One tandem bike ride down imperial highway later...

This last week has been a bit crazy, I wish I blogged a little bit more so I don't have so much to write about when I sit down to do it....  

Let me first just catch you up to speed on all that has been going on this past week since my last posting...  

Between training sessions, SMT (Sports Ministry Training), meetings preparing for our Mexico trip (we are leaving tomorrow), leveling for the pool, a couple chapels, a good afternoon with a few of my teammates that involved an hour and a half at Homestyle Buffet and a tandem bike ride down Imperial Highway (not the safest thing I have ever done), a couple more clinics, a unique learning experience about AIDS in Africa, and a soccer match this evening...  I am certainly ready for Mexico, mainly because I can focus my attention on one task and get away from the business of L.A.  

Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed my nearly two weeks of being here...  but in that time I look back at all that has gone on already and can't even believe it hasn't even been two weeks...  perhaps the weeks prior to me getting here were a bit crazier with getting my house ready, finishing school, graduating, and traveling were not of much help either.  

We played a game this evening against the L.A. Legends and lost 2-0, the good news is I have finally joined the roster and got to play in my first game as a Seahorse this evening.  Even though it wasn't a win, I did feel I played well... which is a start.  Coach gave us three words to focus on during the game, the 3 p's...  Proactive, Positive, and Peculiar...  The one that stuck out most was "Peculiar".  Apparently this one of Coach's favorite words and it stuck out to me as well, being set apart and distinguished... not necessarily in an unusual sense, but it could be that too.  He challenged us to play in such a way that would set us apart, not with the intentions of being noticed, but to be glorifying.  Hopefully the result would be to be noticed, yet that shouldn't be the goal, because it is something we must train ourselves to be always... even when no one is around.

Sadly, I don't think we accomplished our goal of being peculiar to the fullest extent, or in terms of a team effort... we fell a bit short.  We'll just say the reffing seemed a bit off, yet that was enough to distract some of us from the game and our goals as a team.  

The other two "P's" were more related to how we were to play...  we didn't seem to accomplish those to objectives either.  Which takes me back to the passage I've been thinking about as of last week.  My friend Jim got back to me on an important part of my last post, I had written a piece that said...  "Some people don't think Christians should foul or play hard..." something along those lines.  I must not have read this carefully because it's true, no one should foul... intentionally.  However I think I also put a little to much emphasis on the idea that we as Christians are called to win, win at all costs... that doesn't mean we can't lose.  If someone has earned it, then I must simply re-evaluate what I have done... did I really deserve to win?  If so, why didn't I?  Did I really earn it?  

In every game someone will lose... that doesn't mean one team is more spiritual than the other... it probably means that one team is more disciplined and has put in more time than the other time... however the real battle is if we all can truly say that we did everything we could have and played our best, not just going through the motions.  For me, it took me a long time before I could really balance competition and every day life...  To me it was win at all costs (not to the point of cheating, but I did hate losing more than anything else) and it was this mentality that hurt quite a few of my relationships when I was younger... sure I was young and it probably didn't mean much.  Fortunately God has helped me learn to balance these things and has allowed me to still compete, without letting it consume me...

Paul writes, "I beat my body and make it a slave to myself..."  This doesn't reflect a win at all costs attitude, it reflects an attitude of self-discipline and complete control over one's actions... and that is what we are called to do.  Work our very hardest... to do our very best... and at the same time practicing a self-discipline that is second to none (simple to say, yet very hard to do).

Well...  We leave for Mexico at midnight, so keep us in your prayers.  If internet Access is available I will try to keep the blog up to date, however no promises can be made at this point.  

Pray specifically for health and safe travel, that those of us going will prepared in mind, body, and soul to share God's love with everyone we encounter, and that the people we encounter will be open to hear and receive God's love for them.  

All the best and God's blessings,

-Cyrus

Meet you there...

So I wanted to reflect more about the passage I mentioned in my last blog, not just the one verse but all of the last 9 verses together...  Any and all responses to this passage would be much appreciated since I feel a lot of what I will learn this summer (and a lot of what I have already been learning) is directly related to what Paul has written.  The first 18 verses seem to offer a good understanding of why this letter was written, Paul wants reminds the Corinthians that they should be listening to him in regards questions about Christ and Christianity and he spends a bit of this letter explaining why he is qualified to tell them these things...  and they shouldn't believe everything about Christ from just anyone, specifically in their case other Israelites.  Of course there is a lot more to these 18 verses, but it's the last 9 verses that have been on my mind for awhile.

In reading this I have broken it down into two segments, 19-23 deals with how we can reach people and what it means to make ourselves "slaves to everyone".  The second portion 24-27 speaks how Athletes (or anyone) should address life as well as faith...

Is Paul asking us to act or behave in certain way as to get a desired result from someone?  Or is telling us that we should meed people where they are at?  

So you don't have to look it up to follow along, here is the passage in which I am talking about:

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (thought I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become ALL things to ALL men so that by ALL possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefor I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

In the past months I have come to the understanding that we are called to meet people where they are at, because more often than not they do not come to us (while I wish all men are drawn to us and the love of Jesus in us, it is not always the case.)  In discussing this passage further with a good friend, I was also presented with the idea that some may read into these verses as being "manipulative", in order to win someone to our way of thinking.   Thinking about what Jim had told me, I realized I that I have been thinking a lot about that perspective as well, just not in my bible reading...

I've been reading a book by Dale Carnegie which I am sure many of you have heard of, "How to Win Friends and Influence People".  A good friend of mine said he wished someone had told him to read it while he was in college and challenged me to do the same so I have taken him up on the idea.  While I find a lot of the books content to be simple logic that not many people think about when dealing with people, and much of it can be backed by biblical examples of Godly men dealing with people...  there is an "edge" to the book that seems manipulative to me like Jim had mentioned. 

I think it is important that people should know how to "handle" or "influence" people, however it should not be because we wish to be successful or because we want a certain outcome.  I don't want to learn how to "love" people in order to get what I want, but I do want to learn to love people no matter what I get in return (nothing or possibly even at the expense of being hurt).  I only include this because I think "love" is something that is easy to "put on" yet at the same time, it is easy to realize when it has been "put on"...  if that makes any sense at all.  Jim also commented that we cannot actually "handle" anyone, but we can influence them... as people, all we can do is influence because in the end it is not our decision to make.

To me, I Corinthians 9:19 only makes sense to me when understood as being called to meet people where they are at.  How else am I going to reach someone who at this point in their life would not be caught dead in the back pew of church, let a lone one in the middle or front.  I also see it as one of the ways to influence people, when they know you are willing to be with them, help them, or just hang out with them where they feel comfortable.  Who knows how long it may take them to come around, if at all.   But would they ever get to that point of we decided to spend all of our time in the front row of church and never with them?

In doing our clinic at Paso Robles this last weekend and working a street soccer tournament yesterday, I can only say that the idea of meeting people where they are at is only being reinforced in my being here in California.  Also, soccer is all over the world and proves to be one of the greatest tools in meeting people, especially when trying to meet them where they are at... foreigners or locals, rich or poor, everyone all over the world (except in the US) wants to play soccer.  I feel like there is much more to learn about how soccer and sports can work to reach peoples lives... which leads to the next passage, 24-27.

Some people think that as Christian Athletes we aren't supposed to foul or if we knock someone over we should stop and help them up even if we are within the rules of the game.  According to this verse Christians are called to "run (compete) in such a way as to win the prize".   If you want to put it in more simple terms, we are called to play our best always...  we are called to win.  How much more are we drawn to successful athletes who walk in humility?We are drawn to their success and their humility.  In comparison, what do we think when someone stops playing because their opponent has fallen over and may have been fouled?  We think, "What is that guy doing???"

So is it accurate to say that I am called to be the best, not only sports but in all aspects of life and faith?  Absolutely. But does that mean I have to compare myself to the next person in all aspects of my life?  Absolutely not...  There are areas of life that need not be compared but are between us and God only, yet we are called to be the best.  In competition we are called to do our best, even if we end up losing.  

Paul finishes with a very strong statement, "I beat my body and make it a slave to myself so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  I won't even try to begin by saying I know exactly what Paul is saying, but I do think that Paul touches on a the point of discipline... which relates to all areas of life.  Yet this statement refers to that prize which is eternal, that is the prize we do not want to be disqualified from.  It is extremely difficult to be glorifying always, actually impossible...  if we learn discipline in life and in faith we can build a "platform" from which people will listen to us, it is those that are undisciplined (myself in many areas as well) that may end up disqualifying us from the eternal prize.

Wow, sorry for the weeks worth of mental processing all in one post... but the important part is that I was able to find a morning to include all of it.  I will be meeting tonight for preparing for Mexico which we will be leaving the 1st of June so continue to pray for our Mexico trip and the different areas of LA that I am being plugged into for the summer.  Blessings,

-Cyrus

Out in Californ-i-a

Thanks to all of you for your prayers during my traveling to California... I made it safely and with no complications.  Just wanted to update you on my first week here...  

Upon arriving in Lakewood (suburb of LA, even though you can never tell where one city ends and another begins) I was greeted by my host family who have been more welcoming than I could have imagined.  I am staying with the Webb family, Rob and Melanie and their two young daughters Faith (8 today) and Bethany (13 I think, I'm not at home so I can't double check).  They keep telling me how much God has blessed them, and for them not to be able to share it with others would not be honoring to God...  apparently they also get to learn some pretty interesting things about people, and hear a couple good stories at the same time.  Hopefully I won't disappoint...

In the last couple months I keep being reminded of God working in the lives of people causing them to give their lives away, (just like the Webbs now, the Parkers over Easter break, and the Mares family when I was previously in California.)  and in turn those who are receiving of these gifts are challenged to do the same.  Even those who claim God does not exist... they also experience God when they turn to the next person and are giving of themselves...

Proverbs 16:18- "A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great."

This verse has been on my mind for months now...  and it reminds me a lot of what some call "paying it forward".  Which I've come to realize happens quite a bit, and yet people are experiencing God even when they are unaware of it.  

Since I've been here, the team has played in two games, both ties.  I am on the team as a reserve player as of now, hopefully with the opportunity of being rostered soon and competing for time.  I try not to let that discourage me, I have missed  a good portion of the season (our first 4 games) and the team is full of very good players... however, I never have enjoyed watching from the sideline.  Right now I am trying not to get to caught up in that but enjoy all the community involvement and ministry opportunities that we are a part of, which was the primary reason I wanted to be a part of this organization in the first place.  

Tomorrow we leave for a retreat in Paso Robles where we will put on a couple of youth clinics in the area, and get to talk a bit more intimately as a team...  it will be my first ministry opportunity with the Seahorses so I am really excited to see how it goes.  Hopefully when I get back I'll have a bit more time to update you all about the weekend and how our Sports Ministry Training is going (our team small groups that we have after training).  Right now I have one verse that has been on my mind from Thursday's SMT.

I Corinthians 9:19 Paul writes, "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."  

You should probably read it in context with the whole chapter, but I'll post my reflections on the passage when I have more time to write out an in depth response of what the passage means to me as an athlete and as a Christian.  That's just a little teaser as to what's going through my head these days.

As always I am thankful for your prayers and your support...  Mexico is only weeks away! Please continue to pray for me and our ministries.  

Blessings,

-Cyrus

Doneskis...

I did it... I'm doneskis (slang word for you Dr. T)...  

Being that I won't be able to actually update you all as to my last week of school, I decided to take a few minutes before I hit the road to tell you a bit about what graduation has done for me this past weekend.  In the midst of being incredibly busy in preparing for summer and next fall, I still have some time to think, but no available internet access at my house...  

I've learned from being in the south for four years that a college degree can't make you sound "smart"... there are plenty of graduates who stay true to their roots and make sufficient use of phrases like "you might could..." or "We done did it..."  To me that is proof enough that it isn't our education that makes us who are, but a whole lot more.  I won't try to claim to know what shapes us into the people we become, there are too many influences on our lives to pick only a few... but at the same time, I won't say that our education doesn't play a part in what shapes us, I only say that it does not define us.  Unfortunately you see a lot of people put more stock into education than they do into the actual human being...  I guess it's just a reminder that it's not where you are from, but who you are.  (Sometimes that "who you know" helps an awful lot though...)

I only think about this because I've graduated with a degree in Biology, but in no way feel like a biologist.  That's not saying that I didn't enjoy my studies at Belmont, but I've been in a place of unknowing for a long time and will probably stay their for a majority of my life.  I thank my Biology professors for helping me do well in college, particularly in biology, even though I have never really been certain of what it is that I will end up doing.  Dr. McGrew continually reminds me that "... it's okay to not know what we are going to do with the rest of our lives...  just what we are going to do next."  We have the rest of our lives to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives, which might not sound very comforting but it is.

That leads me to what's next, well soccer this summer and grad school in the fall.  And I do find comfort in somewhat knowing (while there is still a lot that is not known) what i'll be doing for the next two years.   

I have wanted to keep everyone a little bit more informed of graduation week, but about 5 days ago we turned off our cable and internet so I have to travel to get online and do my work.  But I did not want to forget to post something about graduation, and thank all of those who have already helped in supporting me in my graduation and in my trip.  I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support.  God continues to bless me in many areas, and certainly most through my friends and family, so I am thankful to God for all of you.  

Wishing you all the best and be blessed,

-Cyrus

(be praying for my travels to California Monday through Tuesday, thanks guys!)

Who are the Seahorses?

The So Cal Seahorses PDL soccer team is part of the USL's Premier Develpment League (PDL), which is the highest-level national league in which top college athletes can play in a professional soccer setting without losing their college eligibility.  More than that, they are part of a larger organization called Missionary Athletes International, a group that uses soccer as a means to reach people world wide and to share with them the love of Christ.  In the past, the Seahorses have done missions work in Japan, Guatemala, Mexico and locally in L.A.  

My involvement with the team will start immediately after graduation and go until late July. Each training session is concluded with Sports Ministry Training, or a bible study where we discuss all aspects of faith and encourage each other in ways that will help us to reflect God working in us, on and off the soccer field.  Each player is also committed to various local outreaches such as soccer camps after school programs.  This season we are planning on doing a week long missions trip from June 1-8 to Ometepec, Mexico.  It is our goal to share the gospel on and off the field by the way we play and our attitudes towards our teammates, opponents, referees, and fans.  When not playing we will spend time with our opponents and fans building relationships in which we can share what God has done in our lives.  We'll also be hosting clinics for the local children and partner with the local Sports Ministers to help out in any areas they may need a few extra hands.

Because of the current Swine flu scare, we are waiting till May 15th to make a final decision on whether or not we will be continuing with the missions trip to Mexico.  Still I have been asked to raise $3,300 for the summer.  The breakdown of the expenses included $500 to help cover the cost of the team expenses, $1500 for the Mexico Tour, and $1300 for living expenses.  If you wish to support me I will add instructions at the end of this blog on how to support.  More important that your financial support are your prayers. Please keep me in your prayers this summer as God continually gives me opportunities to grow spiritually, love people, and to keep playing soccer.  I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of what the Seahorses' organization is doing this summer. Thank you for your support and prayers!

-Cyrus

How To Support Financially:

Make all checks payable to MAI (all donations are tax-deductible and a receipt will be provided to you from MAI Headquarters for tax purposes).

Please include my ministry ID 64A22 on the memo line of the check and somewhere on the front of the envelope to ensure that your funds are credited to my account.

Send Checks To:

Missionary Athletes International

P.O. Box 1889

La Mirada, CA 90637-1889

For those of you who are interested in learning more about the Southern California Seahorses or Missionary Athletes International, I've copied the links to their web pages for your easy access.  

http://www.seahorsesoccer.com/

http://www.maisoccer.com/main/

Greetings

Hello All and welcome to my blog...

I find it weird creating an internet space where I'll be writing mostly about myself, but I think it will be very helpful in keeping all of you up-to-date with how my summer is going. 

I want to first thank all of you for your encouragement and support while I've continued to play soccer in college, and now this summer.  The exciting part about the opportunity this summer is that I will not only be playing soccer but being encouraged by my teammates and coaches to use soccer as a means to love people...  Being a graduate I get that infamous question, "What are you gonna do now?"  For the longest time I really had no idea what it was that I wanted to do, so I just said "Love people, and maybe get paid for it some day..."  While I'm still not getting paid for it, I feel God has continually presented me with opportunities that bring me closer and closer to loving people for a living.  

That brings me to where I am at now, graduating from Belmont University on the 16th (only 9 days and two more tests...) with a degree in Biology, and with the plans of returning to Belmont University to earn my Masters in Sports Administration while working a graduate assistant (GA) position with the campus recreation department.  The great part about the GA position is I will be heading up a new department of campus recreation called Outdoor Pursuits, where I'll be organizing all sorts of great trips that I will get to go on... hiking, camping, caving, rafting, canoeing....  no complaints. While taking classes in the evening and doing my GA duties I'll probably look into other coaching and playing opportunities as well, I'll admit that I don't feel like I'm done playing soccer just yet.

In the upcoming days I'll be sure to post more information about the Seahorse organization, as well as Missionary Athletes International so you all can have a good look at what we are about and get a better idea of what I'll be doing this summer.  Until then, all the best and be blessed,

-Cyrus