I know...I probably shouldn’t be talking about basketball in my weekly blog; after all I was at Annual Conference all this week and there’s a lot of great news to share – but I’ll leave a lot of that up to Bill Mullins, our Lay delegate. We enjoyed our time together and he’ll make a brief highlight report this Sunday –I’d “hate to steal his thunder!”(Pun intended). I think that’s what The Mavericks did to us last week! I am certainly proud of our Thunder and the great season they had. Just to think we made it to the NBA “Final Four” in our third season – remarkable! But I hated to say “good-bye” to KD, Russell, Nick, James, Serge and the rest! I never watched The NBA Ball until The Thunder arrived in OKC; now I’m a loyal fan! I think I’m getting a Thunder license plate for Father’s Day (hint, hint!)

On another basket ball note,; I had the privilege of hearing Coach Sherri Coale, Head Women’s B-Ball Coach for the OU Sooner Women. She spoke at the downtown Rotary Club two weeks ago. She shared some of her "coaching advice" that can apply to all of us as well! Here’s what she said - very enthusiastically – in a nutshell.

1. Pay attention! We all can benefit from that advice; whether it’s driving a car or listening to sermon or watching local weather reports during tornado season.

2. “Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” If we wait until everything is
“just how we like it” we’ll be waiting a very long time. The Apostle Paul told us, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Phils. 4:11b -13. Good advice!

3. Learn to love your work. Take joy in what you do! Life is too short to invest much of your life in doing a job you don’t enjoy. We all have aspects of our work that we like and others that we don’t. We must remember whatever the job to “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Cols. 3:23-24

I’d like to close with a poem written by basketball great John Wooden who would have been 100 years old this weekend on June 4. He died last year.

The years have left their imprint on my hands and on my face
Erect no longer is my walk and slower is my pace
But there is no fear within my heart because I’m growing old
I only wish I had more time to better serve my Lord
But I’ve gone to human prayer, he has brought me inner peace
And soon my cares and problems and other worries cease
He’s helped me in so many ways, he’s never let me down
Why should I fear the future when soon I could be near his crown?
Though I know down here my time is short, there’s endless time up there
That he will forgive and keep me in his ever loving care

A man whose life appeared to be “Basketball only” apparently had a rich relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Whether you enjoy Thunder Basketball or not; our real life goal is to “Enjoy Jesus forever!” How are you doing at that these days? The Joy of the Lord is our strength! Come join us this Sunday as we launch WOW Week and celebrate Holy Communion together!

Blessings!

In Christ,
Mark

PS – First Church Men –Be sure to join us this Saturday morning for Breakfast and a brief work project (indoors)! The Sing is this Sunday evening at First Church. Click here for more details!