Dominate Life, Live the Dash

Welcome Back Friday Night Lights!

We are on the cusp of another great and glorious football season for the Clovis West Eagles and I, for one, am excited.  I love football but more than that, I love these Clovis West Ironmen.

I love watching them play football, but more than anything, i love ministering to them.  Even though I don't get to come to as many Thursday Bible Studies as I used to, I still enjoy hearing from Taylor about what God is doing in their lives.  I love that Taylor steps up and helps me facilitate this Thursday Bible Study.

The slogan for this year is "Dom1nate", climb the mountain.

As many of you know, every year I buy wristbands that have the slogan for the year on them along with a Bible Verse. This year Bible verse is from Matthew 17:20 and it says...

"And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from hear to there', and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you"

Lets first go back a few verses and I'll summarize what Jesus was talking about.  There was a demon possessed boy and his father approached Jesus and asked if He could help.  The dad further stated that Jesus Disciples had tried to remove the demon but had failed.  Immediately when Jesus rebuked the demon, it came out of the boy and fled.  The boy was healed instantly.

In the first part of the verse, Jesus is telling His Disciples of their lack of faith.  They had faith and believed in Jesus, and this is evident because they tried to cast out the demon.  The problem was they weren't "all in". 

"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed" - It isn't the size of the faith, it's faith that is real and trustful.  Mustard seeds are very small and fragile, but if your faith is strong and true, you will be able to move mountains no matter what your size.

Because of this genuine faith in Jesus, you could move mountains and nothing would be impossible for you.  A man of such faith is practically omnipotent and moral and material difficulties will vanish before him.

Very recently I attended the memorial service for a boy I met when I was first starting out in FCA ministry at Alta Sierra.  During the service, the pastor said something that will stay with me forever.  He said that in this life you are guaranteed of a start date and an end date, the day you were born and the day you die.  On you tombstone, those two dates are separated by a dash.  The dash represents your life on earth.

The dash is small, and so is you time here.

So....Live the Dash

I choose to Live the Dash for Christ.  

I'm in no way perfect, and I stumble and fall.  Jesus allows me to shoulder my cross daily and repent so I can continue to follow Him.

Luke 9:23 - "If any of you wish to be My disciples, you must put aside your selfish ambitions, shoulder your cross daily and follow me"

Peace.

Break Tradition

Break Tradition...

Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles  of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Coach P has invoked the motto for this year at Clovis West Football, and it's a good one.  Colossians 2:8 tells us to see to it that no one takes us captive through empty deception.  In layman's terms, do not let the traditions of man, of this world, move you, but rather follow Christ and allow Him to move in you.

The football team is trying to break some traditions of their own.

Traditions are every where, they sort of rule out lives.  Whether you want to call them trraditions or not, we have our "set" ways we go about life.

Jesus doesn't want us to get caught up in the ways of the world but rather break free of that and center our focus on Him.  The world is always changing and always morphing into the next big thing.  Jesus is the same as He was yesterday and will be the same tomorrow.

Seek Jesus on a regular basis and break tradition.

So, now you might be asking, how do I do that?

Simple, read your Bible and ask Him to be a part of your every day life.

God placed this verse on me after Coach P told me the motto.  I think it is especially relevant for the young men involved in CW Football.  Over the next semester, I will be explaining to them the importance of placing God first and foremost in every part of their lives.  Both the good and bad, the clean and messy.  That they shouldn't be bogged down with the way "society" says they should be but rather search for God in all things they do.

Recently, when I was at church, I felt God speak to me.  If you can't feel Him speak to you I suggest praying (talking to Him) and reading your Bible (learning about Him) more.

He gave me an acronym for this season.  I wrote it down on a piece of paper and it is currently not available, but rest assured, the next post will have it.

The acronym is.....HIT 'EM

In closing, please help me by praying for these young men.  They need prayer and guidance to help  them through this year/

I'm unsure about how many games I'm going to be at this year because of a new employment opportunity, but it won't stop me from praying for these young men every day.

Peace

Mr Mac

Let's Go!!

Dateline: August 13, 2014

On the eve of another fantastic, awe inspiring season of Clovis West Golden Eagle Football.

I give all the glory to God for every season I get the opportunity to be the chaplain for the Mighty Golden Eagle football team.  This year brings with it a new head coach to the football program, George Petrissans, or as I like to call him, Coach P.  This year, Coach P chose the slogan "Stronger Together".  I love getting wristbands for the guys every year, so this year I put the slogan on them and a Bible verse.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help him up.

What a great theme for these young men.

We go through life together, we experience things together, we sharpen each other together.

Proverbs 27:17 - As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another

That has been the backbone verse for the last 4 years for my ministry here at CW.  I've coined these men Ironmen form the start, and now it has come full circle.

When I pass out the wristbands to the guys, I recite the verse for them and encourage them to live those words.  Whether they know it or not, I pray for them.  I have the last three years bands on my wrist as a reminder to pray for these young men.

Coach P told me that I was good go to with my Bible studies during the lunch hour.  So once again I'll be bringing God's Word to these young men every Thursday @ lunchtime in the upstairs football office.

I'm so excited for the new season, I'm getting goosebumps just writing this blog.

Join me in praying for these young men and their slightly older coaches.  This year, I bought extra wristbands, so if you want one as a reminder to pray, or just to be really stylish, let me know.

Also, if you would like to donate some money for the lunches I put on, let me know.

God Bless - The Kingdom of God is now, let's go!!

Press On

Once again, it's time for football...

Clovis West Golden Eagles football is in high gear and getting ready to start another year.

I look ahead to the football year with anticipation and a great deal of excitement.  Getting the opportunity to hang out with these young men for another year and helping them understand who Jesus is and what he did.

I feel like I need again make something crystal clear...I'm a sinner.  I don't consider myself better than anybody else and it is only by God's Grace that I'm in the position of chaplain.  I will continue to do the work God has called me to do.  It really is a labor of love because I truly love being the chaplain.  I get to hangout with a great group of young men, cultivate meaningful relationships with them, share the Good News of Jesus and watch football.

Last year, I got the team wristbands and labeled them "CW IRONMEN PROV 27:17"  Proverbs 27:17 says "as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another"  I referred to the team as Ironmen when I get the opportunity to pray with them before games and at Bible studies.

This years wristbands have CW IRONMEN on them, but on the back it says Press On Phil 3:12-14.

They're pretty sweet looking wristbands.  Anyway, I went out to practice yesterday and gave everybody a new band.  Most of the varsity team was pretty excited about the new bands.

Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Press On...it's a rule for life.  Press on when times are good, press on when times are bad, press on when times are difficult.  Press on to the goal for the prize of the call of Jesus.  Press On.

I'm a sinner by birth and I've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.  My sanctification is a process I've been going though and will continue to go through until that day when Jesus calls me home.  So I press on knowing Jesus died for my sins, I press on knowing Jesus paid it all for me, I press on knowing Jesus is at the finish line.

In the coming weeks, I'll be explaining this verse to everybody on the football team, from the freshmen to the varsity.  I hope and pray they have a clear understanding of how it applies to their life both during football and after.

For those that know, I hold a Bible Study during the football season for any player or coach which wants to attend.  I usually bring pizza...and I usually have between 30-40 young men.  I try to get Bibles in the hands of everybody who accepts Jesus.  This all takes money.

Would you please prayerfully consider donating to my Bible study?  If you can't donate, will you consider joining me and praying for these young men.

Press On!!!

Jesus is everything

Today's Bible study began with watching a few videos. The first of which is the video above.  It's a skit done to a song by Lifehouse called "Everything".

The video starts by God welcoming one of His creations into the world.  He begins showing her all of the great and wonderful things he made for her, because He loves her.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love - 1 John 4:8

But then comes sin.  Just like in life, sin comes in a ruins and sabotages our relationship with God.  It could be money, boyfriends/girlfriends, our appearance, drugs, alcohol, it could be anything.  And often times it is a combination of things.

All of these things separate us from God.  In Romans 6:23 it says the wages of sin is death, which is why after she experiences all the world has to offer, she begins to hold a gun to her head.  Romans 6:23 ends with hope by saying the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Even through everything this world has to offer, everything that can take you down, all of the sin, Jesus is there.

John 3:16 tells us that God so loved us that He sent His Son to die for our sins.

Then, right at the point she is ready to end it all, she makes a choice and turns to Jesus.  We see her struggling to get back to Jesus.  Following Jesus is counter to what this world wants you to do.  This world wants you to live for yourself and do what ever pleases you.

Then, in my opinion, the best part of the video is when it shows Jesus coming in and standing between her and the world.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

He will come and provide a way out, as he did for that girl, so he will do for you.  When life seems like it is bearing down on you and you don't know how you can take another minute, know God loves you and you can always give your burdens to Him.

This video may play out differently because we are all unique, but the one thing always remains, God is always there for you.

The second video I showed was a speech given by a pastor name S.M. Lockridge.  Pastor Lockridge studied with Billy Graham and was the pastor at Calvary Baptist Church for 42 years.  In his speech, he basically describes Jesus.

"That's my King"

I couldn't agree with him more.

Humble Yourselves

This week I find myself being drawn back into the book of James.  I really love the way God directs the topics I’ll talk about in the Bible Study each week.  I end the week not having any idea where we are going and God always comes through with just what the team needs to hear.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.  James 4:6-7,10

The proud are those who have high self-esteem or who relish in their own importance, in other words, they think they’re above everybody else.  This could extend to anything; appearance, sports, strength, and even religion.  It also could extend to stuff that you own.  But don’t confuse this with feeling of knowing we excel in certain spots more than others.  It comes down to where your heart is and if you want to exalt yourself because of your position or if you want to exalt God. 

The opposite of being proud is to be humble.  When you humble yourselves before the Lord you are saying that you are insignificant and that your importance wanes in the presence of the Lord.  This is when the Lord can use you.

When you submit yourself to God you are letting God have full control of your life.  You aren't trying to do it by yourself because that will lead to pride and boasting, which we have already determined that God opposes.  This is easy to say, but hard to do because our earthly bodies want to revel in stuff that is pleasing to us. 

We want to make the decisions and we want to have the glory and we want to be accepted. 

How easy is it for a football player to exalt himself after a touchdown, or a baseball player after a home-run or even a student after getting an “A” on a test.  Again, it’s ok to be excited but we can’t let it define who we are.

The devil wants you to get excited and get lost in the moment.

In 1 Peter 5:8 it says the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  The devil only has lies and deception, nothing else.  He tries to make you think you are the reason for the way things are. If you resist the devil, he flees.  When you let God reign in your hearts, the devil has no place to go.  So when we draw near to God, meaning let God reign, the devil will flee because it’s all or nothing.  We can draw near to God by talking to him, by praying and by reading His word, the Bible.

I challenged the guys by asking them which they thought God wanted more...for the team to win or for the individual members to use their talents to honor God.  It's kinda sobering to realize that everything you are is because God gave it to you.

As a side note, I need prayer for my dad.  He is going in for a double bypass heart surgery tomorrow.  He doesn't know the Lord.  Please join me in praying for my dad’s recovery and that God would draw him closer.

Also, the varsity team has 13 players injured.  We have a parent’s prayer night on Wednesday @ 7:30pm in the Clovis West Teacher’s Lounge.  Come by and pray.

Ironmen Unite!!!

Transformation

How often do you look into the mirror and wish you could change your appearance.  Maybe you want to be in better shape, or change your hair color, or lose some weight.  I think we all struggle with how we look at various times in our life.

Retailers know we want to change ourselves and focus their message accordingly.  How many times have you seen pills that will shed pounds, or drinks that give you energy?  How often do you see ways to make tons of money overnight?

It is hard to change the outside, and even more difficult to change the inside.

But that’s part God cares about…

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

Changing yourself isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight.  It takes discipline and happens slowly.

God calls us to be “transformed”.  The Greek word for transformed is related to the English word metamorphosis.  Take for example a tadpole.  The tadpole starts its life swimming around the lake, but one day it will transform into a frog.  It will change its entire structure and morph from a swimmer that lives entirely in the water to a frog that lives entirely on land.  When the tadpole becomes a frog, it will be exactly as God intended.

We start to get transformed by the renewal of our minds.  Quite simply, renewing our minds by starting to think and ask ourselves WWJD (What Would Jesus Do).  When we start to pray and live for Jesus and have Jesus live through us, then we can be transformed in the person God wants us to be.

Today's Bible Study was packed, I counted 33 young men.  Before we talked about Romans 12:2, I played some videos for them.  The first two were music videos by a Christian rapper named Lecrae.  To be honest, rap music isn't my first choice, by Lecrae's music is powerful.  After those two videos, we watched a couple of i am second videos.

iamsecond.com has videos of athletes that have given their life to Christ and the videos share their story.  We watched Matt Barkley, QB @ USC and Bradie James, Inside Linebacker for the Houstan Texans.

Help me pray for these young men.

During the game last week, I witnessed one of them having a seizure on the sidelines during the game.  He is doing better today.  There were three young men total that left the game with concussions.

God is doing great things with this team.  The record is 1-5, but in God's eyes they are undefeated.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me - Phil 4:13

Never Give Up

The last week was emotionally charged.

Marquis Sutton, senior at Edison, was fatally shot and past away on Monday, September 24th.  Here we are, trying to get ready to play football, coming off a win at Bullard, and suddenly, the game takes a serious backseat.

I started to recap the season so far for the Golden Eagles Varsity team, it has been a season like no other so far.  The team started off the year with a great summer workout, with hopes and expectations held high.  Then, on the Wednesday before the first game, we lose our tight end for the season.  Not only did he break his ankle, he did it at Wednesday practice.  Not many weeks after, we lose another player, same injury, also at practice.  So now, the team has witness two players receive year ending injuries.  We then get a rest with the bye week and come back strong against Bullard with a win.  This is short lived because of the death of Marquis before the game.

I don't believe in coincidences, and I made sure to convey it with this weeks message.

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not detroyed;" - 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

Lets take the passage in four segments..

First, afflicted but not crushed.  The word afflicted means bodily pain, trouble or pressure.  So this life, there will be bodily pain and there will be trouble and pressure, but it won't crush us.  A better way to look at this is by saying "Pressure will not defeat us".  Lets take an example of a boxer.  he gets in the ring and takes a pounding for 12 rounds and endures the pain which goes along with it.  He doesn't stop when he feels the pain, he pushes through it.  If he did stop, he wouldn't be much of a boxer.

Second, perplexed or confused but not driven to despair or hopelessness.  Life will throw a bunch of stuff at you.  Sometimes you wont know what to do, but if you give those cares to God, you'll always have hope.  So confusion will not discourage us.

Third, we will be persecuted but never abandoned by God.  If you put your faith in God and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, never will He forsake you.  Jesus will always be with you.  "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you" - Hebrews 13:5.  Go back to our example of the fighter.  The opposition doesn't deter him from continuing his battle.  He goes into the fight knowing God is with him. 

Lastly, there will be time where you are struck down.  There will be times in your life when it feels like you can't go on, times where you just don't know how you are going to get through.  When these times occur, fully rest in the Lord and know that he is God. "Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10.

I've purposely used the example of the fighter, but you can easily see how any of life's examples can be substituted.  

Lets look at football...

1. The pressure of the game will not defeat us
2. Confusion of the outcomes will not discourage us
3. The opposition will not deter us
4. Hard hits will not destroy us

Remember, man's extremity is God's opportunity.  When we can't, God can.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" - Phil 4:13

Hearing & Doing

This weeks Bible study was on the remainder of James 1, were he talks about hearing the word, receiving the word and then doing it.

In verse 19 he commands us to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  This is in direct conflict with how our earthly bodies.  We want to do the exact opposite.  We want to have the first and last word and if we don't get our way, we're upset.

I explained that listening was learned.  Everybody who has ears and isn't deaf can hear, but if you want to learn to listen, it takes practice.  First off, you can't possibly listen if your talking.  So, when your in a conversation that may not be going your way, instead of thinking of the next thing to say, actually listen to what is being said.

Not all anger is sinful.  Jesus was angry that they were defiling the temple to buy and sells goods, but He did not sin.  the difference is when we allow sin to control our emotions.  Anger is sinful when it leads us to lose control.  Look and Abel & Cain, sin manifested in Cain when he grew angry thinking that God favored Abel over him.  This lead to Cain becoming the first murderer.

James goes on to say that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires so we should put away all filthiness and wickedness.  Another way to say it would be vulgarity, vile of dirty.  We must put away these things so that we can receive with meekness and humbleness the implanted word of God.  Again, something that is directly against our earthly bodies.  Meekness, gentleness is the exact opposite of harsh and angry.

Along with this knowledge, we must then become doers of the Word.  James says be the person that looks in the mirror and sees what he wants to be and then makes the change.  By looking into the perfect law, the law of liberty, the Word of God, we can do this.

***

Heading into the bye week, the varsity team was 0-3.  It wasn't because they didn't play well or because they aren't that good.  It all comes down to playing as a team, each person knowing what their individual roes are and executing them.


Every chance I get, I tell these young men how valuable they are in God's eyes.  I tell them to go out and play with the enthusiasm and joy that God made them for and show God how they use their talents and treasures.

Each week, I see the varsity team coming together more and more...


Last Friday, the varsity came together for their coming out party with a win over Bullard.  Playing more and more like the team that they want to be.  

I get so inspired by the calling God as lead me to and by watching these young men grow each and every week.  Just when I think God is at His limit, He reveals that He is so much more Awesome than I'll ever know.


I invited some of the guys to join me at church, not thinking that they would, but some did.  

After the last game, I had a mom come up to me and tell me she was talking with some of the other moms and they were inspired to start a Wednesday night prayer meeting.  She said they were going to get together and pray for the team.

This team will amaze many, not only by what happens on the field.

You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with You!! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told - Psalm 40:5

Trials & Temptation

Last week, the entire football program took a road trip to Encino to meet up with Crespi Carmelite.  Needless to say, the outcome wasn't pretty.  All three teams were saddled with a loss that day.

Before the varsity game started, I asked some of the players if they were ready for the game and they said they were a little worried.  I told them not to be worried but to trust in the abilities God gave them and be sure.

Fast forward to next week...

Before the Bible study, I knew that one of the topics was going to be worry.  I received a phone call and a suggestion that we spend the next 5+ weeks going through the book of James.

Last year, a pastor friend of mine gave me a box of new testaments.  I had planned on giving them out to the players, but then received FCA Bibles instead, so they have just been sitting in the trunk of my car.  Now I had a purpose for them.

Right off the bat in James 1:2 it says "Count it as joy, my brothers, when you meet trials..."  You will meet trials.

Guaranteed.  I told them they could have trials dealing with school work, homework, family, anything.

I could see they were listening, because the room was silent and they were all looking at me kinda stunned.

I continued..."testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:3-4

Football is an excellent example.  You practice all week long, lifting weights, getting stronger, putting on pads, hitting each other, tackling, until the game arrives.  Then during the game, you do the same thing, only with more intensity.  After its over, and your physically and emotionally exhausted, you are better because now you can learn from your mistakes.  They endure the pain of practice and games to be better more complete players.

Next, in James, he tells you how to "survive" the trials...

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God...But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.." James 1:5 & 6.

We have to pray for wisdom to help overcome the trials.  If our heart and mind are divided, the trials will tear us apart.  The cure for this is a whole-hearted commitment to God.  I told them true wealth is found in a persons spiritual life.

Lastly...temptation

I said it is very important to understand the difference between a trial and being tempted.  God tests you with trials to strengthen you not tempt you with sin to destroy you.

"Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one" James 1:13

There is no sin in God.  Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."

I told them it was a choice.  They have the choice to follow Jesus, the choice to sin or not sin, the choice to worry or put their hope in Jesus.  I explained in closing about how if they fully relied on God, the amount of worry would be minimized.  For the simple fact, they wouldn't have time to worry because they were focusing on Jesus.

Prayer...it's what I do...

Last Thursday, the 2012 Football season was unleashed with the Freshmen team putting a beat-down on the Bears from Merced.  Long before the game started, I was preparing for this moment.  The moment when I could pray with the team.  This year we have a new head coach and a new coaching staff for the freshmen.

I approached Coach Garcia and asked him about praying with the team before the game and he said I could have the team for the last 2 minutes.  More than enough time.  Then something happened that I wasn't ready for...

Just when I think God has done the best, he raises the bar again.

Some of the coaches joined in the prayer.

Fast forward to the JV game...As the team is warming up, they always play music to get them fired up.  When we gathered in the endzone to pray and I noticed during the time I'm talking to the boys before the prayer the music stopped...

Then another young man asked if he could pray after me...Absolutely

Now the varsity game and the team is gathering in the locker room...and they are waiting for me to pray.  During that prayer there were three people praying, myself and two other young men.

Lastly, lets jump to today's Bible study.  I had my first Bible study of the year in Coach Parson's room.  I always wonder who is going to show up, will there be anybody there.  I had 23 young men and one coach.

One the way to the Bible study, I knew what I was going to talk about.  I was going to bring the Word and tell them what they needed to do to get to Heaven...Accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

I was just as nervous as last year, but had a sense of peace from God and just explained to them the good news about how Jesus came to this world, lived a sinless life and died on the cross so that we could have eternal life with him.

Then we prayed and I handed out 12 new Bibles to 12 new Christians...

I need more Bibles...

Join me and pray for these "Ironmen"

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9

Ironmen

"Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another" - Proverbs 27:17

Blacksmiths used to make swords by taking steel and iron, heating it up and then pounding it into place.  They would pound and work the sword until it was just the right shape.  It was a pain staking process, but a process done with caring for what the finished product would be.

The correlation between sword making and team building on the football field is dramatically similar.  Young men go out each and every day, strap on pads and ram into each other trying to make themselves better.  They run 40's, do up-downs, lift weights...all to make themselves in better shape.  But something more has to happen if these young men want to be a team.

They need to strengthen each other.

Yesterday started the 2012 football season with a home scrimmage against Hanford.  the Freshmen and JV ran plays at the same time while the Varsity played 3 quarters of football.

Once again, I had the immeasurable pleasure of praying with all of the young men before yesterday's scrimmage.  God brought to mind the Proverbs 27:17 verse and I shared a little with them.

I tried to explain how not only is it acceptable to pick your teammate up when he's down, it's required.  Spurring each on and remind them of how great they are together...well that's a team.

Individuals are born but teams are formed.

The art of leading seems to be hard to find these days and I have been reminding key players at all levels of this fact.  It's kinda scary to lead because then people can point at you when you fail, but without leaders and accountability, there isn't a team.  God told us it takes accountability for us to get better.  When your on the field and you make a mistake, you feel bad and your teammates pick you up.  True accountability happens teammates accept nothing less than 100% effort.

I'm so looking forward to expanding on this topic in our first Bible study.  I'm grateful of this calling and this ministry.  Thank you God for this awesome responsibility.

As a side note, I've gotten some donations and printed some pretty sweet shirts.

My goal is to be able to give a shirt to everybody that attends the Bible study and all of the coaches as well.  So far I was able to purchase 50 shirts and I'm praying for more donations and more kids to give them to.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Time To Get Fired Up!!

Are you ready? (cue the Monday Night Football theme music)

It's time to get fired up!

Football season is closing in...yes, I know it's the middle of May...but you can't deny it.  Spring football starts tomorrow, the end of the school year is near and then Clovis East Football camp for the JV and Freshmen and Fresno State Football camp for the varsity...It's time to get fired up!

You may be thinking, what is he talking about?  Why should I get fired up about high school football when the school year isn't even over? What can I accomplish by getting fired up?

Well, I'll tell you...It's time to get fired up for God.  It's time to start praying for this football year.  It's time to start praying for the coaches and the players that will be representing Clovis West Football to the masses.  It's time to start praying for how God will use these young men, and some older men, to make Heaven grow and hell shrink.

I had a meeting with Coach Parsons today about the upcoming year and my role as team chaplain.  We talked about the chaplain program and how effective it was last year reaching kids and getting out the Gospel message.

You see, the reason I'm the chaplain is very simply, I love God and I want to share the good news of how his Son came and died for our sins so that we can have life eternal.  Ok, so yes I love high school football and yes I have two sons,(formerly three sons) playing football, but spreading the good news far exceeds those things.

This year, I'm going to try to be a little more organized and do some fund-raising so that every lunchtime meeting and bible study there can be pizza.  I want to reach these kids and an effective way to do it is through their stomach.  I'm also going to raise some money to get bibles and possibly some shirts made.  If your reading this and want to make a donation, you can call me (559) 917-1232 or email me frederick.mcintosh@sbcglobal.net.

Last year, I figured I reached about two-thirds of the total kids in the program.  This year, I want to reach them all.  I'm not settling for good enough.

Join me in praying for the football program.

It's time to get fired up!!!

"Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rarise against me, yet I will be confident" - Psalm 27:3

God Bless and Go eagles!!!

Mr. Mac.

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