Ronald Reagan and Jesus

Who is responsible for solving the healthcare issues in America today? The politicians that we as Americans have elected appear to say that government is better able to care for the healthcare of Americans than individuals and the free market. This is in stark contrast to Ronald Reagan’s famous quote “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem”.

What does the Bible say about the poor? Jesus tells us that the poor will always be a part of society (Mark 14:7). We are also told that laziness is not a characteristic to be encouraged as evidenced by the rule “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2nd Thessalonians 3:10). That being said, there are people whose plight is not caused by a lack of effort. Jesus healed many people with debilitating diseases (i.e. blindness, paralysis, leprosy) while He was physically on Earth. The apostles also set up a food distribution program for widows to ensure their needs were met (Acts 6:1-5).

We are clearly told that we as individuals are responsible for the care of each other and not to leave such matters to an impersonal government organization. I am reminded of Matthew 25:40 where we are told “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. Is God able to say that about you? If you are not happy with your answer, today is yet another opportunity to help those in need.

Don't Give Up...Don't Ever Give Up

Some of you may have noticed that ESPN has been running events and promos highlighting the Jimmy V foundation during the past couple of weeks. Jim Valvano, or Jimmy V as he is more affectionately called, was the head coach of the NC State team that pulled a miraculous upset over Hakeem Olajwon and the University of Houston to win the 1983 national championship in basketball. The jubilation and excitement was evident as Jimmy V danced across the court. This normally would be the thought of as the greatest moment in a head coach's career. Jimmy V was not your normal basketball coach. His last mission after being diagnosed with cancer was to start a foundation to help save lives by helping find cures for cancer. His speech from the 1993 ESPY awards program still plays 15 years later on national TV and has millions of hits on YouTube. Cancer didn't defeat Jimmy V....it gave him focus for his passion and his perseverance created a lasting legacy.

Hearing Jimmy V's famous speech, my thoughts can't help but to turn to Philippians 3:13-14 "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Acts 20:24 teaches us a similar lesson in regards to focus "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to God's grace." If we can stay passionate in our focus for sharing God's grace, then we can say like Paul at the end of his life "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

So, what can we do to press on and finish the race strong? Well, we can be prepared through: 1) staying in constant communication with God through prayer, 2) reading the playbook (Bible), 3) spending time in the video room (remembering what God has done in our own lives), and 4) having a group of mentors/friends that provide God-guided counsel. Utilizing these tools to be solidly prepared, we can more fully understand God's love and grace and share why no one should ever want to be separate from God. As we are in the midst of the Christmas season, do you know of someone who needs to know God's love more? What good words will you have for them?

Building a Legacy

If you haven't heard, tonight marks the final game to be played at historic Yankee Stadium. Which got me to thinking about how I will be remembered when I am no longer around (i.e. moving for a new job, new set of circumstances that don't allow interaction with with as many people, or the end of this life). Will I be remembered as a good pharmacist, teacher, or colleague? Or as the guy who used to host some fun parties and some Bible studies? Or as a good friend? Or as a man who loved God with all his heart? How would you be remembered if you moved to a different city tomorrow?

Roy Hobbs said in the movie The Natural that he wanted folks to remember him as “the greatest hitter there ever was”. We are told to use what God has given us in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We are also taught that to be the greatest in God's kingdom we must become the least (Mark 10:44-45). Furthermore, we are told that working for God's kingdom will come at a price in this world...”If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to world it would love you as it own...That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). However, one of the greatest legacies possible for a human is for God to say “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Another is how David is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I know that work, friends, and family are all battling for our attention...but when it is time for us to move on, God's legacy is the only one worth leaving.

Following the Playbook

Have you ever not done something that you know you should do? Maybe it is because you have too much on your mind and you forgot or it is something you just didn't place enough importance on or you thought someone else would take care of it. Regardless of the reason, it was something you should have done and you didn't do it. I know that I have overcommitted myself before and not been able to fulfill all of my commitments. Maybe it is as simple as not paying attention to a friend saying they need someone to hang out with or talk to.

Jesus told us that when we mistreat others though our lack of action, that we treat Him the same way (Matthew 26:41-45). We are taught to provide simple, honest answers (James 5:12)...and that God wants us to show others mercy (Hosea 6:6). Jesus is a great example of how using the playbook and video room (the Bible) and continual communication with the Father makes the knowing and doing the right thing so natural. It is kind of like someone who has never seen a football playbook can't understand much of the information inside...but it makes more and more sense when the person spends more time in it and talks to the writer/creator of the playbook...of course, seeing the playbook executed is helpful as well. God will continually prepare us for His use if we will let Him...unlike football, helping meet people's needs and pointing them towards Him isn't a one day a week game...it's an on-call 24/7 thing.

Performance Enhancement

The words "performance enhancement" probably don't sit well with most folks these day. Those words likely bring to mind the steroid and human growth hormone scandals in professional sports…possibly even tarnishing baseball's greatest record. Others used these substances to get a chance to play in professional sports that they might not have had otherwise.

Christians need to be in favor of performance enhancement. I don't mean taking steroids or human growth hormone, but instead enhancing their relationship with almighty God. We go to great lengths to succeed in our careers, family life, and social circles…but how much effort do we place into having a closer fellowship with God. Trust me, the problem isn't on God's end…as my grandpa often told me, "We walk away from God, He doesn't walk away from us".

So, what can we do to enhance our performance? Well, we could just do the things that point toward success (reading the Bible, praying, attending to church) and look like we should be doing ok…but this doesn't guarantee success. Someone can go the batting cages or the weight room every day and not improve for at least three reasons: 1) they aren't trying to start with…they are just there to be seen; 2) they are satisfied with their current performance; or 3) they don't have goals set for themselves. Before you accuse me of being a Pharisee, I am not saying to read 6 chapters a day and pray 7 times each day come hell or high water just to do it. What I am saying is that success usually doesn't come without some type of a plan and the perseverance to follow through with it. The actual number of verses we read or how much time we spend on the "prayer clock" isn't what God wants…He wants us to allow Him to rule our lives. That's sounds really scary…because we like to be in control…but wouldn't you rather have almighty God, the greatest guide ever, to direct your steps?