From the Pastor's Desk

 "So God created human beings in His own image, in the image of God He created them;  male and female He created them"  (Genesis 1:27)

     While I can't say I am much of a soccer fan, there is a period when the sport captivates my attention.  Every four years when the World Cup occurs, I watch non-stop.  I watch on television.  I check scores online in between meetings.  I even get updates on my cell phone.  And let's be honest here; we often crown 'World' champions in American sports (football, baseball, and basketball), but the reality is the World Cup is the event that everyone is watching around the globe.

     Maybe part of the appeal is the optimism of it all.  In spite of living in a very fractured and hostile world, there is something we can all agree on.  There's one event where nearly every nation agrees on the rules, the timing, the point system, and the champion.  Sure, I wish the agreement came in the area of international diplomacy or poverty relief instead of soccer; but, at he end of the day, there are things we hold in common.  Many countries, but one set of rules.