THIS SUNDAY our series, The Gospel According to Joseph, wraps up by looking at Genesis 45:16-46:8. We’re going to see that Jacob and Joseph, as well all of his brothers, had lives that turned out much better than they had expected they would. We’re going to see why that was and what we can expect from this life as we live in God’s “already/not yet” kingdom. It’s going to be encouraging and challenging. Invite a friend to join you!
LAST SUNDAY, Louis did a great job with his message on fatherhood and parenting. One of his points was how we are to value God more than making All-Stars, a good GPA, and high SAT scores. The following piece by Jim Elliff, When Ball Becomes Baal- IS YOUR KID’S SPORTS INVOLVEMENT A FAMILY IDOL? is a good follow-up on that.
It’s rare to see kids playing sports in the neighborhood anymore. We’re now organized and “professionalized”—including uniforms, state-of-the-art facilities, endless trips to the field, competitive coaches, equally competitive parents, and the after-season tournaments designed to give parents “bleacher bottom.” In addition, you’ve got to pay to play—and when you’ve paid that much, you’ll be sure to play.
It is also fun, and it can be instructive. I love to watch my kids play sports. In fact, they need to play—some. But, it’s not so easy as handing over seventy bucks and saying, “Sign up Johnny and Susie this year.” Making that decision means that you may be out four to five times each week during the season. Soon sports becomes all about calendarization and control of your life—especially if you have more than one kid. Perhaps nothing outside of a change in your job has so much potential to turn the family schedule upside down.
“This man understands,” you say. Now comes the part you won’t like: “Behold, I say unto you, you have made sports the household god.” Too strong? OK, not all of you. But the deification of sports is happening to many.
How does ball become Baal? Answer: When it controls you, and you give it devoted worship. It is around your god that you order your life—and you can almost never say “no” to it.
Like “athlete’s foot” on the hygienically-challenged teenager, sports has taken over more and more of the life of believers. Almost overnight we have awakened to the sad fact that, in many communities, sports has even usurped the hours believers meet on the Lord’s Day. All too often members are saying to church leaders, “We’ll be gone next Sunday because of the soccer tournament.” In turn, leaders are supposed to acquiesce humbly. After all, we can’t afford to appear “legalistic;” everyone knows that the greatest crime a church can commit is to demand something of someone.
You’ll hear, “But the team needs all the players. We can’t let the team down.” It never occurs to them that the church Body is being deprived of a necessary body part, or that God is marginalized and disobeyed. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, states God in Hebrews 10:25.
Devotion is the operative word. When the team says, “We need you,” we sacrifice to do it. But when it crosses the time allotted to spiritual edification and worship, the Ruler of the universe is often sent to the bench. In the process, we teach our children that devotion to sports is more important than both devotion to God and loyalty to our spiritual family. Have you considered that you may be teaching your kids to worship sports?
Here are some ways to put sports in the proper place:
First, decide beforehand that there will be no contest between the church’s essential activities designed for your family’s spiritual growth and what the team plans for your lives. If you will talk this over ahead of time with your child and then the coach, there will be no confusion. Through the years I’ve found that many coaches respect that decision. But, it must be a prior decision, not one made on a case by case basis. When sports conflicts with Sunday worship or youth camp or a special spiritual activity, the decision has already been made.
Secondly, determine that your children cannot play every sport. There is a sanctity to the home life that must be protected. You need quiet evenings at home. You need meals together. Just let your children know that you are excited about sports, but there are limits. You then determine what those limits are. For us, we attempt to have only one sport per year for each child.
Finally, think about some creative choices. One of my sons played basketball, but the season was interminably long. I was also traveling. So, I would be gone speaking over the weekend, then, when I was home, I was out two or more nights sitting on the sidelines watching my son practice. It was not really “time together.” This wasn’t going to work.
The solution came to me after prayer. I asked him if he would be willing to learn golf in the place of basketball. We could play together, along with his brother, and we could do it whenever we wanted. We could enjoy this for the rest of our lives. I’ve paid some extra money, but I’ve bought back some time with my sons and some good exercise for me also. It’s a bargain.
God Himself uses sports language in the New Testament. He’s not against it, unless it steals the devotion belonging to Him. All other gods have to go!
SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY MEETING, SUNDAY, JUNE 30: Be a blessing to people and families affected by disability in our community! To find out more about the Special Needs Ministry here at Gold Coast or if you are already involved, be a part of a lunch meeting where you’ll discuss with others what we’ve been doing and what’s coming up – Ed Hunt Rehab Point Project, Buddy Break, the Disability Christmas Shoppe, and more. Meet after the 2nd service, at about 12:15 pm in the Youth Room. Sign up at the table in the lobby or go online. Also join the Special Needs Ministry Team at the 27th Annual Rehab Point Project on Sunday, July 14, from 11-2 pm where we share information and invite the community to participate in what we’re doing here at Gold Coast. Enjoy food, festivities, and activities for kids at the Oxnard Beach Park. Contact Tana Seufert at tana@goldcoastchurch.org with any questions.
RESCUE MISSION, SATURDAY, JULY 6: Oxnard outreach is from 4:15-6:15 pm on the first Saturday of each month. To sign up, write “Rescue Mission” on your Connection Card this Sunday, go online, or contact Stuart Baker at 805.427.5528 or stuartbaker45@aol.com.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY: An opportunity exists to join our Worship Service Team as one of our Worship Service Assistants. A background in Stage or Production Management would be helpful. If you have a servant’s heart and your gifts include being organized, observant, assertive and tactful please contact Pat DeRemer at: pat@goldcoastchurch.org.
NEW START TIME BEGINNING AUGUST 4TH FOR THE 9:15 AM SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP TIME: Starting August 4th, Sunday morning service times will be at 9:00 am and 10:45 am.
SAVE THE DATE: Gold Coast’s 20th Anniversary Celebration takes place on Sunday, September 15. Plan now to be there. It’s going to be extra special!
DAILY BIBLE READING SCHEDULE:
Friday June 21 2 Ki 6-7; 2 Chr 20; 1 Tim 3
Saturday June 22 2 Ki 8-9; 2 Chr 21; 1 Tim 4
Sunday June 23 2 Ki 10; 2 Chr 22-23; 1 Tim 5
Monday June 24 2 Ki 11-12; 2 Chr 24; 1 Tim 6
Tuesday June 25 Joel 1-3; 2 Tim 1
Wednesday June 26 Jon 1-4; 2 Tim 2
Thursday June 27 2 Ki 13-14; 2 Chr 25; 2 Tim 3
Friday June 28 Amos 1-3; Ps 80; 2 Tim 4
Saturday June 29 Amos 4-6; Ps 86-87; Titus 1
Sunday June 30 Amos 7-9; Ps 104; Titus 2
Look forward to seeing you on Sunday,
Scott