Good morning,
Well, I imagine that quite a few of you were disappointed with the ending of the Super Bowl. Although I technically don’t consider myself an Eagles fan (I grew up as a Redskins fan**), I was certainly hoping that they would win. I love sports, and most nights if I get a chance I’ll wind the day down by watching whatever game is on the TV. But I don’t quite follow sports with the same intensity as I did in my younger days, when I was known to throw a fit or two at a bad play or a tough loss.
For me, a moment of clarity happened at the end of the Phillies season in 2011. As I watched the video replay of their star 1st baseman Ryan Howard crumpling to the ground as he made the final out of the season a number of emotions hit me all at once. I felt disappointment, frustration, and even a little bit of anger. As I reflected on and processed those emotions, I began to feel God really tugging at my heart. Why was I so disappointed? Why was I so frustrated? After all, it was just a baseball game.
As I contemplated why this loss bothered me so much, I came to the realization that at least a large part of my frustration was grounded in the fact that I had invested so much of my time into that baseball season. From the moment spring training began back in February, I had spent countless hours watching the games, following the team on the radio, and visiting baseball websites to read about them. At least some of this time (if not a good chunk of it) could have been spent on my relationship with God, or with my wife, or with my kids. Instead it was given to a team that not only let me down, but whose pursuit of a championship is ultimately meaningless in my life.
My point is not that sports are bad! And it’s not that following a team (or any other hobby) is sinful. It’s that those pursuits must never take priority in our lives over our walk with God or our family. One of the most popular workshops that I did back when I was a speaker for House on the Rock Family Ministries was called “Men of Impact.” The big question that I asked at each one of these sessions was “Is what I am doing today making an impact for Jesus Christ today…and in the next generation?” Clearly, spending so much of my time sitting in my recliner or at my computer following a sports team wasn’t making a whole lot of kingdom impact.
Is there a sports team, hobby, or other pursuit in your life (or even your job) that is taking up too much of your time and yielding little to no kingdom impact? Are you willing to make the kind of change necessary so that you can devote time to a more meaningful and lasting pursuit, one that will pay dividends today and down the road? I’m not suggesting that we need to completely abandon recreation. I still watch sports, (and enjoy reading about them), but I try not to plan my daily schedule around them. I’m happy that baseball will soon be “back,” so I can catch the occasional game on TV, but I continue to try to keep things in perspective. After all, it’s just a game.
Ezra 7:10 says “For Ezra devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” What is your heart devoted to? Enjoy the great season, Eagles fans. It was a lot of fun. And who knows? Perhaps the Sixers will make a run at the NBA title. And don’t forget, Phillies spring training started today! And the Flyers…well, let’s focus on the Sixers and Phillies!
Switching gears…I want to give a few more details about the upcoming “Next Steps at the Bridge” luncheon on Sunday 3/12. Let’s use my patented “Q & A” format:
Who is this for?
This is a gathering for those folks who are new to Andrews Bridge and/or have been attending for a while and might be interested in becoming a member.
What will be happening?
You’ll get a chance to enjoy a light lunch with myself and some of our elders and then learn a bit more about our church. This is less of a formal gathering and more of an informal time of sharing. No one will be trying to sell you any timeshares!
What will we be discussing?
We’ll talk a bit about the history of Andrews Bridge and the different churches that have worshipped on our property. We’ll also talk a bit about the AMEC network of churches that we belong to. We’ll go over our statement of faith, talk some about the church’s ministries and about where we believe God is leading us. Of course, you’ll also get an opportunity to ask questions.
How long will Next Steps be?
I would envision us wrapping things up by 1 pm. The schoolhouse will be open after lunch for kids to hang out and play games if they would like.
Does attending this mean I have to become a member?
Not at all! This is simply a time for folks to learn more about our church. However, if you were considering church membership, we would really encourage you to come.
Sounds good, where do I sign up?
Just let me know by 3/5 so that I can give an accurate headcount to the kitchen committee, who will be serving the meal. You can do that by email, texting, smoke signals or carrier pigeon. You can even let me know in person.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Junior Youth Movie night is this Friday 2/17, at 6:30 pm in the schoolhouse.
- Men’s Breakfast is on Saturday 2/25 at Hometown Kitchen.
- Senior High Youth meets again on Sunday 2/26 after the morning worship service.
- The church is having a “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” event on 3/19. Sign up sheets were handed out this Sunday. Please return them by next Sunday, 2/26.
- Most weeks we are blessed with fresh flowers to help brighten our sanctuary. We would love to share these flowers with someone who is need of some encouragement. If you know of such a person, please let Becky Conner or myself know!
- Solanco Meat Canning is taking place on Tuesday, March 7 from 3:30-8pm. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. See Lloyd Kreider or Vernon Myers for more information.
This Sunday we’ll continue our journey through Mark 5 by looking at Jesus’ interaction with a woman who was suffering with a long-term illness. We’ll discuss the truths about illness and healing that we learn from this passage and what God wants us to do when we are in the midst of suffering.
See you on Sunday!
Scott
**I know, I know. They were really good when I was a kid!