Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
Last night we finished our Fall session of Mside Out with the youth. We’ve spent every Sunday night this semester in our youth home group working through the book, “Congratulations, You’re Gifted!” by Doug Fields & Erik Rees. We studied spiritual gifts and how God has gifted us for service. In addition, to learning about our spiritual gifts, we went out twice to do some hand’s on ministry in our community to begin helping the teens put their gifts into practice. In October we went out and did yard work for senior adults, made shut-in visits, ministered to children at the shelter, and did recreation ministry at AWANA. We wrapped it all up last night by sending teams to make three shut-in visits, rake leaves in two senior adult yards, and lead a children’s outreach at Bruster’s Ice Cream Shop in Hillcrest. The team at Brusters offered free Thanksgiving crafts to the kids who came to Brusters to eat ice cream. Those families got some great ice cream, but also heard the Good News of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I want to thank all of our team leaders and adult drivers. I especially want to thank the Ross’ for hosting us in their home each week and Marlene Holcombe for coordinating all the great meals that we enjoyed this semester. This truly was a great fall, “…discovering our God-given S.H.A.P.E. to make a difference in the world.”
Today, Anderson & Ellis sang with their Preschool Choir for the first time of the school year. This was Ellis’ first time singing in church. They both did such a great job. It’s wonderful seeing our children sing praises to The One who gave them life, the Lord Jesus.
Yesterday in a USA Today opinion piece in the religion section, Tom Krattenmaker, makes some outlandish remarks about his study of organized sports and religion. He highlights Tim Tebow, quarterback for Florida, as one who’s actions off the field are good (his service and mission work), but criticizes his thought of Christ being the only way to salvation. On the one hand he commends Tebow’s actions, yet condemns his thoughts. Krattenmaker also attempts to generalize organizations that minister to athletic teams as being manipulative and not accepting of players from other faiths. He goes on to say…
Evangelical players and ministry representatives in sports aren’t out to harm anyone, of course. On the contrary, they see themselves as fulfilling the Bible’s Great Commission (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19). In this sense, their mission is pure altruism: They seek to share the gift of eternal life. But there’s a shadow side to this. If their take on God and truth and life is the only right one — which their creed boldly states — everyone else is wrong.
Though I don’t follow sports very closely, it’s hard to miss hearing about Tim Tebow. In my opinion, Tebow is a breath of fresh air in light of the scandals and junk that surrounds so much of college and professional sports. He’s a young man who not only knows what he believes, but is a strong enough leader to be straight about his convictions. Though we ought not treat others with contempt because they believe differently than we do – Truth is Truth – and The Truth of John 14:6 rings ever true. Jesus Christ, is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him…period.
Click here to read the USA TODAY article.
Nathan Neighbors 