Ash Wednesday 2021

 "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.... Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me that joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:1 - 4; 10 - 12

Prayer: Heavenly Father, We know that You love your creation and forgives all the sins of those who seek Your forgiveness. Create in us and make us new, contrite in our hearts, that we confess our sins and misdeeds, and seek our forgiveness in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Be merciful to us, O Lord, and we pray that we grow in our love and trust in You.  In Christ's name, Amen.

Devotion 2.15.21

 "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3 - 5

Christ is fairly clear, yet we seem to forget this familiar passage. Who is the "scoundrel" of the day? What's he or she done? I'm sure if you are asked this, a person's name can come up quickly.  I know it can for me.  Maybe not a big name either, but someone who has done something I've taken exception to that I might protest in my mind. I might even believe he or she has sinned against me and want to take my case to people (ignoring Matthew 18)

How do we so often forget that?  How do we forget our own state of sin and maybe even forget that no one's state of sin is any less or any greater than another's? "Yeah, but at least I never..." may be the refrain.  In Matthew, we hear Christ's words in the "Sermon on the Mount." Chapter Seven is part of a larger message early in Christ's ministry.  Christ expands the definition of sin for those who may have thought they escaped the actual physical act and are not guilty.  Murder, adultery and others went from the physical act to passions of the heart.  Hate, anger, lust are all equal to the sin.  We measure the sin of the world like the pharisees, pointing out legalistically how the world is in a sad state, forgetting our sinful nature is contributing to it as well.

This Lent, beginning Ash Wednesday, will be a period of reflection and repentance.  It is only through the cross that we see Christ take on the magnitude of the sin of this world (past, present and future) and through His resurrection that we receive the unmerited and undeserved salvation, even for a scoundrel like me.

We pray the eyes are opened and the logs are removed.  We pray for a world in hurt and that those in despair turn to that same cross and resurrection that brings us the peace and salvation needed today.

Devotion 2.15.21

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2 - 3

Just as Paul says in 1 Corinthians, "I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessing." (9:22) So we see in Ephesians the simple message, "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be effective? Do you want to make a difference?"

To be right requires a certain amount of confidence, but it can also be based on a certain amount of arrogance.  I don't like being wrong.  Personally I don't know of too many who do (or if I've ever met anyone who doesn't like being wrong for that matter), but to walk with God and the message of salvation requires a certain measure of humility, asking, "What's more important right now?" Isaiah 42:3 says it this way, "A bruised reed he will not break...."

Andy Reid said it well in the post-game interview Sunday.  As you may or may not know, just days before the Super Bowl, a wreck came at his son's hands that critically injured a child and injured others as well.  So, he went into the game with that weighing on him.  By the end of the game, he had the suffocating loss weighing on him as well, but he said this: "First, my heart goes out to everyone involved in that crash. My heart bleeds for those who were injured, especially severely.  As to the game, we made plans the previous week for the game, but the accident was about humanity, the game was football.  As for the loss, it's on me.  I didn't make the necessary plans for the game in terms of the offensive line and didn't make adjustments during the game.  That's on me." 

Now I'm paraphrasing his words in quotes, but that is the essence of his message. My interpretation of it was this: The wreck was tragic. The game was football. The two are separate, but the wreck and the lives of the injured and their families are more important than the game. As to the game and the team, it's on me.  I bear responsibility for the loss." As I sat and listened, I thought, "Now THAT is being a real man.  Humility in a time of loss in both instances.  Bearing the responsibility for the weight of a game that was one-sided and owning it."  Football is a team sport (as is most of life), so imagine the temptation to invoke that fact during the course of the post-game interview.  "Hey, we all didn't belly up to the bar today." Reid could have said that, but in humility and gentleness, he raised the conversation to other matters that were truly more important (life and death), put the issue in perspective (it's a game), and took responsibility (it's on me).

He could have spoken convincingly, but he chose the path Paul has for us in his letter.  For his team and as an example to us, he sought to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." That's what it means to be a man seeking to make a difference over being right.  That's what it means to be a man as God would have us be - bearing responsibility for our actions over taking credit. 

I pray that in similar circumstances, I share my light of the grace of God over the notion of winning for the sake of winning, or even winning when I might be right, to allow humility and gentleness to win the day for the sake of the gospel.

Devotion 2.8.21

 "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

As you read this, you already know the outcome of the Super Bowl, so to replay the game would be redundant. Today (Sunday), I drove back from Fredericksburg, TX and was thinking about the upcoming game, wondering who would win.  As was noted in a previous devotion using the passage above, the players, including the two marquee players - Brady and Mahomes - was a matchup of a lifetime on paper given the degree to which they train, the command both have of the game, and the discipline they use to execute their respective games.

So, in mid-drive, I called a buddy who had just left church, and he noted the great job our pastor did in a pinch.  Seems as though the one who was going to deliver the sermon today (Sunday) was ill and had to call in and say, "Can't do it today." My friend said, that the pastor had really used a line that packed a punch, so to speak from the analogy Paul uses in the passage.  So, I queued up the service on Facebook and listened. 

The pastor elaborated on the passage above as the Epistle lesson selected for today (Sunday), but about mid-way through, he asked this, "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be effective?" Prior to verses 24 - 27 in 1 Corinthians, Paul informs us of his efforts to be "all things," that is to a Jew, he spoke as a Jew, to the non-Jew, he spoke as a non-Jew, to the weak, he became weak. He does this for "the sake of the gospel." (v 23)

That takes the same mental toughness exhibited by our players in the big game, as Paul later analogizes. I maintain my focus, foresaking the desire to be right, on the gospel message of Christ Jesus.  

I might add that rather than seek to be right, seek to make a difference (be effective). I can only speak for myself when it comes to this, but I see it all across the social media universe (including my own clutter).  Pick the issue, and too often I choose to slap or slap back. So what does my "lust to vindicate myself" (Augustine quote) do to my ability to minister when the time comes?

Pastor noted the ways to combat this by taking in what Paul says: Train myself to exercise self-control; pray for the Spirit's guidance; and maintain the focus of the gospel message.

This is spiritual excellence and to develop it and maintain it requires the same training and discipline exhibited by those we watch today (Sunday). We pray for that excellence in our daily lives and that we train and focus ourselves for the sake of the gospel.

Devotion 2.4.21

 "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not life bring understanding?" Job  12:12

Tom Brady, 43 years old, brings with him plenty of experience.  He has experience in terms of years played, but he also has experience in terms of Super Bowl experience (10 including this year) and wins (6 so far). He was the one steady in Belichick's (head coach of New England) roster until this year, and his absence saw New England go 7 - 9.  He was new to Tampa Bay's roster this year with head coach Bruce Arians.  Early on, Tampa Bay and Brady struggled, and Arians response was to criticize Brady publicly at press conferences.  Brady never replied or defended himself, and clearly Brady worked through it, taking Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl and Arians to his first as head coach.

Arians should have counted the rings on Brady's fingers and compared them to the rings on his fingers before he spoke.  New offense and new formation with only one familiar face, Rob Gronkowski (former New England tight end), were to blame for the sluggish start.  People at first blamed Brady's age (like 260 years in dog's age), but he overcame that.  Now, there is really one big reason for the trip to the Super Bowl - Tom Brady.

Brady brings skill, poise and wisdom to the game. What could beat Patrick Mahome? Not the head coach.  Kansas City wins in that category.  Not Patrick Mahomes' lack of skill, poise and ability to execute. The only thing that could beat Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes is Tom Brady.  Brady has pulled off upsets before, including a comeback against Seattle that I turned off and went to bed on, only to wake up and read the sports' headline on ESPN the next morning saying, "Tom Brady, MVP." He can lead a slow drive and keep Mahomes off the field.  He can put just enough points on the board to win.  Defense may be able to slow Mahomes, but offense keeps the clock running and the other offense off the field.  To it all, Brady brings the biggest factor:  Wisdom.

In a culture that is focused on youth, we tend to forget the wisdom around us in terms of people who've been there, done that.  Maybe I should say it this way, in a culture that worships youth, we tend to ignore the wisdom that is around us. I used to correct the phrase in education, "We believe the children are our future" with this, "No, we are their future." But we hear it all the time in terms of lives centering on children with youth activities, even in the church.  In fact, in our zeal to make sure our children don't miss out, we even forsake church for youth activities.  Youth has been the biggest factor listed in the call in our own congregation with the current and previous pastor.

I love children.  Have two of my own. Said the same thing when they were teens - need a youth group that is vibrant and active.  Yet when scripture speaks to wisdom, as it often does, it never centers on the wisdom of youth.  Job speaks to that.  Scripture, however, goes further on wisdom and is not compromising on the definition:  "To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth. Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understand obtain guidance, and to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1 - 7

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  Fools despise wisdom and instruction.  We are here to guide the youth and provide knowledge and discretion.  Powerful words from Solomon, who himself asked for wisdom when God would have given him anything.  We pray for knowledge and discernment as we seek to learn and gain wisdom.  We ask that we pass that wisdom on to the next generation and the generation after that.  We pray that we appreciate the wisdom from those in our midst with experience who exhibit wisdom and understanding.

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.