Some Indirect Theological Encouragement for Athletes

Paul writes: Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8). 

I interpret:

A Haiku Entitled "Tyler Langford Is..."

Tyler Langford is...
Bringing smiles to a city
Nearer you than I.

[A second haiku]

A comedian
Tells jokes because laughing is
Better than crying.

[A third]

Red, blue, green, yellow,
Donald Trump, angry fellow,
Needs a knock, knock joke.

[A fourth]

Dalton, Georgia, home
Mountains, football, Older days
Coach Queen, lessons learned.

I Wanna Be Like Wayne!

When I was in middle school and then high school, I wanted to be, depending on what day you asked, a professional athlete or the President or an astronaut. My ambitions ran high as my pride ran high. I was good at most things I did, and I was recognized for it most of the time. My ego was large enough to fill any room. (It probably still is, but now I try to stay in smaller rooms.) 

When I was in college, I realized that life wasn't all about resume. And even if I achieved all my dreams, but neglected people, I would ultimately be empty. And accomplishments fade. If your life is built around accomplishments, you must keep on accomplishing lest your life and identity crumble. An exhausting merry-go-round of necessity. At this time I discovered preachers like Francis Chan and John Piper and Matt Chandler, and I basically decided I wanted to be a communicator like them, so I neglected my actual studies, but not their books and podcasts. I don't quite recommend that. 

The Door Is the Ghost... Things Just Got Real

Credit to Doug Wilson for this idea. 

Let's look at just one verse. John 20:19 - "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'"

This verse comes along after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus is appearing to his disciples and lots of other people, too. The appearance here is remarkable because Jesus entered a room with locked doors. The text doesn't mention any open window. It doesn't say he climbed down the chimney. Or shimmied through some slat. Apparently, locked doors cannot keep Jesus out. (There is probably a bad preaching analogy there about irresistible grace if you are looking really hard for one.)

A (Relatively) Short Meditation on Resolving

I may be behind the ball by posting this on New Years Day. Probably most of your thinking about resolutions will already have happened. 

I don't intend for this blog post to tell you what resolutions to make. I don't mean for it to provide wisdom on how to keep them, or how to maintain your resolve. My intention is modest: to remind you that change is possible.