NFL, NBA - Rumors of Wars

Spirituality Column #244
July 12, 2011
Current in Carmel - Westfield - Noblesville – Fishers
(Indianapolis north suburban home newspapers)

NFL, NBA – Rumors of Wars
By Bob Walters

“It’s the end of the world as we know it …” - Rock band R.E.M., 1987

“Small group” is a familiar church fellowship phrase that has, ostensibly, nothing to do with sports or rock and roll.

These are small groups of Christians – friends, couples, families – who “do life together.” Especially in large congregations where it is difficult to feel human “closeness” (except when you’re crammed into the pews), it’s typical for 10 to 20 believers to join together for Bible study, prayer, Christian accountability, social and family activities, and even vacations. They just generally share together, as Christians, in the joys, ups, downs, burdens and sorrows of everyday life.

As a side note, our church used to call them “K-Groups” after the Greek word koinonia (coin-o-NEE-ah) meaning “communion of intimate participation.” Only we old folks still say “K-Group.” The “K” has been lost, I think, because modern church management wants to avoid scaring seekers with elegant, traditional and accurate Greek words. There are 2,000 years of Christian faith and thought that too many churches, sadly, choose to ignore. But the Christian story is too big for just Sunday, and small groups help us do life with Christ and with other Christians every day.

So … my K-Group, most Sundays in fall and winter, gathers at someone’s home to watch the Colts play. And when the Pacers are behaving and winning (remember those days?), or Butler is in the NCAA tournament, we watch hoops. There are couples and kids and lots of food and fellowship.

On this score, we are sunshine patriots. Winning teams foster community; so we watch. Losing teams don’t, so we don’t. Presently, the awful spectacles of the NFL and NBA locking out players, cannibalizing themselves in the midst of great success, and claiming the righteousness of their “cause” make the sane among us avert our eyes.

We can’t watch. Scripture helps us cope:

Matthew 23:33 (“Seven Woes”) – “You snakes! You brood of vipers!”

Matthew 24:6 (“Signs of the end of the age”) – “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. But see to it that you are not alarmed.”

1 Timothy 6:10 (“Love of money”) – “… the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

The lockouts are a shame but not the end of the world. I believe that’s coming one day (the “end”), but I doubt it will be about sports.

Walters (www.believerbob.blogspot.com, email rlwcom@aol.com) wonders if anyone at the negotiations has suggested beginning with prayer. You can bet all the vendors and sports infrastructure people are praying. Read all of Matthew 23.

God and Sportsmanship

Spirituality Column #169
February 2, 2010
Current in Carmel - Current in Westfield - Current in Noblesville
(Indianapolis north suburban home newspapers)

God and Sportsmanship
By Bob Walters

Christianity embodies the ultimate in sportsmanship: loving one’s enemy.

Sportsmanship is also about fidelity to team, obeisance to rules, abhorrence of cheating, discipline of preparation, trying one’s best, reveling in competition, respecting rival competitors, overcoming obstacles, sharing success, perseverance. Lots of stuff.

In a perfect world, that would all describe the community of Christ.

So … central Indiana … how did you feel a year and a half ago when you heard Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was out for the season with a knee injury?

Or during last week’s AFC Championship game? How do you feel today about the (NFL) Saints? Charitable? At peace? Faithful? Fulfilled?

Send Brady a get-well card did you? Hoping New Orleans has a pleasant and sportsmanship-filled experience vs. our Colts at Super Bowl XLIV?

Sporting endeavor has many faces.

Remember Jake Porter and the “viral video” from late 2006? Jake, a mentally retarded (inherited Chromosomal Fragile-X) high school senior from southern Ohio, scored a late, uncontested touchdown when his team, Northwest, was trailing 42-0 to Waverly, which stood aside as Jake happily ran 40 yards into the end zone.

Loved the moment. Felt warm inside. It’s a righteous world where things like that happen. But, c’mon. Unless one is a class-A jerk, it’s easy to be a sportsman when one is easily winning. The true test of humanity, and of faith, is when times are challenging, not when we’re up 42-0.

Remember the “Cobra-kai’s” whacko sensei in The Karate Kid? Don’t you hate that guy? “Sweep the leg!” Would you ever possibly pray for that guy? How about the opposing coach in Remember the Titans who called Denzel Washington’s character a monkey? Kill the racist with kindness? Or just kill him.

Striving and struggle and decency. Humility and grace. That’s sportsmanship. Winning at all costs for earthly reward and renown … that’s soulless idolatry.

God loves to see his kids play, and “running the race” (Hebrews 12:1) is a vibrant Biblical picture of living our lives for God’s glory. Let’s keep a firm handle on the fleeting, temporary, and earthly glory of sports achievement.

Whether one has just lost a game or won the championship, lost a job or won the lottery, the challenge of eternal victory is equally great.

The best win – a forever kind of win – is when Christ wins our heart.

Be sure Christ has a sporting chance in your life.

Walters (believerbob@blogspot.com or email rlwcom@aol.com) offers a sincere “well done” to Irsay, Caldwell, Manning, Garcon & Co. for their class, grace and humility before, during and after the Colts’ AFC Championship victory over the Jets.