A rare eagle

On Thursday, the CCA boys varsity golf team improved their record to 9 wins and 1 loss with a victory over Coral Springs Christian and Westminster Academy.  Coach Fanning sent in this report,

God Moment: Johnny Jones made an EAGLE on the PAR 4 8th hole. Johnny holed it from 185 yards with a 3 wood!

Getting a two on a hole which usually requires four shots is a rare accomplishment, and I'm sure Johnny and his teammates were very excited.  But, the reason this is a God story has nothing to do with the team's record or the shot that when in the hole.

You see, three days before that match, Johnny's dad was telling me at CCA's "Back to School Night" that Johnny was thrilled to be sharing the gospel with his opponents while he was competing against them on the golf course.  He was living out the athletic department's discipleship challenge to make one-on-one connections, faithfully administering God's grace.  Now, that's something to get excited about.  So, this week's EAGLE AWARD goes to Johnny Jones... not so rare if you know Johnny.

Give it your all

So often in athletics we hear coaches encouraging athletes to "give it their all".  The Bible teaches if we want to follow Christ we must "surrender all".  And, this Friday when CCA celebrates it's 10th year, the theme of "CCA - 2 GR8R HEIGHTS" comes from Dueteronomy 6:5 which implores us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

But, what does "all" look like?  Can we truly give enough of ourselves to make a difference?  That will depend upon what you are full of.  If you are full of pride, fear, and self, your "all" is insufficient.  If your heart, soul, and strength has been penetrated, saturated, and enpowered by the Holy Spirit, and you are willing to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus, then your "all" will impact your life as well as others around you.

This year the basketball program has adopted Luke 9:23 (quoted above) as the team verse.  My prayer is for the players to clothe themselves in humility and to be filled with the Spirit, so when they give their all, Christ will be exalted.  What does your all look like?  It depends on who you love and what's in your heart.

Set an example

Thanks to all the Calvary Christian faithful who came out after a frightening thunderstorm last night and witnessed a very solid performance by the football team who defeated visiting Southside Christian 37 - 14. But, this week's God story isn't about the football team or about the weather.  It's about the girls varsity volleyball team. 

Yes, the team is 4 - 1.  And, yes, they have many dominant players.  But, it's the outreach and ministry off the court that is starting to "set an example" for others teams to follow.  After Saturday morning's workout, the girl's visited for the second time the Grand Court Village, a local convalesent home.

Spending time with those in need is what God has called us to do.  Not only does it brighten up the day for those who rarely receive visitors, but it put's life in perspective as our girl's ponder health, wealth, and companionship.

I'm proud of our coaching staff and our girls for setting an example in conduct and in love.  Service aces, digs, blocks, and kills may receive the applause and the headlines, but sharing the love of Christ with someone in need and putting others first is discipleship and at CCA... "that's what we do!"

"...time to do the Lord's work"

After enduring more than an hour rain delay, the CCA football fans were treated to a very exciting, offensively charged football game last Friday at Pine Crest.  Parents, teachers, and some very enthusiastic students filled the stands in support of the players and coaches.  But, again, it's the action after the game that has the fans focusing on the middle of the field.

As the clock was running out, Pastor Topher over heard Sean Lashbrook telling another player, "Now it's time to do the Lord's work."  In what is becomming the most watched play of the night, the CCA players and coaches make one on one connections with the opposing team and pray.  Even the fans pause their post game planning and evaluations and begin to pray for the ministry at hand.  God is doing a mighty work in the hearts of our players, and their obedience "AT ALL TIMES" is having an impact for Christ not only on CCA's campus, but in schools across the state.

Brandon Knight, the nation's top basketball prospact and Pine Crest student, attended last Friday's game.  He wore a Nike t-shirt with the word "WITNESS" written accross the chest.  Usually, this refers to watching, or being an eye witness to, someone with exceptional talent or skill.  As I watched the Spirit of the Lord work in the middle of the football field, I was so thankful to be a "witness" to that which holds eternal rewards.

Making Disciples

CCA football hosted Inlet Grove on Friday in a preseason Kickoff Classic.  The team played well, but it's what happened after the game that answers the question, "What's God doing in athletics?"  Here's an email I received from Coach Trent Gamble following Friday's game:

"The guys did a great job today in the game and after.  In our one on one connection, 2 coaches received the Lord and two of our kids led two of their kids to the Lord from the opposing team.  One of our kids said three of them were close but not ready, but was able to challenge them. One of our players, Dominick, did the gospel with both teams in the middle and we had a chance to pray with everyone.   It was really good to see the vision come together."

A parent walked by me after the game and said when she saw the players praying with the other team that it was the coolest thing she ever saw and that it made her day.  Hopefully, that's something parents will say more and more at Calvary Christian Academy.  Our mission at CCA in all departments is to Make Disciples for Jesus Christ.

Trent Gamble's vision for "one-on-one connections" after the football game is having eternal ramifications.  Trent believes that the time spent competing against the other team provides the players with a relationtionship built on honor and mutual respect. After each game, a CCA player shares the Gospel and then our players (and our coaches) find the athlete they were matched up against and offer to pray for them.  And, as you read earlier, a few had the opportunity to lead souls to Christ.

Trent views every football game as an outreach, a platform to complete the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace.  His spiritual focus puts his athletic passion (football) in the proper perspectice.  What are you focused on?  Why do you do what you do?  Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and I'll see you at the finish!

Leadership

One of our goals this year is to strengthen the discipleship of CCA staff and students. Coach Trent Gamble challenged his football players to "follow Christ at all times" during the first two weeks of practice. On the field the players were tested physically battling heat and exhaustion.  Off the field they were strecthed spiritually, disciplining themselves to go before the Lord and grow in their faith.

Each player was given a daily assignment in God's Word and after two weeks, Coach Gamble selected six players to be the small group leaders for the rest of the year. They are Dominique Pierre, Kyle Whitley, Alex Garner, RJ Barnett, Kyle Lee, and Geoff Gregory.

Coach Gamble said, "they will be held to the standard of a leader and I am looking forward to seeing them grow and to seeing them lead on and off the field. Please keep all of these guys in prayer as I know they will be tempted and challenged."  2 Timothy 2:2 says. "commit (the things you have heard from God's Word) to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."  Coach Gamble gets it!  These six football players get it.

Are you reday to step out and lead by following Christ at all times?

One thing I ask the Lord

A week before school starts and the pace around the athletic department has quickened. We're busy finalizing schedules, officials, equipment, transportation and the dozens of other details that affect our 16 teams that will participate at CCA this fall. And, I'm sure our administrators, teachers, coaches, moms, dads, and students are feeling the same pressures preparing for a new school year.



Turning to the only source for answers and peace, the Bible says in Acts 20:24 "if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." It was Paul's single mindedness that made him the greatest missionary of all time.



Psalm 27:4 says, "One thing I ask the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." Pastor Mark used this verse yesterday at the "Born for More" men's conference held at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale to make the point that career satisfaction and personal success come from simplifying things and narrowing the focus.



Colossians 3 tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above. This means STOP STRESSING OUT and focus on what God has called us to do...make disciples. Seek first His kingdom and God will take care of the rest.