Ephesians Week 6

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 Ephesians 5   5  1  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children   2  and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.   4  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.   5  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [ a ]   6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.   7  Therefore do not be partners with them. 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light i...
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Everyone loves a Cinderella story..even in Baseball?

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Who knew that Baseball could have a Cinderella story.  That is what is happening with Atlanta Braves catcher,  #24, Evan Gattis.  Gattis has the baseball build at 6 feet 4 inches and 230 lbs. ...but his talent and God-given muscles were almost thrown away.  He  picked up the nickname El Oso Blanco (the nickname means "The White Bear")while playing in the Venezuelan winter league.   His story seems like it could not be true.

 Things started well for Gattis.  Right out of  high school,  he was signed  to play at Texas A&M.  Then, the fall........ as anxiety over the thought of big time college baseball  begin to engulf his baseball dreams.   To cope with the fear and the anger rooted in the pain that came when Gattis' parents divorced when he was 8 years old, he falls into drug and alcohol dependency.   Thankfully, he gets placed into rehab.  At rehab, he  made a discovery.  "When he got out of rehab, they said, 'You don't have a drug problem. You have a depression problem. You have an anger issue.'" said Jo Gattis, the catcher's father. "That was kind of reassuring because I didn't think he had a drug problem."

 Baseball provided a positive outlet....and he reenters the game.    Next, while at junior college,  he hurts his knee, loses his love for baseball, and  decides  to quit the game he used to love.  Gattis squanders four years wandering around the west doing odd jobs such as being a janitor, ski lift operator, and Yellowstone Park employee. He finds some healing by seeking for the meaning of life. Finally, Gattis love for baseball reignites. ..and he is ready to  play again. ..        Even at an age when most people are done with college, Gattis learned he was still eligible to play ball. In 2010, he enrolled at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.  There  he is able to perform as if  he had  never left.    After batting over .400, he was drafted by the Braves in the 23rd round in 2010. Three years later (2013) he makes the Opening Day roster. In his major league debut, while his father is interviewed on TV, he hits a home run off a former Cy Young Award winner, Roy Halladay.       Unbelievably, the ball lands in the hands of a guy from .  ...(drum roll)......Texas A&M.  He currently is batting .391 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI's.   I am not sure what we are going to do with Brian McCann as he is due back, possibly replacing Gattis in the 4th spot.  While Gattis is a rookie, he’s unfortunately already 26  years of age..  . I don't know what the future years hold for him. but I am rooting for him!

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