"Trust"

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 
1st Corinthians 4:2 


Last week, across our country, students had planned to walk out of their classes to demonstrate a unified voice in demanding more strict gun control laws and to focus attention on a much needed area in our nation. I was proud of my school for encouraging the students to gather with their classmates and teachers to discuss their concerns, express ideas to change this area of our lives, and to openly discuss the reasons for the horrific events we are seeing in our schools. I believed this was much more beneficial to our students than a “walk-out” where many would not understand the reasons for their actions. As I sat with my group of 23 sophomore students, I felt like they all had something to say but were hesitant to speak up in the crowd. It also did not help that I am new at my school and have not had an opportunity to spend much time with these young people. I began by reading a statement to them that described the events from Parkland, Florida that occurred exactly a month ago. As I read, the thought crossed my mind, that one of the many tragic consequences of events such as this is, with each horrible event, young people begin to trust less. They lose trust in the words of a parent that tells them all will be okay. They lose trust in the words of a teacher who says each student is important. They lose trust in the words of a pastor that describe how they should react in times such as this. And they lose trust in the words of our Lord and Savior who says He has overcome the world.

Young people especially, but we all need someone who we can trust. Hopefully it is a parent, but if not, a trusted teacher, pastor, coach, or friend. We need that person who will jump over any hurdle, regardless of the size, to help us in a time of need. We also need to be that trusted person to someone else. Our young people desperately need more people they can trust. Never in our nation’s history has it been more difficult to be a good young person. They are constantly pulled in a million directions and they are bombarded daily with the many problems of our world. They need more people they can trust. They should feel safe, comfortable, and wanted in their home because they trust their parents to protect, provide for, and want them. They should feel safe in their schools because they trust their teachers to protect them as their own, provide the direction they need, and value them as a person. They each need to be a trusted friend who another student depends on for a kind word, a smile, and acceptance.

Most importantly, I pray they will trust the words of Jesus Christ. His words tell us in Proverbs 3 to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and to lean not on our own understanding”. Our world, and the people in it, will continue to fail each other, trusts will be broken, and faith in people will continue to dwindle. However, we can always trust the words and promises of our Heavenly Father. Even in the midst of an uncertain world, we can trust that He is always with us, if we only ask. But, much like a child that does not understand their parents reasons for decisions, we also will not understand our Father’s decisions, will, or timing.

I prayed today that, although I may not understand His will, I will trust Him. I also prayed that the young people I met with will have a friend, teacher, parent, or pastor they can trust. Most of all, I prayed they will trust their hearts and minds to their Heavenly Father and, although they will not always understand, they will trust.

Chad

Pray in our schools

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

I believe we have taken the idea of prayer in school to be a verbal prayer that is made before a large group of people or maybe a teacher’s opportunity to pray in front of his/her class. We have heard the argument for and against prayer in our schools for a very long time, and with the recent horrible events in Parkland, FL the calls for "Prayer in school" is heard daily. We should probably end the argument for "Prayer in school" and begin to quietly, "Pray in our schools".  I believe the constant, quiet prayers of a teacher, administrator, or student will be heard and rewarded by our Heavenly Father.  We will begin to see the changes our country needs to happen in our homes, communities, and schools. Throughout the bible we are given examples of how we are instructed to pray, or not to pray. In Mark 6:5 we are told to "not pray like the hypocrites who love to pray where they will be seen and heard on the streets". In Matthew 14:23 we read about Jesus going onto the mountain to be alone and pray. And in Mark 1:35, we see where Jesus went away to a solitary place to pray. Jesus, the only Son of God, knew the importance of quietly praying in a solitary place. 

I believe, if people of faith, will follow the example given to us by Jesus we will change our schools. As I enter my school building each day I can, in the solitude of my mind, pray for the young men I will be with during football workouts. I can walk through the locker room as they prepare to go to class and pray for each of the young men. I can walk through the halls between classes and say a quick prayer for the students and teachers, even if I do not know their name. I can take the first few minutes of each class period and pray for the diverse group of children who I will spend the next hour teaching. When the final bell of the day would ring, and the students would leave for the day, I will have prayed for possibly one thousand people. The prayers may have only occurred within my mind but God will hear each one, and He definitely knows each name. Each of us, whether we work in a school or not, can pray in our schools.  We all have attended a school, have a school in our community, have children who attend a school, or simply drive by a school on our way to work.  If all Christians will begin to pray for the administrators, teachers and most importantly, the children in our schools, I believe God will hear our quiet prayers and He will change many lives for eternity while others will still be fighting for an opportunity to loudly pray for others to hear.

Chad

"I Am"

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14

The last few weeks of my life have brought about many situations that have been exciting but several have caused me to be concerned. I have recently changed jobs and taken on the responsibility of being the head football coach and athletic director at a new school. Although I have been involved in the game of football for over 30 years, both of these positions are a new experience for me. Each day in my new job there is a decision to make that I may have never considered before and my decisions now affect many people. Over the past few weeks I have found myself being much more alert to every situation because I never want to be unprepared to react in the correct way or to speak the correct words. As many of these moments have presented themselves I have had to deal with the voices of doubt that we as humans often allow to enter our minds. While going through the tension filled days of the interview process, the thoughts would enter my mind that said, “You are not ready for this”, to which God would say, “But I Am”. After being offered and accepting the position, the initial excitement was quickly replaced with the reality of many tasks to be done and many moments that are outside of my comfort zone. While waiting to speak to a large crowd at a community event, I thought to myself, “You are not a thrilling speaker”, to which God would say, “But I Am”. The morning I would meet my new team for the first time, the thought entered my mind that said, “What if you are not the leader these young men need”, to which God would reply, “You are not, but I Am”. And, as the hopes for the coming season begin to grow, I allow my mind to wonder if I am capable of meeting and exceeding these expectations. To which God replies again, “But I Am”.

As we go through the daily struggles of life or during the exciting moments we are blessed to experience, we can have faith that the Great I Am is always with us. In Joshua 1:9 He tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” And in Hebrews 13:5 He tells us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”. When we feel as though we are alone in the world, He will remind us that I Am with you!

Chad

"Re-Excited"

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2nd Timothy 2:1


The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me and my family. As the 2017 football season came to an end, I decided the time had come for me to begin a new chapter in my life. My wife and I talked for several days about me beginning the search for a position as a head football coach and athletic director. There were a few hurdles to overcome and I can admit that most were created by my hard head. Although I love to help others with a problem, I have never been comfortable asking others for help. However, in the coaching world, like many other professions, having someone call with a recommendation is key to getting your name out for possible positions. Also, although I am far from the end of my coaching career, I am further along in years than most coaches who are looking for their first head coaching positions.

I continued to be on the lookout for positions that may come open and after several calls by friends and colleagues, I found myself interviewing for a position that looked promising. From the time of the first interview my life sped up significantly. Within a few days of the first meeting I was invited for a second interview. On the morning following the second interview, I was offered the position. By the afternoon of that day I had agreed to the terms and was approved by the board of education on the following morning. I was standing in the principal’s office of my new school when she received a call saying I was “official”. The principal had planned to release a video welcoming me to the school, announce my name to the students, and post the news on social media. As she picked up her phone to post the news, she looked at me and said, “Are you sure you’re ready”. I quickly answered yes, but was certainly a bundle of nerves. Since that moment I have spoken to a crowd of strangers at a basketball game, attended numerous sporting events, and a few fundraisers. All of this has been exciting but all coaches know the “Honeymoon” period soon comes to an end. Although the new position and change in our lives is exciting, the reality of leaving a place we have called home for many years has brought on many emotions.

I have been blessed to coach the past eleven years in a school that my family and I grew quickly to love. Our children had both graduated from the school and each had been involved in athletics. My last season at this school would also be my 25th year as a football coach and I have had many exciting moments and made many lifelong friends and memories. But, suddenly I was in an unfamiliar position as the head coach and athletic director, while feeling equally excited. As I spent the first whirlwind day in my new position I had a few minutes to reflect over my coaching career. I quickly remembered the day I got my first paid coaching job and the feeling of being excited while also overwhelmed. I remember I got my first job and, regardless of the extremely low pay, had never been more excited. I also remembered the feeling of being overwhelmed when I considered the young men who I would be responsible for coaching and leading. Now, 25 years later, I had the same feelings of excitement and of being overwhelmed. The long lists of tasks to complete was not the overwhelming part of my new position. I knew I would adjust to the many new responsibilities but the overwhelming feeling came from thinking about the many young men who I was now responsible for leading. The sudden realization that a large group of young people will be looking to me for leadership is the overwhelming part. Throughout the first few days, as people asked about the reason for the change in jobs, I began to tell them I had not become un-excited with my old job, but was now re-excited with my new job. I also told them what a blessing it is to be as excited to begin year number 26 as I was to begin year number one.

Our Heavenly Father can also give us that feeling of being re-excited. As we awake for each new day, He promises to take the worries from the previous day and lead our actions through the new day to come, if we only ask. As each of us begin our relationship with Jesus, we get the feeling of excitement about our new hope but, over time as life’s drama interferes, we lose the feeling we had on day number one. But God will continue to renew our excitement, even during the trials and tests we may face during our days. And, 25 years later He can fill you with the same excitement for serving Him as you felt when you first met Our Savior.


Chad

Lost but now am found!

And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  Luke 15:9

Last night my wife and I were at dinner with some friends and, as we began to leave the restaurant, she realized that her wedding band was not on her hand. The ring that was missing is not the ring I gave to her on our wedding day because a few years ago we noticed the diamond had fallen off of her ring and it was never found. The ring we were now looking for was her grandmother’s wedding ring. Not only did it represent her commitment to me but it also represents the love she has for her grandmother. It is also one of the few reminders she has of her grandmother. She remembered she had removed the ring during a workout session at a place in downtown. Well, that is at least the excuse she came up with! Sounds kind of suspicious to tell your spouse that you lost your wedding ring on a Sunday night in downtown but I knew it was true. We hurried home, dug through pockets of clothes that may have been worn, emptied purses several times, and searched under every car seat, but with no luck. My wife was obviously very upset about this loss and I completely understood. I have a few notes from my grandmother and an ugly stuffed clown but I would fight anyone who tries to take these simple items. It’s all I have to remind me of my grandmother. I encouraged her to believe it would be found at one of the places we have visited since the last time the ring was worn. I also prayed several times throughout the night for the ring to be found. I did not care if it took a few days, if the owner of the gym found the ring, or if it just appeared and we never knew where it had been. We woke up the following morning and I searched the car one more time. Each time I felt the edge of a coin that was stuck in the seat cushion I became excited but quickly was let down again. I did however make about $1.50 in change!  My wife left for work with plans to stop by the gym to search for the ring. She called later with the good news of the ring that had been found. She said the ring was found behind a sofa by a young girl working at the gym. We were both thankful that what had once been lost, was now found.

The past twelve hours of my life have reminded me of several things. First, I learned I need to vacuum under the seats of our cars more often. Second, is the Parable of the Lost Coin from Luke 15. Jesus asks the disciples, “If a woman has ten silver coins but loses one, doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? I thought of this while searching under the seats of my wife's car with a flashlight last night! Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that when the woman finds the lost coin, she calls her friends and they rejoice together. And, when a sinner, who was once lost but has now been found, repents there is rejoicing by God in the presence of the angels. Third, I am reminded of the most famous church hymn, Amazing Grace. Everyone knows this song, or should, but it says, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see”.

Most of all, I think about how God searches for us until we are found and saved. We may not want to be found or we may tell Him to "leave us alone," but He continues to search. And when He finds us, He rejoices with the angels.

Also kind of cool that, even with all the big problems of the world, He still had time to answer a prayer about a lost ring.

Chad