Blame the Baseball Player

 

When we think about being falsely accused we often think about Easter when Jesus died on a cross and was resurrected three days later. But did you know that we are often falsely accused or blamed for something we have no control over? Without exception it  may happen to all of us without warning. 

Bill was a good friend of mine. We grew up together on the Gold Coast, a name for a Chicago neighborhood among others so named. Even though we both liked to play baseball, Bill had a rough time playing with the other guys. His pals just weren't always nice to him. Allow me to share his story with you.

Whenever time permitted we gathered with friends on a school lot to play baseball. It was nothing fancy other than a worn-out infield and some cardboard bases to enhance a playing field for some fun and play-by-play action.

Two guys were chosen to be a captain of each team. To start things rolling one boy tossed a baseball bat to the other whom caught it with his free hand. Then they took turns climbing to the top with one fist at a time. Last fist to reach the top started the choosing process. 

It was a rank and file system where the best players were chosen first. Fair play was often challenged. Where are the merits in baseball?

Bill usually played right field with another player where there wasn't much action. With more than nine guys on a team everybody played so some players had to share positions, and Bill was a southpaw and that didn't allow for a position of choice. Did you ever see a southpaw behind the plate or at third base?

In the outfield he was an average player. Catching a few and throwing some didn't get his buddies too excited. His real problem was hitting.

In spite of being an average hitter he very seldom ever struck out. After putting some wood on the ball they usually landed in a glove or beat him to first base every time. The more times Bill played the angrier  his buddies got.  Soon he started to digest a lot of criticism.

"Come on Bill do it right and hit the ball." The negative comments got more consistent. "Step to the other side of the plate."

The guys never thought that Bill was ambidextrous. It was in his DNA. He was a natural southpaw fielder while batting right handed at the plate. Some people never learn.  Yes, it takes all kinds to make a world. 

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You Are a Leader

Good leadership reflects the character of the leader. People are aways impressed if the results of a project are good. If not so good it may lead to heated arguments.

The goal of any leader is to motivate  a person, group, or organization for the common good. We, the hard working people that we are, will know them by the fruits of their labor. Like you, I can easily identify with many good and not so good things that will make my blood boil, figuratively speaking. 

Many years ago when I was young and good looking if you believe that,   I worked at McDonald's our local hamburger joint. Everybody wanted to turn over the burgers on the grill or serve customers at the counter. It was fun to operate the cash register. No body wanted to wash dishes or empty the garbage cans.

Whenever I saw garbage cans overflow it reflected poor management. In addition workers liked to bully their peers or manipulate the boss and it showed. 

It doesn't work that way in baseball. Baseball is a team sport and all the players must do their best if they expect to win ball games. The manager must use his players according to their skills and talent. The win/lost record will tell the rest of the story. 

I like to think that 'teaching' goes along with 'leadership.' Both have the capability of influencing people. When I was in Bible school we were assigned to read Jesus, The Master Teacher. It was a good story about the life of Jesus.

Jesus came to earth at Christmas time with one goal in mine. The goal was to teach people about their sinful nature and encourage them to change their way of life. (John 3:16). 

So you are a leader. Whether you admit it or not and your actions will influence other people. Use them wisely. More and surprising opportunities await you just around the corner.

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Are You In Control?

Everybody likes to be in control of their own desires and actions. Freedom is the name of the game in life.

I grew up in a German family. Even though I encountered a lot of criticism my mom wanted the best for me. It was a rough life. 

When I was a kid many years ago I loved baseball. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do to listen to a baseball game on my radio. TV in those days was a big box, small screen, and a snowy black and white picture. Baseball wasn't fun to watch on the old RCA TV set.

To satisfy my baseball appetite I made a board game. First, I purchased  some plastic baseball players off a cereal box top. Then I made a spinner and labeled it with all the basics-single, double, triple, out, double play, and home run. You know what I mean. The same baseball rules have been around for a long time. 

The field that was covered with green and gray construction paper and clued to cardboard measured three feet square and was surrounded with a two inch wall. No baseball field would be complete without a dugout along the first and third base foul line. 

The teams I chose were the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers. It could be any team. The choice is yours. Fifteen players kept the dugout bench warm when they weren't on the field.

Just a piece of scratch paper, draw lines to represent nine innings, spin that dial, and play ball. With friends or alone I could play baseball all day. I was in my second heaven and guess what? I was in complete control to have the freedom to win or lose a game. The fun just began.

Freedom is your choice. Choose a career, care for your family, worship God, and more. You are the boss. Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?

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Will The Real Chicken Please Stand Up?

 

I like things that are authentic. The real thing. But now we have fake news and rigged elections. What else could go wrong?

Do you like chicken? I know, immediately Boston Market, Panda Express, and KFC enters your mind. But what about this picture? Will the real chicken please stand up?

For the most part medicine along with healthcare is real. The right treatment plan from the right doctor is a good thing if we are sick. Thank goodness for a good healthcare system that works. Insurance is another issue that we will share with you at a latter date.

What about baseball? No way you say, but there is. Thanks to the replay camera, often the umpire makes the wrong call at the plate and gets away with it. For example, a baseball sails away from home plate and the man in the black suit calls it a strike. Such is life in a baseball game. We must learn to live with it.

My wife likes to knit. It is a hobby of perfection. Drop a stitch or two and watch out because it shows. Many times the lady has to stop, go back, and start a row all over again. Authenticity in knitting that sweater, scarf, hat, or whatever will pay off. Patience is a virtue. 

There is no doubt about it, we have to feed our soul. Because we can't see it many of us take it for granted, but it's there. The solution to a good life is reading the Bible. 

The Bible is a good hand book. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (II Tim. 2:15 NIV) I feel good and life is so much better.  

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