Something Good - Part Two

Yesterday's post detailed the relationship of Isaac with Yahweh, called the Fear by Isaac's son Jacob. Today I will address the relationship of that Fear to Jacob. The word used by Jacob means to be very afraid, or to dread something. It can also mean to be in awe -- perhaps because of the fear. I noted three reasons for Isaac to dread the hand of Yahweh in his life, and asked whether or not this "dread" was passed on to Jacob.

Main Question: Did Isaac pass on his dread of Yahweh to his son Jacob, and so become the reason Jacob called Yahweh the Fear?

Possible Answers:

1. Jacob had no reason to dread the hand of Yahweh! The New Testament tells us that God had chosen Jacob to be the one through whom the promised line would come before he was even conceived. Jacob did not experience the difficulties his father faced in his relationship with Yahweh. This delves into a deeper question--Did Isaac communicate the need for trust in Yahweh at all, or simply his fear of God?

2. It appears that Jacob was afraid of very little. Remember, he was the one who deceived everyone around him; others needed to be afraid of him!

3. Everything that Jacob does (at least until he returns to Canaan) is because it will benefit him, not because of fear. For example, even when God appears to Jacob at Bethel in the dream with the stairway to heaven, Jacob agrees to follow Him -- but only because he recognizes the benefits!

There does not appear to be a reason in Jacob's life for the use of the term Fear for God. Unless, of course, he was merely referring to the One who led his father, and who his father genuinely feared (both in being afraid, and in awe). The problem with that thinking, though, is that Jacob rarely, if ever, does anything unless it benefits him.

With that in mind, I think the proper answer for our question is found in the context. Let me refresh your memory. Jacob has left the home of his father-in-law after 20 years of labor (14 for Laban's two daughters, and another six as a worker in which he received certain portions of Laban's flocks and herds as pay) without notice, without good-byes, and without a forwarding address. When Laban hears of it three days later, he gathers some of his family and takes out after Jacob (after all, Jacob's wife Rachel had stolen the household idols!).

There is evidence of anger in Laban in the pursuit. This is seen by the fact that God appears to him in a dream warning him not to do anything to Jacob. Thus, Laban must have been planning what he would do when he caught up with the runaways. When he does catch up to them, Laban accuses Jacob of stealing the idols which is then followed by a search of Jacob's belongings. They are not found because Rachel is sitting on them and uses an excuse to not get up.

It is at this point that Jacob responds in anger to Laban, recounting the pain and anguish of serving him. Jacob then says, "Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night." It appears to me that Jacob is giving Laban a warning -- as in, "Watch out Laban, or the God my father dreads will do more than rebuke you!"

A little later there is a peace party. In ancient times, there would be a marker established so that both groups/people would not go beyond the marker to do evil to the other, and there would be a sacrifice of some sort with the sacrificial animal being the "peace meal" between the differing groups. There would also be a solemn "swearing in" ceremony in which each party would swear to uphold their end of the agreement.

The oath ceremony between Jacob and Laban is of great interest to me. Notice their statements:

Laban:
"May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor,
and the gods of their father, judge between us."

Jacob:
"And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac."

It appears that Laban is trying to tie in his family gods (plural!) with the God of Jacob's family. Notice that this is not a belief in God, but merely seeking to call Him as a witness to this agreement. Jacob, on the other hand, doesn't do anything of the sort. His oath is based solely upon the Fear.

Why? I think there are two reasons. First, Jacob is again reminding Laban that there is Someone to dread if he fails to hold up his end of the peace bargain. Thus, using this term for God benefits Jacob (as usual!). Second, I see here a movement in Jacob. Perhaps it is a movement from dread to awe. Why would Jacob swear by the Fear of his father? Could it be that Jacob understands that this Fear is now his God, the One who has fulfilled His promise to bring Jacob back into the land of promise, and the One who will keep him in this situation and all future difficulties? I think so. In fact, the very next chapter may function as a support for this thought. The next chapter in Genesis is when Jacob wrestles with God for a blessing. What he gets is a name change -- from Jacob to Israel. Why? Perhaps because the Fear of his father Isaac is now his Fear as well. Can you say the same? Can you say that you follow the Lord out of awe, and not dread?

Something Good

Someone asked me yesterday to blog about something good, as it seemed like I had been pointing out negative things a little much in recent days. I don't know if I agree with that (someone's got to do it, right? ), but I am happy to oblige. So here goes....

This morning I was reading in Genesis chapter 31 and came across a reference to God that is quite intriguing. It comes at a point in the chapter where Jacob is ready to leave his father-in-law's home and head back to Canaan to his own family. God has blessed him in the north country, but now is the time to return. How does he know this? Because the God of his father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac has told him it is time (Genesis 31:42). Later, in establishing a peace-treaty with his uncle Laban, Jacob swore to uphold the covenant by the "Fear of his father Isaac" (Genesis 31:53).

Why would Jacob give God the name Fear, and why would he attach that name to his own father? To make matters more difficult, this is the only time in Scripture that God is called Fear. There are many times when people are commanded to fear Him, but never again is He simply called Fear.

Intriguing, no?

The Hebrew word used by Jacob is one that means "dread," or to "be in dread," and in some cases, "in awe of." It is found 48 times in the Old Testament, and most often means to be so afraid that your knees are knocking together (obviously, that is my own paraphrase!).

To fully understand what is happening here in these statements will require a couple of posts (in case you didn't know, I do have other things to do ), but for today I will seek to address the relationship of the Fear to Jacob's father Isaac.

Main Question: What reasons were there for Isaac be afraid of or dread Yahweh?

Possible Answers:

1. As a teenager, Isaac was bound, laid upon an alter, and was about to have his life cut short by his own father -- all at the direction of Yahweh. Is this a reason to dread the work of God in your life? You bet -- at least from a human perspective. I for one would be wondering what God was going to do next! You have to wonder if that one instance didn't affect Isaac's relationship with God for the rest of his life.

2. God was at work in Isaac to make him realize that worship was a priority, that recognizing the hand of God upon his life was key. Chapter 26 of Genesis relates how Isaac was essentially driven from place to place until he learned this lesson. No one enjoys being driven by God--it is a painful way to learn.

3. When Jacob and Esau were conceived, God promised that Esau would end up serving his younger brother. The problem in this situation is that Isaac loved Esau, not Jacob, essentially driving a wedge between Isaac and Yahweh. Isaac was always seeking to change the plan of God (to no avail, obviously).

It is apparent that Isaac's dread of God moved into the realm of righteous, believing awe; he is included in the "hall of fame of faith," after all (see Hebrews 11). However, it is also apparent that for most of his years Isaac lived his own life, the way he thought he should live, but in a way that was a little (or a lot!) afraid of what God might require him to do. If that is the case (and I believe it is), then this "fear" that Isaac had was an unhealthy fear of God -- one that was the result of an unyielded life. Isaac was trying to live out his faith according to his desires, not God's.

That kind of thinking will always make a person dread God's plan, and perhaps even God Himself. Did Isaac pass on this same sense of dread to Jacob? Perhaps so. Did Jacob ever learn, as we are to learn, that "all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose?"

Spiritual State of the Union

Each year the President addresses the country in his State of the Union speech. Following that speech, Dr. D. James Kennedy, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, delivers his "Spiritual State of the Union Address." The "Spiritual State of the Union message, in my opinion, happens to be more important since that's the foundation upon which the nation is based," said Kennedy during the broadcast.

What is the "spiritual state" of the union according to Kennedy?

In this year's address, Kennedy acknowledged the good along with the bad, but emphasized on the positive trends that indicate that Christians are making a difference in American culture.

"We have seen the number of Christians in Washington increase enormously recently. In 1990, in the House of Representatives, they could find only five born-again Christians. In 2000, there were 100 such people in the Congress. In 2002, I think it was 125," said Kennedy. "I haven't got the figures on 2004, but it's growing, and Christians and decency and morality and the kinds of things that made this nation great in the beginning, are beginning to be felt again in America."

Let's see...we kill at least 1.3 million babies each year, we are trashing the institution of the family in exchange for same-sex unions in the name of equality, those people that follow God's plan are divorcing at an alarming rate, our young people are experimenting with sex, alcohol, and drugs at frighteningly early ages...and we are beginning to feel decency and morality and "Christian" things in America?

Forgive me if I seem a bit (or lot ) pessimistic. I am merely seeking to hear what Dr. Kennedy is saying and looking at our world through the lens of his statements. The view is quite blurry, my friends! Also, what Dr. Kennedy says appears to be the opposite of what Scripture states. Consider the following from 2 Timothy 3:1-7:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

This passage of Scripture plainly states that the state of the unions of this world will not continue to improve, but will turn further and further from the Truth. Dr. Kennedy also believes that we are in the midst of a "spiritual awakening" in America. I may be looking through dark glasses, but it appears that Dr. Kennedy is looking through rose-colored glasses.

To his credit, Dr. Kennedy also said, "... more and more Christians are waking up and getting involved. I hope that you are determined this year to be one of them." I agree--I hope you are among them.

If they only would have asked me...

It appears that Darwin's 140-year-old theory that life began in volcanic waters that were extremely hot and acidic (with a bit of clay, mind you) is about to go bye-bye.

Life is likely [edit: someday this will probably be proven wrong as well!] to have emerged in warm puddles of fresh water and not the piping-hot volcanic springs that have often been proposed as its source, research has suggested.

An experiment to recreate the conditions in which life began has revealed that the hot, acidic, clay-filled waters that had been proposed as prime candidates are probably incapable of mixing organic matter in the right way.

The scientific group testing the theories are now moving their testing grounds from volcanic, acidic waters to pools of fresh, warm water. Sure, that will help.

If only they would have asked me first! I could have told them that Darwin's theory would not "support life!" They could have saved money!

Theological Reading

The following is a discussion by Charles Spurgeon based on 2 Timothy 4:13. It is a passage in which Paul instructs Timothy to bring books and parchments with him when he comes to Paul.

How rebuked are they by the apostle! He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, "GIVE THYSELF UNTO READING."

The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own. Brethren, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. YOU need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master's service. Paul cries, "Bring the books" — join in the cry.

Paul herein is a picture of industry. He is in prison; he cannot preach: WHAT will he do? As he cannot preach, he will read. As we read of the fishermen of old and their boats. The fishermen were gone out of them. What were they doing? Mending their nets. So if providence has laid you upon a sick bed, and you cannot teach your class — if you cannot be working for God in public, mend your nets by reading. If one occupation is taken from you, take another, and let the books of the apostle read you a lesson of industry" (from Spurgeon’s sermon #542 "PAUL - His Cloak And His Books" in the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 9 (1863): 668-669).

Good stuff!

Superman and Jesus?

The educational system in England is searching for ways to teach students about morality and religion. They need to keep searching....

Since research has shown that cinematography helps in the retention of material, teachers are being urged to use Superman as an example of Jesus. According to Helen Cook of Sheffield Hallam University, there are many parallels between the two:

-- Both arrive on Earth in unusual circumstances after being sent by their fathers

-- Both move from relative obscurity to a prominent adulthood

-- Both are able to help the humans they are sent to live with

-- Both struggle to stand up for truth against injustice and evil

According to Miss Cook, children become excited about Jesus when they are "given a point of reference." The Rev Dr John Gay, the Church of England's spokesman on religious education says that analogies can be effective in teaching, much like Jesus' parables.

Well, let's just hope that those children don't come away thinking that Jesus is a mythical comic book hero. And that's all I'm going to say about that....

Question of the Day

What faith or religion describes the following (answer: see my post in the comments)?

(1) worship whatever representation of the god-force works best for you;
(2) emphasize meditation, rituals, or devotion to that representation, whichever works best for you;
(3) if you want to go down the Path of Desire, go, and perhaps eventually you'll tire of that and seek out the Path of Renunciation.

Morning Prayer

Psalm 143 contains a fascinating verse (okay, there is more than one fascinating verse, I just want to highlight one). Notice verse eight:

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.

This verse is in the midst of a prayer to God by King David. He is seeking God's guidance and help in some situation. In this particular verse there is a repeated pattern: a request followed by a reason. Outlined, it would look like something like this (in my own paraphrase):

Request #1: "Make me to hear Your lovingkindness"
Reason: "Because I trust in You."

Request #2: "Make me to know the way I should go"
Reason: "Because I am seeking You."

The fascinating aspect of this verse comes from the grammar of the Hebrew language. The first word in each of the requests ("hear" and "know") are in a form that is referred to as having a causative action -- that is, something or someone is causing (or "making" as in my paraphrase above) something to happen. This is why the NKJV translates the verbs as "Cause me to hear" and "Cause me to know".

As human beings, we like to be in control. We like to think that what happens in life is a result of our action, our choosing, or our planning. Biblically, we can never separate God's sovereignty and providence from our life; thus, our actions, choices, and plans are never ours alone, they are all part of God's overall plan for His world.

What the psalmist is requesting of God in this verse is that God would step in and do something in His life, that God would make something happen in the life of the writer that would not arise as a result of human action.

In other words, we might say that the psalmist is praying, "God, make me experience Your loyal love to me this morning even if in my sinfulness I don't want to hear about it." Or, "Yahweh -- my God, my trust is in You alone, so transcend my sinful humanity and make me experience Your loyal love."

The second half of the verse is seeking God's direction in life: "Lord, I am seeking Your will in my life, so make me know what You want me to do." I have said for many years that if a child of God is diligently seeking Him, that He will make His will clear. He doesn't desire to make His will a mystery.

The key to the application of this verse to our lives is surrender. We must "let go and let God" as the saying goes. Are we actively releasing our own control over life so that God can "cause" us to hear His loyal love and to know the way we should go? Are we truly seeking God to work in our life? Notice that David had already given himself to the Lord: "because I trust in You", and "because I lift up my soul to You". He had already recognized God's care for him, and God's providence over the direction of his life -- he was ready for God to work. Are you?

Flying Shoes

Prophecy makes pretty plain that people living during the rule of the one Scripture calls the "Antichrist" will be required to have an identifying marker in their hand or forehead in order to do any buy or sell.

An Ohio company has embedded silicon chips in two of its employees - the first known case in which US workers have been "tagged"” electronically as a way of identifying them.

CityWatcher.com, a private video surveillance company, said it was testing the technology as a way of controlling access to a room where it holds security video footage for government agencies and the police.

Sean Darks, chief executive of CityWatcher, said the glass-encased chips were like identity cards. They are planted in the upper right arm of the recipient, and "read" by a device similar to a cardreader.

"There'’s nothing pulsing or sending out a signal," said Mr Darks, who has had a chip in his own arm. "It's not a GPS chip. My wife can't tell where I am."

So far around 70 people in the US have had the implants, the company said.

Scripture indicates that the removal of the true Church from this world will take place prior to the Tribulation. If so, make sure your flying shoes are ready!

(Thanks to Jeff for the link)

Speaking of evolution...

In yesterday's post I wrote of the 10,000 clergy who signed an open letter containing false statements and bad logic. Those statements were regarding the relationship between evolution and Scripture.

Interestingly, my wife overheard someone yesterday speaking of evolution in a different sense -- the evolution of God. The person was sharing how they were working their way through a book (I am assuming it was some type of "Bible" study) which taught people how to pray to the "evolving God."

The teaching of an "evolving God" can take two basic forms. One, that the One Supreme God is in the process of evolving (much like science claims we are evolving) and two, that human beings are gods in the process of evolving.

The second thought process is so ludicrous biblically that I refuse to spend time writing about it here. The first thought, though still ludicrous, must be corrected. In case you don't believe that this thought is out there, here are a couple of quotes:

"I want you to know me as I am now. The most important understanding I can convey about myself is that I am evolving. This understanding is crucial if you are to know me as I am, and not as I was. I have revealed myself to humans on many occasions, from before any of your histories can remember. Each time I have revealed myself, I have done so in terms the people receiving me could understand. Each time I have revealed myself as I was at that time. Because I am evolving, I am changing. I am now focusing more certainly than ever on love and intimacy with my other half, the Mother of Creation... and my union with her inside of you. And because humanity is evolving, you are changing. You are now much more ready to accept the role of host to our presence here on Earth."

This is nothing other than philosophical, new-age, mystical babbling that is supposedly from God. Sure, I believe that one....

This next one is from a Jewish Kabbalist:

But what I like about this notion is that it captures another aspect of God that I've been implicitly suggesting--that God is in the process of evolving. God is what we call an emergent--God is in the process of emerging and changing with us. So Rabbi Nachman read the line in our liturgy that said "Abraham knew You God from his youth" as something like "Abraham knew You God when You were still new in the God-business."

God may not have been fully evolved when She created human beings, and She needed human beings to assist in that process. God created human beings in order to become more self-conscious.

How do I contain myself??? Beside the fact that this writer goes entirely against the script of the Bible in calling God female (the Scriptures, even in the original languages, make very plain the reference to God as "He"), am I really to believe that God needed human beings in order to "become more self-conscious"? Am I to believe that God was at one time "new" to the "God-business"? Really, people! If those statements are true, then whomever this being is, he/she/it is not God. An inherent quality of God is that He must be unchanging!

This is why I continually harp on the fact that we need to stick to the Scriptures as God wrote them. They are our only source of absolute truth, written perfectly and without error. God does not evolve, nor does He "need" us in any way.

"For I am the Lord, I do not change..."
Malachi 3:6

"God is not a man, that He should lie..."
Numbers 23:19

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
James 1:17

If God were to evolve or change in any way, then our future, our salvation, and His mercy and grace would be in doubt. Give Him praise for the fact that you can trust in His unchanging grace today.

A Lack of Words

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't read it myself. It doesn't really surprise me, but at the same time, I wouldn't have believed it had you told me about it. Well, come to think of it, maybe I would have. See what you think.

In "An Open Letter Concerning Religion and Science," 10,000 clergy have signed their names indicating their agreement to statements such as the following:

"Within the community of Christian believers there are areas of dispute and disagreement, including the proper way to interpret Holy Scripture. While virtually all Christians take the Bible seriously and hold it to be authoritative in matters of faith and practice, the overwhelming majority do not read the Bible literally, as they would a science textbook."

"We the undersigned, Christian clergy from many different traditions, believe that the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist. We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as "one theory among others"” is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children. We believe that among God'’s good gifts are human minds capable of critical thought and that the failure to fully employ this gift is a rejection of the will of our Creator."

I really am at a loss for words here. The "overwhelming majority" do not take their Bible literally?

Evolution (which they accurately state as a "theory") is a "foundational scientific truth"? Maybe my logic is still at home in bed this morning, but how can evolution be a "theory" and a "scientific truth" at the same time?

I, too, believe that one of God's good gifts are minds capable of critical thought. Unfortunately, it appears that those who are in agreement with this document have not taken advantage of that gift in this case. I guess they are telling us to not believe in Adam and Eve, the flood, the tower of Babel, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Ten Commandments.... Instead, trust science over your Bible. I'll bet that will please God.

While most of the signers of the letter are from "non-fundamental" backgrounds (sorry, that's the only term I could think of, even though "fundamental" is gaining ground as a negative word) such as Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, and others, there are, sadly, a handful of Baptists and even a professor of Old Testament from the same background as R.C. Sproul (Reformed Church).

Jesus believed in the truth of the Old Testament. I'll take His word over "science" any day.

I know it's not Christmas, but...

This morning I was reading Matthew 2 which contains the account of the Magi coming to visit the Lord Jesus as a child in Bethlehem (Jesus could have been up to two years old at the time, since Herod had all boys under two killed when the Magi didn't return and tell him that they had found Jesus).

As I was reading this familiar passage, it struck me anew that these men were magi. "So what?" you may be asking! It is important for us to know that these men were magi because every Christmas season we sing or hear them sung about as kings who are bringing rich gifts to the Christ Child. While the gifts are rich, the magi are not kings. Magi are most likely astrologers from the area of Babylon and Assyria (modern Iran and Iraq) -- those who sought to tell the fortunes of the future by looking to the stars. They were those who were employed by kings and peasants alike for guidance.

What struck me is that these men (perhaps three, since there are three gifts, but we cannot be sure) are normal people. They are not the high and mighty, not the powerful of the world, but those who are just like the people in Bethlehem who had no room.... What a wonderful thought that God chooses to receive worship from us, normal people, those who are not especially significant in the eyes of the world.

And yet, these magi are proof that we, too, can seek out the King of kings and give Him our gifts, our all and be received into His presence.

The Presence of My God

I am writing this as I watch the snow drifting down from the grey sky. I know many do not like or in any way enjoy snow, but it has always been a comfort to me. It is a symbol of "home," of quiet peacefulness. There is also a sense of the presence of God when it snows. Just as each snowflake is unique, unlike any other, so our God is unique and unlike any other. Isaiah writes of God, "...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me" (Isaiah 46:9).

Psalm 139 also speaks of the presence of God. In verses 7-12 there are several statements made describing God's presence in creation. Verse 7 contains a rhetorical question asking where one can go to escape God. The answer is an assumed "nowhere!" The rest of the verses comment on the question and answer:

-- God is present if I were to go into heaven or the grave.
-- God is present if I were to follow the sun in its circuit around the earth.
-- God is present if I were in the depths of the sea -- in fact, even there God will lead me, and God's right hand (a symbol of strength and authority), will hold me.
-- If I were to remain in darkness or light, even there God is present.

The point is the totality of the presence of God -- He is everywhere, and understands everything about me.

Before you get overwhelmed with your day, your problems, your circumstances, or your life in general, remember the snow: God is unique, and there is none like Him, and He is present everywhere.

Strange!

For your reading pleasure--some humor and/or disgust:

Sharon Tendler, a wealthy Londoner, was recently married to a dolphin (yes, you read that correctly) she met 15 years ago in Israel.

While the story of a rich Londoner marrying a dolphin sounds fishy, it's apparently true.

The media was abuzz when Tendler took the plunge and exchanged vows with Cindy in the waters of the groom's home.

"At least it wasn't a same sex marriage," quipped a co-worker who'd had too much sugar one afternoon.

The reports say that when she met Cindy 15 years ago, the connection sparked and she began visiting him at the resort several times a year. The bride wore a white dress to the dock during a ceremony at Dolphin Reef.

She became the first person in the world to "marry" a dolphin, though many of us doubt this union is legal. She bent on one knee, her hair framed in a veil and pink flowers, and gave Cindy a kiss and a nice piece of mackerel.

The salty groom was waiting in the water after the ceremony, and friends tossed the happy bride in to frolic with her new husband.

"I'm the happiest girl on earth," Tendler was cited as saying. "I made a dream come true and I'm not a pervert. I really do love this dolphin."

I'm sure that is an excuse God will accept....

Athletes of Faith

Here are some testimonies of athletes from tomorrow's Super Bowl teams. These are from thegoal.com, and bpnews.net:

Tommy Maddux, now the backup to quarterback "Big Ben":

I was 20 years old when I left UCLA to go to the Denver Broncos in the NFL. I grew up in Texas where football is huge, but I never really was a drop back passer until college, and then two years later I was in an NFL huddle.

I needed more work and more playing time, but I was playing behind John Elway, an NFL legend, and when you are the backup to John Elway, you don’t get much playing time.

After two and a half years, I was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, and moved with them to St. Louis. I was released by the Rams, signed with the New York Giants, was released by them, signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and was released during their training camp in 1997.

For 1997, 1998 and 1999, I was not in football. I was selling insurance with Allstate. The great expectations I had coming out of UCLA as a 20 year old seemed to have fallen flat.

I had grown up knowing the Lord. I knew who Jesus was and what He did and accepted all that. I almost lived in fear of God. I was afraid that if I made mistakes or the wrong choices, He would punish me and take things away from me.

My wife, Jennifer, was a believer when I met her and always encouraged me in my faith. She had a relationship with Jesus, and even gave me a Bible on my birthday the first year we were dating. If I was faced with a problem, she would always remind me to pray.

When I was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, I rededicated my life to Christ. I had begun to do some things that weren’t good or productive while in Denver. I tried to fit in with the guys. I started drinking a little bit, and got caught up in material things. My marriage began to suffer, and Jennifer and I had struggles. Being traded away from Denver was one of the great blessings of our marriage. I started living for Christ again.

Ironically, I thought that by rededicating my life to Christ my career would take off. It didn’t. God had other plans. In fact, all the things I was so dependent on that the NFL could give me, were taken away, one by one, until there was nothing left. We were brought to our knees – to the point where there was no one to rely upon but God.

After three years as an insurance salesman, I went back into football. I played for a year in the Arena League and for another year with the Los Angeles Xtreme in the XFL. I was the MVP of the XFL, which created some interest among NFL teams. I signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a backup and a year later, I was their starting quarterback.

It’s been wonderful to be part of God’s plan. I could not have asked for things to turn out any better. I have a wonderful wife and children, a great marriage and a career in the NFL, doing what I’ve always wanted to do. And the best part is that I know God has brought me to this place – through some hard times, yes, but sometimes the hard times are necessary for us to finally be brought to a place where we trust God alone.

I have no idea how this will end up. I’ve learned that everything can be gone in an instant. And the day will come when I will no longer be in the NFL. But I know my identity is not wrapped up in being a football player. I am a child of God. I am loved by God. I am a family man. I have experienced some wonderful things, but nothing greater than knowing Jesus as my Savior.

From the Seahawks:

In the two-week buildup to a championship game with hundreds of different plotlines, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck leaned forward in his chair at the Super Bowl media day as if he intended to divulge one of the secrets for his team’s successes.

“I don’t think many people realize,” the softspoken, seventh-year quarterback from Boston College said as reporters leaned forward for what they expected to be a juicy tip from the Seahawks playbook, “how many Christian guys we have on this team and how united we are.”

“There are a lot of us on this team from all parts of the country, but we are united in Christ, and the unity you see on this team is very encouraging,” Hasselbeck said.

Encouraged by their quarterback and their league MVP running back Shaun Alexander, Christian players on the Seahawks spent a majority of their hour-long session with the media sharing their faith and the need to focus on more than just Sunday’s final score.

“We believe life itself with Jesus Christ is more important than what we do on the field,” Alexander said. “We want to make sure our focus is on more than this game. We have a bigger calling.”

Backup quarterback David Greene, a rookie who starred at the University of Georgia where he was active in campus ministries and greatly influenced by his Christian head coach, said those looking to explain Seattle’s success coming into Sunday’s game need to look closer than wins or statistics.

“We have a lot of guys on our team who don’t get caught up in the extra stuff. We have guys who are in the Word every day when you could be getting stressed out.

“When you’re living with pressure, you have to surround yourself with good people and that’s what we try to do. If you believe in Christ, then you can live with pressure regardless of what happens on Sunday.”

Equal time

Since we are commanded to be unified in the body of Christ, it is only right to give equal blog-space to the Seattle Seahawks (again, in case you have been on another planet for the last week, they are the other team in this Sunday's Super Bowl).

Facing the favored Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon at Ford Field in downtown Detroit, Holmgren said he is counting on a different kind of power to make it through another crazy Super Bowl week: his personal faith in Jesus Christ.

“If I didn’t have a foundation in my faith with Christ to keep me through the high and lows of this week and every week, this job it would be very hard,” he said during the Jan. 31 media day.

“My faith gives you a perspective and that’s the most important thing in this job,” he shared.

Holmgren’s eternal perspective allowed him to send his wife Kathy and one of their four daughters on a medical mission trip with Northwest Medical Team, a Portland-based group this week to Africa, where they will be during Sunday’s championship game with Pittsburgh.

“My wife has been there before [on a mission trip] and my daughter is a nurse so they will enjoy it more. It’s more important.”

More important than the Super Bowl? That’s the ultimate message Holmgren subtly sought to spread to the disbelieving media.

While not outspoken about his faith when talking about football matters, Holmgren said he is happy to share the reason for his success with anyone who asks and the reason for the team’s surprising post-season success.

“I’ve always said this [job] would be hard without my faith,” the head coach said.

Defensive line coach Zerick Rollins said Holmgren is good about setting the tone for the team’s preparation for Sunday’s big game or any game.

“My faith in God is first in everything I do. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Super Bowl or a preseason game,” Rollins said. “You have to prepare to do your job and do it well, but the first thing you do is give God praise because He deserves it.”

Running backs coach Stump Mitchell has seen the high and lows of the NFL as a player with the St. Louis Cardinals and a coach for the last seven years with the Seahawks. As a Christian leader on the coaching staff, he knows this can be a tough week for his team.

“We have a lot of mountains to climb and a lot of temptations to face, but our faith puts it all in perspective.

“This,” Mitchell said of the Super Bowl, “is a small issue to God.”

This one must be a tough choice for God. While it really is a "small issue to God" in light of eternity, He does direct the course of human events. So, which team would God choose? Which group of believers will succeed?

I am in no play to speak for God on this issue, but.... Go Steelers!

Super Bowl & Faith

Kevin Spencer is the special teams coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (in case you have been on another planet for the last week or so, they are playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday). This is his first time participating in football's greatest game.

“You wonder why God puts you in a position like this,” Spencer said. “You pray a lot and you ask for guidance, but you don’t know why God decides to bless you like this.”

Spencer, who became a coach after playing the game himself, has watched countless big games on television and has seen plenty of championship moments, but now he will be a participant in the biggest match up of the year, live and in person.

“When they gave the [AFC] championship trophy to [team owner] Mr. Rooney after the game, my locker was only about two to three feet away from that and I was able to stand there and watch the entire thing in person. God is so good to me.”

Rather than being nervous about the biggest game of his career, Spencer said his faith has helped him gain a confidence during this hectic week of preparations.

“When you lean on your Christian faith, you know it’s in the Lord’s hands, who loves me and will take care of me. That helps me cope and enjoy the week.”

The Steelers' director of player development is in a similar situation...

But one of the first things he did when he checked into his room at the Steelers’ headquarters hotel was flip on the television set -- not to catch the latest headlines on ESPN or hear how great the Steelers appear to be, but to get some food -– spiritual food.

“I wanted to see if I could find some spiritual program, preaching or teaching which would lift me up,” Jackson said.

“Then I called my wife and we had a prayer over the phone about the week ahead. During the week we have the family members get together for Bible study and prayer on Wednesday night and I don’t want to miss that.”

During the season, Jackson makes a commitment not to read the newspaper because he doesn’t want to read the overly negative or positive things being written about his team. He also makes it a point to stay close to the other Christian players and coaches on the team.

“That way, we can hold each other accountable. That’s the greatest thing Christian men can do for one another,” he said.

After watching the Steelers finish off the Broncos two weeks ago to earn the Super Bowl trip, Jackson found Pittsburgh center and fellow believer Jeff Hartings for a bit of perspective.

“In two to three weeks, most people probably won’t remember who was in the Super Bowl,” Jackson said. “This will all be gone, but knowing God gave His Son Jesus to die for us, that is something that will live forever.”

Well said. Does that mean the Super Bowl isn't so bad after all? Hmm...does that mean that God favors the Steelers?

Biblical literacy?

The following is a post by Marvin Olasky who teaches at the University of Texas:

Here in the Bible Belt, it’s surprising how many of the University of Texas seniors in my Journalism and Religion class are reading the Bible (portions of it) for the first time. They are typically shocked by some of the Old Testament passages:“Isn’t it strange that God is so jealous of the golden calf statue?” "Why would Moses tell the Levites to kill brother, neighbor and friend?" “Reads like parental discipline of ‘Do it or else.’” “God is scary." True, he's not a tame God. One Jewish explanation: He's teaching His people to be holy -- in a sense, pushing them hard so they'll be ready for a Super Bowl that's only three days away. One Christian explanation: He's showing that... sin keep [sic] reemerging -- and man desperately needs Christ.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Time for Praise

Psalm 134 is another of those short songs of ascent. It is also the last of the ascent psalms -- perhaps sung upon entering Jerusalem for the festivals of worship. It was sung by pilgrims directed toward those who serve in the temple.

The interesting part of this song is the last part of verse one. After calling on the servants of the Lord to bless Him, the singers identify who the servants are: "...who by night stand in the house of the Lord!"

I don't know about you, but I am one who likes/needs sleep. I have a difficult time remaining awake the further the clock moves at night. I often wonder how people can work through the night. If I don't sleep well, I have a hard time functioning the next day. But here is statement that there are servants of God who are ministering in the temple all night.

Going back to Leviticus 6:8-13 we find the background for this psalm. Moses writes that God's requirement was for burnt offerings to be offered all night long, and the fire on the altar was to never go out. Also, the time frame for the singing of this song was probably a national holiday -- a time of festive worship in Jerusalem.

These celebrations were times of festivities, feasting, and worship. The point of this psalm is to remind worshippers that praising God was to be a constant occurrence. If a pilgrim were to get caught up in the feasting and neglect the worship, he would be missing the point of the celebration.

How constant is our worship? I am afraid that we are sadly negligent in our duty. We are so busy, so caught up in life, work, play, (add your own here...), that we fail to remember that our first priority is to bring glory to our God... at all times.

I think there are several reasons for God requiring that worship in the temple continue throughout the night. One is to point to the fact that God is always awake, always there, always present. Thus, the night-long worship is a reminder to us that He is always present -- so worship Him all the time.

Another reason is to remind us of how holy our God is. He is so holy, so awesome, so mighty, that the only proper response is continual worship. This psalm also serves to remind us that all of the time we are given comes from Him. How are we going to use that time? Are we going to get caught up in the festivities and feasting, or are we going to remember that we have a God worthy of our worship...even all night long?