• Eastern Kentucky Sports Reach opened the softball season with a trip to Little Sandy Correctional. Had a great day on the field going undefeated and a better one off the field with 5 inmates making decisions for Christ.
• There will be 5 girls fast pitch softball teams this year.  Fast pitch softball is under the direction of Kevin Johnson in Louisville.
• Texas Sports Reach went to prisons in Midway and Huntsville, TX last weekend.  Results are not available.
• We are still in need of help for scholarships for Belize trip.
• Shoes are in need to take to Belize.  If you have new or gently used shoes, please let us know and we will come get them.
• If you are interested in going on a trip this summer, let us know.

This event is designed to have great fellowship while raising money for summer mission trips to Far East, Belize, Brazil, and Puerto Rico.

• April 16, 2012 @ Lake Forrest Country Club (www.lakeforrestgolf.com) in Louisville, KY
• Tee time is at noon with free golf balls for the driving range.  Box lunch will be served before the round
• Each foursome will be assigned a celeb to be a fifth on the team.
• Each player will get golf hat and golf shirt.
• Long drive and closest to pin contests along with free snacks and soft drinks on course.
• 1, 2, and 3 place for teams
• Buffet dinner following the tournament where winners are announced.
• Cost is $600 per team and asking that each team consider a donation.
• Accepting hole sponsors
• To enter call Robby at 270-572-3131 or speer_rds@hotmail.com

CELEBRITIES COMMITTED AS OF 3/28

• Keith Farmer, Sports Broadcaster in Louisville
• Derrick Hord, former UK player
• Wayne Chapman, former College coach
• Mike Phillips, former UK player
• Chris Dortch, Blue Ribbon Magazine Editor
• Jack Givens, former UK player
• Austin Newton, EKU assistant coach
• Randy Embry, former UK player, scout for Miami Heat
• Gary Gupton, CEO Integrity Media
• Doug Flynn, former Major League Baseball Player
• Mike Pratt, color broadcaster UK basketball and former UK player
• Brett Campbell, assistant coach at Austin Peay
• Keith Adkins, Head Coach at CU

Well now, you can go to the Speer Sports Wear website (nothing to do with me) and browse the categories and  the products. Note: When you land on the Speer Sports Wear website you can find Sports Reach listed under the “Choose Your Organization” tab.

10% of each product purchase comes back to the ministry!

Click Here for the direct link.

We had the chance to prepare a meal and serve on Saturday morning.

In the evening, we were able to participate with a local group in feeding homeless in the afternoon.

Praise The Lord!

Craig Connatser was invited to share and he talked about running the race.  At the end of each session, he gave them and opportunity to invite Jesus Christ into their hearts.  He asked that anyone that had done that for the first time to come share with Coach Hardy.  When the second session wrapped up, one of the young men came over and shared that he had made that decision.  What a joy and Coach and one fellow footballer, shared where some of the Christian ball players met for Bible study.

On Tuesday morning, I got a call from Jim who shared that another player had come by his office.  He was a player who had been a player at one time at CU and left.  He had lost his job and was back in school.  The player shared that he did not know why he came back but thought that would be what was best.  He then followed up by saying that yesterday afternoon, for the first time, what that guy said made since to him and that he had invited Jesus into his heart.  He said that his life had been transformed and he now knew why he came back.  Needless to say, we all can rejoice in both on these decisions.

An event that was just a part of what was going on became a life changing experience for two guys.  Who knows maybe today as you go about your business, you will have a chance to be part of the “add on.”

For those that do not know, I have had a little bout with the heart.  I have been diagnosed with a genetic enlarged heart that was touched by a little viral thing and things kicked off.  I did not have a heart attack and the heart cath came back with no blockage.  I do, however, have to wear a heart defibrillator for 90 days and cannot leave the country for six months.

My life is now filled with some adjustments that have affected me.  But, with exercise, diet, medicine, rest, and lots of prayer, I will be fine.

So the question is what have I learned?  As I thought about this, I realized how poor choices have played a big part.   Though part of the problem is genetic, the other part has come from those wrong choices.  I knew better.  I knew that I needed to exercise, eat right, lose weight and I did dabble at it, but never really was all in.  Therefore, I am where I am.

Here is the sad part, though I like talking about this in terms of just “poor choices”, the reality is it has been a sin problem.  James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and does not, sins.”  I knew the things that should be done and did not do them, therefore it is sin.  So really we are in a spiritual issue.

I encourage each of you to take a look at where you are.  Are you holding back, in various parts of your life that will keep you from being what God wants you to be?  My prayer is if you are, then give that area to God so that you can be what He intends.

So for now, I will be with my new “trainer”, doing the things I should have done before. Hopefully, I won’t need this help long.  Keep me in your prayers.

New and gently used shoes will be collected along with donations to be shared in Belize, Florida, Pikeville, Campbellsville, and Columbia. If you cannot attend these events or have other resources for shoes,  please contact me directly to make additional arrangements.

—Robby

I have been part of a couple of these discussions that have really taken a different direction.  Here is what I would like to suggest.  I am convinced that one of the reasons that many are so amazed at the consistency of Tebow in his Christian walk is that it is not what they normally see in other Christians!

Here is an email that was sent to me:

“The light turned yellow just in front of him.  He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.  The tailgating women was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.  As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer.  The officer ordered her to exit the car with her hands up.  He took her to the police station, where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.  After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door.  She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.  He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake.  You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him.  Then, I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’  bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally…..I assumed you had stolen the car.”

For many people who claim to be Christians, the walk as a believer is just for Sunday’s.  The problem is the world is not in your church, it is outside your church.  This is where others are watching.  Tim Tebow is modeling his faith in his everyday life.  Titus 2:7 says, “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity and seriousness (NIV).” As believers, we are called to set the example in all aspects of our lives.  We are not called to live like Christians just on Sunday, but every day of the week.

It is awesome to see how the Bronco QB is following 1 Cor. 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  Facing the rigors of the NFL, it is not easy to do what Christ has called him to do, but he has been a model of consistency in his walk with Christ.

What if all Christians took the importance of following this verse in the same manner?  WOW!  What a difference would be made.  But many will say that this is too hard.  David in Psalms said in 71:7 “My life is an example to many, because you (God) have been my strength and protection.”  God will give us the strength to do what we need to do.

The question now that must be answered in how will we respond?  I sure hope we do it right, because the police might be behind us.