Prayer

Would you please join me this week and pray for the +100 Ambassadors in Sport Coaches who are being trained at HCC? I am honored to be able to host the SMTC week for the AIS staff and their summer coaches. Please join me in praying that God would take their gifts, talents, and love for soccer to build the Kingdom.

The AIS Soccer Camps kick off at HCC next week, many of these coaches will stay right here in our community for the next few weeks and they would appreciate their prayers. Most of these coaches have traveled from various parts of the world to join together for the sake of Christ.

Thanks for your continued support of Sports Impact and the privilege to use sports as a means to share the Good News.

Colossians 4:2-3 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ..."

I hope you know Him today.

Sounds of Life

There are sounds of life all around us. From the early morning chirp of the birds to the cry of a new born baby, I am constantly hearing the breath of life. As you may know this past weekend Meg gave birth to our third child, Emily Ann. As I watched Emily make her entrance into this world, I could not help but think of the miracle God has given to us. We are blessed.

As the doctors and nurses cared for our little girl, I was reminded of the Psalmists words in Psalm 139, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

As we have prepared for this new life in our home, I am grateful for the reminder that our Creator has knit us together, that He saw our unformed body and that indeed He is wonderful. I am not sure what is planned for your day, but I am confident that there are sounds of life around you too. As you hear them, see them and observe their movements, let me encourage you to take time to thank our Creator, the giver of life and breath.

I will work hard today to thank Him for His wonderful works and for the life He gives. I hope you know Him today.

Longing to be Satisified

I recently planted some new grass seed at my house. The directions remind me to water it often for a period of time. Why? New grass seed longs for water. It is thirsty for what causes it to grow. The rain satisfies the nutrients needed to bring growth. I believe the same is true in our walk with Jesus. In Psalm 107, I read "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Are you finding time to be satisfied by Him today? Have you given thanks for His unfailing love? Just as the new seed longs for the water to bring life, I pray that we would long for our Savior and fine unending satisfaction in Him alone. I trust you know Him today.

Worship

I hope you have had the privilege to partipcate in corporate worship today. It is a beautiful day outside and I hope it was just as good inside for your worship time together. The Psalmist writes, "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him wiith joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are his; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."

As you walk through the reminder of this weekend, take time to worship our God, our Creator, our Maker and our Provider. He is an Amazing God! Enjoy His beauty today. One of the songs we sang this morning is entitled Beautiful Jesus, I have part of the lyrics below. May it serve as a reminder of the greatest gift given to us.... Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Beautiful Jesus - Kristian Stanfill" Lyrics

"Your love, oh God, displayed for us
As crimson covered over sinless hands
Your majesty for all to see
In raging storms and quiet cloudless days

Beautiful Jesus, Beautiful Savior
Nothing is greater, Briliant Creator
Friend of mine

You're powerful, above this world
The universe is under your command
Your glory shines, a holy light
That leads our hearts to praise
Your holy name is on our lips"

I hope you know Him today.

A Healthy Perspective

Good Morning.

I have asked our summer intern, Matt Simmonds to pen some thoughts on what he is learning. I trust it is an encouragement to you as well. Grateful for Jesus.

....

Two weekends ago I received my undergraduate degree for my school work over the past four years. When I entered college I had little to no idea of what I wanted to study or where I would like to work in the future. As each year passed I took steps towards becoming who I am today, gaining confidence and knowledge along the way. While I was at school I worked towards certain goals, received respect from my peers, earned responsibility, and gained leadership opportunities.

Now that I have moved back home, in search for a career, I find myself in a similar position that I was in my freshman year of college; often uncertain what the next year or month will hold. I find myself back at block one, having to start over again and establish myself in a different way than ever before. My identity as a student is no longer, and I feel as though I am like a rookie draft pick, expected to become a play maker in a league of crafty, veteran all-stars. The message that I have focused upon is that my responsibility is to simply serve each and every day.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul writes, “I planted the seed, Apollo’s watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” This passage is a reminder, that my responsibility as a Christian does not change and it never will. I am simply a servant, no more or less than Paul, who can do nothing of eternal worth without the Lord. Rookie or veteran, to bear fruit we must all remain in the vine, our savior Jesus Christ (John 15:4).

So as I worry about adopting a new lifestyle apart from school, and attaining the level of respect, responsibility, and status that I selfishly desire, I am humbly reminded that without God all my efforts are meaningless. I am reminded that I should focus on things from above, and that I must be a humble servant. I must look and respond to Jesus, the perfect example of a servant leader. And maybe I should start by looking for some feet to wash.