The Matchup: Coach VS Kidney  

Location: Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Headline: "You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself."--Larry Brown

Game Summary:

    Ask yourself a question, what would I do as a person if somebody I had met one time needed a kidney transplant to live?  That is exactly the decision Coach Tom Walter of the Wake Forest baseball team was faced with in 2011. A player he had recruited to play baseball for him, Kevin Jordan, found out he needed a kidney transplant to live. Kevin became ill his senior year in high school and was unable to play ball for Coach Walter; in fact, they had only met once before Tom decided to be tested as a donor for Kevin.  God does mighty things through us as Christians when we allow Him to and because of his obedience Tom was a match! Coach not only gave Kevin a kidney, He gave him a chance to live.

    When Tom was asked “Why donate a kidney to somebody he barely knew?”, he said “There was no way I was going to sit on the sidelines and watch this kid fight for his life when I could help”.  Tom saw a man in need and took it upon himself to bear his burden, which just so happened to require a kidney donation.  Jesus took it upon himself to bear the burdens of our sin by sacrificing Himself on the cross so that we can have a place in heaven with God; despite our sins.

    Kevin made a full recovery following the surgery.  He had lost almost 40 pounds of muscle because of his illness but as soon as the doctors gave him permission he began working out two times a day.  A year after his kidney transplant surgery, Kevin took the field to play his first inning of baseball for Coach Walter.  Kevin struck out his first three at bats and on his 4th at bat after Coach Walter talked to him and told him to relax, Kevin hit a line drive to right field for his first base hit of his college career.  Coach Walter had done a great thing for Kevin, but don’t forget about what Kevin did.  Through the worst two years of his life, Kevin remained positive. He did not give up and when he was given a second chance he made the most of it through hard work.  He battled through adversity and succeeded.  

MVP:    Coach Tom Walter, Wake Forest Baseball Team

Recap:    Have you had any instances in your life where you could have helped somebody and chose not to?  Do you think after hearing this story that you will make a different choice next time?

Practice:        Tobymac’s song: “Til the Day I Die”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLZ_MrPplk

The Matchup:   

Juvi vs Roundball   

Location:

Hebrews 13:3

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison , and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Headline:

"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it."

                                    Knute Rockne

Game Summary:

To play basketball for Gainesville Tornadoes in Texas is considered a privilege. Only those who show a record of good behavior can play. The only thing is no one comes to their games. Gainesville is a juvenile correction facility in Texas for felony offenders. The rewards for their behavior is a chance to go out to play basketball against other schools, mostly private Schools.

One school they play is Vanguard College Prep School. But something unusual happened. The players for Vanguard didn’t want to play them. Why? Gainesville had no fans. The players for Vanguard didn’t feel it was right for any team to play another team without fans.

So the players pulled off something no one did before. They had half of their fans to cheer for Gainesville,

sit in their section. Half of the cheerleaders cheered for them and  make a tunnel for Gainesville to run through when they entered the court.  The excitement in rooting for Gainesville got contagious. Every time Gainesville scored, all the fans cheered for them.

The Gainesville players said they never felt like they felt during that game. To have the whole gym yelling

and screaming for them--when they never had fans before--was something they said they would never forget.

We all want someone to believe in us. We all need someone to forgive our mistakes and give us another chance. Jesus said, “what you do for the least of these you do to me” (Matthew 25:40).  It also says in Matthew 23: 11-12,“The greatest among you will be your servant. He who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gainesville players said they can’t thank Vanguard players enough for what they did.

When it was over, who won the game.

A TV station who covered the game didn’t give the score. They said, obviously they didn’t care, so why should we.

You really need to watch the featured video of this story to experience the feeling of what happened; to feel the spirit of the story.

MVP:  All players and fans of the Gainesville Tornadoes and the Vanguard College.

Recap:  

Do you think it was hard to do this? For any team to do this, to give up praise so someone else could feel what it is like to have someone cheering for them.  How does it make you feel when someone is cheering for you?

Sports today is so much about winning. Where could you be a winner, giving someone else a chance to win …  to make someone else feel important?

Practice:

Checkout the video story for more about Juvi vs Roundball

http://www.liftable.com/cbatorski/basketball-team-refuses-play-another-team-incredible-reason/

Collarbone VS. Friend

The Matchup:   

Collarbone vs Friend

Location:

Romans 12:19

Don't take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God's anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, "I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord."

Headline:

"You'll never get ahead of anyone as long as you try to get even with him."

                                                             LOU HOLTZ

Game Summary:

REVENGE is a interesting word.  There's even a TV show by this name.  Some people think it is acceptable in certain situations, but the Bible says differently. Raised in the church,(knowing who Jesus was), I knew God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. I knew right from wrong. I knew "Church"/Religion. I just didn't have a personal relationship. I wasn't a full follower of Jesus. In high school I was really focused on sports… played football, track, powerlifter, and played basketball. I received a scholarship to East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma to play football. There I found myself living a sinful life… getting in fights, parting, damaging my body and getting in trouble with the police and the school.

I remember back in my junior year of high school I had just been interviewed by The Daily Oklahoman. The season started great. We were 2-0. I was leading the 5-A division with 20 tackles. I was very prideful, thinking nothing could stop me. Once, while doing tackling drills, one of my teammates (actually my best friend) lit me up hard in practice. It embarrassed me- made me mad. I was the big shot, you know.  So I waited in the line perfectly just so I would match up with him to get revenge on him. I was running the ball, dropped the ball purposely just to hurt him. We collided viciously. Well, when determined to get my revenge I was the one who got hurt. I ended up breaking my collarbone. I had to have surgery. Now, after finding a true relationship with the Lord, later on in college I looked back on that moment. I learned two things.
1. God before football. If I am putting more time into football instead of seeking God first through Scripture and prayer, something is wrong
2. Do not seek revenge. It's okay to compete, and football is a physical sport. But the way I approached the situation was wrong
Most of us grow up carrying our parents’ Faith. We have to make the decision somewhere to have our own. We will be judged alone at the gates of Heaven. I decided to live for Jesus Christ, my savior... Completely. I was born again! I do everything to glorify God on and off the field. I honor God by competing at a high level all of the time and showing the love of Jesus to teammates, coaches, etc.


MVP:
Gumaro Murphy (East Central University Tigers Defensive End)

Recap:

Have you ever taken revenge on someone?  If so, how did it turn out and how did it make you feel?

A popular phrase when we feel someone wrongs us is “even the score.”  Has anything ever happened to you that made you want to "even the score”?  In Gumaro’s case it was being embarrassed by his teammate. When you think of Jesus in the Bible, what did he say to do when someone does something to hurt you? Do you see that being applied in our lives today? In sports, school, or home?

Practice:

Checkout Lecrae’s song “Good, Bad, Ugly”

Foul Ball VS Rapper



 

The Matchup:  

Foul Ball vs Rapper

 

Location:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ...nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. For those who love Him, His mighty power in us will do greater things than what we think or can even imagine.

(Romans 8:28, 38, Ephesians 3:20)

 

Headline:

"Injury in general teaches you to appreciate every moment. I've had my share of injuries throughout my career. It's humbling. It gives you perspective. No matter how many times I've been hurt, I've learned from that injury and come back even more humble."

Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers 8 time Pro Bowl Strong Safety)

 

 

Game Summary:

Injuries in sports are so common; what's even more exciting is a great comeback.  Athletes over the years have made miraculous recoveries to come back to their sport.  Sometimes they come back even better than before. Troy Polamalu’s quote above gives us a glimpse into one man’s attitude about his injuries and how he has handled them. He mentions humble twice in his quote and that is a powerful word used all over the Bible.  James 4:10 “Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up”

 

In 2004 Chris A Conway, a junior in high school, played baseball for Seminole high school. During a game, while talking to his brother in the dugout, he was distracted and looked in the stands. When he looked back a line drive foul ball was hit straight at him, and boom, hit him in the temple. He was rushed to the hospital with a severe concussion. This freak accident left him with a blood clot in his brain. The doctors attempted to get him to spell simple words, but he was unable to even spell “dog”. The only friends or family he recognized were his mom and brother. Chris said “I thought I was going to die”. The outcome looked grim, but God’s hand was on Chris. He had another plan for him.

 

 

Recovery was slow, and he had to learn how to spell all over again, but he miraculously recovered. In the summer of 2005, he felt called into the ministry while at Turner Falls Youth Camp. A new perspective and mission for living now came over him. He saw himself as God’s tool to lift his generation up out of troubled times, to show them the truth and God’s light, and to begin to introduce the power and Word of God to many.

 

Known as C-Phresh originally, Chris began rapping at the age of 15. Chris’s mission in the world began expanding. Several years since the brain injury, He remains totally recovered and is doing better than ever.

 

Chris is now grinding like never before! He has performed in New Mexico, California, Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, and all over Oklahoma. He has been blessed to be on stage with amazing artists such as Dillon Chase, Kadence, Fight The Fade, Rapture Ruckus, Stars go Dim, Von Won and many others. He currently has two albums, Rephreshed and Killing Lions.

 

The rapper continues rapping with a mission and is now known as simply “Chris A.” because he doesn’t want to hide behind a stage name. The foul ball brought out a Refreshed message. No matter how bad, or devastating something is that happens to you, God can still use it for an even greater purpose in your life. God can always work a miracle in your life to make it happen, and make it happen beyond what you ever imagined. Ephesians 3:20 says that God’s Spirit in our lives can do something greater than what we can think of, or even imagine. Chris is an example of this verse and you can be too! 

 

MVP:

Chris Conway AKA music artist Chris A.

 

Recap:

What has started out bad in your life, but ended up a blessing?

 

As a Christian we know life won't always be easy, but with Faith in Jesus anything is possible. Do you know someone whose Faith really shines? Do you know someone who had a devastating accident, but had an amazing recovery?

 

Sometimes your worst circumstances may be God’s place for His Greatest Blessing. The Apostle Paul wrote some of his most Inspiring letters in the Bible, such as Ephesians and Philippians, while in prison. The prisons in his day were cold, damp, dark, and many were rat infested.  Do you know anyone who God brought out of the worst of circumstances to do some very remarkable things?

 

Practice

 

Checkout Chris A's new music album titled Killing Lions on Apple or Android.

 

 

 

 

Combine vs Kickoff

 

 

 

COMBINE VS KICKOFF

 

Location:

Psalm 31:24  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD

Headline:

"It is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters."
5 time heavyweight champion Boxer, Evander Holyfield

 

Game Summary:

What Evander Holyfield said above is basically not to judge others by what you see on the outside, but rather what you see on the inside.

Hayden Schaumburg loved to farm. At Watseka High School, he was in the National Honor Society and chapter president of the Future Farmers of America. At 16 he was already working the 2,000 acres of land owned by his dad 90 miles due South of Chicago. Hayden could drive the combine 

and managed a sweet corn crop. 

Football was his other love. His teammates said he was the hardest working player on the field, both the football field and the fields he farmed. After finishing High School Hayden knew where he was going to be… getting a degree in agriculture at the University of Illinois and then back to the farm. Friday nights he was on the football field, and then on the farm fields early Saturday morning.

Then tragedy struck. While running full force down field on a kickoff, Hayden had a violent collision with another player. Hayden laid on the field lifeless. Everyone knew this was serious. The game was delayed almost an hour until emergency transportation could arrive. They wanted to airlift him to the hospital, but it was too windy. 

Into November Hayden’s parents stayed close by his bed. Hayden suffered a broken neck. Every procedure was critical. Meanwhile, the farm was left unattended. The 1000 acres of sweet corn, if not harvested, would go to waste. Hayden worked hard to have this premium crop of corn. 

Then one Saturday morning combines, trucks and over 100 people showed up to the corn fields. By late morning, there were 16 combines and 30 trucks ready to haul the harvest to the grain elevators in town. In one day, more than 125,000 bushels of corn left the farm in less than 10 hours.Hayden put his heart in everything he did, had won the love and admiration of his school and teammates. That morning everyone put their hearts into who Hayden was.

Watseka High has University of Alabama-styled helmets, with the numbers on the right side, so the players decided to tear off their own numbers and stick on Hayden's – 66. They all played as No. 66 that night. They all played for No. 66, Hayden. "If I had his heart in my other players' bodies," coach Steve Lucas said, "we'd never lose a game."

Hayden has several months of rehab ahead of him. There is a football field, a cornfield, and an entire town of fields, waiting for a Friday night or a Saturday morning when that boy comes home.

See a video story about Hayden here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19gvK5RSDwc

 MVP:

Hayden Schaumburg #66 for the Watseka Warriors

Recap:

Do you know someone whose hard work really shows their heart at work? How has that inspired you?

Do you see how people are moved by our hearts and how hard we play? No matter how talented we are, we can inspire others by how much heart we put into it. How do you see yourself doing that? Where do you see a lot of heart in your fellow players?
 

Practice:

Listen to Little Ol’ Me by Jamie Grace

Pictured above: Jamie Grace

Farmer vs Football

 

 

 

Farmer vs Football

 

Location:

Proverbs 3: 9-10 (NIV) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Headline:

“When I think about a life of greatness, I think about a life of service”

Jason Brown (former NFL lineman and owner of First Fruits Farm)

Game Summary:

Studies show that professional athletes might not have any money left after they leave the game.  Sports Illustrated recently found that almost 4 out 5 NFL players go bankrupt or are strapped for money within two years after they quit playing.

Jason Brown was that 1 out of 5 that was able to do things differently with his success in professional sports.  His quote above gives you a glimpse of what kind of man Jason has become.  Jason is big man with an even bigger heart for God and what He has called for Jason to do.

Jason started his career with a 35 million dollar contract and a 20 million dollar guarantee. After his contract ran out, he had many offers.. Other teams wanted him. Football was his skill, but his heart was somewhere else. Instead of continuing to make millions playing football, he bought  a farm in North Carolina… he called it First Fruits Farm.

Jason had a bigger picture of life beyond his football career. His dream was to raise vegetables, giving the first fruits of each crop to the needy.

Farming was not something he knew anything about. In his first  effort to grow squash and cucumbers, it failed due to too much rain. But he stuck with it and learned through watching YouTube videos, how to plant, protect, and grow.  He succeeded in having a great harvest of sweet potatoes, and was able to give  the first harvest away.

His next project is developing several ponds for fishing. But the ponds are about more than fishing. When he sees the ponds, he envisions dozens of young people learning to fish.

Jason added,  “We want to get them on the farm, take them fishing,  but also try to talk to them about values and making the right kinds of decisions.”

He hopes the fields one day will be dedicated to providing fresh produce to shelters and food pantries.

Instead of making millions playing football, Jason Brown is now investing his life in bringing value to others worth

millions.

Jason was featured on CBS “On the Road”. 
Click the above link to see the segment!

 MVP:

Jason Brown, former NFL lineman, now Farmer who turned down the ways of this world to follow what God has planned for him.

Recap:

How are you serving others?

How do you feel when you help a friend or donate your time to a charity?

What commitment can you make this year to increase helping/serving others?

Can you dream like Jason and bring something to the world that will affect many lives?

Practice:

Check out the song by TobyMac “Steal My Show”

Pictured above: TobyMac

Bully VS Waterboy

BULLY VS WATERBOY

Location:

Psalm 82:4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked

 

Headline:

"Everyone in life faces obstacles.  That's what made me who I am.  I don't regret to have been bullied because probably if I would not have faced those obstacles I would not have been the man that I am.  It makes me stronger in a way and it helped me to forge the person that I am right now."  George St-Pierre aka GSP (former 3 time welterweight champion of the UFC)

Game Summary:

GSP is considered one of the best professional fighters in the world.  He explains how trials in his life have actually made him stronger.  The old saying "everything happens for a reason" is so true when it comes to God and how he works in our lives.  Sometimes we know the reason and sometimes we don't, but we should always trust in GOD.

The Apostle James said that those who live to do right will be persecuted.  We could also say they will be criticized, made fun of, and people will be mean to them.  (2 Timothy 3:12)

Danny faced this.

Danny is a first-grader in Bridgewater, Mass.  He has a small speech impediment which developed after a brain hemorrhage he had shortly after he was born. Danny became the waterboy for the fifth grade football team and was loved greatly by his teammates.  As their #1 fan, Danny was always cheering his teammates on.

His fifth-grade teammates found out other kids were picking on Danny for wearing a tie and jacket -- and for his speech impediment.  Wearing a tie and dress coat is not a bad thing but different than what others wore. Danny wanted to look his best.  So Danny went to school everyday wearing a tie and a sport coat.  The fifth grade football team decided to stand up for Danny and do something about it.

Instead of lashing out at those trying to tease and bully Danny, the team came up with a positive way to show they loved Danny.  What did they do?  The whole team came to school wearing ties with a sport coat and hung out with Danny every chance they could.  Why did they do this?  The team want3ed to show they loved Danny, and they wanted to be like him.

Sometimes we may be doing a good thing.  Some may make fun of us.  However it encourages others to do the right thing and let people know what you stand for in an appealing way.

A local TV station did a story on Danny and his friends.  Check it out. 
(The link is below)

 

 

MVP:

Danny 

 

 

 RECAP:

Although the media seems to make you think bullying is something new, its really not.   The exposure we have through all the media just makes it look that way.  Do you know someone who is bullied because he or she is different?  Have you ever noticed some who are weak in one area are strong in others?  What strengths do you see this person having?  What can you do to make them feel loved, like Danny who had a speech impediment?

 

 

 

PRACTICE:

Check out the news story about Danny and his friends.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/new/national/danny-6-year-old-teased-band-of-elementary-schoolmates-rally-around-boy-to-stop-teasing

Also checkout the song by Lecrae, "Anomaly"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winning Streak VS Losing Streak

WINNING STREAK

VS

LOSING STREAK

 

Location:

Romans 5:3-4  We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope.

 

Headline:

"... each of us has some sort of ability: talent.  Now its our responsibility to discover what that is and what's more, have the courage to use it."

Bob Ladouceur, (football coach of De La Salle Spartan High School)

Game Summary:

Coach Ladouceur is considered one of the  most successful coaches of all times.  His De La Sale Spartans won 151 high school football games in a row.  He did this with class and grace, but it didn't come without many trials along the way.  These trials only led him to become a better man both professionally and personally.

The Lucky Ladies softball team just came off a magical journey in their last season of 10 and under.  Not only had they won 6 tournaments and a State Championship, but they had placed 5th at the World Series competing against 35 teams from 8 states.  All this from a small Ada, Oklahoma area team that didn't pay its coaches, have monthly fees to play or recruit girls from all over the state like many of its opponents.

Private parent meetings were held to talk about the team and the move to 12 & under, where they would now be the younger team and the road would not be as easy. Its rare in the travel ball arena but all 11 players would be returning and several had played together since 8 & under and even t-ball.

Boy did that change quick ... shortly before the season was to begin their power hitting, outfield/catcher told her parents she needed a break and wanted to take off this Fall Season.  Much to everyone's surprise the Lucky Ladies were down to 10 players.  Season starts with a 1 run loss to an older team in the last inning, that eventually won the tourney, then a bad loss to a much less talented team.  They were 0-2 and out of the tourney.  2nd tourney begins with another close loss that goes down to the last inning and then another bad loss to a team they should have beaten ... 0-4.  This bunch was not accustomed to losing.  The previous season's success seemed to be quickly forgotten.  The parents of their last season team captain, shortstop/catcher and leadoff hitter decided it was best for her to find another team ... down to 9 players.  The very next week the news came in that their other previous team captain/ 3rd baseman/ power hitter was to undergo surgery for a nagging leg injury and would be out for the season ... down to 8.  The remaining coaches and parents scrambled to make some calls to friends in the area and quickly found 4 new players to boost their lineup to 12, which was the goal all along.

The 1st tourney with the new parts in place began not much differently than the others -- a close loss by the 1 run in extra innings to an older team that eventually won the tournament.  That was followed by 2 more losses to a rival team in the area who had never beat them.  So the lucky number 7 was not so lucky as the Lucky Ladies were now 0-7 and reeling on what to do.  Coaches and parents all had opinions of what was going on but ultimately the plan was keep on moving forward, working hard and things would work out.  The next tourney was a 2 day, 11 team tourney in North Oklahoma City.  The girls once again started out playing a much bigger and older team, but the results were not the same.  The bats came alive, along with solid defense and good pitching.  The girls pulled out the win 9-3.  They rolled through the tournament winning all 6 games they played and taking home 1st place.  After that the girls didn't look back, and took home 2nd place in the last 2 tournaments of the Fall season.

Jesus the son of God was brought to this earth for one reason ... to save all of us.  He was brought to this earth to go through a "losing streak" so to speak where he experienced all kinds of horrible things including being tortured and eventually hung on the cross to die.  But did His story end?  By providing everlasting life to all who choose to follow his lead and the word of God.  So just remember when you are having a bad day, are being called a bad word, or losing in the sport you love, this world is just temporary and you are able to overcome things of this world because of the everlasting promise that Jesus provided for both you and me.  Stand tall through your troubles and never give up, because Jesus has laid out "winning streak" for those who follow him. 

MVP:

2014 Lucky Ladies fastpitch softball team

Spring 10 & under

and

Fall 12 & under

 Recap:

 Some say what we learn from losing teaches us great lessons for what then makes us winners.  What has happened where you felt you failed, but then later on you saw how it helped you become successful?  In your abilities, in your attitude?
Do you see that no matter how good we get, we still need to keep improving?  What do you feel you do well, but you can still improve? What can you do to keep getting better at it?

What Bible verses can you think of that encourage us to keep getting better, no matter how good we get at something? (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:24, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.)

Practice:

Checkout the movie "The Game Stands Tall" for more inspiration in this message and just how one should handle success along with failure. 

Also check out Trip Lees song "Sweet Victory"