Not A Big Fan Of Sports

I'm not a big fan of sports

I barely glance at the sports section of the newspaper, and that brief look is only to see if the comics are hidden inside that section.

However, I'm not sure that I should publicly reveal this critical moral failure of mine. I have (had, up until this moment?) many friends who are huge fans of sports, all kinds, any weather, any time.

I honestly try not to allow my disinterest to appear as dislike of those who enjoy sports. I DON'T dislike you! I just find it extremely hard to share in your joy. But that doesn't mean that I'm not glad that you joy in it.

I've heard that there's a big game scheduled this Sunday. I actually attended a Super Bowl party one time. The food was great! By taking a moment here and there to stop crunching on chips and dip I was able to listen intently to the running commentary of the true fans in the room, and I could sort of keep up with who was playing, and whether "our team" was ahead.

I'm sorry. This is getting hard. I can feel the aura of disapproval and pity from all my sports-loving friends. I'll stop soon, I promise.

Anyway, here's a great post by Barnabas Piper regarding the moral conflict that may be gripping many of you even now:

Is it wrong to skip church in favor of a Super Bowl party?

Barnabas offers a very reasonable answer that is encouraging, even for me!

Keep in mind, as you consider whether to check out his article: Barnabas is a huge fan of sports.

Enjoy!

http://www.worldmag.com/2013/02/separation_of_church_and_super_bowl

super bowl 034 by djnaquin67, Creative Commons License, horribly mangled and misused by the author!

Ouch!

Six out of ten is not so good!

I realized that out of this list of 10 Things Your Boss Never Wants to Hear I've violated six of them over the years.

It's hard for me to put myself easily in the Boss's shoes. I'm more of an Assistant-to-the-Boss-type of worker. I prefer to do, rather than delegate others to do. So it's hard for me to avoid acting like a jerk, especially hard to avoid being obnoxious in my mind and heart, even while portraying a calm, content appearance on the outside.

Good reminder of what's important to my boss, and thus important to me, as an employee!

10 Things Your Boss Never Wants to Hear

Business Greg is businesslike by Greg Younger, Creative Commons Licence

Calm and Intelligent Discussion

In a single, illuminating moment this image expressed a frustration I've felt many times: It's hard for me to compete in break-room discussions.

Typically I find myself on the fringes of the discussion, participating inwardly only, hesitant to jump into the fray, reluctant to appear as hardheadedly opinionated as some of the others, although I know that I actually am hardheadedly opinionated in many ways.

I just don't want to look like it.

It's extremely difficult for me to respond immediately to controversial issues. I'm unable to recall any of the succinct, brilliant one-lines that can stop bickering and posturing in their tracks. The times that I've yielded to emotion and expressed myself cannot be properly described as "expressing myself". My words are halting, my logic confused, my sources unknown, my knees shaking.

Here's how I wish break-room discussions would go: someone sincerely concerned in my opinion would notice my silence. They would make a mental note to corner me and ask me about the issue. The corner in which they entrap me would have chairs for each of us (my opinions take time to express adequately). My interviewer would be emotionally invested in the issue, but truly interested in my perspective and experience. The discussion would be two-way, with both of us learning something new, both of us leaving encouraged by the other.

There are several problems with my "ideal discussion". It takes much time. It requires a quiet corner. It's liable to attract attention from idle gossips or recreational debaters.

It's also impractical, with little connection to reality.

All the historical figures whom I admire had often to put themselves on the edge of controversy, without the luxury of a quiet corner, chairs or a calm and intelligent interviewer. If a topic is worth spending much time discussing, if it's something important and influential, something with serious consequences, it's something that involves all of a person: head, heart, body and soul. The important things in life should make us shake inside, either with rage or rejoicing, and that shaking will affect our voice, our knees and our emotion.

Still, I really like this sign.

Anyone want to talk about it?

Image of protest sign provided bytwentytwowords.com, no attribution available. If this is your sign, or if you photographed this sign, let's talk about it.

Unshopping

Have you ever heard of "unshopping"?

Neither had I!

But the notion is intriguing. "Unshopping" can be seen as a way of counteracting the pervasive, persuasive, almost hypnotic effect of aggressive, biased commercials aimed at influencing us toward impulsive, emotional shopping.

Here's one list of questions that can help a person "unshop":

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Before buying anything, ask yourself …

· Do I really need and want this? Can I get by without it?

· Is it made from renewable or nonrenewable resources?

· Is it made of recycled materials and is it recyclable?

· How long will it last and how will I dispose of it?

· Can it be maintained and repaired?

· Could I borrow it, rent it, or buy it secondhand?

· Is it overpackaged?

· Is it worth the time I worked to pay for it and its cost to the environment?

Source: envirochangemakers.wordpress.com

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What questions seem to be not applicable to you? What questions would you like to see also considered?

Black Friday by Beth Rankin, Creative Commons License

Justin Holcomb on Sex Trafficking

How closely located is our church to active sex trafficking? Who do we know that is involved in someway to sex trafficking?

It may be nearer than we can bring ourselves to consider.

Justin Holcomb describes the real-life experience of a young girl caught, and rescued, from this modern form of slavery. I did not realize that the average age of entry into prostitution is between 12 and 14 years. It is probable that at least 2.5 million people are trafficked annually. The U.S. State Department estimates even more: 12.3 million adults and children.

Approximately 18,000 women and children are forcibly transported into the U.S., to be exploited for sex or labor.

Pimps activily lure women and children into the sex industry. They target those who are lonely, desperate, the runaways, the homeless, those without parents.

Justin lists six important ways that every church, including the small and rural churches, can help. The Number One way is to get informed, and inform others, about the sex trade that is right under our noses, in cities as well as suburbs.

Read the entire article, as well as the remaining five ways we can help, here.

One final thought: Seattle, Washington is a major hub for criminal sex trafficking, taking advantage of nearby major shipping ports and the Interstate 5 corridor.

Read more.