“Therefore since we also have such a large crowd of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and sin that easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us,keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the  shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne." –Hebrews 12:1-2 As coaches, we’re always talking to our athletes about the need to focus. Baseball coaches...

“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go.” – Ruth 1:16 The match with our cross-town rival was going to be intense. The teams were evenly matched and it would take our best effort to get the victory.

“Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalm 46:10 Everybody take a knee!

"For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." – Psalm 149:4 Another football season is coming to a close. Teams have made their way through the regular season schedule. For the past few weeks, we have been saturated with bowl games and All-Star games.

“We have found the Messiah!” – John 1:41 Most successful coaches have learned the art of effective communication. Coaches are teachers in the truest sense, but our classrooms look a little different. We teach on grassy fields, hardwood courts and synthetic tracks instead of rooms lined with desks, tables and chairs.

“More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him, I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ.” – Philippians 3:8 Coaches desire great things for themselves and the athletes they teach. This desire drives them to compete, pursue, and strive toward their ultimate goal for the season.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” – Philippians 3:13  As a recreational runner for over forty years, I have learned a great deal about myself. My early motivation for running was weight control. I had lost twenty-five pounds during Army Basic Training and liked the way I felt and looked.

“I will praise God’s name with song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.” – Psalm 69:30 We see it so often now that we don’t even give it a second thought. Following a touchdown, the jubilant football player goes into his own private victory celebration. Just when we think we have seen all the dances and stunts that could possibly be performed, someone takes it to a new level.

“My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” – Philippians 3:10 To compete in the world of athletics takes motivation and drive. As coaches, we invest countless hours training our athletes to perform at the highest level possible. What is our payoff?

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained….” - Proverbs 29:18 Longtime Alabama head football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant knew what vision was all about. In his book, Bear Bryant on Leadership, Pat Williams says, “Bryant saw the future before it arrived. He saw over the horizon before others even opened their eyes.

“Take on an entirely new way of life—a  God fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” – Ephesians 4:23-24 (The Message) There is an ongoing debate in our nation today about the issue of leadership and character. In the realm of politics, it sometimes appears that if polls and the economy are good, then character doesn’t really matter. As coaches however, most of us adhere to the idea that good char...