Thursday, October 08, 2015

Was It Worth It? Perspective on the Pittsburgh Pirates 2015 Season


It is a sad day in Pittsburgh. A summer that seemed so promising has ended in an autumn “failure.”

Was it worth it?

The Pittsburgh Pirates had the second best record in all of major league baseball. Better than any division winner but their own. They played so well the entire season and now, in ONE GAME, it is all over.

Was it worth it?

There are many mourning, others complaining, others blaming, others accusing, others taking it out on people who had nothing to do with it, others dulling their sorrows in the comfort of choice. Is it fair? Moot question. The playoff system is in place, whether fair or not.

Was it worth it?

Was it? Was it all worth it? All the months and effort? To win almost 100 games during the season and then losing in, what some would consider, an embarrassing way?

Let’s take a think. The obvious: from someone who lived through twenty losing seasons, three winning seasons is a thrill. You have no idea the number of times I was asked “What’s wrong with the Pirates?” as I traveled the country. Twenty years of embarrassing futility for fans as well as players. The city was infamous.

But now, it is not just winning seasons, but three playoff seasons in a row. And this season was a phenomenal year. Each game was something to look forward to. The team worked hard, enjoyed great camaraderie, never gave up and genuinely appreciated their fans.

The excitement brought a city, no... an entire region, no... a Pirate nation from all over the world together. The season brought a group of men together in friendship and encouragement, in facing ups and downs together, in overcoming adversity, sadness and pain together.

The winning provided a forum for coach and players to make a difference in the lives of people in the hospital, people who came to the ballpark, people who met the team in various venues. It provided a platform for Christ following coaches and players to share their faith in Jesus Christ.

Was it worth it?

I say an enthusiastic “YES!” It was worth it because it highlights that the true value of life is in the journey not the trophy, ring or money. The friendships in the clubhouse, in homes where people came together to watch, the connections dads and kids made during trips to the ballpark, the conversations started among strangers or acquaintances, and so much more.

It is the together journey that matters in life. Long after the disappointment is gone and the champion forgotten, the relationships will remain. And THAT is what really matters.

Was it worth it?

Hear the words of the Apostle Paul inspired by God:

3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Philippians 1:3–7 (ESV)

So, though we are disappointed, let’s focus on what we gained, not what we wished for.  Sure, it would have been nice to celebrate a World Series champion. But what we have right in front of us is of such greater value – sharing the journey of life together.

Boldly, Herb

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To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/ and click on the sermons link

Sunday, August 30, 2015

You Might Be Selfish If...



Jesus offers us abundant life. Life to the full. Life that is satisfying.

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10b (The Message)

But the world is upside down.

You see, experiencing satisfying life is in direct proportion to being other-focused... to giving up selfishness for a selfless life... to giving more than getting. But the messages we hear are to grab, get, push, climb, win. Upside down.

That’s why, when we see the runner at a Special Olympics event stop to help another runner instead of winning, it touches something deep inside us. Causing even hardened reporters to tear up.

To turn life right side up we must identify where self-focus still rules and allow God to transform us into other-focused people.

Most people would say they are not selfish. It’s hard to blame them. We want to be more giving than getting, but that old nature keeps rearing it’s very ugly head. And it is so subtle. In fact we can serve other people and still be selfish. So I came up with a checklist for us. See how you do.

You might be selfish if you get angry when someone cuts you off.
You might be selfish if you refuse to forgive.
You might be selfish if you don’t allow yourself to be inconvenienced.
You might be selfish if you don’t give back to God what is His.
You might be selfish if you are not generous with other people.
You might be selfish if you are unhappy, (because selfless people are content).
You might be selfish if you refuse to help certain people.
You might be selfish if you are lazy.
You might be selfish if you think that what you are doing is more important than what others are doing.
You might be selfish if you insist on having your way.
You might be selfish if you always have to win or always be right.
You might be selfish if you refuse to sincerely apologize.
You might be selfish if you like being in control and find it hard to compromise.
You might be selfish if you hear constructive criticism as a personal attack.
You might be selfish if you find it difficult for someone else to be the focus of attention.
You might be selfish if you don’t want to work with others on a team.
You might be selfish if you choose events only for your benefit rather than how you can help others.
You might be selfish if you usually give negative feedback first.
You might be selfish if you are irritated when others ask you for help.
You might be selfish if you hear a message and think “______ (fill in a name)” should hear it.
You might be selfish if you think, “someone should do something about this” when you could do it.
You might be selfish if you are self-conscious about helping strangers in public.
You might be selfish if you are grumpy, sour and complaining.
You might be selfish if you only help others when it makes you feel good.

I’m not pointing fingers or trying to guilt you. It’s just that I WANT you to experience JOY that comes from the other-focused abundant life. And you will only experience satisfying life in direct proportion to being other-focused.

Or as Jesus puts it...
... remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35b (NIV84)

Boldly, Herb

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To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/ and click on the sermons link