Paul's Speech from the Celebration.

I think this work speaks for itself.  Just a little background, though: Paul, our executive director, wrote and delivered this at an event we (NorthStar) hosted in Birmingham a few weeks back.  

All kinds of things happen on the soccer field. Every season we face a variety of challenges with many of our kids. A lot of those challenges are normal to any youth athletic program. Some of the challenges stem from the particular demographic we serve. On Saturday, November 2 we encountered a different sort of challenge. When I say November 2, I do mean 2013, just a few weeks ago.

Staff member Sara Samchok and her college student volunteer co-coach, Macey, were coaching the U10 girls in a game right here in over-the-mountain Birmingham. On this particular day the NorthStar U10 girls were winning. This seemed to come as a surprise to the opposing coach. The first thing he said to his girls was, “okay, now we really need to play.” He made a few other comments suggesting, for some reason, that the score on the field might have caught his team by surprise and all his team needed was a little more motivation. It seems that this wasn’t working; so perhaps this coach became a little flustered. He now yelled out, “Girls! Do you know where they are from?”

My first thought upon hearing this report was to interpret this outburst as racial bias uttered in thinly veiled code words. That is possible. However, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. The October 24 edition of The Birmingham News contained an article with the heading “Neighborhood Conditions Create Health Inequities, Study Finds.” It seems that there was a study by the Kellog Foundation on the disparities among census tracts in the metropolitan area. The News article states, “This study found significant variation in racial concentration, poverty, life expectancy, infant mortality, and healthy food access between census tracts in the ‘Over the Mountain’ and Trussville areas and census tracts near the Interstate 20/59 corridor. Specifically, ‘Over the Mountain’ census tracts were found to have a higher percentage of white residents, less poverty, longer life expectancy, lower infant mortality, and greater healthy food access," the study stated.

Really? A national foundation had to spend money on a study to tell us that? I could have told them that for free. I expect you could have also. At NorthStar we describe this disparity in neighborhoods as a “deficit of investment” in the lives of youth. The difference in resources within a community leads to a difference in learning opportunities for those youth. Don’t you think that is what this opposing coach meant? What he was trying to say to his team was, “Hey girls you come from homes with lots of financial resources that are located within communities with more homes on the same level. Your soccer club draws its resources from that same community. Therefore, you should easily be beating this team of girls who largely come from the Interstate 20/59 corridor (western Birmingham).” Don’t you think that is most likely what he really meant? Maybe he understands that there is an opportunity gap that exists for inner city youth.

If this is the right interpretation of this coach’s remarks, then he can be applauded for understanding that communities matter! But, there are a number of things that he appears not to understand. He does not understand what is happening right here in this room tonight. NorthStar exists to bridge the opportunity gap for inner city youth. All of us who work for NorthStar, volunteer for NorthStar, or contribute financially to NorthStar are investing in youth in a way that bridges the opportunity gap. His team was not playing a random bunch of girls from the west side of Birmingham. His team was playing a team of girls from the west side of Birmingham who had been invested in by you! So maybe this coach does not understand the full story of where these girls are from.

That reminds me of the story of Nathanael’s call to become a disciple in the Gospel of John. Phillip tells Nathanael that they have found the Messiah and he is Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael’s response? “Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?” Nazareth in New Testament times was a poor village. Phillip and Nathanael were from Bethsaida, a relatively more affluent place. Nathanael knew that community matters therefore he turned up his nose at a product of such a place. What Nathaniel and our cross-town soccer coach failed to understand is that community matters but God’s love and care matter more. Jesus came from a poor community but he did not suffer from the deficit of investment, obviously. In reality he had infinite resource behind him and guiding him.

In the Gospel of Luke (chapter 4, verses 18-19) we are told that Jesus returned to Nazareth on a Sabbath and read from the Scroll of Isaiah,

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

We know that Jesus then asserts that this Scripture is fulfilled in their midst, by him. He is claiming to be the Messiah. It is interesting that the signs of Jesus being Messiah all have to do with the alleviation of physical needs in this world. I remember being a child and reading this and many other similar passages from scripture. I was strongly impressed with God’s concern for poor and needy in this world. I remember thinking, “If this is God’s priority, what am I to be about in my life?”

Later, in Luke chapter 10 there is recorded a conversation between Jesus and an expert in the law. This man confirms that the law is summed up in one great law, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself.” We often break this into two great commandments: love God & love your neighbor. I think they are inseparable concepts. I think that our degree of loving God is demonstrated by our degree and effectiveness in loving our neighbor. Of course you know what comes next. The man, “wanting to justify himself” asks “and who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan which doesn’t directly answer the question but transforms it. Community matters, but building an insulated community and loving only neighbors who are similar to you doesn’t fly. Jesus cuts through that. Your neighbor is whoever God places before you who has a need.

In Luke 8 (in between reading the scroll in Nazareth and telling the parable of the Good Samaritan) comes the incident of Jesus healing the man possessed by multiple demons, referred to as “Legion.” After he is healed the man begs to go with Jesus. Jesus says no to this. Instead he tells him to “return home and tell how much God has done for you.” Can you imagine the broken relationships that surrounded this man in his home community? Jesus is concerned not only for this one individual but he is concerned about the community of people who were impacted by this man’s struggles. He desires healing for that community. He has invested healing in this demoniac and wants that investment to have a return on a community that is in need of healing. Mr. former demon-possessed man, “do you know where you are from?” Do you know that your home community matters for so many others? Do you know that it is broken and hurting? I have brought healing to you, now you be my representative in that place and let that healing flow out to others.

At NorthStar we welcome youth and families from across western Birmingham and beyond but we focus our attention on the specific communities located within a 1 to 2 mile radius of Legion Field Stadium. We know where our kids are from and we also know where our source of hope and healing is from. On your table is a brochure featuring one of the many families with whom we work. The mother, Lola, struggles with lupus. She is on disability and does not have much resource financially. Read her story and read how she looks to NorthStar as family. As much as she is able, Lola not only cares well for her own children, she contributes to our team of parent leaders. One of the most exciting things about NorthStar is how parents rally around and take ownership of the program. Before this year Val was bouncing back and forth from the parking lot to the soccer field trying to manage volunteer coaches while simultaneously dealing with communication with parents. Now Sara takes a lot of the on the field supervising coaches duty. But, even more significantly, our parents – knowing that Val will be more limited next spring with her new baby – have formed a leadership team who have taken over most of the communication with the rest of the parents issues from Val. This leadership is great in terms of opening up growth possibilities for the Soccer Club. But it is much more significant than that. This kind of leadership development and the connections that form among these parents translates into what sociologists call ‘social capital.’ Simply put, they have developed a capacity to work together and get things done. Whenever any of us do this, the skills and relationships that are formed are available to be applied in other areas. They are available to be applied to transforming the community much more broadly. This social capital is a great example of the potential for NorthStar programs to lead to broader community transformation which in turn will lead to positive impact even on youth and families who are not directly in our programs.

Going back to Lola and her family - her oldest child, Briyona, is on Sara’s team. She is one of those girls the over-the-mountain coach was talking about. Yes, she is from west Birmingham and yes her family would be considered poor. But where she is from will not determine her long-term outcome. After playing soccer with NorthStar all last year, Briyona was able to be in Camp NorthStar this summer. 1/3 of our campers were in “urgent need of intervention” because they were more than two grade levels behind. This can rightly be considered partially as a result of where they are from. We are here tonight to invest in those kids and make a difference in their lives. Briyona needs our investment, but I am happy to tell you that she is not one of those 1/3. Briyona is on grade level in reading & math. As challenged as her mother is financially and with her health, she is doing all she can for her kids – and it shows. Where Briyona is from has not defined her educational outcome so far. Neither will it define her soccer skill development, if Coach Sara and Coach Macey have anything to do with it.

Perhaps Briyona will prove to be a soccer stand out? Another girl on that same team, Rebekah, has an older brother who is such a stand out. In 2012 we graduated 4 boys out of NorthStar Soccer to play on a competitive (travelling) team at Homewood. All four of them are from western Birmingham and all four of them have been selected not just for a travelling team but the top team that Homewood has for their age group. One of those boys is Rebekah’s brother Matthew. Another of those boys is my own son Jeffrey. I bet our over-the-mountain soccer coach would be really surprised to see them on the field and find out where they are from.

NorthStar Youth Ministries exists to bridge the opportunity gap for inner city youth. Where you are from does matter. There are many who give of their time and/or of their financial resources in order to address the deficit of investment that so many of our children individually, and certainly our community as a whole, suffer from. Do you believe that investment can make a difference? Or are you, like that soccer coach, convinced that where they are from is all that matters. I hope you are one who will join me in investing.

coaching for life...

some cool things going on in the world through sport - south africa, for example.  another reason why i coach...

a much needed list...

at a lovely breakfast this am, we wuz a chatting for a minute (a hot minute) about current learnings.  and, i realized i am a learning the art of contentment.  i think, at least.   meaning, i am wanting to learn it.  so, deuteronomy 8, yes.  but also reminding myself of how good god is.  and, the things i am uber thankful for here.  and, can so easily forget he has done...

the work list first.
...a job i enjoy.
...a fantastic office sharer and club director.
...folks who care about and support what i am a doing.
...coaching soccer. i think i can say i do love that.
...the ability to coach and talk about jesus. to use teachable opportunities to talk about the gospel.
...sweet siblings who all play soccer.
...my one-year soccer ball presentation and kid speeches.
...coaching with macey.
...watching paul so enjoy coaching the U8 girls.
...working a super flexible schedule.
...a ministry director with vision who challenges me (in a good way).
...balancing keeping the main thing the main thing.
...knowing folks are seriously praying for me.
...working with brandon and anne this summer.
...exciting future ahead for northstar youth ministries.
...new friend joining staff in may.
...awesome volunteer coaches.
...kids - full of life and fun times.
...friday lunch with the kiddos at princeton.

...fundraising coaching - that i am not doing it all on my own.
...fantastic sunset views after practice.
...parents stepping up and leading in the club.
...working with some awesome coaches with really good hearts for our northstar kids.
...a eleven year old crying because his teammates aren't good sports.
...respectful young men and women at soccer practice.

and, the life list second.
...a beautiful city
...that i haven't gone a meal without.
...the mountain brook library.
...running in mtn brook (my how pretty it is).
...jemison trail. my new fav running place.
...lakeshore trail. a close second.
...taziki's - arguably my favorite restaurant here.
...new friends.
...conversations - fantastic, tough and needed, fun, thought-provoking and everywhere in between.
...old friends - and staying in their lives (one is silver and the other gold, eh? ha).
...the fantastic views in this fine city.
...homewood.
...lots of parks.
...how close everything is. i can get anywhere in the city in 25 min or less. usually more like 10.
...red mountain church.
...c.s. lewis and his writings - namely those chronicles of narnia.
...a cool baby house to live in.
...mowing the lawn.
...iphones - pretty cool gadgets.
...watching val's baby bump grow.
...steel city pops.
...church street coffee.
...jim n nick's.
...golden rule.
...chick-fil-a.
...moe's.
...the roommate and i's random but deep and thought-provoking conversations.
...phone chats, prayers, and encouragement from friends in other cities.
...time to myself - to think, sleep, pray, process, read, relax, and waste time.
...writing letters.
...mailing packages to friends far far away.
...reading books.
...rediscovering how much i love to read and learn.
...watching movies while recouping from a little car accident.
...god protecting me and the other driver from major harm (even though my car is now toast).
...the fact that i don't have everything figured out and still question - cuz that leads me to him.
...having my saturdays back for a few months (jokes).

happy friday :)

remember.

so, i can't remember the exact context of these verses.  i think moses is saying these words to the people of israel before they are about to enter the promised land.  i have really liked this passage of late.  for whatever reason, it is easy for me to forget these days all that god has done.  i am a stupid israelite.  ha.  i forget too.  just like they did.  god took care of them oh so well.  and moses wants them to remember that before they go to the good land and forget about god - the one who took them through the wilderness, fed them, made sure they were straight.  ha.  so, yep.  here's to remembering more...

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.  Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.  For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness,with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

- Deuteronomy 8.  amen.

coach sara's camp northstar 2013 debrief.

tough.
the summer i thought i would have.  around may, i started wondering if i would be okay not being back at caa this summer.  i think i remember saying something to fellow caa-er macey about it.  and, i also remember a conversation with carson and val about it, along the lines of i didn't know how i felt about these things.  it was just going to be different and a change.  and, i like change, in general.  but i am learning i often slowly adapt to it or want to control it.  great heart i have...a transition from a place i loved and knew oh so well, to one where i thought i would like it, but really had no idea what to expect.  throw in on top of that, that my position was changed late-may.  then i really had no idea what to expect.

good.
my first summer at camp northstar.  god was good.  a much better summer than 2012.  and, i am very thankful for that.  praise the lord.  from whom all blessings flow.  due to my "new" position of blue and green instructor, i was even more uncertain of what the summer would hold.  but, i was ready for it, whatever was up ahead.  even the uncertainty of how to "teach" during instructor time - do i err on the side of "fun" or "school"?  how do i teach little kids?  what was my curriculum?  but that uncertainty and lack of expectation may have been the best thing to happen to me...


so, as i said, camp northstar 2013 was good.  real good.  here's why:

• the kids.  

Rules the kids made themselves.

the same kids came all-day six weeks straight.  so, we got to know them real well.  including how hilarious they were, how some personalities just didn't mesh, some of the kids' tough or great backgrounds, and frustrations with bad attitudes that just didn't want to change.  cool to build relationships with the kids and tell them about jesus through that.  favorite quote, from an eight year old asking me advice on something: "i want to ask you because you have all the answers to my problems."

• the staff.     

anne and brandon.  rockstars.  

overall, we had a fantastic staff.  about 20 of us total (see pic below), from many different ages and stages, but all working together towards a common goal - serving and loving on these kids.  blue and green team counselors were the best, in my personal opinion (but i am biased).  i so enjoyed working with anne and brandon each day.  i would have had fewer laughs and encouragement without these two.  add trent and victoria into the mix and we had the dream team (sadly i don't have a pic of the blue and green counselors and junior counselors together - dog).  highlight of the week with these guys was probably friday dance parties while the kids were arriving. 

• having a better summer than 2012.  

Kickball on the quad!

there was a moment week 1 of camp northstar where val and i were chatting.  i remember saying something like, "i feel like myself again."  a lot of that being i can run and play with the kids, and that just feels right.  i still can't put into words how tough it was to not be able to play with campers last summer.  playing freedom soccer on crutches just didn't do it for me.  believe me, i tried.  still thankful for what i learned in 2012 though.  it is so freeing to be able to run and play these days.  trust me.  i LOVED it this summer.  a lot of kickball.  a little bit of soccer.  fun times anyways...  

so, what are the takeaways?

1. things change and the only thing worth holding onto that doesn't change is jesus.  i know that, and have known that for a while.  but it is one thing to know it and actually walk in it.  to believe it and not worry about things when they change or are uncertain.  for example, the unexpectedness of being an instructor and not in a "leadership position" as i had expected.  or just of knowing things in life change.  they can sometimes throw me for a loop too, as i like to stay in control or take change when i want to take it.  once again, my heart here.  i don't like trusting and not knowing what's ahead.  never thought i was much of a planner, and still don't think i am, but i do like to know what's ahead.  i am learning that even if i do, things will change.  and it does no good to stress and put my hope in things that are gonna fail me or not be what i expected.  put my hope in the unchangeable god who knows the future and wants to walk with me through it and the present.  "he is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the lord. his heart is steady; he will not be afraid."  psalm 112:7-8.  "she laughs at the time to come."  proverbs 31:25.
2. disciplining kids teaches you a lot about your own heart.  so, in the blue and green land, i was in charge of discipline during instructor time, as we called it.  so, if a kid didn't want to follow instructions, they eventually got sent out of the classroom and we had a chat.  for one kid, it was the same thing over and over.  he would talk and be disruptive during instructor time.  we would have a chat, or i would send him to val.  he would come back and be better for a bit, but eventually be back at the same thing.  over and over.  and, yes, it sometimes annoyed me a ton.  but, oddly enough, i enjoyed it.  i enjoyed getting to know him and having those conversations.  but, my how it reminded me of myself.  and it reminded me of how god deals with us.  patiently and lovingly disciplining us, even when we do the same sin over and over.  

camp northstar staff 2013.  

so, yep.  that's a wrap.

“pray as if everything depends on god. work as if everything depends on you.”

- augustine of hippo

visit take-aways, throwback style...

written in my journal 4/13/12, after a bham visit.  a much needed reminder of late...

i gotta trust in him above all, regardless of the circumstances.  whether at perimeter, northstar, overseas, the jboro, or even athens.  although being here might make me trust in him more, i need to trust in him always.  tornadoes or sunny weather.  rich, white suburbs, or inner-city.  dream job or worst job ever.  no community or community.  married or not.  i gotta run to him first and above all.  and need him.  easy, comfortable work, or hard work.  unsure or sure of calling.  knowing what's next or not.  i feel that i don't quite fit anywhere.  except with you.  thanks for time away where i can get little nuggets.  you know he's already got it planned out for ya.  you don't have to worry about it.  no really...

tgc prayer.

A Prayer for Trusting Jesus in Our Seasons of Transition

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.  Ps. 143:8 

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Ps. 23:1-3

Dear Lord Jesus, indeed, in the morning, at midday, in the afternoon, and throughout the night, keep on bringing us word of your unfailing love. That’s all we need; that’s all we really need—the assurance of your unwavering, contra-conditional, boundless love.

By the Holy Spirit, incessantly gossip the gospel in our inmost ear. Wrap the good news of your irrepressible, endless affections around our hearts, tighter and tighter and tighter. Permeate every bit of our being with your fresh mercies, steadfast love, and transforming grace, for we have put our trust in you.

Lord Jesus, it’s the assurance of your unfailing love which enables us to trust you with the transitions we go through in life, and the uncertainties about the future. Change is never easy. Change makes us feel vulnerable, fearful, and insecure. We get tempted, once again, to be our own savior. Spare us that misery, Jesus; spare us and those we love. May your Word dwell in us richly and your peace rule in us powerfully; and may your glory be our main passion and greatest delight.

We’ve entrusted our lives to you, Jesus, because you alone are trustworthy; you alone are the Good Shepherd. We’ve given you our sins, wounds, brokenness, and weakness. Now, in fresh surrender, we give you our planning for the next season of our lives. Show us the way we should go through our transitions—transitions of age and stage, career and calling, health and finances, relationships and ministries. Write stories of redemption beyond our wildest dreams and hopes. It’s all about you, Lord Jesus—not us.

We’re not so arrogant as to expect all the details. Just take us by the hand and lead the way. Shepherd us, Jesus. Open doors we cannot shut and shut doors we cannot open. All we need to know is that you love us and that you’re with us. You’ve promised us both, and you do not lie. So very Amen we pray, in your peerless and priceless name.

- Scotty Smith
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2013/06/09/a-prayer-for-trusting-jesus-in-our-seasons-of-transition/

for all of you new college grads out there...

so, as many of y'all know, i often have difficulty making decisions.  sometimes i even hate them.  if you asked, i would tell you this is because i don't enjoy that decisions come with consequences (good or bad), i don't want to be the one responsible for those consequences, and i am a people pleaser (thus i don't want folks to get mad at me if it was a poor decision).  true indeed.  yet, i think i am a learning more about these things as of late.  talking about my hate of decision-making at community group a few weeks back.  i shared my bit to share, then sat back, answered questions, and listened.  i got a myriad of things, from responses to how my friends struggle with the same issues, even at 3-15 years my senior, to thought-provoking questions, to jokes.  i remember one question: "are you always wondering what is next; when you will have to make a decision next?  is that where the stress comes from?"  i thought about it when he asked, and didn't think that was the case.  but, as i reflect more on this topic, i think the answer is yes.  for example, driving back to birmingham the other weekend, i was jamming to some john mayer.  i saw on my dash that it was on track 6.  and, i had a minor freak out (key word minor) as i knew in six more songs i would decide what cd is next - do i want to listen to this one over?  put in a new one?  which new cd?  (old school, i know.)  and, in a small way, i realized that this is true for me.  even chatting with sarah king recently.  she asked, "so, is it the fear of the unknown?"  and, as i thought through later, i think there is a good bit of truth right there as well.  on a small scale again, i sometimes hate going to a new restaurant and ordering my meal.  first off, there are usually way too many options.  but, secondly, what if i don't like what i order?  what if i love it?  will i wish i would have gotten something different?  will it be worth the money i paid for the meal?  the unknown, if you will.

so, back to the amazing words of wisdom for the young college grads (cough, cough).  check out these articles, if you are like me.  hopefully they will shed some light on things, specifically our culture, biology, and what other people way smarter than me say.

the god of open options  among other things, how delaying/not making a decision can be disobedience.
more choices, less commitment.  an article about online dating.  premises still true for many other aspects of our lives.
how to love valentine's day even if you're single.  to quote another sara(h):  "i don't think it's just relevant for single people.  we all wait for something.  i hope you name animals with dignity, excellence, patience and humility."
barry schwartz - ted talk.  from the perspective of science, not the gospel.
and, lastly, i leave you with arguably my favorite of late...10 things your commencement speaker won't tell you.  just read it.  well worth the time...

and, if you are like me, you will struggle with decisions.  and, there can be a ton to be made right after college.  if you are like me, you may dread making those decisions.  but, do a little better than me, and really trust in god's sovereignty over, in, through, before, during, and after our decisions.  that's what i'm working on as of late.  haven't figured out everything 100%, and i think it will continue to be a struggle for me.  to trust in his love and goodness towards me, and not hate and judgement if i make the "wrong" decision.  to trust in him, even though i cannot fully comprehend the balance between his being in total control and my freedom and ability to choose.  consequences and all.  for my good and his glory.  but, for now, i'm wanting to put to death my petty little fears over whether i made the right decisions and trust in the lord's sovereignty and goodness for me.  amen and amen..