Dear Fellow Children of God,
Do you know James “Bim” Hoylman? Bim is one of the newer members of St.
John. He attends late worship on Sundays,
regularly riding the wheel chair van to church.
Bim was baptized on March 16 of this year. But, perhaps you know Bim better as a man who
helps Carrs customers carry out their groceries at our local grocery store. Bim has worked there for about 15 years. Because of his friendly, outgoing nature many
know Bim by name.
Bim and I first got to know each other on the baseball
diamond about 12 years ago when I was coaching my son Tim’s Little League
team. Bim and his friend Pete were umpiring
as I was coaching the team. After that when
I would see Bim in the grocery store he’d say, “Hi coach.” When Bim later told me he was no longer
umpiring, I told him I was now helping out as an umpire. Bim asked if he could umpire with me. So we have now served together for about ten
years.
Anyway, Bim knows that my weekly devotions are printed in
the paper and he asked, “Pastor, could you write an article about me umpiring?” Actually, Bim has asked me that question regularly
for the last month. (Bim usually calls
every day to check in.) But, what do you
write in a Christian devotion about umpiring?
Actually, it may not seem that there is a connection between baseball
and faith in Jesus.
But, perhaps this helps to show that faith grows from
relationships. Baseball was the first reason
that Bim and I grew to be friends for the last 10 years. Bim knew I was a pastor and we didn’t just
talk baseball, we would also talk about faith issues. Mainly, Bim would share that he knew Jesus
loves him, that God answers prayer, and that God takes care of us even through
difficult times.
A few years ago, while he was carrying out groceries at
work, Bim was hit by an auto in the parking lot and seriously injured. During the recovery, even as he went through surgery,
Bim reaffirmed his faith that God was taking care of him. As our friendship grew, so did our faith in
God’s love.
Baseball doesn’t seem to be about Christian
faith, but anytime a relationship grows there is an opportunity to share. Baseball first gave Bim and me an opportunity
to become friends and share God’s love and faithfulness with each other. Now we talk more about Jesus than baseball. Is there anyone in your life with whom you
can share Jesus’ love? In Peter’s first
letter he tells us, “But in your hearts set apart
Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)
By the way, you may wonder what kind of umpire Bim
is. Well, in the last game I umpired others
questioned two of my calls, possibly with good reason. In all his calls as umpire this year, even
the close ones, Bim seems to have gotten the calls right. Way to go, Bim!
A Child of God, Thankful for my friend and fellow child
of God.
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. There is an
old joke about the Bible and baseball. “Do
you know there is baseball in the Bible?
(pause) Scripture does say, ‘In
the big inning.’” (see Genesis 1:1)
****
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am
sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and
friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends
and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first
time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me
know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if
you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me
their e-mail address.
******
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