“You become imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6   Over the past week I have been reminded while Christmas is a time of great happiness and anticipation, it can also be a time of sadness and dread. Everywhere around us are the sights and sounds of Christmas. Homes are decorated inside and out and songs of the season serenade us in the stores and in our cars.

“I delight in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.” – Isaiah 61:10a I have experienced many joys during my years of coaching. Being part of a state championship football team, winning region titles and celebrating victories over major rivals are but a few of my joyful memories. Seeing great effort and hard work bear fruit has been a joy.

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice , holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and the perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2   One of the joys of coaching is watching young players grow and mature.  A skinny and awkward 15-year old can come back from a summer vacation loo...

“Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that the Lord is God.

“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.