Wow...

Politics and Football

There is a lot of information coming to light about the interaction of REAL football and international relations. By real football, I mean soccer, as us Americans call it. Only in America can we turn the ole' pigskin game that is played with the hands into "football," which doesn't actually use the feet at all. (Yes, I know they kick field goals and punt, but the kicker is also the least respected guy on the team. They slap his helmet, but secretly think he is a wuss for not suiting up on the line...)

But here I am talking about real football. The one actually played with feet, involving dribbling, crossing over, crossing the ball, fake shots and step overs... Players who can literally dance with the ball over 100 yrds down the field. Not 300 lb linemen bashing each other's skulls in, or running backs cutting the knees out from under a charging linebacker. Not even basketball, which does involve more skill than American "football." No, I am talking about the jurga bonito, the beautiful game, played by BILLIONS around the world. The game that causes billions of people to stop whatever they are doing and watch their favorite, famous (or infamous) players take the field and battle for 90 full minutes at a full sprint. That, folks, is the beautiful game!

But I digress... Football and politics...

There are a number of great books coming out discussing our topic: Soccernomics, How Soccer Changed the World, etc. They argue that soccer has a greater impact on the world than we Americans would believe.

For instance:
How many of you know about the difficulties being encountered by FIFA over the Ireland/France World Cup Qualifying game a week ago? Thiery Henry, (Tea-airy On-Ree, for those you you who might need a more phoenetic spelling), played the ball with his hands on the goal line, played the ball back across the face of the goal, allowing another French player to score and keep the Irish squad from qualifying for the World Cup. Henry has apologized and admitted to handling the ball, but the referee's discretion wins the day. (Now even the refs have admitted it was handling, but you cannot overturn a game decision. It is a part of the Laws of the Game...)



OR...

How many of you know about the basketball refereee who was accused of fixing NBA games? Well, FIFA is currently arresting DOZENS of referees around the world for the exact same offense. (Much of this has taken place in Europe, although it is a problem around the world...) FIFA is distressed by the scandal and level of cheating taking place, and wants to make a change.

OR...

How many of you know that the Arab/Israeli conflict extends to football? Even in places that aren't Israel or Arab states. For instance... Amr Zaki is a top striker who plays for Wigan. He has been courted by the larger club Portsmouth for a few years. Portsmouth is owned by another Arab, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who would love to have Zaki on his team. Zaki, an Egyptian national, refuses to consider signing, stating that he refuses to play on a team that has any Israelis in their employ. These two Israelis, defender Tal Ben Haim and Avram Grant, the director of football operations. Zaki refuses to consider having ANYTHING to do with a Jew. "I refused their offen before, but now joining Portsmouth is no longer an option for me... After Portsmouth signed an Israeli player and hired an Israeli football director a possible move was ruled out." Racism at its finest, ladies and gentlemen. And Egypt was the first Arab nation to diplomatically recognize Israel!

Zaki has also refused to sign because there is also an Algerian player on the squad, and Egypt and Algeria recently came to blows on the soccer pitch. (Algeria recently defeated Egypt, the "African soccer champion," in a tie-breaker played in Sudan last Wednesday. Riots have taken place in Cairo which involve the burning of the Algerian flag and the beating of Algerian citizens. Granted, lots of problems have taken place recently between the two countries. Rioters attacked Algerians with rocks in Cairo, injuring four. Algerians burned Egyptian businesses to the ground in Algeria in retaliation...) Currently, the Egyptian government is discussing cutting ALL diplomatic ties with Algeria.

This makes Oakland Raiders fans look pretty tame in comparison!

The Flag and the Cross

Last night I was watching ABC News with Charlie Gibson. They were interviewing a soldier in who had known Major Hassan in the Army and worked with him in the past.

In his interview, the soldier said something that rubbed me the wrong way. "I always had a problem with him. He always said he was a Muslim first and an American second. But I didn't think that was right. If you took an oath to defend your country and the Constitution, that should come first. Anything else is simply wrong."

In our nation, where radical faith of any kind is looked down on or questioned, it seems like his statements make sense. He wants to attack radical Islam and make sure that it cannot rear its ugly head again.

But here is my problem. I have always considered myself a Christian first and an American second. My allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, and always will be so. I have no problem with patriotism and loving one's country, and even dying for one's country in order to defend rights and freedoms. But as a Christian, regardless of how much I love my country, I simply cannot drink all of its Kool-Aid.

As a Christian I cannot just ignore some of the legal things that I think are unethical. I must always view my political leanings as an outlet of my faith. Now, this says nothing about being a Democrat or a Republican. Both are fine places to sit, and neither is a Christian position. Rather, I approach every issue in life in light of my faith. My belief in God MUST color my thoughts about abortion, capital punishment, unjust war, taxes, health care, etc. As Paul tells me "'Everything is permissible,' but not everything is beneficial..."

I am a Christian first and an American second. It simply isn't going to change, regardless of what the government or the military tells me. My allegiance to the flag does not trump my allegiance to the cross; when one stands in stark contrast to the other, I must take notice.

Does this make sense? What are your thoughts?

The Gospel of Beautiful Music

I often imagine that my Christian walk is a symphony. As a Christian I am simply asked to play my instrument (use my gift) for the greater glory. As a musician in an orchestra I may have a huge role. I could get a solo, my name in print, a chance to be on the billboard or stand and take a bow. Or, I could be a third french horn or the triangle player. Their part isn't nearly as big, yet without them the symphony wouldn't be the same. Each of us has a part to play to make the greater whole bigger and better than it would be without us. So use your gifts.

One of the amazing things about music is that it is universal. Now, the sounds may differ, the notes may be different, but every culture has some musical form. The technique and theory are the same, but the manifestation might be very different from Brazil to inner city Memphis to Appalachia to France. Music flows out of the soul and expresses our deepest needs and desires; it gives life to ideas that we don't have words for. It cries out our deepest longings that we might not even realize that we have.

I think this is a new way of looking at the Gospel, the Gospel of Beautiful Music. The gospel is the same across the world, yet it's manifestations might be different. Christianity in Brazil doesn't exactly look like Christianity in inner city Memphis, or in suburban Fairfax Virginia, or in France, Ghana, China, Afghanistan, etc. Yet the Truth is still the same. As Christians, each of us has a part to play in the continuation of the music. Each of us has been given gifts to use for the Kingdom, and we are called to do that faithfully. We can choose not to, and the music will continue on, yet something will be missing. So, brothers and sisters, let's use our gifts to God's glory, to allow the beautiful music to continue.

I saw this video a few months ago, but never got the chance to post it. I think it echoes the idea that music is universal. I hope you enjoy!

New Articles

It's been a while since my last blog post, and I apologize. I wanted to share my articles for this upcoming week's bulletin with you. I hope you enjoy them.
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Good morning, saint! Did you know that’s what you are? You are a saint. When we hear the word saint, we often think about the Catholic versions, drawn on an icon or worn around the neck. We think about pious individuals, men and women, known for their faith, devotion, and help. This men and women displayed amazing faith, and they were rewarded and remembered by being beatified.

Yet that is not how the word is used in the New Testament at all! Rather, anyone who has put on Christ is called a saint. The term ‘αγιος (hagios) is the word that Paul uses when he writes to the various churches scattered throughout the Roman Empire.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus,the faithful in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:1)

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God… to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 1:1)

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…” (Philippians 1:1)

A saint isn’t some perfect, pious, holy individual acknowledged for their miracles and good works; a saint is anyone who has put on Christ in baptism and is being made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Today is All Saints Day, a day to remember the saints. So look around you, and see all of the saints. Pray for them, encourage them, remember them throughout this week. We are the Hagioi, the saints of God, and we are being transformed and sanctified every day. God bless you, saint of God!

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What matters most to you on this earth? What is your most prized possession? I know, I know, many of you are thinking that you aren’t that attached to your stuff, that they are just earthly possessions that fade away. But let’s be honest; each of us feels attached to something. Maybe it is your car; you spend a lot of time shining it and taking care of it, and you would be devastated if it was damaged. Maybe it is your family; you put a lot of time into your relationships and caring for one another. Maybe it is your home; you spend every Saturday getting it just right, mopping the floors, cutting the grass, straightening the house. Maybe it is your time; you value your little bit of free time each week, away from the stresses of work and the demands of your daily schedule… Each of us has something that we are attached to, that it would be hard for us to give up.

What is the Kingdom of God worth to you? Is it worth giving up your most prized possessions? Is it worth giving up some relationships? Is it worth giving up your life?

As Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God, he describes it as the most valuable possession available to humanity. He calls it a “hidden treasure” and a “pearl of great price.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

It is more precious than the treasures of the world, and it is more wonderful than silver or gold. It costs us everything, and yet leaves us fulfilled and satisfied. It might even cost us our relationships with our family and our friends. When Jesus tells his disciples about counting the cost for following him, he tells them, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” In a similar circumstance, Luke tells them that if they do not consider Christ before their own families, they cannot be his disciples.

What is the Kingdom of God worth to you? Is it worth your time, your fortune, your relationships, your possessions? What are you willing to give up for the Kingdom of God? It costs you everything, yet promises everything in return.

Crosses and Public Land

On the outskirts of the Mojave National Preserve sits a 5ft tall cross, originally erected in 1943 to honor fallen WWII soldiers on private land. The land was acquired from the landowner earlier this decade, and now sits at the forefront of a national debate.

A recent USA Today article argued that any form of religious expression on public government property should be expressly forbidden. He argued that Thomas Jefferson meant for the total separation of church and state, and this cross is defiant of that divide. The real issue in the Supreme Court case, argued earlier this week, is that a Forest Services worker was denied the opportunity to erect a Buddhist shrine next to the cross. He argued that it was religious discrimination, and thus must be removed.

As I read the responses to the article in this morning's paper, I was struck by many of the comments. There were a number of arguments that "Religion is a mythological premise that has absolutely no basis in reality." Another commentator argued that religion and state should be separate, arguing that there was a law in Colonial America that allowed the death penalty after three Sunday absences from church. Thus, church and state should be separate. (No matter how hard I look, I cannot find that law on the books. People were jailed for missing church, but I cannot find anyone who was actually killed. If you know of an instance, please let me know.)

I think the argument is intriguing. No one argues that Arlington National Cemetery is a religious institution. Thousands of soldiers are buried under white crosses at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, and yet no one is up in arms about "religious persecution." Scripture from Isaiah is written on the side of the United Nations building, yet Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and secular nations still send their delegates there as representatives.

This case is not about religious persecution, discrimination, or proselytizing. It is about the desecration of a war memorial that honors the fallen soldiers of WWII. What if I decided that the Korean War or Vietnam War memorials were offensive because of their offensive references to Asians of Korean or Vietnamese decent? What if I deemed the Iwo Jima Memorial that overlooks the Potomac as sexist, because of only the presence of men on the bronze statue (ignoring the OBVIOUS phallic symbol that is present!)

We get totally bent out of shape over the simplest things. Should he have been permitted to erect a Buddhist shrine on public land? Well, possibly. Does the cross function as a religious worship focal point? If so, then yes. If not, then get over it.

Backwards World

I have come to a conclusion: We live in a backwards world.

I recently was sitting in a local bookstore when I overheard this phrase from the mouth of a teenager walking past me with her boyfriend: "I would rather go to hell! It sounds like more fun..."

Wow! What a depressing statement! This just proves to us that the hellfire and damnation idea won't fly any more; people would rather go to hell than heaven! We live in a world that often values the opposite of what we value. I believe our world is backwards now. Up has become down and down has become up, and we live a a world of confusion invented by the Cheshire Cat.

Think of it this way: What was once right has now become wrong, while what was once wrong has now been accepted as right.

• Sex before marriage used tobe shameful; now "kids will be kids." As Bristol Palin reminded us, "You can't expect teens to not have sex! They are gonna do it..."
• Christianity and Christians were seen in respect. Even if people didn't agree with us they at least respected our moral code. Now we are seen as hateful, intolerant, and evil.
• Liberals can push for their agenda, but when conservatives do the same thing it is seen as hate-mongering.
• When I was young we had a moment of silence each day in school. You could pray, think, zone out, whatever, but it was there. Now it is "unconstitutional," and a violation of First Amendment rights.
• According to our society, there is no such thing as absolute truth. (Well, don't ask a scientist or accountant...) Truth is relative. For the first time in Western history and thought, nothing can be determined or believed to be true. It is all subjective

Can you see now why we are backwards? What was once regarded as truth is now regarded as evil. What was once right is now wrong, and what was once respected is now held in disdain.

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole.