Happy Birthday to the Coolest Woman I Know

Jeanna, I hope you have a great birthday. You Rock! But, I can still take you to school in any and every sport in existence.

Don't Waste Your Sports

I highly recommend CJ Mahaney's new little booklet on sports to anyone who watches or participates in sports (that's just about everyone). This is just a short little booklet, but it packs a punch that helps us glorify God through sports. Sports are a gift from God to be used to honor Him and not us. So, get a copy and pass it along to others. And don't waste your sports.

Baseball Playoffs

2 baseball posts in a row. A first for the blog!

Here is our Childers' Family Baseball Picks for the playoffs. We each picked one team from each league. Whoever's team wins the World Series gets a $10 gift card to Target. Noah is super excited that he could get 2 new cars with that (and he picked the Yankees!). My mom and I used to do this every year. The prize was always breakfast in bed for a week.

I picked the Phillies in the first round and got stuck with the Twins as my AL pick.

Fenway Park and Faith in God

My excellent wife bought me tickets to see the Red Sox and Yankees play at Fenway Park for my birthday and our anniversary. 10 years ago, we tried to get into Fenway but were unsuccessful. Jeanna worked hard to get these tickets and we both eagerly anticipated actually getting into Fenway to see a game this time. So, on Friday night, we were among the first to arrive at Fenway ready to see Big Papi tee off on Andy Pettite.

It started raining in Boston around 1pm on Friday and maintained a steady drizzle throughout the afternoon. The weather lady said it should stop raining by the evening. So, we had no doubt that we would see some baseball even if a little later than the official 7:10 start time. Well, 7:10 rolled around and the scoreboard said, "Due to the inclement weather, tonight's game has been delayed." No big deal. We were in Boston with no kids and nothing else to do but wait it out. So, we, along with tens of thousands of others found a dry place under the stadium to wait it out.

Around 9:15pm it stopped raining. The umpires, coaches, and grounds crew surveyed the field and determined it was time to play ball. We sat in our wet seats and watched the tarp get removed from the field. The pitcher and catcher emerged from the club house and started warming up. The announcer declared that the game would begin at 10pm. The pregame presentation was presented.

When 10pm rolled around, the tarp was back on the field and we were snuggled together (ponchos on) under the umbrella. It was now raining much harder than at any time during the day. Many left. Not us. We waited. No way was I going to leave if a baseball was going to be thrown that night.

At 10:30pm, with no hope of a game being played, we made the decision to leave. An incredibly disappointing decision knowing that the game would be rescheduled for long after we had returned to NC. And there are no refunds for games that are rescheduled.


Here were just a few of the thoughts graciously given to me by God:
-God sends the rain on the just and unjust.
-Rain obeys king Jesus.
-We were not the only ones who traveled from out of town to be at that game. I've positive others had reason to be disappointed as well.
-I've got the best wife in the world.
-Hey, at least we actually got into the park this time (picture evidence above). Maybe next time we'll actually get to see a game? Baby steps.
-This was a loud reminder to me that this world is not my home. Nothing can be trusted in this life.
-Disappointed heart: Hope in God. He will never fail you.

By the way, we got to bless some friends who are planting a church in the Boston area with the tickets. Glad they got to enjoy the rescheduled game Saturday night.

Not Better than Jesus

Snuggling with my daughter during the first inning of the All-Star game, I told her, "Albert Pujols is the best baseball player in the world."

Her immediate question: "Even better than Jesus?"

"No, sweetie, not better than Jesus. I meant best player in...(never mind). You're right. Nobody is better than Jesus."

Only Jesus is Worthy of Worship

God says to His people, "I will lay waste all your idols" (Micah 1:7). I guess that even means those idols that make a living hitting or throwing a ball.
Don't worship people who play sports (or any other human). None are righteous; no not one (Rom. 3).
But, Jesus is worthy of worship. Jesus is 10,000 times more great than the things and people we admire most. Jesus is the greatest treasure of all.

Game Day for The Glory of God

I just got finished reading Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. Basically, this is a helpful book for anyone who plays or watches sports. Stephen is obviously a huge sports fan and wants to help others recognize sports as a gift from God. The best part of the book for me is the practical advice for parents. I want my kids to play sports much differently than I did. Baseball was my life from 3 to 18 years old.

Here are some of the other main points from the book:

-Our talents are gifts from God (thus, we are to boast in Him and not in our abilities).

-Humility pleases God (not pride).

-Sports are an opportunity to develop character.

-Christ is a great Savior.

My one critique of the book is that it omits a serious discussion of the danger that sports can be in our culture. It seems to me that too many men think about, play, and watch sports way too much (meaning they are neglecting things clearly commanded by God). Sports are a gift from God and we should receive them as such. But, as with all gifts, it is possible to love them too much.

CJ Mahaney writes an appendix in this book in which he discusses how dads should use sports to teach their sons. He shares the conversation he has with his son prior to each practice and game:

• Humbly receive correction from your coach, and ask your coach how you can grow in character as well as athletic skill.
• Thank your coaches for the way they have served you. And thank the referees after each game.
• Encourage your teammates for their display of godly character and athletic skill--in that order of priority.
• Encourage your opponents during and after the game. If you knock someone over, extend your hand to help him up.
• Play the game passionately and unselfishly. Serve your team by playing aggressive defense [his father never did this] and passing the ball on offense [again, his father never did this.]
• Humbly respond when the referee calls a foul on you. Do not complain or disagree in word or by facial expression [unfortunately, his father always did this].
• No inappropriate celebrating after you score; instead recognize that others played a role [his father never did this].
• Thank the team manager for the way he served, and recognize the humility and servanthood he is displaying at each game. Remember that true greatness is sitting on the end of the bench.

Game Day for The Glory of God

Game Day for the Glory of God: A Guide for Athletes, Fans, and Wannabes is now available. This looks like a great book for all those interested in sports and all parents. I wish I had something like this 20 years ago.

You can see the endorsement by CJ Mahaney and read some sample pages at WTS.

Preparing to Preach

Like the rest of the world, I've been watching Michael Phelps dominate the Water Cube in Beijing. I am intrigued by his focus and determination. I wonder what in the world is he listening to on those headphones before each swim.

Most athletes have some sort of "pre-game" routine they go through to prepare themselves mentally. The best athletes have more than just physical abilities, they have an ability to focus and "get in the zone."

As I contemplated this, I was reminded that I do something very similar in preparing to preach on Sunday. I have a "pre-game" routine. My goal is much different. I'm not trying to "get in the zone." I'm not out to take anyone down or leave anyone in my wake.

My aim is to taste the sweetness of what I'm about to preach so that I can offer to others what I have found to be glorious and life-altering. My aim is to have the stench of Hell and the beauty of Heaven firmly fixed in my soul. My aim is to align my thoughts with the Word and align my affections with true realities.

So, here is something of what a typical Sunday morning will look like for me:

-When I get to the office, I read the Scriptures and look for promises to believe and fresh glimpses of Christ.

-I pray, always conscious of what is about to take place, pleading with God to make me feel the weight of it.

-I eat about 8 white powered donuts and down a bottle of water (hey, you burn a lot of calories while preaching).

-I review my manuscript, trying to preach to my own soul what I'm about to preach to others. I say parts of the sermon out loud to myself trying to press the truths into my heart.

-I pray through our church directory asking God to give me love for my people. I pray through the morning activities: set up, Bible study, service, tear down, lunch, evening activities, etc.

-Depending on how much time is left, I read something that is intended to awaken my affections. Usually it is something like: The Supremacy of God in Preaching or Brothers, We Are NOT Professionals by Piper.

-I pack up all the stuff and drive slowly to the school usually listening to a Cross-centered song and singing along (Sometimes I eat 1 or 2 more donuts on the way).

So, what about you? If you are a preacher, what do you do on Sunday mornings? If you are not a preacher, what do you do to prepare yourself to meet with God's people and hear His Word?