July 16th, 2008 Jeff
Josh Hamilton, All-Star centerfielder for the Texas Rangers tells his incredible testimony of a life thrown away only to have Christ redeem him. If you are a sports fan, then you want to get to know Josh Hamilton and our Savior Jesus who rescued him. If you are a fan of God’s redemptive work in and through restored lives, then this story is for you.
Actually, if you are breathing … read this story .
(The story ran July 5, 2007. I first read it last Summer in ESPN The Magazine and am stoked to follow Josh’s comeback all the way to the big leagues and testimony for Jesus the Christ.)
The real hero is his wife Katie who stuck with him through thick and thin, and you can sense Josh’s sheer admiration of his better half.
About his new purpose in life, Josh speaks:
"I have a mission now. My mission is to be the ray of hope, the guy who stands out there on that beautiful field and owns up to his mistakes and lets people know it’s never completely hopeless, no matter how bad it seems at the time. I have a platform and a message, and now I go to bed at night, sober and happy, praying I can be a good messenger."
And:
Baseball is third in my life right now, behind my relationship with God and my family. Without the first two, baseball isn’t even in the picture. Believe me, I know…
Read the whole article .
[HT: Tim Challies, A la Carte for the reminder]
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May 26th, 2008 Jeff
"All of us get completely covered, from head to toe to teeth, in the dust of the cradle of civilization."
- First Lieutenant Ted Janis, platoon leader of 3rd Platoon, Angel Company, 3rd Battalion, 187 Infantry Regiment of 3rd Brigade Rakkasans, 101st Airborne Division
One of the best sports stories I’ve ever read: Infantry Hoops In Iraq
Remember our troops and happy Memorial Day
Posted in Blog, History, Holidays, Sports, Stories | No Comments »
December 2nd, 2007 Jeff
Those here in Oregon know of the rivalry known as the Civil War, OSU vs. U of O on the college football field.
Our beloved Oregon State Beavers traveled south to Eugene to beat the #17 Oregon Ducks 38-31 in double-overtime last night. Go Beavs! I felt bad for the Ducks coming into the game with their 4th-string QB (who then was injured in the first quarter and they finished with the 5th string, who fared quite well). Yet it was a fierce battle, with lots of twists and turns, and plenty of controversial calls by the officials (remember that actual TD by the OSU tight end in the second quarter that was called incomplete? Should have perhaps reviewed that one).
Now that both #1 Missouri and #2 West Virginia lost last night, what will happen in the BCS? Oregon can only think of what could have been if their QB Dennis Dixon hadn’t torn his ACL against Arizona St and reaggravated it two weeks later against Arizona. They might have won out and being in the national title game.
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November 16th, 2007 Jeff
My high school alma mater, the Mountain View Cougars (Bend, OR) finished the regular season of Oregon class 5A high school football a perfect 9-0 after their win 27-26 over cross-town rival, the Bend High Lava Bears, last Friday night. After a bye in Round 1 for winning the IMC regular season title, they take on Sherwood, tonight at home. Go Cougars!
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September 15th, 2007 Jeff
This is my 3rd year playing fantasy football. I’m not really that good, but it is fun for a few minutes a week to come up with the best players and see how they will do. My team is called the Jackalopes (half jackrabbit, half antelope). Ferocious little creatures. For those who care, our league is managed by one Aaron Seifer, and tracked here.
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August 15th, 2007 Jeff
Our team lost in the City softball league championship game by 13 runs, BUT it was a great season nonetheless. A great time to get some exercise while having some good competitive comraderie with some friends. (I am also reminded that sports don’t just build one’s character, more so they reveal one’s character — learning to harness my frustration with a pop-out in my last at-bat or a poor decision by a teammate on the base paths. Ah, the joys of growing in sanctification!)
Softball became a family event, especially unique after Kari and I moved out of town but stayed around on Monday and Tuesday eves for the game. Dutch made some friends over the last two months of games. Here’s a pic of Dutch with his friend, Kai Smith, Tyson and Tracy’s son.
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