Mark McGwire is no King David!

Being an avid fan of the greatest game on Earth, you're probably not surprised to know that I've posted in the past about baseball. When the things of God and my favorite game can be brought up in the same discussion, I'm like a dead pig in warm sunshine. :)

Yesterday, perhaps the biggest sports story of the week sent sports writers everywhere into a tailspin. Mark McGwire sat down with Bob Costas and admitted he had used performance enhancing drugs in the past. You can find the link and story here.

McGwire was hired as the hitting coach for his former St. Louis Cardinals. He told Costas he had been struggling with his decision to come "clean" since 2005 (when Major League Baseball began their formal investigation of steroid abuse). His rationale was based on his family, friends, and peers being questioned about his practices in the past. While testifying to a Senate committee, McGwire continued to deny his use of steroids and stated he "wanted to focus on the future and not the past."

After watching the interview, I was a bit dumbfounded. During the first part of the interview, McGwire seems remorseful, apologizes to the commissioner, his teammates, and his family. He also made an effort to call the widow of Roger Maris (who was listed as holding the home run record) and apologize to her. I observed a tearful man who seemed sincere in his apology. Honestly, I was reminded of King David's remorse for sin in Psalm 32:3. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

During the second part of the interview, McGwire was asked if he believed he would have accomplished all that he did without the performance enhancing drugs. He states that he believes he would have and then offers his home run record from Little League, American Legion, high school, and college baseball. In fact, McGwire says "The man upstairs has given him a gift to hit home runs."

The reason for my confusion is two-fold. Again, it sounds as if he's sincere in his apology and then quickly becomes adamant about "not taking the drugs for power but for health." Frankly, I don't care why he took them and never believed him when he denied taking them. He states during the interview "This is the worst day of my life." I wonder why. Does "coming clean" hurt so much? King David writes about consequences and then the peace that eventually comes with integrity restored. It's interesting that many writers say they will never vote for McGwire until he tells the truth. Was this the reason his timing is what it is?

We may never know the reason for his timing. And we may not know the full truth about who took steroids and for how long. I do know however that sin when left alone will destroy a person. I've experienced that in my own life and I read that time and time again in Scripture.

After his confession, King David is restored and is eventually called "a man after God's heart." His motive(s) must have been righteous. McGwire's motives are yet to be determined. However, Mark McGwire is no King David. Nor am I!

Writer Scot McKnight has a short blog on what he believes McGwire should do. Any thoughts?

A Godly Vision

Around the start of a new year, many times we're encouraged to reflect on God's will for our lives - specifically, what God's will is for the next year. I believe God has a general will for mankind (ie salvation etc.) and a specific will (ie a "calling" God places on one's life). It's the latter that must be evaluated on a constant basis. And based upon the evaluation, perhaps changes need to take place.

God places dreams or visions in our lives (short-term and long-term). And when one walks in God's will to realize those dreams or visions, there's no better feeling. Many times, however, my experience has been I drift to the right or left on the proverbial road of life. And it's only through an honest evaluation which includes prayer and fasting that I'm convicted to redirect my path to God's will.

Our church is currently studying the book of Nehemiah. I'm amazed at this faithful man who should at least be considered a spiritual mentor. When Nehemiah learns the immense challenge of God's people remaining in Jerusalem, he prays, fasts, and seeks God's will. After determining Nehemiah's role in God's plan, he arrives in Jerusalem and waits three more days, before evaluating the situation with his own eyes.

At first glance, it might appear Nehemiah to be dragging his feet or perhaps lazy. But a deeper study reveals Nehemiah to be more concerned about God's timing, rather than jumping in and eventually failing. Often times, we have huge dreams or visions about what we will do for God. Perhaps a better question is "What will God have me do?" In other words, the visionary changes from me to Him.

Just some thoughts. Now yours?

Read The Bible In A Year

I've chosen to read through the Bible again this year. The discipline that I've learned from this exercise in the past has been priceless. And honestly, it's something I desperately need in my life now. I've found several good plans to accomplish this exercise. However, this year I've chosen a plan proposed by Augsburg Fortress Press in the back of their New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. If you're interested in reading along, let me know. It'd be great to be on the same page. :)

I'm interested in knowing what's worked for you. 1) Have you read through the Bible in a year? If so, what's the biggest benefit? If not, why not? 2) What plan have you used? Do you continue to use the same plan every year or choose another "road map"?

What can a discipline such as reading Scripture teach us about ourselves?

A New Start

It's been said "A good place to begin is the beginning." Turning the calendar and observing a new start surely would be defined as a beginning. Without further delay, I wish you a Blessed New Year, a great beginning and finish, and many victories over the challenges that are sure to come.

Recently, I was asked, "When are you going to write again?" Honestly, I was taken back. I had no idea this person actually read my meanderings here. And I am honored. As a new year begins, I will attempt (notice no promise here) to be more consistent with posting here. After all, my resolutions have been boiled down to DISCIPLINE. This might be a good place to start. And if you'll mention this post within the next thirty days (you know who you are), I'll find a gift card for a great steakhouse for your loyalty.

The overall plan is to offer some thoughts - however profound they might be, what I'm reading - no limits here, offer some blogs I follow, and point you to people whose work I respect.

I do hope you'll hang on, hang out, or offer your own thoughts from time to time. And when I get a bit slow, a good kick in the pants from you would be good as well. Let's get the party started!

The Problem of Sin

Wow! What a huge topic. How can anyone "deal" with sin in one post? Truth is, they (at least I) can't. And I'm not going to try to do so now.

I ran across a great article in Leadership a few weeks ago. Sadly, I couldn't find the article on line. But it's truly worth your time.

I became familiar with John Ortberg a few years back and appreciate the way he writes, teaches, and shares his encouragement with those "plunging ahead" in this less than perfect world. Ortberg is Senior Pastor for Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California. He's also editor at large of Leadership.

Within the article, Ortberg argues that the Church has had a view of sin that should be reconsidered. Ortberg writes, "The problem with what might be called 'the victorious Christian living' mindset is not that it takes sin too seriously. The problem is it inevitably becomes selective about which sins God hates the most, and they always end up being somebody else's sins."

And again, "...people cannot grasp the goodness of the life that sin corrupts. When we do not understand the destructiveness of sin, we are more concerned about getting punished for our sins than the way we are punished by them."

Finally, Ortberg argues sin cannot be tamed in this life. However, he believes one should focus not on the sin but on the one who provides redemption. For Ortberg, it's really a problem of perspective.

Again, I regret the article is unavailble to be linked. The article is in the Spring '09 edition of Leadership on pages 31-34. Consider picking it up.

Any thoughts here?

Church Shopping

Something that has bothered me for years has been those in the Church who "church shop." I saw it as a kid. When someone left the church over something petty, chances were good they would eventually return. After all, they would never be happy.

This morning I received an illustration that I think is right on. Friend and fellow pastor Brian Jones writes Non-Religious Devotional Thoughts. You can find out more at www.BrianJones.com This installment is called Connoisseurs of Fine Churches. Enjoy!



Connoisseurs of Fine Churches
By Brian Jones


After church services one Sunday a couple greeted me on their way out the door. By their cologne and big jewelry and cliché Christian lingo I knew they weren't our typical non-religious visitors. "Pastor, what an anointed word from God you delivered today," the husband said. I cringed. The only people that talk that way are on Christian television.

I swallowed and said, "Hope to see you next week."

His wife looked at me with a grin, "Nope. We won't be back. Years ago the Lord told us to attend a different church every week. So we'll be somewhere else next Sunday."

I said, "Let me get this straight. You go to a different church every week?"

"Yep," he said, "been doing it for five years now."

I said, "How sad."

"Why do you say that?" she angrily shot back.

"Because," I said, "you never get to experience real Christian community. You're, like, connoisseurs of fine churches or something. My hunch is it wasn't the Lord who called you to do this. You need to find a church and put down roots."

Needless to say they didn't come back.

It's sad, really.

We've become a nation of church shoppers. If the preaching gets boring at our church, we pull out the yellow pages. If the worship style changes, we go to First Church's early service. If our Sunday school class starts to get too impersonal, we don't sweat it, we try the hot new church in town.

We Christians change churches like we change favorite restaurants.

I'm sure that makes God sad.

In the New Testament there are dozens and dozens of things Christians are told to do. Leaving one another is not one of them.

In fact, we're told to do the exact opposite.

Is there someone at your church you can't stand? 1 John 3:11 tells us to "Love one another."

Did the pastor at your fellowship hurt your feelings? Colossians 3:13 says, "Forgive one another."

Do the attitudes of the people in your body need to change? James 5:16 says, "Pray for one another."

In other words, roll up your sleeves and do the hard work of building community where you are. Don't go AWOL spiritually. Stick it out, through exciting times and boring times. Pray, serve, love, forgive, sacrifice, and resolve like authentic followers of Jesus.

My parents started attending Eastpointe Christian Church when they were both in the 7th grade. They're now in their 60's. They've never attended another church. Over the past 50 years they've seen quite a lot. They lived through the "clapping in church" controversy of 1975 as well as the mediocre church softball team of the early 90's. They've seen people get married, have children, and those children get married and have children. They've seen hundreds of people come to Christ and some of those people fall by the wayside. They've buried dear friends. They've served with great pastors and mediocre pastors and experienced great worship and boring worship. Through calm years and tumultuous years, my parents have given and served and prayed their entire lives in that one church.

One day in the future my mom and dad will pass, as you and I will. But right before that happens they'll be able to do something someone who has spent their life church shopping cannot; they'll look back and savor the memories a lifetime of faithful service in one congregation brings.

They'll look back and relish the dangerous conversations they didn't avoid, sins they were encouraged to confront, and authentic Christians friendships it took a generation to develop.

Jesus wants you to experience the same thing.

I'm sure you know this already, but it's worth repeating. That "perfect church" you're looking for already exists. You attended it last Sunday.


Any thoughts?

Simple is Better!

I've become convinced that many in the Church have made the Gospel much more difficult than it actually is. In other words, churches elevate traditions to something equal with Scripture. Oh, they would never admit to doing it. But ask someone in the Church what it means to be saved and check me on this. More than likely, their response will be something other than "Love God and Love others." If they respond with that phrase, they might be on to something. After all, when questioned by the legalists of the day, Jesus' response was as simple as "Love God and love others." The Gospel of John points out that Jesus was going to show his followers "the full extent of his love", just prior to serving them by washing their feet.

Recently, I had a conversation with someone who was struggling with their faith. Their objection to God wasn't to be found. However, this person had "issues" with the Church - specifically people who claim to belong to the Church. Let me share with you a few things this person said to me. "Church is all about rules. I can't smoke. I can't drink. I can't dance. I can't have fun. I can't...I can't...I can't...It's like the Church is the moral police."

The more I've thought about her words and although they're perhaps a bit over-generalized, I think her words carry some weight. Why is it that we tell those searching for God to conform to our ways (and not His)? Why is it that we think we have it all figured out and no one else does? Why is it that the Church is always right (or at least we think we are)? Why is it that we turn souls away from God by acting the way we do from time to time?

The message Jesus brought was pretty simple really. Notice I didn't say living up to the messsage was simple. I said the message itself is easy to understand. When those in the Church make the Gospel more about morality, rules, and regulations, we miss the message altogether. The irony is we condemn the Pharisees for their attitudes and then we're quick to establish some rules. Maybe it's time for a return to simplicity.

What do you think?