Friend

Well, our fervent prayers were answered this week.

The Braves got Mark Teixeria.

Not only that, but there were extra bountiful blessings. Octavio Dotel now patrols the bullpen.

Life is good, we hope.

In case you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, maybe I should start by telling you that July 31 is a big day for baseball fans.

That’s the “trade deadline,” the last day that a major league team can obtain a player for the “stretch run” without going through the “waiver” process.

If you don’t know what “stretch run” means, and if you think a “waiver” is somebody motioning goodbye to somebody else, it’s probably too complicated to explain.

Just know this: the Braves just got maybe the all-around best first baseman in baseball, and also picked up a very good relief pitcher.

Even though they’re in third place, they feel like they’re on top of the world. This morning’s AJC is all about how their players feel like they could not just rally to win the division, but they really think they could win the world series.

Thinking it is at least half the battle.

That’s the power of a shot-in-the-arm.

It was fun watching old veterans like Chipper “Hoss” Jones get excited when “Tex” walked into the dugout in his new Braves’ uniform.

There’s a swagger in knowing you’re stacked, and that the other team’s pitcher didn’t sleep well last night.

That’s what happens when The Big Kid joins your team.

Now, if a new first baseman and an aging relief pitcher can do that for our boys with the tomahawks on their chests, what should faith in Jesus do for his followers?

I know. Life can be hard. Truly, I know what frustration is, what fear feels like, and the stress of wondering whether your resources can meet everyone’s demands.

But we’re not in this by ourselves.

Jesus said:

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you.

¹⁵I do not call you servants^* any longer, because the servant^* does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.

¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you.

And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

¹⁷I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” John 15

Jesus is on our side.

The Big Kid plays on our team. Actually, it’s we who get to play on his.

He chooses us, calls us “friends,” and he lays down his life for us.

Evil ought not sleep well at night --- not if Jesus’ people believe his promises, act on them, and set about the awesome task of living and giving in courageous ways.

I think Jesus' followers ought to have a kind of humble swagger.

Oxymoron? Not quite.

We're humble, because life shows us clearly that we can't do it by ourselves.

But there's a swagger, because "The Word," who was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be -- the biggest of them all --- walks with us and within us.

Now, let’s roll to the playoffs!

Tomahawkin’ Together –

Adam

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And, some travelin’ music for the day:

“Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are

Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

You find out who your friends are

LIFE AT SOTH:

Today is the last “Kids’ Day” of the summer, and we’re expecting about 30 little folks to join SOTH children’s director, Kathryn Beasley for WATER DAY!!

Summer Lunch program is wrapping up Tuesday of next week. What an awesome ministry! Over 50 kids were served lunch every day who might otherwise have been in need. Many thanks to all the people and churches who helped make this effort possible. And, thanks to all of you who also helped make and deliver back to school book bags to those same kids yesterday.

Watch for your SOTH newsletter, which should have arrived in your e-mail earlier this morning. If you’d like a paper copy and don’t receive one, call Sandi at 770-920-1551 or e-mail sandi@sothumc.net

Upcoming worship series, begins August 12: “Celebrating the Differences,” takes a look at men, women, our differences and the God that made us all. The Bible has some good advice for relationships, and whether you’re married, single, or single again, these three services offer practical insights that promise to help with all our relationships.