“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 (ESV) “What does a leader look like?” That was the question I asked the team as we began our morning practice...

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who...

“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you, must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew...

“For I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) Years ago I heard a newly appointed pastor announce to his congregation that he had a plan to make everyone happy....

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Luke 11:9-10 (ESV)   At the age of...

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) Practice was not going well. My high school soccer team looked awful! It had been a long season and the high hopes we had going into the year had been crushed by...

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) Perfection in the sports arena is rare. In 2010, Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando...

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:12 “What are you doing!” When coach asked that very loud question, each player in the room prayed his name wouldn’t be spoken in the next sentence. “What in the world were you thinking...

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) I’ve had the opportunity to coach many young boys who are playing contact football for the first time. The level of enthusiasm is always high as they report for...

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.” – Hebrews 11:1-2 (ESV) By faith, Gabby Douglas persevered and overcome adversity to become an Olympic Champion. In her...

“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.” – Proverbs 15:13 (ESV) I had a conversation with a parent recently in which she told a story of a coach who was screaming at her son’s baseball team after a loss. She couldn’t...

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13 (ESV) I wouldn’t call my father a sport’s dad, but he was certainly attentive to and supportive of my interests in sports. As one of five children,...