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April 20, 2011
Set:
Baseball fans may remember one of the most notable events of last season. It was on June 2, 2010. Pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game: no hits, no walks, no errors. An easy ground ball was hit to the first baseman who tossed the ball to Galarraga, who was covering the first base bag. His catch clearly beat the runner to the bag for the final out of the game, but a veteran umpire called the runner safe, therefore ending Galarraga’s perfect game. This mistake showed that even the veteran umpire wasn’t perfect. And, in reality, none of us are.
Every one of us makes mistakes. We all make misjudgments, bad calls and show our imperfections in a variety of ways. But there was one Man who lived the only perfect life in history: Jesus Christ.
June 15, 2004
Set:
This Major League Baseball season has been tough on me. I've had to watch my favorite team battle through the first half of the season being devastated by injuries. This team, which was predicted by some to win the World Series, is now near the bottom of its division. They desperately need their All-Star players to return so that they can compete to win their division. These players aren't helping the team win by sitting on the bench.
March 23, 2012
Set:
A while ago, my best friend, Heather, and I participated in an urban scavenger hunt-style race. The goal was to solve 12 challenges faster than any other team. Each challenge consisted of solving a riddle and getting yourself to the solution (by foot or public transportation only) and taking a photo. For example, we had to take a photo of ourselves in front of the second oldest building on the campus of a local college.
April 06, 2013
Set:
My son, C.J., had an interesting experience. Last year, his fifth grade tackle football team verbalized their preseason goals to be undefeated and un-scored upon. They achieved their goals—a perfect season. This year, they set the same goals and almost achieved them. (One team finally scored one touchdown.) The Bobcats had to “settle” for a second undefeated championship season. In their minds it was not perfect because someone scored on them.
June 07, 2004
Set:
In 1992, the Olympic Games were held in Barcelona, Spain. Athletes from around the world gathered as they did every four years to compete against the best from every country. One such athlete was Derek Redmond. Representing England in the 400 meters, Redmond was a sure medal contender until his semifinal heat. The packed stadium was filled with the anticipation of a great race from this champion runner. The gun went off, and the race was moving along well with Redmond in the lead … until it happened. Halfway down the back stretch, Redmond collapsed on the track with a pulled hamstring. Medical staff rushed toward him, but he fought to his feet. Derek Redmond had only one thing on his mind … finishing the race.
February 13, 2004
Set:
Most fans who go to a football game come, watch the game, eat tons of food, cheer for their team and leave either happy or dejected. But what goes on behind the scenes? Did you know that some people involved in the game spend almost half the day to ensure everything goes as planned? It's true! Student-managers and trainers spend countless hours in preparation and post-game clean up with no fanfare, no autographs to sign, and no one waiting to outside the locker room for a post-game interview. Why do they do what they do? It's their job!
June 12, 2013
Set:
Do you ever feel burnt out in your coaching or your training as an athlete? The daily routines of training and competing can easily crush our motivation if we’re not careful. During my college years, I enjoyed watching and coaching younger athletes as they competed in our annual kids camps. There’s something special that children exude during competition that we usually lack: a simple joy and love for life.
As we seek to follow Jesus Christ in and out of our coaching or competing, we need daily reminders of who we are and the motivation to keep fighting the fight. The phrase “in Christ” occurs over 160 times in Paul’s letters in the New Testament. He consistently reminded his readers of their identity in Christ before a certain behavior or command was addressed.
September 24, 2004
Set:
You see it on every sideline. Every team has it and in nearly as many flavors as Baskin Robbins. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about — Gatorade. It is as common to sports as the equipment we use to play. There are many imitations out there, but there is only one true Gatorade. Athletes at all levels consume this product daily to help them feel their best before, during and after a performance. And commercials today ask, "Is it in you?"
March 16, 2011
Set:
The sports world loves to pay tribute to great athletes and coaches. Halls of fame, retired jerseys and numbers, street names and building names all honor famous sports heroes. But what are they really honoring? Some were great men and women off the field, but for the most part those things honor great achievements in athletics. In my book there's nothing wrong with that until we look at how we truly honor Christ in our sporting careers.
February 23, 2004
Set:
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme didn't rush into the locker rooms after losing Super Bowl XXXVIII by three points to the New England Patriots. Quite the contrary. He stood on the sidelines and forced himself to watch the Patriots in jubilee. Delhomme commented afterwards, "I guess I just wanted it to hurt as much as possible. I wanted to watch the celebration so that it could hurt. So I could remember it for motivation."
February 17, 2013
Set:
Coaches face pressure on a daily basis. Whether it’s your won-lost record, player’s academics, boosters, parents—the expectations placed on coaches are never-ending.
What a comforting truth Matthew brings us! Jesus was declaring His willingness to stand in the gap for us. He liberates us to focus on Him, producing a pressure-free response to His Spirit and truth.
April 13, 2013
Set:
Coaches need support just as their teams do. As a result most schools have booster clubs made up of a wide range of people from parents to interested members of the community. Most of the time, club members work sacrificially to help make the school’s athletic programs more effective. Some, however, may become more of a thorn in a coach’s side through expressions of uninformed criticism.
May 19, 2013
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.
December 11, 2012
Set:
David had been contemplating a very big decision and sought advice from Nathan the prophet. Nathan’s reply was basically, “Go for it!” We get that same feeling when we have prepared to compete and everyone involved has great confidence in the game plan. Each coach and player is infused with excitement and can’t wait to get to the field of competition.
How great would it be to approach every day of our lives this way? Why do we not? God is surely with us, so let’s strongly and confidently pursue the life He’s put in our hearts. As Nathan said to David, I’m now saying to you, “Do all that is on your heart, for God is with you” (1 Ch 17:2).
January 24, 2012
Set:
My oldest son Brooks was a lot like the typical student-athlete in many ways. When he was in high school he went to church, got decent grades, competed in volleyball and basketball and insisted to me that he was not a leader. As a result, he kind of hung back and let others do the leading. But let me tell you some other things about him. He was chosen team captain multiple times. He made all-league, received numerous team awards and was voted Homecoming King his senior year. Does this still sound like a regular guy? Maybe not, but Brooks thought he was.
May 27, 2013
Set:
The neighborhood gang gathered to play ball at the park and a new guy showed up. Everyone brought their usual stuff: Tom brought the favorite bat, Jimmy his bases, Alex had a cooler of water and cups, Derek had extra gloves. Joe, the new guy, had nothing. Tom asked him, “You wanna play?”
Joe replied, “Sure.”
Tom then asked, “What do you got to play with?” Joe walked away dejected.
In Romans 12, Paul pleaded with the people to offer themselves to the Lord. Too many times we think we need to give God something. Paul urged the Roman people, in view of all God had done for them, to simply present their bodies back to the Lord for His glory and honor.
August 13, 2012
Set:
Basketball coaches love it when their players have court awareness. Unlike dribbling, passing or shooting where athletes rely strictly on athletic talent during the course of a game, court awareness is a talent that involves competing with mental alertness, seeing all the obstacles in advance and reacting while moving at full speed. The great players have that special ability.
Many times over the years our team has competed against opponents with more physical talent. The games all start the same way. The opponents strut onto the court with a sense of confidence and a swagger in their own abilities. Their body language indicates they’re confident of dominating the contest.
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."
February 07, 2012
Set:
As I read commentary on last week’s NFL Draft, I was reminded of that special feeling we get when we are chosen for a team. Whether it is being picked for the sandlot team, making the cut for the varsity, being recruited to a college, or being drafted to a professional organization, there is always a wonderful sense of acceptance and gratitude when we “make the team.”
I remember my own experience of walking up to the coach’s door after tryouts to see if my name was on his list. I remember grinning happily when I saw my name and high-fiving friends who also had made the team. I remember feeling called, chosen, set apart for a unique purpose. I was part of the team.
April 19, 2004
Set:
The main difference between a good quarterback and a great quarterback is the ability to not panic. The great quarterback knows there is always time to win. A great player pulls the game out of fire with minutes or even seconds left.
The classic story of panic evolves a little guy called Chicken Little. This was an instance when a nut caused a great deal of trouble. The poor little guy was hit with an acorn falling from a tree and believed the sky was falling.
April 16, 2004
Set:
He knew it could be his day. He had been there before, but today would be different. Phil Mickelson finally landed his first major tour victory after 46 attempts. Draining an 18-foot putt on the final hole of the tournament could not have made it any sweeter. He had waited for a long time for this victory, and it was worth the wait.
December 28, 2011
Set:
As a sophomore in junior college, playing baseball was the primary way I found value in life. However, when it turned out that I wasn’t cutting it on the baseball field, my coach told me to consider trying football. He’d often said that “we reap what we sow” during his talks about how Jesus Christ could impact our lives and even our baseball careers. Personally, my motivation had always been self-centered and about me. But I was now facing the end of something I had depended on since childhood to get the affirmation I craved. The Holy Spirit had been calling me, though, and later that day, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
January 23, 2012
Set:
As a student-athlete in high school, the only thing that I liked about myself was my basketball ability. My self-worth was based completely on my performance on the court. Although I knew Christ, it took a lot of painful losing and poor performances for me once I got to college to realize that my self-worth was very skewed.
After I began to read the Bible more, I realized that none of the verses showed that God loved me any less based on my performance. I did, however, find many verses based on how God viewed me as His child.
December 03, 2012
Set:
Life demands toughness. I thought it was tough being a student. Then I got a real job. Tough! I thought it was tough playing in the NFL. Then I got married. Tough! I thought it was tough being married. Then I had kids.
Tough!
February 09, 2004
Set:
There are about a million things I loved about John Wooden's coaching, but one of my favorite things was when he taught his players each year how to put on their socks and tie their shoes properly. Now, you would think that college-aged men could do this on their own, but Wooden took nothing for granted. He paid attention to the little things of the game. I believe this is what made the big things come easier for his teams over the years. He always took care of the little things.
