HUGSR Soccer

These pictures are taken during and after our first game on Saturday. It was hot. We did manage one victory out of four games. If you missed the game, which you probably did unless you were Erin, Carolyn, Monica, Rusty or Rachel then you will probably have another chance as we have been challenged by the Iglasia de Christo team. Time and location TBA. Much props to Rusty for making the shirt (I am not sure why he felt the need to flex though).

Tourney Time

The first ever Harding University Graduate School of Religion soccer team (I think) will be in competition tommorow for the first time. We will be participating in the Memphis Urban Ministry/ Iglesia de Cristo soccer tournament. Months of nearly tortuous training in the heat of the dog days of summer will finally pay off this weekend, as we dominate the competition. Pictures will probably be added next week. Have a nice weekend.

Calling All Angels

At Sycamore View church of Christ I heard an amazing testimony about the power of prayer and angels. A one year old child was in the hospital because he was having constant convulsive seizures. The doctors loaded up the child on enough Valium for a 200 pound man, but the seizures continued. The hospital Chaplin gave the mother little comfort by saying "sometimes they survive this". While the child was in the MRI machine the father arrived at the hospital. He prayed for God to surround the child with angels to give him comfort. Immediately the seizures stopped.
I rarely, if ever, consider the role angels play in my life. I do not ask God to surround me with angels, I ask for peace directly from Him. I do not think anything is wrong about that, but maybe I should give angels more credit, or take them into account at least.
I think my lack of knowledge of what angels are capable of comes from our culture. I see so many TV shows and movies that portray angels almost mockingly, like "Angels in the Outfield". Or I see shows that give characters guardian angels and the angels assist the characters in the most unreasonable of circumstances. Maybe worst of all the characters become romantically involved with an angel. This makes me unsure of how powerful angels really are. It causes me to ask myself how angels are involved in my life. How much do I allow them to be a part of my life?
Angels seem to be God's messengers in the bible. Maybe the peace I ask for is given from God through angels?
Should I limit my expectations of what angels can do? I don't think so. I think God would rather us have too much faith (if that is possible) than to be skeptical of the things He can do, including the use of angels. So maybe from now on I will include in my prayers the assistance of angels.

Memories of a Speedy Summer

I would like to take this blogger space to look back to the summer that was. This was my first Memphis summer, and I no longer only hear about the really thick humidity and blazing heat, I have experienced it. I have decided not to complain about the lack of relaxation I have received over the summer. Usually being a student+hot weather=no school. Not this summer for me. But my wonderful wife has no such "break" as I long for and for some reason think I deserve, so no complaints here. I think that might have been a disguised complaint. Oh well.
This summer has provided me with some memories and positive experiences that I would now like to share with you, keep in mind these are only the ones I can think of at the moment. These being in no particular order:
1. World Cup/Playing soccer with my classmates
2. Group Counseling Class (the actual class time was enjoyable, I told you I wasn't going to complain about school)
3. Wednesday Night Meals-Fellow participants you know who you are.
4. Hotsprings, Arkansas
5. Winning a free DiamondJaxx ticket because of my mad bouncy ball hopping skillz.
6. A Bittersweet Memory...Jeep gone for a more reliable/gas friendly car.
7. Joesph tricking everyone into thinking he is going back to South Korea.

Well usually 10 is the appropriate number for a list like the one above, but since I go to a religious graduate school, 7 seems more appropriate for some reason. OK so I made that up, I could not think of any more. I am just a counseling student, I don't know anything about the exegesis of 7 or anything like that. But the number 7 is mentioned in Revelation alot though I hear.

Evidence for the Claim

Here is the much anticipated chess board, pieces bag, and man purse (I say it is european).


This is a pic of my little knitter and the outcome of her most challenging project. The work took over three months to complete. However, she managed to fit in a hat and two pair of socks during that time.

My wife can straight up KNIT

Erin does not know that I am posting this blog about her great skill for knitting, so do not think that she is trying to show off or anything. I have taken it upon myself to let the world know and see the craftsmanship of my wife. She has only been knitting about a year and a half, but as I have already mentioned she is quite proficient. She is also quite generous. Not only am I blessed with her first creation, a Murray State scarf, I have been lucky enough to have socks, a Christmas stocking, and if this picture uploads you will be able to see my favorite piece of knittage...the chess board. Also in this picture are the bags for the pieces and the bag to hold it all, which Erin calls my man purse (it is european). Hopefully someone caught that Seinfeld reference.
Anyways, the picture is not uploading so you will have to wait to see her glorious work at a later date.

Soccer Player Resurrected

From as long as I can remember up to age 18, I was a hardcore soccer player. I played all year long, outside soccer was not enough for me. I even played inside in the winter. Then high school graduation hit and I felt like I would never need a soccer ball again. I was burnt out. I passed up a chance to play for Murray State's club team. My sophmore year at MSU I decided to play intramural, but it was half-hearted. I only showed up to games when I felt like it. I quickly went back into retirement. I couldn't pass up a chance to come out of soccer retirement the next year, but to coach. It was not money that enticed me. I just wanted to donate my time selflessly. A sorority soccer team needed a coach, so I reluctantly agreed to do my best to guide the AOPi girls to a intramural championship. OK maybe it wasnt that selfless after all. I would like to add that this was before I was dating my wonderful wife who is so much smarter and better looking than any of those sorority chics.
So, after that you are probably wondering if I am ever going to get to the point. Well here it is. The World Cup was played this year in Germany. I couldn't drag myself away from the television when there was a game on. I became consumed with the whole thing. I was very disappointed with the US. Maybe even more disappointed with Zidane's head butt heard around the world, I was rooting for France when the US bit the dust.
Now I want to play everyday. I have played a few games with some guys from school. Ben and I have kicked around several times, even Erin played with me one day. I cannot get enough of it.
Soccer is so simple, yet you are always thinking. Other than halftime the game never stops. It takes skill and endurance and most of all teamwork. Those traits are what makes it the best sport on the planet, the "beatiful game" as they call it. Anyone with me?