What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you? To be reconciled to the one true God through saving faith in Jesus Christ! It’s the reason we exist on the earth.
Author: Diary of a Mad Baseball Coach (Rick Clarke)
My name is Rick Clarke. I'm an old, retired baseball coach with a lot of stories to tell.
This will be a fun blog. A little bit of this...a little bit of that. Great Mississippi baseball stories, especially about the players and teams at Magnolia Academy and Hinds Community (& Junior) College. And some funny stuff and lots of savvy observations.
The Difference in Believing and Truly Believing
The Bible makes an important distinction between believing that God exists and savingly believing in God—trusting in Jesus Christ from the heart. James gives the clearest example: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” — James 2:19 The demons have no doubt that God exists. They know … Continue reading The Difference in Believing and Truly Believing
The Grace Period
We are living in a grace period— “the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1), between the first coming of Christ and His return to bring history to its proper conclusion. It lies in the intersection of two ages: “this present age” and “the age to come.” The kingdom of God is both “now” and “not yet.” The Kingdom, Now and Not … Continue reading The Grace Period
The Beginning and the End of the Bible
The first verse of the Bible is Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 It is the foundation for everything that follows in Scripture because it immediately tells us who existed first, who created everything, and who ultimately owns and rules over creation. “In the beginning” means … Continue reading The Beginning and the End of the Bible
How Life Works
Everything begins with the way you choose to think. Your “thoughts” produce (or cause) actions and reactions (effects); your behavior. “Actions” are what you say and do and “reactions” are what you say and do in response to what someone else says or does and how you respond to the situations, circumstances, trials and tribulations that happen in your life (things that happen). Your … Continue reading How Life Works
How Life Works
Everything begins with the way you choose to think. Your "thoughts" produce (or cause) actions and reactions (effects); your behavior. "Actions" are what you say and do and "reactions" are what you say and do in response to what someone else says or does and how you respond to the situations, circumstances, trials and tribulations … Continue reading How Life Works
The “I AM” Statements of Jesus
These are some of the most profound declarations in the Gospel of John, where Jesus uses "I AM" echoing God's self-identification in Exodus 3:14. Every "I AM" statement carries both practical meaning for life (spiritual nourishment, guidance, connection) and a divine claim. Jesus proclaimed, “Before Abraham was, I am. — John 8:58This is His direct … Continue reading The “I AM” Statements of Jesus
Applying Romans 10:9-10
The Romans Road to Salvation: [Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8 and Romans 10:9-10, 13] All have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness—His glory. (from Romans 3:23; emphasis added) And the wages of sin, the price that sin pays—is death, separation from God and eternal punishment, but the gracious gift of God … Continue reading Applying Romans 10:9-10
The Mystery of Christ
The Mystery of Jesus Christ The apostle Paul, at the end of Colossians chapter 1, speaks of a mystery that God chose to reveal—not after a few days or even centuries, but after thousands of years. It is His perfect plan, unveiled in the perfect place and at the perfect time—a hidden truth now made known. And … Continue reading The Mystery of Christ
Rule # __ – Use commands to guide and direct your actions and reactions.
Thoughts, attitudes and the actions they create are not managed through discussion or debate. They are governed through direction. A command is a short, authoritative instruction you give yourself to interrupt bad behavior and redirect toward better action. The brain does what it’s told to do. When left unmanaged, it wanders. When given commands, it … Continue reading Rule # __ – Use commands to guide and direct your actions and reactions.
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