I’ve been inspired over many years by Terry Rush. I remember attending the Tulsa Workshop when I was a young man and listening to his fiery “listen to me now!” as he spoke passionately about Jesus.
A couple days ago, I got a note from him inviting me to speak at the workshop again next year. I wrote back that I appreciated the invitation but that I am trying to keep the whole spring clear so I can manage Chris’s baseball team one last time.
Good opportunity for a guilt trip. “We need you at the workshop.” “You know how important this one is going to be.”
But not from Terry. He affirmed the decision and the priorities and said, “Be sure to tell the kids to relax at the plate.”
That’s how you know someone really understands baseball. The inexperienced coach thinks that the most important rule has to do with where you hold your hands or how you twist your back foot (both important).
But the experienced coach knows that a kid has to try to relax. Someone his age or a year older is going to throw a hard object at him from 46 (until age 12) or 60 feet. If said object happens to hit you, it hurts. So you have to try to relax, convincing yourself that he’s probably NOT going to hit you and even if the pitch gets away from him you probably have time to bail out.
So how do you relax under such circumstances? Maybe we should be teaching Lamaze breathing at practices. I still remember the “hee-hee-hee” breathing pretty well. (I practiced it recently when, against my better judgment, I went on a helicopter ride.)
We all have those places where it would help to relax, don’t we? The dentist’s office. The doctor’s office. The post office. The office. Deep, cleansing breath.
And very often at home.
More Lamaze and yoga breathing. Less clinched teeth and tightened airways. More smiles and laughter. Less frowns and anger. Life would be so much sweeter. Just relax a bit.
This morning I knew where to check, and there were five comments awaiting moderation. Just sent them through. Sorry those got held up. I’ll try to lift that snafu. My fear is that it might permit spam to come through.
Also, occasionally comments come from automatic tracking of other websites. I have NO idea what that’s about.
Many of you have taken my suggestion and used the general email address on the Highland website to reach me. That gets forwarded on to me. I’m reluctant to publish my email address because I’m maxed out on time for doing email, but if you ever need to contact me directly, call Highland, ask for Gina, and she’ll be glad to give it to you.
“Nice and easy; swing level; let the bat do the work; follow through” works a lot better than yelling, “Relax! Relax! I said Relax!”
Ha! Good point, Eddy. You can yell “RELAX!” in such a stressful way that it kind of undermines the message. Like yelling “THROW STRIKES!” at your poor little struggling pitcher.
Oh, if we COULD all relax. I remember the “hee-hee-hee,” too — however, it didn’t relax me — it just “got me through” the wave of pain. Maybe that’s the trick — getting through each “wave of pain” by doing things “nice and easy” . . . and more importantly — “following through!’
(Love the baseball analogy this morning — we were at the Red Sox game last night — and it was a nail-biter — anything BUT relaxing. But, a great game — we found some offense finally!)
Have a relaxing day. I’m going to the Star Wars Exhibit at the Museum of Science with friends.
Mike - Yet another reminder of why I like you so much - you love little league baseball.
Through my years of playing little league all the way through high school (12 years total), relaxing and having confidence at the plate was one of the most important lessons I learned. As a young hitter, that was even more important than “squashing the bug” was.
Thanks for the reminder to relax this morning. It comes at a good time for many students. Although I think it would help if I knew I was about to be able to hit something as hard as I could and not get in trouble for it.
P.S. Could you e-mail me when a couple of Chris’ games are coming up. I would love to come out and watch sometime in the few weeks before I graduate.
Terry helped rebuild my trust in ministers after being badly burned. He is one of the few people I know who truly speaks from the Spirit, being convinced that he has little to nothing to do with the things that he is saying at that he is just channeling what God is doing.
Every Sunday: “What I’ve come to town to tell you today is…”
Living in the Katrina Zone on the Gulf Coast, Terry has been a source of encouragement to me. I appreciate the way he spreads himself thin trying to encourage others. At his suggestion, the church there bought my family a dishwasher and lawnmower for Christmas, knowing that we had lost everything. He asked us what we needed … and the church there provided. I will never forget that.
I know this helps few people iin Abilene, Tesas, but here in Melbourne, Florida nothing relaxes like the rhythm of the Atlantic Ocean slapping gracefully against the shore. We just had a big surfing festival here. Cindy and I took my Mom and sister over there on Friday and watched the surfers, watched the waves and felt the soothing breezes in our faces.
And then of course we went to Charlie and Jake’s for the best pulled barbeque this side of Jack’s Creek Tennessee or Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa.
http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/tuscaloosa.
Here’s a meditation you can try for relaxation:
http://www.meditainment.com/free/
Peace.
Terry was not only my minister through my high school years, he was also my baseball coach my freshman year. At the end of every practice before a game day, he would gather us all together and go over all of the important info we needd for game day: where we were playing, what time to be at the field or the school, and, most importantly, what our team cologne was going to be for the game. He always said, “It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, it’s all about how you look while you’re playing!”
Over the past six months, ministry has had its serious ups and downs. When TRush heard about my situation from my dad (who is an elder at Memorial), he immediately called me to talk to me from his own experience about taking abuse in ministry. He is definitely one who can speak from 2 Cor. 1:3-5. He ministered to me out of the comfort and consolation that he himself has received from God.
Mike - Great post and one I obviously needed to hear as I sat here reading with my jaw clenched. What is that all about? I guess I am most tense when I’m thinking about putting something on my heart out here. Unfortunately I didn’t pay very close attention during Lamaze because I’d already fully paid for my epidural.
Three good places to relax - 1) at the plate; 2) on the first tee box; 3) on the couch Sunday afternoon. I think I can still recall the Abilene Eastern Little League division from the early 1970’s glory days: The Lions (sponsored by that civic club), Printers (Abilene Printing), Starlighters (now demolished Starlight Inn), Civitans (my team and the civic club), Coolers (Lennox A/C) and the Supersonics (now closed Superette store). Am I missing one? Go Chris!
Mike, we need more baseball talk on this blog. Love the spiritual stuff but nothing gets my blood pumping like talk about the great game. And, a little off topic, I purchased the DirecTV baseball package this year. No doubt one of the best purchases I have ever made. Keep up the great work.
I wish some one had told me this many years ago. I was moving up from little league and was at tryouts for the next level. The pitcher was a rather large lefty that was wild and hitting people. I quit baseball right there; I could have been a pro.
The best part of this post is that saving the world starts at home. God bless you mike.
We need more Terry Rush’s…..don’t we? I listened to his key-note from Tulsa this weekend driving to a funeral for a friend. Terry moves me EVERY time I hear him.
What is it about baseball that makes us all SO passionate about it? Is it the childhood memories of playing, or maybe the association with a slower and less stressful time in our life? Is it the snow cone after every game….win or lose? Is it the mosquitoes and beautiful summer evenings? Is it the feeling you had when you made really good solid contact and you KNEW you were on base? Is it the competing against friends? Is it the feeling you are Willie Mays for one at bat, or Bob Gibson for one pitch? I don’t know, but I know it’s in my blood.
perhaps it is the roar of the crowd when we give a good performance. For me, anyway.
Last year Connor’s team came up with a code word for relax (per Val’s request). For some reason they chose “taco”. The best part of this was that it completely confused the other team. As Connor was rounding the bases, he said that the first, second and third basemen all asked him why they were yelling “taco” at each other. Connor just grinned and shrugged his shoulders. It drove the other team crazy and also heped our team to “taco!’
I am going through a very difficult place in my journey. O, I long to hear the roar of my God when I please him. Maybe that’s the difficult part. I so have wanted to hear the “roar of the crowd” instead of my Fathers roar.
I have got to get off this computer. So addicting, but so freeing!
Mike…way to keep your eye on the ball.
Mike, great thoughts! I think we need to learn to “relax” in the church assembly, too. Too often, we are “playing defense” against our own team. But at the same time, we need to relax when we’re “at bat.” I wonder if this is what Paul meant when he said, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I may FEARLESSLY make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it FEARLESSLY, as I should.” Eph. 6:19-20. Grace and Peace!
Dad (Terry) knew how to relax in unusual ways when we were kids. Once when mom took us all to Sears to do our get-ready-for-school shopping, dad took my brother and me over to the mannequins near the store exit. He told us to hide behind some dresses while he climbed up on the little platform and stood in between two mannequins. He stood real still - and waited for people to walk by. Believe it or not, people did not notice him there. We giggled and giggled thinking our dad was the coolest. Just as the shoppers were two steps past him he’d say in a deep voice, “Have a nice day.” Folks would nearly come out of their shoes. It was lots of fun until he did it to mom. That ended our get-ready-for-school shopping expedition! I guess she didn’t appreciate his relaxation techniques.
Mike,
When it comes to baseball, I think I need therapy. Last year I finished my last of 12 years coaching my boys in little league baseball. Last week I was able to go to Opening Day at Busch Stadium. I always get emotional on Opening Day. (That is why I think I need therapy!) Coaching my boys baseball team is one of my favorite life experiences. From April till June I would work my youth ministry around my little league schedule, which was easier when you were Commissioner of Baseball (my favorite title ever!) and controlled the schedule. Congrats to you for making Chris and his team a priority. Incidently, Dusty (Terry’s son) helped me coach the Webster Orioles in 1st grade.
This year I am helping with my daughters team. Man, there is definitely a difference in coaching girls. Every practice is a social event!! Enjoy your last 2 years of coaching!!
Go Cardinals! Go Albert!
My friend Jon Shoulders and I have been beginning every single one of our telephone conversations exactly the same way since the early 90’s — we’ll put on our best Terry Rush voice and say, “Hello, friend.” From the first time Terry ever said those to me (in the late 80’s as I remember), I felt completely welcomed into his world as his true friend. And it’s obvious to me that he treats everyone he meets in that same fashion. He’s truly one of the most loving, unpretentious people I’ve ever met. Even if he is a stinkin’ Cardinal fan like you.
As my Dad taught me: “Watch the ball hit the bat.” Pretty simple swing technique–keep your eye on the ball. It’s worked pretty well in life too.
Mike–
So true! And…easier said than done a lot of times, especially in church work. Isn’t that sad?
God has put on my heart a real need for that and the only way I can stop that definition of insanity (doing the same things over and over expecting a different result) is to jump off the hamster wheel for a period of time to be still. To listen. To renew and refresh.
Your words here are true for the office…but so true for ministry. Don Finto has often told me that when you are facing burn-out, you’ll often find that you’ve been operating by your own strength instead of the Lord’s. I think that’s true and that, especially for ministers the only real way to accomplish this… “Less clinched teeth and tightened airways. More smiles and laughter. Less frowns and anger. Life would be so much sweeter. Just relax a bit”…is by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Love and miss you, brother.
Great baseball blog! Maybe someone needed to tell “my” St. Louis Cardinals to relax last night…. GEESH…. how awful and embarrassing. Pujols was awesome as ususal. I am guessing he is saying in his head, “Breathe in….. Breathe out….Relax.”
I would relax but this Cream I’ve been applying to increase my sermon productivity keeps me kind of uptight.
My sons are too old for Little League, so now I can relax (I felt the pain of every strike out–and there were many).
Still a stadium full of Cardinal red and Sir Albert holding court at the plate is enough to get the blood (and testosterone) pumping. Ah, the smell of the grass…makes me sneeze and wheeze.
From that great sage Dave Barry:”No matter what happens…somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.”
What more could a gal ask for?
I’ve a pastor that loves my/our Father AND baseball!! :o)
BTW-Rangers, thanks for Chris Young. He’s doing a fine job with MY Padres!!
I’m so disappointed at you, Mike. The plate is 60′ 1/2″ from the pitching rubber, not 60′. Good grief…..:-)
Well, actually, I believe it’s 60′ 6″.
And for the Yankees, remember to not choke.
Terry Rush truly has the heart of a pastor.
After hearing him speak at a weekend retreat, we were helping sell DVD’s and Terry came by. My husband told Terry he wanted to give him a hug…Terry said, “Just do it.”
I just love that man!
Home run, Mike! Truth all over this one.
Interestingly, here in Dallas a number of folks associated with Don Williams’ organization–Foundation for Community Empowerment–have been playing a management and organizational development game under the direction of a professional coach. The process is rigorous and demanding, but very helpful. Growth is hard and it can hurt a boy!
Anyway, our Coach is Sarano Kelley. He insists that we “refresh” our plans and souls at least 11 times during each day. Part of the process involves deep breathing, inner focus and something akin to centering prayer. After this process we come back to our calendars and work plans and reevaluate whether or not we are headed in the right direction. Very, very helpful practice.
So, whether at the plate or on the job, the deal is to relax. I find it really helps in the whole deal of keeping my eye on the ball!
Push, push, push, push, push, shooo, shooo, shooo, push, push ,push, push, shoo, shoo, shoo, — that is all I remember from Lamaze classes. It wasn’t too relaxing. There was also something about a focal point and a squeeze toy. Maybe I should have thought about baseball when my kids were being delivered!
More appropriately, encouraged Phyllis to think about baseball.
Relaxation…baseball…dare I say, “Yoga Berra”?
For me sports should be about FUN and life should be about CHRIST. When we find ourselves stressed out in sports(or our children’s sports) it usually means that we have forgotten that it’s supposed to be “fun” and when we find ourselves stressed out in life it usually means that we have forgotten it’s all about Christ. Man, it’s hard to remember those two things!
I love Terry Rush too! He’s helped me out of so much bondage and into sweet peace and rest. What a loving child of God he is! I even sit on the front row when he preaches in spite of his warnings.
Kate
I’ll never forget going home to South Africa one year during Summer vacation at ACU and my Mom saying, “hey, have you heard a guy called Terry Rush preach.” I had not at the time, so she hauls out a set of videos that a visiting missionary had left her. Those tapes were used in small groups, big groups, every type of fellowship event. You know how people swarm good resources on the mission field. I will always be grateful that Terry was able to give some encouragement to my Mom who struggled to remain fed at our little cofc in South Africa!
Who can relax when your daddy is calling second base and you’re playing second base and he keeps muttering “What are you going to do if she hits it to you?” and marks a “X” in the dirt where he thinks you oughta stand!
Lot’s of things in life would go better if we could ease up a bit. Don’t sweat the small stuff and enjoy the big stuff more!
Good decision about coaching. You won’t regret that one.
Mike
most sports are much more relaxed with less adult intervention. We take soccer balls each year to Zambia and when we arrive at a village we bring them out. Swarms of african kids gather round to play what they call football. Our kids joined in and the energy and fun were spontaneous. There was no need for translation or organized rules by adults. It just happened. One vision I have is the amazement of Zambian boys watching our girls running up and down the field in their required chtangis( skirts). It never hampered their participation. Maybe what this world needs is just kids to play together.
Dr Bradford one of my ACU math profs told the 2 axioms of golf:
1. You can never swing as hard as you can.
2. You will get as much practtice as you need.
Laura,
Kind of like what Jesus said, isn’t it.
“Unless you become as little children…”
As usual, the Master knows what’s best for us. :o)
I think what really happens is we all relax by the time the third kid comes around. My Dad was the super achiever who got as far as AAA as a catcher for your Cards. He expected the same out of us. I remember catching a ball off my throwing hand ripping my thumbnail right off. My dad put a couple of bandaids on it told me to play right field that he couldn’t take my bat out of the lineup. There has got to be an analogy there somewhere. Cards Suck: In my best Ross Porter voice: The Dodgers, this year, next year future years, years past and years in the future rely on a stong pitching staff.
Those were the days my freinds…..oh yes those were the days.
I’ve always enjoyed your preaching and I didn’t even know you were a baseball fan.
Just thought I should share… I was always a nervous child and afraid of the ball. So, dad (Terry) decided to take me to the park one day to pitch to me for awhile. He thought it would help me become less afraid of the ball. He wanted me to relax.
When we got back home mom asked, “Why is Timmy crying?” Dad responded, “Well, because I hit him.”
What great advice Mike. It’s so easy to forget to breathe sometimes. But it does the trick to refocus your mind and heart.
Blessings to you and your family!
Forget the players! Give me some pointers on how to get the COACH to relax!
Buon luogo, congratulazioni, il mio amico!