As we continue with our theme of Focus, with Christ at the center of all we do, I have been led to share some thoughts with you about how we handle the competition that is provided through sports. I have always enjoyed competition, as I am sure most of you do as well... but it never ceases to amaze me at what competition can do to us. It can seriously make us crazy at times. As I think back to my own athletic career, there are many things that I did or said that I would like to have a "redo" on because I let the intensity of the competition get the best of me.
I have been convicted lately on what it truly means to keep my focus on Christ, which never gives us an out. The Bible does not tell us to honor God with every breath unless we are in a close basketball game, or to glorify Him with everything in us unless we just lost a big game because of a blown call. Whatever the circumstance, good or bad, there is no out for us as coaches or athletes... in all we do, we are called to keep our focus on Christ, and to love one another in the same way that He first loved us.
All of these thoughts have led me to a verse that I am going to use for this weekend's devotion...
Examine youselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you
not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5
I truly believe that athletics are very important for many reasons, but we often don't think about how effective athletics are as a guage of our spiritual health. In this verse Paul is challenging us to examine and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. For many of us, this happens each time we coach a game at the Community Center. Let me challenge you, that when tested by the intensity and dynamics of competition, you pass the test by keeping your focus on Jesus. By keeping our focus on Jesus, we rely upon His strength and do not compromise the Christ-like Character that we are called to live by as Christians.
When we pass the test each game day, we are modeling what it truly means to live a life focused on Jesus to our teams. With young impressionable people on our teams, it is absolutely critical that we pass this test that Paul is referring to... it is a matter of eternity as we share the love of Christ with others.
We love you all, and we are on this journey together. If I can serve you in any way, please let me know. See you Saturday.
Brody
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
The One
Just like you heard in Saturday's devotion, we are now trying to answer the question "Why Jesus." As we challenge people to a season of focus on Jesus, I want to make sure we understand who He is and what He did for each of us. Saturday we watched the video called "The One" that took us through all the reasons that Jesus is worthy of our praise and reverence. Without the Gospel message... the good news that Christ was sent to die for our sins and then rose again...we have no eternal life. Not only was Christ sent to be the sacrifice for all of our sins, but He still desires to have a personal relationship with each of us today.
Speaking from my own journey so far, it is amazing how different life is while putting Christ first vs. putting myself and others before Him. I mess it up often, but during the seasons of life where Jesus is the #1 focus, everything else comes into the proper perspective. Living with an eternal focus definately makes the craziness of life seem less stressful and more manageable. It is my desire through the coaches challenge and through this blog that we collectively learn more about who Christ is and understand the importance of putting Him first.
Let me encourage you to stay the course with the coaches' challenge reading plan.
We will be reviewing John 14:6 before each game during the week to follow up with last Saturday's devo with the kids. Thanks again for all you do!
Serving Together.
Brody
Speaking from my own journey so far, it is amazing how different life is while putting Christ first vs. putting myself and others before Him. I mess it up often, but during the seasons of life where Jesus is the #1 focus, everything else comes into the proper perspective. Living with an eternal focus definately makes the craziness of life seem less stressful and more manageable. It is my desire through the coaches challenge and through this blog that we collectively learn more about who Christ is and understand the importance of putting Him first.
Let me encourage you to stay the course with the coaches' challenge reading plan.
We will be reviewing John 14:6 before each game during the week to follow up with last Saturday's devo with the kids. Thanks again for all you do!
Serving Together.
Brody
Monday, January 12, 2009
Another Inside Stuff Game Season is Off and Running!
2009 Basketball Coaches:
Once again it is truly a joy and pleasure to serve with each of you. I understand how difficult it can be to balance all of the activities of life while adding a commitment like coaching a youth sport. This week in your practices just keep stressing our theme verse for the season, which is...
Hebrews 12:2
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."
Let me encourage you to repeat the verse to your team at the end of your practice and then have them say it together out loud.
Also, I hope your journey through the life of Christ in the Bible is going well. If you have gotten off track by a day or two (like me), do not give up. It is easy to get back on schedule because the passages are not that long. In order to have a focus on Jesus, we must first understand who He is and what He did!
Have a blessed week and email me at bhillman@carolinaforest.org if I can do anything at all to serve you.
Rock on.
Brody
Once again it is truly a joy and pleasure to serve with each of you. I understand how difficult it can be to balance all of the activities of life while adding a commitment like coaching a youth sport. This week in your practices just keep stressing our theme verse for the season, which is...
Hebrews 12:2
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."
Let me encourage you to repeat the verse to your team at the end of your practice and then have them say it together out loud.
Also, I hope your journey through the life of Christ in the Bible is going well. If you have gotten off track by a day or two (like me), do not give up. It is easy to get back on schedule because the passages are not that long. In order to have a focus on Jesus, we must first understand who He is and what He did!
Have a blessed week and email me at bhillman@carolinaforest.org if I can do anything at all to serve you.
Rock on.
Brody
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Christian Character Award
Hey gang -
I wanted to use this week's blog to get you thinking about which player might receive your team's Christian Character Award. The scripture that is on the award is Phillipians 2:5, which reads - "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." If you are like me, you are probably thinking that you are far from it! However, we are called to strive for a Christ-like attitude in all that we do with everything in us.
Keep that in mind as you think about which player or cheerleader has exemplified an exceptional Christ-like attitude over the course of your maximum impact season. It doesn't mean that they are "perfect" or have never struggled at times. What it means is that the way they carry themselves, treat and lead others, and stay positive and poised regardless of the circumstance models an exceptional pursuit of having a Christ-like attitude.
It is an award that is difficult to give a list of criteria for, because often it is in the midst of challenges or teachable moments that the recipient of this award would rise to the top. It is in the moments where most of us would be weak in spirit, that we may find strength in the actions and words of another that brings everything back into the perspective that God would want us to have. Hopefully all of us have been worthy of being Christian Character award winners during a certain season of life in the past. Who has it been on your team this season?
As always, let me help answer any questions you may have.
Thanks for giving so much this season. Let's all finish strong together... only 2 more weekends and one more week of games are left. Have fun and have no regrets about how you used the opportunities that God has given you this season.
Serving together,
Brody
I wanted to use this week's blog to get you thinking about which player might receive your team's Christian Character Award. The scripture that is on the award is Phillipians 2:5, which reads - "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." If you are like me, you are probably thinking that you are far from it! However, we are called to strive for a Christ-like attitude in all that we do with everything in us.
Keep that in mind as you think about which player or cheerleader has exemplified an exceptional Christ-like attitude over the course of your maximum impact season. It doesn't mean that they are "perfect" or have never struggled at times. What it means is that the way they carry themselves, treat and lead others, and stay positive and poised regardless of the circumstance models an exceptional pursuit of having a Christ-like attitude.
It is an award that is difficult to give a list of criteria for, because often it is in the midst of challenges or teachable moments that the recipient of this award would rise to the top. It is in the moments where most of us would be weak in spirit, that we may find strength in the actions and words of another that brings everything back into the perspective that God would want us to have. Hopefully all of us have been worthy of being Christian Character award winners during a certain season of life in the past. Who has it been on your team this season?
As always, let me help answer any questions you may have.
Thanks for giving so much this season. Let's all finish strong together... only 2 more weekends and one more week of games are left. Have fun and have no regrets about how you used the opportunities that God has given you this season.
Serving together,
Brody
Monday, October 20, 2008
Servant Leadership
This past weekend's devotion (week #3) focused on servant leadership. The scripture that I used came from the book of Matthew where Jesus is describing what the Biblical model of leadership looks like, which we refer to as "servant leadership."
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12
When I think of all of you this season, this concept of servant leadership is what first comes to mind for me. Each of you are so willing to serve, and you all seem to truly own what Jesus himself is referring to here. In order to be effective leaders, we must be willing to humble ourselves and serve others... specifically those that God has called us to lead and mentor, ie: our maximum impact teams.
Please re-emphasize this verse and concept this week with your teams. Once again, thank you for all that you are investing into those God has entrusted you with this season.
Serving together,
Brody
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12
When I think of all of you this season, this concept of servant leadership is what first comes to mind for me. Each of you are so willing to serve, and you all seem to truly own what Jesus himself is referring to here. In order to be effective leaders, we must be willing to humble ourselves and serve others... specifically those that God has called us to lead and mentor, ie: our maximum impact teams.
Please re-emphasize this verse and concept this week with your teams. Once again, thank you for all that you are investing into those God has entrusted you with this season.
Serving together,
Brody
Monday, October 13, 2008
You all rock!
Once again, all I can say is thank you. Based on my observations, this has been our best Maximum Impact season so far... and we owe it to all of you. We started the season with some glitches and setbacks, but God is good and we seem to be running on all cylinders right now. The devotion from this past weekend was framed around the second point from our coaches gathering - Love. The scripture that we used was Matthew 22:37-39. Please read through it at the end of one of your practices this week, and re-emphasize the command that is laid from Jesus in this passage. It reads:
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Next weekend we will look at the third and final point that we discussed together at our coaches gathering - servant leadership. It will be live teaching this week, and please continue to encourage your parents to join us in the summit for our devotions.
Have a great week and enjoy being with your cheerleaders and football players... do not underestimate just how much they look up to you!
Serving together,
Brody
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Next weekend we will look at the third and final point that we discussed together at our coaches gathering - servant leadership. It will be live teaching this week, and please continue to encourage your parents to join us in the summit for our devotions.
Have a great week and enjoy being with your cheerleaders and football players... do not underestimate just how much they look up to you!
Serving together,
Brody
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