Rest

Memorial Day weekend was great for me. I had Saturday off from any games / leagues and was able to enjoy the company of my wife and family for Brendan's 12th birthday. Sunday was spent at Nationals Park with some great Rec Volunteers. Monday was more time with Kelly, home projects, and Orioles baseball. And finally, Tuesday was date time with Kelly during lunch at the water park at Kings Dominion. It ended up being a four day weekend for me that allowed for rest and recovery.

Recently Kelly and I have been reading Tim Keller's book Kings Cross. It is a great compliment to studying the book Mark. Keller does a great job of picking out certain passages and providing scriptural insight that leads to deeper meditation and contemplation throughout the day. The most recent chapter was reference to Mark 2: 23-28. Keller speaks on the topic of rest and the Sabbath. Jesus uses the term "I AM" throughout the scripture and demonstrates that it is through him that we truly find rest. Jesus gives us two thoughts:

1. Jesus calls for me and you to take time off - physical and mental time away - on a regular basis. Stepping out and away from daily activity will provide for fun and vitality in your life.

2. Rest is also a time that you and I can be satisfied with our work, so satisfied, that we can leave it alone. Looking back at Genesis and the creation story we see this example lived out. It was after He created that He stepped away and was satisfied. Unfortunately with the technology world, we seem to always be connected mentally to our work through email, phones, twitter etc.

Learning the discipline of rest and the use of the Sabbath - restoring the diminished, replenishing the drained, and repairing the broken- is something we all need to learn to enjoy. And underlying both of these points is the fact that it "is" Jesus who provides the rest for our bodies and mind, as well as the satisfaction of our work. Through Him, we no longer need to look toward the work of self-justification. The cross is the point at which true rest and satisfaction can begin in our lives.

Interns....they're back !

You know summer is here when the camp schedules get full and your interns arrive! This summer we welcome to the Rec Center Logan Spiers (Liberty University) and Luke Raikes (Old Dominion University). Please be sure to welcome them as you see them in the Rec Center and out on the fields.

Summer interns are key. Gone are the days that interns just do the dirty work that others don't want to do (OK, they will do some of that). But today's intern is looking for validity and someone to help them explore their gifts and skills over a short period of time. They are looking for the opportunity to be trusted, the opportunity to be creative, and the opportunity to learn through both failure and success.

I guess with that in mind, aren't we all interns? We are people living on this earth for a short period of time searching for opportunities to explore our gifts and talents with someone who we can trust and feel comfortable with whether we fail or succeed. Back in the day we referred to interns as disciples. They were people like you and me studying under the feet of a Savior and learning how to share the good news which He delivered in word and deed.

As an intern myself at one time, I remember the excitement of an opportunity. And I also remember the freedom of knowing I wasn't in it for long. I would suggest today that we live in that same mindset. The mindset that we are going to live in excitement of sharing the good news of the Christ life (in word and deed) knowing that we only have a short period in which to serve.

Nothing like a good Quote

There is nothing a quick one or two line quote that throws your mind into deep meditation and realization of the deep struggles you face in your daily life. Here is one that I recently came across:

"The one secret of life and development, is not to devise a plan...but to do every moment's duty aright...and let come - not what will, for there is no such thing - but what the eternal Thought wills for each of us, has intended in each of us from the first"

George MacDonald, author

The Princess and the Goblin

Relish the Game

Today we officially kicked off PICKLEBALL in the Rec Center and we "relish" the game!

Pickleball is sweeping the nation. Just check out http://usapa.org and see how explosive this game is. Pickleball is a simple game played using paddles, a special perforated, slow-moving ball over a tennis-type net on a badmitton-sized court. The ball is put into play and the volley game begins.

Pickleball is offered on Monday nights from 6-9 PM and Thursday mornings from 9-noon for those fifty and over. The game offers great fellowship and exercise movements. Come join us and bring a friend.

Group Time

This morning I had the opportunity to meet with student-athletes involved in the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was a great encouragement to see this group gather on a Friday morning thirty minutes before school in order to fellowship, pray, set times for ministry to other students, and read the scriptures for encouragement and growth.

It's obvious we all need connection, encouragement, and truth in our lives.

For more on Fellowship of Christian Athletes visit www.fca.org.

Lessons From Joe Girardi

This past weekend, Kelly, Brendan, and myself traveled to Baltimore for a weekend of sports. It included a ballpark tour of Camden Yards, autographs with Adam Jones, watching the Capitals on Pratt Street, dinner at Sabatino's in Little Italy, and seeing the Orioles and Yankees (this night it was more of the Yankees).

While going through the ball park tour we saw Coach Joe Girardi hitting and throwing with his son. The tour itself took 1.5 hours and Coach Joe was out there the entire time frame. But one thing really stood out to me as we finished the tour in the bullpens. Joe and his son, Dante, were in the bullpen and one of the Yankees fans quickly asked Joe for his autograph (nothing unusual I am sure for a Yankee fan). And to my surprise Joe said, "Sorry I can't, I am playing catch with my son right now." Wow. What a statement a father just made to his son. With all the pressures and expectations of coaching the story franchise, Joe Girardi just spoke volumes of setting boundaries between his family and his job. During this 2 hour period Joe was focused on Dante and nothing was going to interrupt that time together. The other side of this picture that jumped out to me was that Dante allowed the instruction of his father. It wasn't just Joe pouring into his son, but it was his son giving back to him. It was a picture of a cultivated relationship that was making each other better - Joe a better father and Dante a better baseball player (he has a sweet batting stance).

As dads and people who have the opportunity to invest in the lives of young people, let us learn from the lesson observed: people matter, relationships are cultivated, and time is important.

Dear God, please allow us to develop the discipline of time with people who matter and whom you have entrusted us with.

Finding Friends

Tony Morgan's article entitled, Is the Church Responsible to Find People Friends?, brought out some great insights and thoughts about the church and the use of recreation.

Think about your relationships; how did you find them? Did you seek them out as a child? Did you step out to be involved in an interest group? Or, did someone decide for you the group that would best fit you? Throughout the article, Morgan continues to ask a provoking question: What would happen if we put less attention on organizing relationships and more attention on something people will organize around? Bingo! Great thought. It is true that we set up our people (those who follow Christ and those we pray will follow Christ) to be part of specific groups. There are men's groups, women's groups, age groups, etc. Both Morgan and myself recognize the influence and positives that come from these groups, but what if we allowed people to make relationship decisions on "serving" opportunities? This would allow for people to be a part of community with affinity and passion while still engaging in the Great Commission and discipleship.

That's why I appreciate and see recreation ministry as a community of people who gather with specific interests and passions that allows for natural relationships and life changing conversations. Through sports and recreation, those who follow Christ and those who have yet to make that decision, connect with common purposes. As they gather to coach, play games, referee, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors, community is formed and daily life can be shared naturally.

Look around at where you are. Do you participate in sports and recreation, spend time at coffee shops, belong to book clubs, serve on community boards, etc? Take time with those natural relationships to share Christ and enjoy community. You've been wired that way!