Month: December 2022

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26

Worry is one of our favorite pastimes. It’s also one of the biggest causes of disease and illness. Jesus’ words emphasize how pointless it is. Worry never contributes to the solution to a problem and only depletes people’s emotional resources, draining their energy and mind. The alternative to worry is to let Jesus be Jesus. It’s when people doubt if he really is in control and capable of guiding our lives that worry manifests. When we see God for who is, worry loses its power.

What worries us? Our children, health, money, friends, some thing else? We must let it go. We must ask Jesus to open our eyes to see what He sees, and watch what happens.

Baseball: No “WORRY” in the Bronx

Aaron Judge – Aaron Judge – Aaron Judge!!! Yankees sign the big guy to huge contract. He chose Legacy over Money.

Other Stuff

FEAR THE SPEAR!!! How bout them NOLES!!!

“ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with whoever stores of things for themselves, but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21

The folly of the fool was that he thought, his material possessions, (college degrees/diplomas, connections and acquaintances, etc.) would provide him with security and life. Such a person chooses to rely on the world rather than on God. God’s reaction reveals three things: God is the righteous judge over people; He knows exactly what goes on in the hearts and lives of his people; and He calls everyone to account . It’s one thing if the world sees us as a fool, but it’s something else if God calls us one. People judge according to their own preferences, for God judges in truth.

We must evaluate our lives. Do we also put our trust in materialism? We need to change our lives while we still can. This warning carries a generous measure of mercy and grace with it. God doesn’t want to catch us off guard.

Baseball: Baseball History on Dec 7

1939 – Lou Gehrig, age 36, is elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Gehrig, whose illness forced an end his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played, hit 493 home runs and batted .340 over his career. He is the first player to have the existing rule waived that required a player to be retired one year before he could be elected.

Other Stuff

Tora! Tora!Tora!

Tora Tora Tora reminds us how the course of U.S. history was changed on December 7th, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. LEST WE FORGET!

Cloth can dust off a piece of gold, but the metal must be refined to remove embedded impurities. That is, it must be melted by fire so that any tarnish or pollution can rise and be skimmed from the surface.

The Christian life is frequently compared to this process. When we face struggles, God is refining us like precious metal, digging deep into our lives to eliminate all the dirt and pollution. He does this not to hurt us, but to help us grow into beautiful reflections of the life of His Son (Mal. 3:3).

Too often we hear people exclaim, “This world is out of control!” Those with little or no belief in an almighty God of the universe find themselves without any source of strength or encouragement when their world begins to collapse. Family heartache, financial problems, national tragedies—these are all things we’ve witnessed firsthand. In the face of such turmoil, how can we be sure God is in control?

You want proof God is in control…look no further than his word. Genesis reveals God’s complete control on page after page from beginning to end. In this first book of the Bible, we see Him as the supreme Lord of creation by creating absolutely everything out of absolutely nothing. We see Him providing a way for you and me to conquer sin and death to achieve victory, in spite of the invasion of sin into the world. We see Him destroying every single person on earth with a great flood, but saving one family to repopulate the earth. Again and again throughout Genesis, we see this pattern: God plans to do something, and despite human unfaithfulness, His perfect will is accomplished. This is the case throughout all of Scripture, and it’s still true today. God is in control … despite our pain, questions, turmoil, and selfishness. And He promises to use any adversity we face to refine us into the image of His Son.

Baseball: Cracker Jacks

Anyone remember Cracker Jacks? Once a staple at every baseball park in America. They can actually still be found today. The Cracker Jack name and slogan, “The More You Eat The More You Want”, were registered in 1896…yea they have been around for over 120 years. Everyone knows what comes in a box (or bag) of Cracker Jack: kernels of popcorn drenched in a super-sweet molasses-flavored caramel coating, peanuts and a paper-wrapped toy prize. Recently, the 125-year tradition of including that toy prize has ended. Going forward, Cracker Jackers will now find deep inside the sweetness … a digital code. The codes can be used to play games on smartphones…. the online games have replaced prizes entirely.

Other Stuff

Shout out to the Steelers: a win over the hapless Falcons AKA Dirty Birds. Not because I am a Steeler Fan but due in large part by my beloved Daughter donning steeler socks on Sunday…#LoveThoseSocks.

Go Noles!!! FSU versus Oklahoma in the Cheeze-it Bowl, 29 Jan 23 in Orlando.

Lastly, Chile Cook-off at Church coming up this Sunday. Yours truly will have an entry. Don’t plan on being the best but guaranteed to be the hottest…Habanero hotness coming at ya soon!

Our brain is an extraordinary gift from God that must be put to good use. Everything that we think or do begins in our minds. Because of this we need to rely on God, as our understanding and thoughts are very limited, while God is unlimited. God is the Architect of all architects who can see from the beginning to the end. He knows the processes and sequences. He also has ways beyond our understanding, ways to deal with difficulties and solve problems that might never cross our minds.

 There is a truth in Colossians 3:2 that encourages us to have the mind of Christ. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” We can choose to always think about God. This requires us to process through our prayers, words, worship, and ministry—all we do. 

Our perspectives and thoughts determine who we are, our decisions, and the direction our life will take. We can have the mind and perspective of Christ.

Baseball: 3 Life Lessons from Baseball

Baseball, it is said, is only a game.TRUE.
AND THE GRAND CANYON IS ONLY A HOLE IN ARIZONA. NOT ALL HOLES, OR GAMES,
ARE CREATED EQUAL. – George Will

There are life lessons to learn from all sports (except maybe badminton), but by far, baseball is comprised of all life lessons rolled up into one game. As if we are the batter and the pitcher is life, we stand with our cleats dug in the dirt waiting for the next pitch. Until the ball releases from the hand, it is a mystery as to what will come next. With each at bat, we gain new experience that will further us along the path of life. Here are 3 life lessons to be taken from America’s favorite pastime.

1. Patience is a Virtue

In most cases, it is in our best interest not to rush things. Patience is a Godly virtue and something we are instructed to practice. The very best hitters in baseball average hitting the ball only 3 times out of 10. It takes great patience and discipline for long term success in baseball as well as life.

2. How to Deal with Pressure

It requires laser focus to hit a pitch thrown by a major league pitcher. The batter can’t focus on anything else but staying disciplined to his hitting approach. It takes .45 seconds for a fastball to arrive in the catcher’s mitt, and the batter can’t be distracted by doubt or fear. Nor can he be guided by emotions or irrational thought. He must stay focused under the intense pressure to succeed. Buckling under pressure in marriage, parenting, and life is where we get into trouble. We must stay focused on our commitments and stay true to our goals.

3. Teamwork Wins Championships

Talent will carry us only so far, but when the critical moments arrive, it takes an entire team working as one to come out on top. It is the same way in life with our marriages, our roles as parents, or our careers; it requires great teamwork to get where we want to go. Baseball is a very hard game to play, and fulfilling lives are very difficult to lead. Everyone involved has to work together for a common purpose.

The Other Stuff

It is with a bit of sadness I have to report that one of our favorite breakfast/brunch spots “Over Easy” in the Hollywood area of Birmingham AL has closed.
“Remember, True happiness is a bowl of Purple Grits.”