Hi u 2,

Below is a letter I sent to a couple I've been counseling. This letter initially started off as an update to everything this couple has been going through...however, after re-reading the letter I though it would be good to share. It is a reminder for me and all of us to be conscious in the things God is doing in and through our lives everyday. Im praying you will be encouraged as you read. 

Hi u 2,

I enjoyed our time last night and hearing about how God is moving in each one of you. I am excited to see what God has in store for you individually and together as you bring your son up in the way of the Lord. Although we don't have a set meeting time to get together again…I want you both to feel free to call or email with any concerns or problems. You must realize our relationship with God requires a effort everyday. We CAN NOT let our guard down. We must pick up God's word everyday and strive to improve and draw closer to Him. I promise that you will have difficult days ahead…I don't say this  to discourage you, but to prepare you. It is how you respond to these difficult times that will make or break your relationship with God and with each other. Strive to be better, die to yourself each day and be sure to do never give up…no matter how bad things may seem. Seeking what God has for your life will never leave you feeling empty. You have a new freedom in Christ as you seek this re-commitment to God…don't be held down by the things of this world or old traps that used to set you back. 

Of course, all these things are easier said then done. However, with God and a heart that seeks after Him…all things are possible. It is through the trails of life and our most difficult times that we grow the most. Just look at the last month as you struggled with each other and now through hard work and your commitment to God and each other, you have come out stronger on the other side. It is within these difficult times that we learn to make the proper decisions and show God our faith and love for Him. Simple, yes…but it is something that must be executed to see real growth in God and His plan for your life.

I am praying for you both…as you embark on this new commitment to God, His word and plan for your life. Take one day at a time and strive to better each one. Whether you realize it or not, your re-dedication to the Lord is a monumental decision in your life and one that should not be taken lightly. Im proud of the steps you've taken and the growth I've already seen in each of you. I am excited to hear of the miraculous things God is going to do in the months and years ahead.

In Love,

Josh

A little comedy :)

Key & Peele

Everyday at Shepherd Sports is different. From the people you meet, to the production crew renting out the gym. A couple weeks ago we had a group rent out the gym to do an internet spot for the brand Jordan. Key & Peele a comedy duo who have a show on Comedy Central were awesome guests and a pleasure to have on campus.

The final video was hilarious and made for a great day at the office. They shot for the entire day and only came out with a two minute video. Its amazing what goes on behind the scenes and the money involved for these video shorts. Ive included the original video and also a quick video I shoot from my phone...the audio is hard to hear but you can see the production value they put into the shoot. Enjoy.

A night worth remembering...

We have come to the end of another year with our Shepherd Sports family - and what a year it was!

A couple weeks ago, we came together with many of our leaders and volunteers to share our appreciation for their hearts to serve this ministry and to share our vision for 2013. This annual event is also a special time in that it gives us an opportunity to come together to break bread and share our vision with the leaders who serve so diligently all year. 

At our Christmas event, we also had an opportunity to experience the comedy of Fishes N Loaves, an interactive improve group that provided great entertainment and fellowship for all of us! We are grateful to them for their time and their friendship with our church family!

This year we also shared this time with Pastor Dudley to honor him for his 25 years of ministry here at Shepherd of the Hills Church. As a sports ministry, we are so blessed to have a senior pastor that supports our mission here - to reach those who do not know the gospel of Christ through the common bond of sports. We are blessed to have Dudley's vision and support of what we do at Shepherd Sports. 

It is an honor to serve at this church and am blessed to have people that believe in me and the things we're doing for the Kingdom through Sports Ministry. I am thankful for the many people who have served or are currently doing ministry through Shepherd Sports. It has been a full 7 years since God brought me to Shepherd and I can't wait to plan, prepare and work through the next 7...and beyond. 

An old Church pic before the Family Life Center

A worldview perspective...

Our first born...Donovan

I'm currently wrapping up my Masters program at Hope International University. Lord willing, I'll obtain my Masters in Ministry before the year 2013 ends. Below is an excerpt from a paper I wrote in a Worldview class. I am often private with personal things, but I feel that this paper has some insight on where I've been and where I'm headed. It involves my ministry, my history, my family and my future. I challenge you as you read to think of your worldview and how it fits with God's Word. Enjoy :)

           To discover one’s own worldview is to find himself with a stronger understanding of his own history and life perspective.  I have been challenged by my own worldview, as I look deeper to understand where I came from, why I do what I do, and what consequences arise from my underlying perspective of the world. Looking back from my childhood, through my college years, and into my new life with Christ, many of my personal views on life, culture, and religion have been transformed as I have grown in my faith and my maturity as an adult, husband, and father.

            I accepted Christ into my life shortly after college, and as a result, much of what I thought to be true in and of this world changed. Insomuch as my belief in God, His word, the Holy Spirit set me free from a false perspective of life I had as a teenager and young adult, I know that my life before becoming a Christian has helped shape and mold me into the person I am today. Through study and prayer, I have found God’s word to be true. Jesus was a real person, sent from Heaven as God’s Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). God is love (1 John 4:16), sovereign and omniscient (Revelation 22:13). God created the universe and everything in it (Genesis 1:1). God sits outside of time and space (Psalm 139), and we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). For me there is no denying that God is the Creator of all.

My life has been filled with some amazing people and experiences, and my parents have been the greatest source of influence and support in my life. Although I rejected God in my teenage and college years, my parents raised me a Christian home where I was shown real love and support in all I did. I saw a godly example of love and parenting in their marriage, and I continue to lean on their example as a husband and father. I look back at how I was raised and know I am truly blessed by the sacrifices my parents made for me, and I am eternally grateful for their love as I try to emulate that same spirit with my own family.

One of the characteristics I developed over the course of my life was a strong sense of individuality. I believe this trait is not just a result of my upbringing, but also the influence of our culture today, and I have found that my individualism often contradicts my biblical beliefs. Over time my human condition has been trained to be independent, even though my faith’s commands that I rely on God.

My caddie (Charles) on the course and in life!

The work ethic instilled in me by my parents and my sense of doing and accomplishing things on my own has always been strong - thus making it difficult to acknowledge that I need help or that I should be helping others along the way. I live on deadlines, getting things done and accomplishing things that represent me in a good light, and while that ideal works well in this fast-paced Southern California lifestyle, it isn’t really the kind of Christ-minded, self-sacrificing lifestyle God expects from us. As a result, I have attempted to change much of what comes naturally to me, not only for myself, but for my family and His ministry.

The term “selfishness” would sum up the over-arching theme that is described above, and it is what I believe is killing our country. This is a very individualistic and materialistic culture we live in, but my goal is to change myself so I will more readily line my self up to God’s word and fulfill the mission He has set before me.

            Sports have always been a part of my life and from a very early age, I always had a ball in my hands. I exceled at a number of different team sports, and while playing football, basketball, and baseball in high school, I received accolades and ultimately a scholarship to play basketball in college. Playing team sports my whole life has definitely given me a sense of team and unity, however, my accomplishments became my identity. Having now found Christ, I try more and more to detach my self-worth from my success as an athlete, and work more towards becoming the man God created me to be.

This lifestyle of playing collegiate sport and professional basketball has shaped and challenged me in many ways. The basketball culture and worldview from a professional athlete standpoint is very different then the one I hold today. Having found God and my identity in Him, I have been able to release a lot of the individualism and selfishness I once held. I no longer need to set myself apart on the basketball court, as I’m now a man who sees and uses his athletic abilities as a tool to share God’s great news of eternal life.

            Playing team sports and excelling as an individual has taught me many valuable lessons and provided great opportunities, but my view of these wonderful experiences has changed over the years. Yes, I worked hard, but the gifts I received in these opportunities were not ‘achieved’ on my own but given from above. My changed perspective has shaped my current worldview including why I do what I do for a living.

            Working in a church is about the furthest thing I would have ever considered as a job when I was young, and I know this blessing can only be from God. My job as a sports pastor is to infuse the power of God’s love into our community through the common bond of sports. One of the main components we strive for through this ministry is to create a Christ-centered environment where everyone in our community (of all faiths) has the opportunity to build relationships, fellowship, and learn more about God. Our goal is to break down the walls of the culture around us by discipling other believers to become leaders within this ministry and outside the walls of our church. Through all my life experiences, I believe the Lord was preparing me for this role even before I had a personal relationship with Him, and while our sports ministry very much has its own worldview and culture, it is my goal to help others find the proper balance between their love of sports and God’s leading in their lives.

Striving to put all things before God...all the time. 

I do not assume to always be in line with God’s word. However, it is my desire to constantly grow and align my purpose to His will for my life. This goes for my family life as I am called to be the spiritual leader of my household, and my leadership role within my ministry. I know how lost a man can be, and my passion now revolves around my worldview that one day we all have to give an account to God. It is because of this that I don’t want to see anyone miss an opportunity to make a decision for Christ. It is through God’s mercy and grace that I found a relationship with Him, and I believe He’s given me this desire and ministry to help others also know His grace.

            I have seen the other side of life without Christ, a view surrounded by individualism and materialism. I have tried living life without God, but I now know God’s amazing grace and transformative power. I understand His greatest gift, which is an eternity with Him for all who believe. Life is but a snap of the fingers in comparison to eternity, and it is this fact that fuels my focus to help others have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I live in faith that God is real, and He is the Creator who gives us all we need. The Church is His bride and we are being prepared and perfected for His return when He will make all things new (Revelation 21:5). I am so thankful that God has changed my worldview and I am honored to serve Him with my life.

A Fathers Pray!

I am thankful for so many things in my life and have been blessed in more ways than I can count. However, just over four years ago I was blessed with my first child...A boy named Donovan. He continues to be a great source of joy and love in my life. He keeps me on my toes and stretches me to be a better man and father. I pray for my family often and this prayer helps sum the love and desires I have for my son and my self as a father.

The General’s Prayer: by General Douglas MacArththur

"Build me a son, oh Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

"Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee, and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.

"Here let him learn to stand up to the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail. Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

"And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

"Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.’"

Share your STORY!

This past weekend I had a chance to share some of my testimony along with Mike Penberthy (former Laker) at a Charity game in Santa Barbara. It got me to thinking about how every believer has a story...a story about how God changed them and this post is to get us thinking about how powerful that story can be. 

Sharing our faith can be a difficult task sometimes. We’re living in a time where ‘freedom of speech’ is really only ‘freedom of socially-acceptable speech’, and those who have differing beliefs often times find themselves defending their rights and sometimes their lives.

On a personal level, we might sometimes feel apprehensive or shy about sharing our faith, God’s word, or what Jesus has done in our lives because we don’t consider ourselves evangelists or bible scholars.

As a believer, we must never forget what God has done in our lives. Our testimonies, our experiences – you are a living, breathing example of God’s faithfulness and grace. No one can deny what God has done and how He has blessed your life. In all the good times and through all the trials and difficult times you have had, God has always been present and He has constantly been moving and molding you through those experiences. 

Take some time to be with God. Think about your life and document – whether mentally, verbally, or on paper – your life experiences and how God has saved and shaped who you are today. Be able to articulate those experiences and recognize not just when, but how God has been present in your life. 

Once you see for yourself the life God has paved for you – how He has changed you, how He has brought you through life’s storms, and how He has redeemed you – be ready and willing to share your story and let God use you to bless the lives of others.

Let God’s presence in you be the evidence that He is alive and waiting to bless others. 'Matthew 28:19'

Our newest member...

Shepherd Sports is growing once again! Wendell Campbell has joined our team as the Adult Sports Coordinator, and we thought we would share a little bit about Wendell with you!

We sat down with Wendell as he shared about his life, faith, and what it means to be part of the Shepherd Sports family. Hope you enjoy!

 I was privileged to marry Wendell and his new bride earlier this year.

What is your family background?

I grew up with my mom because my parents separated when I was about 2 years old. I didn’t see my father because he was a truck driver and was away a lot.

Who most influenced you in your faith growing up?

When I was younger, I went to church with my grandmother. My great-aunt was an angel in human form – her passion for Christ was a great influence on my father, and he eventually accepted Christ around the time when I was in middle school. I grew up hearing my family accusing him of abuse, and they often referred to him as the “right hand of Satan”. In spite of this, my father became my greatest influence for God. To see his transformation in Christ revealed to me the power of God. I learned that no matter what you’ve gone through, He can pull you through it. In spite of what my family said about my father, I saw what God did for him, through him, and I tried to make good choices in my life because of my dad’s experience.

You spent most of your childhood with your mom. How did she influence your life?

I think a lot of my personality comes from my mom. Even though she, like my dad, had drug and alcohol problems, she was an inspiration to me. She was a single mom, my provider, my nurturer, and she was my friend. She’s made a lot of mistakes in her life, as we all have, but I have a great relationship with her. She has made some bad choices, but as she has persevered, I have started to see her in a different light. She has accepted Christ into her life and was baptized at Shepherd. She has a different attitude about life, and I think through our lives together, I have become a better man because of her and she is becoming a better woman in Christ.

When did you accept Christ into your life?

I accepted Christ and was baptized when I was in middle school. I had good influences at home in the ways of the Lord, but I was a typical, rebellious teenager and I felt like my life was a tug of war between living for Christ and living in the world. Around the time I was in 9^th grade, I talked to my dad and told him I wanted to live with him. I missed my dad for a better part of my childhood, but ultimately he became my teacher and the source of my encouragement to grow in my faith. My dad taught me what it meant to be a true Christian according to God’s word. I truly believe the way he taught me was how Jesus must have taught his disciples in his day.

How did you end up at Shepherd?

A friend of mine from middle school invited me here. I had visited other churches at that time, but eventually found my church home at Shepherd and have been coming here for about 3½ years.

You and Amanda are engaged to be married. How did you meet and how long have you known each other?

Amanda and I met in January 2009 through mutual friends, close friends from high school. After meeting, we realized we had met once several years earlier but hadn’t recognized each other at the time. We became friends and spent some time at the gym playing basketball. She is good. I am terrible. We saw each other at a few different get-togethers with friends and actually starting coming to church at Shepherd together.

How did you get involved in the sports ministry?

Probably the third time Amanda and I came to church together, Matt was in the lobby talking to everyone about the missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Amanda was passionate about going on this trip, but I really had no interest in going. My heart just wasn’t into this missions trip and I was trying not to get too involved with Matt talking about it, but we started talking basketball and the rest is pretty much history.

So Amanda went on the missions trip? Did her experience on that trip impact your relationship?

Yes, and she came back on fire for God. Her heart and her experience on that missions trip set the tone for our relationship going forward. At that time, I was coming to church but I hadn’t completely surrendered myself to the Lord. That tug of war was still there in my heart, but when Amanda came back, things changed drastically. Some were good changes and some were difficult, but we decided to have a relationship based on the Biblical values and commandments that God has given to us. We made it a priority to honor God as a couple and He has given us so many rewards as a result.

How has your relationship with Amanda changed?

We made a deliberate choice to change our attitudes and our behavior. We served in the sports ministry and surrounded ourselves with Godly friends. We put Christ first in our lives and asked him for discernment in our lives, and uncompromising spirit in our hearts, and He has in return given us peace. We have no stress in our relationship and there is no arguing.

What do your friends think about this change, and how has your life influenced these friendships?

They have noticed a change in us, and I can tell that some of our friends want to ask and some just don’t know what to say. Maybe they’re afraid of hearing the answer if they do? I don’t hide that I’ve decided to have a relationship with Christ. Amanda and I don’t hide that He is the foundation of our relationship. We try to include our friends in our life with invitations to the Passion Play for example, and we try not to impose, but we do share our faith. Amanda and I are still growing in our faith, and our walk with Christ, but we do reach out to them so they know the blessings that we’ve received.

Is it difficult to have friends that are not believers?

One of the things that I learned from my mother is to stand for what I believe in. I don’t really care what people think of me because she gave me the courage to have convictions. One of my favorite sayings is, “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not” (Andre Gide). I know I will be ridiculed for my faith, but that will not discourage me from doing the right thing according to God’s word.

What was your work experience before you came to Shepherd Sports?

I had a few different jobs, but I primarily worked in the entertainment industry. I was a production assistant for a while then later become and assistant director. Law enforcement was really my passion, but in thinking ahead to having a family, this career probably wasn’t the best choice even though it would pay well and have great benefits.

When did the idea of come to mind for you to go into full-time ministry?

I volunteered in the sports ministry for 3 years, and I thought it was cool to have a place where I could talk about God with people. Serving was very important to me and I felt a tug on my heart that the entertainment industry or law enforcement was enough. When I couldn’t serve at church, I felt like something was missing from my life.

What do you do in the sports ministry?

Matt and I became friends and he really encouraged me along the way. I started out part-time as a basketball coordinator and started to see how great it could be to do God’s work.

How did you decide to leave your career and come to work in the sports ministry?

I prayed. I prayed that God would give me the wisdom to follow His lead and direction for my life. Amanda and I would be starting our lives together so I was reserved about what this change would mean for our finances and our plans for the future. Amanda was 100% supportive and she thought this would be a great avenue for me to grow as a man of God and who I needed to be for our family. I am dumbfounded that I can be here and do this work for God’s Kingdom. It is a blessing what he’s done for me and what he continues to do for me.

What do you want to accomplish in your role at Shepherd Sports?

I want to be able to influence others. I want to better myself and become a light for Christ. I was to pour into others, the love that He has given me, and be a blessing in their lives.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Sports as a tool!

Often times it’s the staff that gets credit when something goes off without a hitch in the sports ministry… However, its rarely the case, and today I want to share about the one of our wonderful leaders that breathe life into the ministry every day. She’s one of those people that believe in what we’re doing as a ministry and committed to serving and using the ministry how it was designed.

I have yet to find a sport that actually saved someone of their sin and it is this thought that often keeps people from thinking sports belong in the church. I’m here to tell you it can be the biggest tool the church has.

• Sports gives people an opportunity to get involved and serve in a capacity that people can relate to.
• Sports can engage people who would otherwise would never step foot inside a church building.
• Sports can give you a chance to connect with people you may not otherwise meet.
• Sports give you the avenue to reach those around you who don’t know Christ.

I am blessed with hundreds of people within our ministry that dedicate some time out of their daily lives to serve, and I want to introduce you to one. Her name is Mariann McDonell, and she has been around Shepherd Sports so long I can’t remember a time without her. She has been faithful to serve and has committed to using her God-given passion, for health and fitness and leading others, for his kingdom through this ministry.

Mariann heads up our Run/Walk Club, and she has engages this group with an enthusiasm and love for them that we desire in all our leaders. She encourages new leaders in the ministry, and seeks out encouragement in areas of training where she needs additional support. It is always a joy to see this group huddled up on Saturday morning praying under the parking structure and driving home on a Wednesday night as 20 or more people are leaving our church campus for a run together.

Our Run/Walk Club just finished another event last week, and they had 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon participants. We had one first place finisher, two-second place finishers and one-third place finisher within their age groups.

The spirit of this group is love and sacrifice, two things that we always want people to see when they enter a Shepherd Sports program. Our ministry is blessed to have Mariann and so many other people like her. Below is an email Mariann sent out to her crew before their last event. It shows her dedication and commitment to these people.

Hello Team Shepherd!! 

Well......it's almost here!  This Saturday, we will meet at Church (t-shirts are in!!!!), Wednesday again at Church and then.......Saturday the 23rd, we will not be training....but......if you want to carpool to the expo, we will meet at the parking structure at 1:30.  We can pick up our packets and check out the course! 

Please plan on Saturday evening church service as Sunday will be a great day to stay and cheer on our 1/2 marathoners as well!  Bring your friends and family for a fantastic day! 

Race day, we will meet at the parking structure at 5:30am and carpool to the event.  Anyone who wants to drive themselves are free to do so.  We will try to meet close to the registration booth.  Shouldn't be hard to miss all the red shirts!!! 

Love the dedication and all the great fellowship in this group!

See ya tomorrow! 

We are thankful for Mariann and ALL of our leaders at Shepherd Sports. You make our mission come alive and fulfill God’s word through your service. 

Digging beyond STEWARDSHIP

Hitting some BIG drives to support our Scholarship Fund

Over the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on the idea and word "Stewardship". I prepared a devotional last week for our monthly staff meeting, and thought I would share it with you. I am grateful for all I have, and strive to do what God's called me to do with everything He’s given me. Am I perfect in this? NO WAY, but don't miss the point – we need to strive for a higher level of integrity and responsibility, not only in the choices we make for ourselves but how we use the resources and gifts that God has given us. Hope you enjoy :)

When you think of stewardship, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Many of us will think first of money or tithing, and many references in God’s word to being a good steward or exercising faithful stewardship is related to financial giving. However, finances are not the only area where God expects us to be good stewards. Stewardship is directly connected to what we know about who God is, what he’s given us, and how that knowledge shapes our lives.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

We belong to God, and everything in this world also belongs to him. Only He can claim ownership over all, but that does not surrender our responsibility for taking care of those gifts while we have use of them.

Our treasures, talents, and the opportunities we have in this life are all God-given gifts, and how we use those gifts determine not only if we make good decisions in this life, but whether or not we honor God with our faithfulness in those decisions.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Think about the blessings in your life for a moment. Maybe you have your ‘dream’ job or you have a family and are raising children. Maybe you are in a financial position to never worry about paying your bills and providing for your family. What do you do with these blessings? Are you grateful or do you complain? Do you recognize that the Lord has given you these gifts, or do you praise yourself for all your ‘hard work’? Do you keep these fruits to yourself or do you make it a priority to bless others with what you have?

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

There is an excellence that is expected of us as followers of Christ – in everything we do, down to the very being of who we are. This isn’t something we can pretend to accomplish or claim to be – there is a genuineness in our hearts that comes with living in His grace. With that grace comes great responsibility and high expectations, but ultimately, it becomes a joyfulness that is reflected through our stewardship.