Yankee Stadium

Known as “The House that Ruth Built,” Yankee Stadium is perhaps the most well-known sports venue in America. Several pastor friends and I were invited as guests of Yankee Manager Joe Girardi, who is a committed Follower of Christ. My lifelong friend O.S. Hawkins, Evangelist Jay Strack, Pastor Ken Whitten of the Tampa Bay area and Pastor James Merritt of Atlanta all met for one last game at the stadium—since this is the final year of the stadium, built in 1923. A new version is being built adjacent to the current ballpark.

I grew up a Yankees fan in the era of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Bobby Richardson, Whitey Ford, etc. So I was like a kid again—in awe of the great Yankee teams and players of yesterday and today.

We were on the field for batting practice and for conversations with players like Andy Pettitte and future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, who is the greatest playoff and World Series closer of all time. Both of these men love God and live their faith. We talked about the Lord, God's Word, and family and friends. The games were tough losses for the Yankees as the Red Sox beat them.

The most impressive part of Yankee Stadium is the memorial area just beyond the left field fence. The Yankee greats are remembered here. My favorite is the one of Mickey Mantle pictured here. I love the description: “A Great Teammate.” This incredible athlete played not for himself but for the team. This attitude is often missing in sports today. Enjoy these photos of our time there...especially if you love baseball.

A Time for "Saves"

Hey, everyone. I am in NY City for meetings with ministry leaders, and saw this poster in the Nike Store. It is great New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera. A sure Hall of Famer, he finishes games like few others. In visiting with Pastor Jim Cymbala, of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, we talked about Mariano and his strong faith in Jesus. He walks the walk.

So when I saw this poster, I thought of the invitation in our church at the close of my message each week. This is the time people publicly respond to the Word of God. Lives are transformed. This is the time for "saves." Each week, scores of people come forward and it is always a highlight. Don’t even think about leaving before the close. So be a worshipper who stays ‘til the bottom of the 9th. Don't miss the saving power of Jesus and the excitement of another big win!

Redeem Team

The Olympics run pretty much continuously at our house these days. I find myself watching events that I would never watch on a regular basis as the pride of the USA and the every-four-years uniqueness of the Games draw me in. My favorite has been volleyball, and picking up gold in both men's and women's beach volleyball. But, of course, basketball and the men's team is of great interest to me...especially because of the dismal failure of our group of NBA stars in the '04 Olympics in Athens. This so-called "Dream Team," comprised of the best roundballers on earth, could never get it together and way underachieved four years ago.

But now, under the coaching prowess of Duke University Coach Mike Krzyzewski, this year's US team is playing like champions and dominating the field so far. What is the difference? Teamwork. Each sports season, I am reminded that a team will outperform a group of individuals every time. Coach K says that five talented players who come together as a team can beat five more talented players who don't. He uses the illustration of a fist - all of the fingers working together. Krzyzewski also said in choosing the American team's players, "We're not selecting a team…you select people and hope they become a team." So it appears that these pro players have now become a team and are committed to one another and to the team and its goal of gold. Now this group of individuals is known as the "Redeem Team."

Sounds to me like what the church ought to be. We have been redeemed out of failure and isolation and now have become a part of a winning team on our way to gold. To achieve greatness for God's Glory we must win together rather than lose separately. We need to be more like a fist working together than fingers working alone. Together we are triumphant. We are much much better together. It is the difference between winning and losing in our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission in our time. So, get on the team in your church and start becoming a part of His Redeem Team! One day, when the gold is passed out…you will be there to the sound of Heavenly cheers.

Keeping it Simple

I am on the last week of my summer break and enjoying some down time...included is Olympics watching. Of course, the star of the show is the Golden Boy himself, Michael Phelps. With eight gold medals this summer, he is being called the greatest Olympian in history. I especially enjoyed reading about his 10,000-calories-a-day diet, and immediately went out and ate a double cheeseburger and fries at one of my favorite places on earth...In-N-Out Burgers. This was easy since we are in Southern California. Unfortunately, my exercise output does not equal the intake!! Anyway, In-N-Out is one of the best burger places ever. They don't do chicken or tacos…just burgers, fries, shakes and soft drinks. Very simple. Very delicious.

In thinking about church and ministry, this is what we should do…keep it simple and basic. Deliver the Word of God and testimony of Jesus with simplicity and clarity, and structure the church to accommodate growth and discipleship. I am really ready to get back in the pulpit next weekend and intend to serve it up. In the meantime, a few more In-N-Outs and a long, long walk on the beach!

Harvest

This weekend I preached at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California where my dear friend Greg Laurie is pastor. This is a great, great church with a local and global ministry of evangelism and discipleship. Greg and Cathe, as I have written recently, are grieving the death of their son, Christopher. I am happy to report the Lauries are doing quite well though deeply hurt. We had a chance to visit and talk about the future… especially Heaven. The Harvest staff team is outstanding and I had a great time pinch-hitting in such a dynamic, passionate, engaging congregation. All three morning services were full and the overflow in the courtyard area was strong. The church is rallying support and strength to the Lauries.

Please pray for the Southern California Crusade this weekend, August 15-17. Greg is going to preach for the first time since the accident. Pray that God will use the message and the messenger to deliver the Gospel to a world that needs to know Jesus. I am praying that the Crusade will ignite fires of revival across the nation. Check out the Harvest website for information and I encourage all my friends in Southern California to attend this weekend and take friend with you who needs to know Jesus.

In a political season where there is so much in the news…the most important thing happening is the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Our nation is in need of a great spiritual awakening. I am praying for that national revival, which could begin this coming weekend in Southern California.

Walking on the Clouds

Our family spent time last week in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. We stayed in Maggie Valley, a little village nestled in the beauty of the Smokies. This was a nostalgic trip in that our kids grew up vacationing here in the 80’s. The temperatures were great 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and the mountain air was refreshing. We stayed in the house of our dear friends Harold and Judy Vick and every day we walked on the clouds. The picture is from my Iphone early one morning.

Walking in mountains is an adventure. We exercised as a family – up and down the steep hills of the mountain roads. Walking down hill was much easier but the view from climbing to the top was amazing. Like life, we all enjoy the downhill – when our steps are much easier (as long as you don’t go too fast). Up hills are challenging and take your breath away, but the view from the top is worth it all.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying about my good friends, Greg and Cathe Laurie, whose 33 year old son, Christopher, died in a car accident July 24. Christopher is in Heaven but his family is hurting. Faith is strong but the grief is great. So while reading Oswald Chambers July 29, I saw this…

“Behold, He cometh with clouds.” Rev. 1:7

In the Bible clouds are always connected with God. Clouds are those sorrows or sufferings or providences, within or without our personal lives, which seem to dispute the rule of God. It is by those very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were no clouds, we should have no faith. “The clouds are but the dust of our Father’s feet.” The clouds are a sign that He is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow and bereavement and suffering are the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near without clouds, He does not come in clear shining. It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials: through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in the cloud is to simplify our belief until our relationship to Him is exactly that of a child. Is the relationship between myself and God getting simpler than ever it has been?

Greg Laurie and I talked by phone about “unlearning some things.” Jesus comes in the clouds when we look for Him only. Life is more simple in suffering and finally the only thing that matters is knowing and loving Jesus.

The last evening in the mountains, we had a campfire with our family. We roasted marshmallows, made s’mores, and had a time of prayer. I reminded our kids of the importance of obeying Christ in all things that we may glorify Him. Also, of holding one another close because you never know when you might say goodbye. So, it’s been good walking on the clouds and seeing with clearer eyes the simplicity of our faith, the importance of family, and the joy of serving Christ.