Responding to Accurate Charges of Atrocity in the History of Christendom

This week, there has been a lot of debate about a historical (some called moral) equivalency when comparing atrocities in the history of Christianity with those within the religion of Islam.

Most of this is coming from remarks made by President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5.

No one can deny the truth that horrible things have been done in the name of Christ. The harshest critics and the honest followers of Christ must admit that there are sad blights in the long history of the Christian faith.

My list (though not exhaustive) includes: the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Salem Witch trials, exploitation and mistakes made by missionaries, anti-Semitic attitudes and actions, the child abuse cases found within Roman Catholicism, and consistent violations of Christian teaching including everything from torture, killing, sexual immorality, false teaching.....

Some of my favorite heroes of the faith have dark stains within their biographies and writings- Martin Luther, John Calvin included.

The greatest men of faith, even those listed in the 'Hebrews Hall of Fame- Chapter 11' have times of failure and sin listed in the very passages that extol their faith. These include Noah (drunkenness), Abraham (lying), Moses (murder), Jacob (deceit), Samson (lust), David (adultery, murder).... the Bible records the highs and the lows. 

The only person to completely live according the the Holy requirements of God is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

So what do we say in response to the charges of sin and hypocrisy?

And is there an equivalence when looking at these shortcomings of Christianity and other faiths?

But before I go further, there has to always be an important point made about the comparison of Christianity to any other faith.

Our default mode in human religion is to create a 'works' salvation... one where man must live GOOD enough to receive God's acceptance. The basic tenets of almost all human religion is to have our good deeds and virtue surpass our sin and vice.

The reason the Bible records the evil of man is to always shine the glorious light of the Christian gospel and the loving gift of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sin. Man is not saved by his good works, and he doesn't HAVE to be condemned by his sin.... Jesus Christ is offered as God's provision for the reality of sin and the 'problem' of God's holiness.

If I were a truly brave man... I would gladly list all my current sins one by one where you could see how 'guilty' I am.... my thoughts, deeds, actions, and inactions place my life in danger of the fires of hell. I only have one option.... I cling to the cross of Jesus.. His death is my only hope... that is how good the gospel is!

The Christian gospel is unlike ANY other religion... Religion is man's best attempt to get to God. Christianity is God's successful plan to get to us!

I find it sad that our society portrays all 'faith' systems as the same.....

All religions are not the same. They have different systems and practices. I do believe that jihadist Islam poses a violent danger to our world today. All religions have the possibility of perpetrating great oppression and harm. One has to look no farther than the Crusades to see the destruction that misguided human beings can cause in the name of religious belief.

But even in the case of the Crusades, there are fundamental differences in belief.

The Crusades demonstrate followers of Islam doing what their faith requires them to do and followers of Christ ignoring what their Savior requires them to do. The Crusades represent Islam at its best and Christianity at its worst.

THE CASE FOR FAITH

I want to recommend a chapter in an excellent book- The Case for Faith, by Lee Strobel. Strobel takes on this issue along with other issues and questions Christians are asked.

Chapter 7 is entitled, 'Church History is Littered with Oppression and Violence'. Strobel looks at the history of the errors I listed and asks historian, Dr. John D. Woodbridge, to respond to these questions.

I will summarize his argument and list a few key quotes from the chapter: 

"CHRISTIANITY has been a boon to mankind... (and) has had a beneficent effect upon the human race... Most people today who live in an ostensibly Christian environment with Christian ethics do not realize how much we owe to Jesus of Nazareth... What goodness and mercy there is in this world has come in a large measure from Him."  Dr. D. James Kennedy

Christians tend to see the instances of church abuse and violence through the centuries as anomalies in an otherwise positive situation. Critics, however, are more apt to see the travesties.....

Some of Woodbridge (some paraphrasing):

We always have to be careful when attributing sin to the 'church'. We must always make a point to show the line of demarcation... there are 'true' Christians and 'false' Christians. Sheep and Wolves in sheep's clothing.. cultural Christians and authentic Christians.. in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks of those who say "Lord, Lord" but Jesus says "Depart from Me, I never knew you".

"there are misleading stereotypes about what Christians have done and haven't done based on the reality that some critics fail to notice a difference in a cultural Christian and an authentic one." 

It is not the teachings of Jesus that are fault here.. it is (the inability of His followers to follow Him.)
'for whatever reason...they greatly strayed away from what he (Jesus) clearly taught.

We often think of Christians as the imposing majority when history does not bear that out....

"The typical Christian lives in a developing country, speaks a non-European language, and exists in the constant threat of persecution"

We must never downplay the tragedy of these terrible moments in history......

but, at the same  time, we must also recognize that in most cases... it was Christians who played key roles in righting the wrongs. And this often came from re-discovering the unchanging truth of God's Word and applying it accurately.

You can name and count many of the atrocities.... but there have been innumerable acts of charity that have been God-honoring.

A CALL TO THOSE LIVING ACCORDING TO NON-CHRSITIAN FAITHS

As I close, let me make one final plea:

Christianity makes a 'call' to the world.... we echo the call of Jesus.... 'sinner come unto Me'. 

True Christianity will never subjugate others with threat of sword... the True Church of Jesus is compelled to humbly serve and love... even those who do not believe.

We have never done it as well as we should... we often look 'no different' that the world... but we cry out.. do not judge this message based on our failures... judge the message on the ONE who gave it and the ONE who lived it and the ONE who demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Jesus died for us.

All who are oppressed under a yoke of man made religion.. the fear and pressure to live perfectly and a zeal to kill... walk away from that and enter into forgiveness and peace.

All faiths are not the same......

Come to Jesus... the One who conquered the grave... the One who is alive and offers grace and mercy.

Lay down the arms of Jihad and embrace the sweetness of being a child of the King!

Super Bowl 49- Calling Plays

As I was watching the game last night, I was reminded of a post I made in 2010 about the tough life of a play caller. One of the toughest lessons I have learned over the years is to not out think the pressure situations- put it in the hands of the best player.

1 timeout.... 2nd and goal... it becomes a potential 'throw away down'. I personally don't like an inside slant in that position, 

When you call it- the QB,Wilson is placed in the trigger puller of 'yes' or 'no'.

What Wilson saw was the 'open window' that the YES/NO alert made it a GREEN/GO.

The execution of the play was worse than the call- but I can't defend the call. The 'rub' was not vertical enough, the alignment was too tight to the run box, the route wasn't as sharp and physical to the ball for that part of the field, and the throw was too soft. If the stack was a little wider, the rub a little more vertical, the slant a tad sharper and more physical, and the throw a tad firmer- the Seahawks win.

You HAVE to give corner Malcolm Butler credit for an AMAZING rocket step.

So as you read what I posted in 2011... it is still the same... a good call works and a bad call doesn't... but that would not have been my call in that spot. Naked with a walk in or throw away? Yes  Give to Lynch and use timeout? Probably on 3rd down.......

Life of a Play Caller

When a coach is planing for a game- he is putting into his mental rehearsal a lot of information. First, he knows his team and players. He has watched them live and on film and he knows both strengths and weaknesses. He knows how healthy they are. He knows who is likely to perform under pressure and who is likely to choke. He has certain plays and players he trusts and he has certain others he does not.

Secondly, a coach tries to guess what the other team knows. As an opposing coach breaks down his team, what does he see? Who is he impressed with? Where does he see weaknesses?

Both coaches see schemes- and almost any coach knows the strong and weak match-ups of scheme. Behind the scheme are philosophical beliefs that have strengths and weaknesses as well. Some teams are very good against your philosophy and scheme- and other teams create real issues.

Thirdly, there is the plan and practice of the plan. What was new this week? How did it look? Was it repped enough to a point where the players can execute it in the game?

Finally, there is the game condition itself. How is the game going? What is the weather, field conditions, momentum?

There are many different styles and ways to call a game. I see it being very similar to playing a par 5 in golf. The drive is the field position- are we in the fairway? Then there is the risk and reward- do we lay up or go for the green in two? And you can always out think yourself a little- what is the other guy going to do? Is he coming with the blitz or will he back off in a zone?

Now- let me add one other factor- PLAY CLOCK. A good play caller has to immediately call out personnel, formation, and play- you really get no time to weigh pro and cons. That is why the excellent ones have experience and mental rehearsal to quickly pull the trigger.

The bottom line is this: it is kind of stupid to ever say "That was a dumb play call" unless you are privy to all the conditions I have described above. That is why it is very, very rare for me to even entertain the idea of questioning a play call. I tend to be a very supportive coach in that area.

To the common observer -
  A GOOD PLAY CALL WORKS AND BAD ONE DOESN'T.

I have had coaches tell me that I called a good game- it feels good- but the bottom line is this- only I know when I botched a call- which means I put the formation to the wrong side of the field- or I messed up the personnel- or I called something that I knew the players struggled with- or mis-spoke.

Next time you are at a game- don't fall into the temptation of saying 'that was a dumb call'- it might have been a brilliant call, but it just didn't happen. I have had dumb calls go for TD's and great ones lose the game..... it is that crazy of a sport!

Book Review (Plug)- 50 Years of Crimson Tide Faith

Book review:

FIFTY YEARS OF CRIMSON TIDE FAITH
BY WAYNE ATCHESON

I remember picking up my phone in October of 2013 and hearing the distinct greeting that immediately registered 'Mr. A'. Wayne Atcheson's voice is always full of energy, warmth, and joy.

He was writing a book and wanted me to tell about my experiences in FCA.

When I first got to Alabama (1982), Dr. Gary White was faithfully continuing the amazing ministry that Alabama's FCA has always had. When Mr. Atcheson returned to campus to become the head of  athletic media relations, he and his wife, Barbara, jumped right in where they had left off.

Where would I be without Alabama's FCA? I just don't know... 

I do know that getting a chance to walk away from football practice/workouts/studying and walk into the annex of Bryant Hall on Wednesday nights was an oasis for my time at Alabama.

Mr. Atcheson called me and told me he was writing a book on the 50th anniversary of the ministry that was started in 1964 and continues to this day. The University of Alabama has deep tradition and noteworthy achievements.... but to me... having the longest, continuing FCA on campus ministry is a special achievement.

 When I first started going to the meetings- it had already achieved that status. 

In the early days, it took some convincing to Coach Bryant to start the FCA meetings. As I have documented on my Coach Bryant blog (Bear Bryant Memories), Coach Bryant had a logical concern when it came to the mixing of faith and football.

Coach Bryant told us on more than one occasion about the 3 toughest linebackers he ever coached against were 3 guys at Baylor who went on the be Baptist preachers!

And Mr. A told us how early on Coach Bryant was worried that FCA was going to be the worst thing that happened to his program, but after just a few years.. he realized the opposite. He told Mr. A that FCA was one of the best things that ever happened to his football team.

THE BOOK:

I received my first copy of the book when I went to a book signing ceremony where Mr. A, Wesley Britt, and Bobby Humphrey all greeted eager Tide fans and signed a good number of books.

It is outstanding! Mr. Atcheson knows the right way to present the stories.

I have given away about 5 copies of the book and what has been cool is the response I have received. The way the chapters are written makes it very pleasurable to read in intervals... each story being its own testimony to God's faithfulness and grace.

IMPACT WITHOUT MEASURE

When I finished the last page, I paused and was overwhelmed with one thought that stuck with me for many days....

Lives!....... Souls! The great number of people who were connected and blessed!

God's kingdom has a ministry that multiplies.

Like the parables that Jesus told where the smallest things grow to enormous things (example of the Mustard seed), I 'saw' thousands and thousands of lives that had been touched by the men and women who had contact with the ministry of FCA.

In the early 60's.. Mr. A would type a unique 'newsletter'..it had quotes, verses, kind of a Christian version of Poor Richard's Almanac. He would then walk down the hall of green doors and put that flyer into each room.

The book chronicles all the tangible lives we do see..... I believe the impact of the ministry is even more in the realm of the unseen and unknown.

Like the guys who read the flyer and maybe never came to a meeting, but a seed was planted for a time in the future.

Or those who gave money to buy drinks, funds for retreats....

Those who prayed.... I can't wait to watch the replay of prayer impact  when we get to eternity!

Or all the players who traveled to small towns throughout the state and gave testimonies to crowds of young people.

50 years had multiplied into changed lives... in staggering numbers and it continues to this day!

Thank you, Mr. A, Dr. White and so many more who dedicated their lives to helping guide young men through the maze of the odyssey of college days.

Ultimately, all of this is about the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. The good news for sinful men. If you followed any character in the book and looked close enough... you would find sin. I say that first hand as one of those stories!

But what I heard every Wednesday night were connectors and reminders that we cannot earn God's love, we do not add up good deeds and receive God's favor..... 

We came each week thankful that there was a substitute. Jesus Christ willingly gave His life that we may find justification in His cleansing blood of sacrifice and atonement.

I am not good...He is good.

I am not perfect...He is perfect.

And we walked out of the Bryant Hall Annex every Wednesday night with the renewed hope and joy of that message. 

And the result? Read the book! It is a great testimony to the power of the gospel and the platform of Alabama athletics... all to the glory of God.  

ESPN GAMEDAY

My last interaction with Mr. A was on campus during ESPN College Gameday before the Mississippi State game this year.

I saw a sharp dressed Mr. Atcheson going through the crowd and cheerfully/humbly giving out little flyers about the book.

He saw me, exchanged warm greetings, he gave me a stack of flyers and moved on.

I stopped watching the GameDay show at that moment. I watched Mr. A for a full 5 or 10 minutes... walking along.. like the Sower in the parable... faithfully throwing out the good seed and praying for good soil.

I want to be there to see all of the fruit that this faithful man has been a part of..... more stories than any book could ever hold!

By the way- Mr. Atcheson now runs the Billy Graham library. He has been honored by Samford University for his distinguished work and career... the man is still sowing ALL THE TIME.

Wayne Atcheson- Billy Graham Library

WHY GOAL SETTING LEAVES YOU EMPTY

Before you begin and quit another New Year's resolution, take time to think through the BIG PICTURE.....

Daniel Harkavy is a pro. He and his ‘coaches’ make a lot of money going into companies and helping them improve in areas of business and profitability.But Harvaky and his group (www.becomingacoachingleader.com) WILL NOT move into business planning UNTIL the client writes a ‘Life Plan’.

 Harvaky writes: “Most people initially discount the ‘life planning’ part of our coaching process…they say to us ‘We don’t want any of that fluffy (life planning) stuff’… but since ‘life planning is non-negotiable with us (they have to do it). Most of the time they end up telling us how glad they are that they went through the process. Immediately after completing their LIFE PLAN, they consistently tell us that they have already received their money’s worth… (pg. 58).

So why is the big plan so important, and why do groups like Harkavy’s choose this approach over ‘goal-setting’?

Because goal setting is endless. It creates frustration when we fall short. It creates momentary exhilaration when we achieve them- but always has a ‘let down’ afterward. And it can create a life where we set goals for simply ‘achieving a goal’ but the goal may not be a wise course of action for our time or priorities.

I find this in almost every instance. When we won the football state championship in 1998- the quest began for the next one- we did it again in ‘99, but it seemed less enjoyable and then we did not do it again until 2003…… were all of those other teams unsuccessful?

Hal Higdon has an entire section in his book, “Marathon- The Ultimate Training Guide” devoted to ‘Post-marathon Blues”.“We focus our lives on this one event for 5 months- and then its done” reflects a Melbourne Beach, Florida runner “Now what?”

NOTHING WRONG WITH GOALS- But instead...think about “Achievement” and “Success”

As a football coach, around 2005 or so, I began to try and differentiate the difference between ‘success’ and ‘achievement’. This was spurred on by a conversation I had with Coach David Cutcliffe. To me ‘Success’ is when you live and conduct your affairs in line with your ultimate call or mission.‘Achievement’ is the accomplishment of achieving short and long term goals. 

Example: For a football team, I define achievement as : 7 win regular season- playoff qualification- region championship- perfect regular season- advancement in the playoffs- making the championship game- winning the state title- ALL NOBLE AND FUN ACHIEVEMENTS. And you may or may not hit some or all of those.

But SUCCESS were things like: Did we become a team? Did we learn to fight? Did we learn to love our brothers? Did we learn to sacrifice? Did we play with class and character? Did we learn to persevere? Did we learn how to finish? Did we learn how to improve every week? Did our leaders lead? Did our team follow coaching and leadership? These provide a way to be successful EVERY SEASON.

If these are true: You can have achievement WITHOUT SUCCESS and you can SUCCEED without achievement. And if I had to choose… I choose ‘success’ but usually, they go hand in hand.

This is why goals WITHIN the context of a life plan makes more sense. If the ‘Mission’ is in clear view- the goals serve to be a tool of support and the exhilaration comes in the stream of walking in your ultimate purpose!

ONE MORE STEP ACROSS THE LINE……

In ‘Ages of Faith’, Alex de Tocqueville wrote, “the final aim of life is placed beyond life”.

For a Christian believer, the life plan HAS to have the finish line past the mortal end.

The PLAN or MISSION keeps you on task…. without an ULTIMATE AIM, you are likely to be living reactive…less proactive… frequently distracted… doubling back… or in Bible language – children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.(Ephesians 4:14 ESV)

I love the definition Harvaky uses about a LIFE PLAN:

‘In essence, Life Planning is nothing but a process of accumulating net worth in THE MOST IMPORTANT ACCOUNTS OF YOUR LIFE!”

Harvaky Life Plan Process:

• Identifying IMPORTANT accounts (spouse, family, spiritual life, health, service, career, fun, vacation, charity, dreams, community, finance, development, etc)

• Writing Action Steps to fulfill a ‘vision’ for these accounts

• Prioritizing time/goals/decisions in light of ALL the important accounts

• Write/ Review/ Adjust/ Share/ Teach your plan

 in 2014, I developed an entire devotional series around developing a mission statement and learning about the call of God on our lives.

(Sorry, it goes in reverse order- you have to scroll to the bottom to get day 1 and work up the list: You can access it here:   MY AIM)

All of this has caused be to change how I do resolutions....

Instead of making a new year's resolution, I take a year to do monthly 'house keeping' around my life mission statement.

My year always goes something like this:

In January - I take some time to pray through my year- evaluating the year before and thinking about future desires. I usually take a THEME for me as a point of emphasis. (Last year was improving my ZEAL).

February is a FAST of some kind= 28 days to do without. One year it was social media- last year it was caffeine- what am I addicted to? What types of things are idols in my life.

March is either Momentum march or mediocre March and I have to get in the first few weeks to see how I am doing...... it basically is 'hang on until Spring Break'!

April is very important- It is the real beginning of my year. It is 'the cruelest month'- it is a tough eating and exercise plan and very regimented- but it is a good time to do it because of the nicer weather... nature helps here.

May is 'mission statement'- this is where I re-visit- God's primary calling, His secondary calling, changes in my life purpose statement...

JUNE/JULY- Energy and joy- I love summers- the longer days- key planing

August- "ALL IN" - PEDAL TO THE METAL

September/October- Priorities/Prayer- execution. A commitment to quality.

November- ‘No Gain November’… this is when I usually do the worst on eating. My main goal is to weigh the same or less on Nov 1 and Dec. 1. This year I did awesome- but December was a bust.....

December- Reflection, Rest (Christmas Break), and Evaluation. The most critical part of evaluation is going back over the goals in specific areas- spiritual, financial, family, home improvement, physical, and professional.

I'm considering making prayer my priority in 2015. It means taking some blog writing time and screen time and converting it to actual prayer- I have such a long list of things that I pray through- I want to to it better and with more passion- enjoying my time before the Father and His throne of grace.

Because of this, I don't think I will be writing as much in 2015.

My next big writing project will be producing an e-book on offensive football and I have a 'novel' idea as well...but I don't have a lot of fiction writing talent or confidence.

Blessings on everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Have Yourself a Babylonian Christmas?

Is 21:9 And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!” And he answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her god she has shattered to the ground.”

The Bible uses many famous cities both literally and figuratively. There were real cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Jerusalem, and Babylon…. but the Bible also uses these cities figuratively. It does the same with famous mountains and places.

The fall of Babylon is a key motif in Scripture and it has profound implications…. especially to Western Christians as we live and work in some of the most prosperous times in world history!

So we must pay attention to the LITERAL demise of ancient Babylon and understand the applications of the FIGURATIVE Babylon.

The prophetic details regarding the fall of ancient Babylon, as minutely recorded in the Old Testament narratives, truly are astounding. This is but another example of the amazing evidence that demonstrates the character of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. The accuracy of the dozens of prophecies regarding the fall of Babylon has baffled skeptics for generations. So remarkable has been the precision of the fulfillment that critics often have resorted to redating the predictions in both Isaiah and Jeremiah so as to make them appear to be records of history instead of prophecy!

                                            WAYNE JACKSON-Babylon, A Test Case in Prophecy

Our modern cities with their wealth, false religions, and sexual exploitation are modern forms of Babylon. The media and their advertisements can bring into our homes and thoughts the seducing message of worshiping money, sex, power, and pleasure. Advertisements tell us that satisfaction and meaningful living can be found if only we buy the latest product.

                                                                                Vern Poythress

What’s so bad about Babylon?

A Faulty System: “The system whereby man and women, beginning absolutely by themselves, try rationally to build out from themselves, having only Man as their integration point, to find all knowledge, meaning and value”  Francis Schaeffer

• A System that Love things and Uses People-
• A System Run by Selfish People
• A System Run by Wicked People- Ch 17- Mother of the Earth’s Abominations

Where we have to be careful, is that though the destruction is predicted, it comes upon the people without warning. And because it happens in God’s timing, a lot of people stop believing that it will happen.

Sadly, when it happens…. it comes ‘crashing’ down … it was predicted…. it was ignored.. but it does happen and catches MANY people unaware and unprepared.

Have you ever seen the sudden destruction of those who stand against God? I have. You pray for them and it looks like nothing is even close to happening… and the fall is shocking!

Babylon is going to be taken down…. so the key is for us to destroy  Babylon now. In other words, what allegiances do we have to this city that is defiant to God and God’s people?

And this is a wise choice….. It is going away anyway!

Think of it as a twist on the famous  Jim Elliott quote:

“He is no fool to put away what will be destroyed, to pursue what will last.”

One leading pastor in helping us understand this journey is Tim Keller. Tim Keller has ministered and served in New York for over 25 years. He meets people who are trapped in the Manhattan lifestyle.

Consider how he begins this important process……

“I ordinarily begin speaking about sin to a young, urban, non-Christian like this:

Sin isn’t only doing bad things, it is more fundamentally making good things into ultimate things. Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God. Whatever we build our life on will drive us and enslave us. Sin is primarily idolatry.”   Tim Keller   

By the way... you can live in Babylon without having a Babylonian Christmas......

Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.   

“ Worldliness is what any culture does to make sin seem normal and righteousness seem strange.” G.K. Beall

The glamour of this world system is a lot of promise but little fulfillment. Contrast this to Christ. As others flee in distress, Christ endured the cross. The world woos and Satan strikes. We spit on Christ and He forgives. We give hours to the world and minutes to Christ. We give thousands to the spirit of the age and pennies to God’s kingdom. Yet, over and over, the cross is proof of God’s love. Time is proof of God’s patience. But the Scripture is clear, the day of grace will close and destruction will come suddenly. Those who have served Babylon, loved Babylon, treated God and His people with contempt…. will meet the wrath of a Father whose son has been mistreated, ignored, and murdered. In the end it will come down to two kingdoms. Some who said to God, “Thy will be done” and others to whom God says to them, “thy will be done.”

Are you weary of this culture? Are you tired of Babylon?

Our post-modern carnage has left us:

• fractured: from no consensus-
• shallow: from endless sound bites and sloganeering (please- no more snappy mission statements)-
• disillusioned: from no appeal to truth, and
• fatigued: from microwave, fast paced activities, but no form to support the pressure.

DESTROYING ‘BABYLON’ IN OUR LIVES

As we list modern day idols, simple state what are the ‘good things’ that we have made into ‘god things”?

• Active Allegiance to the King of Kings

It is important to publicly stand with Christ. Let your allegiance be known! I was convicted years ago by a famous question: If you were put on trial for the crime of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict?

• Gospel Message and Spirit Power- Preach the gospel to yourself everyday

Our only hope in escaping Babylon is to be set free by the true gospel. “The gospel is too good and life is too short for us to spend our lives as posers” David Filson

• Practicing The Disciplines of Grace (Prayer/Scripture/Fasting/Worship/ Sacraments)

I call on all of us to reclaim the lost art of discipleship. We need to meet in small groups and encourage one another to practice our faith. We are not saved by our rituals and routines, but we live lives of obedience BECAUSE of God’s free gift and grace!

• Silence and Solitude- Evaluation

Because this is so important..take time to truly ask God to show you where you are. Ask hard questions… read the beautiful verses that lay out the doctrine of grace!

• Fellowship and Accountability

This is similar to point #3… but Christianity is NOT a lone ranger lifestyle.

• Patience and Perseverance

Don’t give up. God has a pace. He is never late, but He is seldom early! Patience helps us grow. This race is a marathon…not a sprint!

Try These Things:

Do an Idol Inventory- Ask God to reveal and then help with the fight

Do a Relationship Inventory- Strengthen the Bonds!

Giving to God’s kingdom in Proportion to Supporting World’s System

Discipline and Restraint in Regards to Appetites

TV/ Movies/ Music/ Entertainment- Ask for Discernment

Christian Liberty- Ask for Discernment “All things lawful- but not all profitable”

Loving Confrontation – “Hard on Yourself and Tender Toward Others”

II CORINTHIANS 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

The following is an idol inventory that I adapted (stole) from Tim Keller… I find it VERY useful!

IDOL INVENTORY- Adapted From Tim Keller

Power idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I have power and influence over others.

Approval idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am loved and respected by _________.

Comfort idolatry:“Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.”

Image idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I have a particular kind of look or body image.

Control idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am able to get mastery over my life in the area of _____________.

Helping idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ people are dependent on me and need me.”

Dependence idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ someone is there to protect me and keep me safe.”

Independence idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am completely free from obligations or responsibilities to take care of someone.”

Work idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am highly productive getting a lot done.”

Achievement idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am being recognized for my accomplishments, if I am excelling in my career.”

Materialism idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I have a certain level of wealth, financial freedom, and very nice possessions.

Religion idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am adhering to my religion’s moral codes and accomplished in it activities.”

Individual person idolatry: “Life only has meaning/ 1 only have worth if ‑‑ this one person is in my life and happy there and/or happy with me.”

Irreligious idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I feel I am totally independent of organized religion and with a self‑made morality.

Racial/cultural idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ my race and culture is ascendant and recognized as superior.”

Inner ring idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ a particular social grouping or professional grouping or other group lets me in”

Family idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ my children and/OR my parents are happy with me.”

Suffering idolatry: “Life only has meaning /I only have worth if ‑‑ I am hurting, in a problem ‑­only then do I feel noble or worthy of love or am able to deal with guilt.”

Understanding idolatry:  “Life only has meaning / I only have worth if – I understand why I am the way I am and understand my idols!”

Safety idolatry: “Life only has meaning / I only have worth if – I am pursuing the safest course of action and not taking risks emotionally or physically”

Authenticity idolatry: “Life only has meaning / I only have worth if – I am not pretending and being honest [shameless] about who I really am”

This Christmas... let the Lord do some heart surgery. Find your worth in Him and enjoy your time with family and friends. Don't live like you need to rise is status in a system that is corrupt. This doesn't mean you have to flee the world... you can live in it and discover the riches that really matter! 

If Christmas lets you down...could it be that you have idolized even what the holidays are supposed to do for you?

"God rest you Merry Gentlemen".............

Don't Over Analyze The Tide

We live in a world of prognostication and 'expert' opinion. There are so many 'analysts' that we have entire networks whose content carries as much analysis and opinion as actual contests!

But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a participant and consumer of the the bark and bluster.

This post is no different.

But I feel like I needed to offer some restraint on those who have written off Alabama's defense based on the Auburn game.

I have spent most of my years as a coach on teams that emphasized defense. Most coaches would admit (if they HAD to choose) that they would rather be good on defense better than being good on offense. A great defense keeps you in every game.

Most teams who are better on offense will have the ability to light other teams up...but there is always that sad loss where you are a better team, but you just keep mis-firing and you get run off the field by an opponent you should not lose to.

Alabama lives and thrives on defense.....
But, when you look at an entire season, it always makes you feel good when an offense saves you when you have a poor defensive outing.

In Alabama's case, an explosive offense and an aggressive play caller avoided what could have been an ugly upset last Saturday night.

And what makes this Alabama team fun is that they win games as a complete team. 

Through a coaches eye... I see where good play on both sides of the ball aided the win against Auburn and failure in all three areas (special teams/defense/offense) contributed to the close loss in Oxford.

Why is Alabama the most dangerous team in the country? They are the deepest team in college football and they play as a team.

When an analyst says Alabama was torched by the Auburn offense... he is really pointing to long passes that were outstanding plays by the Tigers.

Alabama's worst stretch of the game defensively was EARLY in the game, where... even though they were up 14-6.... had given up too many big runs inside the tackles.

Once the inside game was plugged up. Auburn was left to connecting over the top. That is a play Alabama wants teams to take. The theory is that if you can keep those throws from scoring TD's, and you make teams kick FG's in the red zone.. you can win IF you play good offense and special teams.

The biggest improvements I have noticed this season include Alabama using 4 defensive linemen more and getting a great pocket push from those 4. And it is a deeper team. I thought Alabama looked fresher in the 4th quarter than Auburn, in spite of the many number of plays Auburn ran.

The other improvement is the mobility of the QB. Simms' ability to extend plays has done what McCarron was not able to do last season (no disrespect to him intended- who can argue with his career?)

This is the most explosive offense Alabama has shown even though other teams may have been better. You have to credit Lane Kiffin's style.... he has no fear and calls the game loose and confident.

Special teams still frustrate the fan in me. UA's punter is amazing, but kick-off coverage scares me and FG situations make me very uneasy.

And Alabama is VERY good on defense. If you end up in 3rd and long... look out!

Based on that, here is how I see the rest of it playing out.

Missouri will be toughest against the Alabama offensive line. But Alabama's defense will limit Missouri's scoring opportunities. If no one panics at a low scoring and close halftime score... Alabama's depth will salt the game away in the 2nd half.

With Mississippi State being out of the 4 team playoff...that has helped Alabama. There will be no team in the final 4 that has the defensive front 7 like Alabama.

Missouri is the most dangerous game of the 3 potential games remaining.

If I were having to guess... (no particular order after Mizzou)

Alabama 31- Missouri 17 in a game that was very close until mid-way thru 3rd Q.
Alabama 24- FSU 13- Defenses dominate the game
Alabama 28- TCU 21- Exciting game with good plays on both sides
Alabama 35- Oregon/Baylor 24 (people will be surprised at how athletic defensive linemen hold down 'super spread' teams scoring)
Alabama 31- Ohio State 24- (people will be surprised how well OSU plays the Tide)

And my predictions are worth about the same as any other..... meaningless and likely not close to reality!