Swish... the ball goes cleanly through the net.
Drip...the sweat falls to the ground.

            Thump...tha...thump.... the heart frantically churns the blood that it pumps throughout the body. The lungs are now massive vacuums, clawing desperately for each molecule of air. In the end it is the training and the physical fitness of the athlete that allows them to compete successfully, when others are too tired to continue. Welcome to the game of basketball. But don't let the word "game" fool you, for it is anything but playing around. Behind that "swish" that looks so easy, there are hours of dedicated practice (…or sometimes just a lucky shot). But the players that are consistently good are those who know how to use and develop their talents through hard work and practice. It is a dedication to doing what they love. This dedication comes from a drive deep inside to be the best.           

            The Tournament!  The above scenes describe some of the action from the Roball Tournament that took place in Brea, California, June 3^rd, 2004. We were blessed to host a tournament at a great indoor gym, in which 16 teams participated, an increase from 11 teams that participated in 2003!  We had games of three on three for guys and girls with teams from Sacramento, Phoenix and the L.A. area. There were quite a few people who played for the first time and enjoyed the experience of playing as well as knowing that they are serving a great cause.   

            Join the team! What are you waiting for? We need more talented players serving with whatever talents they may have. There are plenty of ways to serve. Playing in or organizing a Roball basketball tournament is just one of them. Basketball is a tool that is used to serve God. There are plenty of other methods that are being used. The challenge is to look at what talents you have and use them. Maybe God is calling you to host a Roball Tournament, or join a summer mission team. Here... maybe you need a short time out from your busy schedule to think about it. Listen in as the Coach brings the game in focus...

             Time out! The whistle blows. The cheering of the crowds, the squeaking of the brand new basketball shoes on the glossy floor... the whole atmosphere of competition faded into the background during the times when all was quiet. These were the times that we prayed... at the beginning and end of the tournament. These moments did what prayer always does, when it is sincere; it brought the focus on our God. That is where the focus must always be. Sure the games were hard fought and even intense at moments, but when the dust settles and the glory fades, it is the long-term impact that leaves its mark in history. When Jesus said: " Go and make disciples of all nations...", who would have thought that basketball would someday be used to fulfill this very commandment! In the New Testament Christians are called to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves". Godly wisdom was displayed in the Roball Tournament that took place in Los Angeles on June 5, 2004. Basketball became a tool used to bring together children of God in fellowship and friendly competition. It was also a tool for raising up funds for various mission projects to help those in Moldova and Romania this summer; a tool used to "... make disciples of all nations...". And just as the tournament began and ended with a prayer, the mission projects that are happening this summer will themselves be answers to the prayers of Godly men and women that are praying for God to send people to serve in the fields of the harvest.

            Game time! The whistle blows again and the game continues. If we choose to see it, basketball has a few things to teach us about the Christian life. Paul says that any athlete will train and run in such a way as to win the prize. The same is true of our Christian life. We can learn from the athletes playing basketball that the secret to winning are dedicated practice and perseverance. Why should athletes, fighting for an earthly prize, be more dedicated than us Christians who are headed toward the prize of Christ? We must not just “throw up prayers”, but must pray continually and for specific requests, read the “Play book”, to be in shape for when “crunch time” comes around. Our Coach, knows what He is doing, so let’s run His plays. With the clock winding down, we must use our time wisely, and persevere in serving God with whatever talents He has given us. In real life there is no overtime, once the “game” ends, then the judgment! So let’s make the most of every situation and end on the winning side. Gatorade has a popular basketball commercial with the question “Is it in you?”, implying that it is Gatorade that will give you what is needed to succeed. But the question is wrong. Gatorade will not fulfill our needs, for it is only Christ, the Living Water that can quench our thirst. He is the One who fulfills us and gives us the deep-rooted motivation to finish the race with joy. The question is: “Is He in you?” And if He is, remember that “better is one day in Your Courts...”, so go out there and give Him all you got!