Think like a rookie, play like a pro

Philippians 3:13-14 says, "I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  

The following devotional describes the passion, belief, humility, gratitude, and intensity that we must possess as we "reach forward" and "press toward the goal".  I asked my coaches if their players have the passion, belief, humility, gratitude, and intensity of a rookie?

What about you as it relates to your occupation, marriage, and walk with the Lord?

Rookie Rush

WisdomWalks Principle
Think like a rookie, play like a pro.

One of my favorite sports movies is The Rookie. It’s the story of Jimmy Morris, a pitcher who had his single-A minor league baseball career cut short by injuries and saw his dream of playing in the big leagues disappear. Years later as a high school baseball coach, his players challenged him to give the big leagues one more shot after they saw him throw with unhittable velocity. After they won their first District Championship, Jimmy gave it one last shot and became, at the age of 35, the “Oldest Rookie” to pitch in the majors.

His trip to the big leagues was marked by the Rookie Rush – the five things that all rookies feel and experience when they get their shot: Passion, Belief, Humility, Gratitude, and Intensity.

Rookies have Passion – they are fueled by their love of the game. I can still remember the excitement of putting on the uniform and hitting the field. Rookies live, eat, and breathe their sport. Their passion and purpose get them out of bed in the morning. That passion for your sport is meant to take a back seat to your love and passion for Christ (Mark 12:30).

Rookies have Belief – they believe in the impossible. They have an unquenchable optimism and expect great things to happen. They don’t have limits. “Jesus said, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” (Luke 18:27) This optimistic, will-not-be-denied belief is what champions are made of. It’s a belief in God’s capability to overcome our challenges. Every single victory in scripture and in life is preceded by belief.

Rookies have Humility – they know they have a lot to learn from the veterans and they have to earn the respect of their teammates. They are willing to serve, pick up after practice, and go the extra mile to serve their coaches and teammates. Humility must be a verb; we show humility by how we act. (Philippians 2:3-4) Serving others is the best way to show it. When we model humility, God sees it. He loves it. And He rewards it.

Rookies have Gratitude – they recognize the opportunity they’ve been given and give thanks; they take nothing for granted. They have an “attitude of gratitude.” (Colossians 2:7) They give thanks for everything, even the little things. And yes, even for the challenges. Our attitude of gratitude must overflow. Thank the trainers, thank the referees and the coaches, and thank your teammates. Gratitude is contagious.

Rookies have Intensity – they are willing to do whatever-it-takes to make it. They go above-and-beyond. They work. They get to practice early. They stay late for additional work. All of the disciples knew intensity; they knew how to pursue the prize and how to combat the enemy – with diligence. They are hungry. (Philippians 3:13-14)

If we are continuously fueled by the “Rookie Rush” – the passion, belief, humility, gratitude, and intensity – we will become the best we can be. And we’ll make every body better along the way.

WisdomWalks SPORTS, Ellie Claire (Nashville, TN), pages 35-38.

tell, show, do, review

The basic training formula in the restaurant business is tell, show, do, review.  First you tell them how, then you show them, then you have them do it, and then you review it with them.This last review is usually having them train you as if you were the new employee.  If someone masters the concept enough to teach or train others, then you are confident they understand.
Trails are tough lessons to learn.  James 2:2-4 tells us to "Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
God tells us what to do when we face trials and lack peace (Be still and KNOW that I am God).  Jesus shows us how to respond (Love, trust, remain obedient).  And now He asks us to do it.  Do what you ask?  LET endurance have its perfect work.  That's right, stay right there in the trial and dwell in the presence of our Lord.  He won't let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, so don't try to escape every trial.
God wants to perfect and complete you, so you are able to train and teach others who may be going through the same thing.
Thank God for trials and set your eyes on the harvest of righteousness and peace to come.

Doers of the word...even when you don't feel like it.

James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  What does the word say?

• Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse - Romans 12:14
• Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you - Matthew 5:44
• Honor your father and mother - Matthew 19:19
• Love your Neighbor as yourself - Matthew 22:39
• Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others - Philippians 2:4
• Visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world - James 1:27
• And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men - Colossians 3:23
• Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God - 1 Peter 5:6
• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind - Romans 12:2
• If MY people who are called by MY name will humble themselves, and pray and seek MY face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land - II Chronicles 7:14

I love the sub-heading in Romans that says behave like a Christian.  The Bible is full of loving commands that will help us grow in our relationship with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  But don't misunderstand, God shares His heart with us so we will DO His will.

So, this football season be a doer of the word... bless, love, honor.  And, for all those Monday morning quarterbacks out there (including myself)... behave like a Christian, an R12 (read Romans 12), a Calvary man!

reflecting Christ's grace

It's great to get encouraging letters and emails from coaches who had recently played our teams and noticed a difference.  Keep praying for the ministry of athletics at CCA as we shed the light of Christ in a dark world of sports.

Here's an email that compliments the CCA varsity boys soccer team and staff...

Hi Brother,
I just wrote to Coach Barnett and want to thank you for allowing our team to play at your fine facility and for being gracious hosts.
I thought the match was very competitive, with CCA doing more than just hanging in against a 4A school. Yesterday's match definitely could have gone either way.
I thought your kids handled themselves extremely well, especially in some sequence of the game where the aggression was intense (but clean). We've played another "Christian" school  in a tournament a few years ago, and as a Christian I was disappointed to hear the F-word coming from the kids' mouth -- and I don't blame the coach because he really can't control EVERYTHING.
As a reporter (with the Herald), I've had mixed experiences with Christian schools as well, but CCA has consistently done a great job of reflecting Christ's grace. And the experience yesterday was satisfying; I hope my boys represented themselves as, well, a team coached by a believer.
God bless you and hope we can do this an annual event!

Team Jesus!

At last week's New York Jets v. Miami Dolphins football game, I witnessed two very passionate groups who were both incredibly loyal to their team and both diametrically opposed to those with differing views, or as one Dolfan put it, "beware of those rude ones in the ugly green shirts from the dark side."  It didn't matter if they were your friends or not, if a group had a different color jersey you didn't like them, you treated them poorly, and felt an overall disdain for them.

While this seems fun at sporting events, it is unfortunately a poor practice of how Christians are supposed to treat their neighbors. We want our team to win yes, and it's alright to cheer for your team, but to taunt and belittle the opposing fans lacks spiritual maturity.  Be passionate, but remember those Jets fans or Patriot fans or Seminole fans may be on the same team as you... Team Jesus.

Jesus prayed for the believers to behave as one in John 17:22-23.  Jesus prays to God, "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

The message Bible says "The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind - Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us.  Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

What's that?  Jesus is praying to the Father that we need to show the world we're on the same team.  Regardless of our team, our school, or the church we go to, Christians are all on Team Jesus.  Again, this doesn't mean we can't cheer for our country or hometown team or favorite university, but it does there is a bigger team we belong to and we are to behave like it.

Childish ways vs. The Way of Love

I'm sorry, please forgive me... five words that can restore a friendship, save a relationship, and promote discipleship.  Jesus did not have to utter these words, but His Spirit within us cries out when we've acted in a childish way and leads us to repent, to say, "I'm sorry", and to work to reconcile the situation.  The question is, "do we respond when the Holy Spirit prompts us to apologize or do we continue to harbor that resentment?"

Let me confess to you today that I have been slow to respond and allowed myself to harbor some bitterness towards another school that has caused tension and created division.  The Bible says, "we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body" - 1 Cor. 12:13.  As Christians, we are all on the same team.  Sure we can compete against other schools in sports and maintain a friendly rivalry, but our hearts and minds and faith should be, "As One!"

The apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:5, "Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near."  No matter what school we represent, regardless of the color jersey we wear, those who are watching should   have trouble telling Christians apart because how we act towards one another.  Remember the song, "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they'll know we are Christians by our love."  Easy to sing, yet hard to live out.  But, that's why Christ died, so we could, through the power of His resurrection, live a life of love.

And, love doesn't mean we always act like perfect angels, but it does mean we put God first, we serve others before ourselves, we are patient and kind and forgiving, and we apologize when we act childish...why, because we are one in Him and that's what our heavenly Father wants us to do.

Dominick Pierre...committed to God's call

This week's blog was written by Anitra Parmele, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Communications Team

As a fifth grader at Calvary Christian Academy (CCA), Dominick demonstrated his incredible athletic abilities on the football field, basketball court and the track. Anxious to do it all, Dominick was intrigued when JV Basketball Coach Tom Crenshaw suggested he try out for wrestling, although it meant his talents would be lost to the team halfway through the season. Dominick remembers, “Coach Tom thought I could excel as a wrestler so he encouraged me to attend one of the practices. I had fun and wrestling is a sport that helps you with football, so I stuck with it.”

By Dominick’s 8th grade year, Coach Tom’s insight was confirmed as Dominick barely missed out on districts because of an injury. Freshman year Dominick was one match away from going to states. By his sophomore year, Dominick was ready. “I was wrestling at 171 (pounds) and won the district tournament. A couple days before the regionals, I went to the ER with a strained chest muscle. I wasn’t sure what was going on. I really started digging into the Bible and praying. A group of pastors from Calvary laid hands on me and prayed for my healing. When I weighed in at regionals, I was still stiff- I tried to play it off but I didn’t know if I could wrestle. As soon as I shook my opponent’s hand for my first match, I stopped feeling any pain and I ended up making it to states. The guy who made it to the state finals had a similar problem with his knee. I was able to talk to him about God and to pray with him.”

Dominick has gone on to achieve success on and off the football field at Dartmouth, where he starts for the Big Green as a junior. “I’m not the most vocal person but athletics have forced me into a leadership role. I wouldn’t be where I am without the faculty and coaches at CCA shaping, molding and guiding me as an athlete, a Christian and a man. Having an impact at a secular school like Dartmouth is difficult but my athletic success gives me the opportunity to lead people to God. I am committed to pursuing what God wants me to do.”

To God be the glory!

2012 Girls Track State Champs

Back in the spring, the Calvary Christian Academy Girls Track Team won the FHSAA District 1A State Title.  Emily Gale won the Pole Vault competition (her second state championship in as many years).  The 4X800 relay team and 4x400 relay team also won the state championship for the second year in a row.  All that success is quite an accomplishment, to which the coaching staff proclaimed as they lifted the trophy, "To God be the glory!"

Emily Gale

You hear that during interviews of Christian athletes or may see one point heavenward as they cross the finish line, but what does it mean to compete for the glory of God.  It's simple really, it means giving your best, doing something with all your heart (Col. 3:23), not for the praise of men, but for God.

Yes God, our Creator and heavenly Father, cares about how we compete, perform, study...  He wants commitment, discipline, and perseverance, not so we come out victorious every time, but that throughout the "race" our heart becomes more dependent on Him, our mind begins focusing on eternal rewards, and our mouth bestows praises to the Savior and Redeemer of the world, Jesus.

Ascend

The 2012-2013 school year has begun at Calvary Christian Academy.  From Wednesdays exciting opening day "pep rally" to Fridays worship and Word at high school chapel, the pace on campus has been invigorating.  Beginnings give everyone a new start, and this year there is freshness that is fueling what may be a spiritual revolution at CCA.  Our commitment to be a "Christian" school, not only in title, but in testimony.  Our words, our actions rooted in Biblical truth and lived out in a spirit of genuine love.
What does this have to do with Athletics?  You see... at a church school our mission in Athletics is the same as our mission at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and that's to "make disciples."  Our sports programs are designed to transform the hearts of the athletes so they can experience a changed life and impact a community for Christ.
Are you ready to ascend to a higher level of spirituality?

Disciples Making More Disciples

What's God doing in Athletics at Calvary Christian Academy?  He's transforming the hearts of athletes... even those who attend other schools.  Calder Alfano, son of CCA lacrosse head coach Jerry Alfano, attends Boca High School.  Because his dad coached at CCA and he played on the same team as some of our players during the summer, Calder forged a close relationship with Dawson Allen, a student-athlete from Calvary Christian Academy.
Calder noticed something different about his life.  Dawson told him the difference was Jesus and encouraged him to follow Christ.  Acknowledging his need for a Savior and a life with meaning, Calder prayed and asked Jesus into his heart.  Coach Jerry Alfano believes his son getting "saved" was the very reason he was asked to coach the CCA lacrosse team a year ago.
Andrew Lundy, High School Youth Director at the Calvary Boca Campus, invited Calder to share his testimony to the high school students in Boca.  Calder got to share his experience which included how he now leads prayer with his own teammates at Boca High.
Praise be to our Lord, who used a CCA lacrosse player to further His kingdom and freely gifted eternal life to Calder because of a repentant heart.  The discipleship continues for Calder as he spends time with Dawson and other CCA lacrosse players Christian Coy and Tres Huizenga.

True Christianity

Here's a wonderful testimony we received from an opposing team's mother.  We defeated her son's team 47 - 12, and they still felt we were the "nicest kids" they played.  Go CCA Eagles!  Go God!

Dear Kirk,

I wanted to write you about the game your team played against my son's team (Ransom Everglades). This season our team played several "Christian" schools in which bad sportsmanship conduct became the norm. I can not tell you how pleased I was to hear from my son that your school was different. Having gone to a Christian school (which we do not play), I had grown tired of hearing from my son that the Christian schools we were playing were full of junkies on the field. I asked my son how Calvary Christian was different and he gave me the example of when he hit the QB and the QB said "way to go #72, keep it up". I also spoke with several other Ransom players who said the same thing, that your school had the nicest kids on the field. So, way to go Coach, keep it up!! You restored my faith in how a True Christian school should behave.

Thank you,

Jo-An

Wake up!

Last week at the CCA High School chapel, Bible teacher David Collins implored the students to wake up.  "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12-13)  He shared that Satan in crouching at our doorstep waiting to devour us.

So, what can we do?  Mr. Collins encouraged all Christians to go on the attack.  "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

What are these weapons of our warfare?  Prayer and the Word of God equip us for battle.  Put on the armor of God and proclaim the name of Jesus, to whom every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

My plea today is that all players, coaches, parents, and administrators prepare for the spiritual battle this week.  May we unite as children of the King to pull down strongholds, cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  Amen.

Get in the game!

Well, another school year is upon us, and boy did God ever bless us.  Pastor Bob said to expect the unexpected, but when I tell you that the ministry of athletics at Calvary Christian Academy keeps growing and reaching even higher levels of excellence, it is more than I ever dreamed, thought, or imagined.

Last year's success on the field and in the gym was record breaking including our first ever state championships.  Calvary Field, our new turf field and track, is about to be completed for the first home football game on September 2.  We merged with FLCS giving us access to 10 more acres of land allowing us to expand our athletic fields even further and gives us a regulation gym to play in (and all the basketball families said, Amen).  Scores of new students have enrolled at CCA with many of them being quality athletes.  I am overwhelmed by God's love and faithfullness.

We all have heard the verse in Luke 12:48 that says "to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."  We at CCA Athletics have been given so much.  So, my challenge to myself and the rest of the families is this, "Are we ready to give back?"

Are we ready to present ourselves as living sacrifices in support of a ministry that trains up Godly men and women to impact the next generation for Christ?  If you want to hear how you can "Get in the game!", come by the Calvary Grill on August 18th between 7:45a and 8:30a (after you drop the children off), and we'll tell you all about the planning, prayer, and provision that is needed to keep CCA athletics set-apart for Christ.  If you can't make it, call me direct at 954-905-5167.

To God be the Glory!

JV girls basketball team displays excellence-spirtually, academically, and socially

The JV girls basketball team beat American Heritage Plantation 46-42 on Saturday. The girls came back from a 30-13 deficit and pulled out the win to improve to 10-1. CCA coach Sean Fryer expressed his appreciation and remained focused on the teams goals, "We were able to pray with them after the game and for one of the girls who hurt her ankle".  The following article was posted on the Miami Herald Broward Youth Sports website...

Calvary JV hoops doing well

The Calvary Christian Academy Eagles girls’ junior varsity basketball team has one focus this season - excellence. That means excellence in all aspects of their lives, not just basketball.
At the beginning of the season, Coach Sean Fryer gave all the girls a goal sheet, and they had to write down their academic, home, social, basketball and spiritual goals for the season.
“I plan on holding each of these girls to the goals they wrote down,” Fryer said.
With an average scoring differential of 21 points per game, the Eagles (6-1) are led by freshman point guard and team captain Jessica Kreisel (14 points per game) and team co-captain Faith Nazario, a defensive specialist. Both have contributed on the JV and varsity teams.
In their JV absence, other players stepped up.
"I’m so proud of all of my girls,” Fryer said. “We try to have excellence in all we do and honor God through that. Matthew 5:16 says to ‘let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven,’ and that is what we try to do.”

Leadership

I've just returned from the National Athletic Directors Conference in Orlando, FL with stacks of materials, pages of notes from inspirational speakers, and a renewed spirit about the impact athletics has on today's students and ultimately our future leaders.  In the opening session, Pat Williams laid out the 7 qualities of a leader - Someone who has a clear vision, can communicate well (and listen well), someone who genuinely loves peoples, has strong character, is competent, gets results, is bold and can make decisions, all with a serving heart.  He says children get their first exposure to the art of leadership when they participate in athletics and it's our job as coaches/directors to make sure it's a positive experience.

It was such a privilege to be a part of this very informative weekend.  I took two courses for educational development.  One was called, "Athletic Administration: Principles, Strategies, and Methods" and the other was "Legal Issues I: Risk Management".  Other workshops included "Developing the Credible Coach", "Conducting Successful and Informative Parent Meetings", and "Specialization vs. Multi-Sport Participation".

Why am I so amped up about the conference?  Well, God tells us in 2 Peter 1:5 to add to our faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge.  So, when I can find better ways to teach our athletes, coaches, and parents through better communication and relationships, I can't wait to share my excitement.  Stop by the athletic office to hear more as we co-labor to build the next generation of leaders together.

 

Peace

John MacArthur writes in The Quest for Character,

"...peace is the tranquility of a soul who finds rest in Him." 

Many of us, especially during the holidays, try to find peace by getting the perfect gift, decorating the house just so, staying caught up at work, remaining ultra organized, staying in shape, eating the right foods, or dozens of other external do's and dont's.  But, true peace, like salvation, comes from faith, not by our own efforts.

How does this relate to athletics?  Knowing peace is a gift from God (John 14:27) and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7), an athlete can be freed up to perform without fear.  Winning games or practicing until perfect will not bring you peace.  As a matter of fact, high levels of success often lead to an empty feeling and just adds to pressure to repeat the performance.
This Christmas, this season, find rest in Him.  Your soul longs for a relationship with the Prince of Peace, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

God keeps His promises

The rainbow reminds us of God's promise to never flood the earth again.  What miracles in your life remind you of God's faithfulness?  The email below encouraged me that being obedient to Christ's call is as exciting as a double over-time victory. 

What a game Thursday afternoon between the Calvary Christian Academy Eagles and American Heritage Delray! Both teams gave their all, leading to a double overtime playoff. The Eagles blocked their extra point and then scored a touchdown and the extra point for the win. The best part of the game, though, was watching our boys pray with The Delray team after the game. Looking on, you are amazed to see these boys sharing Christ and praying with their opponents. When my son got in the car he said that four kids prayed to receive Christ! That is what I call an incredible victory! Looking over at the field we noticed a rainbow, and I thought what a blessing. Our school, our football team is part of God’s plan to share Christ and win the lost. And this happened after an intense, exciting, competitive football game.  Awesome! I also wanted to say how really blessed our school is to have such an incredible and dedicated football coaching staff! God has put together an amazing team of men to coach our boys! Way to go CCA! CCA Parent

And, had the CCA Eagels lost, the joy and fulfillment would have been the same because no one remembers a football score a year from now.  But, the boys that asked Jesus into their heart, their lives will be changed for all eternity.

Who wants to share the team creed after the game?

On Saturday, the CCA Eagles middle school football team finally got to play their first football game.  They traveled out west to face the Patriots of American Heritage Plantation.  It was an epic battle between two big (AHP was very big), hard hitting teams.  While both teams made their advances near the end zone, the Patriots were the only team who managed to cross the goal line.  The game ended 6 - 0.

But, as hard fought and physical as this game was, it was the spiritual battle that brought both teams to their knees in the middle of the field after the game.  Jameson Offerdahl, CCA's middle linebacker, stood in front of both teams and shared the CCA football team creed.

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross I have a relationship with God. As a man I have put away childish things and I choose to represent that relationship at all times.

I am confident the Patriot players, coaches, and parents were elated by the win and may have expected from CCA a short post game prayer before running off to celebrate.  But, for an 8th grader to step up and share his teams' creed with the opposing team right after the game and ask them to let him know if they had any questions about their own relationship with Jesus, it makes you (it made me) stop and ponder.

To all of the parents in the stands, it displays love and a commitment that regardless of the outcome, we will honor God.  It shows that Jameson and his teammates have truly chosen to represent Jesus Christ "at all times".  It shows that discipleship in athletics IS the focus and it's having an impact on our community.

And it begs the question, who do we need to tell?

Missionary with a Major League Arm

What do Baseball Hall-of-Fame inductee Nolan Ryan, the 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush, and Grammy Award Winner Taylor Swift, and all have in common? All of these famous celebrities have had their picture taken with Calvary Christian Academy alumnus Luke Jackson.

Luke, who last year led the CCA Eagles to the 2A Regional Quarterfinals by going 8-1 with 96 strikeouts and an earned run average of 0.90, signed a contract with the Texas Rangers that included a $1,545,000 bonus. So, meeting Mr. Ryan, the current owner of the Texas Rangers and President Bush, the past owner of the Texas Rangers, was a special privilege for their first-round pick. But, the picture capturing him getting a peck on the cheek from Taylor Swift, well, let’s just say that’s “par for the course” in the life of Luke Jackson.

Luke is a unique individual that excels in just about any sport. He’s won a two-man beach volleyball tournament, he was First Team All-County in soccer, and he hits the golf ball as far as anyone on the professional golfer’s tour (just ask him).
But, what really sets Luke Jackson apart is his relationship with the Lord Jesus, his love for his family, and his heart for others. Behind the long hair, laid back approach, and the black-and-white checkered shoes and matching backpack, is a genuine “class act”. Luke is friendly, fun-loving, and compassionate.

Benefiting from spending time on the mission field and being led by parents who diligently taught him the Bible, Luke learned at a young age what it meant to live, to give, and to serve in obedience to Christ’s command. When asked about what he would do with his signing bonus, he responded that he would like to build schools in remote areas of the world and continue the mission work that inspired him as a child.

Who knew Luke Jackson, caught on television at a Florida Marlin’s game dressed in a bright orange Spandex body suit dancing on the seats, was a tender hearted, Spirit-filled missionary, who, o yeah, throws a baseball 96MPH.

Is today the Day?

In sports, there's a saying that on "any given day" a team or an individual has the opportunity for victory.  Let's look at a few sayings that accentuate just how much power and promise a day can hold.

1. This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).  Be very thankful for the gift of another day.
2. Our day will come.  We may have lost to Pine Crest this year, but the Facebook post from Shawn Lashbrook and the response from Rod Pearcy show that character is shaped by adversity. 
   

   "Ya live and ya learn. Tough loss, but we will go at this week in practice and get better. Learn our lessons and improve." 

   "When faced with adversity, great players redeem themselves by being great leaders. The only real score that will be remembered is that 3 were added to the kingdom...great job Shawn."

   And, for those three Pine Crest players and coaches, they're day of salvation did come when they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior through prayer after the game.
3. Exhort one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approching (Hebrews 10:25).  The Day is coming.  King Jesus' return is fast approaching.  Our life may end before His return, but either way, soon and very soon, we will be in His presence.  May I join with the author of Hebrews and implore you, Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.

The day has a lot to offer.  It may be a chance to play better, run faster, jump higher than you ever have before.  But today may also be the first time you heard a call from the Lord to join into a personal relationship with Him.  Or, it may be today you are being challenged by the Lord to be obedient with the day He has provided.  Whatever today is for you, embrace it with all your heart.  Accept the challenge of competition, accept the free gift of eternal life, accept the call to obedience and experience the power and promise a day can bring.