The Anointed

"I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord." - Jeremiah 23:4 (ESV) Some of the most influential people in my life have been coaches. It was a coach who instilled...

Values

 "For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? What can anyone give in exchange for his life?" - Mark 8:36-37 Values are essential to effective leadership. Here's a simple definition: "Values are norms or principles which guide our...

Identity

"I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. - John 10:9-10 One of the driving questions of...
Criticisim

Criticisim

“Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.” – Proverbs 11:11 If you have been coaching very long, you probably have developed a “thick skin.” It’s not easy being in the line of fire for criticism that can come...

Outward Appearance

Outward Appearance

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 As coaches we are always evaluating....

The Greatest Champion

The Greatest Champion

It all comes down to one game. The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers face off for the right to be called National Champions for the 2017 college football season. A price has been paid by the athletes and coaches who will compete in this rematch of last...

Driving the Bus

Driving the Bus

“Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.” – Proverbs 28:26 Have you ever thought too highly of yourself? I was guilty of falling into that trap as a young coach working with a very successful high school program. As head...

Seeing the Big Picture

Seeing the Big Picture

“So if you are serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on...

Titles

Titles

“She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus –‘God saves’ —because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 (The Message) Titles often command great respect. The President of the United States is considered to be...

Feeding the Hungry

Feeding the Hungry

“Tell them to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. John 6:10-11 How much...

Coachable

Coachable

“Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 23:12 A great deal of our time as coaches is spent giving instructions. Day after day we teach, reinforce, and test our athletes in the skills of sport. We give chalk talks, run...

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Life comes at us fast! As coaches we wear many hats and have more on our “To Do” lists than we have time to...

Counting the Cost

Counting the Cost

“But don’t begin until you count the cost.  For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? – Luke 14:28 Everything costs something! How many times have we heard our athletes say something...

Goals

Goals

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” – Philippians 3:14 As coaches, we go into every season with goals. There’s always a prize we’re chasing. It could be a state championship or...

Friendship

Friendship

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in a time of need.” – Proverbs 17:17 The value of true friendship is priceless. At the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, Japanese pole vaulters Shuhei Nishida and Sueo Oe tied for second place. The teammates were...