Broken Idols

I’m really tired of hearing people say that because a celebrity or professional athlete has made gazillions of dollars on endorsements, or won titles and tournaments that he/she owes the public intimate details about problems in their marriage, or family life. They reason that if the person receives a lot of money and publicity for their talent and endorsements, the public who buys those endorsed goods, or tickets to their events, movies, etc., is owed something. That's as crazy as reasoning an entire flight crew owes me details of their personal lives because I bought a ticket on their airline.

America’s insatiable appetite for scandal, gossip and a juicy story is defining and shaping this logic. The phrase, mind your own business (MYOB) was popular when I was a teenager. Of course that was before text messages, Facebook and Twitter when we felt this incredible need to let everyone know everything about us whether they asked for details or not.

This isn’t going to be popular but let’s get it out right now. Kobe Bryant, A-Rod, Ray Lewis, Plaxico Burress, Tiger Woods and others ARE star athletes. They ARE NOT paid to be moral examples and models. They are paid to perform in their respective sports. We can say all day long that they are supposed to be models of character and morality, but that’s just not true. Their salaries are based on their performance and skill in their respective sports, not their behavior. They are not gods. They are humans and though extraordinary in their respective sports, they sometimes fail in their behavior like you and me. They are like all of us, deeply flawed. What’s more, I can’t recall any of the aforementioned athletes claiming to be examples and models of morality.

Americans seem to remember star athletes of previous generations nostalgically and without flaw. Have we forgotten that many of the Boomer generation’s athletic heroes were seriously challenged on the moral court? Have we forgotten that baseball legend Ty Cobb once assaulted a fan, and what about Babe Ruth’s legendary love for beer and women? Later in life Mickey Mantle openly shared about his struggle with alcohol during his playing days. NBA great and lifelong bachelor, Wilt Chamberlain proudly declared that he had sex with 20,000 women during his career. And how did Magic Johnson contract AIDS? We seem to have very short and creative memories that hold each new generation to moral levels that were never achieved by previous generations. This is what makes people like Gator star Q.B. Tim Tebow so special. But at the end of the day he’s human too.

Now if their salaries and endorsements are tied to a morality clause that’s a different matter. For example, infidelity is against the governing law of the U.S. Military. Men and women in the armed services know this before they sign up. They accept it. And yet infidelity within the military seems to be just as high as it is among the general public. Mutual consent over morality does not necessarily translate into moral behavior.

This seems to be a very difficult issue to accept in a global world of instant communication and news. In the early 1990’s, NBA star, Charles Barkley was very outspoken in saying that he believed professional athletes are not role models. He even made a Nike commercial about it. His underlying message was largely missed because of the audacity of his statement. He even said, “Just because I can dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” “Sir Charles” was saying that teachers and parents should be role models for kids instead of professional athletes.

It is refreshing when an athletic, or public hero owns up to a moral failing, and publicly apologizes, or faces the legal and home consequences of their actions. However, they don’t “owe me” anything. I choose whether or not to support their games, events, and purchase products they endorse. I don’t need salacious details of their failings. As a Christ-follower, I should of all people, be understanding, empathetic and instead of talking about them, I should be praying for them. Not only that, but it should drive me to stand before God in reflection and confession of my own moral failures. There is the rub for 21st Century living---it's far easier to chew on the moral failings of others than it is to examine my own.

Years ago a very popular Christian artist admitted to infidelity. I was amazed at the number of Christ-followers who seemed bent on retribution and judgment toward this person. Instead of seeking to help the individual reconcile with God and the community of faith, people were quite free with punitive comments about the artist. The word “restore” was absent from public conversation. People seemed more interested in getting the sordid details of what happened than praying for a fallen, fellow struggler.

Many of these athletes are incredible people, but none of them have been described as King David was, “a man after God’s own heart”. And yet he failed too! I can’t ever recall telling either of my children to “Be like Mike” (as in the Nike commercial about Michael Jordan), etc. However, I can remember many times when I counseled, advised, encouraged and exhorted my kids and others to follow Jesus Christ.

Mortal idols will always crack, fail and disappoint. But the One without sin will not! Hebrews 12:2 folks: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.

From Manger to Cross

It's Advent! The season when Christ-followers celebrate and anticipate the coming of the Christ-child at the First Advent. It's the benchmark of humanity when God invaded His creation and came incarnate! "God with skin-on," as Eugene Peterson puts it.

Advent is a season of reflection, anticipation, expectation and joy. Too often those of us in pastoral ministry are so busy preparing messages, devotions, and worship that we race through this special season because we're always looking ahead. The Advent journey is to be savored and enjoyed. Don't rush it. Don't get ahead. Redeem the time. Take in every day as we commemorate His first Advent and look forward to His Second Advent.

At MCF, Advent culminates with our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion service. At this annual service we ask worshipers to come in family groups to receive communion. Over the years several of my colleagues have asked why we receive communion during Advent? I simply say, "Why not?" Christ came to the world as God's gift for redemption knowing full well it would culminate at the cross. To focus on the birth of Jesus, at the exclusion of its purpose reduces it to just another child being born. However, His purpose for coming dictated that this wouldn't be just "another birth" in ancient Palestine. I am not suggesting we minimize His birth, but the way in which He came to earth (Prophecy, Angels, Shepherds, Virgin Birth, Magi, etc.) reminds us that His death, burial and resurrection were as extraordinary. The Apostle Paul puts it best in Colossians:

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

So as we shop, decorate, worship, and gather for seasonal parties and gatherings keep in mind that God knew His perfect gift would ultimately be destroyed so you and I could experience eternal life! Now that's the gift of Advent, a gift like no other.

The Blind Side - Official Trailer [HD]

Go see "Blind Side" the true story of the NFL's Michael Oher starring Sandra Bullock. Oher was a "ward of the state" when he was taken from his drug addicted mother. He grew up on the streets of Memphis. A wealthy, suburban family (The Touhys) gave him a home and a family. Last summer "Big Mike" was drafted by the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. This is a great, inspirational, family movie!

Connected But Disconnected

Caught David Crowder in Columbia, Thursday night and observed something I had noticed before, but not to this degree. By the way, Crowder brought his "A" game and the concert was really good despite the sinus headache that accompanied me. Ugh, rough with subwoofers.

To be fair I was among the oldest there, so my take on this is probably skewed. I couldn't help but notice the number of young people who were furiously texting during the concert. I thought it might have been pre-concert time-killing, but as the evening went on it was obvious that our culture has developed a strong desire to be in touch even when we're out of touch.

There was a sense of being connected to someone far away, while being disconnected from the moment in front of us. This was more than multi-tasking. Students and many adults furiously worked keyboards and touch screens sending message after message, or constantly checked their phones for missed calls, or incoming messages. I guess it stood out because the house lights were out. And it was contagious. I even found myself checking messages. Fortunately my cell phone died 20 minutes into the concert and that was a wonderful gift because I was able to give the artist my undivided attention.

The band even got into it when one of the musicians took a picture of everyone from stage and posted it on Twitter right from the stage!

Stay tuned. I believe this divided connection at social events and ballgames is just the tip of the iceberg. We have yet to fully realize the cost, or consequences of our continual need to be in touch with several people simultaneously in multiple locations. I recently observed someone who was actually texting during a funeral! To think we can't silence our phone for even 30 minutes out of respect for the dead is telling. Hopefully that's an exception to our wired culture, but my gut says be prepared for even more.

Researcher Dr. Jean Twenge has observed that Gen Me views itself as "self important". The troubling thing in all of this is how far we have elevated "self". And that speaks large and loud in everthing social, theological, political, and professional. You see, I realize that I'm not that important. At 48, I know there are many things going on around me that are bigger than me. The world does not revolve around me. Maybe we need a technological blackout to wake us up, or minimally offer electronic etiquette classes for succeeding generations. It's going to be interesting to see how all of this shakes out.

Life's Gifts

Country singer-songwriter Kenny Chesney's latest hit, "I'm Alive" is a duo with Dave Matthews. The chorus goes like this:

Breathin' in and out's a blessing can't you see Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive And well...I'm alive and well

Every time I hear that song I'm reminded that every day is a gift from God. Every time we see the light of day it's a gift. Every time we breath in and out is a gift. Every smile of a small child is a gift. Every wink or nod from a senior adult is a gift. Every leaf, cloud, sunset, blowing wind and drop of rain is a gift. James says every good and perfect gift is from God:

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

It's easy to lose sight of life's gifts. It's easy to take God's grace for granted. Gratitude is the appropriate response to God's gifts. Gratitude is how we keep from taking God's gifts for granted. Grateful hearts see ALL of life as a gift, even times of heartache and challenge. Grateful hearts can readily proclaim, "Today's the first day of the rest of my life and I'm alive". Kenny's song is almost complete, but that line needs four words added at the end: Thanks be to God!

Veteran's Day is Wednesday

Chances are you are closer to a Veteran of the armed forces than you know. A neighbor, family member, friend, someone at your church, or in your small group, a co-worker, friend's parent, police officer, your physician, or someone's child is/has served in the armed forces. Veteran's Day is this Wednesday (11/11). In case you didn't know it was originally known as Armistice Day, the day the fighting between Germany and the Allies ceased during World War 1 in 1918. By 1954 it was changed to remember all U.S. veterans. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

This isn't "cheesy" sentiment from me. I have deep and profound respect for those who have ever served in our armed forces. Anyone who has served in the Coast Guard, Navy, Army, Marines and Air Force deserves our respect and gratitude. They sacrificed something precious to all of us: their life, time, and physical safety, all while suspending their vocational dreams. From those who were drafted, to the Reserves and the men and women who freely enlisted, or rose through the ranks of the military academies and colleges, each gave up something to be part of a greater cause. Their sacrifice even extends to those that have protested their deployments or assignments at various moments in our history. Think about that! Their service has preserved and protected the U.S. Constitution and our homeland. At times it's even been at the expense of ridicule, or criticism from the very people they have protected! Disagreement with policy and political decisions is part of our freedom, but no American (naturalized, or those born here) should ever feel anything but gratitude for those who have worn the uniform! Veterans, we salute you, we thank you and your family for the sacrifices you've made, some with the greatest sacrifice of all their lives. May God grant you peace and may we as a people treat you with the benefits, care, and respect you deserve!

Remember Ft. Hood In Your Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families at Ft. Hood, Texas following today's mass shooting.

Pray for the wounded and the families of the victims.

Pray for the chaplains and counselors who will be helping the soldiers and their families deal with this tragedy on home soil.

Pray for the men and women from Ft. Hood who are separated from their families, and friends while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pray for peace as they deal with this tragedy from halfway around the world.