"Moonlighting"

It was a dream come true for the 25 year old ballplayer from North Carolina, Archibald Wright "Moonlight" Graham. He was called up after three years in the minor leagues to join the major league New York Giants on May 23, 1905. He sat on the bench in the major leagues for over a month before he was inserted into a game on June 29 against the Brooklyn Superbas. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Graham was sent in to play right field, replacing George Brown. In the top of the ninth, Graham was on deck when his teammate Claude Elliott flied out resulting in the third and final out. Graham played the bottom of the ninth in right field but never came to bat.

That turned out to be "Moonlight" Graham's only appearance in the major leagues. His is not an isolated story, of the more than 16,000 players in major league history, they're also are 900-plus guys in the Elias Sports Bureau Registry who got only into only one game.

"Moonlight" Graham stands out because W.P. Kinsella, chose him from the "The Baseball Encyclopedia" to be a character in his novel, "Shoeless Joe," and the subsequent film, "Field of Dreams." While reading "The Baseball Encyclopedia," he had received as a gift, he noted the colorful nickname and the very abbreviated career. This writer of fiction researched Graham's life following his one game major league career. Graham played a few more years of minor league baseball while he pursued his medical degree. He obtained his license to practice medicine and went on to serve the people of Chisolm, Minnesota from 1915-1959 as a doctor.

Moonlight Graham's story could have been different. He could have stepped up to the plate and hit the game winning homerun, which could have launched a Hall of Fame career. If, that had happened thousands of people in Chisolm, Minnesota would never known the healing of touch of their beloved "Doc" Graham.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Sometimes our lives don't turn out as we planned. Yet, when you trust your life into God's hands, it will turn out better than you ever dreamed.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Sources: Wikipedia, Moonlight Graham
Pittsburg Post-Gazette. June 25, 2005 by Ben Walker, The Associated Press

What Are These Stones?

Our lives are most often chronicled by birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. They are times that we celebrate and reflect upon as special moments. We call them milestones. But these are not the only milestones that we anticipate or savor in our life’s journey.

As a child, we anticipate the first day of school; loosing our first tooth; learning to ride a bike, and remember with fondness our first boyfriend/girlfriend. As we get older, we look forward to getting our driver’s license, the prom, and high school graduation and have memories of our friends, teachers and big football games in the days of our youth.

The milestones of adulthood include getting that first job; getting married; our children’s births; buying our first house; the big promotion; our children getting married and then grandchildren; death of parents; and retirement. In the midst of life are a host of events and experiences to remember. These milestones mark life.

There are also, spiritual markers for those who are believers in Christ Jesus. In the Old Testament, we read of the people having experiences with God and then building an altar or a monument of stones as a reminder. Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Moses, and the Israelites after they crossed into the promised land left spiritual markers so that they and others would never forget that God was in this place.

Our spiritual markers include experiences such as our receiving Christ as Savior and our baptism; memorized Scriptures; insights gained from God’s word; and times in prayer. Yet, there are more experiences such as taking that step of faith and finding God faithful. Experiencing that unbearably painful experience where you discovered the warmth of God’s comfort. Being overwhelmed with guilt and shame of a sin, only to discover that God really does forgive and sets you free. Being overwhelmed by love that you don’t deserve. Enjoying His presence as you worship. Experiencing the joy of leading someone to Christ. In our hearts God has placed these spiritual markers as reminders of our experience with Him.

We are to remember how God worked in our lives at that moment and use them as encouragement to remain faithful to God throughout our life’s journey.

“What do these stones mean? …He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)

Renovation Reality

If you are a fan of HGTV (Home and Garden Television), then you may be familiar with a program called "Renovation Realities." The premise of the program is to allow the viewer to watch as real "do-it-yourself" homeowners take on major home renovation projects. Typically, in their desire to save money, it cost them more. In their hopes to finish on schedule, they miss their deadline. As viewers, we see the drama of frustration when things don't go as expected; homeowners at each others throats, an occasional injury or collateral damage and a reality check. Sometimes it is better to let the "experts" handle the job.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain they rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves." Psalm 127:1-2

When God inspired Solomon to pen these words, He was not talking about pouring a slab or remodeling a kitchen. He was sharing an insight that is necessary for building a life and a home. God is the chief architect who designed you and me. He, also desires to be the construction manager for your life and home. When we trust our lives and families to Him, He has the power to make all the renovations necessary throughout our lives.

"Do-it-yourself-ers" often don't have the expertise nor the tools to do the job. "Do-it-yourself-ers" sometimes can do more damage than good. "Do-it-yourself-ers" sometimes do just enough to get by and never finish the job completely. That's why the scripture says, that we labor in vain when don't let the Lord be involved. He has the expertise and the resources to finish the job, if we will turn the job over to Him.

As a "do-it-yourself" person myself, I have discovered when it comes to things like home renovation projects, auto maintenance, and computer technology, I need help. The same is also true with my life in general. There are times when we all struggle with relationships, self image, personal fulfillment, anxiety, and purpose in life.

Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and that you may have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Why not trust in the one who designed you from the beginning to handle any make-overs that you need. He is the "expert."