Only “See you laters”

God’s been doing some awesome stuff in my life over the past 3 years on staff with FCA, the year here, and personally in the last few months.  I’d like the chance to tell you the whole journey, but the bottom-line of it is that I have LOVED my year here, but will not be back in Cali for next school year…what’s tough also is that I’ll even be leaving FCA staff …but I’ll be returning to grad school.

To explain some: God so undeniably took me out of teaching and coaching to go on staff with FCA at Auburn because of my growing passion for college students.  I got placed at Clemson, yet walked into a difficult funding situation there that made it really hard for me to stay.  So I explored options such as working for a church and grad school at that point, but nothing panned out and Bay Area FCA unexpectedly pursued me.  So, I put my “yes” on the table, read Scripture, sought godly counsel, and gathered the facts.  The facts were: I’m 30 and single and can, there was a group of people willing to make the funding happen, and it was an opportunity to stay on staff with FCA…the ministry I LOVE!  What an adventure!

The facts have somewhat changed…with 2 really being the most important.  1- I still have that desire to pursue a degree in counseling and 2- I have a growing desire to be drivable to my family and be more a part of their lives.  So I figured to apply to a few programs that fit that bill and see what would happen.  I have since been admitted to a few programs…so I will be returning East to follow that path.

I’m not sure what the end result looks like, but this is what I DO know.  There are 3 groups I’m passionate about: 1- college students… because the decisions made now impact the trajectory of your life and you are such people of influence! 2-young women with a history of sexual abuse and/or other relational issues…you would not believe the quantity that I have gotten to walk alongside!  3- young women in leadership positions, be it sacred or secular, to stay healthy in such giving professions where burnout threatens to steal influence.  I desperately want to speak Redemption back into these lives…nothing really fires me up more!

I’m sad to be leaving Cali.  I’m rather tired of moving…but know that it’s never “goodbye”….but only “see you later” with many of you.  I also can’t believe that it comes with leaving FCA staff too.  But to sum up in one sentence…I am excited about the opportunity to be near my family while pursuing education that will enable me to further serve those populations in a way that can be a career and a ministry.  Who knows what it will practically look like?  But I do hope to serve FCA the rest of my life in some capacity.  To my Cali friends: I love you all, pray for you lots, and intend to be Him with skin on as much as He allows me in each of your lives.  Thank you so much for granting me a voice to speak into many of your lives.  I don’t take that lightly and am humbled that God would use someone such as me.

Humility of a Missed Kick

FCA puts out a daily email called the Impact Play.  This one is studly.  Hope it challenges you like it did me.

(If you wanna subscribe to the daily email, click here)

READY:
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
-James 4:6 (NASB)

SET:
Watching the Super Bowl is always an exciting event, and, with the whole world looking on, this year’s game was one of the highest-rated programs in history. With that many people watching, players are really put under a microscope. Millions of people are watching their every move, and opinions can be formed about the players in the blink of an eye.

This year, something pretty special caught my eye during, and it definitely left an impression on me. Early in the fourth quarter the Colts stalled and were forced to attempt a pretty long field goal that would have added to their lead. There was a great snap, a good hold and what looked like a good kick from Matt Stover. Unfortunately for Stover and the Colts, the kick ended up just left of the upright.

Now, missed 50-yard field goals are not uncommon, but what Stover did after he missed the field goal was very uncommon. When they showed the replay of Stover’s reaction to the missed the kick, the world saw him pointing to the sky. When I saw that I thought that he must have thought it went through the goalposts. I thought, “How embarrassing. The guy was celebrating too early and didn’t realize he missed the kick.” Turns out I was wrong. The announcer then commented about how Matt points to the sky after every kick of his, good or bad.

When I heard that I was absolutely floored. How many times have we seen athletes point to the sky after something good happens? This man was pointing to the sky after something BAD happened, and that really struck me as unique.

The Lord has blessed so many of us with great minds to go to school, great families, and great abilities to play sports, but how many of us constantly think about where those abilities come from? How many of us give credit to God when we do something good on the field? I know that I don’t do that often enough, and it is a shame. God has graciously blessed us with so many gifts. Who are we to think that we deserve any credit for them? God could take them away in a minute, and, if He did, would we be okay with that? Would we feel embarrassed because we are no longer “good” at something, or would we humbly accept what God has done and continue serving Him?

I say this because in the midst of the biggest game in football, Matt Stover showed such a great example of humility. God encourages us to not be boastful or cocky, but instead remain humble in all that we do. It is encouraging to see a professional athlete step back and recognize what is truly important in life, and I hope that each and every one of us can do the same.

GO:
1. How often do you give yourself credit for something that you have done?
2. What have we done do deserve any of God’s blessings?
3. Why, then, do we boast like they are ours?

WORKOUT:
Galatians 6:3-4
James 4:10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jordan Rennicke, student-athlete

Things that Excite Me

It’s not hard.  I excite easy.  I have had people tell me that the first time they met me, they were scared of me.  that could be a problem.  But it’s generally because I’m really excited about something.  Probably TOO excited in many people’s estimation.  And for some reason, God found it funny to give me really close friends who DON’T excite easy.  Yeah, that’s NEVER led to miscommunication (sarcastic finger is raised right now for those who care or need to know).  I even have a couple friends who have assigned bird names to various individuals: one is a goose, another is a duck…they call me an egret.  Yeah, because that’s the only bird name they could think of that starts with an “E”.

So this excitable egret over here wanted to share something that pumped me up yesterday.  Frankly, it’s been a tough week.  I NEEDED something to excite me.  I guess another personality trait/desire is an excitement about introducing friends to each other…particularly if it’s gonna be beneficial to them both.  Honestly, I have a whole slew of friends who are only friends with each other because I introduced them (and it’s really turned into a fun game of “who do I have the most mutual friends on Facebook with” contest for a few).  Here’s my favorite recent one, for your enjoyment and awe of a God who knows what He’s doing.

Krista is one of my little sisters from my time at Auburn.  She played softball and we dug into the Bible together during my time there and we’ve kept in touch ever since.  She just got a job with Teach for America in Memphis.  WAY TO GO, KRISTA!!!  Julie is another little sister graciously given to me during my time at Clemson.  She’s a stud who wears cardigans in her aspirations to be a counselor someday and help people be godly (she gets plenty of practice helping me for now..haha).  She’s on leadership with Clemson FCA…who goes on a spring break missions trip every year, connecting with the local church, FCA, and other service organizations.  Guess where they’re going this year?  Yeah you guessed it…Memphis!  So I get to introduce Krista to a Julie, who will be able to help Krista know what church to check in Memphis, facilitate meeting the Memphis FCA staff, and who knows???  If schedules work out, Krista might get to even join them for the Spring Break Trip!  Yay for introducing my friends to each other and God using it for good!

Did I really just have that week?!?!?

Can you handle this? Really can you? I don’t know if I can…good stuff to remember when you get discouraged…God’s kinda faithful. Check out this past week! Here’s a few highlights…

Monday 1/19- Was kinda an off day. I had a friend in town to visit and we got to go to two coffeeshops (one of my favorite things to do)! This was good, because that evening and the next 8 days would rock! That night we started off the semester for the Female Athlete Huddle. Nothing like sitting around with 10 or so athletes talking about freedom in Christ
Tuesday 1/20- Had a phone conversation with a woman God placed in my path when I needed a smack in the face. Haven’t really talk to her since college. God started something in my life through her act of obedience. I don’t think I even understand how far the ripple from that has run. But it was cool to get to share part of it with her.
Wednesday 1/21- It’s so exciting to periodically get a call from one of the girls I invested in at Auburn University last year. That was Wednesday! Got to spend some time on the phone listening, walking through Biblical responses and challenging/encouraging once again…so cool. Also that night, one of our runners got baptized…the even cooler thing was she was more excited about the 2 rows of teammates that came to support her, some of whom don’t go to church. How cool.
Thursday 1/22- I got to meet the cheerleading team for the first time. They listened intently as a shared what FCA is about after they had had a 4 hour practice. And about 8 came up afterward to personally introduce themselves, thank me, and way they want to get involved. Wow.
Friday 1/23- I went to cheer on the women’s tennis team, and unknowingly sat down amongst the men’s team. Poor guy I say next to I think felt uncomfortable as soon as his teammate said, “Hey, she’s the female FCA chaplain!” Come to find out, that guy has promised the teammate I sat next to a filet mignon if he would come to church with him. What?!?! I said, “Dude, take your steak and GO!” We’ll see…all I know is the steak cooking, church inviting tennis player is my hero.
Saturday 1/24- Working with the Student Body FCA on ways to love the athletic department to show them Jesus. How bout 100+ fans showing up to the swim meet and packing out the facility like I’ve never seen it before?!?
Sunday 1/25- I got to take 2 athletes with me to speak for a women’s Sunday school class at a local church. I got to share some about FCA and what we do. They shared their testimonies. Nothing like watching to young women grow as they step out to share their story with women 50-60 years their senior and everyone being encouraged. That afternoon, I went to the church I’ve been attending and watched 40+ people get baptized…in just that service. There were 3 others that day. What?!?
Monday 1/26- Just was amazed at how He ordered my steps all day to orchestrate 5 one-on-one conversations and an amazing female athlete huddle again
Tuesday 1/27- We had an FCA state-wide staff meeting all day, which was cool. But the best part may have been talking to a friend who is moving away…but hearing how God is orchestrating details. I went to an event hosted by church expecting to not know a soul and run into a girl I worked FCA camp with 5 years ago, and two others with many mutual friends. Topped off the day talking with FCA staff from San Francisco where my buddy is moving to play soccer. It is awesome to watch the family of God at work…taking care of each other and connecting His people.

I needed that reminder…that He’s got the details. I forget sometimes. Hope you see Him as huge too.