Friends,
Well...the J-E-T-S carried that large chip on their shoulders all the way to New England last weekend and the dared the Patriots to knock it...and much to the surprise of nearly everyone, the Pats were unable to do so. New York stunned New England on their turf to fly into the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this coming weekend, who did what they were supposed to do -- beat the Baltimore Ravens at home. The Jets have boasted much this season...and most of the time this is nauseating...but in their case, you have to give them a certain level of respect -- they have defeated Peyton Manning's team and Tom Brady's team in consecutive weekends. If they beat Ben Roethlisberger's team this coming weekend, boy, won't Mark Sanchez have something to tell his grandchildren in a few decades. Here is hoping the Jets can pull off one more upset.
Da Bears defended their home turf against the Seahawks, much to no one's surprise...except a few rabid Seattle fans (of which I was one...silly me). Now they get to welcome the Green Bay Packers who stunned Atlanta on their home turf. The Falcons had no answer on defense for a hot Aaron Rodgers...as the Green Bay QB torched them for 48 points. One has to give props to the once weak NFC North which has had three teams play in the NFC Championship Game in the past two years...not too shabby. So, the predicted set up will pit two good QBs against two stellar defenses, much like the AFC Championship. I am thinking that the Packers are going to win...but, the fact that no one gives the Bears a chance at home makes me nervous, because they could ride that disrespect, much like the Jets did last weekend, all the way to the Super Bowl. So, count me in for two six seeds in the Super Bowl...Packers-Jets. I may not know much about football, but if this happens, the green team is going to win... :-P
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
An Observation
Friends,
A rare venture into the political realm...not necessarily to make a statement, but to appreciate the wisdom of a friend -- An observation concerning the potent message..."If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons make people fat"...this, in reference to the belief that there should not be stricter gun laws and that people be held accountable for their actions -- this all may be true...but, as one friend astutely recognized...pencils have erasers, guns do not...
Blessings,
Don
A rare venture into the political realm...not necessarily to make a statement, but to appreciate the wisdom of a friend -- An observation concerning the potent message..."If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons make people fat"...this, in reference to the belief that there should not be stricter gun laws and that people be held accountable for their actions -- this all may be true...but, as one friend astutely recognized...pencils have erasers, guns do not...
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Thunderbirds
Friends,
A funny thing happened on the way to the Saints next Super Bowl...a bunch of crazy birds got in their way. Matt Hasselbeck played like he was in his prime and Marshawn Lynch had the beastly run of a lifetime (which you have probably seen) to lead the Seahawks over the defending champions, 41-36...so much for defense. Not many folks had this upset...save for Keyshawn Johnson and a few others...but, the Saints were ripe for the picking -- they had not been playing well the last few weeks of the season, they were coming to play in a very noisy stadium, and they placed their top two running backs on IR during the week before the game. As the game was winding down, it appeared that the Saints just might catch the 'hawks, but then the amazing happened...rejuvenated tailback, Lynch ripped off a 9 tackle-breaking, 67 yard run to put Seattle up by two scores. The stunning effect of the run and the crowd's uproar actually registered a seismic event in the Seattle area...which leads me to believe that perhaps the Seahawks need to adopt the name of the local minor league hockey team, the Thunderbirds. Next the Seahawks face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, where they won earlier this year. We'll see if Seattle can continue its magic carpet ride. The other NFC game would seem to generate much more interest as the Green Bay Packers go back to Atlanta to play the Falcons, where they lost at the end of November on a last second field goal. This should be a good battle between Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan against the opposition defenses. I wouldn't be surprised if Green Bay pulls off the upset.
The AFC match-ups pit division foes against each other for the third time this season -- the Baltimore Ravens play at Pittsburgh, and the New York Jets play at New England. The Jets continue to reflect the bravado of their coach Rex Ryan as they continue to smack talk the Patriots. That these two teams plainly don't like each other is quite evident. Belichick's crew is being quiet for the most part, save for star QB Brady who...more or less...has been their spokesman. The Patriots ripped the Jets, 45-3, toward the end of the season, and although they shouldn't take the Jets apart like that again, the Pats would appear to have the stronger team in many reaspects...particularly at QB, where veteran, Tom Brady would appear to give his team a distinct advantage over second-year New York QB, Mark Sanchez. I will say this, though...Sanchez led a game winning drive against the Colts last week with under a minute left. Granted he did start with great field position, but it still is no easy feat. The Steelers would seem primed for a big showdown with the Patriots in the AFC Championship, but the Ravens are going to be a tremendous challenge. Since I have a significant dislike for the Steel crew, here is hoping that Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and company can win one on the road in a tough place. Happy viewing!
Blessings,
Don
A funny thing happened on the way to the Saints next Super Bowl...a bunch of crazy birds got in their way. Matt Hasselbeck played like he was in his prime and Marshawn Lynch had the beastly run of a lifetime (which you have probably seen) to lead the Seahawks over the defending champions, 41-36...so much for defense. Not many folks had this upset...save for Keyshawn Johnson and a few others...but, the Saints were ripe for the picking -- they had not been playing well the last few weeks of the season, they were coming to play in a very noisy stadium, and they placed their top two running backs on IR during the week before the game. As the game was winding down, it appeared that the Saints just might catch the 'hawks, but then the amazing happened...rejuvenated tailback, Lynch ripped off a 9 tackle-breaking, 67 yard run to put Seattle up by two scores. The stunning effect of the run and the crowd's uproar actually registered a seismic event in the Seattle area...which leads me to believe that perhaps the Seahawks need to adopt the name of the local minor league hockey team, the Thunderbirds. Next the Seahawks face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, where they won earlier this year. We'll see if Seattle can continue its magic carpet ride. The other NFC game would seem to generate much more interest as the Green Bay Packers go back to Atlanta to play the Falcons, where they lost at the end of November on a last second field goal. This should be a good battle between Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan against the opposition defenses. I wouldn't be surprised if Green Bay pulls off the upset.
The AFC match-ups pit division foes against each other for the third time this season -- the Baltimore Ravens play at Pittsburgh, and the New York Jets play at New England. The Jets continue to reflect the bravado of their coach Rex Ryan as they continue to smack talk the Patriots. That these two teams plainly don't like each other is quite evident. Belichick's crew is being quiet for the most part, save for star QB Brady who...more or less...has been their spokesman. The Patriots ripped the Jets, 45-3, toward the end of the season, and although they shouldn't take the Jets apart like that again, the Pats would appear to have the stronger team in many reaspects...particularly at QB, where veteran, Tom Brady would appear to give his team a distinct advantage over second-year New York QB, Mark Sanchez. I will say this, though...Sanchez led a game winning drive against the Colts last week with under a minute left. Granted he did start with great field position, but it still is no easy feat. The Steelers would seem primed for a big showdown with the Patriots in the AFC Championship, but the Ravens are going to be a tremendous challenge. Since I have a significant dislike for the Steel crew, here is hoping that Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and company can win one on the road in a tough place. Happy viewing!
Blessings,
Don
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Eye in the Sky
Friends,
A haunting song done by the Alan Parsons Project a few decades ago apparently comes to life in the picture below, thanks to Ed Henry. In actuality, it is a shot of the Helix Nebula, a dying star in the constellation Aquarius, only several hundred light years away...fairly close in the grand scheme of things, even in relationship to the Milky Way Galaxy. The faint white dot (iris) at the center is actually the star in question, which is shedding off the material creating the nebula's effect...
Blessings,
Don
A haunting song done by the Alan Parsons Project a few decades ago apparently comes to life in the picture below, thanks to Ed Henry. In actuality, it is a shot of the Helix Nebula, a dying star in the constellation Aquarius, only several hundred light years away...fairly close in the grand scheme of things, even in relationship to the Milky Way Galaxy. The faint white dot (iris) at the center is actually the star in question, which is shedding off the material creating the nebula's effect...
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Endings and Beginnings
Friends,
The Seahawks beat the Rams, in something of an upset, for an NFC Worst Bowl victory this past weekend...NFL Week 17. The Seahawks are the first team ever to win a division with a losing record (7-9). This has created something of an outcry from some fans and media for a reseeding of playoff teams. Yet, I believe most of the purists feel that there should be a reward for winning a division, even if it is with a 9-7, 8-8 or even a 7-9 record. This is the first time that this has happened since the divisions realigned in 2002 and it will probably be another ten years or more before it happens again. And what is the Seahawks reward for their efforts?...the defending Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints. At least they get the Saints at home, although it probably will not help them.
Staying out West (AFC), the Oakland Raiders had their best record in eight years (8-8), so you would think they give coach Tom Cable a contract extension, right? Nope...they fired him -- only Al Davis and the Raiders. The Green Bay Packers were up against the wall after week 15, with an 8-6 record, but they won their last two games against the New York Giants and Chicago Bears in order to make it into the playoffs. The Packers may only be the sixth seed, but many of the talking heads are predicting that they will make it to the Super Bowl...and they very well could do so. It is not unprecedented...the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl as a sixth seed in 2005. It is clear now...Jason Garrett has secured the Cowboys head coaching position by leading Dallas to a 5-3 record over the second half of the season. His team upset the Philadelphia Eagles, 14-13, to finish 6-10. Here is hoping for better things next season. The Falcons and Bears have byes for the NFC this coming weekend, while the Eagles and Packers face off in one Wild Card game in Philly, and as mentioned, the Seahawks and Saints play each other in the other game.
The New England Patriots look pretty invincible at 14-2, but then again, they were 16-0 heading into the Super Bowl three years ago, only to see it unravel in the Super Bowl against the Giants. Still, they and the Steelers have the hard-earned first round byes in the AFC, while the Ravens play at the Chiefs and the Jets face off against the Colts in Indianapolis. The AFC would appear to have the more interesting slate of games, but the NFC has the defending champion, although if I was a betting man, I would say that the Super Bowl champion comes from the AFC this year.
There are a number of coaching positions open in the NFL...and, oh to be Jim Harbaugh. He seems to have his pick of teams, as his stock has never been higher after leading Stanford to an Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. Of course, it helps that he has had star QB, Andrew Luck, leading the way. He has already spoken with the 49ers and the Dolphins...who still have coach Tony Sparano employed (awkward)! He may visit with the Denver Broncos for their coaching position, as well. Harbaugh, whose brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens, will likely be the highest paid NFL coach when all is said and done. I am sure that this will only make the other NFL coaches smile and the owners groan. One thing that Harbaugh will not do (hopefully)...go across the bay to coach the Raiders...don't do it, Jim...don't do it. :-)
Blessings, Don
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Where is Your Focus?
Friends,
Imagine that you're at Wal-Mart or another grocery store and there is a person…it could be a friend or a stranger…standing in front of you struggling with several large packages. You are standing there with nothing in your own hands. All of the sudden you notice that this person in front of you is just about to drop their packages because they have more than they can handle. What is your first thought? You have the urge to give them a hand. You can't just stand there and watch them struggle, can you? In reality, you really don't have to use your imagination unless you want to. You can see it nearly every single day of your life. There are those on your path, standing right in front of you, who are struggling with more than they can carry. It may not be groceries or household items from the department store, but it is a very real burden that weighs them down just the same. Maybe it's a divorce that they are going through. Or, it might be an illness. It could be a relationship problem, a difficult decision, a situation at work, or they could just be having a bad day. There are all kinds of things that weigh us down…things that we struggle with…things that leave us straining and hurting and aching from the weight that is upon us. The Word tells us that we are to "bear each other's burdens." We are to lighten each other's load. We are to help with spiritual, emotional, mental and physical packages that are weighing each other down.
Someone once said, “There are three kinds of people…those who watch things happen, those who make things happen with respect to and who work with others, and those who have no idea what happens.” When it comes to our involvement in the body, as well as our intent to do good work for the Lord…only one of these three works. We only have so much time, so many opportunities…and the question is – what will we do to make the most of them? Will you be opportunistic…will you be a participant? Or, will you be a spectator…among those who watch things happen or have no idea what is happening. These are not good places to be, spiritually. Life is about choices, and as we approach the coming year…what is going to be your focus? What are your goals, individually? As a family? What about as a church family? These are things that we need to continue to consider. We must continually have a focus, a purpose…for then the Lord can use us for His purposes, and this is ultimately what we want to do…please Him.
Blessings,
Don
Imagine that you're at Wal-Mart or another grocery store and there is a person…it could be a friend or a stranger…standing in front of you struggling with several large packages. You are standing there with nothing in your own hands. All of the sudden you notice that this person in front of you is just about to drop their packages because they have more than they can handle. What is your first thought? You have the urge to give them a hand. You can't just stand there and watch them struggle, can you? In reality, you really don't have to use your imagination unless you want to. You can see it nearly every single day of your life. There are those on your path, standing right in front of you, who are struggling with more than they can carry. It may not be groceries or household items from the department store, but it is a very real burden that weighs them down just the same. Maybe it's a divorce that they are going through. Or, it might be an illness. It could be a relationship problem, a difficult decision, a situation at work, or they could just be having a bad day. There are all kinds of things that weigh us down…things that we struggle with…things that leave us straining and hurting and aching from the weight that is upon us. The Word tells us that we are to "bear each other's burdens." We are to lighten each other's load. We are to help with spiritual, emotional, mental and physical packages that are weighing each other down.
Someone once said, “There are three kinds of people…those who watch things happen, those who make things happen with respect to and who work with others, and those who have no idea what happens.” When it comes to our involvement in the body, as well as our intent to do good work for the Lord…only one of these three works. We only have so much time, so many opportunities…and the question is – what will we do to make the most of them? Will you be opportunistic…will you be a participant? Or, will you be a spectator…among those who watch things happen or have no idea what is happening. These are not good places to be, spiritually. Life is about choices, and as we approach the coming year…what is going to be your focus? What are your goals, individually? As a family? What about as a church family? These are things that we need to continue to consider. We must continually have a focus, a purpose…for then the Lord can use us for His purposes, and this is ultimately what we want to do…please Him.
Blessings,
Don
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Good for the "Little Guys"
Friends,
Well, it wasn't the most exciting game of the day, but it happened to be the most important...if you are a TCU Horned Frog fan. Not many folks were giving TCU (from non-automatic BCS qualifying conference, the Mountain West...thus the "little guys" expression) a chance against Big 10 (12?) powerhouse, Wisconsin...they of the huge O line and giant running backs. The Badgers running backs had their yards, for certain, but at the end of the day...the scoreboard said, TCU 21, Wisconsin 19. The Frogs capped an eventful, undefeated, 13-0 campaign in 2010, and are certain to move up to be the #2 team in the country following next week's national championship game between Auburn and Oregon. It would be great to see how TCU would be able to do against the winner of that game. Now, (here I go again), if the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) had a playoff, like the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), then we would really know who would be the national champ...but, since we do not, TCU will not ever have that opportunity to prove itself this year. I believe that star QB, Andy Dalton and coach Gary Patterson have the best team in the country...c'est la vie. Now, about this coach Patterson...he has to be the most underrated coach in the country, yet, all he does is put together 10, 11, 12 and...as is the case this year...13 win seasons. Yet, you never hear anything about him...it is amazing how invisible he is in so many ways. He will eventually get his due, but...a big kudos to him and the Horned Frogs for a terrific season, even if they will only be #2.
Blessings,
Don
Well, it wasn't the most exciting game of the day, but it happened to be the most important...if you are a TCU Horned Frog fan. Not many folks were giving TCU (from non-automatic BCS qualifying conference, the Mountain West...thus the "little guys" expression) a chance against Big 10 (12?) powerhouse, Wisconsin...they of the huge O line and giant running backs. The Badgers running backs had their yards, for certain, but at the end of the day...the scoreboard said, TCU 21, Wisconsin 19. The Frogs capped an eventful, undefeated, 13-0 campaign in 2010, and are certain to move up to be the #2 team in the country following next week's national championship game between Auburn and Oregon. It would be great to see how TCU would be able to do against the winner of that game. Now, (here I go again), if the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) had a playoff, like the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), then we would really know who would be the national champ...but, since we do not, TCU will not ever have that opportunity to prove itself this year. I believe that star QB, Andy Dalton and coach Gary Patterson have the best team in the country...c'est la vie. Now, about this coach Patterson...he has to be the most underrated coach in the country, yet, all he does is put together 10, 11, 12 and...as is the case this year...13 win seasons. Yet, you never hear anything about him...it is amazing how invisible he is in so many ways. He will eventually get his due, but...a big kudos to him and the Horned Frogs for a terrific season, even if they will only be #2.
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Role Reversal
Friends,
Maybe it is because the last pro football game most weeks has been the most exciting that it causes me to comment on it...in this case, the final game of NFL week 16, on a very rare Tuesday evening, no less. Or, maybe it is just because I have a short memory. :-) Yet, the offering between the Vikings and Eagles was interesting for a number of reasons. Minnesota rookie QB, Joe Webb, had a standout performance as he led the Vikings to a 24-14 victory. The irony is that Webb looked like his competition, Michael Vick...and Vick, who made a number of mistakes, played like a rookie. With injured starter, Brett Favre, cheering him on, Webb played like a steely veteran...and may have earned himself a good look for being the starter for the Vikings next year. Yet, how to explain Vick? The Eagles will only go as far as he takes them. When he has played well, they usually win big, but...when he plays poorly, they struggle and lose, which was the case this week. And since sports tends to be the place where I offer unbiased opinions on my blog :-)...I have to say that I am always pleased when the Eagles lose.
The playoff picture solidified quite a bit, with the Eagles, Bears, Falcons and Saints making the show in the NFC, while the Packers can get in if they beat the Bears at Soldier Field...a daunting task. If the Packers lose, the Giants can get in with a win. If both Green Bay and New York lose, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can sneak in to the playoffs with a win. Meanwhile, the Rams and Seahawks will battle it out on Sunday evening for the sorry NFC West title in Seattle. In the AFC, the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs and Jets are all in. The Colts can get in with a win, but a loss by them and a Jaguars win will put Jacksonville in. So, as it is every year, there are always things to be sorted out in week 17...just another reason to love the NFL. Now, if they can only get that labor agreement hammered out for 2011 and beyond.
Tim Tebow fans can feel good about the Denver rookie QB's performance, as he led the Broncos to a come from behind win over the Houston Texans, 24-23. Speaking of the Texans, they have lost 8 of 9, and one has to wonder if coach Gary Kubiak's coaches seat can get any hotter(?). The Bears outlasted the Jets in a shootout 38-34, in a a game where both QBs, Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez played well. Don't look now, but the Detriot Lions have won three in a row...which is news -- especially since they have won two in a row on the road, a place where the Lions have struggled for over a decade. The Saints kept fighting back from turnovers to take down the Falcons in Atlanta, 17-14. Don't hold your breath, though...these two teams could very well meet again in the playoffs in a few weeks. Finally, the 49ers bailed on the Mike Singletary experience as they fired their head coach after only a couple of seasons. I have always loved Singletary's passion for and commitment to, not only for the game of football, but also for the Lord. Singletary just didn't win enough games, as the Niners are only 5-10 this year, in a season where expectations started out high...a division title was expected. Singletary is a solid guy who will find another job, as a coordinator most likely, but...I just hate it that the 49ers brass believed that they had to make some sort of statement by firing him with one week left in the season. It was not a surprise that Singletary handled his dismissal with grace and class. Way to go, Mike.
Blessings,
Don
P.S. A brief NCAA note...putting the University of Maryland football program on my "serious dislike" list for firing head coach, Ralph Friedgen, after an 8-4 season. Granted, he was 2-10 in 2010, but he has consistently been a winner in the several seasons he has been the head man for the Terrapins. Before Friedgen came on board, the Maryland football team had not had a winning season in many, many years. I am disturbed that more and more football programs are selling out on good coaches who may have winning records, but the allure of more $ with a big name new coach is driving them...'tis the way it is anymore, unfortunately. There will never be another JoePa.
Maybe it is because the last pro football game most weeks has been the most exciting that it causes me to comment on it...in this case, the final game of NFL week 16, on a very rare Tuesday evening, no less. Or, maybe it is just because I have a short memory. :-) Yet, the offering between the Vikings and Eagles was interesting for a number of reasons. Minnesota rookie QB, Joe Webb, had a standout performance as he led the Vikings to a 24-14 victory. The irony is that Webb looked like his competition, Michael Vick...and Vick, who made a number of mistakes, played like a rookie. With injured starter, Brett Favre, cheering him on, Webb played like a steely veteran...and may have earned himself a good look for being the starter for the Vikings next year. Yet, how to explain Vick? The Eagles will only go as far as he takes them. When he has played well, they usually win big, but...when he plays poorly, they struggle and lose, which was the case this week. And since sports tends to be the place where I offer unbiased opinions on my blog :-)...I have to say that I am always pleased when the Eagles lose.
The playoff picture solidified quite a bit, with the Eagles, Bears, Falcons and Saints making the show in the NFC, while the Packers can get in if they beat the Bears at Soldier Field...a daunting task. If the Packers lose, the Giants can get in with a win. If both Green Bay and New York lose, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can sneak in to the playoffs with a win. Meanwhile, the Rams and Seahawks will battle it out on Sunday evening for the sorry NFC West title in Seattle. In the AFC, the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs and Jets are all in. The Colts can get in with a win, but a loss by them and a Jaguars win will put Jacksonville in. So, as it is every year, there are always things to be sorted out in week 17...just another reason to love the NFL. Now, if they can only get that labor agreement hammered out for 2011 and beyond.
Tim Tebow fans can feel good about the Denver rookie QB's performance, as he led the Broncos to a come from behind win over the Houston Texans, 24-23. Speaking of the Texans, they have lost 8 of 9, and one has to wonder if coach Gary Kubiak's coaches seat can get any hotter(?). The Bears outlasted the Jets in a shootout 38-34, in a a game where both QBs, Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez played well. Don't look now, but the Detriot Lions have won three in a row...which is news -- especially since they have won two in a row on the road, a place where the Lions have struggled for over a decade. The Saints kept fighting back from turnovers to take down the Falcons in Atlanta, 17-14. Don't hold your breath, though...these two teams could very well meet again in the playoffs in a few weeks. Finally, the 49ers bailed on the Mike Singletary experience as they fired their head coach after only a couple of seasons. I have always loved Singletary's passion for and commitment to, not only for the game of football, but also for the Lord. Singletary just didn't win enough games, as the Niners are only 5-10 this year, in a season where expectations started out high...a division title was expected. Singletary is a solid guy who will find another job, as a coordinator most likely, but...I just hate it that the 49ers brass believed that they had to make some sort of statement by firing him with one week left in the season. It was not a surprise that Singletary handled his dismissal with grace and class. Way to go, Mike.
Blessings,
Don
P.S. A brief NCAA note...putting the University of Maryland football program on my "serious dislike" list for firing head coach, Ralph Friedgen, after an 8-4 season. Granted, he was 2-10 in 2010, but he has consistently been a winner in the several seasons he has been the head man for the Terrapins. Before Friedgen came on board, the Maryland football team had not had a winning season in many, many years. I am disturbed that more and more football programs are selling out on good coaches who may have winning records, but the allure of more $ with a big name new coach is driving them...'tis the way it is anymore, unfortunately. There will never be another JoePa.
Monday, December 27, 2010
A True Rescue Operation
Friends,
In the course of this life, we must check our own spiritual pulses to be certain that we are remaining pure in Christ and seek to remain unstained by the world. In 1 John 5:14ff, John wants his readers to understand that God knows about the needs and problems in the daily lives of His children…and that He is concerned. Jesus helped many, many people when He was here on earth…and God still provides help for those who are in need. And He often uses us…you and me…His servants in order to accomplish his purposes. It reminds me of the Casting Crowns song…”If We Are the Body.” We are his arms, His hands, His feet…and we need to continue to provide help if we are able to do so.
This is especially important when our concern is a brother or sister who is spiritually ill. John is not speaking concerning the unintentional or unwitting sins that believers commit on occasion, but he is talking about habitual sins…the practice of sin. Some of the Christians at the time that John is writing are leaving the fellowship. Those who are faithful are not to hate their wayward brothers and sisters, but continue to love them. Hating a brother or sister would be a habitual sin…which would lead to (spiritual) death. This would be to have a heart focused habitually on sin, rather than seeking to be pleasing to the Lord. All of these matters require prayer...and these Christians need to pray for their own hearts as well as others' concerns. Genuine Christians ask that those who have fallen away be restored. If one repents, then this person has been rescued…they are safe. We can thank the Lord for second opportunities!
A Minnesota radio station reported a story about a stolen car in California. Police were staging an intense search for the vehicle and the driver, even to the point of placing announcements on local radio stations to contact the thief. On the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison. The car owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait. Now the police and the owner of the VW Bug were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life rather than to recover the car. So often when we run from God, we feel it is to escape his punishment. But what we are actually doing is eluding his rescue. What a tangled web that we humans can weave for ourselves by being self-willed and not seeking God’s will. It is so easy for us to even appear to be doing God’s will, when in reality, we are really doing our own will in God’s name. This doesn’t work for very long.
God gives His people the power to overcome. This, in and of itself, indicates that we will be tested…the circumstances of life, our own selfishness and sin, and the Lord himself may test us…for our own good, yet not above what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). To the worldly man, the Christian life is unreal, because this person lives according to what he/she feels and not according to God’s will through His Spirit and in His Word. We must not lean on our own strength…it will fail us. We must lean on the Lord for our strength to overcome. John has shared in his letter over and over that we can have real life, but only in Jesus Christ. And we do! We have met the One True God in His Son…and the only reason that we may be able to offer assistance in rescuing others is because we have ourselves have been rescued by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
John concludes his letter with a simple imperative…“don’t give in to idols.” Surrounded by idolatry, early believers were under tremendous pressure to conform. An “idol” is literally “that which is seen.” It is lifeless…a useless substitute for the real thing. What Satan would use to cause early Christians to stumble, He uses today, as well. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If we safeguard our hearts and minds and dwell on things that encourage our hearts and minds, then we can and will not only overcome, but we will also thrive and grow! We share a lot of spirit in fellowship this time of year, and it is a great blessing. The reason we are able to do so is because God sent His Son into the world with one mission…to rescue us from ourselves…from sin, Satan and destruction. I thank the Lord God that He cared enough to rescue us because He wanted us to be with Him!
Blessings,
Don
In the course of this life, we must check our own spiritual pulses to be certain that we are remaining pure in Christ and seek to remain unstained by the world. In 1 John 5:14ff, John wants his readers to understand that God knows about the needs and problems in the daily lives of His children…and that He is concerned. Jesus helped many, many people when He was here on earth…and God still provides help for those who are in need. And He often uses us…you and me…His servants in order to accomplish his purposes. It reminds me of the Casting Crowns song…”If We Are the Body.” We are his arms, His hands, His feet…and we need to continue to provide help if we are able to do so.
This is especially important when our concern is a brother or sister who is spiritually ill. John is not speaking concerning the unintentional or unwitting sins that believers commit on occasion, but he is talking about habitual sins…the practice of sin. Some of the Christians at the time that John is writing are leaving the fellowship. Those who are faithful are not to hate their wayward brothers and sisters, but continue to love them. Hating a brother or sister would be a habitual sin…which would lead to (spiritual) death. This would be to have a heart focused habitually on sin, rather than seeking to be pleasing to the Lord. All of these matters require prayer...and these Christians need to pray for their own hearts as well as others' concerns. Genuine Christians ask that those who have fallen away be restored. If one repents, then this person has been rescued…they are safe. We can thank the Lord for second opportunities!
A Minnesota radio station reported a story about a stolen car in California. Police were staging an intense search for the vehicle and the driver, even to the point of placing announcements on local radio stations to contact the thief. On the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison. The car owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait. Now the police and the owner of the VW Bug were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life rather than to recover the car. So often when we run from God, we feel it is to escape his punishment. But what we are actually doing is eluding his rescue. What a tangled web that we humans can weave for ourselves by being self-willed and not seeking God’s will. It is so easy for us to even appear to be doing God’s will, when in reality, we are really doing our own will in God’s name. This doesn’t work for very long.
God gives His people the power to overcome. This, in and of itself, indicates that we will be tested…the circumstances of life, our own selfishness and sin, and the Lord himself may test us…for our own good, yet not above what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). To the worldly man, the Christian life is unreal, because this person lives according to what he/she feels and not according to God’s will through His Spirit and in His Word. We must not lean on our own strength…it will fail us. We must lean on the Lord for our strength to overcome. John has shared in his letter over and over that we can have real life, but only in Jesus Christ. And we do! We have met the One True God in His Son…and the only reason that we may be able to offer assistance in rescuing others is because we have ourselves have been rescued by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
John concludes his letter with a simple imperative…“don’t give in to idols.” Surrounded by idolatry, early believers were under tremendous pressure to conform. An “idol” is literally “that which is seen.” It is lifeless…a useless substitute for the real thing. What Satan would use to cause early Christians to stumble, He uses today, as well. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If we safeguard our hearts and minds and dwell on things that encourage our hearts and minds, then we can and will not only overcome, but we will also thrive and grow! We share a lot of spirit in fellowship this time of year, and it is a great blessing. The reason we are able to do so is because God sent His Son into the world with one mission…to rescue us from ourselves…from sin, Satan and destruction. I thank the Lord God that He cared enough to rescue us because He wanted us to be with Him!
Blessings,
Don
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