Some more randomness

So, I have a confession. I am Newsboys fan. It is hard to admit, but there it is. Okay, maybe not all of their stuff, but some of it is wonderful. Like this, from The Tide:
"there is courage for the simple man
to the holders of secrets and scars
learning to stand with reaching arms
we'll wait till the very last
no matter what will be
you're always good
always good to me"

Now that that is out of the way. It has been so cool to see God moving in and around me. My roommate and I sat in front of the same couple this week, and picked up our conversations from last week with them. After the service, we sat at the same table as the pastor at the newcomers luncheon, and my roommate had a good conversation with him. The both came out of the same Catholic background, so there was a common understanding. It seemed like a good talk, and meanwhile, I met some pretty neat people. Saturday, the girls team that I help with had a game down in SE Washington, and I probably had one of the more terrifying coaching moments. Our goalkeeper got a pretty good whiplash from a fall, and was a little woozy, but the cobwebs had cleared and she checked out negative for a concussion when I checked her. So I let her stay in the game as per her wishes with her promise that if she got any worse she would let me know, immediately. By halftime, ten minutes later, she couldn't jog off the field without getting dizzy, which she wasn't aware of earlier not having to jog. So, I pulled her, had her lie down, put some ice on her neck and back of the head where she said she had some impact. Well, she got progressively worse to the point where she couldn't sit up, her vision was getting blurred, and she wanted to sleep. In other words, she is screaming concussion symptoms. So the parent (not her dad but a teammates) who drove her to the game took her and me to the hospital to double check that there wasn't anything worse going on. Fortunately, there wasn't, but not fun.

On business news, it will be a busy next 2 weeks for me to see whether the Spider's clinics will take off or not. We have tryout clinics for 2-3 clubs. Very exciting.

Small groups

So, Wednesday night was a meeting of my new church's twentysomethings group. Much more older 20s and up than younger 20s, so that was a different dynamic than I was used to coming out the Z family bible study. I hit it off with one of the guys pretty well, and he invited me to play soccer Thurs. night with some guys from Moody Bible Institute - Spokane. Very cool, and very fun. The other neat aspect of the church is their various "growth groups," which they strongly encourage everyone to attend, are all studying the same thing, and they go through the entire Bible in 6-7 years. They just finished and are restarting with Genesis. So yeah, the tendrils of community are out. Anyways, that has been super encouraging. Cheers.

Life and Times

It's been a while since I last wrote on here, and there is lots to say. First off, I think I have found a church. I attended Faith Bible Church this last Sunday, and plan on attending a twentysomethings group Wed. night (if they are meeting), and there is a newcomer luncheon on this coming Sunday. I know it was only a single sermon impression, but the pastor seemed to be sincere in his desire to apply the scripture to life and to have his congregation do the same. Very cool. So I am jazzed about that. On another note, a major concern of mine in dealing with my soccer "boss" was somewhat assuaged today by our meeting to finalize plans for tomorrow's inroductory clinic to a U12 team. Whereas in our previous meeting the tone was, "THIS is the way it will be, and I will not have your input," today was much more cooperative, and while it still was not my lead and his support, my suggestions were implemented immediately. So we will see how that progresses. Thank you for your prayers on that.

On a different note, I have started reading/sutdying/memorizing II Peter and was struck not only by the powerful language Peter uses to condemn false teachers but also the overall pointedness with which Peter writes. I have spent a little time pondering the over the Greek construction of verses 5-9, trying to decide if the order of qualities is a linear progression, or more a general recommendation. Does anybody have any illuminating thoughts?

It has also been really cool (not even the right word, but it is late and i'm tired) to see how God has been using me in my roommate's life. I was suprised this past week when driving back from soccer he mentioned that he would go to church with me for a couple weeks at least. He liked it well enough that he will go back with me, but he has admitted that he likes Mr. Sikkema's preaching better, at least as far as the quality of the speaker goes. And while he still approaches the gospel message with cynicism, I pray that seeds are planted deep.

Okay, there is more to say, but my eyelashes are getting to heavy for my lids and my fingers keep missing keys. Miss you all.