One of my strengths, and often times weaknesses, is that as a coach I have learned to say what I mean, mean what I say, and get straight to the point. When players come to a huddle I have 30-60 seconds to express a plan; in practices I need to get the point across so more time is spent with players getting in repetitions; etc.
My goal is that the players will trust and know that I am on their side and wanting the best for them. I want them to know that even if I have to get “in their faces” a bit, it is because I expect and can see success for them.
These things are fresh on my mind for a few reasons.
1. I have been preaching through the book of Ephesians and have been reminded again to “redeem the time.” (5:16) Life is slipping away, we don’t have time to always beat around the bush!
2. The next is because of a couple things my oldest son said to me over the weekend. First he made an observation that some people did not understand him because he was raised to simply tell it like it is. (Granted there is a maturing process on how to deliver news…) That leads to the second observation. At a tryout for an AAU club team there was a coach that was constantly teaching, correcting, and encouraging the boys. Afterwards my son said “I love that coach!” I asked why and he said, “because you can tell he really wants you to get better.” (Remember this is coming from a 15 yr old that does not always like being corrected; of course we as adults don’t like it either.)
3. Then this morning as I was in my Proverbs Quiet Time I came across the following verse: Proverbs 28:23
“He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue.” (NKJV)
“In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.” (NLT)
May I encourage you this week to speak the truth…in love!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
February 21, 2011 - Play hard! Play aware! Play under control!
On Saturday I had the privilege of watching the nation’s leading assist man in division 1 college basketball, Scott Machado of the Iona Gaels. He is a very gifted point guard that makes all of his teammates better. He has great floor vision and great tempo. The thing that stood out the most was that he always appeared under control.
On the other side of the ball was Liberty University’s point guard, Jesse Sanders. Although I don’t think that Jesse has quite the court awareness that Scott possesses; what Jesse has is good court awareness and a motor that never quits. Liberty as a team was pretty flat the first half. (The second half was much better.) Yet Jesse was aggressive and poured it out, making the most of every minute he was on the floor. Those minutes were cut short due to some foul calls on him that had the fans in a frenzy. Normally when you see a player with an aggressive motor like Jesse’s it comes with an aggressive attitude. Yet again I had the privilege of seeing a player that was under control. During the 1st half when Liberty was falling behind on the scoreboard and even in the second half when Jesse’s 5th foul was called he handled his frustration with much grace and composure. (I know because we were blessed to have seats directly behind Liberty’s bench.)
It brings me great joy to see players that are mature on the court. That is the goal of ministry as well. Once evangelism has taken place and a player joins God’s team then discipleship kicks in to help that player mature. (Colossians 1:28, 2 Timothy 3:17)
Would your life be characterized as “under control”? Scott just had great awareness, much like is described in Ephesians 5 when we are told to walk “circumspectly” (being aware of others.) Jesse gives a picture of what the Apostle Paul shares later in that chapter; he epitomizes the man that is “filled with the Spirit” and as a result has an entirely new focus on life.
Ephesians 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Play hard! Play aware! Play under control!
On the other side of the ball was Liberty University’s point guard, Jesse Sanders. Although I don’t think that Jesse has quite the court awareness that Scott possesses; what Jesse has is good court awareness and a motor that never quits. Liberty as a team was pretty flat the first half. (The second half was much better.) Yet Jesse was aggressive and poured it out, making the most of every minute he was on the floor. Those minutes were cut short due to some foul calls on him that had the fans in a frenzy. Normally when you see a player with an aggressive motor like Jesse’s it comes with an aggressive attitude. Yet again I had the privilege of seeing a player that was under control. During the 1st half when Liberty was falling behind on the scoreboard and even in the second half when Jesse’s 5th foul was called he handled his frustration with much grace and composure. (I know because we were blessed to have seats directly behind Liberty’s bench.)
It brings me great joy to see players that are mature on the court. That is the goal of ministry as well. Once evangelism has taken place and a player joins God’s team then discipleship kicks in to help that player mature. (Colossians 1:28, 2 Timothy 3:17)
Would your life be characterized as “under control”? Scott just had great awareness, much like is described in Ephesians 5 when we are told to walk “circumspectly” (being aware of others.) Jesse gives a picture of what the Apostle Paul shares later in that chapter; he epitomizes the man that is “filled with the Spirit” and as a result has an entirely new focus on life.
Ephesians 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Play hard! Play aware! Play under control!
Monday, February 14, 2011
February 14, 2011 - What my team needs! When my team needs it!
Most of the time when we look at a player’s performance we look straight to the scoring column. We tend to measure success by stats, especially scoring. As a coach I look for a lot of other things to see if players are performing well. I look at and love hustle plays. I look at the intangibles like boxing out that can allow for a teammate to get the rebounding stat. I look for players that fulfill the following motto: “What my team needs! When my team needs it!” – URGENCY and INTENSITY!
On Friday night I watched my son have a poor shooting night. He only scored 2 points as he never quite seemed to be in rhythm when he shot. Yet it was probably the best game I have watched him play. He played solid defense; moved the ball well (gathering a handful of assists); and corralled 11 rebounds.
The rebounds were the part I loved. He simply outworked the opponent, especially when the game got to crunch time. His desire to give [what his team needed, when his team needed it] caused him to pursue the basketball with urgency/intensity. (Did I mention that I love hustle plays?)
The idea of “pursuit” involves urgency, intensity, and desire. “pursuit” is not simply to follow but to try to apprehend.
As believers I fear that we far too often hear that we should “follow” Christ, when maybe our battle cry should take us deeper. Are you in pursuit of Christ? Do you pursue righteousness? Is your deep desire to attain spiritual maturity?
2 Timothy 2: 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but PURSUE righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
On Friday night I watched my son have a poor shooting night. He only scored 2 points as he never quite seemed to be in rhythm when he shot. Yet it was probably the best game I have watched him play. He played solid defense; moved the ball well (gathering a handful of assists); and corralled 11 rebounds.
The rebounds were the part I loved. He simply outworked the opponent, especially when the game got to crunch time. His desire to give [what his team needed, when his team needed it] caused him to pursue the basketball with urgency/intensity. (Did I mention that I love hustle plays?)
The idea of “pursuit” involves urgency, intensity, and desire. “pursuit” is not simply to follow but to try to apprehend.
As believers I fear that we far too often hear that we should “follow” Christ, when maybe our battle cry should take us deeper. Are you in pursuit of Christ? Do you pursue righteousness? Is your deep desire to attain spiritual maturity?
2 Timothy 2: 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but PURSUE righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Monday, February 7, 2011
February 7, 2011 - What Does A Player Look Like?
I was recently listening to a coach talk to some young players and tell them to look like ballplayers! It was a clinic setting and he said to establish the pattern of standing like a player and remaining focused even when in line waiting one’s turn. Then he said something interesting; he told them to always smile.
One of the kids then told the coach that his coach in middle school didn’t want them smiling; he wanted them to have on their game faces. Coach simply reminded the kid that basketball is a game and meant to be fun. Hard work simply makes it become more fun!
In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul reminds believers that our lives should honor and glorify God. He calls us to a walk that is “worthy” (what I recently preached was a “walk of worship.”) He is very definite about how we should “play the game” and that we should “look like players.”
Galatians 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
He then reminds us that it will result in “playing with a smile” or in other words “living with a song.”
Galatians 5: 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Psalm 40: 3 He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.
One of the kids then told the coach that his coach in middle school didn’t want them smiling; he wanted them to have on their game faces. Coach simply reminded the kid that basketball is a game and meant to be fun. Hard work simply makes it become more fun!
In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul reminds believers that our lives should honor and glorify God. He calls us to a walk that is “worthy” (what I recently preached was a “walk of worship.”) He is very definite about how we should “play the game” and that we should “look like players.”
Galatians 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
He then reminds us that it will result in “playing with a smile” or in other words “living with a song.”
Galatians 5: 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Psalm 40: 3 He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.
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