Pokemon Go and make disicples

I figured I would jump on this pokemon bandwagon before we, as Western Culture, move on to other trends.

If you have been living under a rock for a week or two let me summarize the game for you. Basically, you can download this free app call "Pokemon Go" to catch pokemon! Crazy, eh! WE have come a long way from that big brick of the original game boy and pokemon red, blue, and yellow. (I think Japan had a green game as well)

It connects google maps with your camera and puts virtual pokemon on your screen that you must capture. The goal is one of the goals in the original games, "Got to catch them all."

Got it, good.

This game has been amazing and horrible at the same time. But is not that the truth with all things? God's good gifts, when not properly applied to our lives, become harmful. This is true because the devil, himself, cannot create anything. God is the creator but when we fall into sinful desires (when we want good things appropriately) they can be harmful to our well being.

An easy example would be with food or drink. God, our creator created food. He said, "It is good." Yet, for some it becomes habit forming. It can lead to harmful things such as gluttony, anorexia (and other eating disorders), starvation of those who do not have enough to eat. 

Food is evil. It can cause diabetes. Right? Of course, it can. But one would be a fool to fall for this straw-man argument.  The same can be said of "Pokemon Go." A lot of bad has resulted, one example I saw was a girl on her way home from hunting had to cross a major highway near Pittsburgh and was hit by a car.

But good has also resulted. Sales of business (small sample size) have increased as more people are on the streets. The one and probably only time I played the game I was able to talk to two groups of people that I wouldn't have if not for the game. People are getting more exercise. The humane society has used this to encouraged more people to adopt unwanted animals. And even churches have used it for their advantage as many churches are prime locations for Pokemon "trainers" to go.

Something that really struck me in the title is the "Go." Go where? Ash in the original Pokemon game was commissioned by Professor Oak to "Go." Go into all the world. Oak had a purpose for him. He was getting older and could never could do his original dream of catching all the Pokemon and defeating all the Gym Leaders.

So, Ash goes over to his mother, says, "goodbye", and leaves. Are you serious????!??? How old is he? What messed up world is he living in?, i think to myself.  Clearly the creator of Pokemon is not writing from a "God-centered" perspective but "Jehovah Sneaky" has much for us to learn if we have ears to hear.

One of the last instructions Jesus leaves with his disciples is what we call, "The Great Commission." Have you heard of it? "I have been given all authority on heaven and earth. Therefore, GO, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you."- Matthew 28:18-20

Go. Where? Jesus said all the world, so if I'm serious about following him I need to pack my bags and go to Africa right?

Maybe.

Jesus, like Professor Oak, gives each one of us a commission, "Go into all the world and make disciples."

In some mysterious way, God has chosen to use us as a tool to draw people to himself. Don't get me wrong, no one comes to Jesus without the Father (God) drawing them (John 6:44). 

Yet we are still told to "Go." Share your story. Build relationships. Tell people how God, despite your rebellion toward him, reached down and saved your butt. And just like farmers who sow seed on the ground they need a water for that word to grow.

That water is the Holy Spirit. We speak the truth of God and his love toward them and then the Holy Spirit does the craziest miracle possible, drawing sinful people to a Holy God.

 Many people want to see a sick person well, or a lame man walk, or a dead man rise; but the greatest miracle is when one no longer lives for himself/herself and begins to live for God and live for others.

 So, go, like Ash, into all the world.

Go, like Ash, unafraid of what today may bring. Go beyond your comfort zone. For it is only when we leave the realm of the comfort that we truly grow as people and are able to be used by God.

Make disciples. Start with yourself. Choose today to live not for yourself (ask for God's help, its the only way you can do it).

And as you become a true disciple. Im not taking about a Bible beating fundamentalist. Im talking about a person motivated by love to love for the sake of the One who loved you first.

Isn't it fun to talk about Pokemon when there is so much evil in the world? Remember to not be afraid. That's right? You have to remember.

It is easy in light of evil to think that "the end is nigh" and there "is no hope" but I believe God is still the king of this world. And as His image bearers we may fight hate not with more hate but with love. May we remind people of the promises of God, that "he will never leave us or forsake us."

The scariest thing in this world to me is not terrorist. If someone wants to kill me go for it. Give it a try. I know my God will protect me if it is not my time to go. The scariest thing in this world is those that profess Christ with their lips on Sunday and then support  politicians that are "anti-christ" on Monday through Saturday. The scariest thing is hearing "Christians" support "carpet bombing" and trying to destroy evil with evil.

Disclaimer: I am far from a pacifist, and I do not claim to have all the answers to "defeat terrorism."

But I know God does and one day He will defeat all evil in the world. Including the evil we harbor in our hearts.

And I do want to make a difference in the world. I hope you do too. Your voice makes a difference. Your live makes a difference. True Christianity is not denying there is evil in the world but also not being afraid of it either. True Christianity means you and I get to "GO" and live the life of Christ.

When you go its like we are throwing "poke-balls" of hope into the world. Some people like pokemon are not "caught" on the first throw. They are too strong and confident in their own ways of living. But when their PP (its like energy) is lower and people are without hope because of the craziness of this world, throw that poke-ball of hope and see a life transformed by the Gospel. 

The Father of the Shepherd

Have you ever been "stuck" in a certain passage or chapter of the Scriptures? This week I have been stuck in St John's Gospel Chapter 10.

Whenever one open the Scriptures we must come humbly before God, asking Him, "what is it that you want us to see?"

I am not going to quote the entire chapter for you here, so if you are interested please stop right now and read John 10. Yes the whole thing! It will take you literally 5 minutes. Get off MySpace and check it out. ;) 

There are a few constant themes through out this passage:

1) Jesus is the Good Shepherd and I (you/we) are the sheep.

2) He is good while there is a thief that is a jerk/punk/jagoff (not good).

          The thief wants to only do bad (you know like steal, kill, and destroy)
          Jesus came to bring us a rich and satisfying life (The point here isnt' a prosperity gospel but      that our lives will be meaningful because they will make an eternal impact on our own live and in the lives of others).

3) Sheep follow the voice of their Shepherd.

That is a great three point sermon, right! 

It is but I felt drawn to the words of Jesus recorded a little later in this passage.

After Jesus mentions that sheep listen to the voice of their Shepherd he brings in the BIG GUY, His Father.

I never noticed it till this week manly because I just started reading the NLT translation this year but here are some exciting and life alerting words of our Lord.

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he IS MORE POWERFUL THAN ANYONE ELSE. no one can snatch them from the Father's hand."- John 10:28-29

There is this sense of eternal security. Which, if we can be honest, we long for. We long to know that even if this world and my idea of what the world should look like crumbles, that God is still Good and he is still in control over my eternal destiney.

You see, I have never been a sheep, but I can image they aren't too worry about the Shepherd leaving them if they "misbehave." But we think that right? We think that even though God saved me when I believed in Him that now it becomes about me earning his favor.

We wouldn't say that directly but we think it don't we?

Let's stop right here, if you are in Christ and He is in you. You are a new Creation! You are born again of God's spirit. Just like Jesus when he was baptized God has stamped his love and approval upon you. This is a gift, its called grace, God's unmerited favor. Before Jesus did anything to deserve favor from God, God His eternal father declared "This is my beloved Son in whom I love."

The Good Shepherd is awesome!  He is Jesus. He is the gate. He is the doorway. He laid down his life so that we could have Real Life. Eternal Life. Not just in length but in how we live.


You are safe and secure in your Father's arms. No one. No one can steal away the Love the Father has for you. The Shepherd brought us to His father. God is more powerful than anyone else. He is more powerful than a man with a gun, he more powerful than the devil, he is more powerful than  YOU and your ability to resist His Spirit.

God wants us to become more like Jesus but when you screw up, make a mistake, or whatever God can still use that to make you more like Jesus! Why, because He is more powerful than anyone else!

May you know that God loves you. Not just a little bit, he really really loves you. He loves you so much that sent His only Son to die in your place. May you know that the Shepherd wants to lead you. May you listen to Holy Spirit as he calls, and draws you into walking and following Jesus daily.

The joy Awaiting Him.

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."- Hebrews 11:2

David was chosen by God. He was not perfect, as we see later when he commits adultery and murders a guy, but still a "man after God's own heart." 

Once upon time David was minding his own business being faithful in the work of the Lord. Being a shepherd. Defending his sheep from attackers. Bears, and lions, and tigers, oh my! (sorry, I got distracted.....its Friday so bear with me). 

It is in this situation that he receives noticed that the prophet Samuel has come to his house and was looking to anoint a new king (btw this is all happening when Saul is already king). 

So what God is asking Samuel is kinda risky. You know anointing a new king when there is a king. He could be killed! Samuel looks at each of David's older brothers and does not see the king God wants. 

"Do you have any others?" 

Just the rut, just David, replies Jesse. 

Bring him in. In that moment God has Samuel anoint David with oil, prophesying that he would be king of Israel!  Oh cares if he doesn't look like king or on the outside doesn't look qualified. God knows what he is doing! 

David filled with confidence in 1 Samuel 16 is able to boldy approach the injustice that is "Goliath" while delivering lunch to his brothers on the battle field. 

Why is no one standing up to this bully? I WILL! Proclaimed David. 

I heard a quote once that says, "only the people crazy enough to believe they can change the world will"

He did, he slayed that monster, that giant Goliath to the ground. 

This brings me to the cross. The biggest injustice of them all. God was on the move and he was going to work in Jesus to do something amazing. 

God has continued to speak to me on this passage (Hebrews 11:2 (see above) and reveal something "new." He has highlighted the fact that Christ was able to endure the cross because he knew Good Friday was not the end. He knew Resurrection Sunday was coming.

But maybe there is something more of this "JOY." What is the joy awaiting him? Was it being raised from the grave and getting to live and eat breakfast? Yes, but more!

The joy awaiting him was you, it was his elect. His people, his children. It wasn't a chore for Jesus to die for you it brought him much joy. In fact, this word "joy" can be personified to you! You are God's joy. He smiles when he looks at you. He is not disappoint, even if you are not walking with him. Yet the fact that we can identify as the "Joy of Christ" shall cause transformation in our everyday life.

You see David had the confidence to do what He was called to do because he knew his identity in Christ. He was the joy awaiting Christ. He was so filled with Holy Joy that he could not help himself. He HAD TO ACT. 

The question of this blog, though informal as it may be, is do you know who you are? Do you know that God loves you?

or since that question has become so routine, "Do you know that you are God's joy?" That it brings him joy to look at you. Not after you do something great but because of who you are! 

May you know that you are worth dying for
May you know that there is nothing you can do to make God mad at you or disappointed in you. 

And May you know that you are more powerful in Christ than you can ever believe. 

Denying Jesus

"Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you (Peter) will deny three times that you even knew me (Jesus)."- Luke 22:34

Peter was a reckless disciple but never would one think he would deny he knew Jesus. But a few hours later he would. Both Judas and Peter denied/betrayed Jesus yet it was Peter who was forgiven/redeemed while Judas was not.

This vantage point is hard for me. Judas after denying Jesus and seeing what was about to happen to him found some rope and a tree (we are not given the exact details) and hung himself. He committed suicide.  

 

It was too much for him to handle. He regretted his decision. The money wasn't worth it.  It never is. It was never meant to make him happy. But then again, that is the lie of sin: to promise you happiness before stealing away your joy and peace. 

So the question I have for you on the eve of Good Friday (I believe its called Manundy Thursday), why was Peter forgiven but not Judas?

Because if you know the story (spoiler alert coming up!!!) you know that Jesus dies. He almost dies on the way to the cross. He is whipped and beaten and by his wounds we were healed! He needs help carrying his cross and ultimately God dies. 

 

But death could not hold him down He descended to the grave/hell (depending on what your tradition teaches) and raises victorious on Resurrection Sunday (Also known as Easter). Which is why we eat chocolate for some reason. 

 

 After all this happens Jesus seeks out Peter. He seeks him out, like a hound dog, and finds him. He asks Peter three times if Peter loves Jesus. And all three times Peter declared "You know I love you."

There is a lot more to this story that i do not have time to uncover right now but this is amazing story of Peter being forgiven. I mean he literally did the worst thing you can think of "Deny Jesus" and Jesus said I will find Peter and rescue him from himself. 

So what saved Peter? Of course we know it was his Faith. We are all saved by our faith in God. But the question of how he was saved b=my upset the average American Christian. 

You see, when we talk about salvation, or coming to faith we like to have the focus on the individual. Because you know we are Americans with individual rights and freedoms and God would never ever ever violate my right to choose him, except for when he does. 

Now, dont get me wrong there is a chose. There is us walking in agreement with what God wants for us. But the spotlight was never meant to be on us! It has always meant to be on God, and Him alone. 

Why was Judas not saved? Was it because he did not have the opporunity? Was he not apart of God's elect? Did he do the unforgiveable sin? 

I dont know. This is a tough one. 

Because I see "Judas' all around me. I see them make stupid mistakes and they continue to walk in sin and some even take their own lives and some even become Terrorists. And I think to myself if only they knew the Goodness of God. If only they knew how much God loved them. That God could change their lives. Maybe if they knew things would be different. 

But I know God is different and I hope you know he is different and maybe there is a reason why we know. So we can share with others how God has been so good to you that he has shown you mercy, and grace, and forgiveness. When You (and I) did not deserve/earn it.

You see this is a shift in how we see God. For way too long people would preach "fear sermons" They would describe how horrible hell was and how we need to get our act together so we don't go there. Because you know, all we are "are sinners in the hands of an angry God."

But God seeks us out. I dont know why everyone does not experience the Goodness of God. I know there are times in my life when I wonder what He is doing but I hold onto the fact that He is God and He is good. 

For those three days, Depression and fear would have fallen on the disciples and especially Peter who when he last saw Jesus, he denied Him. 

God sought out Peter and he seeks out each one of us. He brings us to that place of repentance of turning our lives over to him. 

After studying this stuff for many years and reading many different "experts" who have it all figured out I confess that I do not understand how God does it. 

But he does. He seeks and saves that which was lost. You and I. And I need this "Hound Dog" of a God to continue to run after me daily because without his constant grace and constant love and constant forgiveness I forget how much I am loved and valued by Him. 

So this Resurrection Sunday (And Good Friday and well every day of the year) may you remember how God has forgiven you. If you have never understood that you needed forgiven maybe that is a conversation you need to have with God. God may be asking you the same thing he is asking Peter, "Do you love me?" 

 

Or maybe you have walked with God for a while but have wondered off the path. This is a good time to be forgiven and realign your life with the God who made you, knows you, and loves you. 

Thank you (and dont eat too much chocolate) because gluttony is a sin too! ;)

A brand new you

Wow, its been a while hasn't it. That's okay. I am human, as are you.

We forget. We stumble. We fall down. But we are not defined by our falling as much as our getting up.

My lack of blog writer in the past, even though, I made a commitment to it, has reminded me of sin, guilt, pain, and all other short comings we might face in life.

The older we get the more times we fail. And as through Hillsong wirters say "A Thousand times I fail still your mercy remains. The art of losing myself in bringing you fame."

But why do we try to measure up? Why do we try and be something or someone we are not. This gets even more scary when you throw theologians with their Phds and Mdivs in the mix. Some will say the goal of the Christian life is to be more like Jesus. Is it? Kind of.

You see when our whole objective is centered on who we are becoming and not all we are we are missing most of the picture.

Don't get me wrong. It is a very good thing to become more like Jesus. In fact, that is what the world needs. We need people to embody the real Jesus. Not the white-skin, Republican Jesus that we like to portray. But the one who said hard words that we must wrestle with daily.

Last night at our youth group, I tricked the kids into learning. Bahahahahaha. During our normal lesson time we engaged in dialogue back in forth where they had to ask and answer simple questions that proved not to be so simply.

We started by talking about Jesus, which got us to the cross, which got us to sin, which got us to what the heck is sin, which got us to the perfection of Jesus Himself.

Is Jesus perfect? There was a student in our group conceived without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was not perfect. Bare in mind this was the same student that proclaimed boldly that "Jesus came to die for our sins."

How could He if he wasn't perfect? Its like you are taking a test and its pass fail. You either have to get a 100% or you fail. Would you trust yourself when you know you didn't have a perfect score or would you greatfully trade with the student that you know was perfect?

This seems silly. But this is what happened for us on the cross. Jesus was perfect. He had to be. If he wasn't there is no point in life. He was tempted in all the ways we have been tempted yet he never sinned. If he wasn't perfect he wouldn't have "died for our sins."

Sin- wrong doings before God's holy law.

The key to Jesus' success? He was God. Yes he was human too. 100% each somehow. Don't pretend that we understand it. God knew we couldn't muster enough faith, enough goodness to be perfect. So he had to become a human and die in our place.

This, well, this is the Gospel.

So what about becoming more like Jesus? I think its a great idea. But I do not think it should be our focus.

You see because the more I know God, the thing that is most changed isn't my outside behavior but my heart. The closer I get to God the more I realized how jacked up I can be some times. The closer I get to the light the more I see my dirt. And I hate it. And I don't want it. And I wish God would come down and make me a better person but He hasn't.

But here is what I have learned: It isn't about me becoming a better person. It's about me trusting in God that He was a good enough person for me. It's about me having a more grace filled heart. You see, when I remember how much God has forgiven me and still continues to forgive I am free to forgive others around me.

But if I think I am becoming a better person that is when I start to look down on those around me. And really is that who we desire to be?

We are a new creation in Christ. If you believe in Jesus that is who you are. You are a brand new you. You didn't earn it. You wouldn't. You didn't desire it until God made it possible.

Today, my prayer for you as it is for myself is not that we try and become better people but that we become people that depend on God for everything. That we remember how much we have been shown grace and therefore we can show grace, and love, and mercy, and kindness to others.

I think that is what the world needs.

Wisdom from Mother Theresa

There is an awesome writing entitled, "Do it anyway" by Mother Teresa that I want to share with you today. Her words are similar and more than likely a slight variation of Dr. Kent M. Keith's words in his "The Paradoxical Commandments."

She wrote:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyways.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.


Wow! What powerful and inspirational words from this wonderful woman of God.

A challenge we must accept is how we treat others. We can come up with thousands of reasons why we should not treat others with love and honor and respect but there is one more powerful reason why we should love them. And to illustrate this point I will steal from a man even more wise than Mother Theresa.

In Matthew's Gospel, we read of Jesus telling  a parable entitled, "The parable of the Unforgiving servant."

Jesus tells this parable in response to the words of Peter. Peter thought he was wise by telling Jesus that he thinks its wise to forgive 7 times. In the First Century the most forgiving people would forgive up to the max of 3 times. So when Peter proclaimed, "7" he declared over double he was willing to forgive.

Jesus says 77 times or 7 times 70 depending on the translation of Scripture. Jesus describes what he means in the parable.

He said, "Suppose there is a servant who owes the king 10,000 talents (it was a form of currency). Just think a lot of money. A sum that was unpayable by a servant. The debt was too large. The servant begged the king to not charge him and throw him and his family in prision. And the crazy thing is: The king listened! He set him free.

After this occurred: The same servant, who was just forgiven a large amount of money, found someone who owed him money. He demanded that this man who owed him a lot less money pay up. When he couldn't the first servant throw this second servant in jail.

When the king found out about this he was not very happy. The king couldn't understand how the servant could be so unforgiving after he was forgiven of so much.


Jesus makes a connection between how we have been forgiven by God to how this servant was forgiven by the king. Yet many people in the First Century and now in the 21st Century do not like to forgive.

Jesus is reminding us that we have been forgiven much and therefore we should forgive much. Once we understand how much God has forgiven us we can begin to show that forgiveness and unconditional love to others.

This isn't a plead to be a doormat. This isn't a plead to let people walk over you. But it is a plead to be free. To be free from the opinion of what others say about you. To be free to show them the love of Jesus.

Remember what Mother Theresa said, "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway."

Because "In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

May you and I learn to love. May you and I learn to forgive. Even when people choose not to change how they treat you because in the end it isn't between you and them, it is between you and God.

Would Jesus hit a home run?

The Pirates won. Raise the Jolly Roger.

How cool has this been as a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. I rooted for the Pirates since my birth. My mother and my grandfather both watched and listened to many games and taught me to do the same. I was 2 days short of one year old on October 14, 1992.

If you are a pirates fan I do not need to tell you the significance of that date. In an age before instant replay, Sid Bream rounded third, the throw came in, the slide, he was out but called safe. 1992. That was the end of the playoffs and the end of winning for the baseball team from Pittsburgh (at least for a generation).

I grew up knowing that the Pirates were losers. In 2009, there was a funny but true saying floating around the state of PA, Pittsburgh is the City of Champions and the Pirates.

Despite giving us false hope in both 2011 and 2012, Clint Hurdle and the Pittsburgh Pirates not only had a winning record in 2013 but won the wildcard game at Pnc Park .After Johnny Cueto drops the ball after being rattled by a "black out" Russel Martin hits a homerun off of him. The Pirates lost in 5 games to the Cardinals but the future seemed bright.

A slow start in 2014 did not stop the Pirates from making the playoffs but once again as the host to the Wild Card Game. This time they had to face Madison Baumgardner and the SF Giants who seem to win the World Series every even year (2010,2012,2014). The Pirates got crushed.

The promise going into 2015 is WE WILL WIN THE DIVISION!  Some, maybe a little over zealous proclaimed, "Heck, the pirates are wining the whole thing"

They once again had a slow start but have started to play some better ball as of late and as of June 2nd, 2015 they are three games above .500 and just six games back of those stupid Cardinals.

So, why a blog on Baseball? Why not? Baseball is awesome right? It is. Trust me.

I am writing this blog after the Pirates squeak by those same Giants that won the World Series (and beat us on Oct 1 by the score of 0-8) last night. And Last night we were the victor by the score 4-3.

 This was a great game despite starting 10:15 on the east coast. The Giants score 2 runs in the first inning against an early candidate for "Cy Young" Gerit Cole (of course those runs were unearned because of an error). He clearly didn't have his "A game" but still managed to pitch 7 innings giving up just 2 runs (0 Earned Runs) thanks to miracle 6th inning where he escaped the bases loaded with no outs.

The Pirates just scored 4 runs. You see, they could have/ should have scored more if it wasn't for two amazing defense plays by Giants outfielders. the First came with the Pirates trailing 0-2 with bases loaded with just one out in the top of the fourth. Andrew McCutchen rockets a ball that appears will split the center and left fielder easily scoring three runs. But a diving catch causes Cutch to get a Sac Fly and score Gerit Cole from Third.

Again, later in the game the same situation was set up. After El Coffee draws the walk Cutch is up with the bases loaded and only one out. He hits the ball. Once again it appears that this ball with split the center and right fielder but this time the right fielder makes an above average play on the ball and once again Gerit Cole scores from Third on the Sac Fly.

Two times at bat, two times he doesn't get a hit but helps the team tie it up right before Walker hits a two run double to take the lead for good.

Watching the game, you could tell McCutchen was upset. He has Homerun and RBI power. And if two above average plays were not made he would have had 6 Runs Batted in instead of 2.

Early in the game, Gerit Cole who pitched a brilliant game despite not having his best stuff had one of the worst bunts I have seen since AJ Burnett hurt himself bunting in BP back in 2013. His goal was to get a SAC bunt by bunting the ball toward the third basemen to get Chris Stewart from Second to Third with just one out. But instead the ball feel straight down and the catcher was able to pick it up and throw down to third and get Stewart out by a foot. Not even close.

Reflecting on this game I started to think about Jesus. I like to think Jesus would like to play baseball after all it was his idea. Somewhere in the mystery of the Trinity He implanted the concept of baseball into the hearts of individuals and there the game was made.

I started to think of what would have happened if Jesus was batting instead of McCutchen in those situations. Could he have hit the home run? After all, God is all powerful. He is mighty. So, of course Jesus could have hit a home run but would he had.

You see, I think this comes down to what we believe about Jesus. The First Century Jews were waiting for a Messiah who would have metaphorically hit home runs. He would come and been their political king and set them free from the bondage of the Roman Empire. But Jesus knew something that sports teach us.

Sometimes in order to win, you must lose first.  What appears as defeat individually in the game of baseball can be a win as a team. McCutchen had a Sacrifice Fly (well actually two of them yesterday). In order for someone else to score.

The game of baseball teaches us that in life sometimes we must sacrifice ourselves in order to benefit others. Of course, this is counter to the American Dream which teaches us that we must go to college so that we can get a nice job, nice family, nice paycheck, nice house, etc etc etc. The problem isn't in the money but it is chasing after something that does not endure and only benefits oneself.

We ask ourselves, "What am I called to do?" Where your passions and a need meet there is your calling. There is your destiny. And if there is sacrifice involved you might be in the right business.

I look at the life of Jesus and my heart melts. I think of all the ways I am selfish with my time and money and I ask him to show me ways in which I can use the resources he has blessed me with to bless others. It is a process and it hurts.

Jesus die a cross. I don't know if you knew that or not but his sacrifice didn't begin on Good Friday. It began by Him choosing to become a finite human, It continued as he choose to belong to a  family of poor people, It Continued as he associated with those who were called, "tax collectors and sinners." It continued as he didn't get married or raise a family but instead chose to invest in 12 unlikely religious men that changed the world. It continued as he obey his Heavenly Father by investing in women; some of other nationalities.

And of course the cross. Where he was naked and died. People mocked him as he was naked. They yelled, "You have saved others why don't you save yourself?" I wonder if that thought cross Jesus' mind. I could just escape. I know I can. I am God! I could hit a home run! What a miracle it would be for me to just break through these nails that hold me here. It would be easy. And with the bases loaded Jesus gave himself up. He died. God died. He made a sacrifice for us. We were abandoned on third base with no way of getting home but He hit the sacrifice fly to score us.


I know, like all analogies it can only go so far.   But I return to my original question: Would Jesus hit a home run? No. He would hit the sacrifice fly every time. For you. For me. For us.

May we hit more sacrifice flies. May we give of ourselves in the same way that Jesus gave himself up for the ransom of many. We don't do this to earn God's love. You see when Jesus died he declared that it was finished. That means we are accepted now by God.

We have scored. But Now it's our time to bat. Will you go to bat for others? Will you try to hit the home run or just give yourself up so that they may score?