Bigger than Baseball

Just finished Josh Hamilton's autobiography. He goes into great detail about his descent into addiction and how God got him out. If you want to get a glimpse into the mind of a drug addict, this tells it all. He tells the honest story and, just like he did during the Championship Series, gives all the glory to Jesus Christ.

One of the most touching parts of his story is how his brand new teammates, Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Hank Blalock supported and befriended him when he came to Texas. Makes me love my Rangers even more. Keep the hankies close.

I Wonder

What would my life be like without fear? Who would Debbie be if she didn't doubt herself and give into discouragement? What if I didn't tell God how ill-equipped I am to do what He's told me to do? What if I saw my dreams, not as things I have to give up, but as visions of where God wants to take me? What if I stopped depending on myself and truly put everything in God's hands?

I wonder.......


WHGTUTDT? DI!

Fighting

I heard somewhere that people often act in anger when one or more of their needs is not being met. James, the half-brother of Jesus, who wrote the book of the Bible bearing his name says the same thing. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" (James 4:1) He goes on to say that we don't have what we want because we don't ask God, and when we do ask God, we ask with wrong motives. And so, we keep fighting.

The answer to this vicious cycle is humility before God. We must be broken-hearted before Him.

Stop looking horizontally to find what you need. Look to Him. Nothing is lacking in Him. Nothing.

Convection Current

I teach fifth grade science. Don't get me started on how ridiculous it is that I teach science. When I was a student, I avoided science classes like I now avoid South Cooper Street on the weekend. I could've graduated high school with honors if I had taken one year of chemistry. I took Drama II instead. But, God has a sense of humor. I now teach science. And I love it!

My class recently did a lesson on convection currents. They're found in the atmosphere and in the oceans. It's the physical process by which more dense water or air sinks, while less dense water or air rises. In the atmosphere, air near the earth warms and rises. As the air gets further away from the earth, the temperature cools, making the air "heavier" and causing it to sink back to Earth, where the process continues. Convection currents are responsible for much of our weather.

It occurred to me lately that this process is similar to our relationship to God. He desires our praise. He also desires us to create things to honor Him. Our music, art, literature, and dance should enlighten our spirits, give Him praise and cause others to pay attention to Him. But it is God that gives us creativity. The ultimate creative Being gives us the spark of creation in our own bodies and minds in order that we may send the honor back to Him.

A convection current.

And we simply participate. We hone our skills. We study our crafts. But it is God who gives us life, joy and creativity so that we can give praise back to Him.