Topic(s): Evangelism, Priorities

The Preacher Search Committee received a letter:

“I understand your church is looking for a preacher. I should like to submit my application. I am generally considered to be a good preacher. I have been a leader in most of the places I have served. I have also found time to do some writing on the side. I am over fifty years of age, and while my health is not the best, I still manage to get enough work done to please my congregation.

As for a reference, I am somewhat handicapped. I have never served in any place more than three years, and the churches where I have preached generally have been pretty small, even though they were located in rather large cities. Some places I had to leave because my ministry caused riots and disturbances. When I stayed, I did not get along too well with other religious leaders in town, which may influence the kind of references these places will send you. I have also been threatened several times and been physically attacked. Three or four times I have gone to jail for expressing my thoughts. You will need to know there are some men who follow me around undermining my work. Still, I feel sure I can bring vitality to your church. If you can use me, I should be pleased to be considered.”

The committee was dismayed that anyone would think their church could use such a man. A trouble-making, absent-minded, ex-jailbird could not possibly be an effective preacher, let alone be accepted by the community.

“What was his name?” they asked. The chairman of the committee said, “I do not know. The letter is simply signed, “Paul” (adapted from eSermons.com newsletter).

“Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.” —Galatians 4:13

I Would Kill to Play Sports

Topic(s): Moral Issues, Sin

Most of you know I love sports. I played sports in high school and was fortunate to play baseball at Freed-Hardeman. I still love to play basketball and other sports even to this day (though my recovery time is lengthening!). I have a profound appreciation for those who are able to play sports at the major college and professional levels. One thing that frustrates (and sometimes angers) me is to see people waste their abilities. It disturbs me to see talented people throw away their opportunities because of bad decision-making. I’ve even been known to say, “He’s throwing away an opportunity that I would’ve killed for when I was young.” Of course I’m using hyperbole to describe my frustration.

We’ve seen what some people will do to play sports. Some take performance enhancing drugs or cheat in other ways; some try to handicap their competitors. In 1994, figure skater Tonya Harding became the most famous of these when she had her ex-husband try to break fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan’s legs. In 2006, the backup punter for Northern Colorado was sentenced to seven years in prison for stabbing the starting punter in the leg in an attempt to disable him. The stories get worse.

While watching an episode of ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” last week, I heard a story that absolutely floored me. The NCAA is reviewing its rules concerning the revocation of scholarships for female athletes who get pregnant. Why? Because on Mother’s Day 2007 ESPN reported that seven women on Clemson’s Track and Field team admitted to having abortions in order to keep their scholarships. One woman admitted having two abortions during her time at Clemson, and claimed one of Clemson’s administrators encouraged her to have an abortion. Here is her comment:

“How could this happen?” she told ESPN. “My career was going to end. I’m not going to go to the Olympics or get to finish my four years. I was just like, ‘This is a dead-end road. You’re not going anywhere else.’”

It should be noted that in the wake of these revelations, Clemson changed their revocation policy.

Romans 1:28–32 speaks of those who, because they did not retain God in their knowledge, were given over to a reprobate mind (one void of proper judgment) to do things that ought not be done. One of these manifestations is “without natural affection.” Now, if someone can explain to me how a mother can possess natural affection and yet kill her baby so she can play sports or go to the Olympics, I’ll be intrigued to hear your explanation.

Incidentally, January 22 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to make the womb the most dangerous place in America. As we enter this election year, Christians should support candidates whose positions on social issues reflect those found in the Scriptures.

Integrity?

Topic(s): Humor

It was the day of the big exam, and the professor handed out the test papers to his students. When time was up, he called for the students to hand the tests back in. As he was grading exams, the professor noticed one of the students had attached a $100 bill to his test with a note saying, “A dollar per point.” At the next class session, the professor handed the tests back out. That student got back his test paper plus $56 change.

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles . . .” —1 Peter 2:12