discipleship in basketball

Their play on the court aside, there is one large reason why I follow the San Antonio Spurs.

They promote discipleship. (And no I have not lost my mind)

Listen to what their coach, Gregg Popovich, said regarding the rise of their point guard,

When Tony started out he played on talent...He wasn't big on the weight room, he wasn't big about practice. That developed over time, and a lot of that was watching Timmy and how he conducts himself, and that’s rubbed off on Tony.

I know what you are thinking. Discipleship?

Allow me to give you a brief history of the modern era San Antonio Spurs. 

• It began with David Robinson (which is also where my "fandom" began) in the 90's. 
• Towards the latter half of his career the Spurs hired Gregg Popovich who instilled his system and style of basketball in Robinson who was the leader of the team at the time. 
• In 1997, the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan who sat under the tutelage of both Popovich and Robinson, and eventually took over the reigns as the team's leader. 
• In 2001, the Spurs drafted Tony Parker who sat under the tutelage of Popovich, Robinson (albeit briefly), and Duncan, and currently sits as the team's newest leader.
• In 2011, the Spurs drafted Kawhi Leonard who Popovich, Duncan, and Parker have all announced to be the leader of the Spurs in years to come.

And that history brings me back to the quote made by Popovich. The Spurs have been able to build and thrive upon their success because they promote discipleship. It is expected that the guys currently entrenched in the system will teach and mentor the new additions. Similarly, it is expected that the additions will enable themselves to be taught by the veterans.

And this teaching is through both word and example. The older players coach the younger ones on how to play the game well. They tell them how success comes as a member of the Spurs. They stress the importance of practice and hard work. They tell them where they should be on the court and how they should handle themselves off it.

But they also give life to their words, which the quotes reveals. They display what they are trying to instill in the young guys. They demonstrate the fruit of their words both on and off the court. They work hard and practice well. And as the young guys hear and see, they began to adopt the principles for themselves.

Now I ask, basketball aside how is this any different to Christian discipleship? Is that far from what Paul says in Titus 2:1-6?

Older men and women (and remember there is always someone older and younger than you), 

• Are you teaching the younger men and women through your words and actions? 
• Are they hearing and seeing the truths of God proclaimed in you? 
• Is Christ being made evident to them through your life? 
• Are you investing in them as the future of God's church here on earth? 
• Are you taking them under your wing that they might bear fruit?

Younger men and women (and there is always someone older and younger than you as well), 

• Are you allowing yourself to be taught by those older than you?
• Are you seeking out their wisdom and insight?
• Are you observing how they proclaim Christ that you might do the same?
• Are you investing in them as valuable resources God has given to the church?
• Are you viewing them as wonderful testimonies of God's goodness and grace?

Regardless of our stage in life, there is always someone we can disciple and someone who can disciple us.

The question becomes, what are we doing about it?

on top of the world...

If you get a chance, I highly recommend you read this article.

It is long, but well worth the ten or so minutes.

It is a "celebration" of Michael Jordan turning 50. It provides a glimpse into the life of the greatest basketball player ever.

A man who many would expect to be "living the dream," is stuck in the brokenness of this world with no hope of escape. Simply put, Michael Jordan is no different than you and I.

We wish our mortality won't find us: He just could never imagine being old. He seemed too powerful, too young, and death was more likely than a slow decline. The universe might take him, but it would not permit him to suffer the graceless loss and failure of aging. A tragic flaw could undo him but never anything as common as bad knees or failing eyesight.

We yearn for what we once had: Man, I wish I was playing right now. I would give up everything now to go back and play the game of basketball." "How do you replace it?" he's asked. "You don't. You learn to live with it."

We carry the scars of loss and grief:...and even 20 years after his father was murdered -- robbed of a Lexus and two championship rings given to him by his son -- it's clear that Jordan still needs his dad.

We desperately crave the approval of others: His whole life has been about proving things, to the people around him, to strangers, to himself. This has been successful and spectacularly unhealthy.

We place our hope in things which are fleeting: He described what the game meant to him. He called it his "refuge" and the "place where I've gone when I needed to find comfort and peace." Basketball made him feel complete, and it was gone.

We find our greatest strengths can also be our greatest weaknesses:"It's an addiction. You ask for this special power to achieve these heights, and now you got it and you want to give it back, but you can't. If I could, then I could breathe."

We have no identity: His self-esteem has always been, as he says, "tied directly to the game." Without it, he feels adrift. Who am I? What am I doing?

We can't find peace in the things we love:"How can I find peace away from the game of basketball?"

We fear loneliness will be our end: He hates being alone, because that means it's quiet, and he doesn't like silence. He can't sleep without noise. Sleep has always been a struggle for him. All the late-night card games, the trips to the casino during the playoffs, they've been misunderstood. They weren't the disease, they were the cure. They provided noise, distraction, a line of defense.

This is the story of the human condition. It is sad and depressing. Whether someone finds themselves on top of the world or in the deepest pit, the brokenness of this world stands there with them.

Only in Jesus can we find healing from all our brokenness and true hope. For knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21)

Lent or something like it

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. ~Luke 9:51

The season of Lent starts tomorrow. Personally, I am not a buyer of the Lenten formality and hoopla. I think the idea is noble, but the focus is too often fixed on the things being given up. When people talk about Lent they usually hover around sweets, soda, alcohol, television, and whatever else they feel compelled to avoid. It's like a shortened version of New Year's resolutions.

I have done my fair share of giving up in the past. And while my diet and/or health may have benefited, my soul felt no different. The time I spent not eating certain foods or engaging in certain activities was not replaced with nourishment for my soul. It was simply replaced with something new to distract me.

One day I may get back into the Lenten traditions, but for this year I am going to try Luke 9:51. Over the next 6 weeks, I want to set my face towards Jerusalem.

Obviously this is not literal speech. I am so bad with direction that I would not even know which way to face.

Instead I want to set my face towards what Jesus did in Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago.

Luke 9:51 signaled the beginning of Jesus' death march toward Jerusalem. It signaled the coming climax to all of redemption history. Jesus continued to teach, heal, and minister along the way, but His gaze was fixed on the cross awaiting Him. It shaped everything He did from that point forward.

I want my gaze fixed on that same cross. In the midst of my everyday task and responsibilities, I want the cross standing before me. I want it to shape everything I do.

For on that cross, my old self was crucified with Christ. On the cross, Christ took my sin, guilt, and shame upon Himself. On the cross, Christ drank the full cup of God's wrath rightfully meant for me. On the cross, Christ reconciled me to the Father.

And in the empty tomb my new self was raised with Christ whose victory over death is now mine.

That is where I want my face fixed. And not only over the next six weeks, but as long as my breath remains within me.

the issue

I am going to tread with extreme caution, because I know the following issue is a hotbed right now...

America has a gun problem. It is rather obvious. But what that gun problem entails remains unclear.

Is it the selling of guns? Gun ownership? Types of guns? People buying the guns? Video games and movies? Easy purchasing? Lack of control?

Depending on who you ask the answers to those questions will vary. They will also be expressed passionately and with strong convictions.

For me, I never plan on owning a gun. It has nothing to do with theology or politics or laws. I simply do not like them. I do not feel a need for them. I shot a rifle once when I was a kid, and that was more than enough. I do not feel like I am in danger because I do not own one.

In no way does my personal opinion carry significance for anyone else. I have many family and friends who own guns. A lot of them enjoy hunting, which makes a gun kind of necessary. Others like to collect them or shoot them at nearby shooting ranges. Still others feel safer knowing they have one available should the need ever arise. I have zero problems with these folks.

Sadly, things are never that simple.

Take, for instance, those who want a ban on all guns. While this may seem like a good idea on paper, it presents some significant problems. Bruce Willis (of all people) recently noted messing with the Bill of Rights on this issue will open up the door to messing with it more down the road. Remove the right to bear arms today, and tomorrow the freedom of speech, religion, a fair trial, or press could soon follow. Additionally simply outlawing guns does not guarantee a solution. All we have to do is look at illegal drugs and the prohibition for proof.

Or how about those who want a ban simply on assault weapons? These are the ones typical making the most news with all the recent killings all over this country. Taking military-style weapons out of the hands of non-military trained people makes sense. But again, this is messing (though to a significantly lesser degree) with the Bill of Rights. Personally, I am fine with this initiative especially considering it was a policy in the mid-90's, but I say so still aware that it will not solve the problem.

How about better background checks? This one recognizes gun ownership is a right, and that some people are not capable of handling that right. It's like a good parent taking away something because they know it will hurt their child. Again I like this idea, but recognize it will not solve the problem. People know how to get around background checks and many have been doing it for years.

Some want to simply take them out of the hands of the "insane." Again this one looks good on paper. Many of the cruel shootings as of late have been at the hands of people with serious issues. It seems logical to make it impossible for them to get their hands on weapons. And while I recognize the reality of mental health problems and outside influences, those are not the real problems. People are wicked (myself included) to their core. Romans 1-3 tells us we all have the capability of doing horrific things. The question is not "how could someone do x?" but rather "what is keep someone from doing x?" And whatever that is should drive us to thank God on a daily basis. Drugs, health, surroundings, genetics, and circumstances might push us one way or the other, but they feed off our own sinful natures.

So what's the answer? I do not know. Politicians and folks alike will debate the issue to the point of exhaustion. Things will be put in place which will receive both praise and criticism. But none of these will address the real problem.

It may sound cliche, but all the problems of humanity find their root in sin. And therefore all the problems of humanity may be pacified with laws and good works, but they will never be eradicated apart from the work of Jesus Christ. Only through His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and pending return has sin been overcome and human beings given new hearts.

let it go and be free

Over the month of January I re-read The Hobbit. I saw the movie back in December and wanted to see how much of it I remembered (or in reality, forgot). Plus it was a also a good barometer of my healing from an annoying head injury I suffered over Christmas.

As a result of my reading, my love of The Lord of Rings trilogy has resurfaced. Just last Sunday afternoon, I watched the beginning of the first movie before heading out for an afternoon of ice skating. And the scene of Bilbo finally leaving behind the ring stayed with me for much of this past week. It actually led me back to the book.

There I was reminded of my own Bilbo-like behaviors when it comes to "my precious" and my Savior asking me to hand it over. The passage actually served as a point of meditation for me and I have decided to list it below.

Well no! Here is it in my pocket! He hesitated. 'Isn't that odd now?' he said softly to himself. 'Yes after all, why not? Why shouldn't it stay there?'

Gandalf looked again very hard at Bilbo, and there was a gleam in his eyes. 'I think, Bilbo,' he said quietly, 'I should should leave it behind. Don't you want to?'

'Well yes-and no. Now it comes to it, I don't like parting with it at all, I may say. And I don't really see why I should. Why do you want me to?' he asked, and a curious change came over his voice. It was sharp with suspicion and annoyance. 'You are always badgering me about my ring; but you have never bothered me about the other things I got on my journey.'

...I should like to know where it is, if you go wandering again. Also I think you have had it quite long enough. You won't need it any more, Bilbo, unless I am quite mistaken.'

Bilbo flushed, and there was an angry light in his eyes. His kindly face grew hard. 'Why not?' he cried. 'And what business is it of yours, anyway, to know what I do with my own things? It is my own. I found it. It came to me.'

'Yes, yes,' said Gandalf. 'But there is no need to get angry.'

'If I am it is your fault,' said Bilbo. 'It is mine, I tell you. My own. My precious. Yes, my precious.'...But I say it now. And why not? Even if Gollum said the same once. It's not his now, but mine. And I shall keep it, I say.'

Gandalf stood up. He spoke sternly. 'You will be a fool if you do, Bilbo,' he said. 'You make that clearer with every word you say. It has got far too much hold on you. Let it go! And then you can go yourself, and be free.'