Pitching is upsetting timing

Warren Spahn had a pretty straight forward approach to pitching. He once described his approach on the mound: "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing." He seemed to have something there.

He won more games than any other left handed pitcher with an amazing 363. He won more than any post 1920 live ball era. Generally he is thought to be the best pitcher ever. Of course, he played for the Braves while they were in Boston. He played for 21 seasons. All of that was in the National League.

For 13 different seasons, he won 20 games or more. Even when he was 42, he could go 23-7. He won the Cy Young Award in 1957 and was runner up three times. He made it into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

And, did I mention, he played for the Braves?

Life without Phil Niekro. Atlanta Braves

Life without Phil Niekro. Atlanta Braves in 1984. http://ow.ly/5RtOQ

One bad moment

"You can't let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones." ~~Dale Earnhardt

Life without Phil Niekro (1984)

1984 brought a whole new course for the Atlanta Braves. It would be a year with Phil Niekro. After two decades, he was now a New York Yankee. He won 16 games with the Yankees. No one on the Braves could match that.

The Braves had an 80-82 record, tied for second in the West. They were 12 games behind the leader. It was Joe Torre's 3rd year as Manager. Having a sub-.500 record wasn't good news for anyone.

How can I help?

Here is what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy on himself by avoiding anything. Particularly when it came to people and relationships. He waded right in and He helped out. So am I strong in the faith? Do I lend a hand to those who are struggling? Or do I just look for the "easy way"?

My approach and attitude should always be, "How can I help?"

May I find how our Father wants me to help!!!

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1-4

That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

It is so true

Interesting demotion (1876)

Joseph Borden could not replace Al Spalding in 1876. The Braves (then known as the Red Stockings) got pretty frustrated with him. How much? So much so they demoted him. Moved him to the bullpin? Nope. Moved him to the bench? Nope.

They made him a groundskeeper. They didn't want him to pitch anymore but needed to get something for what they were paying him. OK, this was the first year of the National League and the rules were a little different. OK, they were a lot different.

Making it happen

I do need to give this more consideration. I ought to be thinking, “How do I spur my friends on to love?” What would I be doing different? How would that look? Am I helping them do good? 

May I make it happen. May I make it happen today.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews10:24

Doing what God said

He is God. That means He knows what He is doing even if I don't get it. His answer is the right answer. His timing is the right timing. He is God.

My job is give it to Him and trust Him. He cares about me in ways I can't understand.

Yep, He is God and He isn't going to stop being God. May I live my life that way.

So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it. 1 Peter 4:17

 

 

The Year (1948)

How long would the Braves wait patiently under Billy Southworth for a pennant? 1948 was the year. The Braves finished in first with a record of 91-62, 6 & 1/2 games ahead.

The reward came to "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." It was a long draught. Not since 1914 had they come in first. And, it was almost an all-Boston World Series.

When I am inadequate

Paul wasn't afraid to admit that he was inadequate. Now that is something. In fact, he was scared to death.

So where did that lead him? Straight to God. He is able. Nothing is impossible with Him.  The Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead was in Paul and is in me.

I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5

Work equals believing

I look at the question and it seems pretty reasonable to me. But Jesus blew them (and me) away with the answer. They were asking an "old plan" question. The "old plan" has a whole bunch of what must I do stuff.

Jesus gave them some "new plan" answers. This was in fact good news. Here it is. BELIEVE!! That is the new plan. Work equals believing.

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.' Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.' John 6:27-29

Am I confident enough to endure to get God's promise?

Many of our struggles about faith have to do with timing. We believe, at least in theory that God will keep His promises - but when?

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

A cost to following

Wow!! There can be a cost to following Jesus. Our Father, please comfort and redeem this family.

A Muslim father cut out his daughter’s tongue and lit her on fire upon learning that she had become a Christian. The child became curious about Jesus Christ after she read Christian material online, the Gulf News reported. Her father read her Internet conversation, detached her tongue and burned her to death “following a heated debate on religion,” according to an International Christian Concern report.

Promises

Not one single promise has failed. How powerful those words. His word is filled to the brim with promises and not one has failed. How silly and shallow I am to even attempt to walk in doubt and fear. I have a promise of hope and a future, a promise of life and that more abundant. The ups and the downs they are part of the promise. He promises He will hold my hand, he will direct my path, he will give wisdom without resentment....not one single promise has failed. 

 As you can see, I'm about to go the way we all end up going. Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things God, your God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing's left undone—not so much as a word. Joshua 23:14 

Now 10,000 wins is a lot in anybody's book (2011)

There is baseball history and then there is HISTORY. 10,000 wins counts as HISTOR.  Gosh, that was fun. The Braves got their 10,000th win as a franchise, Martin Prado returned to the lineup with two hits, including a homer, the Nats committed five errors, and Livan Hernandez was the losing, humiliated pitcher. All in all, a good night.

The Nats actually opened the scoring off of Tim Hudson, two singles and a groundout in the first making it 1-0. But that was all they would get, all, night, as they rarely even threatened from then out. In the bottom of the inning, Jordan Schafer reached and went to second on a pair of errors. With one out, Jason Heyward walked, and Freddie Freeman singled in Schafer to tie it. Dan Uggla doubled home Heyward, and another error, off the bat of David Ross (who is apparently now Hudson’s personal catcher, don’t ask me) scored Freeman. Nate McLouth‘s single to score Uggla made it 4-1, but Ross was Snitkered on an Alex Gonzalez single to more or less end the threat.

In the third, Hudson singled in Ross to make it 5-1. Prado homered leading off the fourth, Livan’s last inning. The Braves put it away in the sixth. Hudson doubled over the right fielder’s head leading off, then went to third on a wild pitch. Schafer walked, then Prado and Heyward singled to make it 8-1. Uggla reached on an error to make it 9-1, but the Braves wound up leaving the bases loaded. Freeman doubled in two in the seventh to make it 11-1.

Scott Linebrink pitched the eighth, loading the bases before getting out of it. George Sherrill threw a perfect ninth. I guess the situation was just too high-leverage for Scott Proctor.

No excuses. Seriously, we have none.

Oh how we all love excuses. God doesn't and we don't have any. The Apostle Paul knew that at his core. We should as well.

And if anyone thought he had some, Paul probably did. He was raised as a very good religous person. He did all the right things. But one day Jesus confronted him. None of it mattered. Jesus brilliance blinded him. Why was Paul persecuting  Jesus? That was the question. Silence. No EXCUSE. And then God healed him.

No excuses. Period.  End of story.

 So nobody has a good excuse. Romans 1:19

Like the "energizer bunny" but only real

Some days things don't look good. All I have to do is listen to the news to know that. Bad news at every turn. That is the way of the world.

God has a goal that has nothing to do with that. We don't lose heart when we are listening to Him. It doesn't matter what is going on around us. Trouble brings His mighty and awesome outcomes. We see a reality, in Him, that others don't know exists. We have our gaze fixed on Him. Today's trouble is no comparison to His love which goes on like Him, forever. There is no end to it. Like the "energizer bunny" but only real.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 TNIV Bible

The Yes of Jesus

God makes a promise. Jesus says YES to it. The Holy Spirit makes it happen in us. Jesus is the great "So Be It" of God. So when Jesus says YES and we agree with Him, the power comes forth. God affirms us in Him. He makes it a sure thing. God puts the YES of Jesus in us. He has sealed His pledge with His Spirit.

This is the complete promise of a beginning in the new plan. His goal will be achieved. That is the YES of Jesus.

Failure isn't fatal

"Success isn't permanent and failure isn't fatal." -Mike Ditka

Say a quiet yes to God

Am I as serious as I need to be? Am I really serious?

I will yell a loud no to the Devil. I am a new creation. He is completely defeated already. I am fully redemmed. I will say a quiet yes to God.

May I always remember to say YES and he will be with me!!

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in missing God's goals. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4

The beginning of the end in Milwaukee (1964)

He steps to the podium. The cameras are rolling. He strikes an ominous tone. It is March 5, 1964. Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. announces a major league team will move to the city if we build it. Seriously, if we build it, they will come. But he can't say who the team is. The next day, the city approved an $18 million stadium to be built. On April 15, the work began to build it. AND, they would come.

So, the rumors swirled aroung the Milwaukee Braves. They denied it. They began their 12th season in Milwaukee. It was Bobby Bragan's second season as the manager. They ended up in fifth, a little better than the year before. An 88-74 record and despite being fifth, they were only 5 games back. Now that is a tight finish.

Jesus was not in an election

Before Jesus, the High Priest had to offer up sacrifices to blot out the continuous nature of our missing God's goal. He also had to do this for himself as well since he missed God's goal as well. Jesus, God's son, offered up himself, who never missed God's goal for his life. God set him aside for this role. He is now our High Priest.  We share in his new plan. It was the perfect plan, perfectly executed. Only Jesus could do it for us.

Jesus wasn't elected to this position. God, His Father, appointed Him. No populare vote here. No democracy in God's world. His decision and it was perfect. Thanks be to our magnificent Leader!!

No one elects himself to this honored position of High Priest. He's called to it by God, as Aaron was. Neither did Christ presume to set himself up as high priest, but was set apart by the One who said to him, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you!" In another place God declares, "You're a priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 5:40-16

Like picking horses (1969)

Billy Southworth was considered a "genious on the diamond".

He lived a long life. At age 76, in 1969, he died in Columbus, Ohio. He had emphysema. What is said at the funeral is always a tribute. One of Billy's former players on the 1948 Braves was there. He was Clint Conatser. Here is his tribute.

"He just had a gut feeling about the right thing to do in a situation," Conatser recalled. "The moves he would make would work for him — all the time, not occasionally. Leo Durocher was the same way. It's like some guys can pick horses out of nowhere. Southworth was a genius like that on the diamond."

Harvard

Billy Southworth was born William Harrison Southworth. The year was 1893 and that was in Harvard, Nebraska. He died in 1969. He saw a lot of baseball for sure. He played the game and was a right fielder and center fielder. He played the game in 1913, 1915 and from 1918 to 1929. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

Southworth turned to managing in 1929. He then took a break until 1940 and kept going until 1951. He was finally inducted into the hall of fame in 2008.

Unlike me, he decided to play baseball against his father's wishes. He didn't do to bad. He batted .300 three times in his career.

Can you hit this? (1944)

The Braves have had some great knuckleballers over the years. The story of the 1944 season was the 31 year-old knuckleball expert Jim Tobin. He was also a pretty good hitter. But clearly he became one of the most un-hittable pitchers of his time. If you have ever faced a decent knuckleballer, you know how a great one could lock you out.

So let's take nine days in April of 1944. Tobin on gave up 4 hits. So how many games did he win? How about 2 of 3. Here is how it worked out. It started with a 3 hitter he lost against the Giants. So, back to mound on his next start. He beat Philadelphia this time. It was a one-hitter. So, four days rest and back at it. So oh my goodness, the sixth no-hitter in the Braves history. It hadn't happened since 1916. Down went Brooklyn, losing 2-0. He allowed 2 walks.

Here is the kicker. In the eight inning he hit a home run. He was the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter and hit a home run. Not a bad day.

Who is your hero?

Who is your hero? We ask that a lot. Who do we look up to?

Jesus should be the centerpiece of everything I do and think. God is the builder. Heros are the employees who do the work at the edges. Jesus is the architect of everything. He is in charge of all that God created and built. He was completely faithful and got done all that God gave Him to do.

So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. Moses did a good job in God's house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come. Christ as Son is in charge of the house. Hebrews 3:1-6

No more Rabbit (1934)

It was a so so season for the Braves in 1934 but the worst part of it was losing Rabbit Maranville. They had a 78-873 record finishing 16 games behind in fourth place. It was Bill McKechnie's 5th season but this went the most of them did during his tenure.

Rabbit Maranville, even at age 42, was playing some pretty good ball so there was hope as the season started. It was his 24th season and he had become a Boston and National legend.

"When Rabbit Maranville breaks a leg right at the start of the opening of the season, that constitutes America's greatest crisis, and if anybody reading this had to ask who Rabbit is, then you should be made to show your citizenship papers." -- Will Rogers

So, on March 28th, Rabbit's career came to an end when he broke his leg sliding home on a double steal during an exhibition game with the Yankees. The leg was set on the field while Rabbit smoked a cigarette. He didn't play that year at all.

Not a club to belong to (1924)

Is there a club for managers who loose 100 games? Probably not and you don't hear a lot about it.

Loosing 100 games as a manager is devastating. Doing it twice in row is inviting disaster. Somehow Fred Tenney did it as the Boston manager in 1907. Fred Mitchell, however, couldn't do it after 1922 - 23.

So, in came Dave Bancroft. How did he do? Lost 100!! Yep, he was 53-100 finishing eight and 40 games behind. Go figure.

Dave was known for being a pretty bright guy. He came to us from the Giants. Who did he bring with him? Well, a pretty eccentric outfielder. Casey Stengel was the man. Bill Cunningham came with Casey. Out went Bill Southworth and Joe Oeschger.

Work with a smile on my face

My work is not for myself. My work is for our God. That allows me to have an amazing attitude and smile when others might not. It allows me to go beyond what others might do since my mission is to please him. And so, with Joshua I say "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".

I am really serving God. It is that simple. That makes all the difference in everything I do.

Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free. Ephesians 6:5-8

 

Tommy Holmes (1951)

Tommy Holmes had his Major League baseball debut with the Boston Braves in 1942. Here is some background on him.

• He was an outfielder. He batted and threw as a lefty.


• He was born (March 29, 1917) in Brooklyn. No wonder he wanted to play baseball.


• His last game was for his home team Brooklyn Dodgers in 1952.


• He managed the Braves in 1951 and 1952.


• He was a two time All-Star in 1945 and 1948

He died in 2010 in Boca Raton, Florida at the ripe old age of 91. May he rest in peace.

Always in control

I need to change my mind (repent).

His government (Kingdom) is not a democracy. I have been raised to see democracy as the best form of government. And for us, it is. But He wasn't elected. His way isn't determined by a majority vote. He has always been in control. He doesn't need our permission to make a decision. It has always been that way. It always will.

He has a new plan. It isn't based on anything we know. Jesus put an end to that. No more trying to do good to please him. He is in charge of His country. He is in a good mood as a Father would be toward His children.

Chaos (1904)

Things were in chaos in 1904 for the Beaneaters (now the Atlanta Braves). They brought Al Buckenberger back for a 3rd season as manager after Frank Selee left. This was the worst season in its 29 year history. They finished seventh, 51 games the leader with a 55-98 record. Pretty miserable for sure. One of the owners, James Billings sold out to Arthur Soden and William Conant.

The Beaneaters were made to look even worse (hard to imagine) in Boston because the American League Pilgrams repeated as champions. A former star from the Beaneaters, Bill Dinneen, pitched an amazing record setting 37 consecutive complete games. Imagine that. He also became a hero by putting out a hotel fire.

Possibilities

Imagine being a young woman. You are a virgin. An angel shows up and lets you know you are going to give birth to the Son of God. You ask how that can be since you are a virgin. He lets you know that the Spirit of God will make it happen AND nothing is impossible with God.

NOTHING. Not a thing. EVERYTHING is possible.This word of God has been challenging my heart and soul lately. I know I have had things I didn't believe God could do. I am leaning in to hear the word of our Father. If he says it, I can count on it. Nothing is impossible.

So here is the deal. When the Angel said nothing is impossible, Mary said, "I am the LORD's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Then a little while later Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother) said "Happy woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!"

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

May I have faith to believe our LORD. Nothing is impossible.

The King died (1894)

Sometimes we are tried and the Boston Beaneaters (now know as the Atlanta Braves) certainly were in 1894. Mike "King" Kelly was major figure in the Braves early history. He was probably the most popular player of his time. On November 8, at the age of 36, he died of pneumonia. Another misfortune also conspired to try the Braves that year. This on was minor compared to King's death but challenge the Braves. For much of the season, they were on the road with no home stadium.

On May 16th, a fire destroyed the South End Grounds. Imagine playing a game and in the third inning, a fire breaks out. They were playing Baltimore and the fire broke out in the right field bleachers. Gave new meaning to so and so "smoked that one".

So they switched some of there games to road games and then played some of them in Boston at the old Brotherhood League Grounds on Congress Street adjacent to the Boston Harbor.

Despite those trying happenings, they had a good season finishing in third place.

Free to pursue what God wants

I can learn to think like Jesus. He didn't expect to get His own way. Now that is radical. Who doesn't want to get their own way? Seriously. But that misses God's goal for our lives.  

I can be free. Free to pursue what God wants. Jesus only did what he saw his Father doing. No more, no less.

I can be free from being tyrannized by what I want. I can be obedient to what God wants. He is in charge of His country. I need to obey.

Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old habit of always expecting to get your own way which misses God's goal. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. 1 Peter 4

 

Not easy but you could see it coming (1879)

You are the younger brother. Your older brother is very talented but so are you. You don't want to be in his shadow. Pretty natural. So that was the case with George Wright. Very talented. No doubt about it. But it was hard for him. His older brother was in the lime light. 12 years his senior. He was the "Father of Professional Baseball". What do you do?

Well, in 1879, after working side by side for a decade, you part ways and leave the team (the Boston Red Caps, now the Atlanta Braves) that you both play for. And it has some very far reaching and perhaps unexepected consequences. you leave Boston and head not to far away to Providence. Not easy but you could see it coming.

The raw power of God

There is a time to think long and hard. That of course would be about what God has created. Just think about it. Think about it long and hard. It is amazing. The raw power of it all. Imagine, then think, about what it took to create all that we enjoy and take for granted everyday. Come on, think about it. NOW, think about it some more.

And, how mysterious is it that God could do all of this. We can't imagine it. It is beyond us. And, that God, lives in side of us. He can do anything in His Country. He is the President of it all.

By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. Romans 1

Two hours

"Two hours is about as long as any American can wait for the close of a baseball game, or anything else for that matter."

---- Al Spalding

Trust steadily

As I seek to mature in the Lord, one of the big three things to focus on is trusting Him more and more. I need to be steady in my trust. Not trusting one day and then not the next. Maturity is what I need to strive for. It is so easy to slide into trusting anything but God. That is so immature.

So it is focus and consistency. That is the key. Focus on Him who will complete everything. He is leading us toward that consummation. It is His heart's desire.

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. 1 Corinthians 13

His generosity

As the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah had all the riches of our Father. Yet He chose to give it all away. He did it for us. He did it so we could share the riches of our Father as well.

It is His nature to be generous. He loves to give to us. Like any father, He delights in making things happen for us even if it means a sacrifice on His part. Now that is love.

You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich. 2 Corinthians 8:8-9

Hitless wonders? (1878)

Hitless wonders? Yes, but champions none the less. 1878 continued the amazing success of Harry Wright as the Braves manager. They ended up with a record of 41-19 and finished in first place, four games ahead.

This was an amazing year because the just couldn't hit. The ended up next to last in team batting average (.241) and slugging percentage (.300). They were dead last in on-base percentage at .253. The were last in hits and walks. Of course, for the whole league there were only 23 home runs the whole season. But this was bad compared to the rest.

And yet, they won the championship that year. Amazing!

Being sure

Am I sure? Do I know it for a fact? God's enabling Spirit is in us and lets us know that God is good and He loves us. Every detail is being worked into something good. That is just the way it is.

That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28

May I be sure of God's love and the details He is working out for me.

Fear and no loathing

Nothing is impossible with God. Do we have confidence in Him? Do we know, deep in our inner being, that He loves us and won't leave us behind. Fear can be crippling. Fear comes from the lack of supernatual courage.

When there is a crisis out, and they do come, our confidence must be in Him. Our courage is with Him. He can, with a word, reverse the crisis.

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Matthew 8:26

May I trust Him and have His courage.

Really? That is a good name? (1907)

I don't think a lot of this nickname. But then again this is the Braves I am talking about. So, in 1907 they changed from the Beaneaters to the Doves. It didn't seem to help since they finished 7th in the pennant race with a record of 58-90. They were a dismal 47 games behind. Fred Tenney continued as manager. What is weird is that this was an improvement over the previous year. Go figure.

The Dovey brothers operated the club. They thought their name would be better than the Beaneaters. They also improved the South End Grounds where they played at the time. They added a new scoreboard (to keep up with the opponents runs better???) and cushioned a few seats. How about some better players? Hmm, there is a thought.

Can't fire the owners as we have learned.

Special agents

God has a plan for us. Under His plan, we are special agents of Jesus. His assignments for us aren't "normal". They are special. Planned out just for us. How amazing is that?

Now that is some very good news for today. That brings some much needed grace and peace to our lives.

I, Paul, am under God's plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2

May I understand the role God has for me and serve as His special agent.

115 years (2010)

115 years is a long time. But when you are the Braves, history is on your side.

The 16-5 romp on April 5, 2010 was the Braves' biggest Opening Day romp in 115 years, since a 21-6 pasting of the Baltimore Orioles in 1896.

And so, it was a historic opening day in 2010. And the Braves continue on.

God is serious business

There is a lot frivolity going on and there is nothing wrong with that. Fun is fun and God is good with that.

God Himself is serious though. His business is serious stuff. We should take Him seriously. He is in charge of His government. He is not neglecting anything. He is paying attention to His goals. His plan is being executed. He is getting it done. He is serious about it.

God is serious business, take him seriously; he's put the earth in place and it's not moving. 1 Chronicles 16:30-33

May I be serious about His business.

"Do not resist an evil person." ~Jesus

"Do not resist an evil person." ~Jesus http://ow.ly/5mqZU

Tough stuff

This is tough stuff. It doesn't feel right. Our natural reactions, in relationships, can get us in trouble. Jesus has a different standard for us. Unless Jesus has invaded our life, relationships can be pretty difficult at times. Real love in relationships can require supernatural courage. It can only happen after Jesus has changed us. Jesus demanded that the "Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" world of natural and religious rules be completely changed. God is love and that is not how He does things. It isn't how He wants us to do things either.

And so, it takes supernatural courage to love the way God loves us. But that is the way He wants us to love. That is what relationships in "His world" look like. This is an example of how to be a servant leader in relationships. The other alternative is to be a follower of how our "friends" do things.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42

May we love the way God wants us to. May our relationships be based on how He loves not the way that serves us and not others.

Who we really are

It is interesting how some people just don't "get it", i.e., understand what we are up to in God. We know we are His children. We know He loves us and how amazing that is. We know he is not angry or upset. We know He has our best interest at heart. We know He cares beyond anything we can imagine. We know He is in a good mood, all the time.

We really are the children of God. Really. No doubt about it.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. 1 John 3:1

May I know who I am in Him.

"Never promise more than you can perfor

"Never promise more than you can perform." ~Publilius Syrus, 1st century B.C.

"Failure is not fatal, but failure to c

"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." ~John Wooden

The greatest mistake you can make in lif

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one - Elbert Hubbard

If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, yo

If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm. -Vince Lombardi

Baseball is a game of second chances (1940)

Billy Southworth got a second chance. In 1940 the Cardinals, who were struggling, fired Ray Blades. In comes Billy, from Rochester. So, what happens. The Cardinals take off. They had some talented players like Stan Musial coming in from the farm teams. This started thier "golden age". After he came on board that season, they won 69 of 109 games. They move from seventh to third place. In 1941 they came in second. The next three years they won three penants and two World Series titles.

How is that for a second chance?

Three steps

We are always, and I mean always, in such a hurry these days. Our culture is on hyperdrive. We want it and we want it now. My dad has always said "Patience is a virture." And it is. My dad (and my heavenly Dad) are right.

What is the promise to us. Waiting patiently for the Lord means that He is more inclined to listen to us. And, He will hear our desperate cry.

So here you go. Three simple steps. He is in a good mood.

I waited patiently for the Lord;

he inclined to me

and heard my cry.

Psalms 40:1

"He that cannot obey cannot command."

"He that cannot obey cannot command." ~Benjamin Franklin

" A different world cannot be built by

" A different world cannot be built by indifferent people." ~Peter Marshall

Vim and Vigor

"Baseball is the exponent of American Courage, Confidence, Combativeness, American Dash, Discipline, Determination, American Energy, Eagerness, Enthusiasm, American Pluck, Persistency, Performance, American Spirit, Sagacity, Success, American Vim, Vigor, Virility."

-- Al Spalding

 

"Never dull your shine for somebody els

"Never dull your shine for somebody else." --Tyra Banks

Dick McBride (1878)

James Dickson "Dick" McBride (June 14, 1847 – October 10, 1916) was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the star pitcher and the player-manager for the Philadelphia Athletics of the National Association from 1871 through most of the 1875 when Cap Anson took over as player-manager for the remaining eight games of the season.

 In 1864, while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, he was allowed to take a 3 day furlough to participate in a series of baseball exhibitions between clubs from Brookyln and the local Philadelphia clubs. It was during this time that the north's attention had turned to military defense, not baseball, so Brooklyn strategically scheduled these events hoping to take advantage of the situation to get some well sought after wins in "enemy" territory. The presence of Dick didn't do much, as all Philly teams were beaten soundly.

Dick had a pitching record of 149 wins and 74 losses during that period with the Athletics. McBride finished his major league career the following year, in 1876, when he was signed by the Boston Red Caps (now the Atlanta Braves of the National League when the Association failed. He had a record of 0-4 before his career came to an end. McBride died in Philadelphia at the age of 70, and is interred at Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge, Pennsylvania.

" I saw the angel in the marble and car

" I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." ~Michelangelo Buonarroti

"One of the stupidest things I can do i

"One of the stupidest things I can do is assume other's motives since God says I cant even accurately assess my own! Jer 17:9" ~Rick Warren

The Brat (Eddie Stanky)

What happens when "The Brat" slides into "The Bull"? The Brat breaks his ankle and that is what happened to Eddie Stanky when he slid into third against Brooklyn's Bruce "The Bull" Edwards on July 8, 1948. That ended the season for him.

Eddie played for the Braves in 1948 and 1949. Eddie was born on September 3,1916 in Philadelphia. He was a very good second baseman for the Dodgers. So much so, when the Braves needed a good middle fielded, Owner Lou Perini brought him onto the club. Manager Billy Southworth agreed that if they were going to make a run for first, they needed strength at second. With a rookie Al Dark at short, they needed a sure hand. Too bad his 1948 season would be so short.

Just the facts?

Luke got it right. Knowing and having supernatural courage (faith) about Jesus is what it is all about. He made it his mission to present "the facts". He investigated it down to the last detail. Imagine having been there and seen and known so many who experience Jesus. Imagine getting it right and writing about it. It is ours and we can know too. What a story. Thanks for men like Luke.

So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught. Luke 1:1-4

May I know beyond a shadow of a doubt about the reliability of what I have been taught.

How they got there (1878)

The Red Stockings (now the Atlanta Braves) were making a showing in Boston. But they were not without rivals in 1878. Providence was just 50 miles away and had just joined the National League. But they were also coming on strong. They finished third to Boston's first place.

So, how to fuel the rivalry? Get special trains to make the 50 mile journey back and forth. It worked in 1878. Instant rivalry and more games for the fans.

"Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lone

"Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. " -Maya Angelou

Not forced on us

Some things just aren't forced on us. We can have it or we can not. Peace comes from knowing His love and doing what He wants. We have to let that kind of peace happen. Jesus has peace to offer us like we have never known. His peace can rule over any other emotions that we have.

The phone is ringing. A text has arrived. The email arrives "You have peace from Jesus" we hear. A tweet shows up on Twitter. It is Jesus calling us to peace.

For this peace, I am very thankful.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

May I let His peace have precedence over any other emotion in my life.

Worst to first (1991)

Ron Gant screamed it in the clubhouse, and it was true. “We shook up the world”!! This was the day the Braves (then in Atlanta) clinched the 1991 West Division. It was not an overstatement at all.

The Braves had entered the year as the laughingstock of baseball. The year before they had finished sixth, 25 games behind. It was Bobbie Cox’s first full season. Slow start and great finish. This was one of the great Cinderella teams in all sports history.

And so, they went from worst to first.

"Resolve never to quit, never to give u

"Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation." ~~Jack Nicklaus

"Let every nation know, whether it wish

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy

"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

"The purpose of all war is peace." - S

"The purpose of all war is peace." - Saint Augustine

Could it be right?

"I was not able to understand how it could be right to pay an actor, or a singer, or an instrumentalist for entertaining the public and wrong to pay a ball player for doing exactly the same thing."
-- Al Spalding

Now he was colorful (1914)

He was a Hall of Famer. He was one of the most accomplished defensive shortstops of all time. And, most important, a part of the miracle Braves of 1914.

Rabbit Maranville played with the Braves from 1912-20, 1929-33 and in 1935. He was mainly a shortstop but also played second and third. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on November 11, 1891 and died on January 5, 1954. Batted right and threw right.

He was very animated and energetic. Just like the energizer bunny. His Christian name was Walter but he went by “Rabbit”. He picked up that name in the minors and it stuck with him. A little girl saw him warming up. He was prancing and dancing around. She said he “jumped around just like a rabbit”.

It was true and it stuck. No more Walter.

"This is the original message we heard:

"This is the original message we heard: We should love one another." ~Apostle John

"Never dare to judge until you have hea

"Never dare to judge until you have heard the other side." --Euripides, 5th century B.C.

The original message

John simple got it. The message from God our Father and our Messiah Jesus is that we should love one another. That is it. There is nothing else. In fact, the way we know that we have been transfered to the way of life is that we love one another. If we don't love one another, then we are as good as dead. Jesus was clear on this. John got it.

May I walk in His love and love everyone I meet today.

For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. 1 John 3:11

Bothering the pitcher (1893)

Maybe this has happened more than once but I have never heard of it. Billy Nash must have been a character. The Braves (then known as the Boston Beaneaters) had a great season in 1893. They won the pennant.

In a game with Brooklyn on May 19, the score was tied after 8 innings. It looked like Brooklyn would win the game. They scored 3 runs in the top of the ninth. Not good for the home team for sure. It is the bottom of the ninth. How many times have home team fans been in this situation?

Third baseman Billy Nash comes up to the plate. He is first up in the inning. So .... he whacks one over the left field fence. Here we go!!! But he didn't run home as expected (even then). He stopped at third base. He settled for a triple. Why? WHY? So he could "bother the pitcher". And boy did he. The Braves got three runs to tie the game.

In to the 10th we go. Both teams scored a run. Nash got his due. He hit another to tie it and this time took the homer. The Braves finally won in the 12th. 5-4 was the final.

I can't imagine a player not taking a homer today. But, Billy Nash no longer plays.

You will find the key to success under t

You will find the key to success under the alarm clock. -Benjamin Franklin

The absurdity of God

Different cultures and religions have unique views of God. There is only one message though. That is the message of Jesus. He is everything wrapped up in something that doesn't make sense to our puny minds. The message actually seems absurd to us. It doesn't make sense to us at our human level.

God is absulute perfection and completely set apart from what we naturally know. Jesus came and has given us the key to enter into His presence.  Jesus is everything we need.

While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical  wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can't begin to compete with God's "weakness." 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Blessed are those who can give without r

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting. ~~Elizabeth Bibesco

Straight talk

Jesus can be very straightforward and direct. His suggestion on criticising is to not do it. Period. End of story. No other advice. In other places He elaborates why but the reason here is pretty compelling.

Do I want to be judged? Do I want to be criticised? If I don't judge, I won't be judged.

Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1

Strength is for service

My oh my, there is some misguided thinking going on in this world. God has a goal for us. We are to tap into His power. Why? To serve. That is all there is to it.

It is not about what is convenient. It is not about what is comfortable. It is not about me. It is not about status. It is all about Him.

It is all about service. That is it.

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?” - Romans 15:2

Should we clean house?

So many days we are focused on our house. Is it clean? Is it organized? There is even a show about people whose houses get so cluttered they call in the experts to fix it. It is fun to watch.

Jesus taked a lot about how what really matters is what is in us. Peter heard it first hand. We should focus on cleaning up "our inner life". Make a clean sweep. Call in the expert, Jesus. Get rid of all the muck of pretense and hurtful conversations.

So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. 1 Peter 2:1

Good enough (1898)

Being good enough in baseball is what it is about some days. The 1898 Braves (then known as the Boston Beaneaters) weren't as good as they were in the previous season percentage wise. They ended up 6 games ahead to win the pennant. Frank Selee continuted to be a mastermind as the manager. Their record was 102-47. So, they were good enough. They won 9 more games than the year before. Their winning percentage was .685 and a little lower than the year before.

Part of this is about statistics. This was the year that the National League expanded to the 154 game schedule. 102 wins was VERY good. It tied the 1892 pennant winners for a record. It stood until Bobbie Cox and the Braves won 104 (of 162) in 1993.

Count yourself fortunate

Some people don't get what God is doing. They see His powerful Spirit working in us and are confused about what it means. They ridicule, scoff, mock and minimize His mighty work. When that happens, we are fortunate. Nothing like some abuse heaped on us because of Him.

If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. 1 Peter 4:14

May I consider myself fortunate when others don't get Him.

Jason Heyword to start (2010)

Braves rookie sensation Jason Heyward will open the season as Atlanta's regular right fielder.

"How could we keep him off the team?" Braves manager Bobby Cox said Friday. "He's done everything this spring."

Jerusalem

Jesus destiny was in Jerusalem. God's goal for Him would come to pass there. He would die and be raised from the dead by the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. But notice how this was framed. He took the 12 aside and clearly said "We". Jerusalem just wasn't for Jesus. The good news of the new agreement God has with us is that we have died and been raised to a new life in Him. Oh my goodness.

Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, "Listen carefully. We're on our way up to Jerusalem." Luke 18:31

May I see how I am a new human being in Him. May I know that the old me was crucified with Him and the new me was raised up in Him.

''Keep your face to the sunshine and y

''Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.''- Helen Keller

The Decline (1879)

Harry Wright, the Braves manager (then known as the Red Stockings) had a stunning run of success. Four straight National Association pennants from 1872-75. Then the National League formed and he won the first 2 out of 3 championships. Quite a run for sure.

Then in 1879 things began to go south for him. But it didn't only affect him. It affected major league baseball for a long time to come. It was the year the "reserve clause" was created due to problems created by Harry and his brother's George problems.

And so, in 1879 the Braves, under Harry Wright, ended up 54-30 in second place, 5 games behind the champions.

The strength of the group is the strengt

The strength of the group is the strength of the leaders. -Vince Lombardi

Begging and receiving

Jesus said, "Everyone who asks (begs) receives ..." Sometimes it takes a lot for us to ask. We think we don't need help. We can do it ourself. Help not needed. We will ask if we don't have something we want or if we can't do it ourself.

God has promised so much. May I humble myself and ask. May I beg for His help. His love fills the entire earth. There is no end to it.

Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say. I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised. When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders. The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me. I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning! I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules. Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel. Psalm 119:57-64

Let there be light (1940)

The new trend in baseball in the 1940's was to install lights for night games. The Braves (then known as the Boston Bees) had not invested yet. Probably a good thing. They played their first night game at the Polo Grounds. It was May 24, 1940. They lost 8-1. The next week they lost in the lights at Forbes Field. There were only two teams that year without lights.

It really didn't matter in 1940 whether they played in the lights or not. They ended the season, under Casey Stengel as manager, in 7th place. They were 34 1/2 games behind with a 65-87 record.

Here today, gone tomorrow

Some times it seems like we just can't make it. Yet, perseverance rules the day. Even if it looks like things are falling apart, they aren't. Sometimes others can't see what is going on inside. God is making a new life for us. He is doing it now. Not a day goes by that God's isn't giving us everything we need for the day.

There are things that we see now that have no lasting value. They are here today but may not be 5 years from now. Or even tomorrow for that matter. Unrealized gains and unrealized losses. What is important is what lasts forever.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

May I stick with God today and forever. May I experience His grace.

Well done is better than well said - Ben

Well done is better than well said - Benjamin Franklin

The wild card (1978)

There were four candidates for the job. It is a very good job if you can handle the stress. You are competing against Ken Boyer, Tommie Aaron (Hank's brother) and Hall of Fame Catcher Yogi Berra. You are a former major league infielder of no great distinction. You are 36 and would be the youngest man ever to hold this kind of job. You have managed in the minors (the Syracuse Chiefs) but never the majors. If you get the job, you replace Dave Bristol.

The wild card in all of this is that Ted Turner is making the decision.

And so, Bobby Cox became the youngest manager in the history of baseball in 1978. The Braves had a record of 69-93. They finished sixth in the Western Division. They ended up 26 games behind the leader.

Billy Southworth as a Brave (1946)

Billy Southworth moved to manage the Boston Braves in 1946. At the time, making $50,000 as a manager was a big deal. He had some fairly quick success. Fourth in 1946. Third in 1947. First in 1948. Of course, it probably didn't hurt that he had Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain pitching for him. They won their second NL pennant in the 1900's under his great leadership. They were defeated however in the 1948 World Series in six games by the Cleveland Indians.

In 1949 many of the players rebelled against Southworth's rules, regulations, and leadership. The Braves struggled on the field. The rumor mill had Southworth, an admitted achoholic, drinking heavily and near a nervous breakdown. So, in August Southworth turned the Braves over to someone else. Johnny Cooney, another Braves coach, took over. Southworth did come back to coach the Braves in 1950. It would be easier on him because most of the rebellious Braves had been traded away.

But the team was "older". Attendance was in the toilet. In 1951 the Braves were barely 28-31 by June 19th. Part of the issue was probably competition. The Boston Red Sox was agressively going after the fans. This was the first year they both broadcast their games on the radio. It only paid off for the Red Sox though. Billy Southworth did the honorable thing. He "resigned". Most reports have him being fired. He was replaced by a former right fielder, Tommy Holmes. He did remain with the Braves as a scout. Not uncommon. He never managed again. In 1953 the Boston Braves became the Milwaukee Braves. Go figure.

Always good news

There is always good news with God. He is always happy to have us back when we miss His goal for us. He is strong and never grows tired. His love brings us peace and calms us. He is tickled pink to delight us. He is in a good mood and not upset with us.

Yes, there is always good news with God.

Jerusalem will be told:  "Don't be afraid. Dear Zion, don't despair. Your God is present among you, a strong warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. Zephaniah 3:16-17

May I be open to the good news and see that God is with me, powerful and delighted with me.