Why Barry should be barred

Stock in Barry Bonds is falling.
Shares are selling pretty cheap.
Legal “fastballs” soon will fan him
implicating him quite deep.

What a dope! No need for steroids.
Bobby’s son had strength to burn.
Without drugs, he cleared the fences.
But this Giant failed to learn

that baseball is more than home runs.
Diamonds boast integrity.
Juicing up on more than OJ,
Barry should not go Scott free.

He must not break Aaron’s record.
It they let him, it’s a shame.
It would cheapen baseball’s honors
and disgrace the Hall of Fame.

A toast to the Red Sox’s long-awaited world championship

Beneath the famous Gateway Arch
the Cardinal fans now grieve quite parched.
Their thirst is for much more than beer.
They craved a win. That much was clear.
Those wingless Cardinals couldn’t fly
in just four games we watched them die.
Jack Buck was turnin’ in his grave
as with their bats the Red Birds waved
at knuckle balls pitched toward the plate.
At Schilling’s fast balls they swung late.
The N L Central champs are through
while Boston cheers and hoists a brew.
The curse at last has been reversed.
Those Clydesdale horses pull a hearse.
With Red Birds dead, Beantown’s not blue.
Hey Bo Sox fans… “This Bud’s for you!”

Not all marathons in life are fun and games

To the country where it all began,
The Games return again.
The strong and fleet (with gold their aim)
compete with wills to win.

To the birthplace of democracy
the nations make their way.
They’ll prove all ideologies
give way to sport and play.

In the city where Saint Paul once stood
defending Christ as Lord,
the cheering crowds will stand as well
when winning goals are scored.

In the scheme of things The Games we love
(at best) are but mere games.
We’ll soon forget the record times
and most contenders’ names.

Still and all there is a marathon
that won’t be run in Greece.
It’s not for silver, gold or bronze.
It’s not a ploy for peace.

It’s a race (by grace) you too can run.
You’ve been qualified by One
who finished first without a fall,
then died when he was done.

It requires strength to persevere.
It’s not a common race.
But those who cross this finish line
will greet God’s smiling face.

So run as if you’re there in Greece.
Maintain your pace and stride.
Press on toward the goal you seek
for which the Savior died.

What March Madness has to do with cultural Christianity

We hardly watch a game all year
but come World Series time,
we pick a team and place a bet
and sing the “Take Me” rhyme.

At Super Bowl we’re instant fans,
but don’t ask about teams.
The big game’s just a good excuse
to party (so it seems).

The same in March. We all go mad
and watch roundballers score.
A game of hoops we’ll take or leave
until the Final Four.

Me thinks I see a pattern here
within our well-honed ways.
We raise the rafters with our cheers
on only certain days.

No wonder many blow-off church,
though they say they believe.
Except for Easter, folks sleep in
until it’s Christmas Eve.

Commitment is conditional.
The culture sparks our flame.
We’re fans but not fanatical.
Our loyalty’s a game.