Last week when I read the news that Josh Hamilton had a “relapse”,  I wasn’t mad at him. I wasn’t disappointed in him. I felt bad for him. While many web sites took the opportunity to pile on Josh and throw stones, I felt a deep sadness in the pit of my stomach. After the 24 hour rule of allowing it to process, I think I got mad. I wasn’t mad at Josh Hamilton, I was mad at all of the people and media outlets lined up to point out his failure. The last time I checked, Josh is human. Did his relapse make him any less Christian? This might not be received correctly but let me say this….

I believe it made him even more Christian.

In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the Apostle Paul said “I die every day – I mean that, brothers- just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In 2 Corinthians 12:7, the Apostle Paul said “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a throne in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me“.

Josh Hamilton is an addict. Every morning when he rises he has choices that he must make. His record against those choices is pretty strong. He has a thorn in his flesh. He must die daily to these addictions and surrender them to Christ. Last week they won. As I said on twitter and Facebook, the only difference between Josh Hamilton and I is that his failure was in the public eye.

We’re all fighting an addiction and thorns. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are the result of an evil which exists in our world. We will win and we will lose, but we must keep fighting. We will slip. We will fall. We are not perfect. We are forgiven by grace and called to aspire to live like Christ. Until all things are made right, we will all suffer a “relapse”. Be very careful if you think you won’t. I bet Josh Hamilton would say the same.

Keep fighting Josh. Keep fighting to all those that read this. I’m fighting. I’ll win. I’ll fail. But I will keep fighting and I firmly believe Josh Hamilton will too.

Tis the season… With the Super Bowl just a few short weeks away, I have an opportunity for those interested to possibly win some cash while sponsoring the Hilliard Red Baron’s baseball team. Because I’m not really smart enough to understand how this whole thing works, see the link below for the full details of how it’s going to run. This much I know, it’s $20 to get a square and you have a chance to win $200 each quarter. Not a bad return on your investment.

All of the proceeds of this fundraiser go directly to your Back-to-Back Big League Champion Hilliard Red Barons baseball team. We love our Red Barons and cannot wait for another exciting summer of baseball. Click the link below to download the full description of the contest and EMAIL ME if you are interested in signing up. Thanks in advance for supporting the Red Barons and especially Number 50.

Super Bowl Squares FundRaiser Official Details

Several thoughts here….

1. Wasn’t this kid in the movie “Teen Wolf”?

2. How exactly did he make this team in the first place?

3. If you thought he was big, check out the dude that checked in for him.

4. How many times did we need to see the replays? It was like the Theisman video.

5. I’m pretty sure I saw Coach K there recruiting this kid. Look close. He’s there.

6. All kidding aside. If this school has any backbone, they will at least suspended him from the team until he learns to move his feet and play defense. Especially now that it’s gone viral and most of the world has seen it.

It was in North Carolina

It wasn’t UNC

It wasn’t NC State

Then the Championship game came…

From the jump ball, the Wildcats looked completely gassed. The first two games had taken their toll and they looked totally flat. They would eventually get it to within 2, but Dublin would pull away. With less than a minute left to play, some pressure in the back court created a turnover. The pass went to Austin at the 3 point arch and he drained it.

Time out Dublin. 3 point lead.

Again pressure created a turnover, there was a scramble, Austin got the ball, passed it to a teammate who was covered, he threw it back to Austin who was now at the three point arch. He let a three fly…BOTTOMS. Tie game. 4.4 seconds left.

Time out…. Wait, what? The ref called what?

During the time out, the referee came over and said “guys, it was a two. His toe was on the line. It was only a two”. Everyone else in the gym seemed to think it was a three. A lady in the stands got it on video and the parents that watched the replay said it was a three. After the game, Dublin’s coach said “it was a three”. However the scoreboard showed only a two and the Wildcats would go on to lose by 1. Incredible game. I’m so proud of the whole team for their effort.

I’m most proud of number 50. He battled all day. Whenever the team needed a clutch play, the ball ended up in his hands. He never backed down. He never disappointed. It was a tough loss, but one that this team will learn a lot from.

Don’t worry, I gave that lady that has the video my email address and will post the final minute if I ever get my hands on it. Not because of the three in question, but because it was flat out exciting to watch. Stay tuned…

If you’ve read the preseason polls at all, you might have noted that the Heels are picked by just about every single publication as the number one team. While that makes me happy, I am a big enough college basketball fan to admit that this year, like no other, is WIDE OPEN. Due to the pending lockout last June, many players returned to their teams this year and have created several strong teams in the top 10. A case could be made for all of them to be the one holding the trophy in April. Plus, you just never know what will happen.

We’ll take it one game at a time starting on Friday. I can’t wait to see this unique venue come to life and honor the military with a great battle on the hardwood. Go Heels!