Watching a Baseball Game without commercials

Can you even conceive of watching any sporting event on television, no matter the level of competition, and there not being any commercials?  No commercials when there are breaks in the play, and no commercials along the walls of the stands or on billboards.  I was shocked when I saw my first Cuban baseball game on TV, their number one in the world ranked professional team in qualifying games for the World Cup Tournament--and there were no advertisements in the stadium and no commercials between innings.  It was quite nice.

Can you picture a well-educated person (high school graduate) anywhere on the globe who has never heard of McDonalds?  I'll never forget finding someone who's never been seduced by the golden arches, (whose powerful seductive tactics successfully put Pinky's, a mexican-owned burger joint in Nogales, out of business). Our Cuban friend, Juany, who was gracious enough to drive us wherever we needed/ wanted to go while we were there, and I were in conversation. He was doing his best to answer my insatiable curiosity.  Trasie was hungry, and wondered where we could get something fast.  So I asked, jokingly, "Where's the nearest McDonalds?"  And he said, "What's that?"  I said, "McDonalds?  Are you serious? Have you never heard of McDonalds"
"What is it?" he said a little defensively.  I explained.  He tried to liken it to a Cuban (not) equivalent: DiTu.
I told him that it made my trip that he had never heard of McDonalds!

When I think about societal values and priorities, I think of my daughter, Ruby Gene who is 20 months old. She, like all children, will be bombarded by advertisements and commercials telling her of her lack of self worth, while promising to help her deficiencies.  So many are addicted to purchasing and consuming.  So many buy magazines and products in hopes that their physical bodies will be enhanced and more attractive.  It was amazing to be around kids who were secure, and did not worry about what they did not have, as if they needed those things to feel better about themselves.  I wish that Ruby and all kids could be free from the jaws of marketing machines who will belittle them into buying and craving their worthless junk.

I loved watching that baseball game with no commercials or advertisements.  The time between innings was short (2 minutes?), and the conversation about the upcoming batters, or how the pitcher was fairing, or how the respective teams were prospecting for the World Cup was delightful.

Luke 18:1-8, Prayer: Use it or lose it

Luke 18:1-8: Use it or lose it.
Oct 17, 2010 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe


Use it or lose it. Doesn’t that seem to be what Jesus is talking about here. Use Prayer or Lose Hope.


Prayer. What is prayer? Jesus’ Disciples weren’t sure, so they asked that Jesus teach them to pray. What do we think of when we say, I’m praying for you? What about when a the president--the commander and Chief-- says his prayers are with the family and loved ones of the recent soldier who died in Iraq? We pray for Haitians, for the homeless, for the miners in Chile.


For those miners in Chile, prayer seemed to have meant a lot....Of the many pictures that were taken of the miners and their rescue from the San Jose mine, one was of Esteban Rojas, 44, who, after 70 days trapped, stepped out from the lift and, before he greeted anyone, knelt to pray. One miner said: “The 70 days that we fought so hard were not in vain. We had strength, we had spirit, we wanted to fight, we wanted to fight for our families, and that was the greatest thing." One miner’s wife gave birth to a baby girl while her husband was trapped...she named her, Esperanza, Hope. Prayer, Hope.


The evangelist Luke begins this parable by saying, “Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not lose hope.” Their need. Our need. What are our needs? Do we need to pray? Do we have a tendency to lose hope? How are prayer and hope related? Use it or lose it.


In this world there is so much that can cause us to lose hope. You can’t escape potential exposure to the “lose hope” disease. You can catch it watching the morning news, or reading the paper. You can catch the lose hope disease when you show up at your job that seems pointless and your boss is nagging at you. What about your family member who can’t kick a drug habit. Or age and decay begins to get the best of you or your loved one.... Or when you still can’t live up to your parents expectations no matter how much you try. Bickering do nothing politicians. Apathetic citizens. An environment on the verge of collapse. “Lose hope” disease spreads like the plague...It is quite debilitating And can lead to several reactions...You know what they are when things seem hopeless. But Jesus says, our need is to pray and not lose hope.


There’s a neighbor down the street who has two interesting pieces of Christian propoganda. A bumper Sticker: Jesus is Lord over Santa Fe. And another, a sign, like a campaign sign that you stick in the ground, that says: “Prayer Changes things” Well, life is constantly changing, tectonic plates move, kids grow up and leave home, how do we know what prayer’s role is in this?


The example Jesus uses is great: A poor widow who knows her rights, demands her rights. She’s a firecracker of a woman, that I wouldn’t want to go toe to tow with. She isn’t going to give up until the day she dies. And her case was most likely one of life and death. Widows were among the most vulnerable in 1st century Palestinian society, and since she is having to advocate for herself, she does not have a son or a father to do the dirty work for her. She is alone, she most likely has been exploited (property) in her vulnerability, and so her example is a prayer for justice. The Judge has successfully blown off most people in his career, he doesn’t fear God otherwise he would take the widow’s side as the law says, and he has no respect for people...she could be his mother, but he doesn’t care. But she’s not going to let that stop her. So she goes to him demanding JUSTICE again, and again, and again, and again and again...and again and again....and again and again....


One of the ancient manuscripts says of his change of heart: Because this woman keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not finally come and slap me in the face!


The example of this woman is not only inspiring but it helps to ground us in our own understanding of prayer. Prayer is not simply some bratty adolescent demanding over and over that he get what he wants; like a new car or a new video game system. Not even a sweet little 20 month year old saying: late late late, That’s Ruby Genes’ word for chocolate. Chocolate.
She learned that word quickly at the famous Cuban Chocolate Museum.


This woman’s prayer demands Justice.
So again we get deeper into what Jesus was talking about when he said that our need is to pray in the face of injustices, when we feel helpless and alone, when our world seems to be caving in on us...we Pray so that we don’t lose hope, so that we don’t give up the fight. And examples of this are the best kinds of stories.


My sister, 38 with two young kids, diagnosed with breast cancer, She asked, can you pray, and we did and she did. She didn’t want to give up hope. She is now cancer free. One day, she will die, we all do, but the important thing was that she didn’t give up hope. Pray... don’t give up hope.


Those people who march at the intersection of St Francis and Cerrillos who call for peace..an end to a senseless war, after 7 long years . They have this widow’s persistence. And Jesus says their need to pray and not give up hope. Let’s not give up hope, and keep praying these wars will come to an end! Pray, don’t give up hope
I was reading a book this week called The Prayer Tradition of Black People, (Harold a. Carter) which talks about the power and understanding of prayer in a community of people who have faced centuries of oppression and violent opposition. When Israel was in Egypt’s land, slaves under Pharaoh, they turned to the one power available, prayer. When the Black people were in bondage in the new world, they, too, turned to prayer. The hard forces of a cruel and inhuman existence force on them the necessity to pray.


Harriet Tubman, a slave of extraordinary powers, was convinced her leadership was given to her through prayers to God. Her freedom, which she eventually won, was not for selfish purposes. This brave woman returned so often to the South, freeing slaves, that a bounty of $40,000 was placed upon her head, dead or alive.
On one occasion, she instructed a messenger: Read my letter to the old folks, and give my love to them, and tell my brothers to be always watching unto prayer, and when the good old ship of Zion comes along, to be ready to step aboard.
Someone who knew her said: For in truth I never met with any person, of any color, who had more confidence in the voice of God, as spoken direct to her soul. She has frequently told me that she talked with God, and he talked with her every day of her life, and she has declared no more fear of being arrested by her former master, or any other person....
Her faith in a Supreme Power truly was great.” Harold A. Carter, The prayer Trasdition of Black People, 100-101. 1976, Gateway Press.


Prayer is an act of Resistance, A means of wearing down the powers that be. Isn’t that how we think of it?
Prayer is the substance that defies all odds and says we can live for another day, and hope for things to come.
Right?


I saw this in the Cuban church where I served as pastor last month. After the coup de ta in 1959, many churches were left almost empty because people left the country, or because they were discouraged from going to churches. So, by 1965, the church in San Antonio de los Baños was left with 6 to 7 people. I spoke with two of the women, sisters, who were part of this small group. Consuelo who is 95 and in an wheel-chair but has the fire of the Holy Spirit in her eyes...And Caridad, who will be 90 in February, and doesn’t hold back from giving her testimony. For 25 years every Thursday, the same small group would open up the church and study the bible. For 25 years, every Sunday the same small group would open the church doors: read scripture, pray, sing hymns, and go on their way. I had seen a picture of the youth group in 1942, in which there were over 30 youth and young adults. I asked Consuelo and Caridad...what was it like to have had so many, and to then for 25 years to be so few in church? How did you keep going? Caridad without hesitating, said
“If God is for us, who can be against us;
“He promised: I will not leave you orphans.
“God works out for good in those who follow him


Sometimes, they has pressures from the outside to close the church doors for good. They refused. And one day, 25 years later, a young man, Daniel Izquierdo, shows up...and becomes their lay pastor. And slowly, with his guitar in hand, and the people still on bended knee, people start coming around. The societal pressure to not practice any religion lessens, and people start to come around. Daniel goes to seminary and then comes back, people are still coming around. There were 92 people in church my first Sunday there in San Antonio....And the church was buzzing with life and kids and young adults.
In the same building where only 25 years earlier there had been only 6 or 7. And we were participating in a pastoral exchange...!


What does this testimony say about the need for prayer so that we don’t lose hope? What does it say about the relevance and vitality possible in a community of faith that prays? What does it say about our churches (a denominational critique), where we are closing doors and not helping out other churches in our presbyteries and denomination because they have lost membership and can’t afford a pastor? What if there are a faithful few praying there.... Can we help them out?


I love Jesus reminding me, inspiring me of my need to pray, of our need to pray, so that we don’t give up hope in the face of whatever circumstances are keeping us distant from God. Prayer, even when we don’t know how to pray, says, I’m going to look beyond myself, I’m going to seek God in my life and in this world. Such a powerful story of a persistent widow up against this unjust judge.


But, to be honest, sometimes I get lazy. I get complacent. I don’t intentionally pray. Why not? I’ve heard that a pastor’s primary role is to help teach the congregation to pray. Well, I wrote Grace this week who was doing the prayers of the people, and told her that this task was not always easy for me...and how glad I was for the deacon minstry of prayer, and that she was leading the people in prayer this Sunday, teaching us to pray. I’ve been wondering, why is it that I’m not always praying...I’ve thought that I’ve needed to be more disciplined. But, why does prayer have to become a discipline rather than a need; Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray.


I don’t think it’s because we live in a utopia where there are not injustices. Are we just lulled to sleep in our relatively comfortable lives? Is it because we are intoxicated by a lust for things and power which distract us from the injustices and oppressive forces around us? Or have we have no fear of God and no respect for anyone? Maybe many of us in our society, can relate better to the judge...even thought we won’t admit it. Than we do the persistent widow.


Maybe...but there is hope...What if we can turn this parable around a bit, what if this widow is an image for God. And we, as individuals, as the church, as a society, are like the judge who don’t fear god and don’t care for people. But God, like that widow, keeps coming to us, day in day out, knocking at our door, sending us letters, making telephone calls, saying I WANT JUSTICE! YOU ARE MY PEOPLE! DO THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM FOR WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO DO! To the point that we might just get slapped in the face.


Maybe that would be the wake up call many of us need, to recognize our need to get back down on our knees, so that we don’t lose hope, and we can continue to fight the good fight to which we have been called. And we pray everyday, Our Father who art in Heaven. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done. Amen

Joshua Nesbitt for Heisman

Avid Georgia Tech fan. Here is a sampling of who the Jackets are this season, including Heisman candidate, quarterback Joshua Nesbitt.

First, coach Paul Johnson. A guru for college football.  He is taking Tech to the promised land:


Second, Anthony Allen.  He is a powering "b-back" or running back. He will be on many highlights films this year:  Here he is responding to an ESPN analyst's pick that the Jackets would not repeat as ACC champs (this is a must view):
http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/11489/sort/newest/georgia-techs-allen-sends-a-message

And finally, the heisman candidate himself:
http://www.nesbitt4heisman.com/nesbitt/

Most of this is hype.  More videos to come when the Jackets hit the field in 3 days.

Muslims in New York City

The muslim community center proposed to be build in downtown NYC near "ground zero", has resulted in much outrage from people who are worried about what it means for a muslim community to be established near the place of an attack that popular America says was a Mulsim attack on America, Sept 11, 2001.

I was a little shocked this was even an issue.

I don't really have much to say against the building of the community center.  I have too many Muslim friends and colleagues to pretend like I can categorize all Muslims as terrorists. That's not even possible to put so many people of the worlds second largest religion in a box like that.

But here are some reactions against those who protest the development of the project:

CNN Host, Fareed Zakaria, returns ADL award as protest over Ground Zero mosque

A Presbyterian minister in NYC, whose life, interestingly enough will have significant intersection with mine over the next several years, posts his thoughts here.

And finally, from the syndicated radio program: Native American Calling.  This program, aired on Aug 18, 2010, reflects on how Native Americans have faced similar opposition in the past.

Who are we America?  WWJD?

Luke 14:1-15 - “Backscratchin’ Party”

Westminister Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe

August 29, 2010, Chester Craig Topple

Do you ever get an itch...while your just sitting in a chair reading, eating, or watching TV, and you try to scratch it but you can’t quite get to it, you reach around, you stretch your arms, you search for some kind of relief.  It gets so bad you have to stand up. What can you do?  just. can’t. reach.  The wall?  A fake wooden hand? Where is a backscratcher when you need it?  

higher higher a little to the left, little more...there, ahhh.

I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine.  Those are good people to have around.

quid pro quo - Something for something.  Do me a favor now, you’ll be sure to get on in return.

It is a very utilitarian way of looking at the world.  We associate with certain people because we know we can get something out of the relationship, and perhaps that person is just as likely to get something out of it to.  In other words, how useful are you to me? How useful am I to you? We all have backs that itch a lot...So we have to see who may be willing to give us a little scratch...

Even 2000 years ago people sought out useful relationships.  Jesus is at a party at a pharisee’s house.  Sounds a little weird....Jesus at a party and he is at a pharisee’s home.  He had been invited by a leader of the religious establishment to hang out...or maybe to be trapped. We don’t know. Jesus didn’t seemed bothered by it either way. He went.

But before he goes inside...he sees someone outside the party.  In fact he was standing right in front of him; almost blocking his way to the door. Someone with a terrible condition- dropsy, swelling-- that leaves him a social outcast...and Jesus couldn’t just walk past him, before going to the party. Jesus heals the man (fourth time he heals on the Sabbath day in Luke--in case you were counting). The man goes away... and in the story doesn’t even say thank you.

Then Jesus goes in and sees all the to do and putting on.  People sitting here are moved to there.  “Why, you are a very important to me, please, come sit here.” “Hi Friend, yes you. You are nice, but you don’t quite meet my needs like this fella here...you mind sliding over?”

Jesus suggests that people should sit far from the place of honor and then get moved up.  And let me tell you, some in this church have done that pretty well...only a few like to sit close to the front....and it’s not to get close to me, no, it’s to get close to (point to the painting). He’s the one who is hosting this party right now...and he’s right there!). The point Jesus is trying to make: The one exalted will be humbled, the one humbled will be exalted.  Don’t think yourself better than anyone else….The humble Jesus exalted on the cross. The humbled Jesus, exalted in resurrection.

WPC Grasshoppers

I was very proud that with the help of Bruce Webster, I was able to organize enough able bodied people in a very last minute fashion (we literally registered 10 minutes before registration ended at Big 5) for a church softball team consisting of friends and members of the church.  We finalized the roster before our first game.  Here are the names (question marks indicate not sure)
ROSTER PLAYERS
Rachelle L
Allan G
Chester T
Trasie T
Donna Ormerod
Keri Brinegar
Cliff W
Julie W
Antonio L
Elizabeth J
Andrew B
Jennifer T
Milee G-R
Gabe R
James R
Mikaela A
Arlene O
? Jennifer P
?  Steve B
?  Dan Guevara
?  Lynette Guevara

Bruce agreed to be the team manager.  A role he took very seriously.

He tried to organize us. Here are some sample valiant email attempts:

Uniform T-shirt fee:  $13.50

League fee:  $31.00

cash or check payable to Chester Topple

Chester-Allan and Rachelle wrote that they paid you for t-shirts

any questions, ask Chester

And then another email responding to a question from Keri B:

Keri,

In previous e-mails I have specified that I am collecting $31.00 league fees, with the caveat that this fee was not final.  Chester paid the $550 league fee, so he has the final word.

There are fees that include softball purchase for games and possible equipment purchase for team.  Right now we have only Chester's bat.

I have not been too specific with other associated costs because team member's have trouble remembering values for t-shirts or league fees--apparently it is too complicated.

Do you want to be the manager?

Best,
Bruce

And before our first game:

GRASSHOPPERS,

I talked to Manny of SFe Softball and he said we did NOT need to put numbers on t-shirts tonight (Royal Blue t's or as close as you can come to that color).

Anyone volunteering to pitch?

Andrew- I will need your help sorting through rules.

Anu-Do you want to help with scorekeeping?

Chester and Julie- Please pass on to Los Reyes' y Los Guevara's

Finally another sample of his attempts:

1.  Below is the link for our team schedule, we are THE GRASSHOPPERS.
http://santafesoftball.com/schedule.php?month=999&year=999&pfv=n&leagueid=1&season=20&conference=71&division=70&team=765

2.  We are a re-cre-a-tion-al co-ed team representing WPC.  We have Chester's $40 bat (legal bats for our league can be over $200).  We have inexperienced members on our team.  We are mostly church members.  Please "keep your cool and let it ride."  We are there to have fun.

3.  Play safe.  I am glad to see no injuries, 'cept for Milee's shins.  LOL.

4.  Show up 30 minutes early (females especially).  I will try to be 30 mins early this week.

5.  We are going to try a 2-inning rotation.  You are out in the field twice and how we are hitting will determine number of times that you bat.

6.  PRACTICE on Thursday, 630pm, Alto St fields.  (Don't forget to go to batting cage sometime this week).

7.  GAMETIME Friday,5/21,830 pm (show up at 8pm), FIELD #1, we are HOME team

Have a good week and hope to see you Thurs for practice,
Bruce

he tried to motivate us....We lost our first game in dramatic fashion 17-0.
Here are his reflections after the game:

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother GRASSHOPPER

Hola,

Well, I think we learned a lot last night as we took our whippin' 17-0.  But, we had fun.

For future games, I am going to need someone to step up and provide some coaching.  Last night, I was muy ocupado with keeping score (HOME team responsibility) and line-up and substitutions.

There are batting cages in Santa Fe and ABQ for getting in batting practice.  I suggest that you take advantage of those facilities.

I suggest that you practice throwing a ball and playing catch with someone.

In the immortal words of Crash Davis:
"This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains."

See y'all next Friday,
Bruce

And coach us:

Greetings,

We are NOT the Home team, so I do NOT have to keep score--so hopefully I can be more "nurturing" as your manager.  Hahahaha.

Be there at 6pm.  Let me know if you will not be able to participate.  Keri is out since she has previous engagement.

Just some notes to remember since we do not practice.

1.  Do not stand still after ball is hit.  Basemen (y mujeres) cover your bases.  Outfielders & pitcher & catcher move to back up play in case of overthrow.

2.  Wait for your pitch.  This is slow pitch softball.  You will have time.  Attempt OFF-hitting meaning hit between 1st y 2nd base.  Hit behind runner for sacrifice.

3.  When the ball is popped up and coming towards you or near you--call for it by yelling,"I GOT IT!!!"  If someone calls for the ball, move to back up in case the ball somehow gets by him/her.

4.  Do NOT get injured.  This is recreation, there are no slow softball scouts in the stands looking to "discover" you.

Seeya manana,
Bruce Webster
505.608.0021

We were not a very responsive group: and we didn't do so well.  Regrettably (now because I thought it was a good move at the time) He ended up resigning after our fourth or fifth game we had to forfeit during which he and I got into a little scuffle (we both were pretty heated, but..good resurrection story, we fell apart Friday, but made up Sunday).

Steve Brugger ended up managing/ organizing for the rest of the season, and did so enthusiastically. We won our first two games after he became manager.  However, we lost steam, people were inconsistent, and our final game ended in a whimper as only 6 or 7 people showed up and we ended up scrimmaging the other team.

I had fun at the games I went to, but our schedule was very busy this summer and we missed several games.  Milee, Gabe, James, Stever and Rebecca were definitely our most consistent and dedicated players.  Jamie Martinez was next once she was added to the team.

I was cleaning out emails recently and came across a whole bunch from Bruce in regards to the grasshoppers.  I was impressed.  I wrote him to tell him thanks, and to sympathize a bit:

You Did try! I'm cleaning out emails. This Grasshopper group was a hard one to work with. 

Thanks for your time yesterday. And good scripture readin'

His response was classic (note: he was the scripture reader in church that morning and he references the passage he read.

Yes, I saw great potential in the Grasshoppers...that was left unrealized...and now I will tell you what I will do to the Grasshoppers. I will remove the Grasshoppers' hedge, and the Grasshoppers shall be devoured; I will break down the Grasshoppers' wall, and the Grasshoppers shall be trampled down.  I will make the Grasshoppers a waste; the Grasshoppers shall not be pruned or hoed, and the Grasshoppers shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon the Grasshoppers.  


(Yeah, I might still be a little bitter...jajaja)


Hopefully we can regroup during the off-season and get em Grasshoppers next year!!!

Thanks to Bruce for all he did as the first ever WPC GRASSHOPPER MANAGER!!

I'm gonna sing...I'm gonna shout

Music has a funny way of getting under our skin and into our heart and soul. Songs that are familiar or have a catchy tune have a pervasive way into our psyche. We've seen it before. People who don't like to dance, who can't help but tap their foot to the beat.

Rev. Richard Avery has been the music director for WPC for a little over a year now. He has a unique style- both of leading music and musical selection-one that has taken some longer to get used to than others. But, he takes his role very seriously and reverently, and sees the way music can transform an experience of God.

This past weekend we were at our annual Church Familly Camp at Loma Verde. This is one of the perks of my job...getting to go camping with whomever shows up in a very rustic and beautiful place outside of Taos, NM. The camp is called Loma Verde. Dick drove an hour and a half drive with Cindy Piatt to not only come to worship, but also to help lead the singing.  As we sang familiar songs and hymns, I looked around and saw people singing, tapping their feet, patting their legs...getting moved by the spirit. It did not escalate into dancing and shouting, but we made a joyful noise to our Lord in that beautiful gathering place at Loma Verde.  Thanks be to God for Rev. Avery and for music!