A "Letter to the Editor" that appeared in the Daily Mountain Eagle (Jasper, Alabama) on April 28, 2004, caught my attention. The letter addressed the "Dear Citizens of Alabama" and was from David C. Hendon, Principle of Curry Middle School, Jasper, Alabama.

Mr. Hendon laments, "We are seeing students make poor decisions about drugs, alcohol, sex, and other things. We teach them character education . . . hoping to make (them) make good decisions and . . . turn around and take them out of the places in their lives where character and morals are taught."

The "places" he has reference to is Wednesday night "prayer meeting or Bible study." What takes students away from these spiritual activities are athletic events. Hendon specifically mentions the Alabama High School Baseball Tournament, but other sports and associated practices and events interfere with spirituality just as much.

Recently, the Gospel Advocate published an article by James Hayes of Joelton, Tennessee on the same topic. Hayes' article, "Sports Crazed" (GA, May 2004, pp. 36-7) makes some observations that are worthy of our consideration. His article provides the foundation for the thoughts that follow.

Following sporting events and teams is a diversion for millions of Americans. Spectator sports are a way for many of us to relieve the stress of our daily work. Yet, in many ways sports are to blame for much of our stress. We invest time and money into following our favorite college, professional, and high school team(s). We transport our children to and from practice and games as participants and spectators. The excitement of winning and the despair of losing affect the player and fan alike.

Consider the following true accounts:

September 27, 2003. After Alabama loses to Arkansas in overtime a father holds a 9mm pistol to his teenage son's forehead and pulls the trigger. The son ducked and avoided injury.

October 22, 2003. After defeating Virginia Tech Hokies, West Virginia students and fans tear down the goal posts and riot in revelry as University Police spray the crowd with mace and pepper in attempts to gain control of the situation.

October 6, 2003. Sports Illustrated publishes the article, "The American Athlete Age 10: Time of Their Lives or Too Much Too Soon?" This article relates how children are focusing on one sport all year. Their parents are hoping to cash in on the next superstar. These children often cry at practice and games because of the pressure they feel from coaches and parents.

Scripture plainly instructs parents of their responsibility in raising children. In Scripture, emphasis is always on the spiritual not the physical.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:6 (ESV).

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4 (ESV).

As parents we should – no MUST – teach our children that Jesus and His church should have first place in their lives, not sports. There is nothing wrong with sports or striving for and receiving athletic prowess or scholarships. The harm comes when such pursuits take precedence over serving Christ and His body, the church. The apostle Paul observes," . . . for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV).

Hayes asks, "Are we really training up a child in the way he should go when we tell him that being absent from a schedule ballgame is unacceptable, yet being absent from a schedule worship service is completely reasonable?" Christian parents and teenagers must make a conscious decision to attend worship services over everything else.

The issue is simply this. Will we as parents, players, and fans be willing to say, "We will not let athletics obstruct our view of an eternal home in heaven."? When we do, we will begin to put all of life in proper perspective.

We can allow our children to participate in and excel at athletics. They may even have the talent for scholarships. Yet, never allow those activities to interfere with worship or spiritually encouraging activities. If you are planning for athletics to provide for college tuition, you may need to realize that few high school athletes get full scholarships.

Therefore begin now to save for your child's college education, and look for scholarships in other areas (academics, bands, as well as community groups that sponsor scholarships). Most importantly prepare yourself and your children for a spiritual eternal home in heaven.

Restored
We are encouraged by the response of Gene Patterson this past Sunday AM. Brother Patterson came forward asking for forgiveness and the prayers of the congregation. Also last week, the elders spoke with Gina Dupree who also confessed sin in her life and asked for the prayers of the church. Let us do all we can to help this brother and this sister gain the strength they need to faithfully run the race set before them.

Team B Meeting
Visitation Team "B" is scheduled to meet this morning immediately after services in Assembly Room "B".

Elders-Deacons
The elders would like to meet with the deacons this afternoon (Sunday) at 4:45 pm in classroom #3.

Ladies' Work Group
The Ladies' Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening (Monday) at 7:00, in the ladies' work room behind the annex. All of our ladies are invited to attend and participate in the group's activities.

If the Christian faith seems to have lost some of its vitality, it is not because it has lost its arguments. It is because men and women have stopped putting its ideals into practice. The real defenders of the faith are not the authors of books on Christian evidences, but those who life the fruitful, zestful, abundant life in Christ.

Don’t forget the weekly prayer session in classroom #3, each Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m.