“They attack as warriors; they scale walls as men of war. Each man proceeds on his own path, and they do not 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.

He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place!  This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” – Genesis 28:17 Have you ever wondered what heaven is like?  To a golfer, the closest thing to heaven must be the crown jewel of all golf courses—Augusta National.  Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts created a golf environment unlike any other in the world.  There is something about Augusta National that moves people in profound ways.  Its breathtakin…

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” – Colossians 4:6 Have you ever been guilty of shooting off your mouth before you put your brain in gear? In a recent college baseball game, I watched the head coach get tossed for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. Not only was he thrown out of the game, he was forced to leave the dugout and the stadium in full view of those in attendance.

Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:13-14 (Holman Christian Standard)   There is something magical about the beginning of a new season of Major League baseball.

“He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” – Proverbs 15:32 An officer in the navy had dreamed from childhood of commanding a great battleship one day. He finally achieved his dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet. One stormy night, the captain was on duty on the bridge when he spotted a strange light rapidly closing with his own vessel.

“Remain in Me, and I in you, just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” – John 15:4 Do you remember your first new baseball glove? Mine was a “genuine” Tony Taylor that I purchased when I was eight years old. It was awesome!

“I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.” – Ephesians 4:1 “I have come to a frightening realization. I am the decisive element on the track or on the field. It is my personal approach that creates the climate for learning and personal performance.

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.

“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot or cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” – Revelation 3:16 How many of you grew up with Wheaties, the cereal advertised as the “Breakfast of Champions?” When an athlete’s picture landed on the front of the Wheaties box, you knew he or she had arrived. You may not know, but Wheaties has fallen on hard times lately. There are always reasons why products lose favor in a fickle market, but industry insiders say the reason is simple.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” – Psalms 68:19 There are no shortcuts in the arena of sports. Coaches and athletes learn quickly that high expectations and the lack of daily effort are a recipe for failure. One of the great lessons of sport is that it takes a daily commitment to get better.

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-8 I have always had a fascination with baseball parks.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 Our lives can change in an instant!  For the people of Huntington, West Virginia, that happened on Saturday, November 14, 1970. The Marshall University football team, returning from a 17-14 loss to East Carolina University, was tragically killed in an airplane crash described as “the worst in sports history”. Seventy-five people lost their lives that night including players, coaches, staff, boosters a…