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Category: Texas Rangers (Page 14 of 33)

Holy Spirit Peace

September 14, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~John 14:26-27

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

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The peace of the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus is different from the peace of the world. The main reason for that is that the world’s peace is not based on reality. The world can’t keep its promise of peace. It’s impossible.

See this ship? It’s unsinkable. Don’t worry about a thing on your cross-Atlantic adventure. Nothing bad can happen. This ship can never sink.

This school is super safe. Put your children in this school and nothing bad will ever happen to them. They’ll be safe, they’ll be protected. They’ll turn out exactly the way you want.

Vote for this candidate. If this candidate wins the presidency, ISIS will be destroyed and terrorist attacks will become a thing of the past.

Invest in this stock and your retirement fortune will be guaranteed.

Have this surgery and you’ll never get sick again.

The world promises peace, but the world can’t deliver it. The world tells you, “You can do this. You’ve got this. Think smarter. Plan better. Work harder on your marriage. Be more efficient with your job. Be more disciplined with your habits. Pay more attention to your kids.” And we’re all neurotic and anxious and fearful, thinking any success we might have is all on us. And Jesus says, “That’s not how I’m going to do it.”

Remember, you are not God. Neither is Trump or Clinton or Blue Cross – Blue Shield or Dow Jones or Ford or Southwest Airlines or your parents. You are not good enough to make happen everything you want to happen. And our Lord steps into that space where we’re not capable and where the world cannot deliver. The Holy Spirit of Jesus comes to us and we melt into this knowing that we’re not able, but he is. And that results in peace, perfect all-surpassing peace.

Jesus gives us all a heads-up. Bad things are going to happen to you, he says. You’re going to have trouble. The world’s going to do bad things to you and sometimes you’re going to do bad things to yourself. Some of this trouble you might can avoid, but won’t; and some of this trouble is completely unavoidable and totally out of your control. Don’t be shocked when it happens. It’s going to happen. In this world you will have trouble. But in me, he says, you’ll have peace.

That is so real. That’s so grimy and dirty and real. God’s Holy Spirit adopts us as his sons and daughters and gives us new life and teaches us how to love and obey in a community of faith. He comes to us and makes his home with us and is the eternal source of everlasting peace.

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The Texas Rangers’ magic number is eight for clinching their seventh division championship. Last night’s 3-2 win in Houston was the team’s 44th come-from-behind win this year, the most in MLB. It was their 18th win in their last at bat this season, also the most in the big leagues. The Rangers are 33-10 in one-run games, the best record in that category in MLB history. And they are 15-3 this season against the Astros. The shaky bullpen is a big reason, I think, for the high number of come-from-behind wins and one-run victories. So, too, though, is the never-ever-quit attitude of this team. They’re never out of it. They never give in until that 27th out has been recorded. This team is fun to watch.

Peace,

Allan

Holy Spirit Identity

September 13, 2016 / / 0 Comments

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you… Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” ~John 14:18-20

holyspiritbreathThe adopting work of the Holy Spirit pulls us out of the cosmic orphanage into an intimate and eternal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit gives us new life in Christ — Christ in us. By the work of the Spirit, God lives in us and we live in God. And the overflow of joy and grace and peace and love of the Trinity belongs to us. It’s ours. We’re in! This is our brand new life in Christ! This is my new and primary identity. This is who I am. And nobody or nothing can take it away from me.

I am Carrie-Anne’s husband. One of my identity markers is that I am Carrie-Anne’s husband. That’s who I am. For 27 years now, I am Carrie-Anne’s husband. And I dig it. It gives me love and stability and joy and support and, sometimes, sopapilla cheesecake. But my identity as Carrie-Anne’s husband can be taken away from me. We’re both getting older. God forbid — something could happen and I would not be Carrie-Anne’s husband anymore.

Another of my identity markers is that I am the father of three awesome daughters. That’s who I am. But could be taken away from me. Again, God forbid — something could happen and I wouldn’t be a father anymore. There aren’t any guarantees.

Another of my identity markers is that I’m the preacher at Central Church of Christ. And I love being the preacher at Central. It’s who I am. But the elders could get together and take one vote tonight and it could be taken away from me. (I’ve got dirt on every one of those guys; so, it’s not going to happen!) But you understand what I’m saying.

All of my identity markers can be taken away from me. I’m not all powerful. I’m not all seeing and all knowing. I’m not God. I live in a broken world where there are no guarantees.

But the Scriptures say the Holy Spirit guarantees that we belong to Christ. I have been adopted into a new life in Christ. So I have this one thing you can’t touch. I am a son of God. I am loved and protected and provided for and saved by my new Holy Spirit life in Jesus. I can get sick and it’s still true. I can lose my job, I can lose my family, everybody can hate me, and it’s still true. I can die and my identity as a saved child of the King does not change one bit. The Holy Spirit gives us new everlasting life and a permanent identity in him.

Peace,

Allan

No Room for Dumb

September 12, 2016 / / 0 Comments

jerryhidesfaceThe Cowboys’ margin of error is so thin — the difference for this team every week between winning and losing is so small — there’s no room for dumb. And yesterday Terrance Williams went dumb.

Because of their 4-12 record last season, the Cowboys are playing a last place schedule this year. Because the NFC East is so weak, they’re playing the league’s easiest schedule overall. And when you’re starting a rookie quarterback and a rookie running back and half your defense is out on drug suspensions, you’ve got to win games like yesterday’s. At home, within the division, dominating time of possession, multiple drives of double-digit numbers of plays — it was there for the taking.

But Williams cut left instead of right. With his coaches screaming at him from the sidelines and even his teammate Dez Bryant yelling at him from on the field, Williams elected to stay in bounds with eight seconds left and no timeouts instead of stepping out of bounds to stop the clock for one more play or a really long field goal attempt by the best kicker in the NFL. We all know that the entire team was reminding everybody that whoever caught Dak’s pass would need to step out of bounds immediately. It was the last thing Dak said in the huddle: “I-14 Right, 89-pass, whatever-you-do-get-out-of-bounds-as-fast-as-you-can! Ready, break!”

Williams’ gaffe didn’t singlehandedly cost Dallas the game. If you’ve been watching this team at all over the past 20 years, you know if Williams hadn’t done something dumb, somebody else would have. And they just aren’t good enough to overcome it. Cole Beasley’s drop of a TD pass was big. Dez’s inability to make a great catch in the corner of the end zone mattered. The highest-draft pick the Cowboys have had in forty years, Ezekiel Elliot, averaging 2.6 yards per carry didn’t help. The Cowboys defense producing no pass rush and playing super soft in coverage gave Eli Manning and his receivers extreme confidence the whole second half. It was a lot of things. The margin of error is so thin for this team.

There’s no room for dumb.

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michaelyoung10The magic number for the Texas Rangers to clinch the division crown in the American League West is down to ten. The additions of Lucroy and Beltran at the trade deadline have the offense clicking at almost 5.1 runs per game over the past six weeks. But I’m still worried about the pitching. Who’s that third guy going to be behind Hamels and Darvish? I want so badly for it to be Colby Lewis and/or Derek Holland, but both those guys are huge question marks. I know it’s not going to be Perez. You can win a five-game division series with two starters. But if you’re going to advance, you need that third guy.

Peace,

Allan

A Legal Adult

September 10, 2016 / / 0 Comments

carley8giftOur youngest daughter turns 17-years-old today. Carley Renae, our little bear, is regarded now as a legal adult by the statutes of the great state of Texas. Our baby. Gnarles. The tiniest of marsupials. Seventeen? Yeah.

I know that a lot of parents tell their children, “You’re always going to be our baby girl.” And, in a lot of ways, I do still see you, Carley, as our baby. I’m still a little surprised when you talk about going to a friend’s house or doing something at school and I don’t have to plan how you’re going to get there and back. My heart catches just a bit when you come home talking about sizing your Senior ring or sending SAT scores to your top five colleges. The way you talk so effortlessly about advanced mathematics and physics and psychology causes me to shake my head. Your ambitions, your plans, your relentless ways of pursuing what you want catch me off guard. All of those wonderful things remind me that you’re seventeen, not seven.

carleybearbirthday5Of course, you still drink a tall glass of ice cold chocolate milk every single night before you go to bed. You still like for your back to be scratched or your hands to be held. And you still giggle and oooh and ahhh over cute puppy dogs and furry kitty cats.

But, yes, you are an adult today, Carley.

You’ve overcome so much by being our youngest daughter. Most all of your clothes have been hand-me-downs. You’ve always had the last pick on rooms in a new house, seats at the table and in the car, and where we’re going out to eat. Your baby book is by far the smallest and thinnest of all the Stanglin girls’. (Sorry; do we even know where it is?) It’s tough being the youngest.

golf2015But, wow, you’re definitely not our baby anymore. Carley, you have turned into a beautiful, talented, compassionate, brilliant, hilarious, young lady. You reflect the character of our God who created you. And you make your mom and me so incredibly proud of what he is doing in you and through you to his eternal glory.

Happy Birthday, Bear. Thank you so much for blessing our lives and our family with so much joy and love. Thank you for giving us that, and so much more, to look forward to in the future.

I love you. And I’m very proud of everything you are and everything you’re going to be.

Dad

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12odorThe Texas Rangers’ magic number for clinching the American League West Division title is down to twelve. I’m worried about our bullpen, Dyson doesn’t give anybody much confidence, and until last night each of our starters had struggled in their past couple of starts. The offense is certainly there. But pitching is what counts if a team has hopes of advancing in the postseason. They can win a five game division series with just Hamels and Darvish. But they’re going to need a third guy to step up if they’re going to get back to the World Series. And today I don’t know who that is.

Peace,

Allan

#NeverEverQuit

August 10, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Two games in Denver. Two dramatic come-from-behind wins for the Rangers. Texas scored three runs in the 9th inning to beat the Rockies Monday night. Then 18-hours later in the sunshine at Coors Field, they rallied for four runs in the 8th to demoralize the Colorado bullpen and fans. That’s a two-game sweep, that’s maintaining a seven game lead on the M’s, that’s adding to the AL’s best record, and it’s more mojo for Bannister’s “Never Ever Quit” mantra that fuels this franchise.

There really is something to the strength and depth of this Rangers lineup that means they’re never truly out of any ballgame. You look up and down this team’s order and there’s really no weakness. There’s no break for an opposing pitcher.

Unless you’re playing in a National League park.

Over the past two days, I’ve been reminded again of how antiquated and ridiculous the NL rules are requiring pitchers to bat and how the DH rule in the American League is the only thing that makes sense. I can’t wait for the day when MLB finally completes this long torturous process of combining the leagues and never forcing us to watch a pitcher attempt to bat a ball again. They’ve done away with AL and NL presidents, there are no more AL and NL umpires, the divisions all have the same number of teams, interleague play is no longer a novelty — it’s time. Make the move already! Apply the DH to all games in both leagues. Go so far as to add the tricked-up “bonus batter” thing some people are talking about. I don’t care. I’m just sick of seeing a guy in scoring position with the pitcher on deck.

RangersRockiesTidmoresIt was great to see Bruce and Celia Tidmore at the Rangers game yesterday. They’re here in Denver getting some quality vacation time in the mountains with kids and grandkids. C-A and I are heading back home today after a wonderful three days in Colorado. Have a great rest of your week.

Peace,

Allan

Hello, Win Column!

August 9, 2016 / / 1 Comment

I can’t tell you how much fun that was last night. You know how when the Rangers are playing New York or the Red Sox in Arlington and it feels like there are more Yankees fans or Boston fans than Texas fans in the stadium? Well, it is so very cool to be on the other side of that deal.

Carrie-Anne and I are in Denver this week for a quick getaway together — no kids! — before the craziness of the school year hits. And the center piece of our trip is both games of this uncommon two game series between the Rangers and Rockies at Coors Field. My friend Jerry Schemmel, the radio voice of the Rockies, scored us some sweet tickets for both games — five rows up from first base —and hosted us in the KOA broadcast booth for the second and third innings last night. Being on the broadcast floor also gave us a chance to pop into the Fox Sports Southwest booth and say “hi” to my friend Steve Busby. Everything I know about baseball I learned by sitting next to Buzz in the Ballpark press box during my years with KRLD.

RockiesRangersSchemmelRockiesRangersBooth

C-A and I noticed it during the day as we sight-saw around Denver: there were lots of Rangers fans in town. We spent most of the late morning and early afternoon on 16th street downtown and then later in the day at Denver’s historic Union Station. And we saw lots and lots of Rangers shirts and caps. We met Rangers fans from Nacogdoches and Richardson, from Dallas and San Angelo. It was quite remarkable. But nothing like inside Coors Field. It looked and felt like there was one Rangers fan for every two or three Rockies fans. It got to be kind of a joke along the concourse and at the concession stands that the Texans were taking over Colorado here in August just like they do during the winter.

You may already know that the Rangers went into the ninth inning trailing 3-1, having only achieved three base hits. Cole Hamels went six innings, giving up just two runs, but it was a struggle. Colorado was playing excellent defense, robbing several Rangers of hits. And we just couldn’t get anything going on the field or in the stands. When Beltre hit a homerun to cut the lead in half at 2-1, it sounded like the home team had scored. It was loud. But it was fleeting because Kela gave the run right back and it didn’t look like it was in the cards for Texas.

But then Profar and Odor worked a perfect double-steal in the 9th, Andrus drove them both home with a sharp single through the box to tie the game, and then with two outs Moreland won it with a pinch-hit double into the right field corner. Three dramatic runs in the ninth to win the game and the whole place went crazy. The Rangers fans completely took over the stadium and it was so much fun. You know how that thing works: fans high-fiving across aisles, fist bumps, taking pictures. But the coolest thing was being a part of “Let’s Go Rangers! Clap, Clap! Clap, Clap, Clap!” in somebody else’s stadium. What a great night!

We’re taking in the get away game this afternoon and then heading home tomorrow. The Rangers have an 8-1/2 game lead in the West and we had a really cool experience here in Denver.

Peace,

Allan

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