A Spiritual Perspective on Tom Brady's 4-game Suspension

There was a lot of talk today about Tom Brady and his 4-game suspension, which was linked to him destroying his phone that contained 10,000 text messages that many believe would have proven him guilty of deflating footballs, etc, etc...  READ NFL.com full story here.

Why is this all such a big deal?  I think it's because we(fans) put our heroes on a pedastool, which in the end makes them less fallen than the rest of us.  But why is this a dangerous thing to do? because, Tom Brady is just as human as you and me.  And I've said this many times on repeat:

I've met way too many people who have let me all the way in to know that there could be someone else who is not like the rest of us; namely, broken and in desperate need of the Savior.

 Nobody really knows what happened.  Maybe he is telling the truth, maybe he's lying.  Either case, what I know to be true is Tom Brady is a fallen man in need of Jesus the Savior.  If he was guilty, it wouldn't surprise me because the Bible already tells me he is fallen...like the rest of us.  If he is innocent of deflating balls, then he is still fallen because he is born in Sin...like the rest of us.

Part of the problem in America is that we are so shallow we live our lives through a surrogate.  So, when our Hollywood heros are doing well, we are doing well.  And when our hero are doing bad, then we are doing bad.  People magazine and grocery store check out aisle tabloids are selling because people are infatuated with other peoples story/drama.  They totally miss what is going on in their own hearts.

And this can be seen in the Church as well.  Christians are some of the hardest people to reach and teach; namely, because most of them think the message/gospel is for EVERYONE else but themselves.  "That was a great message pastor! My cousin Vinny really needs to hear this!"  or "Man! I wish my wife was here, she really needs to hear that message on forgiveness..."  blah blah blah.  Nobody is owning what God is trying to say to them because they too concerned with everyone else.  It's maddening.

So, give Tom Brady some grace and ask yourself, what are you hiding.  Why are you so happy that Tom Brady is in the spotlight and you and your secret is still in the dark.  Expose that lie today!  Be free in Christ to tell the world (or your family and friends) who you really are.  Tell your wife the thoughts that ran through your mind today.  THAT is freedom in Christ.  To know and act like you need the Savior.

Newport Folk Festival and a Spiritual Perspective

Over the past few days, 10,000 people gathered in a small little town called Newport, Rhode Island for the famous Newport Folk Festival.  Why would people gather from all of the world to sing their hearts out, embrace strangers to their left and right and "let themselves go."  The answer is simple, we (humans) were all created for this; that is, to worship!  

Whether or not people realize it, they get passionate about things because in the depths of their soul, they long to worship...God that is.  God created you and I to worship Him.  But most of us Christians, if we are going to be honest don't worship God, we worship the stuff he gives.  We engage in Idolatry when a good thing surpasses it's appropriate place in our lives and God takes second place.

I love music.  I grew up listening to Punk Rock and playing in a Punk/Hardcore band.   I can remember being fascinated with all types of Genres simply because music was a great way to express what you were feeling.  And even to just play something and feel the emotion was a moving experience.  Little did I know, It was worship.

When 10,000 people get together and sing their hearts out and forsake all other things on their summer agenda, they are engaging in worship.  They are simply acting how God designed them to act; that is, as worshippers.  God just desires that our attention/focus/worship would be directed toward Him.