This has been a week of stories for “The Spin.” Monday was a story from Tony Bennett’s early childhood. Yesterday was a little bit of my story. Well, at least those who helped shape my life. Today’s post will be for two days. Ryan (our youth pastor) and I will be attending A Day in theSticks in Lexington, KY on Thursday. We will be leaving Wednesday afternoon and I will be busy all day Thursday, so I decided to not write a new post for that day. I’d like to leave you with another story.
When I was growing up, I was a Pittsburgh Pirate fan. I loved baseball. I loved going to old Forbes Field and watching the games. I didn’t care where we sat or how far away from home plate I was. I had my heroes-some of them members of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and some not. I can also say I didn’t like the Yankees then (or now). Some of the individual players weren’t bad, but like them? Not on your life! When Bill Mazeroski hit the walk off HR in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, I was delirious (as was all of “Bucco land.”) But the following story is not about a Pirate; it is about a Yankee who played in that World Series and excelled.
Bobby Richardson was the second baseman for the Yankees from 1955 to 1966. He was an outspoken Christian, but was/is always gracious, never pushy or judgmental. He has shared his faith at the White House and at the funerals of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle (who converted to Christ before dying).
Around the clubhouse he stood out as one of those rare players who never lost his temper and never used profane language. He never said anything, but he noticed how conversations changed when he entered a room or walked near a group of players.
During one game, Moose Skowron struck out. He returned to the bench turning the air blue. He was mad! Then he saw Bobby, got a guilty look on his face, said, “Excuse me Bobby,” then walked right on past him, cussing some more. Bobby said he just had to laugh.
(Story abbreviated for space by me. Taken from The Difference You Make by Pat Williams-pp.87-88)
Holding our temper is not always easy. I wish I could say I never lost control and never said a cuss word. That would be a lie. A big fat one! But I now know there is ONE who can help me control the anger and the “flare-ups” the enemy would love to use to ruin my testimony.
What about you? Have you seen a difference in self-control as you have allowed the Spirit to take over? How tough is this for you?
Oh, and if you are at theSticks event, please look me up. I’d love to meet you.
I have a bit more self-control now that I understand more about the implications of my sin. I am far from perfect and screw up more often than not. But I continue to keep getting better and working at it. Have fun at the conference.
that is the important thing Daniel. Keep growing.
I’m better for a long while.
And then I just lose it.
Make it longer the next time. 🙂
When we live by the Spirit we are better able to have self-control in the areas of our life. The key is to stay closely connected with God so those times when we might become angry or are tempted with sin we are able to resit it. Great thoughts!
Good advice Dan. Living close to the Spirit is where the strength comes from.
That just had to be one of the weirdest World Series ever. When the Pirates won, they were low scoring games. When the 27 time World Champions won, they were blowouts. Weird. Fortunately, there is no video. I was outside and probably would have thrown my dog if she had come by. It was not my greatest moment.
For the most part, but I totally lost it a couple of years ago when Tennessee lost to Kentucky. I pitched a big fit outside and threw things. My family laughed at me. An I’m a Yankees fan. Have been since 1977. What’s really weird about that 1960 World Series is that the Yankees outscored the Pirates by a huge margin over the whole series.
Pitched a fit and your family laughed. Is that on video? I know about that fact of the 60 WS, but the final score counts. 🙂 Can you say Walk Off in bottom of the 9th.
I know about this subject all too well. There was a time when I was a walking time bomb. I’d fly off the handle into violent fits of rage. The source of ninety nine percent of flare ups is fear… The person with fear is the one who lacks self control. America is filled with men who have the most fear… We so need to educate our society to this fact. Trusting in God and knowing that He will deliver, He will supply, is the root of patience, peace, and love. I also think that we need to be reminded often. Thanks for this one today…
I know you are allowing the Spirit to control this part of you Floyd. Your experiences are rich in meaning and well worth passing along. Thanks for pointing us to God’s strength.
My 2 favorite teams are the Reds and whoever is playing the Yankees.
As for self-control, I do ok with not showing my temper, but it is still there–smoldering at times.
Well, you are 0 for 1. I can along with the Yankee feeling but the Reds??? Sorry. No can do. Don’t allow the smolder to burn.
I have seen a tremendous difference in self-control as the Holy Spirit has taken over my life. Not only do I rarely lose my temper anymore, but I don’t have to talk as much or be heard. At first, it was SO tough to get out of the habit of reacting. It’s still tough when I am tired, hungry or overly-stressed. But when I keep up with my maintenance plan, it’s not that tough. The Holy Spirit is amazing at keeping my self-control operating well.
“Maintenance plan”? What is that? Sounds like a good idea.
I have almost no self-control it feels like. Not so much temper explosions but mood swings, saying things I shouldn’t, inability to concentrate, …
Exercise helps, giving myself time /can/ help, when I pray regularly and generally inhabit that space — that helps. I don’t have the self-control to stick to what I know is best.
If Kari doesn’t answer here Ivan, I will email her and ask her to take a look. Your examples of a lack of self-control are common. Thanks for the comment.
I used to have something similar happen when I worked with a bunch of engineers for the State of Alaska DOT. They would say something then cuss then apologize to me when I was around. I thought it was because they knew I was a pastor, but I was surprised to find out when I left that job to do ministry duties full time, many of them didn’t have a clue I was a pastor. It’s amazing! We can be different without being pushy and arrogant about things. As for self-control, I am good but need more and thankfully I know where to find it as it’s a fruit of His Spirit. Thanks Bill.
I like that Jason. They recognized something in you that didn’t scream “pastor” but did speak volumes. Your integrity and example.
Great story. Bobby’s presence changed the atmosphere where he went because of what he carried.
Exactly right Hutch.
When I turn the matter over to prayer, there is an immediate change because my focus isn’t on me anymore. Anger almost always comes from a self-focus. This is a great topic.
I like your thoughts here Melanie. Anger is from self-focus. Thanks.
Always in the process of trusting Him to help me with self control. Great story, motivates me to pray for more of Him and less of me.
Great prayer Betty. it should be for all of us.
In some area’s it’s easy to have self control and in others I feels as if I have slippery fingers.
But the closer I am with God, the easier it is to brush things off. Putting on my armor, listening to Christian music and reading my Bible all help shift my focus off ME and toward God! But I’m human, so yeah, I mess up my witness but even that can be used for God’s glory if I allow it to.
Great examples of ways to gain self-control TC. You are right though. Even our loss of it can be used for God’s glory.
I have to say that anger was never really a problem for me, but language was. That’s something I’ve continued to work on (or rather get worked on about), and the Spirit is really giving me some control in that area.
I tend to have a pretty mellow personality but there have been times when I’ve been surprised by my own outburst. Afterwards I realized that I tend to lose it when I lose focus on what is really important. The more I focus my mind on Biblical truth and let it change my thinking the easier it is to stay in control.