Sunday, June 29, 2008

It's Not a "No No"

Friends,

One of the strangest ballgames you will ever hear about was played last night between the Angels and the Dodgers. This is the time of year when the schedule calls for interleague games between the National and American Leagues...and this makes quite a contribution to the circumstances surrounding last night's game. Jared Weaver was pitching a no-hitter for the Angels last night but was losing 1-0. How can this be, you ask? The Angels had not scored a run on the Dodgers pitcher, but the Angels pitcher (Weaver) committed an error on a ground ball (which very well could have been ruled a "hit"), and so the runner makes it to first base. The runner then steals second base and as the catcher tries to throw him out, he airmails the ball into center field allowing the runner to advance to third (much like what happens in church league softball :-). Then, since there are less than two outs, the next hitter hits a sacrifice fly to the outfield, allowing the runner to score from third. So, no hits, but the Dodgers have a run.

Now, an interesting twist is that Weaver, who is pitching the no-hitter comes up to bat in the bottom of the sixth, but he gets pulled from the game. Why? The Angels are playing in Dodgers Stadium (a National League park), so there is no designated hitter...all of this to say, the pitcher has to hit. And since, American League pitchers rarely hit (unless it is an interleague game like last night or the playoffs), and the Angels need a run, it is more important to get a genuine bona fide hitter in the game in order to try to get a rally going. In other words, it is more important to win the game than to get the no-hitter. So Weaver, who is obviously unhappy, gets pulled and another pitcher goes in to the game in the 7th inning.

Now, this new pitcher manages to pitch the last two innings (7th and 8th) without giving up a hit. So he and Weaver combine for no-hits over 8 innings. Since the Dodgers are the home team and their pitcher shuts down the Angels in the top of the 9th and the Dodgers have the lead, there is no need for them to bat in the bottom of the 9th. All of this means (if you are actually still following all of this :-) than the Angels get an 8 inning no-hitter...but lose. This is only the 7th time in Major League Baseball history that this has happened, and it has been over 15 years since the last time.

The clincher...several years ago, MLB changed the rules on no-hitters -- they have to be 9 innings in order to be legitimate. So, the Angel pitchers, for all of their work, not only lose, but do not get to have the no-hitter on their resume. Bummer. Yet, a pretty cool game...especially if you are the Dodgers. It reminds a lot of several soccer games that I have seen and been a part of where one team dominates and does not score and the opposing team gets one or maybe two shots on goal and one of them goes in. It may not seem right...but that's why they play the game ;-). Blessings,

Don


P.S. I know that I could draw all kinds of spiritual analogies from all of this (but then this gets longer than it already is...and more cumbersome, and I know that many do not like to read long blogs, so)...the discerning are welcome to make the applications :-). See ya.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Best Offense...

Friends,

I know that many sports enthusiasts will tell you that, "the best offense is a good defense" as it pertains to football, soccer, basketball, baseball, et. al. I tend to agree with this assessment. We see it happen over and over again...the latest being the Boston Celtics basketball team winning the NBA Championship, primarily with outstanding defense. As I have been thinking about how it pretains to the spiritual realm, I do not necessarily agree that this holds true. I believe that we simply need to be on offense...not defense or "on the fence." We may be forced back on our heels from time to time in the spiritual battle, but we must press on, lest we be overrun by the enemy. The spiritual battle is not a game...it is a matter of life and death. If we think that for a day, or sometimes even for a moment, that we can "take a break," then we are in danger. We simply have to be on the alert and focused day by day. I think that there are a lot of Christians who, when things are going along relatively smoothly, are enticed by the evil one to hop on board the sinking ship of self-sufficiency. This may seem like a safe haven for a short time, but ultimately, it proves to be disastrous. Lord, help me not to be an "offensive Christian," or one who is "on the fence," but...we all need to be Christians who are "on the offense" for the kingdom of God. Blessings,

Don

Monday, June 23, 2008

Go Ahead, Make My Day

Friends,

It is hard to put into words just what wonderful things that the Lord has been doing in the lives of people who have come to CTCC lately. I can see His Spirit working in the lives of a number of individuals and it brings me great joy. At the same time, the evil one lurks and is seeking to cause trouble for other precious people that need prayers...such is the spiritual battle that we are engaged in. We just finished our Sport Reach VBS on Friday and it was simply wonderful. We had a large crew over at Mark & Jeanne's house to kick it off on the 15th...it was a great celebration and it just set up the whole week to be beneficial. We had such a good time with Pete & Donna and family plus the crew...Zach, Taylor, Sadie, Jess, and Kate. They did such an excellent job and we had close to 40 kids come participate from the church and the community...with most of the young people coming from the community. We had so many positive remarks from church members and others who were visiting that this was such a great idea to combine Christianity and sports (football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball). The "hit of the week," hands down, was a pseudo-dodgeball game called "flying enchiladas." I believe that the kids would have played it 24/7, if they had been allowed to. By popular demand, we are going to incorporate this into our upcoming area-wide youth event.

We have had a number of visitors of late, as well some of whom we are beginning to get involved in the family life and we are grateful for the Lord's blessings. The greatest thing, perhaps, is that for the second time in three weeks, I had someone tell me what a meaningful worship time that they experienced with us...and it made my day. This individual has had many of the same experiences as so many of us...seriously burned by past negative experiences in certain place(s). She said that she did not think that she could or would ever be able to attend, let alone experience a meaningful, spiritual worship in a church in our fellowship ever again...and yet, she came and was a blessing and was blessed. I praise the Lord for sending people our way who need to have healing and to begin to have a positive experience and perhaps even restoration with our fellowship -- as I believe that God intends for our experiences in Him and with the body to be. Once again, this is not to say that there is not more than one way "to do church," but I am so thankful that we can have and experience the spiritual freedom and life that we enjoy. It is amazing every week! Thank you Lord.

Don

Thursday, June 19, 2008

A Legend Made

Friends,

This is a couple of days late and a dollar short, but I have been trying to come up with more superlatives to describe Tiger Wood's win at the U.S. Open. It was amazing, remarkable, fantastic :-) -- you get the picture. The good news...his performance on a bum knee, winning in an 18 hole playoff +1 is the stuff of legend. One is tempted to think of him in "Braveheart" or "Aslan" terms -- the overwhelming conquering hero. He has proven to be Tiger the "lionhearted" over and over again, but it is inconceivable to believe that anything will top this one. The bad news is...the pressure from the tournament on his knee is such that he is going to have to have surgery quickly and he is done for the year. Here is hoping that he will have a full recovery and be back at full strength next year. The good news for other golfers...I am certain that most of the other professionals are feeling and expressing Sergio's sentiment at the TPC, "glad Tiger's not here" -- breathing a certain sigh of relief, because they now may have a significantly improved opportunity for victory, especially at the remaining majors (The Open in Britian and PGA Championship). The bad news...adios to the TV ratings for the rest of the year.

Don

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Self Talk

Friends,

Many of you have read "the Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. It is an interesting "fictitious" story concerning a "senior" demon of Satan sending out a "junior" demon worker in order to corrupt the minds of certain innocent people. It is a powerful use of satire that allegorizes the spiritual battle for the souls of men and women. This book would be a whole lot funnier if it was not describing something that is altogether too real. When I read this book, I laughed and winced at the same time. I share this to say that I know of several people who are truly caught in a spiritual battle. It is disturbing...and yet exciting -- and it causes me to pray. The opportunity for understanding and growth is never greater than when we are "on the anvil" being shaped into whom the Lord wants us to be. Struggle is not pleasant, but it can be good -- if we have the patience and endurance to bear with our challenges, continually yielding ourselves to the Lord.

What bothers me, is that I can hear the self-talk converation that takes place even as I visit with people. Satan just loves to convince people that they are...no good, bad people...that people do not like them or want to hear their problems...that they have no place in the church...that they would be better off just staying away from God's people because they do not want to be a burden...and that they are guilty, guilty, guilty as charged (by Satan). LIES, LIES LIES! All of them. What people need most of the time is just the opposite of the self-talk that Satan is delivering to them. They just simply have to be willing to listen to the OTHER "still small voice," the one that says...you are going to be okay...you are a good person who has certain struggles...no, you are not the only one who has problems (Satan's contention)...others will be understanding...we can work through this together...you need to be with God's people (not away from them), because we need to bear each other's burdens and grow together...yes, your struggles are difficult, but they can be overcome through the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit, because "greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world" -- we need to believe it.

We simply cannot give in to negative self-talk that Satan delivers to our brains, but must surrender, seek and strive to hear and understand God's voice and His will for our lives in all things. He can and will help us to overcome and to grow. Faith, love and innocence can and will triumph over guilt, worry, stress. Believe it! Blessings,

Don

Monday, June 16, 2008

Fathers

Friends,

I was hoping to have the time and opportunity to share about my dads yesterday, but it just didn't happen. However, this has no less meaning...even though it is Monday. I have been so blessed to have the wonderful fathers that the Lord has put in my life. My dad in Washington is my hero in so many ways. He is just such a loving, jolly, friendly person. He has always had a good sense of humor...while knowing when to be serious. My dad truly showed us how to love others, because he has lived it in his life. He worked so hard for 40 years in order to provide for our family and so that we could enjoy our weekends and vacation times together. I am so grateful for those times. When he retired, he said..."I don't know why I decided to retire, I am busier now that when I was working!" -- which was true for awhile, but he has slowed down a bit since. I have enjoyed the times that we have golfed and fished together. These were truly important times in my life. I am really looking forward to visiting with my dad and mom in a few weeks. Kim's dad, Paw Paw John has been my dad for 20 years now...and he has been equally wonderful. He has shown the grace and love of the Lord to me and to our family over and over again and I am so grateful. When we have found ourselves to be in difficulty, he has been a safe place for us...and we are grateful. Paw Paw also has a wonderful sense of humor and we have shared many good laughs together. I am so grateful for dads that I have been able to laugh with because, besides their love, I am not certain that there is a greater gift that they could share with me or our family. I am grateful for the meals that Paw Paw and I have cooked together and for the trips to Chinese, Chili's and BBQ that we have made and shared in together -- truly memorable. I preached a Father's Day message yesterday and talked about dads being that safe place for their families, just as our heavenly Father is our safe place and security in an insecure world. I am thankful that both of my dads have been this for our family. God's blessings,

Don

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Great Griffey

Friends,

Last evening presented a real reason to celebrate a home run accomplishment...Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th. Very few would argue against the legitimacy of this -- he has always had a reputation for having a "what you see is what you get" type of honesty and generally carried himself with dignity. In fact, most current polls indicate that his home run benchmark is truly "the greatest" in the midst of "the steroids era." Griffey was "THE home run man" in the 90's, and would likely have 700+ right now if not for a rash of injuries over the past several years. In fact, this year is the first in many seasons that he has been virtually injury free.

I have always appreciated and respected Griffey, the ballplayer and the person. After all, he and Randy Johnson literally carried (my team) the Mariners in the 90's. Without Griff, probably no Safeco Field and likely no M's in Seattle. They could very well have beat the Sonics out of town. So, here' s to Ken Griffey Jr. He may not get the most attention when it comes to the all-time home run derby, but in the end, he may very well have the greatest respect. Take care,

Don

Monday, June 9, 2008

Big Brown (Blue & Green) Busts

Friends,

Well, I am certain that there are several million reasons as to why, perhaps, this many people would like to scream at the last place finisher of the Belmont Stakes...i.e. Big Brown. Yet, this is a funny thought...as, would the (a) horse really care? It would surely be much easier if these folks could take out their frustration on a human. But, after all, it is just a horse race, right? Not when there is so much at stake, literally (which makes me think again...). This is not easy, as I was pulling for the pride of the UPS to be the horse to end the thirty year Triple Crown drought. He had it all in the palm of his hoof, all he had to do was claim it, right? He had been anointed the next Secretariat, even before the race was run (such was the foregone conclusion that he would simply romp over the other eight horses -- the question was, by how many lengths)? Truly, I still have not recovered from Real Quiet losing (the Belmont and therefore the Triple Crown) by a nose to Victory Gallop in 1998...so, I am just a little bit more numb and apathetic as this point. After all, it has been thirty years (since I watched Affirmed's famous duels with Alydar for the Triple Crown)? Makes a person think that they should go back to feeding the current horses the "horse Wheaties" they were feeding them in the 70's. Oh they are? (I am skeptical). 11 horses to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness since 1979, 0 to win the whole ball of wax...seems like a trend, or perhaps just dumb (bad) luck :-).

Concerning the Mariners (the blue and green), this will be brief -- clean house. Bavasi has had plenty of ops to turn this team into a consistent winner and it just hasn't happened. It's not that the Nintendo folks don't have the money. The M's are in the upper echelon of teams that spend money (but we see how this works many times -- see '08 Yankees, to this point...hallelujah :-).
The decision to stick with the current manager (to make the interim...permanent) after Mike Hargrove's departure was not the right move, and was viewed with suspicion at the time by many a writer. Where is Lou Pinella, anyway? Oh, that's right...he's in first place with the Cubbies. ;-). Go Rangers...something to cheer about (sort of), at last!

Don

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

God's House

Friends,

"I think that we (Christians in general) -- when Christ has enabled us to overcome one or two sins that have been an obvious nuisance -- are inclined to feel that we are now 'good enough'. He has done all that we wanted Him to do and we would be obliged if He would leave us alone. But, the question is...not what we have intended ourselves to be, but what He intends for us to be. Imagine yourself as a 'living house.' God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing -- He is getting the drains right, stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on. You knew that these jobs needed to be done, so you are not surprised. But now, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts and it does not seem to make sense, What on earth is He up to? (Ironic statement, in my opinion ;-). Actually, He is building quite a different house than the one you thought of -- making a new wing here, putting in an extra floor there, making a courtyard. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but He is building a palace...one He intends to come and live in Himself." C.S. Lewis
Blessings,

Don

Monday, June 2, 2008

Finals...Half Right

Friends,

Well...the Lakers have made it to the NBA Finals (the team I did not want to be there), and the Celtics as well (the team I did not think would be there, but whom I want to be there). Now, if that makes sense, you're doing well so far. I predicted the Lakers to be the rep from the West, but since "nobody" likes Kobe, it is hard to root for them. The Celtics have squeaked by everyone they have played...although, I am impressed that they actually beat the Pistons -- I didn't think that this was going to happen. Still, here they are in the Finals. Now, my heart says one thing and my head says another. So, with all of that being said...Lakers in 6 (even though I am seriously rooting against this prediction). Blessings,

Don