Great Quote Thursday

It's hard to beat a person who never gives up- Babe Ruth

Point for the Day

When things don't turn out the way you planned, emotions can run high. (Judges 14:10-20)

Check your maturity- v. 12
Check your priorities- v. 16
Check your speech- v. 18
Check your anger- v. 19

Point for the Day

Samson was headed down a path toward destruction. In Judges 14, we see the beginning of his downfall. But we also can learn from his mistakes. Here are three steps to stay on course:

1. Guard your eyes- v. 1
2. Guard your ego- v. 2-9
3. Guard your emotions- v. 10-20

Point for the Day

Make memories. Every day. (Psalm 118:24)

Great Quote Thursday

It is hard to fail, but it is worse to never have tried to succeed- Theodore Roosevelt

World Series Prediction

The Kansas City Royals haven't been in the World Series since 1985. The San Francisco Giants seem to be there every other year.

The Royals must truly be surprised to be here but have swept their way through the playoffs. The Giants are a veteran team with lots of postseason experience and postseason expectations.

The Royals, having proven unbeatable in this postseason, have enjoyed several games filled with come from behind, late-inning heroics and have momentum on their side. The Giants continue to do what they do, combining outstanding starting pitching with timely hitting.

I'd love for the underdog to pull this one out. I'd love for this Cinderella story to have a happy ending. But while Cinderella teams make for great stories, they don't often win the World Series.

Giants in 6 games

Great Quote Thursday

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are- John Wooden

Predictions- League Championship Series

And then there were four.

American League
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals
The Orioles have played great all season and ran away with the AL East. The Royals continue to defy expectations. A series win by Kansas City would be great for baseball but Baltimore just seems to be in the midst of a special season.
Orioles in 5 games

National League
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Two of the most successful teams in the past decade battle it out to see who will represent the National League in the World Series. St. Louis is consistently in the postseason and can't be overlooked. But the Giants, when they make the postseason, somehow seemingly always find a way to advance.
Giants in 6 games

So while a mid-America World Series is a possibility, I'm thinking it will be an east coast/west coast affair for the championship.

Great Quote Thursday

Talent is God-given. Be humble.
Fame is man-given. Be grateful.
Conceit is self-given. Be careful.
John Wooden

Point for the Day

I thank God every day for His mercy, grace and forgiveness. But "thank you" seems so small compared to His great sacrifice.

A Day to Remember

Five years ago today, Parker gave his life to Christ. So thankful for this day in Parker's history...and eternity.

Seven Strategies to Enhance the Seasons of Your Marriage (from Gary Chapman)

In his book The Four Seasons of Marriage, Gary Chapman outlines seven strategies couples can use to move their marriage forward to a better season:

1. Deal with past failures
2. Choose a winning attitude
3. Learn to speak your spouse's love language
4. Develop the awesome power of empathetic listening
5. Discover the joy of helping your spouse succeed
6. Maximize your differences
7. Implement the power of positive influence

Major League Baseball Divisional Series Projections

With the Wild Card games completed, we're down to 4 teams in each league.

American League
Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Royals are the feel good story remaining in the postseason. The Angels finished with the best regular season record in the majors. Kansas City is happy to still be active at this point. The Angels have higher aspirations.
Angels in 4

Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles
The Tigers are consistently in the postseason. The Orioles cruised through the AL East this season. Detroit has a strong starting pitching rotation but Baltimore seems to be on track for a memorable season.
Orioles in 5

National League
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals
Lots of great starting pitching on both teams. The Nationals had the best record in the National League but the Giants are playoff-battle tested.
Giants in 4

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Cardinals are often referred to as a model organization. The Dodgers have spent tons of money to add talent in recent years. These are two iconic franchises with great playoff histories. If the Dodgers bats don't go silent, home field advantage may be the difference.
Dodgers in 5

Great Quote Thursday

God is awesome. He doesn't need you to be awesome; He needs you to be obedient- Matt Chandler