Fw: Quality Time with God

Team:

Today's message comes from FCA High School Teacher / Head Coach Michael Hill out of Kansas.

Coach Hill talks about how important it is to spend Quality Time with God.

Time for Meditation:

"But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on his Law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does Prospers." Psalm 1:2-3
Walk with God:


"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24

"By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." Hebrews 11:5

Meet with God

"The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent." Exodus 33:11

After Moses and Joshua met in the Tabernacle, Joshua would Stay and Worship God after Moses left.

The Playbook tells us to:

Meditate, Walk and Meet with God daily and We Win!!!

"Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights." --

John Wooden Coach UCLA Basketball

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Rick

------ Email ------
 
Fast Food Beliefs Thursday, April 7th, 2011

READY:  "Wait for the LORD; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

SET:  Every time I hear about a coach who has been fired after a year or two at a school, it breaks my heart. I once told an athletic director that it would take four years to turn a program around to contend for a league championship. That was not what he wanted to hear, so I did not get the job. In our society we want everything right now. Actually, we wanted it yesterday. A great example is in the fact that we actually drive through places to get our food. At most fast food places they don't even hold the cup to fill your drink anymore; they put it on a belt, it goes under a fountain, they push a button, and the drink comes out. I suppose it's faster. I'm not sure it's better, but it's faster.

Sports are no different. It's almost rare to watch one morning of SportsCenter without hearing about performance-enhancing substances or some other method an athlete or a coach has tried in order to get to the top faster. But, that is not what sports were meant to be.

A few years ago I read Coach John Heisman's book on football. You might know Coach Heisman by the little award named after him. In his book, Coach Heisman never once uses the word "win."
He talks about character and building young men into quality men. Isn't that what sports should be about?

When we compare sports to our walk with God, the same is true. There are no short cuts. We can't take a shot or a pill and grow closer to God faster. We have to put in the time and the effort. It doesn't happen overnight, and there are tests and trials, but, in the end, those hard times are what make the good times that much sweeter. They also build our faith and make us stronger.
Today, I challenge you to invest more time and effort into your relationship with Jesus. After all, that's the most important relationship you have. If you're married, think about what your marriage would look like if you were always looking for short cuts. What would your friendships look like if you never invested any time in them? Athletically, what would your skill level be if you never practiced? Our relationship with Jesus is the same way. We have to grow it like any other relationship or pursuit, and that takes time. Be willing to dig in with Him and watch Him transform your life day by day. GO:  1. Are you impatient with your athletic development? With your relationships? 2. What about your relationship with Christ? Are you impatient in how that is developing? 3. What happens when we get impatient in relationships? 4. What would be so bad about slowing down and letting things unfold in God's time? 5. How can you begin to live each day with more patience and perseverance in your relationship with Christ? WORKOUT:  Psalm 30:5 Romans 8:28 2 Timothy 4:7 OVERTIME:  "Father grant us the strength to run the race you have set in front of us no matter how long or how difficult it may be."  ABOUT THE AUTHORS:  Michael Hill is a former FCA staff member and head coach. He lives and teaches in Haysville, Kan. In his career, Michael has been blessed to coach college and high school football and spend years as a high school cross country coach. He and his wife, Andrea, have seven children: Jaycee, Avery, Chad, Tori, Amanda, Landen and Parker.
Now it's your Turn. Write your own FCA Devotional. . . Go to www.fca.org and click the  "Submit your own FCA devo! " link on the right side.
For more information about FCA please visit FCA.org. SUBSCRIPTION INFO If you received this message from a friend and you would like to subscribe to the Daily Impact Play click here. Cancel Your Subscription | Change Your Email Address | View our Privacy Policy PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message; it will be discarded. All correspondence should be directed to fca@fca.org so that we can address your needs. To receive additional FCA E-Newsletters, or to unsubscribe, use FCA's E-Newsletter Subscription Management Service at http://www.fca.org/subscriptions Fellowship of Christian Athletes World Headquarters 8701 Leeds Road Kansas City, MO  64129 (816) 921-0909 fca@fca.org http://www.fca.org

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Fw: God is in Control

Team:

This time of year can be very stressful for many students. Here are some great verses from God's PlayBook to help us through the week and the rest of the school year.

Morro Bay Pastor and Track Coach Randy Ponder always say's, "Whenever you are in a fix go to Phil 4:6."

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your Hearts and your Minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Jeremiah 31:25 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

The Coach is Prepared and has a Great Game Plan for us. You are today's Quarterback and the play is being signaled to you by the Offensive Coordinator.

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Have a Great Week,

Rick

Fw: Impact Play: “Fast Food Beliefs”

Team:

Today's message comes from FCA High School Teacher / Head Coach Michael Hill out of Kansas.

Coach Hill talks about how important it is to spend Quality Time with God.

Time for Meditation:

"But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on his Law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does Prospers." Psalm 1:2-3
Walk with God in everything we do.


"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Genesis 5:24

"By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." Hebrews 11:5

The Playbook tells us to Meditate and Walk with God daily and We Win!!!

"Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights." --

John Wooden Coach UCLA Basketball

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Rick

------ Email ------
 
Fast Food Beliefs Thursday, April 7th, 2011

READY:  "Wait for the LORD; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

SET:  Every time I hear about a coach who has been fired after a year or two at a school, it breaks my heart. I once told an athletic director that it would take four years to turn a program around to contend for a league championship. That was not what he wanted to hear, so I did not get the job. In our society we want everything right now. Actually, we wanted it yesterday. A great example is in the fact that we actually drive through places to get our food. At most fast food places they don't even hold the cup to fill your drink anymore; they put it on a belt, it goes under a fountain, they push a button, and the drink comes out. I suppose it's faster. I'm not sure it's better, but it's faster.

Sports are no different. It's almost rare to watch one morning of SportsCenter without hearing about performance-enhancing substances or some other method an athlete or a coach has tried in order to get to the top faster. But, that is not what sports were meant to be.

A few years ago I read Coach John Heisman's book on football. You might know Coach Heisman by the little award named after him. In his book, Coach Heisman never once uses the word "win."
He talks about character and building young men into quality men. Isn't that what sports should be about?

When we compare sports to our walk with God, the same is true. There are no short cuts. We can't take a shot or a pill and grow closer to God faster. We have to put in the time and the effort. It doesn't happen overnight, and there are tests and trials, but, in the end, those hard times are what make the good times that much sweeter. They also build our faith and make us stronger.
Today, I challenge you to invest more time and effort into your relationship with Jesus. After all, that's the most important relationship you have. If you're married, think about what your marriage would look like if you were always looking for short cuts. What would your friendships look like if you never invested any time in them? Athletically, what would your skill level be if you never practiced? Our relationship with Jesus is the same way. We have to grow it like any other relationship or pursuit, and that takes time. Be willing to dig in with Him and watch Him transform your life day by day. GO:  1. Are you impatient with your athletic development? With your relationships? 2. What about your relationship with Christ? Are you impatient in how that is developing? 3. What happens when we get impatient in relationships? 4. What would be so bad about slowing down and letting things unfold in God's time? 5. How can you begin to live each day with more patience and perseverance in your relationship with Christ? WORKOUT:  Psalm 30:5 Romans 8:28 2 Timothy 4:7 OVERTIME:  "Father grant us the strength to run the race you have set in front of us no matter how long or how difficult it may be."  ABOUT THE AUTHORS:  Michael Hill is a former FCA staff member and head coach. He lives and teaches in Haysville, Kan. In his career, Michael has been blessed to coach college and high school football and spend years as a high school cross country coach. He and his wife, Andrea, have seven children: Jaycee, Avery, Chad, Tori, Amanda, Landen and Parker.
Now it's your Turn. Write your own FCA Devotional. . . Go to www.fca.org and click the  "Submit your own FCA devo! " link on the right side.
For more information about FCA please visit FCA.org. SUBSCRIPTION INFO If you received this message from a friend and you would like to subscribe to the Daily Impact Play click here. Cancel Your Subscription | Change Your Email Address | View our Privacy Policy PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message; it will be discarded. All correspondence should be directed to fca@fca.org so that we can address your needs. To receive additional FCA E-Newsletters, or to unsubscribe, use FCA's E-Newsletter Subscription Management Service at http://www.fca.org/subscriptions Fellowship of Christian Athletes World Headquarters 8701 Leeds Road Kansas City, MO  64129 (816) 921-0909 fca@fca.org http://www.fca.org

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Fw: Chosen Before Time Began

Team:

Today Coach Rogers talks about how we were Recruited.

This time of year many HS Football Players go to Nike Combines hoping to get Recruited by a Pac 10 D-1 School.

They measure your Height and Weight. They test you in the 40 yd dash, Vertical Jump, Shuttle and Bench Press.

They also watch the players in 7v7 scrimmages.

Out of 700 people maybe 10 get chosen.

Here Coach Rogers shows that God Recruited You and Chose you to be on His team. What an Awesome Coach (GOD) we have.

God sees Incredible Potential in you and wants to give you a Full Ride Now!

Remember:

"ALL GOALS ARE ACCOMPLISHED TWICE. FIRST IN YOUR MIND THEN IN REALITY!"

Rick

------ Email ------
Chosen Before Time Began BIBLE MEDITATION "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Ephesians 1:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT Did you know that God chose you before He laid the foundations of the earth?

You talk about "old time religion"!  Well, friend, you can't get much older than that! Before there were any trees, mountains, birds, and bees, God chose you to be one of His children.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "God certainly must have chosen me before I came into this world because He never would have chosen me afterward." That means you and I cannot take credit for our salvation.

First John 4:19 says, "We love Him, because He first loved us." Somebody asked a little boy, "Have you found the Lord?" And the little boy said, "I didn't know He was lost."

How miraculous that God has chosen us. When left alone to ourselves, we would never have chosen Him.

ACTION POINT Though election is a divine mystery, it can bring great assurance to a believer's heart. Allow God's Word to teach you further what it means to be chosen.

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Fw: Impact Play: “Age and Other Limits��

Team:

Here is a Great Message by Chaparral High School Catcher Derek Quinn. FCA follows Derek's Message.

Thanks Derek

Luke 11: 9-10
"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking. and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Prayer will be your answer to anything in life. Be persistent and let God be aware of the desires of your heart. You are praying to God ALMIGHTY, don't disregard his awesome power!
Ask and you will receive!
God Bless
------ Email ------
  Language "May they speak life with each word they utter, bringing healing as they talk. May their language be Yours, Lord?"
based on the verse -- Ephesians 4:29
 

Age and Other Limits Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 READY:  "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" -Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

SET:  Last night, at the age of 68, University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun became the oldest basketball coach to ever win an NCAA men's basketball championship.

In his team's 53-41 win over the Butler Bulldogs, Calhoun earned his third title in his 39-year coaching career. Calhoun's milestone reminded me this morning about a man in Scripture whose age also made history.

His name was Abraham, and, at the age of 100, he and his wife, Sarah, who was only 10 years younger, gave birth to their son, Isaac. While Abraham and Sarah had known for many years that God promised them a child, they couldn't see how that would happen in their old ages.

Clearly, God is not human. He fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah and gave them a son, who would be a pivotal man in history and lineage even though he had been born to parents who were beyond "childbearing years" (Genesis 18:11).

Abraham and Sarah had to wait for the promise, and they had to have great faith, but in the end, they were blessed as the hand of God moved and He proved Himself both faithful and powerful.

Sometimes in life we get stuck on human limitations and start to doubt God's power. We think that because something isn't "humanly possible," it's just not going to happen. We think that, because we can't figure it out in our own minds, that there's no way it could ever happen—even if we believe it is something God has promised us.

Is that you? Have you stopped believing in God's greatness? Today is a great day to start believing again. No matter what doubts you have or what seemingly insurmountable limitations you are facing, you can choose to believe that God is more powerful.

Maybe like Coach Calhoun, age is creeping up on you and the world is telling you that you're past your prime. That's not what God's Word says about you, but it's up to you whether or not you believe the world or the Truth.

Or, maybe it's the opposite case, and you feel like you're too young and inexperienced to take on a difficult or "impossible" challenge. If so, go back and read what God did in the lives of young men like David, Joseph and King Josiah.

Youth and stature were non-issues for God in their cases, and He did amazing things through each of them.

The point is that, with God, nothing is impossible. No, a 68-year-old coach winning a national title isn't all that far-fetched, but a 100-year-old man and 90-year-old woman giving birth to a strapping baby boy is. A young, inexperienced kid taking down a massive warrior giant with a sling and a stone is.

And the same God who orchestrated the lives of those patriarchs of faith is the same one who has promised you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

It's time to quit believing the world when it comes to what is possible and what isn't. We serve a God who isn't bound by human limitations, and, if He is in our situation, then nothing can stand in the way.

Whatever you do today, refuse to buy into the world's opinion of possible, and instead believe in the all-powerful, almighty God and trust Him to overcome the odds.

GO: 

1. Have you ever faced a situation that, by human standards, was impossible? Are you facing one now?

2. Do you believe that with God all things are possible? Why or why not?

3. What limits your view of God's power?

4. How can you gain a bigger perspective of who God truly is?

5. How would your life be changed if you really believed God was all-powerful? WORKOUT:  Genesis 21:1-7 Ephesians 6:10 1 Peter 1:21

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jill Ewert is the editor of FCA's Sharing the Victory magazine and the host of STV's online video series. Visit www.sharingthevictory.com. Now it's your Turn. Write your own FCA Devotional. . . Go to www.fca.org and click the  "Submit your own FCA devo! " link on the right side.
For more information about FCA please visit FCA.org. SUBSCRIPTION INFO If you received this message from a friend and you would like to subscribe to the Daily Impact Play click here. Cancel Your Subscription | Change Your Email Address | View our Privacy Policy PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to this message; it will be discarded. All correspondence should be directed to fca@fca.org so that we can address your needs. To receive additional FCA E-Newsletters, or to unsubscribe, use FCA's E-Newsletter Subscription Management Service at http://www.fca.org/subscriptions Fellowship of Christian Athletes World Headquarters 8701 Leeds Road Kansas City, MO  64129 (816) 921-0909 fca@fca.org http://www.fca.org

Fw: Judah's New Season

Team:

Today's Coach is Chuck Swindoll. Coach Swindoll talks about Repentance and Transformation and a New Season. He shows how QB Judah Transformed his game and led His Team to Victory. Gen 44

Early in Judah's career he was
Bitter with Anger, Resentment and Envy because his dad was abusive and showed favoritism to his step brother Joseph. This led to some very unwise decisions on Judah's part.

Did Judah ask for this type of treatment?
No. It wasn't fair. But that's when the Enemy comes in and Creates reasons to be Bitter and Angry. Some of the results of Bitterness and Anger were:

-The Shechem Massacre with his Brothers - Gen 34

-Committed Adultery with Tamar - Gen 38

-Sold His brother as a Slave. Gen 39

These decisions affected a lot of people
Which resulted in loss of Income and Job Opportunities for his family. His Family's Reputation was Tarnished because of these decisions.

"Bitterness hurts us not the person we are bitter toward."

The Bible says, "don't let a Root of Bitterness take hold in your life." Hebrews

God says, "Vengence is mine saith the Lord." God wants to take care of it and make things right.

Leviticus 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Bitterness and Resentment will destroy us. It leads us to bad decisions. It is hard but we need to let God Take care of it.

Luckily God Transformed Judah's Game as he came Full Circle and offered himself to be imprisoned instead of his brother. Judah became a Great Leader in the end.
Now here is the Exciting Reward for Forgiveness:

From Judah's Offspring would come the Greatest Leader in the Universe: The Messiah Jesus Christ.

Joseph Saved his Family and the World. Judah Saved the future Generations through Jesus Christ. In the end it can always work out if we Repent and allow God to Change the Direction of our Lives from Bitterness to Forgiveness. Romans 8:28

One Final Thought:

Everyone thought it was Joseph who Forgave. The Underlying Story is that Judah needed to Forgive his Dad. When he did the family was Freed.

What an incredible lesson to those who have issues with their parents.

Our Attitude is our choice. We can be Bitter and Angry or we can be people full of Faith and Gratitude.

God turned Anger, Resentment and Bitterness into Love, Peace and Forgiveness.

Now check out what Coach Swindoll says.

Just Go!

Rick
------ Email ------

April 2, 2011    
Final Exam, Part Two by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Genesis 44:17--34
This was Joseph's second part of the final exam. First came the vertical test. Had his brothers gotten to the place where they read the hand of God into their daily life? Yes. They had demonstrated this in their attitude.

Next came the horizontal test. Which would they choose, themselves or Benjamin? Had there been any change in their hearts over the years?

So Joseph said, "I would never punish all of you for one man's crime. The cup has been found in your youngest brother's possession, so he is the one I will punish.

He will forfeit his freedom and become my slave. The rest of you, go in peace. You can return to your father."

Following this pronouncement comes a shocking speech:

"Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me---for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?" (Genesis 44:33--34).

Do you realize who is saying this? Again, it is Judah. These "unexcelled" words were coming from the same man who, twenty years earlier along with his brothers, proposed without remorse,
"Here comes that dreamer, Joseph. Let's kill him and say that a ferocious animal devoured him."

Shortly after that cold-blooded proposal, he rationalized, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Let's sell him to the slave traders instead."

Yet here he is now, pleading for his youngest brother. Added to that, he is pleading on behalf of his aging father.

A few years earlier, Judah could not have cared less what his father thought, since his father had always shown favoritism to Rachel's sons. In fact, the violence and cruelty Judah and his brothers perpetrated against Joseph was an indirect act of cruelty committed against their father.

Now, of all things, this same man is exhibiting a sacrificial attitude. "Take me instead. But send Benjamin back home. I cannot bear to imagine such grief that would overtake my father."

No, it's not the same man; Judah has changed.

No doubt about it. All his brothers were becoming transformed men, and Joseph recognized this. Repentance had done its work.
 
Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
   

Reminder about your invitation from Rick Ponder

LinkedIn This is a reminder that on March 23, Rick Ponder sent you an invitation to become part of his or her professional network at LinkedIn. Follow this link to accept Rick Ponder's invitation. https://www.linkedin.com/e/lmume1-gm4hmk8w-59/doi/2558082293/fUAeE9AE/gir_459841374_1/EML-inv_17_rem/ Signing up is free and takes less than a minute. On March 23, Rick Ponder wrote: > To: [rpponder.huddle@blogger.com] > From: Rick Ponder [rpponder@aol.com] > Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn > I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. > > - Rick The only way to get access to Rick Ponder's professional network on LinkedIn is through the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/e/lmume1-gm4hmk8w-59/doi/2558082293/fUAeE9AE/gir_459841374_1/EML-inv_17_rem/ You can remove yourself from Rick Ponder's network at any time. -------------- © 2011, LinkedIn Corporation Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) Followers Blog Archive ▼  2025 (1) ▼  June (1) Let us AI your business! ►  2023 (1) ►  April (1) ►  2022 (6) ►  October (1) ►  August (1) ►  May (2) ►  March (1) ►  January (1) ►  2021 (22) ►  November (3) ►  October (2) ►  September (3) ►  August (13) ►  June (1) ►  2019 (1) ►  September (1) ►  2017 (6) ►  October (3) ►  June (1) ►  May (1) ►  January (1) ►  2016 (29) ►  December (1) ►  October (3) ►  August (4) ►  July (4) ►  April (2) ►  March (2) ►  February (5) ►  January (8) ►  2015 (55) ►  December (6) ►  November (2) ►  October (4) ►  September (7) ►  August (1) ►  July (5) ►  May (3) ►  April (3) ►  March (8) ►  February (6) ►  January (10) ►  2014 (284) ►  December (12) ►  November (6) ►  October (12) ►  September (17) ►  August (34) ►  July (58) ►  June (31) ►  May (18) ►  April (28) ►  March (27) ►  February (13) ►  January (28) ►  2013 (332) ►  December (27) ►  November (23) ►  October (31) ►  September (16) ►  August (11) ►  July (13) ►  June (20) ►  May (23) ►  April (50) ►  March (47) ►  February (39) ►  January (32) ►  2012 (286) ►  December (58) ►  November (77) ►  October (9) ►  September (9) ►  August (17) ►  July (32) ►  June (32) ►  May (8) ►  April (8) ►  March (11) ►  February (10) ►  January (15) ►  2011 (298) ►  December (20) ►  November (28) ►  October (33) ►  September (30) ►  August (34) ►  July (29) ►  June (16) ►  May (14) ►  April (14) ►  March (24) ►  February (22) ►  January (34) ►  2010 (27) ►  December (27) About Me rpponder View my complete profile Simple theme. Powered by Blogger.