I did not write my blog last week because I was on a sports mission trip in the Dominican Republic with Northland's Women's basketball team. It was a great trip and God taught us many things. You can see some pictures and read about the trip by clicking on the following link.
Dominican Mission Team
Here are a few of my thoughts about the trip and the eternal value of taking trips like this.
Sports missions works in multiple ways. We often think of trips like this as an evangelistic outreach. Presenting the gospel to athletes in a foreign country is a great privilege. Seeing some of them respond to trust Christ is thrilling. This trip was especially memorable for me as I had the privilege of leading a young man to the Lord during our last game. He is a student at the University of Santo Domingo (the oldest university in the Americas – founded in 1538). When the gospel was clearly presented at halftime he raised his hand indicating that he was interested in finding out more. During the third quarter of the game he trusted Christ as Saviour. There were numerous others who raised their hands and we continue to pray that the Lord would cause the seed that was planted to be watered, take root and grow.
While giving out the gospel was a definite goal of this trip, the process of discipleship was also a large part. There were two aspects of discipleship that were obvious to me on this trip. They were: time spent in the Word of God and time spent in a different culture. Each of these aspects gave us a fresh dose of perspective.
The first discipleship impact was our time in the Word. This time was led by Coach Whitt as we studied parts of the book of Nehemiah. These studies were a personal challenge to all of us and it is obvious that they had an impact on each team member. The testimonies that the girls shared in our team meetings were evidence of that.
A second discipleship impact was the time spent in a different culture. It makes us reflect on all that we have to be thankful for in our own country and helps us to focus on a more eternal perspective. While on a trip like this it is amazing how unimportant some things become. I personally didn’t care how the NBA playoffs were going. The news of the day wasn’t that important. Things we take for granted at home didn’t really seem to matter as much. We heard no complaints from the team about things like, not having air conditioning, access to the internet, hot showers, or even water pressure. Flexibility was a must, which is a refreshing change from the demanding schedules we usually keep at home. The focus was on more eternal things and pursuing the purpose for which we came to the Dominican Republic.
This trip was amazing in what God did both through us and in us. I would encourage you to take a sports team on a mission trip, if at all possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about how to plan such a trip. You will never regret spending the time, energy, money, etc. to go on such a trip because of the evangelistic and discipleship opportunities they provide.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
God's Hall of Fame
Being selected into a Hall of Fame is probably the highest honor that an individual athlete or coach can be awarded here on this earth. The screening process through which a Hall of Fame nominee is approved for enshrinement is very meticulous. Some inductees have had very convincing resumes and were approved by the committee on the very first vote. Others may have been on the ballot multiple times and still have not been voted in. It is a very exacting process because the Hall of Fame is reserved for only those who have accomplished something unique, amazing, or great.
This stands in contrast to the criterion for entrance into what some would call “God’s Hall of Fame”. Entrance into God’s Hall is not based on great talent, abilities or accomplishments. There is only one criterion for entrance into God’s Hall. That criterion is faith. You don’t have to be talented or gifted to exercise faith. However, the important thing is not simply that you have faith, but that you have a worthy object in which your faith is placed. Faith derives its value from its object. The most deserving objects of your faith are the Word of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Over the past few months at our church, we have been studying through the book of Hebrews. We have recently reached the eleventh chapter which includes the list of the great characters of faith. This chapter is often an inspiration to me personally as I am challenged by their examples. These people were great believers in God and they evidenced their faith by their actions. It didn’t matter how they felt. To them, faith was “believing the Word of God and acting upon it no matter how they felt, knowing that God promised a good result in His time”. How about you? Would this describe your faith?
Coaches need to be men and women of faith who act in obedience to the truth regardless of feelings. A coach’s emotions can run the gamut from the “thrill of victory” to the “agony of defeat”, but there should be a steady confidence in following God’s plan. The eternal plan is to make a difference in lives. To make a difference that will last for eternity. While making that difference may not land you in a Hall of Fame here, you are making an impact that will reap eternal rewards. Stay faithful.
I hope the following poem is an encouragement to you as you may labor in obscurity, coaching a small group of young people that no one ever notices. Your faithfulness to make an eternal difference will one day be rewarded.
God’s Hall of Fame
To have your name inscribed up there is greater yet by far,
Than all the “halls of fame” down here and every man-made star.
This crowd on earth, they soon forget the heroes of the past,
They cheer like made until you fall and that’s how long you last.
I tell you, friend, I would not trade my name however small,
If written there beyond the stars in that celestial hall.
For any famous name on earth or glory that they share,
I’d rather be an unknown here and have my name up there.
-Anonymous
This stands in contrast to the criterion for entrance into what some would call “God’s Hall of Fame”. Entrance into God’s Hall is not based on great talent, abilities or accomplishments. There is only one criterion for entrance into God’s Hall. That criterion is faith. You don’t have to be talented or gifted to exercise faith. However, the important thing is not simply that you have faith, but that you have a worthy object in which your faith is placed. Faith derives its value from its object. The most deserving objects of your faith are the Word of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Over the past few months at our church, we have been studying through the book of Hebrews. We have recently reached the eleventh chapter which includes the list of the great characters of faith. This chapter is often an inspiration to me personally as I am challenged by their examples. These people were great believers in God and they evidenced their faith by their actions. It didn’t matter how they felt. To them, faith was “believing the Word of God and acting upon it no matter how they felt, knowing that God promised a good result in His time”. How about you? Would this describe your faith?
Coaches need to be men and women of faith who act in obedience to the truth regardless of feelings. A coach’s emotions can run the gamut from the “thrill of victory” to the “agony of defeat”, but there should be a steady confidence in following God’s plan. The eternal plan is to make a difference in lives. To make a difference that will last for eternity. While making that difference may not land you in a Hall of Fame here, you are making an impact that will reap eternal rewards. Stay faithful.
I hope the following poem is an encouragement to you as you may labor in obscurity, coaching a small group of young people that no one ever notices. Your faithfulness to make an eternal difference will one day be rewarded.
God’s Hall of Fame
To have your name inscribed up there is greater yet by far,
Than all the “halls of fame” down here and every man-made star.
This crowd on earth, they soon forget the heroes of the past,
They cheer like made until you fall and that’s how long you last.
I tell you, friend, I would not trade my name however small,
If written there beyond the stars in that celestial hall.
For any famous name on earth or glory that they share,
I’d rather be an unknown here and have my name up there.
-Anonymous
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
