March Madness Outlet Style 2008

Wednesday night at Christ's Church, I had the pleasure of participating in the Youth Ministry's version of March Madness. It began with a slam dunk contest for the kids on an 8 foot rim and then a shooting challenge where they could shoot from varied locations with a chance at winning pre-determined prizes. Amazingly enough, 2o kids had the opportunity to shoot and the first 19 missed! The night's last event was a slam dunk contest for the participants of our adult basketball league. Six players gave of their time and gave us an exibition that many of the youngsters have never and may never see again in person. What was so cool was the level of enjoyment the dunkers had and the variety of dunkers who joined us. We had some dunkers who have long been labeled as some of the best dunkers in the league (Jae Breeze, Sean Cowely, Micah Ross). We also had one who has only played in 3 games ever at Christ's Church (Greg Johnson) and another who is in his 3 season but has never been thought of as much of a dunker (Marion Allums). The old school part of me LOVED the first dunk Allums tried which was a statue of liberty 360 ala Terrence Stansbury. Our 6th and final participant was the season'stop dunker so far through 6 games and that is Ernest Johnson. Our top 3 dunkers made it to the Finals and they didn't dissapoint as Cowely and Breeze tied for 2nd while Ernest Johnson grabbed the top honors in the 1st round. In the finals Johnson kept ahold of the top spot while Breeze finished a close second by a mere 1 point.

Tuesday is closing date

For those of you who have been following my family's incredibly poor timing in the real estate market I want to share that we are set to close on our house on Tuesday the 25th of March. As much of a relief as it should be, the back and forth with negotiations and repairs, etc. has taken on a new headache all unto itself. Sighhhh. It's almost over. Please pray that all goes well and we can experience the welcomed challenge of simply having to pay one mortgage for a while.

36 and fading fast?

Last week, I celebrated my 36th birthday. It actually kind of snuck up on me with so much else going on in my life. Funny thing is, I have always poked fun at older people for well...being older. And now quickly, I have become that "older" person. Not old per say but I am sure no spring chicken anymore. My body took an absolute pounding as a youth and through my mid to late 20's. Couple that with an absolute pathetic diet and no exercise routine and that spells trouble.

One year in the YMCA league, I was leading the league in scoring and was playing probably the best basketball of my life. And my knees (specifically my left) needed a break. But I had to keep plugging away because to that point I had no real crowing sports moment in my life. Yes, I eventually won the scoring title and we lost in the Finals but that began the slow descent downhill. I dunked a basketball that same year (2001) but once I hit 30, I could never do it again. There are a few eye witnesses still around that saw me dunk it but still no body believes me. Oh the glory years. Haha!

It's all good though. I am so thankful that I even had those years of playing flag football with my friends Mitch, Shane, Rodney and Mark. Those days of playing basketball with Will at the YMCA and throwing him his first alley-opp dunk in a game are memories I will forever cherish. I even enjoyed those years of playing church league softball even though I was horrible! Actually the one game I had to pitch and must have walked 8 straight batters had to be the most demoralizing moment I have ever had in the athletic arena. Seriously!

But I see people all the time with disabilities that would give almost anything to stand on a mound and walk 8 straight batters. And it makes that moment not so demoralizing anymore. And every time I see those less fortunate, those painful memories seem more and more trivial and silly. Now, that day is laughable to me.

Thank you God for giving me even one day to stand, play, run, throw and enjoy the physical gifts you have blessed me with. Amen.

I am a Christian

I am a Christian
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I 'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Author unknown

Gerald Green's amazing dunk

As a youngster, I use to watch every slam dunk contest and three-point contest during the NBA weekend. I even recorded them and still have the VHS tapes. Jordan v. Dominique Wilkins? Got it. Spud Webb? Got it. Kenny Skywalker? Got it.
But after Michael Jordan stopped entering, I kind of lost interest because the dunks became kind of boring. Even the ones I see on TV now don't impress me but this one I am sharing because I am very impressed.

Rebounding Training video

Here is a video that David, Nate and I created as part of our Certified Coaches Training web site. Kind of funny to see me boxing out big Nate. Not bad I think for our first try. I look forward to seeing how much better we can get.

New position for me...sort of.

As some of you may have heard already, my co-worker David Lawson has accepted the position of Executive Minister and will be vacating his position as Youth Sports Director as of last week. I will take on both roles until further notice and I am excited to see how I can do wearing both hats. What I do know first and foremost is that I will need to ratchet up my level of organization and team building. I have always felt I could do the latter but was always held back by the prior. What is probably most exciting is the awesome set of people who I will get to work with that I believe God is working within right now.

Please pray for this ministry, for David, for those whom God is calling, for me and for my wife and kids. This is an exciting time for me but the only way to guarantee success is to put it into God's hands and then listen and follow His direction.