All Pro Dad

If you haven't heard, we've started a new program at NPCC. It's called "All Pro Dad" and I am super-excited about the possibilities. We've meant twice already with nearly 160 people attending between two meetings. If you're asking, what is All Pro Dad all about, let me explain.

All Pro Dad is a once per month meeting where dads can bring their children (ages 5-14) for breakfast and some one-on-one time with their kids. We eliminate the everyday confusion, chaos, and run-arounds and try to give you a little over an hour to focus in on your kids and becoming a better dad. The meeting always starts with an awesome breakfast prepared by Jean Vacha. Then, we move into videos, one-on-one discussions, teaching, resources, raffles, and a whole bunch of other stuff. By attending a meeting, you are then eligible to receive periodic emails from All Pro Dad throughout the month. It is pretty cool stuff, and I feel it can create some positive effects in your home.

In February, I had the privilege of speaking. Even though I am not a father, there are definite things that I am learning- not just for the future but also for the present. If there is one thing I can pass on that God has really been showing me, it is this: Life can be unexpected and uncontrollable, but your relationships are one thing you have control over. If you have to choose, don't waste your time on other things, but choose your relationships (wife, children, friends, etc.). I can speak from experience in saying that the memories you begin building today with your wife or your children are the only things that will last for a very long time. Make the most of today in your relationships!!!!

If you are interested in All Pro Dad, you can visit www.newpointe.org and All Pro Dad has its own page under "Sports Ministry". You can register right there on the website. Our next meeting is Saturday, March 27 @ 8:45 a.m. in Studio 56. This is an awesome opportunity to start creating some new memories with your kid(s).

The ME I Want to Be

If you didn't already know, we have a new series that just started at NewPointe. It is called "The Me I Want to Be". This series is all about becoming the person you were designed to be and turning your life around to reach your potential.

It seems like so many of the series at NewPointe lately have been exciting, but this series is really gonna "bring it". Come on out on Sunday mornings at 9:00 or 11:00 to check it out. Additionally, there is a website (thechangeinside.com) that will be updated daily for the next 40 days. It goes right along with this series and should be another good resource.

NPCC Sports Ministry

There has been a lot going on in NPCC Sports Ministry. It seems like most of the last 3 months have been devoted to Armor Basketball. On December 19, Armor Basketball concluded with a special KidStuf - Armor Basketball Edition. With nearly 140 kids that participated, Armor Basketball was successful in all 3 of our core areas:
1. Helping each child become a better basketball player
2. Teaching each child the fundamentals of life and a relationship with Christ in order to allow
them to grow into quality young men and women.
3. Providing a basketball league that is fun and exciting - something they've never experienced
before.
Each week, there was a new excitement and a new challenge for every team. Competition is the breeding ground for teachable moments. In basketball, winning and losing bring out emotions, actions, and reactions like no other activity can. Thus, we were able to leverage competition to not only teach kids about sport, but to also teach them about winning and losing at home, school, and with God. It was an amazing eight weeks!!

As one season ends, there always seems to be a new one on the horizon. On January 18, our winter Co-Ed Volleyball League will begin. This season, we have nearly 60 men and women registered to participate in our volleyball league. We are slowly seeing growth and becoming better at providing a quality league that is unique to this area.

On top of our volleyball league, our men's basketball league will be starting in 1 month. Registration is currently open for the Men's Basketball League and will run through February 2. Early-bird pricing of $35 lasts through January 24. This season, we will be providing certified OHSAA officials for each game and each player will receive a reversible jersey. Additionally, awards will be given to the champions. If you are interested in participating, more information and registration details are provided at newpointe.org under the "Sports Ministry" link.

Finally, we have a new program that will be starting in January. All Pro Dad is a program for fathers and their children where they can come enjoy breakfast together, meet other fathers and their children, talk about a wide range of topics, and receive resources to help build their relationship with their kids. On the fourth Saturday or every month, All Pro Dad will take place in Studio 56 (8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.). We understand that parenting isn't always easy, but we want to assist you in the process and provide ways to bring your family closer together. Again, information is available at our website.

At NPCC, our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Christ. Through sports, we want to offer people a non-threatening environment where they can check out NPCC and build relationships in a new way. If you attend NPCC, this is a great chance to begin the "Invest and Invite" process. If you don't attend NPCC, our leagues are a great opportunity to play competitive/recreational sports in a beautiful facility. We always strive to give you the highest quality league!

NPCC is opening doors to a lot of people through sports. It is exciting to see what God has in store for us!

Fiesta Bowl - Not The Party We Wanted

Although the Fiesta Bowl matched up two unbeaten teams, it wasn't exactly what we hope for in the BCS bowl games. We love the underdog story. Having TCU and Boise State in BCS bowls games was far from the problem. Having them face each other, huge mistake.

Everyone remembers that unbelievable finish to the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. That game matched up the unbeaten Boise State against an Oklahoma team that many felt could be in the BCS Title game. Boise State hung tough all game and eventually upset the Sooners on the "Statue of Liberty". Isn't that what we wait all season to see? Sure, we love the underdogs, but we don't want to see them play each other. We have seen them play teams from their smaller conferences all season. What every college football fan wants to know is whether a team who can dominate the WAC belongs in a BCS title, or simply a BCS game period. In order to find that out, they must be matched up the bigger conference teams.

If TCU wants to prove they truly are the 3rd best team in the nation, they should have relished at the chance to be matched up against Florida. Boise St. should have been wanting the opportunity to prove that they could compete against the best of the Pac-10 or Big Ten. If Boise State or TCU could be competitive with teams like Florida, Ohio State, or Oregon and those games go down to the wire, that is what proves to us that these teams belong in consideration for BCS games.

The BCS committee should never allow "mid-major" teams to face each other in BCS bowl games. Give us an underdog story! Give these teams the opportunity to prove themselves agains the major conference champions. Give us something to remember, like the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio Sports Update

If you are a huge sports fan and live in Ohio, chances are you are only truly interested in the Cavs at this point. I don't blame you! It seems to be the one successful team we have left in NE Ohio. But if you are a true fan, you are a supporter of the Browns, Cavs, Indians, and Buckeyes. I want to give a quick update for each of these teams.

1. Browns - It looks certain that we will secure either the 1st of 2nd pick for the 2010 NFL Draft. It is sad to say, but that seems to be the best thing going for us at this point. If ever there was a time to be positive though, it will be these last 4 games for the Browns. Not only do they face the struggling Steelers this week, but they also face the Chiefs and Raiders in 2 of our last 3. My only rant for this week (and it is definately premature) would be to make sure we give Mangini (if he is not fired) less control over the draft this next year. We have so many pressing needs. We need a much better plan for this year's draft!

2. Indians - It looks like it will be a quiet offseason for the Indians. The Tribe will use 2010 to develop major league experience for the young players/prospects. If you are huge Indians fan like me, it will take some time to get over the fact that ownership refuses to spend money. My one piece of advice, when you do get over that fact, is to sit back, relax, and enjoy a season of development. Although we won't win many games, it will be a great chance to evaluate the job that Shapiro is doing. Has he been making good trades that not just shed payroll, but give us future major league starters? You have to believe that if the players we received for Sabathia, Martinez, and Lee trades do not pan out, then Shapiro's time in Cleveland should be up. Be on the lookout for names like Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana, Trevor Crowe, Matt LaPorta, and Justin Masterson. If you can, look for cheap tickets and just enjoy the ballpark atmosphere!

3. Buckeyes - There is not much going on in Buckeye football right now. Our Rose Bowl bid was locked up weeks ago and all they have is 20-some odd days left of practice until they play in Pasadena. I will focus on men's basketball. The Buckeyes took a huge hit when Evan Turner broke two vertebraes in his back this weekend. He is scheduled to be out up to 8 weeks. It will be a test for the rest of the Buckeyes as they head into their Big Ten schedule. William Buford will have to step up his game over the next 8 weeks. There are still two positives that come out of this. One, the Buckeyes should still make the Big Dance. Two, maybe this will open the door for Evan Turner to stick around Columbus for his senior season. Can you imagine the Buckeyes with Turner, Diebler, Lighty, Buford, and a recruiting class that is undoubtely in the top 3 in the nation?

4. Cavs - There is only one question to ask: Is Shaq working out so far? Some say yes, some say no. My answer would be that it hasn't given us a signifcant boost to make us significantly better than last season.

That is your Ohio sports update.

Assasin of the Headless Sprinting Chicken

Over the past month, all of the new staff members from church have been going through a Catalyst book study. So far, we have read about engaging in culture, the importance of community, and living a healthy lifestyle. I have read a lot of things that have caused me to re-evaluate my ministry and personal life.

Today, I read an article by Mike Foster (founder of XXX church). In the article, he talks about seven deadly assassins that can reak havic on your life. There are things like sex, money, egos, and emotional baggage, but the one they focus on is something they call the "Assassin of the Headless Sprinting Chicken". It is the idea of the leader who is constantly juggling too many plates and trying to do too many things at the workplace. The leader who is insistent on always putting in the long hours and pushing harder. We work ourselves to death because we find value and worth in the things we do and accomplish. I know I can relate to this, as I am sure we all can! The problem is that if we continue down this path, we are on the road to being "slain by the Assassin of the Headless Sprinting Chicken". We work ourselves so hard that we become burnt out or worse yet we compromise our relationships with the people who are most important to us.

Here are a few tips Mike gives:
1. Manage life in seasons - It is ok to go through seasons where the afterburners are on full force. Work hard, but also rest hard.
2. Stop Trying to Prove Yourself - Do you work yourself to death because failure is just not an option? Are you leading an out-of-control life so that you never have to feel embarrassed, weak, or lower than others in your workplace? Your value is not determined by the amount of hours you work. We aren't asked to be workaholics.
3. Take a technology break - If you don't think you have a problem with being glued to your cell phone, email, facebook, or twitter, try turning it off for 48 hours.

Is it worth compromising your marriage or ripping off your kids just because you have to juggle every plate and become all things to all people? Is it worth compromising your time with God just because there are too many other tasks going on to take time for Him? What are your willing to give up just to prove yourself to someone or are you willing to just stop trying to prove yourself and accept that you have worth value beyond the number of hours you can spend behind a desk? Try slowing down every once in a while. I know we all need it!

NPCC Sports Ministry Update

What has been going on in sports ministry lately? That is a good question. Just like most of the ministries at NPCC, there has been a lot going on.

Last Saturday, we just kicked off our first weekend of games for Armor Basketball. For those of you who don't know what Armor Basketball is, it is our NPCC original youth basketball league for kids in 1st - 6th grade. This season, we have implemented a lot of new pieces to this program. The most exciting piece for the kids is the introductions. Before each game (every Saturday morning), each child gets the chance to experience an NBA-like introduction. We shut off all the lights in the auditorium, turn on some LED lights, crank up the fog machine, blow-up the inflatable tunnel, turn up the music, and announce each player and coach that will be playing that hour. Additionally, each child has a ProPresenter slide that is displayed on the back wall as they run out. For most kids, this is a new and unique experience that they are extremely excited about. Along with introductions, we have also added a concession stand, provided more gear in the player packages, and are currently working on putting together a day of special entertainment to cap off the season. I have a great group of volunteers that are coaching, running all technical equipment, refereeing, and overseeing other important areas.

We are also preparing to launch another co-ed volleyball league and men's basketball league at the beginning of 2010. These are great opportunities to get involved at NPCC and invite a friend. We strive to provide top-quality sports programs for this area.

Be on the look-out for information regarding these two upcoming adult leagues...

Pictures will be posted soon so that you can see what introductions look like for Armor Basketball...