God on the Gridiron

As we surrender to God, we can discover more about how He desires to work in and through our lives for His glory - it's important that we build that awareness of His presence with us each day. Colossians 3 reminds us:
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

The college football season is certainly in full swing, and it gives us an opportunity to consider how the Lord is at work through players whom He has placed in these programs in order to bring glory to His name.

Movieguide ran an article recently, in which it pointed to a recent opponent of the Auburn Tigers, stating:

A video posted by Christhlete on Instagram shows three players praying.

“Beautiful to see Taylen Green, Addison Nichols and Josh Braun from Arkansas football team coming together to pray after their victory over Auburn on Saturday night,” the outlet wrote.

Christhlete also referenced the Bible verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The article zeroed in an Green, relating:

In a recent post, he shared several photos of him on the field and captioned them with Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Movieguide quoted from a Sports Spectrum article, which quoted Green: "I try to display that every time I go out on the field…I want everybody that watches me to, you know, see that light — see Jesus in me,” adding, “I want to take it off the field too…you know, God created me for more than just being a football player. I know, like, that’s my ability for sure, but, you know, I just wanted to be that light in the community.”

The article also quoted from a previous Movieguide article which described what had occurred at Ohio State: 

Per Sports Spectrum, “On Sunday evening, a number of current Ohio State players held a faith event on campus, organized by former receiver Kamryn Babb and attended by both OSU students and others from around the United States. The Lantern, Ohio State’s independent student newspaper, reported that the event was made possible through a collaboration of a number of local Christian churches in the Columbus area.”

I thought I would take this topic a bit closer to home.  In fact, just this week, Sports Spectrum featured an article centered on Alabama QB1 Jalen Milroe.  The article stated:

Milroe is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in college football, but he’s not after his own glory or fame.

“I get my strength from my Lord and Savior,” Milroe said last season after earning Alabama’s starting quarterback job. “I honestly say that, and I surrender my throne to Him, and I know that I can lean on Him no matter the circumstance. I honestly say I put my trust in Him no matter what.

“That’s where I get my strength at. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ And I can honestly say that. I can always lean on my Lord and Savior through any situation.”

While Alabama travels to Nashville to face Vanderbilt this weekend, Auburn travels between the hedges to face Georgia, a team coming off that loss last Saturday to Alabama.  

Payton Thorne showed improvement in the game after rocky performances against Cal and Arkansas. The website, AuburnTigers.com, featured a story about Thorne last year, in which he is quoted as saying: 

“My why every time I step out there is playing for my Heavenly Father and just trying to give back to Him what He’s given to me,” Thorne said. “It’s been the No. 1 most important part of my life. My parents have instilled that in me. Just going out there to glorify Him and do all I can to be at my best.”

A 2021 Sports Spectrum piece reported that when Thorne was at Michigan State, following a victory over archrival Michigan, he said: “None of this happens without my Heavenly Father,” Thorne said. “That is what everything points to. I look to Him for everything and I can’t be more thankful for all that He has done for me.”

Millions have watched these two competitors throughout their careers at their respective schools. To think about how these young men perform at a high level week after week in front of screaming fans and interested viewers is truly amazing.  And, then to not shy away from the faith that drives them is remarkable.

They play for what has been called, "an audience of one."  Certainly, they are watched by many, but ultimately, what counts is their love for and obedience to the Lord. 

But, quite frankly, they're no different.  Each of us has a calling upon our lives; Jesus came to save us and if we follow that plan for us and are saved, we enter into our Savior's plan for our lives.  We do what we do for that "audience of one."  And, we may not have millions observe our lives, but the numbers do not matter, it's our desire to obey God and to trust Him to empower us to follow through that are key.  In this "Famous Friday" commentary, I like to point to those people who are considered to be "high-profile," but the truth is, whether we minister to thousands, hundreds, a small circle, or another person, we are here to exalt our Savior. 

Growing in Groups

The Bible speaks in Ephesians 4 about the cohesiveness of the body of Christ. Paul is exploring the topic of the role of leaders to equip members of that body, and writes:
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

250 years ago, a man named Robert Raikes was concerned about the behavior of children in his English village.  As Lifeway Research relates, in 1780, Raikes started the first Sunday School.

The tradition of Sunday School has been a vital link to church engagement throughout the years, and now that model is one of many types of small groups that are part of local churches.  But, the small group concept originated long before Raikes acted out of love for the children of his hometown.  We can think of Jesus and His disciples as a bold example of a small group.  I think of David, who had a small group of "mighty men" around him.  And, there are others. 

In any church, regardless of size, a small group can be a source of fellowship and belonging.  Even in a congregation of 100 or less, people can find Christ-centered companionship among fellow believers. Churches have interest-based groups set up by age, such as children and youth, which are examples of opportunities to grow through teaching and fellowship. 

Lifeway Research has conducted a study about small group participation. Its website relates:

According to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant churches with ongoing adult Bible study groups, 56% say the label “Sunday School” describes at least part of their groups ministry. Almost 3 in 4 (72%) say they are comfortable with others referring to their groups as adult Bible studies. 

There are other names, as well: almost 40% use the terminology, "small groups."  Ken Braddy, director of Sunday School and network partnerships at Lifeway, is quoted as saying: “When it comes to Bible study groups, it’s less about the name we give the ministry and more about what the groups actually do,” adding “If a group learns and obeys God’s Word, invites others to follow Jesus, forms deeper relationships and engages in acts of service inside the church and out in the community, you can call a group ministry whatever you like.”

Just less than half of respondents say that the primary purpose is Bible study. Regarding the percentage of those who attend church who take part in small groups, about 4 out of 10 do so.  The article summarizing the survey states:

On average, churches have seven ongoing Bible study groups for adults with an average of 69 weekly participants. In a three-month period, the average church sees 91 individuals connect with a small group Bible study at least once.

Over 90 percent of small groups meet weekly, and 3 out of 4 meet year-round.  And most small group ministry leaders say their group members remain static over a long period of time. 

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, says: “The higher a church’s percentage of weekend worship attendees involved in a small group, Sunday School class or similar group, the more likely worship attendance growth is over a 5-year period.”  

We are part of the body of Christ - it's a large, worldwide body that has been extremely influential in our world today; it is doing excellent work and God is continuing to move through His people.  We meet in large groups frequently - as congregations, at conferences, and other larger events.  That is something that can be extremely healthy to our body.  But, smaller gatherings have their place, too - for those are the times in which we can discuss Scripture, fellowship together, and encourage one another on a deeper level.   

We can draw strength from not only our vertical relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and worship; but we can also receive encouragement through those horizontal relationships, as well. The body grows more cohesive as we know one another better. 

Purposeful Politics

God is speaking regarding the nation to which He has called us to inhabit. Psalm 33 states:
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

He is speaking, but are we listening and following His direction?  And, to what degree are the candidates who want our vote following God's principles?

A group of what was reported to be 300 "Christian leaders" have issued a statement that is entitled, generically enough, "Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction."  The signatories seem to be of the progressive wing of Christianity and at first glance, as Terry Mattingly notes in a piece I found at the Cumberland Times-News website, Andrew Walker of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary writes at The Gospel Coalition website: “It’s hard to read this new confession and disagree with any word in it. The statement is correct in virtually all its ... assertions about Jesus Christ’s supremacy over worldly political regimes and about the dehumanizing attitudes that can corrupt Christian political witness..."

He goes on to say:

Several commentators have noted that this confession appears — in format and subject matter — to have been inspired by the “Barmen Declaration,” published in 1934 by the Confessing Church of Germany as a rejection of the Nazi Party.

“Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction” declares: “No political ideology or earthly authority can claim the authority that belongs to Christ. ... We reject the false teaching that anyone other than Jesus Christ has been anointed by God as our Savior, or that a Christian’s loyalty should belong to any political party. We reject any message that promotes devotion to a human leader or that wraps divine worship around partisanship.”

Mattingly notes:

It’s important, noted Walker, that this new confession says Christians shouldn’t retreat from the public square, while it also condemns political actions it considers worldly.

In Walker's piece, he writes: "There’s nothing wrong with making political claims...if those are truly in the furtherance of the common good. Why? Because that’s what politics simply is: the organizing of power for the sake of mutual benefit."

He goes on to say:

Navigating the complexities of modern politics is difficult. But Christians must recognize that political power, when wielded justly, can be a tool for promoting the common good and upholding God’s created order. This requires discernment, wisdom, and a willingness to engage in the political process without compromising core biblical principles.

Walker chides signers of this declaration who associate with those who oppose Biblically-based viewpoints on the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, which obviously do not uphold the "common good." 

On X, pastor and podcast host Lucas Miles characterized this and other similar documents as "riddled with half-truths and politically charged language, subtly pushing a leftist agenda under the guise of faith. The signatories are predictably drawn from the ranks of progressive Christianity."  He posted the ID's of Russell Moore, Phil Vischer, Curtis Chang, and Karen Swallow Prior, all of whom have developed a reputation to be disruptive, left-leaning progressives. Miles goes on to say:

This latest statement, "Our Confession of Evangelical Conviction," is no different. It elevates human activism and social justice above the authority of Scripture, misdiagnosing America's real problem—sin—by scapegoating "candidate worship."

This "Confession" seems to be a utilization of Scripture to achieve a desired political outcome.  That's not the purpose of the Bible.  In examining our political choices, we start with the Scriptures, then we prayerfully examine our choices and, as it's been said, select the candidate who best lines up with our Biblical viewpoint.  We don't start with a worldly viewpoint and then attempt to fit Scripture to it. That's applicable to elections, and it's applicable to other areas of our lives.  

But, do not sit this one out.  We recognize that the direction of our nation has been greatly influenced by the outcome of elections.  Now, we realize that God is sovereign, and that He is ultimately the One who raises up and deposes leaders.  But, I believe there is a distinct responsibility the Church has, and because millions of evangelical Christians have actually sat out elections, as studies show, we have received leadership that does not reflect Biblical principles.  If we want leaders who reflect our deeply held beliefs - and there's nothing wrong with that, then we should examine the candidates and vote for the one closest to our beliefs.

Boys to Men

Our Lord Jesus, in His earthly ministry, demonstrated patterns of life that can be helpful to us today, and we can be reminded that we are empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit to live a life that honors Him. In John chapter 1, we can read:
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

A coming-of-age movie about a troubled young man who discovers the importance of character, rooted in a relationship with Christ, continues to hold on in theaters after over a month of release.  

An article at Religion Unplugged by Joseph Holmes states the the film, "follows Isaiah, a high school graduate living at home with his mom, Cynthia...with no plans for the future. After his mom threatens to start charging him rent to live there, Isaiah is taken under the wing by a man who promises to help him become the man God is calling him to be."

The article is critical of the film, but is fair in pointing out that, "The film deserves credit for tackling the problems of wayward young men. Men in our society are falling behind in school, dropping out of the workforce, abandoning marriage and parenthood and increasingly ending their lives."  While Holmes believes the film could have offered a different take on Joshua's plight, stating, "The film largely ignores putting us in Isaiah’s point of view or understanding his perspective."  And, Holmes believes the movie runs the risk of turning young men away from the Christian faith. 

But, Paul Asay of Plugged In quoted from film director Alex Kendrick in his review; he said: “We realize that some people are not going to like our movies, and we are totally OK with that,” adding,“But those that do, [those] that we can encourage and help go deeper in their faith, praise the Lord.”  Asay adds, referring to the mentor character, Joshua Moore:

And that’s really what The Forge is all about: An exhortation for Christians to go deeper.

“The Lord doesn’t need more lukewarm churchgoers,” Joshua says. “We need more believers who are wholeheartedly following Jesus.”

Why? Joshua shows us every moment he’s on screen. We see what total commitment costs—and what harvest it reaps. We see how one man can completely transform another man’s life—and how that transformation can exponentially grow. According to the Pew Research Center, 210 million people in the United States identify as Christian. Can you imagine what would happen if every one of those 210 million people were as committed to Christ as Joshua? If they gave so much of their time and treasure?

Regarding Isaiah's entry into manhood, Asay writes:

“A big part of becoming a man is showing up,” Joshua tells Isaiah.

The Forge shows us just how true that is. Isaiah’s father hurt Isaiah just as much by what he didn’t do as what he did. “He made all these promises,” Isaiah says. “[He’d] stop drinking, get a job, pick me up from practice—all lies.”

But as much as Isaiah doesn’t want to be his father, Cynthia sees Isaiah turning into him. He fails to show up and return his mom’s car on time. He oversleeps and shows up late for work. The process of becoming a dependable man isn’t always easy, and Isaiah’s story arc shows its ups and downs—but that arc ultimately lands in a positive place.

To his credit, Holmes explores the "why?' of a male character like Isaiah descending into rebellious behavior.  He states:

The thing is, we have pretty good information on why men today are struggling. Dr. Jonathan Haidt points out in “The Anxious Generation ” that overprotectiveness of children has undercuts boys' confidence growing up by keeping them from going on adventures without supervision — which they can’t gain confidence without having.

Schools reward girls’ natural sit-still-and-listen style of learning while punishing boys' active, hands-on learning style, as The American Psychological Association points out. Add that to men feeling stigmatized for their masculinity, as Dr. Richard Reeves's book “Of Boys and Men” unpacks, and many men don’t see the point of trying to succeed. A father can help if he and his son have a close relationship, as Nancy Pearcey’s “The Toxic War on Masculinity” shows, but they are still fighting against the current.

This results in a generation of boys who don’t have the skills and confidence in themselves to succeed in the world, and feel stigmatized for the parts of themselves they like. Therefore, they retreat into fantasy like video games or porn, which do validate their masculine drives.

It seems that Jonathan Haidt is getting quite a bit of visibility these days. Richard Blackaby states that, "Haidt is not a Christian. In fact, he would most likely claim to be a Liberal atheist." But, he seems to have discovered an important thread that could provide answers.  In a commentary by John Stonestreet and Jared Hayden at the Breakpoint website, they write:

Haidt argues in his latest book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, that collective action is what we need to save our children. He suggests four ideas that need to become new norms, which would require collective action: no smartphones before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and more independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world at an earlier age.

The commentary actually questioned the effectiveness of government action to regulate cellphone use for minors, and said that more stakeholders are needed.  The article states:

In recent years, local congregations and groups of Christian families have joined together to take the “Postman Pledge.” By taking this pledge, named after tech critic Neil Postman, families agree to a year of raising their kids sans smartphones and in social community with one another. 

Now more than ever, we need collective action to protect kids from phone-based childhoods. The more, the better.

The so-called "boy crisis" is something that is very much on the mind of Mark Hancock, the CEO of Trail Life USA, who has been a guest multiple times on The Meeting House on Faith Radio.  In a blog post in response to the renaming of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization stated:

For Trail Life USA CEO Mark Hancock, the name change served as a sobering reminder of a dividing line between principle and progressivism. "Our focus is different," he responded. "Our number one job is not to get kids into the program. Our number one job is to grow godly men. The reality is that males and females are fundamentally different in many ways: physically, emotionally, and in their relationships. Pretending otherwise in the name of progress or permissiveness might be culturally acceptable, but it does both sexes a disservice. Boys and girls deserve unique programs created with their specific needs in mind."

We are suffering the effects of the homogenization of gender and gender roles.  The Bible is clear that God made men and women unique. This means that there are specific attributes that are consistent with and an extension of biological sex.  This is not intended to perpetuate stereotypes, but the truth is, we live in an age of gender confusion, and what it means to be a man and if manhood is even valuable and relevant are topics that are up for debate in some circles. 

There are many reasons, but we can find wisdom to address these issues through the clarity of the Scriptures.  Rather than wander in confusion and despair, men - and everyone, for that matter - can gain a sense of identity by pressing into Jesus. He is a great model for us of true manhood - strong, yet compassionate; directed, yet dependent on His Heavenly Father.  In an age in which the Christian faith and Jesus Himself have been redefined, recast, we can know the stability and security that come through a relationship with Him.