Rest

In all of our lives we need rest and refreshing. For the next week I will be away from the office and computer to enjoy time with my family and rest. A time to get away and laugh, play, read, and simply rest. Resting is biblical. In fact, Jesus said to those who were weak and tired, "come to me and I will give you rest." So, as I head out before our new fall season begins, I will be seeking rest. I encourage you to do the same - take time to refresh yourself and rest! I look forward to being back and beginning a new series of posts regarding recreation on September 8.

A New Season

September is a time that schools and football welcome new seasons. There are the new shoes, clothes, supply lists, as well as the sounds of the Friday night band, cheerleaders and fans, and hopes of your team winning the championship. September also starts a new season for Cool Spring Recreation. New seasons allow us the opportunity to put behind the difficulties of a year passed and anticipate new growth and development. Over the past weeks we have looked at and began discussing areas in which we can grow, develop,and reinvent some of the programs / leagues we offer to the community. Talking about such things as creating new social media in order to interact with new people groups, adjusting leagues to do a better job of teaching practical life principles and discipleship opportunities, and creating new spaces within our facility that ensure we are fulfilling our mission of combining both physical exercise and spiritual development in a timely and effective manner. To find out what's happening in September, visit our website at www.coolspring.org and view our recreation page. You can also sign up for our monthly Rec News through email.

Sign You Up

Volunteers are a great source for ministry! The Cool Spring Rec Center is open Monday through Friday, 5:30 am - 9 pm, and you can imagine that staffing could be an issue. But today as our Rec Staff met to schedule the next three months, I was reminded how great it is that all of our staffing needs are filled with volunteers. That equates to seventy people volunteering their time to serve their community for the purpose of investing in others. It also allows us to put our efforts and finances into equipment and materials needed to create and develop relationships with others. Thanks to all the volunteers for serving! And by the way, we do have some slots open. I would love to "SIGN YOU UP."

A New Division

This past week, we had our first meeting to establish a Challenger division for our winter basketball program. This league will provide an opportunity for those with special needs to participate in exercising their bodies and minds, while enjoying the game of basketball and having fun. I love how our people of Cool Spring and others in our Rec Ministry / Upward League continue to impact the lives of those around us. It is going to be exciting to see these athletes play!

"Being" the Church

I just want to say thanks to all the folks within the Cool Spring family and those connected to our Rec Ministry and Upward Sports leagues. Your prayers, cards, and concerns over the last week have been awesome and humbley overwhelming. Thanks for "being" the message of Christ during the passing of my father.

Surf's Up

Most of our family grew up in the Hampton Roads / Va. Beach area, so water activities were a part of our lifestyle. Over this past week I had the opportunity to see several cousins. One in particular introduced me to The Christian Surfer's Association https://www.christiansurfers.com/2/. What I love about this is that it is a group of people doing what they love to do - surfing - for the purpose of recreation / competition; yet with the intentional mindset of engaging others for the purpose introducing people to Jesus Christ and gathering them into small groups that encourage relationships and discipleship. All of the "Why" we do what we do. Surf their site and be encouraged. (click on Surf's Up for the website)

Why Recreation and Sports

Below are a couple of reasons for why we use recreation and sports as a ministry. In fact, it is these reasons I often have to refer back to in order to remain focused on the task ahead. Check them out:

• rec / sports events are gathering places for people
• rec / sports events bridge cultural and racial barriers
  
• rec / sports ministry provides a place for people to live their abilities, interests, talents, and giftedness for a greater purpose
• rec / sports ministry offers an avenue to gain visibility in the community
• rec / sports ministry offers people a way to an abundant balanced life
• rec / sports ministry provides a catalyst for relationships
• rec / sports ministry is a tool for developing leaders
  

Passing of a Great Father

This past week my father, Jim English, passed away and is now in heaven with the Lord. There are many things I could say about my father, but I am left with this phrase as modeled by his life - Loved God and Loved People - two of the great commands given to us through the parable of the Good Samaritan. It was an awesome day of celebration of his life during a memorial service in which I was honored and proud to perform. Thanks dad for being a Godly man; honoring him, my mom, and your sons. You will be missed. In the last moments at his bedside I could hear the words of our heavenly Father saying, "Well done thy good and faithful servant."

Habits of Leaders

Leadership is a journey. When you are in a leadership opportunity, whether that be in a business, church, volunteer position, or a specific role in your family, you will constantly have to work on becoming better. Certainly reading about leadership principles and surrounding yourself with a mentor will help. But through the years it has been noted of leaders that they have obtained habits that enabled them to become great leaders. Recently I was in a conference listening to David Gergen, author of "Eyewitness To Power" and right hand man to four Presidents (Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Clinton). In his sharing with us, he noted four personal habits of great leaders:

1. Self Discipline and Regular Habits - Establishing self discipline will enable you to know your flaws and keep them in control. Regular habits of daily reading. It was said by one President, "not every reader is a leader, but every leader is a reader."
2. Be Physically Fit - Leaders have to endure. When we are exercising our bodies and eating right portions and food options, we enable ourselves to be fresh in our thinking and actions.
3. Build Time in the Day to Reflect - Leaders understand the need to be "reflective practitioners."
4. Sense of Humor - Learn to laugh at yourself and laugh with others.

As I look at each of these and make daily attempts to apply them in my own role as Recreation Minister, I could not help but recognize that these same habits can be found in Christ. He was disciplined in his denial of temptation. He was "buff" and cut! Think about his work as a child and the amount of walking he did. Christ always stepped away to spend time with the Father and be refreshed in His purpose. And finally, Christ had a sense of humor - if you don't beleive it, take a look in the mirror. We all have some goofy things about ourselves.

My boy....All Dressed Up

Nothing makes a father more proud than to see his youngest son mature into a grown man. And part of that process is dressing up! Several weeks ago I was out with my youngest and we saw this shirt. Both us of laughing and dying inside to wear it together to church on Sunday. Well, he ventured off to the store without me (with the help of grandparents) and to my proud surprise, purchased the shirt so he could wear it Sunday to our local church fellowship. I love his sense of humor and his independent nature.

Julie & Julia

Headed out to the movies Friday night for a date with Kelly. Having recently been to the Smithsonian and saw Juila Child's kitchen, we decided to see the opening night of Julie & Julia, http://www.julieandjulia.com/. Though we brought the average age down in the theatre, we both enjoyed the movie. We liked how it played two story lines - the life of Julia Child and Julie Powell. There were similarities in the two, but also contrast. As we continued to reflect and talk about it over the weekend, one thing stood out to us - the difference in cultures. Julia (from 1949-1980's) always had a smile on her face and a joy for doing what she loved to do. And in the hard days, she was resilient (much like our WWII generation). Julie (from 2002 - 2004 ) lived and worked in a fast paced society while trying to enjoy a hobby. She found herself pushing forward on her journey, but with much distraction and stressful days. What we realized is how the rapid change that has occured in our culture has created many overworked, stressed out, and frustrated people. How hard it has become to plan in your life time to enjoy a hobby, reflect on the day, and smile through the process. There were many other good reflections as well, but with this one, I remind you to take time today to enjoy-enjoy a recreational activity, a hobby, a person, a whatever........- "for the joy of the Lord is my strength."

What is It?

For many, the object being held is a football. The good ole "pig skin." And the season is on us (roughly 28 days). But for me, and the flag football camp staff this week, it is a tool being used to teach teamwork, sportsmanship, hardwork, humility, and Christian character. This has been a great week of Upward Flag Football Camp. Each day our kids have sweated in the August Richmond, VA. heat, ran hard, broke in new throwing arms, and learned that defense wins! Along with each of those moments, each team has had specific times where their coaches have continued to encourage and build up their players through the promises of God's word. This camp has focused on Phillipians 3:14, "pressing on toward the prize which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus." As great as this game is, there is more to life that Christ offers us in a relationship with Him. That's His presence with us in all we do and the gift of eternal life - the ultimate prize.

The Great Outdoors

One of the things I love about being a part of recreation is the great outdoors. Though I am not the ultimate sportsman like my friends of Hanover County, I do enjoy dressing up and acting like I am. It has been exciting for me to introduce the Outdoor Ministry concept and watch men and women grab it with a passion. Over the last several months we have hosted a Wild Game dinner, Turkey hunt for kids, bible studies, and will host a fresh fish fry to happen in a few a weeks. These opportunities are fun and exciting. But the creative beauty of this world and the solitude that comes with the hunting, camping, or fishing is refreshing. There is something about getting out in God's creation where the early mornings can be a time of one on one refreshing. Just you and the Creator. In the Bible, Mark talks about Jesus "getting up early to spend time with the Father." Take advantage of the outdoors and refresh yourself with God the Creator. Check this website out for further Outdoor Ministry Devotions - http://www.sportsmensdevotional.com/. If your interested in the Outdoor Ministry approach, contact us so we can hook you up.

Pullin' Flags

Camps are a great way to make relationships with kids in the community. Camps also allow for you to impart sports knowledge and Christian Character into those living in your community (at least the camps I am a part of). Flag Football Camp is underway! 68 campers for a week of hot August football action. It is great to see the number of first timers come out and prepare for the fall season. I'm sure by the end of the week I will have a good camp story (and I pray no bad ones).

Give It Away

Giving away that which you have or learned is great. It does several things: reminds you of the blessings you've been given and forces you to learn how to communicate and review what you do. I had the opportunity today, along with Ben Baughan, to welcome a church from Maryland to Cool Spring Rec Center for a couple of hours of training and discussion. It was great for me to refresh the purpose of why we do what we do and to learn and think deeper about challenges churches face in using recreation and liesure to reach their communities. That's what it's all about - partnering for a purpose!