I wasn't able to watch the first game do to not having cable. But I was able to follow part of it online from time to time. It occurred to me that Lester actually had a strong outing with 1 mistake to Torrie Hunter (3 run shot in the 4th).
The one thing I did notice however was that the Sox committed 3 errors in the game, and I'm pretty sure all 3 led to some type of run. When our bats aren't working we can't give them runs. I believe errors led to the final 2 runs in the game when the Angels got a bases loaded situation and according to the computer there was a fly ball followed by a double play that should have ended the inning, however the inning didn't end and when I checked back the Angels had scored 2 more. I'm not sure what happened!
But either way, it doesn't matter. Ortiz struck out 3 times! One of those times to end the game. Our bats didn't hit, and even if the Angels didn't get those 2 extra runs we still lost the game 3-0. We've had the Angels number for years now. This was the first time we lost to them in... well... forever it seems. The Sox hadn't been shut out in a playoff game since a series with Cleveland in 1995 (that was the year Albert Bell came out of the dugout flexing his biceps and mouthing "check this", after the Boston manager had umps check a broken bat for a cork. Bell was a monster that year).
Good news for Sox fans is that we have Beckett going for us tonight. But then again, we had Lester going for us last night. Better news for us is the Angels have Weaver going. Now grant it this is the younger better Weaver than the older Jeff, but still... its a Weaver and I feel good about that.
I don't believe the Sox will fall back 2-0 like Milk's Cards have to the Dodgers. Now will we win this series? There is always hope. (Don't worry Milk Boston has come back from 2-0 not just once BUT TWICE -Oakland in 03 and Cleveland in 07 not to mention that unforgettable comeback in 04 against the Spankees). But as I said in my last post... my hopes aren't too high for this team. They just seem to be missing "something." So whatever they can give me I'm going to be happy with.
Will I be mad if they make it out of this round and then lose to the Yankees? Yes. That's just the nature of the beast. I have to be mad, it's the Yankees. But will I be mad if they lose to the Angels in this round... just a little, but I'll get over it. I mean, come on... how many time can one team lose to another? It's got to be the Angels day... sometime?
I haven't checked Milk's blog out... not sure how he's dealing with this 2-0 heartbreaker... last night was a HEARTBREAKER! I haven't spoken to him, but I have good sources that say he is still breathing. (Received a work e-mail from him earlier.)
So good luck Card fans. Congrats Angel fans on finally getting a win against us in the playoffs and of course...
GO SOX!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Playoffs!!!????
"Playoffs! Playoffs! I don't want to talk about playoffs!!!" (or something like that...) That was the old Colts coach back in the day when Indy couldn't win a game. (Pre-Manning).
On Tuesday Boston clinched the AL Wild Card. (Let me emphasise PERIOD). How did we accomplish this great feat you ask? Oh, only by losing 5 in a row and 7 out of the last 10. That's not what I would even call "limping" into the playoffs, that's what I call, "being dragged in kicking and screaming by the Texas Rangers!" How do the Rangers figure in this mess? Well, they're the team that allowed us to roll over and play dead while we waited for them to either catch us and clinch, or lose and give the Wild Card to us. (Thankfully they did the latter.)
Want to know what's poetic about all this? The Rangers lost to the Angels last night... the team we'll be facing in the first round. The Angels may have just punched their own ticket out. (Again, no ! point here). The Sox have played the Angels 3 years in a row now, 4 out of 5 years. We pound them every year and make sure they know "Who their Papi" is.
So you would think that I'd be excited about playing them... yet again... but I'm not. I mean, we've had this teams number over and over again. Its starting to look like the Red Sox Yankees of old... we finally got the Yankees in 04, remember... the Angels have to be due.
So am I happy we made the playoffs? Of course! But there is a lot to be done before we get there. Yeah, the goal is our 3rd World Series title in 6 years, but first we've got to get our rotation healthy and set, and make sure Papi and the rest of the Bashers are at full strength, locked and loaded.
Can we beat the Angels? Absolutely. Do we have more passion then the Angels? Hmmm. That's what I want this team to prove to me. Show me some love... show me that you care. I'll also be interested to see how Lefty, Jon Lester responds in his next start, after a poor showing in NY, Lester had to leave the game after a line drive looked to shatter his knee cap (apparently it only hit his right quard). Word on the street that its still sore, but hasn't gotten any worse. Good news, I guess.
So the Sox are in the playoffs. Despite having a better record than Milk's St. Louis team, we squeaked in, while the Cards put the Cubbies in their place. Hey, whatever works. There is still the chance these two teams could meet in the World Series and that would make this short lived blog all the worth. (Milk and I probably won't be friends if it happens... but, hey sometimes you've got to make sacrifices for what you really want) - just kidding Milk...
Go Sox!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
A Little Life
After giving Milk a hard time about not posting, he has done the same to me. Can I help it? The Sox have taken a nose dive since starting this blog... but I don't believe in curses and still hold out hope that the Sox can make some noise!
It's funny, the Cubs are 7 games back of the Cards right now and anytime I speak with a Cub's fan their jumping ship. The season is over for them. Grant it they are 7.5 games back in the Wild Card, but the season is still far from over.
I say this as I look at the Sox 7 game deficit to the Spankees in the American League East. We do, however, have a 1.5 lead on the Wild Card. So hope still remains.
In an interesting move, the Sox claimed Mets closer Billy Wagner off of waivers. He's coming off of tommy-jon and pitched a shut-out inning for them before being traded. His trade doesn't come without controversy of course. Current Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon put up a fuss about disrupting the flow of the bullpen, although he claims not to doubt the obvious talent Wagner is.
In my opinion this is a great trade. Yeah, Wagner could turn out to be another Smoltz, or worse another Gagne(or Gag-Me as we Sox fans like to call him), but he could turn out to be just what we need. After losing to the Spankees 20-11 and 8-4 in a weekend series, it is clear we need more pitching.
Now, what kind of pitching is the real question. Yeah, we got Wagner, but Paps has a point. Our bullpen isn't that bad... it's been our starters. Brad Penny has just been banished to the bullpen momentarily to try out "rookie" Japaneese pitcher Tazawa in the starting role. Tazawa has had a few scoreless innings against the dreaded Yankees and this has prompted his promotion.
So we'll see. Wake returns from the DL tomorrow night, Tazawa may bring new life to the rotation, and Wagner may shut things down in order to get to Paps.
Either way, the Sox are still in the playoffs and never say never when it comes to the division.
It's funny, the Cubs are 7 games back of the Cards right now and anytime I speak with a Cub's fan their jumping ship. The season is over for them. Grant it they are 7.5 games back in the Wild Card, but the season is still far from over.
I say this as I look at the Sox 7 game deficit to the Spankees in the American League East. We do, however, have a 1.5 lead on the Wild Card. So hope still remains.
In an interesting move, the Sox claimed Mets closer Billy Wagner off of waivers. He's coming off of tommy-jon and pitched a shut-out inning for them before being traded. His trade doesn't come without controversy of course. Current Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon put up a fuss about disrupting the flow of the bullpen, although he claims not to doubt the obvious talent Wagner is.
In my opinion this is a great trade. Yeah, Wagner could turn out to be another Smoltz, or worse another Gagne(or Gag-Me as we Sox fans like to call him), but he could turn out to be just what we need. After losing to the Spankees 20-11 and 8-4 in a weekend series, it is clear we need more pitching.
Now, what kind of pitching is the real question. Yeah, we got Wagner, but Paps has a point. Our bullpen isn't that bad... it's been our starters. Brad Penny has just been banished to the bullpen momentarily to try out "rookie" Japaneese pitcher Tazawa in the starting role. Tazawa has had a few scoreless innings against the dreaded Yankees and this has prompted his promotion.
So we'll see. Wake returns from the DL tomorrow night, Tazawa may bring new life to the rotation, and Wagner may shut things down in order to get to Paps.
Either way, the Sox are still in the playoffs and never say never when it comes to the division.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Aaaaaaahhhhh!!! Part 2
The Red Sox just dropped their fifth game in a row! 3 now to the dreaded Yankees.
But let's not talk about that. What I want to talk about is reliever Ramon Ramirez coming into the game and hitting A-Rod on the arm. Without any warnings he is tossed! The Sox were down 2-0 and still in the game at this point. Why would he purposefully hit a guy? Why throw him out without a warning? Stranger still, the next inning, and with every Yankee pitcher after, the ump would walk out to the mound and speak with CC or whoever was out there... giving them a warning.
Unbelievable.
There was a strange exchange between the homeplate ump and Sox Catcher Victor Martinez right before Ramon hit A-Rod... I still haven't heard what was said.
All I know is the Sox need to turn things around. I don't watch games often... and the last few I have watched we've lost! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!
But let's not talk about that. What I want to talk about is reliever Ramon Ramirez coming into the game and hitting A-Rod on the arm. Without any warnings he is tossed! The Sox were down 2-0 and still in the game at this point. Why would he purposefully hit a guy? Why throw him out without a warning? Stranger still, the next inning, and with every Yankee pitcher after, the ump would walk out to the mound and speak with CC or whoever was out there... giving them a warning.
Unbelievable.
There was a strange exchange between the homeplate ump and Sox Catcher Victor Martinez right before Ramon hit A-Rod... I still haven't heard what was said.
All I know is the Sox need to turn things around. I don't watch games often... and the last few I have watched we've lost! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Aaaaahhhh!
That's how I feel inside after dropping two to the Yankees and falling 4.5 games back to them! In a gut wrenching loss, the Red Sox fell to the Yankees 2-0 in 15 innings last night. It was the first time since 1976 that the two teams went to extra innings tied at 0. In the fifteenth, with two outs and Jeter on base, A-Rod stepped up and hit a home run off of a young Japaneese pitcher we just called up from AAA after designating future hall-of-famer John Smoltz for assignment.
Its a tough week in general for the Sox. Beside designating Smoltz, a guy who was an automatic win for the Braves for so many years but couldn't find his groove in Boston, the Sox (who are 8-2 this season against the Yankees overall) have lost two series in a row, first to rival Tampa Bay, and now to nemisis NY. Boston falls 4.5 back from the Yankees, but are only 2.5 up on the Rays now.
Life after the All-Star break hasn't been easy. Josh Beckett has really been the only bright spot. First time All-Star Tim Wakefield (after being snubbed of an appearance in the All-Star game) was placed on the DL with a sore back that continues to nag him. Dice-K continues to work out, but last week there was some drama has he was misinturpruted and thought to have been complaining about the Sox's rehab program.
Then there is the trade deadline. Theo (the Sox's GM) is known for making blockbuster moves at the deadline, and sometimes you get the feeling that he's just going through the motions to keep that reputation up. The one year we didn't make a move was in 06 and we fell flat on our faces. So this year he was up to it again. I am really confused about the whole Adam LaRoche thing. Only a week or so after recieving him and taughted as a big bat off the bench, and a team player willing to be a role player rather than a starter, he was shipped off to Atlanta for yet another first basemen, Casey Kotchman, a lesser bat, and more of a life time bench warmer. Couldn't LaRoche have sat on the bench for a season? Or if we were going to trade him all along, couldn't we have found a better back-up for an outfielder or shortstop? Come on Theo!
Our big move was landing Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez. While its great to have him, he plays three positions where we have solid guys already playing, Catcher (Varitek), firstbase (Youk) and DH (Big Papi). So the merry-go-round continues.
The one thing that was glearingly apparent is how we didn't pick up one solid arm. No new starters, no reinforcements for the pen. If we're going to win we need another healthy arm in the rotation. The Sox have sought to fix this problem from within, promoting phenom Clay Bucholtz. While this is a start, I don't believe its the answer. With Wake out, and Smoltz gone the Sox need to search the waiver wire and pick up a second or third Ace. I still hold out hope that Lester will turn things up. He hasn't played horribly, but he hasn't played to his potential either.
Aaaagh!!! That's how I feel about the Sox right now. So much potential seems to be going down the drain. The season's not over yet. I still hold out hope... but I'm getting worried. Come on Sox. Let's do it again!
Go Sox!
Its a tough week in general for the Sox. Beside designating Smoltz, a guy who was an automatic win for the Braves for so many years but couldn't find his groove in Boston, the Sox (who are 8-2 this season against the Yankees overall) have lost two series in a row, first to rival Tampa Bay, and now to nemisis NY. Boston falls 4.5 back from the Yankees, but are only 2.5 up on the Rays now.
Life after the All-Star break hasn't been easy. Josh Beckett has really been the only bright spot. First time All-Star Tim Wakefield (after being snubbed of an appearance in the All-Star game) was placed on the DL with a sore back that continues to nag him. Dice-K continues to work out, but last week there was some drama has he was misinturpruted and thought to have been complaining about the Sox's rehab program.
Then there is the trade deadline. Theo (the Sox's GM) is known for making blockbuster moves at the deadline, and sometimes you get the feeling that he's just going through the motions to keep that reputation up. The one year we didn't make a move was in 06 and we fell flat on our faces. So this year he was up to it again. I am really confused about the whole Adam LaRoche thing. Only a week or so after recieving him and taughted as a big bat off the bench, and a team player willing to be a role player rather than a starter, he was shipped off to Atlanta for yet another first basemen, Casey Kotchman, a lesser bat, and more of a life time bench warmer. Couldn't LaRoche have sat on the bench for a season? Or if we were going to trade him all along, couldn't we have found a better back-up for an outfielder or shortstop? Come on Theo!
Our big move was landing Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez. While its great to have him, he plays three positions where we have solid guys already playing, Catcher (Varitek), firstbase (Youk) and DH (Big Papi). So the merry-go-round continues.
The one thing that was glearingly apparent is how we didn't pick up one solid arm. No new starters, no reinforcements for the pen. If we're going to win we need another healthy arm in the rotation. The Sox have sought to fix this problem from within, promoting phenom Clay Bucholtz. While this is a start, I don't believe its the answer. With Wake out, and Smoltz gone the Sox need to search the waiver wire and pick up a second or third Ace. I still hold out hope that Lester will turn things up. He hasn't played horribly, but he hasn't played to his potential either.
Aaaagh!!! That's how I feel about the Sox right now. So much potential seems to be going down the drain. The season's not over yet. I still hold out hope... but I'm getting worried. Come on Sox. Let's do it again!
Go Sox!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
One game out & a new back up?
The Sox have had a stellar week... let me repeat... stellar. After losing 6 straight... sorry let me say that again... 6 straight! They've (noticed I'm referring to them as 'they' now, not we- but let's be honest, they'll always be 'we' in my heart-) fallen 2 games back to the dreaded Spankees (sorry, Yankees).
What is our answer to this 6 game streak? We acquire two back-ups to fill an already jammed bench, and jammed positions. Now don't get me wrong... I'm a little excited about one of our transactions.
It seems Boston & St. Louis are trying to help Milk and I along in this blog as Boston traded high priced Shortstop Julio Lugo to St. Louis for Outfielder Chris Duncan. This trade, I believe, brings some pop to the line-up that we sorely lacked in our other trade.
That other trade brought Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh to Boston. The one good thing about the trade is they didn't have to give up much to get him. Grant it, LaRoche seems to be a great infielder, and has some pop for a Pittsburgh team... but for Boston, who already has an All-Star at first base and a backup in Mark Kotsay, who could start for almost any other team... do we really need LaRoche? No.
What we need is some power implanted in the middle of the line-up. Duncan might have some power, but I doubt he is going to play everyday... especially after he struggled in St. Louis this year. In order to play everyday he'll need injuries to starters Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, or JD Drew... and if that happens... well let's not talk about that.
Basically, the Sox need to go out and find a bat either at short or at third. Grant it we have everyday players there right now, we really can't afford to displace any other position. You may make an argument for Catcher, but I'm not going to be the one who asks for V-Teks job. The man is a STUD even if he is moving on in age. So do we ask for aging Mike Lowells spot at third? Again that's tough. He's been faithful to Boston, even taking a paycut to stay with us and he still has some pop in the bat and a great glove. So what? Short? What big bats are at short? Maybe ex-Sox prospect and now star of the Marlins Hanley Ramirez, but that would be a blockbuster that I don't see happening. Arizona is struggling mightily this season, maybe making a move for JD's brother Stephen Drew, but that doesn't improve our power very much. Unless we part with some regulars, I don't see the Sox making any moves in the line-up.
Our rotation however has some room to grow. That is another area we need help in. First we need Lester to step up and pitch like the future number 1 that he is. We also need Dice-K to return to his rookie season form or really return to his Japanese form that Boston has never really seen. Finally, I think they need to make a move for a legit starter. Doc Halladay from Toronto would be great, but you can't send top prospects to a division rival. So we need to look out West and the NL, and I just don't know whose available.
So after a 6 game slide the Sox are looking up at the Yankees. I'll be watching to see how these two trades play out. There too big of a log jam at 1st for nothing else to happen. So we'll see. Does this mean the Sox need to battle for the Wild Card instead of the Division now? Not on your life.
Go Sox!
What is our answer to this 6 game streak? We acquire two back-ups to fill an already jammed bench, and jammed positions. Now don't get me wrong... I'm a little excited about one of our transactions.
It seems Boston & St. Louis are trying to help Milk and I along in this blog as Boston traded high priced Shortstop Julio Lugo to St. Louis for Outfielder Chris Duncan. This trade, I believe, brings some pop to the line-up that we sorely lacked in our other trade.
That other trade brought Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh to Boston. The one good thing about the trade is they didn't have to give up much to get him. Grant it, LaRoche seems to be a great infielder, and has some pop for a Pittsburgh team... but for Boston, who already has an All-Star at first base and a backup in Mark Kotsay, who could start for almost any other team... do we really need LaRoche? No.
What we need is some power implanted in the middle of the line-up. Duncan might have some power, but I doubt he is going to play everyday... especially after he struggled in St. Louis this year. In order to play everyday he'll need injuries to starters Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, or JD Drew... and if that happens... well let's not talk about that.
Basically, the Sox need to go out and find a bat either at short or at third. Grant it we have everyday players there right now, we really can't afford to displace any other position. You may make an argument for Catcher, but I'm not going to be the one who asks for V-Teks job. The man is a STUD even if he is moving on in age. So do we ask for aging Mike Lowells spot at third? Again that's tough. He's been faithful to Boston, even taking a paycut to stay with us and he still has some pop in the bat and a great glove. So what? Short? What big bats are at short? Maybe ex-Sox prospect and now star of the Marlins Hanley Ramirez, but that would be a blockbuster that I don't see happening. Arizona is struggling mightily this season, maybe making a move for JD's brother Stephen Drew, but that doesn't improve our power very much. Unless we part with some regulars, I don't see the Sox making any moves in the line-up.
Our rotation however has some room to grow. That is another area we need help in. First we need Lester to step up and pitch like the future number 1 that he is. We also need Dice-K to return to his rookie season form or really return to his Japanese form that Boston has never really seen. Finally, I think they need to make a move for a legit starter. Doc Halladay from Toronto would be great, but you can't send top prospects to a division rival. So we need to look out West and the NL, and I just don't know whose available.
So after a 6 game slide the Sox are looking up at the Yankees. I'll be watching to see how these two trades play out. There too big of a log jam at 1st for nothing else to happen. So we'll see. Does this mean the Sox need to battle for the Wild Card instead of the Division now? Not on your life.
Go Sox!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Waiting for Baby
For those of you who were at JFF on Wednesday night know that it looked like Amanda was beginning to go into labor. 10 hours later we are still waiting for that labor to begin.
She is contracting, but nothing is happening. Our daily lives continue as they have. It really feels like the calm before the storm. We're both really excited to have Robert Elijah join us. So excited in fact, that the waiting is making on antsy! This is a great test in patience and perseverance.
As a Father, I'm sure Milk and speak into the experience of going through childbirth with your wife. Obviously it is completely different for us compared to what our wives have to go through. But, we still go through a lot... I think. I know so far, while I may get frustrated that the baby hasn't come yet, my main role here to to support Amanda.
That role will continue at the hospital. Together, with God, we will welcome this child into the world. That's crazy to think about!
Please keep us (Amanda, Robert and myself) in your prayers as we await Robert's arrival. Stay tuned as we'll give an update when the big guy shows up!
God bless,
Jim
She is contracting, but nothing is happening. Our daily lives continue as they have. It really feels like the calm before the storm. We're both really excited to have Robert Elijah join us. So excited in fact, that the waiting is making on antsy! This is a great test in patience and perseverance.
As a Father, I'm sure Milk and speak into the experience of going through childbirth with your wife. Obviously it is completely different for us compared to what our wives have to go through. But, we still go through a lot... I think. I know so far, while I may get frustrated that the baby hasn't come yet, my main role here to to support Amanda.
That role will continue at the hospital. Together, with God, we will welcome this child into the world. That's crazy to think about!
Please keep us (Amanda, Robert and myself) in your prayers as we await Robert's arrival. Stay tuned as we'll give an update when the big guy shows up!
God bless,
Jim
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Bible & Bagels (doughnuts)
We had a great study Friday morning and enjoyed some fresh doughnuts from Krispy Kreme! We were going to have bagels, but as I was calling around looking for some, Krispy Kreme offered to donate doughnuts each week of the study! Sweet! So join us next Friday for our next round of Salvation History and eat some free doughnuts!!!
Our evening Friday Salvation History study will be canceled. No one showed up this week and so rather than have low numbers at each study, we'll just have one in the morning and have larger numbers. Hope you'll all be able to join us!
God bless,
Jim
Our evening Friday Salvation History study will be canceled. No one showed up this week and so rather than have low numbers at each study, we'll just have one in the morning and have larger numbers. Hope you'll all be able to join us!
God bless,
Jim
2 Games
I caught the end of the Cardinals Cubs game yesterday and with Milk away from the known world for a few days at TEC I thought I'd make a few comments from what I saw. And thanks to MLB.com and my All-Star voting, I'm able to watch the Sox for a few days with a free trial of MLBTV. It's pretty sweet. So I watched my boys in a wild one last night!
When I turned to Cards game on the Cubs were up 5-1 with Marmol was pitching and he was doing all he could to give that lead up. Finally, after letting a run in and loading the bases, Gregg came in and got the win. It was an interesting end to the game and the Cards fought hard. The loss let the Cards lead drop to two games.
The Sox, however, with the win, moved their lead up to two games with a Spankees loss earlier in the day.
The bats came alive in a big way last night jumping out early to a 9-0 lead. Smoltz looked like his old self and the Sox looked to be coasting to the win. That was until the bullpen took over and allowed the Royals to chip away at the lead. By the 8th inning the score was 12-9 and Paplebon warming up. Luckily in the bottom of the 8th we tacked on a few more and Paps got to sit down.
The bullpen sure didn't look pretty and that has to worry me going into the allstar break. But according to the announcers (Dennis Eckersly being one of them), the pen has been going through a tough spurt right now and that is to be expected. Let's hope he's right.
One of the brightest signs from last night heading into the break had to be Big Papi. His bat was alive... I'm watching the game as I write this and David was just named the Sox player of the week, go figure... anyway, Big Papi hit his 1,000th career home run (12th of the season). Way to go Papi!
So things look to be going well heading into the break. Sox won last night, are winning 3-0 in the 4th today and its a beautiful day in Boston.
FYI, the Cards are losing again in Chicago but I think its early still.
When I turned to Cards game on the Cubs were up 5-1 with Marmol was pitching and he was doing all he could to give that lead up. Finally, after letting a run in and loading the bases, Gregg came in and got the win. It was an interesting end to the game and the Cards fought hard. The loss let the Cards lead drop to two games.
The Sox, however, with the win, moved their lead up to two games with a Spankees loss earlier in the day.
The bats came alive in a big way last night jumping out early to a 9-0 lead. Smoltz looked like his old self and the Sox looked to be coasting to the win. That was until the bullpen took over and allowed the Royals to chip away at the lead. By the 8th inning the score was 12-9 and Paplebon warming up. Luckily in the bottom of the 8th we tacked on a few more and Paps got to sit down.
The bullpen sure didn't look pretty and that has to worry me going into the allstar break. But according to the announcers (Dennis Eckersly being one of them), the pen has been going through a tough spurt right now and that is to be expected. Let's hope he's right.
One of the brightest signs from last night heading into the break had to be Big Papi. His bat was alive... I'm watching the game as I write this and David was just named the Sox player of the week, go figure... anyway, Big Papi hit his 1,000th career home run (12th of the season). Way to go Papi!
So things look to be going well heading into the break. Sox won last night, are winning 3-0 in the 4th today and its a beautiful day in Boston.
FYI, the Cards are losing again in Chicago but I think its early still.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Out of office Friday afternoon: See you tonight!
Office is pretty quiet today so I'm going to head on out. Hope everyone is having a great Friday afternoon. We'll see you tonight at 6pm for our Salvation History Bible study!!
God bless,
Jim
God bless,
Jim
Red Sox
As we head into the All Star break you would think we would be in a good spot. We've got 6, count them 6 All Stars headed to the game in good ole St. Louis and the last time the Sox were in town in 04 things turned out alright for us.
But, of course, with a Spankees (that's Yankees for you non-New Englanders) win and a Sox loss to the not so lowly Royals last night we have slid into a tie for the top spot in the American League East.
With that said, let me pause for a moment and say how excited I am MILK has decided to journal the rest of the season with me. We're both big baseball fans and when it comes to Cards and Sox we're diehards. Go Sox!
So now, back to the team. It's been tough this year for me. Being away from the team and without cable I have to rely on the Sox website more than I would like. My friends back home say they like the feel and make up of this years team. And although we've won two world series this decade, I'm still not at ease with being in first place. I'm use to looking up at those darn spankees... and well, as of today we're tied for first place. Don't get me wrong. I want to win! I believe we will win! But to do it convincingly isn't the Sox style. Just look at the 04 Sox. I'm reading a book right now about them and when the Sox made the trade to send Nomar to the Cubbies you would have thought the world was ending in Boston. According to the authors we didn't get anything back for him. Well, those two "nobodies" helped lead us to a World Championship. (Those nobodies were Orlando Cabrera of the A's and Doug Minchevich {that's not how you spell his name} of who knows where now).
This year isn't much difference. The team has certainly been filled with adversity. Dice-K dominated in the World Baseball Classic AGAIN, but only this time his arm has decided to fall off during the regular season. Our 100 million dollar boy has been sitting on the DL most of the season. Our other Big boy, or should I say Big Papi, hasn't looked like himself at all this season. When the first few months of the season went by with no home runs, even David Ortiz's Big Smile was wiped off his face. I'm happy to say that Big Papi hit his 10th, and 300th of his career home run last night. Looks like he's beginning to turn things around. Reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia has had a solid season, as has "The Greek God of Walks" Kevin YooooooouuuKalis, until recent injuries had slowed him down. My boy Jon Lester, cancer survivor and all around American boy, struggled mightily to begin the season, but has showed promised as of late. Only a few weeks ago he brought a perfect game into the 6th inning. Not bad for a guy who got smacked around his first 4 starts!
Our main stay has been Josh Beckett, having another All Star year and pitching like the Josh Beckett of old. That is a good sign, because when Beckett is on the Sox win. I don't mean just when he pitches either. When he wins the team usually roles and we can usually count on him heavily when it comes playoff time.
But the greatest treat, but not biggest surprise, has to come from one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Red Sock players ever and that is league leader in wins mr. 42 year old TiMAY Wakefield. You have to love this man! He's throws a nasty nuckleball that when on NOBODY can hit and he combines that with a 77 mph fastball (possibly the slowest in the league) and a 70-75 mph change-up (you ask: is there a difference- apparently so). But this guy is what the Sox are all about. He's a man of the community, for years now he has been taking PAY CUTS to stay with the Sox, now signing 4 per year each year, and is a decision king. If you take a look at his record over the last few years you'll see he'll have 15 losses, but he'll also have 15-20 wins as well. And he's pretty good at keeping them even. If he only gets 10 wins in a season, you can be he only got 6-10 losses in the season. But not this year! He's holding steady at 3 losses and dominating with 11 wins! Best in the league! You go TiMAY!
But despite our success, we're still only tied with the Spankees, and well... that's how it should be. Tampa I will admit is a new kink in things... but lets face it, its the Rays! The Sox won't let last year happen again (as far as losing in the playoffs to Tampa). But I'm happy with where the Sox are at coming into the All Star break. Maybe its the defeatest in me, but I'll be happy with the Wild Card spot. We won the Division a couple years back, and the Spankees didn't make the playoff last year, so all in all, things aren't so bad. I don't have that crazy desire that I need to win the division each year... I'll take a World Series ring over a division title any day.
Do I think the Sox can make the series this year? Heck yeah! Will it be tough? Of course! But that's what makes being a Sox fan so great. It totally reminds me of being a Catholic.... but I'll leave that for another blog. Do the Sox need one or two more players to win it all? Probably. I wouldn't mind seeing Dice-K healed up and throwing like last year, along with bring Lester back to form. We probably need another bat as well, but I don't know where we'd put him. Maybe an upgrade a short. (I hear Nomar wants back in Boston). We'll see where the season takes us. For now, I'll keep an eye on the standings and only hope, PRAY, we can hold onto first as we enter the break. I'll be watching the All Star game this year, hoping the Socks can play a role in bringing home field advantage to the American League.
Thanks for reading. God bless, and talk to you soon.
Go Sox!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
TEC
I've never been on a TEC before, but I have been on a Koinia (I'm pretty sure I spelt that wrong) which is a college form of TEC at U of I and ISU, among other colleges in the area, and I have also be on a Cursio (pretty sure I spelt that wrong too), which is an adult form of TEC in Massachussetts.
Both were positive experiences for me despite my hesitations about going on them in the beginning. It was Cursio back in 2004 that helped me realize my calling to serve God in what I am tempted to call a more dramatic way. But really, it wasn't a more "dramatic" way at all. What it really was, was a living out Christ's love in my life more fully, more completely. I wasn't suddenly a "Jesus freak", what is a Jesus freak anyway and can it really be that bad? I wasn't suddenly awkward (no more than I am now...ha), all I was doing was trying, and I stress TRYING, to follow God's Will for my own life. And low and behold I was happy! I was complete! I found what I wanted to do with my life (ministry) and I found my wife! Pretty amazing. I'm not saying things haven't been tough since then because they have. But like in Jesus' parable about the men who built their houses on rock and sand... no matter what the storms will come. But with Christ as my foundation I can stand firm.
As far as my college experience went with "TEC" that too was a positive also. I was able to meet new students from across the campus who I had never met before and made some really good friends.
So please know that all of you who are going on TEC will be joined with my prayers for the weekend. If you haven't been on a TEC yet, I encourage you to find out when the next one is. Go. You won't regret it.
For those of you who are going or have gone, my only words of advice concern you experience after TEC. Keep the faith alive! Make it your own! Because when you are away from your community temptations will rise. You may... you will... fall. It's okay. Don't be afraid to give your life completely to Christ after this weekend. By doing so you will live a much fuller, joyfilled life. There are plenty of opportunities for you.
You can find fellowship through Life Teen on Wednesday and Sunday nights. Mass is offered multiple times a day at Epiphany, and we have a 24 Adoration chapel, including a LT Holy hour on Fridays to help to spend more time with our Lord.
In the words of our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, "Be Not Afraid!" God will not let you down.
God bless,
Jim
Both were positive experiences for me despite my hesitations about going on them in the beginning. It was Cursio back in 2004 that helped me realize my calling to serve God in what I am tempted to call a more dramatic way. But really, it wasn't a more "dramatic" way at all. What it really was, was a living out Christ's love in my life more fully, more completely. I wasn't suddenly a "Jesus freak", what is a Jesus freak anyway and can it really be that bad? I wasn't suddenly awkward (no more than I am now...ha), all I was doing was trying, and I stress TRYING, to follow God's Will for my own life. And low and behold I was happy! I was complete! I found what I wanted to do with my life (ministry) and I found my wife! Pretty amazing. I'm not saying things haven't been tough since then because they have. But like in Jesus' parable about the men who built their houses on rock and sand... no matter what the storms will come. But with Christ as my foundation I can stand firm.
As far as my college experience went with "TEC" that too was a positive also. I was able to meet new students from across the campus who I had never met before and made some really good friends.
So please know that all of you who are going on TEC will be joined with my prayers for the weekend. If you haven't been on a TEC yet, I encourage you to find out when the next one is. Go. You won't regret it.
For those of you who are going or have gone, my only words of advice concern you experience after TEC. Keep the faith alive! Make it your own! Because when you are away from your community temptations will rise. You may... you will... fall. It's okay. Don't be afraid to give your life completely to Christ after this weekend. By doing so you will live a much fuller, joyfilled life. There are plenty of opportunities for you.
You can find fellowship through Life Teen on Wednesday and Sunday nights. Mass is offered multiple times a day at Epiphany, and we have a 24 Adoration chapel, including a LT Holy hour on Fridays to help to spend more time with our Lord.
In the words of our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, "Be Not Afraid!" God will not let you down.
God bless,
Jim
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Drop In hours
Starting next week I'll be changing our weekly drop in hours to Wednesday through Friday, still from 1-5pm. I'll be using Tuesday's as a "business day."
If you haven't made it to a drop in hour yet you should come on by. It's completely unorganized! :) No, really, that's a good thing. I'm here in the office for you. If you want to come by and talk about something going on in your life... you can do that. I'm here. If you want to come by and play X-Box... you can do that. I'm here. If you want to come by and play Risk or another boardgame... you can do that too. I'm here. Open Hours are just that, open. Open to do what we feel like doing. If it's a nice day out, lets go out and throw the frisbee around. Have some work to do and need a place to come by and get it done? Why not the LT office.
This place is for you. You're always welcome here and I hope I'll get to see you soon.
God bless,
Jim
If you haven't made it to a drop in hour yet you should come on by. It's completely unorganized! :) No, really, that's a good thing. I'm here in the office for you. If you want to come by and talk about something going on in your life... you can do that. I'm here. If you want to come by and play X-Box... you can do that. I'm here. If you want to come by and play Risk or another boardgame... you can do that too. I'm here. Open Hours are just that, open. Open to do what we feel like doing. If it's a nice day out, lets go out and throw the frisbee around. Have some work to do and need a place to come by and get it done? Why not the LT office.
This place is for you. You're always welcome here and I hope I'll get to see you soon.
God bless,
Jim
Friday, June 26, 2009
Give God Your Very Best
So I was thinking of my last post, and thinking about Amanda being on bedrest and I realized that God has given me the perfect opportunity to take what I learned on our Memphis trip and apply it back home.
With Amanda on bedrest she isn't able to cook dinners or do laundry or other things around the house or even errands outside of the house. At first glance I am tempted to say "darn it! more work for me!" But, besides being completely selfish of me, I can view this as a great opportunity to give God my very best!
Serving Him in her allows me to do the work with joy. I'm able to grow closer to my wife and serve Christ all at the same time.
Praise God!
Jim
With Amanda on bedrest she isn't able to cook dinners or do laundry or other things around the house or even errands outside of the house. At first glance I am tempted to say "darn it! more work for me!" But, besides being completely selfish of me, I can view this as a great opportunity to give God my very best!
Serving Him in her allows me to do the work with joy. I'm able to grow closer to my wife and serve Christ all at the same time.
Praise God!
Jim
Office Hours: Friday June 26th
Hey guys,
My office hours are going to be a little sporadic over the next couple of weeks. Please keep Amanda in your prayers as the doctor has put her on bedrest. She's doing fine, all this means is she has to stay home and lay down. She needs to stay relaxed because the baby is trying to come out a little early. Its nothing to worry about, as long as she stays still she'll be good. However, this means I need to be around the house a little more often in order to get her things and do some more chores.
Shoot me an e-mail at epiphanylt@gmail.com if you need anything or want to make plans to hang out. I'm still available, just not in the office today!
God bless,
Jim
My office hours are going to be a little sporadic over the next couple of weeks. Please keep Amanda in your prayers as the doctor has put her on bedrest. She's doing fine, all this means is she has to stay home and lay down. She needs to stay relaxed because the baby is trying to come out a little early. Its nothing to worry about, as long as she stays still she'll be good. However, this means I need to be around the house a little more often in order to get her things and do some more chores.
Shoot me an e-mail at epiphanylt@gmail.com if you need anything or want to make plans to hang out. I'm still available, just not in the office today!
God bless,
Jim
Memphis
I've been back from Memphis for almost a week now and I've had time to reflect on my time down there. I was hesitant going down, not knowing what to expect. I had heard they were going to split our group up so we were working with different people. I didn't want to do that at first, I wanted to get to know all of you who came down with me! But in the end God knew what He was doing. It's funny how He does that huh?
The group I worked with was great, hardworking and respectful. But even better, the groups that the other teens from Epiphany worked with really came together and brought the best out of each other. In the evenings we had a chance to share and hangout as a youth group and it was absolutely amazing to see how each and every Epiphany teen was growing in one form or another.
Now that we're back to the daily grind it is easy to let the lessons we learned at Shine fade into a fond memory. But I want to encourage each of you to hold onto those lessons and really start living them out here. Remember you are Christ to those around you! Even your friends back in the good ole Bloomington-Normal.
And for the rest of you, I want to share with you the best advice and the most important thing I took away from Shine. It came from Katrina as she was sharing her own experience on Shine and quoting the moving "Facing the Giants", she said to "Give God your very best." Its so simple, but so true. I know it inspired all of us to work harder at our mission sites and I want it to inspire all of you who weren't able to join us. Give God your very best and you will be amazed at the things you will acomplish.
God bless,
Jim
The group I worked with was great, hardworking and respectful. But even better, the groups that the other teens from Epiphany worked with really came together and brought the best out of each other. In the evenings we had a chance to share and hangout as a youth group and it was absolutely amazing to see how each and every Epiphany teen was growing in one form or another.
Now that we're back to the daily grind it is easy to let the lessons we learned at Shine fade into a fond memory. But I want to encourage each of you to hold onto those lessons and really start living them out here. Remember you are Christ to those around you! Even your friends back in the good ole Bloomington-Normal.
And for the rest of you, I want to share with you the best advice and the most important thing I took away from Shine. It came from Katrina as she was sharing her own experience on Shine and quoting the moving "Facing the Giants", she said to "Give God your very best." Its so simple, but so true. I know it inspired all of us to work harder at our mission sites and I want it to inspire all of you who weren't able to join us. Give God your very best and you will be amazed at the things you will acomplish.
God bless,
Jim
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Right & Wrong
G.K Chesterton once wrote:
"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions."
I believe this is really a fancy way of saying, 'just because everyone is jumping off the bridge doesn't mean you should too!"
But of course there is probably a little bit more to it too. His quote is an encouragement or a suggestion to take a look around your world today. What are you letting into your life, who are you letting into your life and are they/it good for you?
In today's society President Obama is making a lot of changes, and many people are excited about these changes. Hopefully some of them will bring about good, but many of them won't. I don't want to get onto my soap box about President Obama in this post, that's not its purpose. As a good Catholic you know that many of the things he has done since coming into office has hurt us, I don't need to mention any more here.
The reason I bring it up, however, is to make a point. Remember the night he was elected. The tv showed so many people celebrating. Operah spoke about how she felt the entire country coming together.
Popular opinion can some time wreak havoc in our lives! Some one comes up with an idea, a few others think its a good idea, and before you know it everyone is off and running to jump over the cliff!
When you find your self running with the crowd take a moment to slow down to a jog. Look around and ask yourself... where is this coming from? Who is leading the sprint? Is it Christ? Are you headed to heaven? If the answer is no... then why waste your energy.
Keep fighting the good fight guys. You're in my prayers.
God bless,
Jim
"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions."
I believe this is really a fancy way of saying, 'just because everyone is jumping off the bridge doesn't mean you should too!"
But of course there is probably a little bit more to it too. His quote is an encouragement or a suggestion to take a look around your world today. What are you letting into your life, who are you letting into your life and are they/it good for you?
In today's society President Obama is making a lot of changes, and many people are excited about these changes. Hopefully some of them will bring about good, but many of them won't. I don't want to get onto my soap box about President Obama in this post, that's not its purpose. As a good Catholic you know that many of the things he has done since coming into office has hurt us, I don't need to mention any more here.
The reason I bring it up, however, is to make a point. Remember the night he was elected. The tv showed so many people celebrating. Operah spoke about how she felt the entire country coming together.
Popular opinion can some time wreak havoc in our lives! Some one comes up with an idea, a few others think its a good idea, and before you know it everyone is off and running to jump over the cliff!
When you find your self running with the crowd take a moment to slow down to a jog. Look around and ask yourself... where is this coming from? Who is leading the sprint? Is it Christ? Are you headed to heaven? If the answer is no... then why waste your energy.
Keep fighting the good fight guys. You're in my prayers.
God bless,
Jim
Monday, June 8, 2009
Drop-In hours canceled on Tuesday
Hey guys,
I've got a busy day of meetings so I won't be available for drop in hours on Tuesday June 9th. We'll see you Wednesday night at 7:30!
God bless,
Jim
I've got a busy day of meetings so I won't be available for drop in hours on Tuesday June 9th. We'll see you Wednesday night at 7:30!
God bless,
Jim
Friday, May 29, 2009
Random thoughts by Jim
So today is the first day of summer break for Epiphany school. Or so I think... the school is completely empty! To say it's a little earie, wouldn't be a lie.
All the more reason for teens to come by and bring some life to this building during the summer! Don't forget about our extended drop in hours Tuesday-Friday from 1pm-5pm.
Looking for a little extra? We have Mass everyday at 5:30pm!
Finally, this up coming week we have a Bible study on the parable of the men who built their houses on Rock & Sand. That's on Thursday at 2pm!
I hope everyones finals went well. Know that you were all in our prayers! Now that school is over... come on in! I'm waiting :)
God bless,
Jim
All the more reason for teens to come by and bring some life to this building during the summer! Don't forget about our extended drop in hours Tuesday-Friday from 1pm-5pm.
Looking for a little extra? We have Mass everyday at 5:30pm!
Finally, this up coming week we have a Bible study on the parable of the men who built their houses on Rock & Sand. That's on Thursday at 2pm!
I hope everyones finals went well. Know that you were all in our prayers! Now that school is over... come on in! I'm waiting :)
God bless,
Jim
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday May 26th: Drop in Hours end at 3:50pm
I have a meeting at 4pm today so I will be out of the office. Sorry for the inconvience! I hope you'll drop by another day!
God bless,
Jim
God bless,
Jim
Galatians 5:16-25
Welcome to my first blog! I'm new at this so I ask for your patience :) I was a writer in college, so let's see if I can't bring back some of the old magic :)
But enough of that, lets get to today's topic. I want to talk about one of this Sunday's readings. We have two choices for the 2nd reading, and I've chosen the 2nd option to write about. We'll see what we hear at Mass!
Here's the reading (titled above):
"Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immortality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit."
I also want to quote one line from the first option for the 2nd reading: 1Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13: "To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit."
St. Paul immediately offers us a challenge and a statement of hope: live by the Spirit! What does this mean? Well, he's good enough to explain to us what it doesn't mean first.
I'm not sure about you, but as I read through that list of the works of the flesh I found myself squirming a little. Sure some of them were a bit extreme (I can't remember any time I have actively pursued sorcery- but I did play with a wigee (sp) board once when I was a kid...), but impurity, lust, idolatry, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, fury, selfishness, dissensions, factions, envy... okay, okay, we already heard all these once before! How often do I struggle with each of these and so many more each week!?
Do you see it in your own life? Take a closer look: Do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend? What's your relationship like with them? Who comes first? God or the girl(boy)? Rivalry? I remember when I was in high school I was "friends" with a kid named Joe. We were about the same hight, played the same sports but he was blond and I was brunette (obviously). I was the athletic one (if you can believe that), captain of the track teams and the cross country team. He however was the "casanova". Any time I showed interest in a girl Joe was quick to start talking with her. When we graduated he signed my year book "Its been a great 4 years Soup (my nickname in HS), I never had a better rival than you!" Was that really a compliment? How much stress and strife we put on each other by always trying to out do the other.
And what fuels rivalry? Many things, but one is most definately envy. We both had things that the other wanted. Why couldn't we be happy with the gifts that God gave us? Why did we have to knock the other down so as to make the other's gift look less significant?
Many of these things St. Paul writes about are petty when we look back on them. How many times do we band our friends against another simply because we haven't gotten our way. Or our feelings have been hurt? Rather than seek that person out and ask for forgiveness, or search for middle ground, we gossip and form factions against them. You've heard it before, one sin leads to another, and it can be a vicious cycle.
I've already shown how even the most extreme sins (idolatry) can take on the most simple forms to trick us (improper relationships with gf/bf). So I challenge you to take a look at your own life? What road are you headed down? If you look far enough ahead, are you being lead to outbursts of fury, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like?
How does one fight this war in our flesh? Well, St. Paul gives us a road map for that as well. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are beautiful and powerful things!!!
Yeah, we've heard of love before... but really think about it. What is love? God is Love! Who is God? God the Father... what did He do? He loved us so much He sacrificed His only Begotten Son!!! What did that Son (God) do? He loved us so much He suffered and died on a cross for us... not before He modeled a way of life for us during His 33 years here on this earth. And finally, the whole purpose of this weekend, God the Holy Spirit. Who is the HS? He is that most powerful Love that is between the Father and the Son. A love so real it can't help but be a third Person in the Trinity.
St. Paul has laid down a road map for each of us to follow. But these 9 words in the letter to the Galatians won't mean anything to you unless you keep reading. Not just the Galatians, but the entire Bible. Start with the Gospels, read how our Church began in Acts, and see the encouragement and challenges St. Paul gives in his letters. This road map is given details in context. Only by spending quality time with the One you love, will you ever be able to live out the life you are called to live.
I can promise you that this won't be easy. Jesus never said it would be. If you read about His life you will see first hand that even our Lord had to suffer (and I don't just mean on the cross). But together, and with God Himself at our side, we can overcome our struggles and find joy in our pain!
I want to end with this thought. Let's go back to the beginning when I quoted the line from Corinthians. The Spirit is given to each of us for a specific purpose. Now that purpose may change over your lifetime... in fact I'll promise it will change (as long as you are open to growth).
What is that purpose for you right now? What challenges are you facing in your life? Immoralitu? Impurity? Lust? Idolatry? Sorcery? Hatred? Rivalry? Jealousy? Outbursts of fury? Selfishness? Dissensions, Factions? Occasions of envy? Drinking? Orgies? Or maybe a list of things not mentioned here!
We all struggle with things. That is life. But we must know that we are not alone. We have community and we have God Himself! He has poured out His Spirit for us. Let's not be ungrateful.
Okay, so I got a little eager in this first post. I promise each post will vary on topics and on length. Know that I am praying for each and everyone of you. We're on a journy. Let's travel together on that straight and narrow path.
God bless!
Jim
But enough of that, lets get to today's topic. I want to talk about one of this Sunday's readings. We have two choices for the 2nd reading, and I've chosen the 2nd option to write about. We'll see what we hear at Mass!
Here's the reading (titled above):
"Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immortality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit."
I also want to quote one line from the first option for the 2nd reading: 1Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13: "To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit."
St. Paul immediately offers us a challenge and a statement of hope: live by the Spirit! What does this mean? Well, he's good enough to explain to us what it doesn't mean first.
I'm not sure about you, but as I read through that list of the works of the flesh I found myself squirming a little. Sure some of them were a bit extreme (I can't remember any time I have actively pursued sorcery- but I did play with a wigee (sp) board once when I was a kid...), but impurity, lust, idolatry, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, fury, selfishness, dissensions, factions, envy... okay, okay, we already heard all these once before! How often do I struggle with each of these and so many more each week!?
Do you see it in your own life? Take a closer look: Do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend? What's your relationship like with them? Who comes first? God or the girl(boy)? Rivalry? I remember when I was in high school I was "friends" with a kid named Joe. We were about the same hight, played the same sports but he was blond and I was brunette (obviously). I was the athletic one (if you can believe that), captain of the track teams and the cross country team. He however was the "casanova". Any time I showed interest in a girl Joe was quick to start talking with her. When we graduated he signed my year book "Its been a great 4 years Soup (my nickname in HS), I never had a better rival than you!" Was that really a compliment? How much stress and strife we put on each other by always trying to out do the other.
And what fuels rivalry? Many things, but one is most definately envy. We both had things that the other wanted. Why couldn't we be happy with the gifts that God gave us? Why did we have to knock the other down so as to make the other's gift look less significant?
Many of these things St. Paul writes about are petty when we look back on them. How many times do we band our friends against another simply because we haven't gotten our way. Or our feelings have been hurt? Rather than seek that person out and ask for forgiveness, or search for middle ground, we gossip and form factions against them. You've heard it before, one sin leads to another, and it can be a vicious cycle.
I've already shown how even the most extreme sins (idolatry) can take on the most simple forms to trick us (improper relationships with gf/bf). So I challenge you to take a look at your own life? What road are you headed down? If you look far enough ahead, are you being lead to outbursts of fury, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like?
How does one fight this war in our flesh? Well, St. Paul gives us a road map for that as well. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are beautiful and powerful things!!!
Yeah, we've heard of love before... but really think about it. What is love? God is Love! Who is God? God the Father... what did He do? He loved us so much He sacrificed His only Begotten Son!!! What did that Son (God) do? He loved us so much He suffered and died on a cross for us... not before He modeled a way of life for us during His 33 years here on this earth. And finally, the whole purpose of this weekend, God the Holy Spirit. Who is the HS? He is that most powerful Love that is between the Father and the Son. A love so real it can't help but be a third Person in the Trinity.
St. Paul has laid down a road map for each of us to follow. But these 9 words in the letter to the Galatians won't mean anything to you unless you keep reading. Not just the Galatians, but the entire Bible. Start with the Gospels, read how our Church began in Acts, and see the encouragement and challenges St. Paul gives in his letters. This road map is given details in context. Only by spending quality time with the One you love, will you ever be able to live out the life you are called to live.
I can promise you that this won't be easy. Jesus never said it would be. If you read about His life you will see first hand that even our Lord had to suffer (and I don't just mean on the cross). But together, and with God Himself at our side, we can overcome our struggles and find joy in our pain!
I want to end with this thought. Let's go back to the beginning when I quoted the line from Corinthians. The Spirit is given to each of us for a specific purpose. Now that purpose may change over your lifetime... in fact I'll promise it will change (as long as you are open to growth).
What is that purpose for you right now? What challenges are you facing in your life? Immoralitu? Impurity? Lust? Idolatry? Sorcery? Hatred? Rivalry? Jealousy? Outbursts of fury? Selfishness? Dissensions, Factions? Occasions of envy? Drinking? Orgies? Or maybe a list of things not mentioned here!
We all struggle with things. That is life. But we must know that we are not alone. We have community and we have God Himself! He has poured out His Spirit for us. Let's not be ungrateful.
Okay, so I got a little eager in this first post. I promise each post will vary on topics and on length. Know that I am praying for each and everyone of you. We're on a journy. Let's travel together on that straight and narrow path.
God bless!
Jim
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