From the Touchline

Keeley and Jamie are at the end. There’s been unfaithfulness in the relationship and Keeley comes to grips with Rebecca’s earlier words of wisdom to ask about the place of accountability in a relationship. “Being accountable matters” she tells Jamie before telling him their relationship is over.

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about accountability and why it matters in life and in football. There is coming a day when all people will stand before God and have to give an account of themselves — their actions and behaviors, things done and left undone against others. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 14:10-12 of that day and we briefly talk about why and how it matters.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

The villainous Rupert Manion seems like he’s gotten away with murder, yet again. The swaggering millionaire appears to be the hero as he pulls out a check for 1 million pounds to help the charity benefit achieve its goals — does anyone see him for who he truly is? Lasso, does.

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about what it means to see people as they really are and the double edge of not judging books by their covers. For me, this is so much the work of a chaplain and pastor — is learning to read the living human documents that God puts before our very eyes. And Jesus of Nazareth was best, hands down, at seeing and reading and speaking into people’s lives.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

What the heck is an NFT? What about an NIL? Do you know? Should we care? Well, today, on the From the Touchline podcast, we dive into a new world where many things seem to be spelled out in three letters or less!

For those that don’t know, an NFT is a non-fungible token and NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness — these are two hot topics right now in sport, and especially in soccer. The two are linked and perhaps a bit infamously as there is a real lack of clarity around what these things are and how they affect people and even the game at this point. I am certainly no expert, but we need to dive into the subject and this is the start of what is likely to be a much longer conversation.

Here are some of the links to different articles and such that I mention on the podcast:

• The Athletic story on the Ajax Team which bought and sold NFT’s
• Iconsource.com’s article on NIL as a bit of a primer
• The Slate article on how the NCAA has recently issued a “guidance” on NIL
• ArtNet News story on Sotheby’s sale of the first NFT, Quantum
• Proverbs 29 (NIV); Proverbs 29 (The Message)

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with me, Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Myself and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen to the podcast in our app, SoccrChapUtd, which you can find in the Apple and Google store.

What happens when we run into conflict? Do we avoid it? Or, face it head on? Well, Coach Lasso attempts to bridge the gap that continues to grow amongst the team by bringing together his two leaders — the youthful, Jamie Tartt and the veteran, Roy Kent for a little “parent trap” conversation.

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about conflict resolution. Conflict is inevitable, especially amongst professional football. And there are healthy ways of dealing with conflict and unhealthy ways — the work is to figure out what may need to be done to mend the proverbial fences and to work together to achieve something. As part of the From the Touchline podcast, today’s lesson features a brief look at some steps toward conflict resolution and a reference to conflict resolution steps found in the Bible (Matthew 18:15-20). People of faith or no faith can find something helpful in today’s lesson.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Ted Lasso goes looking for divorcée owner Rebecca to ask her a question during the fundraising gala — only to find that she’s alone in the back alley and on the verge of tears…Rupert Manion, her ex- has shown up unannounced and “stolen the show” with his arrogant bravado. His presence and words to Rebecca remind her of the abuses suffered in the past and the threat that Rupert once warned her about — “if you leave me, you will be alone.” And Rebecca fears that the prediction has come true.

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso” on the From the Touchline podcast, we briefly examine loneliness and its damaging effects on a person. I reference a Harvard longitudinal study on the impact of relationships and community on the lifespan and longevity of a person and how loneliness can negatively impact one’s health. We also examine some examples of loneliness in the scriptures and see the promise of relationship that God offers for His people, for any who will call on His name.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Rupert Manion rudely interrupts the fundraising benefit and in his mid-event introduction to Coach Lasso, he claims the love of his team that resides in his heart…you know, the lifelong love that we often have for our sports teams and clubs? Which team (or sport) has your lifetime fan-dom or passion?

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso” on the From the Touchline podcast, this one is aimed more at the passionate fan. We take a look at how the love and subsequent obsession may actually be a dangerous thing. What might Jesus say to us about the time, attention, energy, and money that we pour into our obsessions (sports or otherwise?). We get a simple lesson in the different kinds of loves that we typically associate with our sports teams and a caution — that the lifelong obsession might be a dangerous path to walk.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

Veteran Roy Kent is fuming. Pretty boy Jamie Tartt is antagonizing. The team is divided. And Coach Lasso is struggling to repair and restore team unity. Coach Lasso’s words of wisdom to Kent? “Don’t let the wisdom of age be wasted on you…”

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso” on the From the Touchline podcast, we take a look at wisdom — how does someone gain wisdom? What’s the difference between having knowledge, having wisdom, and applying it?

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.

In a special, bonus episode podcast, my good friend, Reverend Dave Meserve, shares a devotional writing on this, Easter Sunday. Gerard Manley Hopkins originally crafted the idea of letting Jesus “easter” in us — using the word not as a noun, but as a verb. And today, on the From the Touchline podcast, my friend, Rev Dave shares what it means to let Jesus easter in our hearts.

Dave is a gifted writer and communicator. He is the founder of Urban Skye, he is currently serving as a chaplain with Volunteers of America, one of his latest ventures includes forming a publishing company called Awkward Faith Publishing. The link below is a pdf format of the devotional that you are welcome to download.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with me, Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Myself and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen to the podcast in our app, SoccrChapUtd, which you can find in the Apple and Google store.

Today is Spy Wednesday. Coming in the middle of Holy Week, tonight is the night when Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas the betrayer, the traitor. Judas has a different relationship with Jesus than most of the other disciples — and a telling distinction in the Gospel of Matthew gives us some insight into this difference.

Today, on the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline, we look at the text of Matthew 26:17-25 and examine Judas’ different relationship with Jesus, noticeable in the word, the title, he uses to address Jesus. Contrast Judas with the other disciples and we can see a relational gap. Noting this difference, I also share a parallel that I have seen from time to time in professional football.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with me, Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Myself and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen to the podcast in our app, SoccrChapUtd, which you can find in the Apple and Google store.

Telling the truth is difficult in our day and age and maybe nowhere more difficult than in the football world. Today, Coach Lasso takes a minute to speak some truth into young Nathan’s life as they head off for the team charity benefit gala.

In today’s “Lessons from Lasso” on the From the Touchline podcast, I reflect on how difficult it is for truth-telling these days and something that we can see and learn from Coach Lasso as he takes a moment to tell one of his staff members a truth that he needs to hear. The Bible tells us that those who are really worthy of being in God’s house are “truth tellers who don’t have slander on their lips” (Psalm 15). And we, too, have a charge to speak truth into people’s life — with grace and compassion.

Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.

In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, I (Rev Brad) look at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.

From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.

Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).

Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd, in the Apple and Google store.