Braves baseball and Jesus?

While the Braves have been on an eight game losing streak and there seems to be no hope for us as we close out the month of May; I have been trying to find the silver lining as an avid Braves supporter/fan. Well, fortunately I was able to do that on Sunday with Brandon Beachy toeing the rubber. With the game being aired on ESPN as the Sunday Night baseball game that week, I was able to watch the game at my house with a completely different view, given the unfamiliar camera angles and plethora of cameras provided by ESPN for the game.

Toward the end of Beachy’s time on the mound they showed a shot of his glove. Normally, when you see baseball gloves the players name is stitched on it and I didn’t expect anything other than that when they showed it. However, I was wrong and so shocked that I had to go back and rewind just to make sure I saw what I saw. On the side of Brandon Beachy’s glove was written Romans 9:7 and it blew my mind! It reads, “I raised you up for this reason so that I may display My power in you and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”

In a time of searching in my life, that was definitely a verse that I needed to see, and God has a great sense of humor and works in many ways to reveal Himself to me. I don’t know where Brandon Beachy stands in his faith or if he pursues to have a daily walk with the Lord, but I’ll call him my little angel in my time of need.  God has placed all of us on this earth for a reason and he desires us to have a personal relationship with Him. And just like the verse says, He made us for Him to display His power through us as well as spread His name and the good news that He brings.

Thank you Brandon Beachy for having that stitched on your glove and I pray that I as well as anyone else reading this will live out that verse. We’ve got to let go and let GOD.

Romans 9:17 “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. “ 

Single and Blessed

I recently sat in a worship service at my church and listened intently as my pastor began to start a new series called Modern Family. However, where he started kind of shocked me. He began with all the people that were single and gave a message titled Single and Blessed. As I sat through it and took notes as best I could, I simply couldn't get everything down. So I took some time over the next couple of days to listen again to the message and continue my note taking. I felt lead to share what I wrote down.

The world today, including Christians, feel that having a significant other is needed in order to be happy, and hopefully, as you read through my notes, you will be able to understand that is not the case. I am trying to learn as best I can to rely on my God and remember that being single is okay because I am able to devote my time to him and not focus on someone else.

"You cannot build your life on drawing your significance from some other person

your significance must come from your relationship with Jesus Christ."

Single and Blessed 

I Corinthians 7:25-40

I: Being single is a most blessed state!

  A) God's word on the matter:

     -Paul said, you must have a change of mind on this kind of thinking

         -v. 25: Paul lets you know that Jesus has never addressed this but Paul has an opinion about it, a godly opinion. And he speaks with authority. It is not an issue of good or bad. For those who find themselves in singleness, it is a most blessed state. 

  B) It is a blessing to my life…what do you mean?

-Don't feel like its a blessing because of the worldly ideas placed in our minds

-God says [the Bible], "Being content in whatever state you are in is a blessing from God."   

      ***Just Remember*** 

God has a wonderful plan for our life…and we can be content with the position that we are in we can understand that we are on the right path to a deeper experience and relationship with Christ

II: Being Single is a less burdened state!

   A) Benefits of being single

       -Less stressed with life and in serving God v. 32

           -Don't have to worry about distractions when you're worshipping God because there is no need to have a desire to please the worldly desires as in a married life (v. 28)

     ***Two Important things***

1)Being married does not mean that you can't be totally devoted to Christ; you just have more things to take care of and give your attention to

2) Being single does not mean that you are totally devoted to Christ either, it does mean that you are less burdened in this life

III: Being Single is a most fulfilled state!

    A) A fulfilling conviction

-Only Christ can make us whole, can make us complete

-If you are single and you aren't happy…What's you relationship with Jesus like?

-It becomes fulfilled in your life when you understand that Jesus is all you need

    B) A confusion in our day on being single

-Because we aren't aware that being single could be God's plan for our life

-"As soon as you're satisfied with God alone, He'll bring someone special to your life"

-That's not right, according to God's word. Being single is okay and could 

be His plan A for your life. 

window (wind)(ow)

I see through a window.

To the outside where the wind is. 

However, with the window here. 

I no longer feel the wind. 

The wind that gives me chills. 

And cools me off disappears.

I want to break the window. 

But it would make me say "ow."

The glass would make me bleed.

And turn the window red. 

Then i would not be able to see outside.

Where the wind is. 

I would owe the owner money.

To replace the broken window. 

When all I want to do is feel the wind. 

The wind on the other side of the window. 

This window interests me. 

Now broken.

I feel something different than I did before. 

I'm cool and have chills on my skin.

I feel the wind; I smell the outside.  

The wind comes through.

Through the broken window. 

I now feel through the window.

To the outside where the wind is. 

But I see, I also feel.

The pain the window brought me.

My hand and window are still red. 

And the "ow" remains constant. 

The pleasantry and the pain intermix.

But the pain overcomes. 

I must aid my hand, 

But I will miss the wind.

The "ow" will come with me though. 

And I must owe this man for his window.

A new window that blocks the wind.   

Thank You

I thank you because you listened

Without me saying a word.

You knew my heart, which hurt you most

[But] my vision was so blurred.

I heard one day repentance meant

Not being ashamed to prove.

That all that happened has gone away

And old life I lived has moved.

I long to see the change in me

That you have made me see.

For grace by faith has set me free

So that I might long for thee.

This addiction that has hurt me

Shall no longer coexist.

For I want to be with you, Lord

Unable to resist…

The love and grace you’ve shown to me;

Your kindness through this time.

The friends I know that I still have

Will always cross my mind.

My life has changed been rearranged

To focus on you, Lord.

My sin, my flesh has come to rest

Your heart shall grieve no more.

I thank you because you loved me

I’m finally at peace.

No longer shall I run from you

For you are my God, YHWH.