It's Not How Good You Are

   Some of you know that I am a soccer coach. I have coached children from age 3-18. This past fall I was the JV coach for a high school girl's team. This was my second season working with this age group at this level.
   Coming into the season I knew I would have a young team. I began to prepare for the season with my team in mind. I found drills that would be better catered to the girls' needs. I created a meeting sheet so I could have individual meetings with the girls to help meet them where they are at. I also began preparing myself by spending time with God; so that when I was in season I would be reminded who to lean on. Each day during pre-season I would pass a sign that said: "It's not how good you are it's how good you want to be." I began thinking about that saying more and more...
   We split our teams, the season began, and it was a bit rough at first. Many of the girls had not played together. Some of them had not played for a long time, or ever. We had to go back to basics and had to do team building so that we knew our formation and could trust one another. That's when I told the girls our quote for the season would be: "it's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be" (Paul Arden).
   We got about 1/4 of the way through the season and we were still a bit rough around the edges. But, the girls began to improve. They came out each day and worked hard during practice. They began to understand my coaching style. They began to put that quote into practice. We didn't win many games but I think the girls had fun and learned a lot, about soccer and life.
   Why should this matter to you? It shouldn't unless you think about that quote and apply it to your life. Have you ever had a skill you've wanted to improve in? If you have, did you just sit around and hope you would get better? No, you did things so you would get better.
   How good do you want to be when it comes to walking like Christ? I hope that you said you want to try to become more and more like him each day. In order to do that you need to work at it. You can pray, spend time with him, read the Bible, etc. Yes, Jesus loves us even though we are sinners. But, we need to try to be like him and not live in our sin. Because... "It’s not how good you are, it's how good you want to be" (Paul Arden).
   So, are you working hard to be like Jesus? What can you do to become more like him today?

   1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 2:21, Ephesians 4:22-24

   Image from here. 

Thanksgiving: The Thankfulness Competition

   Picture that you are in a room with children. Children are great but sometimes children complain, a lot. In this room the children are complaining. They say things like: "I'm hungry," "I'm thirsty," "it's too hot," "why do we need to be here?" You parents out there have probably had a time where your kids were saying things like this. It is really draining to hear people complain like this. What can you do in these situations?
   Jud Wilhite has an answer in his book The God of Yes. His children were complaining like this during a car ride when all of the sudden he yelled, "thankfulness competition!" They would go in a circle and say things they were thankful for. The first person who could not think of something lost. Doing this got them focused on the things they had rather than what they did not have at the moment.
   This world is filled with people who complain when they have so much to be thankful for. As Christians we are called to be set apart, and yet many times it’s the Christians who do the most complaining. This Thanksgiving I encourage you to look at what you have rather than look at what you don't have. Maybe even have a thankfulness competition at your house this year.

   1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 3:15-17, Psalm 107:1
   Image from here.

A Simple Act of Caring

   Have you ever heard or seen a story that makes you feel something? Maybe you heard a story of injustice that made you angry. Maybe you heard a story that was so sad you cried. I have found that the stories that touch people the most are ones they don't expect.

   In this day and age it is hard to find people who are generous and have integrity years ago a YouTube video came out called An act of caring creates an endless ripple. Check out the video down below.

   One act of kindness creates a difference. Many times we hesitate to give to others or do what we feel called to do because we think it will not make a major difference. However, it can make a big difference. It may only make a difference to the one person we help, or it could make a difference to many others. We never know who is watching or who will be told about what we do in kindness.
   I'm not saying we should do nice things to be recognized; I'm not saying we should do kind things to be recognized. We should do kind things because that's what we are called to do. Jesus did many kind things but he gave God all the glory (he is God).
   When we do kind things we should give God the glory. We should do what we are called to do because that is furthering the kingdom of God. That's why we are still on earth even after we accept Christ. You never know what one act of kindness will do.
   So, what kind things have you been called to do lately? Will you give God the glory if you are called to do something kind? What can you do today to create an endless ripple of kindness?

   Philippians 2:4 and John 13:34-35

The Spotlight of Recognition

   Have you ever done something really well? We are talking you poured your heart and soul into this thing. You spent time, sweat, tears, and money on this thing. You would think that you would get some recognition for all that you did, right? No, instead the person who is in charge of whatever you were doing gets the recognition. Or, people don't know you were involved. Or, worse yet, people knew you were involved but you never get thanked!
   What are we to do when we don't get thanked for what we do? Some people may say we should throw a fit, not help again, or leave whatever we were helping with.
   Let me tell you a story that may help you decide what we should do. Once there was a beautiful lighthouse. It was strong, served its purpose, and people said it was the most beautiful lighthouse they had ever seen. One day the light at the top of the lighthouse looked out at all it could see and said, "This is an amazing view." The brick at the bottom of the lighthouse said, "may I take a look?" The light said, "no you must stay in your place otherwise how will others be able to see my light shining in the darkness."
   Later on, in the night, the light shone brightly. The light said, "it is a good thing I am so bright otherwise the ships would crash on the rocks." The brick at the bottom replied, "may I see the ships?" The light laughed, “no you must stay in your place otherwise how will others be able to see my light shining in the darkness."
   The brick on the bottom sighed angrily, "I am tired of staying in my place while you get all of the glory." With those words the brick pulled himself from the lighthouse and went away. The light glanced down and thought, "only one brick is gone I shall still be the most beautiful lighthouse." Then the light felt shaking beneath her. She looked down and saw other bricks had begun to leave. Suddenly, the lighthouse tower began to crack and the light fell to the ground.
   When the dust settled the light realized that she was broken too. No longer was she beautiful and revered but instead she was a pile of rubble. Suddenly, the light heard a noise of a ship's horn. She realized that she could no longer guide those ships away from the sharp rocks that would destroy them. What would happen now that the lighthouse was destroyed?
   So, what is the meaning behind this story? Will you realize that it is vital to appreciate those under your charge? How can you lift up your boss? Will you choose to do your job in order to help others, no matter the personal cost to you?

   Colossians 3:23, Acts 20:35, Matthew 25:21

   Image from here. 

The Armor of God Series Conclusion

   How do we put on the armor of God then? Throughout this series I have told you ways that you can put on each individual piece of armor. But how do we put on the whole armor? It is no easy feat, especially since we have to do so much to put on each individual piece.
   We cannot put on the armor on our own. After all, it is called the armor of GOD. We are sinners and we fail, but through Jesus all things are possible. Jesus made it possible for us to be cleansed. He is the one who makes it possible for us to put on the armor. He is the truth. He is the righteous one. He is always ready. He is faithful, gives us salvation, and taught us how to pray.
   Without God we cannot do anything. With him we can do everything. That is how we put on the armor. We trust in Jesus as our Savior. We pray and follow him and then we will always be ready for battle.
   So, will you trust in Jesus as your personal savior? Will you follow him and put on the armor of God? Are you prepared for battle?

   Ephesians 6:10-18
   Image from here.