Thanks be to God

Well, Thanksgiving is over and I have a lot in which to be thankful.

First and foremost, I'm thankful for God who sent His Son Jesus to die for my sins so that I could have life everlasting with Him.

I'm thankful for my beautiful and loving wife who God sent to me.  She is so amazing is so many ways, from her beauty and grace and trust in the Lord to the way she serves as a caring mom to our four children.  I thank her from the bottom of my heart for allowing me time for this journey.

I'm thankful for Coach Parsons, who back in early 2011 had the courage to follow God on this ministry.  There have been bumps in the road, the devil trying to trip us up, but we stayed the course.

This football team has come a long way.  In a few months, this season will be reduced to wins and losses.  This year wasn't decided by wins and losses, it was decided and measured by God.  I handed out 10 Bibles to young men who yearned to know God better.  The Bible studies we had at lunchtime averaged between 20 and 30 young men.  The Gospel message was preached to at least half of the football team.

Through all of this, I have found that my walk and desire to know the Lord has increased.  I have been blessed in so many ways.  I have seen God move in the hearts of these young men and I have seen them change.  Because of this, these young men have a special place in my heart and I will miss spending time with them hanging out and talking about God.

Do me a favor and please pray for this ministry.  Pray that it continues, so more and more young footballers can know the greatness of the King.

Until next year.

Fred (or as the fellas call me, Mr. Mac)

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever" Psalm 107:1

  

a little less talk

Wow.  Last Friday's game goes down as one of the best high school football games I have ever seen.  Clovis West on the road taking down the undefeated Clovis Cougars in a four quarter thriller.


But first, let's rewind to Thursday's Bible study.  The topic was based on a verse from 1 Corinthians.


"For the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" - 1 Cor 4:20


In Scripture, we find that when Jesus talked about something, action soon followed.  Jesus was a man of action.  When Jesus would announce he was going to do something, He would always follow through.  As followers of Christ, we should emulate this principle.


We have to be men who say and do.  If we say we are going to play with integrity, then we play with integrity.  We don't just give lip service so we can make sure we are saying all the right things.  We have to mean what we say.


So if we say we are going to give 100% in the game...
So if we say we are going to lift each other up...


We also talked about Proverbs 27:17 where it says as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  The football team needs to do that for each other.  The correlation between iron sharpening iron and football is huge.  When iron is forged, there is a great deal of pounding and hitting.  You get the idea.


So are actions should follow our words.  Zechariah 4:6 says "Not by might or by power but by the Spirit..."  It isn't by our might or strength or power but by the awesome power of God that we accomplish great things.  We must put His power behind our talk.


Fast forward to Friday night and we are gathered together in the Clovis High cafeteria for the team prayer.  I remind the team about what we talked about in the Bible study, about how God comes in power, and about how we need to strengthen each other, like iron sharpens iron.


Game time.  During the game, I was reminded from more than a couple of players that God was being glorified through their playing.  They were presenting an offering of their God given abilities through football.


In the end, God was Glorified.


"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 

Chariots of Fire

It simply amazes me the way that God moves in the lives of His people.


Last week, all three football games were on Thursday because the varsity game was televised.  So this meant that our weekly Bible study would have to be held on Friday.


Earlier in the week, God reminded me of a movie I've seen many times.  It is Chariots of Fire.  The movie is a true story about Eric Liddell who was a Scottish Olympic track star and Chinese missionary.  It chronicles his life around the time he ran in the Olympics and won the gold medal in the 400m.  He was supposed to run in the 100m but the event was held on Sunday and he refused to run on the Sabbath.


There is a great quote from that movie that I shared with the guys before we prayed.  "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.  When I run I can feel God's pleasure."


God made you for a purpose.  Is that purpose to play football the rest of your lives?  Probably not.  He made you for His purpose.  


"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11


Even though God made you for a primary purpose, he also made you to play football.  As crazy as it sounds, he made you to play football.  God isn't surprised or scared.  I explained if they went out and used their individual gift of football the way that God intended, He would be glorified.


And maybe they could feel His pleasure...


God delights in us.  Psalm 35:27 "God delights in the well-being of his servant" 


During the Bible study we also talked about the fact that there isn't anywhere you could go to be closer or further from God.  Likewise, there isn't anytime when God could love you any more or less.


What could be better than worshiping the creator of the universe with the talents He gave us and having Him be delighted. 

45 - 10/27/11

Greetings.  I met with the fellas again today for our weekly Bible study and food inhaling.  They can really eat pizza.  Actually, it's good because then they get to the classroom as fast as they can because if they don't, they won't get any food.

The Golden Eagles were coming off a weekend where the three teams (Freshmen, JV and Varsity) swept Buchanan High.  I remember last Friday morning when I was driving to work, God placed upon my heart to start to pray for the football teams.  Now, I pray for the teams everyday, but God impressed upon me to pray for doubt.  They were doubting their individual abilities which God had given each one of them.

Doubt is deception and deception is the only weapon of the great deceiver.

So all day I prayed and thought about the JV and Varsity teams.  They both had played in games in which they came out strong but then ended up losing.  

When I got to the field, I got the overwhelming notion that I should tell them.  I wasn't sure it was the best idea, but I wanted to be faithful.  So when the JV team gathered for prayer in the end-zone.  We prayed for God to remove any doubt they had about their God given abilities.

I was able to pray for the doubt surrounding the varsity team as well.

Today's Bible study was on Galatians 6:2-5, which says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.  For each will have to bear his own load."

I thought this was a great passage to go through because it talked about bearing each others burdens and the pitfalls of pride.

God calls us to bear each others burdens because we all have burdens.  We all have things that weigh us down both physically and mentally.  John 13:34 tells us to love one another.  This is the law of Christ, that we love one another.  What better way to show this than coming up along side a brother and lifting them up.  

We talked about how they could lift each other up at practice and at games.  When they see a teammate struggling with a play or whatever, lift them up.  When God calls us to lift people up, it isn't so we can say how great we are but rather how great He is.

"For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing..."  People who think they are something miss out on God's glory because they are wrapped up in their pride.  They also miss the extension on God's people trying to help them.

Please continue to pray for this ministry and these young men.  

I love this calling.

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

What About the Change

As this journey continues, I find God changing me.  I find myself being able to speak God's word clearly and without any reservation.


On Wednesday's, the varsity team has practice at night from around 5:30 until 7:30.  I have made it a habit of coming out to practice and just hanging out with the team.  I've been doing this since the beginning of school.  Through God and only through God have I been able to connect with these young men.  God has softened their hearts and found a place for me.


So now as I attend these practices, I feel like I'm part of their team.  Not their football team but their spiritual team.  The reception I get when I see them at practice and the games is very rewarding.  The change that has happened in some of these young men's lives is astounding.


They aren't the same because God is changing them too.



Today I had a Bible study in Coach Parson's room and I decided to bring some pizza.  Last week there was pizza and about 15-20 men.  Today there wasn't as much pizza but there was about 35-40 men.  Coach Parson's room was packed.  


I talked about Romans 6:23 which says "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  I talked about how totally opposed these sentences are and the only way to bridge the gap was Jesus.


wages...gift
sin...God
death...life


God is doing some amazing life transformation.  I'm so thankful it has nothing to do with me.


Handed out 4 more Bibles...the total is now 10.


Help me by praying for these men.  Praying for their sanctification, peace and salvation in Christ.  Pray for God to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Phil 4:8-9

Heaven Grows

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since my last entry, but thankfully for me, God doesn't wait to move.  I've pretty much solidified Thursdays @ lunch in Coach Parsons room as my Bible study.

We have been meeting on Thursdays for the last 4 weeks.  Two weeks ago, I explained to the guys about the armor of God that is described in Ephesians 6:10-18...about the direct correlation it has with football.  Last week we talked about perseverance and not quitting.

Both times, at the end of the message, I explained the reason we were all there. 

Jesus

I told them the reason I was there was to present the gospel message to them, to explain how they could spend eternity with their Creator and how Jesus would change and fill their lives.


I've presented the opportunity for them to accept Jesus in their own way.  Sometimes you have a group of people close their eyes and raise their hand if they want to accept Jesus...I told them Jesus would draw them close and then they would accept them in their own time.


For the past to weeks I told them I would get them a new bible for those that accept Jesus as their Savior.  All they would have to do is to come up to me and say..."Mr. Mac, I accepted Jesus" and I would give them a bible.


Today's bible study was especially good because Coach Parson's wife Stacy bought pizza for the guys.  We watched a video and talked about the parable of the wedding feast.  


Once again I told them about Jesus, how he died for their sins, how he longs to spend eternity with them and how he wants to be Savior of their lives.


...at the end of the study I handed out Bibles to six young men.


Heaven Grows!!!



One more thing...One of the young men on the JV team asked me before the last game if it was alright if he prayed for the team...


Amazing...


"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3

All Things God

I would first like to say it has been an unbelievable privilege to be the Clovis West Football Chaplain.  Just being able to hang out with these young men and talk about how God has a special plan for them is amazing.


Unfortunately, the last couple of games haven't really gone in our favor...Hey, the object of the game is to win.  The JV lost a nail biter to Crespi 14-7 and the varsity lost 42-28.


Before the JV game, the team and I gathered by the end zone and prayed.  You know I think I'm getting spoiled or maybe taking it for granted but the fact that an entire football team of sophomores and juniors got together in the end zone at Veteran's Memorial Stadium and PRAYED is incredible!!!  We prayed for God to be glorified and we prayed we would play with character.  We prayed for a clean game.


God wasn't surprised...


Later, I got to be in on the Varsity team as they prayed.  It was led by one of the students.  I felt honored that they would let me be a part of their prayer time, because I was the only adult in the room.  The reverence that I observed in that locker room was incredible.


After the JV game was over, and before the varsity game had started, one of the players on the JV team approached me and I don't think I will ever forget what he said.


He said, "Mr. Mac, I just want to let you know that your praying with me and the team means a lot to me, thanks."


I was speechless.


It's just that simple, just pray.  


I had another bible study today in Coach Parsons room.  I told the Coach that I was only bringing dessert and waters, no pizza this time.  I wanted to see who would show up to hear from God.  Last night, I found out that not everybody knew about the Bible study, so I didn't know how many would show up.  But in the end, 16 came and we hung out for a bit and then I told them about the power of the Holy Spirit.


One thing being on this journey has helped me do is strengthen my Romans 1:16...Where as before was wasn't ashamed of the gospel of Christ, but I was reluctant to share it.


Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes  

Bus, Practice, Pizza

The second game of the year for the Jv and Varsity would be played at Del Oro High School, located in Loomis, California.  For those that don't know where that is...it is 30 miles above Sacramento.  I had already planned to take the day off and drive up so I could help out with the water and jungle juice.



Coach Campbell called me on Tuesday and asked if I would like to ride up on the bus with the team...(pause for effect)...I said ok.  On the ride up there, I was able to "hang out" with some of the players on the team.

Once we got there, we unloaded, they got there uniforms on, did warm-ups, and then we got to pray.  It is becoming routine, just like God wanted.  


The game score didn't turn out in our favor for either the JV or the Varsity, but I'm sure God was excited and pleased by the way our young men handled themselves.  They were constantly picking each other up, saying encouraging words and never quitting.


In short, they played with integrity...


I also have been hanging out at practice on Wednesday nights.  I have been going to practice, talking with the guys.  I ask them about their lives, how school is going, how they are holding up physically, stuff like that.


Last night at practice, Coach Parsons announced that I would be having a bible study tomorrow in his room at lunch.  I listened as he said four different times that coming to the bible study was completely voluntary.  


He even had the team repeat it back to him.


This morning, I was once again starting to doubt if anybody was going to show up.  I mean, these are Seniors, they can do what they want...


25 guys showed up...most of them Seniors.


This journey God has me on is so incredibly huge that at times I'm speechless.  I feel honored God would want to use me this way.


During the Bible Study, I started with the war cry and what they really were saying and tied it into Jesus dying for our sins.  I think I will do another entry on breaking down the war cry.


We ended in prayer, and then every single player in the room took turns shaking my hand and thanking me for coming.


incredible.


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my way higher than your ways and my thoughts then your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9


    

Just Show Up...

Last Wednesday, August 31st, the Freshmen had there first official game.  It was an away game against Merced High School.  Game time was set for 6:00pm. I wanted to be there, I needed to be there.  Trevor is on the Freshmen team and I am the Team Chaplain.


Got a little late start and then on the way to Merced I found out that I had the wrong location for the game.  When I called Merced High a couple of weeks earlier, they said all football games were played at Golden Valley High School...


Not true...


The Freshmen still play at Merced High School, which if you've never been there before, is hard to get to and hard to get around.  I showed up at 5:20, just 40 minutes before game time.


I had the jungle juice and water for the team, so I hurried and set all of that up.  After I had everything good to go, I realized that the most of the freshmen team were coming over and saying hi to me.  


The realization came...these young men had accepted me...I had rapport... 


God had given me leverage in these young men's lives.


It was getting closer to game time when Coach Hall came over to me and said that right after they went over defense he would send them over to me...God has also given me rapport with the coaches...


Then, with 5:00 until game time, all of the young men on the Freshmen team and I were huddled together on the 10 yard line, in front of God and everybody there...and we knelt down and prayed...I seriously had goosebumps...


To think that God could use me to get to these boys and coaches it leaves me speechless.


but wait...there's more to this story...


The next day, the JV and Varsity would play at Golden Valley High School against Merced and yes, I was there...


and once again, with 5:00 until game time, all of the young men on the JV and I were huddled together on the 10 yard line, in front of God and everybody there...and we knelt down and prayed...


Jude 1 - 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire;

If you feed them...they will come

When I woke up this morning, I was a little anxious and a little nervous.  You see, today I would be leading my first bible study at Clovis West.  I had it all set up with Coach Parsons, he said I could use his room during lunch.  Now I just had to see if anybody was going to show up.

I set up the bible study last week with Coach Parsons for Tuesday because the Freshman football team had a game on Wednesday and JV and Varsity on Thursday.  I really wanted to run with the new assignment and not wait another week so I pressed for Tuesday.  I contacted the coaches and asked them if they would mention it to their players on Monday.

They said they would.

This initial meeting would be my testimony, so that they could better identify with me...

On Monday, I emailed Coach Parsons to make sure we were still on and he told me that the Varsity couldn't make it because they had to watch film for the Merced game due to the short week.  I started to have doubts as to who exactly was going to show up.  Later that evening, I wasn't even sure my three boys were going to show up...they didn't have to show up...no one had to show up...

Now I wasn't sure who was coming.  I ordered 12 pizzas anyway thinking if only 10 people show up, they would be full...probably borderline sick to their stomachs...

So now we're back on Tuesday, anxious and nervous, I prayed all morning, then it was lunchtime.

43 young men showed up to hear an old guy talk about how he turned his life to Jesus and how they can too.

God is Great.

The Beginning of a Journey...

Ok...this is way outside my comfort zone...


Not only am I not a blogging type person, whatever that is, I don't really care to write down most anything at all, but with this new chapter in my life I find it necessary some how to put it in words.


Let's start from the beginning, sort of...


One morning, I was dropping off my two oldest boys for an early morning workout with the football team when I heard God speak to me.  He told me that I needed to contact the coach via email, so when I got back to my computer, I followed.   



I opened up my email and I just started typing.  I figured, if God wants me to contact the coach then He is going to direct me what to say.  


And He did.


I found myself explaining to Coach Parsons, who I had met only once prior, God had given me a heart for young men coming to Christ.  I had been helping out with FCA over at Alta for the last 6 years.  I continued to tell Coach that I was being faithful to God in contacting him, I didn't know what God had in store, only that I was to contact him.


Cut forward 3 weeks...I'm in Coach Parson's office and we are praying how my role as chaplain for the Clovis West Football Program...


Wow...


I was excited and terrified at the same time.  What a huge responsibility I was given but at the same time what a truly great assignment.  To be able to share the Gospel message with the entire football team...and to watch Heaven grow and Hell shrink...


First day of spring practice, Coach Parsons made it official.  He introduced me to the entire team as the "chaplain".  From that moment on, God as allowed me incredible favor with the young men on the team as well as the coaches.


Last night, the Freshmen, JV & Varsity traveled down to Hanford for a scrimmage.  Now, the varsity team has a history of praying before games, usually with just the boys...and as of last night...now the Freshmen and JV have started that same history.  The coaches allowed me some time before the scrimmages started to pray with the team... 


The Freshmen and the JV...


Hallelujah...


Until next time.