Alot of us have things we follow very closely. For women, it's about the latest fashion, a singer, and a ton of other things. For men, it's usually in the realm of sports. Some men follow the latest gadgets and Apple products. Thank goodness I'm the former, naturally.
It's no secret that I've followed the Rangers my entire life. I've been a Cowboys fan, a Mavericks fan, a Bulls fan, and a fan of many teams or indidivual players. Nothing has compared to my incredible passion for my baseball team, or "our" team as I often call them.
For years, I wondered when I would get to see them make the playoffs. For years, I dreamed of watching them go to the World Series. I wondered every year, what would it feel like to be there when my team wins. It was always a "wonder".
In 2010, I followed 158 games and caught the highlight reel of every single game. I followed every possible pitch of the postseason. They were making it, winning, winning and more winning. I was loving every minute of it, like a kid all over again. I was giddy, and still am giddy about where they're at right now!
But there was a moment where it all happened. I was with my dad, both of us die hards for our team. We were hoping to see a W and watch them close out the final series and head to the World Series. Inning by inning, all I could do was smile. It was going to happen. The 9th inning came. The ENTIRE crowd was on their feet. As the first out happened, it got louder. Louder again when they got the second out.
With two strikes on the batter, the man I who I happen to hate the most, you could feel that the whole city was plugged in and watching! The third strike came, A-Rod struck out and the crowd went CRAZY! Hat in hand, the strap came loose, my other hand had the pom-pom they gave us and it was whipping back and forth. High fives to dudes I didn't even know, to moms I didn't know. Heck, even high fives to little old ladies outside of the stadium!
About two minutes after celebrating, I tried to tell my dad something. All that came out was "Ahh eehhh cann ttt aaammmm innng". Nothing but a muttering man I became! I was so in awe of what I saw, what moment I got to experience with the one I wanted to spend it with the most!
Why did I just tell you about this? As a believer, I've gotten so much from this! I truly believe that God created everything for our good, for our enjoyment in Him. Even baseball.
I began to really think about the power of God. Alot of us think about the day that we see God and worship Him forever. If I was speechless after my team won and only smiles all over my face.... I can't wait to experience something a million times greater when I see my God who created me, who saved me and who blesses my life each and every day! I can't wait to celebrate with the millions of believers that are with me for eternity. It was great to celebrate a baseball game with fans who truly loved the team, but how much greater will it be to celebrate the God of the universe with an infinitely greater number of people?!
My wish until that day is that I grow in my passion for the God of the universe. Not that I can't continue my baseball passion, because that won't fade. I just want to be an 80 year old man who can tell his friends and family about all that God has done in his life and the amazing grace that God has shown in his life.
I want to be a die hard. In more ways than one.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Ministry. The Weight of It.
Have you ever heard when someone "goes into the ministry"? Have you ever really considered that question? It implies that there are some Christians that minister, and others that don't.
Often times we consider our weeks like this: On Sunday, the family heads to church. On Monday, from 8-5, we'll all head to work to make some cash. From 5-6, we'll head home, and be the jerk on the road in traffic. From 6-10, 8 if you have a baby, we'll play with our kids or enjoy time with our wives, husbands if your a lady. But that often times consists of turning on the TV, turning the brains off, saying one or two things to each other every hour, then heading to bed.
What if we considered our own life as our own ministry for the sake of Christ? What if everything we had, money, time, family, job, houses, what if it all was set for His sake?
Sometimes I think we get too wrapped up in this church atmosphere. I tell people I go to The Village Church and they instantly picture something out of me. Others will say Prestonwood, and still others will say First Baptist Fill-in-the-blank. What if, instead, we considered Sundays as a day of really digging in to an expert of the Bible whom you have decided to be under for a season, then digging in during the week on our own and really viewing everything as our own ministry? Would it be a different atmosphere?
What if we quit caring where people get their teaching, so long as it is Christ-centered and driven by the message of the Gospel?
The truth is that The Village Church will not be responsible for my growth in Christ or my sharing it with others. God will not look at Matt Chandler and ask why Ben Taylor was a loudmouth when it came to sports but didn't say a word about Christ or live out the Gospel.
He put us here to cultivate. I think it's time we only cultivate everything for the message of Christ. Church is a good thing, if we don't think it's just a Sunday hobby, followed by an afternoon of lunch, golf, football, shopping, etc.
He's called us to follow Him. Let's quit studying it and actually take it to someone. We don't just study how to mow the yard, we mow it. Let us do that with our walk with Christ.
Often times we consider our weeks like this: On Sunday, the family heads to church. On Monday, from 8-5, we'll all head to work to make some cash. From 5-6, we'll head home, and be the jerk on the road in traffic. From 6-10, 8 if you have a baby, we'll play with our kids or enjoy time with our wives, husbands if your a lady. But that often times consists of turning on the TV, turning the brains off, saying one or two things to each other every hour, then heading to bed.
What if we considered our own life as our own ministry for the sake of Christ? What if everything we had, money, time, family, job, houses, what if it all was set for His sake?
Sometimes I think we get too wrapped up in this church atmosphere. I tell people I go to The Village Church and they instantly picture something out of me. Others will say Prestonwood, and still others will say First Baptist Fill-in-the-blank. What if, instead, we considered Sundays as a day of really digging in to an expert of the Bible whom you have decided to be under for a season, then digging in during the week on our own and really viewing everything as our own ministry? Would it be a different atmosphere?
What if we quit caring where people get their teaching, so long as it is Christ-centered and driven by the message of the Gospel?
The truth is that The Village Church will not be responsible for my growth in Christ or my sharing it with others. God will not look at Matt Chandler and ask why Ben Taylor was a loudmouth when it came to sports but didn't say a word about Christ or live out the Gospel.
He put us here to cultivate. I think it's time we only cultivate everything for the message of Christ. Church is a good thing, if we don't think it's just a Sunday hobby, followed by an afternoon of lunch, golf, football, shopping, etc.
He's called us to follow Him. Let's quit studying it and actually take it to someone. We don't just study how to mow the yard, we mow it. Let us do that with our walk with Christ.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What could stand against?
How many of us, once we became believers, started to see God as a policeman once we understood what sin was? I know that haunted me when I'd say something inappropriate, do something stupid or just be me.
As I have been through yet another job loss and am nearing two months of unemployment, it's easy to think that there's no hope. No matter how many times someone speaks of hope in the worldly essence, I just can't force myself to rely on people to help me. Good advice can go pretty far, but it can't go far enough.
As I sit here wasting away everyday until I find my next job, I began to listen to a new song from Chris Tomlin. It's called Our God. It reinforces a thought that has carried me through my life that I often forget.
Our God is not here to condemn me for doing something, not doing something. I am His. So that means that I can overcome all of this for His glory. What good would it be to think that I'll never find something? What good would it do to think that we won't have enough money in a few months to play the game of life.
Rather, God is with me. He's not a policeman. He's showing me that I can do all things through him. I can nail that interview, because he is with me. I can help someone come to know Christ, because he is with me. I can put myself aside and my worries aside, because he is with me.
I don't rely on Him to give me good things. I don't go to him to get "things". Instead, I , well, attempt to live my life in such a way that says "Not I, but YOU, are in control of my life. Do with it as you please." With that mindset, it is refreshing to see that I could end up in a non-marketing job, in a marketing job, in ministry, in whatever, and God will get the glory. This also relates to any "sin" we are stuck in. I can stop being arrogant, as God will give me the power I need to see what humbleness is. We can stop anything, knowing that God will give us the power over whatever it is. If we get to the heart of the issue, change our heart and turn, God will take over and show us a passion for him that is beyond you, beyond me.
He's not a policeman anymore. I was seperated from him and now I am not. Therefore, he will be with me everywhere, every time. If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? If our God is with us, then what could stand against?
As I have been through yet another job loss and am nearing two months of unemployment, it's easy to think that there's no hope. No matter how many times someone speaks of hope in the worldly essence, I just can't force myself to rely on people to help me. Good advice can go pretty far, but it can't go far enough.
As I sit here wasting away everyday until I find my next job, I began to listen to a new song from Chris Tomlin. It's called Our God. It reinforces a thought that has carried me through my life that I often forget.
Our God is not here to condemn me for doing something, not doing something. I am His. So that means that I can overcome all of this for His glory. What good would it be to think that I'll never find something? What good would it do to think that we won't have enough money in a few months to play the game of life.
Rather, God is with me. He's not a policeman. He's showing me that I can do all things through him. I can nail that interview, because he is with me. I can help someone come to know Christ, because he is with me. I can put myself aside and my worries aside, because he is with me.
I don't rely on Him to give me good things. I don't go to him to get "things". Instead, I , well, attempt to live my life in such a way that says "Not I, but YOU, are in control of my life. Do with it as you please." With that mindset, it is refreshing to see that I could end up in a non-marketing job, in a marketing job, in ministry, in whatever, and God will get the glory. This also relates to any "sin" we are stuck in. I can stop being arrogant, as God will give me the power I need to see what humbleness is. We can stop anything, knowing that God will give us the power over whatever it is. If we get to the heart of the issue, change our heart and turn, God will take over and show us a passion for him that is beyond you, beyond me.
He's not a policeman anymore. I was seperated from him and now I am not. Therefore, he will be with me everywhere, every time. If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? If our God is with us, then what could stand against?
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