Monthly Archives: August 2012

Olympic Fame or Shame?

I am a sports enthusiast. I especially like the Olympics. My sense of Nationalism runs deep within me. In fact, I’ll admit that when American athletes win a gold medal, and when they zoom in on their faces during the playing of our National Anthem, I can’t help but get a little teary eyed.

Ryan Lochte has already stood on the Olympic platform to hear our National Anthem played twice in these Olympic games, and has the chance to do it again. And while a person would normally be basking in Olympic Fame for such accomplishments, Lochte has managed to bring upon himself, “Olympic Shame.”

While being interviewed by the media, Lochte’s own mother warned girls to leave him alone because he doesn’t have time for a relationship and only has time for “one night stands.” Lochte, himself gave an interview and said that 70 to 75 percent of Olympic athletes will have sex with other athletes during the Olympics and that he was looking forward to the partying and the hookups. He furthermore said to ESPN The Magazine, “My last Olympics, I had a girlfriend – big mistake…Now I’m single, so London should be really good. I’m excited.”

We have reached a time when we no longer know how to blush (Jeremiah 6:14).

Steve Higginbotham

If that boy loses his homework one more time, I’ll kill him

Some time ago, I read of a dad in a grocery store, who was overheard to mutter, “If that boy loses his homework one more time, I’ll kill him.” Someone took his statement seriously (not to mention in a crassly literal manner), and he was taken to court for intent to murder.

People these days, as shallow as a birdbath, don’t seem to understand the nature of figurative language. But there are some places where we should take our statements very seriously indeed.

“It is a snare to say rashly, ‘It is holy,’ and to reflect only after making vows,” (Proverbs 20:25, ESV).

What the Wise Man is referring to here is the all too human tendency, when in dire straits and desperation to offer something — anything — in order to be delivered from some sticky situation. We are reminded to take these vows seriously, not rashly.

Every Sunday Christians make promises, rather lightly I am afraid, when they sing songs about commitment to God and the need to change their lives. When you sing “O how I love Jesus,” you dare not sing these words meaninglessly. When you sing “King of my life, I crown thee now,” you cannot sing that without intending to carry out its terms!

A promise to God is the most serious undertaking a person will take in his life. Yet, so often we take these commitments flippantly, offhandedly. God is not our good buddy; he is the Lord of all creation. When you promise him your life, mean it!

–Stan Mitchell @ www.forthright.net

What to do when a loved one dies

A loved one dies and our world crumbles. We are certain we will never endure the horrors around us. Will there be any more hope?

Life, though, has another plan. The day of visitation comes and our loved ones and friends line up to offer condolences. Family members from afar gather around us and tears briefly turn to laughter at joyous reunions and happy memories. Momentarily, we feel sane again.

The funeral arrives and part of our heart enters the earth. Afterward, we stagger home, numb and less than whole. Time becomes a blur as we mechanically address kind words and the food and hugs of strangers.

We feel lost. However, life has other ideas. The day crawls forward, the fitful night arrives and the next morning blossoms. Days and nights follow and we feel guilty for still being here.

Yet, gravity moves us forward after a tragic loss. We face new days & challenges filled with moments of sadness. The inexorable inevitability of time helps us heal. Be grateful for it. Without it, grief would swallow us whole. Time heals because it saves.

We assemble our mementos as our shrine to reflect upon as we continue our existence. Eventually, we find patterns in our new lives. We still feel that we are less than whole and we accept this new reality and we put one foot in front of the other.

When Jesus faced the grief of the cross, he turned to prayer and his friends. He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch” (Mark 14:34, NKJV).

We learn three points from this passage. First, grief is destructive without prayer (Philippians 4:6). When we lay our sorrow on God’s shoulders, we have less to carry and can maintain our forward progress.

Second, sorrow is natural to man. We will all face it, even Jesus. Therefore, he understands our grief and pain (John 11:17-37).

Third, sorrow is less fearsome in a crowd. We know God will never forsake us ( Hebrews 13:5), and we need our loved ones around us. Even if they sit in silence, their presence warms our heart and makes our pain easier to bear (Job 2:11-13).

Grief will devour us, if we do not move forward. Even if we move slowly, we are advancing and that is all that matters.

Richard Mansel @ www.forthright.net