Questions

I suppose we all have questions! If you are like me, mostly they are never ones that you ask, only ones thought. Also, rarely do I ever have the time to seek the answers. At least for this week, I hope together we can change that!

At Offspring (young adult Sunday school class) this past Sunday, we came up with a homework assignment meant to motivate each of us to seek the answers to those questions we have. For those of you in the class, we especially hope you will participate whether you were there Sunday or not. For those of you who are not in the class, we welcome your participation as well.

The assignment is simple for the most part. Post your question, as a response to this blog, early in the week. As the week unfolds, spend time thinking about the question and seeking answers in Scripture. As you develop your answer, make a follow-up post sharing your conclusions and the reasons for them. In class, we found that we have answers to many of our questions but we struggle to explain why we answer the way we do. So, don't be discouraged if your question is a simple one! Here are some examples...

Is homosexuality a sin?

What makes my choice of music/movies/entertainment sinful? (Is my favorite music sinful for me to listen to?)

Do Christians have to go to church?

Why are potentially good parents not blessed with the ability to have their own children?

(This question was asked in light of all children who are neglected by ungrateful parents)

When does life begin?

Is it a sin to get a tattoo?

Again, we truly felt like we could give answers to many of these questions, and right ones at that. However, we also felt that we had merely accepted the traditional Christian responses to these questions and had not developed answers ourselves based on Bible text. The list above was compiled from class discussion, so don't use any of the examples becuase others are planning to use them. I simply share the list to help you understand the assignment. Also, as you ask and answer your own question in this assignment, feel free to comment on the questions and answers of others. This should make for interesting and helpful discussion!

Ask Away!

Fantasy Church

Fantasy sports are huge! I’m a fan. Perhaps though, some of you have been left in the dark concerning these games of a faraway fantasy world. Perhaps you, like Aron Ralston, have been wedged beneath an eight-hundred pound boulder. And perhaps you, like Aron Ralston, should sever your own arm and come out and play with the rest of us. Know that this act will not hinder your performance in the fantasy realm. At SRCC, we are preparing for our second annual fantasy football league. This got me thinking…what about fantasy church? The beauty of fantasy sports…you’re in charge. You pick the players. You decide who plays, who rides the pine, and who gets traded. For this post, I thought it would be neat to explore the concept of fantasy church. Who would preach at your church? Who would the elders and deacons be? Who would make for great encouragers, small group leaders, and Sunday school teachers? Who would give good communion devotions? Who would lead women’s groups or men’s groups? Who would play music? Have some fun with this post! Include historical church figures, presidents, famous musicians, and the like. We will assume, for the sake of this post that everyone is fair game. Meaning, we won’t be bound by a person’s actual religious beliefs. I do realize the importance of teaching truth in reality. Our only boundary will be character. There are many reasons for this; I won't begin to list them. This game, if I can call it that, will simply allow us to explore what the church might look like if some of the most great and talented people of the world understood that God had given them their abilities; and they used those abilities to honor Him.

So...build away!

Louisville Devil

In case you haven't read, seen, or heard; Mr. Pitino is having it bad. I'm not exactly sure what "it" is...but I don't want it. You see, details are being released concerning the extortion attempt against him, which he made public back in April. Why big news now you ask...because the details are quite telling. And by telling, I mean they tell you what a door knob this guy really is.

Firstly, as of Tuesday he has publicly admitted to sexual interaction with the very woman who has now attempted to extort money from him. His claim is that it was consensual. Her claim is that it was rape, hence the attempt to extort money from him while keeping quiet. It looks like Pitino is innocent of the charge for authorities refuse to prosecute due to lack of evidence. That is about the only thing he is innocent of.

According to the facts, he is guilty of...

1. Degrading the family name

He has five children; one of them is an assistant coach at University of Florida.

2. Cheating on his wife

As if losing a six month old child and a brother in 9/11 weren't enough

heartache for a lifetime.

3. Potentially ruining his career

What parent, as Pitino sits in their living room trying to recruit their son to play

basketball says, "Take him under your wing coach."

4. Defaming the University of Louisville

Competing in Big East basketball is tough enough without complications, never mind

the state rival Kentucky Wildcats.

5. Dissing a friend

Just when you think the situation couldn't get any worse for Pitino, you find out the lady

he cheated with is the wife of a friend; he also happens to be the equipment

manager.

6. Fathering an illegitimate child

Again, when you think it can't get worse...he got her pregnant.

7. Killed said illegitimate child

Technically he only paid for the abortion...hey, it's cheaper than college! ($3,000.00)

8. Dumping on his spirituality

You didn't know he was catholic?

9. Doing things backwards

He has had his spiritual adviser with him lately at hearings and press conferences and things. My advice, if ever you find yourself at a bar/restaurant, after hours, with a female that you are attracted to, who is not your wife...your spiritual advisor should be there too.

10. Coaching in the NBA

Those hooligans definitely rubbed off on him!

I'm fairly certain the list could go on from here but his life seems bad enough. No need for me to continue this charade. But this entire situation has me reminded that no matter how bad it gets, God is waiting to forgive. Even those who seem the most devilish! So if you find yourself questioning your goodness, look at Pitino and rest assured. Of course, for those of us whose past is marred by similar sins, there is always Charlie Manson.

There you have it! Some of the facts, best I can tell, of Pitino's less than desirable situation. Much of this still must play out and God will judge Mr. Pitino fairly, as He will with all who have sinned. But for the sake of conversation, where did he go wrong? What should have been his wake up call? What will help him most in his attempt to move forward (pertaining to marriage, family, career, fame, finances, etc.)?

Going Coastal

I smell the moist air, I can feel the fog closing in, and heard is the gulls cawing in the distance. Mind you, the family vacation is months away, but today I could feel it approaching. This will be the first attempt at a family vacation and we hope to make the most of it. I suppose at heart I've always been coastal, at least north coastal. There is an attractiveness to the gloom of it all. East or west doesn't really matter much, so long as its north. My wife assumes my life would have been short if I had grown up there. The fog and rain mixed with my taste in music would have lead to suicide; she would swear it.

Our destination is Maryland. We figure to visit an old friend and maybe some of my wife's family while there. Outside of that, I'm not sure what to do. There are plenty of options, narrowing them down is the hard part. I would love to see an Orioles game at Camden Yards. Then there is Mt. Vernon. I realize you may think less of me now but I dig ole' George. Enjoying the fresh seafood is surely an option along with visiting the beach. D.C. is right there for the taking and Philly isn't far. In those places alone weeks could be spent so we must prioritize. Now would be a good time to mention that my wife will surely have things she wants to do. What those would be...your guess is as good as mine. On second thought, your guess might be better than mine. Oooops! Well, now you know the dilemma we face. I assure you that prayer is the least you could do to ensure that this vacation doesn't become a Griswoldean kind of affair. Either way there will be stories to tell I'm sure! So what do you think, what places should be atop our list of stops on this venture to the east? Hopefully, some of you can speak from experience though the comments of dreamers are allowed.

Feeling Dead At A Funeral

Death has been on my mind lately. I went to a funeral Saturday and I will be attending another tomorrow; I'm not looking forward to it. Obviously people will be crying and hugging and I will feel obligated to do both. I realize this, my first post, might reveal just how selfish I am but it will be noticed sooner or later so we might as well get it out of the way. So tomorrow I dress in black! Here is my beef with those ever so dreaded days. First and foremost, there is way to much money spent on the whole thing. You might as well be burying money! Religiously speaking, I don't know that many believe there is any need to preserve the physical body in some over priced cardboard box on steroids. Lets be honest with ourselves, we spend the money so we feel better about about the fact that someone is dead. Secondly, there is that awkward line towards the end of the funeral where your not sure if you should view the body or head straight for the door. Don't forget, everyone is watching you watching a dead guy. See, that doesn't even sound appropriate. Not to mention that any other time someone catches you standing over a dead body your soon in handcuffs and playing the role of the ball in a game of good cop bad cop. Thirdly, just when you thought you were going to get out of that uncomfortable suit and the situation all together, someone you barely know holds back the tears to invite you to dinner afterwards. If there ever was a bad time to eat its then, though food anytime during the week of your child's birth is probably not a good idea. Finally, I hate traffic and there is always traffic. The worst part about it, the fact that it is orchestrated. Listen, I know funerals help with closure and the grieving process but all things have their flaws. After all this rambling I'll still be there tomorrow but not for the dead. I'll be there in support of those I know and will help in any way that I can. Plus, I have heard stories about the dead moving in the casket and causing a stir; I'm still hoping to take one of those in.