House of Worship

There are many churches and Houses of Worship. Some are small, one-room buildings, some are modest facilities that house congregations like ours at Woodside, there are the huge mega churches like Rick Warren’s Saddleback and there are any numbers of places that fall in between. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to see such famous spiritual homes as Notre Dame and Winchester Cathedral. The Vatican, in Rome, is the center of the Roman Catholic Church. Yet none of these can lay claim to being spiritual home to an entire nation. There is only one place that can make that claim: Fenway Park, home of Red Sox Nation.

I wish that I could remember all of the times I’ve been able to “worship” at Fenway. I know there were 2 to 4 times as a child, with my father and brothers. I know there was once when we took my father and brother-in-law. There was the time my step-son, Jim, and I went. And there was that magic night in October 2004 when the Red Sox were down 0-3 to the Yankees and my brother, a friend and I went to game four; the first game of the comeback of the ages leading to the breaking of the 86 year “Curse of the Babe.”

Yesterday I had the opportunity to introduce Lizzy, my 16 year old daughter (I can’t believe I have a 16 year old daughter) to Fenway. I was once again reminded that Fenway is more than just a baseball park; it’s history. Ted, Yaz and Rice patrolled left field for 47 years. Now Jason Bay tries to follow in their footsteps. Big Papi has followed in the tradition of Double X and Boomer, other power hitting big men. And like Pudge before him, V-Tek anchors the plate and commands the field. Only Wrigley Field can challenge Fenway in the history department. While Wrigley is in its 95th year, Fenway is celebrating the 97th year of baseball. There isn’t another park even 50 years old.

And the park itself is special: Pesky’s Pole, the center field triangle, and of course, that most famous of ballpark features: The Green Monstah. And these aren’t creations of an architect trying to come up with new “oddities” to make a newly created ballpark more commercially successful. Fenway Park’s features came from a need to fit a playing field into a specific plot of land.

Despite a poor showing from the home team (6 to nothing shutout with only two hits) we were fortunate to experience a bit of history ourselves. On July 6, 2009, Nomar Garciaparra, former rookie of the year and fan-favorite of Boston, made his first return to Fenway Park since being traded during the Championship season of 2004. The ovation and outpouring of love that was showered down on “Nomah”, gave us something to remember for a long time. Being able to experience Fenway with my daughter; that’s something I’ll remember forever.

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I Still Feel Safe!

One of the things that has surprised me the most since I’ve become involved in the prison ministry is the feeling of safety that I’ve had. I know that there are dangers there, but I’ve always felt secure

Even as I heard the door close behind me the first time we entered the prison, I didn’t experience the fear that part of me expected. Last night though, I was reminded of where I was.

I went in to CFCF last night hoping to bring the message to one person, whoever that person would be. We started out with some praise worship with the guys. After a couple of songs, and some prayer, I got up to spend a little time to share. I had just gotten started, had mentioned a blog that I was planning, when Correctional Officer (CO) Harris came into the room. He pointed at Michael and I and said, “Gentlemen, please come with me.” Now we’ve had a few times over the past few months where we said, or did, something minor that was against the rules. But we couldn’t think of anything that we had done. But no matter what; when a CO is giving you instructions, you listen, and follow him without question. Officer Harris took us to the room next door. He told us that there was a “situation” and told us that he was locking us in. We weren’t to leave the room until he, or another CO, came to let us out.

The first thing I said to Michael was, "I think that my planned blog has changed." Michael and I wondered what was going on. After a few minutes questioning the possibilities, we decided to share some prayer. Funny thing though; I believe we spent more time praying for the safety of the men and the CO’s than for our own safety. Despite the possibility of some danger, I still felt as if I were in God’s hands, fully protected.

It probably was less than 10 minutes before Officer Harris came back and led us back to the chapel. When asked whether everything was ok, he replied, “It’s ok now”. The rest of the night went smoothly. I was able to share and Michael spoke a powerful message, as he always does. We had another large exit at 9:30, but I could see that we had reached some of the guys, even some that left early appeared caught up before they walked out. At the very least, maybe we lit lit a spark.

After the service, Officer Hall led us back up the corridor. It was then that we found out that the excitement earlier came from an unannounced drill. None of us, including the CO’s and the inmates, knew that it was only a drill; so the reactions, and actions, were true. Officer Hall told us that their first duty, in any such emergency was to get any citizens to safety, and that was what they had done.

Whether a drill or real, whether we were ever in danger or not, I spent the entire evening in the arms of the Lord. Not beyond all danger, but safe.

2 Timothy 4:17-18
17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



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