Don’t You Wish We Had This In America?

12 Responses

1. NP

   July 12th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

   Hey Stephen,

   to what are you referring to - ping-pong or guys in short shorts?

   Actually serious question here given your upcoming book. I am a charger and padre fan (being born and raised in San Diego) I live in texas now. Should I remove temptation to sin and discouragement and move my fandom to pride of the Cowboys and Rangers. Help!

2. NP

   July 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

   ps I the first question is a joke, since you don’t me i want to make sure my humor doesn’t come accross as snarky.

   as for my other question I am serious. I am having a question of fanhood due my native city’s sports record. “If my team tempts me to sin should I change teams?”

3. Stephen Altrogge

   July 13th, 2008 at 8:28 am

   Nate -

   I thought your first question was funny. In regards to the second question, I don’t think changing the team you root for is going to solve your problem. After all, I think God lets “our” team lose to sanctify us in many ways. I think your heart would still probably find a way to sin even if you rooted for the Cowboys.

   Plus, can anyone in good conscience root for the Cowboys? The Cowboys are clearly a result of the fall (grin).

4. YellerDaisies

   July 13th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

   That was pretty incredible!

   I agree Stephen…who wants to pull for the Cowboys???

5. NP

   July 13th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

   Yes you are probably right about that. But maybe I would sin less with a winning team. i am reminded of that scripture “if your eye causes you to sin…”
   Cowboys have their issues to be sure, yet how can you root against America’s Team?

   Plus if “God lets “our” team lose to sanctify us in many ways” than the people of San Diego, or transplants like me, have had lots of sanctifying.

6. Stephen Altrogge

   July 13th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

   Nate - Didn’t the Chargers go further than the Cowboys in the playoffs last year? And the year before that Tony Romo blew the Cowboys playoff hopes on a muffed field goal hold.

   And neither the Rangers nor the Padres are doing particularly well right now. Maybe you just need to start rooting for the Steelers!

7. Elaine

   July 13th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

   Oh, people, people! Don’t you know the Philadelphia Eagles are the best team?

8. NP

   July 13th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

   Steelers? Well I did attend Ohio University which is near PA. And my first client with Accenture was LTV Steel hmmm….. I do like Mark Cuban and he will buy them soon…

   The Chargers have 0 titles and the ownership is not exactly aggressive in putting all the pieces together, unlike the Cowboys. LT and River are hurt, Gates will miss the first few games… not good given an improved AFC West. Padres well they are the padres they get close to the playoffs to sell tickets and then tank. Oh wait that’s kinda like the pirates so you know what I am talking about.

9. NP

   July 13th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

   oh yes today’s score
   Atl braves 12 Padres 3
   Padres record 37-58
   ….sanctification…

10. Stephen Altrogge

    July 13th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    At least the Padres have had winning seasons in the past 15 years. The Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 1992. They’re way past the point of sanctification in my life.

    Elaine - There’s a reason that Philly is called the most disappointed city in sports (grin)…

11. NP

    July 13th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    Yes see that is part of the problem if they always stank I could maybe live it better, like zero expectations. The padres’ winning seasons only grant hope which are dashed on the cruel rocks of next seasons’ reality. with greater hope comes greater disappointment and more of my sinful tendencies. this begs the question: given the reality of the gospel do the unspoken rules of fandom apply. For example sports fan Etiquette says stick with team even when said team frustrates you to no end. but what would the gospel cause us to say; give up the sport, learn to deal, or switch to a less frustrating team?

    never thought about these questions before. is this what your book is about?

12. Stephen Altrogge

    July 15th, 2008 at 9:55 am

    Nate - The book doesn’t answer these questions directly but it does talk about how we process winning and losing for the glory of God.

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