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forgiveness

Ash Wednesday

A Baptist Who Celebrates Ash Wednesday?

Huh? A Baptist who celebrates Ash Wednesday?  That’s like an American celebrating Boxing Day.  The two just don’t go together.

Despite the misnomer, Baptists do celebrate Ash Wednesday and Lent, especially this Baptist.  Two of the classic Baptist distinctives is local autonomy and soul liberty.   Each Baptist church has the freedom to worship however the church sees fit.  Since we Baptists do not have a book of worship or order, like other denominations, Baptists are free to worship as they feel led.  This, of course, does not happen in a vacuum.  I have always believed that Baptists must be led by scripture, reason, tradition, and experience (the Wesleyan Quadrilateral) with scripture being the final authority.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent.   The goal of Ash Wednesday is to reflect upon our humanness, our need for forgiveness, and our connection to Christ’s last days.  These themes are symbolized by the imposition of ashes on the forehead, with the words, “You are dust and to dust you shall return…” during the worship service.  In the Old Testament, ashes were a sign of penitence and mourning.  Job was known for placing ashes upon his head to mourn the loss of his family.

Sure, Catholics do it, but that does not mean that we become Catholic if we receive ashes.  We are merely participating in the greater historical liturgical practices of Christians.  There is nothing magical about the ashes.  You are not any more holy for participating in Ash Wednesday, but it is just another way to experience the presence of God in our lives in a symbolic way.

But, where did this act of worship and repentance on Ash Wednesday come from?  Christianity Today provides some insight:

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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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NFL

Why You Should Give Michael Vick a Second Chance

Almost everyone has heard about the Atlanta Falcons NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s arrest, conviction, and imprisonment for federal dog fighting crimes.  Vick served 18 months in a federal prison and was released.  The NFL has stated that Vick will be able to return to football with conditions.   The media is speculating on which teams are interested and what Michael Vick will do next.

You might be asking yourself, “Why does all this matter?”  Well, for the most part, the public opinion on animal abusers is strong.  Naturally, people are mostly animal lovers.  Sometimes, I think we love animals more than people.   Clearly, abusing animals is wrong and setting up a dog fighting ring, making money off dog fighting, and treating dogs poorly is wrong.    Yet, Vick has received more negative press and more public out cry than Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth, who was  suspended by the NFL  for driving drunk and killing a pedestrian in Miami.  Or, singer Chris Brown, who beat/harmed girlfriend and singer Rihanna.

Here is the problem: People seem to be more upset at Vick than they should be at Stallworth or Brown.  Stallworth got drunk and killed someone with his car and only served a 30 day  sentence.  Now, I am not saying you should feel sorry for Vick.  Vick broke the law and hurt animals.  Clearly, there is an inequity here.   Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune echo these sediments:

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