Daniel and Moses at KC Sectionals
Our journey to the mecca of A/G (Springfield, MO)for quizzing proved to be an interesting experience this weekend. My B Master's team, who took first place here in KC and were undefeated all year long ended up placing last in our division at Districts. Can anyone say "skunked"? Even with the addition of a 4th quizzer who was quite good, we were unable to match the strategies of the Springfield teams. I have never seen such competitive quizzers who would buzz in after the first or second word of the question. After the first round against the team that won 1st place overall this weekend, my quizzers looked at me in stunned disbelief. I kept encouraging them and I have to say I am so proud of their behavior and conduct the entire weekend. My kids never lost their integrity and 2 of them ended up placing in the individuals. We did our best and I am very pleased with all four of my B quizzers.
On the other hand, I have to say shame on the host church's B Master team who displayed the WORST Christian conduct and sportsmanship that I have ever seen. Their top quizzer was appalling. He looked at my top quizzer during a time out halfway through the first round and declared meanly,"I don't do well with competition and you're competition!" I couldn't believe my ears. In our second round with them, this quizzer spoke out against the quiz master during a time out stating "that was an unfair ruling". Then when he quizzed out backwards, he made such a fuss that it would make anyone blush. I have to hand it to quiz master Dan who put up with their complaining coaches and demonstrative quizzers. He could have very well assessed quizzer fouls and team fouls, but did not. Even after matches were over, my helper and I watched the coaches from said team still challenge Dan. The coaches were nearly as bad as the kids... maybe that's where they get it??? Again, they ought to be ashamed. This is not cooperative competition or good Christian behavior. It makes a coach like me question whether or not we should ever go back to Springfield to quiz and subject my kids to such negative situations. Those from the host church should really take a step back and get a good hard look at what kind of fruit you're actually producing. Just a heartfelt suggestion!
I don't know how many of you have ever witnessed this "competitive" nature in churches, but it's a damaging flaw! We are all part of the body of Christ and each have our rightful part. No one part is greater than the other. While a certain level of sportsmanlike competition can be healthy in Christian activities such as quizzing, church softball, etc. it is never acceptable to lose sight that we bear the image of Christ, act like we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and should maintain a good witness at ALL TIMES!
To leave on a positive note, it's fun to see the kids hiding God's Word in their hearts and those who actually live out what they've learned. Our A Master Team competed well and made 5th place. Two quizzers from our church made individuals. There is still a chance that they may make it to regionals in Mississippi and they should know more about that this week.
Congratulations to all the kids who participated and may you continue to grow and be nurtured in the things of the Lord!
Continuing our conversation from yesterday...
On the other hand, I have to say shame on the host church's B Master team who displayed the WORST Christian conduct and sportsmanship that I have ever seen. Their top quizzer was appalling. He looked at my top quizzer during a time out halfway through the first round and declared meanly,"I don't do well with competition and you're competition!" I couldn't believe my ears. In our second round with them, this quizzer spoke out against the quiz master during a time out stating "that was an unfair ruling". Then when he quizzed out backwards, he made such a fuss that it would make anyone blush. I have to hand it to quiz master Dan who put up with their complaining coaches and demonstrative quizzers. He could have very well assessed quizzer fouls and team fouls, but did not. Even after matches were over, my helper and I watched the coaches from said team still challenge Dan. The coaches were nearly as bad as the kids... maybe that's where they get it??? Again, they ought to be ashamed. This is not cooperative competition or good Christian behavior. It makes a coach like me question whether or not we should ever go back to Springfield to quiz and subject my kids to such negative situations. Those from the host church should really take a step back and get a good hard look at what kind of fruit you're actually producing. Just a heartfelt suggestion!
I don't know how many of you have ever witnessed this "competitive" nature in churches, but it's a damaging flaw! We are all part of the body of Christ and each have our rightful part. No one part is greater than the other. While a certain level of sportsmanlike competition can be healthy in Christian activities such as quizzing, church softball, etc. it is never acceptable to lose sight that we bear the image of Christ, act like we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and should maintain a good witness at ALL TIMES!
To leave on a positive note, it's fun to see the kids hiding God's Word in their hearts and those who actually live out what they've learned. Our A Master Team competed well and made 5th place. Two quizzers from our church made individuals. There is still a chance that they may make it to regionals in Mississippi and they should know more about that this week.
Congratulations to all the kids who participated and may you continue to grow and be nurtured in the things of the Lord!
Continuing our conversation from yesterday...
No one ever expects to lose a child. And no matter when you do, the blow is always tremendously painful. I know people who have lost babies, small children, older children, teenagers, even grown adult children. Each "category" of loss has it's individual characteristics; all contain similarities. Most parents feel like they should never "outlive" their children and that something about it unnatural. In the flesh, I would have to agree. The Bible tells us, however, that God knows all of our days from beginning to end even before we were born... and that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. If we let those verses sink into our hearts, we realize that God is ultimately aware and present during everything we go through. So, even though it seems "unfair" to us, there are many things in life that fall into that category. Life isn't fair. But how are you going to handle the tragedies and grief when they come?
Having suffered two miscarriages of my own, I know firsthand the emotional pain you can go through. If you have not experienced a miscarriage, it's can be difficult for you to understand or relate to the loss. For the woman experiencing the miscarriage, she grieves for the life that was never fulfilled, the baby she will never hold in her arms, the things she will never get to experience with her child. She is comforted by the fact that life begins in the womb and to be absent with the body is to be present with the Lord. She can rejoice that she will see her little one in heaven some day, but still agonizes over the loss.
If you have suffered a miscarriage, please run to the rock of the grace of God and cling to Him and His Word. During my last miscarriage, the Lord led me to Daniel Chapter 3 that tells of the fiery furnace. When the three Hebrew boys were thrown into the fire, He didn't extinguish the flames or turn down the heat... in fact it was so hot that some of the guards that threw the boys in were burned! But praise God... there HE was in the midst of them and they were not burned. This trial that you are facing may feel like it's totally consuming you, but friend, He is the 4th man in the fire for you today! You may feel like you can't go on, but there HE is, standing right in the middle of your situation with you and telling you that you will NOT be destroyed. You will not be overtaken and what the enemy meant for harm will not prevail.
If you are someone trying to help a friend who has suffered a miscarriage, please keep in mind that prayer is probably the best thing you can give her right now. Too many well meaning people say or do things that produce poor results instead of positive ones. It doesn't help to have people tell you "There must have been something wrong with the baby" or that "it must be God's will" or "you'll have other children". Those are not words of comfort, but rather, words that can wound. Love protects and it should be your goal to protect your friend spiritually (through prayer), emotionally, and physically. Find out if there is anything she needs. Sometimes even a meal or two brought in can be a tremendous blessing!
Finally today, I will leave you with some verses that I included in my book... ones that helped my during my times of struggling with the loss of a baby:
"He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:33
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:5a
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" 2 Corinthians 12:9a
"All things are Yours, whether... the world or life or death, or things present or the future- all are Yours." 1 Corinthians 3:21-22
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2
Bless you today, friend and I'll see you here again tomorrow!
Having suffered two miscarriages of my own, I know firsthand the emotional pain you can go through. If you have not experienced a miscarriage, it's can be difficult for you to understand or relate to the loss. For the woman experiencing the miscarriage, she grieves for the life that was never fulfilled, the baby she will never hold in her arms, the things she will never get to experience with her child. She is comforted by the fact that life begins in the womb and to be absent with the body is to be present with the Lord. She can rejoice that she will see her little one in heaven some day, but still agonizes over the loss.
If you have suffered a miscarriage, please run to the rock of the grace of God and cling to Him and His Word. During my last miscarriage, the Lord led me to Daniel Chapter 3 that tells of the fiery furnace. When the three Hebrew boys were thrown into the fire, He didn't extinguish the flames or turn down the heat... in fact it was so hot that some of the guards that threw the boys in were burned! But praise God... there HE was in the midst of them and they were not burned. This trial that you are facing may feel like it's totally consuming you, but friend, He is the 4th man in the fire for you today! You may feel like you can't go on, but there HE is, standing right in the middle of your situation with you and telling you that you will NOT be destroyed. You will not be overtaken and what the enemy meant for harm will not prevail.
If you are someone trying to help a friend who has suffered a miscarriage, please keep in mind that prayer is probably the best thing you can give her right now. Too many well meaning people say or do things that produce poor results instead of positive ones. It doesn't help to have people tell you "There must have been something wrong with the baby" or that "it must be God's will" or "you'll have other children". Those are not words of comfort, but rather, words that can wound. Love protects and it should be your goal to protect your friend spiritually (through prayer), emotionally, and physically. Find out if there is anything she needs. Sometimes even a meal or two brought in can be a tremendous blessing!
Finally today, I will leave you with some verses that I included in my book... ones that helped my during my times of struggling with the loss of a baby:
"He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:33
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:5a
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" 2 Corinthians 12:9a
"All things are Yours, whether... the world or life or death, or things present or the future- all are Yours." 1 Corinthians 3:21-22
"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2
Bless you today, friend and I'll see you here again tomorrow!
