Its hard to love Baseball AND the Reds...

Here is the situation Reds fans.

Lose 3 of 4 to the Marlins.
Win 3 of 4 to the first place Brew Crew.
Blow the rubber match 0-6 against sweet Lou's Cubbies.

We have an interim manager who replaced a fully capable Jerry Narron.

And now the trade deadline has come and gone with our only deals being minor league mix-ups and worthless changes to our middle relief (remind anyone of a certain trade with one Sean Casey?).

OK, now that we're all caught up (knowing that some of you may very well have lost interest in this season) Lets talk about what we have, and what the league had for us.

Eric Gagne to the Sox for two outfielders and a left hander... First of all doesn't Eric hold some sort of record for consecutive saves? oh yeah, best of all time... wait a minute, WE need a closer. And we could have given up two outfielders (Dunn and Griffey) and we DID give up a very dialed in Pitcher in Lohse.

We could have had Scott Linebrink (a very experienced Right handed reliever) from the Padres for yet again Kyle Lohse and two minor leaguers. But instead of getting Scott Linebrink for the same trade we get Minor League Matt Maloney? Anybody know what HIS ERA is? nope? Didn't think so...

Scott Proctor of the Yankees. Heres a little nugget, led the league with 83 appearances last year... that would probably be helpful with a struggling bullpen. all we needed to give up was a 3rd baseman. WE have one of those! and he's lazy and slumping at the plate... we also have people to replace Edwin if he were to go! But wait. why would the reds pick up a pitcher we can USE?!?! that wouldn't make sense...

Can YOU pitch relief? We could use you....

Gadsby Mondays

Ive decided that we all need a little 1800's in our lives so Mondays will be dedicated to one of Gadsby's Hymns in order to enlighten your mind with the truths of God.

Why, you may ask? Ill let William Gadsby himself answer that:

"To be employed with solemn pleasure in singing the praises of God with the spirit and with the understanding also, is a blessing peculiar to God's elect... It is one thing to have the ear charmed, and another to have the heart engaged in this most delightful part of God's worship in his church below. 'Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound.'"

569
The Father, in eternal love,
His heart upon Zion did set;
Her name he enrolled above;
Nor will he fair Zion forget,
He chose her in Jesus his Son,
And gave her to him for a wife;
Who freely accepted the same,
Though knowing she'd cost him his life.

He saw her polluted with sin,
Enveloped in debt and distress;
Determined her heart he would win,
Engaged to save her by grace,
He took all her debts and her woes,
And for her was surely made sin;
He fought and he conquered her foes,
And with him she shall live and reign.

(Ephesians 5:25-27, Jeremiah 31:3)

Repent, because a functional savior wont save...

I was in our membership class today and lopes gave a quote that really got me thinking...

"You will always give money effortlessly to that which is your god." -Tim Keller

I realized that I really want people to like me. I spend money truly effortlessly on other people all the time and I think that this is because of a couple of different factors: my gifts, my insecurities, and my view of God. Let me explain.

I think that all of us will see God a little differently because of how we are wired. Some of us will struggle with things more than others, some of us are more gifted at some things than others are, and all of this leads to what we naturally run to God for, and where we will most abhorrently sin.

For myself I know that God has gifted me with discernment and knowledge so that I can help others best glorify Him (probably why I'm called to the Chaplaincy). Now this is all well and good until I realized that with those same gifts I end up secretly (often without knowing it myself) wanting to be my own version of Dr. Phil, glorifying myself with the knowledge and humor and patience that God has so graciously given to me. My gifts I keep as my own. So I run to God as my own savior, advocate, and redeemer; but, then dont trust that HE is moving in others lives through me for His glory, not by me for mine.

I think that our sins and our gifts are strangely connected. We need to watch how we are using the gifts that God gives us and constantly giving the glory to God. I truly believe that the more we pray for God to reveal Himself to us, and the truths of our own hearts to us, it will lead us to more authentic repentance and a true stronghold of the Kingdom in our own lives and within the communities around us. It is analyzing our strengths, weaknesses and view of God within the biblical context of the gospel that will allow the truth of the cross and the Glory of Christ to come most abundantly into the world.

This is the essence of repentance and Gospel renewal. That Christ would be glorified.

The Obligatory First Post

So I figured after all the talk around the fire with the boys Id throw my own two cents into the discussion. It is a litte strange for me to have a forum where I can say (resposibly of course) anything I want, when for so many years I have been training my thoughts and my speech to be selective and seasoned with salt. I had to do some serious reflection as to why I even would want to start posting online: Are my thoughts even that important? Do they need to be? Who am I trying to impress? What is is exactly that I am trying to prove?

Well I dont really know if I have the answer to that, but I have done some serious reflection on Gods intent for our words and how we discuss the finer and more important things in life. And while I could probably write a lengthy book on ideas such as the Spirits revelation, the purpose of theology, our resposibility for our brothers and sisters with the dialogue we have, I think for now Ill just stick to wisdom.

Job 13:5 has been a worthwhile verse for my life: "Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom" also James 1:19: "Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear."

So often do I speak when not knowing all the information, act out of emotion, and rush in the panic of losing sight of God. I forget that God IS working all things to His good; whether I choose to join Him in that or not at the moment, I often lose the wisdom that only God can afford. The wisdom that bears the fruit of Love, Patience, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Ultimately I know that the fewer my words, the more room God has to be great. So my prayer for this blog would be that my wisdom would increase in that the discussion could occur, but that it would be seasoned with salt. That the Lord would use this to further His kingdom and Grow me in spiritual maturity.

So hold me to it.