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Tebow Hype a Bust

In a reverse this year, the big game was actually more interesting than the commercials. New Orleans pulled off a win! As I watched the Super Bowl commercials, I caught Focus on the Family’s paid ad featuring Tim Tebow and his mother. There was no mention of “abortion”, “the doctors told me”, or even “God.” If you missed the commercial here it is:

What is so discouraging is the inflated hype around this commercial. Nobody previewed it, nobody knew what was going to be said, and no one saw a script of the commercial. Yet, anti-religious and anti-abortion pundits were quick to condemn Tebow, Focus on the Family, and CBS.

Though I do not always agree with Focus on the Family’s approach or James Dobson’s sentiments, I do believe this Super Bowl ad was the right approach for their message. If you want to pay 2.5 million dollars you have the right to proclaim a message, sell a product, or make a statement. It was a personal story of joy about a mother and son and their life together.

Rowland Martin, CNN political analyst, made some good points when he wrote:

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NFL

Who Does God Want to Win the Super Bowl?

The following is an article I wrote for the “Voices of Faith” column which appeared in Saturday’s Times Union:

I remember watching the pregame coverage of Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 and being shocked when a reporter asked Green Bay Packers’ defensive end and ordained minister Reggie White if he thought God wanted him to win the Super Bowl. White shot back, “Well, I’m praying to win.” The reporter replied, “Do you think the Broncos are praying to win too?” “I’m sure they are,” White said. Then the reporter asked this bombshell: “If you are praying that Green Bay wins, and the Broncos are praying to win, then who does God want to win?”

With this year’s big game set for Sunday, it seems that God and football have been the hot topic lately. Quarterback Kurt Warner, who’s got a Super Bowl ring of his own, retired last week after saying he was seeking divine guidance to help him decide. Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow has been criticized for appearing in an ad to be aired during the game paid for by Focus on the Family that promotes the Christian organization’s pro-life stance. Tebow is also known for biblical references to “John 3:16” and “Phil 4:13″ on the eye black strips he uses to cut glare.” Tony Dungy, a Super Bowl champion coach and author of The New York Times best-seller, “Uncommon,” has attributed his success to Jesus Christ.

According to the NFL, 87 percent of its players come from some sort of “Protestant background.” Every team in the league offers its members Bible study groups, chapel or worship services. Athletes in Action, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ, provides chaplains for numerous NFL teams. Tom Krattenmaker, in his book “Onward Christian Athletes: Turning Ballparks into Pulpits and Players into Preachers,” makes the case that public displays of faith are not spontaneous, but rather part of a large Christian presence in the professional ranks.

Discipleship

Risky Business

Believe it or not, but we all take risks. We take a risk every time we drive, go to the store, or eat dinner at a restaurant. When we drive, there is a risk of an accident. When we go to the store, there is a risk that we could slip and fall on spilled milk in isle 8. At a restaurant, there is a risk of eating contaminated food and getting sick.

Some risks are bigger than others. Football, skiing, snowmobiling, ski diving, and racing are all risky activities. Men are responsible for 68% of all injuries, while women only 32%. Young people under the age of 24 account for a third of all injuries. Unfortunately, for me, these statistics ring true for me, but that’s another story.

Insurance companies make money by discriminating people based on age, sex, and past medical history to account for the likelihood of accidents, medical procedures, or injury. Financial companies charge people more money for loans if they are deemed more likely to default on a loan. The bigger the risk, bigger the potential reward or loss. Millions of dollars are invested in “venture capital” projects that could either fail or make a ton of money.

Risk is big business… I guess you can say a risky business.

Haiti

Haiti Hits Home

The destruction in Haiti continues to sadden and compel people to give. Over $50 million has been given from “text giving” and tens of millions of dollars continue to flow into relief agencies. The Haiti earthquake had a personal connection for me and for the people of our church. One of our members, Jude Pierre, was serving on a mission trip in Haiti when the earthquake struck. The mission trip team was about 50 miles away from Port-au-Prince, but still felt the earthquake. Jude and his team return safely a few days later and their return was reported on by NBC13 here in Albany:

Click for video

It was an incredible turn of events and this Sunday morning, Jude will recount his experiences during the 10:15 a.m. worship service at FBC Ballston Spa. Jude will have pictures and information about his mission trip. We hope you will join us.

In addition, FBC Ballston spa has given over $1500 to fund Haiti relief efforts through International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. The American Baptist Women’s group aka “G-Unit” group at FBC also made medical kits with donated supplies that is being sent to Haiti. Thanks be to God for the generous giving from the good people at FBC Ballston spa. Also, our denomination has quickly responded to relief efforts.

Here is a summary of what the ABC has done:

FBC

Tapestry Dedication

Check out First Baptist Church’s dedication of our new Mission Tapestry.

Photo from the Saratogian

Larger photo here

church membership, mission

The Mission of the Mission Statement

Mission statements are used by individuals, non-profits, companies, and even government. Mission statements are supposed to focus or clarify an organization’s purpose or outcome. It is easy for a mission statement to be confusing, too wordy, and just too long. Instead of mission statements empowering people, mission statements can be used as corporate propaganda to make investors feel like the company is working hard. Here are some examples of confusing mission statements:

“We have committed to synergistically fashion high-quality products so that we may collaboratively provide access to inexpensive leadership skills in order to solve business problems”

“It is our business to quickly maintain competitive sources while continuing to globally simplify virtual services.”

“We strive to globally provide access to multimedia based intellectual capital and efficiently simplify effective sources to stay competitive in tomorrow’s world.”

“Our mission is to collaboratively leverage existing high standards in content while promoting personal employee growth.”

What the heck does all that mean? Catch phases like globally, leverage, competitive… Katie Irons at Blogcritics.org offers some insight to mission statements:

blog

Weddings, Wine, and Waiting

There is a story that we pastors often tell stressed couples before weddings to make them laugh:

During the wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the priest with an unusual offer.

“Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to the part where I’m to promise to ‘love, honor, and obey’ and ‘forsaking all others, be faithful to her forever,’ I’d appreciate it if you’d just leave that part out.”

He slipped the priest the cash and walked away. The wedding day arrived.

When it came time for the groom’s vows, the priest looked the young man in the eye and said,

” Will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life and swear eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not ever even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?”

The groom gulped and looked around and then said in a tiny voice, “I do.”

After the ceremony, the groom pulled the priest aside and yelled,

Haiti

Why Pat Robertson Believes Haiti “Cursed” After “Pact to the Devil”

Check out my Times Union blog post on why Pat Robertson Believes Haiti “Cursed” After “Pact to the Devil.”

forgive

3 Lessons Learned from Tiger Woods & Mark McGwire

We have heard so much recently about the “sins” or “mistakes” of Tiger Wood’s and Mark McGwire. Tiger Woods got caught up in a media mess that started as a story about a car accident. After many days of avoiding the media and fans, Tiger released this statement:

As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I’m pretty sore…This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

After several days of speculation, the story quickly turned into a public nightmare for Woods and his wife:

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.

Most of us should not be surprised that Mark McGwire revealed that he did use steroids. Several creditable witnesses admitted to either giving him steroids or saw McGwire take steroids. After years of speculation, McGwire finally admitted to the truth:

I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era… I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come. It’s time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected.

Wow, it is about time the truth came out. Lies, tears, hearings, interviews… all the pain and deception. It could have all been prevented.

Here are 3 lessons learned from Tiger Woods’ and Mark McGwire’s lives:

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sermon

Sermon: Called Into The Water

Sunday – January 10, 2010

Get into the water!

Called into the Water Jan 10 2010 by Rev. Rudnick

Baptism

Called Into The Water

Baptism is a deeply profound and spiritual moment in the life of a Christian. I was baptized as a young child, about 10 or 11 years old. I truly believed as a child that Christ died for my sins, was my Savior, and was resurrected. And, as an adult, I still believe it. My child-like faith was centered on God’s love and grace for me. Some people have asked me if I regret getting baptized at a young age. Every time, my answer is the same: “No, not at all. God was present in my childhood, even before I knew it, and my baptism was a confirmation of my faith in Christ.” I took my baptism seriously as a child. It was a moment in time where I was welcomed as a member of the Body of Christ.

However, as seen in this video, sometimes there can be some light moments as well: