Aces Wild

In the Facebook world, this picture gets a quadruple-like!

Admiring Roy Halladay...

With one foot raised! What a start to the Playoffs!

With One Foot Raised

For the first time in the 127-year history of the franchise, my beloved Phillies have finished with the best record in the major leagues. ESPN's "experts" seem to think that the Phils are the favorite to win the World Series. It's certainly an exciting time to be a Phillies' fan.

With that in view, I received a great reminder yesterday in the book With Calvin in the Theater of God. Sam Storms begins his chapter on Calvin's vision of the glory of heaven with a quote from Calvin written to a woman suffering from severe physical afflictions. He says that her (and our) afflictions are instruments through which we learn "to have one foot raised to take our departure when it shall please God."

In other words, we ought to live every day with one foot raised, ready and eager for the day when we will depart from this world and enter into the splendor of heavenly glory. Storms then closes the chapter with this exhortation:

Young man, young woman, go to school, study hard, prepare yourself for fifty or more years in a productive and exciting career. But do it with one foot raised!

Let all of us diligently labor at our place of business. Honor our employers by giving them a good day's labor for a day's wage. But always work with one foot raised!

By all means, get married. Enjoy the delight of romantic affections. Devote yourself to your spouse, yet do it with one foot raised!

Be quick to educate your children. Prepare them for life. Raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but always with one foot raised!

Study Greek and Hebrew and Latin! But study with one foot raised!

Celebrate life with your friends over a good steak and your beverage of choice. But eat and drink with one foot raised!

Weep at the grave site of a child. Mourn at the loss of a friend. But may it always be with one foot raised!

Read a book. Write a book. But read and write with one foot raised!

Cheer for your favorite football team (or this fan might say, baseball team) and celebrate wildly every victory. But do it with one foot raised!

Labor to enact legislation to improve life in your city, your state, your country, but always with one foot raised!

Plant a garden. Plant a church. Open a savings account. Purchase a thirty-year certificate of deposit. Invest in a stock. But do it all with one foot raised!

So I'm looking forward to the start of the MLB postseason, and appreciate Storms' encouragement to cheer for my favorite team. Hopefully there will be 11 wins to celebrate wildly...but I'll be doing it with one foot raised.

Always Our Advocate

On Friday morning my family and I headed to York, PA to participate in the wedding of my sister, Laura (here I am on the big day with my dad and two sisters). On the way out the door on Friday, I had a moment to choose which baseball cap to bring with me: Penn State, or Phillies. After a second or two, I grabbed the Penn State hat.

By the time I got into the car, I had realized why I made that choice. On Thursday, the Phillies had completed a rather embarrassing 4-game losing streak to the lowly Houston Astros (insomuch as something as relatively insignificant as a ballgame played by men I don't even know in the slightest could really be called embarrassing). So on Friday, I wasn't in the mood to be an advocate for the suddenly Fightless Phils.

All that had changed by the time I got back from York. While I was away, the Phillies swept the league-best San Diego Padres in a three game series. I don't really have a need for a cap today, but I'm pretty sure that given the weekend success, I'd naturally sport the red and white Phillies' gear as a happy advocate of the home team.

This seems to be a common experience, as anyone who has visited a shopping mall in the Philly area over the past three Octobers can attest to. Where did all these fans come from all of the sudden? The Phils' were hot, and so advocates were springing up everywhere. When they're lousy, far fewer people seem interested in being an advocate (I'm using the word advocate here according to a dictionary definition: to recommend publicly).

We'll throw a parade with two million people for a winner; but when the winners hit a bump in the road, everyone seems to want to abandon ship (including me, getting ready for football season with my PSU cap).

My weekend fickleness of heart in the face of failure was actually an occasion for having my heart stirred for the great Advocacy of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures say, "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Now the word advocate is being used a little differently here, but the overall sense is somewhat similarly. John doesn't write, "If anyone hits a home run with their lives, we have an advocate with the Father." No, he says, "If anyone sins," Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father.

Jesus is my Advocate, and He does not suffer from the same fickleness of heart as I do with the Phillies. Even when I am at my lousiest, when He would have every reason to disown me, Jesus stands beside me as an ever-faithful Advocate before the Father. If my life was a sports' team logo, Jesus would not be ashamed to wear my hat, even though my sin is infinitely more abominable in His sight than being swept in a four-game series by a bad baseball team.

What a great joy it is to know that the King of the universe, the One who upholds all things by the word of His power, is an ever-faithful advocate for all who bank their hope in Him. Even when I am at my worst, Jesus is always at His best in His unwavering love for me.

Sports World and Real World

I just learned today that Phillies' pitcher Ryan Madson, who went on the disabled list last week with a broken toe, suffered that injury when he kicked a chair in the Phillies' clubhouse after blowing a save last week. He probably will not pitch for at least a month.

Is there any other profession in the world outside of sports in which a person can do something so immature and foolish that hinders him from doing the job he is being paid to do, yet continue to earn his salary as though nothing has happened?

Jimmy Rollins' Calf...

...is unimaginably less important than his soul.

I was inclined to feel bummed when I heard J-Roll would probably be out for a few weeks with a strained calf. The Phils' are off to a great start, and Rollins had looked terrific in the first week of the season. I hope the injury doesn't affect Rollins' productivity, or the Phillies' early success.

But I was quickly reminded of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5, which I preached on a few weeks back: "From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh..." The above paragraph regards Rollins only according to the flesh.

He is more than a baseball player, isn't he? He's a human being made in God's image, who will spend eternity either enjoying God's presence or experiencing His righteous judgment. If I care about Rollins' productivity on the field, shouldn't I care infinitely more about the condition of his soul?

I should not assume that simply because Jimmy points his finger to the sky after a base hit, that he knows Jesus in a saving way. And even if he does, should I not be more concerned for his Christian witness as an athlete than how many weeks he will miss with his injury?

So yes, hurry back Jimmy. You're a big part of Phillies' history, and you make them go day in and day out. But if it's not done in Christ's name and for His glory, it's all in vain. So my preeminent concern for you is not when you return to the Phillies' lineup, but that you know and love Jesus above all things.

Justifying Brad Lidge, and Me

I was listening to the radio this morning and heard that Phillies' pitcher Brad Lidge is feeling healthy and in command of his pitches, which he was not last season. Apparently Lidge said that he did not want to make excuses last year while he was struggling terribly, so he pitched on in a good deal of pain.

As a Phillies fan, I'd prefer if Lidge had made excuses during the season when he could have been removed from the Phillies' roster, instead of making excuses after the season, when nothing can be done about it.

But what I'm more concerned about is this: how would a robust embrace of the gospel free Brad Lidge from feeling the need to make excuses about his performance either during or after the season?

And, more importantly, how would a robust embrace of the gospel empower me to stop with my incessant excuse-making when I'm not "on top of my game" (ie. I'm not getting enough sleep, the kids are driving me crazy, things are really stressful at work, etc.)?

Ah, Brad Lidge. He truly is an instrument of sanctification in my life.

Alright Baseball Fans...

Since common grace is on my mind today, let's talk baseball! One Spring Training game is under our belt, so it's time to ask for some predictions.

I'm still somewhat amazed that the guy widely regarded as the best pitcher in baseball actually wanted to play for the Phillies and signed a contract extension for less money because he was so serious about playing here. That makes me an instant fan of Roy Halladay, though I'm not thrilled with seeing Cliff Lee depart after only half a season with the Phils.

So what do you see happening this season? Tell me who you think will play in the World Series, and who will take the crown this year?

Well Phillies Fans...

Are you happy with this picture?


I definitely have mixed feelings about this one. What do you think?

The reign that never ends

The World Series is over, and it was a disappointing week for the Phils. They were only two wins from a repeat championship, but couldn't pull it off. Their reign as World Series champions is over, and though last year's victory was great, there's still a sour taste in the mouth of Phillies' fans after losing this year.

Yankees fans should know something of that taste. After winning four championships in five years in the late 90's, they had the pieces to win every year since 2000, but came up short each year until this one. And all those victories in the late 90's probably didn't make losing year after year any sweeter.

But the end of the Phillies' reign as champions has increased my joy in sharing in the reign that will never end. At the beginning of Luke's Gospel, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her about the Son whom she would bear, the angel told her:

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Imagine that: a reign that never ends. The thrill of sharing in the triumphant reign of our favorite sports teams is an echo written on our hearts testifying to us that we were created to be part of an eternal reign, infinitely greater than the Phillies or Yankees can imagine. Their reign lasts for a season (or two or three if they're fortunate); but the reign of Jesus Christ endures forever.

So it will be a long offseason for the Phillies and their fans, as they seek to recapture their championship reign in 2010. Yet their loss this season makes me incredibly grateful that, by God's grace, in Christ I share in a reign that never ends.

The Thrill of Victory

If a comeback victory in a baseball game elicits this kind of jubilant exhilaration, imagine the euphoria when the Son of God comes back to complete His triumph over all His enemies, including death itself.

That is going to be one amazing celebration! Celebrations like the one in South Philly last night give a certain kind of experiential foretaste to the kinds of images we see in the closing chapters of the Bible. By all means, I enjoy the foretaste; but I don't want to be so captured by it that I'm not most gripped with the thrill of Christ's victory of sin, Satan, death and hell.

Hopefully we'll get another foretaste tomorrow night!

Pitiful, but Planned...for my Good

In a comment yesterday, Ralph wondered why Phillies fans are always so cautious about the hopes we have for our team. Well, Ralph, did yesterday's 8th inning give you an answer?

Yesterday's game was pitiful. Actually, it was only the bottom of the 8th inning that was pitiful. But that inning was so pitiful that it was enough to make an entire game pitiful (and maybe an entire series).

I was still a bit irritated about it all this morning, when the Lord brought to mind Proverbs 16:33,

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

The image of casting lots is far-removed for us, but to put it in modern terms: The dice are rolled in Las Vegas, and every result is from the Lord. God governs all things in the universe, even something as seemingly random and irrelevant as the roll of the dice. And if that is so of dice in Vegas, it's also true of errant throws in Los Angeles.

God is working all things for the good of His people (Romans 8:28). That good is, according to the next verse, conforming us to the image of Jesus. Given the scope of "all things" highlighted in Proverbs 16:33, I should have confidence that God is working for my good in the miserable defensive display yesterday afternoon.

What kind of good? Maybe reminding me that I shouldn't put my hope of anything in a multi-millionaire second baseman who probably doesn't know Jesus Christ in a saving way. Chase Utley's got a need far greater than simply getting the ball smoothly to first base, and that's what really ought to concern me.

Will that help when Game 3 begins tomorrow night? I sure hope so. Baseball is fun, but it's a game. The people playing who we so admire and get frustrated by, they are real people in need of a real Savior. That is infinitely more important than whether the Phillies can make it back to the World Series.

Who's Got Predictions?

Game 1 is tonight; what's going to happen in the series?

I say Phillies in 7, with Cliff Lee pitching the Phils into the World Series with a Game 7 gem.

(That's the optimistic Larry; the realistic Larry thinks the Dodgers are going to win in 6. I hope realism is overrated.)

One Year Ago Today...

Victorino takes CC deep in Game 2 of the NLDS. Maybe the Phils have some October magic left for this year?

Prepared for a Phillies Choke

I've already got the blog post ready should the Phillies choke away this lead in the NL East and fail to make the playoffs. It would be the biggest collapse in the history of Major League Baseball, and I'm a bit troubled by that title going to the Phils (especially after the Mets claimed it for themselves two years ago). Yesterday's win restored a little bit of confidence...but not much.

But I'm ready for the collapse, I think, and my heart is at rest, because in their recent futility, God has taught me a valuable lesson. Hopefully next Monday I won't have to post it.

Unlikely Hero

Three years ago, I never could have imagined rooting for Pedro Martinez. But I'd have to say that last night's game against the Mets was an incredible performance by the future Hall of Famer.

I'd love to see the Phils sign him for next year too, but I wonder if his success this year will cause some other team to throw big money at him and make his stay in Philly short-lived.

But no need to sweat that right now. The real question is: can he close too?

It hasn't happened in over 80 years...that makes it worthy of a blog post

An unassisted triple play ends yesterday's Phillies-Mets game. Before it happened, I was sure this was going to be another opportunity to thank God for Brad Lidge's sanctifying work in my life:

Enough Already, Brad...I've learned my lesson!!

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

(Repeat as many times as needed...)

A Gospel Witness at Wrigley Field

This guy threw a beer at Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino last night, then stood by and watched as another fan who was misidentified as the beer thrower was removed from the ballpark (You can watch the video here; the 'commentary' is goofy, but this is the best video I could find of it).

By the time security saw the TV replay and realized the man they had removed was the wrong guy, the beer thrower had left his seat and could not be found.

This incident ought to move us to worship, because it's a parable of the greatest (true) story in the history of the universe. A guilty man escapes judgment as an innocent substitute takes the punishment that he deserved. This is the Gospel.

Only in the Gospel, the innocent Man willingly takes the punishment for the guilty. The wrath-bearing substitute at Wrigley field last night was an accident; the cops made a mistake. They're trying to find the right guy and punish him. But the death of Jesus Christ was no accident; it was a sacrifice of love to rescue guilty sinners like you, me and the beer-throwing Cubs fan. Because of that death, all who believe need not fear that the Judge will come looking for us. We are justified, forever.

What a joy that in the midst of the good news of a Phillies win, there are precious reminders of the Good News of the glory of Jesus Christ.

Great Expectations

I'm not a sports historian, and I am a pretty young guy, but I think this has to be an unprecedented time to be a Philadelphia Phillies fan. Has there ever been this much excitement about the Phils' chances, with yesterday's addition of Cleveland's ace, Cliff Lee?

It will be interesting to see how the Phillies handle this kind of pressure. Last year they had a nice team, but no one really expected them to win the World Series. Most 'experts' saw last year's run as a fluke, and gave the Phillies little/no chance of repeating as champs.

That's changed with the addition of Lee. A lot of people are saying they're the cream of the crop in the NL, with a good chance to win the whole thing again. But the pressure of high expectations can undo a team who isn't accustomed to that kind of pressure. At least so says the only professional athlete who I know personally. I tend to think he's right.

So I will be interested to see how the Phillies handle their great expectations. I sure hope they can pull off a second straight championship, which hasn't been done by a National League team since before I was born.

Who's got predictions?