Perfect Patience

Hope everyone is having a great day!!  I'm having a tough time posting "Cool Readings" on a regular basis, so I'm going to start mixing in a few of my DTS writing assignments to keep fresh thoughts consistently coming on the blog.  Some of the stuff I write for school may not be considered by most "Cool", but I think this assignment I had for my Spiritual Life class is definitely thought provoking.  Take a look:

Choose one of the characteristics of God's personality: anger, compassion, grace, love, jealousy, justice, mercy, patience, pity. Imagine with as much detail as possible in very concrete detail how this characteristic would appear in your life if you were as perfect as God created and requires you to be. (NOTE: Avoid any discussion or mention of the holiness given to believers by God through Jesus Christ.)

Part 1 (two page maximum)

First, for the characteristic you imagined (above), describe at least one hypothetical situation in as much detail as possible how this would be displayed in this situation from your life. Offer specific, concrete details for the situation.

Contract Paper #1 - Part 1

Of all God’s divine characteristics, of all the manifestations of His holy, unique, set apart being, patience is what I covet most.  For even though His long-suffering nature does not lack the power to react when offended, that same nature still unfailingly demonstrates a limitless capacity to endure disappointment.  When faced with sin and failure from the world He always responds true to His character.  That’s not to say that God never casts down immediate punishment for sin, or that His holiness is somehow compromised by this particular trait he possesses.  Rather, He often withstands assault even-tempered.  As the Bible tells us, “He is slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness.” 

His responses are calculated and never flippant.  And whether His fuse runs for hundreds of years or only a few seconds, His explosive actions never compromise His patience.  He is perfect and His judgments are always pure, and true, and right.  This attribute of God is admittedly mysterious to me.  How does He know when to wait and when to draw the line?  I wonder how I’d respond differently to everyday situations that come up if I could have at my disposal his inexhaustible bounty of composure. 

Take for example the following hypothetical situation.  John and his wife just recently moved to a different city and state for him to begin a new career.  Lucky for them, one of their college buddies had an apartment in the city where they wanted to move.  He plays Minor League Baseball in Tennessee, so he wasn’t staying in his apartment at that time.  So he offered it to them, and they jumped at his offer, buying them time to apartment shop.  After staying in his place for a few weeks, they then found out that he needed them to vacate soon because his parents just sold their house and needed a place to stay.  Again, lucky for them, a fellow church member and his family were going on vacation and they told them that they could house sit for them until they got back.

The timing worked out great because right when the church family got back, John and his wife were able to move into an apartment they’d found a few weeks prior.  After several weeks of living out of boxes, they could finally have a place to call home.  But once they got all moved in, on their third day in the apartment, their washing machine flooded.  And the new furniture they’d just recently had delivered to their apartment got scratched up between the store and their apartment.  The furniture place isn’t eager to address the problem, their living room carpet is still wet, their stuff is still in boxes on the remaining patches of dry carpet, and they both have to start their jobs tomorrow!  If I were John, how would I reflect God’s perfect patience and thus image a facet of his holiness under these circumstances?

Obviously it would be impossible for me to do this adequately.  I haven’t the ability to perform amidst ideal circumstances in a perfectly patient manner, much less in these.  But, hypothetically, I would consider the frame of the lady at the furniture store, and remember that she is but dust.  I would sympathize with her probable hectic, stressful schedule and circumstances.  If she tells me she’s going to eventually come then I’ll take her at her word and not get all bent out of shape.  Every time I call to remind her about our plight I would be respectful, considerate, pleasant, and loving; never reacting from sheer selfish, angry emotion.  If I do feel the need to push the envelope and bear down, it would always be calculated, cool, calm, and collected.  I would always pepper gentleness with strength.

I would also acknowledge that the apartment complex’s maintenance people have a ton going on and don’t have the time to check all the washers.  I would be understanding and sympathetic towards them, realizing that all will be well soon.  I would be concerned about mirroring God’s holiness through patience more than myself getting a fair shake.  Advancing God’s agenda selflessly and meekly serving as my primary motivation.  The tricky part of this whole assignment is that you really can’t grasp the essence of this characteristic apart from all His others.  For His patience will not last forever.  This seemingly endless supply has frequently in the past and will ultimately in the future be overcome and overshadowed by other qualities.  Which makes the practice of each impossible for us, because only God can perfectly transcend the borders all of His holy and divine attributes. 

*****

In case you haven't heard, or couldn't tell by the extreme detail I put into this story, it actually is in part what happened to me and Katy.  And I have learned since writing this that the lady that runs the furniture store where we bought the couch has been in and out of the hospital for the past several weeks, caring for her husband who was in a really bad motorcycle accident.  Her husband is not doing well at all, and is gradually experiencing more and more internal bleeding.  In short, they are not sure if he's going to be able to overcome this.  When I heard that, it really put our not having a couch in perspective.  Even though it's impossible for us to exhibit any one of God's perfect and holy attributes, we can still strive to show grace to those who disappoint us.  You never know what might be going on underneath the surface. 

Psalm 37:4

I have just completed my second week of "Jungle Training" at Dallas Theological Seminary.  The description in quotes was coined by none other than DTS's beloved Chancellor, Dr. Chuck Swindoll.  For those of you who are not familiar with him or his ministry, I strongly urge you to acquaint yourself.  He is a giant in evangelical circles.  A powerful communicator who has a knack for captivating his audiences, equally effective through the mediums of both pen and pulpit.

He spoke in chapel this past Tuesday, and even though I have classes only on Wednesday/Friday, I decided to make the jaunt from Allen to Dallas to hear him speak.  My cousin Travis joined me as well.  We arrived early to get a seat (when he speaks there are almost none available if you are late), and as we approached the building guess who our paths crossed with?...Dr. Swindoll!  Needless to say it was a special thrill even getting to shake his hand and idly chatting for a minute or so.  It would be like a huge Cowboy fan getting to meet and greet Troy Aikman, really cool.  Although, when we parted ways the following thought did creep into my head "Man, I knew I should've shaved today".  Ehh, he didn't seem to care, I think I'm good haha.

Below is the link to his sermon from the DTS chapel podcast.  If you are interested in learning more about why he refers to seminary as "Jungle Training" then check it out: http://www.dts.edu/media/play/enduring-through-ministry-swindoll-charles-r/


My first two weeks of school have honestly been a blur.  It's so easy for me to get caught up in all the plates I have to keep spinning that I can forget to acknowledge and praise God for this incredible opportunity He's bestowed me.  So while walking the halls and sidewalks of campus this week I intentionally paused to ponder just how good and gracious God has been in my life.  The following brief recollections I hope will serve to catalyze my remembrance of His faithfulness to His promise in Psalm 37:4, where David writes "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."


The list could stretch far greater, but these seemed most noteworthy:

1. Growing up I longed to play Division 1 baseball. I poured tons of time and energy into this desire.  All along though God was more concerned with developing my character.  He loved me too much to allow its bypass en route to an elite baseball program.  He lovingly used my #1 delight at the time to break me down and make me realize how empty in and of itself that delight truly was.  Once I learned that lesson, He gradually built me back up and was pleased to fulfill my dreams by allowing me to play baseball at Baylor. What a God!

2. Once at Baylor, he then answered my desire to have godly men in Waco come alongside me to help me grow spiritually.  I met Ben Johnson through Baylor FCA my first year, Dave Alford through my church the following year, and Chris Wommack the last year.  All of these men were in my wedding, and along with my Dad, they serve as the men I seek to model most.  Such a blessing.

3. During my second year at Baylor, God answered another prayer and desire of mine by allowing me to meet a great girl.  God orchestrated all these events perfectly and His hand was so evidently guiding Katy and I throughout our entire dating relationship.  From the beginning I knew that if she wasn't the one, I wanted to marry one just like her.  I now get to run this race that is the Christian life with a fellow competitor and best friend.  I love her so much and am so thankful for her love, support, and partnership.

4. Once married, Katy and I journeyed to Memphis to complete a 9 month discipleship training program.  That year was such a gift, and now that it's in the rear-view mirror we have so many fond memories and relationships to treasure.  God used that year in a number of fantastic ways, and His providence certainly was the driving force behind the perfect storm that swept us back to Texas.  I might write about this topic more in depth another time, but after that year in Memphis I knew God was for sure calling me to ministry, and I knew He wanted me to come to DTS.  The same DTS that produced the likes of David Jeremiah, Tony Evans, Tommy Nelson, Howard Hendricks, Chip Ingram, and the aforementioned Chuck Swindoll.  I've loved listening to some of these men for years, and now I get to sit where they sat, walk where they walked.  Amazing, somebody pinch me.

5. Lastly, while in Memphis I began to feel a burden to partner with families as they give the primary spiritual guidance and leadership to their children.  This was expressed in my last post, but what a desire that God fulfilled and granted...to allow me the honor and privilege of shepherding these students here at Allen Bible Church.  Again, same tune different verse...God is good!



I have failed God and fallen short on a daily basis.  That's been my role in this whole deal.  But God is gracious and patient, and as David says elsewhere in Psalm 25, God's mercy and steadfast love have been from of old. All His paths are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those keep his covenant and His testimonies. His friendship is for those who fear Him.

But He's more than a friend...He's a loving Father who takes great joy and pleasure in granting His children their deepest desires, when they continually make knowing Him their heart's supreme delight.

"Reel" Cool Readings...Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Without a doubt, Robin Hood is one of the most well known and received characters ever portrayed.  Some have claimed that the origin of this legend stemmed from actual outlaws, but since this folk figure has been around since the medieval period it's hard to know for sure.  At any rate, his adventures have been told and retold for centuries on end.  The fact that so many have sought to recapture the magic of his exploits evidences the storyline as perennial.

What started as popular English folklore has gradually made its way to modern literature, television, and cinema.  And while most remakes adequately entertain their respective audiences, the front-runner in my opinion of all the countless copies has to be Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman (close second being Disney's Robin Hood, can I get an Oo-de-lally!)

This 1991 version has been fresh on my mind as of late due to a recent Parents Gathering we held here at Allen Bible Church.  As most of you know, I just recently came on staff here part-time as the Student Ministry Director.  While trying to think of an effective way to convey my heart for partnering with them in equipping their students, I was drawn to Psalm 127.  This scene from Robin Hood fit nicely into my desired message.  How convenient that it's one of my all-time favorite movies!  Take a look:

Now before you think I only showed this because of my personal affinity for the film, let me point you to Psalm 127.

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD Builds the House

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
²It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
³Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children^[a] of one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.^[b]


Since my first exposure to this Psalm a few years ago through my good friend and mentor Ben Johnson, I've absolutely come to love it.  It is very clear and for the most part self explanatory.  The following quote one commentator uses to describe another section of Scripture I still think is appropriate for this and most every verse in the Bible.  He speaks of it as "a pool, so shallow at the edges that a child can wade, and yet so deep at the center that an elephant can swim."

What I wanted the parents to take away from the Psalm and the video is that we have, in our students, the next generation of arrows that God is going to use as weapons in His battle.  We are privileged to not only fight ourselves, but also to mold and shape our children into instruments of spiritual warfare for God.  Just like the men in the video stripping the branches, fashioning the arrow heads, etc. 

Likewise, we must allow God to mold and shape us, so that these arrows we have can be accurately launched out.  I wanted them also to know that I am NOT claiming to be Robin Hood in this equation haha, that would definitely depict the Holy Spirit.  I and them would instead be likened to the other archers in the video. Through continual training and practice, their marksmanship drastically improved.  And the same arrows that once were missing and bouncing off the dummies were later piercing the targets with precision, penetrating purposefully!

One could draw out several other parallels between the full Robin Hood story and Scripture.  The evil Sheriff of Nottingham governs as if he were the true king, while King Richard is away advancing the cause of His kingdom, unseen and too often forgotten by His subjects back home.  Robin Hood and His Merry Men aren't desiring to overthrow the Sheriff in a worldly sense.  Instead they try to gradually build an army of loyal followers and families, seeking to, as much as possible, prevent the Sheriff from completely having his way and ruining the lives of a people he seeks to oppress.  The Sheriff's selfish agenda is to steal and destroy.  Robin Hood's main objective on the other hand is to save people from this, and hold off the forces of evil until the rightful ruler returns to take the throne and make all things right and new.

I'll stop there, but you see how this landscape sounds all too familiar.  Until Jesus, the Rightful Ruler, returns to set up His kingdom, we the church must wait expectantly and obediently.  We aren't going to usher in the Kingdom on our own, so we must instead hold off the charge of the evil one and his legions until the Second Coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Our objective is to proclaim the good news and call all men everywhere to faith and repentance, acknowledging that God has set aside for Himself a people.  That the present world is not as it once was, nor as it will be. 

Wow what a hope we have in Jesus returning!  But until that day, we and the next generation must prepare for the present spiritual conflict, knowing that the ultimate victory has already been delivered us by Christ at the Cross.

Intro to "Reel" Cool Readings

Part of moving to a new town involves the quest to find a group of quality best friends...at least that's what my wife tells me, it's on her radar a lot more than mine I guess haha.  No really, I understand it's very important.  Along with this search, or just being in a place where you don't know many people in general, comes the onslaught of asking and answering the many typical small talk, get to know you type questions.  One of these Katy and I have frequently gotten, both in Memphis and Allen, is "So, what do you guys like to do for fun together?" 

We just don't have a great, exciting answer to that one yet.  Katy likes to go with "Well, we are both kind of like chameleons.  We enjoy or would enjoy doing pretty much whatever, but aren't really hardcore about anything."  The old classic jack of all trades, master of none type deal. 

I'll sometimes go with the answer Katy used, or will give the more honest and accurate response of "We love going to the movies."  Is that bad?  Does it make us sound boring?  O well, it is what it is.

As you can probably tell from either knowing me or reading the title and posts from this blog, I really do enjoy movies.  And probably my favorite thing to do while viewing them is to look for some kind of truth or theme that is jointly shared by both the film and the Bible.  Whether it's a specific scene that illustrates well a certain gospel concept, a storyline that is very much redemptive, a character that looks all too familiar to an individual from Scripture; the list of potential parallels is endless. 

I know I'm not alone in enjoying this practice of finding similarities.  Many communicators make it a habit to color their messages with snapshots from movies, along with other sources like music, classic literature, poetry, etc.  Well I'm not exactly what you'd call an avid reader (although the classification of myself in that regard may bump up a notch or two with Seminary kicking off this Wednesday ugh...anybody got any tips on how to speed read?), so I normally just stick with flicks.

I love the take Dr. Cole Huffman, Sr. Pastor of First Evan in Memphis, has on this.  Although he rarely uses movies to illustrate points in his sermons (he's more the avid reader type, brilliant), the following post from his blog does a wonderful job addressing the idea of even using movies in such a way.  Especially ones that not everyone across the board would deem acceptable to view.  Click on the following link to view it, great read!  http://colehuffman.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

Sort of like I did in my first post, every now and then I'm going to relate something from a particular movie with a Scriptural proposition.  These types of posts will always be preceded by the following heading: "Reel" Cool Readings... then the movie. 



Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I do writing them!

Pepa Remembrance

As most of you reading this know, my Pepa passed away this last Friday, August 19th.  He was a great man and treasured by many, he certainly will be missed.  It was an honor for me to get to speak at his funeral.  Below is what I wrote and read from at the service.


Before I get started I’ve just got one thing I need to settle…When I meet and speak with Pepa in heaven for the first time, I’ll need at least one of ya’ll to vouch for me that I was clean-shaven at his funeral!!!  Any takers?

I heard a quote a few months ago, and it seems most appropriate for this occasion: 

"God gave us memory, or the power to remember, so that we might have roses in December.”

And I know everyone here will be needing those fond and special moments spent with Charles, or Pepa, to act as roses a lot sooner than the literal December of 2011, for this winter season of grieving came all too swift and sudden.  Good thing for all of us he was such a memorable man!

It’s been so soothing hearing some of your experiences testifying to this over the past few days.  Please continue to share these wonderful stories about this truly beloved, one of a kind individual.  To me personally, they are both precious and priceless. 

The following are some of my roses.

I’ll remember him as my #1 sports fan.  I’ll remember watching John Wayne marathons and WWII movies together…films like The Searchers and Patton truly are timeless!  Going fishing, shooting BBs into a plastic milk jug filled with water, his recollections about playing football and several other sports, both in HS and overseas while serving in the Army. 
 

His generous giving, in smaller monetary amounts like collecting quarters with each of the 50 state’s logos for us grandkids to have as collectors items, working up to gas/date money, even going so far as substantial amounts to be used for fundraisers, missions trips, tuition, and car payments. 

I remember calling him one night when I was in elementary school, asking him to buy some products from a magazine to raise money for our school.  When he finished ordering, His purchase amount seemed way too high, and I told him “Pepa, you don’t have to give that much!”  He responded with “Brooks, I don’t have to give anything, I want to give this much!”  It’s funny what sticks with you… these words from Proverbs 13:22 are so true of him “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”
 
From an early age I knew that Pepa loved the Lord.  I remember going to their church, watching “Brother Charles” from the pew as he would direct the congregation in singing praises to God, Him holding up a 3 or a 4, indicating what line was to be sung next.  I thought that was so cool!    This wasn’t just a Sunday thing either, as probably my favorite times now looking back are singing hymns with him and other family members around Mema at the piano in their living room.  He held up fingers there just like he did at church!

Psalm 100 was one of his favorites, and is especially fitting.


Psalm 100

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

¹ Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
² Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

³Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
⁵ For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

I’m eternally grateful that God’s steadfast love and faithfulness have indeed extended to my generation…and that the God that Pepa and Mema love is the same one Karen, Mary, and my Dad love, the same one all of us grandkids love. 

I’ll close with this.  Going back to him being my number one sports fan, in regard to baseball and my batting, he would always tell me, 2 for 3 babe, 2 for 3.  I was always so proud when I achieved this feat. 

But I’m so thankful myself and Pepa both serve a God who is infinitely better than that.  2 for 3 will get you inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but not into good standing with God.  He has always been perfect and always will be.  His holiness and righteousness are unapproachable and unattainable. 

Aren’t you glad though that we can rest and hope in the gospel…that this holy God loved sinners so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, who, among other things, lived the perfect life that we could never live, died a painful and gruesome death on a cross to pay the price for our sin debt, and on the third day rose again victorious, conquering sin, death, and the grave. 

That’s a 3 for 3 you can trust in, that’s a Savior you can believe in to receive salvation, an eternal life starting not when you die, but right now.  And what a trade, to get His perfect righteousness, by just repenting and confessing your own inadequacy and sinfulness.  Trusting in His finished work alone, by grace alone through faith alone.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but through Him!!!

Pray with me.  God I pray this gospel seed would fall on good soil, and that many would leave here forever changed, if they’ve not already had a personal encounter with your Amazing Grace.  As we honor Pepa, I pray that we would also honor and glorify You, and that like Pepa, many more might be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for those of us who are protected by your power through faith.  Amen.





Thanks to all of you who prayed for and supported our family during this difficult time.  It has been such a blessing seeing family and friends rally around one another.  Below is a link to his page on the Crawford ~ A. Crim Funeral Home site.  Take care and God Bless!

http://www.crawfordacrim.com/services.asp?locid=1&page=odetail&id=508

God is great, God is good...

"God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food.  By His hands we are fed, thank you Lord for our daily bread.  Amen."

As far as I can recall, this is the first prayer of any type I memorized as a kiddo.  And I'm fairly confident in making that assertion because when I was around 2ish I recited that prayer in my Dad's grandfather's hospital room right before he passed away and went to be with the Lord.  That's what my parents tell me at least, obviously my memory doesn't quite stretch that far back.  You'll have to get someone from my family to share the full story, but apparently it did provide some comedic relief to an otherwise sad and tearful occasion. 

Perhaps you have other food blessing prayers you can remember from your childhood.  Or just simple sayings you like to incorporate when you are called upon to "say grace" before the meal.  I'm sure the following video is familiar to most of you, but check it out again.  Like one buddy of mine says, "laughter is like medicine!"

Too funny!  But you might be wondering, "Brooks, where you goin with this buddy?"  Let me explain.

First off, I am someone who believes in blessing meals.  Jesus did it, my family does it, and almost everyone who has had any type of positive impact on my life does it.  The simple gesture of pausing to thank God for His provision is pleasing to Him and points our attention upward for a brief moment to acknowledge, as James says, "that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."  It's a great habit to get into.

I'm sure most of you reading this would agree with that and hold similar views as myself.  However, if your primary motivation for saying a blessing is to sound holy in order to impress the rest of the table, like Greg does in the video, your perspective is entirely impaired.  Even if that is not your intention, the purpose and meaning behind what you are saying can very easily get lost in the shuffle.  Indeed, Christians everywhere would do well to be reminded of the following truth: If "saying the blessing" is the only part of your meal where you acknowledge God and give thanks, then you are missing out on an incredible opportunity to worship and enjoy Him. 

There is so much associated with the act of eating and drinking that should cause us to praise our Heavenly Father.  The fact that God made us in such a way that we can taste, smell, see, and touch.  It's not as if we are a car, and eating and drinking is like filling up with gasoline.  We can enjoy the tasty nourishment we are consuming.  As Chick-fil-A owner S.Truett Cathy says, "Food is essential to life; therefore make it good!"  He understands that food is more than just fuel, it's something to be savored [(gotta be careful about worshipping too much at fast food places though...sometimes too much of a good thing doesn't look so good in the mirror ha).  Side-note:  for all you Diet Coke drinkers out there - tell me Chick-fil-A's is not the best...especially paired with that original chicken sandwich and waffle fries!].

We also usually experience fellowship while eating.  We are relational creatures just like our Creator.  Isn't it special to enjoy good company with family and friends along with a great home cooked meal?  I could go on and on about this.  Some of the best memories I have are associated with a dinner table.  Going over to the Street's and indulging in some of Vicki's famous chicken-fried steak, my parents cooking in our backyard or tailgating after games, Thanksgiving at my Aunt Staci's or Christmas at both Grandparents, eating Iowa's famous sweet corn after a hot baseball game, etc.  I'm sure all of you could share similar lists.  We must learn to view these special times as means of joy bestowed by a loving, relational God who wants to provide for and bless His children. 

Lastly, we mustn't miss this connection:  food and drink are symbolic of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  After taking and eating of the bread of life (John 6) and drinking from the well that springs up to eternal life (John 4), we will never again hunger or thirst!  May we always be reminded of that reality when we take a bite or gulp.  Likewise, may we remember that for all of us who have accepted and trusted in Christ, a day is coming where we all feast together with Him in heaven.  There we will magnify Him for all of eternity!

There are more links than these I've mentioned, but I hope you get my drift.  Several of these were brought to my attention by a famous Christian preacher...and although I haven't read it yet, I've heard great things about a certain book that can be found by going to this site: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1433521369/ref=rdr_ext_tmb.

I hope this was helpful and encouraging.  It's certainly good to remind myself of these things, I can tell you that.  Frequently I get so caught up in the awkwardness that is all too often associated with "the blessing" that I miss out on its intended aim. 

May all of us intentionally make this act more than just a perfunctory, mundane routine.  Instead, let it be the beginning of a meal spent enjoying and worshiping the "fount of every blessing".

Cool Runnings/Cool Readings

One of my all-time favorite movies is Cool Runnings.  Although it will never rank in the same category as Gone with the Wind or Casablanca, to me personally it will always be a classic in its own rite...both entertaining and timeless.  This 1990's Disney film tells the extremely unlikely true story of a bobsled team from Jamaica making their first appearance in the Winter Olympics.  And if you hadn't yet caught on, the title of this blog is a spin-off of the movie's title.

Throughout their journey, the team members and their coach face both foreign and domestic ridicule.  No one gives them the slightest chance of escaping the global spotlight unscathed.  All seem sure that they will make themselves and their country the laughingstock of the entire world. 

Three of the team members had formerly been world class sprinters.  In fact all 3 could very well have qualified for the Summer Olympic games in the 100M dash.  But in the final qualifying race (that all of them were in) one of the guys (Junior) slips and trips the other two (Derice and Yul).  Hence, all seemingly miss out on fulfilling their lifelong dream of becoming Olympians.

That is until Derice gets the idea to start a bobsled team.  Now since Jamaica is located in a very tropical climate, the winter sport of bobsledding seems to make no sense for him and his dejected track star buddies.  But with the help of a "has been" Olympic bobsledder turned bookie (Irv), they and one other Jamaican (Sanka) begin their quest for the gold. 

This adventure is filled with several hilarious scenes and classic one-liners (most if not all of which a few buddies and myself have completely memorized ha).  But besides being extremely entertaining, this movie has several redemptive threads running through it.  These men learn more than just how to push a bobsled down some ice, much more.  Now I don't want to spoil the movie for those of you who haven't yet seen it.  However, there is one scene in particular I would like to share specifically about because it has had a very big impact on my life.   

The scene takes place on the night before the final race at the Olympics.  Derice, the team's leader, is all alone in his hotel room going over the track's turns and mentally preparing for what will most certainly be the biggest day and race of his life.  The rest of the team is about to grab something to eat and Irv drops in to ask Derice if he'd like them to grab him something while they are out.

Derice passes on the offer, but before Irv leaves there's just one burning question that cannot escape Derice's mind.  Derice must know why Irv cheated and hid weights in the bottom of his sled to make it go faster when he was an Olympic athlete years ago.  The bulk of that conversation is underneath the title of this blog at the top of the home page.

I remember hearing those words for the first time when I first saw this movie.  I was with my Dad at a movie theater in Temple that he took me to several times growing up.  We both loved movies and still do.  Even though I was fairly young, I could understand that what was just said was really profound.  And I remember looking over at my Dad and him gesturing in some special way, which reinforced to me that I would do well to heed that instruction. 

The final lines from that scene, which are not listed under the title, go something like this:  Derice:  Coach, how will I know if I'm enough?  Irv:  When you cross that finish line, you'll know! 

Every time I watch that scene I get the chills.  I'm reminded of the first part of my life, striving after the gold medal of recognition in the eyes of man...striving for worldly popularity and accolades.  Defining myself and basing my identity solely on sports performance and statistics.  Or on what any and everyone thought of me except God. 

I'm eternally grateful that by God's grace I discovered how I could know that I was enough.  When you admit that you never were or will be on your own, God can and will transfer Jesus' perfect righteousness to your account.  Because Christ took on all of our sin at the cross, we can have His righteousness if we receive it by faith alone and trust in his finished work alone.  This is the only way that leads to eternal life, both in this lifetime and the next. 

Likewise, I'm so thankful that God loved me enough to dash all my former hopes, dreams, and preconceived notions about success.  I was chasing the wrong things, living totally sold out for myself.  Sometimes we have to learn lessons the hard way, it's the only way He can get our attention.  The only way we can come to the realization that without Him as #1 in our life, nothing else can satisfy or fulfill us. 

Irv learned that.  He had made winning his whole life, and when you make winning your whole life you have to keep on winning, no matter what.  But winning wasn't made to satisfy the deep longings all of us have, being made in the image of God.  We were made to enjoy God and magnify Him, not ourselves.  It's the only way.  We play by His rules or we suffer.  And that suffering can be every bit as real when the world doesn't see a thing wrong with you.  But God knows and you know.

I'm writing this to encourage all of you to stop and take inventory.  What are the gold medals in your life that you are chasing after?

I pray that all of you would confess these things and repent...and that God would indeed love you enough to (as he did with me) crush anything standing in the way of you experiencing a fulfilling, life-giving relationship with Himself.