Archive for month: January, 2022

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Lessons from Lasso — First Dominos: Heart Issues

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How does a coach get his team to have buy-in to what he is trying to do, what he is trying to achieve? Much of it begins at the heart level — at least when it comes to talking about long-lasting change.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, in our Lessons From Lasso series we look at Coach Lasso who is working at getting to the heart issues of some of his team in order to produce the turnaround and to make the kind impact that only Ted Lasso can make. And football isn’t the only place where the heart has a primary importance — it’s critical when we are talking about spiritual things and one’s relationship with God, too. Listen as I talk more about the importance of gaining the heart in today’s show.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Lessons from Lasso — Dealing with Bullies

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:40 — 12.2MB)

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Have you been bullied? As a child? Because of a physical attribute? Or, for something else or some other reason? Bullying is an issue that has gone on for a long time and for a number of different reasons.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, we pick up with Lesson 20 in our Lessons From Lasso series and we talk about dealing with bullies. Do you agree with Coach Lasso’s take on dealing with bullies? Well, regardless on whether you agree with Lasso’s tactics, I share some of how I see God dealing with bullies in scripture.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Preseason 2022

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:07 — 31.3MB)

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Preseason. It’s here. For many teams in the US professional soccer, they will begin reporting to their particular teams in the next few days and weeks. It’s the preseason, and with the World Cup happening in November and December, it’s coming fast and furious for many professional footballers.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at a biblical example of a “preseason” moment – this one, from Jesus’ life when he spends 40 days out in the wilderness before beginning his earthly ministry. There are some characteristics between Jesus’ time of testing and the same kind of preseason that a footballer will face with their own teams and I draw on the parallels.

Here are links to the Scripture verses mentioned in today’s podcast:

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Smith Bids Adieu, Elects Not to Renew After 5 Years

When Justin Smith came on to the board of Soccer Chaplains United back in 2016, it was with some reluctance. Father of a large, young family; an anesthesiologist with a busy practice; and a highly involved church member and later church elder, Justin knew he didn’t have a whole lot of time on his hands. But ever since his own soccer-playing and college days at Baylor University, Soccer Chaplains United was the kind of ministry that he and his wife Emily wanted to get behind and support.

Some of the highlights during Justin’s five-year tenure with the board include helping Soccer Chaplains United go through a brand change and re-launch in the fall of 2017. He helped the board transition from a 2-year tenure rotation to 3-year rotation. His input was critical as the organization has looked to navigate COVID-19 and other medical and health challenges and protocols for the past couple of years. And Justin’s work in the medical field on interdisciplinary teams has helped continue to inform the practice and work of the chaplaincy as the organization sought clarity around having counselors as part of its direct service work.

Justin hosts the Soccer Chaplains United Board and Team at his home to make final preparations for the fall 2017 rebranding.

Beyond the organizational highlights, Justin and his family have made several mission trips — to Africa and to Juárez, Mexico and have been part of handing out soccer gear donated through Soccer Chaplains United and working alongside different church partners and families and friends in those nations.

One of my favorite memories, goes back to 2017 — it was the first time for me to take my family to Juárez, Mexico on a mission trip with the church and the Smith family. As a general rule, all of the food for the mission trip participants is prepared on the church grounds where we stay to prevent illness, etc. However, Justin and I got away with some of our friends to a local taco stand and managed to taste some more “authentic” food (see the picture below). To be honest, we were all a little nervous that we might get sick, but I am glad that Jesus was looking over Justin’s shoulder as he and I ate! 🙂

Staying well hydrated, Justin Smith takes a chance at the local taqueria stand in Juárez.

In the last few years, Smith has stepped up to take on a larger role as elder of the church where he and his family worship, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church. Cherry Creek Presbyterian continues to maintain their financial partnership with Soccer Chaplains United.

It was great seeing the Lord grow this vision into what it is today!

Justin, on his time with Soccer Chaplains United

We are thankful to Justin and Emily and their family for their time of service and for their ongoing support of Soccer Chaplains United!

Justin and wife, Emily, pose for a photo op outside of the entry to the Rapids locker room during the rebranding launch of Soccer Chaplains United in 2017.

From Zacapa, With Love

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The Valor Christian High School team which recently (Dec 26, 2021) went down to Guatemala has some updates to share about how their trip, their community service work, and their times of witness are going. To read more, from the student’s perspective, follow this link.

Annika plays soccer with a brand new, pink soccer ball from Soccer Chaplains United’s Community Project and makes some new friends.

I played soccer with a lot of them and the kids were having a great time. I also got to jump rope and dance with a lot of the girls. I made a connection with a girl named Gracie. I had braids in my hair and most of the girls want us to braid their hair. I braided Gracie’s hair and she had such a big smile on her face. The girls kept asking a lot of us to be their “Madrina” (godmother) and most of us were able to make a big connection with one or two kids in the community. We also were able to paint the school in the community. There was a water line on the wall of the school from the floods.

Annika
The Valor team plays in the “las ganchas” with their new friends, handing out donated soccer gear from Soccer Chaplains United.

One of the students (Zac) shared about his experience playing soccer in a few different settings in Guatemala.

I loved playing soccer with the kids because I saw a joy that I don’t encounter often. We were playing on the side of a mountain/cemetery and there were lots of things that had the ability to damper the fun of soccer; however, the kids and some of the team members had a lot of fun laughing when we would trip on a rock and celebrating a goal made from two rocks. In the end, we gave the community a soccer ball from Soccer Chaplains United where they will be able to practice and play whenever they want.

After the few hours with the kids, we played soccer in what they call “las ganchas” which had synthetic turf and a few small-sided goals. We played with some of the people of our ministry partners’ church, and we played for a few hours and had a lot of fun. After a few hours of playing, we left exhausted, happy, and ready to sleep. After this trip, I will never take sleep for granted!

Zac
Not all soccer fields have grass and are flat and level. A picture from an earlier trip to Guatemala illustrates Zac’s experience of playing soccer on the side of a mountain.

Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

A Blessing for 2022

From the Touchline

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:14 — 27.9MB)

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Devastating fires rocked the northwestern suburbs of Denver along the Denver/Boulder corridor. 1000 homes damaged and many people displaced from their homes as the start of 2022 comes. It has been a difficult couple of years — COVID, effects of the pandemic, social unrest, injustices left and right — and yet, with the start of every new year, we have hopes and dreams and resolutions, that this year will be the year.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at the subject of blessing and I offer a blessing for the year of 2022. But the blessing comes at the end — it’s important that we understand the nature and the power of blessing before we utter a single word. You see, blessings aren’t based on any power that I have (at least no power of my own). Take a listen to learn more of what I am talking about.

Here are links to the Scripture verses mentioned in today’s podcast:

Here are links to the book referenced in today’s podcast:

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

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