Thursday, February 19, 2009
Got Steroids???
After watching the Alex Rodriquez steroid story unfold this week, I began to wonder.
Why do professional athletes feel the need to take steroids? What does it say about the athletes that take them? What does it say to our youth?
I was a dedicated athlete when I was growing up. I used to go out after school to play football and basketball with my friends. I played baseball and basketball in high school and continued in baseball for a year in college. Sports were very important in my life. I was a competitive person. I remember not being a very good basketball player. I made the team, because I hustled (and they needed a tenth guy to make scrimmaging even). But I played to get in shape for baseball. I would work out before and after school to make myself stronger. I even took whey protein supplements to make myself bigger. I saw friends in my school that took steroids. Why didn't I do it? If you want to be bigger and stronger that is what you do. Right?
As a relgular Joe high schooler in Wentzville, Missouri, I knew people that took steroids. If I was seeing it in high school, there is no doubt that this must have been considered normal in professional sports. All of those kids that excelled when I was in school must have gone on to bigger and better athletic dreams. Right?
Why do professional athletes feel the need to take steroids?
Athletes are taking steroids in order to get an edge over the competition. They are doing it, because nobody is telling them it is wrong. And they see the consequences of their actions being more positive than negative.
What does it say about the athletes that take them?
We are beginning to see all of the athletes that I grew up watching coming out and say they took steroids. In essence, THEY CHEATED! When I was in school if the teacher saw you cheating you got a "F"; no questions asked. I don't know if any of these steroid era players are going in the Hall of Fame, but their records are still there. Can't we do the same thing our teachers did when we were in school and give them a ZERO.
On a side bar, if one of these guys get in and Pete Rose (one of the greatest baseball players of all time, and not a steroid user) doesn't I will be very upset.
What does it say to our youth?
Steroid use says to our youth, "Here is a short cut," "There is hardly any negative consequences," "If you want to be any good, you need them," and "It is okay. Everybody was doing it." I could go on and on.
Right and wrong is being totally blurred in today's culture. Truth is being stomped all over. The truth is "God created [us] in His own image." (Genesis 1:27) He created us to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. (Galatians 5:22-23) Steroid use is non of these things. It is selfish, prideful, and deceptive. Being the best at sports isn't what we are suppose to be living for. We are suppose to be living for God. The unnecessary pressure we are putting on athletes to perform is completely uncalled for. It is sending the wrong message to the next generation. There should be serious consequences to these athletes actions. We have all had to pay for something that we did wrong; they should have to pay for their choices.
Labels: athletes, cheating, God, steroids, truth, youth
Thursday, June 19, 2008
What is this whole blogging craze all about?
My name is Tony and I hope that all of you begin to enjoy this blog and give feedback on a regular basis. In all of my blogs we are going to be addressing some tough questions that we all face.
As I have begun the blogging process, I thought we would talk about what a blog is. The wikipedia says blogging is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, description of events, or other materials such as graphics or videos. So I am going to begin by staying true to the definition; I have inserted a video at the end of this blog that I hope you will enjoy.
Blogging is a huge thing in todays media driven society. People are allowed the complete freedom to express their opinions and views with no repercussions. We all love to speak our minds and a blog is a great way to do that. I wouldn't be doing this, if I didn't want to put my two cents in on life's narrative. If you are reading this blog, then the chances are you are on the computer on a regular basis. Which leads me to my next point, we are all inundated with different kinds of media. Do you have a computer, laptop, TV, radio, mp3 player, magazine, newspaper, xbox, cell phone, smart phone, etc.? More than likely, we are on more than one of these media at a time. I know that I am always on my laptop while I watch TV, and the majority of young adults and teenagers are taking in even more media than I am. So what is the result to people who are bombarded with this mosaic of media. In my opinion, it is leading to the desensitization of people to life as it happens to us everyday. Are you shocked anymore when you watch the local news or a video on YouTube? I know I am not.
We have answered the what and the why, but what does God have for us in our blogosphere of life? We were called to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and might (Matthew 22:37) and love our neighbor as ourself. So how can we blog and still keep these commandments? It is simple...blog to lift up the name of God and begin to show the love of God to your subscribers and readers. Don't let blogging or for that matter media in general distract you from the Creator of the universe.
I know that this blog wasn't extremely deep and overwhelming. I was definitely reaching quite a bit to incorporate spiritual truth to it. I hope it will spark some conversation with you.
What is a blog to you?
Why do we blog?
What are the effects of blogging and media?
and
How can we remain focused on our savior Jesus Christ?
Labels: Blog, God, Jesus, Questions, Tough
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