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  • Etc.

    May 19, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    As an athlete, I constantly struggle with my thoughts. I have thoughts of doubt, confusion, and pride—just to name a few. I wrestle with doubting my athletic ability and potential, my place on the team, and my acceptance from teammates. It is usually my mind that is the greatest challenge, not my physical ability. My mind runs wild with speculation.

    My college lacrosse coach would post his daily practice plan before practice began. Based on where he would put my name on the practice plan, I would think better or worse of my ability. My thoughts would consume me as to why my coach had listed me in the order that he did—thinking that he had either moved me up or down in the rotation. I later found out that he had no real reason for moving the names around.

  • Living Sacrifices

    May 18, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    Sacrifice is something most people never even consider, let alone complete. Let’s consider what it is to be a living sacrifice.

    At the time of this writing by Paul, sacrifices were usually killed and laid upon an altar to be burned. The problem with “living sacrifices” is that they tend to crawl off the altar when it gets a little hot. We start with good intentions of making a sacrifice for our teammates, our family, or career, but when it gets uncomfortable we often snatch the sacrifice from the altar and lose the reward that comes from faithfulness.

  • God Given

    May 17, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    As I watch sports today, I get this feeling that too many athletes think they created all the talent they have inside. Jersey popping, chest beatings, and trash talking are all about prideful attitudes that lead to arrogant behaviors on the field. These athletes showcase their demeanor as much as their true talent. God has a better plan.

    When God gives us talents and gifts, He wants us to use them—not in some prideful, selfish, ego-driven way, but faithfully to serve others and bring Him glory. Romans 12:6 states that we all have different gifts and are to use them. Many people have gifts but rarely use them, and when they do, it is for their own glory, not God’s. Again, all gifts we have received are God-given, not man-made.

  • An Offering

    May 16, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    It was a long day, my schedule was out of whack, and the time I put aside to train was messed up. If that wasn’t enough, the aches and pains from summer workouts were wearing me down. Then the clouds rolled in and rain began to fall. I decided to make up my workout another day.

    I sat and read a devotion book. The author told of struggling one day to keep his focus on the task set before him. He tried several things to get his mind on track, but nothing worked. Then he remembered John 10:10: “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy.” Was Satan keeping him from doing what God had planned for him?

  • Salty

    May 15, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    If you run around the soccer field for 90 minutes, you tend to sweat a lot. When you sweat excessively, your body loses much of its natural salt. Without salt in your body, you cannot stay hydrated. Being “salty” is an important part of being able to compete at a high level.

    In the same respect, without a relationship with Jesus, you cannot absorb and learn from His Word. Learning God’s ways by reading the Bible will impact your approach to competition, but not until you give your life fully to God and accept what His Son did for you on the cross.

  • The Playbook

    May 14, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    One of the common elements in all levels of football from peewee to pro is the playbook. It contains the game plan each team uses to try to overcome its opponent. Without the playbook teams and players would be in a state of confusion not knowing what to do or where to go. On the other hand, no matter how good the playbook is, it’s absolutely useless if the players don’t study and apply it.

  • Decisions

    May 13, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    Every day as coaches, we face many decisions that will affect our team. We need to deal with everything from what to do at practice, to who should be the starters in the next game. Some decisions are bigger than others, but they all have some bearing on our team. Every once in a while we may find ourselves in a position where we have no clue what decision to make or how to resolve an issue. It is at those times that we turn to assistant coaches, athletic directors, and others for help.

  • Never Give In

    May 12, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 
    The Oscoda High School football team cancelled their season’s last five games as a result of going 0-4 and not scoring a point. I know going winless and scoreless stings, but my heart hurts thinking someone gave up on those athletes. I think about the possible victories they will never experience—not on-the-field victories, but the life victories they will miss. I guess they never heard the Winston Churchill quote, “Never give in—never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in . . .”
     

  • Use Your Gift

    May 11, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 
    Have you ever received a note or a phone call at just the right time? I did today. I had just arrived at Northwestern for my weekly visit to their football team when my phone rang. I had no clue who was calling because it was shown as a "private call." What happened next was a much needed blessing in my life today.
     
    The man on the other end, Randy, shared with me how my devotionals have helped him through some tough times recently. I share this not to pat myself on the back, but to let you know a simple truth: if God has given you a gift (which He has) use it for His glory.
     

  • Idols

    May 10, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    Since I was a young boy growing up in Pittsburgh, I wanted to work for the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Pittsburgh Penguins. A family friend of ours was Mike Lange, who is a Hall of Fame announcer for the Pittsburgh Penguins. As a boy playing sports with his son, I would see Mr. Lange when he attended our games and get-togethers. I always admired him as a person, but I also admired the two championship rings that he always wore. On several occasions, Mr. Lange let me wear his Stanley Cup Championship rings on my fingers. It was those moments when I knew that all I wanted was to win a ring of my own.

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