Spiritual lessons from America’s favorite pasttime

It’s a game that’s based on bases,
first and second, third and home.
And the rules remain consistent
whether played in Rome or Nome.

You must first head straight to first base.
You can’t skip it or take third.
Without rules there’d be no meaning.
Without rules games are absurd.

And the game of life’s no different.
Those who play it on their own
think that they can skip the bases
and then slide in late at home.

But there’s order to the process.
We must take each stage in stride.
Someone pitches us the Gospel
and explains why Jesus died.

First we must accept forgiveness
that He gave us on the cross.
After that it’s on to second
where we let Him be the boss.

Then we’re third base bound by serving
those around us who have needs.
And it’s likely we’ll remain there
’til we’ve lost our pride and greed.

Then in time our Coach will motion
that it’s time to head for home.
That’s the time we’ll know we made
it as the King smiles from His throne.

So the moral of this poem
is to let the game you love
help you understand the ground rules
that apply to what’s above.

Baseball’s “Opening Day” is worth celebrating

And so a brand new season starts
in Wrigley Field and Fenway Park,
in stadiums across the land
where diamonds woo our love.

Yes, baseball’s hibernation’s past.
It’s time to hear “Play Ball!” at last.
And cheer our team and fuel our dreams
that this might be the year.

It’s time the “boys of summer” play.
This really is like New Year’s Day.
Regrets are gone while hopes run high.
Let’s all sing “Auld Lang Syne.”

And let’s resolve to not be sad
when our home team is playing bad.
What matters most is how we feel
because we love this game.

Reflections on yet another terrorist attack

In Christchurch?
The unthinkable!
People in prayer
were robbed of life.
The deafening sound
of gunfire
broke the silence
and broke God’s heart.

In Christchurch
Muslims are welcomed.
So too Christians and Jews,
Hindus and Buddhists.
The gate may be narrow,
but remains open
to seekers of truth
who own their own sin
and would be
delivered from them.

In Christchurch
the reality of evil
is sadly acknowledged
as proof of our plight.
Flawed people
prejudging other people
made in God’s image
call attention
to our need
of a Savior.

Lord, have mercy!

Celebrating the craziness of March madness

It’s the march of the mad,
the parade of the tall.
It’s the time when the “roundball” is king.
And as royal subjects,
we curtsy and bow
content with the tribute we bring.

With Final Four focus
my vision remains
consistent with those just like me.
From jump ball to buzzer,
we’re glued to each game
ever grateful for cable TV.

What keeps mushers and dogs doing the Iditarod

The spell of the arctic.
The call of the wild.
The beckoning scent of the trail.
Each one claims allegiance
and can’t be ignored.
Both musher and dog must prevail.

The Northern Lights dancing.
The frigid nights chill.
The winter dogs hunger to run
remind us it’s why
we endure what we do
in a race that is second to none.

It’s more than a race
for both musher and team.
The Iditarod is an ordeal.
This sled dog adventure
through ice, wind and snow
concludes in champion’s meal.