What Is Priceless To You?

Written by BPK on Saturday March 13, 2010 at 0900!

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back." — Harvey MacKay

What do these hats with a lake in the background have to do with my time being priceless?

How should a person spend a "rainy" winter day in South Florida?

Rogers Hornsby gave me a hint when he said, "People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window & wait for spring."

Even though the so called weather experts predicted a 40% chance of thunderstorms throughout the day & a 60% chance of the same throughout the night, I was off on a journey to Jupiter at 0930!

Arrival in Jupiter was at 1120! Memories of Jack Buck on KMOX filled my mind & even though many Cardinals fans would think of "Go crazy, folks. Go crazy!" I remembered the heartfelt poem Jack wrote just days after 9/11.

Jack Buck’s Tribute to America after 9/11

September 17, 2001 @ Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Rick Weinberg

Special to ESPN.com

Six days had passed since the horrific, unspeakable terrorist attack that took the lives of more than 3,500 people and destroyed extraordinary buildings in ugly clouds of black and gray dust and ash.

Only six days had passed, and the world was no longer the same. For certain, America was no longer the same. Hearts were heavy. There was still disbelief in the air. Sadness too. Fear and anger, as well.

But life, at some point, had to return to some kind of normalcy. The anger and sadness felt for the families of the victims, for all the heroes of 9/11, will never subside, ever, but life still had to go on. Family beckoned. Work and chores too. Living life as it should be, the way it’s supposed to be.

The entertainment and sports world had to get back to work too. People had to start laughing again, even though it hurt a little, even made you feel a little guilty. Sports was needed, only if to take your mind off that unforgettable day of horror, despair and helplessness.

THE MOMENT

It’s September 17, 2001. Baseball returns. In St. Louis, the Cardinals prepare to take the field against the Milwaukee Brewers. Sadness permeates the air. Broken hearts need mending.

Everyone in the stadium wave small American flags. Nearly 500 firefighters and police officers line the warning track from the left field line to first base, honoring the heroes who perished six days earlier. There are tears in their eyes, emptiness in their hearts.

As firefighters unfurl a huge American flag in center field, a video tribute plays on the scoreboard accompanied by the beautifully chilling Lee Greenwood song, "Proud to be an American."

Then longtime Cardinals Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck, wearing a bright red jacket with an American flag pin on his lapel, strolls to the microphone. There is total silence in the huge stadium. Buck is shaking because of his infirmities and the emotion of the night, the despondency of the moment. He looks out at the crowd, normally a sea of red but on this night it is a pulsating, patriotic sea of red, white, and blue.

Buck reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of paper. He leans forward, puts his lips to the microphone and begins reading a poem, a moving, spectacularly heartwarming and patriotic poem that he wrote.

Since this nation was founded…under God

More than 200 years ago

We have been the bastion of freedom

The light that keeps the free world aglow

We do not covet the possessions of others

We are blessed with the bounty we share.

We have rushed to help other nations

Anything

Anytime

Anywhere.

War is just not our nature

We won’t start…but we will end the fight

If we are involved we shall be resolved

To protect what we know is right.

We have been challenged by a cowardly foe

Who strikes and then hides from our view.

With one voice we say, "There is no choice today,

There is only one thing to do."

Everyone is saying — the same thing — and praying

That we end these senseless moments we are living.

As our fathers did before…we will win this unwanted war

And our children…will enjoy the future…we’ll be giving.

His voice cracks as he utters the final words of the poem. His eyes are watery. So are the eyes of everyone in the stadium. Tears are shed. Then, following a poignant "21 gun" salute sprinkled with fireworks above the stadium, the game begins with players wearing US flags on their jerseys, helmets and caps.

Leo Durocher said, "Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand."

I understood as I relaxed on the berm at Roger Dean Stadium as the Florida Marlins hosted the St. Louis Cardinals.

REALLY? It almost seemed like I was back in St. Louis enjoying a Cardinals home game as red was worn by 90% of the people.

A pitching duel with numerous sparkling defensive plays, reminded me of what former LA Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda said, "No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference."

After 6 innings there was no score but the Marlins scored a run in the 7th & another in 8th to make a Cardinals win unlikely.

Not so fast my friend. Let’s not forget Yogi Berra who grew up on "The Hill" in St. Louis. He said, "It ain’t over ‘til it’s over."

This game was a perfect example of why I don’t leave games early as the Cardinals scored 5 runs in the 9th to take the lead.

Surely the Cardinals were assured of a victory, or maybe not?

What was going on in the mind of the Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa as the Marlins scored a run in the bottom of the 9th & had the winning run at the plate?

I hope it wasn’t another Yogi Berra quote like this one, "90% of baseball is mental. The other half is physical."

The final score was the St. Louis Cardinals 5 & the Florida Marlins 3!

Was it time to make the 2 hour drive back to Homestead?

Have you already forgotten the photo of the 2 hats with Lake Wolfe in the background only 10 yards from my patio?

The Cardinals baseball cap has "STL" on it & the unmistakable "[]_[]" is for the University of Miami Hurricanes.

So I went to another baseball game?

"College football would be much more interesting if the faculty played instead of the students, and even more interesting if the trustees played. There would be a great increase in broken arms, legs, and necks, and simultaneously an appreciable diminution in the loss of humanity." — H.L. Mencken

Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale was the place to be that night for the 2010 Spring Scrimmage of the University of Miami Hurricanes Football Team.

In addition to enjoying the athletic talent on the field, I was encouraged as a quote from the coach who won the first 2 Super Bowls came to life while young men battled their teammates on the field.

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." — Vince Lombardi

How did that quote come to life for me?

If you check out my Facebook photo album "The Storm Emerges!" you will hopefully see in a sequence of 20 photos how powerful the will in a young man is!

The will to be great has been a common trait among former Hurricanes players that are now enjoying success in the NFL such as these former CANES "Flashing The []_[]" after this years Pro Bowl at Sun Life Stadium in Miami!

Vince Lombardi did not believe that perfection was attainable but that did not stop him from trying to be perfect. "Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence."

So how did someone like me who was born in Minnesota, who began ice skating at 2 & started playing ice hockey at 3 become a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals & the University of Miami Hurricanes?

It didn’t hurt that I have spent more time living in St. Louis than any other one place & that I currently am on my second stint of living in South Florida.

BUT, the main reason may be the Cardinal Nation & “The []_[] Family" that exist.

HOW SO?

Former Cardinal players are always welcome in the clubhouse or spring training & I saw the best base stealer of all time & the player who made me a front row in the left field bleachers fanatic…#20…Lou Brock!

"The []_[]" takes the family aspect to another level as former CANES who are playing in the NFL regularly workout together on campus during the summer & helping out at spring practices is also a common happening.

A recent example of this was on Saturday March 6 when former QB Ken Dorsey, Safety Ed Reed from the Baltimore Ravens, & Linebacker Jon Beason from the Carolina Panthers were all part of practice.

"The []_[]" family is not limited to just players as former Wide Receiver Coach at "The []_[]" & current Wide Receiver Coach for the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints Curtis Johnson was a guest speaker on Friday March 5.

What is my conclusion?

For me . . . it's virtually impossible to find anything better than enjoying Cardinal Baseball or Hurricane Football & to enjoy both on the same day . . . priceless!

But if you don't like the St. Louis Cardinals or the Miami Hurricanes, don't fret . . . there is hope for you!

Whatever is important to you is worth spending time doing as it helps to fill your life with memories that last a lifetime & that my friends is truly priceless! 

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Mother's Day!

My mother is a Christian,

In every important way;

The fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT

Is displayed in her every day.

My mother is filled with kindness,

With love and joy and peace;

Her patience and her goodness

Inspire, and never cease.

She follows our LORD JESUS

With faithfulness, and more;

She’s gentle and has self control,

She knows what prayer is for.

Thanks, Mom, for being a Christian,

And showing me how to be;

I’ll follow your example

For all eternity.

by Joanna Fuchs

"Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." — PSALM 27:10

Even though I was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota & was not adopted by you & Dad until I was a year old, you are the only mother I know.

"Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother." — Oprah Winfrey

The courthouse in Stillwater, Minnesota is where you officially became my mother & I thank our Sweet Heavenly FATHER for that!

"The adopted child is treated by law as if he or she had been born to the adopting parents upon the entry of the final adoption decree." — Intestate Inheritance Rights for Adopted Persons

Here is the definition of adoption from Wikipedia: Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another who is not kin and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents. Unlike guardianship or other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a permanent change in status and as such requires societal recognition, either through legal or religious sanction.

Why have I not filled out the paperwork to begin the process of finding information about my birth mother?

"On Mother's Day I have written a poem for you. In the interest of poetic economy and truth, I have succeeded in concentrating my deepest feelings and beliefs into two perfectly crafted lines: You're my mother, I would have no other!" —  Forest Houtenschil

"Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water." — EZEKIEL 19:10

What exemplifies the kind of mother you have been to me?

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." — Tenneva Jordan

Peter said to HIM, "We have left everything to follow YOU!" "I tell you the truth," JESUS replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for ME and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life." — MARK 10:28-30

The LORD had many plans for me to do in my life that would have been impossible without your love!

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." — Marion C. Garretty

"Praise be to the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in CHRIST.

For HE chose us in HIM before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in HIS sight.

In love HE predestined us to be adopted as HIS sons through JESUS CHRIST, in accordance with HIS pleasure and will — to the praise of HIS glorious grace, which HE has freely given us in the ONE HE loves." — EPHESIANS 1:3-6

Just as GOD the FATHER predestined all who know JESUS CHRIST as their LORD & SAVIOR, HE also knew all along that the best possible way for me to have a life full of blessings, was for you to be my mother!

Since I am unable to give you an orchid in person, I hope that you will enjoy this cyber-orchid even though it fails to compare to the variety of beautiful orchids that I see in my lakeside garden & patio!

THERE IS ONLY ONE PHRASE THAT SUMS UP ALL THAT I AM TRYING TO SAY!

"When you look into your mothers eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth." — Mitch Albom 

If you have a few moments, enjoy these photos that express the tenderness that I was blessed to experience because you're my Mom!

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things & crushes down remorselessly all that stands it its path." — Agatha Christie

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HOME!

Home.

All of us long for a place to call home.

Home is a peaceful refuge where we are safe & become strong.

Remembering our home is intensely personal & those memories are filled with emotions & feelings.

Can you feel the hugs from Dad?

Can you hear the voices of loved ones?

Can you see family, friends, & your pets?

Can you smell the crackling of the fireplace?

Can you taste the Thanksgiving turkey & all the fixings?

We feel unconditional love through Mom’s warm embrace.

Those familiar voices encourage us, inspire us, & nurture us.

Home is a comfortable place where we can be ourselves & feel safe.

The smells of our childhood take us back home if only for just a moment.

Our favorite food isn’t just because of the taste, it’s all of the wonderful memories that surround us.

But … what … if … your … home … was … only … filled … with … horrific … memories?

Instead of hugs you were physically & sexually abused!

Instead of being encouraged you were ridiculed every day!

Instead of enjoying memories, you try to forget & end your living nightmare!

Instead of pleasant smells, you only recall the stench of pain that won’t go away!

Instead of the holidays being a wonderful thing, they only make you feel alone, angry, & sad!

"He fills my thoughts, my dreams, & my nightmares. The memory of him, & his touch, pound on the door to my soul with such force that cracks are forming in the wood. I do my best to act like no one is home by keeping the door locked & the lights off." ― Andrea Randall, Reckless Abandon

There are thousands of children who are abandoned, abused & forced into homelessness every year & the multiple homes they have had in their lives are the last place in the world they want to be!

Do you & your family have homes where unconditional love touches all who enter?

What am I doing to ensure home is where children are safe & know joy, love, & peace?

For my answer to that question & much more, don’t miss my next blog entry!

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In The Midst Of A Miami Storm!

When I first lived in Miami from 1991-1993, there were always trials & tribulations for me before &/or after significant spiritual moments in my life but we have a choice as to how we respond.

"While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us." — Benjamin Franklin

A few years ago I found a folded up piece of notebook paper with SCRIPTURES hand written in cursive.  I wrote those verses 20 years ago after a second car of mine was stolen within a year.  At that time, a friend had driven down to visit me in Miami & I had all my clothes in my car as I was going to do laundry that day.  I also had all my Christian music, pictures from my various mission trips, etc., as I sometimes was asked by coaches to lead BIBLE studies or give a devotion on the spur of the moment.

Basically, I got a flat on I-95 as I travelled home from Miami Senior High School to North Miami-Dade County.  A flat tire shouldn't have been a big deal but I had a flat the day before & did not have time to get that repaired, so I made my way home & my buddy drove me back to where the car was.

Unfortunately, my car was gone in less than the 20 minutes since I had left it.  All of this happened shortly after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew & I vividly remember the majority of people crying & screaming that they had worked their entire lives for their homes/things & now it was all gone & they didn't know what to do.

However, there were a few people who thanked the LORD that they still had a relationship with JESUS & their families were safe.

I often thought to myself, "It isn't too hard to be thankful in situations like that!" 

Word of advice, be careful what you say or think as the LORD may test you to see if you are able to handle losing all of the things you call dear in this world.

Now I had to get my bicycle fixed in order to pedal the 20+ miles to work the next day as it had been damaged in a hit a run accident when I flew over my handlebars & slid across the pavement on my knees.

That night was horrendous for me but I wrote out SCRIPTURES in cursive on the front & back of a piece of notebook paper as I knew that I had to read those truths over & over, even if I didn't feel like they were true at the moment.

I know that ALL of the BIBLE is TRUE . . . but I didn't feel like it was true at that moment. 

What's the difference? 

Feelings are never wrong . . . they are as many say, "It is what it is."

So, even when I am feeling frustrated & vexed, I am making the choice to believe that the LORD is still in control & HE has a plan for me.

Please believe that those SCRIPTURES I wrote so long ago, would encourage me & you whenever we are discouraged & in the midst of an emotional or mental or physical or spiritual storm!

Why do I believe that something like that is possible?

The day after I wrote those SCRIPTURES, I was asked to go to the bleachers on the practice fields at Miami High to be in charge of detention so that any students who were late to class or disciplined by their teachers would be punished by sitting out in the hot Miami sun.

Wouldn't you know that 3 of the toughest, most disrespectful students spent a couple hours out there with me. 

One of them asked me, "How are you doing today?"

I replied, "I'm not doing too well as my car was stolen yesterday." 

This student look puzzled & said, "Quit teasing me, your car was not stolen." 

I replied, "Yes it was.  I wouldn't joke to you about something like that."

What happened next is something that I will never forget. 

"There is no way that your car was stolen because you are the same today as you were yesterday. How is that possible? You should be angry & mad but you're the same as you always are. How do you do that?"

I sure didn't feel the same as I had spent many hours crying out to the LORD!

As tears began to well up in my eyes & my hands began to tremble, I asked them if they really wanted to know why I am different, they should read this & I pulled the folded up piece of notebook paper out of my pocket & gave it to them.

They sat down to read & as they did it was all I could do to keep myself from uncontrollably sobbing as there were 3 young people who were reading GOD's WORD with the desire to understand the truth.

Who cares if I had to have another car stolen?  

At that moment, I began praying for the HOLY SPIRIT to open up the minds, hearts, souls, & spirits of these students to understand that our HEAVENLY FATHER loves them & cares for them.

They never would have listened to Billy Graham or Martin Luther King or Tony Evans or whomever you think is one of the best evangelists/preachers/teachers in the world!

They had never been to a church & they sure wouldn't have read these SCRIPTURES out of a BIBLE . . . but they were reading the WORD of GOD.

I had spent many nights crying out to the LORD, asking HIM to do whatever it takes to make the young men & women understand that JESUS is our SAVIOR & HE is also our LORD.

I believe that the only time the HOLY SPIRIT gives people who don't yet have a relationship with JESUS discernment & wisdom about SCRIPTURES, is when they are seeking the truth!

These young people were reading BIBLE verses to understand why I was the same today as I was yesterday.

Let me tell you, I didn't feel the same at all.

But guess what?

"JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday & today & forever." ― HEBREWS 13:8

They weren't seeing me at all!

They saw JESUS in me & HE never changes!

May the truths of these 11 SCRIPTURE passages that I wrote on a simple piece of notebook paper many years ago, once again encourage me & may they also be a blessing to you, if not now, then sometime in the future when you are frustrated & feeling down.

"The LORD GOD is my strength; HE makes my feet like the feet of a deer, HE enables me to go on the heights." — HABAKKUK 3:19

JESUS replied, "You do no realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." — JOHN 13:7

When HE heard this, JESUS said, "This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for GOD's glory so that GOD's SON may be glorified through it." — JOHN 11:4

"Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever.  Though he drives the wheels of his threshing cart over it, his horses do not grind it.  All this also comes from the LORD ALMIGHTY, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom." — ISAIAH 28:28-29

"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as the potter does?" declares the LORD.  "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in MY hand." — JEREMIAH 18:6

"MY sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow ME." — JOHN 10:27

"Sing to the LORD, you saints of HIS; praise HIS holy name.  For HIS anger lasts only a moment, but HIS favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." — PSALM 30:4-5

"GOD is not a man, that HE should lie, nor a son of man, that HE should change his mind.  Does HE speak and then not act?  Does HE promise and not fulfill?" — NUMBERS 23:19

Although the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.  Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice saying, "This is the way; walk in it." — ISAIAH 30:20-21

"I know your deeds.  I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept MY word and have not denied MY name.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." — REVELATION 3:8 & 11

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the ROCK." — MATTHEW 7:24-25

May we all be filled with the JOY of the HOLY SPIRIT, the LOVE of JESUS, & the PEACE of our HEAVENLY FATHER!

GOD has commanded us to be strong & courageous!

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law MY servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your GOD will be with you wherever you go." ― JOSHUA 1:6-9

Whether we believe it nor not, there is a spiritual battle going on & we must be equipped to be victorious!

"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in HIS mighty power. Put on the full armor of GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the word of GOD. And pray in the SPIRIT on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." ― EPHESIANS 6:10-18

We are able to stand in spite of whatever the devil may throw our way & in standing, the LORD is glorified because there is no earthly reason why we should still be filled with faith, grace, hope, joy, love, & peace.

Recently there have been moments of tears that almost overwhelm me.

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief & unspeakable love." ― Washington Irving

Be encouraged in the midst of trials & tribulations though as satan is not omnipresent like our Sweet Heavenly FATHER, so he has to choose his battles carefully & he will only spend time pestering people who are making a difference in the spiritual lives of others or are destined to do so!

Count it all joy!

"I pray for you, that all your misgivings will be melted to thanksgivings. Remember that the shadow a thing casts often far exceeds the size of the thing itself, especially if the light be low on the horizon & though some future fear may strut brave darkness as you approach, the thing itself will be but a speck when seen from beyond. Oh that HE would restore us often with that 'aspect from beyond,' to see a thing as HE sees it, to remember that HE deals with us as with sons." ― Jim Elliot

An amazing passage from the book "Shadow of the Almighty" was shared with me as I was preparing to live overseas to serve the LORD however HE so desired & it's by Jim Elliot who also wrote the last quote. This is from a letter written to his future bride when he thought getting married might get in the way of what the LORD's plans were for both of them!

"Dearest Betty, I charge you in the name of our Unfailing Friend, do away with all waverings, bewilderment, & wonder. You have bargained for a cross. Overcome anything in the confidence of your union with HIM so that contemplating trial, enduring persecution or loneliness, you may know the blessings of the 'joy set before.' 'We are the sheep of HIS pasture. Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving, & into HIS courts with praise.' And what are sheep doing going into the gate? What is their purpose inside those courts? To bleat melodies & enjoy the company of the flock? No. Those sheep were destined for the altar. Their pasture feeding had been for one purpose, to test them & fatten them for bloody sacrifice. Give HIM thanks, then, that you have been counted worthy of HIS altars. Enter into the work with praise." — Jim Elliot

How can I do anything but praise the LORD after such profound words were shared with me so many years ago?

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" — PSALM 150:6

I shall continue to praise the LORD through the storms that are sure to come.

"The storms of life are sure to come but a world without them would not be the same. As thunderstorms are necessary for flowers to bloom & trees to grow, they also light up the sky in a truly awesome light show. Yet, the sun shall break through the clouds, causing that which has just been watered to grow. May the SON break through all of our storms, causing us to shine & grow!" — BPK 

"Ready for the Storm" by Dougie MacLean

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