WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday School   9:00 AM
Social Time 10:00 AM
Worship 10:30

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

   - 1^st Corinthians 9:22-27 (New International Version)

I love football. Whatever form it may take, wherever it's being played, I love it. It is one of those guilty pleasures that I still hold on to, even with all the changes in my life over the last few years.  It doesn't matter what kind of football either, whether it is American, Canadian, Australian, soccer, or rugby. I love to watch it all. Whether it's seeing Bart Starr going into the end zone behind Jerry Kramer on 3^rd and goal with 26 seconds left on the clock, or Landon Donovan's header past Mexican legend Oscar Perez in the 65^th minute of the game, or the upending of the All Blacks by a small, undersized French team who outscored New Zealand 23-7 in the closing 20 minutes of the match. Football manages to capture my imagination and allows me to blow off some much needed steam, occasionally. I wonder what we ever did for fun before the invention of the inflatable ball.

Last month the FIFA World Cup of Soccer started in South Africa where the best of the best will play to see which country will take home the right to be called world champions for the next four years. While the U.S. is competing, I find it much more entertaining to watch a wide variety of nations play against each other. It's fascinating to see the different ethnicities and cultures come together on the field and battle it out for 90 minutes. It's like traveling the world from the comfort of your La-Z-Boy and it's so cool. (Although I wish I could find a vuvuzela to blow during the matches. I imagine that Sarah would probably put the kibosh on playing it in the house. Oh well, a guy can dream can't he?) However, there is a point to the 64 matches. In the end, only one team can win the prize. Only one can claim the Cup.

Paul talks about "the prize" in his first letter to the church at Corinth. He focuses in on what it takes to be a hero in life and what it takes to win the ultimate prize of eternal life. We need to train through spiritual disciplines to run the race like a champion. We need to pray, study, worship, fellowship, give, and serve. These disciplines will help us to develop stamina in our spirits and help us to get in touch with God's plan for our lives. Success in this race requires that we also seek help in our training -- the practice of all of our Spiritual disciplines. This help comes through the Holy Spirit who gives us energy and life and the help of other Christians who cheer us on. Throughout the training and the struggles of life, we learn to rely on God and mold our will to His. You see, we need to see God, not just as the judge of our race, but also as our teammate, cheerleader, fan, and best friend. It takes that kind of relationship to develop a winning lifestyle and to acquire the highly sought after prize.

As you watch the sport of your choice this summer, and I recommend football or soccer, think about the game of life that we all find ourselves in. Remember that we need to be training continually, running to win the prize, ready to face the most difficult opponent, and that no matter what happens, God is on our side. God wants us all to be winners.

Blessing and Peace to you all,

Pastor Tom

July/August 2010 Messenger

Click here for an archive of Messengers