Calling All Sports Fans!
Baseball, NASCAR and Circumcision
Dedicated to C. M.
“Skip” Cody
We played baseball, football and marched in the band.
We saw the Gemini shooting stars of ‘67 come to land.
We met a “man in black”; he was really small.
We set G.I Joes ablaze and tossed them off the quarry wall.
Like shooting stars in nineteen sixty-sev’n,
May we two boys play ball again in Heav’n.
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Follow Me!
Faced with the road to heaven or the slippery slope into sin, you know
which you should choose. But if you 
make the wrong choice
and fall into sin, rise quickly, confess your failure and do penance. If you are wounded, don’t you seek a
physician rather than die? Likewise if
you sin, why would you not seek out your Father who can deliver you from death? When evil stirs in you, let your Father’s
love reach into the very heart of your being and ask him to help you by taking
the evil out of your path and giving you the strength to do good. If an enemy were to capture you, you would
turn quickly to anyone who could help you.
Do the same thing when evil overtakes you. Turn to your
Father. Beg, pray, resolve to
change, and he will help you. St.
Hildegard Preview:
Hildegard von Bingen (St. Hildegard)
1
Corithians 9:24. Do you not know that in a race all the
runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain
it. 25.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to
receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26.
Well, I do not run 
aimlessly, I do not box as one beating
the air; 27. but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest
after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Ephesians
6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees
and took counsel that they might entrap him in a word. 16 And they send to him
their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Teacher, we know that thou art
true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and thou carest for no one, for
thou lookest not on the person of men: 17 tell us therefore, what thinkest
thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? 18 But Jesus knowing their
wickedness said: Why tempt me, hypocrites? 19 Show me the tribute money. And
they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus says to them: Whose image is this,
and the superscription? 21 They say: Caesar's. Then says he to them: Render
therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that
are God's. 22 And hearing they wondered, and leaving him they went away. (CODEX SINAITICUS: The New Testament translated from the
Sinaitic Manuscript
-
or -
Luke
10:25. And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to
the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal
life?" 26. He said to him, "What is written in the
law? How do you read?" 27. And he answered, "You shall love Yahweh
your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28. And
he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will
live."
{
Ken Griffey
This year I watched a little of the Reds vs.
the Dodgers. I was surprised to see Ken
Griffey come to bat for the Reds. I saw
Ken play at Riverfront Stadium in
I can name most on the Tigers’ and Yankees’
rosters from the 60s. Grampa Pete took
me to Cleveland Municipal Stadium in the early sixties to watch the Yanks beat the
Indians 11 to 9. In that game, I saw
both Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit home runs.
¿But to see Ken Griffey beating out an
infield single on television at his age?
What a man. When I told
the boys I was watching the game with Griffey’s age, I was informed that
this was Griffey, Jr., not the ‘old’ man. Oh, yeah – then I remembered! How foolish of me. Nevertheless, Griffey
Sr.’s a great example to parents and grandparents, having devoted so much
quality time to his son’s nurture – even during the years Senior was himself a
superstar –enough to insure Junior’s success as a pro ball player.
}
*
* *
Racing,
Wrestling and Boxing – Those are For Me!
It’s World Series time again. However, I’m no longer a baseball fan ‘cause
I can’t play anymore. I’ve had to find
another sport to play based on my
ability NOW. So I wrestle, box and race.
Have you been to the Imax Theater in
Still, though NASCAR is
the fastest-growing sport in the nation (especially among Republicans),
stock car racing isn’t what interests me.
I like what I can do: foot racing – the kind described in the
Bible. Here’s
1
Corinthians 9:24-27;
Ephesians 6:12. paraphrase. All the runners
compete in a race but only one receives the prize, so you’d better run
to win. And we wrestle – but not
against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. And we box, but I don’t swing my fists at the
air, like you do. To win, a spiritual
athlete must exercise self-control in everything. Most winners only get a wreath that decays in
a day. But our prize for winning is a
lot better – ours is indestructible.
Pay attention, sports fans! I
don’t run around willy-nilly; but I exercise, discipline and subdue myself lest
after telling you what to do, I should be disqualified and humiliated before
you. (See another message
using the UNADULTERATED use of this text.)
Maybe you too’ve been
competing in racing, boxing and wrestling.
If so, you know the difficulty and danger of each match-up, for you’ve
had to run uphill all the way, train as you’ve gone, and beat off competitors
every grueling step. All the while,
everyone’s judging how you’re doing. The
crowd never fails to jeer when you fall behind – most want you disqualified and
humiliated. When you get ahead, even
your fans betray you, laying stumbling-stones on your track so you have to
dodge and jump.
For those of us who really
love the sport – we know that, despite the difficulty of the course, the
hostility of the crowd and the dangerous tricks of the opponents, the reward
for finishing has value beyond anything else.
It’s the pearl of great price: eternal life, eternal joy, eternal
purpose; and eternal friendship with G-d.
Amen!
Own
your own Christian bookstore.
Support your ministry!
I DO!
It’s Circumcision!
What surprised me most about NASCAR is that
all the cars have to be in exact proportion and weight, and all have to use the
same kind of tires. The IMAX had a
scene in which all the crews met to discuss the race rules. There’re so many rules, even just for
qualifying, it’s mind-boggling. Each
crew has many specialists on the payroll who only check to make sure a car
meets the standard. This is long before
the car gets near the track.
The race toward
immortality that we drive also has a hefty set of principles, rules and
commandments that must be followed to the letter to get near the
track. These standards are written down
in a book – The Bible – set down to paper by at least fifty authors over
fifteen hundred years. Yet all these
authorities are of one opinion in regards to qualifying. What’s that one qualifier? Can you guess? No, it’s not an altar call. No, it’s not church membership. No, it’s not baptism. No, it’s not “gettin’ saved.” Those are all essential, but the one, primary
qualifier that gets you on track is circumcision.
Every contender for the
faith, man, woman or child, must first be circumcised:
circumcised of heart, that is.
Yes, that’s right! You can’t even
throw a punch, you can’t even get a half-nelson on your opponent, until you’ve
been heart-circumcised. ¿Don’t believe
me? Look in the rulebook, sport. Moses wrote it down in:
Deuteronomy 10:12-16 paraphrase.
“What does Yahweh require you? To revere
him, walk in all his ways, love him, and serve him with all your ability, and
to keep his directives and decrees for your own good. Yahweh set his heart to love your
ancestors, and above all others, you.
So circumcise your heart so you can be flexible enough to keep
his word.”
There’s no auto mechanic or
coronary butcher or rabbinical authority who may circumcise your heart. This procedure may only be done by the Almighty
Referee after your urgent request.
Circumcision is your license; and, like any heart surgery, it’s going to
cost you plenty. Open heart surgery
costs $100,000. But circumcision of the
heart costs many times that much. It
costs everything you’ve got.
You must defeat your own
will – subdue yourself – to allow Yahweh to make you fit for the type of love that works on the behalf of
others. Surrender is the very first discipline you must master – and
it takes exercise, especially for obstinate, stubborn folk, like you and
me. Only through heart surgery may you
have the strength to pass the first few markers on the track: reverence,
obedience, then finally love.
We need to have flexible hearts so that we might love
Yahweh. For most, such love isn’t natural affection. It’s to be acquired. Amen?
The love that fuels a
circumcised heart permits a new level of communication as we fly down the
track: i.e. spirit-to-spirit
communication. It’s like having a
radiophone to the Heavenly Father – only there’s no phone – it’s in the
heart. From his perch way up above, he
can see when we need help and contact us directly – and set us beyond the
danger zone. He can also let us know
when it’s time for a pit stop – which, according to our rulebook, is called a fast
or a Sabbath. Yahweh becomes your
eye in the sky. When you achieve a level
of success, he sees that too, and calls a feast, like the Feast of
Tabernacles. That’s the time to
celebrate your many victories.
*
* *
On
to Baseball
My ambition at twelve was
to play ball for the Tigers. I loved
those boys. I cried when Rocky Colavito
was traded to
Us boys played a lot of
sand lot ball. But when I was twelve and
my brother ten, we tried out for the Phillies little league team. We tore ‘em up at the tryouts. Yet both of us were cut. We were really
upset. The coach just told us to go
home.
Dad called that coach to
ask him why we were cut. Dad knew his
boys were great players. The coach was
quite honest. He said, “Mr. Snyder, Jack
was cut because he’s twelve. I only keep
one twelve-year old since they can’t play little league at thirteen. I already have a boy on the team that’s
twelve. He’s MY boy, so he
stays.” Dad then asked, “What about
Pete? He’s ten and has a couple good
years to play.” The coach said, “Mr.
Snyder, I also play only one ten-year old; and my youngest boy’s ten. So, what would you do, sir?”
“No fair!” Pete and I
cried. But now I understand why
the coach couldn’t cut his own kids, even if they were lousy players, or why he
only played eleven-year olds. (Although
that was common then.) The advantage his sons had was that the coach loved them. They were his boys! Because they were loved, they loved,
and had favor above those with greater
skills.
And that’s the first
rule of sports. To be heart-circumcised means to open up to
love and to being loved. Not
by might, power or skill, but by a spiritual operation that leads to
favor.
Tigers
Once Again
For many would-bes, this
first rule keeps them out of the race entirely; “For whoever would draw near to
Yahweh must first believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek
him” (Hebrews 11:6).
The Tigers and Indians were always on the bottom of the standings
throughout the 60s. But in 1968, the
Tigers began to believe in something.
They made a comeback, going from dead last to beat the Cardinals in the
World Series four games to three. After
watching them lose year after year, I’ll not forget their inspiring
comeback. It teaches us something about faith
and hope. It’s never too late to
start seeking Yahweh’s prize, knowing that he always rewards seekers with
eventual victory. Hang in for the win!
Six
Hundred Thirteen Rules
Now back to the
rules: After heart-circumcision,
there’re six hundred twelve more rules Moses wrote down for heavenly
roadrunners. We call the most important
“The Ten Commandments.” That’s where we
go next if we want to follow. The Ten
Commandments must be worth a great deal if, three thousand five hundred years
after they were written in stone, politicians are still fighting about them.
After Moses came and
went, referees called Judges further set to writing how racers were
doing according to the rules of their sport.
They wrote so that these many years later we might hearken unto the
lives of Kings and commoners, and judge our own love, obedience and
performance, right alongside theirs.
There are many success stories – like Elijah and Elisha, like
Deborah and Judith. But by and large,
most competitors in their times failed miserably to stay in the race. Others didn’t even try. Still others thought they were going great,
yet they went unacknowledged by the judges.
That’s because they tried to wrestle the enemy without the circumcision
– and they lost.
As for the group that thought they had it made – one judge says of them:
They tell me: “Isn't it true
that we spoke in your name? That we cast
out demons and performed many miracles in your name?” But I’ll have to tell them, “Well, maybe you
did, but you’ve never been one of mine!
I cut you from the team! Get out
of here, scoundrels!”
(Matthew 7:22,23 paraphrase)
This judge,
known as Yahshua, was sent down here from the Commissioner to help us
understand the rulebook. Yahshua gave
us a secret formula – a winning formula – “a formula one” – a perfect example
of how not only to qualify, but how to get on first. (First resurrection, that is.) He took the six hundred and thirteen rules
and updated and condensed them so we could have a ready measure of our own
progress in sports.
As for the rules, Yahshua
brings us together before the big day for our pep talk: “So you say you believe in G-d;
then also believe in me” (John 14:1). I was sent into the world to
rescue you (John 3:17) – to look out for and save the lost (Luke 19:10) – to bless the poorer players (Matthew
5:3). So if you know me, then you’ll also know my Father (John 14:7). That’s because the Game Boss is
my Father, and we’re united in every way (John 10:30). So my job’s easy and my equipment light (Matthew
11:30) – let me
help you with yours. If you do love me, keep the
rules (John 14:9). If you keep the rules, you prove you love me, and you’ll be loved
by my Father, the Boss (John 14:21). As for what you do to win: First, love me and my Father
with heart, soul and mind. Second, love
others as you love yourself. On these
two sayings hang all the rules of the sport and the conclusions of
the referees
(Matthew
22:37-40). Do these in all things and you’ll be off to a grand
start! Boys and girls, you’ve gotta go,
fight and win – that’s for sure. But in
this race, you gotta love even more (John 11:35,36).”
And then the cheerleaders cried, “Two, four,
six, eight! Who do we appreciate? Jesus!
Jesus! Yeah, team!
*
* *
Back to NASCAR
Boxers and wrestlers
don’t like each other much, if the commercials for their matches are any
indication. They 
don’t
fight the devil – they fight each other, just like folks did in the Corinthian
church. Yes, they threatened and fought
and sinned. But the NASCAR team guys and
gals really love each other and stick together.
And the fans love ‘em too. That’s
because NASCAR heroes pay attention to their fans.
I was surprised to
learn that in the Daytona 500 trials, out of hundreds of cars entered, only 43
qualify – there’s only so much room on that narrow speedway. Many entries are disqualified just because
the car sets a quarter inch too low or high, or is a sixteenth of an inch too
long. Even though they’ve put millions
into the car, if they’re too long, too heavy, too high or low, the team members
just have to watch from the bleachers like anyone else.
The cars that make
it through the size and standardization requirements get to try-out the field,
racing individually against the clock for the first time, following very strict
orders as to where they can and can’t drive.
Then only the fastest forty-three that kept to the rules get to
race. But once they’re in, they’re
in. And the pressure’s off for a little
while – until just hours before the most famous phrase of sports is heralded
over the bullhorn – “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!”
Why are the rules
so strict? Because the stakes are so high
and the race is so dangerous. Even if
you know nothing about NASCAR, you’ve certainly heard the name Dale
Earnhardt, right?
Sunday, February 18, 2004: After
being clipped from behind by another racer, Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s #3 car spun
out of control and crashed into a concrete wall. It was the final lap of the
Daytona 500 and the final race for Earnhardt. He died from head injuries just
minutes after the crash. Earnhardt was one of the greatest NASCAR racers ever.
He was nicknamed “Iron Horse” and “The Intimidator” for the [aggressive] way he
drove on the track. He was tough and
competitive and would do almost anything to win. Over his career, he won 76 races. But it's pretty tough to intimidate a
concrete wall. (KW Sports
Zone)
Though Earnhardt crashed and died just
before its completion, everyone else in that race lived. There was a photo finish. Two cars that were smashed together crossed
the finish line at the same time. It was
amazing to see on an eight-story screen.
I’d never heard of Earnhardt before February 18th. But I’ll never forget the public outcry of
grief. It’s like, for millions of
people, one of their own kin had gone on.
The
Narrow Gate
There are many safeguards and hundreds of
hours of practice to make for a death-free NASCAR race. Actually, it’s amazing anyone lives at all,
driving so close through such a narrow place at such incredible speeds – 200
mph or more. Yet, these drivers are so
highly experienced that they survive year after year. That’s the difference between them and us
when it comes to competitive driving (though we’re cursed
with some crazed wannabes on US 29 – SR 90). We can play NASCAR
on Xbox or one of those other contraptions, crash a hundred times, yet never
die. These top drivers crash once and
they may die. That’s the cut.
With that danger in mind, consider again
what Yahshua said, despite his presence to see that we succeed. He warns,
Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is
wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the Gateway to Life is small, and the
road is narrow, and only a few ever even find it. (Matthew 7:13,14
TLB)
Yahshua / Jesus is the line on the track. His life is the guideline. Though once on the track, he’ll spot for you
and rescue you and see you through, there’s only one way to get on the track in
the first place – to take the narrow road of qualification: to be
circumcised of heart through belief, to know him and love him and obey
him. He’s the doorway (John 10:7). (Only the thief and liar try to
sneak in by another way.)
Once on the track, the whistle blows, the
engines start with a deafening rumble, and they’re off! To get into the race, you gotta get on
track. Only a very few do, while that
other freeway is as broad as the New Jersey Turnpike – broad enough that
millions who think they’re in the race drive like lunatics. If you’ve ever been there, you know that no
matter how wide the
*
* *
Games
Let me finish by reminding us that, while
NASCAR, baseball, football and other sports may be dangerous, the danger is
seldom unto death. While Venus Williams made a
shocking exit from Wimbleton because of one affliction or another, or Al
Kaline was benched for six weeks until his collarbone healed, today’s tame
sports seldom put anyone’s life at risk.
Even in NASCAR, less than a dozen
drivers have died in forty years.
The New Jersey Turnpike is far more hazardous than even the most
dangerous contact sport.
I like the bumper sticker that’s so popular
on
In spiritual sports, the type in which we’re
engaged – racing, boxing and wrestling – someone’s eternity is always at
stake in every step we take, every word we speak, every principality we slap
down, every contender we challenge.
Lives are always on the line.
Spiritual athletics are also very strenuous
– they’re not for sissies like professional basketball players. How many have ever tried to fast and pray for
two, three or four weeks? How about one
week? Jesus woke Peter up and asked him
if he couldn’t just watch and pray for ONE HOUR. How many have prayed for one
hour? How many for fifteen minutes? It’s hard, isn’t it? How many have given money to the point you
doubted you could pay your bills? And
how many have been so pugnacious with the devil that they’ve gained a victory,
or saved a soul, healed a sick person or prayed themselves free from some
debilitating, filthy habit or disease.
How many give G+d what’s his? Too
many in the cheap seats; not enough on the field.
Let me advise you now that, once you make a
commitment to the team, you can’t put in a proxy. You’ve got to come in off the bench
yourself. Ask Yahweh to circumcise your
heart then get to the mission. The
schedule is full and the players are few.
Pray the Coach Wooden to send in replacements. ¿And who can say whose eternity depends on
your performance? I know the
eternity of some in this congregation depends on how I perform. Now Jesus drafts YOU from spectator sports
and commands you up to heavenly courts with him. Yes,
Jesus
drafts us from the bleachers
of the world’s
vainglorious play,
From
each game and match commands us,
saying, “Sports fan,
watch and pray!”
Through the
thrill of victory and
through the ag’ny of
defeat
That
we worship from our couches,
He cries, “Sportsman,
leave your seat!”
Of
these trophies that surround us,
all the pennants,
plaques and keys,
Of
the tickets and equipment:
do you love Him more
than these?
Jesus
drafts you from the sports world
by a greater, nobler
call:
Take
up racing, boxing, wrestling,
“Sports fan, won’t you
take up all?”
All
this world of hell-bound loved ones
now depends upon your
skill;
Skill
in praying, fasting, weeping,
exercises of the will.
Then
in truth you’ll leave the box seats
for a higher, greater
chair.
You
yourself will race with greatness –
in the Spirit, in the
air.
Jesus
calls you o’er the tumult:
revving engines on TV;
Day by day His stern voice bids you,
crying, “Sports fan,
follow Me!”
-
jhs, 7/9/04