Cartoonology. There is great theology in cartoons and comics.
Striking out was not difficult for me. I tried baseball one season but was not very good. Among other things, I never had the confidence it took. Coach Wooldridge always played me. I think it was because I could hit a ball in practice, and he had confidence in me. I never did hit a ball in a real game, however.
I remember one game in which the coach signaled me to bunt, or at least I thought he did. It scared me, because I had never bunted before. Of course, I missed the ball and ended up striking out. The coach questioned me afterward as to why I bunted. I replied that he had signaled me to by pulling on his right ear, which was the agreed upon signal for bunting. To my relief, he admitted that he had done so, but only because his ear was itching. The mistake was his! We both had a good laugh, and then he congratulated me for paying attention. I took a greater liking to Coach Woodridge after that. He was honest, believed in having fun and was an encourager.
I am glad that as a Christian I do not need to rely on my own confidence. My confidence is in God, who is able to do all things (Mark 9:23).
1 John 5:14 (NKJV)
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Proverbs 3:26 (NKJV)
26 For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
It is also good to know that someone else has confidence in you and believes in good for you. The Apostle Paul demonstrated this attitude toward other believers. Paul had learned it from Barnabas, who encouraged him as a new Christian (Acts 9:26-27).
2 Corinthians 7:16 (NKJV)
16 Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
That does not mean Paul thought the Corinthian believers did everything right, but it did mean Paul knew they could, and that he recognized what they did do right. Don’t you get a little weary with people who are so negative and only look for what they can criticize? Jesus had a word for such people (Matthew 7:1-6). Such people destroy confidence and tear down. I would rather build. It is a lot more enjoyable. Lord, help me to be that kind of person. 03-26-09
Gotta a grudge? You can’t judge.
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