I had the privilege of attending portions of the recent ID camp held for Colorado high school student athletes at Valor Christian High School this past week. The camp was put on to give students and college coaches an opportunity to be observed in hopes of receiving scholarships or invitations for possible openings on college teams. Of the 100-some students and 25- some college coaches participating in the event, there was an air of anticipation and hope – perhaps this might be an opportunity to receive an offer from a college to study and play the sport that they had come to love.
As I reflected further, I was reminded of the life of Jesus and his own ID’ing that took place as he set out to begin ministry. We read in Luke 6:12 that Jesus spent some intentional time praying to God before he chose the twelve men that would walk closest with him while he was here on earth (maybe you are thinking about the 11 true apostles – but I am not trying to make soccer team parallels here, honest). From history, scholars surmise that these apostles and disciples that Jesus called were probably young men – maybe even teenagers, who having not made the grade for further religious instruction were settling into life as tradesmen (fishermen, tax collectors and more).
If we understand Dr. Luke’s gospel recording to have a sense of chronology – then Jesus had interacted and seen some of these men in action before calling them to form his close-knit team. And, perhaps, after seeing many different candidates in action (scripture records as many as 70-120 were closely following Jesus as different points in his ministry) Jesus spent some intentional time in prayer and discernment before naming those closest to him.
In reflecting upon this, I wondered – how many of the coaches or players or their parents participating in the ID camp had spent time praying to God, seeking His face about the decisions about college, playing collegiate soccer, whom to offer scholarship or financial aid, where to study, where to play? Even as a casual observer with little vested into the process, I could see some of the anticipation and hopes in parents and students eyes. College (paying for it, deciding where to go, etc.) can be a tumultuous time – do we go to God with the things that worry and concern us and ask for His wisdom and discernment?
Of course, as team chaplain, I see similar moments when professional athletes and coaches and staff face decisions that are seemingly monumental – choices about career, family, retirement, contractual negotiations, and other life issues can be difficult to discern and choose the correct path. These are moments – moments when we are looking toward the future – that we ought to seek God. We need to find mountain top moments and spend nights praying to God about what we ought to do. And in those spaces, we need to listen and hear the voice of God so that we might make wise choices, wise decisions because we cannot accurately ID the future on our own.
Blessings,
Rev. Brad Kenney
If you know anything of the Greek word uses for love – there were four: 
Part of my personal experience with this was when the Colorado Rapids won the Major League Soccer Championship game in 2010. I was there, on the field, as the players and coaches their families and the fans celebrated the first championship in team history (still one of only two championships to come to Colorado since those ’98 Broncos – National Hockey League Av’s in 2000-1 being the other). It wasn’t 45 minutes after leaving the field that coaches were having to determine which players on the roster would be unprotected for the MLS expansion draft – players didn’t even get to celebrate the championship before being told that they might be traded or waived.
The Colorado Rapids have been in the news of late, particularly over the situation with the head coach, Oscar Pareja. For the last couple of months, there have been stories that surface about Pareja’s pursuit by his former club FC Dallas. Beginning in November of 2013, 
On the last day of 2013, there is occasion to pause for reflection. There is much debate around looking backward in order to move forward in our culture. Some criticism – that the only reason we look back is so that we can make more efficient our practice or modernize our mechanistic attitude. Some wisdom – that we ought to learn from mistakes and strive to not repeat them, to teach our children how to overcome them. Some practical application – goal-setting, resolutions, and the like. Some fantastical dreaming – see above.
When the whistle finally sounded, it was 
In reading, perhaps you have experienced this for yourself – an achievement in the academic setting or the workplace or home. Maybe you have seen loved ones go through the deflation of hope that has come when a personal or professional achievement was found to lack the meaning and significance that was believed to be inherent within. These all point to the human need for something greater, for something transcendent. In truth, it points to our need for God – greater than shiny silverware and trophies – God’s presence and work in our lives is about Divine mastery and artistry. C.S. Lewis, mentions this in his work, The Problem of Pain:
As you consider a chaplain that you might know – no matter the context, no matter the team. Pray that they would tackle timidity. Pray that they would be deeply rooted in God’s Word. Pray that they would be encouraged and reminded that we do not live and minister in a spirit of timidity. But we are empowered by the Lord – to serve and live in power and love and self-discipline.
Last week, the news finally came, Hospice of Saint John would finally be closing its doors. The announcement to staff was not necessarily a surprise as this past July, the 2nd oldest hospice in the United States had to close its 