AZ FCA Summer Sports Camp

The Flagstaff camp is coming soon!
June 29th - July 2nd.

This truly is an experience you will never forget. Every day, it seems I have a parent or player tell me about the life-change that occurred at FCA camp.

Speaker: Darren Carrington, played 8 years in NFL and in 2 Super Bowls. Currently, the high school pastor at the Rock Church in San Diego, CA. Awesome gift to connect with young kids, we are blessed to have him!

Sports:
Boys-Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Wrestling.
Girls-Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball.

Staff Includes:
Vic Shealy, UNLV Football coach
Ray Perkins, Former NFL
Russ Pennel, U of A Men's Basketball (penciled in)
George Arias, Former MLB Infielder
Doug Jones, Former MLB Pitcher
John Petty, Cal. Baptist head wrestling coach
R.C. LaHaye, Grand Canyon Univ. head wrestling coach
Dan Payne, former Northern Arizona Univ. head wrestling coach
Trent May, Grand Canyon Univ. head women's basketball coach
Jill Mahoney, Grand Canyon Univ. women's basketball coach
Mark Lumley, Baylor Univ. softball coach

Plus college athletes: ASU, UofA, NAU, Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon
Plus great high school coaches from around Arizona.

See what you get:
6 on-field practice sessions over 4 days
3 nights stay in NAU dorms
3 evening programs
Speakers
Panel Discussions
Buzz groups
Music
Videos
Games
Huddle groups (lead by college athlete)
All meals included at dining hall
Transportation from Tucson and Phoenix provided
FCA Bible
Camp T-shirt
New relationships
Unforgettable experience!


Students Ages:
7th graders through seniors in High School

Scholarships Available:
Don't let money get in the way of you going to camp. Applications are available for special cases of need for financial assistance. Cost of camp is $395

See more about this camp:
www.azfca.org/camps
bberger@fca.org
602.264.8575

Lightchaser Photography

"From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 NLT

Do you ever doubt God's existence? Sometimes you need to just stop and look at the creation that surrounds you and know that there is the creator and that He is... amazing...powerful...creative...organized...beautiful...brilliant...wonderful...

Be blessed by Rick Furmanek's Light Chaser Photography. He captures God's creation in a way that makes me love God more, to put it simply.

Clean it up!

"Clean it up!" My coach used to yell this at us when we were playing a little too relaxed. It was his way of reminding us that we were sloppy, and our little mishaps needed to be "cleaned up." Our focus would get off and therefore we would not be sharp. We would miss balls that we shouldn't, we would make mental errors, and we would just get sloppy. Every team experiences this.

Christian, God's Word calls you to clean up your life, to stay focused on Him, to stay sharp so you don't slip. Evaluate your life to see if your decisions and behaviors reflect a faith in God.

Be careful, though. Some, who don't understand the teachings of the Bible think that God requires us to clean up our lives before we can come to Him. You hear people say things like, "Oh I can't go to church, they'll kick me out of there" or "I've got some issues to take care of first."

1 Timothy 1:15 says, "Christ came to save sinners..."

Christ did not come to die for those who were clean. He came for those who were unclean, and those who recognized that no matter how hard they tried, they could not clean themselves up. In fact, if you read the Gospels (Mat., Mark, Luke, and John) you will find that the people Jesus had the most conflict with were those who thought themselves to be clean (The religious leaders). The truth is that we have all sinned. (Romans 3:23) and that we are all in need of Christ's cleansing.

The encouraging thing is God wants to clean us up. Our responsibility is to respond to Him by believing. With believing, or faith, comes salvation."Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." John 6:47

Don't be mistaken, though "Christian." There is a false teaching out there which has been named "easy believism." Easy believism is where people say they believe, but there is no evidence in there life that they truly believe. If you truly believe that Jesus is God (who He said He was) there would be a dramatic change in your life. Your faith would be evident by the way you live your life.

God's Word does call us to "Clean it up!" The good news is, He gives us the power to turn away from unrighteousness (sin) once we believe and surrender our lives to Him.

Memorial Day

I just listened to Pres. Bush's speech at Arlington Cemetery. He said something that I think is good for us to reflect upon. This isn't an exact quote, but I believe it is close. He said something along the lines of...

The cost of freedom is being purchased with the lives of those that are living for a cause greater than themselves.

This is God's definition of love, laying down your life for another. Today we remember those Americans that have truly loved our country. I am thankful for those men and women that have put their lives on the line to serve our country.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us," 1 John 3:16

We are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us. How did He love us? He laid down His life. We should daily lay down our lives for others. This doesn't always mean literally dying a physical death for others. Putting your interests aside, literally sacrificing your wants, your needs, your pride, and your will for the needs, wants, and interests of others.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12

Arguing your faith

Faithful men and women, I can remember many times in my life when my faith was the center of an argument with one of my unbelieving friends. I look back at some of those disputes and cringe.

If you are living out your faith, discussions with your friends will happen. These discussions are truly great, and are what we pray for, but also have the potential to be explosive and become argumentative. I encourage you to be gentle. Read 2 Timothy 2.

in 2 Tim 2:14 Paul encourages Timothy to remind Christians "not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers."

Again in v. 16 he continues with... "shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."

v. 23 "But reject the foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. v24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness." (ESV: "in humility correcting those who are in opposition")

I love that he says "instructing" "correcting" and "teaching" with "gentleness" and telling them not to "fight," use "idle babblings," or "foolish and ignorant disputes"

It is good that you have passion about defending your faith. But consider this, your friends will not "come to their senses" through a heated argument.

2 Tim 2:25 "if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, v. 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil,"

If they are convinced, it will be because God convinces their heart. You nee to trust Him. When those conversations come up about Jesus, instruct your friends out of humility and gentleness, don't get caught up in things that don't matter. Bring it back to the gospel. If they get upset, be patient.

Carry on Christian.

Pujols hurts Padres

I saw a kind of "genuine moment" the other night when Pujols hit a line drive off the the face of Padres pitcher, Chris Young. Albert almost immediately joins Padres first baseman, Adrian Gonzales off to the side to pray right there in the infield.


The camera then takes some close up shots of concerned players. I thought it was interesting that they focused on Josh Bard (believer), Albert Pujols (believer), and Tony Clark in the dugout (believer). I swear the camera went back and forth between these three for about six or seven shots. Then, manager Buddy Black calls for some help escorting Chris off the field and Tony Clark is the one to jump out there and help his teammate.

Later that inning, Albert slides home on a play at the plate and takes out Josh Bard's left leg. What in the world is going on?

Chris Young fractured a nasal bone and Josh was put on the 15 day disabled list for a high ankle sprain. Things definitely could have been worse.

Andy Pettitte: Putting His Faith in Telling the Truth

He said he volunteered that his father had supplied H.G.H., even though Pettitte had withheld that from the Mitchell investigators. He and his wife had prayed about it, and came up with Romans 13:1-5, in which Paul spoke about a Christian’s relationship to civil government: “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.”

...read the entire article in the New York Times

Mark 10:45

In Mark 10:45 Jesus said...

"for even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve."



In Mat 25:31-46 Jesus said...

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Superstar

I found a blog that was interesting to sift through. The blog lists Christian celebrities and professional athletes. It is called Jesus Christ Superstars.

It is hard not to lift these professional athletes to a high level of faith just because we want to believe that our hero on the field can be our hero in the faith. I think as Christian athletes we want so badly to find that perfect stud athlete with a solid testimony, so we can show our teammates that it is cool to be a Christian. You must be careful. This is definitely something I'm learning right now writing this blog and pointing to so many different athletes who profess to be believers. I ask myself what if this dude isn't for real, and I'm promoting him or her as a "hero in the faith."

Christian athlete, your biggest hero should be Jesus. There will be many people in your life that will bless you, encourage you in the faith, and inspire you, and I don't think it is wrong to have a level of admiration and respect for them. Christian, don't be quick to claim a hero in your sport because of his or her wwjd bracelet or because they thanked Jesus after sinking the game winning 3 pointer. Also, don't forget that they are still men and women who will struggle with sin. Don't let your faith be devastated when they do fall in the public eye. Pray for those Christians that are in the spotlight, that their testimony would be strong, and their lives would be a witness to the greatness of our King.

One more IMPORTANT point, God is not dependant on stud Christian athletes to make Christianity look cool and therefor draw the lost to the Lord. God is the biggest and coolest stud you will find. If your friends see Jesus, that's enough. Pray that your friends would see a true picture of who Jesus is. Pray that God would let them see how amazing and how different He is than everything else in our life. He is the one hero that won't disappoint.

Sharing the Victory Radio

I've added podcasts to the bottom of the blog. Check it out.

Did you know?

Jackie Robinson is a hero. I wish I could have seen him play in person.

Did you know that Branch Rickey, the owner that broke the color barrier by signing Jackie, was also one of the original founders of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes back in 1954?



An excerpt from an article in Gale, CENGAGE learning

Before he decided on Robinson, Rickey, a devout Christian, and president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, had searched nationwide for the ideal African American man, one talented enough to play on major league teams and well-enough adjusted within himself to withstand the attacks sure to come in the racially prejudiced setting. Rickey had scouted Robinson with the Monarchs and was impressed enough to meet with him for a personal assessment.

Rickey interrogated Robinson extensively for three hours on August 28, 1945. In a dramatization of hotel, restaurant, and game situations, he glared at Robinson, shouting demeaning words and phrases while observing his reactions. At the end he quoted the Biblical passage that advises turning the other cheek. Satisfied that Robinson met the tests of ability, stamina, and tolerance, Rickey exacted a promise of extreme patience and forbearance for three years, then offered him a contract. On October 23, 1945, Rickey made the historic announcement that Jackie Robinson, a black man, would play for the Montreal Royals, the minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Satchel Paige gave a ringing endorsement of Robinson as the best possible selection for "The Noble Experiment."

I love this kid

Fifa's World Player of the Year. Ricardo Kaka.

2 Timothy 1:7

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Paul (Timothy's coach in the faith) is writing to Timothy from prison. Paul knows that the one thing that can hinder the use of Timothy's gifts is fear.

I often find myself forgetting that God has given me His spirit and that it is one of power. When I feel weak I need to be reminded that my God is strong and He has given me all the power, love, and self-control I need to handle any circumstance.

How do I face the fears that seam like Giants in my life?

Living in the Spirit of God. Setting my mind on the things of the Spirit.

Christian athlete, you should not be fearful, undiscipline, or un-loving in your sport.

How do you know you are saved?

My high school football coach used to tell us before film session, "gentlemen, put on your thick skin." He was preparing us to hear the truth about how we performed. He didn't want us to be so offended and hurt by his feedback that we would miss out on the truth of how we needed to get better. Coach had a choice, protect our self-esteem and let us fail to learn from our mistakes, or tell us the truth, wounding our spirit, but enlightening us to the truth so that we would know how we could become better.

Christian, put on your thick skin. Hear the truth of this tough message. Take time to be silent and evaluate your life. There might not be a more important message that I could forward on to you than this.

Do not play this video if you have less than an hour to devote to this. The sermon is 48 min. and you are going to need some time to digest this after viewing it. Do not play this video without first praying that God would prepare your heart and reveal His truth. Do not play this video with "thin skin." Listen.

Competitor's Creed - Part 3

I do not trust in myself.
I do not boast in my abilities or believe in my own strength.
I rely solely on the power of God.
I compete for the pleasure of my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.

This is my favorite part of the creed. It makes me want to put on the uniform and go compete for my Lord. We as athletes have been coached to "have pride," "believe in yourself," and "rely on your teammates," to "represent your school," and to "make your parents proud."

The creed poses a challenge. It probably goes against everything you know in your sport. I love it, and I hope that you also get excited about the opportunity you have to compete for the pleasure of your Heavenly Father.

Let me leave you with a movie quote that first got me fired up about competing for Christ. It is from the movie Chariots of Fire.

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."

JMAC

You've probably seen this one. This story never gets old, though.



What a movie this will make. It was obvious to me that this kid was someone that everyone was rooting for. As I look back at all great sports movies I've watched through the years, there's always the character or characters that you are dying to see succeed. What is it about these players that makes us root for them?

Here are a few common denominators: determined, unselfish, resilient, underdog, and kind. Rocky, Rudy, Remember the Titans, Miracle, Hoosiers, etc..

As Christians, we should possess character traits that people are drawn to. Love, Humility, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-Control, Discipline, Unselfishness, Perseverance, Teachable, Trustworthy, and Positive (not complaining).

Christian Athlete, are people rooting for you or against you? Picture your movie, are you a likable character? I'm not saying that you should live and compete with the motivation of being liked by men, but I do believe if your life resembles Christ, you will "fall into favor," people will like you.

As a 12 year old, Jesus is accidentally left in Jerusalem by His parents. They find the boy 3 days later in the temple in the midst of the teachers "listening to them and asking them questions." In this time it says in Luke 2:52 that Jesus increased in favor with men (and God).

Jesus's ministry didn't begin until he was around 30 years old. This is when people began being offended by who He claimed to be, but when he was just a young man, living out godliness, He was well liked. Your life should not offend people (the truth that you share about Jesus will).

Tim Tebow's Prison Ministry

The following is an excerpt from an article at ESPN.com (click on title to read more)

This is what it's all about. God giving you talent, and you using that talent for His kingdom. I suggest reading the article.

Heisman provides Tebow broader audience for message of faith
By Mark Schlabach

In the four months since Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, he has sought to spread his message of faith as far as possible. Winning college football's most coveted individual award has provided him with a broader audience.

"Because of my name recognition and because of who I am, I've been given an opportunity to go places where most other people can't go," Tebow said. "I can go into prisons and speak, and no one will say anything. I can go into schools and speak, and they'll love to have me. I can go to all these different places because of who I am as a football player. That's a platform the Lord has given me, and I think it's my responsibility to take advantage of it." read more

Goodness on the softball field

It is just good. I don't know what else to say.

Competitor's Creed - Part 2

I am a Competitor now and forever.I am made to strive, to strain,to stretch and to succeed in the arena of competition.I am a Christian Competitor and as such, I face my challenger with the face of Christ.

listen to the full competitor's creed by clicking the link at the bottom of the side bar.

Ricardo Kaka

Unbelievable skills. Great T-shirt. I gotta believe that the Lord enjoys watching this kid score goals.

Tom Brady Interview

Tom Brady has it all. Right? This is evidence that we are foolish to chase success for the sake of money and fame.

Competitor's Creed - Part 1

I am a Christian first and last.I am created in the likeness of God Almighty to bring Him glory.I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.I wear the colors of the cross.

Listen to the full competitor's creed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the side bar.

IDBTM

I heard a great story today about an FCA staff member's father that just passed away this week. One of our staff members shared that he was getting mentored by this guy shortly after being saved.

He walked into the man's house and there were stickers all over the house on various pieces of furniture and appliances. The stickers had the letters IDBTM. He asked his mentor what the letters were. He said, "It doesn't belong to me."

What are the things that would crush you if they were taken from you? Your possessions are His. Your talents and abilities are His. Your athletic career is His. Your life is His. Your every second, minute, hour, day.

As a Christian we submit our lives to God's will. Athlete, read God's word, pray, and listen. Ask God to convict you of possessions that you are gripping too tightly. Ask God to align your desires with His will.

May I suggest putting the letters IDBTM on your spikes, wrist tape, glove, hat, or gloves.

Around the Horn

Three Christian baseball players break it down. Great article.
Click Here

Honoring God

How do you honor God in your sport? Here are a few ideas: This is not a complete list



1. Have a good attitude. "Do everything without complaining or arguing," Phl. 2:14
Do you complain about referees, umpires, officials, your coach, your teammate, the weather, or your opponent?

2. Practice and Play with an effort that would please Christ. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." -1 Cor. 9:24
Are you just out their playing or are you competing to win? God's word does not tell us to win, but to give a winning effort. Do you give a winning effort in practice? in your games? Do you get lazy at practice or in the game? Do you think that pleases God?

3. Use your God-given skills as a tool for His kingdom. Be an example to others of what Jesus would have played like if he played your sport. "I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it." -1 Cor. 9:23
Are people turned off to Jesus by watching you compete or are they drawn to learn more about Him? Are you committed, loyal, teachable, positive, joyful, humble, patient, discipline, and a good teammate?