M.A.W.L.

This weekend I will be traveling with six others to Halifax, Nova Scotia to assist Living Hope Community Church in a basketball camp.

One year ago we established this partnership with Living Hope. And from the beginning we set out to MAWL. No, we will not mawl them in a physical way, but rather in a spiritual way as they seek to use recreation to impact their community. The word MAWL stands for Model, Assist, Watch, and Leave. We have led a camp in their community, taught coaches training, and had their pastor visit our site during our season. Now we are moving into the assisting process. This week our team will be assisting local coaches from their church in hosting an instructional basketball camp. We will also be teaching seminars for parents on the topic "Parent Survival in the World of Sports." The assisting process is good because it is the giving over or giving away that which God has provided. It is the time in which Living Hope takes ownership and development for the future of their recreation ministry using basketball. Though it's sports, it's a New Testament church planting process.

I look forward to sharing with you about trip on our return the first week in June. If I get the chance and get to a computer, I will put a few thoughts down regarding our week.

All for One

There's nothing like a good compliment from your surrounding community. Last week an article entitled All for One: Cool Spring Baptist Offers Recreation for One Dollar was published in the Atlee High School newspaper.

Prior to the article being published, I received a phone call regarding doing a story for the school newspaper. While I thought that would be a great way for community awareness, I had to ask, why? The student reporter then explained to me that "many students loved coming to the Rec Center after school (I know they come) and everyone talks about the Rec Center, so, we decided we better write about it." What a compliment! And more importantly, what an opportunity! This article teaches several points. First, when you offer good impressions and quality experiences, people will respond to them. I love the fact that the students in our community are talking about us! Secondly, it's these impressions that always opens the door for spiritual investment. Many times our Rec Staff and Volunteers have the opportunity to talk with them about life issues and choices that are impacting them. This is scene throughout he scriptures. Jesus himself would deal with the physical issues that would lead to spiritual issues.

One of the ways in which we are looking at impact is through student recreation. While the Rec Center offers open gym hours and weight room / game room options, we are moving more in the direction of focused recreation for the purpose of connection - connection with others and connection with Christ. This summer on Mondays we will be offering Trib3L (pronounced tribal - it's a student thing) Games in cooperation with our TRIB3 Student Ministry. Games will include a variety of fun and challenging non-traditional sports. The rec league will begin in July. Make your plans to GO TRIB3L!

God Working Depsite Being Behind

Well.........I'm behind (obviously as I have not posted in a few days). Getting behind seems to be the thing to do in our culture. It makes us sound busy, and for a lot of us we are, and it makes us feel important. It's as though when we are not behind, we are not being productive.

However, getting behind is a killer on us as individuals, parents, spouses, and even friends. I am not one who likes to be behind or piled high in projects. But often times I find myself in this position - behind in preparations or piled high beneath sports and rec administration and ministry opportunities.

In the midst of being behind though, God has been putting new opportunities before me in terms of maximizing our facility for new impactful sports ministries. I have been meeting with people for further development of our fitness / cardio area, starting a Sports Performance Training Ministry for ages 10 and up, and working with another local church in expanding our Upward ministry in Hanover County. As I continue to see and shape the future for recreation ministry, I often wrestle through these new phases. But, I love it when God brings people into my life that are passionate and gifted in working in these areas. Praise God for using people as a vessel for establishing His Kingdom on earth.

Stay connected to the Recreation Ministry of Cool Spring and look for details of these opportunities to come.

Now Serving...

We are now brewing fresh Dunkin' Donuts Coffee in the Rec Center in the morning from 5:30 AM - 11 AM. So, if working out or exercising isn't your thing, then come drink from our newest fountain of freshly brewed coffee. If coffee ain't your thing either, well.......bless your heart.

Summer Camps - Sign Up Now

It's time to sign up for Summer Camps through the Cool Spring Rec Center. We have several camps this summer you will want to be a part of.

Flag Football Camp - June 22 - 24
Rising 1 st graders - 5th grade
Located at the fields of New Hanover Presb.
Cost is $40 NOW
6:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Camp Shirt included with specialized instruction and scrimmages
Sign up online through www.coolspring.org/csbcreccenter/default.asp

Boys Basketball Camp - July 19-22
Ages 7 - 15
Located at the Cool Spring Rec Center
Cost is $100 / after June 30 $125
8 AM - 3 PM
Camp will include conditioning exercises and basketball skill development
Camp shirt included with specialized instruction
Sign up online through www.coolspring.org/csbcreccenter/default.asp

Girls Basketball Camp - July 26-29
Ages 7 - 15
Located at the Cool Spring Rec Center
Cost is $100 / after June 30 $125
8 AM - 3 PM
Camp shirt included with specialized instruction
Camp will include conditioning exercises and basketball skill development
Sign up online through www.coolspring.org/csbcreccenter/default.asp

Boys & Girls Summer Ultra - Sports Camp - August 2-5
Rising 1st - 5th grade
Located at the Cool Spring Rec Center
Cost is $140
8:30 AM - 3 PM
Camp shirt included
Camp will introduce kids to a variety of sports
Sign up online through www.coolspring.org/csbcreccenter/default.asp

Picture on the Course

I had the opportunity to play golf on Friday with some of our new Upward Sports Ministry leaders. It was a great day for golf in terms of weather and I didn't strike the ball to bad.

These outings are always great. It provides an atmosphere of fun and self-competition as well allows us focused time to talk about what is ahead for our Upward Sports seasons. During this round, we talked about Flag Football and Challenger Basketball. I love to hear new ideas and watch them develop over time. You can't beat enthusiastic volunteers (although sometimes you have to contain them).

Golf provides a lot of great lessons. From integrity, character, and honesty. But on this day, the greatest lesson was reminded to me on the number 9 green as I was putting for par. Lining up my putt required me to look ahead of the hole in order to read the green. Just as I did, a picture became words. Behind the green there was Ivy growing on a telephone pole in the form of Christ on the cross with a backdrop of a white house with one painted red door. As I continued to look at this backdrop the thoughts of Christ hanging on the cross for me came to my mind. Also, the red painted door represented his blood stain for me and the white house created the image of purity. What a picture and image.

I have included the photo for your viewing and reflection. It always amazes me to be reminded of Christ love throughout the day in a variety of ways. This reminder occurred to me on the 9 th hole. Who says God isn't about golf!

A Day at the Fields

Today was a baseball kind of day! The weather was perfect and the time spent with friends, co workers, and family was great.

Started this morning out at The Diamond to participate in Education Day. First pitch was thrown at 10:35 AM. What a way to start your day. I had the opportunity to go see the Richmond Flying Squirrels play the Altoona Curve with my associate Steve Rowe and Rec Desk Volunteer Bob Roza. The seats were great and oh what a game. I really enjoy watching baseball. In fact, I even keep my own scorecard while watching the games. Any 9 inning baseball game is good, but what's even better is FREE BASEBALL. By "free baseball" I mean extra innings. Today we went 11 innings and defeated the Altoona Curve 2-1 in the bottom of the 11th. Squirrels are having a great season and an awesome record at home. If you haven't been down to the stadium, check out the Squirrels. It's family fun and good baseball - www.squirrelsbaseball.com.

Tonight I headed out to Mechanicsville Little League to see my youngest play. He had opportunities to play center field, short-stop, and third base. He had a great night at the plate going 2 for 2 with a home run to right and double up the middle (Dad was proud). The coach gave him a nice surprise to be the closing pitcher and he struck out the last batter for a 9-6 win against an undefeated team. Another great game played by all the MLL Blue Jays.

Aaah...a day spent in America's Past-time. I guess I will have to come back to reality of everyday life tonight as I prepare for my round of golf in the morning with some Upward Volunteers. Remember, it's all about relationships and Playing 4 Him.

Step Out There

Every season I receive some great stories through our Upward Sports Leagues, and I receive some not so great stories. But this past week was a success!

We have now been playing soccer for over 4 weeks. Practices are going good, games are developing nicely, and the skill development is becoming more noticeable each week. I have been in tune to one particular player throughout the season. She is a four year old girl who is playing organized sports for the first time. When a four year old signs up, you have to understand that some may be enthusiastic about playing and others maybe a enthusiastic, but bashful. She falls on the enthusiastic but bashfull side. Every week she comes to practice and cheers her team on while practicing with her parent on the sideline. Though she is not fully engaged on the playing field, she is still doing drills on the side having fun. The same is true during the games, she loves putting the uniform on and cheering alongside her teammates. Each week with anticipation I look forward to seeing how far she will go in terms of staying on the playing field rather practicing on the sideline. And each week brings a little more time and comfort.

Well, this past Saturday, as usual, she arrived for her game dressed in her uniform ready to cheer her team. However, for whatever reason, she was not only enthusiastic, but was ready to actually play on the field. And that she did! She participated in the whole game and loved it. Following the game I received a text message from her parents saying that on the way home she was cheering the words "way to go me" and singing "Jesus Loves Me." It was a big s day for her!

I couldn't help but think of a phrase used in spiritual discipleship that says,"If you want to walk on water, then get out of the boat." Much like this little four year old, you and I are enthusiastic about our faith and trust in Christ. But we are also bashful. There are things that God has asked us to be a part of in terms of service and discipleship in our Christian walk. Often our response is to hang out on the sideline and watch others or just contribute a little bit of our time or giftedness. All the while missing the joy of complete participation. Like our little soccer player, when we finally step out in the areas Christ asks us to participate in, do we experience that great victory and joy that only comes after obedience. Go ahead, step out there.