This is about the Mavs, not politics. I have to admit I watched very little of the Mavericks season because I do not enjoy pro basketball and the Mavs brand of the last several years has been the worst in my mind. I guess I'm old school. I like hard work, fundamentals and defense - something sorely lacking from most of the Mavs play I did watch. In my useless opinion, Dirk is a great 2nd guy but not a good1st guy. I think he plays soft and shows little, if any, emotional fire but it's not all Dirk. He doesn't have the cast of characters around him that he needs. There's no meat to the team, no fight. A bunch of guys shooting jump shots in a league that doesn't shoot jump shots very well. I'm glad their season is over so I don't have to listen or see them. Anguishing over watching the Rangers is bad enough.
Speaking of the Rangers, it's painful and I wonder why something hasn't been done to show hope for the future. Washington doesn't seem to be the guy so why keep him? Or is it Daniels? Yes, they need pitching but the fielding has been horrific and Washington is supposed to be the fundamentals coach. Uh-oh. My wife got me the MLB package a couple of years ago and I find myself watching National League games the majority of the time. I'll watch the Cardinals and the Braves with some Mets thrown in and I enjoy watching the Padres, Rockies and Diamondbacks for later games. I just can't cheer for another American League team so I'm more of a National League fan now. Thanks Rangers.
I enjoy watching the Firehouse Muscle the most. It's been an up-and-down year for the team. They take the field again this weekend and hopefully will continue to show improvement from their two good games in the last tournament.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Focused
Our Sunday morning class is currently studying Ecclesiastes (I may have misspelled). I don't recall ever studying it but have found it fascinating. I don't understand much of it after reading it once and have to go over it several times. Last week we began reading Chapter 7 and, again, I was fascinated by what I read. The first verse says something like "a good name is better than a fine perfume and the day of death is better than the day of birth." As we studied, I kept coming back to that verse and what it meant. My focus kept going to "the day of death better than the day of birth." I think what the entire section we read was telling us that our focus has to be on heaven, not earth. The day of death on earth leads us to the first day of heaven.
I think I am becoming more heaven focused and want to keep doing that. I am growing more comfortable that the day of death will take me to a better place, a place I still can't fully imagine and know will exceed anything I can imagine.
I think I am becoming more heaven focused and want to keep doing that. I am growing more comfortable that the day of death will take me to a better place, a place I still can't fully imagine and know will exceed anything I can imagine.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Lights Out
The power in our part of Decatur went out this morning. It's crazy when the electricity goes out because so much of what we do is dependent on it. Fortunately, the power company had it fixed in a relatively short time and life is back to normal.
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The Rangers are now on a "win-1, lose-2" program. It's not very exciting but good to see them win now and then.
My son and I saw ACU play Friday night and Saturday afternoon. There were a combined 38 hits in the Friday night game and I think Tarleton threw 6 or 7 different pitchers. The Saturday game was a bit closer but it wasn't a pitcher's duel either. The ACU facility is really nice and a fun place to watch a game.
The Fort Worth Cats start play pretty soon. It's always a fun time at the Cats game. The stadium is great, the seats are inexpensive and they serve Kinkaid's hamburgers.
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I didn't pay much attention to the NFL draft over the weekend other than to think how many new millionaires were created in a day. It's astonishing what those guys do and how much they make doing it. Even a guy like Pacman Jones can keep playing and making loads of money if he has the ability. Astonishing.
Then I hear Josh Howard admitted to smoking pot on the radio Friday. What in the world?
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The Rangers are now on a "win-1, lose-2" program. It's not very exciting but good to see them win now and then.
My son and I saw ACU play Friday night and Saturday afternoon. There were a combined 38 hits in the Friday night game and I think Tarleton threw 6 or 7 different pitchers. The Saturday game was a bit closer but it wasn't a pitcher's duel either. The ACU facility is really nice and a fun place to watch a game.
The Fort Worth Cats start play pretty soon. It's always a fun time at the Cats game. The stadium is great, the seats are inexpensive and they serve Kinkaid's hamburgers.
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I didn't pay much attention to the NFL draft over the weekend other than to think how many new millionaires were created in a day. It's astonishing what those guys do and how much they make doing it. Even a guy like Pacman Jones can keep playing and making loads of money if he has the ability. Astonishing.
Then I hear Josh Howard admitted to smoking pot on the radio Friday. What in the world?
Friday, April 25, 2008
Rangers Schmangers
The Rangers are killing me. It's just horrible baseball and the owner needs to make a change. I don't see any improvement from last year and, in fact, think they may be playing worse. The "player's" manager who was going to be the hero of fundamentals just isn't getting it done and I don't think I can stand to watch much more of this pathetic play without something happening to shake things up. I don't expect them to turn it around and make the playoffs but do something other than ask me to spend my money with no effort at change.
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I'm headed west this afternoon with my son to watch some baseball at my alma mater. ACU did not have baseball when I was at school and I don't know that I cared but we have gone out for a game almost every year for the past 3 or 4 years. It's a good environment to watch a game (no beer, no cussing, no streakers - I suppose) and a fun time for us. Here's hoping the rain leaves us alone.
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I'm headed west this afternoon with my son to watch some baseball at my alma mater. ACU did not have baseball when I was at school and I don't know that I cared but we have gone out for a game almost every year for the past 3 or 4 years. It's a good environment to watch a game (no beer, no cussing, no streakers - I suppose) and a fun time for us. Here's hoping the rain leaves us alone.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Awkward Silence
The idea of being still with God has been on my mind of late. When I think of being still with God, my thoughts go towards not only being still but being quiet. My idea is to work to free my mind of all the things I am thinking about and let God speak to me. Now, I don't think I'm going to hear this booming voice and rays of sunshine but I do think, over time, that simply clearing my head may help guide me to a better understanding of what God wants for me or maybe what I need to be doing for God.
This isn't a very concrete idea which may be part of the reason it's hard for me and maybe others to grasp. It's also difficult to be quiet sometimes. Have you even been in a conversation or class where there was a moment of silence? You can almost feel people wanting to speak up just to break the silence...something must be said. Rick's blog recently referred to a mantra I have heard used that we should speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. I think some of our traditions, our rules and our judgments have come because people have a hard time being silent so when the Bible is silent, someone feels the need to fill the silence with their ideas.
I don't know where I'm going with this other than wanting to explore more into the idea of being quiet, being silent in the presence of God and to hear what He wants me to hear. Maybe it will only be a time to free my mind of my thoughts and my desires. Maybe He will lead me to a thought. Maybe I'll hear a booming voice and see rays of sunshine. Whatever the case may be, I hope to try it and see what I learn from it. Maybe there will be more on this later.
This isn't a very concrete idea which may be part of the reason it's hard for me and maybe others to grasp. It's also difficult to be quiet sometimes. Have you even been in a conversation or class where there was a moment of silence? You can almost feel people wanting to speak up just to break the silence...something must be said. Rick's blog recently referred to a mantra I have heard used that we should speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. I think some of our traditions, our rules and our judgments have come because people have a hard time being silent so when the Bible is silent, someone feels the need to fill the silence with their ideas.
I don't know where I'm going with this other than wanting to explore more into the idea of being quiet, being silent in the presence of God and to hear what He wants me to hear. Maybe it will only be a time to free my mind of my thoughts and my desires. Maybe He will lead me to a thought. Maybe I'll hear a booming voice and see rays of sunshine. Whatever the case may be, I hope to try it and see what I learn from it. Maybe there will be more on this later.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Go Eagles
The Decatur Eagles baseball team pulled out a thrilling victory last night in the bottom of the 7th inning against Bridgeport. The winning team got the final playoff berth so it was great to see our guys win.
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Wednesday nights are always the best night of the work week for me. I attend the youth class and help out occasionally speaking, driving or whatever I'm needed for. I've written about the excitement I have about our youth group and the things I see them do and it gives me a big lift every week to spend some time with them.
After church, a few of us stay and play basketball. Lately, it's been the "old" guys against the "young" guys. I'm always one of the oldest and the youngsters are typically high school kids. They are confounded why we consistently beat them even though some of us can't run or jump. And I can't help but laugh when one of them guards me close like I'm going to blow by them or jump over them.
It's always a beating for me. I come home sore and in need of Tylenol, Motrin, ice, heat, water, Gatorade...and anything else that helps revive a 40+ guy but I love it. It's always been m favorite sport and I think it always will be.
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Wednesday nights are always the best night of the work week for me. I attend the youth class and help out occasionally speaking, driving or whatever I'm needed for. I've written about the excitement I have about our youth group and the things I see them do and it gives me a big lift every week to spend some time with them.
After church, a few of us stay and play basketball. Lately, it's been the "old" guys against the "young" guys. I'm always one of the oldest and the youngsters are typically high school kids. They are confounded why we consistently beat them even though some of us can't run or jump. And I can't help but laugh when one of them guards me close like I'm going to blow by them or jump over them.
It's always a beating for me. I come home sore and in need of Tylenol, Motrin, ice, heat, water, Gatorade...and anything else that helps revive a 40+ guy but I love it. It's always been m favorite sport and I think it always will be.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Table
Rick Ross, the preacher at our church in Decatur, is on a roll with his sermons. He started a series of sermons on heaven awhile back and then had a series on the cross. Now, he is leading us through a series on the table, the communion time we share. Each of these have challenged my ideas and caused me to spend some time thinking about what God has in store for me and what my response needs to be. As he talked about communion yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder what it was like for the people who had spent time with Jesus while he was on earth, what the emotion was, what the conversation was, what the thoughts and feeling were.
I am thankful God is using Rick to bring messages that inspire me to learn and to grow and I am thankful Rick is willing to use his talents to glorify God. Even more, I am thankful the body gathers around the table to remember the price that was paid for us and celebrate the glory of a risen Savior.
As Rick talked yesterday, I thought of the suffering Christ endured prior to dying on that cross. I can't fathom how miserable it must have been yet even that suffering was only for a short time and the glory, the joy, the everlasting salvation that came from it is so much greater. It reminds me that anything I face, any troubles and obstacles, are temporary and nothing compared with the eternity that lies before me through Christ. Hallelujah!
I am thankful God is using Rick to bring messages that inspire me to learn and to grow and I am thankful Rick is willing to use his talents to glorify God. Even more, I am thankful the body gathers around the table to remember the price that was paid for us and celebrate the glory of a risen Savior.
As Rick talked yesterday, I thought of the suffering Christ endured prior to dying on that cross. I can't fathom how miserable it must have been yet even that suffering was only for a short time and the glory, the joy, the everlasting salvation that came from it is so much greater. It reminds me that anything I face, any troubles and obstacles, are temporary and nothing compared with the eternity that lies before me through Christ. Hallelujah!
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Storms
Another line of storms moved through last night without the fanfare of the week prior. It struck me last night how we sometimes prepare for storms that bring much less turbulence than we expected while other times the storm is on us before we are prepared.
My life is like that often. I worry about things that turn out to be much smaller than what I had imagined while other times, I'm overcome and didn't even see the problems coming. As I get older, I am learning to prepare as best I can and pray...a lot. I am reaching a time of life where I want to know more about prayer. Slowly but surely I am realizing there is only so much I can do on my own and that I need God to lead me, to work in me and around me. By spending time in prayer, I believe I open myself to God and the more I can pray, the more open to Him I will be.
I still get caught praying the most when I need God the most and praying the least when things of life are going well. I hope I can reverse that trend because things go well most of the time. It's a time to praise God, to be open to Him. There will still be prayers through the storms and the storms may be plenty but how much closer to God will I feel when I've spent more time in prayer with Him?
My life is like that often. I worry about things that turn out to be much smaller than what I had imagined while other times, I'm overcome and didn't even see the problems coming. As I get older, I am learning to prepare as best I can and pray...a lot. I am reaching a time of life where I want to know more about prayer. Slowly but surely I am realizing there is only so much I can do on my own and that I need God to lead me, to work in me and around me. By spending time in prayer, I believe I open myself to God and the more I can pray, the more open to Him I will be.
I still get caught praying the most when I need God the most and praying the least when things of life are going well. I hope I can reverse that trend because things go well most of the time. It's a time to praise God, to be open to Him. There will still be prayers through the storms and the storms may be plenty but how much closer to God will I feel when I've spent more time in prayer with Him?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Alma Mater Alcohol
I recently read that my alma mater, Abilene Christian University, will be changing one of it's rules regarding alcohol use by students. The current rule is if any student is seen using alcohol, they are subject to dismissal from the school. The new rule will not prevent students of legal age from using alcohol away from campus and non-school events.
I have some mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, there aren't that many students of legal drinking age. Add the fact that the school can't afford to try and babysit students all over town and it makes it seem like a rule that doesn't have to be on the books anyway. On the other hand, and what really bothers me, I feel like ACU is relaxing it's standards. While I was a student, I happened across a few people who broke a few of the rules but they and I all knew ACU's standard and respected the school's right to set rules to hold to that standard. Now, it appears the standard is loosening and I feel like that is a problem our society already faces. "Kids are going to have sex so tell them about condoms instead of abstinence." "People are going to use drugs so legalize marijuana." How far can we go as a society to lower our standards to nothing? How far will ACU go in lowering than standards?
I don't know all the reasons for their decision and oddly enough, they didn't ask my opinion. Maybe they think it will be a revenue stream for the new Budweiser Field they want to build (did I mention they passed on 3 student-athletes of excellent character and enough ability to play for other LSC schools and I'm still rather disenchanted about that) so their star athletes can show off their prowess. Maybe it's a simple as saving some ink for a rule they cannot enforce.
In the end, ACU doesn't care what I think and I don't think too highly of ACU. I don't know that their new decision will amount to anything but I also wonder if it's the first step down a slippery slope of decisions that will eventually render it a "Christian education" much like you will find at TCU or Harvard or a number of other schools that started with some religious roots but have effectively abandoned them in the name of academia. Time will tell.
I have some mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, there aren't that many students of legal drinking age. Add the fact that the school can't afford to try and babysit students all over town and it makes it seem like a rule that doesn't have to be on the books anyway. On the other hand, and what really bothers me, I feel like ACU is relaxing it's standards. While I was a student, I happened across a few people who broke a few of the rules but they and I all knew ACU's standard and respected the school's right to set rules to hold to that standard. Now, it appears the standard is loosening and I feel like that is a problem our society already faces. "Kids are going to have sex so tell them about condoms instead of abstinence." "People are going to use drugs so legalize marijuana." How far can we go as a society to lower our standards to nothing? How far will ACU go in lowering than standards?
I don't know all the reasons for their decision and oddly enough, they didn't ask my opinion. Maybe they think it will be a revenue stream for the new Budweiser Field they want to build (did I mention they passed on 3 student-athletes of excellent character and enough ability to play for other LSC schools and I'm still rather disenchanted about that) so their star athletes can show off their prowess. Maybe it's a simple as saving some ink for a rule they cannot enforce.
In the end, ACU doesn't care what I think and I don't think too highly of ACU. I don't know that their new decision will amount to anything but I also wonder if it's the first step down a slippery slope of decisions that will eventually render it a "Christian education" much like you will find at TCU or Harvard or a number of other schools that started with some religious roots but have effectively abandoned them in the name of academia. Time will tell.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Reaching Out
Yesterday was a "local outreach" focus at our church. We heard some reports from some of our members involved in different aspects and a challenge to continue finding ways to make an impact in our community. A question I read on a blog recently and one that was asked from the pulpit yesterday was something like this; if your church went away tomorrow, would the community notice? or would they care? I think it's a great question for churches to ask.
I imagine there are a good number of our members who do things in the community quietly and without seeking praise or notice. I've written in the past about a song titled "If We Are The Body" and asks the question "if we are the body, what are we doing in the name of Christ?" Are we sitting in our pews teaching religion without touching anyone? Are we doing a lot of stuff but not teaching people the Good News?
I enjoyed the thoughts and questions that came to me yesterday because they challenge me to examine what I am doing to reach out to someone outside my circle, to reach out to someone who is hurting, to reach out to someone who is trying to find God.
I told my wife I wouldn't blog about Desperate Housewives but the fact is I watched most of it last night and there was a character who has been through a lot of tough times and decided to start a search for God. I have no idea where the show will go with that but there she was - someone looking for God and looking for someone to lead them to finding answers. This morning while watching GMA, they flashed a snippet of some forum the Democratic contenders were at where they were being asked questions about faith and the Bible. The point is, there are people who want to know more about God and the question to me is whether I will be available to them to help them find the answers and to help them find the loving mercy of our Savior.
I imagine there are a good number of our members who do things in the community quietly and without seeking praise or notice. I've written in the past about a song titled "If We Are The Body" and asks the question "if we are the body, what are we doing in the name of Christ?" Are we sitting in our pews teaching religion without touching anyone? Are we doing a lot of stuff but not teaching people the Good News?
I enjoyed the thoughts and questions that came to me yesterday because they challenge me to examine what I am doing to reach out to someone outside my circle, to reach out to someone who is hurting, to reach out to someone who is trying to find God.
I told my wife I wouldn't blog about Desperate Housewives but the fact is I watched most of it last night and there was a character who has been through a lot of tough times and decided to start a search for God. I have no idea where the show will go with that but there she was - someone looking for God and looking for someone to lead them to finding answers. This morning while watching GMA, they flashed a snippet of some forum the Democratic contenders were at where they were being asked questions about faith and the Bible. The point is, there are people who want to know more about God and the question to me is whether I will be available to them to help them find the answers and to help them find the loving mercy of our Savior.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Back Window
As I looked out the back window for the funnel clouds I couldn't help hear the Casting Crowns song "Praise You In This Storm" rolling through my head. I also prayed for safety while realizing we need a much, much bigger closet to hide in. Had I tried to get in the space that would probably be the safest, I think my family would suffer much more pain from me being the last one in than what the storm would do. God answered my prayers and we were spared any damage. I know others were not as fortunate and I will be praying for them today.
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Our lab split again the other day. We've gotten so used to dogs not lasting around our place that it didn't cause a big stir. My wife and I both spent time out driving the streets and backroads close to us looking for her with no luck.
My wife had told one of our friends who came by the house Tuesday night and last night he calls saying a dog that matches the description of ours is across the street in the neighbors garage. Sure enough, my son and I went over and found her with some of the nicest people you would ever meet.
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I'm headed back to see the Rangers tonight. I sure hope they have better success tonight than on Tuesday. Since they were rained out last night, they will play a double-header but I'm not going to be able to make it to the first game. Phooey.
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Our lab split again the other day. We've gotten so used to dogs not lasting around our place that it didn't cause a big stir. My wife and I both spent time out driving the streets and backroads close to us looking for her with no luck.
My wife had told one of our friends who came by the house Tuesday night and last night he calls saying a dog that matches the description of ours is across the street in the neighbors garage. Sure enough, my son and I went over and found her with some of the nicest people you would ever meet.
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I'm headed back to see the Rangers tonight. I sure hope they have better success tonight than on Tuesday. Since they were rained out last night, they will play a double-header but I'm not going to be able to make it to the first game. Phooey.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Good and Bad of Opening Day
The Rangers pitching was back to normal (horrible) and our seats were just as bad. We were down the 3rd base line where the seats angle out just a bit and it was impossible for my son to see the game with all the people in front of us even though we were on the 3rd row. I think Neal McCoy was off-key singing the national anthem too. Still, there was a lot of fun stuff that happened yesterday.
1. Watching Josh Hamilton at batting practice. We got there early enough to watch the Rangers take BP and Hamilton was hitting the ball VERY high and VERY far. It was incredible to watch.
2. Challenger. A bald eagle named Challenger flew into the stadium. WAY cool. Even better, Challenger's handlers walked right by us on the way out and my son got a picture from about 6 feet away.
3. Fly-overs always give me chills and the B-1 bomber out of Dyess did it again. A magnificent plan that rumbles the ground.
4. Watching my son with his 2nd/3rd cousin (I can't remember how all that works) who is several years younger. He was great with him.
5. The national anthem. I enjoy it the most at NASCAR events because I think there are more people there who have fought for our country or, at least, been involved in military duty. 2nd on my places to enjoy it is at baseball games.
6. Being with my children. I love every opportunity I have with them.
1. Watching Josh Hamilton at batting practice. We got there early enough to watch the Rangers take BP and Hamilton was hitting the ball VERY high and VERY far. It was incredible to watch.
2. Challenger. A bald eagle named Challenger flew into the stadium. WAY cool. Even better, Challenger's handlers walked right by us on the way out and my son got a picture from about 6 feet away.
3. Fly-overs always give me chills and the B-1 bomber out of Dyess did it again. A magnificent plan that rumbles the ground.
4. Watching my son with his 2nd/3rd cousin (I can't remember how all that works) who is several years younger. He was great with him.
5. The national anthem. I enjoy it the most at NASCAR events because I think there are more people there who have fought for our country or, at least, been involved in military duty. 2nd on my places to enjoy it is at baseball games.
6. Being with my children. I love every opportunity I have with them.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Opening Day
I need a blogger break so I will probably be writing seldom for the next several days.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm pulling my young son out of school early and we are headed to Arlington, Texas for Opening Day at The Ballpark. Sure, it's not really Opening Day other than at the stadium but the excitement will be the same. The Rangers are 3-3 coming off their road trip which is awesome and the amazing thing is they won with pitching. Sure, it probably won't last but that's the way it is so far and I will enjoy it. An afternoon game, a full house, the national anthem and 2 B-1 bombers doing a flyover. What a wonderful day to enjoy in America.
Tonight, I'm watching a great basketball game between Kansas and Memphis. I'm pulling for Kansas (Texas would get to play the defending national champion twice next year) but Memphis will be hard to beat. What a wonderful night in America.
Last night, we were able to watch some of our kids who had participated in LTC and share in their successes. I was proud of both my kids doing well in the events they entered and the roles they take on. I really missed LTC this year - all the kids, all the energy, all the effort, preparation and focus on God. Every day I grow more excited about what the future holds because I continue to be impressed and inspired by the young people I get to be around at church.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm pulling my young son out of school early and we are headed to Arlington, Texas for Opening Day at The Ballpark. Sure, it's not really Opening Day other than at the stadium but the excitement will be the same. The Rangers are 3-3 coming off their road trip which is awesome and the amazing thing is they won with pitching. Sure, it probably won't last but that's the way it is so far and I will enjoy it. An afternoon game, a full house, the national anthem and 2 B-1 bombers doing a flyover. What a wonderful day to enjoy in America.
Tonight, I'm watching a great basketball game between Kansas and Memphis. I'm pulling for Kansas (Texas would get to play the defending national champion twice next year) but Memphis will be hard to beat. What a wonderful night in America.
Last night, we were able to watch some of our kids who had participated in LTC and share in their successes. I was proud of both my kids doing well in the events they entered and the roles they take on. I really missed LTC this year - all the kids, all the energy, all the effort, preparation and focus on God. Every day I grow more excited about what the future holds because I continue to be impressed and inspired by the young people I get to be around at church.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Hail
There are few things that can wake me up but last night's hail storm was one of them. It was fast and loud. One friend I spoke with this morning got some really big hail that left some holes in his roof and water coming inside his house.
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Opening Day for the Rangers at home is next Tuesday and I'm excited. While the Rangers are 1-2 after their first series with the Mariners, Opening Day at home always brings hope and a little optimism that something crazy may happen and the team has a decent year. I'm not hoping for any kind of title, just that games in August and September have a little meaning.
A few years ago when most of the team was pretty young, they won 83 games or something like that and there was an air of excitement every time I went to the ballpark. Last year I couldn't give my tickets away.
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This morning I keep thinking about a recent conversation I was having about baptism. While our conversation on that day dealt with some broad thoughts on doctrine and interpretations, this morning I kept thinking about the beauty of baptism. A recent study we had in our youth class took me back to Romans 6 where it says we are united with Christ in baptism. For me, that is one of the most powerful pieces of scripture I read. I want to be united with Christ, to be one with Him. If that's what baptism does, it is a beautiful thing in my eyes.
I like the days I start off thinking about Christ and the joy I have through Him. I hope you share in that joy with me.
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Opening Day for the Rangers at home is next Tuesday and I'm excited. While the Rangers are 1-2 after their first series with the Mariners, Opening Day at home always brings hope and a little optimism that something crazy may happen and the team has a decent year. I'm not hoping for any kind of title, just that games in August and September have a little meaning.
A few years ago when most of the team was pretty young, they won 83 games or something like that and there was an air of excitement every time I went to the ballpark. Last year I couldn't give my tickets away.
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This morning I keep thinking about a recent conversation I was having about baptism. While our conversation on that day dealt with some broad thoughts on doctrine and interpretations, this morning I kept thinking about the beauty of baptism. A recent study we had in our youth class took me back to Romans 6 where it says we are united with Christ in baptism. For me, that is one of the most powerful pieces of scripture I read. I want to be united with Christ, to be one with Him. If that's what baptism does, it is a beautiful thing in my eyes.
I like the days I start off thinking about Christ and the joy I have through Him. I hope you share in that joy with me.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Say It Ain't So
For those 1 or 2 of you who read my blog on a regular basis, forgive my recent absences. My days have been starting off a bit more crazy lately and the blogs haven't been flowing.
However, this morning, I was greeted by one of the morning TV shows with a guy who is pregnant. Turns out he used to be a girl and now she/he is wanting to have a baby. It's all very confusing for me and the question I asked myself today is how I would deal with her/him as if I was sitting in a room visiting with her/him. It's just so very weird to me and I have no idea what I would say or if words would even come out.
Growing up, my dream was to attend the University of Texas and play basketball for the Longhorns. That didn't happen and I ended up at ACU with a good friend from Austin who took me home with him for a weekend. We went to the UT campus to see some of my high school friends and the first guy I see when I walk into the dorm has a spiked mohawk, mascara, a black dog collar with spikes, leather and chains everywhere...I just stopped with my mouth open and stared having not seen anything like that in real life.
That's sort of how I feel with this pregnant girl/guy. I'm not sure I wouldn't just sit there, mouth agape, wondering what to say or how to say it. I know exactly what the devil would have me say, the hurtful thoughts that could easily spew out of my mouth but what a struggle with is what God would have me say.
I wish I knew exactly what God would have me say and I had trouble imagining what the devil would want. Instead, I'll be thinking off-and-on about God's response for me and hopefully I won't run into any pregnant girl/guy soon.
However, this morning, I was greeted by one of the morning TV shows with a guy who is pregnant. Turns out he used to be a girl and now she/he is wanting to have a baby. It's all very confusing for me and the question I asked myself today is how I would deal with her/him as if I was sitting in a room visiting with her/him. It's just so very weird to me and I have no idea what I would say or if words would even come out.
Growing up, my dream was to attend the University of Texas and play basketball for the Longhorns. That didn't happen and I ended up at ACU with a good friend from Austin who took me home with him for a weekend. We went to the UT campus to see some of my high school friends and the first guy I see when I walk into the dorm has a spiked mohawk, mascara, a black dog collar with spikes, leather and chains everywhere...I just stopped with my mouth open and stared having not seen anything like that in real life.
That's sort of how I feel with this pregnant girl/guy. I'm not sure I wouldn't just sit there, mouth agape, wondering what to say or how to say it. I know exactly what the devil would have me say, the hurtful thoughts that could easily spew out of my mouth but what a struggle with is what God would have me say.
I wish I knew exactly what God would have me say and I had trouble imagining what the devil would want. Instead, I'll be thinking off-and-on about God's response for me and hopefully I won't run into any pregnant girl/guy soon.
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