Playing on God's Team

Are you on a team? Have you ever been on a team? From my experiences of being on a team, playing was much more fun than watching. Getting to be "in on the action" seemed to be more rewarding. Having the pressure on myself to do well for the team was what I wanted. Even to this day, I like to be involved in any team I'm on, versus watching others participate.

Unfortunately, when I played some sports in middle school, I sarcastically say that I was a "participant" rather than a "competitor." I was not anything near the "star" of the team, though I greatly enjoyed my time playing and being involved. As I became an adult, I grew more talented in various sports, though I found my niche in other areas, still greatly involved with the team.

With that desire to be involved in any team I'm on, one of the greater teams I enjoy being involved with is God's team. His always wins and anyone who plays on a team, enjoys winning!

With that, I take great joy in participating in God's team and His game plan to save man! It makes me look forward to each encounter I have with people. "How am I going to take this person one step closer to Jesus?" That is a thought I have most of the time. Sometimes, my human weakness gets in the way and I don't always see what I probably need to see in an encounter. However, it does make me look back and ask, "What part did I play with them?"

We have such a great opportunity to go in and be a "hero" to people by giving them the best thing they could ever want...Jesus! I don't care if they already know Jesus, give 'em more! No one ever had too much Jesus!!!

When I read this verse, I like to read it over and over...panning for a little more gold each time...and each time, I always found gold!

"There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men" (I Corinthians 12:6 NIV).

I love asking God to "surprise me" on a regular basis. And, I am amazed what it does for me. I am surprised almost every day! I never know what is going to be around the corner waiting for me to participate in.

I hope  you will take time to think about what part you play on God's team and put your self in the game and go look for the many opportunities that will come your way!

The best part about all of the times I ask God to surprise me...I have the opportunity to play on His team! I am never the star...that will always be Him, but I played a part!!! And it is awesome!

What will the weekend hold? What did your week/weekend entail???

Don't Quit

"Ok, line up" were some of the worst words that heard during football practice. What it meant was that we were going to run some 40-yard sprints. Part of what I didn't care for when hearing this phrase was that I didn't know how many we were going to run. That unknown number was part of what I didn't like. If I know we were going to run ten of them, I could pace myself. However, I am guessing that our coach wanted us to put out effort throughout them all and not "pace" ourselves.

That training time had its enjoyable moments, but then there were times it definitely was not enjoyable. Though I didn't ever become something of a "champion" in sports, many people have and that brings us to this week's quote...

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." ~ Muhammad Ali

Ali was one of the greatest boxers of his time. He was able to accomplish a lot and he is still known today as a great boxer. He worked hard and the work paid off.

Whether we are training for a long race or a short one, we must be ready to not quit and look forward to any rewards that may be coming our way, as a result of perseverance.

As you go through life, I want you to think about what you may hate in life or even dislike, but if you will continue to press on, you too, can become a "champion" of sorts.

Now, it's your turn...what have you had to endure in life...of which you didn't quit?

Envying Those Who Do

When I was in eighth grade I remember a teammate coming up to me in the middle of basketball season who wanted to quit. He was also wanting me to quit with him. We were not the stars of the team and rarely had any playing time. We were some who went in during the last few seconds of a game, unless we were up by a good margin. I acknowledged the fact that I was more of a "participant" rather than a "competitor." However, I wasn't going to simply quit and as a result, he didn't quit either.

I would be lying if I didn't say that it was the most enjoyable time in my life. Who enjoys going through all the conditioning to simply sit for most of the game? Not being involved in the game tends to be challenging for one's morale. Hence, my teammate's low morale. I was in it to be more "in shape" for track, rather than think I was going to be a basketball star.

Later in life, despite my lack of basketball talent, I found a way to be intimately involved in a successful basketball team. I also naturally became more talented at the sport through physical maturity, even if I didn't officially play. I was involved by being a trainer for the teams and had developed such a passion for it that I was respected. I want you to pay attention to the word "involved" in that last sentence. That is really the key in this week's thought, which brings us to this week's quote...

The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch. ~ Jim Rohn

There have been many days in which I wish I could do what others are doing. I used to umpire and developed a true love for it. Putting on the uniform was something I felt proud of doing. Now, when I watch a game, I watch the umpires more than I watch a baseball/softball game. As I age, I don't think I will ever be able to be umpiring again, but do envy those who do.

Do you have areas in which you envy those who do? What makes it impossible for you to not do what others are doing? If the obstacle is too great, find something else to be great at. If the obstacle is just an excuse, find a way to overcome that obstacle. You will likely enjoy it once you make it to that point.

The longer you stay away from being "in the game" the more you will not enjoy the game. The more you are involved the more you will enjoy.

Go out and find something that you've always wanted to be more involved in!

Now it's your turn...What is it that you envy because you tend to just watch?

Believe in YOU

It seems that our society is filled with people that do not believe in themselves. Whether it is that they've been teased, are overweight, have a blemish-filled face, not part of the in-crowd, not a sports' star, are told they are 'no good' at home (from parents, spouse, siblings, etc.), and the list can go on, they do not have belief in themself.

As I've grown up I've learned that those who are in the opposite side of these categories generally have difficulty in believing in themselves, also. It is hard if you in one of the categories above to believe that someone who is a model or a sports' star could have any difficulty believing in themself, but they do.

I've gone through times in my life, sometimes feeling like eons, where I didn't believe in myself. I had a few of the categories in common. Life appeared to be h-e-double-hockey-sticks. Have you been there??? However, once you move past different situations, life really wasn't that bad.

When does one's life tend to turn around...that brings us to this week's quote...

Every achiever that I have ever met says, "My life turned around when I began to
believe in me." ~Dr. Robert Schuller

I cringe when I hear of people committing suicide! They tend to have stopped believing in themself. In my line of work I've had people tell me they've thought about suicide. They need to know that they are unique and God cares about them, even if they feel the opposite. I've been there for people who have tried to do suicide. Neither is something I look forward to.

You are not only unique and that God cares for you, but you mean so much to many people - be it a friend, parent, sibling, child, or a relative. People don't want you to 'go'. People care about you!

Believing in yourself takes effort. I had to do an exercise when I was in college to think of ten things you liked about yourself. I don't remember if it was overly difficult, but it was an exercise I've used on other people. Maybe you need to do it yourself. Sometimes we need a reminder of how many good things we have about ourself so that we can keep going in life.

Believe in yourself. You are able to do things when you put your mind to it. Get up, turn your life around and see yourself in a totally different light. Believe in yourself!

Starting Fresh in the Fall

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the Colby High School's "Freshman Retreat". I participated in helping the Regional Prevention Center do their Jeopardy-like game to educate kids on drugs and alcohol. It was very enjoyable to see the kids come through before they begin another venture along life's path.

The very first thing on the agenda was a "welcome". Colby High's principal, Don Krebs, was one of the ones giving an introduction. His was also met with a charge to these new students. One of the things that he said stuck out. It was something that mayl come across logical and, possibly, kind of elementary. He said that the word freshman was a good name, because it meant that you get to have a fresh start as you begin this next chapter in your life.

High school is memorable for almost everyone. Something significant happens to almost everyone in those four years. I could write many stories on my ventures in high school. Some of these significant events are highs, where others are lows.

Though January is a time when resolutions are made (and dropped), this time of year is also good time to give yourself a fresh start. There is something psychological about the fall. It marks going back to school, fall sports, people getting together, and the temperatures start to cool down.

For a lot of students going back to school is a time they anticipate. They've had fun in the summer, but now they are ready to see their friends, get their new clothes, get their new school supplies, meet their teachers, and just get back into the swing of things. Each student begins the year with straight A's, regardless of how they finished out last year.

Whether or not last year's seasons were successful, this year's can be. A new start for every sports program out there. This is a good time of the year to start 'fresh'!

What about you? What are some things that have been dragging you down? What has been stressing you, lately? How can you use the fall to 'start fresh' again?

You may not be able to erase any situations, but this 'starting fresh' could be as simple as getting a new attitude about something or giving it another chance.

September is National Back to Church month. Have you been away for awhile? Maybe the reason you quit going was one of several. Everyone has their reasons why they may stop attending. Maybe it is because religious people are just 'hypocrites'. Maybe it is because you took a job. Maybe it is because you no longer believe in God. Maybe it is because there were not enough kids for yours to be around. Maybe it is because the preacher, or someone else, offended you by something they did or did not say. The list could go on and on.

Why not use the fall to make a fresh start? Not only are kids returning back to school, but maybe this is the time to return back to church.

It may not only be good for you, spiritually, but it may be a good idea to return to church from a physical standpoint, too. According to WebMD website that I checked out last week Harold G. Koenig, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, did a study consisting of 4,000 64-101 year olds and found that even after dissecting the group down in age, race, current illnesses and other health and social factors, "there was still a 28 percent reduction in mortality." (http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/spirituality-may-help-people-live-longer)

Which means that part of one being totally healthy, you not only need to exercise and eat right, but another factor is to be apart of a church!

So who's with me? Let's go to church and get a fresh start in the fall!!!

Awareness of Weaknesses - Judges 16:15-21

In sports, when you become aware of a weakness of the other team or opponent, you want to try to take advantage of that weakness. When your team has a weakness, you want to try to avoid that weakness being exposed. The awareness of a weakness will take on a different strategic move depending on which side you are sitting. However, when the weakness is on your team, you still try to accomplish your goal. Teams are made up of individuals, but to reach the goal takes everyone working together and committed to each other.

Yesterday, we continued with discussing Samson (Judges 14, 15, &16). Samson was one who had a known weakness. He was ignorant to think that after three times of Delilah trying to find out his weakness and showing that she can't be trusted, he told her on the fourth time. Samson told her it was his hair. She cut it off and God left him, thus becoming weak. He was captured. Later to "bring down the house" and kill 3,000 men and women. He allowed his knowledge of his weakness to interfere with his quest to serve God. As a church, in any given area, someone is going to be weaker. When we know that, we cannot turn on our own brethren, but to not allow that to interfere with our quest to serve God and expand the Kingdom.

As we reflect back on that, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

Pray that you will not fall into temptations - knowing, already, you're susceptible in those areas. (Luke 22:39-45)
Be conscious of times when you're critical of others and ask God to turn you from that thought
Be conscious of times when you're self-righteous and ask God to turn you from that thought
Be conscious of times when you're tempted to either spread rumors or listen to gossip, and ask God to turn you from that situation.
Be conscious of times when you're ___________ (you fill in the blank) and ask God to turn you from that thought/situation.
Ask God to strengthen you with your weaknesses, that it will not inhibit your church/work/team
Ask God to strengthen those you are associated with through church/work/team so you can accomplish the task.
Ask God to keep the Enemy away from you as to make it easier to accomplish the goals you are striving toward (presuming the goals are helpful to your walk with Him).
Praise God that we're a family!

Keep in mind...Rule #1...We are family! That is so important when it comes to trying to accomplish goals.

We have weaknesses, about ourselves and within a group, but we need to be aware of those so that we can do everything we can to serve Him better.

Being aware...

Have You Got a Second (Wind)?

As I begin to creep near mid-30's, I realize that my body is definitely not in shape. Though I have an education in exercise and the science involved with it, my personal philosophy on exercise is that I need to be working toward a goal each time I attempt to "work out". I have never received any long-term "high" from pushing weights up, letting them down, pushing them up, letting them down, and so on. The same goes with treadmills and indoor bikes. If you don't go anywhere, what's the use? My thought is, I would rather load bales of hay because I would be accomplishing something in the mean time. With that being my philosophy, I have not caught on to the exercise bug. Therefore, I am out of shape and know that it doesn't take long to need to take a breather.

Too often in life we look at goals we have, and quit before we get the chance to get a second wind. I encourage you to not give up on your goals. That brings us to this week's quote...

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out if they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you. ~ William James

I love to play sports, as I enjoy getting the chance to "move toward a goal" of scoring. Even though I may take a breather from time to time, I enjoy the opportunity to keep playing, especially when that second wind comes!

Too many of us exercise our dreams like we exercise our bodies (if you exercise your body a lot, then you may exercise your dreams like others exercise their bodies). We have not lifted, ran, swam, etc., in so long our "dream shape" is very out of shape. You may start to dream, then you "run out of breath". Go for the second wind! What do you dream for yourself, your family, your church, or your community? It will probably amaze you at the energy that comes from pursuing your dreams!

Keeping in "dream shape"...

E-mail Encouragement: Success

Very few things come to us. Most things that we receive we must make the attempt to go after. You may get served at a restaurant and have your food brought to you, but you had to decide and order the particular dish in the first place. You may receive a package in the mail instead of going to the store, but you had to find it online or in the catalog in the first place. Success is similar. Which brings us to this quote...

Success doesn't come to you, you go to it. ~ Marva Collins

Fame is something people might think about when it comes to being successful. Athletics, actors, musicians, etc., all seem to be successful based on their life. However, even if they were born with "natural talent" they still had to make the effort to go to practice, learn their lines, try out for positions, and play an instrument. Do you want to be considered successsful in your endeavors? You have to go to it! Want to save souls - go find them. They will not be likely to come to you. However, even if you are that blessed, you still must walk through the door of opportunity - still going to the success.

May God bless your endeavors of gowing toward success - in whatever area you choose.

Have a great Friday and Saturday!

Going forward ~