July 4, is, of course, the day that Americans celebrate our country’s freedom. Tomorrow, many Americans will celebrate the Fourth by playing softball or golf, or by watching their favorite sports on television. Additionally, on major league baseball diamonds there will be special fireworks displays and flag ceremonies. NASCAR, however, always seems to go further than other sports in their overt demonstrations of gratitude for the people who continue to secure our freedoms to enjoy all those good things. Having a son in the US Army, I am always a little moved by the pre-race prayers at NASCAR events that almost always include a request for the safety of our servicemen and servicewomen—wherever they may be serving. It is an appropriate celebration of gratitude for the sacrifices made by so many in order for us to enjoy our freedoms.

As wonderful as all those things are, however, those freedoms are bound by time and space and history. What can set us free from those things and from the bonds of our own failures? Again, the word is sacrifice. But this is a sacrifice that was not made for temporary seasons of peace and prosperity. When Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay for our wrongdoing and rebellion, His sacrifice secured for us and made available to us a peace that lasts forever, and a home that can never be forfeited. A freedom that is eternally free.

So, as we celebrate and show gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy as a nation, let us be careful to not lose sight of the freedoms we can know as children of the Creator—and celebrate Him! To learn more about Christ’s sacrifice for us, you can read the booklet “Why Did Christ Have To Die?”  by clicking on the cover below (it’s free). And, join us tomorrow on Sports Spectrum radio as we take a further look at the freedom we have been given in Christ.

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain

Our superstars come in all shapes and sizes. Some are also noisy and flamboyant, while others have a quiet grace about them.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera is one of those.

Since 1996 Rivera has been coming out of the Yankees bullpen. He was the closer when the franchise started their dominating run of four world championships in five years by upsetting the Braves that fall. And he has been closing games and winning championships ever since.

Rivera is quite frankly the best relief pitcher in the history of the game. His spot in the Hall of Fame is secure. Once he retires, he will go in on the first ballot. In baseball history, outstanding relief pitchers have come and gone. They have had brief flashes of brilliance. But no one has done it better or longer than Rivera.

And that’s not all. Rivera is a committed Christian and he has been one of the spiritual leaders in the Yankees clubhouse. As his English has improved, so has his ability to share his testimony to all who will listen. His teammates say he not only talks about his relationship with the Lord, he lives it out every day.

During the off-season he spends much of his time conducting baseball clinics with an American service agency, SCORE International.

Rivera is not flashy. He is not verbose, loud, or boastful. But, he is efficient and disciplined. He is a great role model for younger athletes to follow.

Frank Giardina

In Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Gary Matthews, Jr. was on third base. With Erick Aybar up to bat, Matthews was given the green light by manager Mike Scioscia and, timing the pitcher’s delivery, took off—stealing home. Of note is the fact that this was a straight steal not a suicide squeeze gone bad. Matthews simply outran the pitch to home plate. It was a sight to behold. Stealing home is not something that happens all that regularly today, but, in past years it was more common. In fact, legendary Detroit Tiger and Philadelphia Athletic Ty Cobb swiped home no less than 54 times in his career! In his 24-year career, Cobb stole a total of 892 bases—but to steal home 54 times is nothing short of unbelievable. Today, stealing home is one of baseball’s most difficult, and most entertaining, feats. And one of the game’s rarest events.

There are many things in life that are exceedingly rare (like stealing home) but other things that are more common. In fact, among the more common things of life are the moments of hardship and difficulty we experience—yet, when hardship comes, we are almost always surprised! We think about hard times as if they should be rare events, but they are not. Perhaps that is why the apostle Peter, writing to first-century followers of Christ going through tough times, said, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you . . .” (1 Peter 4:12). When facing life’s challenges, sometimes it helps to know that these trials are not abnormal—they are the result of living life in a fallen world. And, once we are able to stop being surprised by it, we can remember afresh that God was never surprised by it at all. Jesus said that our heavenly Father knows what we need, even before we ask His help. So, in times of pain and loss, we turn to the Father who loves us and He ministers deeply to our hearts and lives—with a love that never fails. And in our world, that kind of love is rare!

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain