We have all heard the saying: "kids say the darndest things". That saying is so true but I have been thinking lately that this also true: kids hear the darndest things.
As some of you know, I have been a basketball referee for the last ten years and when you ref one thing you must know is that not everyone is going to agree with you. When you make a call 50% of your audience will disagree with that decision. Coaches and fans love to express their dissatisfaction when a call doesn't go their way, and I have plenty of stories I could tell you to illustrate my point but let’s just say “trust me” on this one…J Through frequent visits to ref at local schools and church leagues I have gotten to developed friendships with many coaches and fans alike. One particular Saturday one of those friends made a joke…”If you continue to ref my games I might have to switch churches…ha ha”. It seemed to be a harmless statement, but there happened to be a set of little ears that heard those same words. This little boy went to his mom with tears filling his eyes…”Coach is going to leave church if Walt keeps on doing our games mom!” I know my friend did not mean anything by those words, but his little friend didn't see it that way.
Has this ever happened to you; have you ever found yourself saying, "I did not mean to say it that way it just came out wrong...I did not know someone was watching me when I did that…it was only an email…he is only a ref".
Life lessons in sports can be huge so be careful which lessons you are teaching! Remember that someone is always watching or listening! My prayer is that this email will sink in for you the next time you watch a game! Remember, it’s only a game…but the lesson you teach could change someone’s life-Good or Bad.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Conquer the past
Jesus saying, "I'll be with you. I'll love you. I'll take care of you. I'll reward you. You'll know fellowship with me if you conquer this that you wouldn't have known otherwise."
In years past during the Christmas season I would get sad for people: a mom and her children trying to find a place to sit to eat their meal in the mall, an old man walking with a face of sadness, or hearing someone complain in the check out line…if you do not believe me go watch this week at the mall. Jesus says he will be with you and love you! He will take care of you and reward you! You will have fellowship in him…..if you conquer what you wouldn’t have known otherwise.
You have seen the words of the Lord spoken in a way that makes people move, you have seen miracles in your life and those around…so why must we conquer still today? To live the types of lives God has called us to live: A smile on your face, a type of work ethic that makes a difference, words that speak the truth and a trust knowing that God is in control of all things at all times.
Or is your smile always upside down, is your work ethic sad, the words you use do not speak truth but tell lies and you do not trust God in all things.
Conquering just does not happen by watching, it happens by actions…getting out of one’s seat into the playing field and actively getting involved. Stop worrying-God is with you! Stop worrying about who you’re going to make mad-God loves you! Stop worrying about how you’re going to do this-God will take care of you! Stop worrying about what you see in your budget-God will reward you in ways you can’t imagine! Stop worrying about what to do-God will give you a peace to serve where he needs you! Stop living in the past but remember the past to keep inspiring you to keep on living for Him each day!
In years past during the Christmas season I would get sad for people: a mom and her children trying to find a place to sit to eat their meal in the mall, an old man walking with a face of sadness, or hearing someone complain in the check out line…if you do not believe me go watch this week at the mall. Jesus says he will be with you and love you! He will take care of you and reward you! You will have fellowship in him…..if you conquer what you wouldn’t have known otherwise.
You have seen the words of the Lord spoken in a way that makes people move, you have seen miracles in your life and those around…so why must we conquer still today? To live the types of lives God has called us to live: A smile on your face, a type of work ethic that makes a difference, words that speak the truth and a trust knowing that God is in control of all things at all times.
Or is your smile always upside down, is your work ethic sad, the words you use do not speak truth but tell lies and you do not trust God in all things.
Conquering just does not happen by watching, it happens by actions…getting out of one’s seat into the playing field and actively getting involved. Stop worrying-God is with you! Stop worrying about who you’re going to make mad-God loves you! Stop worrying about how you’re going to do this-God will take care of you! Stop worrying about what you see in your budget-God will reward you in ways you can’t imagine! Stop worrying about what to do-God will give you a peace to serve where he needs you! Stop living in the past but remember the past to keep inspiring you to keep on living for Him each day!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Why so serious?
When is the last time you really laughed? One of those laughs that made you cry or even hurt the next day because you just laughed so hard. Do you find humor in things or is everything just so serious you miss the humor in life? I can’t answer that question for you but what I do know is God wants us to laugh! I guess whoever made the rule that men should not cry made the rule that Christians should not laugh. Life has its moments, kids do say the darnest things, adults do too, and we should laugh!
I remember when I first started my career I got criticized for being “too nice”. This was because I would walk around with a smile on my face and speak with anyone whether they were “important” or not. I tried to invest in people’s lives, talk to someone in need, follow up on someone the next day and even try to remember something unimportant from a previous conversation to let people know that I genuinely cared. I was amazed that people thought I was “too nice”, but over time I have come to realize that people are too serious. The truth is that many people in this world, at one time or another, have had their “Truster” broken before.
I can understand these people because life is hard, things do happen, people do hurt you, words can sting, which can cause you to start looking at life or someone is out to get you. I feel for those individuals! I pray for those people! Remember this “Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good”-1 Peter 4:19
I pray that you turn your life over to a faithful God who knows best how to shape and mold you into the person you are today and into the future. Find humor in the blessings God has given you, look at life through the eyes of a father who truly knows best, and stop being so serious all the time you forget how to laugh. So, let’s start right now…Got to love this headline: "Authorities hunt for a prisoner in a wheelchair who fled on foot from armed guards."
I remember when I first started my career I got criticized for being “too nice”. This was because I would walk around with a smile on my face and speak with anyone whether they were “important” or not. I tried to invest in people’s lives, talk to someone in need, follow up on someone the next day and even try to remember something unimportant from a previous conversation to let people know that I genuinely cared. I was amazed that people thought I was “too nice”, but over time I have come to realize that people are too serious. The truth is that many people in this world, at one time or another, have had their “Truster” broken before.
I can understand these people because life is hard, things do happen, people do hurt you, words can sting, which can cause you to start looking at life or someone is out to get you. I feel for those individuals! I pray for those people! Remember this “Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good”-1 Peter 4:19
I pray that you turn your life over to a faithful God who knows best how to shape and mold you into the person you are today and into the future. Find humor in the blessings God has given you, look at life through the eyes of a father who truly knows best, and stop being so serious all the time you forget how to laugh. So, let’s start right now…Got to love this headline: "Authorities hunt for a prisoner in a wheelchair who fled on foot from armed guards."
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