Follow "The Leader"

Determined

2012-01-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

The four month hiatus from blogging has been refreshing but could not resist an opportunity to share a few thoughts about today's Broncos victory. Tim Tebow is a passionate warrior who competes with all of his heart, creates contagious team energy and leads with passion. Tebow and his teammates won a football game today in dramatic fashion but win or lose he lacks nothing because He knows and has decided whose team he is on.

His mind and heart are determined and will not be influenced by an outcome. Win or lose Tebow (and Polamalu) have determined to follow the Lord and as Psalm 23 says they lack nothing, Tebow lacks nothing after today's game and Polamalu lacks nothing. God ordains both mountain tops and valleys in our lives and He unconditionally loves us wherever we find ourselves.

Many might say "of course they lack nothing look at all the $ professional athletes make". We lack nothing when the Lord is our shepherd regardless of our job or financial status. The more time we spend in God's Word, meditation, prayer and worship the more convinced our minds, hearts and spirits will be that we lack nothing. Winning and losing is not our supply, God's presence inside of us through a relationship with Christ is our abundant supply, supernatural contentment and therefore lacking nothing.

Joseph was imprisoned and he prospered while in a "losing" situation because he determined which team he was on. "Gen 39:20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."

Many times we think God's favor and blessing is conditional to winning or positive outcomes. God is as much with Troy as He is with Tim tonight. Different outcomes and different perspectives to praise God from.

Job praised God after he "losing" all of his children: "Job 1:20 Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." Praise is one of our greatest weapons especially in adversity.

Finally, not only has Tebow determined whose team He is on he has also determined to play for the team as well. "Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" Tebow has determined to set his mind & heart on the things above and his actions and words follow. We all have different platforms and we may not be outspoken about Jesus like the Denver QB is but we can all use our gifting to serve somehow starting tomorrow.

May we determine whose team we are on, be convinced while winning or losing we lack nothing, turn our pain into praise and be determined to contribute to the team by setting our minds then actions on the things above!

Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

Fire In The Belly

2011-09-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

"Rev 3: I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

As athletes and Coaches, we understand the importance of fire in our belly for competition. I celebrate the urgency we are seeing from Coaches and athletes throughout Delmarva for the things of God. Many teams are praying after games at the college and high school level (UD and DSU praying in picture) and many schools are praying before and after practice.

Some of our campuses are believing God for revival. One Huddle Coach said, "I have never seen a move of God like this in 24 years at this school." We believe there is a fresh move of God's power and spirit in our schools.

Schools are reporting record attendance at Huddles and sport specific Chapels. Despite what you may hear, God is moving in schools; elementary-college. At Wesley we had over 40 athletes at our first two football Chapels, one of those at 715am. Coaches and kids are responding to the Gospel like we have never seen before.

The reality is: You can take God out of the school but the school is still God's, take God out of the family but the family is still God's, take God out of our teams but the team is still God's: "Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;" May God show us a vision for what he all ready owns in our lives.

We pray the urgency of Rev 3:1-3 would send new fire into our personal lives, giving us burning hearts for repentance, salvation and deliverance. My wife woke me up Sunday morning at 5am sharing fresh anointing and fire from heaven. It inspired me and has given me urgency for the lost but more importantly it has created fresh urgency for her and our four "arrows".

Many believers agree that Jesus is coming back but we often get consumed in our day to day business, personal pursuits, spiritual blockades or trials that we suppress an opportunity for fresh fire to burn in our belly for evangelism and/or for the fire of repentance to liberate us. Martin Luther said we should: "Live like Jesus died yesterday, rose today and is coming back tommorrow." If I make a determination that I will see tommorrow, that makes me the Lord of my life, right?

God may we walk in a "revelation anointing" with fresh fire in our belly. May God burn away everything that holds us supernaturally releasing us to advance the Gospel of the Kingdom in ourselves, our homes and beyond! God give us a fire for repentance, for souls, for what breaks your heart! In Jesus name!

May we stop procrastinating what God has all ready spoken and move forward with fire in our belly! Your next divine appointment is moments away, throw gasloine (the Word, prayer and worship) on the fire and burn for Christ today! As Charles Stanley said:" as wood is to the fire so the Bible is to the Christian."

Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

Lord Help Us To Lead Like Lincoln

2011-09-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

"By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation. March 30, 1863

Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln"

Rory Part 1

2011-06-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

We have to give credit where credit is due, Rory turned in an amazing performance this weekend. Personally I was confined to my home this weekend due to illness and invested several hours into the US Open. I did find myself longing for drama and typically US Open course difficulty. Being Irish, I found a soft spot for the 22 year old kid who played lights outs and handled himself extremely well with the media.

I was especially encouraged by his Sunday night ESPN conversation, so much so I will write series of five posts based on that interview. The first teachable point was Rory's quote about his Sunday collapse at the Masters ; "It was a character building day." Many times in athletics and life we focus on outcomes and finishes and not the process. Clearly the young Irishman was in a position of personal maturity to allow failing on one of greatest stages of golf, Augusta, to be a part of the growing process.

Rory was focused on "Who" he was becoming when he suffered a great defeat. Focusing on "What" we achieve does not grow our character, it often becomes our identity but we cannot let it define us. The triumphs and adversity of sport must be a means of leadership development, refining and character redemption not just a trophy or a title. God is more concerned about our character not our accomplishments.

As a result of Rory maturing through his trial well, it produced perseverance many of us witnessed on Sunday. "James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Setbacks and loses are opportunities for us to grow. It takes courage, character and discipline to search our hearts during refining moments. Will we allow God and others to speak into us and transform us into persevering leaders when outcomes are not in our favor? If we are blessed to succeed, celebrate with humility but remain committed to the "Who" we are becoming. "Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." As we accomplish dreams and goals, stay committed to the process and eternal benefits of character growth afforded through sport.

Make it a great day!
Coach C
Special thanks to my friend Kevin Touhey for his influence on Part 1

Coach Tresssel

2011-06-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

Various feelings and questions about Coach Tressel these days: "How could he?", "Can you believe it?" "Another Christian leader giving the faith a black eye?" "Did you here about this?" "Did you here about that?"

My question is: Will you pray for him? Coach did wrong no question about it but he could use our prayers. Before you begin yelling "crucify him, crucify him!", make sure we look at it from a Biblical lens. I know some of you are all ready thinking: "but he...."

"Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I (Jesus) have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

The Ohio State situation did not surprise God at all like Peter's decision to deny Christ did not surprise Jesus. However, Jesus prayed for Peter before he denied him and in the same verse encouraged Peter to strengthen his brothers after he denied him. Basically Jesus was saying: I am praying for you, you will betray me but use it as an opportunity to grow and then be a blessing to others. Did not make what Peter did right but Jesus loved him through it like He is walking with Coach Tressel.

I am not "the judge" but there seems to be enough fruit to show Coach Tressel loves and follows Jesus. After Monday, there is enough fruit to prove he is a broken leader like all of us and the Apostle Peter who went on to be a "rock" Jesus could build upon. We should be slow to point a finger at another broken man without examining our own lives first. His sin, circumstances and platform just happen to be different than ours. "John 8:7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

May we follow Jesus example and pray for Coach Tressel and his family. Before we set the vacant red sweater vest aflame, may we also consider processing through our own garbage identifying our own brokenness and receiving the available grace Christ offers us. "2 Cor 12: 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

May our brokenness lead to blessing!

Make it a great night!
Coach C

"I Am The Greatest"

2011-05-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

The famous words of Ali, "I Am The Greatest". Scottie Pipen, teammate of Michael Jordan, was just quoted saying "Lebron (pictured) could become the greatest basketball player of all time." Athletes, leaders and Coaches are persistently in the pursuit of athletic perfection and being the best. Fans spend tons of energy and time following sports and many in extended conversations arguing who is the best.

Jesus had a different perspective: "Matt 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

God may very well bless athletes and Coaches with a platform but He is calling us to utilize those platforms with humility (not weakness) and for His glory not ours. "1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Ministry leaders are not exempt (maybe it was only me). I spent much of the early years in ministry pursuing statistics in an unhealthy way.

I enjoyed the story about Drew Brees leading the Saints in workouts during the NFL lockout and at the same time raising 40k for charity by involving fans in the workouts. Seems to me he understands having the lowly position of a child and whatever he does for the glory of God.

Athletics provide a great platform for character development. But as Kevin Touhey would say, "The mistake in sport is we focus on what we play for and not who we are becoming." In the pursuit of being the greatest in whatever role we have in life may we pursue it whole heartedly, with humility (not weakness) and for His glory.

Make it a great day!
Coach C

Whatever you do

2011-05-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

"Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. "

"Whatever you do" translates into "whatever you do":) Wherever we serve and whatever we do for the Lord? I am often encouraged by Col 3:23 when I am doing something for God or when I need more energy to finish a tough road bike. However, sometimes it is difficult to receive the scripture from the Holy Spirit when I am exhausted from a full day of ministry and my wife needs me to live it out at home.

The Word of God is referred to as a "double edge sword" because we fight with it and we are pierced with it when we need coaching. Memorizing scripture enables the Holy Spirit to bring truth to our circumstances for encouragement and for conviction. Col 3:23 will assist in chasing passivity out of our lives especially in the areas where there is vulnerability or a tendancy to fall short of working for the Lord.

Athletes love this verse in pre game talks but do not always apply it to their academics. Coaches love it in pregame as well and want their players to play at a Col 3:23 level but may not enjoy or implement the verse in their marriage especially when fighting fatigue. Let us be passionate about memorizing scripture and may we have eyes to see the times when the Holy Spirit is trying to coach us through unappealing situations to work, compete and serve the Lord with all our heart.

Make it a great day!
Coach C

Position

2011-05-16T16:48:00.001-07:00

Sunday the Bulls turned down the Heat. One of the ways they were able to defeat the Bulls was through rebounding. Anyone who knows the game of basketball knows rebounding is a core fundamental of the game and a key to success. Getting and fighting for position are keys to rebounding well. Discipline leads to position and position leads to possession and progress.

Finding our position spiritually is often a key to possession of God's promises and progress as a follower of Jesus. We see examples in scripture of people on their faces praying or worshipping. Jesus himself did this: Matthew 26:39 NIV Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Now that is spiritual position, on your face praying. I have found some of the most powerful mornings of prayer and reading have come when I am on the floor (a position of surrender). This morning was not an exception following a Sunday when I challenged a congregation to find a position of surrender in their quiet time.

The Bulls are finding a strategic advantage in professional basketball by practicing the fundamentals, discipline and finding position. So may it be with our walk with Jesus. May we practice the fundamentals of reading the Bible, praying and worshiping Him and may we find a position that we can meet with him in a powerful way. May our quiet times be transformational and with God leading us may we progress in triumph or suffering.

Make it a great night!
Coach C

Prosperity unGospel by Brian Rice

2011-04-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Grateful for the impact people have on our lives. Arguably the three top difference makers in a leaders life will be the Bible & the work Holy Spirit, an intentional life and mentors who disciple us from from scars, wisdom and experience. We should always have an answer for who is discipling us and who we are discipling.

Enjoy the following post from someone who continues to have a major impact on me as a leader and our area through his life giving direction and guidance. Great word on the prosperity unGospel from a mentor, Pastor Brian Rice www.lci.typepad.com

"The Prosperity "unGospel" (a la Kierkegaard and the Bible)

Prosperity Gospel It is always a pleasant surprise to find wisdom from the past to guide us in understanding the problems of today. One of the big problems (and it is BIG) is what is known as the Prosperity Gospel, or better, the Prosperity unGospel, of which Joel Olsteen is the most well known teacher.

This understanding of the Christian faith, missiologically, is an example of SYNCRETISM. Syncretism is when core ideas from the CULTURE are joined with the GOSPEL. The resulting mixture of culture and gospel is an inevitable "corruption" of the gospel. But . . . this corruption is very appealing to the culture.

Soren Kierkegaard said this about the nominal Christianity of Europe (mid 1800's):
"Nowadays we can become or live as Christians in the most pleasant way and without ever risking the slightest possibility of offense. All we have to do is start with the status quo and observe good virtues (good-better-best). We can continue to make ourselves comfortable by scraping together the world's goods, as long as we stir into the pot what is Christian as a seasoning, an ingredient that almost serves to refine our enjoyment of life. This kind of Christianity is but a religious variation of the world's unbelief, a movement without budging from the spot. That is to say, it is a simulated motion."

I am thinking quite bit about the themes of Christian suffering and sacrifice as "the normal Christian life" these days. In that sense, a prosperity unGospel, which believes that Jesus exists to eliminate suffering, to make us prosperous (wealthy and healthy) is a direct contradiction to the Gospel.

Just for a few texts, do even a cursory reading of these Bible passages. I have been doing lectio divina reflections with them.

Bible Hebrews 5:8
2 Timothy 1:8-12
Acts 5:40-41
Philippians 1:29
Colossians 1:24-25
1 Peter 3:8-22 suffering for doing what is good
1 Peter 4:12-19 suffering for being a Christian
John 15:18-20 the world will hate Christians
John 16:1-4; 33
Romans 5:3-5 the role of suffering in shaping character
Matthew 5:10-12 the blessing of persecution

Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com

Facebook Update

2011-04-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE WHO USES FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL REASONS! PLEASE READ - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE WHO USES FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL REASONS!!

Facebook likes to make changes and not really tell everyone. This "Note" is an easy way to get the word out - and currently the only way to assure that everyone can see it. Have you noticed that you are only seeing updates in your newsfeed from the same people lately? Have you also noticed that when you post things like status messages, photos and links, the same circle of people are commenting and everyone else seems to be ignoring you? Don't worry, everyone still loves you and nobody has intentionally blocked you. The problem is that a large chunk of your friend/fan list can't see anything you post and here's why:

The "New Facebook" has a newsfeed setting that by default is automatically set to show ONLY posts from people who you've recently interacted with or interacted the most with (which would be limited to the couple of weeks just before people started switching to the new profile). So in other words, for both business and personal pages, unless your friends/fans commented on one of your posts within those few weeks or vice versa - you are now invisible to them and they are invisible to you!!

HERE'S THE FIX: On the homepage click the "Most Recent" title on the right of the Newsfeed, then click on the drop down arrow beside it and select "Edit Options", click on "Show Posts From" and change the setting to "All Of Your Friends and Pages" (you can also access the "Edit Options" link at the very bottom of the facebook homepage on the right) Note: Business pages do not have a newsfeed however page owners should adjust the settings on their personal accounts.

The good news is: now you can now view all of your friends and fans again. The bad news is: YOU ARE STILL INVISIBLE to a large portion of your list. You must get the word out to ALL of your friends and fans by inviting them to an event or creating one of your own so they can read the post and adjust their settings. You can also tweet about it, create a blog post or send out an email to your subscribers in hopes of reaching them all

Purpose

2011-04-04T13:30:00.001-07:00

A great spectacle of sport, March Madness reaches its pinnacle tonight. Millions will be watching tonight. If you happen to be one of those millions, I challenge you to look beyond the hype, maybe even your pool, and great competition. Spend time reflecting on the heart of James Naismith who invented the game of basketball to reach young people for Jesus Christ.

Interesting how far we can stray from our roots or our intended purposes. Does the game fulfill its original purpose of evangelism? Scripture tells us "where there is no vision people perish." James Naismith had vision for sport so that none would perish but have eternal life through Jesus and basketball. How about our teams, the sport we are involved in, do we have vision for the souls of the Coaches, athletes, parents and communities we influence?

Do we as leaders fulfill our eternal purpose? "Is 43:7 everyone who is called by my name,whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Eph 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

What are the eternal contributions God is calling each of us to? Maybe it starts in our home first. I celebrate God showing me new vision for my wife and family. Maybe we need to secure the service in our home first before we move on to our teams?

Whether at home or in the community, God has work for us to do. A good friend of mine, Ray Book, had a vision two years for his co-workers & beyond so he started a men's Bible study/discipleship group every Monday afternoon which is now attended by almost ten men at Ray's office. It is amazing to hear the men share how God has changed there lives through the vision of one man and the simplicity of coming together and sharing life. Ask God what His vision is for your family, your business or your team followed by listening and obeying.

Jack Lovelace, Vice President from Nations of Coaches, will be with us at the 3rd annual Coaches Conference in Lewes DE 4/15-4/17. Nations of Coaches is a basketball ministry that exists to fulfill the Great Commission, disciple Coaches, strengthen marriages and identify character Coaches for college teams. NOC is a ministry of depth determined to return basketball back to the original vision of James Naismith. We look forward to being encouraged by Jack and what God is doing through their ministry.

Make it a great night!
Coach C

Coaching Legends at Lewes

2011-04-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

We have an amazing line up for our 3rd annual Coaches weekend/Men's Retreat, April 15-17 in Lewes Delaware. Register at: www.delmarvafca.org Today, we are featuring guest speaker Coach Phil Albert.

Coaches are arguably the busiest leaders on the planet. The nature of coaching impacts a Coaches ability to develop as leaders, find consistent solitude and exercise the fundamentals of the faith. Coaches often battle to lead well and finish well. The April Coaches weekend will provide a rare opportunity for arguably the most influential people on the planet (Coaches) to rest, grow and fellowship. Last year 45 leaders from 6 different states were in attendance.

Three years ago finding a leading from God we purposed to create an opportunity for Coaches to be with Jesus. This came directly from scripture in "Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men (Coaches), they were astonished and they took note that these men (Coaches) had been with Jesus." Significant breakthrough and transformation will occur for every leader who decides to "be with Jesus" by attending the Coaches weekend.

Coach Phil Albert's bio:

The winningest coach in Towson University history, Phil Albert returned to the Tiger coaching staff as its offensive coordinator in 2003.

From 1972 to 1991, Coach Albert was the Tigers’ head coach. In 20 years as the Tigers’ coach, he compiled a record of 117-91-3. After the 1991 season, he retired as the Tigers’ head coach as long-time assistant Gordy Combs took over leadership of the program.

A 1966 graduate of the University of Arizona, the Johnstown, Pa. native became the Tigers’ head coach at the age of 28. At the time he was one of the youngest head football coaches in the nation and he was guiding one of the youngest football programs in the nation. Towson was starting just its fourth season of college football.

Over the next 20 years, he directed the very young program to success at three different levels of NCAA competition. His teams advanced to the NCAA post-season four times and played for one national championship.

In 1972, he posted a 1-9 record in his first season as the Tigers’ coach. In his second year, the Tigers had a 4-4 record. The 1973 season started a streak of 14 consecutive non-losing seasons. In 1974, Coach Albert guided Towson to the only unbeaten season (10-0) in school history. He was honored by the American Football Coaches Association as its Region 3 Coach of the Year, the first of five regional Coach of the Year awards he would earn in his career.
In 1976, the Tigers made their first NCAA post-season appearance in the Division III playoffs.

After wins over C.W. Post and St. Lawrence, Towson reached the national championship game, the Stagg Bowl, in Phenix City, Alabama. In a very wild game, the Tigers rallied from a 28-0 deficit before dropping a last-second 31-28 decision to St. John’s in an ABC nationally televised game.

After ten seasons as a Division III program, Coach Albert led Towson into the ranks of Division II in 1979. After dropping their season opener, the first meeting with Morgan State, the Tigers ran the table and finished the season with a 9-1 record, barely missing out on a Division II playoff berth. In eight seasons as a Division II football program, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 60-26-2 and had six winning seasons.

In 1982, the Tigers posted a 7-4 record with wins over Bucknell and Maine. In 1983, Towson enjoyed an outstanding season by compiling a 10-1 regular season record. Ranked as high as fourth in the nation, the Tigers owned wins over Delaware, Delaware State and James Madison. In the first round of the Division II playoffs, Towson dropped a 24-17 contest at North Dakota State. The Tigers won the first of three Lambert/Meadowlands awards as the top Division II program in the East while their coach was named as the Kodak regional coach of the year.

In 1984, the Tigers finished the season with a 9-4 record and reached the semi-finals of the Division II Tournament with a 31-21 win over Norfolk State. After barely missing a third straight Division II playoff appearance in 1985, the Tigers returned to the national playoffs in 1986 when they had an 8-3-1 record in their final season at the Division II level. Towson also won its third Lambert/Meadowlands Award in 1986.

In 1987, the Tiger football program made another move forward when they joined the ranks of NCAA Division I-AA football. After leading the Tigers through their first five I-AA seasons, Coach Albert stepped down on February 24, 1992.

The third-winningest coach in the history of Maryland college football, he remains the only coach in college football to coach the same school at three different levels of NCAA competition. In his years as the Tigers’ boss, he coached 28 All-Americans. Four players were selected in the National Football League draft and one of his players, David Meggett, was the winner of the 1988 Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA. Both Meggett and former Towson punter, Sean Landeta, went on to enjoy All-Pro careers in the NFL.

From 1994 to 2001, Coach “A” was the advance game day scout for the NFL San Diego Chargers. In 2001 and 2002 he served as the offensive coordinator at nearby Calvert Hall College. The Cardinals were 17-4 during his two years with the program.

With the Tigers embarking upon their first season as members of the Atlantic 10 Football Conference in 2003, Coach Albert returned to the football program as its offensive coordinator. Since his return, the Tiger offense has become one of the most explosive units in the FCS.

Inducted into the Towson University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994, “Coach A” was also inducted into the Cambria County (Pa.) Hall of Fame last year.
Coach Albert and his wife, Kay, reside in Parkville, Md. They are the parents of two daughters, Becky and Tracy, and a son, Christian. Phil and Kay have seven grandchildren.

Position

2011-03-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

"Acts 3: 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong."

So many times we come to God with an agenda. We are like the lame man in Acts 3 who gave his attention to Peter "expecting to get something from them." Scripture tells us that God all ready knows what we need before we ask or think. But we often are guilty of being one dimensional with selfish prayer requests, a position of lameness.

By going to God with an appreciation for who He is and not what we need will bless our spirit and souls. "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God". God has been challenging me to build upon my understanding and knowledge of who He is over my desires and wants. For those of you struggling with how to pray, try T.A.C.O.S. (Thanksgiving, Adoration, Confession, Others, Self).

The lame man received more than money could buy. He received healing and contentment through the power of Christ. Are we satisfied with Christ Alone where all hope is found? As we seek after God for who He is, allow God's Word to change us, and pray we build a spiritual account and depth that we can withdraw from for others. God is calling us out from our position of spiritual lameness.

Despite all Peter's short comings of his time with Jesus, he was in a position to give something away. Acts 2 tells us they were committed to teaching, prayer and fellowship. Peter was once "lame", ask the rooster. We may not be physically lame but maybe we are "lame" in our Spirit. Peter and the disciples fought lameness by committing to a daily position of prayer, word and fellowship.

Oswald Chambers said, "We are either starving or nourishing our Spirit." We celebrated with a Coach last week who prayerfully fought through 8 years of fear and passivity in sharing his faith. By using the super natural weapons of prayer and being faithful to read God's Word, this Coach moved his position from "lameness" to God's Power and led someone to Jesus Christ. The Coach did not give silver or gold, he gave an account of faith which delivered an eternal dividend of the salvation of a friend.

Coach Jeff Braxton (picture above) is someone who faithfully seeks to feed his Spirit and aspires to give God's power to his followers. Look forward to seeing Jeff Thursday night at our 5th annual Victory Celebration at Wyoming UMC in Dover DE 7pm. Jeff is a ordinary Coach who has been with Jesus. I pray Jeff, the other Coach referenced and the Apostle Peter's example inspires us to seek God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength trusting Him to move us from lameness to a position of power.

Do you have a "lame" Spirit?
What prevents us from walking in God's Power like Peter walked?
Is our prayer life self centered or God centered?
Does our daily walk with Christ mirror Peter and the Apostles?

Consider attending our Coaches weekend to breakthrough your "lameness" of Spirit, April 15-17, 2011 Lewes DE.

Make it a great day!
Coach C

Half Empty or Half Full

2011-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Regardless of where we are in the journey of faith God is able to sustain us and empower us to weather our storms. The day prior to Anthony Robles winning a national championship(pictured above), I had the opportunity to break bread at the FCA Wrestling breakfast prior to Fridays matches with my good friend, Coach Bill Lam.

Inspired by my time with Coach Lam, I had a strong leading to tune into Saturdays final matches called on ESPN by Tim Johnson, 17 year organizer of the FCA Wrestling Breakfast and a FCA regional director. Seeing Anthony Robles stand on the top platform during the medal ceremony brought tears to my eyes and provided a great teachable moment for my two oldest boys. We talked about enduring difficulty like a good soldier of Christ.

If we have ever seen a good soldier it is Anthony Robles. Especially inspiring was the young man humbly giving God the glory for his achievement and expressing gratitude to his mom for her encouragement. Anthony wrestled his way to a national title while enduring the adversity of having one leg. His mother chose to speak life into her son regardless of his "half full cup".

The Bible tells us life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov 18:21)and "Ephesians 4:29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." What an inspiration to see a mom who believed in her son, spoke into his life and raised him to love God.

The example inspired me as a dad and husband. Will I consistently speak life into my "first team"? In their significant moments of athletic achievement will my children and men I disciple demonstrate the spiritual depth needed to give God the credit and attention for their achievements?

One would conclude this mother often spoke life and called out (prayed) to God often for her son and in a defining athletic moment they experienced one of God's promises: Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

May this young wrestlers and his mothers example and testimony be an inspiration to all us us on many levels. Is your glass half empty or half full? Will we call out to the Lord like scripture tells us to do? Are we speaking life into our followers?

We hope you will consider coming to our annual Victory Celebration on March 31 where you will hear inspiring local testimonies like Anthony's. We are anticipating a standing room only crowd please RSVP asap by contacting me. 302-883-3113 or rchambers@fca.org

Make it a great life!
Coach C

March Madness

2011-03-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 5:16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Whatever version of March madness we headed for there is plenty of distraction for all of us. Basketball pools to complete and hours spent tracking our teams, St. Patrick's Day and leaders in the midst of adversity like Coach Tressel pictured above with the WWJD bracelet.

Always interesting to see the way the enemy dresses up for us. “Spend your time on basketball, its ok.” How many hours will be invested in basketball pools over the coming days? I remember when I was being convicted of quitting participating in the pools hearing "Its ok its March Madness everybody does it, our church does it.” A basketball pool may be harmless depending on our degree of time investment.

Does the enemy really care if I am setting in a bar drinking green beer or setting in front of my own TV watching basketball all day? No. The enemy's agenda is to distract you from drawing close to God. We invest time on other things and then other things impact our ability to execute a daily intentional life the following days or weeks or months.

The enemy wants us to miss time in God's Word and prayer today so that it is easier to miss the next day. The faith journey is like exercise it will take discipline. Answering the bell when you would rather not get up. Believe me I need to answer the exercise bell!

In a recent small group, men who love Christ deeply, confessed to not living an intentional life with Jesus and not leading their families well in the truth, scripture memory and family worship. I was very guilty of the later and thankful for Desiring God's pastor's conference messages focusing on prayer. Many of us struggle with busyness and use it as an excuse for having deeply surrendered personal lives. But is busyness Biblical?

"Dear brothers, we must implement implement family worship in our homes. God requires it of us as heads of our families. Your family owes its allegiance corporately to God. You have a position of authority in your family not as their buddy or friend but as their prophet, priest and king, showing them the way to God. " Dr. Joel Beeke. WOW!

Which leads me into my final point. Do we really have time to point out flaws in Ohio State's Head Coach Tressel's character or other leaders? Matt 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" All indications are Coach Tressel loves Jesus, loves his players and provides an environment committed to developing leaders. However, he is like the rest of us, we are all broken leaders in need of a bloody Cross.

There are 168 hours in the next seven days. How will we invest our time? How much time will God get from us? How much time will we spend on what we say is most important (God & family) Kind of a crazy thought but what if we tithed our time? 17 hours of prayer, reading and serving this week? Lets focus on redeeming our time this week into our priorities. "God created time, men created watches"-Tommy Nelson.

Whether we find ourselves consumed by Hoops, green beer or pointing out specks in other eyes this week, may we seek God above all else and desire to be leaders after His heart not our own. May our families and followers experience the overflow of our discipline to invest deeply in our time with Jesus. As one of my mentors always says: "Many leaders start well but few finish well." God help us to pave the journey with bricks of obedience day after day.

Make it a great night!
Coach C

"The Heat"

2011-03-07T02:34:00.000-08:00

The recent press conference of the Miami Heat head coach was interesting. Coach referenced some of his millionaires, I mean players, crying after their loss to the Bulls yesterday. What were they crying about? Losing a game? Feeling like they may not win a championship? I will give them this much, they apparently care about the game they play. I do not know the spiritual climate of their locker room. Maybe they care so much about each other that they are mourning together.

In my opinion it appears like a classic example of idolatry. They are crying over the god (winning) they have put before God himself. God's Word is pretty simple, "we shall have no other gods before Him." May we examine our hearts when crying over something that will rust and destroy and cry for what matters. Cease focusing on ourselves and channel our energy toward eternal things.

Matt 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

I had the blessing to be a part of two powerful moments recently. Last fall in our final Chapel, three college football players stood and prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. When everyone seemingly left the room, one Coach remained. Head down, his head in his hands, tears streaming down his face.

"Coach you ok?" I asked. He somehow got the words out that he was so happy that his prayers had been answered for the player he had poured his life into and prayed for. Coach was weeping over one sheep who was saved from "The Heat", the pit of hell. Something worth crying for.

Last week I had the opportunity to be with one of my athletes as he prayed to receive Jesus into his heart. I wept as I told him what the blood of Jesus really meant and what price was paid for his disobedience. I was eternally grateful to weep with a player over the precious blood of Jesus.

There was also the memory of crying with DSU players after their 2007 MEAC Championship. We cried for joy over an accomplishment but we also cried over the eternal impact Jesus had on a football team. Players who took repentance seriously and double figure players gave their hearts to Jesus that year. I remember hugging Coach Al Lavan after the game and giving glory to God for what Jesus had done through that season and Coach Lavan's leadership.

Coach are you saying we should not cry over winning and losing? Not saying that, just make sure the trophy is not the most important part of the journey of sport.

Are we focused on trophies or what really matters?
Are we crying over eternal victories?
Are we praying for the lost with such great passion that when God saves one all we can do is weep?
What are the eternal goals for your team?

Make it a great day!
Coach C

Laugh, Think, Cry

2011-02-27T15:40:00.000-08:00

Sports like life is full of valleys and mountain tops. Saturday our team finished our season in third place with a 61-44 victory. Greater than the victory was the presence of God in our locker room when dad's encouraged their sons for one hour after the game. Tears were shed and hugs were given as dad after dad spoke from their hearts to bless their sons and the players whose dads were not there. Michael Jordan shared his title with his dad one year (pictured).

Sports can be wasted today if minimized to pursue performance and victories while missing out on the journey and growing character. Heightened sensitivity to my own battle to father well and leading of the Holy Spirit on the bus ride to our game created a moment that glorified God and will not be soon forgotten by anyone.

As we go along the journey in sport and family we have to be intentional to create memories and Spirit filled moments. Coach Jimmy Valvano said " Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."

When is the last time your team laughed, cried and thought together in the same day? "Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

Leaders lets throw the rotten fruit out of our locker rooms and homes and grow good fruit. What fruit are you recognized by? Creating a sense of family in sport is good fruit, fruit that will last. We understand not every situation will be easy to invite dads into a locker room, it could be a major risk but if we persist in loving our players and their parents we are closer than we think. 1 Cor 13:8 "love never fails". Loved players play harder!

Make it a great night!
Coach C

Changing Uniforms

2011-02-22T04:24:00.000-08:00

Carmello Anthony just became a New York Knick and therefore becoming the newest professional athlete with a new uniform. I remember growing up idolizing professional athletes that tended to be more loyal to their teams. Even when the 76ers picked up "Doc" and Bobby Jones, they remained 76ers for a long time. Mike Schmidt held the hot corner for 17 years of Philly fans booing him when he did not homer.

As followers of Christ, we can put different jerseys on. We can put on a uniform of God's Love, and we can overlook the truth of God's Word that says, "2 Timothy 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom". Yes He is love but He is also the judge.

We can justify sinful behavior by wearing uniforms of forgiveness, and grace. For years, I had forgiveness across my chest but my life of drunkenness, selfishness, drug use and idolatry were far from the uniform Jesus purchased for me. We often have blind spots that we need to work through but claiming to know Christ and knowingly choosing to live disobedient lives because "God loves us" is not a team we should seek to sign a contract with. Our righteousness is filthy rags.

It is good to wrestle with truth but we must eventually arrive at the accuracy of God's Word and not what our intellect and experience tells us. God's Word is truth not our intellect and experiences. Good church attending people will go to hell, scary but true. Did He die so we can do whatever we want? We can wear a uniform of "Good Works" across our chest but may be on our way to the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So as we wait to see what happens with the recent NBA trade, let us take a look at the uniform we are wearing. "Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." As we grow in our faith journey our uniforms can be tailored day by day through the reading of God's Word through the Holy Spirit and through discipleship relationships but the front of our jersey should bear the name above all names.

If you want to wear a new jersey today visit: http://www.morethanwinning.org/

Make it a great day!
Coach C

Memory Lane

2011-02-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

Tough week in coaching this week. Adversity like you do not dream about. God has a great sense of humor in allowing us to share our pain with players and parents. This week I was able to share with two athletes and parents about character weaknesses I had as a young player.

I remember throwing a flagrant elbow in a freshman basketball game. When the other player retaliated, he was called for a technical and another technical on his bench. I found myself at the free throw line shooting four.

"Great" for my team but terrible for my integrity. I never told my team the real story and never apologized to the other team. I worshiped winning and my performance. My identity was based on how many points I could score and if our team won, it was my identity.

When things did not go my way, I was angry and in the above scenario willing to throw elbows. But the reality is I did not have an elbow problem, I had an idolatry and anger problem. When athletes demonstrate anger or other inappropriate emotions we cannot dismiss or isolate as "part of athletics", we have to coach the heart of our players. Weakness in character and sinfulness is revealed in the heat of competition.

I failed to realized back then that God was desiring to use a basketball game to point out the flaws in my character. As a young player I was angry because I lost my dad at a young age. That anger would also lead to trying to find contentment in alcohol and drugs. A pursuit of "contentment" that nearly killed me as a young athlete.

Even as a young adult I was willing to trip a player trying to score from third in a softball championship game. When questioned about the play I told everyone I was just getting set early as the ball was being relayed to home. My heart was corrupt and I was willing to lie about something I intentionally did in order to worship my idol of winning. If you would have asked me then I would have told you I knew Christ.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

As adversity struck my team this week, I was thankful to the Holy Spirit for reminding me of these experiences so I could share my brokenness with my players and parents. Placing our identity in sports and our performance is a lie from hell. We did not bring sports and winning into the world and we will not take them out. Our only lasting and fulfilling contentment can be found in Jesus Christ.

Adam in the picture above competes in baseball with one leg. When I look at the picture I see attitude and effort. A kid grateful to be able to play. He probably wants to win too and its okay to desire to win as long as it is not our identity. Adversity likely has taught Adam amazing lessons. Praying the adversity of my team this week builds our character, realigns our identity and allows us to grow as men of God.

Coaches and athletes find your contentment in Godliness. Being deceitful and sinful in sport is deception and disobedience against God. Playing sports is not a permission slip to do whatever you want. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. God is not looking for "soft" athletes and Coaches. He is looking for passionate competitors that honor Him.

Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

10 Commandments for Sport

2011-02-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Coach Tom Landry was a great example of someone who demonstrated character on the sidelines. Sport gives us an amazing platform to develop leaders and glorify God. What would it look like if our teams aspired the following?

"10 Commandments for Sport Teams"
1) Honor God
2) Respect authority
3) Watch your language
4) Take time to rest and refresh (* see below)
5) Honor your parents
6) Be kind and considerate to one another
7) Respect one another’s relationships
8) Respect one another’s possessions
9) Be honest
10) Be content with what you have
From Coach Scotty Kessler

Make it a Great Day!
Coach C

3rd Annual Coaches Conference and Men’s Retreat
April 15-17, 2011 Lewes, Delaware
A time of rest, inspiration and transformation for Coaches
$135 per Coach registered by March 15
Register at: http://www.delmarvafca.org/register

Time

2011-02-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Eph 5:15Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil

Recently read an article on ESPN.com about the Chicago Bulls photographer who was impacted deeply by children in Cambodia (pictured) who spend their time supporting their family looking for items to sell in a trash dump. He redeemed his time and reallocated his resources to give the kids a better life. One of the original children he met just graduated from college. Talk about living with purpose and wisdom.

As I waited to share the Gospel at haltime of the Super Bowl, God reminded of the amount of time I have invested in sport and searching "through trash" in my lifetime; watching sports, playing sports, coaching sports, partying. I pondered the question: How many collective days have I spent on sports and selfish temporary pursuits?

Scripture tells us life is a vapor. Do I really operate daily with this in mind? The original version of Eph 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Where can our time be redeemed before the vapor is gone? We can live different lives in a complex world, lives of significance that make an eternal impact. Lives are waiting to be impacted but we have to redeem our time.

Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

Big Ben Plays For?

2011-01-28T07:28:00.000-08:00

Lots of hype going on especially for Steeler and Packer fans. I reflected this week about the "PFJ" (Play For Jesus) Ben Roethlisberger writes on his shoes and I also reflecting on his ongoing challenges with character. He is a sinful man like the rest of us. Society is full of examples of people who indicate a relationship with Christ through decorating themselves. For example: tattoos, eye black with verses, necklaces (with Jesus and without Him), and acronyms or verses on cleats and sneaks.

Certainly all of the above could be a great witnessing tool if it were backed with a strong testimony. Tim Tebow is a great example of someone who markets his faith but also lives it out. It is safe to say Tim has given his eye black to Christ as well as given his life to Jesus. Matt 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Western faith has its dimension of decorating ourselves but not surrendering our lives to Jesus.

Coaching basketball again has been a great blessing. God is revealing brokenness in me as a leader, like the time I yelled at officials out of frustration from the play of our team. The brokenness of my team that wears "Calvary" across our chest, the place where Jesus was executed for us. We have a label on our chest and consistently do our best to bring glory to God but we often fall short through non verbals and negative language amongst our team and toward officials.

Not failing to mention playing a "Christian school" last week where fans yelled the "N word" at some of our players" from the stands. We played a "Christian team" last week who left half their team home and did not play all their kids against us. The opponent found joy in a high school junior posting up a 6th grader. Is that really the Gospel? Are we really who we say we are? Are the decorations attracting attention to ourselves or do we really live it out?

None of us are righteous, not one, but are we doing everything possible to represent the Gospel in everything we do? Big Ben wears PFJ on the cleats but is he in a discipleship relationship to impact his walk with Christ. Decorations are great but an authentic growing walk and fruit bearing life demonstrating a testimony of a life surrendered to Christ is even better.

When life is over will the Lord ask us what we wore on our cleats and eye black? Did you have a dead Jesus on your necklace or was it just a cross? Will He say I loved that cross "tatty" you had! or will He be more concerned about if we know Him (Matt 7:21-23), who we shared the Gospel with and who we trained to share the Gospel with others?

As we approach football madness and worship the idol of sport, lets embrace our own brokenness, discover the plank in our own eye before pointing out the speck in Big Ben's eye and others. Ben I pray you would not only decorate yourself for Jesus Christ but lay your life down for him and bear eternal fruit for Him.

Are your decorations for the Gospel? Is your life for the Gospel?
Who are you discipling? Who is discipling you?
Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

Hands Free

2011-01-12T04:48:00.000-08:00

January 1st, Delaware became a "Hands Free" state. Hands free from cell phones that is. Great decision based upon accidents and putting ourselves in harms way. I battled consistently with not texting and driving prior to the change.

In a spiritual sense, we are in harms way going hands free as well. Can we exist, grow, obey, survive without our hands on the Word? We profess Jesus as Savior & Lord but do not seek to be guided and refined in His Word? Is a sermon a sermon without scripture? I found myself in a spiritual valley over the past month and I was hands and knees free often, avoiding reading and praying to get out.

Luke 6: 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?"
shows us the disciples had the same issue. Jesus challenged them to follow his direction. If we are hands free we cannot follow Him well. The story of Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones is facinating: Ezekiel 37:4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!" The Word brought dry bones to life! God help us to be hands on!

The Word, mentors and Prayer brought me out of the valley I found myself in. Authentic and reproducing Disciples cannot be hands free. "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." Psalm 119:50. Attempt to redeem your time to avoid a hands free walk with Jesus. If you are in a hands free state, consider replacing the time invested in your cell in the car with prayer, solitude or listening to God's Word (faith comes by hearing) or a great teacher of the Word.

God wants to direct us, our family and our followers through His GPS, the Bible. Can we navigate without it? Can living water flow through us without it? Maybe we are afraid of what He might show us? Can we lead our team without reading the "Game Plan" and meeting with our "Offensive Coordinator"?

God help us in our brokenness and disobedience.
Make it a great day!
Coach C

Despite what you may hear about our schools being "hands free", Delmarva FCA delivered over 300 Bibles to athletes and Coaches in 2010!

Come on Dawg!

2010-12-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Have found some difficulty in writing recently due to working through Coaching changes in college football impacting personal friends. Finally feeling well enough to begin writing again.

I found it disturbing to read the Fox analyst's comments about Michael Vick.
Tucker Carlson said: ""I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances," Carlson said on the show. "But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did [it] in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that." Come on "dawg"!

Should the Apostle Paul been executed for murdering Christians? Acts 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

As we move toward another year be confident that His grace is sufficient for thee and that God does desire to redeem broken people and use them for His purposes. Dog fighters, prostitutes, drug addicts, drunks,etc used for the Gospel. I am thankful that when I came to the cross, Jesus forgave me for so many bad decisions and gave me a new life. Jesus was executed for us, no need for Mike Vick to be executed.

I am hearing #7 is growing in Christ and if that is true he has been forgiven. The Apostle Paul took care of writing most of the New Testament for us, what if he was executed for killing Christians? As an Eagles fan I am praying for Michael Vick on the field but more importantly I am praying God would fill him and use his testimony to further the Gospel of the Kingdom.

What about you in 2011? What has you doubting God could ever use you?
If God saved Paul and used him , he desires to use you. Stop procrastinating.

Make it a great night!
Coach C

God Sized Opportunity

2010-12-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

We will never forget two journeys to the frozen tundra of Whitewater Wisconsin. The first occasion the footing caused men to resemble "Bambi" when Wesley players visited the field for pregame and a boisterous crowd sang all day long as Whitewater dominated WC. Similar environment the second visit with better footing but unfortunately same result, a convincing victory for UWW.

Scripture says: "Heb 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." It was difficult to see God through the tears and disappointment(picture after UWW Final Four loss). Imagine Job's courage in seeing God in his adversity "Job 13: 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Many hopes and dreams were slain on the frozen tundra but God has allowed another day and another opportunity.

It has been encouraging hearing from so many previous Wesley players and their sense of gratitude for the road that they paved and the 2010 team's opportunity. It was also encouraging to be in the end zone of those defeats as Coach Drass spoke prophetic words over the departing players and the returning players about the hope he had for the team and their desired destination. I have heard former DSU Coach Lavan say "Just look down and you will see you are standing on the shoulders of someone".

The shoulders current Wesley players are standing on are accomplished soldiers who believed in arriving at the destination. They also represent the revival years of Wesley Football. I remember seeing as many as 40 players in Football Chapel before the games in those days. I will never forgot the Chapel in Wisconsin attended by Dr. Mucskojo and Dr. Miller when we all piled into the hotel conference room.

God is always working and is always working a perfect plan. "Romans 8:28 God works for the good of those who love Him." God was working for the good of the character development of the men that suffered those defeats. Those defeats have given us hope for Saturday. Regardless if your situation know that God is always working.

Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

"Oh no he didnt"

2010-12-05T04:27:00.000-08:00

"2 Chronicles 7: 14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Last week proved to be a challenging week for me personally. My friends, Coach Mike Drass and Coach Al Lavan (will write about Al in next blog), found themselves in the midst of adversity. It deeply saddened me to read about the Wesley players being arrested and to receive a call from Coach Lavan regarding his termination. Unfortunately, the media gravitates toward the negative side of sports.

Wesley Football was the first college relationship of our FCA ministry 5 years ago. Coach provides and encourages opportunities for players and Coaches to grow and seek help. Did you know Coach Drass organized a dinner with FCA for the 15 closest friends of the young man who committed suicide a month ago for them to heal?

Did you know Wesley athletes & Coaches have been a part of our summer discipleship program since its inception? Did you know there are two Bible study opportunities for athletes on campus? Did you know 6 former Wesley athletes attended our regional Coaches Conference last year? Did you know FCA serves Wesley Basketball, Lacrosse and Baseball teams? Did you know Wesley Field Hockey had a Chapel with Joann Kenton (Wesley Hall of Famer)prior to their playoff game? Did you know WC Football Cheerleaders pray before and after every game?

In the midst of all the Wesley Football accomplishments over 5 years, 2 Chron 7:14 has been a spiritual pillar of the program. Win or lose, Wesley prays before and after every game. The attached picture is Mike Clarke praying after Whitewater beat us at their house, imagine the courage of warriors humbling themselves and praying after getting their you know what whipped. I remember seeing Mike Clarke crying his heart out on the bench as the clock ran out and then moments later leading the guys in prayer.

While many college age kids were still in bed yesterday, a group of Wesley College Football players gathered for the hearing of God's Word at 7:15 a.m. Faith comes by hearing. What a beautiful thing to see young people in the presence of God. We talked about holiness, the Gospel and the refining of Gideon's team this week.

Some of the young men who were arrested have recently been pursuing spiritual guidance, and we must remember their sin is no different than our sin in God's eyes. Some want to yell "crucify them crucify them" when we read about athletes in the paper. We are working with Coach Drass to be available to love those young men as well as initiating additional preventative ministry for the other players.

A half hour after Football Chapel we deliver God's word to the entire team and Coaches in the Cafeteria, pray a blessing over them, then pray the Lord's prayer together with the team. This moment is energizing. We sometimes stereotype a program and their leaders by what we read in the paper.

Two weeks ago we sang "Lean on me" together four hours before kick off. The energy, spirit, unity and diversity in the cafeteria that morning was amazing. Initiated by Coach Drass, Wesley utilizes skype when the team is away to receive a message from the team football Chaplain (Anthony Morris). On Thursday nights before road trips, FCA delivers a 2 minute drill (message) and prayer. The dominating Wesley defense prays on the field with Anthony before their first and last series.

Countless college athletes have been impacted for Jesus over five years. In spite of the 2010 adversity that Wesley Football has experienced, many Kingdom victories have been won. Pray for Wesley and all college athletes, you will likely never read about what Jesus is doing at our schools but our enemies accomplishments will always be printed. We can be confident our enemy is the loser and Jesus is winning.

When you think of Wesley College think positively because if the devil was not being beaten down and ground was not being taken, he would not be on the prowl. If we are not having spiritual attacks, than the devil has us right where he wants us.

I told the entire team yesterday, wearing John Wesley's name across your chest should impact them. When John Wesley would preach to thousands, a warning would go forth to get people out of the trees because the power and presence of God was going to come so strong. So may it be with Wesley Football!

Pray on Wesley! Heal their land God!
Make it a great day!
Coach C

Surrender

2010-12-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

"Matt 28:19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The day before the drama unfolded on an overcast, rainy eventually sunny 112 mile bike and more so at mile two of the marathon portion of the 2006 Ironman (see previous post), Jay Fetterman (FCA Board member) went all in at Lake Placid in his faith. Pastor Derek Spain and I had the blessing of baptizing Jay after the Iron Prayer service the night before the race (picture above).

As competitors, we invest all in performing and equipment to achieve dreams, accomplish goals and find purpose. Jay said when he completed Ironman Florida in 2004 he was looking for purpose but still felt empty after the race. 500 hours of training and 12.5 hours of racing for the Ironman medal but empty. We do not hold back for the accomplishments we desire but we often hold our "spiritual hand."

Jay gave his life to Christ after Fla IM and then publicly acknowledged his inward commitment by following in believer's baptism at Lake Placid. Identified with the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The journey of faith is not always about personal bests. Jay less than 24 hours following baptism was relying on the power of God to finish the race. William Booth once said, "The greatness of a man's power is in the measure of his surrender."

We witnessed Jay's measure of surrender when he was immersed in water and then God's power allowing Jay to suffer well and finish his second Ironman. What a test of faith after such a spiritual landmark (baptism).

How about you? what is holding you back from going all in spiritually? I remember when fear kept me from baptism. So grateful I was immersed in 2004, our lives have not been the same since. Never let yourself stand in the way of what God has and holds for you.

Make it a great night!
Coach C

"All" Things

2010-11-28T16:45:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who gives me strength.

I remember my friend Jay Fetterman quoting Phil 4:13 to finish the final 24.2 miles of the marathon portion of the 2006 Lake Placid Ironman (picture above). He missed his nutritional plan on the bike portion of the race due to weather conditions and he nearly checked out at mile 2.

On his hands and knees at the first aid station of the marathon and God whispered Phil 4:13 to Jay. "Somehow" he eventually got to his feet and began quoting that verse continuously for five hours. Jay's discipline to trust God's Word in his suffering, finding contentment in all things fueled him to accomplish the goal of finishing his second Ironman.

Definitely have picked my share of verses in the past and created my context & interpretation. I have been guilty of using Phil 4:13 (RSV-Randy standard version) in the past without consideration of the previous two verses. Often using the verse as a means for achievement/prosperity and not contentment in suffering.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Content is defined by Webster's dictionary as "satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else." I spend considerable amount of time casting vision and looking years down the road and therefore often missing the contentment of the process. God help me to cast vision and dream with a content heart.

Are we as content in humility or only when we have more than enough? Are we content in suffering? Do we use Phil 4:13 to find content with suffering, or do we use it as a motivator and means to gain something. God thank you for your patience!

Are we content in whatever circumstance we are in? Hungry or full? sickness or health? poor or rich? winning or losing? We can do and find contentment in "all" things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us..........

Make it a great night!
Coach C

Thanksgiving = ?

2010-11-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

Not sure about you but I often spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family, fellowship, eating too much, watching football, relaxing and being grateful. God challenged me during my quiet time this week to remember and reflect on the Gospel this Thanksgiving. Reading Is 53 several times this week.

In most years, I have limited thanksgiving for the Gospel to including it in the prayer before our Thanksgiving family meal. The world conditions our minds to believe Christmas= Jesus birth + presents + Santa, Easter=death on a cross + resurrection + Easter bunny. Will His shed blood on the cross and opportunity for new life be a source of Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving = the Gospel + Family + Feast?

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

"Thank you for the cross Lord Thank you for the price You paid. Bearing all my sin and shame In love You came And gave amazing grace" - Worthy Is The Lamb- Hillsong

Thank you Jesus for paying the price for us, and for your amazing love and grace. We rejoice in your sacrifice this Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Coach C

Self Sufficient

2010-11-19T05:58:00.000-08:00

"Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

At this point of the day, many leaders have decided to operate in the own strength. We are so busy that we often do not have personal time for God. We are created in image of God but we struggle for time with Him. God is always working but so are we.

Leaders often find tension between producing and surrender. What if we came to an understanding that our production/performance was contigent upon our surrender?

Two spiritual landmarks in my life are a Leadership Conference where Gordon Mac Donald stated that the most effective leaders in history spent intentional morning time with God. At the time I said, God I will give you 15 minutes per day. Imagine that God gives me 24 hours and I was willing to give him 15 minutes. My 15 minutes grew to 45-90 minutes everyday. God changed me radically as a corporate leader and through the grace of God my professional results improved substantially.

I wish I could tell you that I continued with consistency in a Mark 1:35 lifestyle. As I have led in a ministry capacity, I was deceived into believing that I could operate without significant quiet time. Many mornings equated to 15 minutes. I was certainly giving my ministry my best effort but I was not giving God my best.

The second landmark came a few weeks ago when I visited two of my mentors in York PA. The result of those ongoing meetings has been a growing quiet time with God and a significant work in my heart. God has revealed so many blind spots (too many to mention here). Through the grace of God my family and ministry is experiencing victories through prayer and increasing intentional time.

One definition for "busy" is foolishly and intrusively active. I pray we would find our stride in the spiritual discipline of intentional quiet time with God. "Good leader" or "great leader" is a choice. Greatness will never be achieved without a surrendered life.

Make it a great day!
Coach C

Get in the box!

2010-11-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father's business?”

Love this passage of scripture. Depending upon the version you read the verse says in my Father's House or about My Father's business. We made a decision yesterday about the Father's House. And we make decisions daily regarding being about the Father's business.

Even though baseball is behind us, God is calling us to get in the batter's box today. There is always a sense of excitement and anticipation when the pinch hitter comes to the plate. If you are a follower, God has all ready penciled you in the starting line up, you are not a pinch hitter. You might be in a slump but you are starting and God wants that bat off your shoulder today.

Many opportunities and situations will present themselves today and we will choose to be an offensive threat or looking for a walk (our own business). I pray God would give us all spiritual eyes to see the numerous divine at bats around us today. May we be about the Father's business today and not busyness. God is our third base Coach and He is giving you the sign to swing the bat today and not rely on the next believer in the line up to pick you up.

Lord help us to see divine appointments today and give us the wisdom & eagerness to respond to them.

Make it a great day!

"The roof the roof the roof is on fire................."

2010-10-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mt 18:9"

I remember being on a "Booze Cruise" on Spring Break years ago and singing the title of this blog with three hundred other drunks. "The roof the roof the roof is on fire................."

Josh McDowell did some research that shows only 5% of people who claim to know Jesus share their faith. 95% of "believers" do not share their faith. I remember being a "Secret Service" believer. More concerned at that time with what hypocrisy I could get away with versus the saving grace I could give away. When I began desiring to share my faith I learned several "gasoline like" methods that scared more people away than led people to the Savior.

The recent suicide on a local college campus has created a sense of urgency throughout our ministry. An urgency that desires to love people, present truth and lead the lost into a relationship with Jesus not a religion. "The roof the roof the roof is on fire" and Jesus wants us to be living water.

There are two destinations souls will go when they leave earth. Most believers understand what the destinations are, we just choose not to sell fire insurance.
What excuse is keeping us from bearing the fruit of won souls for the Kingdom? When Jesus said go and make disciples did he exempt any of us?

Make it a great night!

Welcome Home Soldier

2010-10-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

Psalm 119: (New International Version) 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

God is doing a new work in me and my family. My personal devotional time is growing beyond one hour every morning and aspiring to 2 hours of first fruit time. Maybe you are better at the following than me but I am thankful for what God is teaching me in my personal quiet time to impact my first team.

In addition to my personal time, I have been intentional to read and study the Bible with my 8 and 5 year old sons this week for 10-15 minutes (less than 1 % of my day) before they go to school. We have studied one verse each of the last three days. I humbly admit I have missed the mark as a dad in faithfully leading my boys in devotions but we are making progress one morning at a time.

Sometimes we complicate what we need to do to lead well and we under estimate the return from our followers in this case being my kids. Yesterday when I got home I received a hero’s welcome from my three oldest sons, serious I mean a soldier’s welcome. Interesting that we had been studying the “good soldier”. My wife and I attributed it to intentional time and time in God’s Word together.

For someone who is wired like a Coach and has a tendency to burn the candle pretty low, God blessed me with seeing what ten daily minutes have done for my first team. What would God do if we gave 10 daily minutes of reading and/or prayer to our spouses or our team?

"I'm a soldier in the army of the Lord, I'm a soldier in the army!"

Make it a great day!
Coach C

The faith of a donkey?

2010-10-16T06:11:00.000-07:00

Numbers 22:30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. 32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. [c] 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her."

What an encouragement to all of us. The same God who used a donkey to speak in the Old Testament desires to use us. We often disqualify ourselves from serving God. God uses donkeys today if we are willing to trust Him. You may be someone who thinks you cannot be used to do something for God, and He will pass us by and find someone else. But He wants to use you. I pray we will embrace our brokenness and stubborness and walk toward the God sized opportunities in our lives.

As one Pastor told me a few years ago: "The greatest bility is availability." God used fisherman and he certainly will use "donkeys"!

Ask God to show you an opportunity to serve Him and walk in faith out of the stable.

Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

Stop and Listen

2010-10-06T04:27:00.000-07:00

From Experiencing God:
“Prayer is not designed to change God, it is designed to change us. Prayer takes us into God’s presence, shows us His will, and prepares us to obey Him.”

What area of our lives is God speaking to us about? Are we willing and disciplined enough to spend time with Him so we can hear Him and so He can reveal our blind spots. Or do our spiritual lives and lives more resemble blindfolded children swinging at a backyard piñata. Living busy impacts our ability to see the God's target and our blind spots do not allow God to maximize our strengths and gifts. We swing in our weakness at life's pinata. Ask God to reveal your blind spots today.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Yesterday I took off my blindfold while meeting with a mentor. I had been so busy doing ministry and life that our last meeting was 8 months ago. After meeting for a while he asked me “So what is going to change?” Emotion struck me as I came to the cross roads of understanding how busy my life was compared to my personal spiritual development. We sat in his State Farm office quietly as I wept and sincerely asked for his forgiveness. Because I was intentional to slow life down God spoke to me about my busyness. Goodbye piñata.

I pray we will stop all traffic today for even a few minutes and talk to God. If you do not have a “Paul” in your life ask God to raise someone up. God does not need stagnant leaders. Sharpen your saw with prayer today.

God bless you today as you grapple with your blind spots and courageously walk deeper with Him.

Make it a great day!

Like a Child

2010-09-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Matthew 19:14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

So blessed by our Huddle Leader meeting yesterday! The fire and enthusiasm in the room was contagious! College to elementary FCA leaders were in attendance yesterday.

Amongst the many blessings yesterday were elementary school kids and elementary school leaders who shared their vision to reach their campus for Jesus. The picture is Coach Kenton, two of his kids and another student who are brainstorming how to impact their campuses (Caesar Rodney and Wilmington Christian Leaders are in the background).

The hunger for God of children and their fire to make a difference should challenge all of us. We have so many "lukewarm" excuses about our own walk with Jesus and our availability to make a difference for Him. Jesus is asking us to surrender our intellect and busyness and come to Him like a child.

What prevents us from having childlike faith?

Make it a great day!!

To start a Huddle on your campus rchambers@fca.org

2010-09-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

"Eph 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"

Over 36 years ago, my brother and I used to watch Penn State Football highlights every Sunday prior to the 3 Stooges. I dreamed of playing at the highest collegiate level. Sports consumed my heart and soul.

God's sovereignty would allow my father's death to cancer when I was nine.
I would give into temptation at a young age to alcohol and drug use. I was not aware at the time that I was supressing unresolved pain while becoming more of a "Stooge" than pursuing my athletic dreams. God's grace protected me from death on three occassions and Jesus saved me after my brother was killed by a drunk driver.

I wandered in the wilderness for quite sometime. As I gratefully reflect, I thank God for Mike Drass who allowed me to serve the Wolverines and travel with Wesley to Final Four games. Grateful for Coach Lavan also who believed in me and allowed me to serve Delaware State at Ford Field in 2007 and The Big House 2009.

This season God has blessed me with the honor of serving Temple University Football and Coach Golden through the support of one of my mentor's Terry Hill. As our team stands on the brink of a great challege vs Penn State today, God reminded me of his love, faithfulness and the dreams he put in my heart as a young boy. I will be taking the memory of my brother and the dreams of my boys with me today into Beaver Stadium.

God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or think through His power.
He writes a beautiful script for our lives. It does not always look the way we thought it would but the promised land may personally come almost 40 years later in some capacity or through our children. Excited to serve and pray for our team today.

Thanking God today for His mighty hand and for my supportive wife!
What are you dreaming about and believing God for?

Make it a great night!

Power Up!

2010-09-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

1 Cor 2:4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

Apostle Paul had surrendered the traditional mental / human wisdom approach to his messages. Paul preached messages with God's power. He wanted people to experience faith and not solely rely on man’s explanation.

What if we led the same way? Should we limit our spiritual lives to mental boundaries, what another man says, or a list of do’s and don’ts? No. He wants spirit and truth! God wants us to seek explanation through intentional lives, experience personal growing faith through His power at work within us and demonstrate God’s power through our lives.

“And I will live to carry your compassion,
to love a world that’s broken to be your hands and feet
And I will give the life I have been given
And go beyond religion to see the world be changed
By the Power of Your Name”-Lincoln Brewster Power of Your Name Lyrics

God:
Clean our hearts
Use our lives and
Release your power so that others
Experience Your power through us!

Be the C.U.R.E. today!

"Part of the game"

2010-09-17T03:52:00.001-07:00

It has been interesting to follow ESPN and articles concerning Derek Jeter's faking being hit by a baseball to reach first base to help the Yankees win. Most of the comments supported the "acting". Men justified why it was okay to lack integrity to influence the outcome of a game. I even took an online survey which was lopsided in favor of Jeter faking.

We are no different spiritually, we follow Jeter's example and not Jesus example. As followers of Jesus we can offer excuses or justify disobedience or other followers even encourage us to "take a base." some excuses include, "its okay, I only do it when, everybody sins, what happens here stays in here." Certainly we do have spiritual blind spots at times and we need God’s grace extended but are there known sinful areas that sacrifice being all Jesus is calling us to be?

Interesting also that the Yankees lost the game. As followers we think we are getting ahead momentarily or winning but in the long run we are losing the "game."
God is calling us to examine ourselves and seek long term right standing with Him.

On Wednesday God presented me the opportunity to confess internal emotions I had towards our national office concerning organizational changes that impacted a spiritual mentor. My heart was not right before God, I wanted the spiritual weight off my back. Forgiveness was granted. God does not want us to fake it and take a base, He wants us to obediently keep swinging and trust Him for yielded fruit.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.

Make it a great day!
Coach C

"The F Bomb"

2010-09-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

"James 3:9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."

Coach Mike Singletary is motivating. His fire and passion make you want to run through a wall for him. Have you ever played for a Coach like that? I am not aware Coach Mike has the "F Bomb" in his artillery to motivate his followers.

The book of James was written for believers. Interesting because competing believers often struggle with their language as well. "Christian" athletes even justify the "F Bomb" by saying it is a motivational tool.

I remember a college football player reading James Chapter 3:1-11 before every game so he could stop profanity. We need to ask ourselves if blessing and cursing are coming out of our mouth and then ask God if He will help us stop. I remember asking God to help me and then finally getting to the point where my profanity ceased.

Now I am asking God to help me have eyes to see the "counterfeit cursing" that I do. Not failing to mention do we look at everyone as someone made in "God's likeness"?...."

God help us read and line up with your Word and transform us by your Holy Spirit!.

Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

Lead by Example

2010-09-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Like Bobby Knight used to be, Coaches are in a massive position of influence. So encouraging to build relationships with Coaches who are trying to grow spiritually. Leaders cannot give away what they do not have. A sign that a Coach is pursuing internal transformation is their ability to lead by example. Enjoy today's post inspired by meeting with Coach Phil Albert, former Towson U Football Coach.

Leading By Example

I'd rather have an example than precept any day;
I'd rather a Coach walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but examples are always clear;
And the best of all the Coaches are the ones who live their creeds,
For to see the good in action is what everyone needs.
I can soon learn how to do it Coach, if you'll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver Coach may be very wise and true;
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give.
But there's no misunderstanding how the greatest Coaches act and how they live.

Adapted by Mid Atlantic Coaches for Coaches from:
Edgar A. Guest from the book "The Light of Faith"

Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

Let the River Flow

2010-09-06T04:06:00.000-07:00

Love this devotional from Oswald Chambers:

He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water —John 7:38

A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” ( John 6:29 ). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.

A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.

Nothing

2010-09-04T06:06:00.001-07:00

“Nothing is Impossible”

I was reminded recently during my quiet time of a Bible passage most of us have probably heard at some point but found the timing perfect as we began our football season this week:

“Luke 1:37For nothing is impossible with God."

So many athletes and Coaches rely solely on physical and mental preparation. Many competitors even compartmentalize their spiritual preparation. God wants to walk with us just like when Gabriel encouraged Mary when she questioned birthing Jesus; “The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. (Luke 1:35)” and Gabriel continued speaking into Mary “nothing is impossible with God.”

That is the same faith God wants us to walk in and speak into others.

Make it a great day!

Pain in the neck

2010-05-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

"Tiger Woods said tests Wednesday showed an inflamed neck joint that causes pain and makes it hard for him to turn his head, an injury that will require little more than medicine, massages and rest." ESPN

Tiger's recent withdraw from the TPC tournament and diagnosis reminded me of a situation that my wife and I had to work through last year. Melissa has neck pain for three days. We took measures physically by seeking a doctor and we also pursued God in prayer in a spiritual sense. What we found was Melissa did have neck pain caused by anger and loneliness toward me for being out of balance professionally. She confessed it and we prayed together, the next day her pain went away.

When I heard about Tiger's neck pain, I thought about stress of life and the potential ramifications physically. In Mark 2:1-12 Jesus heals a paralytic by forgiving his sins first, then the physical healing takes place.

Sometimes physical issues occur as a result of sin and as a result of spiritual reasons like anger, unforgiveness, etc. Let us continue to pray for Tiger's spiritual healing and consider the spiritual implications of our own physical challenges (not sleeping well, grinding teeth, neck pain, headaches).

Ask God if there are any spiritual reasons if you have physical disturbances. If there is sin confess it and receive God's healing. Also good to cover both basis by seeing a doctor if necessary. As we say, "Could be spiritual, could be physical."

Make it a great day!

The Hitting Streak

2010-05-11T03:40:00.001-07:00

I remember the summer of 1978 fondly, the summer of Pete Rose's 44 game hit streak. The longer the streak went there would be updates during our beloved Phillies games and even special breaks from the televised game to Pete's game to watch his at bat and see if the streak would continue. We would ride on the edge of our seats to see if Pete could chase down the record.

My friend Brian Beltramo (Arizona FCA) challenges Coaches and athletes to approach the Word with similar passion and excitement. Encouraging them to establish a "hitting streak" in the Word. We have to start somewhere.

What is your hitting streak or batting average (days in Word divided by days) in the Word? Pro baseball players make millions for hitting .300, what should we "average" in God's Word? Are we out "hitting" baseball players?

People struggle with not knowing where to start. Someone taught me a while ago that there are 31 Proverbs, one for each day of the month, which can be the starting point of reading consistently on a daily basis. In my morning reading the following verse spoke to me: "Prov 11:19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death."

Righteous means to be right standing with God. How can we do that? By establishing a hitting streak or raising our batting average in the Word of God and responding to how God directs our lives. Choose life over death like Proverbs 11:19 says.

Make it a great day!
Coach Chambers

Sauce

2010-04-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been to Buffalo Wild Wings or a similar establishment and had a difficult time deciding what sauce you want? Parmesan Pepper, Mild, Mango, Hot? Always tough to make the call on wing sauce there.

You are not alone, Christians have a hard time deciding on what sauce they are. "Revelation 3:16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" seems to influence us to hot sauce as followers. Someone said "There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian."

It is a battle to stay on fire all the time for Jesus but it is worth the time in prayer, fellowship with warriors and God's Word. Charles Stanley said, "As wood is to the fire, so the Bible is to the Christian." Bible=Fire. Dust the Word of God off and start the flame!

What sauce are you?

Make it a great weekend!

The Driver

2010-04-29T06:25:00.001-07:00

Tiger seems to be getting back into the swing of golf. Meanwhile, sources are reporting that divorce is 100% going to happen. I read an article recently that said he had relations with over 120 women while married. So easy to point out the flaws in Tiger but what pain drives the sinful behavior? What pain drives him to get angry when he does not perform?

How are we praying for Tiger and his soon to be former wife and kids? Are we praying for his soul? I cannot fathom what Tiger could do for Jesus if he would accept Christ as his Savior and Lord.

God seems to be interested. KJ Choi ( a strong believer) played all four rounds with Tiger at the Masters, only God could orchestrate that. KJ Choi showed Tiger the Gospel for four days while Tiger reverted back to anger. "Preach the Gospel at all times, sometimes use words."

Ultimately only Jesus can set Tiger free. The goatee, women, golf, fame, Buddhism and money cannot save Tiger. Only the power and knowledge of the shed blood of Jesus Christ will work. Jesus wants to heal his heart from pain and set him free.

Luke 4:18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me (Jesus),Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;"

The behavior is a result of wounds and pain that only Jesus can heal. Will you pray for Tiger's salvation? Do we (Christians or not) have behavior driven by deeper wounds? Is there a "Tiger" in our personal life that we need to pray aggressively for? Look past the behavior and bomb away in prayer at what is driving it!

Make it a great day!

"Old school?"

2010-04-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 20:6 Many a man proclaims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

I am grateful for my wife's ability to endure the times when my life and professional pursuits were out of balance, even in ministry. In the past, she even referred to my ministry as a mistress. We have made much progress since then. Even last month was challenging due to our fund raising event when I worked too many hours.

When we said "I do" and became "one flesh" we were committed to it. I am thankful for the marriage warriors God has sent into our lives (The Hines, The Babucas). We have not arrived but we did have a date night last week and she is 7 months pregnant! What a blessing!

The Tiki Barber news is not an isolated deal. The enemy prowls around looking for leaders to devour. Fight for your marriage today! If you are unfaithful leave the relationship you are in. Establish a consistent date night with your wife.

We need to be "old school" when it comes to marriage or maybe it is "God's school", He has plenty to say about our faithfulness. But we would need to read the Bible to follow his GPS for our lives.

If you are single, maybe God is calling you to be faithful until marriage?

Make it a great night!
________________________________________________________________________________

From comcast:
Report: Tiki Barber slapped with divorce suit

He was running around town with his young mistress -- while his pregnant wife spent a week in the hospital -- until football star-turned-chat-show-host Tiki Barber got tackled, The New York Post reported Tuesday.

The ex-Giants star was slapped with divorce papers following his public gallivanting with 23-year-old former NBC intern Traci Lynn Johnson. "He couldn't be more heartless," said a friend of the gridiron great and his eight-months-pregnant wife, Ginny, whose Manhattan divorce suit cites Tiki Barber's "adultery."

"(Ginny) is very heavily pregnant and was last week ordered into the hospital on bed rest," the friend said. "Meanwhile, Tiki has been spotted all over town with his new girlfriend while she was in the hospital."

Tiki Barber, who already has two sons with his wife of 11 years, is now shacked up with the sultry Johnson in a central Manhattan love nest.

Ginny Barber is also outraged that her estranged husband has been low-balling her in out-of-court negotiations over financial support, a family friend said.
"Tiki refused to give her anything close to what she needs," the friend said. "The reason she filed is that settlement talks didn't work."

The divorce action was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court and accepted by Tiki Barber's matrimonial lawyer on his behalf. Meanwhile, a source said that the "Today" show has booted Tiki Barber as a high-priced correspondent amid fallout from the scandal.

Anniversary

2010-03-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

Five years ago today, God called me walk out of the doors of a challenging and rewarding professional career with MBNA. I loved the experience and the people I worked with. Mr. Cawley's commitment to leaders, the Customer, and people left a lasting mark on my life and influence the way we do ministry today.

To say I was blessed by nine years of chasing a corporate dream would be a great understatement. I often utilize my MBNA experience, the precepts we led by and many quotes we believed in. Our ministry approaches leadership development with the same passion that was the standard and culture at MBNA. What a blessing to help Coaches, athletes and business leaders develop as people of impact!

We started praying about our future in 2004 and sensed God may be calling us to something different. In spite of a recent promotion God made it very clear to us that He was calling us to full time ministry. I remember wrestling with whether I was making the right decision even after it became public knowledge that I was leaving. God even sent me a messenger in my office to confirm the calling when I began to question things.

I will never forget how clear God made it for me to leave and how the enemy tried to deceive me with possibly staying. By the grace and power of God, many people have come to know Jesus Christ since March 31, 2005 and we have had the blessing of discipling many people in their faith. God has done so many things, He has allowed me to travel to amazing places almost around the world and meet so many amazing people in ministry. I remember dreaming in corporate America about traveling around the world as an executive.

Psalm 37:4 says delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. In 2003, I committed myself to be connected to the vine (John 15) as a leader and I began to hunger for personal development time. I did not know then what God had in store for us and what He was preparing us for. God knew I was willing and had desires of traveling, He just wanted those desires for his Kingdom.

John 15 tells us that if we will connect to Him He will produce much fruit through us, fruit that will last. Be intentional today and be obedient when God calls you to do something for Him. The impact is eternal and nothing will bring you greater contentment. Thank you MBNA, Mr. Cawley and all the beautiful people I worked with. I often reflect on the memories, people and leaders who impacted me but I never regret dropping my nets and to follow Jesus and work for Him.

Make it a great day!

Victory Celebration April 26 in Dover DE Click on Image

2010-03-23T20:51:00.001-07:00

Run with all you have by Jeremiah Santiago

2010-03-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

It has been a great blessing to serve college athletes like Jeremiah Santiago, pictured with my son Edward, showing him how to run. Enjoy Jeremiah's post:

I recently been having dreams of me running, from running the rock in football or just running around as a little kid growing up. The dreams were not night terrors so I figured God was trying to tell me something. I immediately thought of Braveheartedgospel.com and how the Pastor was bringing a strong message of running from things that are not of God. I needed more so I searched scripture, and came across 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (New Living Translation) “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. When I read this it suddenly came to me I was running in my past and currently right now in college for a prize. Not for the right prize though. I was more focused on winning that earthly prize a college degree, high school football game, or even a measly childish game that means nothing.

No prizes mean anything if you’re not pursuing that eternal victory. We should also have the same mindset of athletes when it comes to training, but instead of working out physically we as Christians should be working out the spiritual. How can we win the eternal prize if Satan is throwing fiery darts at us and we do not have the right material to protect ourselves and fight back?

It is amazing that God has been showing me this in the last couple of weeks, that we need to RUN that I need to run, not for these earthly prizes but for that eternal prize in Christ Jesus our Lord. While you are running that race, place you hope in God and he will renew your strength.

Blessings, Jeremiah Santiago

Madness

2010-03-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

I remember the days of being consumed in block pools for March Madness, spending hours watching games, calculating points etc. God has been shifting my worship of sport and TV. In the Philippines we did not watch TV for two weeks. Although I have not fully arrived with deliverance from TV and will face The Masters temptation soon, God is working in me to prioritize eternal things over the pit we can so easily fall into with the sports and cable.

150,000 people will die today, how many of those people will go to heaven. How many of them will really be able to say to Jesus "I know you." The word know was used in the book of Genesis to describe Adam's intimacy with Eve. Adam "knew" Eve. Are we really that intimate in our relationship with Jesus? Jesus help me.

In Matthew 7 Jesus says in that day I will say, "You have done all these things in my name but depart from me I never knew you." Scary. I spent years thinking my deeds were what Jesus was looking for. We are saved by grace Ephesians 2:"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast." We serve as a result of our faith.

So the question is will we know HIM first and serve HIM today or will we spend hours worshiping basketball or something else thinking that what we have done will save us from damnation. 24 hours in this day, how many hours will we use for the Kingdom. 1 Cor 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Will our Kingdom come today or will His Kingdom come today in our lives?

Make it a great day!

A New Day

2010-03-18T02:19:00.000-07:00

A new day is dawning, spring looks promising, temperatures are rising. At the end of this day what will we be remembered for? I came across a simple but powerful list to encourage us to pursue God's purposes today:

1. To seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
2. To learn to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11).
3. Not to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6).
4. To renew my mind (Romans 12:2).
5. To think about those things that are true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy, and excellent (Philippians 4:8).
6. To devote myself to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2).
7. To pick up my cross daily and follow Christ (Luke 9:23).
8. To guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23).
9. To train myself to be godly (1Timothy 4:7).
10.To endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3).

Make it a great day!

The Real Deal

2010-03-17T04:09:00.000-07:00

For years I was deceived with St. Patrick's Day. I thought green beer was associated with St. Patrick. I would drink all I could and encourage others to do so

Then a friend spoke St. Patrick's Prayer into my life and I discovered Patrick was more defined by Christ than anything. I also discovered Patrick's great sensitivity to the supernatural realm. In so many ways society makes things into what they are not ie: (Christmas and presents, Easter and bunnies, Thanksgiving and food).

Today we should remember a great warrior of the faith not pursue drunkenness. Two years ago we really studied Patrick's contribution to the Kingdom as an evangelist respectfully to the point of naming our third son after him. Here is the prayer that inspired us:

This prayer is often called "St. Patrick's Breastplate" because of those parts of it which seek God's protection. It is also sometimes called "The Deer's Cry" or "The Lorica".

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels, In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs, In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles, In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins, In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun, Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind, Depth of sea,
Stability of earth, Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils, From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and a near, Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Mentors

2010-03-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am grateful today for mentors in my life and the impact they have had on my development. Brian Rice, Rick Donahoue and John Hilliard continue to impact my life even though we are a few hours a part. I understand God can do anything but most leaders stand on the shoulders of others, the picture is me standing on my mentors shoulders in the Philippines.

Gods plan took us to MBNA Hunt Valley MD in 2003 and we settled our family in York PA. Unknown to us at the time, there was a leadership treasure waiting to be found at Living Word Community Church 2 miles down the road from our home. I attended a leadership conference and then was accepted into the Leading Edge ministry at LWCC.

This was the turning point in my career as a leader, I found understanding that significance and success lied in my ability to live an intentional lifestyle and wrestle with my own brokenness. I also developed a passion to develop leaders during this time.

Brian and John resource leaders all over the world through their growing ministry, Leadership Connections Inc. I had the opportunity to take my first mission trip to Poland with John and Rick after I was called to ministry where we trained business leaders. Now I have been blessed to serve four different countries over the past two weeks with Barry Spofford. Resourcing and training leaders to fulfill the Great Commission through Coaches and Athletes.

Brian, Rick and John's faithfulness to me have made a significant impact on my life. Thank you to leaders who are passionate about mentoring and developing leaders! Pour your life into another leader! The results are a blessing!

An example to follow

2010-03-10T23:13:00.000-08:00

Rich Henderson on left(Philippine Challenge) and Coach Tine Hardeman (Faith Academy) are hereos of the faith. Rich is from Montana dropping everything to grow sports ministry in a third world country. Rich knows Scotty Kessler from the 80's who is one of my mentors. Amazing how small the world is.

Tine Hardeman had to choose between the LA Lakers and Ventures For Victory in the 1950's. He left the states and never looked back. His story is amazing. Tine has played over 3500 basketball games in numerous countries. His team shared the Gospel in every one of those games at halftime.

Tine founded Faith Academy in the Philippines in the 50's for children of missionaries. We visited there with Tine yesterday. He wrote a book called "The Real Game" about his life playing basketball for Jesus. Tine told me yesterday, "I would not change places with Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell for anything."

During our conference, we celebrated Tine's 78th birthday. Pastor Gary asked me to pray for him as a part of the presentation. I wept as I tried to formulate a prayer for a true Legacy Builder. One of the greatest impacts on my journey here has been meeting Coach Tine and aspiring to follow his courageous example.

He also joined us in Cebu and he shared with me how he shared the Gospel with the cab driver on the way from the airport. A true warrior for souls! Be encouraged.

Reality

2010-03-08T18:49:00.001-08:00

What a blessing to be called to serve in the Philippines. I have received so much more than I have given. The people are so hungry to do sports ministry, such a blessing and they are so grateful for Barry and I being here.

The picture above is two kids begging for money outside our car window. The enemy has been whispering to me while I am here about the condition of our ministry financial balance. Currently, our fund balance will not allow us to survive the end of this month. It is testing my faith as I have answered the call to serve here and the enemy sees it as an open door to discourage me while I am here. I am binding his lies.

The kids begging for money reminded me of Mother Teresa who said ,"I will beg for money to see God's children saved." Pastor Kiko told me, "Your father is rich, he owns everything." I look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit will work in the lives of people to sow into our ministry this month. I am walking in faith not by sight of my fund balance.

As we approach the end of the month, we trust God will meet our needs to do His work or I will follow the example of the boys in the picture to carry out our mission and vision. Please pray about attending our fund raising night on Monday April 26 7:00pm. Thank you for your prayers.

What is Winning?

2010-03-06T23:34:00.000-08:00

Last night will never be forgotten. I had the opportunity to serve as a Chaplain for a team called the "ACES". They are a church team organized to compete in as many basketball tournaments, leagues and games as possibly only if organizers allow them to share the Gospel at halftime. They will not compete unless one player can share their testimony and the Gospel over the loud speaker at halftime.

We had a Chapel at in the living room of a home before travelling two hours to play a game on an cement court on the top of a mountain. The team all sat in the back of a truck/van while Coach Al drove and I rode up front. Quite the journey through very congested Cebu City, up the mountains in the dark, dodging people, jeepneys and motorcycles with side cars.

Our team changed in our lockerroom which also doubles as the back of the truck. One of the players looked me in the eye and passionately said "We are here for the glory of the Lord!" The purpose was clear play and preach with all your heart.

The venue and environment was amazing. @ 9pm 1,000 fans were there, music blasting. We faced a worthy opponent laden with college players and graduated college players. The Aces played well in the first half and eventually lost the game 115-89
But the reason this team competes is to share the Gospel and that moment was the greatest halftime I have ever experienced.

The entire team of young men was full of the Holy Spirit and on burning fire for the Lord. I do not believe I have heard a young person share the Gospel with such fire and effectiveness as #6 did last night. Everything stopped in the outside arena as he shared. He had every eye on him challenging them with a bold message packed with truth for Jesus Christ.

When the team held hands and prayed after Chapel, before the game and after the game we all prayed aloud with passion simultaneously. Those brothers were getting after it in prayer I thought I was in the book of Acts! The team sang worship songs and quoted scripture on the way home.

Do our teams win the way this one does? I have been a part of many Christian teams that play for the glory of God but they never evangelize. I wish every athlete and Coach that claims Christianity could have been in my shoes last night.

What a blessing!

Mission One Accomplished

2010-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Great two days of training and launching FCA Philippines in Manilla! Awesome to see hearts for Jesus and so much passion and vision for sports ministry and FCA. Blessed to meet such amazing people. Moving on to Cebu City for second FCA launch today.

Pastor Gary has given me the opportunity to be a honoary Coach of a Christian Philippino basketball team tonight. It will be an evangelism outreach and Pastor tells me thousands will be there. Barry Spofford will preach at a large church tonight in Cebu! Pray for us!

Day One FCA Philippines launch

2010-03-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a full day of FCA training. Barry and I presented on FCA's History, Vision, Mission, Ministries, and Coaches. We had technology challenges during the Coaches presentation :-) Many of the PI folks have sports ministries associated with their churches which is very interesting to see the church place a strong importance on sports ministry.

What a blessing to meet God's people 10,000 miles from home. Worshipping praying and fellowship was a blessing. Met Nins yesterday who has a ministry called "The Kings Team" for officials. They train them to ref and equip them with the Gospel. Philippine basketball is similar to ours where even if Pastors are Coaching they may not reflect Jesus in their coaching.

Pastor Kiko from Singapore spoke into my life yesterday and enjoyed dinner with him but I was struggling to keep my eyes open. Went to bed early and rose early to worship and prepare for sharing a devotional this morning.

Culture and Fore!

2010-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Yestreday was a great day of understanding the culture of the Philippines. We visited Green Hills shopping center after enjoying coffee at Mc Donalds! Quite the experience bartering for items and the politely aggresive nature of the Pi folks working in the market inviting you to buy their items.

My friend CJ who just arrived as a basketball missionary purchased a Team Pacquiao T-shirt. We call CJ "Black Superman!" He played for Mississippi College and visited here on a Basketball Mission trip and felt called to come back and serve after graduating. Great to see a brother selling out for Jesus!

I also had the blessing of playing golf here yesterday with Rob Johnson, former Philippine Basketball Association player. It was a blessing playing for the first time with a caddie. In addition to caddies players have the option to have an umbrella carrier. Also great to play in the PI as my father in law has desired for me to play here. Saw a dirt driving range where each player has some tee the ball up for you. Pray for Rob as he and his wife discern Gods call to FCA possibly.

Finished the day at Fridays watching the PBA Conference Finals! Pure Foods won the championship series 4 games to zero. Then prepared for today's presentation in Manilla! Thanks for Praying.

Grateful

2010-03-02T02:59:00.000-08:00

We arrived safely in PI. Our flights were great managed to sleep well on plane. Amazing time with the Lord about half way through (I will share in a blog later). We had a short night last night, about 4 hours of sleep.

Enjoyed Manilla Mall today with our host Gary from FCA Philippines and CJ and Ron. We have been blessed by their hospitality. Purchased a PI "Pastor's shirt" and enjoyed a Starbucks coffee after lunch. This afternoon Gary gave us an amazing overview of PI and we prepared for what will be an amazing 11 days of ministry.

I am blessed more than I could ever write to be a part of this team. Please pray for us as we launch FCA in PI and possibly other countries. We will also be sharing our testimonies, preaching and evangelizing. Ask the Lord to anoint us with his Power and presence.

We are talking about a Coaches Conference here in Sept or Oct. Also have the potential to bring a college basketball team here to minister in the summer.

If you happen to read this entry please ask God to bless our trip. Secondly ask him if He is calling you out of your comfort zone to go where you have never gone before to serve Him

Therefore Go............

2010-02-27T17:44:00.000-08:00

God has opened a door to fulfill the Great Commission with Barry Spofford, the FCA International Director. Barry is deeply gifted, surrendered to prayer and anointed in his walk with Jesus Christ. I look forward to amazing growth from serving with him. The trip is also very special because my wife was born in the PI.

We will be facilitating two FCA Sports ministry presentations with ministry leaders from four countries, one in Manilla and the other in Cebu City. Barry asked me to assist him with speaking about Coaches Ministry. I would like to ask all those who visit our blog to pray for us and my family while we walk obediently with Jesus.

Matt 28:18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Where is God calling you to go?
Will you drop your nets and follow Him?

Make it a great night!

Only When....

2010-02-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Gal 5:19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

You may or may not have heard about the Canada Women's Hockey Team leaving their locker room to "party" (drink beers and smoke cigars) on their home ice last night after they won the gold medal. It was all over sports updates. Many of the reports I heard said. "Canada is known for that, they won on their home ice it is ok."

I remember when I used to drink to drunkenness and people would ask me how often I drank, I would respond something along the lines of "I only drink when....". There were certain times, excuses or in certain circles that in my mind made it ok. I used to say the same thing about smokeless tobacco, "I only do it when I am playing golf or softball."

How about us? What in our lives do we need to deal with that we are saying, "I only ____ when." A Christian friend of mine called me for accountability when his wife was going out of town. He said "I do not go and rent pornography while my wife is gone but I will rent movies that push the envelope. I only rent them when she goes out of town. I called you for accountability."

Galatians 5 is pretty clear about what the sinful nature produces. I am convicted reading the list myself. I no longer have bondage with drunkenness but I am not exempt from the list. Is our desire to inherit the Kingdom of God? We need a heart that hates the sin referenced in Gal 5, we need accountability partners that do not have the same weakness as us and we need a strong desire for the Kingdom. Ask God to quicken your Spirit to areas of your life that you are saying "Only when."

Only when we win a gold medal will we push the Olympic standards & party on the ice..

Make it a great night!

Killer Whale?

2010-02-25T08:50:00.001-08:00

What was our reaction when we heard about the trainer being killed by the Killer Whale? For me it was multi-dimensional. First, I thought about all of the times I have been blessed to go to Sea World as a boy, as an adult and recently as a father. The story seemed more real because I was actually there.

I believe God is speaking many things to my heart about this real life story. The primary thing God is telling me is that Dawn Brancheau died doing what she loved to do. She was passionate about Killer Whales even when other people had been killed before. Dawn died while serving in her life passion.

Dawn visited Sea World as a little girl and eventually followed her passion to the point of dying for what she loved. There are many jobs at Sea World but she opted for something that risked everything. There are also many roles and dimensions to Christianity, some of us play a role but play it safe. Evangelism and discipleship calls us to die for Jesus Christ.

I remember wanting to share my faith more but not being able to. It was like working at Sea World but watering the flowers or working in concessions not being willing to risk it all. I remember being in jobs with compromise in my soul, I knew it was not my passion. I believe God uses all experiences and circumstances to help us prepare and grow, however sometimes we just do something to provide for our family or to chase promotions, fame, position, etc.

I believe God is looking for people to count the cost and line up with his Will for our lives. He wants us to serve in our passion or bring our passion for Christ where we are planted.

Will we be a martyr for our faith like the disciples were?
If my passion is Christ, will I really lay my agenda down for him?
Are you willing to die for your passion?
Is your job your passion or is it just a job?
Are you defined by your job our your passion?

Go for it!

Acts 7:59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Ouch!

2010-02-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

Voddie Baucham (voddiebaucham.org )recently said in a sermon on discipleship of your family if you are not saying “Amen!” you should be saying “Ouch!”
I said “Ouch!” this morning!

Not sure if you will connect with this or not but it spoke to me so I thought I would share the double edged sword that pierced me.

"Heb 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Charles Stanley said Sunday morning that at one point God broke him and instructed him to take three months off. When he returned from the sabbatical his church had more attendance and higher giving. God showed him whose ministry (business) it was. I am consistently guilty of doing more work and producing more and not praying enough.

Is our ministry God’s ministry or our ministry?
Is your team or business God’s or is it yours?
Are we taking time to be still now before God has to break us?
Do we pray more than we “produce”?
What does God desire to do in our lives that our busyness is delaying?

God help me to be more prayerful about what you would like to do in my life and ministry. The Charles Stanley message is “God’s Path to Brokenness” on intouch.org

The Rooster

2010-02-16T05:36:00.000-08:00

We attended a conference this weekend. Great to hear Mark Batterson share. His books have been a blessing over the past few months: In The Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, and Primal. Mark is the lead Pastor for National Community Church in DC.

Of the many things that spoke to me the teaching on the rooster resonated in a powerful way. He said can you image how Peter must of cringed everytime he heard a rooster crow after he fulfilled what Jesus spoke about Peter denying Him.

Matt 26 34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
Matt 26 74Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

We are often bound by something that happened in our past even though we have accepeted Christ. Whatever that is, it is our "rooster". I spent years not being able to talk about being involved in an abortion. The abortion was a "rooster". Through Jesus' blood, God's mercy and grace, I have been forgiven and now share that part of my testimony with others.

Is there a "rooster" God is calling you to deal with today? The enemy would love for us to keep roosters around, keeping us cringing everytime we listen to the "crow (lies) of satan who wants to condemn us. Jesus did not come to condemn you!

In John 21, Jesus released Peter from his grief of denying Him and sent him out to influence the world. Take care of your rooster today and ask Jesus to send you out!

Loyalty

2010-02-11T04:46:00.000-08:00

My devotional time this morning pierced my heart and challenged me to seek the Father's heart at a deeper level. In a "Call To Die" David Nassar wrote on Day 19:

"Believers who have walked with God for a while face another, more subtle "God" and problem. They sometimes confuse devotion to Christ with Christian disciplines of prayer, Bible study, serving, (attending church)and giving. Those are meant to open our eyes and draw us close to Christ himself, not become a substitute for Him. Prayer (and going to church)does not save us. Bible study is not our Lord. Serving and giving does not fill the deepest holes in our hearts. CHRIST does. These activities take on their direction and meaning if, and only if, they are focused on knowing and loving Jesus."

Jesus is Lord of my life however completing spiritual disciplines does not change my heart. Jesus forgive me and help me to seek and find you with my whole heart today. I want to know and love you today. Help me to walk in a greater awareness of your presence. Help me to worship you when I shovel snow today!

Good Word

2010-02-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

I am transferring some old sermon notes to online and came across this teaching. I believe it is from Charles Stanley or Tommy Nelson. Enjoy:

1 TRUTH (INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD-"THE BIBLE")MUST BE PASSED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION LIKE A TORCH

2 OLD MEN MUST CHALLENGE YOUNG MEN (2 TIMOTHY 2)
i. Who is your Paul, Barnabas, Timothy

3 YOUNG MEN BECOME OLD MEN WHO TAUGHT THEM (2 TIMOTHY 2)

4 SCHOOL TEACHES YOU TO MAKE A LIVING, THE BIBLE TEACHES YOU TO HAVE A LIFE

5 GOD’S WORD DOES NOT CHANGE
i. THE WORD STANDS PERIOD
ii. NEED FOR LEADERS, WHERE IS THE GOD OF ELIJAH?
iii. WHERE IS THE GOD OF BILLY GRAHAM?
iv. WHERE IS THE GOD OF SPURGEON?

6 TO THE MAN THAT IS WILLING TO GIVE HIS ALL FOR GOD, HE WILL GIVE VICTORY AND ADDED DELIGHT

7 RECONQUER AND RENAME STOLEN TERRITORY FOR GOD

8 GO INTO "STONGMAN’S" CAMP AND PLUNDER HIS POSSESSIONS

9 A NATIONS HOPE IS A NATIONS PAST

The Word for Today with Bob Gass

2010-02-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

The Word for Today with Bob Gass

Become A Soul Winner!
He who wins souls is wise.Proverbs 11:30 NIV

French scientist, Louis Pasteur, lived at a time when thousands died of rabies each year, so he worked day and night on a vaccine that could save them. Just as he was about to begin experimenting on himself, a nine-year-old boy called Joseph Meister was bitten by a rabid dog. The boy's mother begged Pasteur to experiment on her son. Pasteur injected him for ten days and the boy lived. Decades later, of all the things Pasteur could have had etched on his headstone, he asked only for three words: Joseph Meister Lived!

The Bible says, 'The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise' (Proverbs 11:30 NIV). Imagine having a cure for cancer, but refusing to share it, or saying, 'I'm too busy.' The gospel is only good news if we are willing to share it, and get it to those who need it in time. Too many of us have become preoccupied with our material well-being. Instead of believing God for the salvation of our loved ones, we're believing Him for houses, cars, holidays, and so on. We may quote, 'Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for' (Hebrews 11:1 KJV), but the 'things' we have in mind are material and temporal, rather than the eternal things of that '… better country… ' (Hebrews 11:16 KJV). We're supposed to seek the kingdom of God first and foremost, and all these other 'things' will be added to us. In fact, we don't even have to ask for them, they're automatically given to us when we put God's kingdom ahead of our own (Matthew 6:33). So be wise - become a soul winner!

Lasting Example

2010-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

Great article on former USC Assistant Coach Seto. Who would not want him on their staff? Enjoy this article from USCRIPSIT.com

Seto to move on
By Ben Malcolmson on January 27, 2010

Defensive coordinator Rocky Seto, who has been involved with the USC football program as a player and coach since 1997, will not be retained on new head coach Lane Kiffin's staff.

"For almost my entire life, I always dreamt about being a part of the 'SC football program," said Seto, a former Trojan linebacker (1997-98) who went on to coach at Heritage Hall for 11 seasons. "I'm thankful God allowed it to happen for the last 13 years. It's been wonderful.

"I'm totally at peace with what has happened, which is a total miracle from God. The Lord taught me over the years to not put my hope in things or jobs or the stuff of this earth. The only thing that's lasting is Jesus Christ."

Seto said he's not sure what his next career step will be at the moment.

"I'm excited to see what the Lord has next and to see where He leads us," said Seto, husband to Sharla, a former USC soccer player, and father of three children. "The Lord is good. We can have peace in Him."

One Master by John MacCarthur

2010-01-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

Matthew 6:24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

"God commands you to walk by faith, the money to walk by sight. One calls you to be humble, the other to be proud. One to set your affection on things above, the other to set your affection on things on the earth. One to look at things unseen and eternal, the other to look at things seen and temporal. One to have your conversation in heaven, the other to cleave to the dust. One to be careful for nothing, the other to have all anxiety. One to be content with such as you have, the other to enlarge your desires as big as hell. One to be ready to distribute, the other withhold. One to look at the things of others, the other to look at your own things. One to sing...to seek happiness in the creator, the other to seek happiness in the creature. They're mutually exclusive and so you have to determine your allegiance." by John MacCarthur www.gty.org

Coach vs Cancer

2010-01-06T14:26:00.000-08:00

Wanted to share a great cause with you from a brother in Christ! Coach James Kiger is the Head Varsity Girl's Coach at Smyrna High School. Please pray about supporting Coach's effort.

Hi Everyone,

This year we are excited to announce a way to make an impact for both Cancer research and our Basketball team. We are holding our first annual Swish-out Cancer Shoot-athon on Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 11 am – 1 pm.

For the money we are able to raise; half will go to the American Cancer Society and half toward offsetting the cost of an end of season banquet for our team.

For our coaching staff, Cancer research is a very important topic. Coach Kiger, at age 11, lost his father to cancer. Coach Markiewicz lost her mom to cancer during basketball season of her senior year along with an aunt and uncle within a span of 18 months. Coach Moran lost her grandfather to cancer. I know many of you have relatives and friends whom you have lost to this deadly disease.

Our “Swoosh Out Cancer” Shoot-athon works like this: Each girl, coach or Manager will shoot 100 free throws. For every shot made we are securing sponsors to donate an amount for each shot made or a flat rate donation. All donations are tax-deductable.

My girls don’t think I can shoot or raise the money and I want to prove them wrong. If you haven’t already sponsored one of my players would you be willing to sponsor me either an amount per shot (ie. $0.25, $0.30, $0.50) or a flat rate that goes to this worthy cause?

I must warn you I am a very good free throw shooter!!!!!

Thanks so much for anything you can do. If you can sponsor me, just shoot me an email back! If not, no problem, thanks for your support!

All Checks payable to: SHS Athletic Boosters

Thank you for your consideration!
Coach James Kiger
Varsity Women's Basketball Coach
Smyrna High School
500 Duck Creek Parkway
Smyrna, DE 19977
email: kigerjames@smyrna.k12.de.us
Cell: (302) 670-3109

Invasion by Blair Maginnis

2009-12-29T05:32:00.000-08:00

We have been blessed over the past two summers of hosting college athletes in our area and home in attempt to develop them as spiritual leaders. One of those committed disciples and warriors for Jesus is Blair Maginnis. Coach Maginnis (Wesley College Track & Field) now lives in our community pursuing graduate studies, volunteering with FCA and part of a visionary team developing a church for young adults. Enjoy Blair's post (Blair is pictured in His 2008 Baptism at Fenwick Island DE while participating in our summer leadership & discipleship development program):

The thing that has impacted me so greatly from serving and pursuing a discipleship emphasis with Delmarva FCA has been how to live as a warrior for Jesus. I am fully convinced that too many Christians walk around blind to the fact that “we live in a world at war.”(Waking the Dead John Elderege). I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit teaching us through Coach Chambers and his wife Melissa to be equipped for battle, not simply teaching us about being Christians, but sending us out to go and fight on the front lines.

We recently celebrated Christmas, and aside from the fact that the majority of America misses the point that it is about Jesus, I believe that often times we overlook a crucial point of Christmas. God sent his son Jesus to free us from death, and by doing this God had to invade enemy territory.

I love the movie Braveheart. One of my favorite scenes from the movie is when one of the Scottish generals asks William Wallace what he plans on doing when he was going to meet the British officers. William Wallace replies, “I’m going to pick a fight!” In the same way, God sent Jesus to pick a fight with the one that is waging war against our souls.

Christmas is about God loving us so much that He sent His son to pick a fight with the Devil. Just like William Wallace and the Scottish army, Jesus came to fight for our freedom. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

The bottom line is we are at war, and when we decide to pick a fight the opposition is going to fight back. Satan is no respecter of persons. He doesn’t care who it is, he will attack anyone. But no matter what battles we may have to face, Jesus has already won the greatest victory!

My family experienced such a battle this Christmas. The enemy tried to destroy our Christmas by attacking the most innocent member of the family that he knew he could get to. He attacked my younger brother who has Down Syndrome. It was an extremely challenging morning, but we knew we had a choice. We could either let the enemy rob us of our joy and take away the day that we celebrate Jesus or we could fight. We chose to fight, and though it was not easy, we refused to let the enemy come in and steal our joy. It was a battle but we stood on God’s promises, prayed with my brother and fought for him. !

The choice is simple; do we let the enemy walk all over us, or do we stand up with armor on and fight? God sent Jesus to invade enemy territory, and as His followers, are we enlisted and prepared for battle? If so take up your sword and fight. Fight for your family, fight for your friends, and fight for your freedom.

In Christ Alone,
Coach Blair Maginnis

Giving is Receiving by Coach Lloyd

2009-12-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

Great testimony from Coach Lloyd, a committed volunteer for FCA and head football Coach at Smyrna HS. Coach has been the Huddle Leader at SHS for several years and now offers team specific ministry on campus through the local church. His testimony demonstrates the winning relationship Jesus can provide for the church & community through a Coach's heart and sports ministry. Coach and his wife, Kristi, continue to be a wonderful blessing to our ministry. Enjoy today's post from Coach Lloyd (picture with team above).

Who would've know that it would start with a simple question?

In August of 2007, I was asked by Randy to speak at the FCA camp at Polytech HS. I was very excited about the opportunity. Like most things in life when you think that you are serving for another person, you actually are the one who is receiving the blessing.

After the camp on my way out of the door Randy congratulated me on getting the Head coaching position and asked what could FCA do to serve SHS Football? I told him that I was hoping to have a preseason picnic with the players and parents to kick-off the season. He said no problem, I will contact some churches and see what we can do.

With the help of FCA they contacted some local churches including Trinity Church of Smyrna (www.trinitysmyrna.org), a new church start up. At the picnic I was introduced to the two pastors, Mike Osborne and Dan Lerro. I thanked them and then they asked what else they could do for the team. I discussed the idea of holding a chapel for the team and possibly feeding the team before home games.

Three years later, we have been able to hold a voluntary team chapel for the varsity football team before every game home and away. This chapel is lead by Pastor Mike voluntarily enabling players and coaches to attend. After the chapel is over the entire team has dinner together provided by Trinity Church of Smyrna families or Chick-Fil-A Dover Mall, thank you to Mary and Chris Johnson.

This is an unbelievable opportunity provided by our Lord. The visible blessings are evident when you have players in chapel or the faces of the players when the meal is provided. The blessings that will later be realized are unknown, but through this experience God's Glory will shine.

The presence of God in our program has been tremendous and encouraging. At times when I think things are tough in regards to football I will get an email from Randy or the daily devotional from FCA (fca.org) and those words are so encouraging and uplifting. It is helpful to be reminded that God has a plan for me and right now his plan is for me to lead this program as Christ would and I know I have the support of FCA, Randy and Trinity Church of Smyrna.

Coach Clay Lloyd
Head Football Coach Smyrna HS

Nothing is too big for God by Coach Dana Shelton

2009-12-24T09:07:00.000-08:00

Dana Shelton was commissioned at our 2009 Legacy Builder Coaches Conference, coaches football at Lake Forest HS and is the FCA Huddle Leader for Woodbridge HS. Enjoy Coach Shelton's post (pictured left with Eagles center Jamaal Jackson at the FCA Super Bowl Breakfast):

Woodbridge High School includes Bridgeville, Greenwood, and Farmington. Small towns located in the small state of Delaware. However, we know that nothing is too small or too big for our God to handle. God has truly blessed our FCA huddle group. We have four student leaders who do an outstanding job leading our devotions. Jere Hudson, Taylor Patterson, Thomas Jefferson, and Xavier Seymore are committed and dedicated to FCA. We meet every Friday at 7:45 a.m. during breakfast. We have also consistently had prayer meetings on Monday mornings.

Several years ago, seven to twelve students would attend our huddle meetings. Last year, we had a steady group of twelve who would attend on a regular basis. I called them “The Twelve”. During this school year, we have grown to over 30 students participating in our huddle group. It is a blessing to see these students on the battlefield for the Lord. Our huddle includes members of the football team, cheerleaders, girl’s field hockey, girl’s basketball, and boy’s soccer.

We were blessed with a new football coach this year at Woodbridge and many students who did not play in previous years saw an opportunity to come out for the team. During this time, many of the football players were encouraged to join the Woodbridge High School FCA. The majority of those players continued to come to our huddle meetings and give praises and thanks to the Lord. What a testimony to the character of these young people. Many of our athletes know that they will not be judged by wins and losses in the final outcome.

It reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures. Jeremiah 29:11 which says “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” As long as these students have hope, they will reap the rewards today and in heaven. We give all of the honor and glory to God for what he has done at Woodbridge. I want to give a special thanks to Mrs. Robin Sturgeon for her continued encouragement to the ministry.

God Bless
Dana Shelton

Eternal Impact by Coach Outten Milford High School

2009-12-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

We met Coach Ken Outten about two years ago at a Coaches Legacy Builders study at Calvary Wesleyan Church. After completion of the Legacy Builder study, Coach Outten began hosting the FCA Huddle as well as a Coaches Bible study in his room at Milford HS (MHS and Lake Forest HS Huddles pictured at left for combined fund raiser for their Huddles). We are grateful for his intentional pursuit to grow as a leader and his availability to serve for Jesus. Enjoy Coach Outten's post:

The Milford HS Huddle has been running 30+ athletes weekly for the entire fall sports season. Many of our athletes are in season presently, but attendance is still great! Students have been reaching out and every week, we are getting new members.

The students leading the huddle have been such a blessing. One girl claimed a couple of weeks ago that the Bible study touched her and she felt God was speaking to her as she felt conviction. She went to church that next Sunday and stayed after to talk with her Pastor. She asked him to pray with her as she was ready to accept Jesus Christ (for more info about accepting Christ visit: http://www.morethanwinning.org)

Currently, our huddle has adopted a family for Christmas. Students have been bringing in items to donate to a needy family. A day or two ago, one of my students came to me and asked if her mother could buy our family (huddle adopt-a-family) dinner. Since they needed items like sock, underwear and dish soap, they also might need to have Christmas dinner. I told the student it would be a wonderful thing.... Last week we wrapped some of the presents for the family. After wrapping them, the huddle prayed over them and asked God to bless the family and have his love be felt and seen.

Jesus is making a difference and impact on the Milford HS campus through student athletes!

Merry Christmas,
Coach Outten

All Things Are Possible by Chris Kenton

2009-12-20T05:26:00.000-08:00

Todays entry is from Chris Kenton (seated on right receiving gatorade bath) Lake Forest FCA Multi-Campus Leader.

Almost three years ago, I remember Randy coming into Lake Forest HS to meet with me about starting a F.C.A. huddle at our high school. I remember thinking after he left, "that man is crazy." I didn't think it was possible to spend time in prayer with kids, or pass out Bibles. I never thought I would ever see our football team pray with their opponents on the 50 yard line after every game at a public high school. Three years later I realized that through God, all things are possible.

I remember that first summer, I coached the cross country runners at the local F.C.A. Power Camp. I only had two runners sign up, and one of them was my own daughter. The first day, neither girl could run a 1/2 mile without walking.

So, we set some goals. I told both girls that if they could break 8 minutes in the mile run by the end of the week, they could dump a Gatorade cooler full of water on top of my head. By Wednesday of that week, they were running a mile without walking.

On Friday, we had our big time trial. My daughter not only broke 8 minutes that day, she broke the 7 minute mark. She ran it in 6 minutes and 57 seconds. As she crossed the finish line, I remember picking her up and swirling her around in celebration. In fact, my mother was there and got a picture of it that I will always cherish.

The greatest thing about that event was this...I asked my daughter Jessalynn how she did it. Her response: "Dad, every time I got tired, and every time I didn't think I could take another step, I just thought of that verse that you told us on Monday that said 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,' and it kept me going.

That verse still holds true today. The only reason that I'm able to pray with students, and give them Bibles, and see the teams pray on the 50 (which we did after every game this year) is because God makes it possible. Those things are not happening at Lake Forest because of anything I did, they are all happening because God is making them happen.

F.C.A. has tremendously impacted me and my family. I'm glad God told me that Randy wasn't crazy!

Still in His grip,

Chris Kenton
Lake Forest FCA

After God's Heart by Danielle Hines

2009-12-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Danielle Hines (second from left in picture) was a three year Delmarva FCA campus representative, she completed our summer internship in 2008 and served with the FCA National Cheerleading Ministry last year. She has grown in Jesus in amazing ways and continues to. Her FCA peers affectionately call her "Momma D" as a result of her leadership ability. We look forward to her joining our leadership program again next summer. Enjoy her update of what God is doing in her life.

This semester I transferred down to Lakeland, FL to finish out my schooling at a Christian school that I’ve had my heart set on for a couple years now. It was a HUGE blessing that I was even able to come because in this economy it’s hard to pay for college much less a private college. So that was blessing #1.

Once here I realized how different life was going to be away from my family. I no longer was around them every day and wouldn’t be seeing them for at least two months. I was no longer competing or coaching athletically. I was living with a group of girls that I didn’t know and at a campus where I didn’t know anyone either. But God has blessed me with such a great surrounding of godly peers, which is what I have prayed for the last year.

As I began the school year and went to chapels, I would wake up some mornings and just say to myself, this is real right? God is so good! He knows the desires of my heart and when I follow Him, He blesses me abundantly! He has blessed me with an amazing family that I stay in contact with daily, amazing girls to live with, and an amazing circle of friends!

Recently God has been placing on my heart to fall madly and deeply in love with Him. I had a recent upset in my life, nothing major but just a stumbling block as we all do. Through that God said, Danielle I want you to surrender everything over to me. I replied with ‘God I do!’ God replied with ‘No.. I want you to really surrender everything over to me.’

So my prayer recently has been, God show me how to relinquish everything over to you, teach me again how to surrender all aspects of my life to you because I am a “living” sacrifice for you and sometimes I get up and crawl off the altar and I don’t want to do this. I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand, lay back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat. (That’s a song by Kari Jobe which I strongly suggest looking up!)

God moves in different ways, He moves anywhere and any time. I believe that if we want to see change around us it must start with us. I’m asking God to flip my world upside down and help me to wake up in the morning singing His praise and shouting at the top of my lungs that He is Lord! And I honestly can say for the last week I’ve woken up in a prayerful attitude, I just wake up and it’s like He’s sitting at the end of my bed waiting for me to get up so He can talk to me. 

My God likes me the way I am, but LOVES me too much to leave me where I’m at.

Blessings,
Danielle Hines

Primal -A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

2009-12-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed Mark Batterson's book, Primal-A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity. Over the past two months, I read "In the Pit with the Lion on a Snowy Day", "The Wild Goose Chase" and now Primal all by Batterson. I have been inspired in all cases. In hindsight, I would read Primal first. Great insight on the Great Commandment and could be a great start to 2010.

In particular, I was challenged to have more holy curiosity (love God with all my mind). Mark writes, "The God who conveniently fits within the confines of your mind will never fill your soul with wonder." Lord help me to find more wonder in the smallest details of life. My wiring to love God with all my strength (doing ministry) typically impacts my ability to be curious.

Finally, Primal challenges us to have faith similar to our spiritual heritage in the book of Acts. What would the church look like if we returned to the passionate faith of the original disciples? I pray you will be encouraged by Batterson's writings as well. We look forward to Mark's Delaware visit for a Mens Conference February 12-13, 2010 (Flyer attached)!

Make it a great day!
Primal is available at:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Primal/Mark-Batterson/e/9781601421319

Life Transformation by Christin Haas

2009-12-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

From my discipleship experience as an intern this past summer, I have a greater love Jesus and desire to give everything over to Him and make all my decisions based on His will for my life. The Lord used the speakers at the camps who shared the Word of God to change me by encouraging me to live out my faith more.

Everyday, I want to fall in love with Jesus, and see Him working in my life and those around me. When I have a problem no matter how little it is, I look up a verse and I think of how special we are to have the Word of God in our lives to be able to get us through life. It is amazing how we can read Jesus words whenever we want.

I used to look past this and not even think that I could read the words of the God who made me and everything else in this world. I try and live out the phrase, “fear the Lord,” to really respect and try to honor Him with my actions and the choices I make.

Being a part of the summer leadership development program was life changing and I would not be where I am now if it wasn’t for the experience. I grew so much, and all I want is to keep growing, and serving God. It has made me be even more in awe of God, and has put a life-long yearning in my heart to want to be more like Jesus, and to not go back to some of my actions before I started the internship.

I want to be on fire for the Lord everyday, not just when I feel like it or when it pops up in my mind. I want to run to Jesus with any problem I’m having. Prior to last summer, that was not something I would have done. I would have tried to do it on my own, and not put it in God’s control by trusting and surrendering everything to Him.

“For I know the plans I have for you; declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-29

Love In Christ,
Christin Haas

Move Mountain by Abi Madden

2009-12-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

A Little FAITH can move a mountain, if you and Doubtin’!

I have participated in athletics since I was 5 years old until April of 2009 when I finished my final softball season ever at Eastern Mennonite University. Being an athlete I felt that I had a pretty good idea about what a loss was. Going into the Playoffs as the 7th seed and making our way up to the Championship game; knocking off the 3rd, 4th and 2nd ranked teams and then loosing the final game hurt, what a way to finish a season, a career, I thought I FELT that loss.

However, I had never felt a true loss until the day that I lost my mom to her battle against cancer on September 3, 2009. After almost a year and a half of remission, then another year of her new diagnosis of bone cancer I LOST my mom. Nothing has ever hurt so bad; no softball game, no injury, no fight with a boyfriend, no pain in the world had ever been as intense as when I had to say goodbye to my mommy.

The day of her passing our house was swarmed with what everyone in my hometown calls “My Jesus People”. Women from Tennessee, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and all over Virginia invaded my house. I mean every room you walked in there was a group of girls sitting, talking, and laughing.

These however were not just women, they were Women of GOD!! These are the kind of women that Satan cringes at, the kind of women who wake up with fire and love of the Lord in their hearts so intense that you can see it in their everyday actions. As they began to arrive I felt a sense of comfort from them, not because I was physically hugged (which I was often) but because I felt my Heavenly Father in my heart speaking to me. He was showing me that although He could not physically embrace me to tell me that things were going to be ok and that there was a purpose for this terrible tragedy, He sent people who could.

One conversation I had through all of this was with a Woman of God who is so near and dear to my heart. Mrs. Kris Shonewolf was my host mother while I was in Delaware this summer for my internship. Randy and Melissa had prayed about where to place me and where God wanted me and they were obedient and I could not have been more happy and blessed by any other family. Ms. Kris came up to me with tears in her eyes at my mom’s funeral and said “God can use this situation and He will. It hurts him to see this, He is hurting for you and your family.” She gave me a verse from Psalms 34 verse 18 that states “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” You mean the maker of all things is hurting like I am? He is sad and he is broken because of this? YES!

Our God is compassionate and caring and He loves us so much, He does not want us to hurt. As she said this I cried, for the first time since my mommy had passed away. That night I had a dream about Jesus and the Crucifixion. I saw him dying and I saw his tears and I saw his sadness and God spoke to me and said “I have been through everything you have, and I am here!” Without my “Jesus People”, the ones God placed in my life and without him I would never be able to make it. Faith is what brings us closer to our maker!! Without faith in our God we have nothing!!

25 Testimonies of 2009 (Amanda Houser)

2009-12-08T05:26:00.000-08:00

Today's post comes from Amanda Houser (far left). Amanda is a senior at Shippensburg University. We were blessed to have Amanda in our Summer Leadership Development Group last year. Amazing to see the growth in a college athlete in a 10 week time frame. Amanda and her team competed in two consecutive final fours. Here is the inside scoop from Amanda to what Jesus did on her team this year.

"Randy here are a few paragraphs I wrote up for you! I hope everything is goign well! Miss you brother!

Never did I expect for a team to completely surrender itself to God in such a way that the Shippensburg field hockey did this year. The Shippensburg field hockey team was known to be the craziest partying team on the university. When all the athletes became aware that we were having a dry season they were blown away by the surprise. God became present at Shippensburg University, on and off the field.

For three months 26 girls, 13 freshmen and 13 upperclassmen, signed a contract for the NCAA, Shippensburg University, and one strictly for the team stating they would not drink alcohol or take in any substance to abuse their body, aka their temple. Never have I imagined that 25 of my teammates and myself were actually going to be committed to our signatures. Something greater than a contract or the authority of the NCAA had taken a hold of each player's heart, and that supernatural power was God. This was just the beginning of the power of God.

The season began as a success, we became 11-0 half way through our season, the only undefeated team in Division II field hockey. The first lost came to Bloomsburg University, the number one team in the nation. Not only were we ranked the number two team in the nation, glory be to God, but a 10 minute devotional was held in the locker room before each home game.

I believe this was the first time in history that a "Bible Study" was held before a game. This was not for the praise of our parents or our coach, but to become focused on God, and realize that we were at a spiritual war. The spiritual power that was becoming noticable was unreal, outsiders were uable to fathom.

Not only were we becoming a success on the field, but relationships were being created through something greater than a night of case races or flip cup. God created a team willing to serve Him, not this world. The temptations are high at a liberal school from drinking alcohol to abusing their temples in any way.

As the regular season came to an end, the playoffs were arising. We lost our conference championship game, but won our regional game, which advanced our team into the NCAA Final Four Tournament. Never have we prayed as a WHOLE team before a game, but this vision became true. There were microphones, webcams, and television cameras everywhere focused on the Shippensburg Field Hockey Team. Before our first game at the Final Four, Jamie Doughty and myself asked if anyone wanted to pray, and the entire team walked over, arms around each other and we prayed; we prayed as if no one was watching, but the whole nation was.

This has nothing to do with Shippensburg Field Hockey, the university, our coach, Jamie Doughty (middle of picture above) or myself, but it had everything to do with God. The success on the field was not what we were concerned on, but how God had triggered something deep within each player, whether they knew God or not, they became aware of Him and knew He was present.

We lost that Final Four game, but God won, He always does."

Second Chances ( by Nick Richmond)

2009-12-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

The opportunity to have a second chance is a great thing. Recently, we saw two excellent examples of players being able to embrace this opportunity. The first when the Philadelphia 76ers re-signed long time franchise player Allen Iverson. Iverson had been traveling around the league for the past five seasons or so since his not so friendly break up with the organization. He is a player who had a lot of baggage during his tenure in Philly, but aside from all that yesterday at his press conference was a great moment. The conference was filled with joyful emotion expressed by Allen from the chance to come back to the city that gave him his start.

The Second story of second chances came during the Oregon vs. Oregon State NCAA football game also known as “The Civil War”. LeGarrette Blount, a young man who made a tragic mistake after Oregon’s opening game of punching a taunting Boise State player’s jaw had a chance to step back on the field during in the third quarter. LeGarrette Blount made a huge mistake, but from that point on he did everything that was required of him by his head coach Chip Kelly in order to possibly get on the field again.

This was LeGarrette’s senior season and he was back on the active roster for this Pac 10 championship game, even though he was third on the depth chart. No one knew that with Oregon down by nine points nearing the end of the third quarter. On his drive of the game Blount was able to pick up a couple first downs and score a momentum shifting touchdown. He finished the game with 9 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.

These two stories about second chances made me think about how many second chances that I have been given though out my life, but one sticks out more than all the rest. The second chance that I was given by Jesus Christ was the greatest one of all and I didn’t have to do anything but accept his invitation.

No matter where I was and what I was going through Jesus was there with his arms open telling me to come to him, and for many years I ignored his call. Jesus came to heal and restore us to the vision that He has had for us from the beginning. He is our redeemer and is waiting for us to come back in his arms so we can have our second chance to live in His Glory.

Job 19: 25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.26 And after my body has decayed,yet in my body I will see God

Nick Richmond Delaware State University

Patrick the Warrior

2009-11-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

When Melissa and I were considering names for our third son, we developed a love for the name Patrick due to our Irish roots. Patrick means nobleman and Patrick was a true warrior for Christ although the world has made him King of green beer. We pray our Patrick will be known for the former and not the later.

A warrior will die for his cause. For years I was a warrior for beer, being willing to die for it (three near death car accidents and 2 DUI's) before my brother's death (killed by drunk driver) led me to Jesus Christ. Thankful for the sovereignty and grace of God and that I can now be a warrior for Christ and no longer beer (8 years sober last month!). Some of you might be thinking the Bible does not say anything about drinking. You are right, it does say a lot about drunkenness.

Not preaching a sermon to those of you who drink, my wife and I made a decision to stop drunkenness before it killed us or someone else, that may not be the case with you. We desired not to cause anyone to stumble and determined that it might hinder our walk with Christ more than drinking would help it. We want Jesus to bear much divine fruit through our lives by daily dying for Him.

Hope you enjoy this post and consider fighting & living for Christ like St. Patrick. Exerts from prayer often called "St. Patrick's Breastplate".

I arise today through God's strength to pilot me: God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,God's host to save me From snares of devils, From temptations of vices,From everyone who shall wish me ill, Afar and a near, Alone and in multitude.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,Christ on my right, Christ on my left,Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

Does anyone notice?

2009-11-24T17:11:00.001-08:00

Coach Meyer on Tebow:

"The one thing about Tim is his unselfishness, and his mission outside of college football is unparalleled as far as I'm concerned," said Meyer, holding back tears. "The impact that he's made, it's almost like selflessness is now a cool thing. Kids realizing to give back and if you can brighten someone's day, you do it. The impact that he's made on this team is phenomenal and as coaches. It's very noticeable behind closed doors, more than probably what you guys see. It's a significant impact."

St. Francis said "Preach the Gospel at all times and sometimes use words." It has also been said that sometimes we are the only Bible people read. Keep walking the walk!

Make it a great night!

Liberation

2009-11-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

In Galatians 5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Many Christians accept Jesus but do not fully embrace the freedom Jesus offers us. The door to the jail cell is open but we choose to stay in jail. We are in prison without bars.

Last week Jesus refined me through three different men. The first two gave me constructive feedback after speaking. I was thankful for their willingness to speak into my life. I was also grateful that a stronghold that has afflicted me for years through absence of father has been removed. In the past, I have received from other people and implemented feedback but not with the right heart. My pain from absence of father impacted my ability to healthily receive from authorities.

The third scenario involved an email I sent to a very respected person who has had a major influence on my development over the past two years. I sent what was perceived as an attempt to establish gatherings to impact Kingdom Leaders. Unfortunately, my email was not received in the same accord as my intentions.

The email was forwarded to another person who called me and provided me with the third instance of feedback from my week. As the person shared his heart with me I became aware of my lack of knowledge regarding the impacted person's status within the organization.

Immediately after the call, I wept at a level of emotion that I had not experienced in as long as I can remember as my one year old consoled me. My tears came from nowhere but God was revealing darkness in my heart. I am continuing to ask the Lord why I fully emoted.

Through my lack of knowledge in sending an email to the wrong person, I now understand an area of my heart that was afflicted. The Holy Spirit revealed that I have an unhealthy desire to be approved by men. The same stronghold drove me in the corporate world to climb the top of the ladder. I was trying to gain my dad's approval even though he died when I was a 9 year old boy. Lord heal my father wound.

God is changing my heart and he will use people and circumstances (even emails) to draw us close to Him. Ask God to give you eyes to see where you are bound and show you His heart for you. The Lord approves of you and that is what matters. Jesus wants us liberated! We can only lead people as far as we are free.

Direction

2009-11-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

Often we find ourselves immersed in winning or day to day operations. Some schools may not have goals, mission, vision and objectives. I believe Christian Coaches will find Greenville's position on football very inspiring and hopefully will encourage Coaches to create your own if you do not have a creed or core beliefs:

Greenville College Football - Head Coach Eric Hehman:
Greenville College is an excellent Christian Liberal Arts institution, with a mission statement of preparing students for lives of character and service in their chosen field. For your review, following are the philosophical “positions” of the Greenville College Football Program:

Our GOAL
Glorify God in all things at all times.

Our INTENTION
Use College Football to Train Leaders, Build Team and Grow Men.

Our MISSION
Teaching Football Student-Athletes to: compete athletically at the highest level, strive to be lifetime learners in the classroom and on the field, develop spiritually into men of character and Godliness, be outstanding citizens on-campus and off, grow inwardly and outwardly through character development and leadership training, develop a family environment within our team and the community.

Our Commitments to our Student-Athletes:
• Provide them with quality academics, Christian education and excellence on the field
• Educate them how to "live and play Biblically" using principles derived from the Bible.
• Develop them to be Men of God and Servant Leaders at Greenville and for a lifetime.

Real Deal

2009-11-11T18:02:00.001-08:00

James 1: 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

Today I took my weekly trip to Cheyney University to see my friend Coach Jeff Braxton. Jeff has been the Head Coach at Cheyney for two years. CU's record is a combined 0-22 during this time.

The world would evaluate Coach's record as failure but God does not see it that way. God is only concerned that Jeff is focused on the character development of the young men entrusted to him. Coach was very positive about his circumstances and is determined to focus on what is important, developing leaders for life. How would you respond if you were 0-22?

We look forward to assisting coach with player development and will be organizing the first Cheyney Football retreat to create a team building and leadership development experience for his team. Please pray for Jeff as he builds men and for those Coaches that may be defining themselves on winning versus what is most important. What good is it if we win and our players lose as fathers and husbands?

If you are led please email Coach Braxton a word of encouragement: jbraxton@cheyney.edu

Make it a great night!

5 Dysfunctions of a Team

2009-11-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

A group of college athletes loved this recently when we covered this teaching from Patrick Lencioni.

Absence of Trust

The first of the dysfunctions, absence of trust, stems from teams unwillingness to be vulnerable within the group. Team members who are not genuinely open with one another about their mistakes and weaknesses make it impossible to build a foundation for trust.

Fear of Conflict

This failure to build trust is damaging because it sets a tone for the second dysfunction: fear of conflict. Teams that lack trust are incapable of engaging in unfiltered passionate debate of ideas. Instead, they resort to veiled discussions and guarded comments.

Lack of Commitment

A lack of healthy conflict is a problem because it ensures the third dysfunction of a team: lack of commitment. without having aired their opinions in the course of passionate and open debate, team members rarely, if ever, buy in and commit to decisions, though they may feign agreement during meetings.

Avoidance of Accountability

Because of this lack of real commitment and buy-in, team members develop an avoidance of accountability, the fourth dysfunction. Without committing to a clear plan of action, even the most focused and driven people often hesitate to call their peers on actions and behaviors that seem counterproductive to the good of the team.

Inattention to Results

Failure to hold one another accountable creates an environment where the fifth dysfunction can thrive. Inattention to results occurs when team members put their individual needs (such as ego, career development, or recognition) or even the needs of their divisions above the collective goals of the team.
A List with a Positive Twist

A list that positively states the desired characteristic or behavior would be more compatible with my growing insight into high performance teams and collaboration. Fortunately, Lencioni provides a positive list in his summary of the book.

The members of truly cohesive teams:

Trust one another.
They engage in unfiltered conflict around ideas.
They commit to decisions and plans of action.
They hold one another accountable for delivering against those plans.
They focus on the achievement of collective results.

The list seems pretty simple but we know in practice it is difficult to achieve. It requires new team insights and consideration from every team member. And, of course, it takes a leader to set the stage.

Committed Soldier

2009-11-07T06:57:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the opportunity to spend quality time with the head coach of Delaware State University on our plane flight to Columbia SC. The time was a treasure. Coach Lavan gets his spiritual "reps" in on a daily basis. Reading: Daily Bread, In Touch and Turning Point Devotionals every morning along with reading his Charles Stanley study Bible. Coach will be the first to tell you he is not perfect. However, his commitment to the internal journey is an example for the team, staff, university and beyond.

Coach has been a leader at every level in football. Coaching with the great Tom Landry and winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers. It would be easy for Coach to bask in his accomplished resume but he is pursuing the sustenance that we all need to be leaders of significance (The Word of God). Delaware State is in the midst of a losing season this year but Coach Lavan understands winning is secondary to our personal relationship with Jesus.

Jentzeen Franklin said "the problem with many Christians is we are well fed on the world and malnourished in the Word." Coach shared his heart with me and asked questions regarding his daily readings and journal entries last weekend. It was significant time with a leader that is growing from the inside out. Our relationship is meaningful to say the least.

The lasting picture I will have on my mind will be from our 45 minute bus ride to play SC State last weekend. I looked to the front seat on the bus and there was Coach, ipod playing worship music and nose first in the Word of God, the entire commute. Not only did he get his first fruit time in & journal, he also built upon the foundation with almost a hour of supplemental reading prior to coaching a college football game.

Life can be busy today, technology, life stations and demands of our daily schedules. We can easily find exits to our journey with God versus staying on the road with Him through the Word, worship and prayer. I pray Coach Lavan's commitment to an intentional lifestyle has ministered to your heart today. A busy leader that finds time for the "main course".

I am missing my first DSU road trip this year due to two speaking engagements, the Spirit quickened me that Coach is probably on the team bus now with the sword in his hand allowing God to transform Him. Bless you today as you ask the Lord how you can simplify your life to work out in His Word, journal your thoughts and worship Him.

Psa 119:105 (NRSV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Eph 6:17 (NRSV) Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Heb 4:12 (NRSV) Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NRSV) All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Tick Tock

2009-11-05T08:04:00.000-08:00

Phil 3: 7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ

The clock is ticking. Last night I "took it down" at 915pm and God woke me up at 330am to spend 2.5 hours with Him this morning before my Coaches Bible study. My beloved Phillies were playing and I shut it down? Am I a Jesus freak? I remember the days when I would have given preference to baseball or any sport over Jesus.

Sports challenge our ability to walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul who recommended considering everything loss that we may gain Christ. As we evaluate our days we might see we pursued performance, pursued sports on TV, pursued our fantasy team, pursued internet, pursued pornography, and pursued texting. I remember when I used to watch the same Sports Center two or three times to see if I missed anything.

So often we fail to pursue Jesus in the Word or in prayer. Is Jesus garbage? How can we gain Christ and be found in Him with all of our habits and pursuits?

It is amazing within Christian circles and churches how we have justified "fantasy" leagues and sports pools like March Madness. We can invest too much time in worshiping our "fantasy team" and too much time following our picks in a free basketball pool. If the pools and leagues are free that makes it ok to spend hours preparing and following our teams right? As long as I waste Jesus time on preparing and reviewing my fantasy team with Christians it makes it ok right?

Of course only 5% of Christians share their faith and only 1% of Christians make disciples (McDowell), because we do not have time to gain Christ and be found. Jesus is too often garbage, loss not gain. In our neighborhood we typically take our garbage out one day a week. Are "Christians" throwing Jesus in the garbage daily?

We need to take a close look at our garbage and recycle Jesus. He wants to make something beautiful of our lives. The original disciples were ordinary people that had been with Jesus. We would rather be with garbage.

Make it a great day!
Does that mean I have to shut my 500 cable channels down?

Freedom

2009-08-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Great post from John Eldrige in his devotional below. It reminded of a college football player who forgave his father after 18 years of dealing with anger. Imagine that release! Jesus died to set us free!

Time to Forgive Our Fathers
08/28/2009

Time has come for us to forgive our fathers. Paul warns us that unforgiveness and bitterness can wreck our lives and the lives of others (Eph. 4:31; Heb. 12:15). I am sorry to think of all the years my wife endured the anger and bitterness that I redirected at her from my father.
As someone has said, forgiveness is setting a prisoner free and then discovering the prisoner was you. I found some help in Bly’s experience of forgiving his own father, when he said, “I began to think of him not as someone who had deprived me of love or attention or companionship, but as someone who himself had been deprived, by his father and his mother and by the culture.” My father had his own wound that no one ever offered to heal. His father was an alcoholic, too, for a time, and there were some hard years for my dad as a young man just as there were for me.
Now you must understand: Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling, but an act of the will. As Neil Anderson has written, “Don’t wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving; you will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made.” We allow God to bring the hurt up from our past, for “if your forgiveness doesn’t visit the emotional core of your life, it will be incomplete.” We acknowledge that it hurt, that it mattered, and we choose to extend forgiveness to our father.
This is not saying, “It didn’t really matter”; it is not saying, “I probably deserved part of it anyway.” Forgiveness says, “It was wrong, it mattered, and I release you.”
And then we ask God to father us, and to tell us our true name.

(Wild at Heart , 131–32)

The Questions

2009-08-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

Eagles fans and sports fans in general have a lot of questions regarding Michael Vick. Most involving whether he should be forgiven. Most questions are targeted toward Mike and the Eagles leadership for answers about why they would take a "risk".

The question we have not heard from the media: "Is the sin in our lives any different than the speck in Michael Vick's eye?". God views our sin and Mike Vick's involvement in dog fighting as the same. My reluctance to pray for a stranger at a rest stop Tuesday is the same as Mike's transgression. Love the sinner and pray God will use Michael for His glory.

The second question we have to ask ourselves is are we discipling anyone? Discipleship is seldom talked about in churches today because we have created so many "programs and events." Many churches like to build numbers and buildings not people. Jesus told us to "go and make disiples." Paul writes in "2 Tim 2:2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

Hats off to Coach Dungy for his life on life discipleship relationship with # 7. I pray that many of us will ask ourselves if we are fulfilling the Great Commission by viewing Coach Dungy's example. "He who saves one life saves the world in time."-Schindler's List
___________________________________________________________
Should you forgive Michael Vick?:
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” (Matthew 18:21-22 ).

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).
___________________________________________________________
Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

The Greatest Among You

2009-08-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

We desire for people of faith in Jesus to develop a holy SWAGGER= Servant, Warrior, Accountable, Great Commandment, Great Commission, Exuberance, Righteousness. Today's entry is the first of a series of posts.

S=Servant. "Matt 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant."

One of the greatest attributes of leaders is a desire to serve others. Jesus communicated that the most important thing we can do is to love God with all our heart mind soul and strength and then to love others. Jesus referred to others as neighbors, that means whoever is next to you (even the folks that you do not care for). As leaders we need to understand that "People do not Care until they know how much you care-John Maxwell"

As people of faith we think we need to "do good things". Jesus said Love first and then out of the overflow of our love for him we will serve others. "Be to do not do to be." "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." ~ MLK

Jesus washed his teams' (the disciples) feet, how can we serve someone today? a Coach? a team member? family?

Absence

2009-07-31T12:53:00.001-07:00

I remember fearing Willie Mays Aikens as a Phillies fan in the 80's when he came to the plate. I had no idea at the time he had the same pain as me in those days, absence of father. Often we try to suppress our pain as athletes with performance. Sometimes performance cannot numb the pain so we start looking for something else to fulfill us like alcohol and drugs while playing (even if we know God). See Willie's quote below:

"There is a difference between being religious and being spiritual, he says. For eight years in baseball, he carried a Bible around on road trips. In prison, he actually read it. "I took it for granted, my life back then, you know?" he says. "I didn't look at it as living a blessed lifestyle. Most of the time, we don't pay attention until something bad happens in our life or until we feel like we need God's help."

Something bad happened when dad left him years before athletics were a big deal and it left a void that only Jesus can satisfy. Fathers leaving children intentionally or by death (in my case) creates spiritual roots that need to be severed. The enemy gets a foothold through our broken hearts and has access to influence us whenever he desires with anger, hatred, unforgiveness, depression, etc. Willie chased freedom from pain in sports and drugs and now is free after walking deeper with Jesus in prison and making it an authentic relationship.

I pray he has forgiven his father and released the bondage that drove the addiction. Mark Driscoll said " Addicts do not have a drinking or substance problem, they have a worship problem." If you know an alcoholic or addict look past the behavior to the source of spiritual power and pray that Jesus will heal the wound and demolish the stronghold.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090715/aikens

Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

All Men

2009-07-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

Scripture is very clear "All men sin and fall short of the glory of God." The Bible does not say some men but ALL men sin and fall short. Red Sox Nation is probably responding to today's news in a number of ways but hopefully some will see the spiritual lining in the David Ortiz story.

Three thoughts come to mind:

One. We will never be satisfied in our performance or the things we do. Only God can satisfy us completely. We can chase substances, performance enhancers, results and records but we do not bring them with us on judgement day. There we will give an account for our lives and only the things done for the Kingdom will count.

Two. Society will point fingers at David Ortiz and persecute him. We fail to look at our own brokenness when someone else falls. The infaillable Word of God says "what good is it to point out the speck of saw dust in your eye when I have a plank in my own eye."

Three. I believe Big Papi has professed to be a follower of Christ. Therefore, he will also drum a bad tune for Christians. However, Christians are not exempt from "ALL" men. Before you point out the sin in # 34's life take a look at the sin in your own camp. And remember "God works for the good of those that love him."

Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers

As long as…

2009-05-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

DSU Football Chapel (Left)

READY:
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
-James 4:3-4

SET:
Every week athletes and coaches around the country come to chapels and Huddles looking for something from the Lord in relation to their walk with Christ and their sport. Many come looking for a word from the Lord to encourage or inspire them before their contest. Some come for fellowship, some for worship, some for truth to purify their walk with the holy and righteous One (2 Tim 1:9).
We have different motives for attending chapels and Huddle meetings. Webster’s Dictionary defines a motive as: “something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act.” What is the need or desire for a coach or athlete to attend chapel? Some competitors selfishly attend because they expect favor, blessing or prosperity in the game. (i.e. “Lord, I will come to a 30-minute chapel as long as You will give me something in return.”) But only God knows what is truly in the heart of His people (1 Sam 16:7).
Athletes and coaches are often seduced into making conditional sacrifices in pre-game chapels. Attendance can often be influenced as long as their motives and pleasures are satisfied. But when we seek personal performance enhancement or a desired outcome over God’s glory, we become adulterous people and friends of the world. We neglect the truth that only Jesus Christ will ever fill us. As it states in Colossians 2:9-10: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”
Attending chapel is about obedience, dying to self, allowing Him to refine our character, and about desiring to give Him glory regardless of our role. We are hating God (v. 4) when we seek desired performance and favorable game outcomes above the Lord. Whatever your desires, needs or goals may be, look to Jesus, the Savior of the world, who suffered and then triumphed in victory (Hebrews 12:2).
Today, may God refine us into warriors and warrior princesses that act with desire and love for Him and His glory.

GO:
1. Why do you attend pre-game chapels, or church services? What is your ultimate desire for doing so?
2. Are you a friend of the world or a friend of God?
3. Are performance and statistics your masters?

WORKOUT:
1 Samuel 16:7
Matthew 6:24
Colossians 2:9-10
2 Timothy 1:9
Hebrews 12:1-3

OVERTIME:
“Lord Jesus, forgive me for attending chapel, Huddles or church with the wrong motives. I confess that I have sought my own agenda and not Yours. Lord, please bring to light any selfish ambition and pride in me. Forgive me for hating You in exchange for my worldly pursuit of performance enhancement and desired athletic outcomes. I believe that You alone can satisfy and fill me. Lord Jesus, You are my master. Help me to walk in repentance with a right heart before You. I pray that the need and desire to give You glory will consume me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Legacy

2009-04-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

After quite a "slump" my blogging returns with a few thoughts about a legend from our area, Harry Kalas the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies who passed away recently.

The aftermath of the loss of someone we had all come to respect caused me to walk down memory lane. I remembered the days when I would sit on our front porch with my father listening to a Phillies game on the radio. After dad passed when I was a nine year old boy, I recalled the hours I would spend throwing a tennis ball of the back of the house playing out every one of Harry's calls of a Phils game wishing dad was still around.

There were countless games my mother and friends would take me to in the old Veterans stadium. We would listen to the post game show on the way home and imitate Harry's calls of "long drives" that left the yard. So much good to remember about Harry and his legacy with the Phillies.

I recently found this quote in the paper regarding the man that Harry was: "So, what was it that made him so beloved?Start with this: "He treated everyone the same. Regardless of whether he knew you for 20 years or 20 minutes, he always had a warm smile and a gracious hello. Eventually, he became the voice of NFL Films, but no matter how big he got, he never ceased being supremely kind and generous."

It is an interesting thought that as much as we try to do good in our lives, we do not write our obituaries. Other people write our epitaph. The quality of our legacy is influenced greatly by our the overflow of our hearts, our spiritual condition and therefore our integrity, servanthood and character. "Guard your hearts for it is the wellspring of life". It appears that Harry apparently passed due to a heart condition. His heart certainly poured out a wellspring for all of us. So what is the condition of our hearts?

Vin Scully said:"He was not only a multi-talented fellow with a wonderful voice. He was a lovely guy. I mean, everybody liked Harry. The city of Philadelphia will just be in mourning because they loved him so much. I'm happy for him that his team was world champions last year, so he had the thrill of that."

What a blessing the Phils did win the Championship before Harry departed. But regardless of performance Harry's legacy was not about success, it was defined by significance. We make faith so complicated. We always want to "do" or accumulate results. Jesus made it simple for us, "Love me with all your heart, and second love others".

I remember early in my professional career placing results and my promotions above my people. I was willing to run people into the ground until I understood I was third (God, Others, Me). Championships, records, business results are great and a blessing but leaving the world a better place because you live is where the "sweet spot" is. Thank you Harry that winning did not define you. You brought the same passion to the booth even when the Phillies were losing. Harry was passionate about his cause and purposeful about his approach.

What will our legacy be? When the lights go off and the scoreboard does not matter any more what will people say about us? Did we live for results or to love people? Will we ever recover the time lost to our families that we pour into my career and chasing numbers?

Patrick Henry said,"I wish I could give you my most prized possession, my relationship with Jesus Christ, for with Him you have everything and without Him you have nothing at all."

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

2009-02-04T05:38:00.000-08:00

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the Upcoming Easter and Passover days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,” Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the Ruling, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.

You gotta love a Judge that knows his scripture!