Last year, on Saint Martin's Feast Day (November 11), I created a special podcast (listen to it here) and shared Saint Martin's story — the one where he famously cuts his Roman cloak in half and covers a beggar shivering from the cold. That famous story is the origin of our English word for chaplain. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share another story of Saint Martin, on this, the day when we celebrate his life and faith. This time, Martin is now a Bishop in the church. He is a leader and has a certain place and power that has been given to him (although he is reportedly reluctant to receive it). Again, Martin covers someone who

Today is a pivotal time in the history of the United States, with a polarized and divisive time politically and socially, there are different attitudes and approaches toward governmental and other types of authority. Even in the sport of football, submitting to authority can be a struggle — whether as an athlete submitting to a manager, a coach at odds with a technical director, or, even, new ownership at a club. Of course, there is corruption and abuse of power at the lowest and highest and levels of the game and replete throughout all authoritative places, but how are we to live and respond? Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at the crucial text of Romans 13:1-5

For the Christian athlete, sometimes questions can arise around the morals and ethics that we find in the midst of the Beautiful Game and in sport, in general. Is competition good? Is it healthy? Is it right? There is a historic tension at times felt and perceived between one's faith and the competitive nature that we find at work in the game of football. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I briefly examine the spirit of competition and offer, what I believe to be a few benefits the can be derived from a healthy spirit of competition — both for the individual and for a team. Scripture references from today's episode is linked below : Proverbs 27:17Philippians 1:18Hebrews 10:24

Have you ever felt alone in the midst of the Beautiful Game? Alone in your faith? Alone in a different country, where you don't speak the same language? Where it is difficult to find community or ways to live out your faith? Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I am joined by American Goalkeeper, John Hollinger. John joins me via zoom from Madrid, Spain while he waits out a 4-week lockdown in Northern Ireland where he has been on trial. John shares about his journey as a goalkeeper and his faith journey, what it's like to be in a foreign country and trying to live out your faith, and we play a fun little game called "Reflex" where we

In the midst of uncertain and difficult time, we may find ourselves flat on our back and needing help to stand back up. We need a good, trusted friend — someone who gets us, someone who understands us to help us back up after we've been knocked down. Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I share a story of two men who extend a hand and helped each other through a difficult time. In II Kings 10:15-16 we read about Jehu and Jehonadab. At a time of great civil unrest and national turmoil, Jehu extends a hand of friendship and allegiance to Jehonadab. I reflect on our need during difficult times to have a friend who can extend a