Nazarite Vow November

Patrick Lankford wanted us to join him in a "No Shave November."  When we upped the ante with "Nazarite Vow November," he was all in!  So, rather than not shaving or cutting your hair in fall months, let's do what "Nazarite" really means.  Devote ourselves to God!




So, what would it mean to take a Nazarite Vow today?  
Like the Nazarites we would:

• Let no razor touch our head
• Not touch any wine or fermented drink. (That means I have to change my mouth wash to something without alcohol). 
• Not eat or drink anything grape related. (Except Communion on Sundays). 
• Don't touch or go near any dead bodies. (I'll make an exception for a funeral). 
• Consecrate or set apart ourselves and our time daily for study and service to God. 
• Pray Daily that God would set us apart for His purposes. 
• Offer a "sacrifice" of praise on Saturday, Dec 1st, when we shave & cut our hair. 

So, if you want to do more than "No Shave November" to consecrate yourselves to God, simply let Topher or Patrick know, we'll be happy to walk through a modern day Nazarite Vow together.  We'll talk later about what our Saturday, December 1st will look like later.

Suggested Readings
Thurs - Nov 1 - John 1:45-46 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" "Come and see!"
Fri - Nov 2 - Numbers 6:1-21 - Amos 2:11 - Details of the Nazarite Vow
Sat - Nov 3 - 1 Samuel 1 - Samuel is born.
Sun - Nov 4 - 1 Samuel 2
Mon - Nov 5 - 1 Samuel 3
Tues - Nov 6 - 1 Samuel 4
Wed - Nov 7 - 1 Samuel 5
Thurs - Nov 8 - 1 Samuel 6
Fri - Nov 9 - 1 Samuel 7
Sat - Nov 10 - 1 Samuel 8
Sun - Nov 11 - 1 Samuel 9
Mon - Nov 12 - 1 Samuel 10
Tues - Nov 13 - 1 Samuel 11
Wed - Nov 14 - 1 Samuel 12
Thurs - Nov 15 - 1 Samuel 15
Fri - Nov 16 - 1 Samuel 16
Sat - Nov 17 - 1 Samuel 19:18-24, 1 Samuel 25:1
Sun - Nov 18 - Judges 13
Mon - Nov 19 - Judges 14
Tues - Nov 20 - Judges 15
Wed - Nov 21 - Judges 16
Thurs - Nov 22 - Mark 1
Fri - Nov 23 - John 1
Sat - Nov 24 - Luke 1
Sun - Nov 25 - Matthew 3
Mon - Nov 26 - Mark 6
Tues - Nov 27 - Acts 18:1-18
Wed - Nov 28 - Acts 21:17-24
Thurs - Nov 29 - Mark 14:22-25
Fri - Nov 30 - Luke 22:15-18
Sat - Dec 1 - Num 6:1-21

Extra info from Jewish Encyclopedia

NAZARITE:

By: Executive Committee of the Editorial Board., George A. Barton, Ludwig Blau

Nazarite Laws.—Biblical Data:

Three restrictions are imposed upon the Nazarite, according to Num. vi.: he may not take wine, or anything made from grapes; he may not cut the hair of his head; he may not touch the dead, not even the body of his father or mother. If a Nazarite has become unclean by accident, he must offer a sacrifice and begin the period of his vow anew. He is "holy unto the Lord" (Num. vi. 8), and the regulations which apply to him actually agree with those for the high priest and for the priests during worship (Lev. x. 8 et seq., xxi.; Ezek. xliv. 21). In ancient times the priests were persons dedicated to God (Ezek. xliv. 20; I Sam. i. 11), and it follows from the juxtaposition of prophets and Nazarites (Amos ii. 11-12) that the latter must have been regarded as in a sense priests. Young men especially, who found it difficult to abstain from wine on account of youthful desire for pleasure, took the vow. The most prominent outward mark of the Nazarite was long, flowing hair, which was cut at the expiration of the vow and offered as a sacrifice (Num. l.c.; Jer. vii. 29).

In Ancient Israel.

The history of Nazariteship in ancient Israel is obscure. Samson was a Nazarite, whose mother abstained from wine during her pregnancy. His superhuman strength lay in his long, unshorn locks (Judges xiii. et seq.). Samuel's mother promised to dedicate him to God during his whole life, saying, "There shall no razor come upon his head" (I Sam. i. 11); the Septuagint concludes from the latter promise (to which it adds "he shall drink no wine") that Samuel was a Nazarite. Neither the nomadic Rechabites nor their wives or children drank wine (Jer. xxxv.; II Kings x. 15 et seq.).

Extent.—In Rabbinical Literature:

The Nazarite law was minutely developed in post-Biblical times and became authoritative, while the popularity of Nazariteship and the influence it exercised on men's minds appear from its numerous regulations, which form a voluminous treatise of the Mishnah, and from the many expressions and phrases accompanying the taking of the vow. If one said, "May I be a Nazarite," he became a Nazarite at once (Naz. i. 1). As a consequence of the universal custom, peculiar words and phrases, some of which are now unintelligible, were formulated for the taking of the vow (Naz. i. 1, ii. 1; p. 10a; Ned. 10a, b, et passim). "'Let my hand, my foot be nazir,' is not valid; 'Let my liver [or some other vital part] be nazir,' is valid" (Naz. 21b; Tos. to Naz. iii. 3). When the sanctuary was defiled at the time of the wars of the Maccabees the people assembled all the Nazarites before God as persons who could not be released from their vows (I Macc. iii. 49); yet when Nazarites returned from the Diaspora and found the sanctuary destroyed they were absolved from their vows (Naz. v. 4), although at the same time others took it (ib. v., end).

The expenses of the offerings of poor Nazarites were borne by the wealthy, this charitable obligation being expressed by the phrase "to have [his head] shorn"; and King Agrippa had many Nazarites "shorn" (Josephus, "Ant." xix. 6, § 1; Naz. ii. 5, 6; Acts xviii. 18; xxi. 23, 24 [Nazariteship ofPaul]). "At the time of R. Simeon b. Sheṭaḥ 300 Nazarites came to Jerusalem. In the case of 150 he found a reason for annulling their vows, but in the case of the others he found none. He went to his brother-in-law King Jannai [103-76 B.C.] and said to him: 'There are 300 Nazarites who need 900 sacrificial animals; you give one-half and I will give the other half'; so the king sent 450 animals" (Yer. Ber. 11b and parallels). Noble persons also, both men and women, took Nazarite vows. Queen Helena was a Nazarite for fourteen (or twenty-one) years (Naz. iii. 6; see Jew. Encyc. vi. 334, s.v. Helena), and Agrippa's sister Berenice was at Jerusalem on account of a Nazarite vow taken before the outbreak of the great war against the Romans (Josephus, "B. J." ii. 15, § 1).

Hurricane Michael Help

Caleb and I are travelling toward the gulf on Thursday morning, October 18th at 4:30am.
If you want to help, bring tarps, cash for gas, water, baby supplies, and hygiene items, to Central Church of Christ by tonight. We'll be at the building until 8pm to accept donations.

We plan to take more trips in the future for long term recovery. Stay tuned!
Instagram: @centralchurchsparta

disasterreliefeffort.org
spartacoc.com

Pre-Season Baseball

David, Drew, Hayden, Holden, Here's a couple of items we worked on.  Proof read these two documents for me and make suggestions for edits. 

Sheet #1 - Calendar with mental training staying on Wednesdays.  It just looked balanced that way.
POTENTIAL SCHEDULE DOWNLOAD

Sheet #2 - These are Drew's recommendations for workouts.  I have yet to put the time into comparing my sources.  Drew's had a lot of good ideas to target specific areas.
POTENTIAL WORKOUT DOWNLOAD

What do you remember?

What do you remember from 9/11? Here are 6 peoples I remember from that week in 2001. 

1. My wife. I met Ashley shortly after the planes hit on 9/11/2011. She was reading her Bible calmly from 2 Corinthians 4. 
2. My 3 Lipscomb University classmates. (Michael, Jon, & Paul) They shoved life aside to drive supplies, money, and aid together with me to the Pentagon & Manhattan Island. 
3. The Military Police and his assault rifle. He made it clear that we were not to pray on the Pentagon lawn at 1am Thursday morning. 
4. The Franciscan monks who prayed for us before we entered the gates to Ground Zero. 
5. The elders of Manhattan Church of Christ who let us sleep on their floor. 
6. The K9 units who worked tirelessly to find survivors. I wrote a short article on them here in 2015. 

http://www.topherwiles.com/2015/09/remembering-those.html

Today I returned to the hope that is in the passage Ashley read to me on 9/11. May it also cause you to hope in Christ as you read it.

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

I remember on 9/11 the way Christ was manifested in so many bodies of those who loved God and loved their neighbor. What do you remember?

Other People, Elevate or Example?

The Beatitude Character Traits: Blessed are the poor in spirit... who morn... the meek... who hunger & thirst for righteousness... the merciful... the pure of heart... the peacemakers... the persecuted for the sake of righteousness. (From Matthew 5:3-10)

The Situation:
In a group Bible Study, I wanted to talk tangibly of Jesus' beatitudes.  As the class defined & discussed each character trait I asked the class to answer two questions.

1. What person from the Bible exemplifies the specific beatitude?
2. What person from your life today exemplifies the specific beatitude? 

The goal was to give our studiers a Bible reference and a living reference to look at to model their lives after as they try to live the Beatitudes out personally.

The Problem: 
A person came later to me with the following request. "Studying the beatitudes is fine, but stick to Bible examples.  We don't need to elevate people."

My Response:
I asked several questions and commended the piety of the person's desire to keep Christ elevated above people. Yet, I disagree.  I believe we are to find examples all around us of those we can model our lives after as they model after Christ.  My belief is that commending others for the glory they bring Christ, enumerating their faith in Christ, and modeling after them as they model after Christ is not only good, but something we are commanded to do.  I'll list scripture below for you to decide.

The Dialogue: 
The person backtracked to, "We need to only do it in private then, not in public."  I offered, "Bible class is private.  It is church family gathering together in a small groups to talk, discuss, and learn about the truth, how to live it, and how to teach it.  Paul also did it publicly as he as the whole Corinthian church to follow him as he followed Christ."  Then I asked, "What numbers do we have to have for it to be considered private to you?"  Their response was, "Just not in Bible class."

The Close:
We closed not seeing eye to eye.  I thanked the person for their time, concern, and suggestions.  I also requested any scripture I may have violated in class by asking for examples around us of these character traits, while admitting that I would consider the issue of elevating vs exampling modern names today.  Hopefully our dialogue continues.

Some Scripture concerning following other people who follow Jesus: 

1 Corinthians 11:1 – From Paul to the Corinthian Church

• ·         Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. – NIV
• ·         Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. – ESV
• ·         Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. - KJV

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  – From Paul to the Corinthian Church

• ·         Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you to imitate me. - NIV
• ·         For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  I urge you, then, be imitators of me. - ESV
• ·        For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. - KJV

Philippians 3:17  – From Paul to the Corinthian Church

• ·         Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. – NIV
• ·         Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. – ESV
• ·         Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. - KJV

Hebrews 13:7  – From Anonymous to the Jewish Believers

• ·         Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. – NIV
• ·         Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. – ESV
• ·         Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. - KJV

Finally, is mentioning those who model well the truth of Christ an example or an elevation?  You decide.

Appreciating Feminine Freedom Fighters

By: Topher

                Independence Day has come and gone.  Grandiose firework displays have filled your sight.  Delicious grilled meats have filled you belly.  Family & friends have filled your memories.  Now is a good time to ask the question, “What has filled your gratitude?” 

                In the midst of July 4^th busyness, we often forget to spend time in gratitude for the freedom we’ve been given.  Here are two of nine women I’ve been studying that had a profound impact on our freedom in America and in Christ.  Study them and thank God for female freedom fighters. 

Priscilla, the wife of Aquilla, is mentioned 7 times in the Bible.  Five times she is mentioned before her husband, which usually denotes priority, authority, or focus.  After living in Rome, she traveled with Aquilla & Paul to Ephesus to encourage the fledgling church.  In total, Paul lived with Priscilla & Aquilla for 18 months.  In Acts 18:26, she is mentioned first again when they took aside an eloquent & educated preacher named Apollos and “explained to him the way of God more accurately.”  Apollos following would later be compared to Paul (1 Cor 3:4) and I suspect he may have been the true author of the wonderfully deep book of Hebrews.  Thank God for Priscilla who, along with her husband, helped further the freedom given in Jesus Christ in the spiritual battle against sin & darkness.

Molly Ludwig Hays may be often known by a different name, Molly Pitcher.  Folklore has it that in June 1778, she scanned the battlefield looking for her husband John as his regiment of Colonial soldiers under George Stirling withstood the forces of dreaded imperial general Clinton. Cannon blasts shook the ground on this scorching hot day as she spotted her husband working the ramrod of a colonial cannon.  As she repeatedly carried her pitcher of water from creek to soldiers, the wounded would yell, “Molly, PITCHER!”  Then, she spotted the signs of heatstroke when John slumped over his cannon, crumpling before the approaching redcoats.  Molly jumped up to “man” the cannon in her husband’s stead, thus aiding General Stirling in the battle and preserving the colonial push for freedom in the Revolutionary War.  General George Washington personally commended her bravery and post-war congress voted to pay her $40 annually for the rest of her life for her services in the Revolutionary War.  Thank God for Molly who, along with her husband, helped further the freedom given in the Revolutionary War in the battle against imperialism.

Neither Priscilla nor Molly were looking for fame when they served in their respective battles.  Instead, they were simply serving with their husbands in marvelous ways.  May we remember, appreciate, and model our lives after these feminine freedom fighters.

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” – Proverbs 31:10

Prayer List Upgrade

     The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective!  James drops this motivating morsel at the end of his letter to Christians in trouble (James 5:16).  If prayer is such a potent force, why do we often feel as if we’re stuck in a rut uttering mindless repetition before the almighty Father?  Have no fear, scripture is here!  I encourage you to put this helpful list from scripture near your primary prayer place.  Whether it’s a kneeling bench, a closet, a bathroom, the office, or the car, posting this prayer list in a prominent location can help you pray for the same things early Christians did in a fresh and exciting way! Here are some things you can pray for starting today.

·   Pray that God would exalt His name in the world. – Matt 6:9

·   Pray that God would extend His kingdom in the world. – Matt 6:10

·   Pray that the gospel would speed ahead and be honored. – 2 Thess 3:1

·   Pray that God would give justice to His people in their cause. – Luke 18:7

·   Pray that God would save unbelievers. – Romans 10:1

·   Pray that God would direct the use of the Sword. – Eph 6:17-18

·   Pray for words to boldly proclaim the good news. – Eph 6:18-19

·   Pray for the healing of wounded brothers & sisters. – James 5:14-15

·   Pray that God would supply his troops with necessities. – Matt 6:11

·   Pray for God’s wisdom. – James 1:5

·   Pray that God would establish His leadership in the mission field. – Acts 14:23

·   Pray for unity and harmony in God’s Kingdom. – John 17:20-21

·   Pray for a knowledge of God’s will. – Colossians 1:9

·   Pray for power to comprehend the love of Christ. – Ephesians 3:14-19

·   Pray for strength and endurance. – Colossians 1:9-11

·   Pray for the forgiveness of your sins. – Matt 6:12

Other People to Pray for in the Bible

·   One another (Jam 5:16)

·   All people (1 Tim 2:1)

·   Friends (Job 42:10)

·   The Saints (Eph 6:18)

·   Governing Authorities (1 Tim 2:2)

·   Church Leaders (Heb 13:17-18)

“May He (God) give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed!” – Psalm 20:4

The Bow of the Beginning and End

The Bow of the Beginning and End 

by: Topher Wiles

     “It’s not the destination but the journey that matters.” That sounds like a great old adage to follow, yet we need more to keep us afloat along till we reach our destination.  We need reminders of the beginning and the end.

     Noah steps off that grand ole ark to God’s artistic lightshow in form of the amazing rainbow.  Imagine being a 601 years old adult seeing it for the first time!  Noah had a wonderful fresh start to the journey as we often do in our Christian walk.  Do you remember the time, like Noah, you were “saved through water?”(1 Pet 3:20)  It was an amazing fresh start, wasn’t it!?

For many of us, that fresh start gets muddied & mired with trouble along the way, much like the calamity Noah & Ham found just after the flood. (Gen 9:22)  How many times have we seen Christians on fire with a fresh start only for that blaze to die to a barely visible glowing ember through the rest of their lives?   Yet, the Christian walk doesn’t have to be this way.  We can continue to travel with a brightened and enlightened life filled by focusing on two major points, the beginning and the end.   

     God gives us a view of the Alpha & Omega, beginning & end, in the book of Genesis and Revelation.  To sum up both, you need only remember His rainbow.    

1. Remember the rainbow as God’s as a fresh start in the first book of the Bible in Genesis 9:13.
2. Remember that we will see God’s rainbow in all its glory again in Revelation 4:3. 

     That’s right, the rainbow doesn’t show up again in the Bible until John’s vision of heaven where that beautiful bow encircles God’s throne.  How exciting it will be to see that rainbow again with God in the middle of it!   

      “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” – Revelation 4:2-3

     From these two rainbows in scripture, we are reminded of our beautiful fresh start and our glorious hope to come when we finally see Jesus.  God purposefully puts His rainbow only in the beginning and end of the Bible to give us sweet reminders of where we’ve come from as well as our coming hope to give us motivation along the way.  May God bless you with sweet remembrances on your journey. 

    May the hope of heaven help you to live today for Jesus!

Memorial, Mess, & Mystery

     Memorial Day has been one of my favorite holidays over the last few years.  Our tradition has been to wake up early each Memorial Day to go fishing with a veteran at church; then cap the day off with a fish fry with church family.  For some, however, conversation of Memorial Day has become a mess of a moral dilemma.
     Pacifists argue that Christians should be about peace citing Jesus' words in John 16:33, "in me you may have peace" and Matthew 5:39 "turn the other cheek."  Militarists counter with Jesus words in Matthew 10:34, "I did not come to bring peace but the sword" and Romans 13:4 "For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."  Our generations aren't the first to struggle with these moral messes.
     How do we wrestle with living in a fallen world in light of this dilema?  How do we deal with Memorial Day, a day as old as the Civil War, that honors the sacrifice of soldiers? 
     For me, on Memorial Day, I simply strive to honor the words of Jesus in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  For anyone who has sacrificed life for your freedom, you can rest assured that honor is due them.  Whatever your hand finds to do on Memorial Day, at least spend time honoring the greatest soldier in the Lord's Army to lay down His life for you, Jesus Christ.

by: Topher Wiles

A President with Pluck

A President With Pluck
by: Topher Wiles

As we begin our conversations of elders and deacons within the growing church, we would be remiss if we ignored the prominent (yet humble) church and national leader, James A. Garfield.  Garfield began his service as the 20^th president of the United States in 1881.   

Garfield left us with many inspiring quotes including:
     “If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old.”
     “A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.” 
     “Man does not live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter.”
While I am joined with President Garfield in my love of peanut butter, his noteworthy servitude in the church gives me the most respect for this man.  

The first week after his inauguration as President of the United States, a member of his cabinet insisted on an urgent meeting at 10:00 Sunday morning to handle a threatened national crisis.  Garfield refused to attend because he had a more important appointment.  The cabinet member demanded to know what it was.  The president replied, “I will be as frank as you are.  My engagement is with the Lord to meet Him in His house at His table at 10:00 tomorrow, and I shall be there.”

James A. Garfield resigned as an elder of the church of Christ in 1881 to take office as President.  It is reported on that occasion he said, “I resign the highest office in the land to become President of the United States.”

Possessing a youthful spirit, a taste for peanut butter, and service as elder in the Lord’s church, President Garfield’s efforts are an inspiration to those who would follow in his footsteps.  May you be inspired as we continue our conversations of the God ordained servant leadership in our church.
History primarily from http://www.therestorationmovement.com.

Warriors Baseball 2018 Slideshow Video

Here's our highlight video of the Warriors Baseball 2018 season. You can watch it on Youtube or Vimeo (if you don't like ads, thanks Central Church of Christ).

The video begins a little calmer to give senior photos a bit of time, then at the 3 minute mark it really picks up it's pace. Enjoy!
0:14 - Seniors
3:06 - Sunglasses
3:22 - The Fans
3:41 - Team Life
6:02 - Team Photos
6:49 - Coaches
7:15 - Coach Floyd's 100th Win
7:22 - Pitching
8:33 - Fielding
11:05 - Base Running
11:35 - Batting
13:10 - Mental Training

https://youtu.be/8pHRezpFctI

https://vimeo.com/270707538

It is also embedded on the Baseball Website homepage.
http://www.wchswarriorsbaseball.com/home

Baseball families, thank you for the kind gifts and words at the banquet last night. I'm honored to be a part of the Warrior Baseball family. Thanks also for asking me to make the video. It was fun to relive some of these great moments in our season! I hope you enjoy remembering them too.

Here are some of my final thoughts from 2018 season:
1) Don't snort wasabi, not even for $20.
2) If you want some girl's phone number, ask me to help, not Coach JP.
3) It's a great day to play baseball!
4) Remember the 7 P's. Always put People as a Priority over Prestige, Possessions, Properties, Policies, & Politics.

We hope to see you next season!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." - Philippians 1:3

Baseball Team Video Analysis

Harness the power of frame by frame video analysis!  The coaching staff has worked out some ways that our players, parents, and coaching staff can have more success analyzing our batting and pitching.  Thanks to Coach Floyd working on some recordings, our tools for growth are increasing.  We now have options such as 1/8th slow motion and frame by frame forward/reverse will help up improve in our mechanics through video analysis.

Here are the 3 items you need.

1. A tablet/cell phone.
2. The downloaded video of the baseball team. 
3. The free downloaded video analysis app. 
4. A willingness to improve. 

Here are a few steps to get you started.  

• First, on your mobile device, download our video of the team's swings on Monday, April 2nd against Warren County.  You can download it directly from my Google Drive HERE.  Download it to a location on your mobile device that you can remember. (A pitching video will come soon.) 

• Second, download the app called, Hudl Technique (formerly known as Ubersense).  Download the FREE Android version HERE.   Download the Apple version HERE.

• Third, open the app and import the video.  It will take several minutes to import into the app, so be patient.  It will be worth the wait!

• Fourth, Change the frame rate, scroll forward and backward through swings, draw lines on the screen, and, collaborate about how to continue improving!  

We will upload a shortened pitcher's video soon.  You can also use this to take footage with your mobile device and analyze the footage all from the comfort of your cell phone. 

Here's a couple of my tips of how to get the most effective change from the software. 

1)  Use the power of collaboration.  Do you see a hitch in your swing?  Is your weight off balance?  Is your bat path struggling to match the ball path?  Once you see a problem, ask someone else's input with solutions.  The coaching staff is here to help.  You may have experienced hitting friends or professional lesson coaches that can also prescribe some drills.  Let's work together to get better. 

2)  Drill, drill, drill in PRACTICE.  Don't step into a game thinking you will fix 5 things about your swing.  Drill in practice so that it comes natural in the game.  We don't want to analyze and change mechanics mid-game.  We want the game performance to be the natural result of productive and positive practice.

3)  Constructive Criticism should be Constructive.  Remember, we are trying to build or construct a better team performance.  If you see a mechanical issue in someone else's swing, remember to offer constructive suggestions, not destructive comments.  Always offer solutions, not complaints.  How you approach someone, and how someone approaches you, makes all the difference in how effective the criticism affects positive change.  

4)  Remember, baseball is a game, let's have fun! 

You might ask why I didn't post this on our baseball team's website.  Good question.  I'd rather not give our opponents a scouting advantage!  Keep this one shared privately between our Warrior team please.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.  We're happy to help facilitate improvement!

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27  

Follow the team on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCHS_Baseball

Follow the BullPen Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wchsbullpenclub/

Warrior Core Principals

Willing
          Accountable
   Respect
      Relentless
faIth     
One   
integRity           
   Selfless

Good Friday: Christ and the Cross

Good Friday is the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death.

According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning. (Matt 27:3-10)

Meanwhile, before the third hour (9 a.m.), Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment.   After multiple unlawful trials, (Luke 23)  He was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment.

Before Christ was led away, soldiers spit on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. (Matt 27:27-31)  Then Jesus carried his own cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross. (John 19:16-18)

Jesus spoke seven final statements from the cross. His first words were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34, NIV). His last were, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46, NIV)

Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last and died.

By 6 p.m. Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.

• Friday's events are recorded in Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37.

reposted with edits from:
https://www.thoughtco.com/holy-week-timeline-700618

Note: Many of the actual times of these events are not recorded in Scripture.

The following timeline represents an approximate sequence of events.

• Good Friday Events

6 a.m.

• Jesus Stands Trial Before Pilate(Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-37)
• Jesus Sent to Herod(Luke 23:6-12)

7 a.m.

• Jesus Returned to Pilate(Luke 23:11)
• Jesus Is Sentenced to Death(Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:23-24; John 19:16)

8 a.m.

• Jesus Is Led Away to Calvary(Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:16-17)

The Crucifixion

9 a.m. - "The Third Hour"

• Jesus Is Crucified on the Cross

Mark 15: 25 - It was the third hour when they crucified him. (NIV). (The third hour in Jewish time would have been 9 a.m.)

Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (NIV)

• The Soldiers Cast Lots for Jesus' Clothing(Mark 15:24)

10 a.m.

• Jesus Is Insulted and Mocked

Matthew 27:39-40 - And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!"(NLT)

Mark 15:31 - The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!" (NLT)

Luke 23:36-37 - The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" (NLT)

Luke 23:39 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (NIV)

11 a.m.

• Jesus and the Criminal

Luke 23:40-43 - But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)

• Jesus Speaks to Mary and John

John 19:26-27 - When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Woman, he is your son." And he said to this disciple, "She is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (NLT)

Noon - "The Sixth Hour"

• Darkness Covers the Land

Mark 15:33 - At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.(NLT)

1 p.m.

• Jesus Cries Out to the Father

Matthew 27:46 - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)

• Jesus is Thirsty

John 19:28-29 - Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, "I am thirsty."A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. (NLT)

2 p.m.

• It Is Finished

John 19:30a - When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" (NLT)

Luke 23:46 - Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (NIV)

3 p.m. - "The Ninth Hour"

Events Following Jesus' Death

• The Earthquake

Matthew 27:51-52 - At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (NIV)

• The Centurion - "Surely he was the Son of God!"(Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)
• The Soldiers Break the Thieves' Legs(John 19:31-33)
• The Soldier Pierces Jesus Side(John 19:34)
• Jesus is Laid in the Tomb(Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)
• Jesus Rises from the Dead(Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9)