"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...

Fridays Rock!

Every Friday, Rhonda goes to meet with some of the ladies from the Springs.  They say it's a bible study, but I have my suspicions about that...  Anyway, on Fridays, I get to hang out with my 21 month old son, Graysen.  We don't do much craziness, but it's just us.  No girls, no Barbies, no Polly Pockets.  This morning it was the red wagon, the swing and the basketball, mixed in with water puddles and mud.  When I come into my "office" to check mail and write something like this, he follows me in, pulls up his chair to his computer and sits and taps on the keys while watching the default screensaver on the Mac Mini that signifies the monitor is not plugged in.  We work.  Today, we are heading out to get lunch for Garin.  We'll take it with us to the school and hang out with her and her class.  It's going to be fun.  Mom might join us after her "study" but if she doesn't, we'll be okay.  

Does our Father God ever get pumped about His time with us?  I think He does.  I think it thrills Him to watch us "play in the puddles and scoop up the mud" sometimes.  I believe God is a personal God and that He is involved in and cares about my daily life.  Just like I do with Graysen!

Why?

I have recently began a new journey through the New Testament book of Luke.  I wanted to take a fresh look at the life of Jesus and ask some questions along my journey...and maybe even wait for some answers.  I want to see Jesus.  I want to get to know the man.  I want to hear the questions that others asked because I have a feeling that they are some of my questions.  I've spent the past several months commenting on books I was reading, but I never really post about what I'm hearing from the Bible.  Sometimes that's because I'm not reading much and other times I just haven't.  Today is a little different.  Last night I watched the RNC and wasn't wowed by anything more than I was wowed by a passage I read from Luke yesterday.

I read Luke 5 and verse 33 jumped off the page and right into my world...

They asked him, “John’s disciples are well-known for keeping fasts and saying prayers. Also the Pharisees. But you seem to spend most of your time at parties. Why?” 

As some of you know, I've been on a bit of a journey regarding church and the necessity/purpose of weekly gatherings, particularly the Sunday morning event we too often call "church."  Well, this section of Luke tapped into that part of me.

Jesus had just been at a party where Levi, a despicable tax collector, had invited all of his friends to meet this Jesus.  It was an incredible party...not a fellowship, but a party designed to introduce people to Jesus.  It was a large dinner...there was eating and drinking.  I'm liking the party already!  The story even says there were "disreputable" people at the party.  Reminds me more of a college party than a pot-luck.  While at the party, it appears that Jesus was fully present...meaning he participated in the party.  I don't know to what extent, but I don't get the impression that he sat over to the side with his clear plastic cup showing everyone he was drinking plain water.

The Pharisees had grown irritated with Jesus because they didn't think this lifestyle was appropriate for a rabbi, much less someone claiming a connection to God such as Jesus had.  They cornered him and asked him about it.  In essence they come to Jesus and said, "John's followers are like us, fasting and praying, but you and your followers are always at parties.  Why?"  There question wreaks of superiority just in the asking.  Jesus had a perspective that was different than that of the religious elite of his day.  They seemed to continually be asking how they can remain pure, while Jesus seemed to ask questions about getting to those who are not pure.  He had a confidence in his position that allowed him to walk outside the "protective" walls of the synagogue.  He would play at parties, heal on the Sabbath, touch the lepers, talk to women and forgive sins.  His focus on those outside the kingdom brought a freedom in his "religion" that looks much more like a relationship that he carried with him to others, rather than a system of beliefs that he would bring people to.  I am intrigued by this.

Jesus responded to the Pharisees by explaining that his presence should cause joy in his followers and that there was no need for solemn fasting and prayer while he was with them.  If I can live in the belief that Jesus' presence is with me, always, then I can live with a freedom that allows me to reach out and into the lives of others without the fear of "corruption."  If I live in the belief that Jesus is not with me, always, but only when I am "praying and fasting" then I must do everything I can to continually fast and pray.  I choose the former, but years of conditioning keeps pulling me to the later.