Clark & Champaign Co. FCA

Excellent blog with insights into why reasonable parents can become crazy over youth sports.

The Tipping Point in Youth Sports 2024 - Changing the Game Project When our patience for our kids development no longer exceeds our expectations of their performance, we reach a tipping point that leads to stress, anxiety, dropout and more.

In Nashville on Saturday, God's influence in the sports world was evident as Nashville Sounds minor league baseball player Wes Clarke was baptized by his teammate and friend Brewer Hicklen. Both players wore "Jesus Won" shirts as they conducted the baptism on the field after their team's victory over the Memphis Redbirds.

Clarke, reflecting on Instagram, expressed gratitude for the moment and the support he received. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Clarke played collegiate baseball at South Carolina and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. He describes himself as a "Man of God" and emphasizes his Christian faith on social media.

Hicklen, who hit his team-leading 16th home run earlier that day, saw Nashville as a place where he could make a spiritual impact. He prayed for guidance in choosing a team and quickly became a spiritual leader within the Brewers organization, organizing Bible study sessions and fostering deep connections with teammates. The idea for Clarke's baptism arose during discussions with teammate Vinny Capra, leading to a memorable ceremony that garnered support from both teams and stadium officials.

The event underscored Hicklen's mission to forge meaningful, eternal connections through his baseball career, resonating deeply within the Nashville community and beyond.

⚾️ Sports Spectrum
📰 https://bit.ly/4eYZfSr
📸 Courtesy of Instagram/

“The two teammates stood together in unity before their Jesus and added an extraordinary layer of depth to an already unforgettable moment. In the middle of an extremely high-pressure situation with huge implications for their future, the first response by these players was to join together in prayer.

In the postgame press conference, Coleman revealed their conversation. “And Brito, you know, she slowed me down, and she prayed over me. And she was just like, ‘Surrender it all. Don’t try to control anything. Just go for it.’ No matter what, I’m not justified by whatever the at-bat is. So even though I hit a home run, Jesus loves me. If I would’ve struck out, Jesus still loves me. I think that just really just put me into my foundation.””

Devotional on firm foundation: June 28 - Sports Spectrum Devotional on firm foundation: Storms will come and winds may pound, but when we build our lives on Jesus, He is our unshakable foundation.

“Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, and godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” – 1 Timothy 4:7b-10

Successful athletes who train for a running race or triathlon of any distance are committed to training. Training doesn’t come easy. It’s hard work. Training is defined as “developing and improving mentally and physically through instruction and practice over a period of time, to reach or maintain a high level of fitness.”

This same level of training should be applied to our spiritual development and growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul exhorts us to “train ourselves to be godly.” He goes on to share the reason we are to train to be godly, “godliness has value for all things.”

While training for an athletic event will result in better performance in that sport on any given day, training in godliness will yield even more important results in the life we live on this earth and the life to come. We labor and strive because our hope is in a living God!

Are you ready for the challenge of training in godliness and righteousness?

The men’s CWS is also full of examples of Spiritual FITness and faith. Here is one of them.

'Child of God' Drew Beam pitches for Tennessee, his sister at CWS In the finals of the College World Series, Tennessee pitcher Drew Beam seeks to be a light for God and for his sister, Carlee, who has SMA.

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Swimmer Simone Manuel earns Olympic bid: 'I continue to trust in God' After a long recovery from the Tokyo Olympics, swimmer Simone Manuel has qualified for her 3rd Games. "To God be the glory," she wrote on X.

Embrace the present moments. Though much remains unknown, dwelling on the past or obsessing over the future deprives us of the current season God has you in.

How can you focus on being where your feet are?

Seek God's Kingdom - Look to the Lord and His heart through prayer. Get in His Word, get quiet and listen to what He wants to say.

Make Your Requests - We can quickly shift our minds to the things that bring worry and the toil that takes us down a tailspin of anxiety. We want to know we will be provided for and have the means to provide. God knows what we need. He wants us to come to Him and make our requests known, then leave that request at His feet and trust Him to take care of us.

Focus on the Present - Tomorrow has enough worry and trial that will inevitably come. Why heap that on top of today’s troubles? Make it your ambition to go throughout today and look for things you’re grateful for.

Relax. Give your cares to God. Pay attention. Take time to slow down and notice the people and places around you. God is in this moment, and this moment is all you have. Live in it.

Challenge: Lift your eyes off yourself and onto someone else. Write a note of encouragement to a teammate. See where you can serve in your community. Do some yardwork for your parents.

📰 Discover more: https://bit.ly/3VMfUB4

What does it mean to be strong and courageous? The Cleveland Cavs chaplain shares insights on Joshua 1:9.

Devotional about enduring: June 26 - Sports Spectrum Devotional about enduring: Trust God and keep doing the right thing for the right reason, in spite of what you see or what goes against you.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will distribute a stunning number of Bibles at their Christ-focused camps worldwide this summer.

FCA hosted 1,042 total camps last year in the U.S. and internationally with more than 110,000 campers. The camps are a dedicated place for coaches and athletes to invest in their sport, their team, and — most importantly — their faith.

Athletes not only train in camps for their respective sport but also undergo "spiritual training" that reminds coaches and athletes that their identity and value are found in Christ.

"Pro athletes are some of the most glorified humans today. It's refreshing to see one point upward giving credit for their success to God. It's a public reminder that they know that the glory they are given is nothing compared to the glory that God deserves," wrote FCA on X.

There are six main types of camps, including Sports Camps, Leadership Camps, Coaches Camps, Team Camps, and Partnership Camps.

"FCA Camp gives me the opportunity — especially as an NBA player — to share my faith. A lot of kids don't get to see that side of professional athletics. So, it was an opportunity for me not only to do that but also to grow spiritually as a Christian, myself," said NBA Guard Anthony Parker.

Several camps have already begun this summer and will continue throughout June, July, and August.

The organization's theme for this year is "24/7," based on Romans 15:13 (CSB): "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Read more: https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/fellowship-christian-athletes-pass-out-200000-bibles-summer

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” – Ephesians 6:11-12

During game time, your primary opponent is usually the other team, but what happens when the more pressing opponent is within yourself?

Can you think of a time and relate to struggling mentally in your sport? Times when the only thing standing between you and victory was yourself?

In our Christian life, we often believe that our main struggle is external; that the sins that are the most dangerous are in the flesh. Satan can use external flesh factors to draw us to sins, such as drugs, s*x, violence, etc. However, more often than those schemes, Satan uses temptations of the mind that are not easily seen or discussed. Satan knows internally what we struggle with – pride, envy, jealousy, vanity and other internal struggles. He will use those to draw us into sin. That’s why, in Ephesians, we are warned about this very situation. While there are sins out in the world, there are plenty of internal traps that Satan likes to use against us.

Why does he like to use these? Because we usually hide these areas of our lives from people. When we hide where we struggle, choose not to be vulnerable to our community, or don’t seek accountability, we give Satan more room to hurt us. When we bring these fears and struggles into the light, say them out loud, or bring them to our community, Satan's power drastically decreases.

Choose today not to hide but to be vulnerable and bring your struggles to the light.

What do you do with and how do you handle the nay sayers in your life?

Devotional about negativity: June 21 - Sports Spectrum Devotional about negativity: We can burn brightly for God in the face of persecution because we know who we are in Him.

“The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3

We have all been in a situation where we spoke too quickly and regretted what we said. As you get older and progress in your sport, what you do matters more and more. The higher your level, the more expectations and responsibilities are placed on you.

Moving from playing high school ball to college, you are no longer a child. As an adult, your coach expects more control and respect from you than ever before. This makes watching what you say essential. The wrong outbursts of anger or toxic words can be career-ending.

The same rule applies as we grow in our faith. As we mature, we should learn to have self-control and not invite ruin into our world via our words.

To guard your mouth isn’t to stay quiet in situations that need words. We often see Jesus standing up with righteous anger for the Kingdom’s sake (Mark 11:15-18). We must not be reckless with our words but instead, think about the weight they carry. Ruin is brought into your life when you are reckless and don’t think before you speak. When people look at us, they should see the patience and wisdom of Christ, not someone who is uncontrollable with their words.

Choose today to bring life rather than ruin when you speak.

“Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.” – Psalm 91:14-15

In Psalm 91, God offers His followers the ultimate protection. This Psalm confirms that God hears us and will answer us. When we think God is silent, maybe we are just not listening or expecting to hear what we want rather than what He is truly saying.

We also get the promise that God will be with us in trouble. We must read that carefully because it doesn’t say He will take us out of trouble or there won’t be trouble for His followers. God says that when there is trouble, He will fight with us. We are not alone. When we lose hope, and the world’s problems seem to be winning, God promises He will rescue us. When we fail, and God has to rescue us, He goes a step further and assures us that He will restore us to honor as His sons and daughters, not mark us as failures.

Prayer: “God, You are our protector. You stand next to us, ready to fight the evil of this world with us. Help us know we are not fighting alone and that You are always with us and hearing us. When we feel alone, help us remember Your promises in your Scripture and believe them to be true. Amen.”

““It makes failure a lot easier, because I don’t put so much on myself, because pitching is not my identity. I now play to have fun, and when I’m having fun that’s when I’m at my best.”

Texas A&M pitcher Chris Cortez playing for the Lord at CWS Texas A&M reliever Chris Cortez played a key role in helping the Aggies advance to the College World Series. "Pitching is not my identity."

Devotional on anxiousness: June 12 - Sports Spectrum Devotional on anxiousness: The secret to avoiding anxiousness is remembering how God came through in the past and trusting He'll sustain you.

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to lose sight of the present moment. But God calls us to be still, to pause, and to be fully present in His presence.

Here are a few ways to practice being present:

❤︎ Spend Time in Prayer: Start your day with a prayer, asking God to help you be mindful and aware of His presence throughout the day.

❤︎ Meditate on Scripture: Take a few moments to read and reflect on a Bible verse. Let it guide your thoughts and actions.

❤︎ Show Love and Kindness: Be fully engaged when interacting with others. Listen actively, show compassion, and share God's love.

❤︎ Appreciate God's Creation: Take a walk outside and marvel at the beauty of God's creation. Let it remind you of His power and creativity.

❤︎ Practice Gratitude: Take time each day to thank God for the blessings in your life. A grateful heart stays present and connected to God's grace.
Let us strive to be present in every moment, finding peace and purpose in God's presence.

Ok, I’ve had time to digest the women’s CWS. Oklahoma winning their 4th strait is unprecedented. I watched and waited to see what was going to happen. The semifinal game against Florida blew me away. I don’t have words. But, I’ll share the clips and encourage you to watch for yourself.

First, the Sports Spectrum write up to set the stage, then the YouTube videos.

https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/softball/2024/06/07/oklahoma-softball-wins-record-4th-straight-national-championship-god-was-really-present-this-season/?mc_cid=1036ab652a&mc_eid=ad9272b25e

https://youtu.be/EbL-0yEWpwM?si=_nV-QeyuEauQF32M

https://youtu.be/-OqwfEIRi7s?si=ippv0XWJ2kh5p8FT

https://youtu.be/3vTt-bwNOd0?si=5hwMzU_JdSRqndOl

https://youtu.be/xSGcCcn1rqk?si=Y9jFM_QOYWCM-0xq

Oklahoma softball completes 4-peat: 'God was really present' Oklahoma softball won a record-setting fourth national championship in a row. "I felt His hand over this program more than I ever have."

Great insight on managing anxiety from the Denver Broncos chaplain.

Devotional on anxiousness: June 12 - Sports Spectrum Devotional on anxiousness: The secret to avoiding anxiousness is remembering how God came through in the past and trusting He'll sustain you.

“Coach Mingione then continued, “God taught me a lesson: It’s not what you’re playing for; it’s Who you’re playing for. And I got done chasing this dream of Omaha, and I just said, ‘I’m done. I’m not chasing that anymore. Lord, I want to play for You.’ … So here we stand today. I give Him all the honor and glory, to God be the glory. Amazing. And I hope you appreciate my transparency because that was real.”

Nick Mingione leads Kentucky to its 1st World Series: 'Only God' After head coach Nick Mingione helped lead Kentucky to its first-ever College World Series, he said, "I give Him all the honor and glory."

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Much scripture speaks of following God’s path, so we have plenty to guide us on life’s journey. But it’s not just following God’s path, it’s how you follow His path that matters. It’s where your heart is while you follow Him and who you give the glory to along the way.

As athletes, we tend to become proud of the trophies, awards and victories we obtain through the competitions we face. We’ve made it through the battle we were in, victorious and sometimes with some battle scars that can lead us down the path of looking at ourselves and not Him. Our egos can disrupt how we follow the Lord, even as the Church.

Remember, everything we are, every game we win, every award we receive, and every accolade we’re given is not ours but God’s. You will have many paths to go down in life, but until you go down a path with Jesus, no earthly rewards can give you the peace and satisfaction of the ones you receive through Him. Following God’s path brings you peace beyond understanding no other way can bring. “The Lord is good and upright; therefore, he shows sinners the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” (Psalm 25:8-9)

While sports can be a great source of achievement and fulfillment, they are ultimately temporary. But Jesus offers us an eternal purpose that will never fade away. He can help us find meaning and significance in our lives, even when our athletic pursuits are over.

Is your path with Christ-honoring Him or just following Him?

Thanks to all the golfers who joined us this year for our golf outing.

There were several memorials again this year. All great people important to me and several of our donors. All are missed and impacted many.

Thank you to all of our hole sponsors for this year’s event. We appreciate your support!

Wow. I can’t help but root for Jackson Holliday. Jason Romano does an outstanding interview as usual. As a Matt Holliday fan (especially when he was a Cardinal) I have always been impressed with his ability to hit a baseball. I’m even more impressed with how he and his wife have raised this young man. Wise beyond his age.

Humility and Trust with Orioles No. 1 draft pick Jackson Holliday Jackson Holliday was selected first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, coming right out of Stillwater (Oklahoma) High School. He finishe...

What came out of your heart the last time you were under pressure in a game or job situation? $10 Million Tongue https://ow.ly/yb1W50PPHje

Texans rookie QB CJ Stroud uses football 'to spread the Gospel' Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud is off to a strong start in the NFL, but he views his purpose as a football player to spread the Gospel of Jesus.