FAITH
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Why can’t we just have fun? The great pastime of America team is on strike?” throughout the years has been I looked at her, laughed and said, sports. Americans have been “I know. They get three strikes ingenious in turning something and then they’re out. That’s the simple into a sport for everyone way they play the game.” I winked to enjoy. I must say I have at her and laughed goodenjoyed my share of sports. naturedly. “Finally,” I said When younger, I was a to her, “you’re coming to baseball fan. I went to as understand what the game many games as possible. is all about.” The Stadium in Baltimore “No, you don’t Maryland was just a few understand. Your team is on minutes from my house so I strike.” could visit it often, and I often “I get you, and this DR. JAMES did. I did not really care who Saturday I’m going to go and L. SNYDER won the game as long as it watch them strike again.” Out to Pastor was a good game played, not It took me a while but to mention the hotdogs. finally my wife got through the The Gracious Mistress of the thickness of my skull and got me Parsonage accused me of going to understand the strike she was to ball games just to eat hotdogs. talking about was not the strike I Whenever I would return from a was talking about. It is always nice ballgame the first question would when people are on the same page. be, not who won the game but, “How In a marriage situation, the many hotdogs did you eat?” biggest challenge a couple has is If the truth was known, and staying on the same page. Even you will not get it from me, many though the husband and wife might a hotdog sacrificed itself at a be reading the same book, for some ballgame. After all, when you are reason wives have the ability to read watching a ballgame, who has time three or four chapters ahead. When to keep track of how many hotdogs a husband tries to correct her she you are eating? impatiently says, “We were on that I did have a moment of anxiety page last week. Try to keep up.” once when my wife threatened to Try as we might, it is a rare weigh me before the game and then husband who can keep up. But we weigh me after the game to see if I try. had eaten too many hotdogs. When When I got up to the same page she first mentioned it I laughed, as my wife about the baseball team but I noticed she was not laughing, on strike, I was feeling rather low. which caused me some deep “What do you think about your concern. baseball game now,” she taunted. Fortunately, for me it never got to As it turned out, the baseball that but came perilously close. team was actually out on strike and Nothing is more relaxing on a if I remember correctly, we missed Saturday afternoon than sitting in the whole season that year. They a ballpark watching a ballgame in were on strike for, you will never progress. Somehow, all the cares of guess, more money. the world seem to flutter away while Up to that point, I thought the watching the game. players played because they loved It all ended for me one summer. the game. Boy was I on the wrong I had come into the house from page with that. I went to games some chore and my wife greeted me because I love the game and it did by saying, “Do you know your ball not matter to me who won or lost as
long as it was a good game. Now, to find out that my heroes, if you can call them such, were primarily interested in money was disheartening. I have never been able to watch a game since with the same excitement I did before. Why can’t we just have fun? Why does life have to be such a battle? Why can’t we have a baseball game just for the fun of it? Recently, I attended a baseball game at the local high school. I thought I would just go and enjoy the game. I did not know any of the players; I just wanted to enjoy the game. Then I met an unfamiliar phenomenon of high school baseball. Parents of baseball players! The game started as normal but soon the air exploded with shouting and yelling in the stands. I did not quite understand what all the noise was about at the time. Two women, imagine that, got in a fistfight over the ballgame! They were mothers of two of the players on opposite teams. That was just the beginning of the shouting and the yelling that afternoon. As I walked away, I sadly shook my head and said to myself, “Why can’t we just have fun?” I believe the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes explains it well. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14 KJV). Some are so caught up in the vanity and vexations of life that they never know what it is like to just enjoy life. Why can’t we just have a little bit of fun? Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 866-552-2543, email jamessnyder2@att.net or visit www.jamessnyderministries.com.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Faith BRIEFS National Day of Prayer
Order Breakfast, from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. Breakfast plates will be $4.50 for adults and $2.50 BONIFAY — The Holmes for a child 10 and under. County Ministerial Breakfast will include eggs, Association invites the grits/home fries, pancakes, public to join in as we bacon/sausage, toast, gather in front of the Holmes County Courthouse sausage gravy on biscuits or toast, juice/milk/coffee, in Bonifay at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in order to there will also be healthy choice items. Breakfast observe the 2013 National will be served in the Parish Day of Prayer. Laity Hall located at 150 Circle and ministers from area churches will offer heartfelt Drive in DeFuniak Springs. All proceeds will benefit prayers on behalf of our the building and grounds local, state and national fund. leaders, our military service men and women and their families and for Trash and Treasure our local congregations. Sale Prior to the celebration, the Holmes County Sheriffs BONIFAY — Bonifay First Department will sponsor a United Methodist Church hotdog lunch for attendees will be having a Trash and at 11:30 a.m. Treasure sale at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. The sale include a variety of Piney Grove plans will items. All money raised annual tea will be used to support missions in Ecuador. Come CHIPLEY — Piney Grove hunt for your treasure Baptist Church will host while supporting a worthy its annual “Hearts of Love cause. Tea” at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. Tickets are available Cords of Love to hold for $10 each and may be Homecoming purchased by calling 5472415. The theme is “Make COTTONDALE — Cords A Joyful Noise Unto The of Love Assembly of Lord.” God Church will hold a Come enjoy the food, fun Homecoming beginning at and fellowship. The church 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 5. is on Piney Grove Road The featured singers will off Sapp Road between be the Sheila Smith Trio. Cottondale and Chipley. Sunday School will be held at 10 a.m. and the will begin at 11 Saint Agatha Cooked singing a.m. There will be “dinner to Order Breakfast on the ground” and more DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Saint singing in the afternoon. The church is located at Agatha’s Episcopal Church 2060 Bethlehem Road. will sponsor a Cooked to
Stephen B. Register, CPA
First irst Ba Bapp ist Church
1300 South Blvd • Chipley, FL 32428
638-4251
1111615
Weekly Bible Trivia
1111616
Jerry watkins insurance agency auto - home - life
1103455
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Hours: Thur. and Fri. 9 AM - 5 PM Sat. 9 AM - 3 PM
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✧ Eye Care for Seniors
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Located across from Walmart
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dodge • chrysler • Jeep
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Florida Microfilm & Office Supply Inc.
Mullis Eye Institute 699 2nd St., Chipley • (850) 638-4708
BoB Pforte 4214 lafayette st. Across from sonic - Marianna
Come to the
Board Certified Eye Physician & Surgeon
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The Florida Farm bureau Federation’s mission is to increase the net income of farmers and ranchers, and to improve the quality of rural life.
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The best of both Worlds
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local Agents, local offices, local service, best Value.
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638-4097
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1103447
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879 Usery Road, Chipley, Florida 32428
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(850) 547-9354
PO I N T
HOME
FACTORY OUTLET
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(850) 547-1877
We give commercial rates to area churches
415 S. Waukesha St., Bonifay, Fla. • 850-547-3696
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Home Folks serving Home Folks
(answer found in this week’s scripture reading)
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let us quote you 1304 Jackson ave., chipley, fl
Tri-County Gas
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Name the three things with which Solomon was blessed.
Consumer & Commercial Power Equipment
Visit our website at www.lanesoutdoor.com 901 Hwy 277, Chipley
1396 Jackson ave • chipley (850) 638-1805
3648 Roche Ave • Vernon • (850) 535-0012 Stop by for your fishing & hunting needs!
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(334) 677-3318 800-886-3318
Western auto
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Donald Brown - LFD, Manager
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auto • Home • Life Bonds • Business farms • Livestock Boats • motorcycLes fLood • moBiLe Homes
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1068 Main St., Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638& Mobile hoMe supplies 1815
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BROWN FUNERAL HOME
1163 Jackson Ave. Chipley
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Chipley hardware
988 e. White ave., Graceville
(850) 263-4072 or
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1111630
1552 Brickyard Road Chipley, FL
“Come as you are”