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April 06, 2009
Set:
This weekend Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team pulled off an upset of the UCONN Huskies to advance to tonight’s NCAA national championship game against North Carolina. Now, I don’t know if you saw the game or not, but it certainly seemed to me that there was a lot of green in the stands in support of the Spartans. With the Final Four being held in Detroit, which is only about 90 miles from MSU’s campus, it would be safe to say that the Spartans were at a great advantage. And I have no doubt that it helped them keep momentum as they went on to victory on Saturday night.
May 03, 2010
Set:
Do you know the difference between a chicken and a pig? When it comes to a breakfast of ham and eggs, the chicken is a contributor but the pig is committed! The chicken only leaves a part of itself, while the pig has to die.
The difference between being an all-star and a benchwarmer usually has less to do with talent and more to do with the level of commitment you're willing to give to your sport. Those who succeed literally leave it all on the field because they're deeply committed to their sport and their team's success. Winners are usually found lifting weights or watching video of their opponents after the game. The rest go home to pursue meaningless activities.
November 09, 2007
Set:
Last weekend, at FCA's "Weekend of Champions," Pastor Nick Orduna spoke to almost 600 Nebraska high school students about God's amazing grace. He explained how God's grace is marked by His goodness, mercy and never-ending love for us, even though we deserve nothing but judgment and condemnation. How are we fortunate enough to receive God's grace?
Romans 3:23-24 says that we all have fallen short of God's glory, but only by God's grace through the redemption of Jesus Christ can we be saved. It is often easy for us to lose sight of how amazing God's grace really is. We take forgiveness and mercy for granted, and don't even realize the love that God shows through His grace. Can you fully grasp the true meaning of grace?
March 20, 2009
Set:
It was the final game for the eighth grade I.H.M.-St. Casimir Eagles boys basketball team, one in which they could capture the league championship of the City-Wide Catholic Youth League. For the previous three seasons, this talented group of young men and their devoted coach had achieved success but had always narrowly lost in the final games of the tournament. But this year, in their final game together, their hopes were high. It seemed to be their year, and everything seemed to be lining up for the perfect ending to their basketball career.
December 11, 2006
Set:
Championships, money, grades, trophies, recognition. These are all things we are pursuing these days. On the surface, these things are not inherently bad, but are we consumed by these pursuits? I see nothing wrong with wanting good grades, to be good in sports and ultimately to win a championship, but those should not be our end-all pursuits.
July 19, 2007
Set:
One of the easiest things to do in sports is to make excuses for a bad performance. Usually, the officials get blamed for our poor performance or lack of execution. Making excuses is an easy way for us to not take responsibility for our actions.
In the same way, as Christians we sometimes make excuses for the sins we commit. It is easier for us to blame others instead of taking responsibility for our actions. Let's look at some common excuses Christians make and what we should do instead of making excuses.
(a) "I won't get caught."
June 02, 2010
Set:
So, right now I'm sitting on my couch after coming home from our high school’s outdoor conference meet. We’ve just won back-to-back triple crowns, and, last year, we won state. We're on top of the world! But the whole year hasn't been like this—at least not for me personally. Being part of a team full of winners is hard. A team like that is hard to be around, especially if you are a loser.
November 01, 2008
Set:
We were having an intersquad scrimmage and I was standing among a group of athletes, waiting to find out which team I would be on. I was sure that I would be placed on the team with the best athletes in the school, who were also my best friends. But instead, I was chosen to join a team that was considered to be the underdogs. In my anger and disgust, I told the coach that I was going to quit and began walking off of the field.
To my surprise, the coach let me go. I had been so sure that he would try to stop me, but he didn’t. As I continued walking away slowly, I started thinking, What am I going to tell my parents? And what are my friends going to think of me?
November 01, 2008
Set:
As a member of the sports media, I hear quite a few stories about athletes who build their entire lives around their sport. They eat, sleep, breathe and live specifically to achieve their personal athletic goals. It consumes so much of their mind that they don’t focus on anything else.
But then something unexpected happens. It could be a variety of things: injury, illness, or whatever. Suddenly, they are stripped of the sport that had occupied so much of their time and energy. And when it’s gone, they’re left with nothing. Complete emptiness.
It is at this point that many athletes realize they need something more—something that can’t be found in trophies or medals, something that is eternal. And this is exactly where God wants them.
October 01, 2009
Set:
Imagine an athlete lying outside a doctor’s office for 38 years, unable to walk because both legs are broken. For nearly 4 decades he waits for his name to be called. Then some guy comes up and says, “You’re next. Do you want to get well?” My first response would be, “Duh! Why do you think I’ve been sitting here for so long?” Then I would probably say something like, “I’ve been here so long I’ve read every sports magazine published since 1970, had 13,870 cups of coffee (one a day), and watched 38 World Series. I’m still waiting for the Cubs to win. Of course I want to be healed!”
July 02, 2007
Set:
Last week, my mighty Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim got swept by the lowly Kansas City Royals, a team of young, no-name players who came in and shut down one of the hottest teams in baseball (at least they were before last Monday). When the Royals arrived they were 30-46 and owners of the second worst record in the majors; and at 49-27, the Angels held the second best record in the majors. To top it off, the Angels hadn't been swept at home since 2005. But it happened. It's history. It's in the record book. David slew Goliath.
April 07, 2008
Set:
Ask anyone associated with the American Basketball Association (ABA) or National Basketball Association (NBA) throughout the mid to late ’70s and the early ’80s about the hardest-working players in professional hoops and inevitably one name will come up time and again: Bobby Jones.
Legends such as Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Larry Brown and Dean Smith—men who all played alongside or coached Jones—all give the same glowing praise of his blue-collar work ethic, his respect for the game and its rules, and his virtuous life of integrity.
July 23, 2007
Set:
Did you hear that?
I couldn't get to sleep last night. There were too many thoughts racing around in my mind, bumping into each other, forgetting where they were supposed to be, getting all jumbled and confused. Then one thought walked out of the nonsense and stood still, clear, fully complete: God is always listening.
March 25, 2008
Set:
The NFL Draft is coming up in April. This year, the experts say that the number one pick will be either Arkansas' Darren McFadden or LSU’s Glenn Dorsey. Could you imagine being the number one pick? Well, surprise… You are!
You are a top recruit! God is recruiting you for His team, but the enemy is trying his best to keep you from joining "TEAM JESUS." Psalm 51:5 says that we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity (or evil). That means that we have to make a decision to join God's team. If we leave this world without accepting Christ, we cannot enter His Kingdom.
May 12, 2011
Set:
It’s finally over. I just completed my first tax season as an accountant. It was a huge transition for me as last year at this time I was competing in a baseball season. This year, it was tax season.
In baseball we all look forward to opening day. We can’t wait for the day when we finally get to quit scrimmaging our own teammates and suit up against another team. As opening day draws nearer, we all get those pre-game jitters. We know are ready to play, but the fact that it’s something new causes us to be a little bit nervous and anxious.
December 27, 2006
Set:
It's two days after Christmas. What a day Monday was, full of wonderful gifts both given and received. But I learned a great lesson on Monday as I was getting ready for the day. That morning I looked into the mirror and took a good hard look at where I had been this past year. In sports, we all have to do the same thing. We have to look at what kind of athlete, coach or teammate we are becoming. For me, I realized, as I looked intently at my life, that I am celebrating two unique anniversaries this year. . .
October 05, 2006
Set:
Have you ever been overlooked by a coach or lost your job because of your faith? What about being rejected by your family? Sometimes being a Christian will get you labeled as "soft" by others. This is especially true in the pro sports world. An NBA coach once said that two things have ruined pro basketball and the players who play it: golf and religion. While others may not outwardly say it, many people feel the same way about Christians who strive to live their faith in the workplace. Whatever it is you do, if you are a Christian, be prepared to suffer in some way.
November 28, 2006
Set:
After suffering a major upset at home to Oral Roberts University early in the season, the young Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team bounced back to knock off the No. 1-ranked and defending national champion Florida Gators 82-80 in overtime. "We showed a lot more maturity tonight than we have in our prior games," said KU coach Bill Self. Sophomore Julian Wright, who scored a career-high 21 points in the win, added, "We should welcome this tension to help us become better players."
September 10, 2010
Set:
Hockey Chat: There are some games that I go away from the ice not knowing the score but confident that I tried with all my heart, stayed in it through all the bumps, and skated hard until it was over. To me I felt like I had won. I did everything I could and did my best. You know those games. You go away a winner, not caring about the final score.
April 16, 2010
Set:
One of the common elements in all levels of football, from the peewees to the pros, is the playbook. It contains the game plan each team uses to overcome its opponent. Without the playbook, teams and players would be in a state of confusion, not knowing what to do or where to go. On the other hand, no matter how good the playbook is, it’s absolutely useless if the players don’t study it and apply it on the field.
August 07, 2007
Set:
This summer I volunteered as a Huddle Leader at an FCA sports camp. I learned that God can use anyone with an open heart in ways I couldn't even begin to imagine. Coming into camp I thought that the only way God was going to use me was to speak His word through me in my Huddle. Boy, was I wrong. God had another plan.
In the last couple of years, God has blessed me with the gift of excitement. Absolutely everything fills me with joy, whether it be a smile, the clouds in they sky or just the smell of fresh air. God fills me with an insane amount of energy, and I just can't keep it in. He gives us so many little blessings every day, and I just cannot help but want to share them with everyone around me.
January 30, 2009
Set:
“Commitment” is a big buzz word in sports today. Coaches are asking for commitment, players want to be committed, and schools are looking for a four-year commitment. But commitment is a word that is used very loosely today. (I personally believe that we need more athletes who are committed to their academic success before their athletic careers, but I’m old school on that one.)
When it comes to commitment, Jesus Christ wants us to be committed as well. He desires our commitment. When is the last time you said, “Lord, I am committing this to You!”
June 09, 2010
Set:
This weekend I ran my first 25k. It was a great experience, one that I will definitely try again. It was easy to find inspiration all around. There were athletes in wheelchairs competing, a father pushing his disabled son through the race, and people wearing shirts bearing the name of a sick loved one.
November 03, 2010
Set:
It’s the time of the year when winter sports teams are taking shape and seasons are hitting full-swing. I can’t help but think back to my days as a hockey player looking forward to team tryouts. I was an eighth grader looking forward to playing hockey and basketball. I was so excited! But, as things unfolded, the first tryouts for hockey came and went, and I didn’t make the team. I was crushed, but I still had high hopes for basketball tryouts. Well, I was cut from that, too. It was tough for me to think that I wasn’t good enough to make either of the teams I wanted so desperately to play for.
January 01, 2009
Set:
It’s usually a good rule of thumb to stay away from stereotypes and cultural clichés in order to avoid potentially embarrassing confrontations with the obligatory “exception to the rule.” But in Curtis Brown’s case, even he admits that a predictable portion of life in Saskatchewan—his native Canadian province—can be described in two words: farming and hockey.
Born in the small rural town of Unity, Brown grew up on a farm where he instinctively fell in line with the majority of his young friends. “What Canadians do is hockey,” Brown says. “I was probably about four when I started skating. I was just like the other kids. If you didn’t play hockey, you were definitely an outsider.”
