Tim Tebow, the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, has been in the news a lot lately. Some of this attention comes from the fact that he is partly responsible for turning a losing team into a winning one – not bad for someone who was never expected to make it in pro football.

Critics say Tebow lacks throwing accuracy, experience and the ability to quickly assess the opponent’s defense. They also say that his style of playing the position will never work in the NFL – but for some strange reason, he keeps leading his team to victory. He’s certainly not your typical pro football quarterback, but he does possess that “certain something” that makes him a winner (the last couple of games notwithstanding).

Yet the critics persist. The more he wins, the more they dislike him. Jake Plummer, a former NFL quarterback, might have been speaking for nay-sayers everywhere when he remarked that he would like Tebow a lot more if he would just “shut up” about his faith in Jesus Christ.

And with that comment, the real reason behind the criticism emerges. It’s not about football, it’s about faith. Some people just don’t like the fact that he’s an outspoken Christian, and the more demonstrative he is, the more they hate him. It’s amazing how the “Tebowing” craze has swept the country (a posture of kneeling in prayer that strangely resembles Rodin’s “Thinker”), but my hunch is most people assume the pose out of mockery and not reverence.

What’s strange is that Tim Tebow certainly is not the first athlete to give thanks to God after a big play – that’s been going on for decades. But he’s definitely receiving more negative attention for it than most have in the past.  Maybe it’s because they know he’s serious, and that his faith in Jesus Christ is far deeper than “the man upstairs who helps him win football games.” Maybe it’s because his desire to follow Christ is more important than protecting his pride or being labeled “weird.” Maybe, just maybe, he’s doing what most Christians in America fear the most: Risking his reputation for the sake of the gospel.

In Matthew 5 Jesus said, blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Tim Tebow seems to be pretty comfortable with these words. The questions is, are you?

I just finished a book entitled “Weird,” by Craig Groeschel. In one of the early chapters he writes about our obsessive desire to “have it all,” and then he describes problems this creates in our relationship with God and others:

“…remember the old theme song to Schoolhouse Rock’s “Conjunction Junction?” You remember: “Conjunction junction what’s your function?” One of the most important things we can do in life combat busyness is change our conjunction. Instead of saying “and,” we need to say “or.”

He goes on to give several illustrations – instead of fried chicken and grilled steak, we can have fried chicken or grilledsteak. Instead of soccer practice and guitar lessons, it needs to be soccer or guitar. Instead of working late and taking work home, it’s one or the other.

You get the point – we need to change the conjunction.

And there’s no better time of year to do so than December. The inclination to overbook, overspend, overeat, and just plain over do it is particularly strong right now, and our ability to fight against it is weak. We don’t want to disappoint our friends and family, so we buy them all the gifts they’ve requested and throw in an extra one or two just to show how much we care. Whether it’s genuine love or that dreaded feeling of expectation, we say yes to one too many parties or gatherings. We take the extra slice of pie because, well, Christmas only comes around once a year and we can always spend some extra time (that we don’t have) at the gym.

It’s time to change the conjunction.

In Luke 10, one of the great passages on changing the conjunction, Jesus gives a gentle rebuke to Martha – a wonderful, Godly woman who had said “and” far too many times:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

One thing…..one thing is needful. Could you honestly reduce your life to a single need? I’d have trouble getting it down to ten, much less one. So where do I begin? The first part of Jesus’ statement gives me my clue – go from the “many things” to the “few things.” Change my “and” to “or,” and focus on what’s most important. I can begin by making decisions based upon what God has called me to do rather than what those around me want me to do. After that, it’s the continuous exercise of confession, repentance and faith.

This Christmas, give yourself (and others) the gift that keeps on giving; when it comes to your time, talent and money – change the conjunction.

On the fourth Thursday of this month, most of us will gather with family and friends around a dinner table full of delicious food. Even if mealtime prayer is not something practiced in your household, you’ll likely pause before digging in to give thanks for the variety of blessings you have experienced over the past year.

Children will give thanks for mommy and daddy and grandparents.The family pet might also receive and honorable mention. The teenagers will likely be silent, maybe even sullen, but in their minds they’re probably giving God props for good food and their cell phone. Adults are usually a bit more serious – thankful for jobs, health, family, relationships. Maybe the unexpected money that appeared when times were lean will make it on the list, or the perhaps the medical test that came back negative.

Over the years I’ve payed closer attention to the content of these prayers, and an interesting theme emerges – we give thanks for a lot of really significant things, but no one really ever mentions the small stuff. Now there are a number of possible explanations for this, like the fact that Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, and it seems inappropriate to pray for the mundane on such a special occasion. There’s also the pressure of testifying in front of the entire holiday gathering – you don’t want to be accused of not being very thankful, so you naturally think big.

These are, of course, understandable concerns. However, I’m worried that this attitude of thanking God for only the big stuff prevails long after the leftover turkey sandwiches have been eaten. It’s easy to say thanks when your job is spared, but it takes more effort to remember that God gave you the education to do the job, the car to get you there, and the clothes you wear, etc. The list, of course, could go on and on. It may seem silly, but unless we get in the habit of thanking God for everything, we begin to think that we somehow share in the running of the world.

Take a deep breath – you were able to do so only because of God’s grace. Be thankful. The fact that you are able to read this article means you have eyes to see and a mind to process what you read, and likely you received an education that developed those God-given gifts. All blessings, every one of them.

1 Thessalonians 5 says “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” All circumstances means more than just the situation you find yourself in – it also means giving thanks for each thing that comes into your life. The big stuff and the small stuff.

This Thanksgiving, make a note to pray for the small stuff – because in the words of author Richard Carlson, it’s all small stuff. And without what we perceive to be the small stuff, we’d never get to say thank you for the big stuff.

So Harold Camping was wrong….again.

The second coming did not take place on October 21 as he predicted. But this time something amazing happened – something that finally moved Camping from ridicule to respect in my book. He actually admitted his failure and repented. In this interview with the Christian Post, Rev. Camping finally declares he was wrong, and that he regrets the decades of false teaching regarding the end times.

In a previous post I criticized Camping for his poor Biblical exegesis, sensationalism, and most importantly his lack of humility. But that all seems to have changed now. Is this the confession of an old man who doesn’t want to be remembered as a wacko? Maybe. But I’m more inclined to believe he’s no different from anyone else who has been convicted of their wrongdoing, and seeks to make it right. The Bible has a simple path for this – confess, repent, and turn to God in faith. Whether you do this for the first time, becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus, or the millionth time, the results are the same: you are forgiven and set free.

“If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sin and purify you from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Did Camping lead thousands astray with his erroneous teaching? Yes. But in no way is this unforgivable. At one time he was absolutely certain his Biblical interpretation was correct, but now he realizes it was not. He is certainly responsible for his false teaching, and for the flock under his care that he led astray. I think he has also forfeited his privilege of “double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17) afforded to pastors and teachers of God’s Word. But he confessed and repented, so the gospel of Jesus Christ guarantees his forgiveness. God has already done so, and I hope those hurt by his teaching will be able to follow suit.

Camping’s legacy could easily be that of a pathetic, misguided prophet.  Or it could simply be a sinner saved by grace.

I hope it’s the latter.

It’s been a long, long time since sports fans in Detroit had so much to cheer about. The Tigers are in the playoffs, the Lions (as of the writing of this article) are undefeated, and the Red Wings have another promising season on the horizon. Even the local college teams are doing pretty well. From the grocery store to your local restaurant, you’re bound to hear a conversation or two about someone’s favorite team. The bottom line – these winnings ways have everyone feeling pretty good.

Interestingly, not much has really changed in the rest of society (which means there’s still plenty of bad news). Unemployment is still too high, housing prices are too low, and the stock market is as crazy as it’s ever been. People in Metro Detroit are struggling, and the reality is that it’s not likely to get much better anytime soon. So it seems the occasional diversion from the everyday troubles we all face is a good thing.  Taking some time to relax at a ball game and cheer the home team can actually be a healthy aspect to an otherwise gloomy situation.

But for many Americans, it doesn’t stop there. Sports in this country has gone from pastime to obsession – players are larger than life, fans are riveted by the latest news and scores, and the games have far more significance than they should. If your team wins, all is right with the world. If they lose, then woe is you (and, unfortunately, woe is everyone else around you).

I love sports as much as anyone else, so I sometimes wonder if it’s becoming an idol in my life. By “idol” I mean something that receives more attention, more honor, more worship than God.  It’s not necessarily a question of how much Bible reading you do compared to the number of hours you watch sports on TV. It’s more about your attitude and motivations. Do you find yourself more excited about the game that’s on after Sunday worship than you do going to church? Do you make scheduling decisions based upon who’s playing and when?

If so, it’s time to think seriously about your priorities. In the book of 1 John, the apostle tells us that God is light and love, and that His Son Jesus Christ gives us the power to overcome evil and the assurance of eternal life. But the book ends in a curious manner, simply stating, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

John’s last line rightly leaves us with that most basic of questions:  Has something or someone besides Jesus Christ taken ownership of your heart’s trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear and delight? Whether is sports, shopping, crafts or cars – the question is the same. Are they more important to you than Jesus?

Economist Tim Harford gave a lecture recently entitled “Trial, Error, and the God Complex.” It’s a fascinating talk about our tendency as humans to hold our beliefs so strongly that we simply don’t want think about other options (you can see the talk at ted.com).

Harford argues that regardless of how complicated a problem might be, someone with a God complex believes they have the right answer. We often hear of this in the medical field, where over-confident (perhaps arrogant) physicians know exactly what a patient needs to get better. But it’s not just the doctors with the God complex – we all have it. Some of us are certain of the way to solve the financial crisis, or who should (or shouldn’t) be in political office. Others are convinced of the “right” way to mow the yard or drive on the freeway or even wash clothes. Harford believes that the God complex appears in nearly every area of life, and he believes it is one of the most serious problems we face today.

I agree, especially when it comes to interpreting the Bible and living the Christian life.

Seems strange, doesn’t it? We can actually suffer from a God complex while trying to apply God’s Word to our lives. Even though God Himself was quite clear about His ways not being like our ways (Isaiah 55:8), and our capacities falling woefully short of His (see Job 38), we are still far too confident about a number of things.

In a previous post, I wrote of the need for all of us to practice sound biblical interpretation. I said that when consulting the Bible for any of life’s questions or issues, it’s important to have three components: Personal interpretation, contemporary understanding, and historical perspective. I also added a fourth – humility.

Humility is what gives us the ability to say, “I’m wrong,” or “perhaps there’s more to learn about this matter.” Humility allows us to enter into relationships that lead to an authentic sharing of Jesus’ gospel. Humility, I am convinced, is the single best remedy for a God complex.

Now, this doesn’t mean we can’t be sure of anything – in fact, there are any number of Biblical truths that are simply irrefutable. But we have to remember that we are only human, prone to forget and misunderstand and gum things up – it’s our nature. Even as Christians – those who are forgiven and free, redeemed by the blood of Christ – we are still plagued by any number of shortcomings that hinder our ability to think clearly and act justly.

The remedy? The constant application of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Confess your sin, repent, and turn to God by faith. Whether it’s once a day, once an hour, or once a minute, the exercise is crucial to your life as a Christian.

And it’s the only way to keep the God complex from taking over.

After proclaiming that judgement day would occur on May 21, 2011, Harold Camping now claims he miscalculated the rapture date and that the world will now end on October 21, 2011.  On his network Family Radio, Camping said that his original (well, this year’s original) apocalypse prediction was off by five months.

This month our church family, along with hundreds of others in the Metro-Detroit area, will be stepping out in faith to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends, neighbors and co-workers. The regional initiative is call E.A.C.H., an acronym for Everyone A Chance to Hear. It was initiated by a local pastor who dreamed an amazing dream – that Christians in Detroit and the surrounding suburbs would come together for the cause of the gospel. It has been decades since anything like this has taken place in our region, and I am excited about the possibilities.

I’m also concerned.

Concerned that excellent organization and creative ideas will be what we lean on most. Concerned that we begin thinking all we need is the right training and the best outreach tools to be successful. Concerned that our best efforts will carry the day, instead of the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. You see, we are a nation obsessed with innovation, and we live in a society where “new and improved” is always better, even if the original was something extraordinary. So we’re inclined to tweak just about anything if we think it might make it better, more marketable, or more convincing – even if it is the timeless truth of God. I know, I know, the intent is never to change the message, just the packaging, but we live in a culture where the medium is the message, so it’s important to proceed with caution.

What I’m most concerned about, however, is that many of us will rely completely on the tools because we have little to draw from in our own experience. The hope of the gospel and the reality of life to the fullest in Jesus Christ doesn’t really define who we are, so while we do believe, we need help in our unbelief. However, the help we need isn’t evangelism training or outreach ideas, it’s a deeper relationship with Jesus. I like how pastor and Seminary professor Howard Hendricks puts it: “You cannot impart what you do not possess.”

I pray that revival would take place in Metro-Detroit, but I know that all the training and organization in the world will not make it a reality. Neither will scores of good deeds and random acts of kindness around town. It will be Christians who believe so completely that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world, that they simply cannot keep this good news to themselves.  So they bear witness to the promise of God made real in their lives. They speak of the repentance and faith that is practiced every day. No script. No program. They simply tell of their life in Christ.

That’s what everyone needs a chance to hear.

We had a big event at our church last Saturday night. It was the annual fundraiser for our summer mission project, and it was a very encouraging evening. But it was getting late, and I made the comment that I needed to leave because I had to be back at the church early the next morning. As I got up to go, a friend made the comment that it must be nice to only work one day a week. Now, if you’ve been a pastor for more than 15 minutes, you’ve likely heard this (or something similar) a few times, and you know it’s just one of those jokes that will never get old for the ones who tell it.

What made this instance more interesting was the fact that most of the folks standing near me were educators, and they all smiled knowingly, because they hear something very similar (must be nice to only have to work 9 months out of the year). One of them said, “Yeah, pastors are lazy just like us, but they don’t have to go through the same kind of evaluation we do.”

Which got me thinking – what if we did? If a local pastor was to undergo the same type of scrutiny as a public school teacher, what would that look like? Here are a few possible comments:

Look at all those people out there who haven’t been converted! You call yourself competent?

28% of your church can’t even find the book of Zechariah – that’s unacceptable!

Your denomination has made it difficult to fire underperforming pastors, and it’s hurting the progress of the parishioners.

In our own defense, I’m sure we could offer something like, “The church down the street just teaches for the “salvation test,” and their achievement levels after passing the standardized exams are very low.”

I could go on, but I’m reminded of another saying that’s not quite as funny and is certainly true in my book – we don’t pay our teachers enough.

In the past few months, a number of folks in our church family have experienced suffering in one form or another. Illness, death, job loss, and a myriad of other struggles have made for a difficult winter, and many of us are ready for some relief – for God in his goodness to take notice of us and ease our pain.

That’s what our kind Father in heaven does, right? Heals our diseases, binds up our broken hearts, satisfies our desires (at least that’s what Psalm 103 says). So what do I do when the suffering lingers, or even intensifies? Am I not praying right? Am I out of God’s will?

In the latest edition of Leadership magazine, pastor John Ortberg says this:

I once was part of a survey on spiritual formation. Thousands of people were asked when they grew most spiritually, and what contributed to their growth. The number one contributor to spiritual growth was not transformational teaching. It was not being in a small group. It was not reading deep books. It was not energetic worship experiences. It was not finding meaningful ways to serve. It was suffering. People said they grew more during seasons of loss, pain, and crisis than they did at any other time.

Anyone who has suffered knows this, but we don’t like to admit it. Maybe because we think that by confessing the fact we actually benefited from suffering would somehow give God an open door to send more. Sort of like repeating the old military training response, “thank you sir, may I have another,” which, of course, has never really been the desire of any young recruit.

But suffering CAN produce some very positive things in the life of a Christian. Romans 5 lists a few; perseverance, godly character, and hope. James 1 adds that trials can lead to maturity and fulfillment, and that we should actually rejoice when we face suffering.

I’m not saying we should pursue trouble in our lives so that we can grow and mature as Christians, but I am saying we should be more attentive to God when we face inevitable trials and difficulty. This can be tricky though, because we often view suffering as an opportunity to “learn” something so that we can “help” someone else who experiences a similar trial at a later time. There’s nothing wrong with learning from our difficulties and passing that lesson along to others, but if that’s all you’re interested in, you’re missing an important part of suffering – your spiritual formation.

Instead of asking, “What can I learn from this trial?” Maybe ask, “How will this experience make me more dependent on Christ?” And remember, suffering is never meaningless or accidental – God always has a purpose – and it’s usually further-reaching and more redemptive than we ever thought possible.