I always talk with the kids (4-6 year olds) before our baseball games. After my talk, I always lead our team in prayer... something to this effect (in my most kid-friendly voice):

Dear Jesus, we would like to thank you for allowing us to be able to play baseball today. We ask for Your mercy and safety. Jesus, help us to be good sports and never to laugh at any other player. Thank you Jesus. We love You... AMEN!

Then we either take the field with enthusiasm or get our helmets on with smiles and anticipation.

This past Wednesday night at our game, something a little different happened. We had finished warming up and it was time for the coach's talk. After my spiel, I said, "Take your hats off and lets pray." Then it happened! The stuff dreams are made of... I hear a kid's voice... Gage said,  "Coach Chris... Can I lead us in prayer?"

Boy... that's a no-brainer.  I told him, "Sure, I would like that a lot!"

Dear Jesus, thank You for letting us play baseball today. Please let us be safe and not let anyone get hurt. Help us not to laugh at anyone. We love You Jesus... AMEN!

Oh yeah Jesus... Help us to have FUN!!! AMEN!

Sometimes we think kids are not listening to us... we tell them how to throw the ball, hold the bat, swing, and stop the ball from rolling between their legs...

Well, let me encourage all those investing in the lives of our kids... They are learning from you! What are you teaching them?

My hope and prayer, more than anything else, is that I show them the love of Jesus!

2nd Place in the Church Planter's Bracket Challenge.

Can hardly wait for Fantasy Football!!!

What a difference one day makes!

Before the Final 4 became the Final 2... I was 49th place in the Church Planter's Bracket Challenge. After two games and one night... Now I am 3rd??? 3rd???

Confession time! I really don't care for basketball. I have not watched a single game all year... (I did watch the last 3 minutes of the Kansas vs. UNC game). I was a shock to see Memphis was a #1 seed. (who is Memphis?) hehe...

I thought it would be fun to participate in this little challenge so I did... I started guessing... and guessing... and more guessing.

• Gonzaga will surly beet Davidson... Because that is the Alma Matta of John Stockton!
• Duke over Belmont for sure... ACC team! (plus... my father-in-law pulls for them)
• Georgia over Xavier for sure... SEC team! (plus... Gary Lamb pulls for them)
• Purdue over Baylor for sure... Because Joe Sangl went to school at Purdue!
• Villanova over Clemson for sure... Because Dustin Willis went to school at Clemson! (just kidding Dustin)
• Side thought... at least Clemson made it to the dance floor... My Alabama Crimson Tide were a "no show"... and the South Carolina Gamecocks were absent too!

Absolute guessing...

Who did I pick to win it? Kansas... 73 to 70 over Memphis (Yes I picked Memphis to make it to the championship... they were a #1 seed).

Whatever happens tonight... it was fun! Thanks for letting me play...

Now... When does Fantasy Football start!?!?

For all you basketball fans: Patrick Ewing Jr. does one pretty awesome dunk!

FYI: I am currently 49th in the Church Planting Bloggers Tournament Challenge. I have Kansas winning it all... we will see...

Emilee, Dad, & Jacob. Isn't that a great lookin' bunch of ball players!?!?

I have the great honor to head coach my son's Pee Wee Baseball team at the Greenwood Baseball Complex! 10 Awesome little guys and one awesome little girl! They are such a joy and I am so glad I have the privilege to coach them. It is going to be a great season!

Here is our schedule. (For anyone interested)

I decided to play the NCAA Basketball Tournament Bracket Challenge. Thanks Passion 4 Planting... but what was I thinking???

I hate basketball... Football or Baseball... That I can do! But basketball... just can't get into it.

How do my brackets look you ask... well... um... not so good.

At this point... My goal is to finish higher than Chris Elrod! What a goal!

Currently... I am 75th, and Elrod is 85th (out of 135).

I think a few people have figured out a way to change their picks after the results came in... There is no way they could have known Siena, San Diego, Western Kentucky, and Davidson were gonna win!

If you are planning on going to "THE GAME" on Saturday...

What game you ask... (You must not be from South Carolina)

The Carolina/ ClemPson game.
(And yes, Carolina = South Carolina Gamecocks... not the Tar Heels)

Anyway...

At 5:00 p.m. ET in Columbia, SC: Huckabee joins supporters and 16-time World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, The Nature Boy Ric Flair, for a tailgate party in stadium lot spaces 433-434, located just outside the West Entrance to Williams Brice Stadium before the game. He will also be attending the game.

If you are going to be there; I encourage you to stop by and chat with him and The Nature Boy!

Woooooooooooooo!!!! (in my best Ric Flair voice)

First Chuck Norris... Now The Nature Boy!!! Who is next Mike? John Boy and Billy?

Today was one of the most awesome experiences I have ever witnessed at a church service! We had the entire South Florence High School Football Team visit our church!

Through affiliations with our local FCA chapter, our church has decided to sponsor the team.  Each team member has been assigned to a family in our church to sponsor/mentor . We are so proud to have Brandon Mack (Senior -Wide Receiver) as our player (see picture on right). People all over the church are talking about their players now! How awesome! A chance to make a difference in the lives of 60 of today's youth.

It was great to see the team swaying and rocking back and forth to the rhythm of Psalm 150 (our praise band). With their coaches and parents there... it was PACKED HOUSE!!! Jeffery's message on Gideon and his sharing of Bobby Martin's story was da' bomb.

We as a family have now officially added Brandon to our nightly prayers.

"... and Grandma, and Grandpa, and Mammy, and Brandon."

Jeffery I am proud of you man. The work you are doing (Jeffery is the team chaplain - see picture below) with the team was noticed today. Players were talking and joking around with you! They could tell that you love them!!!

Jesus has called us all to love each other. I am so glad we have the opportunity to express through this ministry.

Brandon, if you see and read this... Please know, we love you and are praying for you and your family!

My fantasy football team stinks! I just finished the draft, and thought I would post so everyone can pray!

Pray Hard!!! We are going to need it.

Starters

QB Vince Young
RB LaDainian Tomlinson
RB Brandon Jackson
RB/WR Bernard Berrian
WR Torry Holt
WR Larry Fitzgerald
TE Alge Crumpler
D Chicago Bears
K Jason Elam

Bench

QB Jeff Garcia
RB Mike Bell
RB Dominic Rhodes
WR Joe Jurevicius
WR Eddie Kennison
WR Michael Jenkins
WR Brandon Jones

Going to be a Loooooooonnnnnnng Season!!!

New way to throw!!! Forget the HEAT, bring the trickery!

Bad call by the umpire but... Still impressive!

I know I am a little  late with this... but... better late than never.

I want to congratulate the South Florence Lady Bruins Softball team for winning their 65th straight game to claim the 4A State Title. Two years and running... You Go Girls!!!

Read all about it here.

And you can read more at the school site here: http://www.fsd1.org/southflorence/

I have not blogged in a while (please forgive me!)... but I just had to do this one...

Jake hit is 1st home run ever last night! He started out his second at-bat with two strikes. On the third pitch from that crazy pitching machine, he hit the ball into the outfield... (Noteworthy: In Small Fry Baseball... That usually results in a home run!)

He ran and ran and Ran and RAN and RAN... Smiling all the way!!!

What was even more awesome than that was his next at-bat.

While he was on On-Deck, I went to encourage him.

I said "Jake, you wanna hit another home run?"

He said, "I WILL!" (not, yes I do...)

I told him, "Just swing hard and level."

He replyed "I WILL hit another home run!"

WOW!!!

On a normal at-bat, Jake usually swings ok... just ok... he usually misses the first two pitches... maybe even the third and have to use the tee.

NOT LAST NIGHT

He swung with, what looked like, everything he had in his little body.

He hit it HARD! I mean HARD!

He only got a single from that swing because of a great little short stop...

He was grinning from ear-to-ear when he made it to first base. (He wound up scoring again a few batters later.)

I know that was awesome experience for Jake, and that he will always remember it. Next game, I will remind him about it... I am sure, he will remember the joy of touching all 4 bases!

I challenge you, reader, to think back to when you were so excited about serving Jesus... Has your passion, joy, and dedication fizzled out? Don't let that memory be your last!  Go out there and hit it HARD! Try for that next home run... And if you have never hit that first homer... Start swinging!  Give it all  you've got. You may just see someone receive Christ because of your dedication.