A Wild Wednesday

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.