I found this article about Tom Brady @ Tom Ascol's website. I agree with Pastor Ascol that we ough to be in prayer for Tom Brady. I have pasted Pastor Tom's comments here.
Tom Brady, your questions have answers
Tom Brady, the 3-time Super Bowl champion quarterback of the New England Patriots was featured the week in a 60 Minutes interview with Steve Kroft on CBS. Brady is already a sports legend in one of the citadels of professional sports in America, Boston. His current team is 15-0 and is poised to finish the season undefeated, something that hasn't been done in the NFL in 35 years. He has won the Super Bowl MVP twice and been named to the Pro Bowl 4 times. He also was recently named the Associated Press' "Male Athlete of the Year."He has dated actresses and supermodels and makes millions of dollars a year. He has been called America's most eligible bachelor. By most popular standards, he has it all. That is why I was struck by hearing him make the following statement during the interview:
"Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, 'God, it's got to be more than this.' I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be."When Kroft asked him, "What's the answer?" Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I love playing football and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find."Here is what I would say to Tom Brady, if given the chance to discuss this with him.
***Tom, I appreciate your honesty in admitting on national TV that Super Bowl championships and Pro Bowl appearances do not ultimately satisfy what you long for from somewhere deep inside. What you feel is not unique. And your questions really do have answers. Others have asked them throughout history. Many have found the answer in what God has revealed in the Bible.Augustine, an African Christian leader from the 5th century is an example. During his years of pursuing sensual pleasure and knowledge, he experienced that longing for something more that you described. Later, as he reflected on it, he expressed it like this in a prayer, "Lord, you made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."The 17th century mathematician, Blaise Pascal, also understood this longing and wrote about it in his famous, Pensees. "All men seek happiness...without exception," he wrote. "Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves."That is why you play football. You, like every other person, are on a quest for happiness. Like very few people, you have experienced all the happiness that the pinnacle of success in your field can offer. Yet, like everyone else, you have discovered that such happiness is fleeting. As Pascal goes on to explain, that is the inevitable result of every quest that does not recognize that God himself is the only object that can fill the emptiness that we all experience.One of the books in the Bible specifically addresses the futility of trying to find satisfaction apart from God. Ecclesiastes says that everything is "vanity." Solomon, the author, pursued wisdom, knowledge, success and pleasure, but nothing could ultimately satisfy. Yet the quest to find satisfaction is inevitable because, as he put it, God "has put eternity into man's heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).So, the reason that your 3 Super Bowl rings leave you thinking that there is still something greater out there for you is because there is. You were made for something far greater than football, wealth, fame and success. You were made for God.Genesis 1 and 2 teaches us that God made people in his own image. Originally, men and women were in a joyful and harmonious relationship with their Creator. But, as Genesis 3 tells us, that peaceful relationship did not last. The first man, Adam, disobeyed God with the result that the whole human race became separated from God and liable to His judgment.The Bible calls this disobedience, sin. And sin has left every person spiritually opposed to God. So, our predicament is this--we were made by God, for God. Yet, we are no longer able to know and enjoy God because our sin has separated us from him. That leaves us in a spiritually lost condition. Our only hope is to be rescued.That is exactly what God did by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus came on a search and rescue mission. He came to reconcile people to God. And he accomplished this mission by living on earth as a representative of sinners like you and me. Though he had all kinds of opportunity and lots of pressure to disobey God, he never did. He lived the kind of life of complete obedience to God that you and I are obligated to live. Then, in an act of incredible love and sacrifice, he stood before God a substitute for any and all sinners who are willing to trust him as Lord. He exchanged his life for theirs by enduring God's wrath against sin in his death on the cross. That is what enables God to forgive us of our sins.Jesus put it like this: "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost†(Luke 19:10). And this: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many†(Mark 10:45). Jesus was born in order to save people who are lost. And he has accomplished that salvation by giving up his life on the cross.When God raised Jesus from the dead after 3 days, it was a clear demonstration that everything Jesus came to accomplish had been achieved. By his life, death and resurrection, a way has been opened for God's fallen image-bearers to be brought back into a life-changing relationship with their Creator. That is the meaning of one of the best-known verses in the Bible, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."The key, then, for us, is faith. We must place our trust in Jesus Christ. That means that we must bow to him as Lord, commit ourselves to him and become his followers. When you trust Christ you receive eternal life here and now. You come to experience life that is abundant and full of joy (John 10:10; 15:11).You see, there is more to life than great success. There is God. Until you come to know him, your heart will never be satisfied, no matter how many Super Bowls you win. So, keep being honest with yourself. Keep thinking about the "something more" that you have been created for. And go read your Bible to discover for yourself what that something is. When you find it, humble yourself before Jesus Christ, and become his follower. Trust Him. Ask him to make you right with God.Then, and only then, will your heart find the rest that it craves.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Five Temptations of A Pastor
Dear Temple,
The longer I pastor the more I need prayer. I need your prayers. The following article provides 5 things you can pray for me about in January. There are many temptations that I face as a pastor, and these 5 really hit close to home for me. I invite you to click on the link below to read about the five temptations of a pastor.
Five Temptations of A Pastor
The longer I pastor the more I need prayer. I need your prayers. The following article provides 5 things you can pray for me about in January. There are many temptations that I face as a pastor, and these 5 really hit close to home for me. I invite you to click on the link below to read about the five temptations of a pastor.
Five Temptations of A Pastor
Two View of the Bible.
I have copied and pasted an excellent blog by the President of the SBTS Dr. Mohler. The following is from his blog.
Dr. Mohler's Blog
December 2007
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Two Perspectives on the Bible and Contemporary Issues
Posted: Friday, December 28, 2007 at 4:45 am ET
This week, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer on PBS has featured two different perspectives on the Bible and its relevance to contemporary issues. On Tuesday, Ray Suarez interviewed Dr. Peter Gomes, Minister of the Harvard Memorial Church and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, about his new book, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus.
On Wednesday he presented an interview with me about my new book, Cultureshift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth [due to be released January 15].
The audio versions of the segments are available online, as are full transcripts of the interviews. Dr. Gomes' book is worthy of a full review, which will appear here in coming days. I appreciate the fact that Ray Suarez and The News Hour dealt with both of us far above the level of soundbites.
In his interview, Dr. Gomes presents this argument:
But I would think that, if Jesus came today, the people he would be most interested in dealing with would be homosexuals, racial minorities, people who would be thought to be less than the most upright and righteous people in the contemporary community. If the New Testament is any model, that's where he would hang out.
I agree with that statement, in the sense that Jesus did indeed associate with sinners in his earthly ministry, very often scandalizing the self-righteous. Jesus came to save sinners, and He was opposed by those who trusted in their own righteousness.
Where Dr. Gomes and I profoundly differ is about what Jesus would say to these on the margins of society. I believe that Jesus would offer grace and redemption to those associated with any sin -- but He would also call for repentance and a turning away from sin. When it comes to an issue like homosexuality, this is where Dr. Gomes and I are in profound disagreement.
It all does come down to what we believe about the Bible. Thanks again to PBS, Ray Suarez, and The News Hour with Jim Lehrer for treating this issue with respect.
_______________
Video and audio versions of the interview with Dr. Gomes can be found here, along with a transcript. Video and audio versions of the interview with me, along with a full transcript, can be found here.
Dr. Mohler's Blog
December 2007
« previous month
next month »
Two Perspectives on the Bible and Contemporary Issues
Posted: Friday, December 28, 2007 at 4:45 am ET
This week, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer on PBS has featured two different perspectives on the Bible and its relevance to contemporary issues. On Tuesday, Ray Suarez interviewed Dr. Peter Gomes, Minister of the Harvard Memorial Church and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, about his new book, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus.
On Wednesday he presented an interview with me about my new book, Cultureshift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth [due to be released January 15].
The audio versions of the segments are available online, as are full transcripts of the interviews. Dr. Gomes' book is worthy of a full review, which will appear here in coming days. I appreciate the fact that Ray Suarez and The News Hour dealt with both of us far above the level of soundbites.
In his interview, Dr. Gomes presents this argument:
But I would think that, if Jesus came today, the people he would be most interested in dealing with would be homosexuals, racial minorities, people who would be thought to be less than the most upright and righteous people in the contemporary community. If the New Testament is any model, that's where he would hang out.
I agree with that statement, in the sense that Jesus did indeed associate with sinners in his earthly ministry, very often scandalizing the self-righteous. Jesus came to save sinners, and He was opposed by those who trusted in their own righteousness.
Where Dr. Gomes and I profoundly differ is about what Jesus would say to these on the margins of society. I believe that Jesus would offer grace and redemption to those associated with any sin -- but He would also call for repentance and a turning away from sin. When it comes to an issue like homosexuality, this is where Dr. Gomes and I are in profound disagreement.
It all does come down to what we believe about the Bible. Thanks again to PBS, Ray Suarez, and The News Hour with Jim Lehrer for treating this issue with respect.
_______________
Video and audio versions of the interview with Dr. Gomes can be found here, along with a transcript. Video and audio versions of the interview with me, along with a full transcript, can be found here.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
What's My Line?
Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10 ESV)
Do you remember the television show by that title? What’s My Line was televised for seventeen seasons from 1950 to 1967. The show featured people with unusual occupations. The goal was to figure out their occupation by asking yes or no questions. The concept of the show sounds entertaining, which makes me wonder would they have guessed Moses occupation?
What was Moses’ job? He was at one time a prince of Egypt. He was a shepherd. He was a prophet. He was called to lead the Jews out of Egypt, and he was a judge. This past week while reading about Moses’ work in Egypt I was reminded of my calling in life. I was reminded of that Moses’ job was not to change the heart of Pharaoh. I challenge you to read Exodus chapters 3-15 and see what Moses was called to do in Egypt. The reality is that Moses could not change the heart of Pharaoh because God has hardened the heart of the wicked king. Moses’ job was to be a tool by which God would set the Jews free from the Egyptian bondage.
What is your line? The Christian is called to be tool by which God brings about redemption of people for Himself. Salvation is the work of God by which He brings dead sinful creatures to life by giving them a faith to believe in Jesus Christ. The heartache of watching loved ones waste their life in sin is difficult, but we must remind ourselves that our calling is to faithfully pray, love, and share the Gospel of Jesus, but in the end we cannot save them because that is the work of the Holy Spirit. He breathes new life into dead bones. Could it be that the problem in many churches today is that we have too many converts of men, and not the converts of God? A proper understanding of God’s role in salvation and our role results in a godly burden for the lost. The burden for family, friends, co-workers, and others must drive us to prayer, not to hopelessness. When we have correct doctrine concerning God’s work of salvation, it gives us hope that despite our finite fallen nature God uses us to do His great work of salvation. The call is to be faithful unto God, and patiently allow God to bring about the salvation of your family and friends. I urge you therefore to live a holy life and devote yourselves to prayer.
Do you remember the television show by that title? What’s My Line was televised for seventeen seasons from 1950 to 1967. The show featured people with unusual occupations. The goal was to figure out their occupation by asking yes or no questions. The concept of the show sounds entertaining, which makes me wonder would they have guessed Moses occupation?
What was Moses’ job? He was at one time a prince of Egypt. He was a shepherd. He was a prophet. He was called to lead the Jews out of Egypt, and he was a judge. This past week while reading about Moses’ work in Egypt I was reminded of my calling in life. I was reminded of that Moses’ job was not to change the heart of Pharaoh. I challenge you to read Exodus chapters 3-15 and see what Moses was called to do in Egypt. The reality is that Moses could not change the heart of Pharaoh because God has hardened the heart of the wicked king. Moses’ job was to be a tool by which God would set the Jews free from the Egyptian bondage.
What is your line? The Christian is called to be tool by which God brings about redemption of people for Himself. Salvation is the work of God by which He brings dead sinful creatures to life by giving them a faith to believe in Jesus Christ. The heartache of watching loved ones waste their life in sin is difficult, but we must remind ourselves that our calling is to faithfully pray, love, and share the Gospel of Jesus, but in the end we cannot save them because that is the work of the Holy Spirit. He breathes new life into dead bones. Could it be that the problem in many churches today is that we have too many converts of men, and not the converts of God? A proper understanding of God’s role in salvation and our role results in a godly burden for the lost. The burden for family, friends, co-workers, and others must drive us to prayer, not to hopelessness. When we have correct doctrine concerning God’s work of salvation, it gives us hope that despite our finite fallen nature God uses us to do His great work of salvation. The call is to be faithful unto God, and patiently allow God to bring about the salvation of your family and friends. I urge you therefore to live a holy life and devote yourselves to prayer.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
A Mother's Care
My friend Mike Rasberry who preaches in Louisana has written this poem I want to share with you.
The feathery brush of fingers light
Across your forehead in the dead of night
A furrowed brow and a whispered prayer
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
Watchful eyes and ready feet
See you at play in the noonday heat
A gentle warning about the heated air
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
A faithful vigil by the telephone
While you’re out and all alone
Her tear stained Bible open by her chair
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
Outstretched arms and face aglow
That welcome you where ere you go
A strong embrace and tousled hair
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
Faithful instruction day by day
Satisfaction when you find God’s way
Tears of joy that He’s called you there
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
byMike RasberryforMother’s Day 2007
© 2007 Mike Rasberry
The feathery brush of fingers light
Across your forehead in the dead of night
A furrowed brow and a whispered prayer
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
Watchful eyes and ready feet
See you at play in the noonday heat
A gentle warning about the heated air
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
A faithful vigil by the telephone
While you’re out and all alone
Her tear stained Bible open by her chair
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
Outstretched arms and face aglow
That welcome you where ere you go
A strong embrace and tousled hair
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
Faithful instruction day by day
Satisfaction when you find God’s way
Tears of joy that He’s called you there
They demonstrate a Mother’s Care.
byMike RasberryforMother’s Day 2007
© 2007 Mike Rasberry
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