Will there be football in Heaven?

Marlon asks the best questions. Real and obvious questions that, in my pursuit to be more spiritual than you, I miss. "Will there be football in heaven?" Typically his questions send me into a state of semi-meditation as I draw from my memory scripture, sermons I've heard, and items I've read to avoid some blasphemous response. Today, I was relieved to have a such a quick response to his question: "I don't know."

He loves football, wants to play for his school, but didn't make the team because he was too small. Though a new believer, his faith is such that it's not a deal breaker, but it's important to him. He's disappointed in my answer, then adds, "I hope so."

"Me, too."

I get up and shout when the Seminoles play well (actually when they don't play well also) but I would not consider myself a football fan. Yesterday, Emmett and I were on the way home from Wal-Mart when we heard this odd sound. A quick survey revealed its source: a van painted in the the Jaguar's team colors accented by Jaguar logos of various sizes as well as the trademark paw print. I can only presume the sound was a musical horn, played too loud, bombarding those of us around him with some, very distorted, Jaguar fight song. These guys were football fans.

When does something like football cease being a God-given desire of our heart and become another self-created idol, seducing our affections from our bridegroom? To steal from Pastor Brinkman, we rarely replace God with an idol, but we decorate His throne room with them.

I'd make a good Pharisee, maybe (I might be too lazy); I know the importance of an air of righteousness. With the rich young ruler, I can say, "All these things I have kept from my youth." But God knows my heart. "You still lack one thing. [Insert a command for me to give up my idols here]."

Furthermore, He calls me out, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder . . . " (Matthew 5:21-30, NKJV ; You can look it up. You Navigators and Baptists have already found it. For the rest of you, it's the first book of the New Testament).

Before I realize the waves are now breaking above my knees, He sees me sinking. And just as He sent His son to satisfy His wrath against me, He sends His Spirit to sanctify me, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26)

So what will heaven be like? Will there be pets? Books? The ocean? I don't know. All I know is we'll be with Him, there will no more sin, and no more sadness.

In the meantime, if you hear some weird noise, don't worry; it's just His Spirit praying double time for me.

Too Long Between Posts

I don't know where to begin. There are a million things going through, or at least, have gone through my head since the last time I posted. Instead of exhausting one, perhaps I'll hit some briefly.

What are you sowing? "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Gal 6:7 NKJV) I seem to remember story told by different preachers about an interview with a Native American who had been converted to Christianity in his youth. He was now middle-aged and the interviewer asked how the whole Christian walk thing was going. The Indian replied that it was as if two dogs, one Godly, one fleshly, were fighting inside him. The interviewer followed with, Well, which one wins? The one I feed the most, he replied.

So, I'm mentoring this thirteen year old boy, using the KAA program (go to 'Camps', then 'Christian Growth Training'. I'm using the Ambassador lessons. It's good stuff.). Depending on well you know me, I don't mind if you take a few minutes here to gather yourself together after, first falling out of your chair laughing, then sobbing uncontrollably for the boy. He asks some great questions. God calls us to serve others, but I am certain by doing so, we get far more out of the deal than they.

Met Cathron and Dave (Em's sister and her husband) in Franklin, NC the end of last week. They have their share of challenges and corresponding growth, but both have been rocks in my family's lives since before Emily and I were even married. It's great because their boys are several years older than ours so we get a bit of a preview of what's to come, plus we get to learn what works and what doesn't from fellow believers who, while facing challenges or admitting mistakes, desire their faith to be lived out by being 'hands and feet'. That said, Dave has been reading and is really impressed with the book unChristian.

One of the recent topics in the KAA Ambassador material was the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23). First I've got a question to all you out there. The verse has a singular subject and verb ('fruit' and 'is'), then lists nine characteristics of this fruit. I've always heard it taught as nine distinct 'fruits' but that is not what the verse says (granted I only checked three translations, KJV, NKJV, and ESV). So what is it, one or nine? Secondly, we started going through the characteristics and defining them from scripture. Love was easy (well, at least to define, 1 Cor 13, not to live out accordingly). It gets especially hard when you get down to verse 7 with its "bears all things" and "endures all things." Kinda reminds me what Paul is saying back in Gal 6:1 & 2. ". . . restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." and "Bear one another's burdens." I think too often, in an effort to keep my hands clean, I define burdens as spiritual burdens. It's the context of the chapter, and it's easier that way.

God extremely blessed me by allowing me attend, finally, a 2nd Mile Ministry youth night last night. Just a fly on the wall, but how incredible, these kids showing up on their own accord, fighting to be one of the lucky ones who'd be able to catch a ride to church with the 2MM staff. 2MM took a group of kids to KAA this summer (and last) and has organized the mentoring I taking part in. God is working through them to reach the kids in the Brentwood area of Jacksonville (just north, relatively, of downtown).

I'll wrap up with some awesome verses to go to sleep by, Rom 8:37-39: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ESV)

Frustrating God

How strong are you? When God calls, is anyone capable of saying no? I used to have a pastor who said, "The only person God can't save you from is yourself." In all honesty, that sucks! I'm the only one I need saving from!

I remember having lunch about that same time with a friend who was reading Watchman Nee. According to my friend's paraphrase, Nee states that you cannot change God's plans, but you can frustrate them.

Free will is alright, but it's like a car stuck in the mud. The car has all of the ability to shoot forward a 100 mile per hour (well maybe not our minivan), but unless the conditions under the tires allow, it's not going anywhere. Praise God!

If not for the sovereignty of God, all our prayers, even our very salvation, would be in jeopardy.

So, I've a friend with a problem. Mistakes, uninformed decisions, etc has led to a lousy situation. Now that friend loves God, seeks Him constantly, gives so much energy to serve Him, so why did He let this problem arise? Why did He not move others to pull along side and warn of the situation ahead? Why did He lead us here? What direction should we head now? When? How far? With what resources?

And why has He surrounded me with grace (a sermon here, a book there, here some grace, there some grace, everywhere grace, grace)? Is it just to point me to the gospel? Probably that simple. Love as I have loved, I'm back to John 15 again. I do not love as Jesus does. I cannot, yet He calls me to do so. Grace. Obedience. Beautiful, how beautiful, to see things afresh.

Existential Christianity. (Went to wikipedia just to make sure I wasn't too far off with where I am going and found they've an entry titled Christian existentialism. Then I went to the Jacksonville library site and put a hold on a couple Kierkegaard's books and a Francis Schaeffer item.) Thank God our salvation is not dependent on our obedience. Even better, Grace transforms obedience from something unobtainable to a privilege. To steal from a couple of new friends, GIGATT (God is good, all the time!)

Our life is what happens as we experience it. God has authored it from the beginning to the end. As I was telling Marlon, we cannot surprise God. It is His story. How cool it is to be part of it! So I live each second as it happens, sometimes well, frequently not. Don't get me wrong. There's food in the refrigerator; I recognize consequences, so we plan ahead, some. At the same time, I hope to avoid planning that may blind my vision to Him. It's all to His glory; even Joseph's brothers failed to hamstring or frustrate God!

So I pray for my friend. I pray for direction. I pray I keep my eyes on Him, because I cannot see at all where He will lead through the next few weeks. I pray He picks my feet up on puts them on His path, sometimes I'd rather be comfortable. Why get involved?

All I know in the end is that I am thankful that I cannot frustrate God's plans, and, also, that He can save me from myself!

The Gospel, Practically

Small groups started meeting again last week.

(I've gotta stop here and almost do a completely different post in parenthesis. I love small group. There's no better place on Wednesday evening! We have a fun, laid back, kingdom seeking group. We don't get it right all the time, so I fit right in. God's been so good lately. When I'm not trying to get my head around the 'why', I get overcome with a flood of thankfulness springing forth from somewhere deep within. He's opened my heart to see Him. Joy. There's more to share on this, but it will have to be another post.)

Our small group's study (after some much needed fellowship over some finger food and desserts) is a discussion of Sunday's sermon. It's great because whatever questions you had during the preaching, you can present to the group. We've been working through Romans on Sunday, and we were talking about chapter 6. Rusty presented the question,"What does being a slave to sin mean to you?"

I slipped up and let my PCA background show (right in front of the group!). I gave a solid doctrinal answer about us understanding our position before a Holy God and thus our need for Christ's sacrifice. Everything was all fine and dandy until the question moved around the room to a gentleman new to the group.

He answered, "Well, it might not be doctrinally correct, but how I face being a slave to sin in a practical way is . . ."

What audacity! What a maroon! Study the Bible to see how to love God and serve Him practically?!? But in truth, what genius, what Christ-likeness. I wasn't much use the rest of the conversation. I was distracted. My mind kept going back to one word, practical.

So, where does my faith meet the road? I am always amazed with the honesty in the ladies' blog entries. Their observations of their own selfishness hit home. Even this blog right now, who is it for? I'd like to believe it might help someone realize that they're not the only one trying to keep their feet beneath them, but I know that at least part of the reason is that I am doing it for myself.

James has been the topic in the adult Sunday school class. Talk about making the Gospel practical! A quick skim over this small book and you'd think he's contradicting letter after letter of Paul's, but no, it's God as much as Ephesians 2. We've looked over facing trials, and started getting into the whole faith vs works funness.

How do you live the Gospel in a practical manner? I don't know exactly. I know I need to love people more by serving them. I know I've responsibilities to my wife, kids, employer, etc, but there's a lot of time left over after I fall short in those areas for me to step out in faith and serve. Anyways, what may be practical for one may not work universally.

So, beyond the general 'love and serve', what are some more specific ways we can love the world? Please share. I believe everyone should have someone outside their immediate family that they are either discipling/mentoring or at least, a peer they're walking beside. I truly believe our culture has placed an emphasis on family to the exclusion of community. I don't do this right myself, but the more I encourage the focus of our family to outside our home, God equips me a little bit more with an attitude and a will that can be bent to His.

Time with Him in prayer and the Word refreshes and strengthens. When you charge a set batteries, it's not just to have a set of charged batteries, it's to use that energy doing something. I need to remember to do something.

But it'll have to be tomorrow. I'm going to bed.

Trying Something New

I've got to talk to someone about this book, Velvet Elvis, so I've added another blog. Check out Josh's Book Club.

I'm not giving up on this blog. Actually working on a real post now.

Cool Evening, Warm Fire

Okay so it wasn't all that cool and the fire was more hot than merely warm, but the whole reason of this post is to illustrate what happens when home improvements are posted on blogs. All of a sudden I've to clean up our fire pit. I should have taken a "before" photo.

All kidding aside, I'm very happy with the result and thus thankful for Melissa's post and Eric's hard work to encourage me.

We even roasted some marshmallows!

Why do we fall?

It's kinda like spelunking.

Starting out, I was hunched over and uncomfortable. Sometimes it was so tight I found myself crawling. Muscles I never use ached. I began to doubt my decision to even come. The walls were too close, the darkness even closer. Everything in me was screaming, "Go back," but there was a hope that strengthened me, pushing me on. Oh, what peace when you yield to that hope! Then everything opens up, joy.

Everything opens up, like someone removing the blinders. And as I press on, He continues to fuel me with His hope, sharing His light. As the light disperses the darkness, more and more of the beauty and expanse of the cavern is revealed. His light even penetrates that sin I've hid within, forcing me to let go of it. The overwhelming glory of what He has revealed further proclaims His majesty and might, even His terrifying Holiness. Yet by His grace He chose me, however minuscule, to witness this glory, to share in His righteousness.

Its a journey better shared. Since we moved I've failed to cultivate a friendship with a fellow brother to the point of sharpening iron. As a husband and a father, and an employee, etc, I've sacrificed, foolishly, time and energy I should have put into my friendships. R. Kent Hughes hits the nail on the head. "Friendship is not optional. . . [you] need Christian male friends who have a same-sex understanding of the serpentine passages of your heart . . ." (Disciplines of a Godly Man)

Men have a tendency to isolate themselves. Whatever the excuse, this separation leads, ultimately, to discouragement. The Bible strengthens us, yes, and convicts us. Isolated, I have a tendency, no matter how many books or blogs I read, to feel I am the only man out there who fails. I am the only man out there who does not consistently discipline my children. I am the only man out there that is not instructing my children as God has called me. I am the only man out there that fails to continually honor, encourage and lift up my wife. I am the only man who fails to lay down his life for his wife. I am the only man out there that does not love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind. Discouragement.

Knowing other men more than superficially, floods the church with grace. As I get to know the men in my church and their failings, they become more to me than the guy with the kids who sit still through the sermon and has it all together, more than the man that always asks the perfect question in Sunday school. They become genuine. As I get to know the men in my church, I am encouraged. I am able to witness the fresh fruits of His presence and His grace in areas where they struggle. I am encouraged because, as I get to know these men, I realize I am not alone.