So what’s the connection between God and sports these days? Successful athletes, who also happen to be Christian, are making major headlines. As a Christian I enjoy reading the stories of Christians athletes who are doing well but what’s the appeal for the rest of the world?
Bubba Watson. Christian.
Jeremy Lin. Christian.
Tim Tebow. Christian.
Kaleb Canales. Christian.
What do you think makes their stories so appealing to mainstream media?
During youth church we challenged our high school young people to come up with questions they had about God and the church. Here are some of their inquiries: Read More …
I was terrified. Sure I had graduated with an undergrad degree in communication but what did I know about teaching? Dr. Steyn, one of my mentors and the chair of the department, didn’t really give me a choice. I offered some excuses and tried to share my inadequacies to no avail. She gave a textbook and syllabus and basically said make it happen. I stood before my first class with no idea what I was doing. I had never taught before and I smelled of fear. That first semester was neither a total disaster nor award winning but I survived. Years later I’m glad I followed the command to teach even though I didn’t want to. Read More …
I love holiday breaks. The time off allows me to step away from work and spend more time with my family. I relax bedtimes at night and in the morning we sleep in. During the moments I would usually be in class we’re making crafts, baking cookies or out sightseeing. Pictures and laughs abound.
Eventually I return to a different schedule. The fun times are reduced and there are less crafts, less cookies and less pictures taken. After a long day of teaching and studying I’m tired. At home my kids have to resume their normal bedtime routine. The sooner I get them into bed the faster I can finish up preparations for the next day. Interruptions come often. Daddy I need water. Daddy I can’t sleep. Daddy I see something in my closet. I don’t have time for these distractions and my frustration builds. I just want to get things done and get to bed.
One evening I was completely overwhelmed. I finally got my three year old into bed and was trying to settle myself down. Then my youngest started. Restless and uncomfortable she just couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t having it. I turned out the lights. I tried to ignore. I was tired. She didn’t give up. She continued to cry out until I moved. Her tummy was hurting. Her teeth were coming in. She wanted daddy. I found myself sitting up late into the night watching and holding my little girl until she finally fell asleep.
We’re reminded that God sits up and watches us. The nights that we are unable to sleep because of pain, heartache, or frustration God is awake. He is not limited by fatigue or frustration. He doesn’t get too tired and desire to call it quits. He never drops the ball in His role as our Father.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Psalm 121:4
So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark. Genesis 8:18-19
I was working on blog post about leadership and I committed the greatest sin possible when typing on the computer. I didn’t save. I was having a great time listening to music while editing my post then I received one of those messages that makes your heart want to stop. I was forced to restart my computer. The only thing left after the restart were my three main points. I also wrote them in another file that was saved. Now I’m left to stare at an almost blank screen. I’m unsure where to start and having serious doubts about writing the post altogether. I’m a little upset that I didn’t have a choice in the matter. The reset was non-negotiable.
The flood was coming and it was non-negotiable. God has the authority to wipe the slate clean without our vote. The only things saved in the ark were Noah’s family and a few animals. Compared to the whole earth this was basically nothing. I wonder if Noah was frustrated after he left the ark, built an altar and thanked God for his life. Earth for Noah now felt like anything but home. He might have been more comfortable inside the ark at this point. Did he not know where to start? Did he argue with his wife? Did he kick the ark and call it stupid? The Bible doesn’t record those details. What we do know is that Noah took what he had and moved forward. Guess I should get started on rewriting that post huh?
