Does God Care about Sports?

If you like, follow this jump to an article that asks this question. I think it’s the wrong question. A better question is, “Why do we assume God cares about what we care about?” Or better yet, “Why do we care so little about things we know God cares about?”

We are so myopic. Our cares must necessarily be God’s cares too. Right?

Here are a few things God cares about (none of these will get as much attention as the games tonight): children in Haiti… families in Sudan without clean water… teenager boys in hoodies getting shot, teenager boys in hoodies doing the shooting… hungry kids in Nicaragua… God cares.

God cares about Gaza. He cares about Ashkelon too. Both sides, one as much as the other. God cares about Obama and Romney, John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi. God cares about everything and everyone.

So… I actually do think God cares about the NBA, The Final Four, all things football and MLB. I think God knows Opening Day is just a week away and He prefers natural grass and day games to turf and domes. God even cares about track and field, though I am sure He cares nothing about Hockey.

God cares about sports because God cares about people. All people. Winners and losers. Those who play and those who don’t. And can’t.

Be careful not to care so much for sports (caring too much is a pathway to idolatry) that you wonder if God cares. Of course he cares.

Don't Ever Think You Can't Make a Difference

BEEKMAN: From the Village to the Hood a video by Megan Cruz on Vimeo.

Help us send bicycles to the South Bronx. E-mail me to find out how you can help. Check the Global Samaritan website for more on A House on Beekman and other mission opportunities.

Collecting kindness, giving hope, serving the world.

Wars and Rumors

There will be wars and rumors of wars…

Jeffrey Goldberg, a national correspondent for the Atlantic, writes his current piece about Israel, Iran and the probability of war. As recent as last week Goldberg considered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be bluffing about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Goldberg lately noted how Netanyahu has maneuvered the conversation. Obama vowed the U.S. is not content to merely “contain” a nuclear Iran. And when they met in Washington recently there was zero discussion of the Palestinian issue.

So the talk about Iran and nukes has been bluster, a scam to move Obama to speak out? Goldberg now thinks otherwise. From his current column:

After interviewing many people with direct knowledge of internal government thinking, however, I’m highly confident that Netanyahu isn’t bluffing -- that he is in fact counting down to the day when he will authorize a strike against a half-dozen or more Iranian nuclear sites.

Wow. I know many of us pray for Israel and Iran daily. Today is not the day to stop...

Are You Living Life or just Managing Sin?

I’ve observed that many Christians believe if they stop doing bad things (drinking beer, looking at porn, sneaking a smoke...) they have a chance of going to heaven.

They are "sin managers."

They don't talk too much about their faith in the positive, what they believe or what they do. Instead they talk quite a bit about their faith in the negative, what they do not believe and what they do not do.

Just avoiding sin does not help you become what God wants you to be. Even if you manage your sin really well you might still never reflect the character of God (justice, mercy, faithfulness...). You might never live guided by The Spirit and produce its fruit (love, joy, peace...).

If your greatest hope is when you come to the gate of heaven there will be more points for you than there are strikes against you and somehow you'll get in, I have news for you.

God has greater plans for you than that.

C-130 Versus F-16

The C-130 was lumbering along when a cocky F-16 flashed by. The jet jockey decided to show off.

The fighter jock told the C-130 pilot, "Watch this!" and promptly went into a barrel roll followed by a steep climb. He then finished with a sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier.

The F-16 pilot asked the C-130 pilot what he thought of that.

The C-130 pilot said, "That was impressive, but watch this!"

The C-130 droned along for about five minutes and then the C-130 pilot came back on and said, "What did you think of that?"

Puzzled, the F-16 pilot asked, "What did you do?"

The C-130 pilot chuckled. "I stood up, stretched my legs, went to the bathroom, then got a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun."

When you are young, speed and flash may be great. When you get older and smarter, comfortable and dull are not so bad!

Courtesy of Doc's Daily Chuckle via Dee Lott

Press Release

March 8, 2012 – Abilene, Texas

Global Samaritan Resources 
Hires Danny Sims as Executive Director

Global Samaritan Resources – a Christian humanitarian aid organization located in Abilene, TX has hired Danny Sims of Fort Worth, Texas, as its new Executive Director, effective March 1^st.   

Danny is a 1985 graduate of Abilene Christian University, holding the Bachelor of Arts degree In Communication.  He also received the MA in Communication from ACU in 1987.  Most recently he served as the Senior Minister of the Alta Mesa Church of Christ for twelve years and before that he was the Senior Minister of the Tomball Church of Christ for ten years.  He has also taught at the college level, spoken at various conferences, seminars, and at churches, both nationally and internationally, and served as a hospital chaplain. Active in civic and volunteer organizations, he presently serves on the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Board.

Sims said, “I am excited to join Global Samaritan Resources. This is an organization with a great history and an even more dynamic future.  Partnering with people from Abilene, throughout Texas and all across America to help people here and around the globe is exciting and a deeply meaningful opportunity.”

Danny and his wife, Suzanne, have two children, Elijah who is a freshman at Pepperdine University and Hannah, a junior in high school.

Dr. Jon Ashby, professor at Hardin Simmons University and present Chairman of the Board of Global Samaritan Resources, said “We are very excited that Danny Sims has accepted our offer to serve as our Executive Director.  I am impressed with his experience, his communication skills, and his passion and enthusiasm for serving others.  I am confident that Danny will be a great addition to this organization as we seek to expand the world-wide ministry of Global Samaritan”.

CONTACT DANNY:
danny.sims@globalsamaritan.org     325-676-9991