No Pinch Hitters in Heaven

I was just about to go to bed, but I figured that if I didn’t write this post now (like always) I’d end up writing it in two weeks when it becomes irrelevant. Last night I had a game. I’m coming off of a couple injuries and hope to recover and play club baseball this fall, so I’m playing in a summer league to get into a rhythm. So far I’m 0-2. I struck out on 3 pitches in my first at bat, and worked the pitcher for 6 pitches before grounding out to 2^nd in my second at bat (not too bad for my second at-bat in over a year). In last night’s game I took my best round of BP in a while and felt good. I was going to get a hit, I could see it in my mind’s eye. I took a few vicious cuts in the on deck circle and studied the pitcher like I used to when I was doing well. The batter ahead of me hit a 2-out double and I stepped towards the plate. Then my coach stopped me, and put someone else to pinch-hit for me. That would have been my only at bat. I try not to take sports (or any hobby) too seriously. God is my consuming passion and I plan to keep it that way. But I was still devastated and retreated to the dugout. Why do I share this humiliating story? Because my verse this week is 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear.” You see, when it comes to God there are no pinch hitters. Last night my coach showed a (somewhat justified) lack of faith in my abilities. I am 0-2 on the season and was unimpressive last year as well. When it comes to God though, my track record is far worse. I have an 18 year history of sin, going against God and choosing the easy or wrong way out time, and time again. But He still believes in me. God still roots for us up in Heaven and He knows we can win the battle against Satan. He knows we can get a hit for Him. God isn’t up there saying “Whoa Tay Tay, you can’t handle this. Sorry, we’re bringing someone in for you.” No, the verse makes it clear, God knows we can handle what comes out way, He believes in us, we are His star hitter and He wants us at bat. My coach may not have faith in me, but who cares? God willing I’ll be healthy enough to play baseball well into my old age, but more importantly I’m playing for His team, and He needs me at bat right now, this is my spot, no one else will do. 

The Sox' Woes Continue

I’m just going to outright say I was wrong about the Sox. I’ve given up my hopes that they have what it takes to win this year. Sure they have talent and they have plenty of fight. I’m not going to say they don’t care because they do. This is a team that doesn’t give up and throws its best out there every night; the problem is that their best isn’t good enough. I thought the O’s and Rays would fall, but the reason they are on top is because their pitching is very good. The Sox just don’t have what it takes to match up against the best. Sure they can score 3-4 runs off the best pitcher in baseball, but their pitching staff doesn’t have what it takes to shut down opposing offenses on a consistent basis. Lester and Bard’s pitching woes sunk their hopes, along with the loss of Ellsbury, Crawford, Baily, and Gonzo’s hitting prowess. I love baseball so I’ll watch every night, but I just don’t think they have what it takes to pull ahead in the AL East and fight through the playoffs to a championship win. I discounted the Celtics in the beginning of the season and they made it within one game of the Finals so who knows, maybe the Sox will win. It’s just not the same team it was in 2007 (how long ago does that feel?). 

Let's Kick it Up a Notch

As I wait for the beginning of my challenge tomorrow I got to thinking, I’m really going about this the wrong way. Many who know me also know that I am very knowledgeable and dedicated when it comes to physical fitness. I didn’t just come up with my workout routine on my own, it took years of learning from coaches and online to craft a perfect full body workout regiment. I use these routines to maintain a high level of physical fitness so I can be prepared to play baseball at a competitive level. Instead of jumping just into Bible study, why not kick it up a notch? That’s why I’m compiling a reading list in addition to my Bible study. Just as I seek advice and guidance from coaches I will look to the wisdom of my favorite authors for guidance. A few books I have in mind are… Don’t Waste your Life, Every Young Man’s Battle, The Cost of Discipleship, and Too Busy not to Pray. I will add a few C.S. Lewis books (how could I forget him?) once I get a better idea of what I wish to lead, but these four books are exactly what I need right now.  I’m tired of approaching my spiritual life haphazardly, its time I take care of my eternal body and grow closer to God. It’s a tough decision to make and it will require plenty of effort, but it’s completely worth it. Today God told me it’s as simple as choosing Him and, well, I’m choosing God.

Start the Clock

I begin my challenge this Monday, June 11. It’s going to be tough, I’ve already tried to read my Bible more but the hardest thing will be prayer. I’ve committed myself to praying 30 minutes every day. That’s not going to be easy. I feel funny asking this, but if you read this please pray for me that I can…. Pray. My prayer life has been falling apart a bit, and that’s a shame. Prayer is one of those underrated things that actually is the most important aspect of a Christian life. As I begin this challenge I know full well that it will very difficult, but completely worth the effort. Please pray for me as I take on this endeavor to get in shape physically and spiritually. I will, of course, be posting updates throughout the summer. Thanks again, and I recommend you taking a challenge too, saying you need to read the Bible is nice, but sticking to a daily regiment is not just nice, it’s how you succeed and grow closer to God.

On the Other Side

This isn’t entirely related to my Biblical study at the moment, but its important nonetheless. Currently I’m working very hard in a job that requires me to make cold calls. Essentially I call people during the day with a short (really, it’s only 2 questions) survey. You’d be surprised to hear that very few respond, and the majority of those that do are rude. Wait a minute, that’s not hard to believe because I too am one of those rude people. I used to love the moment a telemarketer would call so I can answer with a loud “click” or if I fashioned myself especially witty that day I’d put up a ruse and pretend to be someone else and get a good laugh. Yeah it was good fun, but I never realized how the other side feels. Any time someone hangs up or even yells at me (it happens) I feel bad. I’m just a kid working and trying to add a bit to a resume that needs, well, a boost; instead of receiving courtesy I get a metaphorical slap in the face. Next time a telemarketer calls I may not buy their product, but I sure as heck will be nice enough to listen to them and politely decline. Yeah getting phone calls is annoying, but it’s not like the guy on the other end is choosing to call us to sell whatever junk he’s supposed to sell. I’m sure he, like me, would choose to play baseball, spend time with family and friends, or whatever if given the opportunity. Instead he’s in a job that requires him to do something we find unpleasant. Taken in that light, let’s make the decision to be courteous. Sure it might take time out of our days or hold back some indignation, but everyone deserves courtesy and love.

Miracles: Old versus New

I’ve been doing some thinking about miracles. I was discussing my surprise in the doubt of many when it comes to the miraculous, especially pertaining to the Old Testament. Many Christians readily claim that the Old Testament is a book of stories and nothing more, but when asked whether or not they believe in Jesus’ divinity the say “Why yes, of course I do.” I have a few friends at college who aim to emulate Jesus in all they do, yet refuse to acknowledge the Bible’s perfection and authority. I ask you this, what is easier to believe, manipulation of a natural phenomenon, or something completely outside of nature? Well, I’d think that the most logical (and sane) answer is the first. Looking through the Old Testament many miracles are nothing more than a manipulation of nature. The plagues of Egypt were very commonplace yet unfortunately timed occurrences, the great flood is a magnification of an everyday tragedy, and the appearance of quail in the desert could easily be verified. In short, God’s miracles of the Old Testament were simply His intervening in the natural world. God made the word and the laws that surround it, shouldn’t he have the right to step in every once and a while to sway the pieces to His desire? Jesus is very different though, His miracle of rising from the dead is unprecedented in nature. Floods and hail storms happen all the time, but no one rises from the dead. I do not mean to discount the miracle of Jesus, of course it happened and He is our true Savior. I just write this to ask those who disbelieve the Old Testament to look at the straight facts. If you are willing to believe in a miracle completely outside of nature why do you discount a natural occurrence as a child’s story?