Cardinals: Buyers or sellers at MLB trade deadline?

I’m still shaking my head over last year’s inactivity by the Cards’ front office.  But this year I’m ever more befuddled.  I realize that Jocketty may be a short-timer, but business is business.

If you are a contender, you buy.  If you’re a pretender, you sell.  If you do nothing, you appear to be out of touch with your team’s needs at least and ignorant at worst.

With just 2 1/2 hours remaining before the trade deadline (at the time I’m presently writing this piece),  I just can’t understand the “do-nothing” approach by Cardinals’ management these past two mid-seasons.

Am I missing something?

By the way, I do not count the signing of Joel Pineiro today as serious trade deadline activity.

Pastoral reflections on a Monday morning

I’m grateful today that….

1.     We had two wonderful worship services yesterday morning.  The weather was beautiful, our musicians and accompanists hit it out of the park, and I really sensed that I was “getting through” as I preached.  Thank you, God.

2.     While we had our normal handful of folks who constantly find fault with something on any given Sunday, the vast majority of people in attendance genuinely love The Lord and care about their spiritual growth.  Thank you, God.

3.     I have a very secure sense of congregational support for the “new” types of ministry being implemented.  The wonderful folks here at Anna First Baptist have been challenged to do some things they may have never dreamed of doing.  God is calling us out, the membership is stepping up and stepping out in faith, and some wonderful things are happening in the result.  Thank you, God.

On many Monday mornings I have been in the doldrums.  Not today!  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

MLB trade deadline looms

So you’re in the Cardinals’ front office.  You need starting pitching.  Who do you go after?  What is there available?  What are you willing to give up to get it?

Cardinals’ season is officially over….Chris Carpenter lost for all of ‘07

The Cardinals have announced that Chris Carpenter will miss the remainder of the 2007 season and have Tommy John surgery on his pitching arm.  With no Mulder and Maroth and Wells going 0 for whatever they throw…..good afternoon, good evening, and good night.

 I say the Cardinals start planning for next season RIGHT NOW.  Let’s unload some payroll, make a big name trade, SOMETHING.

Anti-Christian bias for UK student committed to chastity

Story here.  What’s troubling to me is that the school’s rules for “banning jewelry” do not apply to Muslims, Sikhs, and Catholics.  Lawyers for the school say that this girl’s ring is not necessary for the expression of her faith.  Really?  A decision to honor God by waiting for sex until marriage and the signifying of that commitment by the wearing of a ring is not necessary to one’s faith?  That’s too convenient for the school / the school’s attorneys.  PUKE!!!!

I can understand the school having rules, but they need to apply to everyone.  If you make a religious exception, why are evangelical Christians once again left out?  Sad.

Wal-Mart to begin selling Bible action figures

Story here.  Personally, I like the idea.

What do you think?

2007 MLB post-season predictions at the half-way point

The All-Star “exhibition” is past.  The dog days of summer are ahead.  Before the season began, I asked you all for your predictions of how things might shake out in each league.

Now that there is some separation between the contenders and the pretenders, pick your winners of each division in each league (don’t forget the wild card!).  Then prognosticate the eventual match-ups for the division series, the LCS, and the World Series.

I’ll save mine for now.

What are you reading?

What are you reading these days?  Could be any topic….leadership, personal growth / discipleship, parenting, ministry helps, history.

Anything you’d care to recommend?

Versus……sandwich edition

Quizno’s vs. Subway

White vs. wheat

Toasted vs. not toasted

Mustard vs. mayo

I usually don’t like to get this theological with my “versus” posts….it was unavoidable here, sorry.

Groaner of a preacher joke

After a very long and boring sermon the parishoners filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher.  Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons.”Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!” The pastor was thrilled. “No-one has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. Tell me why.” “Well – it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding and the Love of God because it endured forever!”