Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Fight Against Cancer...Champs


BACK ROW: Alfonzo, Kareem, Sidney, Me, Idel
FRONT ROW: Mike, Rolo, Cesar

This past weekend I was invited to play in the 2nd Annual Fight Against Cancer Basketball Tournament. I was reluctant at first since the weekends are usually my time to get away from sports and hang with the fam. However, my inner child couldn't help but get excited about playing basketball all weekend.

What my inner child doesn't realize is that my body is in its 30's and doesn't like to play that much basketball. However, the inner child won out as I ended up playing six games in less than 48 hours. After getting beat by 40 in the first game, I was doubting what I had gotten myself into. I give a lot of credit to these seven guys on my team because after that blowout, our team really hit a nice stride and we came back and won the whole tournamnet. We redeemed ourselves by beating the two best teams, including the team that had beat us by 40 in the opening game.

I am only now getting over the soreness from the weekend. I want to thank all the guys for letting this old man run with the young guns. It was a fun weekend that reminded me why I love sports so much, and although the winning is fun, it's ultimately the commraderie and friendships that are being formed when everyone is striving for the same goal. We were not the most talented in this tournament, but we by far played the best team ball and it showed as we beat teams much more athletic and skilled than us.

Monday, March 30, 2009

100,000 Miles...


How often do you see that

My little car or "my beater" as I like to call it, hit the 100,000 miles this past weekend. I don't know why but this seemed like a cool moment as I drove from my house in Simi Valley up over the hill into L.A. where "my beater" right at sunset conquered this cool milestone.

My little car has been quite the blessing over the last couple years. A few years ago, my mechanic said we needed to replace the transmission; but without the funds to pay for it we starting praying that God would take care of the car. The mechanic said the car wouldn't last another couple months without a new transmission but God took care of that car for over a year until we saved up enough money to get it fixed.

It is easy to lose God and His glory when were not looking for it. Be faithful in prayer and watch for God to work miracles in your life. Just like the little beater that could.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Fall Basketball Champs

B League CHAMPS

A League CHAMPS

C League CHAMPS

We just finished another successful season of Men's Basketball. Congrats to all the Champs and their captains. It is always sad to see a great season come to an end, but while one season ends it means another season is right around the corner. Our Summer League starts in May. If you want to hoop with us this summer, sign up soon as our summer league fills up fast. Congrats again to the CHAMPS this fall.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Last weekend...

I want to thank Tony Toven at Clear Image Printing for the wonderful job he and his staff did on our Youth Booklet. For those who were in church this last weekend, you should have received a Youth Sports Booklet in your bulletin. Thanks Tony for your generous heart and the awesome booklet you created! I also have to thank our in-house graphic artist Rick Robledo. Rick works behind the scenes to help us in a lot of different areas. Our ministry wouldn't be what it is today with out people like Tony and Rick. Thanks guys!

If you missed church this past weekend, you missed not only getting the Youth Booklet but yours truly up on stage giving announcements. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be in front of this awesome church to share about the Sports Ministry and what we've been up to, as well as our future plans. It is amazing to see the response and hear from different people about how they have been affected by the Sports Ministry. I am so grateful for such a wonderful church and wonderful people who are involved within this ministry.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Join us...



I am overwhelmed with the joy of God's abundant Blessings. As I prepare for this years Golf Tournament, I am blessed as I look around at all the people God has brought into the Sports Ministry. We have men and women from all backgrounds and all walks of life who step up and serve with joyous hearts for the Lord. I am honored to have these people in my life and more important privileged to have them serve at Shepherd Sports.

I just want to thank everyone who serves in this ministry, for their service to what God has placed on my heart. To reach and disciple people for Christ through sports. I pray for you daily and hope we never loose sight that what we do is "MORE THAN A GAME"

As we get ready for this year big fundraising Golf Tournament I continue to pray for those that don't have a place to serve that you might come and join us this Monday at Shepherd of the Hills at 6:30pm in room 111 and see how you might get involved in sharing Jesus through sports.