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Super apology

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Well everybody, after all is said and done with Super Bowl LIII, I think I would have rather had church.

I must apologize. I felt so guilty over canceling church for the Super Bowl that I had to go and give you an assignment try to somehow spiritualize the experience. That was a poor use of my leadership responsibilities. I was trying to get you to turn the Super Bowl into church and that’s just not going to happen. Of course there is truth and something good to be found in pretty much anything, but that is our daily calling for walking through life, not for me to ask you to cover for my insistence on not letting anything get in the way of my seeing this game.

And then, to add insult to injury, the game was one of the most boring in history, the half-time show had none of the social commentary many were expecting; the Rams lost; and the ads, well … the ads were forgettable, with the exception of Verizon’s tribute to the lives saved by first responders. But I must say, as it all went down, I couldn’t help but think:  And I told everybody to watch this? I am so sorry.

In a reading for today, I found this from Psalm 28:6-9:

Praise be to the Lord.

     for He has heard my cry for mercy.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

     my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

     and I will give thanks to Him in song.

The Lord is the strength of His people,

     a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.

Save your people and bless your inheritance;

     be their shepherd and carry them forever.

It is so good to know God’s mercy and salvation have already redeemed our lives and forgiven our selfishness and stupidity. Thank goodness the Lord is our shepherd and will carry us forever. Praise be to the Lord.

See you next Sunday live at Church at the Catch, 6pm Pacific time www.facebook.com/thecatch. Come as you are! Come ready to participate, or you’re welcome to just watch and listen.

13 responses to “Super apology”

  1. Sandie

    I haven’t been a real football fan since our son took off his college uniform…except to watch Tebow lead the Broncos, but for some reason I did watch most of the game last night! I, for one, was glad there was no political overtone during half-time or the National Anthem.I am tired of it. For me, I DID see the Spirit of God there and I heard Him too…When Gladys performed a heartfelt, professional Star-spangled Banner, and in her commentary about it. I saw Him after the game, when Tom Brady and the MVP winner (I forget his name!) bear-hugged each other with the raw emotion of respect and love for each other. That brought me to tears. In that crowd I’m sure there were a multitude of believers blessing everyone they came into contact with. For me, that’s ‘church.’ You brought Proverbs 11:37 to mind the other day. I prefer to dig deep to find the good…it comforts me when The Spirit shines His light into the dark…and behold, there IS good to be found!
    I did like the Harrison Ford commercial – I’m a sucker for a dog!

    Reply
    1. Pam

      Thanks, Sandie, for your positivity. I love it! Yes, there is good to be found in everything.

      Reply
    2. Mark D Seguin

      I as Pam thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments, Sandie and seeing Tom Brady & his receiver hug (can’t recall his name right now too) brought a tear rolling down my cheek, plus Tom’s a Michigan man too!

      Reply
    3. jwfisch

      You did it! Good for you. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  2. Mark D Seguin

    An apology from you was not needed! I wouldn’t have attended Church either way – Just like when I first become as new born-again follower of Christ in the 1980’s I didn’t attend the evening Church Services on Super Bowl Day simply because my salvation didn’t depend on it and I’m not a Pharisee, but a recovering one… 🙂 <3

    PS I loved the game and the great defense play in it, plus the ending score!

    Reply
    1. jwfisch

      I love all recovering Pharisees! Thanks Mark!

      Reply
  3. kellief4

    🙂

    Reply
  4. bobnearseattle

    We forgive you, John.
    You can’t be held responsible for what happened or not in Atlanta.
    So much hype, so little delivery.

    Our household ignored most of the game but we wanted to watch the halftime show with a guest appearance featuring SpongeBob SquarePants.
    Even though performances both on the field and on the stage flopped like a fish, little else resembled the mirth and entertainment created by the late Stephen Hillenburg

    So, using our I-M-A-G-I-N-A-T-I-O-N and utilizing the television magic of Nickelodeon and YouTube, here’s the SB halftime show we would have rather seen:
    “Sweet Victory” by SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom Super Band.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9iYm9PEAHg

    🙂

    Reply
  5. John A Fagliano

    I didn’t get to see most of the game. I was at work in the restaurant. It was very slow, of course, and I did get to see the end of the game during my break. I also caught glimpses of it from time to time, as did others.

    There is no need to apologize. You are entitled to skip church to spend quality time with friends and family watching a game. For a lot of people it’s almost become a holiday.
    That said, I agree, the Super Bowl was one big epic fail. But that’s not your fault. They just need to stop overhyping and over glamorizing the whole thing and turning it into an idol.

    I agree with what you said yesterday, and what Sandie said today. Good can be found anywhere you look for it. God is always present.

    I work every Sunday evening so I always listen to the Catch later in the night when I get home. It’s always a good way to close out the weekend and start a new week. But anytime you want to skip a Sunday is OK too.

    Reply
  6. Maureen

    Please don’t beat yourself up over this. I agree with your decision to cancel church in favor of the Super Bowl. It’s a cultural event celebrated by many and enjoyed for not only the game itself, but the gatherings with friends and family. I think it’s more than ok that you wanted to watch, and enjoy it, and everything that goes with it. That’s life… We’re supposed to be light and salt, right? Get in the game, you Salty Dog 😉
    Would your opinion be different if the game were more exciting or if the Rams won?

    Reply
  7. Tom Branscom

    You missed it!
    This Superbowl was a spiritual experience. Man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart. At the heart was a fantastic chess match between two defensive geniuses, Bill Belichick and Wade Phillips. It’s been a long time since a Tom Brady offense, and the LA Rams offense, have been stopped in their tracks. It took planning, and practice, and execution. Kind of like discipleship. And, like our spiritual experience, it had a glorious ending!

    Sometimes church happens when you’re not looking.
    Tom, from New Hampshire.

    Reply
    1. jwfisch

      Well there you go. Yes it was an incredible defensive effort on both sides. Thanks for the positive outcome.

      Reply
  8. Gary

    Forgiven!

    Reply

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