Archive for Culture
Christians and the Environment
Posted by: | CommentsThree men weighed in for Christianity Today on how concerned Christians should be for the environment. Their answers aren’t comprehensive, but they are a great start.
Here’s Al Mohler.
And Jonathan Merritt.
Also worth mentioning is that Jonathan Merritt’s book, Green Like God, looks like a good one to check out.
LeBron and the True King
Posted by: | CommentsBill Simmons of ESPN has called last night a LeBacle. I agree, on multiple fronts. In particular, I want to particularly address LeBron’s failure to consider the city of Cleveland and its franchise and the city’s failure to respond better than he. Then lastly, I want to make mention of how we have responded.
First of all, after understanding the entire situation more in depth, it is obvious that LeBron really did not serve the city of Cleveland well, or its franchise. For by waiting to give his decision and not informing them of his intent to leave, he more or less left them high and dry. For Cleveland had to wait for LeBron. They couldn’t sign someone else like New York or Chicago. But LeBron waited until many others were signed. That has put Cleveland in a very difficult spot, at least for now.
Sure, you can say it is just business, but anyone in their right mind knows that that is not good business. Good business is certainly to seek well by all people, and especially by people who have invested a lot into you and in many respects, relying upon you (even if they may be doing so too much). So in that respect, I think LeBron really messed up. Considering Cleveland’s response, he may be realizing that now.
Second, LeBron really hurt himself by doing his huge ‘Decision’ show in order to announce any team besides Cleveland. That’s obvious right? I mean, think about it. Sure, the other cities were disappointed, but none of them were devastated. And right or wrong, Cleveland was. I’m not sure who is advising him, but he may want to get some new advisors, because they certainly haven’t been serving him well. Deciding to go away is one thing, but the manner in which he did so is another. It’s as if he has made things much harder on himself and everyone else.
Third, the response of Dan Gilbert (the CAVS majority owner) and much of the city of Cleveland is little to no better than LeBron’s actions. Unknowingly, they have displayed the same selfishness that they are accusing him of.
Now I realize that not too many Cleveland folks will want to own up to that, but that is reality. People were no doubt hoping in LeBron too much. He had become a god to many. So when he didn’t give the people of Cleveland and the CAVS what they so desperately wanted, they turned on him in a heartbeat and started hating him instead.
As I said, I can understand some difficulty in accepting his decision, because LeBron didn’t do things well. But Gilbert and the much of the city’s response goes well beyond difficulty accepting something. Just because someone does you wrong doesn’t give you the right to do them wrong. Every parent knows that. If one of your kids hits another and the other responds in kind, you have to know that the second is not justified in his response. And so it is here. Much has been revealed about the hearts of people in Cleveland, and it hasn’t been pretty.
In particular, have you seen the owner, Dan Gilbert’s response? He wrote a letter to the Cleveland fan base spewing all sorts of venom at LeBron. I honestly read it and wondered if he wrote it while kicking and screaming on the floor, because it really did sound like an adult temper tantrum. I had to ask: No matter where LeBron failed, does it really warrant this? Not only that, but do you honestly think a great player is going to want and come play for you? Not likely.
In the end, the hearts of many in Cleveland have been exposed. They didn’t get what they wanted, so they are throwing their own temper tantrums. They were never really thinking about LeBron, but about what LeBron could give them, how he could serve them. They are mad at him for being selfish, but in their anger, they are guilty of the same thing.
Finally, if we are at all into this story, we should use this opportunity to take a look at our own hearts. Everyone should do this. For it is so easy to sit and write critically about everyone involved (which I tend to do), while failing to note that if we were in LeBron’s or Dan Gilbert’s shoes, we could easily make the same mistakes (something I am too slow to do). If we find ourselves looking down on them for the decisions they made (as almost everyone in the media is doing), we now have the opportunity to face up to our own pride and to humble ourselves in recognition that if we were placed in the same spot, we may do the same things…or much worse.
In particular, I think about LeBron. Not to justify or defend him or anything (though that probably won’t hurt), but most people seem to look at him as if life is easy for him and his decisions plain. But think about it, really think about it. He is 25 years old. He grew up without a father. He has been called the King, and the Chosen One since 16 years of age and is looked to by countless people as something of a savior. He has more money than he knows what to do with and more power and influence than any 25 year old should have. And somehow we sit in our respective places and look down on his decisions, somehow convincing ourselves that if we were in his shoes, we would do so much better. That is arrogant, really arrogant. It shows how little we really know about ourselves.
So yes, did he mess up? I think so. Are CAVS fans messing up? I think so. But given the same set of circumstance, might we all do the same or much worse? I think so.
But that is exactly why I am thankful that LeBron isn’t really the King or the Chosen One. There is only One and His name is Jesus Christ. This story is yet another example of how and why we all are desperately in need of Him.
Thoughts on LeBron’s Decision
Posted by: | CommentsThough I thought is a bit ridiculous that an entire show was devoted to the announcement of Lebron Jame’s decision (maybe I should capitalize that ‘D’), I was, of course, tuned in for more or less the entire time. I missed a little bit of the action because there was a good episode of Matlock on the Hallmark movie channel. I used to watch Matlock all the time and couldn’t help but check the episode out even though I knew the outcome. But I digress. Or maybe I don’t.
Anyhow, more than anything else, I really walked away saddened by the entire thing. I honestly felt sorry for James, because of the intense pressure he was under with this decision. So many people’s hopes were wrapped up in him. No doubt because of his dollar and entertainment value, two things most Americans hold way too dear. And you can’t help but feel bad for Cleveland. That city has had it tough when it comes to sports, though this serves as yet another example of why we must be very careful not to put too much hope in a human being.
All that being said, there was one thing that LeBron said that really stood out to me (so much so that I had to make a blog post out of it…and that is saying something as of late). When asked what helped him most with his decision, he said it was his Mom who said that he had to make the decision that he believed was best for him, because no one else was going to bear the consequences of it but him.
Allow me to make a few comments.
First, it is partly true and alright in its own respect. He will have to bear the ultimate consequences for his decision, even though his decision certainly directly and indirectly affects a lot of people. And certainly, it’s usually not wise to go somewhere that you really don’t want to go or decide on a course of action that is repulsive to you. Pursuing your own happiness is not necessarily wrong.
Second, though it has some truth to it, I am inclined to believe that it is not the best advice to give someone making such a big decision. The reason is that no ones live unto themselves or dies unto themselves. The decisions we make can’t just be about us, because ultimately, they aren’t just about us. Though on the surface, it might seem like wisdom, it is not really wise to say that we decide best when we think most about ourselves. Or that we see clearest when we think most about our own happiness.
The reason this is true is that what we think will make us most happy often isn’t what really makes us most happy. In this context, it seems that LeBron believes he will be most happy where he has the most chance to win the most championships. Clearly, he said that he values winning more than the money. And his decision supports that. But will winning be enough? I’m not so sure.
So what would be enough? I can’t help but ask myself that question. If I were sitting in his shoes, what question would I ask myself and others in order to gain the clarity of thought I desire? Indeed, what question should I continually be asking myself now?
One keeps coming to mind: Where can I do the most good for the most people?
I am sure there are others you can ask, but in the end, I think this is a good question to continually return to. The reason I believe so is because I believe that contrary to popular opinion, spreading the most happiness is the means to finding the most happiness. Where can you do the most good for the most people? Wherever that is, it is probably the happiest place to be.
From a Christian perspective, we don’t neglect our desire for happiness. No way. We just say that happiness is not found in living unto yourself, but in using the gifts you have to serve the greatest good of the most people. What that means for LeBron, I frankly don’t know. He still may have ended up in Miami or could have legitimately gone a number of different places. Or stayed. Whatever. All I really know is that it is still a great question to ask.
Third and finally, I have had to keep asking myself: How would you like LeBron to have responded in this situation? What would have been most refreshing to you and good for the world in general?
One thing I know is that I am not refreshed by LeBron placing more emphasis on winning that money. The talking heads have already made a big deal out of this, but I am having difficulty understanding how the pursuit of winning is more worthy than the pursuit of money. How have we reached the point that the pursuit of winning over money (though he isn’t losing much if anything at all by the way) is now a worthy thing?
That being said, I think I would have become a devoted LeBron fan if he had used this show as his soapbox or for that matter, his pulpit. I think I would have jumped up and down on my couch if LeBron just said, “Jim Gray, thanks for your prepared questions and everything, but allow me to take a moment in order to address a few things. For the past however many months, there has been countless speculation about my decision and what is driving my decision. So I first off want to say that in the end, my worldwide brand, multiple championships and personal basketball legacy really aren’t that big of a deal. They don’t define me. They aren’t the reason I play. Contrary to popular belief, that is not what I am all about. And I am glad, because all of us value these things way too much.
I love the game of basketball and my desire is to enjoy it and play it to the best of my ability not simply to make money or to win, but to spread joy. Not only that, but I want to use the opportunities being a great basketball player gives me to do the same in other areas of life. In the end, what’s the big deal if I never win a championship? Does that make me a failure? Does that make me less of a man? Somehow we all think so, but I just want to take this opportunity to say that if we believe all of that, we believe a lie. It’s nonsense. What I do as a basketball player doesn’t define me.
So I have come to this decision. And I have made this decision knowing that I don’t know everything, so that I cannot be completely, 100% sure that it is the perfect call. But here I go. I have decided to play in…”
And if he said Miami and Jim Gray asks him why, he can make it simple and say, “Listen, it is going to be very difficult not playing in Cleveland, but the reality is that I believe I can enjoy the game most and play it best for the joy of most people by enjoying it and playing it alongside a few of my highly talented friends. It is something we always spoke of, so I am excited to take a shot at it.”
And if he said I am staying in Cleveland and Jim Gray asked him why, he could say, “Listen, it was a very difficult decision, but I have decided to stay in Cleveland and I am committed to being here whether we win a championship or not. I will strive for it, but if I never win one, so be it. My aim is to serve people well here, championship or not. If you think I am less a man for caring less about winning that others, well, I tend to think you are less a man for caring about winning too much. So we are even.”
And on and on it could go. And of course, I would love for him to ultimate say that he doesn’t care about all these things as much as most other people do because his identity is found in Jesus Christ. And that through Him, he is free from the need to win, though he certainly still wants to win. Now that would be about as good as I can imagine.
Could you imagine it? Could you imagine an athlete standing up and saying that? I tend to think it would have been good for him and indeed, the entire world. Don’t you?
But it didn’t happen. And it probably won’t. Which leaves me longing for a better day that the Lord promises is soon to come. A perfect day that keeps getting better forever. And desiring that day is the best place to be. So in that respect, the entire show served me well.
Banning Fast-Food Toys
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s the summary paragraph from the New York Times article.
In what it described as a blow against the fattening temptations of fast food, the board of supervisors in Santa Clara County, south of San Francisco, voted Tuesday to ban the promotional toys that often accompany child-size portions of cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets if those meals don’t meet certain nutritional standards.
From my vantage point, this is absolutely ridiculous. Here are a few thoughts on the vote and one thought on the comment from the McDonald’s spokesperson.
1) These supervisors need more work.
The fact that fast-food toys even got a vote serves to show me that either everything is perfect in Santa Clara County or these people have way too much time on their hands.
2) Is this really something that should be addressed by a board of supervisors? And is it something they should be able to ban?
If a company wants to sell fatty foods and put toys in a box for children along with those fatty-foods, don’t they have a right to do so? It’s not like they are forcing children to eat the food or forcing parents to buy it for them. Which leads to point number 3.
3) Do the toys tempt children to such an extent that their parents cannot say, “No”?
This is the big question for me, because I am sure there are some parents behind this vote. And I just don’t understand it. If you don’t want your children getting fat off fatty foods, then don’t give them fatty foods. You have a choice not to eat fast food. Eating at McDonald’s or Wendy’s or wherever is not mandatory. I know many parents don’t realize this nowadays, but it is possible and wise and very good to often tell your children, “No.” The reality is that if your kid is obese, it is usually your fault as the parent. Not all the time I realize (the kid might have some sort of disease, etc.), but most of the time, yes. After all, you buy the food and monitor what and when your child eats. Or you don’t (which may be the problem).
How many people are under the impression that eating fast food is good for you anyhow? Sure, low-income families may eat that food more, but the reality is, eating out at fast food restaurants is, in the end, more expensive than going to the local grocery store and managing a simple list. So the argument that you are protecting low-income families from obesity is ridiculous. They still have a choice, to eat or not to eat. The parents can still say ‘No’ to both themselves and their children. Mr. Yeager, who interestingly enough doesn’t not have children, doesn’t seem to understand this.
4) A note to McDonald’s: Don’t try to defend the toys by telling us that your “Happy Meals provide many of the important nutrients that children need.”
That is just ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. So your food has zinc, iron, calcium and some protein. It also has 30 percent of your daily intake of fat (for an adult by the way). Just face up to the fact that your food isn’t the most nutritious. Don’t act as if I am a moron and try to convince me that it’s ok to give my children this food because it has zinc. Come on.
When I head to McDonald’s or any other fast-food joint, I am well aware that the food isn’t the best for me or my children. That is why I head there rarely. It’s a special treat. So I would rather have McDonald’s or whoever say, “We know our food isn’t equal to fruits and veggies. I am the spokesperson for McDonald’s and I don’t eat there every day (and I eat for free). And neither should you or your children.”
That would be much more refreshing and actually might get me to make a trip for some happy meals sometime in the next six months.
As you can tell, I was a bit fired up by this vote. No. I am not headed to Santa Clara anytime soon for Happy Meals, but a vote such as this just seems to give greater excuses for poor parenting and more power to government officials to monitor what is good for us. If we don’t want McDonald’s giving toys along with bad food, we don’t need a council vote. We just need to stop buying the Happy Meals. Or at least I think so.
The White Guy Bias – Concluding Remarks
Posted by: | CommentsI return to blogging today by concluding my month long series on the so-called White Guy Bias in the NBA. How I have managed to make a six-part series take a month, I will not comment upon. To remind you, I have already said that,
1) Everyone agrees that there is a white-guy bias in basketball. It is a running joke and oftentimes, true.
2) Our biases are much more powerful than we realize. Part 1 and Part 2.
3) The evaluation of International talent is not as cut-and-dry as it might sound. International players may even have an inevitable advantage in their ability to reach largely untouched markets for the NBA. A sound business strategy no doubt.
4) Athleticism is sometimes an over-valued trait in the NBA. The best teams are the most diverse (though usually they have players who are both great athletes and highly skilled).
So what have I learned from all of this? Well, I don’t think I have learned anything new, but I have been reminded of something I have known for quite some time.
It is this: who ends up playing or not playing in the NBA, white or black, American or International, is a very complicated matter and one that no one, except the Lord, can fully comprehend. There are just no easy answers when it comes to this question of who makes it and who doesn’t. There are social factors, business factors, talent and team factors, all sorts of factors at work.
I have known and heard of countless players who have NBA talent, but who have ended up on the streets. I have also played against many a player who has never made the NBA, who might even have gotten cut from summer league, but who is fully capable of performing there. I have even been that one guy (and would certainly like to be him again!) who has played in the NBA and has no doubt had other players at home saying about him, ‘I could outplay him right now!’ And you know, they may have been right. But all the various things lined up for me to play in the NBA. And so it is, or is not, for many others.
The reality is that in the basketball world that are players that are truly head and shoulders above the rest. You know who they are. Most times, they just cannot help but rise above the rest. They are so good that their talent paves the way for their own ideal playing situations. Then there are the second-tier individuals who are very, very good, obviously good, but just not as great as the best. They usually make it and if things line up perfectly for them, they can become top-tier stars.
In another group, the final and fullest group, there are players from all over the world who are fully capable of playing in the NBA, sometimes at a very high level, but who just need the perfect opportunity to make it happen. The right team, the right timing, the role, etc. And the reality is, they have very little to do with whether or not they ever get that opportunity. Numerous things have to line up in order for their dream to be realized. And to be maintained.
I count myself among that group. And I count it a tremendous blessing from God to have had the opportunity to play in the NBA. As I have mentioned, I would certainly enjoy playing there again, but I realize that the fact that I have played there doesn’t mean that I am better than everyone else who has not. That’s just not true. As is the case in any business, who makes it and who doesn’t is not defined solely on the basis of talent. Numerous other factors are at work. We have taken a look at a few of those factors, but though this series has lasted a month, you can be sure that we have only scratched the surface.
In the end, I still believe the NBA is the best basketball in the world. But I also believe it can still be better. I doubt any NBA executives will be knocking down my door for advice because of these posts, but at the very least, I hope they serve any who read them by giving insight into how they view and understand the NBA game and most importantly, life itself.
