Post Season

Our local MLB team, the Milwaukee Brewers, have made it to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. It was 1982 the last time the Brewers played in October. That year went well for them, ultimately going to the World Series but losing in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals.

For most of the year, the Brewers were way ahead of the rest of the NL League (except Chicago) and appeared to be in command of the wildcard spot. Then, as the season was drawing to a close, the Brewers looked like they might let the Wildcard berth get away from them. It all came down to the last game. With their record tied with the NY Mets, they had to win and NY had to lose to secure the playoff spot on the last day of the regular season. They played 162 games over an entire season and it came down to one game.

Which game, which day matters? They all do. The NY Mets understand that. One more win in April-September, just one, any one, and they would have at least tied the Brewers and had a chance for the playoffs. The Minnesota Twins understand that, too. They lost their tiebreaker game last Monday. It’s tough when a whole season comes down to one game.

Spiritual application (It’s what I do): We are all playing for the post season. Sure, we’re trying to enjoy the regular season (life) but what really matters is making it to the post season (eternity in heaven). Which day matters? All of them. We are saved by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus, not by ‘winning’ more days than we ‘lose’, but every day matters.

Allow me some other baseball analogies. We have injuries. We have streaks and slumps. We have managers (pastors) that are trying to bring out the best in us and help us all as a team get to the post season. Some people leave the team because they don’t like that the manager didn’t let them start or play the position they wanted. Others just can’t (don’t want to) play at the level of excellence required. (take up your cross, deny yourself, be holy, etc.) They don’t take it seriously. Others won’t follow the rules of the game as presided over by the Umpire.

We all make errors, too. On offense, a great player in the game of baseball today bats .300. That means that 7 out of 10 times at bat, they strike out or get put out without reaching base. (I think being a weatherman in Wisconsin is the only other profession where you can have a 30% performance rating and keep your job). You don’t have to be perfect. No one bats 1.000, no one. But we must do our best. We study the playbook, try to improve our game, play by the rules and show up giving 100% to every game, because every day matters.

Both baseball and this Christian life come down to two things:

1) enjoying the game
2) making the postseason

May you enjoy every day as you follow Jesus. No matter what you day throws at you, may you know contentment as Paul did, whether he had little or much. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not perfect, but keep trying to raise the level of your game to that of the all-time MVP and General Manager. I’ve already secured a place in the postseason. I’m just waiting for Jesus to call me up. I hope to see you there.

Enjoying the Journey,

David

Economic Crisis

Panic. Fear. Uncertainty. Desperation. These are words to describe the mood of Americans resulting from the plunging stock market, mortgage and bank crisis and weakened dollar. Add high gas prices, tightened credit and job losses to the formula and you can understand those who have a gloomy outlook for our economic future.

Those are the facts.

What is the truth?

The entirety of Your word is truth,… Psalm 119:160

There is always ‘our part’ and ‘God’s part’.

· For those who are obedient in tithing, God promises…
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,… Mal. 3:11

· For those who are generous in giving to support the work of God, God promises…
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19

· For those who are following Him, Jesus says,
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34

· Where should we invest as Christians? Jesus tells us specifically.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

A great perspective was given decades ago by William Bradbury and Edward Mote, authors of a well known hymn. May these words be our declaration of faith and remind us of the immovable foundation on which our faith is built. No matter what may come. No matter what storms may blow. No matter what may crash or who may get elected, for those with true faith in God, our hope is secure.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

His oath His covenant His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Enjoying the Journey...Securely,

David

The Year of the Roof

2008 has been ‘The Year of the Roof”, at least on our block. Numerous houses have had their roofs replaced since the June downpour and floods. (See ‘Good Hands, My Foot’ and ‘Covered or Clean?’ blogs below) I am assuming that the houses on our block were built mostly around the same time, about 30 years ago. Those 30-year shingles are extremely accurate.

In the last four years since we bought our house we have finished off the basement, re-carpeted, put in ceramic tile (it feels like 1,000 sq. feet of it), redone walls and ceilings and bathrooms, and painted everything, some rooms twice. It’s a lot of work to fix up, and keep up a home.

Our daughter Shawna said today, ‘I don’t think I ever want to own a house. It’s too expensive, and too much work.” Amen and Amen. Of course, over the long haul and in a decent real estate market, (not like now) owning a home can be a good investment tool, to build equity and provide for retirement.

Jesus talked about houses. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7 he said,

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

If we are those who follow and obey the words of Jesus, building our house on the rock, we still have to maintain the house. The rock is fine, it’s not going anywhere, but the house is another story. All those years of rain and wind and floods takes a toll on a home. Over time it develops cracks. The roof wears out, taking the brunt of the rain and wind. (If I had been standing outside for 30 years in Milwaukee, I wouldn’t look too good either). All houses eventually need to be repainted. Cracked windows need replacing and the garage door fixed.

Trust me. I know these things, both as a home owner, and one who has built his spiritual house on the Rock. Sometimes we don’t appreciate it when a loved one points out our cracks. But, they only mean to help. Many times they can see what we cannot.

What do you need to maintain in your spiritual house today? Is your integrity cracked? Your purity have a leak? Is your patience worn thin or do you need a fresh coat of love or compassion? May is National Home Improvement Month. I have some things that can’t wait that long…my roof, for one. That’s getting replaced this weekend. There are areas of spiritual upkeep that need attention, too. Let’s get to work so our house doesn’t deteriorate and end up costing us more in the long run.

Oh, and if you notice any cracks in me, I’d really appreciate it if you’d point them out. . . in love. We’re all in this together.

Enjoying the Journey,

David