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Dear Shiloh Family,

It wasn't a particularly scorching day, and the humidity was rather mild. However, it was his first football practice ever. The young freshman was a bit overweight, hadn't run in quite some time, and adding to misery was a touch of asthma (complete with an inhaler that had to be manned by some coach).

Our warmup routine consisted of very light ten-yard intervals of different stretching exercises, each one with a break in between. After stretching, the team would jog two ten-yard sprints followed by two full speed dashes of the same distance. The disheveled footballer shuffled through the initial drills, and by the end of the jog, he was hurling (throwing up) over a 55-gallon trash can. The poor soul was miserable and practice hadn't even begun. Im pretty sure odds were being taken that he wouldn't make it through the day.

However, dude did make it through the day, and the next day, and finally completed his first week of practice. And to our amazement, he showed up the second week. Each day, he would make it a little further before revealing the contents of what he had eaten for lunch. His sprints were more like walks, but he made it through them.

It may seem like Im making light or poking fun at the guy, but on the contrary, I relate this experience with the utmost respect because this determined young ball player is one of the greatest high school gridiron success stories I've ever seen.

Every year he looked more and more like an athlete instead of just a body on the field. Every year his work ethic improved. He worked tirelessly in the weight room and agilities on the field as well. He grew in confidence and in rapport with his teammates on and off the field. In 2023, he surrendered his life to the Lord and was baptized with several members of his team.

His senior year he persevered through physical hardships to earn a starting position on the offensive line where he was named 2nd team All-Region.

Yesterday, I was honored to be in attendance as this fine young man, Caden Oliver, signed a letter of commitment to play football for Shorter University. What an awesome example of determination, commitment, and perseverance!

I can only hope I show the same devotion to my Lord and the work of His ministry and calling.

Ephesians 6:13-20: 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. NKJV

Every step brings us closer to the final step that becomes the designated step of the Father.

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell