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I’m a Longhorn, a proud University of Texas graduate. I worked hard to earn a degree and even met my husband there. So, yes, we’re both Longhorns!
I used to say we weren’t those “fanatical Longhorn fans,” but then I noticed the amount of burnt orange clothing hanging in our closets, the UT flag on the front of the house, the room in our house that is painted burnt orange, and I realized I needed to admit we were a little more “fanatical” than I thought.
I wake up to the sound of a jingle coming from my chocolate lab’s collar at the foot of my bed. Abbie is rustling around getting ready for a new day and soon makes her way over to my side of the bed. She sits looking up at me waiting to see if I’m going to join her. After all, it’s a beautiful new day created by the beautiful One.
With Abbie in tow I head out of the driveway for my morning run along a dirt road. The road seems to play out my life with each step I take. It is uneven and filled with deep holes, and I know that at any moment I could trip and fall. But I have faith in God’s path and direction, and I press onward responding to His call.
Have different people stand up and say “I’m in/at a _____________, so I must be a _____________. This will make it obvious that just because we live in America, we aren’t automatically Christians.
Number of Characters:
As many as you like! Examples are as follows to fill in the blanks:
garage, car; Nebraska, cornhusker; football field, football player; barn, chicken;
White House, president; microphone, singer; watch, time; zoo, monkey; church,
Christian; FCA Camp, Christian
Read 1 John 5:11.
Matt, an FCA student-athlete, was drafted out of high school in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft. He shared an interesting concept with me. He said that during warm-ups, the pro players did something called fake hustle. When running, they would move their arms faster than normal and over-exaggerate their legs up and down, but they were not running faster. From a distance the coaches thought they were hustling and giving 100%, but actually they were faking it.
In just four short years, FCA Hockey has grown from a small, upstart sport-specific ministry to a flourishing international force.
Much of that can be credited to National Director Rick Randazzo, whose vision for the minis-try has spawned significant growth in summer camp participation, the addition of three staff members and multiple international mission trips, including a college team outreach to Turkey last year.
Back in 1973, God had a plan for Steve Robinson, who’s become one of the most influential FCA staff members in the Tennessee area.
When he joined FCA, the former Tennessee Volunteer football player was promised a year’s salary, a company car and the opportunity to travel through a mission field ripe for spiritual growth within Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The young ministry had a foothold in just 15 area schools at the time.
Now, by God’s favor and grace, FCA’s influence can be felt in 234 schools across the region and in a growing number of FCA events, summer camps and retreats. Robinson will quickly deflect any praise to those working around him, but he is directly responsible for much of the growth in the area.
Chosen Attribute: Passion
Dictionary definition: “Any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.”
My definition: “A strong desire or emotion that extends far beyond normal feelings and expectations.”
They are rare and very hard to come by, but every once in a while, you can spot one. There aren’t too many in locker rooms or on ball fields, but, once they are identified, they stick out BIG TIME! When a “VRP” is around, you feel like a million bucks. They just have a way of making you feel special. What is a VRP? It is a Very Refreshing Person. These people breathe life into the ordinary and transform it. As lifters, they have an ability to bless others and bring words of encouragement.
Watch any of the famous Rocky movies and you’ll find a prime example of someone who never gave up in battle. With every movie, Sylvester Stallone’s character, Rocky Balboa, faced an even bigger challenge. Yet through each 12-round beating, he always managed to get back up on his feet and find victory.
It’s a simple phrase, yet one that means everything to former two-sport Baylor University star Melissa Jones, who ends every email with those encouraging words.
Over the last four seasons, “MJ,” the Big 12 Conference 2011 Female Sportsperson of the Year, was just as comfortable sharing Christ’s love with others as she was distributing the rock to her teammates. Her work ethic, athleticism and faith shined both on and off the court—even as darkness, quite literally, crept in.
Following the commonly traveled player-turned-coach path, Lebanon Valley women’s lacrosse coach Jackie Dando has gone from executing game plans to creating them. In her first year as head coach, the West Chester, Pa., native is drawing from her past experiences—and her faith—to lead the Dutchmen lacrosse program and help athletes develop as self-confident women away from the game.
As students, we are often asked questions about our future plans. Whether we are asked about our plans for school, the weekend, or even just the afternoon, they generally aren't that hard to answer. "Oh, I'm going to [this university] and participating in [this sport]." Or, "I'm going to chill with some friends tonight." Recently, though, I found myself answering a question that was a little more serious: “What are your plans for your life?”
Man, this question hit me hard! And the reason it struck me so much was because I thought I had my life all figured out. Now, you may be thinking, "Hey, that's great that she has such plans." I thought so too at first, but then I realized that having my life all planned out wasn't that great.
Ever hear, “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying”? As an offensive lineman, I would justify holding by saying, “It’s only cheating once you get caught.” In football, holding by an offensive lineman is considered the same as driving a little over the speed limit. Yes, it is breaking a rule, but it is expected and everyone does it.
As a player, I held almost every play; and as a coach, I taught how to not get caught. Then a colleague informed me that allowing my players to hold is allowing them to be lazy. Holding can compensate for slow feet, lack of strength, and poor technique. Premeditated holding is ethically wrong, a form of cheating, and creates a slacker attitude. God wants, expects, and deserves our best.
Competition is a great thing. It can move people beyond mediocrity to greatness. The Bible is full of examples that compare the Christian life to an athletic contest.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul wrote, “Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” I like that! It’s said very simply, “Run in such a way that you may win.”
I have been a defensive coordinator for much of my football coaching career and have spent numerous hours studying film. Over time I have changed my approach to studying film. In preparing for the upcoming opponent I used to try to learn everything about them. What plays do they run from each formation? Are they strong oriented? Are they field oriented? What is their ratio of run to pass? First down? Second down? Third and long? Third and short?
Danny Woodhead is content with his anonymity—for however long it lasts.
Elusive on the field and often overlooked off it, he’s shifted through, sneaked around and slipped past defenses, college coaches and pro scouts for years as each has missed the opportunity to snag him.
Have you ever had to play a game being down a player? Maybe not enough people showed up. Maybe someone got a red card or a player was serving penalty time. Regardless of the situation, it can be intimidating. All of a sudden, what was once a level playing field becomes a lopsided match. We look at our opponents and think, “Wow. This doesn’t seem fair. They have such a big advantage, now.”
Recently, I was serving as a course marshal for my school's cross country meet. That basically meant that I stood at a certain place and made sure the runners went the right direction. The high school students had to make three laps, so I saw all of them three times.
One particular runner was fourth-from-last on the first lap. On the second lap, he was last, and I thought there was no way he would even finish. He was struggling to breathe with each step he took. On the final lap, as he approached me, a man from the sidelines joined him and completed the race with him. The man was definitely not dressed to run as he was in street clothes, yet he stayed with the runner to the end. Perhaps without the man running beside him, this runner might not have finished.
Atlanta Dream guard Shalee Lehning has a favorite example of teamwork from the Bible. It’s found in Mark 2, and it tells the story of a group of men who were dead-set on bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing.
St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Matt Holliday has learned a lot in his eight years as a major league outfielder, including many valuable lessons about what it means to compete for Christ. Today, we’re concluding our four-part video devotion series based on Holliday’s interview with FCA’s Sharing the Victory magazine.
To access the video, click the link below to watch or download the clip. After you’ve watched the short video, take time to answer the questions below. Finish by reading the related Scripture and asking God to work in your heart as a result of what you’ve learned.
VIDEO LINK:
Wisdom for a Young Head Coach
Week 20
Discussion Questions:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
While his work may not generate headlines in local newsfeeds, University of Texas strength coach Donnie Maib knows the importance of his behind-the-scenes role in the Longhorn athletic department. Every day he works to prepare athletes for competition, and it’s a task he cherishes along with building relationships with each player who crosses his path. Maib has learned that, in the heart of training, he is able to instill in athletes a strong work ethic, good values, and the ability to handle any adversity they face.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
One of the most accomplished women’s cross country coaches in the nation, Florida State’s Karen Harvey has built the Seminoles into a national powerhouse in just her sixth year with the program. Surrounded by several Christ-following coaches at FSU, the Ontario, Canada, native has been emboldened to profess her faith in the Lord while pushing her team to make a run at a national title.
Cancer is a powerful enemy, and I believe God calls us to be aggressive as we fight it–both in prayer and action. At one moment we are called to trust and surrender, and in the next to take up arms and fight. That’s what it means to be aggressive: daily doing battle in the heavenly realms, prayerfully asking God to move and do what only He can do. During our fight, we need God to do surgery inside us at the heart and soul level. We need Him to change our internal environment, both spiritually and physically.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As Carly Schumacher’s collegiate career nears its end, the middle blocker reflected on how she’s grown as an athlete and follower of Christ during her four years at Saint Louis University. The Clinton, Ill., native has learned through leading the FCA Huddle and the tragic death of a former teammate that what she’ll remember most are the relationships developed and lives touched for the Lord.
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