PLAY BALL

Snippet

Jackie Robinson: “You want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight back?”  Branch Rickey: “No. I want a player who’s got the guts not to fight back.”  Jackie Robinson: “You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I’ll give you the guts.” From Movie 42

Scripture

I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

Song

The Ball Game by Sister Wynona Carr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0dMYEJEOEg

Life is a ball game

Bein' played each day

Life is a ball game

Everybody can play

Yes you know, Jesus standing at the home plate

He is waiting for you there

You know, the life is a ball game

But you've got to play it fast

The first phase is temptation

You know the second phase is sin

The third phase tribulation

If you pass, you can make it in

Old man Solomon is the umpire

And Satan pitchin' a game

He'll do his best, strike you out

He playin' just the same

You know, Daniel's up to bat first

You know, he pray three times a day

Yes Satan pitched him a fast ball

But he hit it anyway

Yes you know, Job is up to bat next

Satan's struck him in every way

But Job hit a home run

And he came on in that day

Yes you know, prayer is a strong bat

To hit at Satan's ball

And when you start to swing it

You got to give it your all and all

Yes you know, the priest gonna be your catcher

And on him you can depend

Oh Jesus standing at the home plate

And He is waiting for you to come in

Yes you know, Moses is on the sidelines

Waiting to be called

You know, the day he parted the Red Sea

Little price all and all

Then John came in the ninth inning

And the game was almost done

Then God gave John a vision

And he knew we'd already won

Yes you know life is a ball game

Being played each day

You know life is a ball game

Each and everybody can play

Yes you know, Jesus is standing at the home plate

He is waiting for you there

Well you know, life is a ball game

But you've got to play it fast

Sentence Prayer

God grant me wisdom,

to tell a strike from a ball,

to know where to throw

and never to fall.

 Keep me always in the base line,

running straight and true

and I'll look for your sign,

to stretch one into two.

 God give me vision,

to see every pitch,

so if a player needs help,

then I will see which.

 Let me always hustle,

so I'll be at my best

and take pride in myself,

in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,

when I throw the ball

when I'm far from home plate,

or against a wall.

 So I never miss a base,

please guide my feet,

bring me home safely,

so my job is complete.

 When I help younger players,

let me always give praise,

so they'll see you in me,

in all of my ways.

 God please guide our coach,

to be fair and smart,

to teach us to be good,

let it come from his heart.

 Let me take a loss,

just as well as a win,

to do any less,

is surely a sin.

 As long as I can play,

let me make my parents proud,

as proud as I am,

when they yell MY name out loud.

 However my games end,

let me always have fun

and if Heaven has All Stars,

I want to be one.

 When my games here are over

and my seasons are done,

let me play on your team.

just like your son.

 Amen.