The Virtual Pew Daily: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Observing The Sabbath

I am a Sabbath keeper, but I don't believe it has to be a specific day, for example, those in ministry can't observe a Sabbath on their day of worship if a Sunday, I realize many Sabbath keepers also observe the Sabbath on its original day, a Saturday, but also here, for those in ministry, according to their traditions and religious habits, can't keep it by definition on that day either.

Jim Holm former president of The Mennonite Brethren Seminary did a great teaching on the Sabbath that I sat under some years ago. Sabbath is not a day of rest as we typically conceptualize in America. A point of interest on this is the reality that God doesn't need rest, yet, God observed a Sabbath. Our misunderstanding of Sabbath has to do with our Westernized concept of rest. The Hebrew definition of rest is not what many may think. Unfortunately there are different definitions and we should remember the aspect of God taking a Sabbath; does God really need to rest as most would define it? As I have done study on this, prefaced by Dr. Holm's teachings among others, I have come to the conclusion that Sabbath is really more of a day of reflection, a day of communion with God if you will. It is a day where nothing else matters as much as seeking God and reflecting on the things God has done through and for us, plus a reflection in part on what God wants for us. The concept of Sabbath has never been done away with, it is however unfortunately misunderstood, even by many in the church and Christianity. As a result, many really doesn't honor the Sabbath, that does not negate the things God has for us when we do honor the Sabbath, neither does it do away with our need for a Sabbath.

The Sabbath is for us, to rediscover the joy of communion with God. I challenge those who are in need of such a thing to find a day that is convenient to make your focus God. Make one on one time with Him as much as possible. Don't do part of a day, do as much as possible, the entire day. Pick the same day, that makes it easier to get in the routine of honoring and observing the Sabbath. Seek God's face in the ways you feel compelled. I normally will pick something through the day after prayer, sometimes it is a day at the zoo reflecting on God's creation of animals, sometimes it is a day in the wilderness reflecting on nature, sometimes spending time in prayer, sometimes, I believe God would have me literally rest, spending time in prayer, getting sleep. It depends on what I believe God would have for me and how He would desire to speak to me on a particular day, but yes, I honor the Sabbath, for me each Friday.

While there are times I have conflicts, I more than not take Fridays to spend with God. It isn't a luxury, it is a requirement of my faith. It wasn't done away with but Jesus did clarify it. Do you keep and honor the concept of the Sabbath? Why or why not? I can just tell you this, I have found peace, heard God in the quietness and time alone with him. I have never regretted it but do often wonder why many who say they have a personal relationship with Jesus, love God, are followers of Jesus and a part of this thing called Christianity, have made excuses to not observe it. It is a concept that was so special that God wrote it down and called it one of his 10 Commandments. Not a commandment to hold us at the place of feeling guilty but a commandment to get us to the place of having liberty and even more important than that, a time to have relationship with God. While you are all important to me, I honor and value my time alone with God, hopefully this will move some of you who are followers of Jesus to reconsider your own time with God, hopefully observed through a Sabbath, whatever that day may be.

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Who Are You?

Over the years I know people think they know me, but truth is, few do. As an example, let's see how well you know me. Of the following items, which ones are true, which are not true?

1) I have appeared on National Television at least 2X's

2) I have been quoted in Time Magazine

3) I have spoken to over 26,000 people on one occasion, and 10,000 plus on at least 5 occasions

4) I have contributed and been published in Psychology Today and The Psychosocial Journal

5) I played pro soccer for 6 years, and premiere soccer until I was 38

6) I played soccer for 2 years with the Tulsa Roughnecks

7) I have coached NCAA National Wrestling Champions

8) I was a boxer in High School

9) I am friends with many former and recent Olympic Wrestling Competitors

10) I have written 1 book and contributed to 4 other books

11) I was in a gang

12) I have been homeless

13) I was endorsed in a political election by Al Gore, The National Right To Life and the NAACP

14) I have confronted 2 governors about their policies face to face, one after they were governor, one while they were governor

15) I served on a Presidential Task Force for the Hiring of Persons with Disabilities

16) I served on a Federal Task Force regarding Fair and Reasonable Accommodations for The American's With Disabilities Act, (ADA)

17) I lived in a YMCA Transient Center for approximately a little over 2 years

18) I have had writings appear on the official web sites of George Romero, Johnny Depp, and Stephen Spielberg

19) I have appeared in 4 movies

20) All of the above are true

The answers to which of the above are true and which is not true will follow at the end of the post.

The truth is, there are many more things I could share that are true that people would have a hard time believing and many things that people think are true which are false. People like to make assumptions though don't they? They think they know you and in reality don't, or if they do, there is always so much more they don't know.

Truth is I am not who I used to be and am so different in so many ways it is unbelievable. I kind of muse at times at people who think they can pull things over my eyes through their manipulative behavior or where they think I am not smart enough to figure things out as to what they are doing. I don't give much credence to IQ testing but my IQ test has me test out to a superior level. I always wondered how someone who failed in school like I did could be smart? This doesn't mean much to me though other than to say I am smart enough to sometimes figure out a persons intentions and what they are really up to. It also means I am smart enough to not try to compartmentalize people. I have made drastic changes in my life; myself, and thankfully others along the way have benefited. I care about that, in the past I would have cared less but God has the ability to bring about change to the unchangeable.

I was a thug, a punk, a bully. Most people who know me now couldn't have stood me. At times some of those attitudes of, "I don't care what you think," still come about, sometimes the confrontations come out, but I hesitate, I think, I hold back what would have at one time been certain inappropriate responses. I'll be honest, for those who try to manipulate or control me, I kind of laugh, thinking, if you only knew. I come from a family that is strong, a family of Alpha's if you will who over the years where the men and women seldom took crap from anyone.

Now why do I say this? It is simple; if I am that difficult to figure out, if I have had to learn to manipulate, create and figure out others and myself to maintain my own sanity, I figure there are others who have done the same. We do what we must to survive as the human desire to survive takes us to places we never imagined. We will eat, drink and do unimaginable things to survive. Yet, in that willingness to do unimaginable things, sometimes the issue of pride is what holds us back. Pride is one of those determining traits that can lead us down the path of destruction, whether it be relationships, opportunity, potential, or even a major thing, like eternity.

You see many are unwilling to look adequately at who they are, why they are the way they are, and ultimately, give that over and become a slave to the person of Jesus. It comes down to realizing, I am nothing, He, (Jesus) is everything. I am a slave, He, (Jesus) is my master. At that point we come to the place where we realize the potential of change, not to be who our environment or situation makes us to be, but to be the person God wants us to be.

It is one of those areas where people who are not followers of Jesus don't understand. The Christian or follower of Jesus puts all of their trust, all of their value in Christ, He is the one we emulate. Others will and do think they know God but the truth is, they have never opened the Bible to do serious study on God. They may have heard a sermon, albeit from a horrible teacher a time or two but they have never seriously investigated the truth of what the Bible says themselves. When they say things like, "You should never judge," or "The Bible contradicts itself," or any number of things we may have heard, we know they have never opened or studied the Bible because the things they say the Bible says, it clearly doesn't.

Here is the challenge, while we may have had many experiences, those experiences do not make us who we are. I am not who I was and while there is value in the things I have done, there is more value in who I am now and what I will do tomorrow. My eternity is secure, I know that! It is secure because I no longer live for me, I live for the creator of the universe. Am I perfect in my ability to follow him? Heck no, but I am on my journey. While I am not sinless, I sin less today than I did yesterday and hopefully will sin less tomorrow than I will today. That is the journey that leads me to the place where the things of Jesus matter. It is a journey that understands, it is no longer I who live but Christ Jesus who lives in me. That is the challenge for all of us that follow Jesus isn't it? What an honor to let Jesus show and shine through our lives. We get to the place where we want to be like him as opposed to being who we are or what others think we should be. At that point, when people ask, Who are you, we can say; "A disciple and follower of Jesus." Who are you?

Just in case you may have forgot, the answers to the above questions follow:

Here are the answers to the above questions. #1 - 4 True, #5, sort of true, I played semi pro soccer for Texas Instruments and Umbro International against various premiere, select, and college teams for 6 years., #6 False, although I did practice some with the team, I never played for them, #7-18, all true, #19 False, I have appeared in 1 short movie, 1 feature film, and numerous documentaries, #20 clearly, False

To see the following video, just click on the video, if there is a problem click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdLIerfXuZ4

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

Monday, February 17, 2014

Announcing More Than A Game

From the very outset, let it be known, I have friends from all walks of life, many from the world of soccer. I am grateful that I have a pretty good audience that enjoys my writings and therefore, will understand the intent and heart of this article. While it isn't intended to offend anyone, especially friends who are not people of faith or don't take faith seriously, it is my work and I know some who love the game and are also serious about their faith. This particular article, if given a chance, may illustrate life traits for everyone. If interested read on, if giving it a chance you may get something out of this.

I grew up in, and am proud to say I love the great state of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee athletic programs. I have had many close associations, from friends and family who have played sports there, gone to school there, or even in some instances, friends who have coached there. Growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee, 100 miles Northeast of Knoxville one couldn't help but love Tennessee. While I am not sure if the phrase "my blood runs orange" originated there, it was the first place I heard it. I grew up not being able to attend the games and when it comes to college, the team was the Volunteers. I grew up listening to the Hall of Fame Tennessee announcer John Ward. Now he was an announcer and one that will never be replicated, there were, are others like him like Georgia's Larry Munson who was spectacular. Great radio announcers paint pictures with words as well as any Rembrandt. These men are legendary.

They also have something else about them though, a passion for the game and the team they were announcing.

As a former active athlete and a current occasional participant and definite fan of sport, sports over the years have lost something to me, that is the passion for the home team. Currently as I write this during the Olympic games, I miss the days of Al Michaels announcing "The Miracle Game on Ice." "Do you believe in miracles?" A call I will never forget from an announcer clearly cheering for his home nation. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good story, like how an American and Russian athlete can fall in love in the midst of the Cold War, but all of that said, as much of a peacemaker in my faith as I try to be, (and often fail) as much of a world and Kingdom citizen as I am, I still appreciate and find nothing wrong with, National Pride in certain areas, especially during sporting events. I am saddened to see television, radio and other sports authorities try to be impartial at sporting events. I don't think I am the only one as I hear others speak on this. There are benefits that can be learned, not just in sports, but in faith and in life from a good patronizing sports announcer, like a Larry Munson cheering for Georgia, a Vin Scully cheering for the Dodgers, or even a John Ward cheering for a Tennessee Volunteer.

As many know, I love soccer, I have played, coached at a high level and have lately been a fan of the game over the years. In Wichita it has always been The Wichita Wings and now the Wichita B-52's. I have had season tickets for several years, and attended Wichita pro soccer games since back in the late 1970's and early 1980's. As a result of going to the games and watching the games at watch parties; up until recently I didn't listen to the games on the radio. I am a part of the supporters section in Wichita and stay after the games cheering on the team and seldom even get to the car in time to hear the teams post game show. This year though something happened. During the game our supporters section started doing a chant for the radio announcer, Dan Lucero. It got me to thinking.

Dan announces the games and provides the color for local radio station KSGO, 1410 AM for the Wichita B-52's. I heard fans talking about him, then something happened, my wife had surgery and we had to miss a couple of games, we were stuck in the hospital, during a game, unable to attend or watch and I was forced to listen to the radio. From that first listen, I was hooked. Dan brought back all of the fun of the glory days of radio for me. He was the John Ward of the Tennessee Volunteers, The Vin Scully of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Larry Munson of the Georgia Bulldogs. While Dan is young he still paints a pretty darned good picture. He does it with passion and talent which God gifts only a few people with. He has a passion that is absolutely non apologetic, he clearly loves the Wichita B-52's and the game of soccer.

I can tell you, announcers like Dan, the few times this season when I listened, took me to the game, he got me excited. I appreciate that he calls it like he sees it. One may not agree but there are benefits to honesty, even if that honesty disappoints someone. I mentioned Georgia's Larry Munson above, I have heard this about Dan as well, one may not like the Georgia Bulldogs, or the Wichita B-52's for that matter, but they will appreciate the loyalty and excitement that only a fan can bring to the game. I will never forget Larry Munson's call of Herschel Walker running over Tennessee Defenders. While I couldn't see the game, I felt the power of Walker from Munson. I had the opportunity living where I did to switch back and forth on the radio between John Ward and Larry Munson calling the game. Ward was obviously in pain, Munson was in jubilation, I loved both calls of the game which is why I had to switch back and forth on the radio dial. I was experiencing the game from all sides. An announcer brings you to the game.

As I have thought over the last few days I have reflected; there are many benefits to exhibiting passion, benefits I have learned and recalled from being blessed to listen to radio announcers who love what they are doing. When one cares about what they do they bring others pleasure, especially those supporting the same team. One can joy at the passion they exhibit in the thing they love to others, even when distance separates them.

As I have thought through the week, I have wondered, do we in life, whether of faith or not, bring passion to life in such a way that others looking or listening in take their specific skill or gift sets to the world around them, bringing others around them into another's world? This isn't to say everything has to be done to make one feel hunky dory and wonderful but just like that Tennessee and Georgia football game all those years ago, the experience of life in full is far better than a one sided adventure where we experience a limited experience. One of the things I appreciated about Dan this year was he was not only a fan of the Wichita B-52's, he knows the game and appreciated the good he saw in certain officials, players, communities and so forth. He was also open to expressing his displeasure calling it the way he saw it, sometimes calling an official incompetent, because they were, or an opposing player a thug, because he was. I think Dan understands the team he represents and the audience.

Sometimes just like in sports, our commitments, responsibilities and obligations will take us to differing places, and sometimes to differing conclusions. That is okay but what we do, what we represent, should be done with passion. For me that is the ultimate lesson I wanted to reflect here, there are passions we have that are nothing more than time consuming, maybe with a little fun, if we don't dedicate ourselves fully to those passions. When we are passionate about something, the comments of the naysayers aren't all that important because we know what is and is not of value in our own hearts, that thing of value is what we should stand for, should represent. That is ultimately what can give us joy and satisfaction in life, it is what can get us to the place where we don't care what others think, say or do.

For me, and I assume others, there are passions in life, but for me as a Christian, and for others who say they are people of faith, their faith and for Christians the person of Jesus Christ must be the ultimate passion. Nothing: soccer, movies, television, sports, or even for that matter our Sunday gatherings called church should come close to being as important as the person of Jesus whom we as Christians are named after. Jesus went further, saying; we must take up our cross and follow him daily. There is no debate on the responsibility of the Christ follower to be dedicated to the person of Jesus. At that point, how we announce the game of life can make a difference to those watching and listening to our daily play by play in this thing called life.

Now in closing, I have no idea of where any of these individual announcers stand on issues of faith, to be honest, it doesn't matter as far as this object lesson. What matters is that whether they intend it or not, their passion moves me and causes me to reflect on my own life and example. For that, I am grateful not just for their ability to cause me to think about and enjoy this thing called sport but their ability to take me to the place that in my own life, I can learn from those examples and hopefully become half as good at what I do with my passions and vocations, as they have been in theirs. That hopefully isn't just an area of thought for me to reflect on, but one for you as well.

The following is a special video featuring Tennessee's own John Ward. To see the video below, just click on it, if there are problems, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMBFf9KZjv8

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

Just For You

You are important and I want you to know that you can feel free to contact me at any time. I always try to respond to comments posted here, when appropriate, and have learned from my work as a counselor and pastor that people need to know that they are important. My contact information is available and I encourage you to contact me when need be. The fact that you are a real person is not lost on me. While you are at it, if needing a place to plug in, you can also join and become a part of The Virtual Pew. Message boards and interaction are available there as well. Thanks for visiting and know that God loves you and so do I.