When You Need Chicken on Sunday...

Maybe it’s because I passed by a half a dozen of them while driving in Atlanta (for vacation) today, or maybe it’s because the new store in Oxford (where I live) is taking shape and looks ready to open soon, but I just cannot stop thinking about Chick-fil-A. As I blogged briefly back on June 2, the innovative chicken sandwich creators continue to astound me with their excellence and maintain what I think is the king (and queen and emperor, czar, president, etc.) of fast food chains.

So I visited their Web site. After browsing awhile, I ended up on the page about why Chick-fil-A is not opened on Sundays. And that’s where I learned a profound life lesson - a spiritual truth, in fact, that I had not previously fully understood. Sometimes you find the deepest profundity in the most unexpected places.

You see, Chick-fil-A is not only closed on Sundays because the owners have a strong Christian foundation that demands a respect for the Sabbath, but it’s closed because it’s good for business. And it’s good for the employees. And it’s good for their families. The incredible truth about why Chick-fil-A does not serve food one day out of the week is much more than allowing its workers to go to church, although that is indeed a high priority. The reality is that we as humans are more productive on the other six days of the week when we spend one day resting and reflecting on our creator God. He set it up that way. He even modeled it for us when he formed the heavens and the earth, and everything that is in them, and called it good, and rested for a day. It only makes sense. Who can be on the go, go, go constantly and not be exhausted when the rubber meets the road? Who out there does not have to sleep and relax at some point in order not to go completely insane? I haven’t met the person yet.

I believe that because the Lord God designed a plan for effective labor, it is probably a good one. If we can truly appreciate the value of rest, then we will much better be able to appreciate the more obvious value of hard work. We must not abuse it. We must not be slothful or wallow in sin or waste away hours in pointless pleasures. I am guilty of it, we all are. But if we can have true rest, the kind that is focused on Christ’s goodness and his love for us, and the kind that refreshes our mind and heart by its peacefulness, and the kind that is a grateful reflection on such blessings as we receive with every breath and bite of food and drink of water, then our work days will be richer, more productive, more enjoyable, and generally better in most every way.

Chick-fil-A, in at least one way, gets this. And to salute the corporation, I think I will eat there at least six times a week when the Oxford location opens. Maybe I can get a coupon or something for when my wallet starts rejecting the multitude of visits, though.

Today is the Day

Good morning world!

Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Let the sun shine bright on your face, open up your imagination to the great possibilities of the day, and run after righteousness today. Do not let the schemes of the devil or the temptations of your flesh overtake you. For nothing can separate us from the unwavering, unconditional, endless love of Christ our Savior. Have a great day!

Faster than a Speeding Bullet

I realize there are many people out there for whom the MLB All-Star Game has very little appeal. However, as a lifelong baseball fan, I still find myself enthralled like a little kid when the best players in the world get together for a game that highlights much of what is best about our great National Pastime. In addition to the tear-jerking tribute to the “All-Stars Among Us,” I loved watching Carl Crawford play.

You see, fast runners excite me every time. In the realm of sports, there is no aspect of athleticism that sparks the childlike emotion of wonder in me more than foot-speed. Crawford may be the fastest player in the majors right now. And he knows a thing or two about over-the-wall catches.

In light of this, today’s J.W. List highlights some of the greatest speedsters in baseball history. (Note that it’s not necessarily the best base-stealers, but the fastest runners. Therefore, some names could potentially surprise you. For the most dedicated baseball fans, this could be a fun trip down memory lane.)

Don’t Blink:

1920s/30s
- Cool Papa Bell (St. Louis Stars, Kansas City Monarchs, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Homestead Grays) Considered by many the fastest baseball player ever

1940s/50s
- Jackie Robinson (Kansas City Monarchs, Brooklyn Dodgers)

1960s
- Maury Wills (Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos)
- Luis Aparicio (Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox)

1970s
- Lou Brock (St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs)
- Cesar Cedeño (Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Davey Lopes (Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros)

1980s
- Vince Coleman (St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers)
- Juan Samuel (Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays
- Willie Wilson (Kansas City Royals, Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs)
- Eric Davis (Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants)

1990s
- Deion Sanders (Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees)
- Tom Goodwin (Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs)
- Otis Nixon (Atlanta Braves, 8 others)
- Brian L. Hunter (Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies)
- Tony Womack (Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds)
- Steve Finley (Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies)
- Kenny Lofton (Cleveland Indians, 10 others)
- Lance Johnson (Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees)

2000s
- Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays)
- Juan Pierre (Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Jose Reyes (New York Mets)
- Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners)
- Willy Taveras (Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds)
- Roger Cedeño (New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals)

“All of History Marches Forward …

to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” This is a phrase often repeated by my pastor during his Sunday sermons. It’s a great way to think about the eternal purposes of God throughout the history of mankind and His intimate relationship with His people. A mighty celebration to top all earthly bashes is awaiting those who are brought into everlasting life by the Lord.

Two weddings over the last month in which I had the privilege of being a participant have stirred my thoughts on this topic. At the risk of embarrassing Patrick and Sarah and Chris and Deanna, I must say that I have four friends who represent the best I can imagine among earthly relationships. All four of them love the Lord and sacrifice many aspects of their individual lives to serve so many people around them. And on top of their faith and generosity, they are couples who have such a deep, romantic, committed love for each other that I think represents what a marriage should be like.

These weddings, indeed these two marriages, are such a great example of a man and woman committed to giving up their own lives for the good of the other. However, they are only a picture, a shadow, of the love of Christ for His bride, the church. The very begotten son of God underwent pain, suffering, and death to rescue His beloved. That’s why I can’t wait for this heavenly marriage supper, because if it’s that much better than the two celebrations I’ve recently experienced with my great friends, then I am in a place of unmatched blessing. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around how great a banquet it will be.

Oh, the Joys of the Social Media Explosion

You know, for being someone who waited as long as possible until he was essentially required to own a cell phone, I am actually quite stunned by the following: I have a blog. I have a facebook page. And as of today, I tweet. (Side note: I really humor myself by considering what kind of looks one might have received when talking about a blog, facebook, or twitter/tweet just a decade ago, much less a century ago. Images of a black fog, a student asleep on a textbook, and little yellow birds come to mind.) I wonder, is all of this a good thing?

I believe the answer (as usual) lies not so much in the things themselves (which are probably inherently neutral), but in our attitude toward them and use of them. I think we would be wise to follow Paul’s advice to the Corinthians that whether we “tweet” or “blog” or “poke,” let us do it to the glory of God. My goal, as much as the Lord wills and my brothers and sisters hold me accountable, is to keep up with these forms of communication in order to (1) glorify God and enjoy him forever, (2) encourage and uplift those around me, and (3) enhance and maintain relationships among friends and family, all while not letting it bog me down or distract me from primary tasks. The second I fail to follow these guidelines, I would ask that any friend please alert me.

Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the rocket ride on the flames of the social media explosion.

Read Closely

Inspired to act or speak

With or without any idea,
Right or wrong,
Imagination soars
To Highest Heights,
Emboldened in spite of Fear.

Action demands itself.

Brandish my Sword,
Lit by hot, holy fire,
Onward to Victory,
Glorious.