“When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.” – Matthew 6:7 As a junior varsity football coach, I quickly learned the importance of keeping things simple. One of my goals each season was to get the offense to execute five running plays and three passing plays with confidence and precision. However, the temptation to expand the play book was always in the back of my mind.

(Dedicated to the men and women who grind every day to keep this great nation free – Thank a Veteran) “Therefore, my brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. “ – 1 Corinthians 15:58 Coaches love “grinders”!  A grinder is an athlete who succeeds through hard work and determination rather than exceptional talent or skill. Grinders show up every day, they are eager to work and they place team before self.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your way My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9 Sometimes we’re too close to a situation to see what’s really going on. Most coaches like being on the sidelines.

“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.” – Romans 8:11 As coaches, we are affected by unique pressures and stresses in our lives. Coaches are busy people! Thinking back on my early years in coaching, I remember teaching five classes each day, coaching a sport each afternoon and then going home to prepare lesson plans and coaching schedules for the...

“For God so loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” – John 3:16-17 Sometimes as coaches, we find ourselves in hopeless situations. Watching the final seconds tick off the clock and being on the wrong end of a 62-0 beat down in football.

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” – Acts 9:20 Early in my coaching career, I was given the opportunity to become head coach of a small high school that had never had a football program. As I look back on that experience, I shake my head at how little I knew about what I was getting into.

“A man’s steps are established by the Lord….” – Psalm 37:23a Coaches spend hours working with their athletes developing correct footwork. We realize that any skill, regardless of how simple or obvious it seems, has to be taught and practiced on a consistent basis. Wise coaches know that teaching correct footwork can be the difference between winning and losing.

“Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for money but eagerly; not lording over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” – 1 Peter 5:2-4   I’m so thankful for the men and women who made the decision to become a teacher-coach. Don’t ever doubt the impact and influence you have on the lives of the athletes you serve.

“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?

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:23-25 (New Living Standard) Count me in when it comes to good sports movies.

“Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.” – Proverbs 11:14 (Holman Christian Standard)   I didn’t notice it when I took the picture, but now it’s the first thing I see.  At a recent FCA Team Football Camp, these two teams had just completed an intense and competitive 7 on 7 session. It was hot and humid, but tradition calls for teams to gather and pray together before moving on to the next game. Two teams, different in many ways, but with one commo...

“Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life.” – Proverbs 11:5 (The Message) Do athletics build character? Many of us might laugh and say, “It must, because I sure have a lot of characters on my team!” But let’s get serious for a minute. As a coach, is building character an important part of your program?