Outdoor Activity

Spring is coming. The gobblers will be out, the fishing expo's are starting, and over the next two weeks the Outdoor Ministry of Cool Spring will be part of two great opportunities.

• Hunter Education Course - This class will be hosted March 5 / 6 in the Cool Spring Student Center. Hosted by our own Brent Bosher and sponsored by the Va.Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries. This will be an opportunity to connect with those desiring to become avid outdoors men through hunting.
  
• Outdoor Sportsman's Expo - March 20 we will be hosting an outdoor expo in partnership with local vendors and our number one sponsor Green Top. We are excited about the opportunity to host several hundred outdoors men in an environment that will include education on specific outdoor topics, 14 vendor booths, and special speaker Gary Miller during a Wild Game Dinner.
  

The Outdoor Team continues to press forward with a passion to relate the outdoors and those who enjoy it, with a relationship with Jesus Christ. And the two events mentioned above are connecting points with people.

one BIG day

Finally...we were able to host our 2010 Soccer Evaluations. After 2 weeks of delays due to snow on the fields, we moved the evaluations indoors and pushed for one BIG day of evaluations. Typically we offer two days of evaluations. Unfortunately this year with the winter storms, field conditions, basketball league on Saturdays, our space and time only allowed for one. So, what was it going to be like?

Going into the day I had a goal number of 500. If 500 would show up, then our percentage would be excellent and we could move right into the draft. After doing similar evaluations three times a year for all our sports leagues, I have learned the numbers and expectations no matter how many days you offer evaluations. So, 500 would be a good goal for us to push to show up on one BIG day.

The volunteers were great! From our league directors and their families working, to members from Cool Spring and New Hanover, the stations were manned and the lines remained moving despite some wait time. From my view, and being aware that it would take about 30 minutes per player, it appeared most folks were delighted with the process. A good evaluation occurs when you have organized stations, first-impression volunteers, and drinks and pizza in the kitchen. Thanks to our volunteers who worked so hard to create an atmosphere that was positive for the families who participated.

At the end of day, from 1:30-6 PM, we moved through 550 evaluations! That's right, the one BIG goal of 500 was met and we ended up with a BIGGER number of 550. Just about 70 players shy of 100% participation on ONE day! It was awesome to see our peeps welcome the registered, register new players walking in (9), chase soccer balls during drills, and wish players a good season with a free milk shake from Chick-fil-A.

Thanks to the families who made a commitment to participate in our 2010 Soccer league. It was one BIG day.

Good Help

Recently we have been working hard on printing summer camps schedules, setting up registrations for adult basketball leagues, producing parent connection fliers, rescheduling basketball games, soccer evaluations, organizing advertisements for websites and newspapers, and the list of administration goes on and on......................................

I want to make sure you know who really handles all of this stuff. Her name is Laurie Spiers and she is the Recreation Administrative Assistant. While some of you may think that I am skilled in computer input, marketing design, and scheduling, I appreciate your thoughts, but Laurie is the person behind the scenes that enhances our ministry with these skills.

Thanks Laurie for making the Rec Ministry of Cool Spring a place where people can combine the gift of leisure with the companionship of Christ. As the scripture says, I, (we), thank our God for you in all things...

Kiss and Cry

Over the years there have been a variety of nicknames for various sports locations. Baseball has its "hot corner" for third base, football has its "gridiron," hockey its "frozen pond," and now...Olympic Ice Skating has its "Kiss and Cry." Yep, this years announcers (Tom Hammond in particular) are referring to the location which skaters wait along with their coaches and stuffed animals they have collected and to hear from the judges final remarks as the "Kiss and Cry."

While I am not criticizing the sport, there is certainly skill, agility, and talent involved, but the phrasing of this location does nothing for the sport or its athletes. So here is the question: What should this location be referred to? Drop a few names and let's come up with something that will enhance the sport of figure skating.

Volunteer Training 2-20-10

The Cool Spring Rec Ministry will be hosting Volunteer training this Saturday, February 20. And, you are invited!

Volunteer training is a great time for you to connect with other volunteers working in the Rec Center and for us to celebrate areas of successes and grow in areas where improvements are needed. This training time allows us as a team to better understand why we do what we do and where we are headed in the year 2010. From first impressions/guests relations to leagues and camps, each area will be discussed and brought in line with our mission of "combining the gift of leisure with the companionship of Christ."

As the Recreation Ministry of Cool Spring continues to grow, the need for volunteers continues to grow. If you have an interest in partnering with us through the Rec Center, please join us Saturday, February 20 at 10 AM.

Awe

With all the snow around us and the snow that keeps falling on us; you have to be in wonder or in awe. Despite the cancellations and rearranging of schedules, there is something about the snow that is beautiful and creates a setting like no other.

This winter season I have been in awe. In awe because I have been reminded that God is the Creator and is in control. He is in control of our world, weather patterns, and our lives. Often times we live in a mistaken mindset of awe. Think about the times in your life where you have been "awed' (not sure that's really a proper word, but it worked). You probably found yourself thinking about the birth of a child or even a major event in your life. In those moments you sensed that there really was something or somebody that overwhelmed you in a way that created an emotion that was good, right, true, safe, etc.

However, times of awe should not be symbols of big events. Awe should be a presence we grasp and understand in the ordinary things of life as well. It begins with the realization that this is God's world and He is active in it everyday! The whole earth is full of the weight and significance of who God is. David says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." He also prayed, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" It is God's world, God made it, owns it, and in it is His presence.

There used be a game played called "Where is Waldo?" You would have to identify Waldo in a cartoon or even in a local mall if you were playing with a group of kids. The fact was that whether or not you identified Waldo, he was present. Following Christ is not a game nor is the Christian faith. But we do have to recognize that God is present and we must be looking for Him intently. You and I will find in our lives that when we begin to seek His presence daily, we will begin to live in the presence of AWE.

Snowy Schedule

With the third major snowstorm upon us, re-scheduling of the Rec Center and sports leagues is becoming a daily tasks. While I enjoy snow and the cold weather, I have to say that the canceling of our leagues and activities is catching up with me. I enjoy the various league play and seeing people use the Rec Center. In making these decisions, we look at a variety of issues. The first being safety. From parking lots, to travel, to volunteers and participants. The other would be impact. While we believe the Rec Center has an impact on our community, we have to make decisions based on the priority of the activities during these snow storms and the long term effect they will have on the league schedule. As you can imagine, the next few days will be consumed with re-scheduling basketball games, volleyball league games, soccer evaluations, weight training sessions, and so on as the snow continues to fall.

In the midst of it all, it has to remind us that God is in control. The scriptures tell us that it is God who declares our days, sets the weather, and places Kings and authorities in positions. All these done without surprise to Him - the Creator and Sustainer.

With that..stay warm, safe, and enjoy the white blessing that is being dumped on us.

The View Ahead

I've been reading through Corinthians as of late. And the the Bible never fails. I mean, I have read Corinthians before, but it is just like the Bible to reveal to me new truths from the same passages I've seen before. And the other day I was stunned by several revelations.

1 Corinthians 13 speaks of love and the way of love. The majority of people have heard it quoted in their lifetime; either in a marriage ceremony or seen it on a picture framed piece of artwork found at a Kirkland's style store. Love is something each of us has to work on daily. But the passage that jumped out to me was the 13:8-13. Paul speaks about growing up in the faith and putting away childish thinking, childish talk, and childish ways (Yes, we all act like this at times). He talks about what we see and know in the "partial" and that the when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. The only thing we can really see now is the partial of what God is doing all around us. The scripture says, "Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been know." What got me excited was the fact that one day, the day the believer enters into the presence of God, we will fully know the story of our lives and circumstances, just as He knows them now! All the questions and struggles we face or don't understand, will come to light from the view of a loving and mighty God.

Remember, we typically can only see what is directly in front of us, and what is behind us. That means we have to trust Him for the unknown of the ahead, and learn from Him what He has taken us through in the past. Leaving us with the hope and joy of knowing that one day, "we will know in part as He knows fully!

Bob's Best Dogs

I love our basketball season! There is energy, enthusiasm, great volunteers, four locations with unique atmospheres, fun kids, and Bob's best Dogs!

One of our unique experiences is the quality hot dog we offer in our concessions. I know some of you are thinking, "I didn't know there was a quality hot dog." I am proud to say, that with the help of Jim Legg, we have continued to offer an all beef skin casing hot dog. It offers snap and consistency for our fans on a weekly basis. These dogs have been perfected over the years by master cooker Bob Hausenfluck - hence the name Bob's best Dogs. Not only has Bob produced some great dogs, but his wife Lilly has added her touch over the past seasons with Lilly's chili for those who ref and work game day operations. It's a combination that has kept volunteers, fans, and local neighbors driving up just to purchase a Saturday lunch.

Over the years we have had some great volunteers. And reproducing ourselves in ministry is a core value of mine. I am proud to say that Bob has done that with his kids - Bobby and Will. Bobby serves as our official taster (notice the photo) and Will serves as an intern for me in the Rec Ministry. It really is a great atmosphere with those 3 hanging around together.

So come on out and enjoy Bob's Best Dogs with a side of Lilly's chili (the chili part is our enticement to get you to volunteer). And by the way, there are some great basketball games to watch as well.

Fantastico Ephesians 5:15-17

While we enjoyed another pounding of snow and playing in it, Kelly and I decided to make homemade pasta Sunday afternoon. What I love about my marriage is that we both like to cook (the term cooking means no microwave dishes or boxed products). It is one of our hobbies together. Spending time in the kitchen provides us quality time to talk, laugh, and enjoy what the two us have prepared together. Thanks to the snow for slowing down my schedule and allowing us to have quality time together over the weekend.

This leads to another thought for us as husbands and wives living in a culture of business. God has honored me with a great wife and best friend. And God has honored me in allowing me to be part of a great recreation ministry at Cool Spring Church. And often times, I find my "ministry" schedule overcrowding my time with family and spouse. Ephesians 5:15-17 gives us a great passage to think about, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." In the culture we live, we have to make decisions on time. Yes there are a lot of 'good" ministry events, meetings, and opportunities. But we have to learn to choose the "best." You see, the number of "good" ones will take our time from us before we realize it. And for many, it has destroyed their covenant relationship. The "best" ones allow us to set our schedules and work within a balance time of family and ministry/work. As a spiritual leader in my home, I have to set the tone and time for relationships to develop in my house as well as in my ministry. It shouldn't take a snow fall to create that. Whether you are in ministry, leading a ministry, CEO, or a great employee, apply Ephesians 5:15-17 to your life. Making use of time wisely will greatly enrich your quality of life with your family and Christ.

By the way, the pasta was great and accompanied by Chef's Famous Sauce delivered from Buffalo, NY (I have a dealer on the sauce!). The whole experience was Fantastico!