I recently had the privilege to take in the Manchester United vs. AS Roma match that was held in Denver, CO as part of the Guinness International Champions Cup held in the summer of 2014 through the United States. It was a chance to see, up close, some of the world's best teams and best players. As an addition to this past summer's World Cup, it made for a wonderful summer-filled with soccer. For me, part of the joy was to be able to share the game with my oldest daughter, Brianna (pictured below). Now, to be honest, my daughter is still probably more excited about getting Dippin' Dots at the game than seeing the likes of Wayne Rooney score

I meet many men who tell me, "I don't sing." Many of these men are speaking from a church context and about modern worship styles and trends as this blogger details. But these same men who may stand silent in modern-day churches (and for many different reasons) are the same men who might have entire poetic passages of endearing chants and songs for their favorite sports team committed to memory as the Portland Timbers Supporter section Timbers Army has here. Why do men (in particular) struggle to perhaps worship and lift their voices in the church? Donald Miller suggests some reasons out of his personal reflections here, but regardless of whether one can connect in a traditional setting like a church

There is perhaps no larger stage for a single sport sporting event than the World Cup - the National Football League's Super Bowl ranks high on the list with a large American viewer base and the Olympic Games also have a broad global appeal, but in terms of reach - there is no comparing to an event like the World Cup where, literally, the world is watching (some recent statistics have the US vs. Germany game with a higher viewership than the most recent NFL Super Bowl). The question, though, is what do they see? Is the world seeing the poverty and social justice issues that are seemingly "behind the scenes" in Brazil? Brazilian street artist Paulo Ito and others have

Three years, nearly to the day, CrossTraining held its annual retreat just before the Colorado Rapids home opening match against the Portland Timbers. CrossTraining team members and board advisors gathered in the mountains to pray and discuss the future of the ministry as the 2011 Major League Soccer season was about to get underway. The time together wrapped up with the game in which the Rapids beat the Timbers 3-1. Last night, driving home after the Rapids won 2-0 against the same Timbers, I reflected on the game, the 2014 retreat that had just wrapped up and the ministry of CrossTraining, with an overwhelming sense of deja vu. In some ways, I wondered just how far CrossTraining had come

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.       I am a Denver Bronco fan - have been for most of my life (brief stint as a Raiders fan, but I can't explain that all here - years of counseling). I have lived through three of the SuperBowl losses (1977 - still too young, only 2 years of age) and cringed as my friends would comment about the Broncos poor SuperBowl record (who wants to keep company with the Minnesota Vikings?). So in watching last night, I was disappointed to say the least (maybe I thought Payton was greater than Elway). Many of my friends and family were disappointed, too.