FCA Daily Devotion – Perseverance

James 1:12
 
Have you ever met someone who seems to glow with enthusiasm and zest for life?  Have you ever talked with that person and asked from where that glow comes?  In the Bible we are given a good idea about the source of life that comes with a crown.
In the apostle James’ letter at chapter 1 and verse 12 he writes, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been proven he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  Most of us have experienced some kind of trial.  Trials like sitting too many minutes on the bench, the death of a friend or family member, watching our parents’ marriage crumble, or battling with cancer just to stay alive.
James says that when we persevere under trial we will receive something called the crown of life and it will make us blessed.  To be blessed is to be contentedly happy, that would be nice, huh?
What might the crown of life look like?  Have you ever seen anyone who has been through the fires of life and has come out the other side with grace and enthusiasm for life?  You probably know someone who wears the crown of life every day.  That same crown has been promised to us if we persevere under our trials.
Let’s press on, through the hard times, through feeling unappreciated and under utilized, through broken relationships and physical pains.  There is a crown waiting for us at the finish line.  Press on toward the crown and toward being blessed of the Lord.
Bible Reading Plan:
John 10:1-10
I John 2:12-17
Ezekiel 29-30
Roger Lipe is an acclaimed author/writer and also serves as the executive director of the southern Illinois chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and chaplain for SIU Football. Follow Roger at www.sifca.org and http://sportchaplainsportmentor.blogspot.com/.

FCA Daily Devotion – Endurance

Hebrews 12:1
How would you characterize your season of competition, more like a sprint or a marathon?  Which one requires more perseverance, the ten second race or the two hour race?  Those answers are obvious, but the keys to such perseverance and endurance are a little more elusive.
The letter to the Hebrews mentions such values in chapter 12 and verse 1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
I have a friend who is an 8 time winner of the Boston Marathon, in a wheelchair!  Jean Driscoll knows what endurance is.  To win that race requires going 26.2 miles in a wheelchair, in just over 1 and ½ hours.  That’s fast and fast for a long time.  That’s what endurance looks like.
Your course is set before you this season, it’s called a schedule.  We can all see it, but can we all finish it with endurance?  We certainly can if we’ll heed the instructions from the earlier parts of the verse.  We must keep our predecessors in mind for inspiration and encouragement.  We must lay aside those things which weigh us down and ensnare our lives.  Lastly, we must compete every day with the end of the season in mind.  Let’s compete for a championship and approach every day of practice and each competition like champions.
Bible Reading Plan:
John 9:26-41
Job 9:21-35
Ezekiel 27-28
Roger Lipe is an acclaimed author/writer and also serves as the executive director of the southern Illinois chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and chaplain for SIU Football. Follow Roger at www.sifca.org and http://sportchaplainsportmentor.blogspot.com/.

Tickets on sale Saturday for Zeigler Fire Dept. fundraiser

Tickets go on sale Saturday, Nov. 10, for a December fundraiser officials hope will provide funds for a construction project at the Zeigler Fire Department. The Dec. 8 fundraiser called “Raise the Roof” aims to do just that, and provide covering for first responder’s vehicles at the fire station.

Tickets will be available starting today at Casey’s General Store and the Post Office in Zeigler.

The event starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Zeigler Eagles, with a meal of pulled pork sandwich, slaw and baked beans being served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by music by Shakey Jake from 8 p.m. until midnight. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the night of the event.

For more information, contact any volunteer firefighter in Zeigler. “Raise the Roof” tickets are $15 for adults, and $7 for children ages 12 and under.

— Bruce A. Fasol

FCA Daily Devotion – Hindrances

Hebrews 12:1
What is the single greatest hindrance to you as you compete?  Is it a lack of concentration?  Maybe it’s a physical limitation?  Could it be a nagging fear of failure?  How can these things be overcome?  Let’s consider an idea from the Bible.
The writer of Hebrews had certainly seen the competitions of his day and he writes with reference to them in chapter 12 and verse 1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
The writer would have seen the athletes of the ancient world strip off all their clothes in order to compete unencumbered by the robes common to Greek culture.  That’s what he means when he says to lay aside every weight.  He encourages us to lay aside the things which weigh us down as we compete.
For us, it’s not usually clothes that weigh us down.  More often it’s a bad habit, a foolish attitude, a selfish lifestyle or an unhealthy relationship that hinders us as we compete.  The solution to the hindrance is still the same, lay it aside.
You wouldn’t dream of competing in a wet, heavy overcoat.  So why be weighed down by other things which are equally detrimental to your personal and corporate goals?  Lay it aside!  You and your team will be better because of your good choices.  Let that kind of selfless attitude characterize today’s competition.
Bible Reading Plan:
John 9:1-12
I John 1:1-4
Job 8
Ezekiel 22-23

Z-R Student Is a Leader On and Off the Court

Marrisa Battaglia is a senior at Zeigler-Royalton High school who is known as a leader on and off the court. Marrisa enjoys being a part of everything going on at Z-R. She is on the Zeigler-Royalton Volleyball team for the fourth time this year. She has been the setter, right hitter, and now the middle hitter. Volleyball is a sport where Marrisa says that she can “just have fun and not get too stressed.” She loves her volleyball team. Even though she is the lone senior on the team, Marrisa is welcoming the leadership role. “It’s lonely being the only senior, but I love being looked up to by the rest of the team.”

Marrisa is also a part of the Drama Club. She says, “Drama Club is fun because I enjoy acting crazy.” This would explain the ease in which she executed last year’s role as a delusional person who thought she was a superhero. “The most challenging part was trying to keep a straight face because of how funny the play actually was.” She has been a part of Drama Club for her all four years of being in high school but has acted for two of those years. Her plans to are act again this year.

Marrisa is one of the seniors who are a part of the basketball team. Even though it is not her favorite sport, she says, “Basketball takes a lot of time and effort, but keeps me in shape.” However, she doesn’t mind spending so much time with her teammates. Marrisa enjoys the dinners her team has because it makes her team more like a family. Marrisa’s favorite sport is softball. Because it is her and her father’s favorite sport, it puts a lot of stress on her. Her dad shows her that he really wants her to try her best, and try hard to make few mistakes. Since it is so important to her as well, she feels the same way about her mistakes.

Marrisa never really has any free time. “I’m usually always doing something with my time, even my free time.” When she does find the time to be free, she enjoys going out to eat with her family because it is a great way to bond and catch up on things. Marrisa has a yearly family vacation to Mexico that she enjoys as well. She finds herself going to the movies quite a bit with her best friend when she has the time.

In the classroom, Marrisa is an exceptional student, she is a high honor student at ZR.  In fact, she is in the running for this year’s valedictorian. Marrisa’s favorite subject is science. Even though she is not sure what she is going to major in after high school, she is considering on going to a junior college before moving on to a four year university. She understands that she has the opportunity to try out many things in college. That way, when she does tell her major, she will know that is what she wants to do for the rest of her life.

First-ever Ladies Night Out set for Nov. 15

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Saluki men’s basketball program will hold its first-ever Ladies Night Out on Thursday, Nov. 15, at SIU Arena.

Ladies Night Out

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the main lobby and includes a Q&A with head coach Barry Hinson, on-court demonstrations by Saluki players, a picture and autograph session, a strength & conditioning demonstration, and a locker room tour. Appetizers and beverages will be served, and all participants will receive a special gift.

The price to attend is $25. Please RSVP by Nov. 13 by calling Nate Mast in the basketball office at 618-453-7950 or by e-mail at nmast@athletics.siu.edu. Proceeds will benefit the Women’s Center in Carbondale.

Teaming Up

West Frankfort’s St.Johns Catholic School is teaming up with Bella’s Restaurant of West Frankfort this weekend for a school fundraiser.  Saturday evening, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bella’s is hosting a wine tasting event. Different wines, some from the area vineyards and wineries will be featured, as well as specialty beers.
Cost is $25 per person, with tickets available at he school until end of day Friday. Tickets will be available at the door as well at Bella’s on east Main Street. Dress is “sharp casual” according to organizers. The ticket includes appetizers, wine, specialty beers and complimentry glass. Music will be performed by Aaron Schaumbach. And, there will be a silent auction included in the evening’s festivities.
St.John’s school bosts of a 12-1 teacher/student ratio. Individual instruction is one of the hallmarks of the smaller classrooms, providing academic training in a number of disciplines.
For more information phone 937-2017.

FCA Daily Devotion – Character Tests

I Peter 1:6
What do you find to be a trial while competing in your sport?  What parts of your character are tried in that process?  Does it test your will, your body, your attitudes, your emotions, maybe all the above?  How deeply are you affected by those trials?
In Peter’s first letter to his friends in what is now Turkey, at chapter 1 and verse 6 we read, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.”
While we all find great enjoyment and fulfillment through playing the game, while many of us seemingly live for competition, the trying parts of the process often wear us down.  The grief that comes with sore muscles, painful joints, disappointing losses and strained relationships are all trials for all of us.
We greatly rejoice in the best parts of our game, but we also, for a little while, may have to undergo plenty of grief through the more difficult parts of competition, practice, travel and study.
As you approach this day’s competition, focus your mind on your favorite part of this game.  Put the grief and the trying parts of it behind you.  Keep clearly in view your team’s goals and press on toward a great finish and a tremendous victory.
Bible Reading Plan:
Ecclesiastes 11
Jeremiah 39-43

First-ever reunion held for former UMWA Hospital employees

They had stories to tell, and folks who would appreciate them this past weekend.  Around 75 persons, with more than half former employees, gathered for a reunion of former workers at the UMWA Hospital, in West Frankfort. The reunion was held at the Aquatics Center, at the park.
Kim Stubblefield, one of the organizers, tells franklincounty-news.com that this may have been the first such reunion, but it could be an annual tradition.
“We got the word out mostly by social media,and still got an impressive attendance,” said Stubblefield.
One of the highlights was the surprise appearance of former hospital director Bill Palmer who mingled with the guests and exchanged stories with old acquaintances and their families.  Each person seemed to have their own story to tell, with each mention of a name or two bringing nods and smiles.
One of the plans of the former workers is to have some sort of commemorative rock, or monument where the former hospital once stood. The more modern portion of the structure is now gone. The original wooden building which served as the first hospital still stands, but is to be demolished.
Recently, the city of West Frankfort purchased the land to develope and / or resell.  Mayor Tom Jordan said he believes that it would be a prime site for medical concerns as it is across from a doctors clinic and two pharmacies.
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News