Changing society poses a challenge for Christians. First Place, Theme Issue, Section or Series, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. — In 21st century America, who might attract Jesus’ attention? Muslims? Drug addicts? Religious “nones.” The recent Tulsa Workshop — the free annual gathering started in 1976 and known for many years as the “International Soul Winning Workshop” — explored outreach … Continue reading Churches of Christ in decline: U.S. culture to blame?
“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.
• • •
By Bobby Ross Jr.
Ray. People will come, Ray.
They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past.
“Of course, we won’t mind if you look around,” you’ll say. “It’s only $20 per person.”
They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it — for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers, sit in their shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon.
And they’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game. And it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters.
The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.
People will come, Ray.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.
America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.
This field, this game, it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again.
Ohhhhh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.
Forgiving a racist chant (reporting from Oklahoma City): Amid national outrage over a video referencing the N-word and lynchings, a Christian senator seeks to bring healing. OKLAHOMA CITY — State Sen. Anastasia Pittman chose forgiveness over bitterness. Pittman — the only African-American female among Oklahoma’s 149 legislators — made national headlines when she stood beside an expelled University of Oklahoma fraternity member at a March 25 … Continue reading Forgiving a racist chant
Just what's so 'controversial' about that Indiana religious freedom bill passed this week?: http://t.co/z2LQqBLstW pic.twitter.com/EijNXb4dUc — GetReligion (@GetReligion) March 25, 2015 Enter CNN: Indiana 'religious freedom' bill just got even more controversial: http://t.co/lOYFdLyhEI #journalism pic.twitter.com/bciGDUhlsF — GetReligion (@GetReligion) March 26, 2015 It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a front-page @IndyStar editorial. No, really … http://t.co/cg0tDR2GVg #RFRA pic.twitter.com/PSL55ZQqhK — GetReligion (@GetReligion) March 31, 2015 What … Continue reading Indiana law pits religious freedom vs. gay rights
On that florist who refused flowers for gay wedding, Indy Star misses chance to provide real insight. Published April 1. You’re familiar with the Godbeat, but what about the Jesus Beat? It’s coming soon to RNS. Published April 2. Whatchamacallit: Media struggle to describe religious freedom laws in Indiana, Arkansas. Published April 3. It’s past time for New York Times to correct report that beheaded … Continue reading April 2015: GetReligion
Every fan dreams of this. We look at Spring Training now, and we know the season is coming. It would only be appropriate that once baseball truly begins again, we celebrate with the ultimate indulgent celebrations. Imagine it: 30 stadiums in (roughly) 30 days. What a way to live! People would write novels about you.
Sounds terrific, but I must take issue with one point: I’d write my own novel.
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 