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Post by Boston Red Sox on May 27, 2023 12:10:58 GMT
Day 59 Week 8
When your day is starting to drag a little, try loving someone with a little kindness and appreciation. It's so easy to do. Reach
out in person, or via any one of the numerous venues available to us. Old friends you haven't contacted in ages are a great place to start. It will make their day and they will make yours!
Message Bible: Psalm 18:1 "I love you, God - you make me strong."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on May 28, 2023 11:36:13 GMT
Day 60 Week 8
Our God is the God of love. When you feel a need for more Love, come to Him and let Him lavish it upon you. The most effective way to love people is to allow His love to flow through you and into them. His Spirit lives inside you, and you can ask Him to love others through you.
Message Bible: 2 Corinthians 13:11 "And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on May 29, 2023 15:24:29 GMT
Day 61 Week 9 Through eight weeks only  the Mighty Mets (86) and Twice Champ Cubs (80) kept their perfect records intact with easy wins. They shouldn't look over their shoulders. Only one game back in third place prowls the Powerful Padres (85) who won their sixth straight. The White Sox (71.5) proved their metal last week with their fifth win in-a-row knocking the Giants (60.5) into a three-way tie for 5th with the Cardinals (66) and the Astros (67) who outlasted my bothersome but luckless Red Sox (32) on Sunday. The Mariners (63) hold down the eighth spot with their second win in-a-row. Tied for 10th: the Athletics (63.5) and the Royals (58) who both lost and slipped to an even .500. The bottom feeders had a couple of bright spots. The Rockies (40) won their second straight and the Braves (40) won their first of the year. Squeaker of the week went to the Pale Hose with a single save. OTH! Sure glad my Bosox get to face them this week. NOT. Stat leaders for week 8: Home runs - Padres/Astros (13) Runs - Mariners (43) RBIs - Astros (43) Swipes - Mariners (10) AVG - Mariners (.300) "Ks" - Red Sox (85) ERA - Cardinals (1.47) WHIP - Cardinals (0.980) W+QS - White Sox (14) SVh - Cubs/Padres - (11) Key matchups for this week: Powerful Padres try to make it seven in-a-row over a very tough Cardinal squad. Gonna be a good one. The focus for the week is an easy pick. It's Memorial Day. The day we set aside to appreciate all those who have given their last full measure of devotion. Bless them for their sacrifice. May we show our gratitude. That's our focus. Gratitude. Message Bible: Psalm 107:1 "Oh, thank God - He's so good! His love never runs out." As a Memorial Day bonus, I give you one of the reasons I am alive today to play this great game. DIVINE INTERVENTION # 2 – Vietnam 1965 I was barely 19 years old and aboard the “USS Independence,” The “Big I”, one of three carriers in the Tonkin Gulf, was the “night carrier.” We operated from 3 PM in the afternoon to 8 AM in the morning. I was part of a flight deck ordinance crew (pictured above) assigned to VF – 41, a squadron of F – 4b Phantoms. On this particularly memorable evening, our squadron was in support of a Marine company pinned down in the jungles off of Da Nang. Their situation was dire and we were doing everything we could to make things difficult for the Vietcong. It was about 3 AM in the morning and our first flight of Phantoms could not find the target because of the immense storm that was currently raging. They returned to the ship and against all protocol did not jettison their ordinance, as the plan was to refuel them and send them right back out. They landed, taxied to the bow and then the plan changed: they had rescheduled another quartet of phantoms that were currently fueled and turning up in the stern, ready to launch. They only needed the ordinance from the planes in the bow. My job. My mate, Richard Gladden, and myself, were pushing a bomb skid with a pair of Mk 81 (250lb) bombs strapped one on top of the other. The blackness of the night was enhanced by the tropical downpour. The wind whipped, the rain was blowing sideways, and the ship rolled, but undeterred, we pushed aft. In order to save time, we didn’t remove the fuses, and set off straight down the deck. Three arresting gear wires needed to be navigated. If you got up enough speed you could jump the thick steel cable. We went over the first two without a hitch. As we approached the third, the ship rolled, and we lost crucial momentum. We hit the wire without enough speed to make the jump. The skid lurched to a stop and the irrefutable laws of physics took over. Things in motion tend to stay in motion. The top bomb slipped out of its strap and plunged down hard to the steel deck and onto the fuse. At that moment, the roaring of the jet engines and the howling of the storm were instantly muted and I could clearly hear the pounding of my heart. We looked at each other in disbelief. The bomb had not detonated. It should have. But it didn’t. We didn’t wait long before putting the bomb back on the skid (sans broken fuse) and completed our mission. We never talked about it. I never forgot. Thank you, God for having other plans for me. And on this Memorial Day we remember those who lost their lives in the service of our country. Rest in peace. For those who are curious, I am kneeling on the right side of the photo. Richard is next to me. |
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Post by Boston Red Sox on May 30, 2023 11:35:00 GMT
Day 62 Week 9
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to forget about ordinary courtesy. Because people are being paid for the service they render, we forget that a kind word of appreciation could change their duty into a blessing.
Message Bible: Colossians 3:17 "Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
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Post by San Francisco Giants on May 31, 2023 1:22:26 GMT
Great Vietnam story, thank you for your service 👍🏼
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2023 1:54:13 GMT
Great story, Ralph. Glad that God had something else planned for you that day. Thank you for your service.
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Post by Boston Red Sox on May 31, 2023 11:44:58 GMT
Day 63 Week 9
The habit of saying "thank you" enriches every aspect of our lives. It costs nothing but creates so much joy for both the giver and receiver.
Message Bible: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 1, 2023 12:02:58 GMT
Day 64 Week 9
Always be ready to express thanks. Thanks is just a short synonym for vocalized appreciation. Keep it on the tip of your tongue. Use it often. You will then discover how much joy you can bring to others.
Message Bible: Psalm 100:4 " Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 2, 2023 11:31:48 GMT
Day 65 Week 9
If this "thankfulness" is true on a human level, how much more should we express gratitude toward our Heavenly Father. Can we do it enough? Never. Can we do it more than yesterday? Go for it. Praise Him high, low, inside and out. Praise Him every day in every way.
Message Bible: Psalm 147:7 "Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 3, 2023 11:55:24 GMT
Day 66 Week 9
Got a little time on your hands? Waiting for a delivery, standing in line for something? Try this. Start counting your blessings!
You will be surprised at the length of blessings in your life and those that you love. Turn that list back to God and express your gratitude.
Message Bible: Colossians 1:11-12 "We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy,
12 thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 4, 2023 11:38:12 GMT
Day 67 Week 9
God gave us everything and gave us His all. We seldom say "thank you." But when we do, our spirit is set free and we experience a joy and a blessing that could only come from God. Thank Him today. Do it now!
Message Bible: 1 Corinthians 15:57 "But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three - sin, guilt, death - are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!"
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 5, 2023 12:32:32 GMT
Day 68 Week 10
Week ten finds the Mighty Mets (99) and the Twice-Champ Cubs (91) still cruising along with nine straight wins with the Powerful Padres (93) who won their seventy in-a-row, right on their heals only one game back. The Mets and Cubs won handily, while the Padres squeaked by the Cardinals (72) on the fleetness of a single SB. OTH! Only a half game behind in 4th place, the White Sox (81) won their sixth straight. The Astros (76) and the Giants (69.5) are tied for fifth. The tough luck Cards slipped to 7th, followed by the Mariners (68.5) who lost and slid to eighth, with the Royals (66.5) who were responsible, climbing into 9th. The ten spot, occupied by a trio: Athletics (68.5), Rays (60.5), Diamondbacks (59) all one game under.500. Bottom feeder "hero" Rockies (51) won their third straight and have their sights set on four-in-a-row and the top ten if they can get by the Dodgers (47) this week.
Stat leaders for week 9: Kiss it goodbyes - Cardinals/Astros (10) Runs - Mets (40) Mariners (43) RBIs - Astros, again (35) SB's - Diamondbacks (13) AVG - Cardinals (.302) "Ks" - White Sox (86) ERA - Astros (1.64) Astros - (0.955) W+QS - Mariners (12) SVh - Royals - (13) Already mentioned the squeaker of the week (see above.) Key matchups for week 10: Mets/Giants Mighty Mets look to keep it rolling while the Giants look to legitimize. Cardinals/Mariners, both currently looking to bounce back from tough week 9 "L's. My sad Bosox (36.5) finally get a matchup with a team not in the top 10 for the first time in over a month when the take on the Athletics. We're better than our 1-8 record. It would be a real joy to finally put some good days together and come up with "W" numero dos! Did you get how I snuck in this week's focus? Joy!
Message Bible: Philippians 4:4 "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!"
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 6, 2023 12:35:25 GMT
Day 69 Week 10
The hallmark of a Christian's life should be the joy with which he approaches each new day.
Message Bible: Job 8:21 "God will let you laugh again; you'll raise the roof with shouts of joy."
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 7, 2023 11:20:11 GMT
Day 70 Week 10
No matter how difficult the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we carry in our hearts the presence of God. And in the presence of God, there is fullness of joy.
Message Bible: Psalms 13:5-6 "I've thrown myself headlong into your arms - I'm celebrating your rescue.
6 I'm singing at the top of my lungs, I'm so full of answered prayers!"
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Post by Boston Red Sox on Jun 8, 2023 12:12:56 GMT
Day 71 Week 10
This joy is based in the knowledge that God is good and in control, and all things, no matter how they appear at the moment, will work out for our good. When things look bleak, remember that.
Message Bible: Psalms 16:11 "Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way."
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