"Meet Me at Musial" - the Richter Family Files.

Took some time to dig through my wife's meticulously-kept photo scrapbooks and found some family photos by the Musial statue in St. Louis. Just thought it might be a nice follow-up to my Musial article.

This is my then future-bro-in-law in 1989 outside of "Busch Stadium II". This is during the visit Kim and her grandparents made that I wrote about in the article. Ryan also has the honor of having actually met Stan. He and my mother-in-law went to a baseball card show where Stan was signing autographs. They bought me a framed photo of Musial for Christmas, which Ryan waited in line to have Stan sign. I have that photo somewhere...

These two photos are from 1996 - my son's first baseball game. Memorable game not only due to Caleb's first  Cardinals game, but also the last time I got to see Ozzie Smith  as a player. The Cardinals won that night against the Rockies 2-1, and would go on to win the NL Central but fall to Atlanta in the NLCS. You can easily see I have my shoes off in the 2nd picture, and I made sure my 1 year old was paying due deference to The Man as well!

My daughter's first Cardinals game in 2000. Obviously in a moment of inexplicable rebelliousness or neglect - we have our shoes on. As I recall, it was very crowded around the statue that night and we only felt comfortable snapping a quick picture, so the shoes stayed on. 

What a trip down memory lane! The Musial statue has been a meeting place and focal point for generations of Cardinal fans. At the newest Busch Stadium, the Musial statue stands proudly at the main entrance by 3rd base. 

Much, much more on the great game of baseball and God's Team here in the near future. 

SO LONG, STAN.

(NOTE: This article is adapted (longer!) from the one that was published in January of 2013 in The Piedmont Citizen. As a life long Cardinal fan, I consider having an article published about Stan Musial one of my proudest secular achievements and a great honor.)

"Meet me at Musial."

If you grew up in St. Louis, you knew exactly what that meant. That meant that you would meet up in a throng of baseball fans outside of Busch Stadium at the large statue of Stan Musial, that stood outside of the previous Busch Stadium on the left field side. 

The first time my wife saw the statue was when we were still dating in college. As we approached the statue, I thought it would be funny (and hopefully only mildly blasphemous  to take off my shoes as we got closer to its base. Needless to say, she was duly embarrassed - and thus began a Richter family tradition nearly every time we've gone to a Cardinals game. Funny thing is, fellow Cardinal fans who see us do this actually kind of understand exactly what I'm doing. 

Growing up in the suburbs of St. Louis, you were indoctrinated into local traditions and beliefs in the same way that other metro areas did to their residents. It has been fun in my life to have (mostly) light hearted debates with Oklahomans and people from all over the US concerning phrases, local cuisine, regional politics/politicians and other “local heroes.” Obviously sports and local teams instill many passions, pride and memories. Coming to Oklahoma and making it my home has exposed me to different sports values. College sports, namely NCAA football, is king around here. It stirs passions even in people who did not attend college at all, not to mention the team of which they might be a hard-core fan. 

In St. Louis, the game of baseball is the undisputed game of choice. And there was one undisputed local giant of their game, a player simply known as “The Man.”

I’m not an esteemed sports writer, so I haven’t earned the space to write a “Sports Illustrated” type epilogue that I could easily write about Stan Musial. So many aspects of not only Musial’s career but his notoriety as a great man off the diamond could command lengthy plaudits. Musial’s numbers, whether one looks at them through a traditional or modern “Sabermetric” lens, place him squarely and legitimately as one of the top 5 hitters in the history of the game (and debatably even higher.) My favorite Stan stat is that of his 3,630 lifetime hits (still 4th all time and was the most ever in the NL at the time), those hits were split exactly in half at home or on the road (1,815 each.) Didn’t matter where he was, The Man simply hit the ball. 

The other element of Musial’s fame was his reputation as a person. While noted on a national level, no place knew more about his goodness, humility and philanthropy than St. Louis. Two quotes sum up what people knew about Stan best. Esteemed broadcaster Bob Costas once said “All Musial represents is more than two decades of sustained excellence and complete decency as a human being." On the day Stan was inducted into Cooperstown in 1969, the commissioner of baseball uttered the words that are inscribed on the base of the same Musial statue that stands outside of the newer Busch Stadium in STL today - “Here stands baseball’s perfect warrior. Here stands baseball’s perfect knight.”

So in a month when no one was judged worthy or clean enough for the baseball hall of fame, a prominent college football player’s part in an elaborate media hoax is debated and pro football deals with drunk-driving deaths and fallout from scandals of all sorts...an athlete legendary for doing things right on and off the field is mourned by his community and era. A Man who proved being one of the best of all time isn’t a license to becoming a lout in everyday life. 

The verse I’m reminded of is Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Our ultimate example of living this mindset of course is our Lord, but wherever we can find examples or encouragement to set our minds to the highest standards possible - we need to cherish and embrace them. It isn't too idealistic or outdated that we need to set our minds above the temporary and self-serving mindsets of today’s world. There is still a place for people who choose to dwell on what is right, noble and admirable for all of creation. Having “pure” and “lovely” as goals for our thought process isn’t pollyanna nor impossible. 

We need more positive mindsets. We need more people who truly believe the world can be a better place. We need people who choose to humbly serve God and strive for excellence for themselves and their communities - both on the job and in their homes. We need people who believe in holiness, decency and kindness. Praise God that He tells us these things are possible for those who choose to set their minds to it. 

And thanks to someone as meager as a great baseball player to exemplify these things as much as a human can. So long, Stan the Man...thank you for the example of what a good man can do when the right mindset is applied in all that he does. 

CANYON PROBLEMS (JULY 2012)

The Grand Canyon at sunset is a sight that I would pray every human being could behold at one point in their lives. Viewing the canyon is an all-out assault on every scope of one’s vision. You get the distinct feeling at times that what is before you is so immense that it feel s like it is swallowing you up. As the sun sinks lower, the tips of the mesas and plateaus glow with a fiery orange, augmented by shades of red and brown. By the time the sun sets over the western rim, you know you have witnessed something extraordinary.

I am privileged right now to enjoy some time away with my family out west. Like many others who have made similar treks, I have paused while taking in such sights to reflect upon what seems like my awfully small part in earth’s big arena. “Getting away” implies enjoying a temporary escape from what we allow to become our routines…and ponder where those routines are taking us. For me, this means examining again my role in assisting people to connect with their creator and sustainer.

In short….my job is getting harder and harder.

More and more people are convinced that their problems and challenges are insurmountable. When this happens, all of our focus is on our problems. We may forget how many challenges have been overcome in the past by a combination of perseverance, determination and faith. We forget that to this point we have been brought to solid ground, and focus instead on difficulties in front of us that appear overwhelming and ready to swallow us up. These mindsets are showing up in politics, marriage and all arenas of life. No matter how much we’ve overcome in our past, we seem crippled by an idea that “no problem is as big as my current problem.”

Like standing on solid ground facing an enormous canyon, wondering how in the world we are going to get around it.

The story of Job has been a challenge and hard to fully interpret for generations of scholars and believers. Its themes of hardship, questioning and redemption unfold at times like Greek tragedy. There is a passage that comes to mind when God is finally answering Job and his friends concerning why all of the horrible things are happening to Job.  God reveals the basic truth that He is in control, all of nature and mankind are in His concern and that a simple trust in Him is what He expects. Job says something very interesting when acknowledging the greatness of God and his own limited understanding. Job concedes “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:4.)

We must see God. We must see His work in our lives, not just hear about what God can do. The Bible does make very clear that faith in God comes by hearing His word (Romans 10:17.) Eventually our faith will lead us to “see” God’s “unseen” works. Paul says it best in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: ““For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” This isn’t necessarily miraculous. It is a simple acknowledgment that He is in control and He has plans for our lives that allow us to overcome obstacles if we are faithful to Him.

He has brought us this far – don’t forget that. He doesn’t promise ease and comfort at all times, but He does give us ultimate victory. Your most recent dilemma can be overcome, if you trust Him and recognize He is in control. Build your faith and get in His Word to truly see Him for who He is, and not just what others tell you who they think He is.

The one who created the canyon is able to help you successfully leap your canyon.

DARK NIGHTS

(NOTE:  This article appeared in a July 2012 edition of "The Piedmont Citizen." Tragic how some thoughts have to be constantly revisited due to people not learning the lessons of the past. I pray that somehow, someway the troubled mindsets that lead one to the darkest conclusions of lashing out in gun violence will cease. This isn't anti-gun, anti-gun control or anything an extreme position wants to exploit.)

The tragic shootings at the midnight showing of “The Dark Night Rises” were a jolt to the system for many. At this point, the initial shock has worn off and society is trying to process the why’s and how’s of this act. Currently there seems to be no other clues or evidence that this was nothing much more than a random act of pure evil by an unstable mind.

That doesn't keep the media talking heads and others from trying their best to assign blame or piggyback certain agendas to the shootings. Everyone asks “How did this happen?” Acts of violence like this often forces people to consider things a lot more seriously and soberly. If you have a chance to offer any opinions on this (or any large scale tragedies), remember some concepts from God’s word that might help to add positive thoughts and opinions to those who desperately need them.

1. Don’t join the rush to politicize tragedy. Politicians love to seize any opportunity to score points for their side and assign blame for all of society’s ills on the other side. When the leaders of the Jews were asking Jesus who was to blame concerning some tragedies of their day, Jesus replied “…do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:4–5.) Tragedies such as the Aurora shootings are more about the evil of Satan’s influence on society, not political haggling over issues.

2. Don’t rush to make religious points about the tragedy. Some fall into the trap of saying any kind of tragedy is God’s “holy anger” on mankind. There are some religious groups who are praising the shooter!  God says in Ezekiel “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11.) God will not use a wrong to make a right. We are told as God’s people “…judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:12.)

3. Instead, do offer messages of peace. “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18.) God and His righteousness should be presented as part of the solution, not part of the problem. God takes no delight in tragedy. It happens because of the presence of sin and evil in the world. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 speak volumes about the mindsets we need to prevent, and overcome tragedy.

It can probably best be summed up in Matt. 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

Prepared for Good Works (9/2012 article)

(As printed in the Piedmont Citizen, Sept. 2012.)

A few years ago a compelling story came out of El Paso about how security cameras at an office complex captured a selfless and unlikely patriotic moment. The morning after overnight storms, workers at Meti Inc. arrived at work to find the entryway flagpole down and the American flag folded neatly and tucked under the wiper blades of a company truck. Assuming vandalism, a police report was filed.  Eventually the security tape was examined and it showed an unknown man a little after 1:40 a.m. braving the storm to fold the flag military style and placing it on the truck. He then carries the flagpole off of the parking lot and up to the front of the building, and leaves the area.

After a few days of investigation it was determined that a man named Gustus Bozarth was the man in the video. He had heard the sound of the flagpole hitting the ground during the storm. He was an unassuming man who revealed his life mostly revolved around his 2 cats and a small TV. He revealed that he had learned to fold the flag while working as a security officer years ago.

Here’s the compelling part: Mr. Bozarth heard the crash of the flagpole because he was sleeping nearby, in a storage facility. Mr. Bozarth was homeless.

His story inspired many people all over the nation, and resulted in many offers of assistance for his well being. Sadly while refreshing my memory of this story’s details I learned that Mr. Bozarth passed away last summer from a sudden heart attack. Even though he’s gone, his story remains fascinating. A man who didn’t wait for a storm to blow through before acting. Some might have reasoned that caring for a corporation’s flag and pole was not their responsibility, regardless of weather or time of day. Some might even state that a man who could be argued as a victim of a nation’s failed promises and blessings should be the last person to cater to the symbol of this nation’s might. Gustus didn’t see himself as any of that. When asked why he did it, he simply stated that it was the right thing to do.

I’m reminded of the words of Paul in Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God tells us that we are created to do good things, things that were intended to come to us naturally. One aspect I love about his verse is that the word “workmanship” is a translation from a form of the Greek word “poetes”, from which we get the word poetry. In other words, we are not God’s afterthought or leftover materials....we are His beautiful lyric. As His “workmanship”, we are His dedicated work of poetry to a dark and lonely world.

You are God’s message and messenger to the world. He created you to do good works no matter the circumstances of your life. His intention is for all of us to live a life that not only inspires others, but has purpose and direction. Doing good in a world that needs such noble pursuits. Doing good when there appear to be no personal benefits at the time for our actions. May we all give thanks to God that we are his beautiful work.

And may we all give thanks for human examples of doing what is right for no other reason than simply because it is who we are. Thanks Mr.Gustus Bozarth....long may a banner of peace and comfort stand tall in your corner of eternity.

Consumed?

“I’ve had all I can stands...I can’t STANDS NO MORE!”  - Popeye

Bill Hybels is a prominent religious writer who wrote a book a few years ago titled Holy Discontent. In it he encourages the reader to find the work or task about which they are truly passionate, and then get to it. He used an example that hearkens anyone over 40 years old back to their childhood.

Many who are older than me grew up with “Popeye the Sailor Man”. Popeye was a usually mild mannered Navy vet who always seemed to find a way to have his heart manipulated by his gal - Olive Oyl. Now Olive is a real “looker”, but she is rather fickle in her affections and devotion. She usually ends up unwittingly connected to some brainless thug named “Brutus”, who inevitably bullies Popeye without much resistance. When things are looking dire for everyone Popeye loves, he gets to his boiling point and utters the famous phrase at the beginning of this article. When he just can’t stand the injustice of the situation any more, he whips out a can....of spinach. With a rush of superhuman strength, trumpet fanfare and much cartoon violence - Olive is rescued, Brutus is defeated and Popeye saves the day.

Dare I say or suggest that Jesus had a Popeye moment?  The story of Jesus clearing the temple in John 2 is fascinating when you consider that what He was about to accomplish on the cross was going to make temple sacrifices obsolete. Jesus could have just chalked up the money changers and selling in the temple courts as just another symptom of man’s broken attempts to appeal to the lowest common denominators of pleasing God. You know - doing the least you can for God while still “keeping the law.” Jesus could have spoken against these people, told how the building and what it represented was going to fall and go on His way.

But He didn't. He went in and physically drove the sellers out. The Bible said his actions fulfilled the scripture “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17.) It was as if Jesus thought to Himself “I’m going to the cross, I’m going to render the sacrificial system fulfilled and I have a lot of things to do and people to help along the way....but I’m just not going to stand for them desecrating my Father’s house any longer!”

What is your boiling point? What is the injustice, social wrong or problem that every time you see or hear of it you can hardly stand it? The disease, neglect or situation that ravages the poor and vulnerable. The issue that seems to scream out for help, but not many seem to be heeding its call. It doesn't have to be a problem that requires an unfathomable amount of money and thousands of miles of travel to solve. And even if it does require lots of money and effort, it still consumes you that it remains a problem.

I would humbly implore that you find that hot button issue. Immerse yourself in being part of a solution to a problem that you just can take sitting down any longer. You just might find yourself a vision and a purpose in life that helps the oppressed, soothes or heals the sick and gives your life deeper meaning. A personal sacrifice of time and passion to do great things for God’s kingdom. A living embodiment of Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

READ THIS ONE FIRST!

I have the honor and the privilege of having an article printed monthly (or whenever I can conjure some coherent thoughts together) for The Piedmont Citizen. Editor Ben Felder was nice enough to ask me last year to consider penning some articles along with some of the other ministers in town. 

(For what its worth: Their website, Piedmont Daily, features great stories and up-to-date news and happenings in our fair town.They also have several Twitter accounts that update Piedmont High School sports and news. If it happens in Piedmont, you'll pretty much see it there first. )

My contributions to the Citizen will probably end up being the backbone of my blog, so I will submit them here in humble hopes that you will find sometime meaningful in them. The following article was published in October of 2012.
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I read an article awhile back about “space junk.” Orbiting our planet at speeds more than 4.5 miles per second is a growing collection of space junk. Nuts, bolts, and other discarded debris from space flights are presenting a real hazard to future spacecraft. Their sheer speed makes the tiniest object strike with the impact of a bullet. During one of the shuttle missions, a speck of paint created a pit a quarter-inch wide in a window of the craft.

One study revealed that there are 110,000 objects larger than 1 centimeter in orbit. Their combined weight is 4 million pounds! To avoid a space junk disaster, the U.S. Space Command monitors orbiting debris for NASA.

Believe it or not, I think about that article when I read of a far more important item on my personal radar....disbelief in God due to human suffering. The line of reasoning can usually be broken down to its essence with the statement, “How can a loving and active God allow extreme cases of human suffering?”  Suffering and tragedy create thorny, difficult problems to answer and accept. In the 2000+ year old game of “gotcha” between Christianity and the secular, this has been a trump card for both the faithful and faithless. Even the most dedicated Christian can struggle with the allowance of grievous mistreatment, abuse and persecution.

Having said all that, it is important to remember an eternal truth - sin has long lasting and far reaching consequences. Hunger and famine in our world today are just as much the result of corrupt political regimes, racism and improper growing techniques as they are circumstance beyond any human’s control. The brutal and heartbreaking conditions in sub-Saharan Africa spawn tales of centuries old prejudices, class warfares and warlord mentalities that breed genocide and mass suffering. Political infighting, corrupt regimes - and yes, religious oppression, also lead to suffering in regions of Asia, India and island regions. These sufferings are in large part due to “sin junk”, the tragic consequences of greed and other failures. 

I’m not going to pretend that a simple illustration is going to solve centuries of debate, but do not discount how much society’s problems are by their own hand. We know that on smaller scales, sinful choices create their own kind of junk - unintended consequences. When Achan stole and hid forbidden booty, it cost him his life (Joshua 7). After King David committed adultery and murder, family discord followed (2 Samuel 15-18). Could God clean up all of these messes if He chose to do so? Yes. But then again, we would not truly have free will as human beings if He did. 

Besides, God has sent His response to a suffering world as a possible solution....followers of Christ! We are to strive to be part of the solution to sin’s consequences, to the point that we fall short of God’s plans for us if we do not. (See James 4:17.)

Finally, don’t forget that God does offer to resolve our biggest issue - personal sin, the sin we can actually do something about. Do you have any “junk” in your life? Sin’s consequences have a way of accumulating and pulverizing our lives. Deal with the problems that are within your immediate reach - your own - and then endeavor to be part of the solution for those who suffer the consequences of mankind’s failures. 

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)