Thank you all for another great week of CSports Baseball. The weather worked out just right giving us a good game day before the nasty stuff hit that night. Again, I was grinning the whole day seeing the players hitting, running, catching, and throwing while their families and fans cheered. I love the spontaneous “spirit tunnels” formed at the end of each game. If your younger teams or leagues don’t automatically do this, please start! The kids love running through the tunnels hearing the cheers. Granted, the older kids probably won’t be as excited.
Pre-game prayers, devotions during practices, and just the general environment where we celebrate that we are all really on the same team are how we work each week to get better. One day, when the players reach school ball age, the competition will be serious and we want our players (or alumni) to have instilled within themselves the spirit of sportsmanship. Teamwork and a good grasp on what “playing” is about is important. Such a foundation will make players the natural leaders on a team as well as a good parent and coach one day.
I love the passage in Ephesians 8:10 which says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I’m not sure where I stand on the “meant to be” issue as I know God gives us freedom to choose our direction in life. Still, I know He has a purpose for each of us to become and to produce as we grow, mature, and influence others. I don’t believe it is an accident that each of you has been given responsibility over areas of this ministry. You change lives every time you communicate with one of the young ones (or even older ones), when you direct them, compliment them, or correct them. God has expectations for each of us and, just as we should be doing in our jobs, homes, and social circles, we should be attentive. We should strive to be better, learn about each other so as to better communicate and serve each other. Lead in word and deed.
What a joy it is to be God’s child and to share in the joy He brings to our ball fields and community. This is a Holy Week! Go to services and concerts. Experience the word and season of Easter. Remember, no games this coming Saturday. Plan for Team Service Projects. Celebration Banners will be created soon. Be preparing your families for the CSports Baseball Celebration in our SANCTUARY (not gym this time) on Sunday, May 5, at 3:00pm. They need to be here by 2:45pm to get a seat and fill out a response card. Thanks for all you do for this ministry! See you on the fields!
In His Service,
Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister
Christ United Methodist Church
251-706-3326
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6