Coaching Football's "Little Things"

BIG game tonight! It’s one that we’ve been pointing to since last season when this team refused to pull their starters in the 4th quarter and… continued to throw the ball down the field with a 3 TD lead. It kinda upset me!! and I let the coach know after the game. He just smirked at me! Sooooooo… now, tonight (hopefully) it’s time for pay backs!

The kids have been fired up all week— great week of practice. We’re 3 and 1 and it’s our first conference game too. They come in here with an attitude that they are invincible. We’ll see.

My “word” for coaches is: Be careful how you “regulate” the Intensity Level during the week. They can be tooooo “high” emotionally just like they can be too “down” (flat). If you sense on game day that they are “tight”, you don’t need to do anything more to get them fired up. I’ve found that the adrenalin rush that they get as the game starts wears off pretty quick. They go in at half time and go flat. Then, the second half is just not as well-played as the first. Better to keep them on an even keel. Talk to them about this before the game. “Put it on” the other team: “Guys, they’re going to come out all fired up. We’re going to continue to play hard but not let the emotion get to us. When they come out flat in the 3rd quarter, THAT’S when we’re going to turn it on!!!”

I’m borrowing this title and subject from our pastor, Michael Brueseke, who talked about this last weekend! Reallllllllly good job!!! His full title was “Overcoming FOMO in a YOLO World.” I know… what do FOMO and YOLO stand for??!!

FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out
YOLO = You Only Live Once

What Michael is saying is… we get so wrapped up in wanting to experience everything life has to offer but… our fears tend to keep us from experiencing the best that GOD has to offer! When we focus on Jesus (and the life He wants us to live), we don’t have to worry about “FOMO!” He said, “God has a life of wonder planned for you so you don’t have to wonder.” And I would add: wAnder!

One of my favorite Bible passages is Proverbs 3:5,6. “Trust the Lord with ALL your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding of your circumstances. In ALL your ways, acknowledge Him and He WILL make your path straight!”

Jesus has a race course (path) laid out for each of us. That’s how much He loves us. When you stay in your “lane”, you don’t get bumped off the track; disqualified for being in the wrong lane. You don’t miss out on the great things that God has in store for you.

We were awakened this morning at 3:30 am (never good!) to a phone call from our nephew. My wife’s younger brother had unexpectedly died during the night. He wanted us to know. Her brother had his struggles with alcohol but had overcome them this year and seemed to be as happy as he’d been in a long time. To put it succinctly: he was a good guy! I will miss him.

Amidst the sorrow of his death, we give thanks for the grace that God provides every moment. I was reading last night from a book that I’ve come to cherish as one of my all-time favorites. It’s by Pastor Chuck Smith and its title is: Why Grace Changes Everything.”

One statement that realllllllly spoke to me last night (and you need to realize that I’ve RE-read this book 5 or 6 times! and… I’m still soaking up the information presented!) was this: “One of the greatest barriers to growth in the Christian life is the notion that we can live a life that pleases God by our own efforts.” And, “Amazingly, crying out to God in weakness is the secret to our deliverance.” WOW!!!

THAT’S what we’re doing today. If you are faced with similar circumstances… lean on God. Praise Him in this storm. He’s right there with you!