To kick off the summer vacation, my youngest daughter and I went on a 20-mile, three-day back-packing trip. I have been on several trips, but this was her first. We were hiking a section of the Monadnock-Sunapee Trail and followed their guidebook and trail markers for the three days of hiking. By following their book, we found shelters or platforms on which to spend the night and we found plenty of water to pump into our water bottles.

Hockey Chat:  Have you ever listen to an interview with a hockey player when they are questioned about their opponent.  It could be the last place team but they always find a way to say something nice and honorable about them.  They give the respect to them even though they are the adversary.  Then of course they add their strategy on how they are going to beat them.  They are courteous but confident.

Paul writes in Romans and Jesus says in John that we are not to be of "this world" and in effort to doing so University of Mary FCA is taking on the BIG Challenge.  I know what most of you are thinking... what is this BIG Challenge?

One of the highest viewed tv shows in America is called "Biggest Loser" which if you didn't know deals with people losing the most weight. Doctors have been telling us time and time again that being BIG is not a good thing, but here at UMary we think the opposite. BIG stands for Bring Incredible Glory, and that we what we are striving to do... not alone, but together in Christ. Which is where our verse of the year comes into play, "

Jeff Hart, a retired offensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, knew that in order to be able to handle the opposing linemen, he needed to concentrate on every play. After breaking from the huddle, Jeff would look at the goalpost in the end zone, which symbolized for him the cross of Christ and reminded him of who he was really serving. He would then commit the next play to an audience of One. This focus and devotion allowed Jeff to play at his best and helped him to keep perspective. Whether professional or not, every athlete and coach faces a variety of challenges. Adversity comes to all of us at some point in life and requires that we focus on what is most important. Whether it’s a difficult situation with a player or a series of losses, we will have struggles.

Last week I got to go to Austin, Texas, to interview Colt McCoy for the December issue of Sharing the Victory magazine and our online video ministry. In my line of work, I get to sit down with Christian athletes and coaches on a regular basis and talk about their faith. It’s a dream job, of course, and one that I thank God for every day.

In all of these interviews, I meet a lot of different personality types. There are hard-nosed, intense guys who convey that in their passion for the Lord. Some are more reserved and shy, yet incredibly sincere. Others are just straight-forward, no-nonsense athletes who tell you like it is. It’s such a unique opportunity to see how God’s body has many different parts that function as a whole unit for His glory.

Hockey Chat:  Could you imagine what the scores would be like if goalies weren’t allowed to wear any equipment.  We’ve got some talent between the posts during our skates but they thank much of that to the equipment they put on.  Not only does it help to stop the pucks, it stops the pain as well.  Going out there unequipped would be disastrous.  Sure they would stand there for a few minutes and maybe even grab a slow sliding puck with their bare hands.  But as the attacks keep coming, their lack of preparedness would leave them broken down.  Every player has equipment to keep them safe.  It helps them stand their ground and play hard.

Baseball immortal Ty Cobb, one of the greatest hitters of all time, was also a base- stealing “demon” during his playing days. In his autobiography, My Life in Baseball, the True Record, Cobb admitted that often he would use trickery to fool his opponents and steal a base.