This year, I returned to Denver Seminary - no, not to speak to students about chaplaincy (although I do that occasionally) or to mentor students in CPE or pastoral care - I was actually back, sitting in a seat, acting the part of a student. As the class went around making introductions and sharing what year students were in, a sense of nostalgia came over me. It was over 10 years ago, I began a journey at this same seminary - leaving the corporate world and recently married - I came into a Master's of Divinity program with some idea of being in ministry, but no clear direction. I knew that God had been speaking to my heart - it

Nearly one year ago, one of the most devastating losses occurred for a member of the Colorado Rapids staff - the sudden and tragic death of almost 3-year old, Elysa Rojas was a painful moment for so many at the club, but none so much as parents Jaime and Jana. Jaime Rojas has served as the Rapids Head Athletic Trainer since 2010 - the year the Rapids won MLS Cup and his daughter Elysa was born in February of that same year. Elysa held a special place, too, in the hearts of those that played and worked for the club during those years - she could be seen out a training session with mom and sister, and was always giving dad

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, rumors that Dallas had interest in the former player, former academy coach started to hit online media outlets. The Rapids quickly shut down the conversation with a strong statement that Pareja was the future coach. But the story resurfaced just before Christmas, that Dallas was really keen to make Pareja their next head coach. After weeks of quiet, the news suddenly broke that Pareja was stepping down as head coach, but then Pareja was

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. In looking back and contemplating 2013, there are several poignant moments (notice I didn't use the word highlights) for 2013 that have shaped and framed 2013 as its

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - Paul to Timothy (II Timothy 1:7) One of the greatest challenges that I face in my role as chaplain (whether as a hospice chaplain or professional sports chaplain) has been overcoming a spirit of fear, of timidity when it comes to people. Perhaps you have heard the phrase "it's nice to be wanted" but for the chaplain many times they are not necessarily wanted, or people do not necessarily know that they want or could benefit from a chaplain. This is more challenging in the professional sports environment because people are not typically as broken - they have health, they earn a high