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Some of you know the story of former basketball superstar, Larry Bird. Larry was the third of six children, five boys and one girl. His father was chronically unemployed and an alcoholic who ultimately took his own life when Larry was in high school. Larry’s mother was a strong, proud woman who held her family together, often working three jobs. The family was close-knit and devoted to one another. If one of the children was ridiculed for wearing shabby clothes, the others would leap to his or her defense.
As early as junior high school, Larry’s love of basketball was obvious. He’d stay for hours after a game, practicing over and over the shots he’d missed during the contest. Unfortunately, he was so passionate to achieve that he was sometimes unable to control his temper under pressure. This led to a series of angry outbursts on the basketball court during his eighth-grade year.
One day his coach told Larry that he’d gone too far and could no longer be on the team. Larry was devastated. Basketball meant everything to him. However, this jolt made him reevaluate his attitude. He refocused his energies on new goals and made the team again, becoming a star on the Spring Valley High School team.
Larry’s next big challenge was going off to college. He got a scholarship at Indiana University, a source of great pride for the whole town of little French Lick. To come from a small town and play for the legendary coach Bobby Knight made Larry a local hero. But Larry felt out of place at Indiana. French Lick had a total population of two thousand people, and the university had thirty thousand students. After just a month, Larry became so homesick that he left school. And basketball legend Larry Bird went to work as a garbage collector.
A year later, he enrolled at Indiana State. And the rest, as they say, is history. Larry led Indiana State to the NCAA finals, where they lost to Michigan State, led by Magic Johnson. Larry went on to join the Boston Celtics and become a National Basketball Association and Olympic basketball champion. He was voted Most Valuable Player several times. Later he served as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
Sometimes we see people who are a spectacular success in life and we think it was handed to them on a silver platter. We do not know how much some of our heroes have overcome.
When I look at our new basketball courts, I think of the challenges our youth often have in their lives. Sports, like basketball, can give them an opportunity to find community, learn discipline, compete in healthy ways, and grow in their faith in God. They may have been dealt a difficult hand, but through faith and perseverance they can have victorious lives – because of what we are providing them.
This Sunday we have the opportunity to dedicate the new basketball courts following worship. We’re going to process out of church and go straight to the gates where we will hear the stories of the challenges we faces with David Killian, Executive Director of Youth For Christ, West Palm Beach, and also the miracles that took place in order to get them built.
We will also recognize a few of our key volunteers that helped make it happen, including Vince Burkhart and Todd Parrish. Vince helped us navigate the city permitting and construction. Todd has helped provide food and discipleship messages for the youth during their programming. Sadly, we are also bidding farewell to Todd as he is moving to St. Augustine, where he can make an impact like he did here in West Palm Beach and so many other places.
Let us “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” and maybe shoot a few free throws this Sunday!
In Christ; Pastor Dan
Special Announcements:
- We will be dedicating the new basketball courts after church this Sunday!
- Sign Up at the back of the church for the upcoming Holiday Lunches. They will be after worship on December 1st (Thanksgiving potluck, turkey and ham provided, bring side dishes or deserts); and December 22nd (after Christmas Program Lunch). Thank you to our wonderful kitchen volunteers.
- Join us for a special movie matinee of: “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin” on Sunday, November 24 at 2:55 p.m. at the Regal Royal Palm Beach Theater (1003 North SR 7 Royal Palm Beach, FL.) PG-13. COST: $10.00 payable to Pastor Dan – due this Sunday. There may be more seats available directly from the theater if needed.
Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who joined a deadly plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler and save millions of Jews during World War II. His story begs the question, how far will you go to stand up for what’s right?
- Mark your calendars:
November 17th – Dedication of Basketball Court and Farewell for Todd Parish
November 24th – Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch after Church (RSVP)
November 24th – Bonhoeffer Movie at 2:55 at Regal Royal Palm Beach Theater
December 1st – Christmas Decorating after worship
December 22nd – Church Christmas Program at 10:00 a.m.
December 24th – Christmas Eve Celebration Worship at 7:00 p.m.
December 29th – Special Service of Lessons and Carols
