Something I’ve never really done is play sports. There are various contributing factors in that, the most notable probably being that I’ve just never been all that captivated by them.

Never in elementary, middle or high school was I ever a player on any kind of organized team. I think if I remember right, I tried to play soccer for like two weeks when I was 8 or 9. But that might be some composite memory I picked up from TV or something.

Long story short, that pretty much puts me in a position now where I neither care about sports nor am I any good at them when it comes to participating myself. I could care less which team wins the Super Bowl and probably I couldn’t kick a ball into a net to save my life.

But, I think I’d like to change that.

So, the past couple of weeks I’ve been giving it an honest effort to cultivate some interest and skill in some kind of sport. I have to admit, things aren’t going particularly well.

Last Sunday I went with some friends to watch the Redskins Cowboys game. In the beginning, I didn’t really know what was going on (being that I’ve never had an interest), but thanks to wikipedia, my iPhone and some helpful insights from a friend, by the end of the game I was pretty well clued in. Apparently I was supposed to be excited that the Redskins won? I don’t know.

But also, I’ve been trying to give it some effort myself as well. A very patient friend has been playing tennis with me. Here’s the thing, I really might be the worlds worst tennis player. If I’m not missing the ball completely, I’m sending it soaring over the fence. It’s seriously annoying.

All that been said though, I am giving things an honest effort. I really would like to not be an outsider in the world of playing and enjoying sports.

So, wish me luck!

Today, I rolled over into the month of October in my Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. I’m finally through the book of Luke, Hebrews, Proverbs and Isaiah. I have to admit, I find Isaiah and Hebrews to be some of the more daunting books to read, and while I’m glad and grateful I’ve been able to do so, I’m also ready for something new.

So, today, I begin the Gospel of John, the book of James, Ecclesiastes and Jeremiah.

I’m quite familiar with John and James already, but Jeremiah I’m less acquainted with. Ecclesiastes however, is among my favorite books of the Old Testament. I was realizing today as I read through the first chapter, that the Preacher’s thoughts through Ecclesiastes are so many of my own before I came to know Christ. And even today, the philosophical logic of the book continues to be an undergirding to my faith.

I’m excited for this month’s reading. I’m sure I’ll be keeping you posted!

Jeremiah 1:6-8:

Then I said, “Alas, Lord God!"
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
Because I am a youth.”
But the Lord said to me,
”Do not say, ‘I am a youth.’
Because everywhere I send you, you
    shall go,
And all that I command you, you shall
    speak.
”Do not be afraid of them,
For I am with you to deliver you,”
    declares the Lord.”

I know we’ve all heard the discussions from Timothy about not allowing people to look down on us for being young; about the Lord’s calling superceding our natural qualifications. But it struck me as I was reading this the massive logical problem with fearing our calling (whatever that may be) because of our natural conditioning.

Between men, thirty years might be a long time. In the twenty years between a kid of 19 becoming a man of 39, I imagine a great deal of confidence can be earned simply by living life and gaining experience in things. But to God, who has been for all of eternity, the 20 years isn’t anything at all.

So, if God has called a person to something, on a purely logical level, we must believe we’re the right people for the job. And, if that weren’t enough, we have countless promises of protection and “deliverance”.

Jonathan Bowers, on the Desiring God Blog, posted the notes he took during a message by Mark Driscoll. His articulation was so clear, concise and poignant that I decided just to direct you that way today.

His words are ones that I, more than most, really need to take to heart.

The post can be found here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1417_Pray_More_than_You_Criticize/

Two years ago, my friend Dave moved into my parent’s house. Some complications with school and complications with home made moving in a pretty good idea. And, since my parent’s have always been generous and inviting folks, Dave stayed for free.

Several months ago, Dave joined the Navy. That means his stay is coming to an and and, for a while at least, we’ll have to say goodbye.

Dave is also an active member of a Trinity Community Church, which is not too far away. While he’s only been there a little under a year, he’s developed strong relationships, he’s a youth leader and it shows.

Which brings me to my point:

Tonight I was taken back by the response of his church at the opportunity to send Dave off. Nearly 40 people showed up, on last minute notice, from Dave’s church. Their affection and friendship, I feel, is a model of how the church ought to look. I was encouraged, and I think Dave was as well.

Without question, Dave will be dearly missed while he’s away.

Isaiah 58:1-2:

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
   or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
but your iniquities have made a separation
   between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
   so that he does not hear.

Dang. There it is. Thank Jesus that now He does hear; now his hand in grace always stretches out to cover the iniquities of his people.

Some of the most powerful words in scripture, I feel, are found in Hebrews 12:1-3:

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin…

Few words throw this whole thing into perspective quite like these. Praise the author of my faith. I pray that I can strive, even to the point of shedding blood.