Come on Dawg!

Have found some difficulty in writing recently due to working through Coaching changes in college football impacting personal friends. Finally feeling well enough to begin writing again.

I found it disturbing to read the Fox analyst's comments about Michael Vick.
Tucker Carlson said: ""I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances," Carlson said on the show. "But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did [it] in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that." Come on "dawg"!

Should the Apostle Paul been executed for murdering Christians? Acts 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

As we move toward another year be confident that His grace is sufficient for thee and that God does desire to redeem broken people and use them for His purposes. Dog fighters, prostitutes, drug addicts, drunks,etc used for the Gospel. I am thankful that when I came to the cross, Jesus forgave me for so many bad decisions and gave me a new life. Jesus was executed for us, no need for Mike Vick to be executed.

I am hearing #7 is growing in Christ and if that is true he has been forgiven. The Apostle Paul took care of writing most of the New Testament for us, what if he was executed for killing Christians? As an Eagles fan I am praying for Michael Vick on the field but more importantly I am praying God would fill him and use his testimony to further the Gospel of the Kingdom.

What about you in 2011? What has you doubting God could ever use you?
If God saved Paul and used him , he desires to use you. Stop procrastinating.

Make it a great night!
Coach C

God Sized Opportunity

We will never forget two journeys to the frozen tundra of Whitewater Wisconsin. The first occasion the footing caused men to resemble "Bambi" when Wesley players visited the field for pregame and a boisterous crowd sang all day long as Whitewater dominated WC. Similar environment the second visit with better footing but unfortunately same result, a convincing victory for UWW.

Scripture says: "Heb 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." It was difficult to see God through the tears and disappointment(picture after UWW Final Four loss). Imagine Job's courage in seeing God in his adversity "Job 13: 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Many hopes and dreams were slain on the frozen tundra but God has allowed another day and another opportunity.

It has been encouraging hearing from so many previous Wesley players and their sense of gratitude for the road that they paved and the 2010 team's opportunity. It was also encouraging to be in the end zone of those defeats as Coach Drass spoke prophetic words over the departing players and the returning players about the hope he had for the team and their desired destination. I have heard former DSU Coach Lavan say "Just look down and you will see you are standing on the shoulders of someone".

The shoulders current Wesley players are standing on are accomplished soldiers who believed in arriving at the destination. They also represent the revival years of Wesley Football. I remember seeing as many as 40 players in Football Chapel before the games in those days. I will never forgot the Chapel in Wisconsin attended by Dr. Mucskojo and Dr. Miller when we all piled into the hotel conference room.

God is always working and is always working a perfect plan. "Romans 8:28 God works for the good of those who love Him." God was working for the good of the character development of the men that suffered those defeats. Those defeats have given us hope for Saturday. Regardless if your situation know that God is always working.

Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

"Oh no he didnt"

"2 Chronicles 7: 14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Last week proved to be a challenging week for me personally. My friends, Coach Mike Drass and Coach Al Lavan (will write about Al in next blog), found themselves in the midst of adversity. It deeply saddened me to read about the Wesley players being arrested and to receive a call from Coach Lavan regarding his termination. Unfortunately, the media gravitates toward the negative side of sports.

Wesley Football was the first college relationship of our FCA ministry 5 years ago. Coach provides and encourages opportunities for players and Coaches to grow and seek help. Did you know Coach Drass organized a dinner with FCA for the 15 closest friends of the young man who committed suicide a month ago for them to heal?

Did you know Wesley athletes & Coaches have been a part of our summer discipleship program since its inception? Did you know there are two Bible study opportunities for athletes on campus? Did you know 6 former Wesley athletes attended our regional Coaches Conference last year? Did you know FCA serves Wesley Basketball, Lacrosse and Baseball teams? Did you know Wesley Field Hockey had a Chapel with Joann Kenton (Wesley Hall of Famer)prior to their playoff game? Did you know WC Football Cheerleaders pray before and after every game?

In the midst of all the Wesley Football accomplishments over 5 years, 2 Chron 7:14 has been a spiritual pillar of the program. Win or lose, Wesley prays before and after every game. The attached picture is Mike Clarke praying after Whitewater beat us at their house, imagine the courage of warriors humbling themselves and praying after getting their you know what whipped. I remember seeing Mike Clarke crying his heart out on the bench as the clock ran out and then moments later leading the guys in prayer.

While many college age kids were still in bed yesterday, a group of Wesley College Football players gathered for the hearing of God's Word at 7:15 a.m. Faith comes by hearing. What a beautiful thing to see young people in the presence of God. We talked about holiness, the Gospel and the refining of Gideon's team this week.

Some of the young men who were arrested have recently been pursuing spiritual guidance, and we must remember their sin is no different than our sin in God's eyes. Some want to yell "crucify them crucify them" when we read about athletes in the paper. We are working with Coach Drass to be available to love those young men as well as initiating additional preventative ministry for the other players.

A half hour after Football Chapel we deliver God's word to the entire team and Coaches in the Cafeteria, pray a blessing over them, then pray the Lord's prayer together with the team. This moment is energizing. We sometimes stereotype a program and their leaders by what we read in the paper.

Two weeks ago we sang "Lean on me" together four hours before kick off. The energy, spirit, unity and diversity in the cafeteria that morning was amazing. Initiated by Coach Drass, Wesley utilizes skype when the team is away to receive a message from the team football Chaplain (Anthony Morris). On Thursday nights before road trips, FCA delivers a 2 minute drill (message) and prayer. The dominating Wesley defense prays on the field with Anthony before their first and last series.

Countless college athletes have been impacted for Jesus over five years. In spite of the 2010 adversity that Wesley Football has experienced, many Kingdom victories have been won. Pray for Wesley and all college athletes, you will likely never read about what Jesus is doing at our schools but our enemies accomplishments will always be printed. We can be confident our enemy is the loser and Jesus is winning.

When you think of Wesley College think positively because if the devil was not being beaten down and ground was not being taken, he would not be on the prowl. If we are not having spiritual attacks, than the devil has us right where he wants us.

I told the entire team yesterday, wearing John Wesley's name across your chest should impact them. When John Wesley would preach to thousands, a warning would go forth to get people out of the trees because the power and presence of God was going to come so strong. So may it be with Wesley Football!

Pray on Wesley! Heal their land God!
Make it a great day!
Coach C

Surrender

"Matt 28:19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The day before the drama unfolded on an overcast, rainy eventually sunny 112 mile bike and more so at mile two of the marathon portion of the 2006 Ironman (see previous post), Jay Fetterman (FCA Board member) went all in at Lake Placid in his faith. Pastor Derek Spain and I had the blessing of baptizing Jay after the Iron Prayer service the night before the race (picture above).

As competitors, we invest all in performing and equipment to achieve dreams, accomplish goals and find purpose. Jay said when he completed Ironman Florida in 2004 he was looking for purpose but still felt empty after the race. 500 hours of training and 12.5 hours of racing for the Ironman medal but empty. We do not hold back for the accomplishments we desire but we often hold our "spiritual hand."

Jay gave his life to Christ after Fla IM and then publicly acknowledged his inward commitment by following in believer's baptism at Lake Placid. Identified with the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The journey of faith is not always about personal bests. Jay less than 24 hours following baptism was relying on the power of God to finish the race. William Booth once said, "The greatness of a man's power is in the measure of his surrender."

We witnessed Jay's measure of surrender when he was immersed in water and then God's power allowing Jay to suffer well and finish his second Ironman. What a test of faith after such a spiritual landmark (baptism).

How about you? what is holding you back from going all in spiritually? I remember when fear kept me from baptism. So grateful I was immersed in 2004, our lives have not been the same since. Never let yourself stand in the way of what God has and holds for you.

Make it a great night!
Coach C