Day 254- A Cage First

Today, I went and hit some balls in a batting cage for my "first."

A friend of mine suggested this a few days ago.  I was in Dothan today visiting a friend in the hospital and thought about my friend's suggestion about the batting cages. I called the place in Dothan where I knew some batting cages were and they said they were open and it costs $1 for 20 balls to swing at.  I started to say hit, but swing at and hit are two different things.

I used to hit in batting cages when I was in high school some, but it has been well past 20 years since I hit in a batting cage so that qualifies as a "first."

There were different levels at the batting cages.  I decided to start off with the slow pitch softball.  Out of 20 pitches, I managed to get the bat on 20.  The first several I beat into the ground. After a while, I did start to hit some line drives.  I even switched over and hit opposite for a while (right handed for me since I bat left-handed). I did not hit well right handed, but I did manage to beat a few into the ground.

I decided after those 20 pitches that I would hit 20 more. It is not because I am cheap that I only hit $1 dollar (20) more, but my hands were beginning to hurt and it was hot.  Plus, I had just finished lunch. Did I mention that this was about 1:30 in the afternoon?  I decided to do medium pitch baseball. This was 60 mph. There was one step higher that I could have chosen, but I thought medium was plenty for me.  I am over 35 years old. 

I whiffed on the first pitch.  It was faster than I thought.  Of course, 60 mph at 45 feet (I'm guessing that's what the pitching machine distance was though it seemed like perhaps 25 feet) is much faster than at 60 feet 6 inches like in professional baseball.  I choked up on the bat and got ready.  I wondered if I would be able to make contact.  My reflexes are just not what they used to be.  The second pitch I did manage to make contact with.  Not good contact, but I did hit it.  I managed to make contact with every pitch after that. Not good contact, but contact nonetheless.  I was encouraged that I could still get the bat on the ball.

 

  

 

Uh oh

I sure hope this dorky picture is because of the dorky helmet

 

 Medium which seems really fast

Tempting, but I managed to resist

Really tempting after hitting 40 balls

  

The real baseball player in the family

 

 After I made contact with 9 or 10 pitches, I decided to swing away. Before that I was choked up on the bat and just trying to make contact. I did not want to whiff.  I was beating the ball into the ground and it was kind of stinging my hands because I was not making good contact.  So, I got into my old hitting stance and swung away .  What do you know, I hit the ball well.  I swung away again and hit the ball well again. It was not stinging my hand and the ball was jumping off the bat better (relatively speaking).  Had there been professional scouts there, I don't think they would have been interested in talking to me, but it was much more fun to take a full swing and hit the ball with more thump.

 

As I drove away, I thought about how this applies spiritually.  At times, I have been very tentative in my walk with Christ.  In my attempts at sharing my faith, prayer, teaching, and even loving people, I was concentrating on not messing up.  That's kind of like swinging at the ball hoping not to miss.  Here's the thing; God has accepted us and forgiven us by His grace if we are genuinely converted.  So, we can "swing away."  When we have a chance to share our faith, let's go for it.  Don't just tentatively drop a "God bless you, have a nice day" but really talk about how wonderful Jesus is.  If you are teaching a class, go for it. Teach the best you can by the power of the Spirit.  If you are praying, let go and pray hard.  If you are telling someone that you love them, look them in the eye and tell them that you love them from your heart. If it's your spouse, give them a kiss they'll remember. You can tell them a preacher told you to.

 

 

Simply trying not to mess up is not the high calling in Christ Jesus. You are forgiven. You are accepted. God loves you.  Swing away and hit a home run in Jesus' name!!

 

Glad Jesus wants to give abundant life and not half-hearted life

Barry

 

3 things I thank God for today

1. Batting cages

2. Good baseball memories

3. God accepts us in Christ Jesus



 

 

 

Day 253- A Boastful First

Today, I bragged on Joel to a complete stranger for my "first."

I have bragged on Laura and Hannah Grace to complete strangers for "firsts" already this year. I've been looking for an opportunity to brag on Joel to someone in his presence.  After school, I was in town with both kids. Hannah Grace suggested that we stop in at the yogurt place and get a doughnut.  This was after she suggested that we stop at Dairy Queen.  While we were in the yogurt place, I bragged on both kids to the lady working there. After that, we met Laura and she took Hannah Grace to where she needed to go. Joel and I went by the store on the way home to get some supplies.  I bragged on Joel to the guy at the store as well.  I wanted him to have his very own bragging.  I told the guy at the cash register that this was one fine young man.  I told him (with my arm around Joel) that Joel was very smart, responsible, well-mannered, polite and respectful young man.  I also mentioned that he would climb very well. Joel is pretty proud of his climbing abilities. The guy at the cash register said, "Hmmm."  Wow, is that the best you can do?  Hmmm? I resisted the urge to slap him.  Just kidding, kind of.

It is easy when children are young to correct them a lot.  I do correct my children a good bit, but I don't want them to hear my voice mainly in correction.  I want them to hear me telling them I love them, I'm proud of them, and I am glad God let me be their Daddy. It's a great privilege for the Lord to entrust us with children.  Children are a gift of the Lord. They belong to God and I'm responsible for teaching them about Him. God doesn't simply correct us; He loves us, protects us, encourages us, lives with us, and forgives us to name a few things.  I'm to be something of a model of God's character to my children.  God wants me to be an example of His love and grace.  Part of that is letting my children know I'm grateful to be a part of their lives.

As I was thinking about that, I've thought this week about the need to minister to our children at church. They need the love and grace of Christ expressed to them by the church family and not simply their teachers.  It's easy to sort of not really notice the children. Jesus loved children and had time for children. Think about how you can express the love of Christ to a child (not just yours) this week.

As I've sat here writing this blog, I thought about a story that Max Lucado wrote about in his book titled "Grace."  He wrote, "Many years ago I traveled to my mother’s house in West Texas to see my uncle. He had journeyed from California to visit the grave of my dad. He hadn’t been able to make it to the funeral some months earlier. Uncle Billy reminded me of my father. They looked so much alike: square bodied and ruddy complexion. We laughed, talked, and reminisced. When time came for me to leave, Uncle Billy followed me out to my car. We paused to say good-bye. He reached up and placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “Max, I want you to know, your dad was very proud of you.” I contained the emotion until I pulled away. Then I began to blubber like a six-year-old. We never outgrow our need for a father’s love."

Take a minute to love a child.  You both need it.

Grateful that children are a part of the abundant life
Barry

3 things I think God for today
1. Numbers
2. Fire
3. God is my Father

Day 252- A Zinio First

Today, I signed up for Zinio on my computer and downloaded the Zinio app on my phone so I can read digital magazines for free for my "first."

Earlier in the year, I got a library card from the Mobile Public Library so I could check out e-books from them.  They send me an email once a month or so informing me about new things happening at the library.  I got an email today that said they were now providing free magazines online. I could check out digital magazines and read them on my electronic devices.  I needed to have Zinio to do this.

If it were not my year of "firsts," I probably would have put this off and maybe never done it.  When I saw that, I thought it would be fun to be able to do that.  I also had doubts about whether I could actually make this work or not.  My tech skills are pretty low.  I wondered if it really was free or not. But hey, methinks, it's a year of "firsts" so go for it.

Go for it, I did. I am glad so say that I have read articles from a couple of different magazines today.  The laptop was fairly easy to navigate and get my magazines.  The phone app was a bit more difficult. I was about to give up on it, but then I thought about the blog and really wanted to be able to report that I had magazines on my phone.  I have magazines on my phone.  This is a "first" that I believe is going to be helpful and enjoyable for me.

I asked Joel to strike an intelligent pose and so he asked to borrow my glasses

After I figured out the basics, I started looking at the magazine choices.  There were a number of different choices to choose from; genres such as automotive, hobbies, bridal (I did not get one of these), children, sports, entertainment, science and tech, and religion and spirituality.  I checked out Reader's Digest.  They have ESPN magazine that I'll probably take a look at one day. I was hoping for Christianity Today.  Here's what got me. I clicked on religion and spirituality and there was one choice-Guideposts.  Really? One choice for the most important part of our lives?  I  am not being critical of the library. I am grateful for their service. There are not a ton of great Christian magazines that I'm aware of.  I feel confident they are offering magazines that are reflective of of the interests of our culture.  This reminds me that many times people are not that interested in following Jesus.  People may say they are, but so many want to read about knitting, photography, sports and health. There were a number of magazines about health.  I believe in health and I enjoy reading about health. I think it is wise to know good health practices and follow them so we can maximize our time here for Jesus. But no matter how good our health is, this outside part of us is going to perish one day. 

How interested are we in Jesus and His purposes for our lives?  Do we spend more time picking out clothes, showering, and getting physically ready for the day and forget about getting ready spiritually for the day?  As I write that, it sounds wrong to me.  I am not talking about getting ready spiritually for the day as much as I am talking about being in a right and conversational relationship with Christ at the beginning of the day.

I am challenged today to give thought to how serious I am about my relationship with God. Does the way I spend my time and thoughts say I am very much interested in Jesus or am I more interested in sports, photography, and health?  It's something to think about; maybe even something to do something about.

Grateful abundant life is in Jesus
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Libraries
2. Laughter
3. Resurrection of Christ

Day 251- A Gas Pump First

Today, I told a lady at the gas pump "Jesus loves you" for my "first."

I was at a convenience store getting gas for my vehicle.  The convenience store is called "Gitty-Up-N-Go." That is kind of a cool name for a place to gas up.  While I was there, a lady came out of the store and started gassing up her vehicle on the other side of the pump from where I was.  The idea hit me that I had never told a person that I did not know "Jesus loves you" at a gas pump before. I decided that would make a good "first."

Then it started to feel a bit weird.  For one thing, I could not see her because the gas pump was between us.  Also, she had on a nice dress with a floppy, flowery hat.  It seemed to be a bit odd to poke my head around the gas pump and say, "Jesus loves you."  I thought I might scare the sweet lady and knock her pretty hat off. Or, I might scare her and she might bump into her car and get her pretty dress messed up. I almost backed out of it.  But I thought I don't want to get bluffed out of saying "Jesus loves you" to someone.  Also, if I did not do this, I would be hunting a different "first."  I shot a quick prayer up and asked the Lord to show me how to do this without scaring the sweet lady.  We both finished filling our vehicles at about the same time and so when she went to get in her vehicle, we were able to make eye contact.  I said, "Have a nice day and don't forget that Jesus loves you."  She said something I could not really understand and got in her vehicle and drove off. I think she said something nice, but I just could not make it out. I decided not to snap a quick picture of her with my phone for my blog in the interests of not appearing creepy.  Creepy and telling someone Jesus loves them just does not go together well.  Plus she appeared to be a good bit older than me and had a big purse.  I did not want to get wopped by an older lady with a big purse.

 

I noticed how quickly my natural inclination was to squirm out of this "first."  I did not want to appear goofy, creepy, intrusive, or like some kind of a nut.  But, what is wrong with telling someone that Jesus loves them?  There is something about the flesh that simply fights against spiritual things.  Our flesh rebels against different things. I know mine rebels against being embarrassed, looking silly, or speaking out.  The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT), "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

Each day I do battle with the flesh; that part of me that wants to do life my own way instead of God's way. Some think of the flesh in association with acts like drunkenness, adultery, fornication, and the desire to be rich.  Certainly those things are works of the flesh.  At the root of the flesh is the desire to do your own thing. God has called us to do His thing. Simply not speaking up for Jesus because I don't want to be embarrassed is a work of the flesh.  The flesh can not be dealt with appropriately as a believer except by considering it dead. It can not be reformed or improved. It must be taken to the cross and considered as dead.  Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."  Romans 6:11-12 says, " Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts."

I have a daily decision to make. I can choose live life my own way or Jesus' way.  His way is the abundant life way.

Choosing the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Church directories
2. God's omniscience
3. Curtains

Day 250- A Kangaroo First

Today, I ate kangaroo jerky for my "first."

I don't ever remember eating kangaroo before. I am real sure I have never eaten kangaroo jerky before.  One time I went to a wild game supper and there was kangaroo there, but it was all gone before I got there.  I do remember asking the guy for some and he said it was all gone. Of course, I was disappointed and I remember him saying that the kangaroo meat costs him some ridiculous amount of money.  My memory is not great, but it was like 400-500 dollars for just a little bit.  This tells me that this guy was much more generous than me.  If I paid that much money for some meat, I'm afraid that I would not cook it for strangers to eat. Selfish Barry would probably limit that to family and a few very close friends.

Joel was up for the challenge. He wanted to try it.  Hannah Grace said "Poor kangaroo."  She seemed pretty traumatized that we would eat kangaroo.  She said it was mean to eat a poor old kangaroo.  She said it was not nice.  Hannah Grace said it might have even been a baby and its Momma missed him/her.

We ate some.  Joel was not too sure about this at the start, but after trying it he wanted to eat the rest of of it. He said it was the best. When I questioned him about that, he said, "Well, not better than watermelon and strawberries, but really good." I thought it was good for jerky. Laura thought it would be good and she pronounced it "pretty good." She said it was so good it made her jump for joy. Of course, when I read the ingredients, it listed kangaroo meat first, and beef second. So, it was not pure kangaroo, but it did not taste like regular beef jerky.  When we had a taste, Joel asked if he could eat the rest.  He did eat the rest.

 

Joel is not too sure about this



Hannah Grace is not  happy about the thought of eating kangaroo

 As I thought about this "first," it occurred to me that my service for Jesus is seldom really pure.  Just as this was not pure kangaroo meat, my service for Jesus is not always purely out of love for Him.  There is sometimes a mixture of selfishness. I know that serving Jesus is good for me.  It is good now and will be good when I get to heaven. The eternal rewards of serving the Lord will be out of this world. In fact, I sometimes say the retirement benefits for serving Jesus are out of this world.  Literally!

Yet, I do want to serve Jesus because He is worthy.  The more I contemplate Him and His love, grace, majesty, and the list goes on, the more I am amazed by Him. He is the hero of the story. He is the star of the show.  I really desire that people's hearts would be captivated by Christ. No other allegiance, person, hobby, or interest compares to Him.

So, I need to think much about Jesus. I need to think great and noble thoughts about Him. No other person, interest, hobby, anyone, or anything can compare to Him.  I need to allow Him to examine my motives and ambitions to make sure that He is my purpose and goal; not mixed with a bunch of selfish motives.  Jesus is worthy of my all!!

Jesus is the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Day of worship
2. Encouraging words from others
3. Laughter in church

Day 249- A Timber First

I was walking around outside this afternoon looking for a "first."  I had several ideas that did not work out.  Persistence has been a real key to this year of "firsts."  As I walked around the yard, I saw a dead tree in the woods and wondered if Joel and I could push it over. Joel and I attempted to push over a dead tree for my "first."

I used to like to do this when I was small. We would go to my grandparents' house in Mississippi and I would play in the woods.  Occasionally, I would see a dead tree and try to push it down. Of course, if I did, I would yell "Timber."

Joel and I went to the tree I found.  It was a pretty good sized tree that I felt like would be a good challenge for us.  It was.  We pushed several times with no success. I thought at that point the tree was just too strong for us to push over. We tried rocking it a bit and heard a crack.  It is not easy to get a rhythm going while pushing a tree that barely rocks back and forth.  We tried the other side with no success.  Several more angles were tried and we heard another crack or two.  After getting into a bit of a better rhythm close to where we started, the tree started rocking a bit better.  We got some momentum and down the old tree came.  We did yell, "Timber."

Joel said he really liked this "first."  I asked him why he enjoyed it.  He said, "Because we got to knock something down."  It is a pretty fun deal when you can knock something down.

We did not dare try to push down a living tree the size of the dead tree we pushed over today.  Living trees have life in them and good living roots to hold them up. Dead trees have no life and so are easily pushed over.  I guess you could say a dead tree is much more of a "push-over."

I thought about our lives as followers of Jesus. We don't want to be spiritual "push-overs."  The Bible says this in Psalm 1: 1-3, "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

When we live our lives according to God's word being empowered by the Spirit, we are like a living tree.  We are not easily pushed over. Who wants to be a spiritual "push-over?" We are full of God's life.  Our lives bear fruit. It is the picture of life. Believers in Jesus should be a picture of life.  It is also a picture of satisfaction.  The tree has everything that it needs. 

It is noteworthy that the Psalm says this person delights in God's law.  God is not obeyed from a grudging heart. The person the Psalmist describes is not obeying God because he/she is afraid something bad will happen if they don't. This heart delights to obey God because the person delights in God. God delights in the person that delights in Him.  That is not surprising.  That is how relationships work at their best.

If we are not delighting in God and His word, then our lives lack life.  We lack the vibrancy of the Spirit.  Fruit is lacking.  Therefore, we are not very good at helping others come to know Jesus. It is hard to give away something you don't possess.  If we are not thrilled with Jesus, it's unlikely that we will draw others to Christ. People are not impressed when we try to convince them of something that is not working for us.  What I mean by that is that if my marriage is not joyful and harmonious, people are not impressed by my God.  If I don't have some measure of joy and peace in my life, people may not want to follow my God. Let's delight in God and let Him fill us with real life. There is enough dead religion around.

Desiring to live the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Psalm 1
2 God can't be pushed over
3. Ability to hear