We had done very well in the tournament. The little league baseball team had endured the hot Oklahoma sun, and the coach was ready to celebrate with his up-and-coming major leaguers.
Everyone was hungry and tired. Feeding the crew in short order was a priority. Having multiple food options would keep everyone happy. What better place to build camaraderie than the local buffet?
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For the last year, many dedicated people at the Baptist Messenger have poured their lives into developing and providing Oklahoma Baptists with a more relevant and engaging publication. Next week, their efforts will be unveiled.
Their creativity and sure professionalism will soon be on display for all to see as the Baptist Messenger takes an exciting step toward the next level of excellence. Like parents anticipating the arrival of a new born baby, we are excited to share our new baby with you.
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We were forewarned. The weather warnings were clear. “An ice storm is coming.” “Prepare for the worst.” “Everyday activity will come to a standstill.” This time, the climate predictor’s prophecies came true. The Central Plains were covered in layers and layers of ice. Time stood still, as did everything else.
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One of my favorite Christmas songs claims the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. For the most part, I agree. But that might not be true for everybody.
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Sooner football fans are furious, and the Oregon Ducks are quacking out loud about their recent 34-33 win over Oklahoma. Questionable officiating during the final 72 seconds of the game has sports broadcasters, university presidents, coaches, players and loyal sports fanatics in an uproar and hungry for blood!
Recognizing what a horrible mistake the officials made of the game, the Pac-10 Conference suspended the referees and instant replay officials for their bad decisions. Some have accused the officials of using a duck call rather than a whistle. They blew it all right; they blew the game in a big way.
For whatever reason, whether it was peer pressure, short sightedness, money under the table or just plain old stupidity, the officials ended up looking like bumbling idiots on national TV. Their lack of discretion has been broadcast over and over again for millions to hear and see. If they thought they were pulling a fast one, boy were they ever wrong.
Before you gloat with satisfaction and justify your blood shot eyes, stop for a minute and ask yourself whether you’ve ever blown it. I know I have. Can you imagine what it would be like to have some of your decisions subject to instant replay? Yikes! There will come a day that all of us will stand before a righteous and holy God to give an account for the plays we called in the game of life. The devil will stand ready to roll the instant replay. But praise be to God, we have a coach on our team who will pull the plug on the tape machine. “Not so fast buster,” I can hear Jesus say. “I paid the price for this one’s bad decisions. He made me Lord of his life and accepted me as his Savior. Sorry, this one is on my team. We reviewed the tape, and it appears a blood stain has made your accusations inconclusive.” And with that, the final judge declares our innocence.
Just like in life, there are no do overs for the Sooners or the refs. I’m sad about the game, but as a Christian, I’m so thankful I don’t get what I deserve. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound (not from a whistle or a duck call) that saved a wretch like me.
Whether or not you thought Steve Irwin was courageous or crazy; one thing is for sure, TV’s “Crocodile Hunter” was not immortal. Television has a way of making everyday people seem larger than life.
Week after week, Irwin tempted fate by dancing like bait before some of nature’s most dangerous animals. His playful antics and outback adventures made him a favorite TV personality. Unfortun-ately, Irwin was killed recently during the taping of a TV special featuring his interaction with some of the ocean’s most deadly animals.
According to eyewitnesses, Irwin swam too close to a large stingray. Before he knew it, the normally calm sea creature stabbed him in the heart with its poison stinger. The affectionate adventurer was dead within a matter of minutes. His companions and crew were shocked to learn the man who had escaped danger so many times before had finally met his match at sea.
In some ways, there is a little bit of Steve Irwin in all of us. Somehow we fail to see how dangerous our lives have become. At first we play with sin from a distance. Like Irwin, we tease and flirt with disaster. We survive a few near misses and gradually grow more and more comfortable with the risks we take.
For Irwin, it was crocodiles, snakes and stingrays. For others it is a quick glance at Internet pornography, a quarter in a slot machine or a sip from a bottle of beer that leads them down a path that ultimately brings them too close to the fire. Eventually, they get burned.
Sin has a way of drawing us into its trap. Slowly but surely, like bugs drawn to the light, we are mesmerized by the lure of the bait. When we least expect it, sin delivers its poison barb straight to the heart. In an instant, a life is ruined, and what we call “life as normal” is no more. Our family and friends are stunned. How could it happen? What went wrong? Heaven weeps as Satan and his cronies get the last laugh.
Such doesn’t have to be the case. Paul encouraged Timothy to flee sin and to hunt down righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Those who fail to do so will wander from the faith and pierce themselves with grief.
Steve Irwin was known as the “Crocodile Hunter.” What kind of hunter are you? Are you playing with sin or is sin playing you? The book of I Peter says the devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Beware that the hunter doesn’t become the hunted.
If you are looking for a creative, entertaining and inspiring approach to share your faith, look no more. “The Rock and the Rabbi,” a nationally recognized musical, is coming to six venues throughout Oklahoma Sept. 17 through Oct. 1.
When was the last time you attended a Broadway caliber show that shares the Gospel in a powerful and innovative way? When describing the musical, Josh McDowell said, “I was blown away by it . . . you don’t see this, you don’t hear it, you experience it.”
“The Rock and the Rabbi” is the story of a fisherman named Peter and the Rabbi who changes his life. Sound familiar? Remind you of a life-changing encounter you might have had with a Jewish Rabbi named Jesus? You guessed it. It is His story.
The musical combines storytelling with sounds of acoustic strings and percussion. The audience is swept away on a journey with Peter and Jesus. The story highlights friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and ultimate reconciliation, all while being entertaining and delivering the redemptive message of the greatest story ever told.
The Baptist Messenger is providing tickets to “The Rock and the Rabbi” for any pastor and a guest who wants to attend the musical. Pastors are encouraged to call 800/869-1451, ext. 220, to secure their free tickets. Be sure to mention the Baptist Messenger and your position as a pastor. Seating is limited and based on availability. Group rates are also available by calling the same number. Groups receive five free tickets when 10 are purchased.
“The Rock and the Rabbi” is coming to Oklahoma City, Sept. 17-24, (proceeds for the 24th matinee benefit the Falls Creek Campaign), Shawnee, Sept. 26, (proceeds benefit OBU scholarships), McAlester, Sept. 27-28, Tahlequah, Sept. 29, Muskogee, Sept. 30, Miami, Oct. 1. Call 800/869-1451 for details and tickets.
Special kudos go out to Larry and Kay Payton, members of Tulsa, Parkview, for bringing “The Rock and the Rabbi” to Oklahoma. Their vision for using the arts to reach the world for Christ is admirable and deserves our unwavering support. Now, as they say in theater, “go break a leg!”