When I posted the other day about Voddie Baucham’s views on kids involved with sports, I rather expected some opposing comments. When all of the feedback came in on a positive note, I felt a little like Dash in The Incredibles, when someone catches the icicle Frozone makes before it drops, pouting, “I like it when it shatters.” See, I was hoping to hear from anyone with a different take on the issue, but nobody left comments like that.
Sara, however, has used the last few days to think things over, and has posted on her blog her thoughts concerning Voddie’s statements. I really enjoyed reading what she had to say, and think she made many good points. Some highlights:
I wish I could ask Mr. Baucham why sports, or any extra-curricular activities, can’t be used as a vehicle to re-enforce these Christian values? Can’t friendships be built on a ball field? Can’t you swing a bat with joy in your heart, even if you’re not good at it? And why, oh why, if God chose for us to live during an era where there is time and opportunity for evangelism, should we not take advantage of it?
Definitely head over there to read the whole post. I bring this up here more than just to spotlight Sara’s well- thought- out conclusions. There are many controversial issues these days, that many Christians think they need to be on one side or the other on, when there may be a middle ground, something apart from what either extremist could come up with.
My next post is near and dear to my heart, one of those very controversial subjects within born-again circles. I pray I can lay it out as carefully and sensibly as possible, for it is going to be a major portion of the testimony I am working on. LaHaye was saying in his Revelation study guide how a true testimony is simply speaking the Gospel. If I am to testify of the Gospel, and God’s work in my life, this one area of my life shines as an example of what God can do when I let go, as I die daily to self-preservation. Amy Carmichael’s biography couldn’t have come at a better time- it has given me more words to express what I have been needing to flesh out in my own worldview for a long while.
Anyhoo, just to warn you, more chances to argue duke it out respectfully disagree ahead.
[...] sports discussion going on at my SIL’s blog has left a lot of various things bouncing around my noggin. Judgmental attitudes, assumptions, [...]
I don’t think any of you can understand how exciting it is for me to read your ongoing discussion about sports, etc!!! I have prayed for many years for my family to all know and love Jesus, and to feel comfortable and secure enough in His love and with each other that we can open up and really discuss important spiritual things as well as surface issues. I see it happening before my eyes. These blogs are helping us to REALLY talk about important issues and help each other become more like Christ. Keep it up, kids. And remember. God says if we really seek, we will find. If we keep grappling with an issue and asking Him for wisdom, He will show us the path He wants us to take. And remember, also, the path He has me walk won’t look exactly like the path He has for another, but in Christ we walk together, loving and encouraging each other along the way.
This quote in your original post is what sums it up for me: “We must refuse to allow trivial, temporal pursuits to interfere with the main thing.” There are talents I already see in my children that they might want to explore, and if we had lots of money, I would be tempted to buy them a piano and lessons, and guitar/ukulele, pentatonic flute, a big harp, and sign them up for (Christian) Karate, T-ball, and soccer, and free tumble time in a neat gym nearby, in addition to (when they are 7) the Boy Scouts–all this based on things I know they’d enjoy. Of course I know all that is too much for us.
I remember the words from a 3 year old, “Mommy, come play with me”, and I’m going to enjoy that as long as I can. 
There are too many important things to teach while their hearts are so ready.