Completely Unexpected

We had a great time at the ball park yesterday. The outcome was completely unexpected though. The Braves were playing the Mariners, the team with the worst record in MLB. What I didn't tell you is that I have pulled for the Mariners for a long time. I think I started to like all things Seattle (except politics) after watching "Sleepless in Seattle." Yes, I love the Seahawks and Seattle is an amazing city. It is hard to beat a July 4th in on Pike Place.

Anyway, I went to the game wearing red and blue for the Bravos, not expecting the opportunity to celebrate a Mariners victory. I also did not want to have to explain to 40 people why I was pulling for the other team. The game started innocently enough, Braves went up by a run and then everything changed by the 7th inning. The Mariners ended up winning 10-2! So in my first MLB game, I got to watch my favorite team and enjoy a win too.

Fear not Braves fans. All was set right with a 5-4 victory on an RBI single in the bottom of the 9th in game two.

Play Ball!

I am going to my first major league baseball game tomorrow and I am very excited about that. We are taking a group of 40 people to see the Braves play the Mariners. A lot of people in South Carolina pull for the Braves. You will meet a good number of people that are obsessed with them. You have to see a senior adult talk Braves baseball, it is like they are kids again and they are ready to take the field. I love the game of baseball. I love how it feels like your taking part in something old, but new at the same time.

I am fortunate to live in Greenville. We got a new stadium and team, the Greenville Drive, last year and the community has gone crazy for them. Fluor Field at the West End averages 5300 fans a game and you can't beat the downtown location. Now, to get our single A team, who did pay for their stadium, we let the AA Greenville Braves move to Mississippi, but I guess there was some kind of reasoning to it. Check out the Drive here.

Interesting Animal

On Monday I will be taking a group of students and adults to Centrifuge, a great camp put on by LifeWay. One of the interesting things about living in South Carolina is the dynamic of an anemic church on every corner surrounded by people who are, understandably, no longer affected by their presence. The trip was open to whoever wanted to go, those active in the church and those who are not. Having not been a youth minister for the past six months and then suddenly stepping back in for summer camp purposes, I had forgotten how interesting of an animal it can be.

The back and forth decisions of some students to go and then not to go reminded me about the lack of commitment being embedded in this generation. At what point do we facilitate spiritual growth instead of condone an uncommitted generation? I know we can't force students to go on the trip, but yes should mean yes, even if a last minute invite to the beach comes up.

It is difficult to be overly critical when I can have times where I want to keep my options open until something better comes along, but at some point, spiritual responsibility has to come into play. At least I think it does. All I know is I will be traveling with a group of individuals committed to discovering the "Kingdom Secrets" and having a great time doing so. Hopefully we will discover the secret to activating churches to make an impact in the communities they serve through a level of commitment unseen by previous generations.

Hello

I have intended to get back into the practice of blogging for sometime now. Since I have had close to five months to adjust to being a father, I am going to give it a try.

I hope to use this blog to write about various personal thoughts and opinions as well as events and travels in the Palmetto State. If I use my time wisely, I think there will be plenty of material. Of course, the topic of having a new baby alone could provide that.

There are a lot of unique things about the South Carolina that lead to a certain mindset and way of life. I think they are noteworthy enough to be a topic of conversation. So, welcome to Blue Palmetto!