There is always an interesting balance in regards to how Christians should expect to be viewed by non-Christians.

On one hand, some folks will hate us. If there’s no persecution, then there we’re not living a very godly life: since everyone who lives a godly life will be persecuted. And the gospel can make us smell like my shoes-now that I can’t wear flip-flops everyday-to those perishing (II Cor 2:15). Its very proclamation will anger folks. There will be responses like this from the St. Pete Times.

And on the other hand, the gospel does bless people even though they may not believe in it (like the Egyptians in Gen 50). For instance, I should be a better employee as Christian (Col 3), must be well thought of by outsiders to be an elder (I Tim 3), and ought to be a model citizen (Rom 13). So at the same time, other folks will be glad to have us around.

Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins, who is outside the faith and also vehemently opposed to Tebow’s stance on abortion, responds here to Tebow’s “intolerant critics” and the flack which CBS has ridiculously taken. Its definitely worth the read because she is thoughtful and not reactionary. She even calls out most “pro-choice” people for actually being “pro-abortion.”

So I think in the end, we should expect both responses if the gospel is really saturating our head, heart, and hands.

Just a few days ago, a kite-boarder was attacked and killed by shark-or more likely in my fairly uneducated opinion-a number of sharks. But apparently there were a number of bite marks, and a number sharks in the water at the time of the attempted rescue. Here’s an article on the story.

One thing that amazes me is that in the midst of these rare attacks, there is usually a “hero” (I’m surprised no one used the word “good Samaritan”-though I guess that only applies to land based rescues) who ventures out into the victim’s blood filled vicinity. A vicinity that includes not only blood, but the sharks who drew that blood.

In this case the lifeguard Dan Lund paddled out on a surfboard, knowingly heading into the perilous situation. What motivates such people to do such things? I guess you could say in this case, it might have been his job or sense of duty. But he could have radioed for jet ski’s and boats (though that would have taken longer).

Perhaps, deep down in his conscious, it could have been that he had survived a shark attack over 20 years ago. He had survived. He had been shown grace, and grace is always the strongest motivator.

And the best way to show grace to another, is to stop and recognize grace that has been shown to us (Amy recently reminded me of God’s grace to ME when I got mad at Connar for not “getting” something).

Perhaps because of this grace, Dan Lund wasn’t, as 80’s cheese rock band Great White sang, “Once bitten, twice shy, baby.” Who knows?

Yesterday at Redeemer, we sang a little number by Johnny Newton (not to be confused with Jimmy Neutron) called “I asked the Lord.” It might have been one of the more challenging songs I’ve sung before (next to Jesus I My Cross Have Taken).

It reads very much like a story, and since I had never sung it before, it had me wondering where each stanza would lead me.

The song begins with a fairly simple request to grow in faith and grace. The next verses then deal with how God answers such a prayer; He will often allow or even throw trials our way to get us to depend upon Him. And sometimes those trials are such that we are barely able to stand up under them.

Nevertheless God’s ultimate plan is to destroy our earthly plans and pursuits of lesser joy, only to find that greater joy in knowing Him (i.e. Parable of Hidden Treasure in Matt 13).

I have to admit that while singing the song, each verse was harder to sing (spiritually), than the previous. It kept mentioning how the Lord would bring more trouble, when all the writer asked for was “grace and faith.” I was desperate to land on Jesus. It reminded me of rafting down a windy river with little visibility, just praying to find the take-out site.

But I needed the hymn to first take me on a “journey” to forsake my earthly hope (which is rubbish) and to find life in Christ. That’s how he grows our faith. And I think that’s been a little picture of what he’s been doing in me while I’ve been temporarily separated from my family.

Check out the lyrics below. I hope you get a chance to read them or even sing them some day.

I Asked the Lord
©2004 double v music (ASCAP). Words: John Newton (alt. Laura Taylor). Music: Laura Taylor.

1. I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith and love and every grace Might more of His salvation know And seek more earnestly His face

2. Twas He who taught me thus to pray And He I trust has answered prayer But it has been in such a way As almost drove me to despair

3. I hoped that in some favored hour At once He’d answer my request And by His love’s constraining power Subdue my sins and give me rest

4. Instead of this He made me feel The hidden evils of my heart And let the angry powers of Hell Assault my soul in every part

5. Yea more with His own hand He seemed Intent to aggravate my woe Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Cast out my feelings, laid me low

6. Lord why is this, I trembling cried Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death? “Tis in this way” The Lord replied “I answer prayer for grace and faith”

7. “These inward trials I employ From self and pride to set thee free And break thy schemes of earthly joy That thou mayest seek thy all in me.

Here is a well written article by AP writer Eric Gorski on The Village Church pastor Matt Chandler and his battle with a brain tumor. John Piper gave this sermon at Chandler’s church a month ago to give folks a framework to deal with this difficult process. It challenged me AND kept me awake during my drive up to West Virginia earlier this month.

CBS might be forced to make another choice. Hopefully next year. Since the network will be airing Tim Tebow’s an anti-abortion ad, the network is now being bombarded by those from a different slant: mancrunch.com (a gay dating website). Since the commercial depicts two gentlemen wearing rival uniforms actually “making out,” CBS has decided not to run it, for now. Of course, if you are a Packers or Vikings fan, it becomes even more offensive to see your fan base appear like this!

Can’t wait to see what will happen for next year’s Super Bowl……
A very realistic question comes up: would I rather see Tebow and “Man Crunch” or No Tebow and No “Man Crunch?” I fear those might be the only two options next year.

Every so often, my denomination’s church planting coordinator/recruiter, Jim Hatch, will send out thoughtful emails related to church planting. Here’s his most recent one which challenges folks to think more missionally, as well to give God praise for a particular mainline church cooperating with a PCA church plant to better reach its community. Obviously I’m stoked about this because I’m stoked about church planting, but also because my current church Redeemer doesn’t have a building of its own (we meet in a movie theater) and have a soft spot for the “nomads” out there. Anyhow, here it is:

It was the first service of a brand new church. Jan and I found a seat and were awed by the beauty of the sanctuary. No, not an office-front, not a YMCA. It was the St. Trinity Lutheran Church in south St. Louis. The new PCA planter/pastor, Chris Smith, introduced the service and told the story of how God had led to the beautiful facility.

He’d visited dozens of community leaders in the area. It was a Catholic nun, Sister Mary Ann Nestel, who leaned across the table, grabbed his hand and said, ‘We’re so glad you’re coming! Let me show you who to talk to.’ And she shoved her Rolodex across to him. Call this guy; email that person; see this one. And one of those was Lutheran pastor, David Liebnau. And that congregation invited Chris and his core group to use their facility.

Now, when do you want to worship? they asked him. Well, Chris replied, whenever you’re not worshipping. No, no, they replied, what’s best for you guys? Best for us? Well, maybe 11:00 am. Oh, ok, we’ll change our worship time to accommodate you. Hmmmm.

Now, don’t you want a sign out front? Chris replies, could we maybe put up something on Sunday morning? Well, we were thinking you’d need a permanent sign. Why not do that? A permanent sign? Monthly rent? Oh, well, how about…and it was incredibly reasonable.

When Pastor Liebnau was introduced, he said, We’re so glad you’re here. And if you can extend the gospel here in ways that are better than we’ve done, we’ll be excited. We’re praying for you! Welcome!

I found myself deeply moved by Pastor Liebnau and the St. Trinity congregation. What generosity, grace, lack of defensiveness and ‘turf guarding’! It was almost like they were willing to give themselves away for the sake of a church plant in a different denomination! It was as if they were more interested in the Kingdom of God than in the ‘success’ of their own ministry! What does being Kingdom-minded mean anyway? I think Jan and I just experienced a little taste of it from a Catholic sister and a Lutheran pastor and his people.

And the question bubbled up: how many 138 year old churches in my denomination would say to a Baptist or Lutheran or Pentecostal church planter, how can we help you succeed, even if it makes it harder for us? Would you do that in your ministry?

As a result of a number of businesses not buying overpriced ads during the Super Bowl, advocacy groups such as pro-lifer’s are reaping the benefits. Tim Tebow will speak about the time his mother’s doctors advised her to get an abortion for health reasons. Good thing she didn’t listen to them. For him and for us. Can you imagine the world without Tebow (although human life has inherent value regardless of what a person would or would not become)? Anyhow, check out one article here
and CBS’ response and defense, including a video here.

Well in one of my final Bradenton Herald articles-which has been deleted from cyberspace-I simply raised a question about pragmatism and football decisions. Now at the end of the Minnesota Vikings season, I’d like to offer another “take” on the whole Brett Favre deal.

Again, as far as football goes, it looks like it was the right decision. After all, football decisions are strictly pragmatic: if it works (produces wins), it is the right decision.

One could argue that there’s some moral limit to this, like locking dudes in shed’s or slapping them around (which allegedly happened at Texas Tech and USF respectively-coaches were fired). Although if their programs had been number one, I still think this stuff would have been swept under the rug.

However, back to the Vikings. They didn’t accomplish what they sat out to do: win the Super Bowl. But I must admit now that while I think it was busch-league and primadonna-esque to skip the hard part of training camp and then just show up, I have to come to respect both Favre and coach Brad Childress. Favre for his toughness (I did pull for him last night) and Childress for his risk taking.

Favre could have broken down by the end of the season like he did the previous year. He could have thrown 3 times the interceptions he actually threw (7). Neither of which Favre did. Childress thought big, took the risk, and was not afraid to fail.

I can’t help but think of Paul and his lofty goal of reaching of reaching Spain with the gospel. He writes to the Romans in 15:24

“I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.”

Paul never made it to Spain, which you could argue would have been a Super Bowl of sorts. But he thought big, prayed big, and wasn’t afraid to come up short. A good reminder.

I came across this unique story yesterday. A minor league rising baseball star chooses to go into the priesthood over the big leagues. I just started Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller last night and couldn’t help but think, “Well, I guess baseball is not this dude’s god.” But one of his early definitions of an idol is any thing-even a good thing-that becomes an ultimate thing. So unfortunately good things like ministry, children (although I guess Catholic priests don’t have to worry about that one), and influence will still vie for his and our affections.

I always find myself in a little quagmire when finishing a book. Two nights ago I finished Andre Agassi’s autobiography called Open. Since I don’t read quickly, I always consider finishing a book a great accomplishment, and one I look forward to it with great anticipation. However once I’m done, and don’t have another book to read with me, I’m stuck watching Sports Center highlights I don’t care much about (it always takes me a little bit to transition from football to either of the “b-balls or Animal Planet).

Anyhow, Agassi’s book Open, is exactly that: open. He appears as a man who has few secrets about himself, as well as others. The book sheds light into Pete Sampras’ tipping practices, short marriage to Brooke Shields, the unlikeable Jimmy Connors, as well as an overbearing father that drove him to excel but also hate tennis.

There’s even a decent amount of info on the infamous IMG Bolieterri Academy in Bradenton for the folks down there.

I thought Agassi would include a bit more of the spiritual side (aside from blasting Michael Chang for his praise of Jesus after victories) of his life and supposed conversion. But aside from that, I wasn’t disappointed one bit. I’m not a tennis fan, and barely know the rules; now I have a huge respect for what he calls the “loneliest” sport.

Agassi appears a fascinating and surprisingly deep man, filled with anxieties of a normal person: not the oldest player to be ranked #1. I highly recommend this book regardless of whether or not you like tennis or even sports.