Baseball - Dog Days

John 16:33 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

As the baseball season begins – and as your season of faith begins – you can be sure that the dog days are not far off. In baseball, the dog days are when the grind starts to bring you down physically, but even more so mentally.

They usually hit around August, in the middle of the 162 games that are being played in roughly 180 days. That’s a lot of action. No wonder that during this long, ongoing, day-to-day battle a time comes when the mind starts to wander. The team may be going through some struggles or you personally may be having a tough time and that just piles on to the natural weight that the season already brings.

The hope for many players during the dog days is the start of the football season. It reminds them that the end of their own season is near and gives them something other than their performance to occupy their mind.

In life after opening day, while we are living out our purpose, the grind of routine life (the dog days) tries to bring us down. But in John 16:33 we are told of a hope that will sustain us. It is a hope greater than anything in this world!

Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We will face trouble. Every day is not perfect. Sometimes due to our own faults or outside forces, trouble comes. But Jesus tells us to have no fear because he has overcome the world. What is amazing is that when he says this, he hasn’t even gone to the cross yet. Yet his words weren’t I WILL overcome the world. He declared, with confidence, I HAVE overcome the world!

Don’t be dismayed when things are not going as well as you had hoped they would. Although the season is long and the dog days are real, we should be encouraged to know that there is still time to make adjustments. We can get back into the fight to make a playoff run.

Be empowered today and everyday hereafter not just because we have a Savior who did some neat things, but because we have a Savior who has overcome the world. He sustains us as we battle through our seasons.

Dear Lord, when the dog days come help us to be empowered by you. Help us to not fade away but to stay strong. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Baseball - positions

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Out on the baseball field, there are different positions. You have pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders. Each one has a different role and a different area of responsibility on the diamond. Pitchers throw and catchers catch, infielders throw to first and outfielders run like gazelles to make great plays. Of course, that’s the simplified version. What we have to remember, however, is that while there are different roles, we have a common goal. As Herm Edwards once said, “You play to win the game!” That’s something we can’t forget.

God gifts us all in different ways. If we get caught up in our position in the Christian life, we risk forgetting our purpose. As 1 Peter 3:18 says, that purpose is to: “…to BRING YOU TO GOD” (my emphasis).

Jesus came to remove the obstacles that separate us from God. He came to right the relationship between God and us. And when Jesus gave us the charge in Matthew 28:19 (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the game of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”) He wanted to reinforce that playing our positions well and doing our part is beneficial but the purpose is bringing people back to God. As John Piper said, “Life is not about getting people to heaven, but getting people to God.”

As you perform your tasks today, be diligent and use the talents you have been given. Mistakes and frustrations will come, and we can easily allow our attention to turn inward, forgetting that the purpose is to win the game. Winning in the game of life means giving yourself and others a chance to reencounter or encounter for the first time our living God through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us each a position to fill in Your plan. We pray that we would do our very best to use that position to bring others to You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Baseball - opening day

Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Opening day is exciting! At least for baseball players and fans. For the player, the day-to-day grind of spring training is over and a new joy begins to form. When the repetition of spring training finally ends and playing games takes on purpose, both fans and players start to dream. It’s a new season. The slate is wiped clean from all the happiness or misery of the last season. Off-season moves have been made. The buzz is high because the record is 0-0 and every team feels as though they have a chance to make a playoff run. I find it fun how baseball is basically life in microcosm.

The Scripture passage (Hebrews 10:9-18) reminds us that Jesus came, and if we are in a relationship with him, he has wiped our slate clean. Specifically referencing Jeremiah 31:34, he says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Last season, last year, yesterday... anything before today, no longer has weight. When we encounter the Living God, opening day has arrived!

Just as the boys of summer get excited for the start of the season and games that matter, we have joy in the fact that our lives matter in Christ. From the moment we recognize the grace that has been given to us by God, our once meaningless lives find purpose. Where there was no hope, we now have hope. When we’re tired and broken, we can be strengthened and encouraged knowing we are no longer alone. We don’t have to fight only for ourselves. We now have a team: Jesus and other believers throughout the world.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul reinforces our opening day mentality:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!

As you go through your day, dwell on the amazing reality of your clean slate. Yesterday holds no weight. The new day is here.

And if you feel like you’re stuck in spring training, take hope that opening day is near and there is a Savior who accepted you even before you accepted him. Sing out Romans 3:24: “…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Dear Lord, we thank You that as Spring training winds down that You have already chosen us. All we have to do is choose You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Rivera Finds Solace, True Purpose in Foundational New Testament Verse

Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV)

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Game 7 (November 4, 2001): Arizona Diamondbacks 3, New York Yankees 2

Mariano Rivera had been there before—countless times. That year alone, more than 50 times, he had entered the ninth inning with a lead of three runs or less and shut down the opposition.

And when Rivera stared down home plate at Bank One Ballpark in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, no one, not even the most diehard of Arizona fans, expected anything different.

With a 2-1 lead, it seemed fitting that the Yankees were about to clinch yet another MLB title—especially considering the emotionally wrenching seven weeks New York City and the rest of the nation had endured. 9/11 was still on everyone’s mind and took center stage again when President George W. Bush famously threw out the first pitch back in Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of the series.

But then, things took an unexpected turn. Mark Grace led off with a single. Then Rivera inexplicably threw a bunted ball into centerfield while attempting to get the out at second base. Two batters later (with one out on the board), Tony Womack hit a game-tying double. Rivera had officially blown one of the biggest save opportunities.

As Luis Gonzalez walked to the plate with a pinch runner Jay Bell in scoring position, “Phil. 4:13,” a reference to a New Testament passage Rivera often recalled, could be found written on his glove and his cleats.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Rivera hurled his trademark cutter that had caused so many batters to swing and whiff. Only this time, Gonzalez connected on a broken bat single up the middle—just out of the reach of second baseman Derek Jeter’s glove.

It was a difficult flight back to New York. Not only was Rivera distraught following the loss, he was also notoriously afraid of flying. He later revealed that it was two things within arm’s reach that consoled him on that long trip home—his wife Clara and his Bible.

“I have to believe that every pitch I throw is the right pitch and is a great pitch, and the next one will do the job. Always, always.” Rivera once told ESPN.com, “When I talk about the Lord, I'm not talking about praying to him for Him to give you what you want. People always pray for something they want. He's going to give you what you need. That doesn't mean you're going to win the game. It really has nothing to do with baseball.”

Rivera went on to complete his career in 2013 as the all-time saves leader with an astounding 652. He will undoubtedly be gracing the Baseball Hall of Fame soon enough. But his ability to deal with triumph and trial, winning and losing, can be found in his understanding of the lesser known verse that precedes Philippians 4:13—a verse that was written by the Apostle Paul while under house arrest.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12)

While not always an easy verse to live out, Rivera certainly benefited throughout his career (and in particular during Game 7 of the 2001 World Series) thanks to Paul’s grounded words of wisdom.

Dear Lord, we thank You that we can lean on You in the good times and bad times. We thank You for the strength that You give us. Help us to never try to do it on our own. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Freese Finds Calm Under Pressure in Iconic Psalm

Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

    for his name's sake.

Game 6 (October 28, 2011): St. Louis Cardinals 10, Texas Rangers 9 (11 innings)

Considered one of the greatest World Series games of all time, the epic 11-inning battle between St. Louis and Texas was an emotional rollercoaster that included just about everything you might expect to see take place on a baseball field. With 12 walks and five errors, it wasn’t the prettiest game ever played, but the abundance of dramatic moments and unbelievable ending elevated the back-and-forth contest into elite status.

Down 3-2 in the series, the Cardinals needed a home victory at Busch Stadium to force a seventh and deciding game. It wasn’t looking good heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. St. Louis was trailing 7-5 and down to its last strike with two runners on base and third baseman David Freese at the plate.

Freese has said that he remains calm by turning to his favorite Bible passage—an iconic chapter from one of the Old Testament’s most quoted books:

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.” (Psalm 23)

This moment in Freese’s career was certainly a time for calm. As Rangers fans prepared to celebrate, he sent the next pitch over Nelson Cruz’s head and off the right field wall for a two-RBI triple. Freese then stood stone-faced on third base, perhaps a little shocked at his own heroics.

The fact that he was even in that position served as a testament to a life-changing decision he had made nearly two years earlier. After nearly blowing his dream of playing in the big leagues due to some poor personal choices, Freese became a Christian and found help from spiritual mentors such as team manager Mike Matheny and teammate Matt Holliday.

“I look back at that now and realize that was a very big moment in my life,” Freese said. “This world is crazy. You don’t know what can happen. I can tell you right now I wouldn’t be in this position, personally or professionally.”

That’s when Psalm 23 became his favorite verse—something he would often read when he was having a bad day or about to approach a stressful situation. Such an opportunity came up again later in Game 6.

It was the bottom of the 11th inning. St. Louis and Texas had traded more shots an inning earlier to bring the score to 9-9. When Freese walked to the plate for the sixth time, he now faced Rangers reliever Mark Lowe with no outs and no runners on base. With a full count, Freese took a fastball down the middle and powered it over the centerfield wall. The Cardinals survived elimination in thrilling fashion and went on to win the World Series with a 6-2 victory the following night.

Freese fully understands that his life isn’t defined by what happened that night in St. Louis, but he also embraces the strength and peace that he received from the words of the psalmist—for big moments like the World Series and every other situation he might face.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the comforting words that You have given to us in Psalm 23. Thank You for the peace and strength You give. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Moore Finds Courage to Lead in an Apostolic Letter

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Game 5 (November 1, 2015): Kansas City Royals 7, New York Mets 2 (12 innings)

It might have been Game 5, but the showdown between Kansas City and New York in the Big Apple had the feel of something much bigger.

Down three games to one, the New York Mets were fighting to keep alive their hope for a first World Series title in 29 years. For the Royals, the stakes were equally high as they were trying to clinch the club’s first championship in 30 years.

Throughout the first eight innings, it was the Mets that seemed poised to extend its life another game. Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run in the first inning and Lucas Duda drove in Granderson on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning while starting pitcher Matt Harvey cooled off Kansas City’s hot bats.

But with two late comeback victories already during the World Series, the Royals proceeded to make history with a two-run ninth inning followed by a five-run 12th inning that led to a 7-2 win and the championship.

The result was particularly satisfying for Dayton Moore. Back in 2006, he was the assistant GM for the Atlanta Braves and loved the job he had held for 12 years. When the Royals called to offer him the General Manager position in Kansas City, he nearly turned down the opportunity. Moore had previously turned down two other teams, but this time thought long and hard about the chance to move closer to his hometown in western Kansas.

Ultimately, it was a phone call to his spiritual mentor that helped him accept the job. Tim Cash, the Braves team chaplain, had some simple, but powerful words for Moore.

“You were born an original,” Cash said. “You don’t want to die a copy.”

The clincher was when Cash quoted a passage from one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to his protégé Timothy:

“For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

There was a lot to fear taking the job in Kansas City. It was a small market that had not experienced much success since winning the World Series way back in 1985. When Moore took over, the Royals had finished above .500 just seven times during that time frame, and it didn’t get much easier. The club suffered through another seven losing seasons before breaking through in a big way during the 2014 season but fell short in a heartbreaking seven-game World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

But Kansas City bounced back and found its way to the Fall Classic despite some close calls and near misses that could have derailed Moore’s long-term plan. Regardless of the outcome, Moore has remained steadfast in his desire to impact players’ and coaches’ lives.

“Being in position like this is somewhere between a blessing and a burden,” Moore said. “I didn’t ask to be in this position. In a lot of ways, I have found working at the minor league level in player development to be more fulfilling. But it’s a blessing to do something that you love to do and that you’re passionate about.”

And because of his belief in the message found in 2 Timothy 1:7, Moore was able to transfer his passion into an inspirational if not unlikely success story.

Dear Lord, we thank You that You didn’t give us a spirit of fear. Thank You that we can face any situation knowing You are giving us strength. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Simple Kindness

2 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Something amazing happened at a Major League Baseball park not long ago. No, there weren’t any records broken. In fact, the extraordinary event didn’t even take place on the field. It happened in the stands.

The whole scene unfolded on camera. At the end of the third inning, a player from the Milwaukee Brewers threw a ball into the stands to a young fan wearing their jersey. Also standing at the railing hoping for a ball was twelve-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks fan, Ian McMillan. When the ball came down, Ian reached out and caught it in his hat. Excited, he headed back to his seat. But that’s when Ian looked back and noticed how sad the younger boy was about not getting the ball. Without prompting from adults, Ian immediately turned, walked back to the younger fan, and handed him the ball.

It was an unusual display of selflessness and maturity. In the days that followed, news stations illustrated that fact by contrasting Ian’s behavior with that of adults. One man literally wrestled a ball away from a woman a few seats away. And, in another video, two men nearly got into a fist fight.

Maybe it strikes you like it does me that selfish behavior is so common that a simple act of kindness by a youngster at a ball game is enough to capture our attention. That’s why we need more examples like Ian to remind us of what’s really important in life. May our love for Christ make an impression on everyone around us simply because we’re quick to do what’s right toward other people.

Dear Lord, help us to look for ways to show kindness today. Thank You for being a great example of on that shows love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Lesson learned from baseball uniforms

Proverbs 26:1  (ESV)

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

    so honor is not fitting for a fool.

In honor of Baseball season beginning I wanted to share some devotions around baseball. White at home. Gray on the road. You don’t mix them. You’ll never see a Big League team wear the white home jersey with the gray road pants, or vice versa. They just don’t go together.

Snow during the summer time would be really odd, just like the combination of white and gray in the uniform.

Rain during harvest would be frustrating, just like trying to figure out who was the home team with mismatched uniforms.

In the same way, both odd and frustrating, giving honor and recognition to a foolish person just doesn’t fit.

Here are two things to remember to avoid making that mistake:

Don’t ignore what you don’t want repeated. No, foolish behavior doesn’t just go away on its own. If players aren’t motivated, don’t respect the coaches, refuse to get with the program, ignoring them isn’t going to make them go away. It will actually feed all those negative behaviors. In a sense, it gives them honor because they are allowed to continue.

Reward what you want repeated. Catch people doing the right thing and reward it. Call it out, make sure others know that’s what is desired, do something to recognize the behavior that creates the culture you desire in your home, on your team, among your friends, and so on.

We wouldn’t wear white with gray, so let’s not give honor to foolishness, either.

Dear Lord, help us to be wise. When the foolish things of live come our way help us not honor them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Baseball and witnessing

Matthew 5:14 (ESV)

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Sharing your faith with others isn’t always the most popular topic. If you’re like most people, you’re probably not all that excited about sharing your faith. You may feel that if you share your faith people will think you’re stupid. You might be afraid that they might not like you if he finds out you’re a Christian. So you do what many Christians do, you stay quiet about your faith. You don’t speak up when someone challenges what you believe. You know that praying with your friend who’s parents are going through a divorce would really help, but you’re afraid of what your friend might think. The list of excuses we make for not sharing our faith can be pretty long. However, let’s take a look at what baseball can teach us about sharing our faith with others.

I know a guy who is a huge baseball fan. He watches baseball all the time on TV. If he’s traveling, he will try to catch a game in whatever town he’s in, if he can. Baseball is something he’s really excited about. Lately, his favorite team has not been doing really well. They’ve been losing a ton of games, but he still sticks with his team. Every conversation this guy brings up baseball and his favorite team. He talks and talks and talks about it. Why? Because he’s so excited about his team.

My friend is not that weird. We are all like that. When we are really excited about something, we like to talk about it. If we have discovered something new, we tell others. If we find a good deal on something at the mall, we tell others. So why is it that when it comes to something as exciting as finding Jesus do we shut up? Shouldn’t something that has changed our lives, something that affects how we live our lives everyday be something we share with others?

Why is it that we talk about our favorite baseball team with everyone we know, but when it comes to sharing our faith, many times we tell no one. We have something way more exciting than a winning team, we have a winning God. We have a God who loved us, and gave his son so that we could experience life change and a relationship with Him. Why aren’t we filling our Twitter feed with that news?

It’s easy to get afraid to share our faith with others. It’s easier to not say anything so that we don’t look weird to others. However, we are called to be salt and light to our world.

Today’s verse shows us that we are to be showing God to others. We are not to keep God a secret from the people in our lives. Just like when talk about our favorite baseball team to everyone we know, we should be telling everyone we know about God. We should be letting others know that God has changed our lives, and to let them know that He can change theirs too. If God has done something in your life, you should believe that He will do the same for others. So choose to put your fears aside and to step up and tell others about God.

Dear Lord, we pray for boldness to share the good news of Your love to others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Getting started

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

When Ralph Houk was manager of the New York Yankees, baseball schedules were even more exacting than they are now, with double-headers almost every week. Occasionally a player would get sick of the grind and approach Houk, asking for permission to sit out a game. "I know how you feel," the manager would say genially. "Sure, take the day off, But do me a favor. You're in the starting lineup. Just play one inning. Then skip the rest of the game." The player would honor Houk's request--and almost invariably get caught up in the spirit of the game and play it out to the end.

So often in our life the hardest part of getting something done is getting started. Once we get past that initial step we finish        what is before us without any trouble. As our verse says God renews everything. He has it ready for us to start afresh ever day. Today push a little to get started and finish What God has for you to accomplish.

Dear Lord, help us to be motivated to get our self-going. Give us the strength for what is before us today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Grace saves the day.

Ephesians 2:8-9  (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Today my wife and I went to a Spring training game with the Detroit Tigers. As I watched them struggle to score runs it reminded me of a story I had read some time ago. As you read the story think about today's verse.

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs.

They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails."

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass. Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace.

Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"

Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground. The roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence for a home run!

The Lord's team won!

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you home."

Dear Lord, thank You for the grace that You give to each of us. Help us remember that it is by Your grace that we can join You in Heaven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Lord's Baseball Team

Ephesians 2:8-9  (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

I love baseball season. I remember Dad taking us to Tiger Stadium to watch the Detroit Tigers play.  Dad would get tickets right on the dugout. I remember thinking  how cool   it was to sit   so close to the players as they came and went off the field.  Then as I had a family of my own the surprise trip we took that ended up at Tigers Stadium. I still remember the joy and excitement that was on my oldest son’s face as he woke up from his nap in the car. In honor of another baseball season I wanted to share this great story about baseball and grace.  PLAY BALL!

Bob was caught up in the spirit where he and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails. The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love. The next batter up was named Godly wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch; Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass, because Godly Wisdom does not swing at Satan's pitches.

Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at Satan's throws. The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said he sure did not look like much! Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder, the Prince of the air, let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run! The Lord's team won.

The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My grace can get you home. My grace is the one thing Satan cannot stop.

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your amazing grace. Help us always remember that we can’t do it on our own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.   

What Label Do You Wear?

Ephesians 1:7 (New International Version)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Throughout baseball's long history, several baseball players have made terrible mistakes or errors that cost their team dearly. In September of 1908, Giants player Fred Merkle committed what author Noel Hynd calls "baseball's most famous lapse." Dave Anderson says it has "endured for nearly a century as baseball's most controversial moment in baseball's most controversial pennant race."

It happened in the ninth inning of a Giants vs. Cubs game. The Giants came to bat with a chance to win. There were only three weeks left in the season and a win against the Cubs would put the Giants back in first place. There were two outs, with a runner on third and Fred Merkle on first.

Al Bridwell stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive into right center. The runner on third crossed the plate with the winning run but Merkle, instead of touching second, turned and ran quickly back to the clubhouse to avoid the oncoming crowd. The game was over, or so he and everyone else thought......

A Cubs player noticed that Merkle had not touched second, took a ball to second base and called it to the umpire's attention. Later that night, the umpire ruled that Merkle was out and the next morning the National League allowed the ruling, saying the game had ended in a 1-1 TIE.

In the press, Fred Merkle was blasted! Merkle retired after the 1926 season and he retreated to the seclusion of Florida . Fred Merkle spent his remaining days in Daytona Beach . He became ill and passed away on March 2nd, 1956. Some years earlier, he had given an interview. In the back of a tackle shop, he told the reporter, "I suppose when I die, they'll put on my tombstone, 'Here Lies Bonehead Merkle.'"

The world can be an unforgiving place. Make a mistake and you may NEVER hear the end of it. Make a BIG enough mistake, and it can ruin your life and label you forever as a goof, a loser, or even a bonehead.

Thank goodness God doesn't work that way! He sent His Son to die on a cross so that you can be forgiven of your sins, so that you can be redeemed through the blood spilt on the cross, so that you can enjoy the richness of God's grace. *

Dear Lord we thank You that the label we can wear because of You is “Saved” Help us today to share that great message with those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Are You Like Barnabas?

Galatians 6:1-2 (New International Version)

 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

As we get close to opening day of Baseball season let’s take a look at a name we all will likely recognize, Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson Was the first African-American to play Major League baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson faced hatred nearly everywhere he traveled. Pitchers threw fastballs at his head. Runners spiked him on the bases, ugly insults were written on cards and spoken from the opposing dugouts. Even the home crowds in Brooklyn saw him as an object of reproach.

During one game in Cincinnati, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. To make matters worse, Robinson committed an error and stood at second base humiliated while the fans hurled insults at him. Another Dodger, a Southern white man by the name Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, and with the crowds looking on; he put his arm around Robinson's shoulder. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

That reminds me of a similar story in the Bible. Saul was a most unlikely candidate for Christianity. I doubt if he was on anybody's soul-winning list. Except God's. The reason is that you would have been locked up or killed before you got through the first Bible study. The words Saul and persecution were synonymous. So, Saul had a bit of a problem when he became a Christian. Everybody was afraid to get close to him. The members of the Jerusalem church thought that Paul was pulling a fast one, that he was only pretending to be a disciple.

After all, that was a perfect plan -- pretend to become a member of the church, get the names of all of the members, call the Sanhedrin and then take the whole bunch to prison. Sounds like a spy story, doesn't it? But, they weren't about to fall for that one! But Barnabas accepted him.

There are a couple of things about Barnabas that we need to imitate. First of all, he was a man who insisted on believing the best in others. When others suspected Saul of being a spy, Barnabas insisted on believing he was genuine and real. The world is largely divided into people who think the best of others and people who think the worst of others. "Love doesn't keep track of wrongs....never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up." (I Corinthians 13:5,7.

Barnabas was also a person who didn't hold a man's past against him. It happens so often that whenever a man makes a mistake, he is forever condemned in our eyes. It is a wonderful characteristic of God that he doesn't hold our past sins against us. We, too, should never condemn a man just because he has failed in the past.

What a great example! We've all been there -- standing in need of someone to face our problems with us. And we have those around us who need the encouraging arm around the shoulder.

Dear Lord we pray today that we would be like Barnabas and that we would encourage those we come into contact with. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Heaven is The Home Plate.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (New International Version)

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

There is a baseball Hall of Fame where Heaven is the home plate. When you are born you are automatically placed on a "team" and as soon as you can stand on your own, you get the chance to bat. Life throws you a pitch and you are given the option to swing at it with your own free will knowing that sometimes you will strike out and sometimes you will make it to first base. Not batting at life's pitches will only cause you to strike out anyway.

Everyone is given three chances at life's pitches once you get up to bat. If you take a swing and make it to first base, then you wait for the next guy to move you along because it's all a team effort. If you are lucky up at bat, you can advance to second base. There are those who try to "steal" a base occasionally, but stealing too many bases is risky business and life is bound to catch up with you eventually. It's a 50/50 chance either way. If someone on your team hits a really good swing, you can try sliding into third. Sometimes you skin your knees sliding into third base. You just have to stand, brush yourself off and get on your feet again. It's all part of the game of life.

The thrill of making it almost home is overwhelming and everyone in the stands is cheering for you to make it there. Home plate is just a "run" away and everyone on the team wants to get home. Only a few ever make it to home plate by hitting a home run and not everyone on the team makes it home at all. Not everyone ever makes it to third base either - some never even get to first. There are no guarantees in the baseball game of life.

Even those who strike out are given the chance to make it "home" one day if they just trust the coach. Jesus is the coach and he lets everyone play the game, not just the ones who make the hits or hit the home runs. Everyone gets a shot up at bat and in His eyes, no one has to sit on the sidelines. But, the choice is yours to make it to home. Accept the coach as your savior today and become a part of the baseball Hall of Fame in Heaven. It's a winning team and the game lasts for an eternity!

Dear Lord we thank You for letting us be on Your team. We pray that we would let You lead us in all things. Help us each bring others to join the team. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Showing kindness

The great baseball player Babe Ruth was honored and revered during his long reign as basball's elite in the 1900s. Known as the "Sultan of Swat," Babe hit 714 regular-season home runs during his baseball career and built a fabled reputation in many championship games.




In his declining years, however, people expected to see him perform as a raw, talented rookie. Perhaps he stayed one too many seasons, and should have retired, but the need for money and the desire to squeeze one more good season out of his body kept him going. It is said that in his final year as a professional, Babe was almost embarrassing to watch at times.




It all came to a head one day after Babe had committed some costly errors to hurt his team, amounting to some decisive runs by the opponent. The home team supporters reached their limit. As the Babe headed toward the dugout after the third out of the inning, fans began merciless taunting and booing, humiliating the once-great athlete. Forgotten were the days when he had been the catalyst for so many championship years. The booing was incredible.




They say that at that moment, a boy jumped over the railing and ran onto the playing field, crying. He ran to his hero and wrapped his arms around the Babe. Ruth immediately responded by lifting him up and returning the hug and then patting him gently on the head.



When the boy's kindness was shown , the booing from the stands stopped, and a hush fell over the entire ball park. The boy's kindness had softened the hearts of the people. The act of compassion had an effect on even the hardest of hearts in the park.






Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.


- Matthew 7:12 (King James Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would treat others that would be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.