Cubs

I thought I'd share my thoughts and feelings on the Chicago Cubs. I never played baseball in my life, except for church softball the past three years or so. But I have watched the Cubs since the late 80's when Ryno was playing second base. I started following the team more closely in seminary when I discovered talk radio kept me awake and interested on my long drives home. I was very excited when they were just five outs away from a World Series, but they broke my heart yet again after that series. What is it about the Cubs that keeps them from winning. Even when they have one of the highest pay roles in all of baseball. Can the explination be the curse, do those things even exist? I think they do. The Bible certainly has it's fair share of stories about someone being cursed. The most famous that comes to mind is that in Deuteronomy it says that anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed. Then Paul uses that as a way to explain Christ's sacrifice for us, that he took upon himself the curse that was meant for us, because of our disobedience and sin. So He who knew no sin, became sin for us.
So are the Cubs cursed, it would seem so. But more than anything, I think it's a self fulfilling prophecy. They have not won, and have been told they won't win, and so they play into it. There is a concept in Scripture called, logidzomai (Greek), that basically means calling something that is not as if it is. Saying to someone that is unpleasant, I hope you are having a good day. Or to someone who is a thief, thanks for being so honest. Paul uses this when he talks about the saints, live a life worthy of the calling you have recieved. You might not being living it now, but you can and should. In other places he calls the people saints, even though we know they were far from that. It is a way to encourage others.
We need to practice some logidzomai on the Cubs...
Currently they are six games behind the dreaded Cardinals, we'll see how the rest of the season progresses, I'm hoping against hope that they start playing better. But if not, there is always next year.

Blessings to you all, and especially all the Cub fans.

Peace

Long Time

Hello there cyberspce...

I'm not sure if anyone does read these posts, but in the off chance that there is, and for my own sake I need to update you all on what has been going on in our lives. Since the middle of June or there abouts we have had a tough time with illness and death in our church. A dear sweet woman passed away very suddenly, and then a middle aged man also passed after a bout with cancer. After that we took a while to recover, and vacation couldn't come soon enough. The church has been great, but it's hard to minister to people when you are spent.

So Rachel and I went out to PA and NJ, and had some R and R with the Olsen clan. It was good to get away. But we came back a bit tired but needing to jump right back into things. I started coaching again and Rachel is back in school. It would all be fine, but our poor secretary had surgery right before we left, so we are doing some more things to keep the church running smoothly... pray for us.

More updates and thoughts forth coming...