When the Game Becomes the God: A Word on Travel Sports and the Lord’s Day

I love sports. I grew up playing them, and now I enjoy them with my kids. Sports can teach grit, teamwork, humility, and discipline. But as a pastor—and more importantly, as a Christian father—I’ve grown increasingly concerned about how travel sports are shaping our families.

Not just our schedules. Our souls.

We’re in a cultural moment where many well-meaning Christian homes are slowly letting sports take priority over worship. I’m not writing this to shame anyone. I’m writing as someone who’s had to wrestle with this in my own heart and home. If we care about discipling our kids, we’ve got to ask some hard questions about the Lord’s Day and what it means to honor Christ with our calendars.

The Quiet Displacement of Worship

What used to be unthinkable is now normal—Sunday tournaments, all-weekend travel, and seasons that pull entire families away from the gathered church for weeks or even months.

I’ve talked with parents who are genuinely torn. They want their kids to grow in their gifts and be a part of a team. But let’s be honest—when worship becomes the thing we miss whenever sports show up, what are we really teaching our children?

Whether we realize it or not, our habits preach. And when church gets pushed aside for a game, the message comes through loud and clear: Jesus can have the leftovers. He doesn’t need the first day, or the first place. But Colossians 3:4 says Christ is our life—not a part of it.

The Lord’s Day Is Not a Burden—It’s a Gift

The early church gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). Sunday became the Lord’s Day—set apart for worship, rest, and fellowship.

This isn’t just tradition. It’s God’s design for our spiritual health and the life of the church. Hebrews 10:24–25 calls us not to neglect meeting together, especially as the days grow more difficult.

The 1689 London Baptist Confession puts it like this:

“The sabbath is then kept holy…when people have first prepared their hearts appropriately and arranged their everyday affairs beforehand; then they observe a holy rest all day from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employment and recreation…” (22.8)

The Lord’s Day isn’t a rule to endure—it’s a grace to embrace. Our kids need that weekly rhythm of worship and rest far more than they need another medal.

Parents, You’re the Disciple-Makers

Deuteronomy 6 is clear: parents are called to teach God’s Word diligently to their children—when we sit at home, when we walk along the way, when we rise and lie down. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul specifically charges fathers to “bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

I know how busy life can get. But we can’t afford to delegate discipleship. The church is here to support us—but the primary spiritual formation happens in the home.

Our kids are watching where we go on Sundays. They’re listening to what gets our energy and attention. Every time we prioritize something else over the gathered church, we shape their understanding of what (and Who) is worth worshiping.

What Are We Really Chasing?

If we’re honest, many families chase travel sports for reasons we rarely say out loud—exposure, scholarships, dreams of going pro. And while it’s not wrong to pursue excellence, Jesus asks a piercing question in Mark 8:36:

“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

We may give our kids every opportunity to succeed—but if they don’t know the gospel, if they don’t know the Word, if they don’t love the church… what have we really given them?

Success on the field fades. Only Christ satisfies.

What’s the Long-Term Cost?

I’ve seen it many times. A family gets deeply involved in travel sports. Church becomes occasional. Worship becomes optional. And slowly, without anyone noticing, Christ becomes irrelevant.

This isn’t just anecdotal—it’s observable. Children who are pulled away from the church during their formative years often grow up without meaningful connection to Christ or His people. And it started with the idea that missing a few Sundays here and there wouldn’t matter.

It matters more than we think.

We Don’t Have to Quit Sports—We Just Have to Be Faithful

Let me be clear: I’m not saying travel sports are always wrong. I’m not saying your kid shouldn’t play competitively. I’m saying the Lord’s Day must matter more.

Here are a few practices we’ve seen help:

  • Look for Saturday-only tournaments or local programs that don’t pull your family away on Sundays.
  • Tell the coach up front that Sunday worship is a non-negotiable for your family.
  • If you’re out of town, find a solid church to worship with—and help your kids see that worship doesn’t stop just because we’re on the road.
  • Draw your line early and stick to it. Your kids will thank you.
  • Consider the Scriptures and God’s command and call for your life as a parent. Pay special attention to passages like Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6:1-4.

This isn’t about legalism. It’s about loyalty to Christ. The goal isn’t to say no to everything—it’s to say yes to what matters most.

It Takes Courage to Swim Against the Stream

Parents, I know this is hard. I know there’s pressure. But God has given you a high calling: to raise your children in the Lord. That means you may have to make some decisions that look strange to your neighbors—but faithfulness often does.

One day, your kids won’t remember every stat line or championship. But they will remember what your family treasured. They will remember whether the church was central. They will remember if Christ was worth more than competition. The glory of championship rings will not last eternally, but the glory of Christ will.

And you will give an account—not for how many games they won, but for how you led them toward the Savior.

Give Your Kids the Greater Treasure

The Lord’s Day isn’t just one more item on the weekend agenda. It’s a weekly gift of grace—God’s way of drawing our hearts back to Him, anchoring us in truth, and reminding us of what matters most.

Don’t trade that for a tournament. Don’t exchange the eternal for the temporary. Give your children something better than applause. Give them Christ.

“CHRISTIANS” AND THE SPIRITUAL PANDEMIC

MORALITY–THE POINT OF LIFE?

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is? Is it to live a “good” life?  How would you define “good”? Is it to become a person with moral convictions? If so, where are you getting your moral ideas from?  

Morality, as seen in the world, is transient. It moves. It changes. Feelings are its driving force while facts are its arch enemy. For example, in some parts of the world, it’s okay to treat women as property. In a large portion of the world, slavery is good for business, specifically the sexual trafficking of children and women. How about abortion? Many believe it to be immoral for a woman to give birth to a child, which could interfere with her life plan. If life is simply about being moral, then it’s tough to define. 

What if there is more to life than becoming morally rich?  Well, there is.

WISDOM–GOD’S DIRECTION FOR LIFE

Genesis 1:26-27 explains that God, that is the triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit), created all humans—male, female, every color, every nationality—in his own image. To be created in the image of God means you are created in the same shade of Him or resembling Him. Like a reflection in the mirror.  

Therefore, our purpose is to image the glory of God with our lives in the world.  Or as the Westminster Confession of Faith sums up so well: “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” So, life has a purpose much deeper than morality. God gifts us life, so that we may be image bearers of his glory with it. But how?

Well, that’s where wisdom comes in. Yet again, the world has its thoughts about wisdom. For example, it’s wise—right now—to listen to another person’s accusations of hurt. To take them on as your own, especially if you are the accused. It’s not wise to ask qualifying questions. It’s also exceedingly humble for you to accept whatever that person says as fact. And it’s unwise to refute any of it because it’s their experience, not yours, and so you have nothing of value to add to the conversation. This is one example of the world’s wisdom–it’s labeled “Empathy.” To be sure, there are others. But this one is particularly harmful in our day.

SPIRITUAL PANDEMIC

So, in the middle of physical and cultural pandemics, we have a spiritual pandemic also: We have self-proclaimed Xians who have no understanding of God’s wisdom nor the desire to follow the Lord’s instruction.  

The church in America has raised at least two generations, and is raising another, of men and women who think morality is all there is to God–you can be moral, and God will accept you. Which has given way to universalism—the insane doctrine that states all paths lead to God. It’s also produced a rebellion against the Lord, which has led to widespread sexual gratification through many means, confusion about what is right and wrong, and so much more among those who used to call themselves Christians (also seen in some who still call themselves Christians). 

Why? Because the church and her leaders have proclaimed a watered-down, self-righteous, “be the best you that you can be” gospel for decades. It abandoned the one true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and now we are reaping its harvest—a multitude of fruitless trees with no roots, and Satan easily cuts down these pretentious trees with a long-handled sickle. 

America is in a dangerous place because the church in America is in a dangerous place. 

AM I INFECTED?

And lest you think this pandemic exists outside only, ask yourself some tough questions: “Where do I look for comfort and strength?” “Who or what do I trust for peace?” 

But don’t answer with your typical Sunday-school rebuttal. Truly examine yourself, your actions, your pursuits in life, and then you will be able to give an honest reply (Romans 12:3). 

Further questions include: “When was the last time I told someone about Jesus?” “When was the last time I talked to God in lengthy prayer?” Not those “If you bail me out, I’ll never do _____ again” prayers; rather, real prayer as a dependent child talks to their father. “When did I last read my bible in consecutive days?” 

Your answers to these questions and many like them reveal to whom and where you go for wisdom and what you think life is all about. Though the answers may be painful, Christ is ready to heal you and give you true life.

IT’S BEEN AROUND FOR MILLENNIA

Jesus faced a similar problem in his day. In fact, this problem isn’t new at all; it’s been around for millennia. Jesus asked this question then, and I draw your attention to it now: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” 

Dear reader, please hear my plea today: your life is intrinsically valuable and meaningful, but you can absolutely derail it with vain pursuits. Do not call him “Lord” and then have nothing to do with what he says. I plead with you to seek God’s wisdom and find true meaning for your life.

But let’s deal with the question. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I tell you?” The answer is mostly simple: Sin. Sin prevents you from following the Lord with your life. You may even call him Lord at times, but if you are okay with your sin and your heart is free to do whatever it wishes, then it isn’t Jesus who is your Lord, it’s yourself.

Pay attention to what Jesus says to those around him after he asked that hard question: 
“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 
But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)

GOD–WEAK AND INCAPABLE?

When we survey the land of self-proclaimed Christians in America, in our cities, and in our churches, we should come away saying: It is not God who is weak and incapable, it’s Christians who are weak and unfaithful.  

Faithful Christians are unmoved and unshaken because their God is immovable and unshakable (Psalm 112). Do not be like the wicked who only hear the Lord; resolve yourself to become the blessed righteous person who follows the Lord. 

Listen, you have one life—one house to build—you can either build it on the foundation of Christ and him crucified, where it will stand mightily against the flood of Satan and his menacing sickle; or you can build it on your own selfish desires and melt away with the wicked. Either way, God gets the glory and his justice reigns supreme (Philippians 2:9-11)!  

But for all that is holy and good, please do not call Jesus “Lord, Lord” and refuse to follow his commands. True disciples of Jesus deny their selfish desires, take up their life daily, and follow him (Luke 9:23). The decision to follow Jesus or not will either cost you your life or it will cost you your eternity. We are called to give our lives up for the sake of Christ that we may find true life in Christ. The wicked hear the Lord, while the righteous follow the Lord.

THE GOSPEL VACCINE

If you have been going through life bearing the weight of your selfish desires and you’re tired of it, then come to Jesus, he is gentle and humble at heart. He will give you rest and a burden that is easy to bear.  He will give life to you (Matthew 11:28-29)!

If you are weak, remember what Christ says to the Apostle Paul after he petitions God three times to have the thorn in his flesh removed: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). Paul goes on to say, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10). Feeling weak? Good. You are exactly where you need to be to experience the overwhelming grace of God at work in your life.

Finally, if you don’t know Jesus as Lord, I urge you to repent of your sins and believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ today. “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Who are you? Why are you here?

Ok, so maybe you aren’t really asking this question. But maybe you are? Either way, please allow me to introduce myself.

I am Kyle Jones. That’s not remarkable really. My life, by most measurements, is basic. If I were a house, I would be your typical, run-of-the-mill, small-town-America home. You know the kind I’m talking about: 3BR/2BA with a yard, a private fence, and a garage (Gosh, I need to fix that garage door). While that may tell you something about me, it leaves out all the good stuff. 

Let’s continue with the house analogy:

The Foundation of My Life

I do not merely bear the title “Christian” like I bear the title “Husband” or “Father” or “Son.” It is not part of me, it is me. I joyfully and wholeheartedly agree with Paul’s assessment of this new life in Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV, my preferred Bible translation)

As every home has a foundation, so does every life. By God’s grace, I have built my life upon Christ, the Solid Rock. I strive each day to see all of life through a Christ-centered lens, with God’s Word as my guide and the Holy Spirit as my helper. I hope to share more about what that looks like through this blog.

The Framework of My Life

The framework goes on top of the foundation and determines what the rest of the house looks like. Three distinct roles define the framework of my life: husband, father, and pastor.

Husband

I married Patricia on December 6, 2008. She and I had both graduated college and turned 22 earlier that year. Friends throughout college, the stars aligned, and we started dating in March 2008. We could not wait to be married. Our wedding was simple. We made our covenant vows to one another under God and in the presence of many friends and family members.

Simply put, Patricia is my good thing, my precious lot. The lines have fallen in pleasant places for me. I have been Patricia’s husband for nearly 12 years now, and when I say I love her more now, I don’t say it hyperbolically. Though she is beautiful on the outside, she radiates with beauty from within. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)

Father

Patricia and I have four children: Welles Kyle (7), Bear Wyatt (4), Winnie Kate (3), and Haddon Caleb (1). The Lord has been kind to grant us children. It’s a life full of joy and hardship that translate into lessons learned and love shared. I am striving to be the kind of dad who guides his children into a life of deep faith in Jesus Christ and genuine love for others.

Pastor

New Life Community Church called me to be their Lead Pastor in September 2014. There are still days where it seems surreal that God has placed me in this role, though I am delighted he did. Shepherding the people of NLCC as an under-shepherd of Christ brings tremendous joy to me. These people love the Lord, the Scriptures, and one another fiercely. I hope the Lord grants me many decades of making disciples with these people.

The Rooms and Contents of My Life

Once you have the foundation and the framework, then you get to arrange the rooms and their contents. Sure, you will have bedrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, etc. but you get to design them and fill them up however you like. The best part? You can change it all up in a few months or years. Just throw on some fresh paint there, put a little shiplap here, buy new furniture and “voila!” you have a new look to your home—it’s still your home but it reflects your current style and interests more accurately. 

Our lives are this way. Our foundation doesn’t often change, unless something—or better yet, Someone—bigger than us transforms us; and the framework may change occasionally, with marriage, childbirth, or career changes. However, the rooms and their contents are subject to rapid and repeated change. With maturity, we take on new interests, pick up new hobbies, gain wisdom, build relationships, and much more. And so, the rooms and their contents get overhauled—out with the old, in with the new. That’s part of what makes life so special!

Why are you here?

I am here to put words to my thoughts. I want to use this unremarkable life to spread the glory and fame of Jesus. And this blog grants me another avenue to do just that. In the coming days, weeks, months, and years, I will strive to examine a multitude of topics on life and theology through a Christ-centered lens.

My prayer? May the Lord use this site to strengthen our faith in Jesus and love for others.