In less than 40 hours the Rangers 2011 football season will be over. Our first season as a head coach will come to an end. But in the coaching world this is just the beginning.
See, when coaches are hired, usually in the spring right before or after spring football, they are given a program that has already had its off-season training. They "inherit" a little bit of the past. They have not been able to implement all the ins and outs of their system. That is what the off-season is for.
Insight 101: There are several "seasons" to football! Didn't know that did ya? :) The actual football season when they play the games is the end of the year. The "real" football year begins after the last game. This is called the off-season. Then there is spring football. This usually starts after spring break - FYI: all the schools have to start at the same time - and it goes until the end of school. Next are summer workouts and 7 on 7. During summer work-outs they lift weights and run. Then 2 days a week they have a mini-game passing league called 7 on 7, that is, seven players against seven players. This is mainly for quarterbacks and offense, but defense obviously gets a work-out too. During 7 on 7 they don't wear pads or tackle. It is kinda like flag football - but a little more intense. After that begins football practice. The dreaded 2 a days or 3 a days (depending on the location and coach and school schedules). All the schools start at the same time. This usually starts close to the beginning of the school year - late July or early August. Then, in Mississippi, the first game usually begins the 3rd or 4th week in August! And so on.....
Believe it or not, this makes me think about my relationship with Christ and being called a Believer, a follower of Jesus. When I was saved, the Bible says that all things were made new and the old has gone (2 Corinthians 5), to throw away every sin that easily entangles (Hebrews 12), to be salt and light (Matthew 5), to be imitators of Christ, careful of how I live, staying away from everything the world does (Ephesians 5), and I can go on and on. And we do these things in response to a Holy God who loves us so much He sacrificed everything! Think about it - would you let your kid hang on a cross for me?
And yet, today, the people who say they are followers of Jesus look no different than those that don't. When there are things about my life that do not reflect Christ, the Holy Spirit reminds me - then I must change them - ALL things have been made new in me. Christ did not suffer for us to just pick and choose what part of religion or Christianity we like. We have to take all or nothing. In fact the Bible says in Revelation 3 that the "church" He is talking to is lukewarm. And you know what He says? He says He will spit them out of His mouth. Hmmmm.......
Anyway, when we ask Christ to invade our life (that is - get saved) we are like an old football team with a new coach! Everything changes. We have to change our mindset, the way we practice, they way we talk, the way we dress, the way we perform, EVERYTHING!
How does the world know you belong to Christ? Do you belong to Christ?
I would love to hear from you. Please contact me through email at missiongridiron@hotmail.com.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Who are you imitating?
Let me preface what I am about to talk about I have not gone over completely with my husband. That is, I have not gotten all the little details about this coaching strategy. I am only telling you what I have picked up on and talked with him about over the years. I really hope I don't butcher it - because I really feel strongly about this point the Lord has shown me. :)
Have you ever heard the term scout team? If not, this is what it is. During practice at some point (coaches plan and design practices differently, but this is incorporated at some point in every teams agenda) the players will "scrimmage" each other. When this is done, the coaches focus on one side at a time - offense or defense. For example, when they are working with the defense, the offense (usually 2nd or 3rd string) will line up and run plays just like the upcoming opposing teams offense does. They imitate the other team. Got that? This is done so the defense will be ready for what they are facing on Friday night. And vice-versa.
Now in football you are imitating the opposing team - the enemy - in order to make your team stronger, better. And of course I am not telling you to imitate the enemy, but instead imitate the One who can make you stronger, better.
Ephesians 5:1-21 says this:
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Well, to me this pretty much sums it up. If there is ever any question how a Believer should live - the answer is in this passage. Christ is so pure and good. We are to imitate that. I know its hard sometimes, but that doesn't mean we stop or choose to not be like Him. It means we surrender, tell Him you need help - He already knows anyway :) It means we choose (take action) to let go of the things of this world - all of it!
Have you ever heard the term scout team? If not, this is what it is. During practice at some point (coaches plan and design practices differently, but this is incorporated at some point in every teams agenda) the players will "scrimmage" each other. When this is done, the coaches focus on one side at a time - offense or defense. For example, when they are working with the defense, the offense (usually 2nd or 3rd string) will line up and run plays just like the upcoming opposing teams offense does. They imitate the other team. Got that? This is done so the defense will be ready for what they are facing on Friday night. And vice-versa.
Now in football you are imitating the opposing team - the enemy - in order to make your team stronger, better. And of course I am not telling you to imitate the enemy, but instead imitate the One who can make you stronger, better.
Ephesians 5:1-21 says this:
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Well, to me this pretty much sums it up. If there is ever any question how a Believer should live - the answer is in this passage. Christ is so pure and good. We are to imitate that. I know its hard sometimes, but that doesn't mean we stop or choose to not be like Him. It means we surrender, tell Him you need help - He already knows anyway :) It means we choose (take action) to let go of the things of this world - all of it!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Season of Self-Awareness
October is breast cancer awareness month. We are reminded all around by the color pink what a harmful and sometimes life threatening condition breast cancer is. And the need to find a cure. Spiritually speaking there are things in our lives that are like cancer. They eat away at the very life that God has given to us. We must be made aware of them. They must be removed.
I have to share this with you. The Lord is walking me through a season of self-awareness. This was an email devotional from Daughters of Promise this morning - this is NOT from me. Jeremiah 29:13 says that if we seek Him with all our heart we will find Him. Oh that we strive to be like Jesus - in every way and in every season!
SELF-AWARENESS
Aliens have devoured his strength, but he does not know it; yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he does not know it. And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this. Hosea 7:8-10
Self-awareness is one of the keys to success. We must know how others experience us. We must ask God to consistently reveal our blind spots. Otherwise, we will be like these Israelites. They were void of strength but saw themselves as powerful. They were aged and weak but feigned virility. They were proud and spurned their need for God yet believed themselves to be in His favor.
Blind spots are frightening. Have you ever had dinner with a small group and thought, "Boy, he talks a lot, but he doesn't seem to know it." Everyone at the table is polite and gives him their attention. Happy in the spotlight, he talks all the more and is unaware of how he is being experienced. Or perhaps you are part of an intimate Bible Study and one member of your circle is negative. Everyone there is braced for her arrival, knowing the atmosphere will change as soon as she enters the room. She, also, is unaware of herself. She does not see that she is toxic to the environment of vibrant fellowship.
Anytime we think we are one thing but actually another, we walk in the shoes of these Israelites. Hosea prayed for them and perhaps others are praying for us, that we would come to know a certain truth about ourselves that is hidden when we look in the mirror. There is terror at the thought of knowing ourselves as we really are. Is there really no good thing in us without Jesus? That is the essence of the Gospel. We come to Christ racked with spiritual cancer. No part of us is exempt from the ravages of sin. Intuitively, we do know the truth but run from it.
Oh, that we would embrace the art of self-awareness and see our depravity. It is only then that we plunge into the depths of Christ and covet the robes of righteousness that he offers to put around our shoulders. We must not wallow in the fact that we are undeserving. Let us seize the gift of His love and celebrate the fact that Christ's transforming power has come to live within us. Perfect love casts out all fears of marred images in the looking glass.
Show me myself and just why You had to give Your life for me. Amen
************
Christine Wyrtzen
Daughters of Promise
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Proverbs 31 in Action!
Until we get a website up and going here are some of the things we have done:
Bow Holders $12
Y'all decor $15
Standing frames with clip $10
Standing frames with magnet $15
Wall frames $25
Door hanger $25
Wall frames (can customize with 3 colors and choose your magnet) $25
For more info you can LIKE our facebook page - Peace Love Crafts
To order send me an email to missiongridiron@hotmail.com
Bow Holders $12
For more info you can LIKE our facebook page - Peace Love Crafts
To order send me an email to missiongridiron@hotmail.com
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Strength for His Glory
One of the extra devotionals I try to read every day is Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. Today's (Wednesday) scripture is from 1 Kings 19:8, "He got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights."
If I am not mistaken, Elijah has just won a battle and there is another one ahead of him. And he is running from a woman who wants to take his life. He is overwhelmed and stressed, hungry, thirsty, afraid and worn out - I imagine. When he laid down to rest, an angel of the Lord touched him and said, "Arise and eat." At his head there was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He laid down and rested again, then ate again. After this "He went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God."
1- Ephesians 6
12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
2- Isaiah 40
27Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God"?
28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
The battle belongs to the Lord! There will be battles. There is an enemy out there that seeks to destroy everything God created. The enemy will not relent. Your battle is not out of the sight of the Almighty. Whether it is a battle for your marriage, kids, friends, family, job, etc. Your ways are not hidden from the Lord. He knows, He sees. He is sovereign and good. He gives us what we need, when we need it. Christ alone can stain us for longer than we think.
Elijah was given some bread and water and went 40 days and 40 nights! To me, that seems a whole lot harder than 3 months of football season!! :) I think we have all at least felt like Elijah - even if our situations aren't quite as complicated as his. A promise from the Lord - He gives rest to weary and strength to the weak for HIS GLORY!
If I am not mistaken, Elijah has just won a battle and there is another one ahead of him. And he is running from a woman who wants to take his life. He is overwhelmed and stressed, hungry, thirsty, afraid and worn out - I imagine. When he laid down to rest, an angel of the Lord touched him and said, "Arise and eat." At his head there was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He laid down and rested again, then ate again. After this "He went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God."
1- Ephesians 6
12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
2- Isaiah 40
27Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God"?
28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
The battle belongs to the Lord! There will be battles. There is an enemy out there that seeks to destroy everything God created. The enemy will not relent. Your battle is not out of the sight of the Almighty. Whether it is a battle for your marriage, kids, friends, family, job, etc. Your ways are not hidden from the Lord. He knows, He sees. He is sovereign and good. He gives us what we need, when we need it. Christ alone can stain us for longer than we think.
Elijah was given some bread and water and went 40 days and 40 nights! To me, that seems a whole lot harder than 3 months of football season!! :) I think we have all at least felt like Elijah - even if our situations aren't quite as complicated as his. A promise from the Lord - He gives rest to weary and strength to the weak for HIS GLORY!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
We Praise Him
We are 0-7 now. Never thought I would say that, just being honest. Even though when I was in high school we did not win a game for 2 years. This is a game. It is competitive. It takes work, time and perseverance (there it is again).
What is a wife to do? Cause, at this point you can't fake a smile - know what I mean :) For me, it is to just keep things as normal as possible around home. Keep cooking supper, washing clothes, playing with the kids. When he comes home in the evenings, it is a pleasant safe place. If he seems a little more preoccupied than usual, I give him some time alone. If he needs to watch some film, me and the kids play in their room to keep it quiet. We go to the JH/JV games during the week. I don't really ask a lot of questions at this point. If he offers some information I listen. If not, we talk about other things.
I may be wrong, but I really think the extra sacrifices me and the kids make help him to lead those boys. I really do believe that. He has a clear mind. He is not stressed -well not about home at least :) Those young men see someone in a very tough and hard situation remaining "normal". He loves those boys and their families. The community already means so much to him. You see, the Christ in us gives us the power to overcome anything. Because of Jesus, all things are possible. I cannot in my own power do these things for my husband. Whatever profession your husband is in, you cannot support and love him yourself. We were not created to. Our foundation is solid. The world around us is what is tossed by the storm - not us!
From Matthew 7:
I have to give my coach some props. This week after practice on Wednesday he took us to the reservoir for a picnic. Then on Thursday he took Katie on a date to the movies. This time has meant so much to us! It was a sacrifice. He was soooo tired. But it brought so much joy to our home.
In the movie Facing the Giants, the coach tells the boys, "If we win, we'll praise Him, if we lose we'll praise Him." As for the Cook's we will serve the Lord! He deserves all our praise all the time.
O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He's the King!
So bless God, you angels,
ready and able to fly at his bidding,
quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God. And you, O my soul, bless God!
What is a wife to do? Cause, at this point you can't fake a smile - know what I mean :) For me, it is to just keep things as normal as possible around home. Keep cooking supper, washing clothes, playing with the kids. When he comes home in the evenings, it is a pleasant safe place. If he seems a little more preoccupied than usual, I give him some time alone. If he needs to watch some film, me and the kids play in their room to keep it quiet. We go to the JH/JV games during the week. I don't really ask a lot of questions at this point. If he offers some information I listen. If not, we talk about other things.
I may be wrong, but I really think the extra sacrifices me and the kids make help him to lead those boys. I really do believe that. He has a clear mind. He is not stressed -well not about home at least :) Those young men see someone in a very tough and hard situation remaining "normal". He loves those boys and their families. The community already means so much to him. You see, the Christ in us gives us the power to overcome anything. Because of Jesus, all things are possible. I cannot in my own power do these things for my husband. Whatever profession your husband is in, you cannot support and love him yourself. We were not created to. Our foundation is solid. The world around us is what is tossed by the storm - not us!
From Matthew 7:
Build Your House on the Rock
24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."I have to give my coach some props. This week after practice on Wednesday he took us to the reservoir for a picnic. Then on Thursday he took Katie on a date to the movies. This time has meant so much to us! It was a sacrifice. He was soooo tired. But it brought so much joy to our home.
In the movie Facing the Giants, the coach tells the boys, "If we win, we'll praise Him, if we lose we'll praise Him." As for the Cook's we will serve the Lord! He deserves all our praise all the time.
Psalm 103
A David Psalm
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He's the King!
So bless God, you angels,
ready and able to fly at his bidding,
quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God. And you, O my soul, bless God!
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