Batter up!!

So..here I sit having lunch on a Friday. It has been a hectic couple of weeks and I really have not had the opportunity to blog. As many of you know, I am not a real spontanious person. I have to have things planned out in advance for me to feel comfortable. I can do things on the spur of the moment but it ususally has to be my idea before I can get into the mood of the moment. I don;t just blog. I make notes, think about what it is I am writing about, think about it, write, rewite and them...maybe...publish...if I don't change my mind...again...later in the day...

Anyway, I said all that to say this...guess I'll follow in Jackie's footsteps and just "ramble". For me that is spontanious.

Life has thrown me a curveball from a left handed pitcher. It came way inside and I did not back off the plate as it whistled past my ear. I clearly remember the thwomp with which the ball hit the catcher's mit and the smell of the powder from the impact. It was called a ball, it did not scare me, I get another chance. But I have to be ready for what may come next. So, while the pitcher decides what is to come next, I have the opportunity to ponder the same. Can I out guess him or will he out guess me? I am ready, I know I have my team behind me, and they will support me in whatever happens. The third base coach has passed on the sign. But, I am the only one out here right now. It is up to me in how I handle this situation. Think I'm going to back off the plate for a second and take a few moments..

While I believe in praying specifically for events and occasions in our lives, I am now asking for general prayers for comfort and peace. I am not ready to be specific in my request yet. When I am, you'll know.

Actions and words

Several recent blogs and responses have had me thinking...some of the usual random thoughts.

What is Heaven like? I never really thought about it other than I want to go to Heaven. I have to agree that it is the idea that you are not by yourself there. That you are there because of the relationship you have had with others on Earth. It is because of those relationships that you were able to maintain your life's efforts to attain the goal of Heaven. That is, after all, the goal of our faith...to get to Heaven. And then to continue that relationship there..what a thought!

I agree that it would be so cool to have an actual entrance into heaven. Not necessarily the kind with wrought iron and an arch as is so stereotypically portrayed. Maybe just a "narrow gate" so that we can enter one by one and be greated with hugs and kisses by our Savior and those who have gone before us.

If you want to get into the possible physical manifastations of Heaven...it has to have either mountains, higher than we have ever seen in our lifetimes, or, my personal favorite, being able to explore outer space to see the beauty and complexity of our universe.

But we can't get there unless we act on what we believe. One of the most intriguing scriptures is the faith chapter, Hebrews 11. I do not really have a favorite scripture but this is one that just really gets me thinking. It's one of those times when I can imagine one of our black brethern, maybe Jack Evans, Jr., taking a deep breath and then beginning to talk and preach at unbelievable speeds when trying to drive home a point. When I or someone else reads it I see very little of the actual scripture.

What I ususally see or hear is as follows . . .by faith:

• We understand
• Abel offered
• Enoch was taken
• Noak..built
• Abraham obeyed and went
• Abraham...was enabled
• Abraham...offered
• Isaac blessed
• Jacob...blessed
• Joseph...spoke
• Moses...was hidden
• Moses...refused, chose, regarded disgrace, left, persevered, kept
• Israel...passed
• Walls of Jericho fell
• Rahab...was not killed
• Others who conquered, administered, gained, shut, quenched, escaped, became strong, became powerful, routed
• Woman received

And then there were those, though unnamed, who:

• were tortured
• refused release
• faced jeers
• faced flogging
• were chained
• were imprisoned
• were stoned
• were sawed in two
• put to death by the sword

They were:

• destitute
• persecuted
• mistreated

Above all, "they were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Can't improve on that any better than it already is. It almost seems to say that we have a hand in each other's salvation. Only through relationship with each other can we support each other through the tough times and good times. Bottom line...we must act on our faith. Afetr all, as the old saying says, "Actions speak louder than words". As important as preaching and teaching is, they are nothing without the actions of our belief.

It's that time of year, again!

Yup...January 1. Time for the ol' resolutions to be brought out. Time for some introspection and soul searching. Unfortunately, I believe that I have kept far fewer of my resolutions than I care to admit. So, I have a few resolutions this year that are more generic. I think we fail to keep our promises to ourselves when we get too specific and rigid. This year I have written a few that are more open-ended and leave a bit more room for give and take. Kind of like life when you sometimes get thrown hither-and-yon.

Here are a few of mine. I share them with you as I would like for you to keep an eye on me and hold me accountable. I am not kidding!! I think we would be more successful if we share our hopes and dreams, successes and failures with each other. I share them with you as I want your input into my life. I think it will help us to be more like the people God wants us to be.

So...in no particular order:

• Spend more time in Scripture,
• Live a more healthy lifestyle,
• Finish what I start,
• Be more patient,
• Listen.

Tell me some of yours. That way we can wade through this life together.