Had a great day yesterday and wanted to document it somewhere before the memories fade...
Started much earlier than usual for me with a trip into the city for a 7:00 am Christian businessmen's meeting. I had been asked by one of the members to come along and share some of the stories of my sports ministry and mission but when I arrived I discovered that things hadn't really been set up for me to have any significant time with the group of about 12 guys. They were gracious enough to give me a couple of minutes before the study to distribute some AIA newsletters and prayer cards...and I did enjoy the Bible Study on "Mentoring"...but the highlight of the meeting for me was meeting (and subsequently networking with) one of the usual members who is a Catholic layman on a personal mission to engage Catholic businessmen in financial support of Christian mission. We "stayed after" for about an hour sharing our vision and passions with each other and I sensed a real bond with my forty-something brother. I trust the Lord will bring something from the "chance" meeting (or should I say "divinely orchestrated unknown appointment?)
Picked up (just after noon) with the weekly King's Bible Study at CJ's place..with CJ and Jason present. Jason's wife (Carla) joined us...and one of the other players who comes from time to time (his second meeting in a row). My new AIA colleague Jessica Blake was also able to attend. Jess is on her way up to Queensland for a fundraising promotional dinner next week at Southport Surf Life Saving Club. Anyhow, we were studying Galations 2:15-21 and once again marvelled in God's great grace towards us expressed so wonderously in Christ's death on our behalf...for our sins...that we might be justified. Glory!
After the study, Jason and CJ and I did some preliminary discussion on each of our roles at the upcoming "eXtreme tRaining arvo" that we are hosting for professional and elite sports personalities on 11 December. We are all excited about this and also talked a bit more about who is coming and who we still need to invite.
Had tea with Jess and Jan (Indian...well, it is true that my wife Jan does have some Indian blood in her past--as do I for that matter...but what I meant here was that we went out for Indian food!)...then dropped Jess off at the airport for the next leg of her trip...at the Legg's!
What a refreshing and inspiring co-worker God has provided for AIA Australia in the person of Jessica Blake!!! We are praying that God with raise up her financial support by the end of the year so that she can "get to work" full time with Australian women in sport. While she was here we also had a appointment with a committed Christian brother who is "high up" in a nationally franchised business that has shown financial support for women's causes in the past. He will be taking Jessica's need to the Christian owners of the company to see if they would like to "help"... so we are praying to that end.
After dropping Jess off, we hurried back to the Shire to one of the Bible Study and fellowship home groups run by our church. They had asked us to come and input on one of our favorite topics. We had decided to "tagteam" through the newly revised CCC booklet on how to be filled with and walk in the Spirit. As usual it proved to be a timely topic and stimulated a good and healthy discussion.
Almost collapsed on arrival home 15 hours after leaving. (This is definitely NOT a typical day for me so I don't want to give the wrong impression. In fact, it was so unusual that I even decided to take the time to write about it for a change.)
The funny thing is that after a very early "wake up yesterday" and a relatively late bedtime, my mind (if not my eyes) popped open at 6:00 am this morning with some great ideas that eventually motivated me to roll out of the sack at 6:30 to make some journal entries before I forgot everything I believe the Lord was trying to say to me!
But that's another story for another day.
Kings play Townsville tonight in Sydney marking (Coach) Brian Goorjian's 600th Professional Game. (His winning percentage over a 19-year NBL career is a stunning 69.8 per cent from a 417-181 win/loss record to go with his five championships from 10 grand finals.) I have written a special "blessing" for him which I intend to give him tonight. My prayer is that it will enrich him even more at this special milestone of his life and career.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Up close with CJ Bruton
It has been my privilege this year (in my fourth season as the Kings team chaplain) to lead a weekly "team" Bible Study with everyone invited (but most frequently attended by Jason and CJ). We had another player join us this week to see what it was like...I guess the real test of the value of the study to him is whether or not he comes again. He seemed to benefit from it...and enjoy it!
Occasionally Jason's wife is able to join us and she is a very welcome addition...a beauty amongst the beasts! CJ's wife is interested...and may join us when work allows. We are studying the book of Galations.
Anyhow, I am very proud of CJ this week. We have been talking and praying about using sports achievement as a platform for sharing the Good News of Jesus love and forgiveness with others. I shared earlier in this blog (in March, 2005) about Jason's journey with Jesus story in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (article still available at the Kings Website listed below...in the News and Events Tab--Media Release 145--written March 18, 2005).
This week the King's official website did a feature on CJ and actually printed at least some of what CJ had said about his faith.
The article appears on the Kings website ( www.sydneykings.com.au) entitled "CJ Bruton – The Son Also Rises" (which title is not in reference to "the other risen Son"...but to the fact that CJ's Dad was also a Hall of Fame Basketball Player in Australia). I have also copied the good bits (from my perspective) right here...
(CJ had an extremely attractive offer (financially) to play in Russia this year...) "However, he had already signed the NBL Proposed Player Payments form, which in effect tied him to the Kings for the next three seasons. Now, like (another player's name omitted), who signed the same form yet bolted for Europe once the Eurodollars were waved under his nose, Bruton could have dug his heels in and held out – especially once officials decided that the PPP form didn’t constitute a contract in their eyes.
But that wouldn’t have been the right or honourable thing to do, and when the Kings advised CJ they would hold him to the so-called ‘Heads of Agreement’, he accepted the decision. Yet, he admits it has been difficult at times.
“It’s been up and down, and there are days where it’s still a struggle”, he says. “But again, my family rallied around me, and it was my strong belief in the Lord that got me through it, that I realised that my path will be taken care of no matter what happens, that down the track something good would come of this”.
(CJ's)...been a part of some great teams and not so great, but the things that have characterised his outstanding nine-year career in the league are consistency and productivity. In Sydney, he’s become a leader of men, someone everyone looks up to as an example of what dedication and hard work can do.
CJ is a committed Christian, and his family is incredibly important to him, especially his wife Jessica. He can’t say enough of what she means to him, both on and off the floor.
“She’s like the backbone”, he says. “She has such a great heart, and she’s been the one who really has brought both my family and her family together. She’s always keeping me on the right path, reminding me that the Lord has given me this opportunity. I rely on my family so much to get me through the tough moments and also be there to cherish the good times”.
Blessings "on ya" CJ!!!
CJ and Jason have both been accepted on our national team squad (the Boomers) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, 2006. I'm praying that they will continue to walk closely to the Lord...and find opportunity to "talk the walk" whenever possible. That they will be strategic infuencers of our culture for our Lord Jesus.
Occasionally Jason's wife is able to join us and she is a very welcome addition...a beauty amongst the beasts! CJ's wife is interested...and may join us when work allows. We are studying the book of Galations.
Anyhow, I am very proud of CJ this week. We have been talking and praying about using sports achievement as a platform for sharing the Good News of Jesus love and forgiveness with others. I shared earlier in this blog (in March, 2005) about Jason's journey with Jesus story in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (article still available at the Kings Website listed below...in the News and Events Tab--Media Release 145--written March 18, 2005).
This week the King's official website did a feature on CJ and actually printed at least some of what CJ had said about his faith.
The article appears on the Kings website ( www.sydneykings.com.au) entitled "CJ Bruton – The Son Also Rises" (which title is not in reference to "the other risen Son"...but to the fact that CJ's Dad was also a Hall of Fame Basketball Player in Australia). I have also copied the good bits (from my perspective) right here...
(CJ had an extremely attractive offer (financially) to play in Russia this year...) "However, he had already signed the NBL Proposed Player Payments form, which in effect tied him to the Kings for the next three seasons. Now, like (another player's name omitted), who signed the same form yet bolted for Europe once the Eurodollars were waved under his nose, Bruton could have dug his heels in and held out – especially once officials decided that the PPP form didn’t constitute a contract in their eyes.
But that wouldn’t have been the right or honourable thing to do, and when the Kings advised CJ they would hold him to the so-called ‘Heads of Agreement’, he accepted the decision. Yet, he admits it has been difficult at times.
“It’s been up and down, and there are days where it’s still a struggle”, he says. “But again, my family rallied around me, and it was my strong belief in the Lord that got me through it, that I realised that my path will be taken care of no matter what happens, that down the track something good would come of this”.
(CJ's)...been a part of some great teams and not so great, but the things that have characterised his outstanding nine-year career in the league are consistency and productivity. In Sydney, he’s become a leader of men, someone everyone looks up to as an example of what dedication and hard work can do.
CJ is a committed Christian, and his family is incredibly important to him, especially his wife Jessica. He can’t say enough of what she means to him, both on and off the floor.
“She’s like the backbone”, he says. “She has such a great heart, and she’s been the one who really has brought both my family and her family together. She’s always keeping me on the right path, reminding me that the Lord has given me this opportunity. I rely on my family so much to get me through the tough moments and also be there to cherish the good times”.
Blessings "on ya" CJ!!!
CJ and Jason have both been accepted on our national team squad (the Boomers) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, 2006. I'm praying that they will continue to walk closely to the Lord...and find opportunity to "talk the walk" whenever possible. That they will be strategic infuencers of our culture for our Lord Jesus.
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