Why I Don't Like to Watch the NFL

Like many American sports fans I watched the two NFL playoff games yesterday. I don't normally watch much pro football. Part of it is the season runs concurrent with NASCAR's Chase for the Cup. Aside from baseball, I probably follow racing more than any other sport. There was a time when I closely followed pro football but two factors have turned my off. The first is living in the DFW area, and having Jerry Jones as the owner of the local franchise. You have to look far to find a more self-serving, egotistical character.

The second reason is the same fault that I have with the NBA. It's too much about glorifying self. I can't stand it when a player feels the need to celebrate themselves on the field. A defensive player makes a great tackle or sack and then celebrates their conquest. That is exactly why I like the "excessive celebration" penalty in college football. You cross the goal line, toss the ball to the referee and then celebrate with your teammates on the way to the bench. You don't dance, jive or dive into the stands. The same attitudes have turned me off to pro basketball. A player makes a spectacular slam dunk and then celebrates while his teammates run down the floor to play defense without him. I have other issues with the NBA, but I don't have enough time to go into that.

I guess the reasons I like baseball and stock car racing is the there is so little glorification of self. The few "Mannys" who do have egos are looked on more with disdain than admiration. Listen to a driver interviewed after a race, and you will hear repeated references to all the people who supported him and made the victory possible.

We are hosting the Super Bowl in North Texas this year. And yes, I am serving as a volunteer. It is not because of my desire to support The NFL, or Jerry Jones. It's because I want to be a good host. The game and the events that accompany it are great for our local economy.

Fortunately the new NASCAR season starts the following weekend. Baseball season isn't far behind. I enjoy watching those sports, but also appreciate the values they promote.

Broken Arm / Broken Mind

Last weekend's events in Tucson have again brought the issue of bizarre behavior and mental illness among young people to the surface. Having worked with teenagers for many years I can recall numerous teens whose behavior caused me concern. It would always makes me uncomfortable when I had to sit down with a parent and discuss disturbing behavior that I or their teachers had observed. Sometimes the parents were able to shed light on the issue. Other times they were grateful that someone shared their concern. In such cases I was able to recommend where to go for help. Yes, there were times when I faced denial on the part of the teens family. It was a risk, because in such cases I could face an angry mom or dad.

The reality is that teens, more than any other age group, are susceptible to mental health issue. Most schizophrenics are diagnosed during the late teen and early adult years. The developing brain leaves teens and young adults especially vulnerable to delusionary behavior and obcessive disorders. Advances in media and in video gaming can only exacerbate the issue. Unfortunately, because the changes happen over a period of time, many parents miss it, or don't recognize it until it's too late. Most mental disorders can be treated in diagnosed early.

There is a stigma attached to mental illness, and that often prevents parents from seeking help even if it's observed. The reality is, if your child is running a 105 degree fever for three or more days you will seek medical help. If your child breaks a bone, you take them to the doctor to have it treated and set. Why not the same thing when the issue invovlves an illness of the mind?

What are the warning signs? Some initial ones might include:

Changes in behavior, especially withdrawal,

Sudden mood swings,

Failure to make eye contact when speaking to you or someone else,

Fits of violence or anger.

It's a God Thing

Both of our sons, Peter and Mark, will be ordained into the pastoral ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod this coming Sunday. It's hard for me to imagine a time will I will be more proud. It will be a family affair as our daugther is singing a solo, accompanied by my wife.

Peter serves on the staff of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth. He heads their multi-site, The Summit in Aledo. Mark recently completed his ministry as a urban missionary with LINC North Texas and now is serving as a church planter with Waters Edge Lutheran Church in Frisco, Texas.

There is much more to this story than two brothers who are going through a seminary program together. Both Peter and Mark started on careers that would have taken them in different directions. At one time or another both of them told me, "I see what your life is like and I don't think I will go into full-time ministry." God had other things in store, and in time both of them decided on a career in the ministry. I guess God does have a sense of humor, "never say never."

If there is a lesson here it's that, as parents, we need to allow our kids to pursue their dream. If they give up that dream, or head in a different direction, it needs to be their decision. At all times, turn them over to the Lord and pray that He accomplishes his plan in their lives. If they are on God's path, nothing we will do or say should interfere.

By the way, our daugther graduated with from TCU with a degree in music education, and then decided on a career in worship leadership. She now is following in her mother's shoes.

It's amazing how God works.