Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Defense Wins the Game
I love sports. I use to consider myself an athletic person. When I was in school I ran in every relay team I could join. I played softball, ran in races, and I absolutely loved basketball. My kids laugh at my basketball half court stories. But I loved my half court sport. Now after 3 knee surgeries, age, and lots of joint pain my athletic days have boiled down to trying to get things down around the house without hurting myself. haha
Another way I have tried to stay around sports is by coaching community youth sports. I've coached 25 different teams in AYSO soccer and YMCA basketball. My new favorite sport is soccer. I truly love coaching soccer. I went to several classes to improve my soccer knowledge and coaching techniques. I even became certified as a referee. (Taring my ACL forced me to stop) I watch my children play sports. I've watched my kids cheer lead, play basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and football. I consider it a privilege to watch them play. I try to stay active with their sports as much as I can. I participate in booster clubs and fundraising events.
There's nothing more exciting, in sports, than to see a team come from behind and win a game. Wow! How thrilling it is to work hard, listen to your coach, play from your heart, give all you've got and win. I recently watched the Lady Vols come from a 20 point deficient at halftime and win the game by 4. I've coached a young boys basketball game several years ago. There was 5 minutes left in the game. We were down by 10 points. I called a time out. I told the boys, (the number 10 sounds so big) "We just need 5 shots! Can you give me 5 shots?" All the boys yelled, "Yes, Coach!" My young boys won by 4. Another time was in a soccer tournament. We had won one game. We needed to win the second one in order to advance. With 10 minutes left in the game we were down by 5 goals. A tie would not help us, we needed a win. I made some player changes and it was exciting....we won by 1. The team advanced and won first place in the tournament.
As you can imagine, players, parents, fans, and yes, the coach was jumping with excitement. With every team I've coached, I've always stressed that "Defense Wins the Game". Of course a good scoring offense is good, but if the other team keeps scoring too, you will loose. Coaching in youth sports, I would often call back the offense so the score doesn't run up. But I'd never call off the defense. If the opposing team was going win they'd have to go through the defense.
Can you tell, I'm a little competitive?! I'm a good sport. I love to win and I hate to loose. So I try to coach to where I didn't loose often. :)
As a believer our faith is in a battle or a playoff game all the time. Have you seen players who would score and make a big show? Then the opposing team was able to quickly score. Why? Because the player spent too much time celebrating his personal victory and didn't stay focused that there was a game to still play. The player needed to immediately go back to defense.
Have you had a spiritual victory? A huge answer to prayer? Witnessed a miracle that only God could accomplish? Then soon after you felt discouraged or depressed. Elijah did that too. He just won a victory on the mountain against Jezebel's false prophets. God proved, in a miraculous way, that He was the true God. God threw a fire ball that burned up the sacrifice, stone, and water. Later we find Elijah under a juniper tree wanting to give up and die.
Elijah didn't go back on defense. Satan was ready for the next play and Elijah wasn't. I've done that many times. I've recently done that. I've been battling in an unjust law suit against me. Three years and almost 3 months later, I won in Federal Court. The celebration was powerful. The relief was a welcomed blessing. Yet, within a few days, I worried and wondered how we're going to pay the upcoming bills. How much groceries will I be able to buy? What happened? I didn't get back on defense.
See, the game is still on. I'm not finished yet. Heaven is where my part in the battle or game ends. Until then I must keep my eyes and my faith to Him. As players must stay focused on their coaches direction, believers need to stay focused on the Word of God. Remember, "Defense Wins the Game." Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't stop!
Another way I have tried to stay around sports is by coaching community youth sports. I've coached 25 different teams in AYSO soccer and YMCA basketball. My new favorite sport is soccer. I truly love coaching soccer. I went to several classes to improve my soccer knowledge and coaching techniques. I even became certified as a referee. (Taring my ACL forced me to stop) I watch my children play sports. I've watched my kids cheer lead, play basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and football. I consider it a privilege to watch them play. I try to stay active with their sports as much as I can. I participate in booster clubs and fundraising events.
There's nothing more exciting, in sports, than to see a team come from behind and win a game. Wow! How thrilling it is to work hard, listen to your coach, play from your heart, give all you've got and win. I recently watched the Lady Vols come from a 20 point deficient at halftime and win the game by 4. I've coached a young boys basketball game several years ago. There was 5 minutes left in the game. We were down by 10 points. I called a time out. I told the boys, (the number 10 sounds so big) "We just need 5 shots! Can you give me 5 shots?" All the boys yelled, "Yes, Coach!" My young boys won by 4. Another time was in a soccer tournament. We had won one game. We needed to win the second one in order to advance. With 10 minutes left in the game we were down by 5 goals. A tie would not help us, we needed a win. I made some player changes and it was exciting....we won by 1. The team advanced and won first place in the tournament.
As you can imagine, players, parents, fans, and yes, the coach was jumping with excitement. With every team I've coached, I've always stressed that "Defense Wins the Game". Of course a good scoring offense is good, but if the other team keeps scoring too, you will loose. Coaching in youth sports, I would often call back the offense so the score doesn't run up. But I'd never call off the defense. If the opposing team was going win they'd have to go through the defense.
Can you tell, I'm a little competitive?! I'm a good sport. I love to win and I hate to loose. So I try to coach to where I didn't loose often. :)
As a believer our faith is in a battle or a playoff game all the time. Have you seen players who would score and make a big show? Then the opposing team was able to quickly score. Why? Because the player spent too much time celebrating his personal victory and didn't stay focused that there was a game to still play. The player needed to immediately go back to defense.
Have you had a spiritual victory? A huge answer to prayer? Witnessed a miracle that only God could accomplish? Then soon after you felt discouraged or depressed. Elijah did that too. He just won a victory on the mountain against Jezebel's false prophets. God proved, in a miraculous way, that He was the true God. God threw a fire ball that burned up the sacrifice, stone, and water. Later we find Elijah under a juniper tree wanting to give up and die.
Elijah didn't go back on defense. Satan was ready for the next play and Elijah wasn't. I've done that many times. I've recently done that. I've been battling in an unjust law suit against me. Three years and almost 3 months later, I won in Federal Court. The celebration was powerful. The relief was a welcomed blessing. Yet, within a few days, I worried and wondered how we're going to pay the upcoming bills. How much groceries will I be able to buy? What happened? I didn't get back on defense.
See, the game is still on. I'm not finished yet. Heaven is where my part in the battle or game ends. Until then I must keep my eyes and my faith to Him. As players must stay focused on their coaches direction, believers need to stay focused on the Word of God. Remember, "Defense Wins the Game." Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't stop!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Maybe she'll play someday
Since music is so important to WS individuals, you can't introduce too early. She loves to watch you play. I can only play one song, she's my biggest fan. :)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Binding Together
Acts 12:1-19; Peter and James preached and stood for Jesus. Their message was not liked by King Herold and other religious leaders. King Herold thought he'd put a stop to such ridiculous talk. He had James killed and Peter arrested.
In vs. 5; ...but...prayer was made without ceasing for him. When was the last time I prayed for someone without ceasing?
My family has had some rather large issues that has had an financial and emotional influence over the past 3 years.
1. Finalized the adoption of our 4th child
2. Started and finalized the adoption of our 5th child
3. $20 million law suit filed against me
4. Loss of income
5. Teenage daughter needing residential counseling
6. Grand baby born
7. Grand baby being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder
In our deepest financial and emotional hours my family has needed God. For the year 2009 I believe it's scriptural to bind together with believers and pray earnestly for one another.
vs. 5 Bind with believers
vs. 14 Be strengthened and blessed because we had a part
vs. 15 Be prepared for God to answer in His way and time
vs. 6-11 While we're praying, God is moving behind the scenes. When you are receiving the prayers you are responsible to....
1. vs. 6 Rest in your faith
2. vs.11 Acknowledge God is working
3. vs. 12 Let your fellow believers know God has heard their prayers
4. vs. 17 Continue serving God ... soon you will be a prayer warrior in behalf of another believer.
Results of binding in prayer, in this passage...
1. Peter was released from jail
2. 16 people died
3. Later King Harold was eaten alive by worms.
Results of binding in prayer for my family...
1. A resounding victory in Federal Court and the $20 million law suit defeated. :)
2. Grandbaby's physical needs are much improved
Believers need to bind together more often. I would like to be part of fellow believers who regularly bind together in prayer for one another. May I suggest you start with a small group from church or a Sunday school class. I look forward to 2009 and see God move victorious as a result of believers binding together.
To God be the Glory.
Friday, January 2, 2009
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