September 3, 2016–Devotions — Rio Olympics
Handball

“But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”   A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” John 20:24-29

I must admit that I walked away from this Olympics a fan of the game of handball. Many of us think of handball, and we think of the game that is played in a racquetball court with a small hard ball and some padded gloves. But, apparently, there are at least two games that people call handball. I remember the days I used to work for a local summer program and after-school program. We made up a game that was a lot like handball. It was a great game – fast and physical. So it goes with the Olympic game of handball. Though many of the aspects of the game are still a mystery to me, like all of the rules, it appears to include a nice mix of aspects of different games, games like soccer, basketball, and field hockey, all rolled into one. But, you have to see it to really appreciate it.

This is the problem Thomas had with the resurrection appearance of Jesus. He needed to see it to really appreciate it. But that is true in so many aspects of our lives. We like to believe everything – even those things that remain intangible to us. But we can’t always believe without seeing. That, of course, is what faith is. Faith is believing without seeing, without beholding, without touching. The mystery of the Gospel is the resurrected Jesus – who floated into rooms, walked through walls and ate fish at a beach picnic. But there is no mystery as to what it means for us – eternal life with G-d. And we don’t have to wait to appreciate that before we see it…Amen? Amen!

Pastor Dave

September 2, 2016–Devotions — Rio Olympics
Golf

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 9:25

Can anyone tell me why golf is in the Olympics, and football is not? Now, you “football” purists can just hold your tongue for a moment, I am not talking about soccer or rugby, I am talking American NFL football. Football is, of course, the most popular game in America, though I realize that it does not have the same impact across the globe. If we were to only pick games that were played or watched by the most people in the world, then Cricket would be in and NFL football would never be in the Olympics. But, really, golf? Now, hold on before you move onto the next devotion. I like golf. I have played golf since I was a pre-teen. I was pretty good at it at one time. But, to include it in the Olympics, especially in the format that it is played, just seems silly. The Olympics is about speed – golf just goes on and on and on and on and on…….sorry, I drifted off to sleep there for a minute. The Olympics is about endurance – the only endurance that is included with golf is the audience trying to endure watching it for four days. The Olympics originally involved the following:

“The 1896 Games featured the first Olympic marathon, which followed the 25-mile route run by the Greek soldier who brought news of a victory over the Persians from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. Fittingly, Greece’s Spyridon Louis won the first gold medal in the event. In 1924, the distance would be standardized to 26 miles and 385 yards. After 13 Olympiads, two more races joined the stade as Olympic events: the diaulos (roughly equal to today’s 400-meter race), and the dolichos (a longer-distance race, possibly comparable to the 1,500-meter or 5,000-meter event). The pentathlon (consisting of five events: a foot race, a long jump, discus and javelin throws and a wrestling match) was introduced in 708 B.C., boxing in 688 B.C. and chariot racing in 680 B.C. In 648 B.C., pankration, a combination of boxing and wrestling with virtually no rules, debuted as an Olympic event.” (history.com The Olympics)

Is it just me, or do you think golf fits what would be the true essence of the Olympic games?
Paul uses athletic metaphors for a reason – athletic competition was important in the lives of the people who lived in the churches he was planting. So, if sport is important in the life of the community, then he felt they would understand the analogies he was making for the role of faith in the life of the community. So, look, sometimes we speak the word of G-d and live lives of faith as if we have driven the ball right down the center of the fairway. Other times we hit it into the woods. It doesn’t matter – we all will get to the green in one manner or form. As long as we persevere until the ball is in the cup, we will all receive the same prize – the imperishable, eternal life with G-d. How’s that, you golfing fanatics?

Pastor Dave