Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Winning Isn't Everything...

Two teams will take the filed this Sunday in a quest to take home a trophy. This is not just any trophy; this is the Lombardi Trophy.
There is a great two part special on Vince Lombardi. It airs on the NFL Network. It tells the story of a young Italian football player who put aside fears. failures, and racism, to become one of the  most recognizable names in all of football.
Like all great people, he is amazingly complex. How does a man who felt called to the priesthood become a coach? How can a man who attended mass 365 days a year, also become a man who was feared by opponents and team mates alike? How could a man who was a leader of men struggle to love his wife and had a daughter who hid in the basement when he came home?
Lombardi's quest for greatness was attained. His Green Bay Packers won five NFL titles in nine years. He won the first two Super Bowls. His "coaching tree" had broad limbs and deep roots.
All of that came at a great price. Like a President of the United States, he aged before our eyes. A fit muscular frame was replaced by a fragile physique which was limited by pain and ulcers. It took it's toll at home. His wife became an alcoholic to cope with long periods of rejection and loneliness.
Vince Lombardi is famously quoted for saying: "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
Fast forward 46 years. Mark Driscoll is a famous pastor in Seattle. He interviewed some Seattle Seahawks and asked them this question: "Who is Jesus?" A coach named Rocky Seto said that Jesus is better and bigger than the Super Bowl. Those of us who are theologians might answer: "Well, of course He is!" But in a football crazed culture like ours, it is good to hear someone with a little perspective. They joked of cutting that from the video. His reply? "Hopefully we will win and I will still say: "Jesus is still bigger and better than the Super Bowl."
The best line of the video was from Driscoll however. He said: "We give Jesus our worst and we get back His best."
Vince Lombardi gave the NFL his best. He received a lot in return; but he also paid a heavy price.
When we come to Jesus we give Him our worst. We give Him our sin and failures and disappointments and we get love and grace and mercy in return. As a good friend of mine said: "You can't out give God"
I would never minimize the importance of winning or excellence. Playing or working without passion and a desire to win does not bring glory to God.
It is nice to know; however, that there are people on the field Sunday who understand that there is a bigger prize to be won.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Does stress create charachter or reveal it

I truly enjoy sports. In a media world where plots are painfully predictable and reality shows are anything but real; there is a venue where outcomes are not predetermined and story lines are rich.


Such was the case this Sunday. Peyton Manning was playing against Tom Brady. Brady has the upper hand in head to head matches. Manning owns the record book. A strange twist happened last week. Peyton found himself needing a win to salvage his legacy.


When one thinks of all that Peyton has done, why is his legacy vulnerable?


Two reasons. First; at this level, Super Bowl rings are all that matters. Second; we have a short memory. Peyton, we know you have one ring, but what have you done for us lately?


This evaluation comes at a time when media people did a survey. The man who is most trust worthy in the NFL? Peyton Manning. At least part of his legacy is secure.


Manning and Brady battled. Both played well, Manning was better. Manning was gracious in winning. Brady was gracious in defeat. This is exactly what we expect from our heroes. We want Herculean effort and the grace to accept the outcome.


The NFC game was a different matter. These teams do not like each other. These coaches really do not like each other. Their rivalry goes back to college coaching days. It was strength versus strength. Will versus will. Mano a mano.


With the game on the line, Collin Kapernick throws a potential game winning pass to the back corner of the end zone. Richard Sherman was guarding Michael Crabtree for the 49ers. In this moment of ultimate stress, character was revealed. Sherman tipped the ball away and it was intercepted. Game over. Sherman won his individual battle ad the team was headed to the Super Bowl.


Then the stress of the moment revealed a deeper flaw. Sherman taunted Crabtree. The taunts continued after the game. It was a classless performance. It tainted a great effort by himself and his teammates.


The story line is now set for the Super Bowl. Sherman is the villain. Manning the hero. The NFL could not buy this type of press.


So here is the question. Is Sherman a bad guy or was this just a bad moment? None of really want to be judged by our worst moment do we?


Well, now he has a chance at redemption. He will be tested by Manning. There will be two tests for Sherman. Can he defend passes from one of the greatest arms in history? Can he handle himself with grace; despite the circumstances?


America loves to tear down its heroes. America also cheers the repentant hero who is redeemed. Only time will tell. Is it too much to hope that it all comes to down to one play...Manning versus Sherman...the hero and the villain? That seems too simplistic doesn't it?


I will be pulling for Manning. I have to. My life loves him. I will also be pulling for Sherman. I would love for him the chance to show us that he is not willing to be defined by one bad moment.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A Day in the Life

Marilu Henner was one of my teen age crushes. I loved her on the television show Taxi. Obviously she was older than me, but her personality was and still is magnetic. You might not know this about Marilu, but that claims to have Hyperthymesia; which is the ability to remember almost every day of one's life in great detail.




Most people with this ability are able to remember some days with greater clarity than others; such as birthdays, Christmas, and holidays.




My question for you is this: "If I offered you this gift today, would you take it?"




I have a friend who is taking chemotherapy. Last week was filled with nausea and vomiting. Some days you would just as soon forget.




I have another friend who is getting married at the end of the month. That is a day he will always remember.




Today is my wedding anniversary. I can remember in vivid detail everything I did that day. I had lunch with my dad and soon to be brother-in-law. The wedding service is fresh in my memory. I remember the reception at Goode and Company and how luxurious the suite was on our wedding night.




Today is a day to remember and be grateful. It is also a day to reflect. Questions like this arise; "How can I keep the romance alive, so that every day is remarkable?" Does that seem a little sappy? I hope not.


I am a part of an unusual fraternity. I am a cancer survivor. From time to time people who are diagnosed with cancer call me and ask for help. It causes me to dredge up bad memories, but if it lightens their load it is worth it.




But, cancer is not all bad; at least not in my case. When you survive a bout with cancer there is a renewed and profound appreciation for life. Every day is a good day when the clock is ticking.




So what will you do with today? I will go a buy a card, take my wife to dinner, and tell her how much I love her. It is my wedding anniversary day.




What if you surprised your spouse...your child...your friend? What if
 you got them a card and took them to dinner. Tell them you love them. And when they ask you why you did all of this, simply say:
"just because."




Some days that is good enough.

Friday, January 10, 2014

When New Year's Resolution Run Amuck

Anyone make a New Year's Resolution?


Anyone already broken a New Year's Resolution?


Any idea which two resolutions people are most likely to make on January 1st?


Lose weight and drink less.


For weeks we gorge ourselves and so when the holidays are over, suddenly moderation is the number word in our lives.


Why do we fail to keep these resolutions? Here are a few reasons.


1. Most resolutions lack real thought and contemplation. They are reactionary rather than being proactive. When making a resolution take time to take an inventory. What are my true priorities? Ask question like this: "What kind of person am I?" or "What kind of person do I want to become?" or even, "What can I do to make this world a better place?" These question produce good resolutions.


2. Most resolutions are unreasonable or unattainable. For example; "I need to lose fifty pounds." The goal is so daunting and intimidating, that people are overwhelmed and fail quickly.


 I knew someone who wanted to be debt free in a year. Great goal! The problem? His debt was greater than his income. He needed to set intermediate goals that took him to the greater goal.


A better goal might be: "I want to lose twelve pounds by April 1st." That is one pound a week. That is doable. Do that four times in a calendar year and you will have lost your fifty pounds by 2015.


3. Most resolutions lack balance. Most are physically and employment related. I just read friend's face book post. She wants to read 16 books this year that will be made into movies. That goal is creative and growth oriented. It also guarantees that her husband will need to take her to the movies.


If you haven't made a resolution yet, think about making four goals. One goal should be physical, one is mental, one is spiritual, and one is fun. That kind of balance helps develop the whole person.


My resolutions?


Physical: Eat better. That begins by eating at home more. I am trying to eat more fresh fruit when the sweet tooth kicks in.


Spiritual: Daily devotions. Not just bible study, but reading for my own spiritual growth. I am reading a great book entitled: Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living...just for me.


Mental: I am learning new tasks. I have jumped head first into the social media world. I am doing podcasts, face book, blogs, and soon hope to do twitter. Learning to do to these well and intentionally is a new skill for me. I am having to learn and ask for help. It is nice to be stretched.


Fun: I need to work on that one. Without hard play, hard work is just a bore. I will let you know when I make that decision.



Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Getting Started

I have decided to start a new church at age 53. Actually, I feel God has led me to do this. This call has been affirmed by people as crazy as I am. We all believe that God is not through with us and there is a need for a church like ours in Northwest Houston.

Did you ever see the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button?" The movie is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The plot is strange and complex. Benjamin Button is born as a baby that looks like a decrepit old man with many maladies. As he ages he grows younger.

In some ways I feel like Benjamin Button. Starting a church at 53 seems counter intuitive. A pastor told me at a golf tournament recently, "starting a church is young man's work."

What happens when your career trajectory goes backwards?

The problem might be with how we define success in ministry. For the first 30 years of ministry, I was always on an upward trajectory numerically. Even when I left the pastorate, I ended up on a church staff that averages 7,000 in attendance.

Last week I preached to thirty people. I can't remember having a better time. We had prayer requests shared out loud. You could never do that at a large church. We had youth serve communion. We stayed and enjoyed breakfast snacks and were not in a hurry to get home.

Go figure.

What would people say if Nick Saban left Alabama and went to coach high school football? What would people think if Yo Yo Ma left his career behind and began to teach personal lessons to under privileged kids in Brooklyn, New York?

We might wonder what happened, or if a screw was loose.

I am not sure that what I am doing makes sense. I just know we had church last Sunday. I believe that there are people who want to go to a church like ours. I believe that people want to get past all of the glitz and glamor of 21st century church and remember what it is like to be at a place where people know your name.

We know we are not a church for everybody. But, maybe we are the kind of church you are looking for.    Ed Hogan