Devotion 2.1.21 - Super Bowl Edition

 "And the Lord heard your words and was angered, and he swore, 'Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give your fathers...." Deuteronomy 1:34-35

Thus began Israel's 40 years of wandering until the evil generation died off. Even Moses himself (Deut 3:23 - 29) would not see the Promised Land for his disobedience. Thus we see Israel shaped by the wilderness to refine the people to conform to God's ways. 

This leads me to this thought when it comes to sports and having been born and raised in Houston, only to leave when I was 40 years of age. What exactly did the people of Houston do, in my 40 years of life there, to be cast out into the sports' wilderness to never taste victory? (Okay, the Rockets did twice in the 1990's which people are quick to point out Michael Jordan was on his self-prescribed hiatus - but following that logic means any championship earned after he left basketball was because Jordan was no longer in the game.). Still, 40 years of a city invested in pro football and baseball (The Astrodome is a considerable investment) yielding no championship is a long time (and now only one championship tainted by scandal - the curse, my curse, continued causing me to end the relationship).

What were the sports' gods angry with us for? For starters, mediocrity from ownership.  They were committed to finishing in the middle or less.  Their player picks demonstrated that. True, they drafted some greats, but that wasn't consistent, and by the way the draft worked then, it may have been accidental. So, imagine my joy of moving to Lubbock in 2000 when Mike Leach first came here, and suddenly, Texas Tech produced high driving, fast-action football (much like UH's run-and-shoot).  Winning was fun and exciting, and I began to really track the team (attending Tech helped too because I got an ID that got me into games).  Leach left, but Kingsbury brought this kid named Patrick Mahomes to play and the rest for me is history.  

As Lincoln noted with Grant when he took command of the US Army, "This one fights." (Lincoln's generals had been largely disappointing until that point, including McClellan, of whom Lincoln said, "Has the slows.") Most of the teams I had rooted for until that time "had the slows," with some exceptions.  A championship still evaded me.  With Mahomes, though, my sports' wandering was over (Houston still disappointing I might add). I found someone dedicated to winning, not mediocrity. Having worked in Kansas City over the years as a consultant gave me a level of appreciation for the city, so taking Mahomes and adding him to a team committed to winning sealed it.

That I was in Houston during the long years of wandering may have been what took me to study leadership and quality like I did.  You can learn from antithesis (that means "the opposite of the standard" to those of you from deep East Texas), and I certainly had examples.  These models helped me in my own leadership opportunities, so in many ways, to observe others leading helps us to learn about ourselves.  I would also say being starved of greatness makes you appreciate it even more, and there is no denying Mahomes' greatness at this time.

What can we learn from Israel's wilderness years?  What did Israel learn? We learn that God has a place for His people, but we need to listen to God and allow Him to shape us.  We learn that to ignore God and to deny His will doesn't mean He talks even louder, but instead, He may allow us and our foolishness to dig us in even more deeply.  We learn our wilderness wanderings, at times, clarifies our thinking.  Jesus teaches us to withdraw in several passages. Upon learning of the death of John the Baptist, Christ, withdraws to "a desolate place by himself," clearly to be with His Father and to gather His thoughts (Matthew 14:13). We also see Christ allow himself to be taken to the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by Satan and give us lessons on handling Satan's temptations by falling back to God's Word.

How is God shaping us in our lives on a daily basis? How do we respond to this shaping?  We pray that we turn to God at times of shaping in our own personal wilderness journeys and that we use prayer and His Word to find answers.

Devotion 1.27.21

 "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one receives a prize? So, run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I should be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

In one passage, Paul shows the difference between his ministry and Christ's.  Christ talked about rural life.  The farm, the flock, the people in the country working for the master's vineyard, and those kinds of topics fill His parables and comparisons.  Paul talks urban.  He talks about the world at that time in topics they understand, and certainly they understood the Olympics. Running, fighting, training and discipline are the focus of this passage. Not for an earthly prize, mind you, but an eternal prize.  So his analogy of faith and salvation and training and endurance (repeated in other passages).  Sports is life in leadership analogies, a topic I found often, and I found them useful.

This year, we are treated to Super Bowl LV (50). The match up presents us with a potential match-up of two greats.  You know the names by now:  Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. Both will be on full display, and both capture the imaginations of fans and non-fans alike. Both exhibit excellence on the field.  Both display a certain measure of confidence not betrayed by arrogance. As a fan of the game, and as a fan of Mahomes, I feel confident when he takes the helm.  So also with Brady though.  He's been here before, at Mahomes age in fact. Now 18 years his senior, he's been around the field a few times. The potential of this match up has people already talking about greatness.  

Will Mahomes take the baton of greatness from Brady in this match? It won't be handed off.  It will be taken in the arena, both men's faces "marred by dust and sweat and blood.... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of great achievement...." (Teddy Roosevelt, "Man in the Arena," Paris, 1910).

ESPN has said Brady's greatness is the greatness of a lifetime, while Mahomes' greatness is that of his current generation.  Certainly, Brady by age (43), could technically be the father of half the players he faces these days, but the level of fearlessness exhibited by both is equal. Mahomes, 25, may still be playing by 43, but to put that in perspective, that means he's playing through the year 2039 (really, 2040 since Brady will be back next year). He's got to get to at least 10 Super Bowls (Brady's current number) and win a chunk of them (Brady currently at six). Hence the idea of lifetime and current generation.

In short, I can't wait. I love me some Mahomes (yes, I said that right).  I respect Brady.

How does this compare to our faith life as men? As Paul notes, "run this race" (the race of life) to "obtain the prize." Not an earthly prize, but an imperishable prize. We can exhibit the same level of excellence in our faith life Paul describes: "not running aimlessly... not boxing as one beating air... but with discipline and control...." Fortunately, when we "fail, we fail greatly." (Roosevelt) Yet in our weakness, God is strong by sending His Son Jesus Christ to overcome this failure, so we too may wear the eternal prize of eternal life in Christ.

Devotion 1.21.21

1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
what comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everliving Head.

2 He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives," Samuel Medley

The source scripture for this hymn, according to a search on the internet, is Job 19. Job's comments are in the midst of pain dealing with loss, suffering, and the need to heal, physically and emotionally.  He bemoans the lack of family and friend supports and is seeking God to come to him and assure him.  The surrounding verses in this passage challenge all of David's laments in psalms.  You now the kind - the enemy surrounds me, hear my plea, and deliver me from the hands of my tormentors kinds of pleas David states in several psalms.

Yet, in spite of suffering, Job has clarity and knows that his Redeemer will deliver him.

What about us? Sometimes we believe things are at their worst. "Times like these" as Foo Fighters say in the song by the same name.  

Our hymns in the church are beautiful and have been inspired by the Spirit to men and women based on life experiences and scripture.  Our hymns are there, like scripture, to provide comfort, hope, prayer and praise to God.  They are there to help us in time of need as well as to lift our voices in worship and praise of our Lord.

Job knew his Redeemer lives.  Medley knew his Redeemer lives.  We turn to our Redeemer, who lives, to deliver us in time of need, to provide, to give us strength, hope, and to help us forgive and love based on the grace He gives. We praise our Redeemer and Him alone and seek that refuge and strength in Him and Him alone.

Devotion 1.18.21

 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we sill not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,... 'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted i the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:1, 2, 10 and 11

Our friend at church and elder Jeff Hill's daughter, Courtney (Heath Lowe's wife as well), posted this on Facebook recently, "One of my goals this year is to spend more time reading my Bible.... My planner has lots of free writing space so let's fill it up!! So, please tell me your favorite Bible verse. I want to write them in my planner each week as a reminder.  I need at least 52 verses! Let me hear 'em!"

I wanted to reply (I've known her since childhood), "Girl, what's the matter with you? This space is for all kinds of things important. Post something about the deterioration of the world and the US specifically or get off." Now she would have known I was joking, but the world around her (her friends on Facebook at that moment) may not have.

Interestingly enough, another friend of mine since childhood, Larry, posted this today: "People ask, 'Where is God in all of this going on.' He is right here where He has always been. He whispers to us in the wind. We don't listen anymore, and when we cry out for Him, we only hear what want to hear, what we want in His answer. 'Be still and know I AM.' I think that is what He is telling us right now." I sat and read it several times.  Larry, if you don't know him (or at least see him comment on my page from time to time), is an old redneck who grew up a few houses away from me.  Blue collar.  Smart, but very opinionated. Union guy but very conservative.  So,  his post caught me somewhat off guard because he's very vocal about today and events today.

I went to the psalm , Psalm 46 (which inspired, if I'm not mistaken, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"). I had replied to Courtney on Facebook with several verses that have served me well over my lifetime of attempting to learn verses and remembering them by recall (a failed goal I might add - I had to look up Psalm 46 which I've read many times). Luther drew inspiration from the Psalms.  They are a beautiful source for prayer and meditation as they address an abundance of issues from God answering prayer, to God hearing our prayer, to God providing, forgiving, healing, helping and a host of other things.

Today, we should heed the words of God as we seek answers to our current situation we find ourselves in - "Be still, and know that I am God." A reporter is alleged to have, somewhat mockingly, asked Mother Theresa about prayer.  "What do you say to God?" he asked. "I listen," she replied. "Oh, and what does he say?" he asked.  "He listens," she replied.

Listening may be in very short supply these days.  God is clear.  "Be still and know that I am God." Pray that we listen for His voice as He speaks to us. Know that voice can come in a whisper (I Kings 19 as God speaks to Elijah in a dramatic passage).  Pray we seek His voice in His Word, through others of faith, and in the whispers and silence. Pray that when we speak about God to others, we speak in truth and love - after we've listened.

Devotion 1.14.21

 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

My third and final takeaway from 2020 is very simple:  Service.  Being in service to others, serving the team or group I belong to or am a part of.  A group of us at the real estate office meet every Tuesday and "Servant Leadership in Action" was a book we read and discussed, completing the discussion this past week.  It enhanced my thinking on the topic of "service," but "service" would have come to the surface anyway.

During 2020, there seemed to be one of three ways to approach it:  Do nothing; Say you're going to do something; or Do something. Unfortunately, only one does anything to move the ball forward.  We can say what we want about 2020 and all the things that kept us from (you fill in the words here), but the truth is, there was still plenty we could have done.  And much needed to be done because life was, for better or worse, disrupted in 2020.

This devotion is not lecturing anyone, so don't see this and ask, "Does he think I didn't do my part?" I'm not talking about anyone other than me in this devotion, and things I didn't do or left undone, but I'm guessing, as with any topic, I'm not the only one. Given that, what does this have to do with "servant leading?" Well, servant leading at the heart means understanding the values and purpose of who I am and how that fits groups/teams/organizations I belong to because those values and purpose are present in the greater group/team/organization. Servant leading then means not just watching as others live by those, but also submitting ourselves to those same values and principles.

So, I say that because as I look to this year from last, I see areas where I can insert myself to serve.  Maybe not in person, but from a distance.  Maybe in person if required or asked.  There is a fine line between service and good works and grace. We don't do service to gain favor in God's eyes or others, but it is a part of who we are in response to the grace from Christ.

So, my prayer in my personal journey is that I'm in gratitude more and being grateful.  My continuing prayer is that I keep things in perspective and look at something from all sides.  Finally, I'm hoping to be of service when it's needed, be it in the house, in a group or around the town when an opportunity arises.  This is my prayer.  

If you've looked back at 2020 for three takeaways, what have yours been?  I hope and pray you find the answer to that and make that your prayer as well. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  No obstacle, not even 2020, is too great.

Devotion 1.11.21

 "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been give to us." Romans 5:3 - 5

My second takeaway from 2020 is summed up in the word "perspective." Perspective in the sense of how we view things, how we frame them as we see them occurring, and how we temper ourselves in how we react to them. "Keep it in perspective," is a phrase we sometimes hear.

I'd like to think I'm a logical and reasonable man, maybe more so than others, but the truth is I react to a situation like everyone.  My reaction is based on my intuition which is based on experience, some of which is education but in reality much of it is based on what I've been through in life both personal and professional. Much of what we deal with in life we "feel." We experience joy, pain, heartache, sadness, anger, anxiousness, and any other words that conjure emotion. We laugh.  We cry.  We look forward to something.  We think through things and plan based on hopes and dreams or we plot based on fears.  We are feeling beings.

2020 certainly gave us an opportunity to run the gamut of emotions, most of the ones I just listed, and I know you are no different (well, most of you).  So to react is natural, and there were many events in life to react to in 2020.  At the end of 2020, many of us wanted to celebrate "Festivus," the holiday George Castanza's father ("Seinfeld") created which featured the "Airing of Grievances." In the airing of grievances, George's father would tell people in the event how they had disappointed him that year.

Hence my takeaway from 2020 - perspective.  Listen more. React less. Ask questions.  Make no judgement even if it is present wanting to leap from my mouth.  There's more to the story. Please note I separate "perspective" from "perception." I'm not in the "perception is reality" crowd.  I worked in administration for too long to learn that line was used when an employee, a student, or someone in the multitude of people schools serve was in a bind.  There is a clear truth, but how we frame that truth helps us to process, learn and grow from it. Reality is reality, but perspective does help us as individuals.  

James tells us in his first chapter that we will be tested (from God) and tempted (from Satan). James says, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." (James 1:12 - 14)

So, were we tested or tempted in 2020? The answer is yes because we don't know the source of what we dealt with then or at any time. Is this a test or am I being tempted? The only clue is the last passage - "lured and enticed by his own desire." My desire to react could be pride, selfishness, anger, or as Augustine said, "The lust to justify myself." Satan delights in that.

My prayer in 2021 is that I keep things in perspective and that as men of God, we interact with the desire to love one another in grace, mercy and forgiveness.  We should pray that we are slow to anger, quick to forgive, strive to learn and listen to gain a better understanding, and speak the Word of God to those in this world.  

Devotion 1/4/21

 "Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.'" Matthew 2:7-8

There are days when I am very thankful.  These days being among them.  I'm thankful I'm no longer in education leadership. Not because the legislature is about to meet (although that circus is certainly something I am grateful I'm no longer involved in following), but I'm glad I am no longer in leadership because of the precarious state of things these days. By the fact that you lead means you will make decisions, and decisions these days fall into the minds of people who are polarized.

You are either for or against (name the issue or person) and because of that you are either enlightened or a neanderthal, good or evil, to be trusted or to be viewed with a high degree of mistrust. So, as a school leader, would I follow COVID-19 protocols (and consequently face the ire of a segment of the population) or would I largely ignore them (and face the ire of a segment of the population)? Would suggesting we follow them get me lumped into a political camp or another, take calls from the alienated segment of the population, hear it at events like football games from those who are displeased, and get calls from board members whose ears were bent at church by people who didn't agree with the decision, and not only disagreed, but in reality just didn't like it and now me? 

As one of several elders, I know how diligently the ministry staff has worked to minister to the needs of a large number of people, including providing Word and Sacrament to the body of Christ.  The line you walk is a large gray path more than a line. As one friend of mine used to say, "You can be absolutely right and you can still be wrong." It's difficult to not alienate a segment of your church body who may see a request to do this or that as right or wrong, but you know that out there are feelings that will raise their heads when you land on one side of the gray line or the other, real or perceived.

Yet, in spite of the polarity of our population these days, can you imagine the Wise Men in  Matthew's account? Herod, a specifically cruel leader by all accounts, summons them to the palace to "inquire." That he did so "secretly" is evidence of the neuroses that possessed him (and other leaders that come along in the passion such as Pilate). Leading in Rome is not easy, especially in the country of Israel, so to lead with an "iron fist" is a necessity. Passing through to locate the star finds them summoned by a Herod, who "innocently" says he too would like to worship this newborn king.

Later in the familiar passage, God intervenes by dreams to the Wise Men and Joseph once again to warn them of the impending danger.  The Wise Men leave by a different route and Joseph moves the family to Egypt as Herod kills every child two and under.

These are the conditions and events under which God chose to send His Son to dwell among us. These are the conditions and events that will shape His ministry. Christ will speak in gray but certain terms when His ministry comes (parables, many of which even His close followers will ask, "What does that mean?"). Today, sin still runs rampant and is present in our lives.  Division has been and always will be present. Christ then, and now (and tomorrow), ministers to us in our sinful and divided ways. We still seek His Word for our guidance as we seek to follow that star as did the Wise Men, and Christ dwells among us in Word and Sacrament to provide that forgiveness for our sinful lives and the forgiveness, grace and mercy we so desperately need in our divided and fallen world.

Hope Men's Ministry