Hold the Rope

The Tigers are 2-1, with a convincing win over the Essen Cardinals and two other games that were true fights for 48 minutes. 


What does holding the rope mean? You are hanging from the edge of a cliff five hundred yards in the air. The only thing between you and falling to the ground is a piece of rope with the person of your choice on the other end.
Who do you know that you can trust enough? Who do you know who has enough guts to withstand rope burn, watch blood drip from his hands, and still not let go?
Look around and ask, ‘Who can I trust to hold the rope?’ Who will let his hands bleed for me? If you can look at every member of your team and say they will hold the rope, then your team will win!

In this poem, a depiction of trust and love can be seen.  These two attributes are what keeps the one hanging alive.  Trust, as defined by Merriam Webster, a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship.  This is the type of a relationship that is formed with Brothers, and I have been blessed to have a whole new set of Brothers on the Osnabrueck Tigers Football Team.

The other attribute described is love.  "Who will let his hands bleed for me?" This is nearly the greatest showcase of love; John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Nails didn't hold God to a cross.  Love did.  This is a love that Jesus demonstrated for the world, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," and through his sacrifice, we have been given life. 

In a song by Matt Maher - Hold Us Together, his chorus reads, "Love will hold us together.  Make us a shelter to weather the storm.  And I'll be my brother's keeper, so the whole world will know that were not alone." 

Men,

When we step out on that field tomorrow, I want you to know this; I will bleed for you, I will fight for you, I believe in you that you are the greatest GFL 2 team in the division.  Let's go take that championship, starting today; through a trust developed with this Brotherhood and a love that is sacrificial where we'll bleed for each other.

We are not alone.
Joshua Aakre


What's been going on?
The past week has been another rainy week in Osnabrueck, glimpses of sun will show here and there but ultimately has led to a rainy week.  Chris man has been healing up from last games bangs and I have tried not to hurt myself any further.

Thank you for all your support and prayers; keep sending them to Germany.

Deuteronomy 20:1, "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you."