Football for Dummies

Football seems to be a simple sport. You have a ball that is carried, thrown, kicked, or defended. Based on varying success in these areas, you may or may not win. But what if we were approached by someone that had never watched a football game? What if they wanted you to explain each portion of the game so that they fully understood it, at least to the degree that they would understand the game as they watched it? When you really sit down to analyze the game, the complexity of it is overwhelming. Let's just look at football terminology alone,

blitz; touchdown; touchback; punt; field-goal; zone; cover 2; cover 1; prevent; fumble; interception; safety; kick off; kick return; shotgun; sack; holding; passing interference; facemask; 2 point conversion; line of scrimmage; first, second, third, and fourth down; turnover

This is just to name a few of course. This also doesn't even touch on position names and the numerous rules and regulations. When just touching on these different complexities of the game, one would be able to see the difficulty in explaining the game to someone that is first introduced to it.

In attempting to teach the game we may even be tempted to do so on a very high level as to not confuse this person. Keeping the complexities at bay, and attempting to walk through the game in the way of "football for dummies", this may not be a bad direction to go. Yet, two things have to happen in order to succeed at even this. First, the person that is presenting the "high level" view of football would have to have extensive knowledge of the game even with all of its complexity. Second, the person with this extensive knowledge of the game would have to 'translate' the game in such a way to be understandable. (On a side note, it would not be be a bad idea to avoid sounding patronizing while doing so.) So even teaching the game like this involves great diligence and knowledge.

Jesus can be simple. Following in the way of Jesus at its core is simple. You love God, and you love others. But can we not get caught in the complexities to those looking on with a curious or skeptical eye. As we did with football, let's look just look a the terminology that exists in Christendom,

theology; doctrine; atonement; eschatology; repentance; baptism; rapture; discipleship; fellowship; Trinity; apostle; epistle; Pharisee; Sadducee; zealot; herodian; gentile; Sabbath; communion; worship; praise; Greek; Hebrew; omnipotent; omnipresent

As with the football terminology this represents the tip of the iceberg. This isn't even concerning the fact that the book that those that follow Christ refer to mostly is the Bible which is authored by many different personalities with various backgrounds in many different times. Those that follow Christ have an important consideration when talking to others about why we do what we do. Do we dive with in the depths of the complexity that exists within Christendom? Or do we present the biblical narrative at a very high level? These are questions we must embrace as those that follow Christ in a world that is becoming increasingly "post-Christian". We must realize that Christianity is no longer the culture norm/expectation. Our lingo is no longer easily recognized. Are we willing to address the fact that what we say may no longer be easily understood? (Not that certain aspects of the Christian message is ever easily understood.) And what should we do about it?

I remember when I was a child I knew nothing about football. I went to an Oklahoma Sooner game where I froze my butt off, and still knew nothing about what was going on. Today, I can watch football, and follow along like anyone else. How does one move from confusion to clarity? I think it can only come from overall experience. I have watched numerous football games over the past 20 years. I cannot remember having one moment where everything clicked. It just happened. I understand where I came from, and I know where I am today. Somewhere in the experience of watching football throughout the years I now know the game with some clarity. So instead of presenting the deeper complexities to someone that may not know the game, maybe we just invite this person to watch the games with us.

Is it that simple? Instead of defining all aspects of Christendom, do we simply invite others to experience it with us? Instead of handing a track that details doctrinal bullet points, do we just share a meal with someone? Often, I have been tempted to push Jesus on to those around me without considering other alternatives. I do believe that I am not the only one that has struggled with this. I am realizing that Jesus does not come with a bunch of man-made baggage. (He expects a high price of His own, without any additions from His followers.) I believe if we present Jesus with a living breathing doctrine, (How we live, breathe and act) then the rest will take care of itself. Somewhere between the time we are willing to create meaningful relationships with those that are around us to the present, we may look back and realize that we do not have to participate in a full theological-doctrinal exposition in order to share why we do what we do.

- Dan Jones

Pulling Perfectly Good Grass

Fatherhood has changed me. I am learning so much from my son Jake, and it is truly amazing to watch him as he continues to develop. A trend that I have recently noticed as of late is Jake wants to be like me. He repeats everything I say and do. (which can be scary more times then not!)

The other day, the family and I were doing some yard work at our new place that we just recently moved into. My wife decided that it would be a good idea to pull some weeds that the lawn mower could not get to. So as I bent down to begin pulling the weeds and then rake them to the end of the lawn, my wife pointed out Jake to me. He began pulling the weeds and walking the same path as me. He wanted to help. As little as he is, it is crazy to see that he values being valued.

This was pretty neat to watch for at least a little while. However, something began to happen. Jake ran out of weeds to pull so he began to pull the perfectly good grass. This is a tough spot to be in as a parent. On one hand, all Jake was trying to do is help out. At the same time, we didn't want him pulling perfectly good grass. We tried explaining to him that we no longer needed his help with pulling the weeds, but there are only so many words that you can offer to a 2 year old before just saying that dreaded word "NO!".

I am happy that I am one of the many that follow Jesus in this world. It is exciting to think that I am able to "co-mingle" with God and in his work today. I wonder if God looks at me with the same enthusiasm that I have when Jake tries to help out. How cool is is that God may be looking at me like a proud parent knowing that I am "helping out" in the only way his creation can. In this, I resonate with my 2 year old son. I want to think my intentions are good in my attempts to work with God in this world. This also makes me think that sometimes I (or "we" as the church) may be pulling perfectly good grass. We make decisions on who is "in" and who is "out", with many times not thinking twice about it. We make sweeping judgements about political parties and those that are in them. It is incredibly tempting to believe that God takes "sides" in our political arenas. (Can any man made party truly embody what it means to follow Christ?) I wonder how often we have good intentions, but fail to pull the weeds rather then the grass.

The possibility of pulling perfectly good grass exists as we attempt a faithful dialogue in religion, politics, or even everyday topics. This must enter in consideration in our attempts to boldly proclaim the good news and team with God in His work in this world. Otherwise, good intentions or not, we may be doing more harm then good.

Dan Jones

Book Review; Fearless by Max Lucado

As I was reading some of the 'Praises' for Fearless by Max Lucado, I noticed that Donald Miller provided some positive thoughts about Lucado's latest book. I decided that I would give it a try even though I wasn't overly impressed Lucado's work on For The Tough Times.


The nature and tone of this book seems very appropriate in today's culture which is largely driven by fear. I found myself nodding along as I progressed through the book, while at the same time not blown away. Something that Lucado does successfully is that you can't help but feel truly comforted as you embrace the words of Lucado as he speaks about our biggest fears including death, violence, parenting, and enduring just to name a few. Unfortunately, much like other books by Lucado you also are not covering much new ground with this book either. With that being said, I do believe the book succeeds in what it is trying to accomplish. Lucado doesn't offer pat answers and black and white clarity. What he does provide however are appropriate reflections on various passages that truly comforts. Fearless is worth a read with appropriate expectations of what it is and what it is not.


Dan Jones