NOW it's time to watch baseball

In honor of the Major League Baseball playoffs starting tonight, I want to share a picture of my daughters' first major league game. We went to see the Red Sox play the Devil Rays down in Tampa last year. It was a great match-up between Josh Beckett and Scott Kazmir who are the aces of both teams. Despite Kazmir tossing a complete game two-hitter in a 3-0 win, we had a blast. My family and I shared some moments that all dads dream of. We chanted "Maaaaannnnny, Maaaaaaaannnnny..." and then we all enjoyed saying "I love it when you call me Big Papi." every time David Ortiz stepped up. And we saw Jonathan Papelbon warm up just feet from us in the Red Sox bullpen. And we shared the ultimate baseball moment by singing "Take me out to the ball game," in the 7th inning.

Yes, those were great times and very soon, we will add to those memories by bringing my son Grayson Thomas Boston along to see his first Sox game. For those who haven't heard the story about his two middle names, this was a compromise between my wife and I. I was pushing pretty hard for Boston to be his first name but no dice-k. I thought Curt was gonna work for a while but that eventually was axed as well. Oddly enough, Manny, Pedro, Nomar and Yaz were not even allowed to be discussed. Geez... :-)

I will root for the Red Sox like I always have and try to keep it all in perspective if they don't win. Having my kids sit down and watch it with me is what will make this time truly special as I will probably forget who actually wins tonight but I will always remember who was watching with me.

Go Sox!

Basketball and Mr. "Fill-in the blank"

I love basketball. Especially play-offs. Not so much NBA, because too often that isn't real basketball to me. It gets so routine at times. Same two-man game on the right hand side of the court for 6 straight possessions just gets to be a bore. As a lifelong Celtic fan, I am not sure I am allowed to say I like the full-court game over the methodical half-court brand but I have to say I am leaning that way. The Suns would likely be my favorite team if I was a youth watching basketball on TV today. That Nash guy is legit and I am glad to see his hair isn't so long anymore. (Man, am I getting old...)

Here at Christ's Church, we have our own play-offs going on. And these are way better because I know the players. And I know their kids and their ups and downs over the past seasons. I know the teams that failed to win a game one season but are in the title game 2 seasons later. And more importantly, I know who some of the players are who are hurting. Not sore knees or arms, but hurting hearts. Not to say there aren’t tons of body aches but those will heal much quicker than the heart pains. After nine weeks of watching games, I can see those that are hurting before they even tell me. And I pray for them. And I want to help. I am no longer blind to the fact those hurting players also have hurting wives at home. And hurting kids. And for some even broken families.

You see, THAT is why I am supposed to be at the games. Not to keep stats. Not to make sure Mr. Smith doesn’t cuss out the refs. But to make relationships. To talk. To listen. To find out who needs a friend. And for those who don't know Christ, I am to reflect His image. I am to let that person see Christ in me. Man, I have a hard enough time keeping the games on track some weeks but I am suppose to be Christ's reflection too? Yup. And you know what? This task I have isn’t a one-man show. If you are a Christian in our league, you should be looking for those hurt people too. And talking to them. And praying for them. And bringing them here because they are lost, not because they have a sweet jumper.

I can only speak for myself when I tell you; I can’t see myself talking someone into a decision of faith. But you know what, I do believe, if we all tried to just do our part, it would happen. If “Mr. Hurting” feels God’s love from one of us in week 1 and from another in week 3 and again week after week, how can any true believer not think this person won’t want to know more? Now that I can see being a part of. That I WANT to be a part of. Will you help me?