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  • Change Your Mind

    September 09, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    As my foot touched the line for what seemed like the 1,000th time that practice my mind sank into a deep misery. “Why are we doing this?” I thought. “My legs feel like rocks! This is torture!” Whether you’re an athlete who knows this battle or a coach who knows how frustrating it can be to motivate your players, I think we’ve all forgotten the “why” at times when enduring the hardships of athletics.

  • It’s Not About You

    September 08, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    As competitors, we want to be the best in everything. Being good is good, but being best is better. We want to go from good to great in every aspect of life. We have to be #1—on and off the field. Nobody remembers the loser. Second place? Seriously? We engage in the relentless pursuit of excellence!

  • Talk is Cheap

    September 07, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    I had many favorite sayings as a coach. Here a some of them:

    -- Rule 1: The coach is right.
    -- Rule 2: If you think Coach is wrong, see Rule 1.
    -- Whether you can or can't, you are right.
    -- Don't tell me. Show me.

    The last one may have been my favorite. Athletes have a hard time backing up what they say. They talk a good game, but many times today's athlete can't back it up. All in all, talk is cheap.

  • Mind Games

    September 06, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    At the 70-mile mark I started to cramp up in my calves. I began to “super-hydrate,” attempting to prevent the inevitable. At about that point, there was a “bail out” where riders could take a short-cut to the finish line but not complete the full 105 miles. Determined to press on and complete the ride, I passed it.

  • International Home Team Flyer

    September 05, 2013

    promotional

    The FCA International Home Team flyer explains the Home Team program, FCA International Strategies and many ways to join the Home Team.

  • The Ultimate Max

    September 05, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    When an athlete works out in the weight room, there is a very basic concept. They generally want to lift the maximum weight they can lift. Athletes want to make their muscles as strong as they can. By doing this, they can train their muscles to grow. The stronger their muscles grow, the stronger the athlete grows. If they are stronger, it stands to reason that they will have an advantage on the playing field. Athletes push their bodies to go the distance.

    We always want to go farther, run harder, and compete at a higher level than we did last time. We want to be the strongest on the field and know that we have a better chance of winning than our opponent.

  • Risk and Danger

    September 04, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    Let’s consider the most reckless, dangerous, and risky thing we’ve each done. (Please don’t answer out loud.) If we said it was love our family, friends, and teammates, we’re thinking like Jesus. In John’s gospel we read these challenging words, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.”

    These words are remarkable for more than one reason. First, Jesus said them while Judas, who would betray Him that very evening, was in the room. He also said these words to His disciples—His teammates—who, within hours, would go into hiding or deny knowing Him. His love was rather risky, but very deep.

  • First Things First

    September 03, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    Part of the challenge in life is it is so daily. As a competitor, it is a battle not to treat today’s practice as just one more in what feels like an endless amount. It seems the only competitors who really value each workout are those who realize there isn’t an infinite amount: those returning from injury, at the end of their final season or especially those who have been told they do not have long to live. These individuals truly make each day count.

  • No Excuses

    September 02, 2013

    devotional
    Set: 

    When I was 12, I was playing second base for an all-star team. I still remember dropping that pop fly that ended up, in part, costing us the win. I made excuses—blaming the rain and even the lights (it was a night game). At the time, I didn’t think I was making excuses; I just didn’t want the loss to be my fault.

    Excuses spread like a virus. We blame the refs, our teammates and even the weather! We make excuses for why we’re late to practice, why we didn’t work out, why we missed a shot—you name it. When we justify why we didn’t do what we should’ve, it’s easier to make excuses the next time.

    “Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure” (Don Wilder).

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