March 12, 2012 - The Wisdom of Fundamentals

Recently I was in a mtg. discussing the present campaign a church is doing. They are in the midst of Saddleback’s 40 Days in the Word, which is a program designed for combatting Biblical illiteracy in the church. The gentlemen I was speaking with were stating that some people thought the campaign was “watered down” and “too elementary.”

My response was that the intent was to be “elementary.” Often times in life we have to get back to the basics, the fundamentals. When coaching I said it this way, “Fundamentals are the anchor that will hold in the storm.”

I was so set on this that I started every year with the most basic of fundamental drills. I treated every team as though we needed to start over from the ground up. (Of course some guys like John Wooden had similar ideas…)

Was there murmuring amongst the players? - Of course, every year. They wanted to get moving; they wanted to scrimmage. Yet if I believed what I was saying that these fundamentals are foundational to everything else, then we needed get back to them… And the amazing thing was that once we got back into the fundamentals there was always a lot of correcting that needed to take place where players were too loose with the ball, improper footwork, bad habits shooting, etc.

One of the things I have loved in the 40 Days campaign is the reminder that God is in the business of revealing Himself in Scripture, not concealing Himself. We make things way too difficult in our approach. It is time to get back to the basics.

Pastor Warren started one of his messages with the reminder that we need to “build on” the Word of God in our lives – It is intended to be our foundation. Often times, especially those of us that are “veteran” players, we feel like we’ve got it all down.

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 7: ²⁴ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

The Psalmist said it this way in Psalm 119: ²⁰What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws.

I love that verse (and the way Rick Warren described it: What I want most is the be a man of the Word!)

Side note: remember my quote about the fundamentals being the anchor for the storm? When Jesus talked about the “wise man…house…built on the rock”, He followed with thefollowing reminder:

Matthew 7: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

You, and I, will face storms! The question is will we stand?

March 5, 2012 - March Madness

Hello sports fans, it is officially time for March Madness! This is the most insane and intense journey basketball fans go on. When it gets to actual tourney time every game becomes a single-elimination, win or go home game. It is a time where fans show their deep devotion and commitment to teams. It is “Madness”!

So who will you be rooting for? Will you paint your face for games? Will you make sure to wear your teams’ jersey or hoodie on game day? Will you travel and pay to see them play? Will you find yourself tensed up on game days? Will you let those around you know who you are rooting for? Will you show your fanatical madness?

Yes hoops fans love March Madness – and that includes me. I often jokingly state that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” (And I can get away with it since it leads into Easter and celebrating the resurrection…)

I recently shared in our ministry’s spring newsletter (if you want a copy shoot me a message) that “I am MAD!” No I do not mean angry; I mean I am madly in love with my Savior! I am madly in love with His Word! It changes the way I live life. I want people to know whose side I am on. I don’t want there to be any question as to where my allegiance lies. I long to be fanatical about Jesus!

Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us to “love the Lord our God with all of heart, with all of our soul, and with all of our strength!” That indicated a love that changes us. This is a love that drives us to the point of “MADness.”

MAD: Making A Difference!

Is your love for Christ making a difference in your life? Is it causing you to make a difference in the lives of others?

Colossians 3:17 reminds us that everything we do should be "in the name of the Lord" – for His glory – for His honor! Think about that… Christ is supposed to be influencing your day in every way!

Join with me (InBounds Ministries) this month as we set on a journey of Madness: one where we truly strive to “Make A Difference!”