Having Faith

Today I want to talk a little bit about having faith, particularly the faith we will all need this summer, particularly the faith we will need from June 9th to July 9th...

Faith is kind of like a little caterpillar, in the hands of a child who has never seen a caterpillar. I love this picutre of Eliot, and mostly needed an excuse to post it, but I also needed to tell folks about the faith that will be required this summer.

After a couple of days off the United States Men's National Team will be leaving for Germany for the World Cup. The World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world. Greater than the Super Bowl, greater than the World Series and definitely greater than the NBA Finals. It is one of the only sporting events that lives up to its name as a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!

The US Men will be heading over to Germany to take on the world, literally, their first game, June 12th, is against the Czech Republic, second they take on mighty Italy on June 17th and finally they play one of the strongest African teams, Ghana on June 22nd. The group they are in is affectionatley known as the GROUP OF DEATH! So this young fledgling, somewhat experienced soccer team goes to Europe to take on the greatest teams and players in the world. It is like Daniel tossed into the Lion's Den, it is like Noah and the Ark in the flood, it is like Jacob wrestling the angel, it is like, well you get my drift, faith, we need faith for the USMNT. (See, acronyms, soccer should be the official sport of the Episcopal Church.) FAITH FAITH FAITH, we will do well!

Be faithful! Watch soccer!
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Comments

Anonymous said…
do you plan to have any viewing party's? because every game that is on I will be watching.

Tim
12:40 PM
Aron Kramer, M.Div said…
Unfortunately I will have to depend on the kindness of strangers and bars and my parents in Stillwater. I plan on watching all the US games in Stillwater, but others I will try to catch as I am able!

Got cable?
12:52 PM
Anonymous said…
The World Cup sounds pretty great - but that picture! - What a heart touching image! Oh to be present to the moment & its wonders like children are...Let the little children come, for of such is the realm of God!
1:33 PM
Anonymous said…
You bet we do, the US games are during the day for the first and third but the second game is on a saturday so you guys arer more than welcome to join us in watching that game.

I of course will have to ask liz first but I am sure she will be fine with it.

Tim
3:15 PM
Anonymous said…
If you went to Convention you wouldn't have any time to watch the World Cup .... is *THAT* why you are sending Sara? :)
3:55 PM
Anonymous said…
And if we lose . . . the ancient church bells will still ring, the precious windows will still need to be restored to their prior state of beauty, the 150th celebration will go on, the Vicar will still question whether people avoid him, the Vicar's children will still love him, and God's work will go on.

Just a few thoughts from the islands where time stands still.

Sunburned.
4:10 PM
Anonymous said…
The picture says you have already won! There is nothing more precious that those moments. Save them so you can savor them later.
7:19 PM
Anonymous said…
Only you could make the connection with soccer.

Gilah referenced you today after her game. She was being very good at conserving her energy and not sweating in Duluth's first mid-80 degree day.

Gilah will be in Norway for the World Cup - wonder if her host family are soccer fans?

Give those kids a hug, and say Hi to Sara from the Duluthians.
9:24 PM
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