March 18, 2015

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

A triple is a hit in baseball that allows the batter to make it safely all the way to third base. Triples are rather rare in baseball. Last season in Major League Baseball only 2% of all the hits were triples.

The great Babe Ruth had a total of 2,873 hits. 714 of those hits were home runs, 506 hits were doubles but only 136 hits were triples.

Ted Williams, regarded by many as the greatest hitter in the history of the Major Leagues, had 2,654 hits. 521 of those hits were home runs, 525 were doubles and only 71 were triples.

It is hard to get to third base in baseball. Getting to third base requires a solid connection at home plate and then successfully rounding first base and second base before arriving at third.

But once a runner makes it to third his chances of crossing the plate for a score are good. From third base you can score on a hit, an error, a passed ball, a wild pitch, a sacrifice or even a steal. Third base is a great place to be - if you can get there!

Getting to third base in the Home Run life is huge as well. To get there requires a solid connection with God at home plate and the finding success at first base and at second base.

Success at home plate means winning with God by connecting with His salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Success at home plate will get you down the line to first base. First base is the personal character base. Success at first base means winning within as the character of Christ develops in your spirit.

Second base is the community base. Success at second is winning with people. God created you to belong to him and belong with others. Winning at second is evidence of success at home and at first base.

Third base is the competence base. At third base you win with results. You made it to third base because you were successful at home, at first and at second. Those are significant results!

Arriving at third is not only evidence of past success but puts you in a position where you are likely to score!

Everyone wants to have a Home Run life but few ever do.

Are you in the game?

Have you connected with God?

How are you doing on the bases?

Where do you need to win today?

March 17, 2015

"God commended His love toward you in this way; when you were yet a sinner Christ died for you." Romans 5:8

Sunday I talked about some of the issues involved with getting from first base into scoring position. The one that seemed to connect well was the point about keeping short accounts. The advice was threefold: forgive what you can't fix, bitterness is unnecessary baggage and when you get wronged get right. 

During that part of the message I shared some painful childhood experiences I suffered because of my absent father who was unable to keep his word and find time for me. Even though I hesitate to share painful things out of my past, I need to do that so you are able to know me and my struggles.

Some of the things I shared Sunday Barbara hadn't even heard before, so we were talking after church and it occurred to me I should share how I got through that without any bitterness. Perhaps it will be helpful for you to know.

The most important thing I was able to do was accept him for he was rather than what I wanted him to be. He was a hurting person who hurt others because of his unresolved pain. His attempts to dull the spiritual and emotional pain that plagued his life was to drink. Since I lived with an alcoholic step-father I knew first-hand how it affects people. That gave me insights into some of his thinking and behavior.

Because, by the grace of God, I was able to accept him as he was and not expect him to be what I wanted him to be I was able to see him more objectively and not project his problems on myself.

As someone who has closely with people over many years I have observed how common it is for people to struggle at this point. While it is hard to let go of your hopes and expectations for a person you love, real love, healthy love, is able to free the person from those expectations and come to an acceptance of the person as they are and for who they are.

When I finally came to that point of acceptance, it was hard to admit that I was never going to enjoy the blessing of an earthly father. Facing that painful fact led me to open my life more completely to my Heavenly Father.

That was the best decision I ever could have made! My Heavenly Father healed my heart and my spirit and has NEVER disappointed me!

Is there someone who continually disappoints you? 

Is there a hurting person in your life who persists in causing you pain? 

If you are not careful, the hurt they are causing you will cause you to hurt others.

Perhaps it is time to ask God to give you grace to accept this person for who he is, what he is, and stop expecting him to be other than what you accept him to be. This acceptance will actually treat the pain and open your heart to love that person in a healthy satisfying way.

This is how God loves! He saw you in your sin and knew exactly what sort of hurtful and hurting person you were. Seeing you at your worst, he accepted you and counted you worthy of salvation through His Son.

If God can love you like that can't he help you love someone else in that same way?

March 16, 2015

Here's a question for you this morning, "Would you rather impress Jesus or bless Him?"

Those are two very different ways of thinking about faith. That occurred to me as I was reading in Luke 21. You are probably familiar with this story:

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins."I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

Imagine going to church one Sunday and there is Jesus standing next to the offering plate. How would that impact your giving pattern?

While this isn't my main point this morning, it is obvious that Jesus pays attention to what we give.

More to the point, Jesus knows why we give.

He watched as a wealthy member paraded past the offering plate and with great ceremony he pulled out his wad, peeled off some large bills and dropped them into the plate. I can imagine that after depositing that final bill he shoots a glance over to Jesus and nods.

Then the next guy in line has to step up and dig a little deeper. So it went all morning. One after another they step up trying to impress Jesus with their generosity, each trying to outdo the other. So it goes all morning.

Jesus isn't impressed.

As He turns to leave, Jesus catches movement out of the corner of His eye. Turning back he sees an elderly little lady slip out of the crowd, quickly deposit a couple of coins and try to fade back into the crowd. But Jesus won't allow that. He calls His disciples, "Whoa! Did you see that? That is impressive! All these other people have been trying to impress us by giving out of their abundance, but this dear lady emptied her bank account!"

Jesus was impressed - and blessed.

As I read that story for the billionth time, that is how it challenged me. What is my faith walk all about? Am I trying to impress Jesus or do I live to bless Him?

Sometimes I don't like the answer. Sometimes I serve Him with my leftovers instead of my all.

How about you?

I promise that today I will live to bless Jesus and not try to impress Him. 

Want to join me?

March 15, 2015

"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just a Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Second base is about loving others and living in Christian community with God's people. Second base is the evidence that you have done first base well.

Here's an important truth about your relationship with other people: you will either love them or you will leverage them. 

When you love someone you are preoccupied with how you can serve them or encourage them or bless them or comfort them. When you don't truly love them you find yourself calculating how they can serve you or help you or benefit you in some way.

There is a world of difference between those two attitudes!

Paul wrote to the Ephesians that they are to love as God loves and walk in His way of love.

What does that look like?

Keep your word!

One of the many ways God proves His love for you is by keeping His Word! So must you!

It is hard to love someone you can't trust and you won't trust someone who continually breaks his word.

Love is built on trust and respect but how can you trust or respect one who doesn't keep his word?

Keep your calendar aligned with your relationships!

Another way that love is demonstrated is through giving time to the one you love. Life is made of time so when you make time for someone you are sharing your life with them!

Think about it! When God wanted to demonstrate His love to a lost and dying world He stepped out of eternity and into time!

You will make time for the things you love! Make sure you love the right things! 

Every day of your life, carve out home plate time to connect with God. Plan first base time to allow God to work on your character. Set aside second base time to fellowship with and serve others. And schedule third base time so you can enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Keep short accounts!

If the Omniscient Eternal God of the universe chooses to forgive AND then forgive your sins, shouldn't you be quick to forgive others?

As a follower of Christ you are commanded to forgive others, so why not do it quickly rather than eventually?

Here are some helpful suggestions to execute this plan:

• Forgive what you can't fix

God extended grace to you and continues to do so! Why should you not be willing grace others with forgiveness. If you don't grace them you will disgrace yourself and God.

• Bitterness is unnecessary baggage

Hebrews 12:14-15 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

• When you get wronged - get right

Will you spend your life being either a victim or a victor, It is entirely your choice!

You can cry and complain over what has happened to you or you can choose to correct your attitude. You can become angry over your wrongs or you can act in love and do what's right.

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26

Second base is where you learn to win with people. Winning with people requires you to lose you pride, your arrogance, your selfishness, your spite and your ego. 

Second base reveals whether or not you have spent enough time at home plate and first base.

March 14, 2015

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

The late Steven Covey, in his book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" offers this wise advice, "begin with the end in mind".

How can you have a direction without a destination? How often do you start on a journey without knowing where you are going?

Kevin Myers in the "Home Run" book says "Figure out what counts on the last day so you know what counts every day.

In his counsel to the Corinthians, Paul says to "fix your eyes on what's eternal". Effective Christian lives are lived each day with eternal values in mind. Effective Christians know that only two things are eternal and they prioritize their days around those two things.

What are the two things? They are the Word or God and people! Those two things last forever.

The Word of God and people are home plate to first base to second base issues. They happen on the right side of the ball diamond.

Home plate is where you connect with the Word of God because home plate is where you connect with God! So, to be an effective Christian you must dedicate time every day to connect with God at home plate. Connecting with God at home plate connects God with you as well! And connecting with God allows you to know His purpose and receive his power.

Are you doing that? Are you scheduling home plate time daily?

Making the connection with God at home helps you move down the line to first base. While you received God at home plate, first base is where God gets you! First base is the character development base where God, through the activity of His Word, transforms your heart and your mind to the image of Christ. 

What happens at home plate and first base and in between is what changes your eternity and will transform you for eternity! So first base time is crucial!

Are you making time each day for first base?

Connecting with the Word and allow the Word to correct you by connecting with you will allow you to move toward second base. At second base you connect with others who are also connected with His Word. You learn to live in community with other believers in fellowship and in ministry. You learn how to worship together and serve together. You learn how to humbly serve God by serving one another. You learn how to serve together in spreading God's Word beyond the church into the world.  

Are you spending time and investing time every day at second base? Do you make time daily to serve, minister, and fellowship with people? 

If there are only two things that last for eternity - God's Word and people - doesn't it make sense to spend significant amounts of time daily interacting with these things?

In fact, spending time with God's Word and with people is actually more than spending time - it is investing it! Spending your days on eternal issues trades time for eternity!

So, will you spend time today or will you invest it?

March 13, 2015

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Second base is often called “scoring position” because a runner can make it to home plate from second base if a team mate hits a single. A lot of good things happen at second base.

In the Home Run life second base is the community base where you learn to live in love with others.  A lot of good things can happen at second base and second base positions you for more good things to happen.

But you can’t get to second unless you connect with God at home plate and develop His character at first base.  Love is first experienced at home plate when a connection in made with God. Love is expanded at first base as God’s character is developed in you. Love is then expressed at second base giving evidence that what happened at home and first is real.

To win in baseball you must run the bases in order once you have connected with the ball for a hit at home plate. Once you hit the ball you cannot stand at home plate but you must run to first as fast as you can. If you run to third you will be out. If you try to run across the diamond to second base you will be out. If you fail to run or stand in the batter’s box at home plate you will be out. There are no exceptions – ever! You play by the rules or you lose!

The same is true in the Home Run life! There is an order to spiritual growth! Spiritual growth is dynamic and progressive. While spiritual growth begins with connecting to God by faith it cannot end there. You’re not saved to stand you are saved to run! You’re not saved just to know but also to grow. Growth happens in four primary areas – your personal relationship with God, your personal character development, your relationship with other Christians and your spiritual production – home plate, first base, second base and third base.

Once you start running the bases you must continue connection with God and covering the bases. As you continue rounding the bases and touching home the scores add up! As you continue to run according to His pattern you progress spiritually. You will move from Tee Ball level to Little League to Pony League to High School level to College level to Minor Leagues and perhaps to the Big Leagues.

In baseball and in the Christian life everything begins and ends in God! There is a pattern of progress that MUST be followed – connecting with God, character development, learn community and reap results. That is how winning baseball happens and it is also how growth in God happens!

Are you in the game?

Are you connected with God?

What base are you currently occupying?

What’s your plan for getting to the next base?

Are you playing to win?

March 12, 2015

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

One of the fundamentals I learned in baseball was when running to the base don’t be watching the ball but focus on the base you are heading to.

Second base is where you learn to win with others.

Second base is evidence that you have won within at first base. First base is the character base.

Second base in baseball is considered scoring position because a runner can make it from second to home plate on a base hit from a team mate. So what happens at second base is crucial!

In the Home Run life second base is critical as well because it is the community base.  No one can score without help from his team mates and second base is where they learn to get along.

So, as you run from first to second what should you be looking at?

You should be looking at imitating God and following the example of Christ.

Jesus was better at second base than anyone else who ever lived. That is why Paul wrote to the Ephesians and told them to imitate Him.

What does God do?

He loves!

How does God love?

He sent!

“God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

Jesus was God’s expression of love! We are to follow His example!

How did Jesus love?

He surrendered!

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.”

He sacrificed!

“He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us”

Home plate is where we connect with God’s love!

Connecting with God at home plate gets you to first here His love shapes your character!

Loving God and growing in that love will get you to second base.

At second base you learn to love like God – self-less, surrendered and sacrificing!

I want to learn to play second base like Jesus!