There is a lot of talent amongst the folks that comprise the chaplain corps of Soccer Chaplains United. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I feature an original song composed and recorded by Benjamin Dudley, volunteer co-chaplain with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Ben is the longest tenured chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United (going back to 2010) and part of his story and person involves a love and skill with music. Ben's song, Everything Is All Right With Me, with lyrics from friend Rob Grant, is a fitting song not only for a year that feels lost to a global pandemic, but in the difficult world of soccer where athletes and coaches and others in the game

This weekend, the Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew face off in the 2020 Major League Soccer Cup Final. Well, it was 10 years ago, that I had the privilege to accompany the team where I serve as volunteer chaplain, the Colorado Rapids, to Toronto, Canada for the 2010 championship match against FC Dallas. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I reminisce and share a couple of memories that I have from my time with team during that championship time so many years ago. 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

Last week, the devastating news broke, Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football legends in the game, died while resting at his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For Argentinians, Maradona was a national hero and, for some, a god. For a cadre of football stars around the world, Maradona was some to be emulated for his on the field skills and abilities and accomplishments. Yet, for many controversy stirred around the person of Diego Armando Maradona and his life — with his almost Jekyll and Hyde personality. The comments of Diego's personal trainer, Fernando Signorini, were an inspiration and springboard for today's episode. In the 2019 documentary, Diego Maradona, by Asif Kapadia, Signorini is quoted as saying: “For Diego, I

2020, unlike any other year in recent memory may prove to be the most difficult one yet to find much to give thanks for. But as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S., we all might just need a little extra encouragement and help in just how to give thanks and some ideas of what to give thanks for. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share three practices that can help shape our understanding and orient us toward a better posture of giving thanks — even when we are facing scarcity. Scripture references from today's episode include: I Thessalonians 5:16-18Psalm 136Mark 6:30-44 From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney,

It's my favorite time of year, again. Advent. This season and the lessons that we can learn and the hope that we can build has perhaps never been so important especially in the difficulties that we've undergone with COVID-19. I have shared before about Celtic Advent (listen to last year's podcast). This season of the church which begins November 15 is a critical time for preparing our hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share the three different ways that Celtic Christians understood and celebrated the season of Advent and I talk about three things that are critical for getting us through the waiting seasons and moments of life. Today, I