Faith and March Madness

I read an article yesterday about Dr. James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball.  I didn't know that Naismith was a minister and that the motivation for creating the game was to give young men a physical activity that was based on strength, skill and good sportsmanship.  He believed that people could learn about Christianity and be reached for Jesus Christ through exercise and physical activity.  One of his original thirteen rules of basketball was this: "No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent.  The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game."

I don't think there is any doubt that top-level basketball players are some of the greatest athletes on the planet.  And clearly March Madness is a huge event -- even the President of the United States filled out brackets!  The game is entertaining and a cash-cow.  I had a relative who got the contract to the do all the printing for the Final Four several years ago -- good gig!

I just wonder what Dr. James Naismith would say about it if he were alive today.  Like most of us, I think he would be entertained and enjoy the athleticism.  But do you think Koby Bryant or LeBron James or even Jimmer Fridette know that the roots of the game are in helping people come to Jesus?  Maybe instead of praying about our brackets we should spend some time praying for the players and coaches.

The painful path of growth

Ever have a time when you were scraping along thinking things were pretty rough, but something else happened to make life even harder?  Yeah, me too.  Here's what I'm thinking through -- the path to personal and spiritual growth is a staircase made of crises.  I know that doesn't sound very appealing...but I think it's what Scripture teaches.

Romans 5:3-5 says, "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,  whom He has given to us."  The things I really want...or should really want, like hope and love and character -- well, those verses make it pretty clear that the way to those good things is through perseverance.  And I can only persevere when facing a crisis, a struggle, suffering.

The Bible even says that Christ was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10) and the Bible says that Jesus had to learn obedience from what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).  If suffering and crises were instrumental in the growth and perfection of Jesus, who do I think I am that I could possibly grow and mature without them?  

So here's what I'm determined to do -- I will remain hopeful and joyful and expectant no matter what comes my way.  And I will persevere.  Not only that, but I will view the difficulties and struggles of life as God's classroom -- teaching me things that I could never know any other way.

Japan Relief

There have been several people asking if we are going to take up a special offering to help with the Japan relief efforts.  We have tried to have direct contact with our stateside forwarding agents for missionaries located in Japan but, apparently due to the overload of requests for information, we have not been able to talk directly to them to know how to help or what kind of help they need the most.

If you would like to contribute to Japanese relief I would suggest one of the following agencies:  Samaritan's Purse, Salvation Army, World Vision, or IDES.  Samaritan's Purse is planning to distribute 93 tons of supplies and they will work through local churches in Japan.  The Salvation Army has about 150 volunteers on the ground in Japan serving meals, providing water, etc.  World Vision seeks to minister to the families and children and they are committed to not only helping to meet the physical needs of children but their emotional needs as well.  IDES is a Christian Church relief organization working to get food and water to the missionaries on the ground in Japan and they assure us that 100% of your donation will go directly to the relief effort.

Here is part of an e-mail sent by Chad Huddleston, a missionary in Osaka, Japan, to IDES:  "It has been a trying and sad time in so many ways: whole towns are gone, thousands upon thousands are without homes and businesses. The news coverage, especially as people's personal videos begin to hit the channels, is simply horrific. And the unknown factor of a nuclear meltdown in the same area looms over it all. But we know that our God is Good and that His desire is to turn this situation around so that many will find peace and comfort and He will be glorified. This is the time for the Christians in Japan (as few as they are! less than 1%) to unite, rise up and be the light. We cannot allow this opportunity to love to pass us by. I ask you to lift us up in prayer."

If you have difficulty finding the sites for any of these agencies or have questions, please contact the church office during business hours.

CIY Reminder!

A Quick Reminder to Parents of Middle Schoolers -

CIY Registration money is due this Sunday, March 20, to Lisa or Cindy. We strongly encourage you to send your 6th-8th grade students. It is weekend event that they will be talking about for a long time to come!

Welcome to Woodview Christian Church's Blog

We are excited to introduce Woodview Christian Church's new Blog with you!