By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Please tell it isn’t true that the Tebow family pastor would say in public the reason Bronco QB Tebow is winning is due to “God’s favor.” While I believe in God and especially God’s favor in our lives, I find it difficult to believe that God is playing favorites with the Denver Broncos. This kind of comment from a pastor trivializes the Power and Majesty of God, reducing God to some cosmic bell boy simply sitting around awaiting our call for a soda or good luck.
While the testimony of Tim Tebow is genuine and real, and accepted by most people as his sincere and strong belief in God, I believe this pastor’s statement may cause more people to doubt the reality of Jesus Christ and His influence in the life of QB Tebow. Tebow already called the most polarizing figure in American sports because of his strong Christian beliefs and awkward passing posture is not being helped by his pastor in presenting an example of Christ-like character in Tebow’s life. Should we pray for Tebow? Yes, just as we would pray for any other leader, role model, mentor, and great believer!
While I believe we can all endorse and support the Christian principles that Tebow believes in and lives his life by, we must be careful not to overstep our enthusiasm and football excitement to the same level as God parting the Red Sea so that the Israelites could escape the Egyptian army attempting re-enslavement of God’s people. God is a good God, but do you really think God is ignoring the prayers of the fans of the New England Patriots this week because the Broncos and Tebow are going to win due to “God favor?”
Many Denver Bronco fans are finally enjoying a winning season after years of disappointment and failed dreams of at least reaching the NFL playoffs, much less making it to the Super Bowl. “Tebow Time” is a national pastime and if you watch TV news, read the newspapers, surf the Internet sports sites, or follow every move the team makes, you know it seems like everyone in America is talking “Tebow Time.”
This past week, CBS, NBC, and the NFL Channel were all attempting to “flex schedule” the Broncos versus Patriots game to their channel. Why? Because Tebow is good television/cable entertainment and people want to see the miracles of Saint Tebow. So they were fighting over who was going to get to broadcast the game on Sunday. By the way, if you are wondering, CBS is the place to be on Sunday.
Yes, it is hard to believe that after playing poorly for about 56 minutes of the Bears game, Tebow and company beat the Chicago Bears in overtime. I was in shock watching Broncos punter Prater kick a 59 yard field goal to send the game into overtime, and then kick a 51 yard field goal to win the game in overtime. Yes, the same punter who had his 24 yard field goal attempt blocked earlier in the game.
I am a Broncos fan and enjoy the tradition of professional football excellence of the Denver Broncos. We all have our favorite players from years gone by, or special players today that inspire leadership and excitement. QB Tebow, “the great running back,” according to the sour grape losers on the Chicago Bears, has brought that excitement back to Denver – and making, dare I say it, “the Broncos America’s Team”.
It is fun to watch and wonderful to see something special happening with our Broncos, but I don’t really think God is so busy on Sundays visiting every church service that by the time He sits down to watch the Broncos and Tebow, the game is almost over, and so God has to intervene with “His favor” otherwise the Broncos would lose.
This coming Sunday instead of praying for Denver QB Tebow and the Denver Broncos to win, maybe we can pray for less “long winded pastors” preaching The Word and letting God go to His “God Cave” earlier in the game so we don’t have to wait until the last 4 minutes of the game to find out if the Broncos are going to win. Now when you think about it, that could truly make a difference for Bronco fans and give them time to drive home from Sunday morning church less agitated, angry, full of road rage trying to get home in time for kick off. Now I believe that could be God’s favor making a difference how Christians live their lives like our fellow Christian believer – QB Tim Tebow.
And by the way, I may have prayed once or twice over the years that an opposing team would lose, but instead they generally won. I wonder why God ignored my prayers ???
Click or cut and paste the link and read the entire story:
http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/12/13/tebow-family-pastor-broncos-winning-streak-is-due-to-gods-favor/
FLASH NEWS ALERT:
According to the league office, Tebow has leapfrogged Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick into the No. 3 position among all AFC quarterbacks in fan Pro Bowl balloting.
Tebow has 420,539 votes. Fitzpatrick has 377,796.
That said, Tebow remains far behind Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (1,149,721) and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (745,835).
Question: Should we pray Tebow in to the Pro Bowl or vote him in? (Unless of course, Tebow is not playing in Indiana).
Another interesting story, “Is the Almighty Really Helping Tim Tebow?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/982945-denver-broncos-football-is-the-almighty-really-helping-tim-tebow
Blessings/Bendiciones!
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10
Friday, December 16, 2011
Is it Really Tebow Time?
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Christmas Story
Dear Dr. Maldonado,
It was great to hear from you again...and for you to share your "Christmas Story." I thank you for your consistent leadership and ability to articulate the many complex issues and concerns facing our community. Your guidance and leadership has been an inspiration for me.
There is a time when it is best not to over complicate or get so in depth that the simple Message of the Good News, may get lost in one's effort to express the words of Love and Compassion. Dr. Maldonado you have written a perfect essay that conveys the evilness of humankind that has not yet met the New Born Savior. But, we know when people come to understand the Good News, lives and societies can be transformed by the Master.
May those who read "The Christmas Story" for the first time, receive the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Maybe those of us who know the story, learn to inspire others to live it.
May the Christmas Story live in our hearts every day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
By David Maldonado, Jr.
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow.
The young couple grabbed what they could carry with them and set out in the dark night. They were leaving familiar surroundings, as well as their home, friends, and family. They were expecting their first born and wished the child could be born at home surrounded by their community. But for the sake of the child, the young couple knew they must leave, so they walked out into the cold and dangerous desert night. It was a huge risk for them to leave, but it was also a leap of faith and hope that the land to which they were going would be a life-saving and life-sustaining place.
As they made their way through the darkness, guided only by a sea of brilliant stars, they wondered what their future held for them and their child. It was their hope for the child that kept them focused and determined on their trek. They were afraid. Robbers were known to attack travelers in the night and in the desert. What if they were caught in the night? Would they be arrested and treated as common criminals? Would they be sent back to their homeland?
Fears have a way of immobilizing some people. But for this young expectant couple, fear drove them even deeper into the night. What they feared the most would be life without hope, life without a future for their new family. In their whispers they encouraged each other and prayed that their child be born in the new land of hope. They had to arrive in their new land before day broke.
But that was not to be. The child could no longer wait to be born. They were now well into their new land. They knew no one here and their surroundings looked strange and foreign. Where could they go for the birth of their child? Who would welcome them and offer hospitality? They knocked on the first door that they saw. The lights were on and the house looked welcoming. They saw the curtains move and a face peeked out to see who was knocking on the door. But the door did not open. From outside the house, they heard the voice of a woman inside.
“Who is it?” she asked in a whisper. A male voice from within the house responded in a loud irritated voice as if wanting to be heard by the travelers standing outside the door.
“Oh, nobody, just some foreigners probably looking for a handout,” responded the male voice, adding, “they should go back to where they came from.”
The young couple, hearing the voices, covered their heads and kept going. They were determined to survive. They came to yet another house with its lights still on.
“Maybe they will be more welcoming,” cried the young pregnant woman. This time, the door opened slightly.
“Who are you? What do you want? Where are you from?” the voice called from within the slightly opened door.
“We just arrived and our child is ready to be born,” responded the young father-to-be.
“We are not from here. We are not asking for charity. All we need is for our child to be born safely. I am willing to work to repay you for your kindness.”
“Humph! Some more of them. They just cause problems for the rest of us. I wish they would stop coming. I wish they would just leave. Our whole town is changing because of them, but I could sure use his cheap labor in the morning. They are good workers. Hope nobody is looking,” thought the man from behind the door.
With a suspicious glare, the man yelled out, “OK, you can stay in the back, but don’t make trouble or we will call the police on you and send you back where you came from.”
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow. A child is born in a new land and there is life and hope for a family. Many of us know this as the story of the birth of Jesus. It is also the story of the birth of the child of the immigrant today. It is the story of hope.
It was great to hear from you again...and for you to share your "Christmas Story." I thank you for your consistent leadership and ability to articulate the many complex issues and concerns facing our community. Your guidance and leadership has been an inspiration for me.
There is a time when it is best not to over complicate or get so in depth that the simple Message of the Good News, may get lost in one's effort to express the words of Love and Compassion. Dr. Maldonado you have written a perfect essay that conveys the evilness of humankind that has not yet met the New Born Savior. But, we know when people come to understand the Good News, lives and societies can be transformed by the Master.
May those who read "The Christmas Story" for the first time, receive the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Maybe those of us who know the story, learn to inspire others to live it.
May the Christmas Story live in our hearts every day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
By David Maldonado, Jr.
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow.
The young couple grabbed what they could carry with them and set out in the dark night. They were leaving familiar surroundings, as well as their home, friends, and family. They were expecting their first born and wished the child could be born at home surrounded by their community. But for the sake of the child, the young couple knew they must leave, so they walked out into the cold and dangerous desert night. It was a huge risk for them to leave, but it was also a leap of faith and hope that the land to which they were going would be a life-saving and life-sustaining place.
As they made their way through the darkness, guided only by a sea of brilliant stars, they wondered what their future held for them and their child. It was their hope for the child that kept them focused and determined on their trek. They were afraid. Robbers were known to attack travelers in the night and in the desert. What if they were caught in the night? Would they be arrested and treated as common criminals? Would they be sent back to their homeland?
Fears have a way of immobilizing some people. But for this young expectant couple, fear drove them even deeper into the night. What they feared the most would be life without hope, life without a future for their new family. In their whispers they encouraged each other and prayed that their child be born in the new land of hope. They had to arrive in their new land before day broke.
But that was not to be. The child could no longer wait to be born. They were now well into their new land. They knew no one here and their surroundings looked strange and foreign. Where could they go for the birth of their child? Who would welcome them and offer hospitality? They knocked on the first door that they saw. The lights were on and the house looked welcoming. They saw the curtains move and a face peeked out to see who was knocking on the door. But the door did not open. From outside the house, they heard the voice of a woman inside.
“Who is it?” she asked in a whisper. A male voice from within the house responded in a loud irritated voice as if wanting to be heard by the travelers standing outside the door.
“Oh, nobody, just some foreigners probably looking for a handout,” responded the male voice, adding, “they should go back to where they came from.”
The young couple, hearing the voices, covered their heads and kept going. They were determined to survive. They came to yet another house with its lights still on.
“Maybe they will be more welcoming,” cried the young pregnant woman. This time, the door opened slightly.
“Who are you? What do you want? Where are you from?” the voice called from within the slightly opened door.
“We just arrived and our child is ready to be born,” responded the young father-to-be.
“We are not from here. We are not asking for charity. All we need is for our child to be born safely. I am willing to work to repay you for your kindness.”
“Humph! Some more of them. They just cause problems for the rest of us. I wish they would stop coming. I wish they would just leave. Our whole town is changing because of them, but I could sure use his cheap labor in the morning. They are good workers. Hope nobody is looking,” thought the man from behind the door.
With a suspicious glare, the man yelled out, “OK, you can stay in the back, but don’t make trouble or we will call the police on you and send you back where you came from.”
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow. A child is born in a new land and there is life and hope for a family. Many of us know this as the story of the birth of Jesus. It is also the story of the birth of the child of the immigrant today. It is the story of hope.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
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