Whatever

I recently began reading a short book by Mike Breaux called Making Ripples. Breaux brings up the point that either we have a destiny and a purpose or our life is merely accidental.
If we are an accident, born with nothing, and for nothing, than we end up with nothing also. That means that anything in between also results in nothing.
Some have labeled this current generation as the 'whatever generation'. If there is no destiny or purpose, then there is no truth, and no rules, and no right or wrong-its just a big 'whatever'.
67% of students cheat on exams-whatever. 66% drink alcohol-whatever. 56% shoplift-whatever. Sex before marriage?-whatever. Walk doesn't match your talk?-whatever. Responsibility?-whatever. Suicidal thoughts?-whatever. Hunger, poverty, AIDS?-whatever.
But God is not a 'whatever' kind of God. He is a Destiny Maker who wants to pour out his love and leadership into your life. He said through the prophet Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11
That sure doesn't sound like a 'whatever' kind of existence to me. He will keep on changing us, molding us in order to create in us 'whatever' He desires of us or requires of us.
This generation CAN stop saying 'whatever' and begin to become 'whatever' God has created and designed you to become if you just submit and yield to Him.

Opening Day

There is something beautiful about Opening Day. Perhaps it's the end of winter. Maybe it's the invitation to get back outside. The grass is green again, the sun is trying to shine warm again. But Opening Day is a renewal of hope. A hope that one's favorite baseball team can have a great season for this year.

Every team has the same record on Opening Day. Hey even my loyalty to the Orioles allows me to see Baltimore in 1st place on Opening Day. Perhaps this is the year when my sons can finally see the Orioles compete and be a winning team. All the batters are batting 1.000, none of the pitchers have taken a loss, none of the bullpen pitchers have given up a game-winning HR. No one has been charged for taking steroids yet. Regardless of salaries, everyone is at the starting block with hope that this is a great season for them.

Opening Day brings out the youthfulness in us. We all feel young again-like grabbing the leather and the hardwood and running out to the park.

In these tough economic times, I cannot agree with the inflated salaries and ticket prices, etc. but I still love the game and I love Opening Day.

And for this Oriole fan, I got a bonus this year. We defeated the Yankees 10-5! I have to say it.. The Orioles are in 1st place and the Yankees are in last place. What a beautiful thing!

What are your thoughts, memories, expectations of Opening Day?