End of Soccer Season

This was actually around three weeks ago, but I thought I'd share my good news. Our soccer team, after coming off a hard year of a completely new team, an unexperienced goalie, and new players alongside seasoned ones, took third place in our league. The story below was written by Mike McColley, our assistant coach.

News Article - Lady Lions defeat Chestertown in Consolation Game - May 6, 2011

Photo by April McColley

The CCA Lady Lions traveled to Fairwinds Christian School in Bear, Delaware on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 to play in the Delaware Valley Christian Athletic Confernce championship consolation game. The Lady Lions lost a tough playoff game the previous day to Salem County Christian School, palying them at their home field at Carney's Point. CCA had very little practice over the past few weeks due to Spring Break. After losing to Salem, the Lady Lions were set to face Chestertown Chrsitian in a game for third place in the league. The Lady Lions were looking forward to the match, as they had a record of 1-1 with the team during regular season play.

The day couldn't have been better for a soccer match; sunny and 80 degrees. CCA had all of their players available for play except one player out for illness and one for an injury. They were looking forward to the match because their loss to Chestertown during the regular season came after being short handed, having several players injured or unable to play. They were now at full force and ready to rumble.

The game started out with both teams playing agressively for control of the ball. The Lady Lions were able to strike first when Sarah Eckels nailed one in on the Chestertown keeper from the right side of the field. Chestertown tried several times to get a shot in on CCA, but the Lady Lions defense was in top form on this day, and were able to keep Chestertown at bay. About midway through the first half, CCA had an inadvertent hand ball in the penalty box, giving Chestertown a one-on-one penalty kick against the Lady Lion keeper. Miri Rose Goldsberry was able to make contact with the shot, but it still got by her an into the goal. The Lady Lions kept their heads up and took control of the ball, keeping it in Chestertown's end of the field for a significant amount of time. Briana Love was able to make a break up the right side of the field and sink one in from outside the 18, putting CCA up 2-1. The half ended with the Lady Lions leading the game.

The Lady Lions discussed how they could improve ball control during halftime, and went back onto the field fired up and ready to make a statement. Shayna Cole had been having a good day at controlling the ball in the middle of the field, and was fiannl able to get through Chestertown's defense and score goal number 3 for CCA. The battle continued with the possesion of the ball changing frequently. Chestertown was able to score a second goal, setting the score at 3-2 in favor of CCA. This really got the Lady Lions fired up, and they went down the field with a vengance. Shayna was able to continue her control of the middle of the field, and the Lady Lions forwards and midfielders were able to make exceptional passes, taking several shots on the Chestertown keeper. Shayna was able to take advantage of a free kick on a Chestertown penalty, laying the ball in behind the keeper to set the score at 4-2 Lady Lions. As the game was nearing the end, Shayna was able to complete the hat trick, scoring her third goal in the second half of the game, putting CCA up 5-2. As the game ended, a Chestertown player had a leg cramp and had to be assisted off the field. Soon after the game resumed, the referees blew the whistle, signaling the end of the match and a win by the Lady Lions. CCA had had their best performance of the year, and it came at the most opportune time. They had beaten Chestertown Christian for a second time during the season, a school that CCA had never beaten in the school's womens soccer history. Paula Beiler, Yessie Martinez, Sarah Eckels, Lillie Bailey and Brooke Marble were key in the forward line for CCA. The midfield was controlled incredibly by Shayna Cole, Briana Love and Lindsey Staniszewski. The Lady Lion defense was anchored by Emily Bosco, Madison Robinson, Bethany McColley and Hannah Slater. Miri Rose Goldsberry was credited with 12 saves during the match. All Lady Lions that played in the game were a key ingredient in the win, as the team was able to keep fresh players in the game. Great job Lady Lions !!!

The team was presented the D.V.C.A.C. third place trophy after the match, and were able to celebrate on the sideline.

The coaching staff would like to congratulate the girls on a successful season in which they improved their skills and team work. The team will not graduate any players this year, and should start next season with a very strong team.

Thank God For Churches

We may not actually even think about it, but when we step through the doors of a church every Sunday morning, possibly Sunday night and Wednesday, we're experiencing a blessing larger than we can comprehend. Because when we just walked through those doors, we weren't arrested, we didn't have any fear of getting arrested or shot at, or killed, or even getting our faith tested. We went in, sat down in a pew, and listened to the sermon in peace.

It is a great blessing to be able to do this. In restricted nations around the world, they don't have the freedom to do this. Most meet in underground churches and hope that the police don't discover the presence of their illegal Christian gathering.

These nations include:

• In the Americas: Cuba, Chiapas (Mexico), and Colombia
• In Europe, yes, Europe (seeing as how one wouldn't of Europe as having religious persecution): Belarus
• In Africa: Mauritania, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Comoros, Ethiopia, and Somalia
• In Asia: North Korea, China, India, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Tibet (China), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh
• In the Middle East: Oman, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Afganistan, Jordan, and Gaza*

And these are but a few. So when you go to church today or any other day, be sure to remember to thank God for the ability to come and publicly worship.

*Source: persecution.com

What Are Alien Youth?

I heard the term years ago on a Skillet CD my brother loved to listen to. The song, called “Alien Youth”, calls for youth to take over the world for Christ. And, so, I recently got the song stuck in my head again, and then began thinking over the meaning of it.

Jesus had a special heart for the youth. John, the youngest of the disciples, thought to be between the ages of fourteen and sixteen by some, was called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and was included in his inner circle. Together with Peter and his older brother James, he got to see things none of the other disciples did and was often sent with Peter on important errands such as fetching the colt he rode into Jerusalem and making sure they had a place to celebrate Passover. He saw the Transfiguration and followed Jesus all the way to the cross even when the all the others left Him. John was most likely an energetic, passionate young man (Jesus didn’t call him a “son of thunder” for nothing) and Jesus realized what great potential this teenager had to further the kingdom. And John didn’t let Jesus down. After Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, John:

·         took Mary, Jesus’ mother, into his home and cared for her (John 19:27)

·         healed a lame man with Peter (Acts 3:6)

·         wrote 5 books of the New Testament (John, 1,2, &3 John, Revelation)

·         endured persecution including dealing with his brother’s beheading, getting boiled in oil, and being exiled to the island of Patmos (after the boiling oil and several other things failed to kill him).

This fisherman-turned-apostle did much for the kingdom of God despite all the odds, Roman emperors, and Jewish leaders stacked against him. In a way, you could say he started the alien youth movement through his devotion to a wandering, penniless preacher and his willingness to drop everything and go at two simple words from his Master-“Follow me”.

After John came John Mark and Timothy, two companions of the Apostle Paul. While not much is said about either of them, both accompanied Paul on missionary journeys. While in prison, Paul wrote to letters specifically to Timothy encouraging him to be an “alien youth” (not his exact words; I can guarantee those two words, at least not together, do not appear in the Bible, no matter what your translation is). Before them all came Mary, Jesus’ mother, believed to be only fourteen at the time of Jesus’ birth. In faith Mary stepped out and agreed to be the Messiah’s mommy, even though it could mean her death. As the story goes, Mary was betrothed to Joseph. By Jewish tradition, that meant they were married but Mary couldn’t enter Joseph’s home and had to remain pure for a year. Then they could have their official marriage ceremony.

This gave Joseph time to build her a home and make things ready for her. It gave Mary time to embroider the swaddling bands that would be wrapped around their hands during the marriage ceremony and later would swaddle their newborn children. The only way the betrothal contract could be broken would be through divorce and only for very severe reasons, such as adultery. If Mary was found to be pregnant, she could be accused of adultery and stoned to death for it. Not an easy thing to deal with. But she went through with it any way, and because she did, Joseph took her for his wife early and Jesus was born safely without his mother being stoned.

In a nutshell, alien youth are young people who give up everything to follow Jesus, down to their very life. He has the say, not them. He calls the shots and they follow them to the letter. They take up their crosses and follow Him daily. They answer the call to help “the least of these”. They pray for more than just their meals and their problems. They’re sold out, radical, Jesus freaks.

Take a look around you and try to count up the number of teenagers you know who fit this description, who could be counted in with the likes of Mary, John, Timothy, and John Mark. You can probably count them all on one hand. But here’s the other thing-can you count yourself as one of them?

If you can’t, there’s a problem and it’s a big one.

Thank God for Mommies

Not everbody has one. But there are some women in people's lives who are take their place (perfect example-our "adopted brother"). Some don't get so lucky. So if you have one, thank God for her. Moms are the ones who care for you from birth and are always there for you to talk. Mom is always softer on you than Dad. Mom loves you, nurtures you, trains you, and, one day, has to let you go.

Mom is a full-time job. She's a nurse, a driver, a teacher, a caregiver, and so much more. It's been estimated that if stay-at-home moms were paid, they'd make over $138,000 a year. So go to your mom, give a big hug, thank her for all her hard work, and thank God for giving her to you.

Happy Mother's Day!