Beyond Baseball

   With most Opening Day games occurring this week, I was recently pondering all that had happened in the off-season. I have already addressed the issue of Josh Hamilton's relapse, but certainly many other events jump to mind. Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder both signed asininely large contracts. We saw Ryan Braun improbably found innocent on a publicized drug test. Frank McCourt sold the Dodgers to Magic Johnson (and others) for a lot of money (~$2 billion) only to declare that he was keeping a few parking lots for himself. All of these events generated lots of press, pundits talked ad nausium about the implications of each action, and fans argued over which side was correct. While all these events held my interest, there was another event that continues to intrigue me. This story goes beyond petty squabbles over money, fame, or success. It was literally a matter of freedom and security. I am, of course, referring to Wilson Ramos and his amazing story of survival and rescue.

     For those who do not follow baseball, that probably sounds overly intense. How can a baseball player, who gets paid tons of money to play a game, have a rough life? Can his life of leisure and fame really teach us anything and/or grow our appreciation for what we have in the USA?

Maryland My Maryland

      If you are a fan of non-confrontation, then be prepared to skip this blog post and go do something else. I want to speak very candidly yet politely about the recent bill passed into law in Maryland that allows same-sex couples to wed. I know this is a hot-button issue for many people, but I hope to express my views on this issue in a coherent and respectful fashion, allowing for honest and open debate in the comments section below.
      To start off, I am a Christian that believes in the inherency of Scripture. In other words, I believe that the Bible is the true Word of God and anything it says is true. Yes, some of the laws or cultural activites have changed over time (I do not adhere to strict Old Testament dietary laws, I do not expect women to cover their heads in church, etc.), but I still maintain that all Scripture is "breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). What God calls a sin, is a sin. What God promises, He will fulfill. What God says He will do, He will do.