Under Control

 "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." - Proverbs 25:28 (ESV) As a high school student, I kept the shot chart for the varsity basketball coach. This required me to sit next to him on the bench during each game. He did a great...

Walking Straight

 "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth...." - Psalm 86:11 (ESV) If I had a dollar for every line I've painted on an athletic field, I'd be a wealthy man! Preparing a field for competition is an art and it also requires having the right equipment. I...

What Did You Say?

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" - Psalm 141:3 (ESV) C.J. Stroud was taken as the second-round pick of the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft. He went on to be chosen as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finishing the...
So, You Want More Playing Time

So, You Want More Playing Time

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10 (ESV) “Coach, how can I get more playing time?” Now for some coaches, that question is like throwing gasoline on a...

Making Time

Making Time

“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd and after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” – Mark 6:45:46 (ESV) My perspective of time has changed...

Enduring Love

Enduring Love

“For I said, ‘Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.’” – Psalm 89:2 (ESV) There are a few things that successful athletes simply must endure. Preseason training is one of them. It’s been over fifty years since...

Finding Fellowship

Finding Fellowship

“And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God and he is eternal life.”...

Uncomfortable

Uncomfortable

 “The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.’” – John 4:15-16 (ESV) Have you ever had an uncomfortable moment? As a young high school athlete, I can remember making the transition to a new...

Strength Through Weakness

Strength Through Weakness

“The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many go give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” – Judges 7:2 (ESV) It was impossible to contain my excitement as the ten mighty warriors climbed on...

Face to Face

Face to Face

“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” – Revelation 22:4 (ESV) Can you remember that special feeling you had when you met one of your childhood heroes for the first time? The face-to-face encounter was almost too much to take in. I grew...

Paying the Price

Paying the Price

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So, I do not run aimlessly; I...

The Power of Patience

The Power of Patience

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ESV)   In the world of athletics, patience is a powerful weapon. Experienced coaches know this, but rarely do we talk with our...

Time – Friend or Foe

Time – Friend or Foe

 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. – 2 Peter 3:8 (ESV) We kill time. We save time, we rob and get robbed of time. We lose time, and we have all the time in the world....

Listen With Your Eyes

Listen With Your Eyes

“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.” – Proverbs 2:2 (ESV) “Give me your eyes! As coaches, how many times have we challenged our athletes with these words? With another practice in the books, we stand in front of our team...

Crossroads

Crossroads

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and greatness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace.” –...