FROM THE PULPIT: BIG LEAGUE EXCITEMENT

What can thrill a young child as much as a trip to the big city to see a major league baseball game? Recently our family went to St. Louis to see the San Diego Padres play the Cardinals. We went 2 hours early, hoping to see batting practice. It was drizzling and threatening to do worse, so the teams practiced hitting in cages beneath the stands, where we couldn't see. So we watched Kevin Brown practice pitching in the bullpen. While watching, another San Diego player came up to the fence right where we were standing, held a ball out toward my 9 year old daughter, Ambrosia, asking,"Do you want this?" What do you think?! She quickly jumped upon the concrete to reach over the fence to take the ball from his hand.

Then she thought she would try to get the ball signed. So we headed toward the Padre dugout, where some players were signing autographs.They were gone by the time we got there, but Gary Gaetti was signing over on the Cardinals side. You can guess what happened. We headed to the Cardinals side, but by time we got there Gaetti was no longer signing. BUT, Mark McGwire was. So I hoisted Ambrosia on my shoulders for better visibility, and positioned myself as near the field as possible. Eventually he spotted her and signed her ball. (Well, who could resist a cute little girl, anyway?)

Pleased with this success, we spotted Tony Gwynn out on the Padres' side of the field. So we went back to the other side of the field. Sure enough, Gwynn had disappeared by the time we got there. But soon he reappeared. And Ambrosia's good luck held. She soon got Mr. Gwynn's attention, and he too signed her ball.

You can imagine her excitement! We missed batting practice, but instead got a ball autographed by 2 Hall of Fame caliber players. You can guess also that Ambrosia's brother, sister, and father, all lifelong baseball fans, were also excited with her (and perhaps a teeny bit jealous?).

We people do get excited easily. Games, personalities, events all send our emotions sky high. We may get excited over the most trivial of things. Even as great as hitters Mark McGwire and Tony Gwynn are, they are, after all, humans like the rest of us, playing a game. And as all humans, they too sin and fall short of the glory of God.

We have just recently celebrated Easter. Easter is, of course, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Just think of who Jesus was- and is!

- the Creator of the universe, along with God the Father and the Holy spirit (John 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-18)

- God in human form (Luke 1:35, John 1:14)

- the one who shows us the way, and is himself the way to God (John 14:6)

- the one who reconciles us to God (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

- the one who suffered in our place, for our sins, so that we might be forgiven (Isaiah 53:4-6, 1 John 4:9-10)

-the one who gives us life and sustains it (Hebrews 1:1-3, John 6:35)

- our constant companion and friend (Matthew 11:28-30, Mt.28:20)

- the one who lives in order to pray for us (Hebrews 7:25)

- the one who prepares a place in heaven for us, and prepares us for heaven (John 14:1-3, Romans 8:29) Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin, and rose from the dead to ensure that we receive the eternal life which he freely provided for us.

In a sense, our Bibles are like an autograph from God. More than just a name, however, our Bibles tell us al~l about the love God has for each of us, and how Jesus came to demonstrate this love. And just as I carried my daughter on my shoulders so she could be seen, so Jesus Christ "carries" us, lifts us above our sin right into the presence of God the Father, by virtue of his perfect, sinless life, and by the blood of his sacrifice on our behalf. And just as an autographed ball is valuable, so is the eternal life Christ offers valuable, valuable beyond all we can imagine. And it is ours through faith, through putting our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Now that's something to be excited about!

"How can I have this excitement? n you may ask. Repent, that is change your life's direction. Turn away from sin and turn toward God. Ask Jesus Christ into your heart and your life. Ask him to forgive you all your sins, and to be your Master. And trust Him to do it (He will). And live your life guided by the Holy Spirit (whom Christ sends.Jesus said,"Your heart will be where your treasure is." Treasure our God and Savior and the Bible, God's Word, and you will find not only excitement, but righteousness, peace, and joy. (Romans 14:17)