Shelley was alone in the kitchen, and offered me breakfast. I declined, noticing that everyone was already out on the deck. I grabbed a coffee and apologetically went outside and sat down to meet with Don, Jeff, Scott, Brad, and Holly's boyfriend Dalton.
We read excerpts from Ephesians and talked about men's pitfalls and responsibilities in the church and in the home. It was a great way to start the day. We all added to the discussion and spoke and listened. Then we ate again!
Jeff and I had agreed to coach a catcher-specific clinic at 1030. Scott had to run off to a service call at work, and Brad had an appointment, so Don and Jeff and I were on our own. We chatted for a while, grabbed another coffee, then went off to the diamond.
We had all talked Wednesday night about a way to compare and contrast baseball with the gospel. On the way to the diamond, I told Jeff and Don about an idea I had. Don said he would bounce it off of Scott later.
We arrive to find 12 catchers. Jeff taught receiving and positioning, and I helped out along with a local University student named Isaiah. The kids loved it. About half way through, Don came over and asked if I would share my testimony with the kids when we were done. I agreed.
We finished and I told the kids my story. The kids were receptive, and a lot of the parents thanked me.
We went back to the house and all three of us crashed. Don and Jeff took naps and I read and watched the a bit of "National Treasure 2: The Book of Secrets".
At about 3 we all reconvened and sat down in the kitchen. We chatted and joked and Don and Jeff told stories about the Big Leagues. and then got dressed and went out for a drive. Big shocker, we went to the Starbucks!
We sat for about an hour and a half and talked and discussed scripture and really had a nice time. We went back to the house and met up with everyone for dinner. Shelly had made two huge chicken pot pies- which were delicious. We all talked and then headed out for 'Olympic Day' at the clinic.
Olympic Day meant all the kids competed in events and got scores. I was moved from the hitting station to the outfield station. I was going to throw fly balls for the players to catch- they got a point for each one they caught cleanly.
But first, Scott had agreed that I would give the opening message - a quick throwing/pitching lesson, and a scripture reading and life lesson. I talked about how short cuts don't pay in life or baseball, and how we have a coach and playbook and guidelines in baseball, and a pastor or parent and bible and commandments. I compared baseball and life, and the ideas of "my coach says....but what if I...?" and "the bible says....but what if I...?"
The kids got it and Don, Scott, and Jeff thanked me.
I threw pop-ups for about an hour and a half, and then we all went into the gym and listened to Jeff deliver the gospel.
Jeff did a great job, and after the message- about giving you life wholly to Christ- we went back and ate leftovers and desert. There were guests again and we all sat and chatted and shared our stories.
At about 12 we all hit the wall, and the guests went home and we went to bed. It was a great day.
Thursday's verse- Psalm 66:16"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul."
Please continue to pray for my friend's son. They are seeing little improvements- every prayer for the family counts.
We read excerpts from Ephesians and talked about men's pitfalls and responsibilities in the church and in the home. It was a great way to start the day. We all added to the discussion and spoke and listened. Then we ate again!
Jeff and I had agreed to coach a catcher-specific clinic at 1030. Scott had to run off to a service call at work, and Brad had an appointment, so Don and Jeff and I were on our own. We chatted for a while, grabbed another coffee, then went off to the diamond.
We had all talked Wednesday night about a way to compare and contrast baseball with the gospel. On the way to the diamond, I told Jeff and Don about an idea I had. Don said he would bounce it off of Scott later.
We arrive to find 12 catchers. Jeff taught receiving and positioning, and I helped out along with a local University student named Isaiah. The kids loved it. About half way through, Don came over and asked if I would share my testimony with the kids when we were done. I agreed.
We finished and I told the kids my story. The kids were receptive, and a lot of the parents thanked me.
We went back to the house and all three of us crashed. Don and Jeff took naps and I read and watched the a bit of "National Treasure 2: The Book of Secrets".
At about 3 we all reconvened and sat down in the kitchen. We chatted and joked and Don and Jeff told stories about the Big Leagues. and then got dressed and went out for a drive. Big shocker, we went to the Starbucks!
We sat for about an hour and a half and talked and discussed scripture and really had a nice time. We went back to the house and met up with everyone for dinner. Shelly had made two huge chicken pot pies- which were delicious. We all talked and then headed out for 'Olympic Day' at the clinic.
Olympic Day meant all the kids competed in events and got scores. I was moved from the hitting station to the outfield station. I was going to throw fly balls for the players to catch- they got a point for each one they caught cleanly.
But first, Scott had agreed that I would give the opening message - a quick throwing/pitching lesson, and a scripture reading and life lesson. I talked about how short cuts don't pay in life or baseball, and how we have a coach and playbook and guidelines in baseball, and a pastor or parent and bible and commandments. I compared baseball and life, and the ideas of "my coach says....but what if I...?" and "the bible says....but what if I...?"
The kids got it and Don, Scott, and Jeff thanked me.
I threw pop-ups for about an hour and a half, and then we all went into the gym and listened to Jeff deliver the gospel.
Jeff did a great job, and after the message- about giving you life wholly to Christ- we went back and ate leftovers and desert. There were guests again and we all sat and chatted and shared our stories.
At about 12 we all hit the wall, and the guests went home and we went to bed. It was a great day.
Thursday's verse- Psalm 66:16"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul."
Please continue to pray for my friend's son. They are seeing little improvements- every prayer for the family counts.
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