Something happened with last week’s reflection. It went out blank. Jennifer resent it later in the week, but apparently it still did not get out. So, here are my reflections from last week, along with some thoughts for this week.
I was reading a devotional this week that used Carl Lewis as an illustration. Carl Lewis is the record holder when it comes to the most Individual Gold Medals in Track & Field in a single Olympics. He won four Gold Medals in one Olympics. In the devotional, it was pointed out that Carl Lewis was not a good starter. If you look at recordings of his races, it was very rare for him to be the first off the starting line. Carl Lewis was a stronger finisher. He knew how to finish strong.
Finishing strong must be a message God wants me to learn. It was the theme of the message at Gina’s parent’s church on Sunday (Father’s Day). The title of the message was, “Daddy, Please Finish Well.” It was taken from these words of Paul to Timothy: “I have fought to good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8; NRSV) Paul was approaching the end of his life. He writes to Timothy, “I’m committed to finishing well.”
A little over a week ago, Gina and I celebrated the homegoing of one who finished strong. Gina’s Uncle Bud Yoakum died on Friday and his funeral was Saturday. During the service it was shared that Uncle Bud had introduced a nurse to Jesus in his final days. As he approached the end of his life, he was still thinking of others and concerned about their salvation. He finished strong the race of faith and has received his crown.
Some of you know that Gina’s mother (Sue Yoakum) is in a battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer this spring. This weekend I heard her say; “I’m not afraid of dying, but I am afraid I will not see some of those I love after I die.” Think about that for a moment, “I am afraid I will not see some of those I love after I die.” She was referring to some of her children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They are not all like Uncle Bud, committed to finishing strong the race of faith.
I imagine that most of us have ones we love who are not ready to enter eternity with Jesus. That fact should concern us. It should be a part of our prayer life. And we should be looking for opportunities to share Jesus.
One way I’m doing that is praying for the children related to our church who have not made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Each day I pray for three to five children and their parents. For young children, parents are the key to their faith development. So, I’m praying that parents will model for their kids what it means to be a Christ Follower. And I’m praying that children will be open to the pull of Christ at their heart. I know that Jesus is seeking them.
Back to the pastor’s message: He pointed out that in Sevier County, Tennessee, only about 20% of the people are actively involved in the Body of Christ, a Church. I’m not sure that Jefferson County is much better. We don’t have to go overseas to find the mission field. We live every day in our mission field. The question is; are we committed to reaching those persons we know who are traveling through life without Jesus? Does it concern us that they may go into eternity without Jesus?
I think we need some of that fear that Gina’s mother expressed. Maybe it would motivate us to make sharing our faith a priority. I know her words have challenged me to pray more faithfully for undiscipled people and ask the Holy Spirit to give me eyes to see open doors through which I can share Jesus.
This Sunday we will celebrate our nation’s Declaration of Independence. I encourage you not to leave worship out of the July 4th activities. America was birthed by people who were committed to worshipping the Living God. It has been pointed out the majority of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were committed Christians, active in their local Church. I’m convinced that was what made America strong. And that is still the key to strong America.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Power of Character
A “Perfect Game” in baseball is very rare. There have been only 20 pitchers to pitch a perfect game in the 135 years of professional baseball. On June 2, Armando Galarraga, of the Detroit Tigers, actually was the 21st pitcher to accomplish that feat. But Galarraga was denied his perfect game because of a bad call by the umpire.
For those who do not know what a Perfect Game is, it is a pitcher who faces only 3 batters each inning, 27 for the game. That is 3 up and 3 outs each inning, with no base runners. It is very rare in baseball.
Armando Galarraga pitched such a game but it was taken away from him by a bad call. He had gotten the first 26 batters out. Only one more batter and he would have been memorialized in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. It happened, but the First Base Umpire made a bad call. He called that 27th batter safe at first, when replays showed he was out. After the game Umpire James Joyce acknowledged that he blew the call, but the perfect game had been lost.
Instead of a Perfect Game, Galarraga will be remembered for something else – his character. He looked in disbelief as the Umpire called the runner safe at first and smiled. Steve May, wrote of the moment, “But Galarraga just smiled – albeit a sardonic ‘you’ve go to be kidding me’ smile – and then he went back to the mound and got the last out. Even after the game, he refused to lash out at the umpire’s mistake.” Armando Galarraga demonstrated character that is kind of a rarity these days, especially in the world of sports.
Steve May, in his “Monday Morning Memo” reminded readers that blown calls are a fact of life. “They come at us in different ways: The boss who gives credit to the wrong guy, the teenager who blames everyone else for their own insolence, the church member who finds fault in everything the pastor does. The result is that sometimes you get short-changed. You deserve credit, but credit doesn’t come your way, thanks to someone else’s bad judgment.”
In those moments, how do you respond? Do you have the mind of Christ, that looked at his betrayers and forgave them? I don’t know anything about Galarraga’s faith, but he demonstrated a Christ-like character. What about you and me? When you are hurt by the bad judgment of others, do you lash out? Do you get mad? Or, do you smile and get back to work?
Galarraga did not get the Perfect Game he deserved. But he did show baseball fans how a true sportsman plays the game. What about you and me? Do we show those who are watching us how a Christ-Follower plays the game of life? Do those around us see a Christ-like character in the way we respond in those times we are hurt?
The Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians for such character. He wrote: “So, when you accepted the message, you followed our example and the example of the Lord. You suffered, but the Holy Spirit made you glad. You became an example for all the Lord's followers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7; CEV)
Remember to lift the Youth Mission Team in your prayers. They are in Tennessee, serving others in Jesus’ name. They will be returning on Saturday.
Sunday morning, our Family and Leisure Team, is having a Pancake Breakfast for dads. Bring your father to breakfast before Worship and Sunday School. Breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM.
Some have asked me if I have read Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless? I am reading it and planning a message series related to it for our August Camp Meeting. We will also be having Small Groups that will be studying the book. If you would be interested in hosting a small group or leading one, you can email me. Most of these groups will kick off the first week in August. Some may wait until the second week. Either way, they will run five weeks.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
For those who do not know what a Perfect Game is, it is a pitcher who faces only 3 batters each inning, 27 for the game. That is 3 up and 3 outs each inning, with no base runners. It is very rare in baseball.
Armando Galarraga pitched such a game but it was taken away from him by a bad call. He had gotten the first 26 batters out. Only one more batter and he would have been memorialized in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. It happened, but the First Base Umpire made a bad call. He called that 27th batter safe at first, when replays showed he was out. After the game Umpire James Joyce acknowledged that he blew the call, but the perfect game had been lost.
Instead of a Perfect Game, Galarraga will be remembered for something else – his character. He looked in disbelief as the Umpire called the runner safe at first and smiled. Steve May, wrote of the moment, “But Galarraga just smiled – albeit a sardonic ‘you’ve go to be kidding me’ smile – and then he went back to the mound and got the last out. Even after the game, he refused to lash out at the umpire’s mistake.” Armando Galarraga demonstrated character that is kind of a rarity these days, especially in the world of sports.
Steve May, in his “Monday Morning Memo” reminded readers that blown calls are a fact of life. “They come at us in different ways: The boss who gives credit to the wrong guy, the teenager who blames everyone else for their own insolence, the church member who finds fault in everything the pastor does. The result is that sometimes you get short-changed. You deserve credit, but credit doesn’t come your way, thanks to someone else’s bad judgment.”
In those moments, how do you respond? Do you have the mind of Christ, that looked at his betrayers and forgave them? I don’t know anything about Galarraga’s faith, but he demonstrated a Christ-like character. What about you and me? When you are hurt by the bad judgment of others, do you lash out? Do you get mad? Or, do you smile and get back to work?
Galarraga did not get the Perfect Game he deserved. But he did show baseball fans how a true sportsman plays the game. What about you and me? Do we show those who are watching us how a Christ-Follower plays the game of life? Do those around us see a Christ-like character in the way we respond in those times we are hurt?
The Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians for such character. He wrote: “So, when you accepted the message, you followed our example and the example of the Lord. You suffered, but the Holy Spirit made you glad. You became an example for all the Lord's followers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7; CEV)
Remember to lift the Youth Mission Team in your prayers. They are in Tennessee, serving others in Jesus’ name. They will be returning on Saturday.
Sunday morning, our Family and Leisure Team, is having a Pancake Breakfast for dads. Bring your father to breakfast before Worship and Sunday School. Breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM.
Some have asked me if I have read Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless? I am reading it and planning a message series related to it for our August Camp Meeting. We will also be having Small Groups that will be studying the book. If you would be interested in hosting a small group or leading one, you can email me. Most of these groups will kick off the first week in August. Some may wait until the second week. Either way, they will run five weeks.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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