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CJ on Super Bowl XLII

CJ has written a must-read post on the Super Bowl. Whether or not you agree with his predictions, I think you'll find his tips for game day very helpful. Here is a summary of his points:

1. Strategically assign the remote.
The remote control needs to be specifically assigned to someone. This cannot be just anybody. Viewers are assaulted with lame commercials, immoral commercials, commercials that assault and offend one's intelligence, and commercials that parade immodestly-dressed women.


2. Don't watch passively.
Without minimizing the skill as a gift from God, I want to direct my son's attention to character as theologically defined and described. So as Chad and I watch the game, I will draw his attention to any evidence of humility or unselfishness I observe, as well as any expression of arrogance or selfishness. I will celebrate the former and ridicule the latter.

3. Foster fellowship.
We need to make sure a room full of people are not simply passively watching the Super Bowl. With the right leadership, and with a simple changing of the channel, commercial time can be time redeemed....Watching the game should involve building relationships.

4. Draw attention to the eternal.
Sometime after the game--that same evening or the next day--it's helpful for a father to draw his child's attention to the game in light of eternity. It's also helpful for us as fathers to be reminded of an eternal perspective. The day before the 1972 Super Bowl, Dallas Cowboy running back Duane Thomas said, "If it's the ultimate game, how come they're playing it again next year?" Some players seem to get it. Sadly, many fans don't.

Make sure to read the complete post. And enjoy the game!

Posted by on February 2, 2008

Comments (5)

This was an excellent post by C.J. I'm wondering however, what it looks like practically to foster fellowship during the game itself. I find it difficult to engage in any meaningful conversations while also trying to pay close attention to the game.

I'm sure I'm missing something here. Any further thoughts would be helpful. I will say that I certainly was rejoicing last night!

Posted by Stephen Altrogge | February 4, 2008 7:41 AM

This might be a better question for CJ and not you, but seeing that I could find no other way to comment, I turn to your post.

Am I missing something or are you not allowed to comment on CJ's posts? Isn't that an important component of a blog?

Great points... I wish I had read this post prior to watching the game, though!

Posted by Chaister | February 4, 2008 12:22 PM

Can I make a brief suggestion?

I agree that parents need to focus their children's attention on godliness but wonder if at times, we can inadvertently "turn them off" - to the children's detriment. They are intelligent and do recognise selfishness and arrogant behaviour and also positive behaviours.

I've found that as my children got older they seemed less inclined to want to sit with us if the enjoyable experience was going to be *used* as a lesson. I agree that all these wonderful things which we share with our kids should be used by us, but sometimes, I wonder about the timing. Children need time to think - they may even speak to you (then or later) about the same thing...and it somehow becomes more meaningful when the child owns the observance himself.

I don't mean to imply that children shouldn't take their parents' advice, or that we shouldn't give advice at all, just that maybe there are better times than 'just now' when they are absorbed in the game or story. (clearly there are times when it must be 'now'!)

I remember the many times of reading aloud the Chronicles of Narnia I was so tempted to point out the significant issues; attitudes, character traits, pearls of Lewis' wisdom. (and sometimes I did) But also, I found through the years I was surprised at how the children themselves might use the remembered incident and apply it to whatever the situation was at the time. (Eustace is a great one on all sorts of negative behaviours, isn't he?) or I might bring up the same incident when it "fitted" more naturally and they seemed to learn better than if I'd tried to make them take note at the time of reading.

I hope this makes sense. It isn't a criticism - just a suggestion!

Christian regards - Janelle

Posted by Janelle Hardy | February 7, 2008 1:07 AM

Interesting, but I'd not even have known it was Superbowl Sunday were it not for finding this. Now, on the day, I did hear a couple of the men in our church mention it....in the context of having boycotted it upon hearing that the organisation promoting it has brought litigation against some churches for hosting "meetings" to watch it together. Knowing they get a half million a half minute for adverts time on the telly during this show, it rather rankled to see gatherings prohibited from watching it together. Seems it really IS "all about the money", a game we needn't join.

Posted by lewsta | February 9, 2008 2:11 PM

We all saw that amazing catch by David Tyree in the Super Bowl. Well, he recently sat down with the New York Times and shared his story, especially about how early in his career he made a decision to follow Christ.

Take a few minutes to read through this. There's some interesting stuff.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/tyree-talks-about-his-rise-from-rock-bottom-to-super-bowl-stardom/#more-1003

Posted by Brandon Hoops | February 13, 2008 1:38 PM

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