"It's a beautiful day for a ballgame...let's play two!"

This might just be my favorite quote of all time. I know, being a pastor, I'm supposed to have a particular verse of Scripture that I claim to be my favorite, but I think this may have been as inspired as anything in the Bible. I think it's what God said right after he said everything was good, but since baseball hadn't been invented yet, Moses didn't know how to translate it. Is there a better phrase to relay the pleasures of a perfectly warm and sunny spring day? I can't think of one ("Tee it up boys!" might be a really close second). Thank you Ernie Banks.

I love this time of the year. Today, Rhonda and I took Graysen to his first baseball game. We went to see a Freshman/Sophomore game at the high school. Our friend Jacob was playing so I hoped Graysen would be able to connect a little bit...not so much. He loved running around and seeing the balls fly and the crack of the aluminum bats...for about 5 minutes. Good thing Jacob's little brother, Ben, was there to take him around and show him the ropes when it comes to running around during a baseball game.

A few weeks ago, I took Garin to Minute Maid Park in Houston to watch Baylor play Rice, and it was one of my favorite dates to date with my daughter. I think she really enjoyed it also. I discovered that playing "I Spy" during a baseball game at a big league park can be quite a time consumer...and I didn't miss any of the game. For the first time, I understood the joy that fathers have had for years taking their kids to ball games.

GRAND SLAM!!!!! I'm watching Baylor v. tamu online as I type this and the Bears were down 3-1 in the bottom of the 6th when my team hit a grand salami...that's right...5-3 Baylor now. I love this game...have I let you in on that little secret?

I follow the Rangers religiously. I got to listen to my first game of spring training this weekend and last weekend I got my opening day tickets to go to Arlington and see them beat the Indians. I love it all...I want to see Saltalamacchia catching, Davis at first, Kinsler at second, Andrus at short and Young at his new home on the corner. I want to see Cruz in right, the inspirational Hamilton in center and fellow Baylor alum, Murphy in left. Oh what a day of rejoicing that will be. We will make our way up to Section 327 and enjoy the game with some peanuts and maybe a beer. Our conversation will be rich and our optimism will be high. I can't wait for August 6th!

I believe very much that God is involved in and cares about my daily life. One day, I watched my son play with something so insignificant that I can't even remember what it was. He was so caught up in that little something that he carried with him for the day and he looked at it and laughed. I had silly joy. As his dad, that silly joy was passed upward to me and my heart smiled when I watched him. I know that my love for baseball is silly joy, but my hope is that when I walk up to the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on April 6th, with a giggle in my throught, my silly joy is passed upward and His heart smiles with me.

p.s. - we just scored again - Baylor up 7-3 now...