Fantasy Football vs. Team Loyalty

This season I became involved in a 'Fantasy Football' league with a handful of good friends. I have found my loyalty to cheer on my favorite team, the Patriots, to be compromised. As players from other teams, that I 'picked' during the pre-season draft, compete against my beloved Patriots I find myself secretly cheering for the 'picked' player to have a successful game. While I have become more involved and truly enjoy watching football (channel surfing between games to learn of 'picked' player highlights) more this season then of those past. I feel the need to clearly shout "Go Pats!"

I hope to witness a perfect season. Being a transplanted Boston sports fan (with the Redsox winning the World Series) I hope to see the Patriots win the Superbowl and the Celtics win the NBA Finals. I know, I'm being greedy. Forgive me...

In God We Trust

To those who would like to see, "In God We Trust." removed from the fabric of our (America) public life as a nation. I ask if you have ever read the last verse of the Star Spangled Banner?

'Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!'

Andrew's Example

“He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 1:41-42a

Reading these verses remind me that my responsibility as a Believer is to bring others to Christ and nothing more. I can not convert a person. For me to do anything more than bring others to a place where they have personally experienced Christ is beyond my limit of responsibility. While that might include answering heart felt questions or ministering to the needs of those seeking, I must learn to trust Christ when the needs and questions have been clearly answered.

Knowing that Jesus life, ministry, death and resurrection are more convincing then any evangelistic formula. I must simply point and bring others to Christ like Andrew. Those of us who have found the Messiah, let us be more like Andrew concerning our evangelistic efforts. Just a thought...

Healing the Bitter Tongue

"With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." - James 3:9-12

Upon concluding a study from James 3 I was reflecting on how can one heal a bitter tongue. Then I was reminded of 2 Kings 2:21 where Elisha confronted with bitter water poured a bowl of salt at its source and the water became sweet. This in turn reminded me of the the Apostle Paul's words in Colossians 4:6, "“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

The best way to heal a bitter tongue is to speak grace and be seasoned with salt! If you're bitter give it a try. Please!

Why God?

As I prepare a study from the book of James, I found myself pondering the intent and meaning of James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Many individuals, myself included have at one time shook a fist at Heaven and asked, “Why God?” I think we need to ask who’s truly responsible for bringing us into a place of strife and hurt. Let us be reminded that man (Adam) gave his God-gifted authority over the earth to our foe the devil at the beginning of our History as a Human race. The consequences of Adam’s decision resulted in the earth being saturated in sin and man’s relationship with God broken.

Thankfully God is rich in mercy towards us and gave his son Jesus to reconcile this broken friendship with man. Because of Jesus death and resurrection (He defeated death and took back the authority we gave the devil in the beginning.) we now have friendship with God.

Therefore we can conclude that the sin we are tempted with, the hurt that touches our lives and the evil we see in the world, is not due to God’s neglect. No, it is the willful neglect of man’s (Adam) responsibility to say no to the devil. Admitting ones guilt may be difficult on ones pride, but it is the first step towards freedom. Thankfully we have a God that not only takes this step for us, but will walk with us through the difficulty. Enjoy the walk.

Temptations of Christ

Upon reading this afternoon of the temptations Christ faced while in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), I thought of how the American Church should take a moment and reflect on their position/reaction concerning those temptations. As we our selves are faced with these same temptations regularly,

1. The temptation to satisfy the appetites of our flesh (Matthew 4:3-4).
2. The temptation to think of ourselves more highly (pride) than we ought too (Matthew 4:5-7).
3. The temptation to take/acquire what most pleases our eye (Matthew 4:8-10).

For those who give themselves to a "Prosperity Gospel" (Word of Faith) I simply ask, "Who are you following?" Just a thought...

On the Hunt...John 3:16 Style

Upon reading a friends blog - Phil Santillan - I could not help but grab at this great picture and ponit others to a short read entitled, "Hunting...Jesus Style".

It speaks of a creative means to build friendships and share about God with those who enjoy the hunt. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving.

My First Blog...

While a first glance one may think of the phrase, "Hug The Globe" as an earth crunchy (friendly) cliche. One that possibly denotes a Greenpeace activist that concerns themselves with saving fish from being filleted and displayed on a plate. Only to be consumed by an insensitive mammal named, Human. While I enjoy nature and believe we should be better stewards of our environment. I'm the first to pull the cord on the chainsaw and let the tree fall to the forest floor. (And yes the tree made a sound, it cried.)

In truth, "Hug The Globe" is a personal reminder to me of the ever so famous Bible verse mentioned above, John 3:16. Without hesitation I believe that the very God who spoke this world into existence desires friendship with each of us personally. How can one have such friendship (One truly can't have too many friends.)? Only through the person of Jesus Christ. In future blogs/captured thoughts I will explain my conviction concerning this truth. Beside this I will rant about life experiences, friends, family, great reads, and good food. Before you say, this guy is "intolerant" be sure to look up the word and learn its true meaning. Bla, bla, blog you later.