|
Post by newsong on Jun 12, 2006 13:28:18 GMT -5
Its the Football World Cup and everyone has gone mad! Here in UK they have anyway. My family cant stand the game. Some Christians obviously do watch it but how far should we go with sports? I found this Poll. What do you think? If anything consumes us other than God its an idol. Arent we meant to pray for souls and things that build up the Kingdom of God or am I being a meany? Premier Radio UK Church leaders across Germany will be on standby to counsel football fans when their team loose in the World Cup. Pastors will give spiritual assistance at a special prayer room in Dortmund. The leaders representing all denominations will remind fans there's more to life than the beautiful game. PREMIER POLL! Do you think it is right to pray for your football team to win a match? Email us your thoughts on this issue. www.premier.org.uk/index.cfm?viewpoll=y
|
|
|
Post by atheistbibleburner on Jun 12, 2006 13:31:40 GMT -5
Prayer doesn't work. God's plan is set in stone, remember? It is god's will, blah blah blah.
So clearly, your prayer is not going to affect his plan so...
prayer = useless.
I used logic there; I know its new to some of you, but please, try to bear with me.
|
|
|
Post by messengermicah on Jun 12, 2006 14:06:07 GMT -5
Christians should not watch sports. It is a waste of good time. We are to redeem the time. Make it count for the Kingdom of God. It makes us spiritually dull.
I have not watched any sports for about 14 years nor do I plan to in the future. I have ZERO interest in it.
|
|
|
Post by newsong on Jun 12, 2006 15:43:45 GMT -5
My thoughts also! Our time belongs to God and we shouldnt make a God of any sport. I dont watch TV period as you said we must redeem the time.
|
|
|
Post by Jeffrey Olver on Jun 12, 2006 15:53:07 GMT -5
Just goes to show how Sports is one of the false gods in America.
Oh, Where is Gideon and his sharpened axe???
|
|
|
Post by cervyy on Jun 12, 2006 15:57:53 GMT -5
Oi.
I feel that if they want to pray, do it. Whatever.
But giving up sports?! Oi, come one, just because it takes away from your God time?? Is it because it can bring people together better then religion?? Ah, jealous.
|
|
|
Post by atheistbibleburner on Jun 12, 2006 17:09:11 GMT -5
You're god has all of eternity to exist.
I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we watched a beep game of soccer once every four years.
|
|
|
Post by josh on Jun 12, 2006 17:59:54 GMT -5
Guess I am a heathen then, since I watched Australia v Japan in the World cup.
I have no problem with Christians watching sport, as long as it doesn't become a god to them.
|
|
|
Post by robdog on Jun 12, 2006 18:16:34 GMT -5
What's more important, African missionaries praying for another day of life to preach the gospel on the dark continent, or a game or soccer?
What's more important, parents praying to God that their baby daughter can survive another night in the hospital, or how many goals one team can make?
|
|
|
Post by HSTN2983 on Jun 12, 2006 18:34:30 GMT -5
funny. i think sports are good for people--not evil. exercise is excellent for you as well, or is that too time-consuming as well? otherwise, you become a fat and lazy. tsk, if i remember right, you should treat your 'temple' [body] with respect, because it is not your own, but god's gift to you.
besides, people who take sports too seriously have mental problems and the church is simply offering relief. remember, distressed people can, and often, commit suicide. do you want them to kill themselves, or let the churches get together with obsessed fans an try to help them through prayer?
i don't like any of it myself, but at least i understand it...kids...
...sometimes i think you guys have absolutely no brain cells.
|
|
|
Post by cervyy on Jun 12, 2006 22:08:58 GMT -5
What's more important, African missionaries praying for another day of life to preach the gospel on the dark continent, or a game or soccer? What's more important, parents praying to God that their baby daughter can survive another night in the hospital, or how many goals one team can make? Lemme understand this? It only makes sense to if I interpretet as this: God only hears so many prayors? After 1000 prayors, the telephone lines to God are shut down? Otherwise, it really wouldn't matter if some dude prays for his fave team to win. Or are people only allowed a certain number of prayors per day? And if he wastes them all on the game, a little kid in a hospital somewhere dies? God already knows that little girl is there and he's only gonna listen to the prayors about sports over that the dying girl's parents? That is STUPID! That's why I say let them pray. If it's truly important, then God will hear it. Although he already knows it happening. He really doesn't need to be reminded. Oi
|
|
|
Post by jonathanhulewicz on Jun 12, 2006 22:12:11 GMT -5
Guess I am a heathen then, since I watched Australia v Japan in the World cup. That includes me too
|
|
|
Post by messengermicah on Jun 12, 2006 22:49:18 GMT -5
The question should never be "Is this right or wrong" but rather "How does this glorify God?"
|
|
|
Post by josh on Jun 13, 2006 0:33:44 GMT -5
Guess I am a heathen then, since I watched Australia v Japan in the World cup. That includes me too Actually it was a good talking point today. As everyone was talking about it Brisbane, so it was a good way to build a bridge in the natural before swinging to the spiritual. Although I guess it will be a big week of me being a heathen since I will be watching the State of Origin after Bible study tommorrow night. (C'mon Blues), and will probably watch Australia beat Brazil in the next soccer match.
|
|
|
Post by jonathanhulewicz on Jun 13, 2006 2:38:18 GMT -5
I thought you are a Queenslander??
|
|
|
Post by messengermicah on Jun 13, 2006 8:08:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by josh on Jun 13, 2006 8:26:10 GMT -5
I thought you are a Queenslander?? Born in NSW, in exile in QLD
|
|
|
Post by HSTN2983 on Jun 13, 2006 10:54:46 GMT -5
Micah, you are so offbeat its ridiculous, if everything is supposed to 'glorify god' then why do you drive to the grocery store? why did you attend highschool? why did you go to your sister's wedding? why do you spend time with your nephew? why do you drink coffee?
i am not saying you did all these things, but simply using them as examples of how ridiculous your comment was, and i am sure you have another witty reponse up your sleeve.
|
|
|
Post by cervyy on Jun 13, 2006 13:00:58 GMT -5
My comp wouldn't let me see the article ... *sniffle*
But lemme see if I get the gist, do only that glorifies God. Right?
Umm, I would like to see (in retrospect, I really wouldn't) who glorifes God when they go to the bathroom. Does that mean we should hold it in till we die? Which, coincidently, would be shortly after.
Your God sounds MIGHTY greedy to me.
|
|
|
Post by messengermicah on Jun 13, 2006 13:37:32 GMT -5
Yes going to the bathroom can glorify God, because it keeps your body free from impurities. Not going to the bathroom can kill you. You body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and your body is created to serve God with and glorify Him. So keeping the body healthy, fit and strong glorifies God if it is done with the right motive.
If the motive for keeping the body fit and strong is to live selfishly, then it is not done to glorify God but to glorify yourself.
Yes doing ordinary things bring glory to God if they are done with the right intention. Some acts in and of themselves are not necessarily sinful (like visiting family), but can be sinful depending on the motive.
One time I drove all the way to Mississippi and back in one weekend with my wife just to attend a cousin's wedding whom I hardly knew. I believed the Lord wanted me to go so I obeyed and went. They did not come to my wedding but I thought I needed to return good even when it was not shown towards me. This is glorifying to God. From the natural standpoint I had no desire to go.
I think this is an important topic.
We live in a world where we have responsibilities and God is glorified as we do these things as unto Him.
|
|
|
Post by messengermicah on Jun 13, 2006 13:46:21 GMT -5
A few of you have told me you could not read the link I posted. I am sorry. I am not very good with computers. Go to this link. gospeltruth.net/1944power_from_on_high/power.htmIt is the book called "Power From On High" by Finney. It lists all the chapters (I recommend the whole book anyway). Read the chapter called "Innocent Amusements".
|
|
|
Post by valentine on Jun 13, 2006 16:57:54 GMT -5
Here's my thoughts on this:
A Swimmer's Prayer [/i]
Dear God, another swimming meet Is scheduled for today I’m going to be quite busy So I won’t have long to pray. Bless my mother, father, and my Coach, And keep us close to you. Let all the friends I make today Be loyal, good, and true. Please help me not to forget you, God Each time I take the blocks. I sometimes get distracted By the noise and all the clocks. Please let my starts and turns be quick My arms and legs be sure. And help my strokes be smooth and strong To help me to endure. Help me find the confidence I’ve struggled for so much, So I can find the shortest way From start to final touch. And when the droll computer Writes my time across its face Please let me not think win or lose, But how I swam the race.
|
|
|
Post by biblethumper on Jun 13, 2006 17:52:06 GMT -5
I read a while back also on "Innocent Amusements"....
Oddly enough, we were discussing this the other day!
|
|
|
Post by Doc H on Jun 13, 2006 18:17:29 GMT -5
Born in NSW, in exile in QLD
Ah, truly a brother! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Doc H on Jun 13, 2006 18:37:15 GMT -5
The apostle Paul often compared spiritual things with sport eg "fight the good fight" (boxing?), "run the race" (marathon?). I agree there is no mention of soccer/football.
I like watching soccer and supporting my local and national teams, however, as many of you have observed, a Christian must never make sport into an idol.
I coached our Church soccer team for a season. Most over 18teens teams over here play on a Sunday. I was not going to allow anything to interfere with the Sabbath, so we found a 'Church' federation that played on Saturdays, thus upsetting the Seventh Day Adventists (well I guess there's just no way of pleasing some people). This did not interfere with our Saturday mornings 'formal' visitations, door knocking and street witnessing/preaching. I saw the soccer team as a form of outreach, since many of the Church teams were clearly full of unsaved players. I believe this was to God's glory.
I must confess that I did say a little prayer for my national team (tagged on to the rest of my prayers) which God answered in the negative. Praise God.
As long as I don't cause a brother/sister to stumble then I will continue to enjoy soccer. I also respect the decision of others not to do so.
|
|
|
Post by cervyy on Jun 14, 2006 1:07:57 GMT -5
I must confess that I did say a little prayer for my national team (tagged on to the rest of my prayers) which God answered in the negative. Praise God. As long as I don't cause a brother/sister to stumble then I will continue to enjoy soccer. I also respect the decision of others not to do so. At least yer honest. And I'll admit, that last bit is good too. Onto the bathroom thing ... the nest I time I leave the bathroom I promise I'll thank God for making it painless. Sorry, but going to the bathroom and glorifying God just really don't mix well.
|
|
|
Post by jonathanhulewicz on Jun 14, 2006 3:30:32 GMT -5
I was watching the news and it showed that a NSW fan painted a statue blue outside the stadium. They had video footage and it looked a lot like you mate....
|
|
|
Post by newsong on Jun 14, 2006 4:07:18 GMT -5
I love the Finney approach very sober and balanced! Even about food! Very Challenging and I like that. Will read the rest of the book thanks for posting the link!
Follow Up from Premier Radio. What do you think?
Footballer says team who gives God the glory will win the World Cup
[13 June 2006] A Brazilian footballer says the team giving its all for God deserves to win the World Cup.
Defender Lucio says even if the current holders lose they'll give Jesus the glory.
The Brazilian squad consists of seven Christians known for regularly praying on the field.
|
|
|
Post by HSTN2983 on Jun 14, 2006 15:40:57 GMT -5
people get this idea that if the bible does not make mention of something that it is acceptable, or vice-versa, unacceptable. christians take everything out of context, and it is as simple as understanding that we live in a very different world than the world of the bible.
|
|
|
Post by josh on Jun 14, 2006 23:51:25 GMT -5
I was watching the news and it showed that a NSW fan painted a statue blue outside the stadium. They had video footage and it looked a lot like you mate.... LOL, I was up near there through the day! ;D
|
|