Today, July 29, 2019, marks 4 years since our 20 year old niece was killed in a bike/car accident. As we walk the road of grief, Grace has been experiencing heaven. She is with our heavenly Father and He has been with us too. I just reread a post I wrote shortly after her death "Grieving for, and with, Grace" and saw a friend's words about God being the great Comforter. It's true. He offers peace we cannot explain.
This past Friday, we held the 4th Heart of a Champion faith-building sports camp at our church. This combined some of Grace's loves - God, people and sports. I thought of her often as the day went by; she would have loved the camp more than anyone. Kids were having fun, encouraging one another and hearing about Christ. Games were played, questions asked and seeds planted. Our prayers were answered.
We shared with the kids how this camp wouldn't make them an all-star...they have to practice and work hard to keep getting better. As I passed out our devotional books, we encouraged them in a similar way. We can't hear from a speaker once and expect to grow in our faith. We need to read God's Word for ourselves. In an attempt to give the young athletes a tool, we shared a 5 day devotional.
Chances are you're not a young athlete, but friend the Word of God is living and active and He just might have something here for you. So, I'd like to invite you to join me for this journey as we take a closer look at our Heavenly Father, who serves as our eternal coach. Also, if you have or know a young athlete feel free to share the devos with them as well.
Introduction
No matter what team you play on, they
all have some things in common! There are rules, players and officials, but
this week we are going to take a closer look at coaches. These individuals play
an important role for you as an athlete.
Did you know
– as you train as a believer and work to follow Christ, you have a coach too?
God, our heavenly Father, is a bit like an eternal coach. Over the next 5 days,
we’re going to look at some of His roles and traits. As we get to know our
heavenly “Coach” may we continue to develop the HEART of a champion!!
We pray this
is a powerful time in God’s Word. Before we begin, we want you to remember that
God is unique. We may be able to think about Him in a role similar to one that
people around us play, but God is different. He is perfect. He is all-powerful.
He is good. He is mighty. He is never wrong.
As a
“coach,” He will never make a mistake. He will never intentionally hurt you. He
will never be defeated. He always wins.
This great
God wants to help you. He will give you the HEART of a Champion. He created you
and has plans for you! Let’s seek Him and study His Word today!
Day 1: Authority
“I am the Lord and
there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18b
Definition of Authority: one who has the power or right to
give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience
On your team
who enforces the rules? Who determines playing time? Who organizes practice?
The coach does. He or she is in charge. They are the leader and have the final
say. You could say, “They’re the boss!”
In the game
of life, God is our authority. He is the One we must answer to. He’s made the
rules and has an eternal plan. Like a coach, He deserves our respect and
attention. He is in control. There’s a
story in the Bible that tells about Jesus calming the storm. In Matthew 8:27 we
read, “And the men marveled, saying,
“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Clearly,
Jesus had power and authority then and He still does today. On and off the
field, may we always acknowledge and appreciate His position.
How do you respond to authority figures (coach,
parent, teacher, etc.) in your life?
Do you trust and treat God as the ultimate
authority?
Lord, I’m thankful you
are in control. Help me respect your authority and respond rightly to your
direction. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Work-Out – Read Psalm 135:5-7. What does this teach us about
God?
Softball season has come to a close and though the games are over, my thoughts continue. This year didn't go like my daughter, Jaylyn, wanted or expected. She's a competitive, 7th grader to be, who set her goals high. When the stats were culminated, what she knew became obvious - her goals were not met.
This year she struggled to hit the ball for the first time in her short little career. You could say she was in a slump. Fast pitcher or slow one, it didn't seem to matter. Extra practice at home or in the batting cage didn't create her desired results.
It truly was a season different than any of our young athletes have experienced thus far. It's never easy, or enjoyable, to watch your child struggle with something they love and work at, but there are always lessons to learn. We had some good chats and teachable moments. Thankfully, according to her coach she didn't let her frustration carry over to the field or negatively impact her team.
I know I told her more than once that there was a reason for this and God was using it. We may never know exactly, but I believe He was/is doing more than we realize. This struggle in the sports world will prepare her for the reality that awaits when her playing days are done. It's already encouraged and reminded me as I walk thru slumps of my own and see others do the same.
So friend, perhaps you don't find yourself in the midst of a hitting slump, but are you in a slump in your marriage? How about at work or home? What about in your faith and relationship with Christ? We've been in a bit of a slump here on the farm with all the recent rain and the truths I tried to share with my daughter are relevant for us as well. I pray they speak into your situation too. So here's a few of the lessons from our slump this summer -
Don't Be Surprised
God has gifted Jaylyn with some natural athletic ability and that combined with her love for the game and willingness to work has led to some success. She was a good hitter in each of her previous seasons. In May, she did not expect to experience a slump.
We're probably not much different than her, but this season reminded me that struggles happen. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We can't fret or waste time worrying, but we can be prepared and have a plan for adversity.
In John 16:33, Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
On the playing field and even more so in life, we will have trouble. In those moments, we must see the bigger picture and hold to this promise.
Get Back to the Basics
As a former softball coach, I tried to help Jaylyn a few times by breaking down her hitting and going back to the fundamentals. Sometimes our trial or slump seems so big and overwhelming that we lose focus. The struggle can consume us and it's then we must get back to the basics. As believers, that involves getting into the Word and spending time in prayer - the fundamentals of our faith.
"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
Make a Decision
Game after game it seemed her hitting slump grew and each time she stepped to the plate, Jaylyn mentally had a decision to make. Did she believe she could hit the ball? Even off the field, would she allow this struggle to define her? Would she let it impact her attitude? Would it become her focus? Would it consume her?
Again as adults, our slumps often don't involve a game, but they can affect us just the same. In a slump financially, with your health, in a relationship or spiritually; any of them can be our focus. In a way, they could be a god. So friend, in that moment, we must answer Joshua's call. Will you serve the struggle or the One who allowed it?
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Persevere
I remember one morning after another night without a hit. Jaylyn and I found ourselves in town an hour before practice. Typically in this situation, we ran errands or shot baskets in the gym. That morning I was at the place of not even talking about softball, but then she asked, "Mom, can we go hit?" Her question was quite encouraging. I knew she hadn't given up and was willing to persevere.
In the midst of a slump, it can be tempting to quit. To walk away and act like it doesn't matter, but friend our relationships, our daily lives and our spiritual walk they all matter. We need to press on. To get up and try again. Quitting is not an option.
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope.And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 Take a Break It's definitely true that we can't allow trials and hard times to cause us to give up, but sometimes we need a little break. As we step away from the struggle, even for just a short time, we can refocus and see the bigger picture. In those moments, we can find our joy again as well. This past season when Jaylyn's slump was about to get the best of her we went to a basketball camp. She loves this game even more, but that day as we prepared to leave her excitement level wasn't real high. This slump was moving past the softball field, but yet she moved forward and God did a mighty work. She instantly connected with her coach and had some moments of success. She smiled all day long. The same can happen for us in the midst of our struggles. Sometimes a break is just what we need...it may not change the situation, but it can change us. As believers in Christ, we are commanded to push pause and encouraged to embrace rest. May we remember to run to the One who offers it! "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
There's a Bigger Purpose
I don't know how many times or in how many different ways I tried to encourage Jaylyn that God was going to use this. She clearly became a more understanding teammate as she endured her first lengthy struggle. She had an opportunity to display class. Truly my list was long and the same is true for the struggles and slump you and me face. It's easy to glorify God in the good, but the world really watches during the bad. Does our walk match our talk? Do others see hope when all seems hopeless?
The story of Joseph sums this up quite well. God can and does use our hard times. He just might use our slumps to build His kingdom. That's a powerful thought.
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20
Keep it in Perspective
Another common theme in my attempt to encourage was this line - "If this is the worst thing to happen all summer..." Jaylyn understood that her struggle could have been so much worse, but that didn't change the reality that it was hard for my intense little lady.
Friend, our struggles and slumps will be hard as well, but they do serve as reminders. Ultimately, the reminder that we are not in control. We may put in time and effort, but still not see results. In these moments, God again is calling us to surrender. To let go of our plan and embrace His. To accept His way and abandon our own. To die to self and live for Him. To walk by faith and not by sight. To trust Him. To cling to His promises. To believe His Word.
Are you in a slump today? Remember this as the battle continues...
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7 I'll leave you with the song Jaylyn shared with me in the midst of her slump. She simply said, "I keep hearing this in my head." May the same be true for you and me...
"If you want to take your game to the next level you..." Words I've heard a few times this past week. My girls have attended a couple different basketball camps and there seems to be a common thread. The focus has been on shooting and the message has been consistent. If athletes want to improve, they have to work.
This is pretty much common knowledge, so the piece that caught my attention takes things a bit further. If a basketball player truly wants their shooting percentage to improve they don't just need repetition, they must rep it right. If their form is off, it doesn't matter how much they practice improvement will be minimal. If growth is their goal, change must take place.
It didn't matter if the coach was addressing elementary players or those in college, the mentor knew improvement was possible for all. The experienced coach also knew it would require time, effort and humility. I heard the Iowa State Women's coach say, "We can tell you and show you, but unless you're willing to change and work, it won't make a difference."
All the athletes who attended these camps did so looking to get better and they left knowing what it will take to get to the next level. Knowing this precedes doing it, but it doesn't guarantee it.
So my friend, you may be wondering what this has to do with you. Chances are, like me, your playing days are over, but that's OK, there's still a message here for you and me. This "Next Level" idea has really been on my heart and God seemed to alter the lesson just a bit.
Think about this - "If you want to take your faith to the next level..." Do you ever feel that way? Do you long for more when it comes to walking with Christ? Are you content with where you're at?
I don't know about you, but I think it's a good thing to consider. My daughters have been challenged by attending these camps and encouraged to get better. That's good for an athlete, but even more important for us as believers.
Now, I know it's God who is at work in me. Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." But I also believe, He expects me to act. Similar to how a coach can instruct an athlete, God does the same for us. He provides wisdom and direction fully expecting us to trust and obey.
One of the shooting instructors statements is, "I'm not here to change your shot, I'm here to improve it." Do you want to take your faith to the next level? What improvements can you make? Could you pray more? Study the Bible better? Read it more? Memorize Scripture?
This same instructor knows each individual athlete needs to make a unique adjustment to their form and friend the same is true for you and me. Our relationship with Christ is personal, so in order for us to get to the next level, the improvements will be different. I hope and pray you are encouraged to think about this. Don't be content with complacency. Just like I know every athlete can improve, I believe our spiritual lives can do the same!
There are a lot of things I don't know...just ask my kids!! But there are a few things I do. Let's start with the obvious -
I know life is hard. It doesn't often go as expected. I know there are things we will never understand. I know planning is important, but I've also learned sometimes my plans fall apart. I know there will be pain and grief as days go by. I know it's also part of my past. I know there have been, are and will continue to be moments of frustration, conflict and worry.
As I wrestle with some of these realities in my own struggles of life, which really aren't that difficult in the big picture, and think about others living in the midst of the struggle as well, my thoughts run deeper. My heart hurts for a friend whose son attends UNC-Charlotte and had personal connections to the recent shooting. I hurt also for a friend whose sister was just diagnosed with cancer. My heart hurts in a bit of a different way thinking about all the moms preparing for their 'babies' upcoming graduation. I think about those ready to take that next step; I know it's fun and exciting, but I also know there's hard times that will accompany the good.
So we know these things, but what do we do? If viewed wrongly, it can leave us depressed and when viewed only, it becomes our focus. Thankfully, today as I my thoughts ran deep, the Holy Spirit reminded me of other things I know.
I know God is sovereign. He is the One in control. He has the power and authority. He knows all. When I don't understand, He does. He is truly incomprehensible, but He allows us to draw near and know Him more and more. "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other." Deuteronomy 4:39 I know God is faithful. When life is hard, pain overwhelms, frustration sets in or fear tries to overtake, it's helpful for me to reflect. All these things have happened before. This isn't the first time I've wondered what the future holds. But as I look back, I'm reminded of the One who holds, and knows, the future. God's walked me through some difficult, trying, unknown seasons in the past, I know He will do it again.
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
I know God is good. Life isn't always good, but God is. No matter how my circumstances change, He never does. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Things may not go like I planned or expect, but He will always be the same - my great God and good Father.
And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone." Luke 18:19
I know God is present. Relationships have a way of changing. Some friends enter our lives for a season; people come and go, but God is always here. There may be times He seems distant, but I'm the one who drifts. His Word instructs us to draw near and friend it also reminds us, He stands at the door and knocks. If, and when, we seek Him, He will be found.
"The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
I know God. This is truly the most important statement I can type and claim. Knowing these truths about God are good and important, but personally knowing Him is transforming. When the circumstances of life knock me down and waves of grief overwhelm, I know my Savior. When I have no control and don't know what to do, I know my Lord. When I've fallen short and need forgiveness, I know my Father. When I'm hurt or relationships are broken, I know the friend who laid down His life for me.
"so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God..." Colossians 1:10
Friend, today may our minds shift from the hard, painful realities we know about life to the One who gave us life. May what we don't know point us to the One who does. As days go by and we realize there's even more we don't know, may we get to know God better.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of Truth. In the unknown, may I always remember what I do know and more importantly who I know. You are the perfecter of my faith, the One who is peace and my great God who works all things together for the good of those who love you. I love you Lord, help me trust You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Crowds aren't my favorite thing. I'd rather visit with you one on one, but I've found in a big group of people it is pretty easy to blend in. In a crowd, it's tempting to go with the flow and simple to lose yourself in the masses. Friend, this holy week I'd like to encourage you to think about something that's been on my mind - Are you part of the crowd?
Jesus dealt with crowds as well and he was never wrongly influenced by them. Let's make sure we aren't either.
Mass groups of people played a role in Christianity back then and they still do today. Let's take some time and get a closer look. Matthew 21:6-11 paints the picture for us. Here we read -
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosannato the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosannain the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Did you notice a mention of crowds? What's your takeaway?
To me it seems Jesus' triumphant entry was met by many. They were welcoming him, cutting branches and announcing his coming. The whole city was stirred. That's a lot of people and activity and excitement.
In our world, Easter and Christmas morning might look a bit like this. We have more people than usual attending church services. Though Christianity is under attack, the world still recognizes these days and celebrates them as well. There is an excitement in the air and joy fills our hearts as we think of the newborn King and our risen Savior.
Let's fast forward in the story just a bit. Join me in reading Matthew 27:55-56 - There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him,56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Let's also look at John 19:25 - Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Do you notice a difference? What has happened? Where's the crowd?
Friend, this may be a simple thing to overlook in the story of Jesus' last days, but I think it holds a lesson for us. The number of people at Jesus' side has surely changed and so have his circumstances.
What happens when our circumstances change? When the excitement of Christmas prep and Easter fun fades does our zeal for faith do the same? When trials come do we run from God or cling to Christ? When life is busy do we go with the flow and put our faith to the side? Are we content to be part of the crowd and praise Christ when it's convenient?
You don't have to tell me your answers, but I hope you take time to think about these questions. This holy week let's spend time reflecting on the Word and preparing our hearts for Resurrection Sunday, but may we also commit to following Christ wherever the road leads. Let's celebrate His coming and stay by His side always!
Holy week has begun and as I reflected this morning, this post came back to mind. I pray it touches your heart like it did mine. May this week be one we don't rush through, but truly take time to remember what Jesus did for us.
"Do you want to try and sell those lambs?" My husband's words in the early morning had my attention. He had mentioned this briefly earlier in the week, but this time instead of going to my head his words went to my heart.
Our kids have been raising 4 orphan lambs and they will eventually grow up and be sent to market, but my reaction to putting them up for sale now, while they are still young and kind of like a pet, hit me. The thought of someone using them - Skittle, Beefy, Oreo and the lamb with a changing name, for a passover meal made me sad.
The conversation didn't go any further, but my thoughts continued to run and they led me to the Word. Friend, we are in the midst of holy week and for the first time in 41 years, I find myself thinking about the Passover lamb in a real personal way. I encourage you to do the same in the days to come.
Did you know during the original Passover, the lamb played a significant role? First of all in Egypt, a lamb was sacred, it was considered to be a god of sorts and was worshipped by the Egyptians. Clearly, the Lord had their attention when He commanded the Israelites to "take a lamb for their family" (Exodus 12:3). The Israelites exercised their faith and courage by obeying this command.
They didn't just take any lamb...it had to be a year old male without defect. (Exodus 12:5) These animals were in their prime and were the best of the flock.
The lambs weren't simply selected and quickly sacrificed...they were chosen on the 10th day and slaughtered on day 14. (Exodus 12:6) In between they were cared for...typically in the home. Think about what took place in that time. I'm sure there were messes and noise. There was also time to grow attached and hours set aside to inspect. The people were surrendering normalcy and eventually something they loved.
This story mirrors what took place years later in Jerusalem - Jesus rode into the city and was welcomed as the One who would save. For the next 4 days, He too was set apart and inspected. Just like the lamb, He was found to be spotless and without defect. (1 Peter 1:19) During that time, the people saw him work, learned from His teachings and grew to know Him more.
Friend, chances are you celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday and like the people of years gone by said, "Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" You may have plans to attend a Maundy Thursday service or a Last Supper Remembrance meal later this week. Countless services are scheduled for Friday and Sunday of this coming week as well. These events are important and powerful, but I challenge, and encourage, you to treasure the days to come.
We will not be bringing a lamb into our home, but I've invited thee Lamb into my heart. In the days to come I long to learn from Him and grow closer to Him as I prepare to reflect on His sacrifice and praise my Savior. I hope you will consider doing the same.
Heavenly Father, Lord, thank you for continually speaking into my heart and revealing more of yourself. I'm humbled to know you care and know me in such a personal way. As this Holy Week unfolds, may it be a time of reflection and relationship building. Draw me closer to Yourself as I sit with you, study your Word and experience your presence. Thank you for being my passover Lamb - your sinless life saved me from the sin in mine. Increase my understanding of this and gratitude for it. Today I struggled with the thought of giving up one of our lambs for a meal, but Father God you gave up your Son for me - thank you. May I give up my life for you. In Jesus' Name, Amen
The title of this post is a quote I've been thinking about for a week. As my regular readers and local friends know, I'm a fan of basketball so I've been enjoying March Madness. Last week after a very intense and exciting game that put Virginia in this year's Final Four their coach said these words. To most fans it seemed winning was impossible and most fellow coaches knew it wasn't very likely, but they found a way and down the stretch the coach made a difference. You could say it was for various reasons, but his words say a lot.
I've played in a quite a few games and over the years have coached in many more...basketball is intense, nerves are involved and fear can set in. When a competitor (athlete or coach), feels like hope is gone they can let up, when fear overtakes they might be overwhelmed and when emotion takes over their role is affected. Tony Bennett is a coach, from what I can tell, who doesn't let this happen. He is calm on the sidelines and it makes a difference. It mattered again last night, when Virginia was again in a tight game...his guys held on to win and advance. Calm clearly was contagious.
So, that's great right? It played a part in their win and might help me as I coach the game I enjoy, but what does this mean for you? Well friend, I've thought about that and I believe it means a lot. Life really is a lot like basketball. Whether you are a wife or mom, co-worker or ministry partner life is intense. There are moments of frustration and fear. There are days when hope seems gone and anxiety is high. We struggle to press on and may be tempted to wrongly impact others.
So whether you face an emergency situation, the daily demands of life or the frustration of things not going your way, would you like to remain calm? Or to say it differently, experience peace? I know my answer is yes! This not only helps me walk through life, but like Tony's demeanor and attitude impacts his team, I know my reaction affects the players in my life as well.
We can try to be calm, hope to be more patience and try to prepare for peace, but this doesn't happen on its own. Especially in the moments of chaos, fear and struggle. This my friend is a gift...one only God can give.
Before Jesus departed He told His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever..." He is referring to the Holy Spirit, who not only lives in us, but bears gifts. Galatians 5:22-23 states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control."
I believe all of these fruits are part of the calmness Tony Bennett displays. I want them to be part of my life as well. Do you?
It starts with accepting Christ and allowing Him to fill me with the Holy Spirit, but friend, it doesn't end there. We must surrender and let this Spirit live in us. We have to die to flesh and walk in the Spirit. This doesn't necessarily come natural.
When a game is tight and the time is ticking, nerves can take over, old habits and ways of thinking return. Stress is felt and the flesh wants to react. The same can happen when our toddler has a tantrum, the phone rings with bad news or a relationship falls apart. When this happens we need to make a choice.
Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." In the original language the word for rule takes on an umpire or referee type meaning. Like our pastor likes to say, we need to let the Holy Spirit blow His whistle and then rightly react to the call. When you feel like calmness is fading and fear is growing, redirect your thinking, remind yourself of Truth and allow peace to replace the worry.
This is easier said than done, but it is possible. Peace is a fruit that will grow, but we must water and weed the garden of our heart and mind!
Along with this, we must choose to practice the words Paul shares in Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God."
When the Holy Spirit has your attention and you realize your thoughts are going out of bounds take a moment and pray. We don't have to be in a church building to talk to the Lord nor do we always need to bow our heads to pray. In the final seconds of his team's game, I don't know if Tony Bennett was praying, but I know I've cried out (in a whispering, personal sort of way) to the Lord from the bench.
These prayers haven't always led to victory, but they bring perspective and that's more valuable than a win any day!!
I don't know if Virginia will find themselves in another tight game tomorrow as they strive for the championship, but I know their coach's approach will make a difference, win or lose. You and I won't find ourselves competing in front of millions, but we're living in front of others and our approach will have a ripple effect as well. Do you want your attitude and mindset to be caught by others? Remember "Calm is Contagious!"
