Devotional
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May 20, 2005
Set:
As athletes we must know what our purpose is on our team. An offensive lineman's purpose is to protect the quarterback and make places for the running back to run. A pitcher's purpose is to not allow the opposing team to get a hit. A setter's purpose on the volleyball court is to set the ball so that another player can spike it.
Just as athletes need to know their purpose, each coach has a specific purpose as well. An assistant coach may be in charge of one aspect of the team (i.e. an offensive coordinator). Or perhaps their job is to lead the team in pre-practice stretches. Head coaches also have a purpose. In FCA, our prayer should be that the head coach would see their purpose as molding and shaping the lives of young people.
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May 16, 2005
Set:
There is a beginning and an end to all things here on earth. After making the cut in 142 consecutive PGA tournaments over a seven-year period, Tiger Woods' streak came to an end at the 2005 Byron Nelson Championship. "I just had a tough day," Woods said after making a bogey on the final hole to miss the cut by one stroke. "Things I don't normally do, I did today."
After becoming a Christian, the Apostle Paul found himself entrenched in a war with the sin in his life. We sometimes think that after surrendering our lives to Christ the battle with sin will subside, but that's not the case. That is actually when the real struggle with sin begins because that is when we become more aware of our own sinful nature.
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May 13, 2005
Set:
When was the last time you heard someone repeat something you said? It happened to me last night. While coaching my son's little league team, I told one of the other coaches that I thought we could win the game because we had more talent than our opponents. My son overheard my comment and, well, it got repeated a little differently than when I had said it. The next thing I knew, my son had gathered several of his teammates together and was telling them, "We will kill this team! My dad thinks they stink!"
After the proverbial, "Oops," I gathered my troops and gave them my best Lou Holtz impression. I told them that the opposing team could easily beat us if we were not careful. Eighteen runs later we walked away victorious.
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May 12, 2005
Set:
"Come on, Coach. Just a few minutes," was the daily request of this young player. Everyday after practice he asked his coach to stick around to help him with his batting. This player's average -- even if he had 20 consecutive hits -- would never even reach the Mendoza line (.200 batting average). But he wouldn't quit. And time after time the coach would put him off. The young man was never going to play, so why should he bother?
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May 04, 2005
Set:
I was approached the other day and asked if I was fat. Well, as a former athlete and coach who has put on a few since his glory days, I was taken aback. "I may be fat, but you're ugly," I kidded him. He laughed and responded, "Not that kind of fat!" I was interested to see how he was going to get out of this one.
He went on to tell me that the "fat" he had been talking about stood for Faithful, Available and Teachable. He told me that we need FAT people involved in the ministry. What a great thought! We most certainly do need FAT people in every area of life. Athletes need to be FAT. Coaches need to be FAT. Pastors need to be FAT. And the list goes on and on. The question now is ... Are you FAT?
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April 27, 2005
Set:
How do you start your mornings as an athlete or coach? I'm sure you plan out your day and make sure you get everything done that you need to get done. I recently had the great opportunity to spend a week at the FCA Home Office in Kansas City, and I discovered a new way to start my day.
At 8:30 a.m. every morning, the Home Office FCA staff gathers for what they call "Morning Glory." This is a period of time that they spend praising God and praying for the needs of the FCA ministry. I was humbled to see the staff praying for me personally and for the rest of the staff around the country. What a way to start your work day!
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April 26, 2005
Set:
We have all coached them – the players who push us to the limit. Those players who drive you crazy (bless their hearts) as a coach because they either don't listen or don't do what you have asked them to do countless times. Just when you think you are about to pull out your last hair, a ray of light beams down, and something changes. Slowly, but surely, they start to change and conform to your coaching. Next thing you know, they get it. They actually get it. Sound familiar? Well, I know someone who has coached more people than any of us, and who deals with that exact situation on a daily basis.
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April 26, 2005
Set:
In his first four seasons in the major leagues, Cardinals' first-baseman Albert Pujols has generated statistics that have people comparing him to Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and other greats. "There are too many things in the game you have to worry about," Pujols said. "If you start putting those things in your head, you just put pressure on yourself. You don't want that. You want to keep your mind clear and make sure you are prepared mentally and physically. I believe I've done that for most of my career, and I want to keep doing that."
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April 22, 2005
Set:
Have you read the sports news lately? Is it filled with news that makes sports look pretty bad. Have we taken the competition in sports too far? Teenagers are killing each other with baseball bats, parents are shooting coaches, fans are taking swings at players on the field. Have we taken competition and the pressure to win to a whole new level? Where do we turn for answers?
FCA has put out a great guide for athletes, coaches and even parents. It is called the Competitor's Creed. It's made up of six verses that represent how we should compete and play for Christ. Today's athletes and coaches are being pushed to win at all cost, but if we truly compete with Christ in mind, our desire will be to honor Him--not ourselves as athletes and coaches.
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April 13, 2005
Set:
Johnny stepped up to the plate. The bases were loaded with two outs, and his team was down by one run. You could tell he was nervous. How would Johnny respond? STRIKE ONE! He watched it go by. STRIKE TWO. He watched another. STRIKE THREE. The bat never left Johnny's shoulder. Johnny returned to the dugout and was approached by his coach. "You never even took a swing, why not?" Johnny replied, "I thought you would be mad if I struck out swinging."
This happens a lot in sports. Fear grips an athlete. Fear of a coach, fear of failure, fear of losing. . .whatever the fear may be, fear is a factor in sports today, and in life as well.
