Gentleness and Joy

Images of horrific, gratuitous violence and suffering permeate our world. At the same time, images of inane, “anything goes” euphoria suck our collective attention spans. It is almost as if we feel like we need to counter the negative stuff all around us with equally extreme ecstasy in order to balance it out.

There is a more excellent way.

The “church’s marching orders” listed in Galatians 5 include “gentleness” and “joy.” The two ideas intertwine quite well, for joy is not a shallow, chipper glee but rather a deep, abiding gentle satisfaction of the soul.

For example, consider sports. I am a fanatic of the Kansas City Royals. (You probably didn’t know that about me; I try to keep it a secret.) Rooting for the Royals is fun this year. It can bring a smile to my lips and a cheer to my throat. It brings me glee, but it does not bring me joy.

Playing with our two-year-old so that he gets to giggling uncontrollably with his big belly laugh, dimples on full display, eyes twinkling … now THAT brings me joy. Watching our daughter perform on stage; listening to our son describe the world he is creating in his imagination; hearing my wife sing … joy, joy, joy!

Experiencing the grace of God made known through the selfless love of others ... JOY!

The way to counteract the horrific suffering and violence that permeates the world is not via shallow, frivolous escape into silliness. Rather, the way is Christ’s way. The way is Christ. Christ who calls, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Gentless. Joy. Forward, march!

Spring Training Optimism

Somebody stop me. I'm starting to get an optimimstic feeling in my heart about the Kansas City Royals. I'm starting to get that "every year at this time because it's spring training and anything is possible" feeling. Can it be? From whence comes my hope?

Mike Jacobs, Coco Crisp added to the lineup.

A solid rotation of Meche, Greinke, Bannister, Hochevar, and Davies - not spectacular but strong.

Joakim Soria shutting them down from the bullpen.

I can't help but think Alex Gordon and Billy Butler are going to be better this year with a season more experience behind them.

That adds up to this nagging sense of hope that I just can't seem to shake! Am I setting myself up for a fall? Is this bubble going to be burst at some point over the next six months? I've been a fan so long, I've come to expect disappointment, so as not to be disappointed by it when it comes.

But maybe this year ...

I can't even finish that sentence!!!

Go Royals!

That's Two!

Two and OH MY! Royals beat Tigers - AGAIN!

No doubt about this one - Shutout! 4-0

What a Day To Be A Royals Fan!

This is the day. This one day. This day after opening day, when we as Kansas City Royals fans can celebrate. A day when Royals fans can say, “We are in first place in the division.” A day when we can say, “We are undefeated.” A day to savor for all that it is worth.

Today we can say, we have beaten the Tigers – the Detroit Tigers, considered by many to be one of the very best teams in all of baseball this year. We beat the Tigers, on the road, on opening day, in extra innings! It really doesn’t get much better than that – especially for Royals fans.

The winning pitcher was Leo Nunez, of all people! (My wife calls him “Little Leo.”) Alex Gordon has one of the sweetest swings – ever. And he absolutely CRUSHED that home run ball; it probably hasn’t come down yet. And Tony Pena Jr., if you can believe it, drove in the winning run in the eleventh inning. Tony freakin’ Pena!

Tomorrow – who knows? I don’t want to think about it. But today, my friends, it is time to celebrate. It is time to party. It is time to feel good in Kansas City! Royals win!

Also posted here.

All-Star Logic

Here's an observation:

The American League Central Division has 13 All-Stars. The National League Central Division has 11 All-Stars, despite having one more team than the AL Central. (In fact, the AL Central has more All-Stars than any division in baseball.)

The obvious conclusion to this data set is that the Kansas City Royals are a much better baseball team than the St. Louis Cardinals.

Here's my logic. Both teams got one All-Star, Gil Meche for KC and Albert Pujols for St. Louis. But of the teams that each Missouri club has to play, KC's divisional opponents have 5, 3, 3, and 1 All-Star, whereas St. Louis's division rivals have 4, 2, 2, 1, and 1 All-Star. Clearly the AL Central is the superior division, and since a big chunk of the season is played in the division, it is understandable that the Royals have the record they do, though the Cardinals ought to be cleaning up in the relatively wimpy NL Central. The Royals have to play against 12 All-Stars on 4 teams, whereas the Cards only play against 10 All-Stars scattered over 5 different teams!

The data are irrefutable. The Royals are obviously the better team.

Royals Sweep Angels in Anaheim!

If you will indulge me, I would like to take this day's blogging time to just acknowledge this:

The Kansas City Royals just swept a three game series from the (formerly) hottest team in baseball.

On the road, even!

Go Royals!

More of the Same ...

Cards - 7
Royals - 3

But hey, it's only one game!

Champions of What, Now?

I know it's just one game, but let me pause a moment to say this:


Royals - 8


Cardinals - 1

Royals are Gil-tastic!

Rejoice, rejoice! Celebrate this day of days. The Kansas City Royals are in first place in the American League Central Division, beating Boston yesterday 7 - 1.

Kansas City fans know we must enjoy it now, because it will probably not last very long.

But hey - you gotta stop and smell the roses, right? Woo-Hoo! Go, Royals! We're number one! We're number one! We're number one!