Harry Chapin

 

Harry Chapin was a generationally talented songwriter, and an even more gifted performer. His life was cut short before he turned 40 but the songs he wrote continue to outlive his short career. And looking back so many of his songs dealt with the brevity of life, and the choices between dreams and family, (or passion versus responsibility - whichever way you choose to look at it . . .) 

The song above, W.O.L.D., as well as his classic, "Cats In The Cradle, are probably two of his most popular songs but his most haunting hit, in my opinion, is "Mr. Tanner". He was in heavy rotation in my late 70's playlists, which probably seems like a weird choice for a teenager. But there was something about his voice, that built a bridge, imparting hard-earned wisdom, tinged with pain, that demanded my attention. And his stories turned into lessons with the passage of time and the accumulation of my own experiences, and that is why I struggle to find the words to express my gratitude for his art.

Whatever your favorite Chapin song, I'll bet we'd agree that his talent was immense and burned brightly for too short a time.  

The Power Of Humility

A few weeks ago, I published a post about what we can do to please God. In our lives, our choices, our loyalties, our purchases, our work, our hobbies, our friends, in all things we are to endeavor to please God. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord . . .  it is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)

Like most things in our culture, this attitude runs contrary to what we are told by the world. The framework for what most of the world is telling us is that you must love yourself, placing your needs and goals before all others. And yet, this is counter to what the Bible teaches. Jesus instructs us to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

But let's be honest, what is your first reaction when reading these words of Jesus? 

My reaction is that sounds good, but it is next-to-impossible to realistically put into daily practice. I mean, there are too many things I need to do each day just to take care of myself, how am I also supposed to love others with that same passion and priority? 

I can't.

"Losing the Humanity of Umpiring" by Joe Posnanski

I would like to take this moment to bring to you an article of great passion, written by an author who I magnanimously admire, on a subject beyond realistic dispute, except, for the person in authority who got it wrong . . . 

Losing the Humanity of Umpiring

There’s a very famous strike zone story that has been connected with Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, and others. I’m not sure the story ever happened, but if it did happen, it probably involved Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem and Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby.

It goes a little something like this: A young pitcher, maybe even pitching in his first game, throws what he thinks is a good pitch to Hornsby. The Rajah doesn’t swing, and it’s called a ball. He throws another pitch he likes, Hornsby takes it, and the pitch is called a ball again.

He starts screaming at Klem, who looks at him with a fatherly gaze.

“Son,” Klem says, “when you pitch a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know it.”

I couldn’t help but think about that story again on Sunday during the United States’ unsatisfying 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Juan Soto led off against Garrett Whitlock. Here’s what the at-bat looked like:

Yes, home plate umpire Corey Blaser rang up Soto on a pitch that wasn’t even close to a strike, and while this wasn’t what made the game unsatisfying — as most of you know, a worse call was yet to come — it really struck me wrong. I couldn’t even believe how much that call ticked me off.

John Ortberg "It All Goes Back In The Box"