MY FATHER HUNG THIS ON MY WALL

From Sports Illustrated

I think the year was 1968

Titled: WHAT DOES A FATHER SAY TO HIS SON BEFORE HIS FIRST GAME.

This is your first game, son.
I hope you win.
I hope you win for your sake
not for mine
Because winning's nice.
It's a good feeling.
Like the whole world
is yours.
But it passes, this feeling.
And what lasts is what
you've learned.

And what you learn about
is life.
That's what sports are all about.
Life.
The whole thing is played out
in an afternoon.
The happiness of life.
The miseries.
The joys.
The heartbreaks.

There's no telling
what'll turn up.
There's no telling
whether they'll toss you
out in the first five minutes
or whether you'll stay for
the long haul.

There's no telling how
you'll do.
You might be a hero
or you might be
absolutely nothing.
There's just no telling.
Too much depends on chance.
On how the ball bounces.

I'm not talking about the
game, son.
I'm talking about life.
But it's life that the game
is all about.
Just as I said.

Because every game is
life.
And life is a game.
A serious one.
Dead serious.

But that's what you do
with serious things.
You do your best.
You take what comes.
You take what comes
and you run with it.

Winning is fun.
Sure.
But winning is not
the point.

Wanting to win is the
point.
Not giving up is the
point.
Never being satisfied
with what you've done
is the point.
Never letting up
is the point.
Never letting anyone down
is the point.

Play to win.
Sure.
But lose like
a champion.
Because it's not winning
that counts.
What counts is
trying.

SHALL WE CONTINUE, SLOWLY

I have not been able to sit in front of this tool and generate any interest in our little debate due to the constraints of time. The production of my subjective material will be delayed this Sabbath morning. This is the designated point in time when much of my messages and thoughts are written. Yes of course I know it’s Saturday, have you not been reading the Blog! So it is, that the thing called Little League has pushed ahead of Blogging. In other words, ya don’t just get assigned the job of pitching coach, and go out and coach. Fact is, I have pitched. Fast pitch softball. Didn’t have a clue how to teach a 7 year old how to pitch a baseball. That’s right, baby! I’ve been researching! “My” great success, already, was my own grandson who pitched for the first time two weeks ago. Two innings of no run baseball. That’s right, IT WAS ALL ME! The following game they scored 10 runs on him and there is a five run rule for each inning. Guess I need to do some more research.

All kidding aside, sports is an area that we as parents and grand parents have the opportunity to instill some of the lessons in life that stay with our children throughout their lives. I must get back to it because, REALLY!, I don’t have a clue.

But, I do want to continue with our discussion and I have decided in lieu of my normal expostulations, I will introduce a Biblical text on which we all can comment on as part of the subject matter and can return to at any time as a reference for any future point being established.

So, here is the first one (with no comment today, back to baseball)

2 Corinthians 9: 6-12

6) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9) As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (Psalms 112: 9, but read 1-10)

10) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for the food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11) You will be made rich in everyway so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through, as your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12) This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of Gods people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Now you all have a good Sabbath and/or I'll see you in church tomorrow. Oh! I am SO in trouble with God!

SO YA THINK YOU CAN ONE UP JESUS! REALLY?

Throughout the Bible, there is verse following verse, given by authors inspired by the glory of God, which compel us to allocate our wealth and our gifts to those less fortunate and in need. As you see in Exodus 23:4, “If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again”. The command by God is not just directed at the poor, but the needy as well.

In many cases the biblical authors explain to us the special place God has set aside for the poor in His kingdom. But it is not just those who have not acquired material goods but in other areas as well. In the famous Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:3, you will read those legendary words of Jesus, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The command goes far beyond the rich mans ability to spread his wealth. In Luke 4:18 Christ quotas the prophet Esaias “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised”. James reminds us in chapter 2, verse 5, “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

But in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, John 12:8 Jesus says (quoted from Mark) “For ye have the poor with you always.”And in 1 Corinthians 13:3 Paul writes, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”. You ought to discover a bit about how the Bible speaks to charity on your own. And in verse 10, “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with.”

So my friends, no amount of vast government spending will alleviated the suffering of the poor. Instead we should be good stewards of the resources we have available locally to produce the best and most desired effects. Strive to be a quality parent and family member. Join community not for profit organizations and give abundantly to those on which you can keep a watchful eye. Use your talents to expedite the unleashing of a unifying spirit that will spread to the four corners of the earth.

And PLEASE!, leave to government that which the founders so clearly outlined and guard against its gobbling up of power that only afflicts the poor and weak. I would never suggest that my opponents in this debate have an ulterior motive in using government. I just believe they are using the wrong methods to achieve goals we all desire.

That would be to answer Christ’s call to do all we can to help those in need.

The Constitution created a federal government with only enumerated powers. All powers not listed were reserved to the states and the people. During the debate over adoption of the Constitution, the Constitution’s advocates also enumerated powers the federal government absolutely would not have. Therefore. The Bill of Rights-including the Tenth Amendment-was adopted.

The Tenth Amendment reads: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

In a variety of speeches, articles, letters, and pamphlets, the “enumerators”, including, among others, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, John Marshall, and of course, James Madison, listed some powers they solemnly promised would be outside the federal sphere.
The one’s we are interested in for this discussion but not limited to, are: family affairs, control of personal property outside of commerce, education, and oh my, here it is, services for the poor and unfortunate.

I bet they knew all about Jesus’ claim that the poor would be with us always and were determined to leave the federal government out of trying to make Jesus a liar. Any such attempt by those who adore big government can be witnessed as an abject failure.

And so it will be until the end of time.

THE SPEECH THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

On APR. 15, 2010 a Tea Party Patriots rally was held in downtown Chico CA at the Chico City Plaza. I was a late entry to be on stage that day and as fate would have it, got pre-empted by the Butte County District Attorney. Maybe that was a get even moment for him. About fifty years earlier, Mike, another friend Jeff, and I were swimming at Feather Plunge and I hit my head on the side of the pool and we lost about 3 hrs of swimming that day. Obviously, Mike never got over that! As it turns out, I was not afforded the time to speak, even at the very end. I guess the time was up. In any event, I wanted you all to be able to read the rousing speech. Here it is. BC

Good Morning Tea Party Patriots. As was just stated, I am Bob Crosby… Now!…you can just forget the name. I’m not a politician! I’m not running for any office!

I do want to apologize right here. I am a writer….NOT a public speaker

But we….each one of us….YOU and YOU and YOU Right Out THERE…..we need to get out of our comfort zone

TODAY IS THAT TIME!

In an August of 2008 interview, Rick Warren posed the question to candidate Obama. WHAT IS OUR NATIONS GREATEST FAILING? Mr. Obama quoted Jesus.

"Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me".

In August of 2009, President Obama pulled out the scripture card again during an Internet phone call with a bunch of, so called “religious leaders”. He used the words,

“I am my brothers keeper”

That is a core ethical and moral obligation....AND......I ALSO..believe that to be true.

BUT!...The context was not for a personal commitment but to muster support for a one payer universal health care system

Politicians love to invoke the name of GOD and the life of JESUS to bolster support and creation of a greater and more intrusive welfare state.

In the last several election cycles, new technologies and new media have been used very effectively against conservatives.

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and all sorts of other networking tools.

We must do the same!

We have started a debate at my blog

I invite you to come over to: bcandafter.blogspot.com

Join the debate….Get out of your comfort zone!

TODAY IS THE DAY TO STAND UP!

You have done so by coming here today
Go away from here today inspired to change one heart, one mind

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! CHANGE ONE HEART!

Be determined……BELIEVE YOU CAN CHANGE ONE MIND!

I BELIEVE YOU CAN! TEA PARTY PATRIOTS!

DO YOU BELIEVE? TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, DO YOU BELIEVE?

TEA PARTY PATRIOTS! BELIEVE!
TEA PARTY PATRIOTS! BELIEVE!
THANK YOU!

Bill Has Joined

ThanX Bill, for joining. And no, we are not interested in "babble". But I expect that at times the conversation may start to sound like we are reenacting the lives of folks who lived in the land of Shinar and built the tower of Babel. Some folks will not understand what we are doing here and try to subvert the conversation by leading it off on some tangent. It is my job to steer as well as rebut.

So your point, “without an end game, why even entertain the examination of Christ’s words?”

While I agree with you in principle, there is an added ingredient. Christians believe we are on this sphere only as a stopping point on the road to where we are going and sometimes I believe many demonstrate the utter disregard for anything secular. Christians often seem less inclined to effect the government because their controlling authority is a supreme power and there is nothing they need to do concerning this terrestrial power. But I’ve noticed, not just lately, that politicians like to call out Christians by summoning our God to their side, almost to the point of being provocative. Using the Bible and the words of Jesus to support one or any of their big government grandiose schemes. That is the conversation here. I am the disciple who cut off the ear of the Roman guard in The Garden as they followed Judas up the hill to betray Jesus. Right or wrong, it's time for action! I’m a bit hesitant to wait on an end game to make the lives of my grandkids complete. I expect to fight regressive earthly powers. My friends, the time is NOW! BC

Welcoming Jim

Jim Wheeler and Robert have been starting up a discussion back under a 2008 post titled "Yeah, About That". First, that's great! Second, everyone would like to read any and all comments. So, we need to keep the debate/discussion under my posts that are current and labeled "Debate/Jesus", if you all don't mind. I would call on both Jim and Robert's attention to what the debate is centered on. Yes, it is Jesus. So we all know who the character is. At that point I'm not sure it's relevant to debate whether one believes Christs name, or origin of His name, is one or from some other. We are here to discuss His words, not whether His name was Bill, George, anything but Sue! (Thanks Johnny Cash)

Gordon has left a challenging comment for Robert, but I am still about a week out from charging in with my own challenges, so I'm just sitting back and trying to get as large a group in here so that the fun can start.

But welcoming Jim brings additional satisfaction. The dude can cook some tasty looking meet. How do I get him on my side? BC

Welcoming Robert

I'd like to refer you to the comments under the post, "Commentary On Big Government". It is labeled "Political" but those who have commented there have lead us back to the label, "Debate/Jesus". If you are following the blog just for the debate and are not interested in following my opinions or stories, just click on the label you are interested in. But I hope all will go back to the archives and catch up on who I am and what we are doing here at B.C. and After

Thank you Robert for your contribution. I will allow Gordon the opportunity to defend his own comment. At any point as the discussion unfolds, I may throw in with one side or the other. In an effort to gain clarity, I may assume the role of referee or I might attempt to push the conversation in a direction where I believe the proposition is being accurately defended or rebutted. At all times, whether noted or assumed, I would like the comments to be biblically supported. However, asking a question to get clarification from a commenter is a perfectly accepted tool or method to challenge and obviously has no need for any supporting text.

If I read your comment correctly, Robert, I believe you are stating that this whole undertaking is simply irrelevant and that Jesus directs no responsibility of humanity to any other authority than His own. I do not want to rebut something I have misstated. So I’ll try to defend you first. The provision of our salvation, that is, “eternal life”, is Christ’s alone. Nowhere in the Bible can I find an assignment of our responsibility to that end, lent or given “joint custody” to a civil government. So you are correct on that point. But Christ was not silent about government. He was, however, unequivocal in delineating two separate spheres of authority and activity, the sacred and the secular. In Mark 12:17, Jesus tells His followers, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”.

That is part of what has brought us to this discussion on this blog. Since it is Christ who introduced government into the discussion, not myself, the question becomes, “What part, if any, of His command to love our neighbor, or the Christian charitable mission, should be given over as the responsibility of an entity such as the federal government, and if any, how much?”