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FreePlay Friday – Guest Deane Duggan on Football and the Kingdom
Posted on November 7th, 2008 in Faith, Free Play Fridays by Fred McKinnon
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FRIENDS, RSS’ers, FAMILY – Guest Blog Today – so click over and comment, engage in discussion!
Hey Everybody – welcome to “FreePlay Friday”! Today I’d like to welcome a good friend, Deane Duggan as my guest blogger. Deane and his wife lived in Atlanta and visited St. Simons Island often. They visited my former church a few times and we just seemed to hit it off and become friends. Now they’ve moved their family down here to paradise and we have the privilege of seeing them often.
In addition to kicking my butt on the raquetball court, Deane has an incredible grasp on politics … of the conservative nature, that is … and has some great insights into our Constitution and how our government was meant to operate. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Mr. Duggan on a ballot some day?
Deane’s passion is driven not by politics or government, but by his relationship with Christ, and his desire to see God’s Kingdom here on earth, “as it is in heaven”. So without my need to blab any longer, I’m sitting back today and allowing Deane to take “FreePlay Friday” with this post, “Football”.
“Football” – Thoughts from Deane Duggan
I am a college football fan, but a few weeks ago a question returned to my mind as I was watching a Saturday night game – “How do we motivate Christians to be as passionate about God as many people, including some Christians, are about college football?” Personally, I am less fanatical about college football than I used to be. My relationship with God, my marriage, and my children have changed my priorities. However, I can still identify with the highs and lows that are evident on fans’ faces as their emotions reflect the success or failure of their team. In addition to the emotional investment, people spend lots of time and money on tickets, travel, and tailgating. How do we encourage Christians to invest similar emotion, time, and money for God’s Kingdom? How do we get people to care as much about “Kingdom battles” as they care about football games? The result of a football game matters at most for a season, and in light of eternity, it really does not matter at all. I am not suggesting that Christians should not watch college football. I am simply suggesting that we view it with proper perspective. Is it possible to transition the passion for football or any other sport/activity that someone is passionate about to a passion for God and God’s priorities?
How many football games do you watch during the week? How many hours do you spend watching those games? How much time do you spend reading articles leading up to the game? How much time do you spend reading articles about the games you watched?
When I was on a plane, I was thinking about how people could offer to God everything they do and allow him to either keep it and use it or, if necessary eliminate it. As it relates to college football, a disciple may need to change some habits – spend less time and less money going to, watching, reading about, etc. To put a more positive spin on it, a disciple may need to spend more time in the word and in prayer, and may need to invest more time and money for God’s Kingdom. A disciple may need to look for ways to involve God in the activity – display a Christ like example at the game, organize a food or toy drive, donate tickets to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, etc.
Here are a couple of verses that came to mind as I was contemplating this:
Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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6 Responses to “FreePlay Friday – Guest Deane Duggan on Football and the Kingdom”
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I love this! I have been trying to say this for several years. You have done a great job at articulating what has been in my heart and mind for quite some time. When I try to talk about this, it only sounds like I’m against sports, and that is not what I’m trying to say. The word I’ve been using is “balance”. But that is not what I have meant at all. You said it best with the phrase get people to care about “Kingdom battles” as much as football games. Wow! I have a question…Do we love football games more than God? If we spend more of our resources (time, money, etc.) on Friday and Saturdays being fanatical about non-eternal things than we do on God and doing His work, then maybe we should evaluate our priorities.
Nicely done Deane!
Deron Freemans last blog post..It’s been a while…
I was just asking a fellow worship leader friend of mine that yesterday. How do we relay passion? How do we call people to want God more in worship? How do we spiritual depth in worship?
Our final thought on the conversation was Matthew 6:21. It all boils down to the heart. Our hearts as worship leaders have to but overflowing with love, passion, desperation for God…..if you could imagine the stage looking more like a worship aquarium with musicians being the little alligators and seashells with the bubbles, we have to find a way to overflow into the congregation. Releasing an atmosphere of adoration so to make it easier for the congregants to truly see, hear, and feel our Awesome God.
Great guest blog fred. Thanks for your thoughts Deanne.
typo
not but, “our hearts as worship leaders have to BE”
Compelling word! If Duggan’s name is on a ballot I’ll vote for Him! Obama made it to Senate at 42. I believe Deane could do better than that.
Let me know when you start your campaign I would like to volunteer.
And Deane’s former neighbors in Atlanta will be glad to support a Duggan candidacy as well! Deane, I’m not a huge football fan, but this message definitely applies to so many of the things we spend our time, energy, and money pursuing. Well spoken!
Deane,
Great insight! We are, indeed, a sports (and celeb) driven society. What grieves our Lord’s heart should also grieve ours. I am sure He wants to say to His children “What about Me?”