Youth Sport - Update

NEWS AND VIEWS It’s always great to receive emails of PPS-ers' achievements – Avril has been along to Sports Plus for a couple of years now. A big thumbs up from all the youth department as you try and represent Jesus in your windsurfing – the following is an extract from a local newspaper! "WILTON schoolgirl Avril Gibbons has sailed her way to silver at the 2007 Youth European Wind-surfing Championships, in Cadiz, Spain. The 15-year-old South Wilts Grammar School pupil, who competes at under 17 level, led the 23 members of Team GB home in a 165-strong field, which was dominated by competitors from France and the host nation." Sports Plus We’re filling up faster than ever this year. Check out the spaces left	PLAYER PROFILE
BIBLE BIT Different for Jesus! In this 6 week series we’re getting to grips with how we can best represent Christ by the way we play our sport. Our motivation to play – 1 Peter 2v11-12 Winning and losing – Matthew 6v19-21 This week we turn our attention to the fella in the middle – the referee! Referee! Now I don’t reckon I’m alone in saying that the most annoying thing in sport is a horror decision at a crucial time. The hard work, the commitment, the endeavour all undone by a shocking call from the ref! – Sound familiar? How then do we / should we react as a Christian in this situation? Let’s have a look what God has to say in the gospel of Matthew… Check out Matthew 5v43-48 V44 – But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… I remember being in the bar after a rugby match listening to a group of boys who were destroying the ref after a pretty shabby performance, completely unaware that the ref was also perched at the bar beside them. There was an amazing moment when the ref stood up on the chair and shouted across the bar: “If anyone else reckons they had a perfect game then come and see me – if not then shut up!” Complete silence… Brilliant hey, the ref's called it spot on – the reality is we all make mistakes, refs are no different from anyone else! It’s the result of having a sinful heart. The question is - will we respond in love to those who wrong us? God loved us enough to send Jesus to die in our place even when we wronged him greatly – will we now do the same to those who wrong us? How will you respond to the next bad decision that comes your way? Be different this week friends for Jesus The Youth Department	Full Name- Simon Poole Nickname- Si, Big Si, The one who didn't walk (Sports Plus last year) Sport Status- I play flanker and I am currently involved with my counties team. I play cricket for my local youth and men's teams and captain schools first teams in both rugby and cricket. Currently finding it difficult to find a rugby club side that doesn't collide with church, trying to not let that get me down and focus on priorities of a Christian life. I also play a bit of footy at school and when I can out of school. Sport story- I am praying for a friend in school who also plays cricket for a rivalling team. I am trying to be a witness to him on and off the field, persisting in inviting him to outreach events.
	PRAYER POINTS Pray that you’d be brilliant this week in the way you treat people in your sport, especially the referee! Praise God for Avril Gibbons and her success in the Windsurfing championships. Pray for Simon Poole - that he would represent Jesus well.
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