“I will praise God’s name with song and praise Him with thanksgiving.” – Psalm 69:30 (Holman Christian Standard) Dear God, thank you for the opportunities and challenges you have blessed me with. Help me to love my family, my friends, teammates and opponents as You love me. Help me to sacrifice my personal welfare for others as You did for me, and help me to utilize my gifts to glorify Your name.

For I know the plans I have for you—this is the Lord’s declaration—plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (Holman Christian Standard) Nick Saban has been called “The Most Underpaid, Highest-Paid Coach in the Country”. Over an 18-year career at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU and Alabama, Saban has compiled a record of 169-55-1.

will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful love because You have seen my affliction. You have known the troubles of my life. – Psalm 31:7 (Holman Christian Standard) “Why is this happening?” As coaches, we have asked ourselves this question many times.

The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. – Proverbs 10:9 (Holman Christian Standard) My favorite coach of all-time has to be John Wooden. His impact on the game of basketball and those who played it is legendary.

But we are not those who back down and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life. – Hebrews 10:39 (Holman Christian Standard) There is something special about athletes and teams who refuse to quit. What is it that motivates them and drives them to keep going despite the odds?

I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. Philippians 4:12 (Holman Christian Standard) The line between being a champion or a chump is very thin.

Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 (Holman Christian Standard) I am amazed at how sports have become ingrained in our everyday lives. We are never more than a few seconds away from the hot topics of the day. ESPN, team websites, blogs, and around-the-clock sports talk keep us connected to the never ending stream of information on teams, players and coaches.

Lord, how long will You continually forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me? – Psalm 13:1 As coaches, we have all watched helplessly as gifted athletes suddenly go into a “funk” and can’t hit a baseball, make a foul shot or sink a putt.

“Lord, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness listen to my plea, and in Your righteousness answer me.” – Psalm 143:1 (Holman Christian Standard) The text comes as regular as rain. It always reads the same and I instantly know the source.

“You ask and don’t receive because you ask wrongly, so that you may spend it on your desires for pleasure.” – James 4:3 (Holman Christian Standard) It was another important game and as the team took the field, I asked the coach if there was anything I could do for him. His answer was quick and to the point, “PRAY”! As we headed for the sideline to get ready for the opening kickoff, I assured him I would not only pray, but I would pray without ceasing.

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22 (Holman Christian Standard) In the world of sport, thinking too highly of yourself is a dangerous road to travel. It’s an easy trap for athletes and teams to fall into. The media and fans often go over the top in their efforts to build up a particular game, player or team.

So if you’re 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.