An open letter to the St. Louis Cardinals…..

It’s the morning after the Cards lost 8-4 in extras to the Pirates at home.

Dear St. Louis Cardinals (especially any players / coaches invovled in the use of a baseball bat or the instruction of the use of said bat),

We, the undersigned, would respectfully request that you learn to

TAKE A PITCH…..FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely, Tony Foeller

When the game is tied in the 9th, the bases are loaded, and a young pitcher is struggling with control, why does Ryan Ludwick swing at the first pitch to fly out weakly to center?  Huh?

Integrity in Church Membership

I like the sound of that…don’t you?  Please read the entire article and the proposed resolution that will be brought to the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention this June.  It can be found here.

Simply stated, if you call yourself a “member” of a local church and you are physically able to participate in the life and ministry of that church you need to be present and you need to be serving.  If you are physically able to be there and you choose to not be involved by your presence and your presents (spiritual gifts and financial support), then you shouldn’t be allowed to call yourself a church member.  Membership is a privilege..it’s NOT a right!

As the senior pastor of a church that has nearly 1400 “members” and only about 300 in average weekly attendance, I can completely identify with the need for local churches to call their members to accountable membership and integrity.

What do you think?

NFL draft 2008….recap

Sorry it’s taken me so long to post on this subject.  I just regained the ability to talk after my beloved Chiefs stole the show in this year’s draft!

I always hold out great hope after the draft for the Chiefs.  But this year’s hope is legit!

How did your team do?  Did they draft for immediate need or for the future?

What holes remain in your fave team’s starting line-ups?

MLB report cards 20% into the season

We are officially 1/5 of the way through the 2009 MLB regular season.

What are the biggest surprises to you thus far?

Are there any coaches on the hot seat?

Any early predictions on MVP, ROY, or coach of the year?

When the season actually ends, how different will the standings be from what they are today?

The 2nd worst umpired MLB game in my recollection

….was between the Cardinals and Rockies last night.  The strike zone was all over the place.  And the two calls at home plate….wow.

Yadi beat the catcher’s motion to tag by a mile!  It wasn’t even close.  Then after they slowed down the replay again, and again, and again, and again, you notice that there wasn’t even a tag applied.  Which means he was safe twice and we didn’t get credit for even one run!

Then Pujols scores from 2nd on a fielder’s choice.  Yup….that’s what I said.  Crazy play.  And he appeared out at home.  Oh well….in the end the Cardinals got the run they should have gotten.

The worst umpired MLB game in my recollection?  Why, game 6 of the ‘85 world series, of course.  That was the year that the Royals received the Cardinals’ World Series rings.  Am I bitter, you ask?  OH YEAH!!!!!!!

Denkinger!  DOH!!!

Thoughts on first series between Cards and Cubs

Cardinals take 2 of 3.  But for one lousy inning in game 2 on Saturday, I thought the Redbirds looked dominant.

What stood out to you?

Cards vs. Cubs round 1

Cards….Cubs…..division rivals…….2 of the best records in the NL…….for early season division supremacy.

Predict the difference makers (players, positions, manager decisions)

‘Nuff said.

Go.

Is America a Christian Nation?

On this day of celebrating the National Day of Prayer, I wanted to begin a new (respectful!) thread on the subject of whether or not America is / was intended to be a Christian nation.

For the sake of context, I am an evangelical Christian.  But I believe that many times when “proof” is offered that the founding fathers were Christian (in the same we want to understand the term), their respective quotes are taken out of context.

So I’ll start the discussion with this statement.  While I’m not so sure that many of the founding fathers were “Christian” in the same way I might parse that term, I clearly believe that they intended this country to be founded upon Christian principle and reliance upon God (Jehovah).  And I think we have grounds to believe that religious liberty was at the top of their list of priorities in making a break from mother England.

Your turn.

Ummmmm….that’s not “news”

There were several headlines on the internet today that all basically said the same thing….

“Pauls Abdul gets confused on ‘Idol’”.

News?  I think not.

There were several stories online Wednesday suggesting that Ms. Abdul might have been under the influence of controlled substances or some mystical libation.  May I go on the record as saying that such a suggestion is an insult to drugs and alcohol.

Do you need people to pray for you today?

I am so blessed to know that many disciple-minded people read this blog every day.  As a result of that I’d like to begin taking advantage of this wonderful technology and do something meaningful with it.

Please allow folks from around the country to pray for you.  It’s a blessing to know that people are praying for you…specifically….with intention.

In the comments section below, please let us know how we can be praying for you (your family, your ministry, etc…).  Then really leave these concerns with The Father.  Watch Him do what only He can.  Give Him complete liberty to deal with the things we bring to Him today.  Be blessed.

I’ll start.  I have a several personnel / staffing issues at the forefront today.  I desperately need God’s perspective.

Your turn….