 Wednesday, September 26 2018
Dads, I used to hate to stretch…when the coaches would look the other way
I was the one just acting like I was stretching.
Especially when it had to do with mid section core.
Sit-ups. Not sure that I hate any other exercise more than doing sit ups.
Even in the weight room I dreaded the sit up station. I flourished at the push ups…
but avoided my core.
DADs...even today I do all other stretches or workouts before I work my core!
Why? Two reasons.
Its hurts!
And it doesn’t always show immediate results!
Thats what we want…little pain and immediate results.
DADs…why is it the same sometimes in our spiritual walk?
Even when we know it will make us a better …we sometimes choose the easier path?
In the physical sense we know what's good for us... that working on our core will make us stronger…faster…better for our team and teammates...but we get distracted.
The same holds true...now in our adult roles as husband and DAD, we can be detoured and shy away from church, Bible study, and prayer...all things that would only strengthen our families.
As a coach, I would ask my players...Do your individual goals outweight your team…or are your team goals more important than your personal goals?
As your brother in Christ and a Minister of Men, I would in regards to your spirtual growth I would ask does what matters least serve as an obstacle for what matters most?
You see football is a team sport. When you work on your core…you are working on your team. As long as your core values includes putting the team before your individual goals.
As the leader of your family, the DAD…WE can NEVER place outside priorities ahead of our “team” our most precious gifts, our families! That means working on our spiritual Core daily!
As the coach, do you know the players I most admire? The ones that come to work every day. Early to practice. Last off the field. First to volunteer to run scout team. Always have their helmet on during the game but at the same time rarely plays. Wow. The difference in most games when it comes down to the best teams are not always the best players, but the strength of the Core players. Are our core players better prepared than theirs can influence the result. The core becomes difference.
DADs…the difference in your family is YOU!
The outside world wants to celebrate the starters. The one that scores the winning TD. Believe me, as a coach I loved those too…they made me a great coach at times.
But when one of those players is also a Core player…humble…and acknowledges that his success is based on the team…thats special.
As DADswe may not look like the superstars to others…often not even to our own families…but we must be consistent and unwavering in working on our spiritual core!
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
C- compassion for all
O- pen to coaching
R- relentless to be better
E - levates those around him
Be the DADtoday and everyday! Suit Up! Put on your Core!
DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…
“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…
God gives you!
So…C’mon men…Suit Up!
Wednesday, September 19 2018
DADshow do you demonstrate obedience at home? Although in Ephesians Paul talks about “mutual” submission between a husband and his wife…it is the man that needs to take the lead and model that spiritual example. Obedience in our walk starts in the home. God give many of us the precious gift of a life partner in our wives and precious legacies in our children. If we cannot practice intentional obedience with our family…it will not matter that we are obedient at work! Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25-28: 25Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. 27He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. 28In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 6:4: 4And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. DADs…if our faith and obedience is real…it will usually prove itself first at home…..in our relationships with those who know us best! In what family relationship do you need obedience the most? What are the primary obstacles that are keeping you from practicing obedience in your home? DADs…remember to obey…is God’s command. DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon DADs…Suit Up! To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, September 12 2018
DADs…what do you say or do at work that communicates to your co-workers, bosses, customers, and others your obedience? Is your obedience at work only obvious in the “big” things or is your obedience apparent to others even in the day to day plans and activities? At what point during the day do you hand your day over to God? Is it in the disappointments of a failure or even in your successes? In 2 Chronicles 17& 18: Ezra writes about one of Judah’s Kings…King Jehoshaphat. The king’s strengths and accomplishments included that he was a bold follower of God and carried out a national program of religious education… 2 Chronicles 17:3 & 4: Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked by His commands, not according to the practices of Israel. But Ezra…also wrote of Jehoshaphat’s lack of obediencein the little things that can often become the big things… 2 Chronicles 18:1: Ezra writes: Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he made an alliance with Ahab through marriage. Jehoshaphat allowed his son to marry the daughter of the wicked Ahab. Without asking God he made an alliance with Ahab and later got involved with Ahab’s son in a venture that was shipwrecked by God. DADs…God wants all of us…not just when the odds are clearly against us! God wants to be in our business…even in the details. DADs…while on the job…what are the ways you can ensure obedience in your work day for the future? How can you model obedience in all your words and deeds? Next time…we will continue this conversation on obedience at work and look at how your position at work can be a mission field. DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! Wednesday, September 05 2018
DADs...If you google obedience on the internet…you will find many of the first page links deal with how to train your dog. You would have to look long and hard before you may run across an article that reflects a positive light on obedience as it pertains to our daily walk with Christ. DADs…in this world…to “obey”…is not often the “norm” and sometimes has a connotation of weakness, and giving away our control to others. To obey…goes against our instincts & inclinations. To comply, submit or to be generally agreeable…in the world that we work and live in… communicates as a lack of strength or leadership. But…the truth DADs…to be obedient…is to lead…and will bring three basic benefits: Rescues us from self-destruction:
to not turn back…an “inward renovation” Perseverance even in dire sufferings:
Aids in our interpersonal relationships:
Helps us recognize authority & direction from others! All three lead to Winning Situations!! 2 Chronicles 31:21: 21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.
Are you ready to prosper? Then DADs...start your obedience today! DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! |
