Tiger Woods

I love working at a church that gives second chances and I love serving a God that gives unlimited chances.  With that said I have been asked by several people about my thoughts about the whole Tiger Woods scandal and here are my thoughts.

For me I never elevated Tiger Woods to the status of hero in my life.  I looked up to him as a golfer but never as an individual, why would I?  I never met him and he has never invested into my life personally.  I enjoy his Tiger Woods game and I still do.

“Like many of you I’ve been unable to escape the constant media attention given to the Tiger Woods scandal. Does it seem ironic to anyone else that the media is giving Tiger such a hard time for living out the lifestyle they portray on almost every single television show they air?” Pete Wilson

Could not have said that better.  This lifestyle is around us all the time and I have been reminded how vulnerable anybody can become including myself.  The one thing that has really bothered me in this entire scandal is how quickly “Christians” have thrown stones, or in the blogging world, have used their keyboards to throw out quick comments, insensitive remarks all for the sake of stats and ratings.  I have found myself guilty of this as well as I passed on a game that was sent to me to some of our team.  Instead of using this to slam others or add to the scandal, here are few ideas to turn this into a positive experience or a learning experience for you and your family

• Choose to use your words wisely.  Or choose to type your words wisely.  As quickly as this has become public and destroyed his reputation, these easily could happen to you or me.  Be careful what and how we talk about others.  If you are not part of the problem or the solution then what you have to say is GOSSIP.
• Don’t add to the pain. So many times we pile on and make the person feel worse instead of standing by them and encouraging them.  I’m reminded how Jesus was with the woman caught in adultery.  He said, you who are without sin throw the first stone, and they all walked away. He could have called her a whore and added to her pain but He took the higher ground and helped her to find redemption.
• Don’t say what you were going to say if you wouldn’t want their family or your family hear you say it.  Remember your comments don’t just hurt them but have the potential to hurt their family members including your own.
• Put yourself in their shoes.
• Be careful who you put on a pedestal. In so many cases they never asked to be there and don’t deserve to be there.  You must be choosy who you look up to.  Anybody is capable of falling.  Anybody can let you down.  Keep your eyes on Christ the only one worthy of being elevated to hero status.

What are your thoughts?

If You Can

I was reading today in Mark chapter 9 about the crowd that had gathered around the demon possessed boy and how the disciples could not cast out the demon that was in him and then onto the scene walks Jesus and everything changes.

After being asked to cast out the demon Jesus says to them, “You faithless people!  How long must I be with you?  How long must I put up with you?  Bring the boy to me.”

The boy comes over and just the fact that he was in the presence of Jesus the boy begins to foam at the mouth, shakes and falls to the ground.  The dad tells Jesus that this demon keeps throwing his son in the fire and water trying to kill him.  The father looks at Jesus and says “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

I read that and thought that is me.  When I go through a trial I condescendingly look at Jesus and say, help me if you can.  Ever do that? What kind of faith is that?  Jesus looks at the dad and says “What do you mean, if I can?” [I'm freaking Jesus, okay so I added that last part for dramatic emphasis, not that it was needed.]  “If I can?” I’m Jesus the creator of the universe who cares about you as an individual, of course I can.

The father says something interesting again, like he hasn’t already showed his cards of disbelief, he admits to Jesus right there on the spot, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” THAT’S US!  Everyday we need to say to God, I do believe but help me overcome my unbelief.

• My unbelief that you love me.
• My unbelief that you forgive me.
• My unbelief that you want all of me.
• My unbelief that my mess can become your mission.
• My unbelief that I am worthy of your grace.
• My unbelief that my junk is important to you.
• My unbelief that you can do the impossible.
• My unbelief that you are who you say you are.

How much longer will we sit with unbelief in our hearts and yet publicly state God can do anything?  Our faith is a gift from God, Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that.  Faith is a constant process of daily turning to Jesus and handing Him our unbelief.  He-wants-our-everything, even our unbelief.  What are you handing him today?