Play Ball!

As many of you know I have been umpiring Little League baseball two nights a week, 2 games per night. I hesitated to do so at first because nights at home are few and far between but to be honest, I have enjoyed it. I wouldn't want to do it for a living but I can handle it for a month or so.
It's been interesting to see the responses of the coaches, the parents, the kids to the "preacher behind the plate". Questions like "Can a preacher miss a call? Can I yell at the ump? If so, what can I call him? " to name a few. Hey, believe it or not, I've missed a call or two. And if you know me, you know that I'd yell at the ump so I expect to be yelled at. However, I seek to be consistent in my calls. More than that, I want the kids to learn and I've found myself having to be careful not to coach, but stick to calling balls and strikes. That's difficult for me. (However, I offer a little advice to the batters or runners under my breath). What can it hurt?
One of the main reason I try to imvolve myself in comunity sports or events is that it allows me to enter into the world and lives of others. It allows others to see me in a different context, to see how I act, how I respond to various situations. And it's nice when the kids around town know me as "the ump" or "Serengeti Eddie" (VBS), or Kyle's dad. It evens the playing field and gives me a better opportunity to live out the gospel without even saying anything "religious".
Jesus said we are to be in the world but not of the world. The baseball field is a part of that world and if being yelled at behind the plate gives me a chance to share Christ's love, than bring me a batter, for it's time to play ball.

Mission Minded

This past week provided us with a great opportunity to help those in the community who were affected by the high winds Wednesday night. Trees were down, limbs and branches were everywhere. It was a mess. Much to my delight several guys from the church saw fit to give of their time on Thursday to help remove limbs off of roofs, vehicles, and from yards and streets. It was a great day and people of the community were extremely appreciative. We did not do it for money, nor did we do it for recognition. However, people take notice when they receive unexpected help with no strings attached. (Reminds me of grace)
Sunday I mentioned that it seems silly to fly over the mission field to get to the mission field. The mission field was right here in town on Thursday (as it is every day). Thanks to Greg, Shad, Antonio, Gabe, and Josh for your labor of love. Mission accomplished - at least for one day.

Intercession

Romans 8:26 says, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express". That verse has taken on more meaning for me this past week in light of some situations and circumstances that face me and my family. I've always prided myself in being able to stay under control, of being consistant in my faith in spite of that which goes on around me. But in reality, that is a weakness because I can tend to rely too much upon my own strength (or lack of it) to think I am in control (when I'm not). This verse has been of great value to me because I think I know what to pray, yet I don't. I think I know how to pray, but I don't. I want to pray, yet at times I can't. Thankfully the Spirit is fully aware of what goes on in my life, in your life as well. And because of that He knows fully what to pray for, how to pray, how to intercede on my behalf with "groans that words cannopt express". That does not mean I am to give up praying or attempting to, nor does it exempt anyone from praying for me. But it does lessen the pressure to think that it is all up to me. Therefore, even when I struggle to pray, I am assured to know that the Holy Spirit is intereceding on my behalf, and on the behalf of others. I don't know about you, but I need that reassurance.

Hey Baby let's go to Vegas!

Just returned from Vegas this week after moving the middle son out there for his job. By the way, it's a long way to drive. Everything went fine. The truck caused no problems and I kept the wheels between the white lines on the road (1,279 miles). When we got there, it was 102 degrees but we wanted to get the truck unloaded so we sweat it out. But don't forget - it's a DRY heat. Began to help get things put away, went to the local target and bought some household items and then went to the grocery store and got the necessary goods to get started. (A little more selection than Mel's). Yes, we did end up going down to the strip. Don't tell me people don't have money. It was being spent like it grew on trees. Restaraunts, shows, casinos, hotels - you name it. And people from every nation under the sun. Wall to wall people, young and old, male and female. I remembered why I likes the slower pace of the small town. HOWEVER, what a huge opportunity for outreach, for a church plant, for being creative in ministry. Even out where Eric lived, it seemed that the potential was endless. It's intriguing to me to think about because new ideas and change are hard to come by in established communities, established churches. We can get in ruts because of the way we've always done things and because of that we lose our fire, our desire think anew, to think of ways we can offer the gospel in fresh and exciting ways. This summer I'd like you to help me think of ways we can not change the message, but the possibility of changing the way we "do church" so we can be more effective. I'm open to any and all ideas. If it takes a trip to Vegas to get us to think differently, maybe we can go on a road trip - you up to it? Give me your thoughts.