I’ve been reading the book Radical by David Platt over the past few weeks, and it has transformed the way I see the church, but more so, the way I see myself and how I few my walk with Jesus! I am ashamed to say that I have bought into the American dream, and lost sight of some truths from God’s Word.

One of those beliefs was really brought home to me this morning. I was convicted a few days ago about giving away some of the clothing that I have to a very poor family that are neighbors to us. You see, Jesus tells us over and over again that we are to give selflessly, and that we are to give out of the abundance He has given us. But what struck me in a very difficult way this morning was that we are to give sacrificially, meaning, giving when it hurts.

Some of you will judge me for what I am about to say, but before you do, look through your own closets, and at your own heart, and ask the Holy Spirit to search you, as it says in Psalm 139.

I started going through my closet and dresser to give things away, and at first it wasn’t that difficult. I mean, I have (had) over 50 T-shirts and probably at least that many dress shirts, and I’m sure I have over 10 sweatshirts. So, when I started pulling things out, of course I started with the stuff I don’t wear. No sweat, right? But God didn’t let me stop there.

He asked, “Brian, that was easy, but what about the clothes you like, the stuff you actually really enjoy wearing? Are you willing to give any of that away?” Hmmm, great question Holy Spirit! And my first answer was more argumentative than I would like to admit. But then I relented.

As I slowly started pulling things from hangers, as God would whisper, “That one, and yeah, that one too,” and with tears running down my face as I asked for forgiveness for my greed, I began to feel a peace and a freedom that I just cannot explain!

When it was all said and done, a fourth of my shirts and pants were gone. I’m not saying that it’s still not a painful thing, but when I finally surrendered my “stuff” to God, it got a lot easier.

So, what are you holding on to? Is it clothing, or is it some other material thing? Or maybe you are holding on to a relationship, or a business that you just can’t let go of.

I’m sure He has more to teach me on this topic, but I want to give until it hurts, because in giving, I am blessed by the One Who holds it all in His hands. And in giving, I am doing the will of my Father God!

Let Him search your heart, and whisper in your ear, “Yeah, it’s time to let go of that, and that and…!”

The temptation when writing on a subject such as sports is to take just the verses that apply directly and interpret them literally and expand from them. The main verses come from Paul when in First Corinthians 9:25 he says “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable reward.” And Second Timothy 2:5, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

Truthfully, I could probably write a pretty decent article or two just on these two verses. I could even expand to talking about war, since that is the closest thing we see in ancient culture to what modern sports today have become. And there’s no doubt, I will speak on these.

But there’s a larger issue. Taking verses out of their context only creates a legalistic, semi-biblical perspective. Instead, we need to understand the Gospel in a deeper way to truly understand what role sports should play in the life of a Christian. And with that, let’s not forget about the role it plays in the church, the unbeliever, and the world as a whole. These are all issues I find myself curious about. I hope you will travel with me through the Gospel to find out what God has purposed sports for in His world.

I feel that even in a Reformed context (where people generally are more lenient and not as legalistic) that the enjoyment of sports is looked down upon. If someone is a sports addict, others immediately think “how could you be addicted to that? That’s dumb! It’s just a bunch of immature men throwing or hitting a ball or crushing each other for no reason.” Perhaps that’s you.

Perhaps you came to this book hoping to confirm your previous bias that sports are bad, evil, and a creation of the Devil. Or maybe you came as a woman hoping to provide biblical truth to your husband/boyfriend/fiancé as to why he should stop focusing so much on sports.

I’m not going to deny that it’s possible to become addicted to sports. And I won’t say sports addiction isn’t wrong. But I’m also not going to bash the sports addict, in part because that’s me, but also because sports are not the problem. The heart is the problem. We ALL have hearts that long and desire for things other than our Savior Jesus Christ.

There’s so much to write on the subject of sports. But organizing it is very difficult. At least with a topic like sex, there’s a whole book in the Bible pretty much concentrated on the subject. The Song of Solomon is a kind of checks and balances for anyone writing about sex. An expositor can look over the Song of Solomon and ask himself, “is this what the Bible really says about sex?” There is no such book that acts as a checks and balances for the topic of sports.

Where must we start when we talk about such an issue as sports? Well, just like any other issue we must start in the Word of God. But we aren’t going to start with the verses that mention directly athletes. Doing so would put us in a position where we go to the text for what we want it to say. Instead we must start with a basic understanding of the Gospel.

In Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, John Piper outlines the basic reason why sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed by his people. He uses a number of verses, primarily coming from Paul’s epistles, which speak of “all things”. Note he doesn’t start with verses that talk directly about sex. He starts talking about sex as being among “all things”. I wrote a paper on the subject of sexual pleasure in a class I had my final semester at San Diego State University. I used Piper’s argument to argue for sexual pleasure being okay in a Christian context. My primary argument was that sex is among “all things” and that all things are to be done for the glory of God.

Perhaps my favorite line in that entire paper is the following: “The church is not a group of old curmudgeons hoping to eliminate all pleasure and joy.” When we try to eliminate pleasure in sex, or pleasure from watching and/or participating in sports, we are acting as a bunch of old curmudgeons trying to eliminate all pleasure and joy. And when we do that, we are playing God. It is not our job to eliminate any person’s joy, whether they love Jesus or not. It is our job to point them to the true joy that exists when we see the cross of Christ as our lone hope.

My greater point is that just like in sex, where “all things” means we are to enjoy sex as a glorious gift from God, sports too is among all things. Sports is a gift from God. I think that’s clear since he gives young men and women tremendous athletic abilities. Just think about Kevin Durant and LeBron James, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, Stephen Strasburg and Albert Pujols, just to name a few. While all of those guys are ultimately great because they work very hard, they are all supremely talented. You might make the case that those guys are the most talented men to ever play their respective games or positions.

And in women’s sports today, you are seeing many women who are super talented, maybe even more talented than some men in previous generations. I don’t believe any of this is an accident. Nothing that happens on this earth is an accident. It is true that everything happens for a reason (which you of course hear a lot from famous athletes when they get hurt or traded, etc.). I mention that because God is sovereign. He is totally 100% in control of all things. He gave these men and women these amazing talents for a reason. I believe it was not to simply bring themselves joy or to make them famous, or worst of all, make them think they are something special. It was undeniably meant to show off His glory. It was meant to say, look at the talent developer that I AM!

Hi everybody,

I’m new to this site. In fact, this is my first true blog. I’ve written for some websites before, but it was more informational. I wrote for a site called Bleacher Report for awhile, but that as the name probably implies, was about sports. This is my first time writing about Christ on a public forum such as this one (not that I’ve never included Christ in my writing, just not as the main emphasis).

Anyhow, the point of my blog I hope is to really speak gospel truth. I am starting a book tentatively called, “What Does The Gospel Say About Sports?” I am extremely excited about that right now. This week I have written five pages for it. At the same time, I’m teaching some Chinese foreign exchange students how to speak English.

Right now despite some difficult circumstances I am resting in the blood of Christ, and finding my joy in Him each and everyday. My hope is you will too. To follow are the opening paragraphs of this book that I plan to publish someday. I am more than happy to post sections online for free since I am not writing for the money but to see lives turn to Jesus. I hope my writing can bless you and others. Here is the opening excerpt from my book:

Growing up all I wanted to do was play sports. I was 100% convinced my career would entail something in sports. For awhile I thought it would be as a sports journalist or broadcaster. For a brief time, I then fooled myself into thinking I was good enough to become a major league pitcher.

When I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I took most of the necessary steps to become a professional football coach. I went to coaching seminars, networked, and even coached at the high school level for the necessary experience, as I finished college. I even took a one thousand dollar class to improve my overall knowledge of football as well to learn to scout and understand the business of football.

Let’s just say I put all my cards in pursuing a career coaching football. Even today, I have moments where I want to coach or scout. Heck, at this moment I still scout college players for fun. But I honestly believe that now I scout for fun instead of it being because I’m holding onto it as a career option. Then again, I even have moments where I desire to give pitching one last try.

But why? Why do I still desire to sacrifice all that I am just to throw a ball in front of thousands of people? Why do, or why did I ever, desire to work 100+ hours per week preparing a bunch of young adults to play a game? And is that desire bad?

The primary purpose of this book is to answer these kinds of questions and more. Is there room for athletics in the life of a Christian? What about the fans? Are we as Christians selling out or forgetting the Gospel when we pledge allegiance to a favorite sports team? Is the primary purpose of sports to serve as an analogy to the rest of life? In short, how are we to view sports as a people radically changed by the Gospel?

“… you shall love your neighbor as yourself…” James 2:8

Awhile ago one of my friends and I were talking.  I was having a problem with someone who I thought was once my friend.  This young lady was doing everything, so it seemed, to make my life horrible whenever I was around.  I was getting so frustrated with this girl.  But my friend, who I don’t know what I would do without, sent me this link to a youtube video.  It was about loving your enemy’s, and I watched it and watched it… my eyes swelled in tears, because I knew I wasn’t loving her the way God wanted me to love her.  What amazes me is that when I started to respond to her in a more loving fashion she slowly let go of whatever it was that she was holding against me.  So, although it may be hard, we need to love those who do not know love.  Because if you show them love then sooner or later they will see what love is and turn to love.  =) I LOVE YOU, although I do not know you!!!

(this is the video that I was sent)

There are so many children, teens singing these songs that are on the radio, that not even we adults know the meaning to. Do you know why we do not really understand some of these songs i the first place? Because there are subliminal messages in some of these songs and videos that are meant for us to think that it is something else so that we can fall into the same thing they are doling, so that we can come together with them, join them basically believe what they believe. I was listening to a song on the radio and this rapper said “Jesus cant save you” and he was one of the people that are representing the devil, someone that says that Jesus cant save them is a prime example.. he is the last person that I would want anyone to listen to. These different songs is really drawing people in and making them believe that this is what they should be like. I do not talk about it mush because it’s like I’m  judging them in a sense and people do not believe you because that person is so successful. In different videos these people are symbolizing the devil they are wearing blaspheme symbols on clothes etc.. and in luke 12:10 it said that anyone who blaspheme the holy ghost will not be forgiven. im not sure if  im spelling it correctly but im sure most of you know what im talking about. Well the point of this is to hopefully open a few people eyes if I can becuase God is way too wonderful and when u meet God u wont have to want for anything and he will protect you as long as you trust in him.

There are many sources explaining subliminal messages in songs and movies. If you would like them just ask me!!

I just really love this song!  Kari Jobe has an amazing voice!  This particular song is Track #11 from her self entitled CD, “Kari Jobe.”  It’s been out for over a year now, but it’s still a great CD.

Peace means a time when there is no fighting, no rudeness, no cruelity but only calmness.

Hearts racing.
Breaths quickening.
War raging.
Peace disappearing.

Peace? We know no peace.
Peace is a myth.
Peace is not in this world.

Peace is not……Peace is non existant.

Not even God can save us now.

Lie.
Lie.
Lie.
Lie.

Peace is HERE!
Peace is NOW!

God is Peace.
God is Love.
God is Harmony.

You want a peaceful world?
Stop waiting.
Pray!
Do!

A wise friend said to me, “YOU hold YOU back. It’s not always about waiting. Take initiative. MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN!”

“So take these words and sing OUT LOUD, Cause EVERYONE is forgiven now! Cause TONIGHT’s the night the WORLD BEGINS AGAIN!”
Better Days by The Goo Goo Dolls

Do you see what I am saying?
It’s plain. It’s clear.

Be the change you wish to see in the world!
Make the change.
Own it.
Live it.
Don’t be a thermometer.
Waiting to follow the OUTSIDE changes.
Be the temperature.
MAKE the change.

God can take you that far.
Just stop, drop to your knees, and pray.

God can give you peace.
Inner peace.
Outer peace.
Eternal peace.

Peace isn’t just a cool sign to throw up.

People are out there BEGGING for it.
People are out there LIVING for it.
Living for God.
He who BRINGS it.

You want it?
Only YOU can go after it.

God wants so badly for us to be the change WE wish to see in the world.

Start living to your full potential.
Start changing the world.

Start changing the World.
Start showing the Love of Christ.
Start living in Peace.

Hearts beating
Breaths relaxing
War diminishing
Peace reappearing.

Peace? We KNOW peace.
Peace is NOT a myth.
Peace IS in this world.

Peace is ……Peace is existant.

Truth.
Truth.
Truth.
Truth.

God CAN save us now.

Let’s change the world.

That’s all.

“So take these words and sing out loud
’cause everyone is forgiven now
’cause tonight’s the night the world begins again”
Better Days by The Goo Goo Dolls

~ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well ~

Increasingly, I have the sense of His abiding presence with me throughout the day.  His eye is ever upon me in joy and love; satisfied with this woman He created, satisfied with the beauty within her.

My being, the essence of what I would call “me”, is pleasing to Him and the joy this brings to my heart echoes sweetly back to Him as the bird’s chirps of love these spring days.

Living, free, allowed to be me!  This is what has been denied me, all of these years, from my receiving of my abuser’s and betrayer’s messages.  Oh, they did not mean to treat me, ill.  They did it from the wounded ness that lay within their own hearts that were broken and then… became hardened.

But now I hear a different song, my ear is becoming attuned to His song of love over me.  I sense Abba and He are communing about me in love as they watch me go about my day.  I go out on the front porch to feed my strays.  ~Good morning, ladies~, I say to their kitty hearts.  And my Father beams that this child loves the little animals that no one else wanted…I bring Him joy.  I bring Him joy!

We bring Him joy, most treasured reader.  I know not who you are, but I do know this.  That you need not listen to the whispers of the enemy any longer.  Listen to the truth of Abba’s whisper.  You bring Him joy…oh so much joy!

This is what we were created for!

~ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well ~!

This is What We Were Created For!

“She’s pulling at me,
Saying ‘Dad, I need you, There’s a ball at the castle and I’ve been invited and I need to practice my dancing. Oh, please, Daddy, please?’
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms.”
Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
—

I was that princess once. I was 3, and my dad had taught me how to ride a tricycle.
I don’t remember another time of being my dad’s little princess.

My dad left when I was 5.
I was okay with it at the time, as he was never home to begin with.

Now that I’m older, there is that hole left by my dad that I have so much trouble trying to fill.

“I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it’s killing me
Does someone hear my cry?
I’m dying for new life”
Beautiful by Bethany Dillon

Desperate. That’s what it was. That’s what I became.
Desperate for the attention I didn’t have, didn’t know I had.

Any guy that looked my way. Any “hey” or conversation and I was “head over heels” for him. This attracted me to the wrong type of guys. The dangerous type. Soon, I was in a relationship, that was a mistake from the start. I fell “in love” in 2 weeks. 7 months later, I was being accused of cheating because I wanted to hang out with my friends. 2 months and 2 black eyes later, I finally was out of the abusive distress I was in for so long.
Why didn’t I end it sooner? Fear. I was so scared of him, it ate me from the inside out.

I hadn’t been to church in about 5 months because of him, and I finally started going back, and got back involved in 531, and my life group. I was being healed by my accountability partners, and prayer partners. God was really moving in my life. I was finally to this place of, “I don’t need a guy to complete me.”

Around May of 2008, I got into another relationship. A deeper, more serious relationship. He was 2 years older and in college. So, there was a huge time gap between us, and a lot of maturity problems. Parts of that relationship I absolutely will never want to forget, and I still thank him for. But the relationship wasn’t perfect. We fought a lot. We made many mistakes in the relationship. We both said many things we didn’t mean, and we were no where spiritually where we should have been. The ending was a disaster. I was happy and upset that it ended, in that, I really do believe, I loved him. Or what I believed to be love at the time.

More guys I tried to depend on, tried to have accept me, tried to make like me.

Then…something finally…clicked! Seriously almost like a switch in my head went to the ON position.

I didn’t need a guy to make me happy!
I didn’t need a relationship, or someone to text constantly to fill me up!

I needed God. The love of my FATHER! The love of my KING!
God made me the princess I had so longed to be my entire life!
God made me beautiful. God filled that void that I used almost ANYTHING to fill.
God brought me out of a desperate for guys attention phase into a desperate for HIM place!

Every now and then, Satan tries to control my mind and tell me that I do need someone, that I can’t be alone, that I’m not beautiful, that I’m not worth anything.
But, I remember the role God plays in my life, and remember that God is more than enough, and God is ALL I EVER NEED and all those thoughts vanish just as fast as they were brought about.

So, I am that princess after all. I am daddy’s little girl.

“You make me beautiful. You make me stand in awe, You look inside my heart and I am amazed. I love to hear you say, who I am is quite enough, You make me worthy of love and beautiful.”
Beautiful by Bethany Dillon

God is all you need.

Sex, Alcohol, Lust, Drugs, Porn, Gossip, Jealousy, Money, etc. WILL NOT FILL YOU UP!
God is everything and more!

God IS everything and more.

And He will ALWAYS love you. No matter what.
He will Always, always, always love you.

No. Matter. What.

There have been seasons in my life when I would have run away from my God if I could.  I have experienced much hurt; abuse, betrayal…the list is long.  But I fear if I  share in my list, all of my hurts,  I might not include (((your))) hurts, confusion, anger, and you might feel excluded and that this God is not for you.  I so long for you to come to believe that this God wants for you to experience a loving, vibrant, passionate relationship with Himself;  that you might someday believe that it can be…Jesus and you…passionately in love….His and your own personal, beautiful love  story

During those seasons when I try to flee from Him, I see in the dance of Charlie and Meryl something so beautiful.  For as the lovely Meryl  is fleeing from Charlie He is running after her and  He catches her from behind and holds her…oh, so lovingly, gently and tenderly.

And that is what my Jesus does with me.  When I run from Him, He runs after me and catches me from behind lovingly, gently and tenderly.  And I have found that…when everything falls apart, He is yet…holding me.

And This Song is Proven Once More in My Own Journey With Him