Baby Baseball Godly Truth

A few years back, Sports Illustrated ran a story on a T-ball game in Wellington, Florida, where a seven-year-old first baseman, Tanner Munsey, fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a runner going from first to second. The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out. But young Tanner immediately went to the umpire and said, "Ma'am, I didn't touch him." The umpire reversed her decision and sent the runner back to second base. Tanner's coach awarded him the game ball for his honesty.  Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire, and Tanner Munsey was playing shortstop when a similar play occurred. This time, Benson ruled that Tanner had missed the tag on the runner going to third base, and she called the runner safe.  Tanner looked at Benson and without saying a word, tossed the ball to the catcher and returned to his position.  Benson, sensing that Tanner was troubled, asked Tanner, "Did you tag the runner?" He said, "Yes." Benson called the runner out! The opposing coach came roaring onto the field in protest, but Laura Benson explained to him what had happened two weeks earlier.  "If a kid is that honest," she said, " I have to give it to him".  (Story from Sports Illustrated article  9-16-93) 

A pearl to string:  It may be that no Christian characteristic has suffered more in our society than honesty. It's lacking in the workplace, it's lacking in many of our marriages, it's lacking in our government, and sometimes it's even lacking in our churches. There is something about Christians that should stand out like a neon sign on a dark night.   Jesus wants his people to be known as a people of truth. We should establish a reputation, like Tanner, for speaking the truth even when it would not benefit us. Then, and only then, will those around us trust what we say without hesitation, without wondering whether we really mean what we say or not. 

"What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself".  (Ephesians 4:25 MSG) 

Some lessons are tougher than others. If your heart wants to change and turn towards God... that's good!  If you feel condemned.... just know that is NOT God's way.

In Him you are loved,

                              Lyndi

Is the grass really greener next door?

John and Charles were sitting on the front porch chillin' when a large truck hauling rolls and rolls of sod (grass) went by. 

"I'm gonna do that when I win the lottery," said John. 

"Do what?" asked Charles. 

"Send my grass out to be mowed," answered John. 

Oh my, that made me laugh.  It also reminded me of how goofy my youthful expectations were of people and life in general.  I thought dreams came true. Ha! Nightmares do but dreams... not so much.  To be truthful, though it's embarrising, I thought the lack of trouble and problems were a sure sign of God's love.  Like God's job is making me, me, me happy? Furthermore people who loved me would always be kind, loving and respectful.  Life is an eye opener and no one sends their grass out to be mowed.   

A pearl to string: As long as any of us are focused on how we are loved or how people treat us ... we are in trouble!  If our measuring stick in life is based on what happens to us then our expectations of others will always fall short. Loved ones and friends will always disapoint us.  ALWAYS!  If you are the lens and everything that happens in life is based on what you need, think and feel then you become the judge of right and wrong.  When self is enthroned in the human heart it's a tell tale sign of spiritual immaturity. When Christ is crowned the Rightful King of Our Soul the focus switches from what is right in our eyes to choosing what is love in God's eyes.  So to preserve and promote the Reign of Christ in our hearts by preventing the resurrection of selfishness ^"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that". (Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG)  

Walk lovingly, talk lovingly and act lovingly

Ahh yes, love like our Sweet-smelling Savior

                                                                             Lyndi

Insurmountable

Did you ever have a problem that seemed insurmountable?  Are the mountains before you this morning too big?  It's almost impossible not to focus on the troubles and pain when they take up so much space in your days.  When thorny times hit we can often feel overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.  My Coach Wonderful always says, 'there is no way around it, no way over it, no way under it... the only way is thru it'.  True words and you don't have to go it alone... ever!  The God who is capable of creating and sustaining the universe will never be overwhelmed by circumstances or at a loss as to what to do with our hearts and minds in times of trouble.  "Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith".  (George Mueller)   

Do you remember the guy who built the bridge over Niagara Falls?  I don't actually remember him either but I read about him this morning and it inspired this devotional. One of the first problems he faced was how to stretch his first cable across the wide expanse of raging waters. If a boat tried to carry the cable across the river it would be swept over the falls. I don't know if the bridge builder, Charles Eliet prayed or if he read God's Word.  But I have no doubt that it was God who put the idea in Eliet's mind to fly a kite across the river and use the cord to pull a larger cable across. Eliet called for a kite flying contest and a young man named Homan Walsh succeeded on his second try in flying his kite to the opposite shore of the river. The vital link was established and the bridge was built. 

A pearl to string: Sometimes we lose heart when the circumstances seems too great and vast.  If we go on our own wisdom we could be swept over the falls so to speak.  We need to see and trust from God’s perspective and learn to rely on His bigger than life view of the situation.  We have a vital direct link to God the Father available to us that Jesus established.  (John 14:6)  Reading God's Word is building our bridge from our hearts to God's heaven.  God does not make our problems go away He fortifies us with His love to go through them. How can He do that?  By each one of us spending time with Him in His Word on a daily basis and dressing our lives in His peace. 

Hebrews 12:12 (The Message) “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs.”.  

Know you are loved,

                               Lyndi