Comin' Home, Comin' Home, Lord I'm Comin' Home!!! (Welcome, LeBron James!)

I am absolutely thrilled about today’s news that LeBRON JAMES is coming home to play for Cleveland!  The "team" I’m on prays for Cleveland  around 7 areas* and one of them is SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT.  Why? Because it matters.  All things are spiritual, even NBA basketball.

Just as God used both believing and unbelieving Kings in the Old Testament to accomplish His purposes, God continues to advance His will and respond to believing prayers through the lives of people from all walks of life.

When God calls people to make a difference in this world, He’s not just looking for pastors, priests and other clergy.  God is calling mayors, musicians, moms, marines (okay, I’ll leave the m’s) teachers, beauty pageant winners, nurses and, yes, even basketball players to make a difference with the talent and opportunities given to them by God.

In today's Essay by LeBron James, he addresses  his understanding of his calling when he says “But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from.”

Just a few other notables from his essay released today that caught my attention. It appears that  …

1) LeBron is growing and changing as a person. “My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”

2) LeBron is grateful … “Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am … Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.”

3) LeBron knows being a great athlete and a better man are not one in the same. “ … I became a better player and a better man.”

4) LeBron cares about his family when he says 'But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it woudl be like to raise my family i nmy hometown."

5) LeBron  set a good example of resolving conflict well, face to face, offering and receiving forgiveness. He writes "i've met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We've talked ti out. Everybody makes mistakes. I've made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?"

That’s about LeBron. Now how about us, the fans of Cleveland.  

Have you ever seen a city more hungry to hold high a King of Hope, more wanting to worship a hero, more certain we need a savior? Those are good desires when aimed at Creator of the Universe, our Almighty God through his Son, Christ Jesus. But they’re dangerous when misdirected. How many more Judeo-Christian play-on-words can marketers use? (The Return, King James, Witness, For6iven, The Kingdom Restored, Coming Home, the Chosen One, Believe.)   So what’s on us, as fans, to keep in focus?  Well, let’s remember a few things.

• Let’s remember LeBron James is a 29 year old dad/husband/son … just a man.  He’s a young man who has, for the most part, done a good job at navigating the trappings our culture imposes upon professional sports personalities.  So on our part as fans, no more name calling, no boo-ing and no Messianic expectations of a mere mortal.
• Let’s remember that IDOLATRY offends the Lord. It’s one of the 10 commandments.  LeBron is a great athlete to be admired, a man to be prayed for … but certainly not an idol to bow down to.
• Let’s remember there’s only one King who’s the Savior of the world and His name is Christ Jesus.
• Let’s remember it’s only a game. NBA is entertainment, not our life! Unless you’re employed by the industry, it might be time to get back to work. Don’t let this consume you.  We all have a calling from God and it’s probably not to be a full-time NBA fan.

 There's no place like home ... and we're not there yet. 

*Seven prayer mountains: Sports & Entertainment, Business, Government, Media, Education, Family, Churches & Faith.

WHY DID IT GET TO ME SO?

I rarely click on videos people post on facebook, but this one caught my attention. Maybe it’s my love and history with choirs. When I played it, I was deeply moved to tears and played it a second time (also something I never do).

What was it about this college choir on a plane singing “Give Me Jesus” that got to me?  There’s no place like a delayed plane on a tarmac to cause a large quantity of busy and diverse people to come to a screeching hault … together.  And in that pause, a message of simplicity about Divinity intersected via music.  Amazing.

But it was more than that.  Those lyrics … “you can have all of this world, just give me Jesus” …  pierced soul that has been wearied by this week’s current events.

On Tuesday, it was the Supreme Court’s hearing of the case against Hobby Lobby about whether first amendment (religious liberties) applies to for-profit corporations.  Then World Vision captured the attention when they changed their employment policy regarding hiring gay married couples then reversed it 2 days later. Right now, the theaters are playing NOAH, SON OF GOD, GOD’S NOT DEAD all at the same time. Attention (good and bad) is being drawn to Christians.  Debate is ensuing among Christians.  People I love and respect on opposing sides of issues. With blogging, facebook, texting, etc., words fly more fast and freely than any time in history.   We will never again be at a loss for one more opinion or perspective on any topic.  At times, it’s exhausting!  It causes me to long for greater revelation of the person of Jesus Christ and to just be with Him?  “Just give me Jesus.” I think I’ll hit play one more time. “…. Just give me Jesus.”

IWU choir singing GIVE ME JESUS on Airtran flight  

TOP TEN REASONS WHY...

Why do I love the newly released CD “Love & Hope Worship Project”?

10) It was recorded and mixed right here in Cleveland.
9) The musicians are local yet none from the same church or even the same denomination/tribe.
8)The rich lyrics challenge and inspire me.
7) All proceeds go for a greater cause of compassion www.loveandhopechildrenshome.com
6) The musicianship is just incredible … second to none!
5) It includes the artistic contribution of local church planters. Bethany Liston Solyntjes and Chris Solyntjes.
4) I get to hear the voice and guitar of Rockside Church's worship leader when we started 10 years ago ... Bryan Karas
3) I get to hear the voice, guitar, mixing, directing of Rockside Church's worship leader presently, Britton Roberts. Two outstanding musicians and men of God.
2) The spiritual richness leaps into my soul to inspire me to love God more as I listen.
1) It's a model for the church of Cleveland of a project of collaboration, compassion, worship and excellence that we all can continue to enjoy. Thank you Rufus Hayes Jones IV, Mike Aquilino, Kevin Sanderson, Ryan Wilkins, Jill Rasmussen, Noelle Shearer.
Why do YOU love it?

RESCUES

As I flipped among the 3 local Cleveland news channels last night following the local story of 3 kidnapped ladies being freed after 10 years, I kept hearing phrases like …

“prayers have finally been answered”
“These stories rarely turn out well. This is a miracle.”
“We just thank God!”
“I thank God, it’s a blessing.”
“Yes, law enforcement officers do cry”
“We’re saying thank you, God.”

These comments came from citizens on the street, news journalists and law enforcement alike. Facebook site is called “Miracle in Cleveland” and twitter hash tag called #MiracleinCle

Charles Ramsey, the hero who responded to Amanda Berry’s scream for help, said “God was smilin’ on somebody, ya know what I mean?”

I can remember joining one of our church members from that neighborhood at a candlelite prayer vigil in Amanda Berry’s front yard 10 years ago and was deeply moved by the faith, hope and sincerity of so many from the community.

Thoughts today?
1) I’m encouraged to keep praying for heaven to open over Cleveland!
2) God is looking for partners like Charles Ramsey willing to help rescue others.
3) There’s a lot of faith in Christ among the general population (non-clergy) of Cleveland.
4) For whom are you holding out HOPE?

Isaiah 61:1 says of Christ
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

FANTASY CHRISTMAS OR THE REAL DEAL

Mayonnaise and handmade quilts, mashed potatoes, Christmas trees and butter. Those were a few of the answers texted in yesterday morning at Rockside Church when I asked “what is something you appreciate the real version over its imitation?” Just like the difference between getting out on the field and fantasy football, there is REAL CHRISTMAS and then there’s FANTASY CHRISTMAS. Christ came to have a personal relationship with all who make room for Him. He came to be our Savior and Lord, to bring joy and peace to the invitee. Then he wants us to spread that GOOD NEWS on to others. There’s a lot of FANTASY CHRISTMAS going on in our culture today. This year, may we develop a greater appetite for the REAL CHRISTMAS. Emmanuel – God is with us!

THE TRAGIC SHOOTING IN NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT

Taking prayer out of public schools is getting a lot of attention in light of this recent tragedy. I remember reciting The Lord’s Prayer each morning in the fifth grade with Mrs. Mullens at Center Street Elementary School. That freedom is gone. BUT…
Mommas can still pray over their kids before they get on the bus each morning.
Pastors, priests and rabbis can still gather with colleagues and pray for their city.
Daddy’s can still pray with their kids over dinner or when tucking them in at night.
Churches can spend some of service times praying.
Children who love Jesus can pray for their classmates and pray to themselves any time throughout the school day if taught to do so.
Teachers and Administrators can humbly call on God for the daily task before them.
Churches and denominations can still host prayer meetings.
We can still support our local Youth for Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Moms in Touch, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Youth Alive, Chi Alpha, etc.
We can Google and participate with on-line prayer opportunities.

Why not exercise your FREEDOM TO PRAY this week! Our children are counting on it!

UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

(blog is a reprint from my article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on 8.19.12)

All the TV commercials touting presidential candidates have me talking to myself. Do I really need almost three more months of commercials to decide how to vote? Probably not. The two viable candidates are clearly opposite on major issues. Most voters could decide today.

So what's my role as an individual citizen?
Well God's assignment to you, per the Bible, is to pray for the leaders of your land.

Yeah, yeah, I know, but for most of us Christians, that's just a religious cliche, isn't it? We would rather discuss the candidates, vote (or not), then spend the next four years criticizing the winner on Facebook, at the office, at family gatherings, you name it!

Oh, quit it.

I'm just sayin'. . . . So what does God ask of me again? I got a bit distracted there.

Pray for your leaders. "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority. . . ." (I Timothy 2:1-2 ) I don't think it's a cliche nor just a suggestion. Verse 3 says "This is good and pleases God our Savior." Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. . . ." We have a president instead of a king, but you get the idea.

I thought this column was going to be about presidential candidates. Why are we talking about my responsibility to pray?

Hey, you're asking the questions.

Well, here's something that keeps me from praying. Can the prayers of a no-name, individual citizen like me really make a difference in a powerful place like Washington, D.C.?

Well, can you think of any examples in the Bible where God's purposes were accomplished through praying citizens when the ruling king didn't even believe in God?

Wait a minute, I thought I was asking the questions!

Sorry, you're right. Well, let me tell you then. There was King Cyrus, not a God-lover, yet God stirred his heart and accomplished his purposes through Cyrus (Ezra 1:1). Then there was King Nebuchadnezzar through whom God worked as a result of a teenager named Daniel, a God-loving man of prayer.

That's encouraging. Now do I pray because I'm a pastor or is this something every Christian should do?

Prayer isn't a special assignment to just a few people. Sure, we've made up some titles for a few who pray, like "prayer warrior" and "intercessor," which has caused the rest of us to mistakenly think we're off the hook. But just like your physical body needs to breathe, every God-follower who's spiritually alive needs to pray.

So I'm going to pray for my leaders instead of criticize them. How should I pray?

That's the question the disciples asked Jesus (Luke 11:1). "Lord, teach us to pray. . . ." Jesus gave them a great model to follow. The highlights are: forgive us, help us forgive, we honor you as God, bring the ways of Heaven down here to earth, lead us, free us up from evil, let God's will happen, give us what we need daily, your authority is above all else.

I think you're paraphrasing that. Where can I look up that prayer?

Google "The Lord's Prayer" or dust off your Bible (kidding) and look up Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4.

I better get busy praying then. Did you know there's a national election coming up?

The Rev. Donna Barrett is the pastor of Rockside Church in Independence. She borrowed her "talking to myself" format from The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto, a sports and faith columnist.