the running back's spirit
While watching a Thanksgiving football game I heard a commentator mention over and over again the unique “spirit” in a particular running back. He ran hard, could read his blockers, was able to cut on a dime, and kept his high-stepping knees driving forward with power when about to be tackled. The commentator stated … “All running backs need this kind of special spirit.” To be an effective representative of GOD you and I need a special spirit as well. And we cannot manufacture this spirit on our own … it must come from GOD alone and is offered through …
Lets Stand For Nothing
I just read AP sports writer’s Teresa M. Walker’s article on McNair’s pastor and close friend cautioning against judging the ex-NFL quarterback, reminding people who gathered for his memorial not to cast the first stone. Tolerance is going to be the death of the US. As the everyday Christian’s values are daily under attack and repressed the so called leaders of the kingdom of God have become weak and compromised. First it was Micheal Jackson now McNair’s sexual exploits are being over looked due to lifetime achievements. There are ways to comfort a family in loss but please don’t cheapen …
If We Live It, They Will Ask
There was a popular movie several years ago that revolved around a man who heard a voice that told him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. A statement from that movie is as well-known as the movie; “If you build it, they will come.” A pastor friend of mine has his own version of this sentence with regard to getting Christians to come to an event; “If you feed them, they will come.” As you read through 1 Peter and come upon chapter three verse fifteen, it would seem that Peter had the same idea in mind. This …
NIKE, a clueless goddess
In Greek mythology NIKE was the “goddess of victory” and fought on the side of the Olympian gods to defeat the Titans. As a basketball coach years ago one of my players asked if our team could all purchase identical NIKE shoes to develop our season around the theme of “victory”. I agreed. We finished 3-19. The shoes were great … our players were not. I once asked a gym full of high school basketball players at a camp if they could experience just one victory in their life … outside of basketball … what would it be. Their answer …
mickey for willie
In the 1950′s and 60′s my brother and I used to collect and trade baseball cards with our friends around school and the neighborhood. The heroes back then where men like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris, Sandy Kofax, Bob Gibson and Frank Robinson. It was a thrill to make a big trade … especially if you received one of your long time favorite players in exchange for a few “bad players”. The greatest trade arrangement in the world came on a hill just outside of Jerusalem . On that day 2,000 years ago Jesus offered the trade …
game ready
Lately I have encountered more men within our church who have lost their jobs. Men with health issues. Men faced with difficult marriage circumstances. Men who still struggle with the pain of every day sin battles. Sometimes these burdens feel like a landslide of heavy garbage that threatens to bury me at the end of a ministry day. Thinking back to my old job as a high school basketball coach … it dawned on me that my players and team would only be prepared to face the tough games IF they experienced tough practices. So I would make them play …
the '09 hammer and chisel
Many years ago when I played high school and college basketball and baseball I worked toward a change with each season of competition. Basically the change I sought was to get quicker, faster and stronger … so that … with much practice … my skills would increase. This meant I had to find the discipline it takes to see these changes through. Easy to say and write about … but not so easy to implement. As a believer in Jesus my desire should be to seek changes in my life that will shape me into a closer image of Christ. …
Jesus in the NFL
Last week I was given the opportunity to deliver the chapel message to the players and coaches of the Chicago Bears. Thanks to all of you who prayed for me and the scripture GOD placed on my heart to present to these men. I watched as 20-25 Bears came into the chapel room … some carrying their Bibles … but all willing to listen to what GOD might teach them at 7:30 in the morning. My challenge was not a new concept … but rather an old theme that Satan wants all of us to forget during the hustle of …
beautiful traps … deadly results
Recently I played golf at the Medinah Country Club. You know … the PGA course where the big boys play. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Beautiful woods, lakes, flowers, grass, hills, and sand traps. Deep sand traps. I played in the sand a lot that day and it was not by choice. Standing on the tee box … before swinging the club … everything looked so picture perfect … so harmless. Then when my golf ball strayed into the trap … it was horrible. It became an ugly pit and at times I thought I would never get …
check your kid's foundation
As a former basketball coach for 31 years, I taught players that everything in this sport starts with the feet. Solid footwork comes from consistent practice, practice and more practice. There is no short cut to victory. Ignore the basics and you’ll face defeat. The apostle Paul addressed this same theme in his second letter to Timothy. Your child’s eternal relationship with God (and yours as well) depends ONLY on a solid foundation. And that foundation was established more than 2,000 years ago in Jesus Christ. “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription:The Lord knows those who …
