Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

something to help you laugh and think about life with Christ

Tag: sports

Caitlin and the cut list — June 19, 2024

Caitlin and the cut list

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It was reported that WNBA sensation, Caitlin Clark was not invited to join the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team.  A firestorm of opinion erupted over the decision.

But this is what got my attention.  A representative from the Olympic Committee privately met with Caitlin beforehand, to let her know of their decision. 

Gee I wish I would have enjoyed such consideration. 

There was that time I tried out for the Varity football team.  I was a scrawny sophomore competing against seasoned seniors for a spot on the team.  I was determined to wow coach Montgomery.  I worked harder and sweat wetter than the rest.  I even pushed my 1960 Ford Fairlane around the block to build up my leg strength.

In those days you learned whether you made the cut or not by checking “the list” posted in the locker room.  The names of only those who made it were on the list.

The day came and I scanned the list.  My name was not on it – not even an honorable mention.  I wasn’t good enough to make the cut.   

The other guys slyly scanned the list for my name as well.  The omission became another reason to tease the guy with red hair and acne.

I felt such shame.  There was nothing left for me to do but to join the chess club!

I sometimes ponder the day when I again will need to scan a list for my name.  The Bible calls it, “The Book of Life.”  It’s a thing, mentioned 7 times in Scripture. 

It’s a list that most would like to be on.  Jesus told His disciples, “rejoice that your names stand written in heaven” – Luke 10:20.

Paul mentioned at least one person who made it.  The name Clement is recorded in the book of life (Philippians 4:3).

This is a book where the names of those who have been redeemed are written.  These folks have believed the message of Christ, repented of their sins, placed their faith in Jesus by trusting what He did at the cross to save them.   These are those who have chosen to do life with the Lord Jesus. 

To be on the list, is to be entitled to enjoy the everlasting bliss of eternal life in heaven.  The apostle John described some sensational aspects of heaven in Revelation 21:22-27.  He concluded by saying that those privileges are only for, “those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (vs 27).

Like any list, not every name is on it.  Again, John wrote, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire – Revelation 20:15.   Wow – that sounds a whole lot worse than the chess club.

However, God is more considerate than the coach.  He gives us a personal heads up on whether we made the cut or not.   John wrote, “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” – 1 John 5:13.

He tells us that we can “know” today if our names are on the list based on whether we have believed in the name of the Son of God.

Nice!  Usually by the time the list is posted it’s too late.  But God tells us beforehand that we are guaranteed to make the list if we were to place our faith in Christ today. 

The coach had some hard decisions to make.  You can only pack so many football players on the bus.  But God has no such constraint.  Heaven is vast and accommodating and the Scripture says, “He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” – 2 Peter 3:9.

So, if your name isn’t on that list yet, you might want to do something about that.

A PRAYER: Lord, I pray that Your list will include the names of all those I love.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NETBible.com ®

last no longer — January 19, 2022

last no longer

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I played multiple sports when I was a kid, and I didn’t have to look at the scoreboard to know if my team was winning.   When we had a substantial lead, the coach would finally let me play.

Yep, my version of a sports injury was a splinter in my rear from the bench.

Then there were the pickup games in the neighborhood when the two most athletic guys would serve as captains, stand before the rabble, and choose players for their teams. 

When the chosen were chosen, I was often still left standing unclaimed.  I hung my head as the captains fought over who would be forced to take me. 

That was me – last to play – last to be chosen.

I guess that’s why I am thrilled to read words like this from 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  NET Bible ®

The Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit whispered several encouraging things to me and to you through this verse. 

– First: that we are loved by the Lord. 

In the little leagues there were most certainly players who were loved by the coach and by the throngs of parents who watched.  They hit the homeruns and scored the three pointers.  They made the big plays and were celebrated whereas I was barely tolerated.

But this passage tells me that that you and me – we are the ones who are loved.  The Greek word is based on the word “agape”, which is that exquisite love that is consistently attributed to God – a love not based on our performance or any return we might offer – but purely on God’s gracious initiative.

I am thinking that If God had been my baseball coach, he would have used me as a starter and would have endowed me with the skill I needed to get the job done.  

– Second: It tells me that we have been chosen.

God considered me, in spite of my inabilities and inadequacies. He said, “I have surveyed my vast options, and I choose you.” 

There were those rare occasions when a team captain would call out his choice, “I’ll take Johnson.”  I would stifle a surprised smile and then proudly walk over to his camp and stand with him while the rest of the team was assembled.  What a joy it was to have been chosen.

And yet the truth that God has chosen us is incomparable.  He has chosen us to be His own; chosen us to bear the eternal truth of salvation to the community; chosen us as citizens of heaven.   

And I smile a broad unstifled smile as I join Him.

– Third: God chose us from the beginning. 

The beginning of what?  Ephesians 1:4 put it this way, “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.”  Before time began, we were chosen to be His.  That is incredible – unthinkable. 

That’s like choosing up a team before the game of baseball or basketball was ever imagined. 

We were not the dregs of the sports world, last to be chosen when teams were being formed – but first – first to be selected.   

I am much older now and sadly I have not advanced much with my athletic skills.  I sometimes throw the football with my grandkids, and they get double the exercise as they chase my poorly aimed passes. 

Nope – athletics do not fill my emotional tank.  But knowing that God, out of His rich love for me, chose me from before the beginning of creation to be on his team.  Well – that is priceless.

A PRAYER: Thank you Lord, for not leaving us on the sidelines.  

This has been Jim Johnson with pickleheavenpress.com

Many the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

Scripture references are from the NET Bible ®