God, Basketball Camp, Social Media and More...

Jrue signing autographs for the kids

This past week, we wrapped up our second annual Jrue Holiday Basketball Camp. By far, the highlight of our camp was the All Star Game we had for the kids. Having Jrue at camp each year is such a great blessing for the campers and my staff. He truly cares for the kids, and you can see the joy he gets from giving of himself to each and every child. Jrue took pictures with every camper – all 150 of them – then signed each picture, ensuring every child had quality time with him and a keepsake they will cherish forever.

If you have ever been in my office, you have seen the picture with me and Jordan... yes, Michael Jordan. I worked his basketball camp when I was in college, and that keepsake has kept my memory of that special moment alive to this day. This is the same gift that Jrue has given to all of our campers this week. I pray they will cherish it.

There is no way this blog can recreate the joy of our experience at camp or the excitement of the All Star Game, but I’ll tell you that we are considering selling tickets for admission to next year’s game... it was that good! Below are two videos from one of the most thrilling moments of that day – the same play actually, from two different angles – an “Eastbay off the backboard” dunk courtesy of Nick Young of the Washington Wizards and USC. Besides the degree of difficulty that makes this an amazing dunk, the number of hits for the first video on YouTube is almost as amazing – over 100,000 hits in only 5 days!

The number of hits on YouTube is incredible, and the blessing of this time with Jrue Holiday will be a wonderful memory – especially for the kids. However, the greatest part of camp was the spirit and attitude all the campers, coaches and players represented while they were on the court. We had NBA, International players, and Division I college athletes serving during the camp, and each one gave of themselves to the benefit of the children and the outreach that Shepherd Sports is trying to accomplish.

What God is doing within our midst and through this ministry is amazing. The relationships that were made through these servants hearts, the fellowship the children had with each other, the worship experience we all shared on the court, and the memories that all the participants will take with them – this is God. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit and He forms our human spirit so that we may give.

At Shepherd Sports, we continue to put all we do at His feet and watch the spectacular workings of God’s glory in all He does. Enjoy the videos.

…the land was radiant with his glory… Ezekiel 43:2

This video had over 100 thousand hits in 5 days

An HD video of the same dunk

How Life Often Imitates Sports

Anyone who plays sports will tell you that we crave the thrill of competition and the desire to push ourselves to be the best that we can be. Then our bones start to ache, and our desire to workout becomes more of a necessity rather than something we enjoy. Human nature pushes us to be the best, but as we get older, we realize that we are not the athletes we used to be - our dreams of becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist or a World Champion fade away.

Our adult sports program gives every athlete the chance to become a Champion again. Whether you watched your high school or college team from the sidelines, or you play a different sport everyday, a good sports league gives us all a chance to compete for the crown once again.

I know that my best days are behind me. However, the opportunity to compete and play with people who desire to push and test themselves is a challenge we want to continue to experience. Going through a season with your teammates is like going through the rollercoaster of life – we share the good times and we share the difficult times. These are the same turns we face in life.

Life often imitates sports, which is why I believe sports, in our country and throughout the world, are so popular. Sports bring people together. We get a chance to test ourselves, our talents, and our skills, against another team. As an athlete, you know that all the individuals on a team have to work together to be successful. We rely on each other to make defensive plays in the field, and we encourage each other to make the clutch hit or nail the winning free throw.

Just as in life and sports, we will have trying times as we grow in our faith. We will have exciting mountain top experiences, and we will encounter times when it seems like the whole world is against us, but God has called us to lean on one another as the church.

Through Shepherd Sports, we hope to encourage and nurture relationships - not just the ones that connect individuals together on a championship team - but one that brings every individual to the cross. To go through life knowing you have God in your corner is an exciting and amazing thing, and one where the ultimate crown is still attainable.

I’ll take my crown in Heaven over a gold medal or championship ring any day.

Jesus said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22