“Dad, your Dodgers are pretty good this year,” to which my dad replies, “I haven’t followed baseball since they decided to go on strike!” Well, that may be my dad’s sentiment, but those feelings are definitely not mutual. Baseball’s spring training opens today and I am of course rooting for my home team — the Los Angeles Dodgers. Obviously, no one knows what the season may hold for the Boys in Blue, but we’ll definitely try to make some games this year and cheer them home. If you didn’t know, the Dodgers have a new spring training facility near Phoenix, AZ (click for pics) and I’m sure many from the L.A. area are going to make the rather short 5 hour trip for a few weekend games. But in honor of today’s events, I figured a few pics from America’s favorite pastime would be appropriate. These photos — along with the above photo — come to us straight from the Library of Congress’ Flickr account and should suffice for getting us all in the baseball spirit:

This encouraged my heart tonight as I was getting ready for bed. As I get ready to rest my body and my mind for another week or work, these should be the words on my heart:

O God, I have tasted Your goodness,
and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.
I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace.
I am ashamed of my lack of desire.
O God, the Triune God,
I want to want You;
I long to be filled with longing;
I thirst to be made more thirsty still.
Show me Your glory, I pray,
so I may know You indeed.
Begin in mercy a new work of love within me…
Give me grace to rise and follow You up from this misty lowland
where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

- A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Found via Between Two Worlds.

Matthew 5:2-11:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

- Jesus Christ

After a big year of weddings in 2008, I’ve finally been able to make some updates to my portfolio site. Feel free to check out all my new images and updates — especially in the “weddings” gallery which now has some 75 images! I’ve posted a ton of never before seen shots that I hope you will enjoy. Drop me a comment and let me know what you think…thanks for caring :)

Click here to visit ShayThomason.com

A Drive to the Snow

Icicles

A Meal With Friends