“Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, obeyhis commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”– Joshua 22:5 (New Living Translation)How many times do we see athletes who have all the physical tools fail to live up to their potential?  Why do some athletes with everything going for them so often miss the mark while those with limited ability bring home the prize?  What’s the missing ingredient—Heart!Time and time agai...

“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty.”– Proverbs 14:23 (New Living Translation)What does it take to be great?  Is there one secret that allowed Ted Williams to become baseball’s greatest hitter?  What was it that allowed Hank Aaron to be the most consistent home run hitter of his era?  Did Nolan Ryan, the record holder for career strikeouts, know something that other pitchers didn’t?

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ as I have been in the past.  And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die.  For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”– Philippians 1:20-21 (New Living Translation)Expectations.

“We are confident that as you share our sufferings,you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”– 2 Corinthians 1:7There are times in our lives when we are tempted to lose hope.  No one is immune.  Sometimes life kicks us in the gut and we want to scream those words coaches hate to hear, “I quit!”  In times like these, it’s easy to just pack it up and retreat into a world of self-pity and hopelessness.  What’s the use?

“The father of godly children has cause for joy.What a pleasure to have children who are wise.”– Proverbs 23:24I am the father of two fine sons.  When the youngest left home for college, my wife and I entered a new phase in our lives.  The “empty nest” was a reality and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss them.  After years of adjusting schedules, attending ball games and constant “action”, it was quiet.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.– Colossians 3:12Influence.  As coaches we have it.  The critical question that each of us must answer is, “How are we using it?”  I ran across an article recently titled, “Encouraging Coaches”, which recognized several coaches who have had a lasting influence on their athletes.

“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again.

“For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” – Hebrews 5:13-14 One of my greatest joys as a coach is watching players mature as they move through the program. It’s always exciting to see that young, skinny, uncoordinated athlete leave for the summer and return in the fall three inches taller, twenty pounds heavier and abl...

“They attack as warriors; they scale walls as men of war. Each man proceeds on his own path, and they do no change their course.” – Joel 2:7 When I think of warriors, usually images of Mel Gibson in Braveheart or Russell Crowe in Gladiator come to mind. In these characters we see courage, conviction and a sense of purpose that is larger than life.

“Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30 Being fit is one thing, being an athlete is another. Experts say that thirty minutes of exercise at a comfortable pace four times a week will make us fit. So two hours a week of running, walking, biking or swimming will allow an individual to maintain a basic level of fitness.

“God is strong, and He wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.” – Ephesians 6:10 (The Message) As a young boy, I can remember watching Paul Anderson perform incredible feats of strength during an exhibition at my high school.

“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best.