Baseball Memories

If I had to pick my perfect day it would have include watching a professional baseball game. Preferably the Texas Rangers (OK, so they are not doing so great this year). I have always loved baseball. I collected cards when I was a kid and I played Little League ball. I like watching it on T.V., but I really like to go the ballpark and watch the game live.

I still have memories of my dad taking me to watch the Texas Rangers when they first moved to Arlington, TX in 1972. I think my first game was the Rangers versus the visiting Kansas City Royals, with George Brett, at the old Arlington Stadium. The grass seemed to be the greenest grass I had ever seen. It was awesome to a 5 year old. I still have the program from the game. Since then I have collected many memories of watching baseball.

I remember watching a double-header game versus the Milwaukee Brewers, when they were still in the American League, when they milked cows on the field between the games. I even convinced the 1st Base Coach for the Brewers, Frank Howard, to come sign my program between innings. Other kids ran down to get their programs signed, but Mr. Howard told them, "I promised him I would sign his, sorry!" and then he went back into his dugout. Wow! I felt so important.

I remember another double-header game versus the California Angels (before they were the Anaheim or the Los Angeles Angels). It was stormy that day, and lightning struck one of the light fixtures in left field. During one of those games there was also a bench-clearing brawl, involving the Ranger's shortstop and Angels' 2nd Baseman, Bobby Grich. It was incredible.

One day before a game started, My dad and I were watching batting practice. Pete Incaveligia (? spelling), hit a "home run" and it went down one of the tunnels. Several kids ran for the ball and my dad actually knocked a kid down to get the ball for me. It was sad that grown man did that to a little kid, but it was funny at the time and he did it for me. I still have the ball in a box in my closet. The Rangers were playing the Detroit Tigers that day, and I happened to see Tiger's pitcher Jack Morris sitting in the stands, watching his team take batting practice. I went over to him and asked for his autograph. He signed my glove. When other kids and fans started running towards him, Mr. Morris said, "Now look what you did." and he jumped over the fence back onto the field. I still played baseball and softball with that glove well after adulthood and marriage.

Later as a college student I took our intern youth minister to his first professional baseball game. It was verses the New York Yankees. Before the game started we went to eat at the Black Eyed Pea restaurant. Sitting a few tables over we saw Claudell Washington and Rickey Henderson eating lunch. I politely went over to their table and asked them if they would sign my game tickets. After eating their meal they came over to our table and signed our tickets. This was great but presented a problem. They signed over the spot where the tickets would have to be torn to get into the game. Our solution, we jumped a fence to get into the game without having our tickets torn. We had to avoid security for while until the game started, but it was worth it. Now remember this was youth minister I was with. The game ended up in a 2 hour rain delay, which put us coming home about 1:00 a.m. On the way home we ran out of gas. Just our luck. But I had Rickey Henderson's autograph to present to my Dad on his birthday later that day.

I have seen live ball games at the now old Busch Stadium in St. Louis and the Astrodome in Houston. It was at the Astrodome that I saw Astros' pitcher J.R. Richard pitch in his last game before he had his career ending stroke. I skipped a few classes in college to go see Nolan Ryan pitch for the Rangers. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington has become a haven for me. A place where I can relax and enjoy the crack of the bat, the smell of the ballpark foods, hear the boos and cheers of the crowds. I have even taken my kids to their share of games. One of which versus the Toronto Blue Jays, a Blue Jays coach, Alfredo Griffith, held my son in his arms on the field so I could get a picture. I would love to get a job working for the Rangers someday or at least have a job that allows me get season tickets to see the Rangers at home whenever I want. I have many other memories, but I only have room for a few. I hoped you enjoyed them. I will post other memories later.

I Hate This Stuff, But I Want More

I just finished watching a scene from the movie, Star Trek: Generations. Data, the android, has just had his emotion chip installed by his friend Geordi. The chip allows Data to experience human emotions that normally he would not be able to feel due to his being an android. They have just entered Ten Forward, the bar/lounge of sorts, on board the Enterprise. Guinan, the bartender, offers Data a new beverage for him to try. After taking a large gulp of the drink Data makes a horrible face and gags. He tries it again with the same response. Data, who has never experienced this type of emotion before, has trouble describing how the drink makes him feel. Guinan tells Data, "It looks like you hate it!". Data responds in an enthusiastic voice, "Yes, I hate this stuff. This stuff is revolting!" Guinan, seeing Data's happiness at being able to experience his new feelings, offers Data, "More?" Data despite finding the drink very distasteful responds, "Yes, Please." Even though Data hates the drink, he is overjoyed at being able to experience even the most unpleasant emotions, so he wants more.

For some reason this scene reminds me of the actions of people who are addicted to, or just continue to engage in certain behaviors that may be harmful or unpleasant to them. Many people who engage in these types of behaviors have often experienced traumatic events in their lives, that cause their emotions to just shut down, or be pushed down. They lose the ability to feel anything at all. They choose not to feel or are unable to feel emotions such as empathy, joy, sadness, anger, love etc... In effect they have become androids, unable to feel emotions that most humans are able to experience every day. They become desperate to feel something. They obsess about anything that makes them feel "human" again. If getting high on drugs, causes you to feel. Then it is drugs they want. Even if the emotion they experience is unpleasant. If it is sex, then they seek sex. If it is video games, food or cutting themselves that causes them to feel, then that is what they want more of. They want to feel something to remind them they are human, even if it is revolting. Just like Data wanting more of the revolting drink.

Later in the film, Data wishes to be deactivated, because he cannot handle the overwhelming feelings caused by his new emotions. The people I described above also feel overwhelmed by the emotions they have so desperately sought to feel. They to wish to become "deactivated" to escape how they feel. They turn to solutions such as suicide, or other drugs, or activities, that can "turn off" their emotions as easily as they can "turn them on".

But unlike Data, who can have his emotion chip removed, we as human cannot. We must learn to face our emotions and seek professional help if necessary. Our emotions may not always be pleasant but they are ours, and we must deal with them, like it or not.

Shouting All The More

Have you ever been in a situation where have called out for help? Did others around you listen to you, did they ignore you, or did they just tell you to "Shut up"? Bartimaeus was a man like this.

Bartimaeus was a blind man, who was a beggar on the roadside outside the city of Jericho. He was helpless and an outcast of society. He was reduced by his blindness to begging for a living. He needed help and needed it desperately. When help finally arrived Bartimaeus seized the moment and cried out for help from the only one who could help.

Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah was walking by the very roadside he was at. Knowing who Jesus was, Bartimaeus called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Bartimaeus was calling out for help.

Many people traveling with Jesus rebuked Bartimaeus and told him to be quiet. In other words they told him to "Shut up!" They were hoping he would just go away. They didn't care about him or want to hear about his problem.

But Bartimaeus would not be silenced...He cried out all the more "Son of David, have mercy on me!" He refused to ignored. He refused to let his only chance at help be taken away from him. And it worked! Jesus stopped said, "Call Him."

The determination of Bartimaeus was rewarded...Jesus not only stopped and called him, Jesus asked Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" Wow! To have Jesus, God on Earth, personally grant your request is just incredible. Bartimaeus asked for his sight back and Jesus healed him immediately. As a result Bartimaeus became a follower of Jesus with not only cured vision, but a cured soul as well.

Many of us in the world today, need help. We need help with finding jobs, fighting addictions, help in marriages, help with parenting, or any number of problems. We call out for help every day to anyone who will listen. Unfortunately every day we get rejected, or rebuked by the very world we attempt to live in. They will try to silence our cries. DO NOT LET THEM! If the world tries to drown you out, then yell even louder. There is someone who will not only listen to our unselfish cries for help, but they will personally assist in granting our request. Call out to GOD/JESUS. He will listen and He will help!

The story of Bartimaeus can be found in the Bible in the book of Mark 10:46-52.

HIS Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136: 1-9 -- NIV Bible

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the GOD of gods. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD of lords. His love endures forever.
to Him who alone does great wonders. His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens. His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters. His love endures forever.
who made the great lights -- His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night. His love endures forever."

By: ME

"For His Grace through his Son, Jesus the Christ. His love endures forecer.
For the Spirit of God that lives in me. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, for my beautiful bride. His love endures forever.
For her insight and support I will always cherish. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, for my wonderful kids. His love endures forever.
For my son who is smart and who wants to write books. His love endures forever.
For my daughter who loves her dog and cuddles a lot. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, for my home and my health. His love endures forever.
For food on my table and a place to sleep. His love endures forever.
For living in a country so I can worship HIM freely. His love endures forever.
For giving me peace when the world gives me strife. His love endures forever."

May the LOVE of the LORD be with you always...ME