Season Over

Okay I realize that title could apply to my Braves and also my Dawgs.  (OUCH!) But the season that also is over is my Fantasy Football.

I have been playing Fantasy Football 10 straight years.  I have only one one championship but was in finals last year and in playoffs every year except the first year and the year Jack & Drew were born.  

This is by far the worst start I have ever had.  I am 0-4.  I know what happened.  Because I was at the Briefing right before, I went into the  draft unprepared.  But even worse is I banked on Brady. On a whim, I went against my strategy and drafted Tom Brady in the 1st round.  I knew he wouldn't have 50 TDs but I figured he was still the best QB and I could pick up other quality RBs later.  Not only did Brady go down in the first week but so did best best WR Marcus Colston. And the rest of my team basically stinks partly because I drafted 3 other guys who were hurt and I didn't even know it because of a lack of prep.

The first week was for sure a wash as Brady & Colston both got hurt.  But I had hoped I could salvage the season somehow especially since I picked up Kurt Warner on waivers.  I have been struggling every week though.  And the former grocery bagboy had 6 turnovers last week costing me a realistic chance of 1st victory. I am hereby the St. Louis Rams of Fantasy Football.

I realize no one really cares who but still stings after years of being in the mix.  I give the rest of the season away.  I will set my line-up but I will no longer try to pick up players through trades or waivers.  Stick a fork in me I am done.

Is that not what it means to know me?

Jeremiah 22 is a judgment against the two sons of Josiah who followed him as king.  

13 And the Lord says, “What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim,
who builds his palace with forced labor.
He builds injustice into its walls,
for he makes his neighbors work for nothing.
He does not pay them for their labor.
14 He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace
with huge rooms and many windows.
I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar
and paint it a lovely red.’
15 But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.That is why God blessed him.
16 He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”

says the Lord.

Josiah was the man.  Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

In this passage is a little comparison contrast with his son Shallum (aka  Jehoiakim)  and Josiah. Shallum sought to make a name for himself building a spacious palace with cedar panels painted red though he did this through forcing his countrymen into slave labor.  His eyes and his heart were only set on dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, oppression and extortion.  Yet his father Josiah , who became king at age 8, was satisfied with just having food and drink. He did what was right and just.  He defended the cause of the poor and needy.   It went well with Him as a result unlike his son who was led away in captivity.

I am intrigued by all of these who particularly that the Lord says that defending the cause of the poor and needy is what it means to know Him.  We often focus on a head knowledge.  To know God is to have the right theology.  Or we focus on a personal experience.  "I know Christ personally."  These are all well and good.  but Josiah knew the Lord and his actions showed it. 

Think of Zacchaeus when he declares that he will give half of his possessions to the poor and pay back fourfold those he oppressed.  When he says this what does Jesus say?   Today, salvation has come to this house.

Knowing God means we understand and follow His ways.   Is not God a God who serves?  Is not God a God who gives?  Is not God a God who cares for those oppressed to set the free?  Does not doing what He does, mean that we know Him?   

Do I know Him... really know Him?  Or am I like Shallum?

Into the Eye of the Storm

Every September we have week-long National WSN team planning meetings called Verticals.  Not really sure why unless meetings within the 10 regions are supposed to be called Horizontals.  We meet and strategic plan for the year and try to tackle big issues we face.   All in an effort to see be able to take God's glory to more and more places.

Usually we meet in places like a beach in California which makes it nice for me.  Last year I went early and spent the weekend with my sister, Belinda, and hung out with a good friend who is at Talbot.  Meeting along the coast is a nice break because even though we spend most of the times in meetings when we do get a break you can walk along the beach.   One year we went down to Mexico City which while not the beach was fun because we were at the start of the CityFocus effort and spend a day going to campuses launching movements.  Once we even met in Estes Park, CO which was especially sweet because its only an hour away.  Plus fair-skinned that I am, I'd rather hike along a trail in RMNP than along the beach.

But this year, though the reasoning escapes me, we are meeting in Daytona Beach, FL.  I think maybe because its close to our HQ in Orlando or maybe we got this sweet deal. Of course we got a sweet deal, it's hurricane season.   Hanna made landfall this morning but Ike is right behind her.  He is supposed to go along the Keys and into the Gulf but if he makes a right-hand turn we are toast.  Either way we are wet.

At least we know next year we will be back on the West Coast..  deal or no deal.  I vote for Seattle or Portland.

Our Righteous Shepherd

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, 
       "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, 
       a King who will reign wisely 
       and do what is just and right in the land.

 In his days Judah will be saved 
       and Israel will live in safety. 
       This is the name by which he will be called: 
       The LORD Our Righteousness

Jeremiah 23:5, 6

Been reading Jeremiah of late.  Most of Jeremiah is a cry what God is going to do and why.  Chapter 23 is a judgment against shepherds who have not been doing what a shepherd is to do.  Instead of bringing care, comfort and courage to God's people, they have been leading them astray, scattering them, allowing them to dwell in fearful places, etc.  But God promises one day that He bring back His sheep, His people to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. The Lord declares that He will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing.

Jesus is that Shepherd.  He is the Branch of Jesse that will rule with justice.  The One who will rule with the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, and the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Jesus is that King.  The King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the Lord.

• Reign wisely - He will rule with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. 
  
• Rule justly - He will rule with the Spirit of counsel and power
  
• Lead righteously - He will rile with Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
  

Under His rule & reign, we are saved.  We dwell in safety.  He is our Good Shepherd