Back in the 90's NBC Thursday night TV ruled the ratings. The most popular show was "Seinfeld" followed by "Friends." A legendary episode of Seinfeld involved an iconic character named "The Soup Nazi!" His one line, "No soup for you!"
"No soup for you" quickly became a cultural saying that implicitly robbed someone of a said desire or joy.
Enter Phoenix Arizona! Owen and I have been in Arizona since Thursday night. We are here with his hockey team from Stockton. I am the assistant coach of the team so I get to deal with the parents in a "special" way. Our family happens to be the only family on the team that has placed our hope in Jesus. Throughout the season there has been many uncomfortable moments of tension between my family and others (most notably how we raise our kids). Two world views colliding on the stage of youth hockey. This weekend I have discovered afresh and been reminded by Darrell in this sermon, that joy (the joy of Jesus) is offensive! People who don't know the Grace of God are searching desperately for Joy the person! When confronted by Joy, I have observed two different responses.
1. Anger
2. Wonder and intrigue
Even after a crushing 13-1 loss (last night), a smiling 9 year old (Owen) is offensive to parents who have believed the lie that the Father (God) is no good. No grace.....No Joy! The joy nazi (the enemy) strikes again!
I have been surrounded/reminded this weekend that bathing in God's grace exudes a pungent odor of Joy unspeakable!!!
Enter Phoenix Arizona! Owen and I have been in Arizona since Thursday night. We are here with his hockey team from Stockton. I am the assistant coach of the team so I get to deal with the parents in a "special" way. Our family happens to be the only family on the team that has placed our hope in Jesus. Throughout the season there has been many uncomfortable moments of tension between my family and others (most notably how we raise our kids). Two world views colliding on the stage of youth hockey. This weekend I have discovered afresh and been reminded by Darrell in this sermon, that joy (the joy of Jesus) is offensive! People who don't know the Grace of God are searching desperately for Joy the person! When confronted by Joy, I have observed two different responses.
1. Anger
2. Wonder and intrigue
Even after a crushing 13-1 loss (last night), a smiling 9 year old (Owen) is offensive to parents who have believed the lie that the Father (God) is no good. No grace.....No Joy! The joy nazi (the enemy) strikes again!
I have been surrounded/reminded this weekend that bathing in God's grace exudes a pungent odor of Joy unspeakable!!!
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