What God Did When Sid Slid

Click image to watch video highlight of "The Slide"

I remember the night.  I was glued to the TV with my best friend and college roommate at the University of Georgia that fateful October night in 1992.  All seemed hopeless.  It was Game 7, and the Braves were down 2-0 in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Doug Drabek had pitched masterfully - 8 shutout innings thus far.  

The Braves' half-inning started with a double deep into the right-field corner by Terry Pendleton.  David Justice then hits a routine ground ball to Jose Lind, the Gold Glove-winning second baseman.  He boots it.  Runners at 1st and 3rd.  Sid Bream then walks on four straight pitches.  Doug Drabek is pulled from the game.  Enter Stan Belinda.

Ron Gant hits a deep fly ball to the warning track, which plates the Braves' first run.  2-1 Pirates.  Catcher Damon Berryhill then walks to load the bases once more.  Pinch-hitter Brian Hunter then pops up to 2B, leaving the bases loaded with two outs.  

There was one player remaining on the bench.  A kid named Francisco Cabrera, who only had ten at-bats that entire season.  He steps in, and laces a pitch down the left-field line - foul into the stands.  The next pitch is up and out, but Cabrera reaches out and hammers it to left field.  Justice scores easily, but the slow-footed Sid Bream is hoofing it around third base.  He makes a wider turn than Braves fans would like to have seen.  Bonds fields in left center, then throws home...

We see Sid pumping his arms, chugging and willing himself toward home plate.  The throw from Bonds is up the first-base side of home plate.  Catcher Mike Lavalierre has to reach for the throw.  Justice and Otis Nixon are begging for Bream to get there...waving their arms up and down, urging him to get down.  And Sid slides...

We hold our breath and lift up a prayer...SAFE!  And, the immortal words of Skip Caray ring in our ears..."Braves win!  Braves win!  Braves win!  Braves win!...Braves Win!"

The Braves commemorated "The Slide" this past weekend at Turner Field.  On the stage were Sid Bream, Francisco Cabrera, and home plate umpire Randy Marsh.  After the brief ceremony - which took me back to my college apartment to relive those amazing moments - Sid Bream addressed the 30,000+ fans gathered at Turner Field.

I am paraphrasing here, but what Sid Bream shared was something along these lines:

"If we were to go back and do it over again, I am sure Bobby Cox would have put in a pitcher to pinch-run for me.  Things may have been done differently.  But, God had a plan.  He knew that when I scored that I would be able to stand up and tell thousands of people about my personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

When Sid slid, the Braves won.  But, more than that, God received glory, and many more people - through Sid Bream's testimony - got to hear about a Savior who often enjoys taking the world by surprise - even by allowing the slowest player on the team to score the most dramatic game-winning run in franchise history.

Parenting for Dummies

Am I the “World’s Best Parent”?  Heck no!  But, I believe I have enough common sense to be among the top 10 percent or so.  At the very least, I am not in the bottom ten percent.  Comforting, I know.

The old adage that “anyone can make a baby, but not everyone can be a parent” is absolutely true.  I have seen some awful parenting over the years – and I have only been a parent myself for 12 years now.  Those of you who have been parents much longer have seen far worse that I have in my dozen years as a dad.

Recently, my wife and I went to see the movie The Grey, starring Liam Neeson.  I didn’t realize it until we were seated in the theater, but the movie is rated R.  As the previews were beginning to roll, I saw a young dad bring in his son, who looked to be about five years old.  They sat on the front row.  At almost the same time, I looked to my left, and saw a mom and dad being seated with their son, who may have been ten years old.  I just shook my head.  

Finally, just as the movie was beginning, two young couples (reeking of cigarette smoke – that is another topic for another day) slithered into the row in front of us.  One of the couples had their daughter with them, and she was maybe four or five years old.  I felt SO uncomfortable knowing that this little girl was going to be subjected to this movie – and I hadn’t even seen the movie yet!  The parents likely didn’t want to get a baby-sitter, and thought it was “wise” to bring the daughter on their gore-and-profanity-laced double-date.

Without giving away anything in the movie, there are brutal sequences of blood and violence.  Wolves are attaching the survivors of a plane crash, and it’s not a pretty site.  Further, the dialogue between the men is enough to make anyone blush.  Some of it is humorous, but some of it is also too vulgar for 30-somethings to hear, much less preschoolers.  It was difficult at times concentrating on the movie, when these idiot parents had their young children sitting in the theater.

Irresponsible parents are everywhere.  It’s more frightening than the hundreds of people who are texting and driving all around you on the roads.  These “adults” are making poor decisions that also personally affect the hearts and minds of their very own children.  It shouldn’t be a shock that many kids parent themselves these days.  They’ve never been introduced to any guardrails in their lives to keep them on the right track.  And, whether you agree or not, kids need boundaries.  Further still, they WANT boundaries!

My wife and I have a rule about movies.  Our kids – ages 11 and 7 – do NOT ever see R-rated movies.  Sometimes, we will allow them to see PG-13 movies, but only when we have seen them first, or if we have investigated them enough to know there is no sex, very mild language, and no drug use.  For example, they can see the Harry Potter movies with us, or Pirates of the Caribbean-type movies.  But, we are still very selective of the PG-13 movies.

Dumb parenting decisions are unfortunately not limited to the movie theaters.  Parents allow their kids to have entirely too many privileges without the child having to earn any of them.  Many parents also choose to “respect their kids’ privacy” by not sticking their nose in their children’s business.  They lie to themselves and say that their children and teens need their independence, but really it’s just laziness. And, it’s irresponsible. I’d much rather have my kid be mad at me for knowing what is going on, than to NOT know and be sorry later.

And the end of the day, it’s about common sense.  People just don’t use it.  And, they fail to consider the consequences of being a terrible parent.  They want to be buddies with their kids instead of providing loving discipline.

   A refusal to correct is a refusal to love;
   love your children by disciplining them.  Proverbs 13:24 (Message)

Swallow Your Pride

It can be excruciating. Dreadful.  You may have a tendency to avoid it like The Plague.  Few things are as bitter as the humble pie that is digested when we do it.  It’s a word that we rarely use, but is called for often: apology.

Smart creatures we humans are.  So much so, that our tendency is to always believe we are correct.  About everything.  All the time.  Our guts tell us so, even if our hearts waver.

Perhaps you are having a friendly disagreement with a co-worker.  Soon, that laughter wanes into a wry smile, and then pretty soon that smile is gone, and the eyebrows furrow.  You are certain that you are right, and you will stake your life on it!  

This happened to me several years ago.  I was certain that UGA faced Penn State in the 1982 Sugar Bowl, and Pittsburgh in the 1983 Sugar Bowl.  I bantered about with a co-worker, who said I was wrong.  I was absolutely confident. But, so was he.  We were at an impasse.  What happens at an impasse of this nature?  Yep – a wager!

We went straight to the trusty ole internet.  I could taste victory.  I couldn’t wait to rub it in. The Sugar Bowl results from years past began to load on the page.  We scrolled down the page, and just like I fully expected…OH NO…wait a second…this can’t be!  So, we had to look at another web site, and another.  For the love of humanity…I was…w-w-wr-wro-wrong.  It still pains me to even type it.

Being humiliated by a co-worker is one thing, but what happens when it involves your spouse?  I’m sure you’ve never done this, but once or twice in my 15-year marriage, I’ve said or done something that hurt my spouse in some way.  Even today, my initial tendency is to defend myself and explain away the problem.  Interestingly, the more I turn into an attorney, the bigger the problem becomes.

Humbling yourself and apologizing to your spouse is difficult.  I’m slowly (too slowly, likely) learning that if I will just accept responsibility and offer a heart-felt apology, we both begin to heal.  Being “right” doesn’t really pay off like you think it will.  Trust me.

Spouses really have a tough time with this.  Each feels justified to act a certain way or do certain things.  My good friend Steve Roach once told me he could solve virtually every marriage conflict with three words: “Get over yourself.” 

Scripture is clear that we are to treat others how we want to be treated. When Paul wrote to the church at Caesarea Philippi, he encouraged them to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3).

That is tough stuff right there.  But, when we refuse to apologize for things we’ve done wrong, we leave less room for forgiveness and grace to be offered.  Instead, hearts harden, and minds wonder.

It’s brutal to have to swallow your pride when it involves your husband or wife. No one enjoys it.  

But, I struggle the most with apologizing to my kids.  I don’t mean things like, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to eat dessert,” or “I’m sorry, we just don’t have time to watch a movie.”  I mean saying you’re sorry for treating them harshly or putting them down.

I tend to be mild-mannered, and have a long fuse.  But a couple times as a parent, I have said or done hurtful things to my kids.  On the two occasions I can recall this happening, my heart ached.  I knew I hurt my son, and it was unbearable to me.  I can remember on both occasions going up to his room, sitting beside him on the bed, looking him in the eyes and apologizing to him.  Each time, he said, “It’s OK dad, I forgive you.”  Not only did this make him feel better, but I knew each of our broken hearts had begun to mend rapidly.

Have you treated someone unfairly?  Have you been wrong? Did you say something that hurt somebody, and have let it linger far too long? Take’s Steve’s advice: get over yourself.   

Then, go apologize and experience the freedom offered through forgiveness!

The Burger King God: Have it Your Way

Some of you reading this are struggling with allowing Jesus Christ to shine through you. You struggle with the perception of others. You are afraid to be a Godly man or woman. You acknowledge God’s omnipotence, but don’t think you are called to actually do anything. Which means, you also don’t really live as though you truly believe God is who He says He is.

I’ve read about this term called “Practical Atheism.” Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor at LifeChurch in Oklahoma, describes the term this way: “It’s when you say, ‘I believe in God, I just don’t fear Him.’”

This is where the rubber meets the road. Beth Moore, the great author and speaker, calls this the difference between “Believing IN God, and believing God.” Most people do believe IN God. However, they don’t claim God’s promises unless they are convenient, or until they are urgent.

According to the writer in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7 NIV)

We want to be able to reap the rewards of Christianity without actually obeying Christ. Because many lack the discipline to be obedient to God’s commands, they begin to create their own theology – one that is not rooted in God Himself, but rather in their own concoction of a little bit of God, and a whole lot of themselves.

I read an eye-opening article entitled More Americans Tailoring Religion to Fit Their Needs that appeared in USA Today. Here’s an excerpt from the article, written by Cathy Lynn Grossman:

The folks who make up God as they go are side-by-side with self-proclaimed believers who claim the Christian label but shed their ties to traditional beliefs and practices. Religion statistics expert George Barna says, with a wry hint of exaggeration, America is headed for "310 million people with 310 million religions."

And, while each of us may commune with God in our own way, scripture is absolutely clear that there’s only ONE way to heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ. Not through what “feels” right. Not through “being a good person.” Not through “taking care of Mother Earth” or through self-improvement, or enlightenment.

Among Jesus’ many profound teachings are bold statements he made to the crowds who followed him. They are referred to as “I AM” statements:

I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never go thirsty. (John 6:35)

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. (John 10:9)

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

In that same USA Today article, Barna laments, "People say, 'I believe in God. I believe the Bible is a good book. And then I believe whatever I want.'"

In the end, you either you believe God (Jesus), or you don’t. John, the disciple who may have been Jesus’ closest friend, wrote this near the end of his life:

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

So, here’s our call: To believe God, accept Christ, and do as he did – obeying his Father, and loving and serving others.

Church and Halloween

Let me preface this by saying that the opinions I share in this post are generalizations about churches - not anything personally directed at you or your church. I am a pastor at a church. I LOVE the church, and would never want to say anything do it harm. But, I do think it's OK to challenge people's thinking.

Each Halloween, I get a little bit agitated. Don't get me wrong - I love the frivolity of the costumes, the spookiness of the season (not REAL spookiness, mind you), and of course the booty of candy my kids bring in that night (plus any leftovers the in-laws may have). No, my ire has nothing to do with Halloween itself. It's many churches' approach to Halloween that raises my blood pressure.

Like you, I drive by countless churches during the month of October with signs, banners, and LED boards with these three words: Trunk or Treat. Clever.

But, this idea has evolved over the decades. When I was growing up, my school always held a Fall Festival. There were games, crafts, costumes, dunk tanks, apple bobbing, and lots of good food. The church - lacking in creativity - adopted this idea and began holding their own Fall Festivals. Same idea, but just lots of church people, with lots of church fundraisers mixed in.

In general, when it came to Halloween, the church has been against it. The Fall Festival was, in theory, a way to get people together to celebrate the autumn season, while in no way acknowledging Halloween. One online resource I read says, "the term was created to replace the traditional Halloween party because of fundamentalist rhetoric that Halloween is a satanic holiday. It is not a satanic holiday, by the way. It is a celebration of the autumn equinox which has been celebrated by Christians for many centuries, and by pagans for many centuries before that."

Here's how I believe churches evolved the idea from Fall Festival to "Trunk or Treat." Churches that offered a Fall Festival noticed that their congregants were still being drawn into the secular world of All Hallow's Eve. Families who attended a Fall Festival on October 25 were still going trick-or-treating on October 31. Churches thought they would "wise up" and offer something which would force families to choose between their ultra-safe, insider-focused church event and trick-or-treating, which involves families being around - oh my word - people who don't go to church. The horrors!

So, the church, once again incredible in its ingenuity, came up with the term "Trunk or Treat" to make sure we all knew that it was staking its claim on this "holiday." They said, "We'll still allow kids to wear costumes, we'll hand out candy, and we'll replace those wacky tricks people play on one another with sitting in the trunk of your car (or tailgate of your truck). In doing this, churches who have a Trunk or Treat have communicated to their congregants, "We don't have a problem with Halloween or with trick-or-treating. We just don't want you doing it with your un-churched friends in your neighborhoods."

Do I believe all churches who hold a Trunk or Treat think this way? Certainly not. But, I do think these churches need to really think through the real reasons they are holding the event. If it's for safety, I'd say, "When is the last time any you know actually got a razor blade in an apple, or were poisoned by candy?"

Most churches already have the reputation for being too insider-focused. They consider reaching their community holding a Trunk or Treat or Vacation Bible School. Instead, I believe churches need to be looking for more opportunities to serve others outside their walls, and empowering their people to influence others - even through trick-or-treating with their families.

BTW - I pulled the Trunk or Treat image above off a church website.