FOR COACHES ONLY
WEEK OF AUGUST 30, 2010

MAKING MEMORIES

READY:

“Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.” – Lamentations 4:18b (New International Version)

SET:

I’m not a huge country music fan, but I have to admit that Kenny Chesney’s recent release of “The Boys of Fall”, has stirred up some great memories of playing high school football. Growing up in a small rural South Carolina town, fall Friday nights were something special. It’s been over 40 years since I put on a helmet and shoulder pads to play for the Denmark-Olar Danes, but Chesney’s song made me realize that time has not caused those feelings to fade. Like yesterday I can see the bleachers filled with cheering friends and family members. I remember “Doc” Thomas passing the hat reminding everyone that “we have to feed those boys, they played a great game”! The smell of popcorn from the canteen and sweat filled locker rooms are still fresh in my mind. The song’s lyrics cut to the core.

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass/
I’m back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads/
Standing in the huddle listening to the call/
Fans going crazy for the boys of fall/
They didn’t just let anybody in that club/
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood/
To get to wear those game jerseys down the hall/
Kings of the school man, we’re the boys of fall/

Little did I realize the value of making “memories” as I played high school athletics. As I hear Chesney sing “you mess with one man, you got us all”, I tear up thinking about the relationships that developed through the experience. I was guilty of thinking those days would never end, but they did.

Lamentations 4:18 is a reminder to each of us that our time on this earth is limited. A question we must ask ourselves with regularity is, “Am I using my time wisely”? Am I making good memories with my team, my family and my friends, memories that will last a lifetime? Each of us will stand before God when our time on earth is done. He is not likely to ask, “How many games did you win”, but rather, “What kind of father/mother were you”, “what kind of friend were you”, or “what kind of son/daughter were you”? It’s not too late, make a memory today.

GO:

1. What memories do you have of your “playing days”?

2. At what times have you realized that your days are numbered?

3. What can you do to appreciate the value of each day?

WORKOUT:

1 Peter 5:2-4
John 15:13
Luke 9:25

FOR COACHES ONLY
WEEK OF AUGUST 16, 2010

FOCUS

READY:

“So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it! – Philippians 3:15 (The Message)

SET:

Who can forget the eyes! When you think of focus and intensity on the football field, the name Mike Singletary would be on everyone’s short list. His nicknames, “Samurai Mike” and “Iron Mike”, helped create an image that few have matched while playing in the National Football League. Singletary spent his entire twelve year career playing linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Ten times he was named to the Pro Bowl, he is listed as one of the top 100 football players of all time and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Singletary once said, “I didn’t just want to play football—I had to play”! He loved the game and was willing to do whatever it took to play. His desire to be the best helped him overcome childhood sickness, a broken home and being raised poor. Mike Singletary played football with passion and focus.

When it comes to the desire to know and follow Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul would be on everyone’s short list. Paul was devoted to God and is remembered as one of the strongest defenders of the Christian faith. Someone has said that no other person in the Bible, aside from Christ Himself, had a more profound influence on his world or ours. Paul was tough, tenacious and relentless in his passion for Jesus. His courage was unwavering in the face of personal hardship and danger. Where did Paul’s focus come from? It came from an intense desire to thank God for His undeserved grace. Paul’s life serves as a source of hope for us all. God can use people of passion and focus. When we focus on Jesus and strive to follow His model for life, we too can be used by God to accomplish great things.

GO:

1. What are you focused and passionate about?

2. Has your focus and passion be misguided at times in your life?

3. What action do you need to take to be more focused and passionate about knowing and following Jesus Christ?

WORKOUT:

Romans 12:11
Proverbs 15:3
Ephesians 2:1-10

FOR COACHES ONLY
WEEK OF AUGUST 9, 2010

“A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.” – Proverbs 24:3-4 (Holman Christian Standard)

WE NEED COACHES

Who cannot be bought.
Whose word is their bond.
Who put character above wealth.
Who possess opinions and a will.
Who are larger than their vocations.
Who do not hesitate to take chances.
Who will make no compromise with wrong.
Who will not lose their individuality in a crowd.
Who will be as honest in small things as in great things.
Who will not say I did it “because everybody else does it.”
Whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires.
Who gives thirty-six inches to the yard and thirty-two quarts to the bushel.
Who will not have one brand of honesty for athletic purposes and another for private life.
Who are true to their friends through good report and bad report, in adversity as well as in prosperity.
Who do not believe that shrewdness, sharpness, cunning, and strong-headedness are the best qualities for winning success.
Who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular.
Who can say “No” with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says, “Yes”.

Author Unknown
Winning Words from Football Greats by Larry Bielat