June 28, 2008
Casting Crowns
Most of you who know me know I’m not really much into music.
I’ve owned maybe 5 CDs my whole life. Two of them I actually bought… one back in the 80s. The others were given to me pretty recently, within the last 4-5 years.
One that I was given was a Chris Tomlin CD. I listened to it so much it literally wore out in my Jeep Wrangler’s CD player, and it also basically wore out my CD player, which has been busted for over a year now. That CD was important to me and had an impact on my life.
Another Christian band has had an impact on me, as well. This band is called Casting Crowns. In fact, I’ve even been looking at new CD players at Walmart for my Jeep….
These guys are amazing, not just in the quality of music, but also in the message they represent and present. They are bold and they are focused on reaching the weakened faith in the church.
Their messages have captivated the teens I’ve come across like no other. In a direction starved generation of teens and young adults who are begging for strong Christian adult leadership, Casting Crowns has stepped out and stepped up to purposefully light the beacon for all to see.
Unlike a flashlight which focuses intently on one issue, or an “all-encompassing” light which generically does little to give direction, a beacon guides and warns. A beacon shows a location to come to or a location to avoid.
A beacon can be used as a flashlight and it can be used an an “all-encompassing’ light, but it serves a bigger bolder purpose. It guides, it directs, it beckons, it warns….
I realize the vast majority of you are not Christian, or haven’t really ever heard about “Christian” music. The audience for this blog reaches over 120 countries.
My hope is to introduce you to a guy, Mark Hall, and his band who wants to really make a difference in the world.
Check ’em out. You’ll be glad you did.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
I’m up to 159 friends! You guys are awesome. By next Sunday, 250!? 🙂
June 24, 2008
WOW… WOW!!
Through a God-sized series of unplanned events, one of the America’s foremost Christian businessmen, and his wife, have just offered my Christian tennis missions & academy students the opportunity to potentially relocate their tennis, missions, and discipleship training to one of his properties, which was originally designed as a corporate retreat.
This unique Florida based property has…
- 2 tennis courts
- Large heated swimming pool w/ deck
- 6 hotel styled, fully furnished, luxury rooms; each complete w/ own air-conditioning unit & bathroom
- Approx 7000′
- 3 large living areas w/ 20′ ceilings & glass walls
- Multiple storage rooms
- Fully furnished
- 20+ person dining table
- On lake
- On golf course
- Billiard table
- Ping Pong table
- 14 car parking
- Game room
- 2 washers & dryers
- 6 burner gas stove
- Industrial style kitchen w/ two refrigerators and two ovens
- Conference room
- Sauna
- 6 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, 1 additional shower
- In wall hide-a-way guest bed
- Fishing from back deck
- Beautifully landscaped 8 acres
- Safe, luxury gated community
- Minutes from beach
The entire facility is large enough to comfortably host 20-25 full time ministry students and a house manager.
Additional homes in the gated community are available to house overflow students, plus… coaches, parents, guests, and me 🙂 .
Several years ago we were in negotiations to purchase/rent the Grenelefe Tennis Center in Haines City, Fl. The deal fell through last minute as a new ownership group bought the place. I was pretty disappointed, and have been somewhat “gun shy” about new opportunities since.
This current opportunity is different as the ownership is steady and reliable, and God set up the meeting, not me. The Christian founder of a billion $ corporation tends to be much more trustworthy than a group of 30-something year old non-Christian business partners trying to make a fast buck. As such, I find myself curiously excited at the present potential opportunity.
We have clearly outgrown our current location. Though I love it here very much, I continually am forced to turn away students due to lack of space. And turning away high-quality students is bad business and bad ministry. It truly bothers me each time I tell a kid they can’t come.
So, God gives us an opportunity to possibly grow from 6-8 full time players to 20-25 full time players. Plus, plenty of room for part time campers in local housing.
The potential in this situation means that more and more professional tennis players will be able to have a Christian home base for training. The impact from this could be world reaching for the Kingdom as the pro tennis player gains knowledge of Jesus and shares this knowledge with their fans, family, and country.
And more tennis teens from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as Eastern Europe & South America, will have opportunity to be grow an
d develop their faith and tennis in a positive, Christian environment that they currently do not have.
And so many more international students will learn about Jesus and take their knowledge back home.
And more kids will go to college on tennis scholarships and gain a new life and a new hope for a brighter future….
Let me now, though, make sure I clearly explain that we don’t yet have use of the property, and may never. I want to make that clear to you.
Possibly nothing comes from it at all.
I don’t know what will happen, but what I do know is this unexpected opportunity looks good, the owner is genuine, and God clearly put us all together at an amazing time.
Please keep this in your prayers. I’ll keep you updated.
God bless, Scott Paschal
PS. Facebook challenge update… I’m up to 107 friends! Keep ’em coming and let’s roll the challenge number up to 150!
June 19, 2008
Scott Paschal’s Facebook Challenge!
Yep, it happened. I’m on Facebook.
I’ve decided to dance with the devil. I know, you’re wondering if pigs are flying. My answer t
o you is that pigs still can’t fly, but they can drown when inhabited by demons, as you can learn when you read my Spooky Naked Guy Chronicles.
That said, I’m on Facebook. And I’m up to 40+ friends. And I’m seeing the ministry potential.
So, here’s the challenge. Help me get to 100+ friends by the end of next week. If you do, I’ll upload a video of me clucking like a chicken, or maybe I won’t. But, either way you will help me reach my goal and that’s gotta make you happy 🙂
God bless!
Scott Paschal
June 10, 2008
2008 Fall ICTA Tennis Tour Dates: ICTA Women’s Christian Pro Tennis Team
God is using our International Christian Tennis Association Women’s Pro Tennis Team is such special ways, and in so many places worldwide! (click pic up to two times to make the pic really large!)
This wonderful, Christ-centered team of professional athletes was once just a dream of mine! Now, wowww… it’s a reality! God is so good!
Fall 2008 ICTA Pro Team Outreaches… Reaching…
- 5 Continents
- 6 Countries
- 10 Cities
- 11 Pro Tournaments
- 80+ Days on Tour
- 275+ Main Draw WTA Players
- 350+ Pro Tournament Qualifier Players
For people who enjoy following our International Christian Tennis Association Women’s Pro Tennis Team, and for players looking for updates for the 2008 Fall Tour, here is an update….
Our tentative Fall 2008 Tour schedule is available now. The dates/countries are subject to change, but this is a pretty good guide for what’s to come.
The International Tennis Federation, ITF, has not posted details past Sept. about which cities will host the tournaments. At this time, only the countries are known, though we do have an indicator of the potential cities from the 2007 ITF tournament schedule.
Hotel, airfare, and transportation costs, and which churches and/or ICTA members we partner with for possible host housing will all be factored in to help us determine the finalized dates and locations.
If you are a female pro player (or junior capable of competing at the ITF $10,000-$75,000 level) who wants to be on a team, contact me as soon as possible.
You have to apply and be accepted (takes time), you have to pay base training and travel fees (takes time), you have to sign paperwork and release forms (takes time).
If you want to travel simply as a hitting partner or a support team member, you still must follow the exact same guidelines as everyone else. So contact me at least 4 weeks before a tour date, 6-8 weeks is best.
That said, get your paperwork in early :)!
God bless, Coach Scotty
386 793 0557/ballboy4Jesus@yahoo.com
Argentina:
- Aug 25- Sept 1 City TBA
- Sept 1- Sept 7 City TBA
Ukraine (Not a tournament, just hanging out at Anastasia’s house)
- Sept 10- Sept 20 Kiev
Greece
- Sept 22-Sept 29 City TBA
- Sept 30- Oct 6 City TBA
USA
- Oct 7-10 City TBA
Nigeria
- Oct 12-19 Lagos
- Oct 20-27 Lagos
USA
- Nov 3-Nov 9 City TBA
- Nov 10- Nov 17 City TBA
Pakistan (cancelled: replaced by Argentina and Ecuador!)
- Nov 20- December 7 City Argentina
- Dec 8- Dec 18 City Ecuador
Fall 2007-Spring 2008 ICTA Women’s Pro Team Outreaches… Reaching…
France-Israel-Nigeria-USA-Mexico-Canada (click pic!)
June 7, 2008
Ana Ivanovic: The Match is Burning
Congrats go out to Ana Ivanovic for winning the 2008 French Open!
In straight sets Ana Ivanovic crushed Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3 to not only claim her first Grand Slam title, but also establish herself as the #1 WTA player.
A couple years ago my friend, Gene Scott, the now deceased founder of Tennis Week Magazine, once mentioned he believes he found the next big thing in women’s tennis.
He described the potential of Ana Ivanovic to dominate the sport.
As Gene was among the most influential men in the global tennis industry, people took note of what he said.
For me, since Gene was a member of the International Christian Tennis Association, and we were hanging out together in the Bahamas talking about how to make my seemingly impossible dreams for ICTA come true, I also listened to what Gene had to say.
Gene was right. Ana Ivanovic is unbelievable…
Yet, can I say something here? Though I think Ana Ivanovic is amazing, I’m really concerned for her.
Justine Henin just quit. She walked away from the sport as WTA #1. Her mind, body, and spirit were broken down. Now, a new player takes her spot.
The pressure now goes on a young, unsuspecting Ana Ivanovic.
And I can’t help but think about how poorly Serena Williams has handled the pressure as she has aged, even recently posing nude for a Jane Magazine photo shoot… which ended up in your child’s Tennis Week Magazine.
Hopefully, a nude Ana Ivanovic isn’t part of the mix, though many provocative pictures of Ana Ivanovic half-naked have surfaced recently as the global tennis industry, WTA, and Ana Ivanovic’s sponsors seek $ from using her body to promote agendas, such as making tennis sexy.
Let’s make it a point to keep Ana Ivanovic in our prayers. As her fame grows beyond her wildest dreams, she’s going to need people in her corner in prayer. I’d like to ask for our ICTA membership, which encompasses over 1800 cities in 65 countries worldwide, to come together in prayer…
And let’s pray not just for Ana Ivanovic, but the entire WTA Tour.
Pray for the people who work in the WTA Tour offices, pray for the coaches, pray for the nearly 1900 WTA players…
My dream is for WTA to become a beacon for all that is positive in women’s sports.
Currently, unfortunately, WTA is known as a beacon for “sexual preference.” As WTA follows in the footsteps of its founder, Billy Jean King, I can see how and why this has happened.
I’d like to see a day when “sexual preference” in WTA is replaced with Godly principles and Kingdom minded actions. Plenty of people within WTA are Christian and are International Christian Tennis Association members. Each can have a direct impact for Christian equality in WTA, even if some of their influential co-workers seem to be God-a-phobic.
Listen, if a person is allowed to stand up and openly discuss how she prefers to have sex with other women, then you darn sure had better be allowed to stand up and openly discuss your love of Jesus!
If not, call me! We have plenty of friends who are Christian attorneys who will use their expertise to protect your rights, often at no financial cost to you.
And FYI, one of my friends and mentors in tennis back in the mid ’90s was a lesbian… and I have a ministry to homosexuals… so you God-a-phobes and heter-a-phobes out there don’t even think about bashing me and playing the “are intolerant” card!
YOU are intolerant… and I have EVERY right to my opinions and preferences.
And, I don’t want to here from the self-righteous “Christians” out there, either, who can’t the the logs in their own eyes…
I’m simply stating that I’d like to see Jesus be the famous one in the sport.
Two wrap this up, International Christian Tennis Association has reached well over 20% of the top 200 WTA players. A strong Christian base is being created and gathered and motivated for positive change in women’s tennis.
Players are unhappy with the WTA status quo. ICTA seeks to bring the religious faith of WTA players, even if different from Christianity, to the forefront.
Players want Chaplains at WTA events. Players want to be protected from bully tactics by “sexual preference” people in positions of power within WTA and the ITF Pro Circuit. Players want change.
WTA players, their coaches, their families, their sponsors, and their friends are beginning to rise up and pray.
In my eyes, Justine Henin has been a beacon for all that is right and all that is wrong with the Women’s Tennis Association.
To Ana Ivanovic I’d like to ask her to focus on learning all she can about Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.
Now that she is at the top, the match is burning.
My prayer is she doesn’t get burned.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association
June 5, 2008
Roger Almighty: The Worship of Roger Federer
Roger Federer is arguably the best tennis player in tennis history.
Without question, Federer has been the best player over the last 4 years. Not only has he been an amazing player, but he is someone who seems in his own way to work hard to be a positive ambassador for the sport.
Ask junior tennis players who they want to be like when they grow up, and you often hear them reply, “Roger Federer!”
As kids, most of us probably had our sports idols. Me, I thought Roger Staubach, the Super Bowl winning quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys was amazing.
But, as I grew older, and hopefully wiser, I’ve come to realize people who compete at a high level in their sport, while achieving fame and fortune, are not necessarily worthy of being role models.
We tend to treat celebrities with a type of reverence. I guess it’s human nature. For some reason we readily give these sports idols the reigns to our life, and the ability to influence our history.
Do you want to know how many top 100 ATP players regularly have sex with multiple partners… nightly!? I can name a couple. Should these men advise your son… or daughter… on life lessons?
Chris is leaving soon to play college and is embarking in a life of Christian ministry. What a treasure and a joy to have had Chris as a part-time academy student, and full time friend, these last 6 years.
I remember a few years ago when Federer split with his coach. He said he didn’t need one. So, kids worldwide decided they, too, didn’t need coaches. To be “cool” they decided they were experienced and aware enough to develop themselves into top 10 ATP or WTA players.
Unfortunately, the kids, and the parents who supported their decision, were wrong. And we have an entire generation of junior tennis players coming up who are woefully underdeveloped.
In addition, this generation of junior player learned to believe they were superior in knowledge to tennis coaches.
As incomes dried up, and reputations were damaged… how many good coaches did we lose to this, both now and in the future?
And from this how many kids were robbed of the mentorship and accountability structure provided by a caring coach? Among the most influential people in my life have been the men of God placed in my life who have taught me not just sports, but have taught me about life.
Sure Federer gave several coaches select roles at certain tournaments for short periods of time, and even had coaches here and there for weeks at a time. But, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m concerned that his overall public theme about coaches and mentorship is damaging.
I don’t know where I would have been without my coaches.
Those coaches in and of themselves by their examples and deeds have taught me how to have a relationship with my Creator, and how to live within an accountability structure, and how to plan and achieve goals, and so much more…
So, to the kid who worshiped Roger Federer and dumped his or her coach, I have to ask if they can see now their choice wasn’t such a good one. And to Roger Federer I would ask if he realizes the difficult impact his choice has had on junior tennis development and beyond….
In addition, kids are highly aware Federer isn’t married, yet travels with his girlfriend worldwide, shacking up in hotels and playing married? Thus, kids believe it’s cool to do the same….
Honestly, I find it hard to believe she is the one who wants to stay unmarried. She has helped him earn millions of $ for years, and obviously loves him. And Fed probably doesn’t want a huge, public breakup where she is left with nothing. Or a “forced” marriage from pregnancy….
Just get married, Fed.
What are your thoughts on this? Is this the message you believe should dominate the hearts and minds of your sons and daughters?
Should sex outside the bonds of marriage be promoted so outspokenly by one of the world’s highest profile athletes? Does this undermine God’s plan for marriage?
Do you feel good about Roger Federer’s highly publicized actions possibly guiding your children away from God’s views on marriage and sex and family?
Sure, he has his foundation which helps people. And without question, he strives to remain humble and approachable. I think we all really, really like him, right?
That said, I’m not questioning his likableness. Nor am I judging him. I make mistakes and am the first to say I am not a good person. I am simply asking you if Roger Federer should be an object of your child’s worship.
Or should you work to replace Roger with Jesus in your child’s heart?
Now, as Roger Federer sees his amazing career slowing, what will be his legacy? Sure, he will be known as among the tennis’ best. But, I’m asking what his real legacy will be.
What will be the Kingdom impact he will have for Christ?
If you are an atheist reading this… you probably want to puke. Understandable. This may seem ridiculous to you. That’s ok, your belief that nothing created everything seems ridiculous to me, too
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Campus President, Emma Hustad, in Normandy, France w/ ICTA Founder, Scott Paschal, and ICTA Women's Pro Team Captain, Rachel Snelen, during 2007 ICTA foundation-laying outreach to Roland Garros
That said, a big question comes up when I talk with kids. I ask, “Who is your idol?”
I listen to what they have to say. Then, I ask them if they understand their choices in life have a huge impact on the direction and growth and quality of not just their tennis, but their lives. And not just their lives, but the lives of others?
Instead of giving my opinion on who they should idolize, I ask them to look at the Bible for guidance.
Like Roger Federer, Scott Paschal is flawed. I have my daily struggles, and I’m the first to say if God hadn’t guided me into Christian ministry, I have no business being here with my life story.
Additionally, I’m not an expert on what every kid should do. But, I am someone who looks to God’s word when I see something I need to improve in my life. Especially when organizing my life priorities!
That said, a question I ask myself is, “Who or what rules my life?” Is it tennis, family, career, ministry friends…?
What about you?
Who sits on the throne of your life?
Is it Roger Federer or Maria Sharapova? Or someone or something else? If so, let’s take a look at what God’s word says.
Jump Down… Off of Your Throne
“(The people of Tyre and Sidon who had sought an audience with Herod because they had been quarreling with him). On the appointed day King Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an Angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:21-23 (NIV)
(Pretty gross, huh? Eaten by worms and died! Notice the order here. First eaten, then died. Not too pretty for a King….)
KEY QUESTIONS: “Who or What sits on the throne of your life? What is my priority?”
1. Is it self?
2. Is it success?
3. Is it stuff?
*A Man Called Doubting Thomas
“Jesus said he was going to Bethany and be with Lazarus even though the disciples warned him that some of the Jews tried to take his life the last time He was there). Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of disciples, let us also go that we may die with him’ .” John 11:16 (NIV)
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it’.” John 20:24-25 (NIV)
1. Didymus means twin.
“Thomas (called Didymus)….”
2. Thomas had the courage to go and die with Jesus.
“…let us go that we may die with him.”
3. Yet Thomas lacked the faith to believe in Jesus. ”
…I will not believe it.”
*Our Personal Struggles with Duplicity
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify you hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
1. In some ways all Christians are two different persons
“I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to sin that is still within me. In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.” Romans 7:22-23 (LB)
2. Our greatest struggle is within
“So you see how it is: my new life tells me o do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin.” Romans 7:24a (LB)
3. The danger is falling back to our selfish, carnal nature.
“Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?” Romans 7:24b (LB)
*Hopping Off of the Throne
“Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.” Romans 7:24-25 (LB)
1. First, I must determine who or what sits on the throne of my life.
“So why do you call me ‘Lord’, when you won’t obey me?” Luke 6:46 (NLT)
2. Then, I must replace whatever is sitting on my throne with Jesus.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of man who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
3. Third, I must determine that Jesus Christ will be all of all of my life.
” Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hands into his side, I will not believe it’. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God! Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” John 20:24-29
Closing Thoughts: A Wise Person Once Said…
“If Jesus Christ is not your LORD of ALL He is not your LORD at ALL!!
Can I say something that I think Roger Federer would be the first to agree with?
Federer is just a man, a regular guy with regular struggles. A guy who happens to be a celebrity. He isn’t in any way, shape, or form an answer to or a replacement for… Jesus.
Junior tennis players are a solitary bunch. They seldom benefit from a team atmosphere. Mom and Dad dedicate weekends to tournament travel. Attending church is forgotten. Sunday’s are dedicated for tournament semifinals and finals.
My student, Anastasia Kharchenko, and I spoke to the media/TV daily about Jesus while in Africa. Ana won 11 matches in a row to win 2 ITF Pro Circuit events in 2 weeks, which gave us a large platform to share our faith in Christ.
The family bond is filled with discouragement and pain and envy and emptiness….
I have seen so many divorces, eating disorders, heartaches, etc. caused from Christian families who believe in Jesus, but do not follow Jesus, and have placed tennis as their purpose of worship.
I am well aware of the spiritual battle parents and junior players are entrenched within. As I’m contacted from people worldwide, I work to bring them back to a singular focus on Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, with nothing added or taken away. Just Jesus.
Invading my life/house right now, and eating all of my food :), are my amazing tennis and missions academy students representing 7 countries. My heartbeat is to teach them to focus on Jesus as their source of purpose.
These kids, and their parents, are a point of encouragement for me as I seek His Kingdom. I treasure this time in my life. Yet, the kids and their families are not what I ground myself in. I strive to base my life in God’s word, to gain Kingdom principles.
Sure, tennis is important. But, tennis is simply the tool God has given us to share our faith and resources. Tennis is not the source of life or happiness. Tennis is just a tool, a Kingdom tool for following the Great Commission as written in Mathew 28 of your Bible.
My prayer is tennis fans and players worldwide would begin to understand the importance of placing Jesus on the throne of their lives. Tennis worshiped is destructive. Tennis as a Kingdom tool is constructive. Jesus must be clearly placed in view and made known as the source of life within your world view.
ICTA Women's Pro Team member, WTA ranked Anastasia Kharchenko, in Africa after winning match. Each precious child received free Christian gifts from ICTA.
When this happens, life begins to come into focus. And you will see your reason.
Roger Federer will soon be gone from the pro tennis scene. Another generation of kids will flock to worship another tennis great.
Federer will be old news to them. His ways, on and off the tennis court, will no longer be relevant.
That said, today please consider who and/or what is guiding your life. Consider the eternal consequences of your choices. Are you choosing to follow a trend? A sports legend? Or Jesus?
On the tennis court, Federer is mighty.
Yet, as amazing as he is as a tennis player, he is simply a person like you and me.
Jesus Christ is the only One worthy of worship.
He is the One that it is an honor to serve.
God bless,
Scott Paschal
International Christian Tennis Association 2012 