the holy land......

The sacred altar of music in Nashville is The Ryman Auditorium.  It was originally a church but eventually became the home of the Grand Ole Opry.  The Opry relocated to a mall (I exaggerate but only slightly) on the east side of town.  The Ryman remains in downtown Nashville and it is still used as a music venue.  I've seen a couple of shows there now - last night was Norah Jones.  The pews from the original church remain and they pack 'em in.  This is not the place for people with personal space issues.  I really enjoy the whole experience.  Halfway through the show, I always expect for the collection plate to be passed.  Please open your hymnals to number.....

praise the lord and pass the crackerjacks.....

Nashville has a AAA minor league baseball team called the Nashville Sounds.  The parent team is the Milwaukee Brewers.  I went to a game this Sunday.  I was a little nervous because they advertise Sunday events as Family and Faith games.  I decided that if I'm going to live in the bible belt, I should see what this is all about.  
While standing in the ticket line, a guy gave me a church bulletin and said that if I showed it at the ticket window, I'd get half off.  That bit of deception didn't seem very Christian so I didn't do it.  giggle.  I paid full price.
I got a ticket in the 2nd row behind home plate.  I do 2 things at all baseball games that I don't do normally - I polished off a whole bag of peanuts and I drank a Bud Light.  yikes.
In the movie Bull Durham, Annie Savoy says "I believe in the church of baseball."  To that I say amen.