The Game is Won Days Ahead!

Football is gearing up for us right now. We reminded the boys yesterday that the game is won before we play it. In fact, the game is won days ahead of time. It is the work we put into the practice that pays off in the game. Some people simply take "plays" off and short cut themselves. In a team sport that can cost your family the game.

Spiritual matters are the same way my friends. We must train everyday to stay sharp and fresh so that in the day of battle we are ready to win. Are you staying sharp spiritually? Are you spending fresh moments in the Word and in prayer? Or are you taking "plays" off?

This morning I read this great proverb and it can apply to your situation (and football): "Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest."  Proverbs 20:4 NLT
(Those too lazy to do the drill will not win the game! Told you I could apply it to football)

Rundown: coached football 2 hours, Pilates class 1 hour, ballistics, ran 1 plus miles, stadium steps x 10)

What's lacking?

Ouch! Have you ever been in the middle of a great workout and seemingly out of no where a cramp hits? This happened on Saturday during an awesome time of training. Amazingly, I never saw it coming. There was no warning at all. But this was totally avoidable.

This calf cramp hit me because of somethings that were lacking in my body. And my body made a choice to send me a clear message. Over the last couple of weeks my routine has changed and with that my intake of fluids and out put of sweat also. Because of increased activity and increased heat the sweat was rolling. However, even though I know better I was not replacing the sodium and potassium being depleted. My lack in Na and K (scientifically speaking) made me scream.

We must be careful when routines change. We must drink deep and keep filled with the oil of life, especially our spiritual life. Reminds me of what Paul prayed for a some people he loved. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 "night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?"  We can get weak in the faith when we stop drinking in the Word and dipping into the Spirit.

So, let's perfect those things that are lacking in our lives. Drink plenty, fill up on the Sodium (Salt), and get some rest (in the Lord).

Rundown: Saturday - Ballistics, 4 miles, stadium x 20, core, 1 mile run...ouch walk home. Tuesday: Ballistics, coached 2 hours, 1 mile easy run. Wednesday: Ballistics, coached 1.5 hours, Mission service project, 1 mile quick run, Stadium x 10, 40 meter sprints x 4, 100 meter sprints x 2, 5 minute ab!!

Get more than you put in!

There is a new pathway in my life. Really surprises me since I am not now nor have I ever been a morning person. Priorities and timing have forced me to make a decision. Two days in a row now the alarm clock has sounded sometime in the 4 o'clock hour. Rolling out of bed and pulling on my running shoes and hit the track and street by 5 am.

There are some dedicated runners that have been doing this for years. You understand fully why someone would push themselves to this point. This is discipline. This may develop into dedication or delusion. Anything worth while requires you to discipline yourself, work hard, and sometimes rise at strange times to accomplish your goals.

I understand a little better this morning what the Psalmist was talking about in Psalm 126: 6. "He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves [with him]." You will harvest what you plant. Many times you will do the hard work in tears of planting so that you can enjoy the harvest.

Do the hard work today! Work hard to plant in all your relationships what will bring joy in the harvest. This will include honesty, passion, love, and trust. When these seeds are full grown you will have joy in your relationships.

(Rundown: 4 miles on the road, lower core 6 min, and time of prayer with some awesome men!)

Are you ready for battle?

We had the fun this morning of pulling all the middle school football players together for our team photo today. Always exciting to line these boys up according to their numbers and get them ready. They looked great! 

The big question came up from one of the players. Then the debate was sparked. I have no idea what the team decided. All this will be a surprise to me when the pictures come back. One of the boys asked loudly, "Do we smile?" 

It hit me that these young athletes in some sense know they are preparing for battle. Sure the battle is brief with limited time periods and officials and rules to maintain order. But it is a battle none the less. 

As a believer I am in a battle every day! This needs to be reminded to us. Reminds me of something Piper writes that prayer is...

A Wartime Walkie-Talkie, Not a Domestic Intercom. Prayer is the walkie-talkie on the battlefield of the world. It calls on God for courage (Ephesians 6:19). It calls in for troop deployment and target location (Acts 13:1, 2, 3). It calls in for protection and air cover (Matthew 6:13; Luke 21:36). It calls in for firepower to blast open a way for the Word (Colossians 4:3). It calls in for the miracle of healing for the wounded soldiers (James 5:16). It calls in for supplies for the forces (Matthew 6:11; Philippians 4:6). And it calls in for needed reinforcements (Matthew 9:38). This is the place of prayer—on the battlefield of the world. It is a wartime walkie-talkie for spiritual warfare, not a domestic intercom to increase the comforts of the saints. And one of the reasons it malfunctions in the hands of so many Christian soldiers is that they have gone AWOL. (Piper, J. The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God's delight in Being God. Page 343-372. Sisters, Or.: Multnomah Publishers)

Listen, Hear, and Do

Who do you listen to? Some people don't listen to anyone cause they have it all figured out. Some half listen cause they really don't have an interest in hearing. Some have ears that are ready to listen, learn, and practice new truths.

My prayer is that I will ever be willing to learn. This comes from developing an attitude of listening. I've been listening to some encouraging trainers lately. In fact, they have encouraged me to stretch my self. The results have been wonderful but the work challenging.

Reminds me of this Proverb on the benefit of listening to the Lord. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33. Now friends that is a good plan to follow.

(Rundown: Ballistics, 2 mile run, stadium x 5, new core for middle & lower abs: 6 minute killer deal!!) In the mix had two great conversations with a new set of friends and an old dear friend. Blessed day!

Serve others and Praise God

Today was a day to get back to work. Actually I personally did a little volunteer work. May I suggest from time to time that all of you take time to do the same. We are, in my opinion, to learn to serve others! 

Early this morning I began with Psalm 150 and Praised the Lord. Make time to Praise Him every day.

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heaven!

2 Praise him for his mighty works;

praise his unequaled greatness!

3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;

praise him with the lyre and harp!

4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;

praise him with strings and flutes!

5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;

praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD!

Praise the LORD!

 

(Rundown: ballistics, ran 2 miles, stadiums x 2, mile of lunges every 100 meter on then off, and then coached for two hours.) 

Designed for Partnerships

One of the things I love about running is the encounters you get to have with other people. I've found that many of them are so encouraging. This got me thinking about how important it is to have partners, teammates, and friends. It is especially important to have these that will push you to become the best.

Kinda cool today to "run into" my neighbor and his family at the track this morning. He has one of those awesome spirits that is filled with Jesus in a place of priority in his life. As I was getting ready to finish up he was asking about some of the sets I was doing. After a brief chat and an invitation to join in 5 minute abs we had a little group pushing each other.

Some days I struggle to keep going for the whole 5 minutes. But with the friends around me I pushed my self harder and finished the drill. We need each other to challenge, encourage, and motivate. The Lord designed us this way. We are designed for partnerships. We are made to take on this adventure of life together.

Come on think about it even the Lone Ranger has Tonto!

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 

10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  

11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?  

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

(Rundown: Ballistics, 3 mile run, stadium x 2, stadium pushup x 1, 5 minute ab, stretch) 

What's the Plan?

Being of single purpose is very important in life. There are so many things that can distract us, interrupt us, invade us, and even derail us.  This is true of being fit, life goals, and spiritual journey. We must seek to maintain a balance in our life - almost like focusing on having a strong core.

Had a blessing this morning come my way in an unexpected set of circumstances. My son has been training some boys this summer in SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness). This morning he had a rare illness that opened the door for the old coach to step in and cover for him. The boys and I worked on core. Everything we did was designed to strengthen their core and keep them centered, balanced, and focused.

They had no idea this was the plan but they worked hard. I think sometimes we go through life wondering what God's plan is for us or if He even has one for us. Like a great coach He has a plan and it most likely deals with your core spiritually.

God's plan is to unite (center, balance, focus, drive, and direct) your heart to reverence him in all your ways. It is up to us to learn from Him and walk in His paths for our best. Every circumstance, situation, set back, and advance is a drill from Jesus that strengthens our core.

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. 

Psalm 86:11

(Rundown: Ballistics, ran 1 mile, stadium steps x 10, worked with boys - push-ups/sprint hill, stadium step push up, lunges across field, 5 minute abs, stretch - Light day!!)  

Opps that's the Wrong Way

Sometimes I like going the wrong way. Do you ever do that? Starting at the line then going clockwise on the track. It is especially fun when there are a bunch of other people there. The looks on the faces are sometimes classic. But the best was the kid in the stroller who yelled out - "Hey, you're going the wrong way."

It is a friend who will tell you when you are heading in the wrong direction. Many times that friend comes in the form of a teacher/coach. This is someone who knows the way, shows the way, instructs the way, and the corrects the way. They are invaluable in our lives.

Father God is like this teacher/coach for us. In fact, the psalmist gives him the praise for this fact. "Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way." Psalm 25:8. Praise the Lord that he is there to get us back on the right path! He cares so much for us that he will yell out - "Hey, you're going the wrong way."

(Rundown: Ballistics, Extra stretch, 5 mile run, 5 minute abs, long stretch and thankful for One who loves me enough to teach me the right paths. Only a few people will get the picture reference.)

Ever Get Anxious?

Do you ever get anxious? A sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, a sudden burst of concern floods your mind, or tension that rolls in like fog in your emotions. From time to time everyone has felt some sort of anxiety. The issue is not if we get anxious but what we do with that anxiety.

I've tweaked something in a small muscle. It's not pulled. It is aggravated.When I run it screams like a  mom who has told her kid for the last time to clean that room. Because of this there is a little bit of anxiety. Pain has a way of creating those moments for us doesn't it?

So now what?

It could be the root of anxiety is actually fear. Fear will paralyze you and keep you from being all that you are designed to be. So what do you do with this fear, this anxiety? Seems like I remember something in the Bible about this topic that might just help. 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

Remember He loves you - I have no need to fear!
Realize His love is perfect - fear has to flee! 
Release His love in you - casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, 

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

Philippians 4:6

(My Rundown: Ballistic Stretch - a little longer today, stretched out the legs, sprints x 5, 1 mile, stadiums x 20, core, extra stretch - prayer casting my fears on Him!)

Did you forget something?

Today was hectic. A little bit of routine change. We started football camps for younger boys and then middle school. As I was running out the door there were several things that I had forgotten. Quickly turned to get my visor, shades, shoes, and finally after getting to the truck realized I forgot my cell phone. OO NO!!

Isn't it interesting the things we will go back in to get when we forget them. Many of today's necessities we feel like we could not live without them. Truth be told I would have been fine without my phone. The thought hit me as i was rushing to the field that are a few things I have to carry with me everyday. 

Early this morning my scripture mediation was found in Proverbs 3:3. The wise man wrote to us "Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart" Good word to keep when heading out for our days adventures. We must take with us loyalty or the better said faithfulness. And then bring along kindness because you might just need to share some loving kindness today.

So did you forget something?   

(Rundown of the day: 2 hours of active coaching - agility ladder drills. Then did hardCORE 30 minute in gym - found a new one I like here's the link to it...
http://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshortcuts?v=QCqWeAL2xb4 
I did 10 sets!! plus 5 minute ab work - here's what I looked like halfway through...you should have seen the floor.)

Press On

Some days are harder than others. Athletes know this in their training and know the benefit of pressing on. I think we all know this can be true in life as well. Some days bring difficulty to them, some hardship, a few sickness, and many struggles. There is a great benefit in pressing on.

You have what it takes to press on. You have inside of you the ability to do more than you think, overcome more, and achieve greatness. You can press on.

I love what Paul told us in Philippians 3: 12-14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Press on...

(Rundown Monday-3 miles, stadium steps, core; Tuesday - 2 miles, stadium steps plus core, 5 minute ab, and bunch of humidity).  

I Slipped, He Secured, I'm Safe

British clergyman F. B. Meyer wrote about two Germans who wanted to climb the Matterhorn. They hired three guides and began the steep and treacherous ascent. They roped themselves together in this order: guide, traveler, guide, traveler, guide.

They had gone only a little way when the last man lost his footing. He was held up by the other four, because each had a toehold in the niches they had cut in the ice. But then the next man slipped and pulled down the two above him. The only one to hold on was the first guide, who had driven a spike deep into the ice. Because he held on, all the men beneath him regained their footing.

Meyer concluded his story by drawing a spiritual application. He said, "I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands I will never perish."

All of us slip again and again as we walk the Christian pathway. But we are held securely by the Lord, and we can be restored to close fellowship with Him when we confess our sins.