Christian Hockey Players

[jezuzandhockey]

I hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays. My name is Larry and I coach USA Inline hockey in SC. What an awesome sport!!
No matter what it always makes you feel better after you play a game. Im also a christian youth worker so I tell alot of the kids I coach about church and God. We are going to start a local Christian Hockey Association. Just so like minded puck heads can get together and worship God, do some community work-which is great for the kids to do, and share Jesus with each other. Just letting the world know what we are up to and wanted to meet some new christian hockey friends of all ages. Drop me a line and say hi.

God bless you and enjoy the game.

[eulogy01]

Do these kids' parents know of your locker room preaching, or that this is a Christian hockey team. It seems wrong to preach to kids who didn't ask to be preached to. Your personal beliefs are fine, but you'd better be real careful when you start mixing your beliefs with coaching a team, because it may appear to some that your are taking advantage of the situation, and trying to influence kids against the beliefs that their parents are trying to instill. I am not making any accusations, nor am I trying to imply any wrong doing. Instead, I am giving you a "heads up" on some potential problems/misunderstandings that may occur.

[Gonzo]

Don't forget that Jesus was a hockey player! And here is proof - <A HREF="http://www.boneplate.com/jesus" target="_new">http://www.boneplate.com/jesus</A>

[j_bo]

Totally understanding that you are not accusing, and that you are giving a "heads up". Let me be frank. As a Christian, we are taught (per the BIBLE) that you go and tell others about our Savior Jesus Christ.
After all... how shall they hear? if noone ever brings it up?? or if everyone was too "scared" or too "worried" or too "concerned" of what others will think of you? Now, don't get me wrong. I would 1st let the parents know BEFORE anyone joined my team that I would be instilling a Christian atmosphere, and talking/preaching(teaching) these children on the good merits of well... being good, honest, decent, and caring individuals. Just my 2 cents on this... God Bless.. j-bo

[BigStu]

Hmmm. I'm going to respond with a true story about myself....

I really enjoy learning new skills, and trying out new hobbies. It's just what I do. Anything and everything I encounter turns into a little mini project for me.

This has become a very serious problem in my life. My hobbies are wonderful, but what they do to my life is not. Every time I learn something new, I get so enthusiastic about it, I start talking about it all the time. My parents used to call it "see-me! syndrome." At least subconsciously I want people to know how great my new skill is, and how great I am for learning it. It's happened with my various hobbies over the years, including inline hockey.

Eventually, I talk about it so much that I end up looking like a real moron and it pushes people away, when in fact at some level my enthusiasm is based simply around the fact that I wish everyone had the same interests as me. After all, I like certain things, so that's at least one REALLY good reason everyone else should!

I doubt I have to draw any diagrams for anyone now to explain what this has to do with the topic, but let me say I'm not trying to be mean or anything, I'm just saying that I have very similar feelings about [name something] and often try to promote it (and myself with it).

The lesson I'm trying to teach myself (I am serious here) is that some things can stay separate, and I can enjoy my hobbies by myself. When I go out to eat, I don't need to explain wheel hardness and bearing ratings to my friends; When I go to a movie, I dont have to talk about the newest guitar technique I've learned, etc.

And, without any prejudice, I will say that religion and hockey (or football!!!! but that's a different topic *cough* deion sanders *cough*) don't _need_ to belong together. They're apples and oranges, and I really hope no one tries to "explain" a life philosophy to children who show up to have fun playing their sport, for their feeling of accomplishment, and those things alone.

[eulogy01]

I don't want to start a holy war, especially in an inline hockey message board,...but I felt a need to make three points.
1. It is not a religious obligation to spread the word of god.
2. I get the impression that you think people have become "too scared" to talk about religion. I think you are incorrect; people are just being considerate and polite, two good merits you did not associate with your teachings.
3. I think we should drop this subject, as I'm sure you'll never change my mind, and I'll never change yours. Your beliefs are fine with me. (Is that 2 cents a "suggested donation"?)

[Gonzo]

Hello eulogy01,
Although I am not a Christian, (a seeker maybe) I wanted to respond to all three of your points but....I know so little that I would embarrass myself. But referring to your first point, &quot;1. It is not a religious obligation to spread the word of god&quot; , it depends on your religion I guess, but the bible teaches us
Matthew 28:18
<font color=red>&quot;Then Jesus came to them and said, &quot;All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age&quot;</font color=red>.
It's called The Great Commission.
If your an insurance salesman...you sell insurance. If your a Christian..you share the good news of the gospel.
Happy New Year.
chuck

[j_bo]

Amen to you Gonzo..

[eulogy01]

Rather than tie up this message board anymore, send religion related emails to [email protected] (According to you, we are all disciples now?)

[Ohmeomiah]

I'm afraid you have fallen into a trap that many people in our culture fall into and that is compartmentalization of life. In other words we have our work life, family life, religious life, hobbies etc. and never shall they meet. But a truly healthy life is holistic and everything effects and influences everything else.

As a Christian, my faith is the most important and influencial thing in my life. If I really believe that I am following the creator of the universe, than I darn well better allow that faith to influence and direct everything that I do. This includes hockey.

I think the world would be a far better place if we would allow our values and our faiths (whatever they may be) have more influence in our day to day lives instead of trying to hide them in some misguided atttempt not to offend any one.

[BigStu]

I couldn't care less about offending anyone. In my opinion, anyone who has ever brought a lawsuit demanding compensation for being offended should truly lose their status as humans. I agree: it's despicable, it's defeating free speech, and it's destroying our country.

However, as far as non believers are concerned, religious preaching is essentially propaganda. Everyone is free to believe what they want, but as far as everyday missionary work is concerned, it's just annoying. Not destructive, just annoying.

I may have misphrased my post about "compartmentalizing" as you put it. It would be nice if everything in life worked together. It doesn't have to though, and it often doesn't work out like that. Particularly when you start expecting others to act and believe the same thing as you do, or start pushing your interests in other people's faces.

I agree that philosophies should guide your life, but trying to get your philosophy to guide someone else's life is wrong. Not punishable or anything like that. It just a courtesy.