NFL Draft Reflection

As a football fan (Green Bay Packers - lived 42 years in the state), I listened to some of the reports about this last weekend's draft. One fact surprised me.

The Chicago Bears did not draft a quarterback.

Not in 2008. Not in 2007. Not in 2006. 28 draft choices without a quarterback.

This would not be surprising if a quarterback was not important. However, one can make a case that he's the most important player on the team.

This would not be surprising if their current quarterback was excellent. However, he's been wildly inconsistent.

This would not be surprising if they had a young backup in the wings who was on the verge of excellence. However, this doesn't appear to be true.

(While waiting for my background baseball game this afternoon to come on, I heard some Chicago radio personalities defending the lack of a drafted quarterback. Perhaps blindness is contagious.)

But aren't we all tempted to be like this? We may have a glaring weakness, apparent to any impartial observer, yet we refuse to take action or make changes. Those close to us may never say a word, afraid to hurt us.

The Chicago Bears need someone they respect to speak truth to them. And so do we.

There are 60+ teens wandering around the church this afternoon, waiting to head off for district conference.

The noise level is a bit high, the wandering about a bit unruly, the overall chaos perhaps a bit intense for adult tastes - and it's all good.

In my mind's (faith's?) eye, I can see God smiling down upon them - as they connect with each other and with their leaders - as they listen to speakers and consider life-changing information - as they meet & transparently debrief after sessions.

God's at work. And I rejoice.

Birding (or, as some still call it, "birdwatching") is a reflection of life - 90% logical, 10% bizarre.

This year's migration is a great example. Late winter weather slowed down migration, so many birds throughout April have been 7-10 days late in arrival.

But not all - single Gray Catbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher and few others - have arrived early in Mille Lacs County - some as much as three weeks.

Much of life is structured and predictable - projects are planned & executed, meetings reach anticipated results, discussions with family go well - but then the 10% happens - and a deer runs into your car, or the IRS disagrees with your tax return, or people respond positively to a poor sermon....

And it's in the 10% that God becomes more obvious. Certainly He is present for all 100%, but we miss Him in the routine.

If the 10% didn't occur, perhaps we would miss Him completely.

Fear

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)

Fear is a universal human experience. We fear personal harm – family crises – financial setbacks – loss of employment – aging & death - peoples’ opinions - and a myriad of other (potentially) negative situations.

Fear can drive us to distracted focus - hasty decisions – relational tension - poor health – even an early grave.

David (the writer of the psalm above) does not deny fear. He knows it will come. He wrote this shortly after being seized by enemies, an experience that I hope none of us will share.

But he allowed fear to drive him to the Lord. Fear triggered prayer, triggered seeking the Lord. In the Lord he could rest, in the Lord he could regain confidence, in the Lord he could regain life perspective.

Do you fear sometimes? I do. When you do, think (and act) through these verses:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition (begging, pouring yourself out to the Lord), with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding (figuring your situation out is not the key, He is), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6 & 7

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5 & 6 (portions)

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

Denying fear or avoiding difficult circumstances are not answers; trusting in the ever present God is. Have a blessed month!

Just returned from the Evangelical Free District Conference in Rochester. Jan Hettinga, Pastor of North Shore Church in Seattle, WA, spoke on Retooling Transformation.

His primary premise is that we have diluted salvation & the Christian life by missing the importance of submitting to Christ as king (or Lord) and the need for repentance. This dilution has led to churches with a minority of transformed/committed believers and a majority whose lives have not changed significantly.

On Monday night he spoke about the need for on-going repentance in the Christian life - and many pastors/church staff in the room were moved to seek the Lord in repentance for forgiveness - myself included.

I've spent much of today (in preparation for Sunday's sermon) studying repentance in the New Testament - and must admit that I agree with much he presented. Repentance is indeed a part of salvation and our on-going experience - important passages to consider would include Matthew 4:17, Luke 15, Acts 2:38 & 3:19, Acts 11:18/20:21/26:20, and Revelation 2 & 3. There are 53 passages in the New Testament that speak directly about repentance, and significantly more in the Old Testament.

I would encourage you to seek the Lord in this matter.

Have a great week!

Evangelical Christians are often typified as intolerant - and this accusation has some truth to it.

We may be intolerant because of frustration, or pride, or lack of thought - these need to be repented of. However, we may also be intolerant for good reasons - as was Christ.

Jesus tolerated - no, better, actively sought out and loved - sinners, the poor, the sick, the struggling, the hopeless, the questioning. He lived moment by moment, day by day, with people that human nature is more comfortable with as categories than as individuals.

However, He did not tolerate those who used others for personal gain - who traded legalism for mercy, condescension for grace - who traded a system of theology for real relationship with God.

And He did not tolerate fuzzy thinking about God - but stood for real truth about the real Father.

More than tolerance, we need love & respect - an active love & respect that will engage other people and their belief systems in dialogue about truth - caring more about their souls than a minor offense against society's scruples - caring more about their eternal destinies than about being known as a nice person.

And yes, I'm talking to myself as well.

Yesterday the Boston Red Sox had Bill Buckner throw out the first ball at their home opener ball game. This was significant, since Bill had allowed a ball to go through his legs in 1986, resulting in a World Series loss. The media & fan pressure (including death threats) eventually caused him to leave Boston, move to Idaho, live in anonymity. Finally, 22 years later, after Boston finally won two World Series, they brought him back.

In one sense this was healing & freeing. In another sense there is much frustration, "well, finally!"

For me, this is symbolic of human relationships. We often allow offenses to continue for weeks, months, years, without reconciliation, without healing. We either stuff or gossip - and allow a "root of bitterness" to grow in our souls. We blame, rather than forgive or seek forgiveness.

Jesus was very clear on this. If there is an offense against another, we are to take care of it immediately - even if we have to leave the middle of a worship service to do so.

Keep short accounts!

Just finished preparing for two meetings today, which cut into sermon & leadership development preparation time. One part of me remembers a former youth pastor's quote: "Never confuse meetings with ministry." Another realizes that meetings are made up of people - people need to communicate with each other - people need the added dimension of meeting personally in this two dimensional/electronic world - people need relationships - people need the serendipitous ministry that can happen in a meeting.

So meetings are good. Most of the time. Sometimes. At least have the potential.

Hear any ambivalence?

Received notification today that my daughter's band, Stasis Dei, did not make the fourth round at Club 3 Degrees. Must admit mixed feelings - would have been great to go on, but it will also be great for them to concentrate on upcoming summer concerts and the other parts of their lives!

Can't begin to tell you how proud I am of them, and of my daughter. They have come so far as a garage band in the last two years.

Biggest surprise for me? Even though I'm nearing 50 (7.75 months, but who's counting?), and starting to find the more intense music a bit difficult to listen to - their move to add techno elements made them better - this from a pastor who likes folk and soft rock!

On another note, recently joined the local health club - today was the first day "at the gym". First days are always easy, it's continuing the effort that will be interesting.

May the Lord touch each of your lives.