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March 15, 2007
Set:
When I played high school basketball there was always one girl from another team that I hated to guard. Not because I was scared of getting beat or scared of doing my best, but because I knew she would push me to my limits. I would be asked to give everything I had in order to help my team win. I had to be sharp.
We need people in our lives to push us to make us better. If we surround ourselves with people who don't require us to give our best, we are being cheated. Going one-on-one with the worst player on the team won't help you get ready for the big game, and it's the same in life. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you and who will require you to be honest, trustworthy and faithful. Do the same for them.
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March 14, 2007
Set:
Every year, coaches will ask their teams what their goals are, what they hope to accomplish, how far they want to go, what their destiny is that season. The answers to these questions will help decide what is important to a particular team, but each player must fill in his or her own blanks as an individual and for the team. And not everyone will have the same answers or goals.
In life we face some similar questions that require us to fill in the blanks. In the book of Philippians, Paul challenges the people with four questions:
1. Who/What are you devoted to?
2. Who/What is your destiny?
3. Who/What is your desire?
4. Who/What is on display in your life?
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March 09, 2007
Set:
Injuries in sports happen, and players suffer. A common, human response is "Why me?" However, every once in awhile you will find an exception--an exceptional athlete who will not question why, but who will make the most of an experience to show his/her teammates that they can succeed even if they cannot compete. I was privileged to know a young man who did just that. Bryan was a promising walk-on player who earned a scholarship quickly. He was climbing up the depth chart rapidly and moved into the starting lineup. As his junior year approached, he was even predicted to be a pre-season All-Conference player. But then his career took a different turn.
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March 07, 2007
Set:
Inside the octagon, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title-holder Matt Hughes has compiled a 43-5 record using a tactic he is known for called "ground and pound." Outside the octagon Hughes is known for being a down-to-earth, loving family man. "I've already done more in this sport than I thought was possible 10 years ago," he said in an interview prior to his victory over Chris Lytle on March 3, 2007. "My body tells me I've got two years left. It's getting harder each time to go train. I just want to stay home with Audra, work on the farm and watch the kids grow up. Being remembered as a UFC champ is important, but it's more important to be remembered as a good husband and father."
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March 05, 2007
Set:
Can you hear it? It is coming. Can you feel it? It is almost here. A weekend in which David's meet Goliath's, underdogs battle the overrated, and one team becomes the giant-slayer of the year. Yes, it is March Madness: the 2007 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Sixty-five teams enter, and only one will win. But even though there is only one champion, there are many great stories of triumph along the way.
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February 28, 2007
Set:
In today's devotion, I intentionally capitalized PRAY in the title. I want to emphasize that I am not talking about the act of praying, but about one who prays. Are you a pray-er? I often talk to coaches and athletes who feel limited by the public school system in regards to what they can do with their faith. The school system can regulate what you say and do, but they cannot touch your prayers. Do you want to have an eternal impact on your players and teammates? Pray for them, often and by name.
I recently came across a verse I have read many times: Colossians 4:12-13. Sometimes it takes a different Bible translation to bring it to life. Since FCA is now using the Holman Christian Standard Bible, I was struck by a few things in the passage:
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February 27, 2007
Set:
After nearly one year of controversy off the field, the Duke lacrosse team returned to action in their 2007 season opener and defeated Dartmouth 17-11 in front of a crowd of 6,500. Rape allegations caused the university to suspend the team from play in March of 2006. The lacrosse program was reinstated later that June, and upon returning to practice, senior captain Matt Danowski was overflowing with thankfulness for the opportunity to compete again. "I can say personally I definitely appreciate it more. I took it for granted. We took going to the national championship game for granted. And playing games on Saturdays in front of fans, I took that for granted."
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February 27, 2007
Set:
Basketball great, Bob Cousy once said, "Sports give your life structure, discipline and a genuine fulfillment that few areas of endeavor provide." I couldn't agree with him more. Sports can make a lasting impact and difference on every athlete's life. It's about facing adversity, handling the challenges of competition and dealing with the pressures of the game. Those combined through athletics forges our character and reveals our class.
What is class? I believe it's an easily recognizable quality that is hard to define. Class is demonstrated by athletes and coaches through their actions under pressure, in both victory and defeat.
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February 16, 2007
Set:
I walked into the weight room scared to death. I had decided to walk on at a Division I school. Ever since third grade, it had been my dream to go to the NCAA Tournament, but as high school ended, no offers came. My mom and I sent letters to several Div. I schools, and Mississippi State University was the first to send me something back. After I visited the campus, I knew that was where God wanted me. And as I walked into the weight room that day, my dream lay right in front of me.
