CCU Softball Week #3: A Recap

Double Games at Double Fields

Gellert Fields

FLCC Autobots vs. FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25: A Musical Game @ Gellert 3

This game was the most musical game observed. FLCC, with their song-spired spirits, came into the game, playing music every half inning they were up at bat--kind of like how pro baseball players have a selected song. But not only did they bring their songs, they also brought their game, for this game did not continue quietly.

This game was played quite defensively from both teams. FCBC took an early lead, taking 3 runs in the top of the 2nd inning, yet FLCC came back and pulled ahead with 4 runs in the bottom of the 4th. FCBC, in the outfield, defensively prevented their opponents from earning any more runs, especially towards the end of the game when a FCBC 2nd baseman made a spectacualr flyball catch. The final score: 4-3 Autobots.

FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25 vs. FCSBC We Be Clubbin: Coming Back from the Bottom @ Gellert 3

FCBC, playing a double-header that day, ended their day on a very positive note. From a 4-3 loss against FLCC, FCBC pulled a victory over their opponents. In the beginning of this game, both team were playing well defensively, but FCSBC could not pull in a run. Final score: 12-0 FCBC 1 Cor 9:25.

CBF Mo' Yeah vs. FCSBC We Be Clubbin': A Close Game at Gellert 1

This game was another close game played. FCSBC, in an earlier game (2:00), earned a hard victory. CBF, with 9 runs, was on the verge of coming back to tie FCSBC, who earned 10 runs. But though they played hard, FCSBC held on to the victory. Final score: 10-9 FCSBC

FLCC Autobots vs. CBF Mo' Yeah

What a game! FLCC takes a strong defense play with a great double play in the bottom of the first. According to Clifford Chin of FLCC, "With a runner on 1st, CBF hits a single to the right. John David makes an incredible from right center to third base, throwing out the runner. The ball is then relyed to 2nd to catch the hitter trying to advance." All throughout, the Autbots used that momentum to spur themselves to a victory. CBF made a late rally, scoring 3 more runs in the 6th inning, but fell a little short, resulting in a 13-7 Autobots game.

**An injury occurred here in aforementioned game. Jason Quintal, CBF's captain, was hit, by a ball, in the face. Please keep him in your prayers that he was not seriously injured and that he has a speedy recovery.

Westlake Games

FCSBC Joy vs. New Start P-F-M

"This game was a see-saw battle the whole way. FCSBC broke out in the 1st inning with 5 runs and it seemed like it would be a long game for New Start Ministry (NSM)," quotes Nelson Vasquez whose team, FCSBC Agape, umped this game. In the first inning, NSM scored 1 run; however, that changed when they scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd and tried to come back, but fell short of 2 runs. But throughout the rest of the game, FCSBC scored 1-2 runs, while New Start kept persistent and scored 4 more runs in the bottom of the 4th, and added 4 more in the bottom of the 6th, resulting in a victory for New Start. FCSBC never gave up, scored a few more, but ended up short of 2 runs. Final score: 13-11 New Start.

FCBC Fins vs. Salvation Army: Fins Opening Day

The Fins finally open their season with an exciting game against Salvation Army. "Brothers Matt & Mike Ng tried a few time to connect on a 4-6-3 double play[, yet] hard as they tried SA ran down the line harder and faster," states Nelson Vasquez, whose team also reffed this intense game. It seems that both teams had opportunities to grab this game. FCBC looked like they were going to take a giant lead, heading into the 7th, with no hope for their opponents to come back. However, SA, with great determination, fought their way back 'til the end. FCBC was leading 20-11, heading into the bottom of the 7th but SA battled and gained an exiciting 5 runs! Great game to both teams! Final score: 20-16, FCBC Fins

** Injury report: According to Nelson Vasquez, Gordon Lee, of SA, who had surgically repaired his ankle, re-injured it, while attempting to make a play up the middle, midway through the game. Please continue to pray for his safe and quick recovery.

Well, that does it for the updates. Please check the CCU sports site for your upcoming games's location and time. 'Til next time, this is your CCU Softball blogger signing out!

Fellowship Guidelines for the Month of July

For those interested in looking into next month's fellowship topics, scroll down:

July: God’s Glorious Grace

July 1 – Obedience – (Romans 1:5; Romans 5:19; Job 36:11-12; Psalm 119:11; 1 Samuel 15:22; Revelation 3:2-3; John 14:15)

^{Rom 1:5} Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. ⁶ And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

^{Rom 5:19} For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

^{JOB 36:11}If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. ¹² But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Pslam 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

^{1SA 15:22} But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

^{Rev 3:2} Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. ³Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

^{JN 14:15} "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

a. Why do you think it is difficult for people to obey authorities?

b. What or who do you think is the highest authority to obey?

July 8 – Salvation/Redemption (Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthian 6:1-2; Hebrews 9:27-28; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:12; Acts 4:12; Luke 2:11-14)

^{Heb 2:3-4} how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

^{2CO 6:1}As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. ² For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

^{Heb 9:27}Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

^{Rom 10:9-10} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

^{Rom 10:12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

^{AC 4:12} Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name (Jesus Christ) under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

^{Lk 2:11}Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." ^{LK 2:13} Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ^{LK 2:14} "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

a. What do you think of when you hear the word salvation?

b. What or who do you consider salvation to be in your life?

July 15 –Forgiveness – (Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 18:21-22; Psalm 51:2-14; Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38-39; Ephesians 1:7-10)

^{Heb 9:22} In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

^{MT 18:21} Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" ²² Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

^{PS 51:2} Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

^{PS 51:3} For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

^{PS 51:4} Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

^{PS 51:5} Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

^{PS 51:6} Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

^{PS 51:7} Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

^{PS 51:8} Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

^{PS 51:9} Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

^{PS 51:10} Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

^{PS 51:11} Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

^{PS 51:12} Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

^{PS 51:13} Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

^{PS 51:14} Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

^{MT 26:28} This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

^{AC 2:38} Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

^{Eph 1:7} In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace ⁸ that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

a. How easy is it for you to forgive someone?

b. How many times do you believe you should forgive someone before you stop forgiving them?

c. What do you believe God can not forgive?

July 22 – Knowledge & Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; Romans 1:28-32; Romans 1:18-20; Romans 11:33-36; Colossians 2:2-4; James 3:17)

^{PR 9:10} "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

^{RO 1:28} Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³² Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

^{RO 1:18} The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

^{RO 11:33} Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

^{RO 11:34} "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

^{RO 11:35} "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"

^{RO 11:36} For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

^{Col 2:2-4} My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

^{JAS 3:17} But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

a. How does the world view knowledge and wisdom?

b. How do you view knowledge and wisdom?

c. How does God view knowledge and wisdom?

July 29 – Love (1 Corinthians 13:3-7; Ephesians 3:14-20; Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; Romans 5:6-8)

^{1 Cor 13:2}If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

^{EPH 3:14} For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

^{RO 8:38}For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

^{RO 5:6} You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

a. What is your definition of love?

b. Why do you think love is so powerful?

c. How has love compelled you to act for God and others?

Leader's notes:

Obedience – If we consider the conquest of Jericho in the Bible, the preparation of the people for the conquest of Jericho was obedience. Obedience is an essential part of true faith, which is why, I suppose, the actions of the people are cited in Hebrews as a demonstration of faith. Hebrews 11:30 says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” What is it that most honors God and which God most delights to honor? Is it eloquent profession of faith? No. Many have called Jesus “Lord, Lord” but have later fallen away and ceased to serve him. Is it the exercise of great ability or talents? No. There are many who have had great abilities but have squandered them on worthless ends. The true answer to the question is found in 1 Samuel 15:22, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. The thing that most honors God and that God most delight’s to honor is obedience. Even Jesus was honored and given a name above every name because he was obedient: “...obedient to death-even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8).

Obedience to the very end – This is involved in the previous point because obedience that is not total is not real obedience; it is disobedience, as in the story of Saul’s failure to fully obey God (1 Samuel 15:14-23). Yet, it is only necessary to highlight Saul’s disobedience as a separate point because of our frequent failure to continue on this path. The conquest of Jericho emphasizes obedience to the very end by the Jewish invaders. Careful reading of the story shows the Joshua did not tell the people how many times they were going to be require to circle the city or precisely what was going to happen at the end of their seven days’ marching. The people were given their instructions one day at a time, and at the end of their assignment for that day, they were directed back to their camp, and nothing happened. The walls were still standing, no one had surrendered, and the Jewish armies seemed no closer to the final conquest of Canaan than they did the day before. We need to learn the lesson the Jewish learned before Jericho: that there is no substitute when it comes to obeying God. This is something in the Bible a man named Naaman learned in the muddy waters of the Jordan River (Read 2 Kings 5:13-14); that there is no substitute for obedience to God, there is no substitute for obedience in all particulars-to the very end. And when God does not act as quickly as we thing he should or in precisely the way we are convinced he should act, we are still not justified in pulling back or adopting an alternative procedure.

Demolition Strongholds

There are two applications for us:

• First – if you are a Christian, you are a soldier in God’s army and are engaged in a war where many enemy strongholds need to be conquered and we see them everywhere. There are fortresses of evil in our land, in the church, and we must confess, in ourselves. They are surrounded by high walls, the gates are sealed, and they are manned by strong and experienced defenders. What are we to do against such ancient outposts of God and our enemy? The answer is that we are to assault them in the way God has told us to wage warfare: 1. Prayer; 2. by the Word of God; 3. and by our testimony. When we look at evil’s forces we may think the ancient weapons of the church are inadequate, and we may be greatly tempted to abandon them and use the world’s tools. This is a mistake; we need to listen to God and obey faithfully to the very end. When we do, then in God’s own time, the walls of Satan’s strongholds will tumble. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the Contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” The book of Revelation says the saints battle against Satan, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony Revelation 12:11.
• Second – if you are not a Christian, if you are still in arms against the Lord Jesus Christ, the rightful ruler of this world and all in it, you must remember that Christ rose from the dead and will appear again to bring God’s Judgment or His salvation. If you have shut your heart against God, and if you refuse to repent of your sin and turn to God for his cleansing, you are fighting a losing battle. How can you hope to stand against the only Sovereign God of this universe because there is no other god? If you do not come to terms with God now, if you continue to hold out, you will perish in the final judgment and your doom will be just. The Bible says, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way” (Psalm 2:12). Why should you not escape wrath (judgment, punishment) through faith in the God of Israel?

Salvation/Redemption – (Lesson 6, page 4) How then can salvation be possible? It is possible only if God is willing to do the work for us. Salvation and Redemption are used here together to describe that salvation had a price and we were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (do you not know…You were bought at a price). Salvation is a term we are familiar with. It is the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, loss, or destruction. In biblical terms it is being saved and delivered from the power and penalty of sin: past, present and future. The word redemption also means salvation but may be a word we are not familiar with or use very much in our daily life. In Romans 3:24 it says, “and [we] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Redemption is a commercial term. It comes from the marketplace (when at one time people were sold and bought) and refers to buying a slave in order to set the slave free. Its theological meaning is that Jesus has freed us from the slavery of sin by his death on our behalf. So the word redemption is a wonderful word to those accepting Jesus Christ as their savior.

Forgiveness – In Hebrews 9:22, we read, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” In the Old Testament Moses took the blood of animals and sprinkled the scroll of the law, the people, and everything connected with the service of the Tabernacle (Leviticus 8:10, 19, 30). God indicated through Moses that the old covenant was based upon death – the death of animals. Without such a death, even the limited forgiveness provided for in the first covenant could not take effect, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. A striking scene is described in Exodus 24:8 when Moses sprinkled the blood upon the people. It was meant to impress on them that sin cannot be set aside, even by a loving God, without a death occurring. Moses was showing the people that God would accept that substitution as a temporary forgiveness until the true substitute should come. As we learned in week one leader’s notes, this blood of animals did not take away sin (see Hebrews 10:1-6). However, the sacrifice pointed forward to the only sufficient sacrifice, that of Jesus Christ who by His atoning death became our true substitute to satisfy sins penalty that brings us peace with God. As we read in Hebrews 9:15, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. The people then, as well as the people today must realize that sin is serious and only death can relieve it. Some people may think they don’t have to worry about sin because:

(1) It’s God’s job to forgive.

(2) God is so loving that he won’t judge us

(3) Sin isn’t so bad, it teaches us valuable lessons

(4) We need to stay in touch with the culture around us

It is far too easy to take God’s grace for granted, but God cannot overlook sin. It is unfortunate but people who refuse to admit they are sinners will always have excuses, but no matter how many excuse they make, they will have to answer to God for their sin. Yet, it doesn’t have to be like that because all people have the same free access to God because of Christ for the forgiveness of sin. This was made clear when the curtain in the tabernacle that separate the Holy place from the Most Holy Place (God Himself), was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:38) to provide all people with access to God’s grace for the forgiveness of sin. God’s word is being preached so that people can “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22). Forgiveness is not based on the magnitude of the sin, but the magnitude of the forgiver’s love. No sin is too great for God’s complete and unconditional love. The Bible does actually mention one unforgivable sin and that is an attitude of defiant hostility toward God that prevents us from accepting his forgiveness. Those who don’t want his forgiveness are out of its reach.

Knowledge & Wisdom – The Perfect Knowledge and wisdom of God is something no human being can obtain. God is not like us. In fact, God is not like anything we can actually experience or know. There is much about God that is indescribable; it is difficult to think about Him. When we talk about God we have to use similes. That is, we compare God to someone or something else, saying, God is like… But the closer we get to God and the better we understand Him, the less those comparisons work and we find ourselves saying what is in Romans 11:33-34, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

This is the reason God prohibited the use of images to worship Him in the second of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-6). At first glance people may take this as strange and say, “What harm can it do?” How can we answer that? The answer is that images dishonor God because they are always less then He is, and therefore any kind of images obscure rather than reveal His glory. They inevitably mislead the worshipper, for they suggest false ideas by the comparison. Even though God revealed Himself to us personally in Jesus Christ, it is no accident that Jesus came before the age of photography or television. Instead of revealing Himself by pictures, God reveals Himself by words, specifically by the words of Scripture.

It is helpful to distinguish between what could be called God’s incommunicable attribute and communicable attributes:

· Incommunicable – Are characteristics of God that he does not share with us because he cannot share them, since they are elements of God’s uniqueness. They involve such things as: Self-existence, self-sufficiency, and eternality (without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing).

· Communicable – Are characteristics that God shares with us in some measure, since we are made in His image - things like: knowledge, wisdom, love, and mercy. These are the attributes Paul mentions in (Romans 11:33-36). But even these are infinitely above us and call us to be in amazement of God.

The unique quality of God’s knowledge is its perfection. God know all things, and he knows them exhaustively. We also know things, but our knowledge is partial and imperfect.

• Complete Knowledge – How can we describe God’s knowledge? God is omniscient (all knowing). He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen whether in heaven, earth, or hell. He knows every person (good or evil), every circumstance, and every event. We are reminded in 2 Chronicles 16:9 that, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth… so there are no secrets from Him. Also consider Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. God forgets nothing. When we begin to think and believe along these lines, we begin to understand why Paul describes God in great amazement in Romans 11:33-36.

• Responses to God’s knowledge – The perfection of God’s knowledge is disturbing, if we think deeply about it. As long as we are thinking about God knowing things or other people, the idea of God’s knowledge is somewhat removed from us. But what about the fact that God know us personally? He knows all our desires and our life is an open book to him. What are we to do with the God before whom all hearts are open and all desires are known? Such a God is immensely threatening. One of the greatest chapters in the Bible about the perfect knowledge of God is in Psalm 139. David was not terrified by God’s knowledge, instead he responds with humility, comfort, and determination to live for God. At the end of Psalm 139:23-24 he asks God to help him lead a godly life because God knows him so well.

• The Perfect Wisdom of God – What do we mean when we say that God is all-wise? We mean that God is all-knowing. God could not be all-wise if he were not all knowing. But wisdom is more than mere knowledge, more even than total or perfect knowledge. A person can have a great accumulation of knowledge – some call it “Head Knowledge” and not know what to do with it. He can know much about many things and still be a “Great fool.” Also, there is the matter of goodness. Without morality or goodness, wisdom is not wisdom but “cunning.” Wisdom consists in knowing what to do with the knowledge one has and in directing that knowledge to the highest and most moral ends. Paul is letting us know that God’s wisdom is perfect. Only a God with perfect knowledge and wisdom could have worked out the great matter of salvation for the entire human race.

• The Unsearchable Judgments of God – Humanly impossible to trace. Yet, we should do our best to try to understand what God is doing in history, and even in our own lives. In fact, we should try to understand it. But when we have done our best, we must confess our utter inability to probe (look into, explore, investigate) the depths of God’s infinitely wise determinations. When science can’t do it they just come to the conclusion that there is no God.

• Our Smallness before God – When compared to God we have a minuscule knowledge. So Romans 11:34-35 are verses quoted from the Old Testament: Isaiah 40:13; Job 15:8; and Jeremiah 23:18. It means that no human being, however wise, has anything to offer to God in the area of personal knowledge and wisdom. Consider this from 1 Corinthian 2:14, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” When we close our minds and hearts to God’s word we remain in darkness because we reject the knowledge and wisdom that leads us to the light of life.

• Lessons to be learned – So where does this question leave us? It suggests a response from each reader and hearer. We are not to be either ignorant or foolish. We are to trust God, work to develop our minds, live obediently, and seek true wisdom and understanding from Him:

1. There is no true wisdom except in God (Psalm 9:10). We can know because God knows, and we can acquire wisdom because God is a God of wisdom. But we will achieve neither one unless we begin with Jesus Christ.
2. Even though we begin with God, we will never fully understand God and His ways – We learn in Isaiah 55:8, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
3. We must learn to trust God and follow after Him – Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” If we do that, we will find that God will give us all the wisdom we need, just as he has promised (James 1:5).

Love – In Romans 8:35 it says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The Answer is no one or anything in all creation. This is a bold statement and only a statement that can be made by God. God is abounding in love and this never changes. Nothing can be more positive or more edifying than to know that God’s love will remain and never change. Yet, God’s love is full of action. In Romans 5:6-8 we see God’s love for sinners, which includes all people of the world, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There are three words in these verses that should impact our lives with the love of God:

· Powerless – This word is translated in different ways depending on the Bible’s version. It could mean weak, helpless, without strength, feeble, or sluggish in doing right. These words may be strong and not desired to be claimed by people in our society, but they indicate our state because left to ourselves none of us is able to do even one small thing to achieve his or her salvation.

· Ungodly – This word is used to indicate the sad state people are in because of their fierce opposition towards God. God is Sovereign but they oppose him. They don’t want God to rule over them, they want to do what they want to do. They do not accept his holiness or righteousness.

· Sinners – This word describes those who have fallen short of God’s standard as indicated in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” As sinners we are enemies of God and are in a battle with him over who is going to rule in our life. If we are not for God, we are against him and if we are against him we are in the same category as Satan when he said in his heart, “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14)." Being like Satan in his desires, we would drag God from his throne, and banish him from our universe, and taking his place as ruler – if that was possible. Unconverted people do that in a limited way already when they ignore God and will not consider his rightful claim upon their lives.

But in the midst of willful rebellion we see in the background the brightness of God’s love, as he took the powerless, the ungodly, and the sinner and gave them the chance to be his children through Jesus Christ. If God’s love has done this for us while we were sinners or his enemies, we must seriously consider what his love is doing and will do for us as he continues his work in those who have been reconciled to him because of Jesus Christ. Consider this then, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Guidelines will also be posted on the CCU Sports website

Sunday, June 24th: Softball Games Resume

As a reminder, all games will resume this Sunday, June 24th. Here is the schedule for the upcoming Sunday:

Westlake South games (Umps: FCSBC Agape)

2:00-FCSBC Joy (A) vs. New Start Ministries (H)

3:30-FCBC Fins (A) vs. Salvation Army (H)

Gellert 1 games (Umps: CEBC Sunset)

2:00-CBF Mo' Yeah (A) vs. FCSBC We Be Clubbin' (H)

3:30-FLCC Autobots (A) vs. CBF Mo' Yeah (H)

Gellert 3 games (Umps: CEBC Sunset)

2:00-FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25 (A) vs. FLCC Autobots (H)

3:30-FCSBC We Be Clubbin' vs. FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25 (H)

Westmoor Lower games (Umps: Young Life P-F-M)

2:00-SCBC Genesis (A) vs. FCBC Ducks (H)

3:30-Sunset Minstry (A) vs. SCBC Legends (H)

2nd round of games commenced

another exciting round of softball has come to a close! For those who were at the games, playing and/or rooting for the team, I hope you've all had fun in the great sunny weather. Sounds like some teams scored some big innings while other worked very hard to catch up. Nonetheless, I'm most certain that all teams, that played, did their best. For those who haven't started their season, I wish you well in the start of your games; for the rest, continue to strive for the best! When it comes to importance, we have to constantly remember the Only One who gave us the ability to play. I am reminded, this week, that it's not about us, it's about God! In everything we do, we do for the glory of God. Thus, the things we say & how we react on and off the field should be praiseworthy to our God!

Before I go into the scores, I'd like to make a short announcement:

Due to Father's Day, there will be no games held on Sunday, June 17th. All games will resume Sunday, June 24th.

On to the scores...

CEBC Silver (A) vs. FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25 (H): 15-0, FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25

Cumberland Blaze(A) vs. FCSBC Joy (H): 16-6, Cumberland Blaze

New Start Crosstrainers (A) vs. SBCC Good News Bears (H): 10-6, New Start Crosstrainers

FLCC Autobots (A) vs. Cumberland BB (H): 14-5, Cumberland BB

CEBC Sunset (A) vs. SA (H): 18-4, CEBC Sunset

FCSBC We Be Clubbin' (A) vs. FCSBC Agape (H): 10-5, FCSBC Agape

SCBC Genesis (A) vs. Sunset Ministry (H): 22-5, SCBC Genesis

As one person cannot be at all the games simultaneously, we, the website committee, would like your help by giving us a short version of your games. Please provide any important game and/or fellowship details, highlights, and/or moments that you caught/observed that day! And since pictures are worth a thousand words (and they also help embellish this site = P), we would like to ask that we use some of your pictures (i.e. action shots, game winning shots, fellowship, etc.) that you might've taken during the game. Submit your photos & "story" to the ccu_e-mail and post that along with your scores, and use the subject: "Score (or game) updates". Thanks.

A grand kick-off to 2007!

As you all may know CCU Sports held its 2nd annual joint kickoff event this past Saturday evening. It was encouraging to see many new faces come out for the first time, while there were many familiar faces that returned as well. As the evening began there was a great worship set followed by a nice icebreaker to let everyone get to know one another. Each CCU Committee member was then introduced, followed by a very well put together video package that was shown to the audience. Even though the evening began a few minutes later than expected, it was still a very fun and exciting night to say the least. Those who could not come out this year are encouraged to try to make next year's event. At the conclusion of the evening, along with light refreshments, t-shirts were distributed to each basketball and softball teams . Those who did not order their t-shirts or sweatshirts yet, are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Softball is currently taking orders for more sweatshirts but supplies are limited so order as soon as possible! Even though softball has officially started last week, we encourage everyone to come support our games and to have a great time of fellowship. The most memorable quote from this past week came from one of the committee members. "We at CCU appreciate all the support that you all have given us over the course of the past few years. Without you all we would not be here today. Players and fans all alike know that even those who compete come to play, but stay for fellowship." As basketball season begins today, I hope that you all have a fun but safe year of sports. Weather you play Basketball, Softball, Volleyball or multiple sports, remember to have fun and that overall it is only a game.

2nd Round of Games

Hey all!

Another round of softball begins tomorrow! Hope you're all having fun playing softball and meeting each other during fellowship. The following is the schedule for this Sunday's games:

2:00 pm

CEBC Silver 1 *(A) vs. FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25 **(H) @ Westlake North-SCBC Legends ref

Cumberland Blaze (A) vs. FCSBC Joy (H) @ Gellert 1-FCBC Fins ref

New Start Crosstrainers vs. SBCC Good News Bears @ Gellert 3-CEBC Silver 2 ref

3:30 pm

FLCC Autobots (A) vs. Cumberland (H) @ Westlake North-SCBC Legends Ref

CEBC Sunset (A) vs. SA (H) @ Westlake South-CEBC Silver 1 Ref

FCSBC We Be Clubbin' (A) vs. FCSBC Agape (H) @ Gellert 1-FCBC Fins Ref

SCBC Genesis (A) vs. Sunset Ministry (H) @ Gellert 3-CEBC Silver 2 Ref

*A= Away

**H= Home


Whether your team is playing or umpping, please be prompt to the field. Alrighty folks, PLAY BALL!

Fellowship Guidelines for June

Softball fellowship guidelines for the month of June are now online. They will be posted both on this site and the CCU blog site. Guidelines will be in text form. If anyone knows how to post a pdf online, please post a comment here, or send an e-mail to ccu_softball @ yahoo.com
CCU Softball Fellowship Devotions 2007

Theme: "Grace Like Rain

Theme verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

As we prepare for another year of softball and fellowship we have decided on the theme of "Grace Like Rain." Together I hope that we can teach each other about God's Grace and how the Lord has touched each one of our lives with His Grace (1 Peter 4:10). May our desire be to show others Gods Glorious Grace, which is available to everyone of every nation who calls on the name of Jesus? All the weekly subtopics point to and stem from God's grace. It is beyond us and above us, and mere human understanding is not enough to grasp the riches of God's Grace. So let us pray that God will give us and those who hear of his Grace the wisdom to understand and accept the gift of Grace that can only be obtained from God as we place our faith in Jesus Christ.

Topic for June: God's Glorious Grace

Topic for July: God's Glorious Grace

Topic for August: God's Glorious Grace

The week before your team is to lead the fellowship/devotion time, a leader should be designated by the coordinator of each team to be in charge of next week's fellowship/devotion time. The leader should see leading as a privilege, as an opportunity to potentially be used by God to lead someone either to Christ or closer to Him. So advance preparation will help the leader to be more effective in that task. The devotion is set up to not require a biblical scholar to do, but rather for anyone that is a Christian and has a Bible to use as a reference.

What would make the devotion time effective is for the leader to come up with a specific example in his/her life as it relates to the topic of the week and share that to the audience. Being open and transparent will help your audience to relate to you the most. Begin each devotion time with prayer, thanking God for the game that has just been played, and asking God for wisdom and guidance for the devotion time. Break the two teams up into groups of 4-5 people and work through the two sharing questions per session. Spend about 5-10 minutes on this. Next, ask each group to share the most interesting thing that came up in their group as they went through the two questions. Then read the weekly scripture in a clear and understandable manner (you may ask someone else to do this, but ask in advance if possible). Next, paraphrase in your own words what the scripture was about. Finally, the most important part, to tie everything together, share your own personal experience as it relates to that particular passage. Try not to use too much Christian "jarong" as you should assume there might be some in the audience who are either pre-Christian or young Christians who don't understand all the Christian lingo (such as will of God, etc.). Close the devotion time with prayer, asking God for boldness and strength to achieve the topic for the month in each person's daily walk.

General: For the sake of time during fellowship, the scripture passages have been reduced. In order to properly lead the devotion, although it's best for the leader to read the surrounding passages during the week to get the full context of the story mentioned. Once the leader has the full context in mind, it's much easier to paraphrase the story to the audience on the day of the fellowship. Thanks for your leadership and may God bless you with a wonderful experience as you allow yourself to be used to further His kingdom!

June: God's Glorious Grace

June 3rd - Mercy (Nehemiah 9:28-31; Psalms 51:1; Romans 9:16; Hebrews 4:16)

NE 9:28 "But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.

NE 9:29 "You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

PS 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

RO 9:16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

HEB 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

a. What does God's mercy do for us?

b. How have you responded to God's mercy?

c. Who in your life do you need to have mercy on?

First Round of Softball completed

This past Sunday was our CCU softball "Opening Day." Many games were played & teams were playing hard in them. We saw many high scoring games being played at both Gellert & Westlake. First off, before writing about the games, I'd like to welcome San Bruno Chinese Church in entering the league for the very first time. We hope to see many good things coming from them! On to the games...

A Division

FCSBC Agape [A-div] vs. CEBC Sunset: 21-8 (FCSBC)

What a game! While FCSBC takes the lead with two 7-run mercy starting innings, CEBC shows that they are not about to give up and gives their opponents a tough battle. While, in the end, FCSBC takes the lead, resulting in a 21-8 victory, CEBC, nonetheless, tries their hardest and finishes strong.

SA vs. FCBC-1 Cor. 9:25 [BB-div.]: 5-18 (FCBC)

SA took it rough, as FCBC-1 Cor. 9:25 took a pretty big lead over them.

BB/B Division

CBF-Mo' Yeah vs. Cumberland: 3-15 (Cumberland)

FCSBC-We Be Clubbin' vs. SCBC-Genesis [B-div]: 5-2 (FCSBC)

Although a pretty close game, FCSBC still "clubbed" their opponents. There's still many more opportunities for both teams.

C Division

Cumberland-Blaze vs. New Start-Crosstrainers: 11-0 (Cumberland)

What a great start by Cumberland! Don't worry though, New Start has many chances to outscore this team.

SBCC vs. FCSBC-Joy: 7-8 (FCSBC)

Seems like SBCC, being their first year, is showing potential. In what was a close-scoring game, FCSBC still look the lead by a mere 1-point.

Seems like the teams did well. Great job to everyone and keep up the great work! Play hard & strive to win for the Lord!

CCU Softball Opening Day: One day and counting...

Hi there softball fans & players

Start getting excited about the start of a brand new softball season; new teams to play with, lots of people to cheer on, new faces to greet and meet! OOOh...just thinking about it gets me excited! Get your equipment ready, put on that game face, and play your hardest for the Lord! There's only one day left and counting...

Here is the schedule for the Opening Day of the CCU Softball league (see the CCU Sports website for complete schedule):

At the Westlake Fields:

Westlake North (by parking lots) @ 2:00

SCBC Legends (Away) vs. FCSBC We Be Clubbin' (home) (Ref: FLCC)

Westlake South (closer to sewage refinery) @ 2:00

CBF Mo'Yeah (away) vs. Cumberland (home) (Ref: FLCC)

At the Gellert Fields:

Gellert 1 (by soccer fields) @ 2:00 pm

Away Home Ref
FCSBC Agape CEBC Sunset FCBC Fins

Gellert 1 @ 3:30 pm

Away Home Ref
FCBC 1 Cor. 9:25 Salvation Army FCBC Fins

Gellert 3 (w/ short left field) @ 2:00

Away Home Ref
Cumberland Blaze New Start Young Life

Gellert 3 @ 3:30

Away Home Ref
SBCC FCSBC Joy Young Life