In some systems of Eastern thought, the doctrine of recurrence teaches that everything that has happened will happen again. Western philosophy of history drawing inspiration from a Biblical understanding of the universe does not share in the same exa... read more
Throughout his time in the public limelight, Republican Mike Huckabee has made obesity awareness one of his pet issues having lost over 100 pounds himself. However, as is typical of most fanatics having come to a realization or a cause a little later... read more
Americans might be interested to know that to cross the Canadian border that the U.S. government will require them to be carrying a passport even if they have other legitimate forms of identification. However, most recall precious little is being don... read more
In Matthew 10:16, Christians are admonished to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. Often though, Christian organizations and ministries are the ones at the forefront of propagating the expectation in the mind of their respective supporte... read more
In classical Lutheran theology and homiletics, a two part approach is often taken referred to as Law and Gospel. For it is through this dynamic duo that the individual is made to realize that he is a sinner in need of salvation and what the solution ... read more
As the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell at one time (whether deservedly or not) had a reputation as a voice of sober realism in the arena of American foreign policy. However, as he ages and heads into his sunset years, he is... read more
Despite their inherent stuffiness, one does not usually have to worry about conservative Lutherans such as those in the Missouri Synod falling for too many of the fads constantly popping up in the contemporary Protestant world. Though conducted in th... read more
Often in the attempt to get their way, children threaten to hold their breath or refuse to eat until their parents agree to meet their demands. Usually, nothing much comes of it as most youngsters don't have the will to resist the sway of their base ... read more
As a narrative form driven considerably by adversarial conflict, in science fiction a good story must have a villain just as interesting (sometimes even more so) than the primary hero or protagonist. As one of the archetypes from which much popular &... read more
With all the fuss made over the 300 millionth American, the U.S. Census Bureau enjoyed an unaccustomed moment in the limelight as the work done by this government agency is seldom considered glamorous enough to warrant much coverage in the media. Art... read more
Don Imus' comments that the Rutger's ladies basketball team were a bunch of tattooed nappy-headed hoes might not have been the kindest thing to say about these athletes, though one must note the claim has not been entirely refuted as interestingly in... read more
Matthew 24:24 warns "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect --- if that were possible." With all the enticing messages trying to lead Christian young people astray, &q... read more
Really, we all are losers. We can't win. We can try, but when you look up at the scoreboard when it's all over, we haven't even covered the point spread. Those who think they've won are the biggest losers of all.
This comes from someone who has a hard time not keeping score. I've always kept score, which is fine when it comes to sports, but it doesn't work so well in real life, despite what others may think.
I say I'm a loser because I can never defeat Satan. He's too much to overcome. It's like a Pop Warner team against the Pittsburgh Steelers, only the kids have a much better shot of winning than I do.
People still have this notion that being good enough -- earning enough points, if you will -- will satisfy God. It may ease a person's conscience, but that's it. They may think they're winners -- and some of them will even use that word in the same smarmy tone you hear from overbearing dads in the movies -- but, no, sorry. The higher you think your assist-to-turnover ratio is, the lower it gets in reality. It's that whole inverse proportion thing.
I struggle daily with this, thinking that I can please God if I'll just be a better father, a better husband, a better witness, a better student of scripture. If I do everything coach says to do, I'll come out on top, and he'll reward me. Never mind if my heart's not in it.
There are plenty of athletes who work hard, but they work for themselves, not for the team. They may put up great numbers, but they're not doing those really important things that can make their teammates better and make the whole team more cohesive.
I'll not carry this metaphor any further, for fear of confusing myself when trying to write about winning championships. But I will say that the self-sacrifice required in both sports and in the Christian walk is a remarkably transferable value. Being a true Christian requires hard work, more than I'm often willing to do, and it must be in harmony with the body of Christ. Once you realize that, you then have to guard against thinking that the hard work you do is earning you some kind of favor from God.
God does not work with me; He works through me. Whatever I accomplish for Him is really Him accomplishing something, and He's been gracious enough to let me be an instrument.
So I guess there are two kinds of delusional scorekeepers -- the one who thinks he can do enough good to counter his sin, and the one who knows better but doesn't see the connection between mercy and being equipped to work for God. The latter often sees the score as "Me and God 100, Sin 0," or whatever. The bad half of the scoreboard is wiped clean, to be sure, but the other half bears God's name only.
We are losers on our own, yes, but we share in Christ's victory. He alone has the ability, through His sacrifice, to triumph over Satan and sin.
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