Ok, here is a post that just opens my heart for all of you to see. I realized today that I have become too comfortable with my surroundings because I am around people like me.
I spent today attending a baseball coach’s conference in Alpharetta that most of all the high school and middle school coaches from around Georgia were attending. My “job” today was to man a booth that would have information about our mission trips to the Dominican this coming summer. I had a poster board display with photos from last year and nearly 200 flyers to pass out with all the trip details.
As I spent some time meeting coaches and checking out all the other really cool vendors (thankfully I didn’t carry any money with me) I realized that not a lot of folks were coming by to talk about the mission trip. I also began to listen to conversations that coaches around me were having and I couldn’t believe some of the topics of conversation. At this point I realized that I wasn’t surrounded by my usual group of folks. It finally struck me……this is uncomfortable. Two thoughts came to mind immediately. One, this was me about 10 years ago and two, I have been surrounded by some strong believers for quite some time. Either way……I was uncomfortable.
As I got in the car heading home this evening I made the hour drive back to McDonough in all quiet. No radio, no phone, nothing. I began to ponder, have I separated myself from the fallen world? You see, for the last 6 months I have been surrounded by a family of faith that has built me up during this transition into the ministry. I believe STRONGLY in Proverbs 27:17, “ As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We are called to spend time together and minster to each other but is that the only folks we are “called” to be around? Absolutely not! Jesus is our perfect example. He spent time with prostitutes, beggars, pagans, etc.
So, my challenge. How are the lost or fallen expected to see something different if we’re not available for them to see it.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
True "friends"
Psalm 1:1-"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.'
-As many of us re-evaluate ourselves at the first of the year I would challenge you to look around. Look at your "friends" and people you cling to. Do your friends build up for faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help you draw closer to God, not hinder, your relationship with Him.
-Many of us might answer, "sure, the people around me build up my faith". But let's not rule out those "friends" that we have on social media outlets. Our facebook, twitter, etc. friends can fill our computer screens, phones, and ipads with junk that slow down our growth. Lastly, evaluate....are you one of those "friends" that is hindering someone else from growing in the Lord?
-As many of us re-evaluate ourselves at the first of the year I would challenge you to look around. Look at your "friends" and people you cling to. Do your friends build up for faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help you draw closer to God, not hinder, your relationship with Him.
-Many of us might answer, "sure, the people around me build up my faith". But let's not rule out those "friends" that we have on social media outlets. Our facebook, twitter, etc. friends can fill our computer screens, phones, and ipads with junk that slow down our growth. Lastly, evaluate....are you one of those "friends" that is hindering someone else from growing in the Lord?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2011- The difference one year makes..........
As I sit here on New Year’s Eve with Lora and Lucas watching college football I couldn’t help but reflect on what 2011 has meant to me and my family. Most of you reading this know the journey we’ve been on but I felt the need to summarize.
This time last year (and most previous years) I take the end of the year to reflect on personal goals that were achieved. Things such as my training miles, workout schedules, races completed, business success, and ways to improve for the next year.
This New Year’s Eve I can’t say that any of those things have really crossed my mind. I will always be trying to improve health and athletic wise but I really don’t have much of a clue on how my “total” accomplishments were achieved. The reason? 2011 was a life changing year for me and my family.
In February I was contacted by an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) ministry leader in Atlanta and was asked to go to lunch. As we met it was expressed to me that God had opened the door for me to enter full time sports ministry as the Director of Baseball/Softball ministries in Georgia. As most of you know baseball has always been a passion of mine and the opportunity to minister to coaches, kids, and parents through this platform was exciting. I knew the consequences would be walking away from our insurance business where I had felt comfortable for the past 12 years. As I went home after the meeting I knew that Lora and I needed to do some SERIOUS talking and praying. As I have stated on several occasions I believe that God seems to speak to our wives quicker than most of us men ( or at least they listen better than we do..ha). This conversation was no different. Lora and I sat down, I explained my meeting with FCA and her response was, “you should have been doing this years ago”. I knew at this point it was time to start praying. It took us 4-6 weeks but it became very apparent that God was working in our lives and it was time to take the leap. So in May the journey began and steps were taken to follow God’s lead.
I could type for hours about how God placed so many people in my path that have been such a blessing but I will simply say this. I can’t thank all of you enough for your support, prayers, encouragement, and the same excitement that I had for what God was doing through the game of baseball to reach the world (you all know who you are). I couldn’t have done this without you. A special shout out to my family, friends, my baseball board members, and of course Lora and Lucas. I love you all!!
Since entering the sports ministry world this past summer I have been blessed to meet some awesome people, was part of 150 person baseball mission trip to the Dominican, seen young men lead to the Lord, coaches rededicate their lives, and hearts opened to become strong in their faith. The idea that God has chosen me and my family has been humbling to say the least. As I travel around Georgia and Atlanta area I have found that God has given me a voice to speak the Gospel/Truth and give coaches a different perspective on how to approach the game. You see…..a coach has more influence on a group of people in one year than most people have in a lifetime. The goal…..help them see that and make an impact on young people’s lives.
As 2012 is about 2 hours away I would be honest if I told you that I’m really not ready for 2011 to end. God used this year to change our life forever and I couldn’t be more blessed. However, knowing what He did in 2011 I can only be excited about what’s in store for 2012. My prayer is that all of you have a blessed 2012 and that you too find what it is that God is calling you to.
This time last year (and most previous years) I take the end of the year to reflect on personal goals that were achieved. Things such as my training miles, workout schedules, races completed, business success, and ways to improve for the next year.
This New Year’s Eve I can’t say that any of those things have really crossed my mind. I will always be trying to improve health and athletic wise but I really don’t have much of a clue on how my “total” accomplishments were achieved. The reason? 2011 was a life changing year for me and my family.
In February I was contacted by an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) ministry leader in Atlanta and was asked to go to lunch. As we met it was expressed to me that God had opened the door for me to enter full time sports ministry as the Director of Baseball/Softball ministries in Georgia. As most of you know baseball has always been a passion of mine and the opportunity to minister to coaches, kids, and parents through this platform was exciting. I knew the consequences would be walking away from our insurance business where I had felt comfortable for the past 12 years. As I went home after the meeting I knew that Lora and I needed to do some SERIOUS talking and praying. As I have stated on several occasions I believe that God seems to speak to our wives quicker than most of us men ( or at least they listen better than we do..ha). This conversation was no different. Lora and I sat down, I explained my meeting with FCA and her response was, “you should have been doing this years ago”. I knew at this point it was time to start praying. It took us 4-6 weeks but it became very apparent that God was working in our lives and it was time to take the leap. So in May the journey began and steps were taken to follow God’s lead.
I could type for hours about how God placed so many people in my path that have been such a blessing but I will simply say this. I can’t thank all of you enough for your support, prayers, encouragement, and the same excitement that I had for what God was doing through the game of baseball to reach the world (you all know who you are). I couldn’t have done this without you. A special shout out to my family, friends, my baseball board members, and of course Lora and Lucas. I love you all!!
Since entering the sports ministry world this past summer I have been blessed to meet some awesome people, was part of 150 person baseball mission trip to the Dominican, seen young men lead to the Lord, coaches rededicate their lives, and hearts opened to become strong in their faith. The idea that God has chosen me and my family has been humbling to say the least. As I travel around Georgia and Atlanta area I have found that God has given me a voice to speak the Gospel/Truth and give coaches a different perspective on how to approach the game. You see…..a coach has more influence on a group of people in one year than most people have in a lifetime. The goal…..help them see that and make an impact on young people’s lives.
As 2012 is about 2 hours away I would be honest if I told you that I’m really not ready for 2011 to end. God used this year to change our life forever and I couldn’t be more blessed. However, knowing what He did in 2011 I can only be excited about what’s in store for 2012. My prayer is that all of you have a blessed 2012 and that you too find what it is that God is calling you to.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
14 yr old FCA baseball player making a difference....
I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. I pray that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and are now preparing for 2012 and what God has in store for us.
I wanted to share this article that was written about a young man that is part of our FCA Baseball ministry. I meet Logan this past June at a pre mission's trip meeting/practice. I ministered along side Logan while we spent 7 days in the Dominican Republic on one of our FCA Baseball mission trips. As I read this article I couldn't help but think of this passage.
1Timothy4:12-
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
http://www.macon.com/2011/12/18/1824831/bonaire-middle-recaptures-fca.html
For those looking to give to a ministry prior to year end we would love to have your support.
http://www.georgiafcabaseball.org/
https://northeastatlantabaseball.publishpath.com/Default.aspx?shortcut=donate&OriginalDomain=georgiafcabaseball.org
By His Power,
Mike Roby
FCA Director of Baseball/Softball
770-713-9903
MRoby@fca.org
ROMANS 12:1-2
I wanted to share this article that was written about a young man that is part of our FCA Baseball ministry. I meet Logan this past June at a pre mission's trip meeting/practice. I ministered along side Logan while we spent 7 days in the Dominican Republic on one of our FCA Baseball mission trips. As I read this article I couldn't help but think of this passage.
1Timothy4:12-
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
http://www.macon.com/2011/12/18/1824831/bonaire-middle-recaptures-fca.html
For those looking to give to a ministry prior to year end we would love to have your support.
http://www.georgiafcabaseball.org/
https://northeastatlantabaseball.publishpath.com/Default.aspx?shortcut=donate&OriginalDomain=georgiafcabaseball.org
By His Power,
Mike Roby
FCA Director of Baseball/Softball
770-713-9903
MRoby@fca.org
ROMANS 12:1-2
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