Opening Day!

     Monday marks the beginning of a long, grueling 162 game journey toward October and the pinnacle of baseball's best; the World Series.

     In this new era of baseball, conversations often arise regarding this question, "Who's the Greatest?" Now, it's easy to throw the names of our favorite players in the mix but we have to admit, the numbers don't lie.

     So, here's a list of baseball greats who have convincingly rose to the top garnering their place in the Hall of Fame through outstanding careers: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Cy Young.

     But there are two men whose names may never be honored in the halls of Cooperstown though the numbers don't lie; Pete Rose and Barry Bonds. Why? My only suggestion is that somewhere along the way respect and integrity for the game became a sidebar for personal achievements and compromising satisfaction.

     In Jesus' day, the status of significance was built around one's name, accomplishments, and possessions. So when the disciples asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" they were astonished to learn that Jesus preferred an unnamed child with no great accomplishments as the object of His illustration (Matthew 18).

     You see, to Jesus, the greatest is the one who is willing to be least, the first is the one willing to be last. The one who wants to lead must first become a slave. Even Jesus said He did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10). 

     That's why Paul said to have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2). An attitude of humility is one that is appropriately placed under the authority and leadership of God. Our attitude toward the greatness of God should always eclipse any greatness we would consider about ourselves.

     What is your status symbol? A trophy? A bank account? Jesus's status symbol was a towel and bowl of water, a cross, and an empty tomb. We must choose to treasure the status of Jesus. To be great is to stay low and think more of others above yourself. There is no sweeter sound than "Well done, faithful servant!"
 

March Madness & the Bracket Busters

And so it begins! March Madness is underway and people's brackets are left in shambles by the unshaken vengeance of the underdogs.

Guys scratching and clawing and fighting their way back to live to see another day. While higher-seeded perhaps more talented teams are left wondering, "What just happened?"

How devastating is it to see your dreams dashed in a matter of 40 minutes? Spending your entire life hoping for that "One Shining Moment!"

The aftermath has a stigma of questions like "What's next? Where do I go from here?" Having spent so much time, money, and attention developing this one area of your life and wondering if there's anything else in life worth the risk and motivation to pursue another dream.

What do you when the weight of failure seems so daunting that you even begin to question your own existence? The one question, if we're honest, that we want to have answered is "Why am I here?" Is there more to life than breathing, eating, working, sleeping?

There was a man by the name of Joseph who was favored by his father. Maybe you've heard his story. He had been given the illustrious coat of many colors. Yet, his brothers despised him and they sold him into slavery.

While at Potiphar's house, he was the object of a woman's promiscuous advances where his integrity landed him in jail.

Where's this guy's big break? Why on earth was he even here? To sit in jail for the rest of his life?

Joseph interprets a few dreams and even warns Pharaoh of the famine that's on its way. All the while, he consistently acts out of a posture of simple obedience. As the famine gives way to pleas for food and nourishment, he finally sees his purpose; to save his family.

All the circumstances of his life, both good and bad, were being used to develop a man of character where he would ultimately do what's right in fulfilling God's plan of salvation of His people.

God does not see our situation as a "bracket buster." He sees our circumstances as "One Shining Moment," a chance to let lives of character and grace shine among the world in such a way that His presence is undeniable.

God is no less present in the pit or in the prison than in the palace. He is taking everything in life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and He's using it to make something glorious. But we must learn to trust that what He's doing really is for our good and for His glory!

March Madness Pt. 2

     Selection Sunday is a day in our past. The teams have been picked. The brackets have been set. Social media is blowing up with fans' best predictions, scouting reports, and X-factors for each matchup.

     So, who's in your final bracket? Who's your champion? Sure, it's easy to write a name on a line. You like their colors, their mascot, their conference, their coach, their best player, the favorable odds of their seeding in the tourney. But what makes you so sure?

Here are 5 keys to a championship team:

Good coaching.
Others' focused.
Lockdown defense.
Hot hand of shooting.
Luck.

     Without these five key ingredients any team is susceptible to failure. With them, a team is destined for greatness. A team who rallies around its coach and teammates is a team united. A team who rallies around its defensive and offensive scheme is a team determined.

     How does this correlate to a championship in life? Let's call luck, GRACE. The hot hand of shooting; PASSION. Let's call lockdown defense, DISCIPLINE. Others' focused; COMMUNITY. And let's say good coaching is FAITH.

     Paul outlines the armor of God in Ephesians 6. In naming each piece of armor (helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, sword, shield), he integrates the necessary components for being properly equipped for victory in battle.

     How well are you displaying these five elements to successfully live the Christian life? Our success is not measured by wins and losses. It's measured by our obedience and willingness to trust that what He's doing is for OUR GOOD and for HIS GLORY. Let your life reflect the character of God through a relentless passion that is wholeheartedly devoted to Him. Realize that living in community with others allows you to express and experience God's grace at its best.

March Madness

     Selection Sunday is here! The moment fans put more faith in the ability of 18-22 year olds than believing the sun will rise the next day. Fans fill out their brackets, set their DVR, watch the games on their lunch break, bite their nails, pull out their hair, and the list goes on. It's MADNESS!

It's time for some Bracketology!

The Road to the Final Four
68 teams will set out on a journey where only 4 teams will arrive: The Final Four! The quest of every major (and mid-major) college basketball team aspires to this dream. Yet, only a few will ever enter the ranks of such elite competition.

#1 Seed
Since it's inception, the #1 seed has never lost to a #16 seed. No amount of luck has given way to the athleticism of its players and the genius of its coach. It's as if the #16 is content and only capable of simply making it to the "big dance."

Cinderella Story
There's always one team that seems to shock the world. Everybody wonders how they got in the tourney. They're a 'no name' team with 'no name' players. Yet, they find a way to win a couple of games and all of a sudden we become their biggest fans. We're hooked! We're a bandwagon fan!

5/12 Matchup
Without fail, there always seems to be this epic upset; the 'bracket buster.' As a fan, you know it's coming. But you weigh the odds in the balance of reason and fate. The only logical response is, it's "the curse of the 5/12 matchup."

     Life sometimes looks like March Madness. The Bible says "wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction but small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life" (Matthew 7:13-14). There are two roads set before us but only a few will enter the gate leading to the 'elite presence of God.' Many will be content with simply making it to the 'big dance.' Only a few find that His presence is greater to be desired than all that's in this world.

     Where are you on the journey to the Final Four? Do you feel the curse of the 5/12? Are you content with simply being in the game? Do you feel like an underdog? Are you willing to become a game changer? God expects us to endure the hardships to remain committed and faithful to the calling He has placed on our lives!

How Do I Know God Exists?

     In recent weeks there has been dialogue and debate of the existence of God. Does God exist? Is Jesus really God's Son? Does the Bible produce viable evidence for science? The debate between Ken Hamm and Bill Nye on the subject of creation vs. evolution produced much social media attention. And the "Son of God" movie produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey is beckoning the attention of many movie critics to its historical accuracy and supernatural claims.

     I admit that I'm no scientist, scholar, or theologian so I suppose my perspective will be elementary at best. However, I like Peter and John, cannot deny what I have seen and heard to be true (Acts 4:20). Much, in fact all, that I claim to be true is on the basis of faith and personal experience. However, what we must all come to grips with is that truth does exist whether we accept it or not.

     So, how do I know or why do I believe that God exists? Here are five reasons I believe God exists and why I believe God's Word to be true:

Creation - He made. (Gen 1:1; Rom 8:28)
Because I believe God made all things and He is making all things to work for good I have reason to worship a sovereign God.

Covenant - He promises. (Gen 6:18; Jer 31:31; Heb 7:22-25)
Because I believe God keeps His promises I have reason to worship a faithful God.

Revelation - He came. (John 1:1, 14: Col 2:9)
Because I believe God came in the form of flesh through Jesus Christ I have reason to worship a personal God.

Salvation - He saves. (John 3:17; Acts 4:12; Rom 1:16)
Because I believe God has the power to save me from my sin I have reason to worship a loving God.

Elevation - He will return. (John 14:3; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 19:11-16)
Because I believe God through Christ will return I have reason to worship an eternal God.

     Do you believe God exists? Are you living as if God exists? Craig Groeschel says that a Christian atheist is one "who says he believes in God but lives as if He doesn't exist." For the unbeliever, may the Spirit of God draw you to the truth of God's existence where you may find forgiveness and the need for repentance (2 Peter 3:9). For the believer, may the Spirit of God keep you close to the truth that your light may shine to the world around you (Matt 5:16).

I'm Not Afraid of Dying (I Just Don't Want to be Lame)

     I recently had a chance to catch up with some friends from high school. We met up to eat a late night breakfast at the Waffle House. I know, I get it! Not fancy, maybe even down right sketchy!

     I was sitting in the passenger seat when all of a sudden a car pulled out in front of us at a major intersection. The loud gasp (maybe even a squeal like a little school girl) that came from my direction acknowledged that in that moment I had no control over what was happening. Luckily the pilot of our large diesel truck managed to steer clear of the pressing danger of oncoming traffic.

     As we arrived at the restaurant and stepped out into the dimly lit parking lot, I can remember saying, "I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to be lame." Let that sink in for a moment. What I was really saying was, "I want comfort, convenience, and control."

How counterintuitive is that to the life we are actually called to live?

Consider some of the claims given to us by Christ:
Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. (Matthew 19:21)
The first will be last. (Matthew 19:30)

     Nothing about those statements is appealing to the person wanting a more comfortable lifestyle. Nothing about those statements is screaming "This is your best life now!" Maybe I'm much more afraid of dying than I thought. Dying to self. Dying to others' opinions and approval. Dying to pleasure. Dying to the temporary satisfactions of this world.

     "Apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). God is trying to tell us that we are the very thing we say we don't want to become; needy, broken, empty, paralyzed, lame. In every instance, unless we give up control to self, we can never truly live. Our sin has caused a separation that we desperately need to be repaired. Life as it was meant to be lived rests in the all-satisfying reach of the grace of Christ toward us.

     How are you doing at admitting you're not really in control? Are you willing to pursue a relationship with Christ even if it means risking comfort and convenience? Are you really willing to die to self? Our true worth rests in a relationship with Christ. "Apart from Me, you can do nothing!"