Faith In The Atlanta Braves vs. Faith In Jesus Christ
My faith in the Atlanta Braves is undergoing a great challenge at this time. I'm a big Braves fan, and have been for many years. I've been to several games, but mostly I watch them on WTBS and listen to the games on radio. I was even a fan back in the bad years, before they won 13 division titles in a row. And it is indeed an amazing streak for any sports team; it makes me wonder if the Braves will ever finish in anything other than first place.
But, now I have the current season to face. Usually by this point the Braves have methodically begun to defeat all challengers. The defense would gel, Andruw and Chipper would hit in the clutch, the pitching would prove again to be the best in the league, and manager Bobby Cox would prove again to be the best in the game. This year it is not happening. My team is 52 – 61, a losing record! The pitching staff has one of the highest collective ERA's in baseball. And they consistently lose to good teams. There is no way they will overtake the Mets, who are division leaders. And they are 6 ½ games behind in the wild-card race, and fading fast.
Here I am doggedly hanging onto faith in this team. They have about 50 games to go. And if this team could suddenly start playing their very best ball, they could go on a tear and still get into the playoffs. What they need to do is win about ten games in a row, and then continue at a 70% win clip. It could happen! And I believe these Braves are going to do just that!
It is not, exactly, an empty faith. They have just added two quality relievers to the roster- badly needed. Andruw Jones has 99 RBI's, and is capable of carrying this team on his shoulders. And Chipper Jones, a great hitter and great leader, will soon return from the disabled list. And if this team can just play as they are capable, then they can do it! I believe.
I have said all of the previous to get to a question. And it is a good question. I'll give you my answers in my next post, but I'm interested in your thoughts right now.
What's the difference between faith in the Atlanta Braves and faith in Jesus Christ?
Are they the same...
Is faith in the Braves actually based more upon reality...
Are both just wishful thinking....
Does one's faith in Christ make a real difference, as opposed to faith in a sports team...
08.11.06 (8:20 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (3:57 pm)
Dave, I love ya, but I think you've gone off your rocker down there... You've been hitting the booze and the casinos haven't you?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (4:02 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
No booze. No casinos. What are these funny little, salty little drinks that just seem to taste better and better? Just kidding!
Come on, now. Does faith in Jesus really make a difference? It's a good question.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (4:05 pm)
Oh, I forgot. The difference? No tomahawk-chop in church. Very few altar-calls at the ball-park. (I hear the hot-dogs are great at both places though.)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (4:08 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Buddy, I'm not the one hitting the booze....
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (4:09 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Yer askin' the wrong guy. I define my faith differently than you do. Mine makes a difference to me, but I know you don't think much of it, so I can't answer your question in the spirit you ask it.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (4:19 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Alright, I'll accept that. You might want to know that I have respect for your faith. Obviously your understanding is quite different. But, God is enough mystery to me that I dare not write off anyone with a sincere faith/love for Him.
You and I will, hopefully, continue to exchange views and along the way- as I alluded in the previous post- I'll probably learn something and once again have my neat-little-theology messed up.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (4:34 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
I aim to serve!
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (9:20 pm)
PD and sur, you guys crack me up.
That's a tought question, PD. I might get back to you on that, but I may take a seat on the sidelines here. I'm curious myself.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
08.11.06 (9:21 pm)
PD and sur, you guys crack me up.
That's a tough question, PD. I might get back to you on that, but I may take a seat on the sidelines here. I'm curious myself.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
08.12.06 (7:58 am)
I think the Braves made a mistake in letting their pitching coach leave for Baltimore.
Can Jesus pitch?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.12.06 (9:56 am)
Reply to: bawdy
Can Jesus pitch? That'll have to wait for another blog.
Leo Mazzone is not doing so grand for the Orioles. It seems their cheap ways with the bullpen, of the last few years, has finally caught up with them. The Braves have had a really bad bullpen. But there's hope.
When you pull ofr your team...cheer for them...seek to will them to win...does it make a difference? I'm thinking there is at least a parallel here with religious faith.
I wish some of our liberal/skeptic friends would give some comment. Surely they have put some thought into the nature of a Christian and his faith.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.12.06 (9:57 am)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
Crack you up?
Today I moved my daughter into her College apartment. Third floor! It was quite a chore. Do you force such labor upon your dad?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.12.06 (9:58 am)
Reply to: surrogate
You serve, I'll return the serve with a lob.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
08.12.06 (11:46 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Yup. You and Surr are crack ups. Your exchanges are almost always interesting and funny.
Hehe. Daddies are great. :-) Yes, my daddy gets to do stuff like that for me too. It's not that bad, is it?
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
08.13.06 (11:23 am)
A fan can only make a difference by lending vocal support live at a game. Anyone sitting at home thinking anything they say or wear (ie. lucky team shirt), or superstitions they employ, can affect the outcome of a game are off their rocker.
Whereas people of faith believe their prayers will be heard and there's a chance they will be answered. But a prayer for a Braves victory won't be heeded.
I don't think there's any parallel here really.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.14.06 (9:04 am)
Reply to: bawdy Good Lord, I hate finding myself agreeing with Bawdy. He's such a putz. A lovable putz, to be sure, but.... geez.
posted by:
mercurysoul (
reply)
post date:
08.14.06 (5:25 pm)
:)
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
08.15.06 (4:56 am)
Hmmm... if you approach this question biblically, one can say that the difference between faith in a sports team and faith in Jesus include the fact that Jesus is constant while sports teams have their ups and downs. Personally speaking, though, I see that they can be similar in that faith in both can be quite a struggle. However, while the sports team can (and will) let you down, when you feel let down in your faith in Jesus, it tends to work out for the best, later. Almost like He knows whats good for you before YOU do...
