from him. The biggest thing that held her back was that she didn't know much of the bible. She had the understanding (which I might quickly address as a cunning lie) that in order to become a member of God's family, you have to know all of the bible first. I quickly assured her that if that was true...I would be an orphan.
So, after all of that, one of the most beautiful prayers was prayed. Tears flowed, emotions ran high (please forgive me for slipping in a line from one of my favorite movies...I hope that makes God laugh a bit and doesn't ruin the mood) and Lisha's name was written in the Book of Life. I must admit, looking in on the outside I would dub this as slightly cheesy, but the outflow of our heart was to celebrate and we were both so filled with joy. I mean, seriously, eternal life for someone had just begun...who wouldn't want to jump up and down for that!!?!?!
And, here's a picture of a little birthday celebration with some delicious ice cream. Happy Birthday to Lisha! Our new sister.
I have a conversational English partner and we meet every week. When I first met her, she asked to study the Bible. I first laughed a few Godly chuckles, and then gladly accepted that offer. We started in the book of John.
We typically go to Church together and then get coffee afterwards to have a little 'Latte and the Lord' time. The first time we went to Church together, the message was on baptism. What did we read that night? About John the Baptist. What a "coincidence". There have been many such coincidences, in which God completely has set up.
Every time we talked, I had to stop myself from saying words like "we" or refer to her as a Christian. She believed in God when we first met, but wasn't completely convinced that Jesus really was the source of life. And if you don't believe or follow Jesus, I would then ask, "how can you be considered a Christ follower, or what some say, a Christian?" By the way, I sometimes use the term, Christian, but sometimes that gets lost in translation. So I prefer Christ follower.
So with each week we met, I kept thinking, this is the night...her new life is about to begin. With every week leading up to this point she was closer and closer. Last week I almost asked her...are you ready yet! But with a dose of some holy spirit style patience, I was able to more tactfully ask her that question. Not ready yet.
Yesterday was May 1st. I ask you, what would be a better time to start a new life in Christ then on May 1st?! I mean, you start New Year's resolutions on the beginning of the year so there is definitely something about the start of a new year, month, week, day that gives you the feeling of a fresh start. So, we were hanging out in the least attractive type of place having one of the most glorious conversations. We went through a lot of verses about all sin being offensive in God's eyes and how that separates us from him. The biggest thing that held her back was that she didn't know much of the bible. She had the understanding (which I might quickly address as a cunning lie) that in order to become a member of God's family, you have to know all of the bible first. I quickly assured her that if that was true...I would be an orphan.
So, after all of that, one of the most beautiful prayers was prayed. Tears flowed, emotions ran high (please forgive me for slipping in a line from one of my favorite movies...I hope that makes God laugh a bit and doesn't ruin the mood) and Lisha's name was written in the Book of Life. I must admit, looking in on the outside I would dub this as slightly cheesy, but the outflow of our heart was to celebrate and we were both so filled with joy. I mean, seriously, eternal life for someone had just begun...who wouldn't want to jump up and down for that!!?!?!
And, here's a picture of a little birthday celebration with some delicious ice cream. Happy Birthday to Lisha! Our new sister.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
