As a person who enjoys watching sports, I’ve met several fare weather fans in life. When the local team is winning, there isn’t enough room on the bandwagon. However, as the years pass without a Superbowl win, Stanley Cup, NBA championship or World Series title, a mass exodus occurs. This trend causes individuals to adopt other teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Heat or New York Yankees to raise their self esteem. Time will distinguish the casual fan from the avid follower, living and dying with their team despite the anguish or pain.
Jesus used another method to disclose fans from genuine followers. One day, a first century doctor, watched in awe as Jesus began to ask a few people some questions, Luke 9:57-63. Like a coach pushing his players to see who will rise to the top or quit, Jesus’ words pierce the hearts of these lukewarm fans. Despite their good intentions, one by one, each fell by the wayside, unable to meet the conditions Jesus was searching for in a follower.
Whether I’m shaking my head at another Phillies loss, Eagles meltdown, Flyers defensive breakdown or 76er’s losing streak, being a fan in the greater Philadelphia area isn’t easy. On the other hand, being a followers of Jesus is even harder, Matthew 10:32-39. Sometimes I find myself in the shoes of the ruler in Matthew 19:16-25, wondering if I have the moxie to endure life’s trials. Unfortunately, my actions don’t always express what I believe. In the end, I’m at the mercy of God, relying on Him to make the impossible a possibility, Matthew 19:26.
Where do you find yourself on the spectrum of fan or follower?
One of the most intriguing jobs to me is being a tour guide. Whether you’re on a college campus, in a historical area or museum, you are an ambassador for this institution, pointing out key attractions like a walking encyclopedia. The overall impression of visitors lies in your hands, based upon the knowledge you communicate and entertainment you provide, engaging your group.
Outside of vocations, life is filled with individuals who lead you in the right direction. Coaches introduce important skills to help young people master a sport. Mentors demonstrate character, integrity and wisdom, blazing a path for others to follow. Meanwhile, teachers often mold future leaders, inspiring curious souls to chase after their dreams.
The Psalmist takes this one step further, suggesting one guide will be with you to the end, Psalm 48:14. The apostle Paul encourages his audience to look toward an altar in Athens, dedicated to an unknown God, Acts 17:22-23. Jesus discloses the identity of this eternal guide in John 16:7-13 as the Holy Spirit. As Moses once said in his farewell address, the choice is yours, Deuteronomy 30:15. Who will be your eternal guide through life? May Jesus lead you to life everlasting, 1 Timothy 2:5.
Depending upon what church, temple or mosque you attend, an increasing number of people are reserved, afraid of letting others know what’s inside of them. Meanwhile, Pharisees still exist in most places of worship, putting on a show for others to see, Matthew 6:5. Therefore, when you enter a house of praise where emotions are on display as a genuine act of worship, outsiders struggle to accept or embrace this movement.
Music causes unique styles of expression like individuals moved to toe tap, gradually turning their bodies into human tambourines. Others begin to snap their fingers and clap their hands. Those with rhythm may follow the beat, dancing and swaying side to side. When touched by the lyrics, one might lift their hands high, closing their eyes to heighten their focus on God. Tears often fall as you reach this stage of worship, moving some to fall to their knees or bow at the altar.
While numerous churches are spiritually dead today, void of these emotions of praise, a remnant remains alive and well. The sons of Korah highlight acts of praise in Psalm 47 including clapping hands, shouts of praise and cries of joy. The moment the human soul approaches the throne of grace, Hebrews 4:16, with a humble heart, the emotions of praise break out. This act of worship is what you offer up to God on the Sabbath. You may bring a tithe or appreciate the biblical message, yet the emotions of praise is where you meet and experience the presence of God.
Have you ever been moved by the Holy Spirit to let your guard down? Please share a story of your own emotions of praise.
Children tend to wear their emotions on their sleeves. Subsequently, youth experience mountain top moments of jubilance and valleys of depression. This topsy turvy twist exhausts one’s confidence, going from sky high to as low as you can go. Thus, the presence of joy is like the temperature, rising and falling daily.
Recognizing this in adulthood, King David sought a permanent state. Troubled by his own problems in life, God introduced the king to a special anointing. Whether performed by Samuel or Nathan, his predecessor, Psalm 45:7 discloses an anointing of joy. While the information is limited, perhaps this Old Testament practice is similar to Jesus’ words in John 10:10.
In an age of economic instability, parents like me struggle to find joy. Lost in a sea of debts, the devil has become successful in stealing my joy weekly. Thus, I find myself desperately seeking an anointing of joy. Perhaps, we find ourselves in similar states, brought to our knees by the burdens of life, Matthew 11:28-30. May the Holy Spirit counsel you until your worries are replaced by joy, John 16:12-15.
Please share how God has helped you find joy to help overcome their own trials in life.
Like any student, college introduces you to many interesting people. Although, some may be bizarre, strange or flat out weird, appearances can be misleading. If you allow yourself to approach each individual with an open mind, you might be surprised by what you discover as you peal away stereotypes, one layer at a time.
During my final semester, I met a missionary with an unusual testimony. According to her story, she claimed God got her up every day at 6am in the morning without using an alarm clock. As a person who enjoyed sleeping in til noon or later, I was skeptical, doubting her claim. Perhaps out of spite or sheer curiosity, I challenged God to see if I could have a similar experience during my last two months of college.
To my surprise, the first morning I arose, sunlight shined directly through my bedroom window right on my face. When I rolled over to check out the clock on my night stand, it was 6:00 am. Immediately, I jump out of bed, causing goosebumps to appear. I spent the next 15 minutes, praying and reading the Bible, wondering if this was real or merely a dream. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, I got out each morning at the same time for the next 60 days, an unusual answer to prayer!
For the first time in his professional golf career, Tiger Woods will be missing the first major of the season, ending a 19 year streak which began in 1995. Forced to choose back surgery rather than rehab an ailing back, Tiger’s absence will likely cause the casual fan to find something else to do this weekend. Despite this diminished interested, the Master’s without Tiger opens the door for a new star to be born.
Beside defending champion Adam Scott, story lines abound. How will the kid, the 20 year old Jordan Spieth do in his Masters? Will the brash Augusta State boy, Patrick Reed win on a course he practiced on in college? Can Freddie Couples pull a Jack Nicklaus, becoming the oldest major champion ever on the PGA tour? Or will the Stadler father and son duo each make the cut? What will Phil do next? When the final round reaches Amen Corner on Sunday afternoon, history will become much clearer.
Unless you play golf, its hard to illustrate how much different golf is compared to other sports. Practice, dedication and time well spent doesn’t always equate into success. The game of golf is one of the greatest mental challenges in sports, keeping the most talented of golfers out of the winner’s circle. In his prime, Tiger’s mind was supreme, years ahead of his competitors. However, as father time has caught up with Tiger, Master’s Sunday 2014 will be a life changing day for one golfer who will be crowned with a green jacket on Sunday evening. Although he will be missed, the Masters without Tiger you do just fine as millions will tune in for the final 9 on Sunday.
Record players, eight tracks and cassette tapes were just the beginning to the revolution called music. Today, MP3 players, iTunes and computers able to download thousands of song, enable the soothing sound of music to be just one click away. Life without cell phones, electronic devices and voice activated technology is now unthinkable as silence has been replaced by your favorite play list.
Yoga and meditation rely on music as an alternative to healing and relaxation. Serving as a substitute for God, retreat centers, seminars and private classes are exploding in popularity, ushering in a New Age. The angel of song, Lucifer, uses all kinds of music to entice individuals like Eve in the garden, replacing an apple with a catchy beat, void of any true meaning. Meanwhile, whispers penetrate your soul, “I don’t listen to the lyrics,” planting seeds for compromise to commence.
To battle this movement, churches are introducing Soaking in the Spirit, turning prayer rooms into a comfortable place to relax while listening to worship music. Based upon the principles within Romans 12:1-2, minds are being transformed by words inspired by the Bible, Romans 10:17. Considered a skilled musician, 1 Samuel 16:14-23, David understood the gladness, joy and peace one experiences while listening to music, Psalm 45:8.
For me, the choice of my music often dictates my mood and or behavior. Whether you prefer hip hop, rap or classic rock and roll, pieces of the songs you listen to stay with you for hours, days or weeks. If you’re skeptical, take the Music Challenge.
Spend one day listening to secular music, journal at the end of the day how this music influenced you. Then, take a day listening to Christian/Gospel/Worship music, using Pandora if you don’t have a large selection. Compare your language, thoughts and overall mindset. If you don’t see a definite difference, consider a longer time span, like the challenge found in Daniel 1:8-16.
Feel free to share any findings you discover or interesting insights on the soothing sound of music.
How many times in life do you seek an emotional high? One that never ends; giving you a sensation like a drug, 24 hours a day. Many go through their entire lives searching, but never find the real thing.
Do you recall your first day of school? As formal education begins, innocence gives way to curiosity and terror. Fears over finding friends and earning acceptance by your peers takes precedence. However, the thought of being away from your parents provides a sense of freedom temporarily. This freedom entices you to try new things, experimenting with fruit, forbidden by parents and teachers.
By the time junior high arrives, eyes start to wander… BABES, STUDS, ALCOHOL and DRUGS! Perhaps you might not be as distracted as some, yet juicy stories spread fast through the grape vine peeking your interest. The closer you look, the mind takes on an alter ego, longing for items on the other side of the fence. Fleshly desires, peer pressure and the unknown leads you to the verge of sin thinking, “Oh baby this sure does feel good.”
A junior high experiment often leads to a senior high life style. Marijuana, pranks and sex are just a few of the choice behaviors one indulges in to obtain the real thing. Sure, there are risks, even consequences; but what will my friends think if I go straight? “Everybody is doing it, why can’t I,” says the follower. As high school drifts by, the next hurdle to jump is college. Hobbies you once did for a buzz no longer provide satisfaction. Call it what you may: a habit, obsession, way of life or obliterating time, something inside can’t let go. This quest for real life has turned into an addiction.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you do what you do? Has it occurred to you that you’ve missed something along the way? Is there something else out there beside living for the weekend? I don’t believe you and I were placed on this earth by accident. Growing up, working for a living 9 to 5, have fun for a while then repeat this cycle over and over again til you die? This doesn’t make sense! There must be a greater purpose or meaning in life, but what is it?
Jesus Christ, the son of God the Father is your answer. God sent His one and only son, Jesus, down to earth, to die for blemishes on earth, John 3:16-17. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father according to the Apostle’s Creed. Jesus didn’t just die on a cross and rise from the dead for His own glory, Romans 5:8. Rather, Jesus became sin for us: for you, me and everyone ever born on planet earth. Jesus did all of this so that all of us might be seen as righteousness before God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This may sound crazy, yet there is no other HIGH greater than entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9-10. Nothing else compares to dedicating your life to God in your living years, John 10:10. Thus, peace is found in no other place, Galatians 5:22-23. This isn’t about High’s and Low’s. This is about life and death, living and dying, Deuteronomy 30:11-16. The only way to Jesus is through denying yourself, Matthew 16:25. You may think I’m odd, strange or simply old-fashion, yet God has placed the words of this blog on my heart.
If you have tried most everything else, don’t waste your precious time any longer; embrace the Real Thing, Jesus Christ!
If you were raised in a military family, questioning a person of authority isn’t an option. Colonel Jessup played by Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men illustrates this truth during direct examination by Tom Cruise in a military court, “if marines don’t follow orders in Cuba, people die!” Once any individual earns the respect of their fellow civilians, peers or platoon, most will do whatever he or she tells you to do.
In the case of Mary, mother of Jesus, she knew her son was special by age 12, Luke 2:51-52. Eighteen years later, her opinion had not changed, believing her son had divine powers, John 2:3. Thus, when a friend was about to face public humiliation, running out of wine at a wedding ceremony, Mary relies on Jesus to come to the rescue. However, there was a problem, Jesus had only called 6 of his 12 disciples, John 1:35-51, with 6 more remaining to complete his ministry team. Initially, he refuses to act, explaining God’s timing to commence his 3 year ministry had not yet arrived, John 2:4. Nonetheless, Jesus keeps the vow he made following his bar-mitz-vah to honor his father and mother, Exodus 20:12.
As soon as this conflict was settled, Mary moves into action, ordering the servants at the reception to “do whatever Jesus tells you,” John 2:5. Led by the Holy Spirit, Matthew 4:1 and angels, Matthew 4:11, Jesus examines the situation, develops a plan and gives orders to the servants, John 2:6-8. With their jobs and reputations on the line, these workers carefully follow Jesus’ instructions. Likely scratching their heads, hoping for the best, these servants wait in fearful anticipation of the master’s first impression, John 2:9. Not sure if they will be embarrassed, curiosity holds their attention until each receives good news, John 2:10. If this first miracle of Jesus teaches us anything, do whatever He tell you and good things are bound to follow.
If you’ve experienced or seen any modern day miracles, feel free to share in the comment section below.
Yesterday, I was taking a walk on a cart path just north of down town Wilmington. With a fence separating this golf course from nearby neighborhoods, I began to hear some commotion a few blocks away. Voices gradually increased in volume, leading to a fervent disagreement between 2 individuals. Others joined in yelling back and forth. Memories of school yard fights flashed before my mind. However, on this day, no fists, knives or guns were raised, just the sound of violence.
A few years ago in Newark, while having practice with my sons baseball team, I wasn’t as fortunate. When a suspicious car rolled slowly through an adjacent street, several rounds of bullets were fired. Before I knew it, I experienced my first drive by shooting, pulling the team quickly off the field into the building behind home plate. The gunman proceeded to cross a creek behind the left field foul line, run across a field and hid near the University of Delaware until a police helicopter found him about a half hour later. This time the sound of violence was too close for comfort.
The apostle Paul warned first century Christian’s that this day would come, 2 Timothy 3:1-5. His words were prophetic as children are regularly disobedient to adults and their parents. Junior high and senior high teachers are now front row witnesses since the sound of violence has entered the classroom, especially in public education. The consequence of this reality is persecution, with Christ absorbing this anger and hatred on the cross, Isaiah 53:3-11. May the hope of this fulfilled prophecy help you overcome the sound of violence.
Please comment on how God has helped you rise above the violence in our world.
