"He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding."

Living life in a lazy frivolous manner, or as a fantasy, is a big waste of time and, as stated above, lacks sense. Fantasies are different from dreams. Dreams and hard work have the potential from God and therefore can be instrumental in bringing direction to our daily lives. The right dream can bring foundational vision to what we do.

Working hard to accomplish the dream of a high GPA, making first string on your team, helping a friend become a Christian or just simply doing the right thing pays in the end. If we took these dreams and used them as starting points, we could come up with a good, strong plan.

A high GPA or making the starting position on your team might take a few extra hours of practice or studies. If we want a friend to become a Christian, we could pray for them and invite that person to our Huddle at church.

Don't waste your mind or time on lazy fantasies. Work hard on the task at hand. Dream a little, then work a lot!

Happy Monday morning!! Now go till up some coffee!

"A man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun."

Eat, drink and be merry.....God wants us to enjoy and embrace life each day that He gives us to live it. Life on earth, however, comes with challenges, roadblocks and hardships. It’s a perfectly designed system of peaks and valleys, and it's our memory of the valleys that lifts us up when we experience the peaks. - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." - Without those valleys, the route to our Heavenly Father would take longer to reach.

Now that the weekend has been wrapped up and we begin another work week, don't take another step into that valley without thanking God for another day above ground, and a good cup of coffee to take along the way.️️

I read a story once of a football team that had not been able to put together a winning season for several years. Their coach, a volunteer, stuck with the team at all costs and every year he started the season with positive attitude and never lost a step all season. He hated hearing negative comments from his players and or other coaches, so he found what he thought would send the perfect message in a poster and hung it up.

The picture was a shadowed image of a football player slumped over at the end of the bench with his helmet hanging from a clenched fist and rain falling heavy. The message was obvious that the player was on the losing team and to emphasize the message, in quotations, written across the top of the poster were the words, "I quit!"

After several weeks of players and coaches going in and out of his office and seeing this poster during yet another less than winning season, several coaches and players finally asked why he had this poster on his wall and why he just doesn't quit himself.

After getting the team together in the locker room he went into his office, took down the poster and hung it up on the whiteboard so the team could see it.

He addressed the teams record for the season and likewise mentioned the past few years. Mentioning his beliefe that the team had what it took to win with talent, he also mentioned his past when he was down and out and a message that he came to realize was hidden when looking at a cross one day.

He then brought to the attention of the team something they all did not notice at first glance. Across the top, in large letters the poster read, I quit.

At the bottom corner was a picture of an empty cross and below that were the words, "I didn't."

"Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

In order to achieve success, you must first succeed with failure.

Football season is still a few weeks, away … just over a month … we still have “pre”-season, or you could say time to prepare.

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:34-35

Preparation is key.

"The Pre-game Meal."
For an athlete in any sport, this meal may be the most important meal of the entire day. An athlete must have enough energy to last through the entire competition.

Taking in the right amount of caloies to be burnt during competition is of utmost importance. Like a pilot about to take flight, taking in the right amount of fuel for a flight is likewise the same importance. Too little and you are destined to crash. This is the last chance to get the fuel needed.

When I was a coach, I too needed fuel and after feeding my body I would look to God for something extra. Jesus talks about a different kind of fuel in the bible.

Doing God's work is the fuel we need in order to succeed in the game of life.

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus explains it like this;

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The challenge given to me as a christian coach was to devote myself to this kind of work. By way of example I am to present to the athletes I help coach as well as fellow coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.

As my day begins, I ask these questions;

1. Are you seeking to do God's work daily?

2. Are you asking God to show you where He wants you to work

3. Are you studying God's Word daily to become a better worker

4. Today, what can you do to feed your soul?

Another piece of scripture I followed in my coaching philosophy was from Peter that says this;

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
1 Peter 5:2-3

Lord, show me where You want me to work, and I will serve You. Put people in front of me whom You want me to talk to today. Let Your words be heard with my voice. Take this life and use it to build Your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Hurt So Good

Your pain often reveals God’s purpose for you. God never wastes a hurt! If you’ve gone through a hurt, he wants you to help other people going through that same hurt. He wants you to share it. God can use the problems in your life to give you a ministry to others. In fact, the very thing you’re most ashamed or the deepest hurt could become your greatest ministry in helping other people.

Who can better help somebody going through a bankruptcy than somebody who went through a bankruptcy?

Who can better help somebody struggling with an addiction than somebody who’s struggled with an addiction?

Who can better help parents of a special needs child than parents who raised a special needs child?

Who can better help somebody who’s lost a child than somebody who lost a child?

The very thing you hate the most in your life is what God wants to use for good in your life.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1, verses 3, 4 and 6, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”

This is called redemptive suffering. Redemptive suffering is when you go through a problem or a pain for the benefit of others.

This is what Jesus did. When Jesus died on the cross, he didn’t deserve to die. He went through that pain for your benefit so that you can be saved and go to Heaven.

There are many different causes for the problems, pains, and suffering in your life. Sometimes the stuff that happens you bring on yourself. When you make stupid decisions, then it causes pain in your life. If you go out and overspend and buy things you can’t afford and presume on the future, and then you go deeply in debt and lose your house, you can’t say, “God, why did you let me lose my house?” You can’t blame God for your bad choices.

But in some of your problems, you’re innocent. You’ve been hurt by the pain, stupidity, and sins of other people. And some of the pain in your life is for redemptive suffering. God often allows us to go through a problem so that we can then help others.

What athlete doesn’t want to be in a Hall of Fame?

What little kid playing T-ball doesn't dream of hitting the winning home run in the World Series?

What sixth grader playing touch football at recess doesn't dream of playing in the Super Bowl?

It’s in our nature to be driven competitors.

Our society has special places of honor for those who are above average. Whether it’s dreaming of being inducted into Canton as a gridiron great or making it to Cooperstown as a hero of the diamond, everybody wants to be the best.

The thing some athletes don't realize is that they’re already in God's Hall of Fame.

The prophet Isaiah relayed some critical information to us from THE Head Coach.

“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” -Isaiah 49:16-

God has already written our names on His hands. Eternity with God is so much better than being in a building that is going to come to ruins in the end.

We are wired to push ourselves to the limit to be the best. That is what God wants. He wants us to compete at the highest level in whatever we do.

The amazing thing is, when we ask Him to take over our lives, we get automatic induction into the ultimate Hall of Fame!

And now it’s time to make a cup of coffee so perfect that it makes it to the hall of fame.

"Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy Hill?"

There's a program on ESPN called 30 for 30 and I watched a specific episode that recounted the 1983 draft for the NFL. The NFL draft is much like Psalm 15 in the Bible. When teams in the NFL are looking for somebody to fill a slot or an opening on the team, they are specifically looking for somebody with the physical talent, mental awareness as well as the maturity necessary to fill the vacancy for a specific slot.

Psalm 15 somewhat does the same thing but does not look for physical talent or ability so much as the character requirements of those who may dwell in heaven with God.

"He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In who's eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear The Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usery, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved."

Being accepted by God and getting into heaven should be looked at the same way reaching the level an athlete needs to become in order to be accepted by any given NFL team. Nothing less than absolute, total and complete dedication.

When it comes to the NFL draft, the main focus is on an athletes physical ability and talent. When it comes to getting into heaven, psalm 15 asks the question, who is righteous enough to approach God? Certainly no one is except Jesus, the Messiah himself. But there have always been those who stand before God as forgiven sinners, who's righteousness comes as a gift from God much like the talent that's given to an athlete getting into a professional sport.

As far as getting into the NFL, any chance I may have had has long-ago come and gone. However, I still have time to make sure that I do what's necessary and what is required as it is written in the Bible to make the team and to hear my name called at the podium when the day comes that I'm standing at the pearly gates.

In doing my usual start of the day, I was praying for guidence through some troubles and difficulties I have been faced with. As usual God leads me directly to a specific verse, in this case Romans 8:28 - “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

When I read God's word I break it down in 3 different ways.

1.) I imagine being the one who actually wrote the verse.

2.) I imagine being the one the letters in the bible are being written to by puting myself in their shoes/situation as the recipient.

3.) I will read whatever God guides me to read, I break it down by verse, pray and meditate on it and then apply it to my life or situation at that time.

Reading Romans 8:28 hit me like a ton of bricks. I read a story once about a little bird that had built a nest in a pile of old brush, twigs and branches that a farmer had cleared out of a field. The farmer was going to burn the pile of debri so he destroyed the nest.

When the farmer came back the next day he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again and again the bird rebuilt it again, and again the farmer destroyed it.

Finally, the little bird gave up.

Can you imagine the frustration that bird felt? Imagine if you can that this bird could talk and going to his family to say; “I just don’t know why all my good plans are not working.”

I've lost count of how many times I've done that myself.

Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.

When I Read Romans 8:28 the one thing I notice first is that it is not saying all things are good. All things in fact are not good. There are some terrible things going on in this world.

The point is that God is ALWAYS good!

You might not buy the winning lotto, you might not get a raise/bonus/promotion, you may not get that dream job you interviewed for but it is all for a reason.

That bird planned out building a nest in a place that would surely have killed it if the farmer didn't see it before lighting the brush on fire. God's plan of this bird building in a safe place was being played out just like all the plans you may have that likewise don't work.

When you pray, listen and watch. Pay attention to your surroundings. No, you won't actually heard God's voice.....then again maybe you will.......but make sure you pray with pure and total faith and beliefe. God is there, God is listening and God will answere with His will and way!

B.I.B.L.E. - It isn't important what your job title is or where it is in society you are. - "He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers," - The quality of your work and how you live your life is what matters.

If you gauge your effectiveness of your work and your influence on those around you by the standards that the bible gives, it won't matter what job title you hold or where in life society may put you. - "For the edifying of the body of Christ." - Use God's word and love as your guide.

Heavenly Father, through Your, "Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth," (Bible) please continue to use me as Your instrument to touch others lives. Show those around me, regardless of title, that it's the position that You place us that matters.

"Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to be a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Have you ever heard the expression, be careful what you ask for?

I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.

"Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard."

I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.

"He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor."

I asked for everything so I could enjoy life but instead, He gave me life so I could enjoy everything.

"It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore."

I received nothing I wanted, but I received everything I needed.

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Another expression is, unanswered prayers. There is no such thing, God hears and replies to every single prayer that has ever been prayed. You just have to be prepared for the reply that you are not expecting.

TM E ⏱U T…..Chalk Talk

"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment”. -John Wooden-

There will be times in everyone's life that they will need correction and people who will speak truth into their lives.

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise”. Proverbs 15:31

We won't always want to hear what's being said and many of us will take criticism personally. This will prevent us from making the necessary changes for the better.

“If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding”. Proverbs 15:32

Those who can listen to this type of correction and react accordingly will no doubt be better off in the end.

“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer”. Proverbs 16:1

Christ will only speak truth into your life. Just like coaching, it will often be in the form of constructive criticism. That being said, you have a choice. Respond positively, or take it personal. The Lord knows that this criticism is for your own good, and when you realize that, your relationship with Him will deepen.

“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3

Anyway, That’s How I See It……👁👁