Saturday, January 05, 2008

politics and sports

In my last post I hammered a little on politics and sports. Actually I think both are quite alright in their good and proper place. And politics is important in that governing authorities are accountable to God to serve in a certain sphere.

Of course Jesus is political in that everything God does in bringing in the kingdom in Jesus touches all of life, including the political realm. There was not the separation we make between the religious and "secular" sphere back at that time, as we have now. And I believe politics, though never to be seen as "the second coming", is important. We need good policies and I am grateful for the religious freedom we have here, as well as for the strengths of our government, while at the same time acknowledging that it's not the kingdom of God, and that any utoia is out of reach in this present time and sphere.

Now to sports: My Ohio State Buckeyes- I'm from Ohio- get to play again on Monday night for the national championship. I like them in this game, though they may not win as LSU is a very formidable foe. But it should be fun. Maybe I'll even get a six pack and enjoy a couple through the game. Sports is good, especially to participate in, but it's fun to see a good game. It so easily gets too big for people like me, so I purposefully hold it at arms length, and rather out of sight, so as not to get too caught up in it. But it's fun, and we need some of that in life, to be sure.

In all things I want to be a true follower of Jesus. How would Jesus do it, and what is God doing in Jesus are two questions we need to ask, though I think the latter question is more the one we need to be asking so as to know how to live in Jesus now. Get into it; yes, I was even pulling hard for Michigan in their win against Florida! May God help us in this, and in all else to be growing in ways that please him and are a blessing to others.

Oh by the way, part of that is to be able to discuss both politics and sports with congeniality- a bigger word than I like, but meaning agreeably even when disagreeing. Either one can become a source of contention and can trip us up. We need to listen well, and learn. And see everything in its proper place. These things either have their limitations, or in the case of my Buckeyes, really don't matter at all. But having said that: Go Bucks! And maybe you can get a glimpse of the political debates on ABC this evening; I plan to, along with catching how big Ben -his father Ken was a high school classmate of mine, and a good quarterback himself- and the Steelers are doing in their game.

What about you?

9 comments:

Every Square Inch said...

I don't know much about the BCS Championship game but I'm all psyched up for the Redskins, Seahawks playoff game today.

I don't know if you've followed the episodic tale of the Redskins season with Pro Bowl safety, Sean Taylor's murder but it's been an opportunity for the gospel to be expressed.

Joe Gibbs is a Christian and very boldly proclaimed the gospel at ST's funeral which was carried live on major sports channels.

Since that point, they won 4 straight games and made the playoffs. I think it would be great if they kept the winning streak going but Seattle is a tough team at home so we'll see what happens.

OK, I'll stop my partisan Redskins ramblings...

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI,
Great to hear that. You know, both Gibbs and Holgrem are professing Christians, in fact I think Holgrem is a member of a church in my own denomination of the Evangelical Covenant, though I would just prefer that we'd all call ourselves Christians.

But anyhow, I'm not even sure who I'd root for in that game. So good to hear of Gibbs' proclamation of the gospel at Sean Taylor's funeral.

Anonymous said...

"so as to know how to live in Jesus now"

i am relating to this at the moment

especially the "now".

i am finding for me that the relating between me and God and others takes place in the unfolding of the moment...the now.

i think that for while i am human that it is where my perception of and doing relationship resides.

for when i realize that God is with me in the moments of unfolding of time in front of me.
we are together in whatever it is at that moment. and if i can put my attention there, then i can percieve our relationship in that moment. it is quite a buzz.

btw...
i do not think that you look sad in your photo. i like the photo. i was thinking that it is fun to change the photos whenever the time seems right...kind of like now and then. our looks change all the time and so can the photo.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Yes, in the now. It is true. Though I don't think we know what's going on in the now all the time, or to some extent any of the time. We're so ever dependent on God. And God hits us in the now with what we don't always like, to help us along to be truly in God, and not in a self-way.

Well, you can tell I'm reading.

Oh yeah, the photo. Don't know, but certainly change occurs. It is kind of fun to change photos, though you're the creative one in all this. I'm just trying to present something viable, or okay. I guess I don't see myself as sad there, though maybe some sadness is there. Just myself perhaps.

Anonymous said...

i think the best way to be in God is to be with God. be together all the time that we can. because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can be with God all of the time. it is just up to us to want to include Him.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Yes, and that inclusion has to end up being God at the heart and center and God's will over our own. So that it's not adding God to our own agenda and plan, but submitting ourselves to him, as I know you do agree.

Anonymous said...

good addition...yes, i do agree.
to humble myself before god. mainly not to be distracted though and to remember bring my heart and head to a place where i have not forgotten that He is there and wants for us to be in relationship.
just like communicating with Him as though i can see Him there with me all of the time...though i am being reminded that He is with me just as life is being unfolded in front of me right now and all the right nows that i live.

it is getting down to the nitty gritty right now.

and i really just wanted to put that into words in case of a need of the information to be communicated.

thanks for your patience.

Anonymous said...

it is like He is blowing life into my face...like playing peek a boo with a baby...like some one walking toward me getting closer...like the wind blowing leaves right up in front of me...like He is bringing Himself right at me all of the time through time and life unfolding in front of me.

it is wonderful
it is like it is there
even though i can not see it
it is happening as life and time is created and goes on being created as i type.
God is here.
and He is there with you as well.

i am just so
well it feels like
love

:-)

Ted M. Gossard said...

Yes, Nancy. You have an interesting gift and imagination which is a blessing to those of us who don't have that.

I don't express mystical stuff well, but you do. Thanks.