Tag Archives: Boston Red Sox

Not Immune

When the next mind boggling event occurs in America, I’m not afraid to question God, searching for answers to stabbings, shootings and tragedy in public places.  Sometimes I feel like God has removed his presence, moving on to another nation, where hearts are open to truth.  Yet, as soon as trials enter my own life, the Holy Spirit has reminded me this week that Jesus was not immune from heartache.

According to John 11:14, God reveals to Jesus that his friend Lazarus has died.  As He makes his way to the tomb, Jesus is met with a distraught sister, blaming him for her brother’s death, John 11:21.  A second family member has similar feelings, bringing Jesus to tears, John 11:32-35.  While using God’s healing power to raise Lazarus from the dead, John 11:38-44, Jesus’ grief continued.  One of his disciples betrayed him, another publicly denied knowing Jesus and finally the Jews convinced the public leaders to have him crucified.

Unlike the Curse of the Bambino for Boston Red Sox fans, the events of original sin can not be reversed, Genesis 3:16-24.  Perhaps, this may explain Hebrews 12:4, putting life into its proper perspective.  With the circumstances in life continuing to decay, no one is immune from pain.  Therefore, as you fight the good fight, 1 Timothy 6:12, hang in there, encourage the depressed around you and place your trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6.  Share how you have been helped or reached out to lend a loving hand.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

Dysfunctional Dugouts

Cover Photo

     If you have ever listened to year end press conferences in Major League Baseball from teams not making the playoffs, you can begin to put together the pieces of data you hear.  Often it only takes one individual to open up, shining light on the reasons for an unsuccessful season.  The one thing many of these teams have in common is an unhealthy chemistry which can lead to a dysfunctional dugout.
     Red Sox fans didn’t have to wait until the end of the season to figure this out.  There were signs of dsyfunction in Spring Training.  Other teams like the Philadephia Phillies, who fired 3 coaches this week, discovered a lack of an authoritative figure inside the dugout.  In fact, it sounds like everybody was doing their own thing, what’s right in their own eyes, Judges 2:10.
     It appears that there has been a trickle down affect from education to society to professional sports.  When I was younger, the manager ran the team without having to worry about if you have hurt a players feelings.  Since public education began shifting their focus from learning knowledge toward political correctness, coaches and managers have lost essentials methods to holding their players accountable.
     Gone are the days of the rod of correction, Proverbs 29:15.  Instead what you see every year in sports, not just baseball is a fulfillment of this biblical principle.  Grown men are acting like children in the dugout creating a dsyfunctional climate throughout their team.  While they pout and through tandrums behind the scenes, they are disgracing their parents by not taking responsibility for their actions.  Hopefully, more owners will rise up and give coaches the authority to keep their superstars in check?
by Jay Mankus