The movie, Moneyball, is a true story of how the Oakland Athletics used mathematics and statistics to identify talent in players that would be a good fit for their team, given their budget. One scene in the movie shows Jeremy Brown, a portly 240 pound minor league catcher that needs a boost of confidence. Brown hits a long fly ball to the outfield. He almost never goes to second because he is afraid of getting thrown out. This time, however, he gets up speed to go for it, but is so nervous that he falls over rounding first base. He crawls back to first base while everyone is laughing. However, they are not laughing because he did not make it to second, but because the ball went about 60 feet over the fence for a homerun.

​If there were ever a time to dare,
To make a difference,
To embark on something worth doing,
It is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily--
But for something that tugs at your heart,
Something that’s your aspiration,
Something that’s your dream.
You owe it to yourself to make your days here count.
Have fun.
Dig deep.
Stretch.
Dream big.
Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy.
There will be good days.
And there will be bad days.
There will be times when you want to turn around,
Pack it up, and call it quits.
Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself,
That you are not afraid to learn by trying.
-Author unknown-

 ​​References:
Zaillian, S. & Sorkin, A. (2011). Moneyball. Culver City, CA: Sony Pictures.

Lucado, M., Warren, R., Jeremiah, D., Maxwell, J., Hayford, J., & Hybels, B. (2013). On this holy night: The heart of Christmas. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Maxwell, J. (2012). The 15 invaluable laws of growth. Live them and reach your potential. New York: Center Street.

​Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace.

In 2010 Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga had recorded 26 straight outs. It was an amazing feat in itself and he was just one out away from a perfect game! In over 135 years of Major League Baseball history, which is over 200,000 games, there have only been 23 perfect games. History was about to made. Armando got a ground ball from the next hitter to the first baseman Miguel Cabrera. The ball required Cabrera to move to his right moving away from first base. This made Armando have to run over to first base to receive the throw from Cabrera. The runner was going fast to the base but the throw hit Galarraga’s glove before the runner touched first base. Galarraga started to celebrate. The only problem was the umpire called the runner safe. It was an unbelievable mistake given the history that was going to be made.

After the game the umpire watched the replay and realized his mistake. He went into the locker room and could only say two words, “Lo siento”, which means I’m sorry. Galarraga responded with class and said, “No one is perfect.”

Though in sports there can be glimpses of perfection, no one is able to sustain it for more than a game or two. God however, has pitched a perfect game for an eternity. He was around before the world began and will be around for eternity. In all of that time, He has never made a bad decision. As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30. He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4.

In sports, statistics are often kept that detail the highlights and lowlights of a game. Negative plays including turnovers, missed shots, strikeouts, errors, and incompletions, all detail the mistakes that players have made. Statistics are even kept now on referees and umpires that can highlight mistakes. In our own lives, we know that we all will have times when we sin and mess up. In sports, mistakes go down in the permanent record, however, in our Christian lives we know that God forgives us our sins and they are completely erased forever. There is a poem by Louisa Fletcher that details the thoughts many might have at one time or another in which a person would want to start over. The beauty is that, in Christ, each day we are made new as forgiven and free children of God.

​
The Land of Beginning Again
I wish that there were some wonderful place
In the Land of Beginning Again.
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door
and never put on again.
I wish we could come on it all unaware,
Like the hunter who finds a lost trail;
And I wish that the one whom our blindness had done
The greatest injustice of all
Could be there at the gates
like an old friend that waits
For the comrade he's gladdest to hail.
We would find all the things we intended to do
But forgot, and remembered too late,
Little praises unspoken, little promises broken,
And all the thousand and one
Little duties neglected that might have perfected
The day for one less fortunate.
It wouldn't be possible not to be kind
In the Land of Beginning Again,
And the ones we misjudged
And the ones whom we grudged
Their moments of victory here,
Would find in the grasp of our loving hand-clasp
More than penitent lips could explain...
So I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door
And never put on again.
-Louisa Fletcher-

In this world there are various things that society emphasizes as most important; possessions, popularity, money, status, power, and even family or loved ones. At times we can look to these things to give us what only God can give. However, nothing on this earth can fulfill us like God’s love! No one lived a perfect life except Jesus, so there will be times when we sin, but motivated by God’s love, we can strive to put Him at the forefront of our lives. We can remember the words of the great song, “In the morning when I rise,” throughout the day. “In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. You can have all the rest, give me Jesus.”

Jesus was the greatest life teacher because His truth sets us free from the power of sin. Without Jesus, we would be lost and condemned to hell for our sins. With Jesus we are declared holy and perfect and receive His righteousness. Because of this we can follow Jesus’ example set on earth for how to live out God’s love in our lives. Motivated and empowered by His Word this is possible.

We can take to heart these words about Jesus from Pastor Max Lucado. “I believe that He is a fountain of living water that will never be exhausted. I believe that He is a source of wisdom and strength that will never be expired. I believe that He has grace for every sin. He has answers for every question. He has an authenticity, a realness to Him that can captivate your heart. I believe that He can do for you what no possession can do, what no promotion can do, what no election can do, what no circumstance can do. I believe He can.” What we have in Jesus is greater than anything we have or don’t have in life! 

​Reference
Lucado, M. (2015). “The good life.” Retrieved from http://media.oakhillschurch.com/default.aspx?page=3679&item=472
Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. 

Coach Dean Smith was a legendary basketball coach at University of North Carolina for 36 years. He grew up in a small Kansas town and was the son of Baptist school teachers. When he retired in 1997 he had 879 victories, which was the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball record at the time. For all his accomplishments on the court, he had equal triumphs in working for and developing his players for success off the court. Smith was a champion for racial integration recruiting the first black athlete, Charlie Scott, to the University of North Carolina. Once a fan of an opposing team called Scott a racist name, and Coach Smith got so upset that he had to be held back from going after the fan. Scott commented that, “It’s one of the very few times I ever saw Coach Smith become that angry and volatile. It surprised me, but it also made me proud that he was my coach.”

Smith cared about his players’ lives and not just about basketball. His players graduated with an astonishing 96 percent graduation rate, which is much higher than the university’s overall graduation rate! It could be, in part, due to his one firm rule that he told his assistant: If any of his players ever needed to talk to him, his assistant should interrupt whatever he is doing, no matter how important it seemed. He also kept in contact with his players after graduation and would send them letters of encouragement when things were going bad if they were struggling with something. 

An editorial once had four lessons that can be learned from Dean Smith’s life. They are:
1. It’s not about you — even when it is.
2. Family isn’t just your relatives.
3. Stand up for what you believe in.
4. Small graces loom large.
You will notice that none of these are about basketball. The first is about humility, the second loyalty, the third about courage, and the fourth about kindness. Dean Smith once said, “You should never be proud of doing what’s right. You should just do what’s right.” It was the way he tried to live his life and it is clearly based on his Christian faith. It was not fame that Coach Smith sought out but development of men that would carry them beyond the basketball court into excellence in all areas of life. 

Great coaches develop players that are better when they leave the program then when they enter. It was the same with Jesus. When Jesus left earth, He never really left the disciples. He could always be reached by prayer and the disciples received the Holy Spirit as well. It is the same gift and power that all Christians receive. We have the Holy Spirit within us to guide and direct our ways. The disciples were emboldened when they received the Holy Spirit and Christians are as well. Max Lucado, in his book Come Thirsty, states:
“Lord, I come thirsty. I come to drink, to receive. I receive your work on the cross and in your resurrection. My sins are pardoned, and my death is defeated. I receive your energy. Empowered by your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. I receive your lordship. I belong to you. Nothing comes to me that hasn’t passed through you. And I receive your love. Nothing can separate me from your love.”

As Christians we are all on Jesus’ team. He cares for each one of us and wants to stay in contact with us. Jesus desires nothing less than a 100 percent graduation rate. Our graduation day is when our time on earth is done and our place in heaven awaits us. We can be confident that Jesus has a firm rule: that no matter what time it is or what we have done, we can always come to Him and ask for advice, encouragement, or whatever help might be needed. 

References:
Strachan, M. (2015). “15 inspiring stories about dean smith that prove he was so much more than just ‘michael jordan’s coach’.” Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/09/dean-smith-stories_n_6646750.html

Posnanski, J. “Dean smith: A life well-lived.” Retrieved from http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/remembering-dean-smith-north-carolina-coach/

Lucado, M. (2004). Come Thirsty. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. ​

      Passionate teachers or coaches are positive and find the best in any situation to continue to motivate their class or team. This was a lesson that I learned from my players when I was coaching football. For two years I coached 8 man football at Trinity Lutheran High School in Reseda, CA. When I got there the team had not won a game in three years so I knew it was going to be a difficult task. Early in the season we played a very tough team and ended up falling behind 50 to 0. The guys kept playing hard, though, and on the next kick return one of our players brought it back for a touchdown! The team was happy because they scored on a tough opponent. After the game I should have focused on the positive effort the team displayed and the improvement we were showing. Instead I told them that we should feel bad because we got beat by so much and still have a lot of work to do. One of the freshmen on the team said to me, “What am I supposed to do, sulk and be down about the game? What is done is done. I am not going to let it get me down.” It was a fitting lesson for me and I agreed with the player. Later that season we were able to pick up a victory because the team stayed positive and continued to work hard.
            In the Old Testament, Joseph, as well, did not get down when times were tough for him. He continued to focus on positive things like the love of God and living this out to others. At each stage in his life, Joseph tried to be the best that he could be. He did not always have many possessions or the best of circumstances, but he was still happy. It is a lesson that we can take with us. Happiness happens not when our circumstances change, but when our attitude towards them changes.
            Coach Bill McCartney coached football for the University of Colorado Buffaloes who had not beat Nebraska for 23 years. He decided that he would change his players’ attitudes before the next time that they played in 1991. He challenged every player to call an individual and tell them they loved them and were dedicating their performance to them. Every play was going to be a dedication to the person they called. Coach McCartney then had the final score of the game put on 60 footballs so that each player could give the ball to their loved one. The final score: Colorado 27, Nebraska 12.
            Most people spend 86% of their time thinking about themselves, but only 14% of their time thinking about others. It was clear that in Joseph’s life that this was not the case. He gave credit to God and was working towards helping and taking care of others no matter where he was.
            Many people have held grudges against their brothers or family for far less than being sold into slavery, but Joseph did not. He was an optimist and trusted in God’s plan that good can come out of a bad situation. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Genesis 50:20 where Joseph is addressing his brothers after their father has died. Joseph’s brothers think that he may try to get back at them now for what they have done. Joseph however sees all of the struggle and hardship that he had to endure differently. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
            It is evident that Joseph would agree with the words in Philippians 4:11-13 that we should all take to heart, as well. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
            Because of Christ’s love for us, our mindset can be one of gratitude. We can show God’s love to others by loving what we do, working to help others, and looking for the good in any situation. Everyone has a passion. Christians know where their passion comes from—from the boundless love of God— and that is more motivating than anything else. When we work hard to show God’s love to others and to give glory to God we are successful no matter what our circumstances or the outcome. 
​Reference
Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. 

The reason behind the why we do what we do is the passion that fuels people. In 1990 Buster Douglas faced off versus Mike Tyson for the heavyweight boxing championship. At the time Mike Tyson was the undefeated heavyweight champion and Buster Douglas was a huge underdog. Tyson had a 37-0 record with 32 knockouts.

In the 8th round of the fight, Tyson knocked down Douglas and many thought that was it. However, Douglas got back up with one second to spare after a 9-second count. In Tyson’s eyes it didn’t matter, because he came out in the 9th round determined to finish off Douglas.

Buster Douglas said after the fight, “Listen to me, it’s really simple. Before my mother died she told the whole  world that I was going to beat Mike Tyson.” Douglas’s mother had died a few weeks before the fight, which got him down, but Douglas decided to dedicate the fight to his mother and make her prediction true. At the end of the 8th round, in his dazed state, he thought, “I can wake up and live for mom.”

In the 9th round a crazy outcome began to take shape. Douglas started to fight back with everything that he had. In the 10th round Douglas did the unthinkable and knocked out Mike Tyson in the biggest boxing upset of all-time! His “why reason” was greater than Tyson’s punch. His “why reason” was greater than defeat.

For Christians we know that we have the greatest “why reason” ever. Because of Jesus suffering and death on the cross and resurrection three days later we are motivated to live lives worthy of the love we have been shown. Our passion can be to give glory to God in all that we do and to share His love with others.

Sometimes life will knock us down, but we know that we have to keep getting back up and moving forward. We know that God can get us through any problems, sadness, or setbacks. God is our passion that we need to keep focused on and everything else will be put into perspective.

Reference: 
Mateusz M (2015). Resiliency-Motivational Video. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNQhuFL6CWg

Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. ​

​Everyone in a town came to a banquet to hear an amazing actor recite poetry, sing, and eloquently display his skills. He did several pieces after everyone had eaten and everyone was very impressed. Then he asked if anyone had any requests. An old man in the back stood up and weakly said that he would like to hear the actor recite Psalm 23. The actor said that he knew this piece and that he would only do it on one condition: if the old man would recite it after him. The actor vigorously and powerfully recited the Psalm. At the end everyone clapped and gave a standing ovation.

The old man had to follow that. He began and in his voice that was cracking at times and with the weariness of many trials, he recited the Psalm. At the end there were no applause, but there was not a dry eye in the banquet hall, as everyone was crying. Later someone asked the actor what he thought of the old man’s recitation. The actor replied, “I knew the Psalm, but that man knows the Shepherd.”

​The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
 he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
​for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
 all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23

               Coaches or teachers need to be good leaders to ensure that their players or students will follow their vision for what they should be doing. Leadership is not easy and is something that a coach needs to strive to improve on throughout his or her career. An excellent book on leadership that involves basketball coaching is Lead…for God’s Sake! A parable for finding the heart of leadership by Todd Gongwer. The book tells the story of a very successful high school basketball coach who is confronted with setbacks, and has to really consider what it means to be a leader and to be successful. The janitor at the school becomes a mentor to him, and helps him realizes what being a truly great leader and basketball coach entails.
            The janitor poses a question to the basketball coach: “Why do you do what you do?” It is a vital question to consider because what most motivates us to action usually determines how we attempt to motivate others to action. A major point is that competence is never complete without connection-relationships. The janitor explains it this way. “Jesus taught over and over that our very existence was all about relationships—first with him, and then with others. That’s why God created us in the first place. So it stands to reason that when your why answer is self-centered, your purpose, your very reason for existence, is not being fulfilled. And in the long run, you’ll not experience the true peace and joy this life has to offer.”
            Reflective questions are an important part of making a good leader. Coach Wooden said that he would ask himself one question everyday. “How can I make my team better?” His focus was not on himself but on others and what could be done to improve them. Three questions that people often ask about their leader are the following: “Can you help me? Do you care for me? Can I trust you?” Being an exceptional leader means communicating “yes” answers to each of these questions to your players.
            Any leader or coach should pray for wisdom daily or even hourly. Though coaches or leaders will not all be blessed with wisdom like Solomon, through hard work and trusting in God’s love to guide our lives, wisdom and leadership can be developed. Seeking out others with more knowledge or expertise in coaching or leadership is an excellent way to learn from others and develop your skills. John Maxwell lists several questions that can be used during a learning session.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
What are you learning now?
How has failure shaped your life?
Who do you know whom I should know?
What have you read that I should read?
What have you done that I should do?
How can I add value to you?
 
            As leaders, how we interact with others matters greatly. Solomon knew this and there is great wisdom from the Bible from Solomon’s writings. Verses in Proverbs state the importance of considering our words carefully. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1. If we season our conversation with God’s grace, then our relationships will go better. 
​         Solomon showed his love for his people through his words. In 1 Kings 8 he speaks a blessing over all of the people of Israel.
Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time. 
         The focus of his blessings was for the people to actively seek God and never forget what He has done for them. President Lincoln’s pastor was Dr. Phineas Gurley.  After hearing him give a sermon one Sunday President Lincoln was asked what he thought. He said, “It was brilliantly conceived, biblical, relevant, and well presented.” So it was a great sermon?  “No,” Lincoln replied, “because it did not ask us to do something great.” Great leaders inspire action through their words and Solomon was no different knowing that God’s love is the source of our inspiration. 

References
Gongwer, T.G. (2011). Lead…for God’s Sake! A parable for finding the heart of leadership. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Maxwell, J. (2014). Good leaders ask great questions. New York: Center Street.

​Maxwell, J. (2010). Everyone communicates few connect: What the most effective people do differently. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 

Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. ​

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

           God is the world’s greatest provider because He takes care of all of our needs. In our time on earth we may still experience hardships including health, financial, and family problems. However, God has freely given Christians the only thing that they need; eternal life in heaven. Because of this we have joy, peace, and hope in our time on earth. Having Jesus as our Lord and Savior means that we are blessed beyond belief. Anyone that believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be granted the free gift of heaven. What a wonderful promise based on God’s love for humanity!
            Billy Graham has said, “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” His life is a fine example of how we respond to God’s love and share this love with others. Graham knows all glory belongs to God. A few years ago Graham gathered his pastor and Michael W. Smith to his house to plan his funeral. His one request for his funeral was that his name not be mentioned. The only name he wanted to be mentioned was the name of Jesus Christ. Graham has preached to over a billion people and filled stadiums on every continent. He gives God the glory for the lives he has touched with the Word of God.  
            Our time on earth will seem like a short time when we get to heaven. Praising God for eternity in heaven will be an amazing experience. Paul, the apostle, writes in Romans 8:18. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The Bible tells us that in heaven we have indescribable joy and perfect peace, no pain or sadness, no sickness and no more dying.
            Former Senate chaplain, Dr. Richard Halverson, took great care in crafting his benediction that he used at the end of every service. It is a great reminder of how to approach our lives on earth confident in the love and grace of Christ and that our place in heaven is secure.

               
​               Dr. Halverson died on December 1st, 1995. At his funeral, he himself gave the benediction via a recording. It is a fitting to remember that Christians who die in the Lord are not gone forever. We will see them again in heaven. God is the world’s greatest provider. He takes care of us on earth and sustains us to life everlasting in heaven. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power!

Reference
Stohlmann, M. (2017). The world's greatest provider. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. ​

  ​           Superlative coaches or teachers have to be excellent communicators. Coaches need to clearly communicate to their players what they need to do and also motivate them through inspiring words of wisdom. Many coaches have been players of the sport they are coaching and usually were successful as a player. Anyone who has been a coach or teacher knows that knowing how to do something yourself is much different than trying to teach someone else how to do it. For example, Ted Williams was one of the greatest baseball players of all time and the last person to hit over .400 for a season. After he retired from baseball he became a hitting coach. He had amazing knowledge of hitting and great skill to do it; however his advice to players did not translate into success. He told the players to keep your eye on the ball. The hitters needed more than this advice, though, to get better. If communication is not clear then a team will not achieve as well as they should.
            God is the greatest communicator the world has ever known. He gave us the Bible, which contains endless wisdom for our lives. One of the main people God used to write down His words was Paul. Paul wrote about half of the books of the New Testament. Even while Paul, then called Saul, was growing up God had a plan for how He would use him. God gave him experiences to prepare him for the spreading of the Gospel message. At an early age Saul learned from, Gamaliel, one of the most noted rabbis in history. The school that he attended gave Saul a broad exposure to classical literature, philosophy, and ethics. As both a Jew and a Roman citizen Paul was able to witness effectively to both groups. God prepared him through his experiences and education to be an excellent vessel for the Gospel message. Through clear, patient, inspirational communication God’s love and His Word were spread throughout the world. 
​         It helps all of us when someone conveys to us that we are wonderful. There are two types of people in the world. One person conveys you should be happy to see me; while the other person conveys I am happy to see you. We need to be like the second person. That is the type of person Paul was. He would greet others kindly, offer words of support and encouragement, and would stay positive even in dire situations. This can have a large effect. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15. The most important thing that Paul did that we can do also is to talk often about grace and the Gospel. That is clear communication and true inspiration!
Reference
Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. ​Seattle, WA: CreateSpace. ​