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In many places around the world, football season has already begun, but here in the U.S. and in a few other nations, the new season is yet to begin. Just last week Major League Soccer joined the other professional leagues in the U.S., announcing a tentative start date for the 2021 season.

For years, prior to the beginning of a season, as a chaplain, I have stepped forward to bless — athletes, coaches, staff, and those who are part of the game prior to the season start and to share with each of them a critical message — not just for the season ahead, but for life.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at a passage in Deuteronomy 20 where the priests of Israel come forward to bless those who would battle during the spring to try to retain and recover the farmlands for the year to plant and harvest. Taking a lead from this passage, I encourage reflection and lessons for those in football as one’s season is about to begin.

Special thanks to Dennis Castillo for permission to use his Instagram photo for today’s podcast artwork.

Scripture references from today’s episode include:

• Deuteronomy 20:1-9
• II Corinthians 12:9-10

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.