Wow...shooting and tear gas...

Sister Alvear · #1 02-06-2012, 10:29 AM

“Some people believe football [soccer] is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” - Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly couldn’t have been more wrong in his above quote. There are much, much more important things in life than a football being kicked on a field. Unfortunately in Brazil soccer is not just a sport; it’s a god worshipped by many. From the children practicing hours on end each day, dreaming one day they’ll give their entire life devoted to playing on a professional field, to the adults who spend hours in daily practice or even those that consider themselves devoted fans- soccer is BIG. I recently learned how such a sport has turned into one of the major idols worshiped here in Brazil. It’s an idol that they have allowed to diminish the importance of another’s life. I was saddened to think that even from the little children to the grown adults- these are all willing to devote themselves to many hours in daily practice yet many can’t spend an hour in prayer with the God that did much more than kick a ball across a field. He alone created and stretched out the heavens by His word and breathed into man life.
In Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil two teams were preparing to compete as I was preparing to walk over to church. I could hear police cars, shouting, and gun shots and once I walked to the front of the building I could see the massive riot. A riot taking place all over a god made of synthetic leather. I walked closer to where the men of the church were trying to keep those involved in the riot from coming through the church gates and as I passed, to get a closer look, I could hear the saints lifting up their voices in prayer. There is nothing greater than the precious blood of Jesus! I snapped a few pictures and once the police started setting off tear gas bombs I began to hear the guns and was then ushered quickly inside.
Outside the walls of the church – were souls worshipping their god in the way they knew how with fighting and blood being shed. Inside the walls were saints magnifying the God of all creation, who robed himself in human flesh and then shed his sinless blood so I could live a life of purpose. The Bible states, “[He came that we] might have life, and that [we] might have it more abundantly.” Cathedral Do Lovour in Campinas is absolutely Apostolic in doctrine and without any doubt Apostolic in worship. The church definitely did not let any soccer fan out worship them and the presence of God filled the congregation. Before the night was over five souls were marvelously filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and many were renewed.
Mr. Bill Shankly may have made a statement in complete error but the Bible, being without error, in its perfect and beautiful completeness states in 1 Chronicles, 26 “For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.”

MawMaw · #2 02-06-2012, 10:42 AM

Stirring parrallels.

Praying for you all there in Brazil.

Sister Alvear · #3 02-06-2012, 12:02 PM

It was rough outside last night...

Jay · #4 02-06-2012, 03:24 PM

I am thankful that our elders had the foresight to declare that our participation in the sports world should be off limits. I believe that we should take a much closer look at the way such things are done in the U.S. and I fear that in many cases we are not too far removed from this situation.

houston · #5 02-06-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

I am thankful that our elders had the foresight to declare that our participation in the sports world should be off limits. I believe that we should take a much closer look at the way such things are done in the U.S. and I fear that in many cases we are not too far removed from this situation.

Sell all that you have... purchase a one way ticket! Join her on the field. Do it, do it now!