preaching: Coming Home (Prodigal God Wk 6: Luke 15)

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Ethics & Baseball.

As far as I can tell, Sam Wells' schema translates over to baseball as such:

Universal Ethics.

I don't even think I need to define who "we" is to go ahead and say, "We all hate the yankees."  These guys represent everything that's wrong with the MLB.  Big money, no empathy for the little guy, no creativity or theo-athletic imagination.  These guys are definately about decisions and not people, particularly in the off-season and around trade deadlines.

Subversive Ethics.

Bent on stickin' it to the Man (the Man's name is George Steinbrenner).  Billy Beane is the Gustavo Gutiérrez of beisbol.  Joe Morgan brings his categorical imperative to every AL West game he broadcasts.  Supreme Billy-Ball hater.  You really wanna root for them, but they don't do you any favors not having made the playoffs since 2006, trading anyone and everyone who could help them, and playing in the Pacific time zone.

Ecclesial Ethics.

Likable underdog.  Well-loved around the hallowed halls of DDS.  In some ways doomed to failure, but relying on some sense of eschatological divine justice.  Hauerwas, shockingly a Cubbie fan, once even likened cheering for the boys from the North Side to pacifism, "This commitment [becoming a Cubs fan] came at the same time I was convinced by John Howard Yoder that I had to become a pacifist.  I like to think being a Cubs fan and being a pacifist are closely linked- namely, both commitments teach you that life is not about winning."  God indeed has given them everything they need, except a pennant.

Sympathy for the Devils

I must first disclaim that I am a Duke graduate student.  I was a bit excited about this past Monday’s victory.  

I enjoy the buzz.  The excitement.  The idea that I am, in some small way part of something big, special, victorious.

I didn’t grow up a Duke fan, but was sort of grafted in, if you will.  I didn’t go to Indy for the game.  I didn’t even go to Cameron to watch with the blue huddled masses.  I watched at my house, with some friends.  These friends, by and large, were (temporary) Butler supporters (aka Carolina fans).

How quickly have I forgotten my black and white Floridian upbringing: Seminoles=Good, Gators=BAD.  

Now, in a new place, with new people I couldn’t understand the static between these two Triangle rivals.  My thinking went, “Well, UNC’s out, might as well ‘root for the home team/ACC team/etc’?!”  I forgot how absurd this is for ardent sports fans, myself included, how rooting for one team necessarily excludes the other.  But also how great it feels when your rival complements you or roots you on, despite your history.

But I’ve seen exceptions to the hard-and-fast fandom: a through-and-through Tarheel admitting some respect for Coach K when he pulled the starters early in a blowout.  Even Mark recognizes the intensity, coaching, and teamwork of an under-talented champion. I have no illusions that Carolina will stop referring to my school as Dook, or that Duke will put away their GTHC cheers.  But, I have seen a bit of civility, a bit of reason.  Perhaps even a bit of identification, sympathy, and admiration.

Perhaps, it’s a bit of a stretch, but these are the makings of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5).  Getting your boast under control and having our opinions about others crucified and resurrected.  Then been free to start afresh, to unmask the silly divisions.  Admitting that someone else has done a good job, that they’re worthy, that your former frustration might have been a bit of jealousy, but now can be channeled into sincere, positive words.  This kind of interaction causes us to look at our selves, at the other person/team/group…, and back at ourselves.  When that happens we end up a bit disoriented, a bit confused at why we were so convinced at our difference in the first place.

Sure Duke’s team may be filled with obnoxious little scrappers and Carolina might be a bunch of NBA-bound thoroughbreds, none of that will change anytime soon.  But each side is fooling itself if they think they’re all that different.  They are both excellent.  They each have their strong suits and weaknesses (this year the scales were a bit tilted).  Even in UNC’s down-year, Duke can learn some things from that program: particularly how to win, then not meet up to high expectations, and then how to rebound (I’m sure Harrison Barnes will be helpful at writing this chapter).  And perhaps even in the midst of their worst recent season, Carolina can admire, learn from, or at least respect Duke’s program and season.

Who have you convinced yourself is unlikeable, too different to even bother having your mind changed?  

What weaknesses in yourself cause you to resent others?  

What strengths in others are you jealous of?  

When have you been surprised at someone else’s joy at your joy?

What boasts do you hold onto, even when they are dying or dead?

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Congrats Duke!

Kinda cool that Rach and I are now tied for Grad School B-ball victories during or post-graduation.  Great season and a great finale!  Butler was worthy and scrappy.  Had my mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial all not gone into this school over the past two and next one years, I probably would have been going for them.

Rach's first game in Cameron this year:

rach's first game in cameron from chris breslin on Vimeo.

Now on to the pep ralley, class, and working to defend our Campus Intramural Softball Crown!

praying: For Super Bowl Sunday

Far from a Lord-give-us-victory-&-safety prayer I was struck at the self-critique and repentance evident in this one. May the fellowship and pleasure we share today hold with it a tinge of repentance and conviction. Amen.

The world of fast money,

and loud talk,

and much hype is upon us.

We praise huge men whose names will linger only briefly.

We will eat and drink,

and gamble and laugh,

and cheer and hiss,

and marvel then yawn.

We show up, most of us, for such a circus,

and such an indulgence.

Loud clashing bodies,

violence within rules,

and money and merchandise and music.

And you-today like everyday-

you govern and watch and summon;

you glad when there is joy in the earth,

But you notice our litanies of disregard and

our litanies of selves made too big,

our fascination with machismo power,

and lust for bodies and for big bucks.

And around you gather today, as every day,

everywhere uninvited, but noticed acutely by you,

those disabled and gone feeble,

those alone and failed,

those uninvited and shamed.

And you whose gift is more than "super,"

overflowing, abundant, adequate, all sufficient.

The day of preoccupation with creature comforts writ large.

We pause to be mindful of our creatureliness,

our commonality with all that is small and vulnerable exposed,

your creatures called to obedience and praise.

Give us some distance from the noise,

some reserve about the loud success of the day,

that we may remember that our life consists

not in things we consume

but in neighbors we embrace.

Be our good neighbor that we may practice

your neighborly generosity all through

our needy neighborhood.

-From Walter Brueggemann's Prayers for a Privileged People

Farewell to Bobby Bowden!

“I guess I'll retire someday if I live that long.”- Bobby Bowden

*Photo Taken of my brother (the not-shy blonde kid in the clip on) and

a composed me (behind him) with Bobby in the early 90's at the Daytona Beach QB Club.

As we watched Bobby plant the spear in the middle of the field and proceed to win his final game in fitting fashion, with class and dignity, I was shocked at how much emotion I felt. After all, I've never been alive for a Florida State football game that didn't have Bobby at the helm. Bobby's awe-shucks (or more accurately "Dadgummit") demeanor and candor throughout the years has been a mainstay. Though many, including myself at times, have concluded in the past decade that the game has passed him by and there is no longer room for someone with such ease and temperament in the game any longer, his final win provided a hopeful capstone. These guys do win in the end. A spry octogenarian can go out on top (even if that "top" is unfortunately defined as merely a Gator Bowl win). Even his most noted critics are silenced in the end. I count my self fortunate and certainly one of the least to have had my life touched and my childhood shaped by the legacy of this Godly and genuine man.

teaching: Mandela ESPY video for the Arthur Ashe Award

I'm showing this video at our weekly "Reconciling All Things" book study tomorrow as an example of Chapter 6's Hope in a Broken World. It seems these stories of faith and counter-intuitive/-cultural brave moves give us hope, encouragement, and example for our ministry of reconciliation to God and others.

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update X

I can't really complain about this week. I certainly had a better one than Luis Castillo. I think the fellas just need to keep chipping away, Longoria is on the way back and Vlad is looking to return to form.

Baseball is a harbor, a seclusion from failure that really matters, a playful utopia in which virtuosity can be savored to the third decimal place of a batting average. ~Mark Kramer

screening: Man From Plains; Bigger, Faster, Stronger; Son of Rambow

Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains
This Jonathan Demme documentary focuses on Former President Carter's book tour for the controversial book on Palestine & Apartheid. Being born under the Reagan administration and due to the apparent unpopularity of Carter following his only term, I had little to no knowledge about the man. The doc reveals a candid, genuine, relentlessly active, and graciously peace-seeking man. Perhaps the most gratifying moments come when he is asked about his wife, of whom he beams with affection, or when we see his yound publicist scramble to keep up with such an old timer as he builds Habitat homes, grants endless interviews, flys around the country in coach seating, teaches bible study at his church in Americus, or attends a pig-picken. Carter must forever beheld as the gold-standard for post-term presidential activity.

Bigger, Stronger, Faster
This gem of a documentary features the rare blend of satire and sarcasm along with honesty and charity. Exploring not only the Western (mostly American, but also Ben Johnson) fascination with and dependence on steriods and their benefits. The director details he and his bookend brothers' childhoods and their divergent paths to strength and fitness (his brothers chose roids, he despises them). He remembers watching Hulk Hogan intently as he was promised all of his childhood dreams as long as he ate right, exercised, and said his prayers. The film's fulcrum is not on some sort of demonozation of anabolic steriods but rather an examination of why we do what we do and why what we say we value and what we actually do tend to play out quite differently. Quite a provocative and enjoyable watch for sports fan or social psychologist alike.

Son of Rambow
I wouldn't have initially said that I would have shed a few tears at a movie combining the brit-innocence of Millions with the playfullness of Be Kind Rewind, but I did. This charming little indie film portrays the Plymouth Brethren raised (and repressed) Will and his blood brotherhood with the mischievious Lee Carter (his full name is always said by Will). Both kid actors are engaging, subtle, and hilarious. The script is imaginative and interesting. And the final product of their "Screen Test Contest" sequal to Rambo: First Blood, is brilliant. I have such an affection for sweet, simple, creative movies like this. You walk away with great appreciation for what you actually saw and the questions raised, rather than all the distractions and cheap short-cuts taken with blockbuster actors and cookie cutter plots.

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update IX

Just like my lagging and ailing Oakland A's, the fungoes have managed to string together a few weeks. Pitching is wanting to stabilize itself, but not quite there. Playing a bottom feeder this week, crucial for making up some ground.

"Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. More democratic." ~From the movie Bull Durham

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update VIII

Pitiful. I have no consistency. Nothing to hold up as a strong base on which to build. Here's to hoping next week's better, Vlad gets healthy, pitching comes around, and my opponent doesn't have the week of his life (for once).


"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." ~Robert S. Wieder

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update VII

Had my starting pitching not let me down this would have truly been a stalemate. For once I one out offensively at the neglect of my pitching & defense. I fear I may have over compensated and thrust too much effort and attention on RP, we'll see. This team is playing with the consistency and stability of my Creek JV team (which finished a strong 6-9). Put it together fellas.


Found out that Enos Slaughter (that's right THE Enos Slaughter) is buried in the cemetery at my wee Roxboro Methodist Church.


In other pressing baseball news...I managed to bust a blister this past weekend in Alexandria with Whit, Wes, & David taking a mere ~50 swings in the cage. I'm loosing it, I have those sissy hands- better start the Moises Alou treatment to toughen them up.

Much to my surprise, I am not not the only one suffering this problem. Much to my chagrin Casey Stengel articulated it better on and off the field before I was a thought:

"I was such a dangerous hitter I even got intentional walks in batting practice."* ~Casey Stengel, 1967
*More accurately describes David's predicament when I started to throw.

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update VI

Managed a solid and well-rounded week. Very easily could have only dropped one category. Buerrle, Haren, and Weaver all pitched well with little to no support and no wins between them. Somehow, for reasons unknown, I picked up Putz from waivers right when he seems to be on the up, kinda feels like a "buyer beware" situation. Seeing as I didn't pay anything though, I'll roll with it. We are in a good spot right now, staying balanced and waiting for Vlad to recover. As long as Tampa doesn't pull anymore stunts with Longoria-late scratches, I feel good six weeks in.

George Will quote on umpires (I'll probably use this ironically in my documentary screenplay if I ever actually commit it to paper):

"They are supposed to be dispassionate dispensers of Pure Justice, icy islands of emotionless calculation. In short, umpires should be acute Republicans [insert Christian denomination here]."

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update V

You would think that someone who had Evan Longoria would be a lock against some weak New England competition like the Paisley's. You would think. What I failed to factor in was the very Manley Hanley Ramirez. Not only is he AJ's all-time baseball man-crush but he became one of mine with a 16 hit week (4 of which were bombs) and 30 total bases (to Evan's 24). I salute you Nick, it was a hard fought week but you earned it, you out Florida-ed me on this one. Now how about some relief pitching for me?

Serious, enlightened Whitman baseball quote of the week:
I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update IV

What a rebound week for the visiting fungoes! My opponent should change the team name to CRNAM (Cream Rules Nothing Around Me). Still need to get Saves & SB's under control. My master plan is to acquire Carl Crawford and write the Rays a letter everyday asking (no, telling) them to put him on the mound in the 9th. I'd be such a corner-cutter-2 birds/1 stone type of GM. Also, realized this week that my actual baseball fantasy involves the A's a)gaining a lead, b)keeping said lead. Brutal stuff. I guess I'll have to put the baseball fantasy on the backburner and settle for Fantasy Baseball and the fungoes relentless pursuit of near-perfection.

They said it right:
"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." ~Earl Wilson

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update III

Though I really do wish we could have thumped someone whose team name was 'Crotch-kicker' (akin to loosing to the Yankees, Expos, or Utah Jazz), we leveled off our performance this week. Goal for week 4: dial in the offense again, keep improving in the bullpen, get a trade moving for some relief pitching.

Baseball quote of the week: What is both surprising and delightful is that spectators are allowed, and even expected, to join in the vocal part of the game.... There is no reason why the field should not try to put the batsman off his stroke at the critical moment by neatly timed disparagements of his wife's fidelity and his mother's respectability. ~George Bernard Shaw

Sons of Thunder: 2009 Campus Intramural Softball Champions!

With three wins this week in the playoffs we captured the campus title. What a great group of guys we assembled and a great job coach Dave did putting and keeping the whole thing together! This whole thing held a little more significance for me than maybe it should have. Prior to this year I was kind of the Buffalo Bills or the Atlanta Braves of intramural sports, having lost in the campus championships of three IM softball seasons at UF (the Sultans of Swat captured one the semester after I graduated) and one IM dodgeball championship this past Fall. T-shirts forthcoming.

Roster:
John Jay Alvaro
Chris Breslin
Ben Carroll
Dave Crispell
Thomas Dickson
Curt Lowndes
Brett McCarty
Eric Prenshaw
Zach Riley
Jon Tschanz
Tom Warren

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update II

Total annihilation in every facet of the game (save K's and W). Better perk up team, otherwise there's gonna be some changes made; fast and drastic! Lolly-gaggers.

fungoes Fantasy Baseball Update I

Need to get the relief pitching in order. Hot starts by Longoria and Swisher. Looking for a speedster to get the SB's locked down.

I am finally as cool as AJ...

Here is my recent purchase, just in time for more rain storms. I am excited though. Any suggestions for names? At this point she is just an anonymous Asian (think: Michael Scott's girlfriend he had to mark with a Sharpie).