Unlovable

There has been a group of us going to the northeast side of Canton, to the Chips neighborhood to reach out and build relationships with the people there.  The last time we were down there, we had a fun night with the kids playing games (dodge ball, kick ball...who doesn't like those) and eating pizza.  Two things struck me and stuck with me from that night.  First off, were the two youngest kids there, Kyler and Daniel, who were both around kindergarten age.  They both embodied that youthful enthusiasm of kids that haven't been jaded.  They were joyful and bashful.  Curious and hopeful.  They still had that look of wide-eyed wonder in their eyes and seemed to gravitate towards us.  To put it simply, they were so darn cute, and so easy to love. 

The second thing that struck me was how both myself and some of the other older kids seemed to be "cautious" around each other.  Oh sure, we talked, and joked, and enjoyed the games and food together, and definitely did have fun, but there was still a sense of caution it seemed on both sides.  For the older kids, I'm sure they were looking at us with somewhat jaded eyes, thinking to themselves, "what are these people all about?  Do they really want to get to know me?  Are these people just putting on fronts?"  For myself, I know the thought went through my mind about the older kids, the teenagers, that of "Do I really want to deal with the attitudes, the lack of listening to instructions, and lack of respect to some degree?  Wouldn't it just be easier for me to hang out with the younger kids, the ones that look at you as these awesome older people, that are happy to get a hug from you?" 

Later that night and the next day, it kept recurring to me how easy it was for me to show love to the young kids, but not so much to the older ones.  I think many times when we think of loving the unlovable we think of people in a third world country, or the homeless, or people that smell really bad, or people who are always down right mean-spirited.  We don't necessarily equate it to the way we respond and show love to two seemingly same groups of people.  I know many of the kids have come from similar backgrounds and live in the same neighborhoods.  And I think it is easy to think that I've shown love when I just picture all the kids together as one group, as the kids from Chips.  But in reality, there are two groups of people.  The loveable and the unlovable.  The ones that easily return my love and the ones that are hesitant to do so.  I think it is important to realize that there is a distinction, as well as to see each kid as an individual.  And I know for me, I've caught myself at times in loving the unlovable, that it has more of a self-righteous act, than that of true compassion and love.  I'm reminded of Matthew 5:43-48, about how Jesus talks about loving your enemies and was struck by how The Message put it:


 ^43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
 ⁴⁸"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."  (Matthew 5:43-48, The Message)
 
That phrase,  In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up.  You're kingdom subjects.  Now live like it.  Live out your God-created identity, strikes a chord with me.  I want to live out my God-created identity of love, grace, kindness, and mercy.  I want to love like Jesus loved, truly loving the unlovable, out of motivation of the love the Father has shown me.  I don't want to look through jaded eyes.  I guess jaded eyes are one thing that me and the older kids share.  Lord restore clear vision to us so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Dying in Faith

Dying in Faith.  It is something I strive to do and something the saints and disciples and apostles did.  They ate, slept, and breathed Faith.  They understood that God is Faithful to the promises He made.  They believed in the promises of God and relied on Him for everything to get through the situations they were in, no matter how impossible it may have seemed.  Glory be to God, that He is the God of the impossible and that nothing is too big for Him to handle.  As I read the words Spurgeon wrote about dying in faith, I can't help to think of Lowell Ebie.  Although I never really knew him, much more than just recognizing him, from what I have heard from others is that he was a man of faith.  I know there were many times in his life where the doctors said he wouldn't live, but he was faithful and believed in the healing power of the Lord.  I know he hasn't been able to see all that High Mill has done or will be doing in the future, but Spurgeon said that part of dying in faith looks into the future.  The example he set as a man of faith and of prayer, he helped lay the foundation for High Mill to be the church the Lord has called it to be.  Lord, I thank you for Lowell and the impact he has had on High Mill and for being a true servant of Yours.  He has set a great example as many of the saints in the Bible have of being faithful and trusting in You alone, Lord.  Lord, I thank you for giving me the same precious faith as with those souls now in glory.  Continue to show me to trust in You alone and to Glorify You in all that I do.

ESPN Passport

My brother, Justin, and I have just found about ESPN Passport, which is ESPN's new travel site/application which allows you to check-in, track, and chronicle the sporting events and sporting venues you attend.  It seems to be a better version of facebook's old stadium application.  I love it!  I almost didn't go meet up with some friends last night, because I was too enthralled with trying to find old ticket stubs and remember what games I have been to log them into my profile.  That might be a little over-the-top, but I enjoy being able to document the games, and especially the venues that I have been to, reminiscing about each.  I look forward to adding more games/venues this upcoming year.

On the agenda for the 2011 baseball season:

Colorado Rockies/Coors Field
Cincinnati Reds/Great American Ball Park
Columbus Clippers/Huntington Park

Possibilities of:

Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field
Atlanta Braves/Turner Field
Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium

And returning to watch:

Cleveland Indians/Progressive Field
Akron Aeros/Canal Park
Chicago Cubs/Wrigley Field
Pittsburgh Pirates/PNC Park





Great diving shot by Andy Roddick to win the match and the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. 



Shamrock Shakes consumed this year:  1

Akron Aeros Do It Again

Back in December we heard about the Akron Aeros new food promotion, The Three Dog Night, which is a hot dog stuffed inside a bratwurst stuffed inside a kielbasa.  Well it looks like the Aeros promotional team has done it again, with the creation of the Nice 2 Meat You Burger.  This scrumptious looking burger features a 1 1/4 lbs hamburger stuffed with a 1/2 lbs hot dog and 1/4 lb of bacon, along with all the fixin's.  My first thoughts upon reading about this burger and seeing a picture of it, was "I can't wait to try that out."  Looks like I will be making at least two trips to Canal Park to sample the new creations.

Hines Ward

As a Cleveland Browns fan it is tough to say this, but I really like how Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers plays the game.  I know some will say he is a dirty play or takes cheap shots, but I just think he plays the game the right way.  Plays it at 100% to the whistle.  Both with physicality and with joy.  He's always smiling and seems to enjoy the time he gets to spend out on the field, understanding how lucky he is to be playing the game.  He is the complete receiver.  Not only does he make all the catches and runs all the routes, but he is also the best blocker for a receiver over the last decade.  That's probably the thing I like most about his game.  It's easy to want to have the ball thrown to you and catch it and get on the highlight film.  But it's another thing to want to do the grunt work and block in the running game and throw ones body around for the advancement of the team.  I love seeing him lay someone out with a big block or make the block that springs a runner for a big gain (well love it as much as I can, since it is helping the Steelers out).

It reminds me of my time playing receiver in high school.  I think I'd echo his sentiments about getting a lot of satisfaction out of making a big block.  Two of my own blocks stand out in my mind.  The first was the opening game of my senior year.  I was running a 15 yard out route and our fullback, Billy, was running a 5 yard arrow route.  Billy was thrown the ball and I peeled back and laid out the defender trying to chase him down.  I remember seeing the highlights on Fox 8 and seeing my block knock the defender out of the camera shot.  The second was my junior year against Jackson.  I remember being in the slot and come across the field and laying out their All-Ohio linebacker on his butt.  I'm sure Hines Ward would have enjoyed those plays.

One other small tidbit about Hines Ward.  I remember playing with the University of Georgia led by Hines and Robert Edwards on NCAA Football 97 or 98, and being able to dominate the opposition with them.  With Ward catching and blocking and Edwards running I was able to achieve many victories.  Funny what you remember.

New Design

 

I am trying out a new design for the blog.  Time for something fresh.  Feel free to share how you like it.  I am still looking to tweak it a bit. The above picture is my background.  It is capturing a coffee house in Damascus, Syria from my medical mission trip there in 2004.  It is a cool little place. 

On a side note, I saw on Sports Center tonight how Bobby Hurley Sr. became the 10th high school basketball coach (and 1st in New Jersey) to reach 1000 wins.  A great milestone, by the legendary coach at St. Anthony's.  His program, story, and impact on the players is detailed in the wonderful book, The Miracle at St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski.  A great read!