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"

Timeout vs Coach

 

 

TIMEOUT VS COACH

 

Location:

James: 2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

Headline:

"There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." ~ John Wooden

Game Summary:

One the greatest basketball coaches of all time said it best above.  Sometimes we get  caught up in life or sports and forget our real purpose. Jesus wants us to follow him in all we do, admit our mistakes, and love our fellow man as we love ourselves. Timeouts in sports are used for several reasons but mostly for a coach to calm his team down, substitute or relay game strategy.

If we could only take timeouts in life to ponder our decisions before we make them... but then again how could we learn and grow in our faith. While trying to not to run up the score, little did I know that my timeout was misunderstood as an cocky act to embarrass the other team.

Basketball is a very competitive sport. It allows you to be respectful, humble, cocky, and even pushy if you are not careful. The coach or the player can be responsible for these actions.  My story starts in the third quarter. My team was up by 20. I had told my point guard to slow down and try to get others involved in the game. I let the game go on, now in the fourth with seven minutes left I called a timeout to explain to everyone as a team to slow down. The coach on the other team thought I was being {COCKY} by calling the timeout. After the timeout we go to throw the ball in and the other coach calls a timeout.  I get all my team back over to me and he says YEP we are still losing. We go to throw it in again and he calls timeout again and says the same thing.  By this time I think he is being [PUSHY].  After this time out, we go to throw in the ball and start bringing it down the court and he says team if you get the ball throw it to the other team. Hearing this made me mad so I let my mind overrule my [RESPECTFUL] heart and I called a timeout. This took the attention off him being [COCKY] and turned it to me as being [PUSHY].  Looking back I should have been [HUMBLE] and let the players have the attention for playing the good game.  Be [RESPECTFUL] and [HUMBLE] towards your coach and teammates. And TAKE A TIMEOUT to give all your glory to GOD!!!

Jesus while hanging on the cross asked God to forgive the men killing him. I figure if he could do that, we should be able to forgive or "turn the other cheek" during sporting events.

 
 

 

 

 

MVP:

 Jeff Willis (a VOLUNTEER youth sports coach who has an unbelievable passion for helping kids and is a big enough man to share his mistakes so that others can learn from them).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recap:

 Where do you draw the line in sports? When we know we are far superior in a skill than someone else.  This is a hard decision we face all through life.  A famous TV star once said I don't know the key to success but the key to failure is trying to make everyone happy."

Is there something else the coach in this story could have done, so the other coach knew he was not trying to run up the score just to embarrass them?  Would it have been better to not change anything?

Practice: 

Checkout the song "Go Hard or Go Home" by Lecrae

Sunshine vs Rain

 

 

 

SUNSHINE VS RAIN

 

Location:

Proverbs 17:22  A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

 

Headline:

"I can't play being mad. I go out there and have fun. It's a game, and that's how I am going to treat it."

Ken Griffey Jr. (one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history)

Game Summary:

As an assistant coach on my daughters 14&u Shockers softball team, we had a player everyone called “Sunshine”.  I really don’t think I even knew her real name was Kirstin, until way into the season, because “Sunshine” was all I heard.

I remember the first time I saw her make a mistake. Instead of getting mad or putting her head down, she just put on this big smile  like she had just hit a homerun or thrown out the other team’s fastest runner.  I have to admit I was a bit taken aback by this and really thought,  “Why are you smiling?  You just missed a ball you should have gotten.”

The more I was around her, the more I began to understand this unique gift she had to laugh at herself.

It is rarely seen in competitive sports, but I begin to think how cool it would be if we could all just laugh off our mistakes. Sunshine wasn’t laughing because she was happy she had missed the ball, but rather to keep her spirits up for the next opportunity.  Maybe parents and coaches should approach the game with this mentality.  Instead of screaming negative comments that only embarrass and degrade the players, give them a smile and a “you can do it”.

Softball is a game of failure. It is vital to learn how to handle that or it will eat you up.  Confidence is knowing you have the ability to make every play or to get a hit every time, but it also knowing that you won’t. You can’t expect 100% success.

Christians are often led to believe that we are not going to make many mistakes, so when we mess up, it is devastating.  The Bible is clear that we are ALL sinners, which means we will all make mistakes, so why not be prepared for them.  Now this is not an instruction manual telling you do something bad and then just laugh about it, but rather to keep things simple. When it comes to mistakes, learn to laugh at yourself, ask forgiveness and try not to do it again.

 

 

 

MVP:

Kirsten Goodman was a Shortstop for the 14 & Under,  USSSA C-State Runner Up, Seminole Shockers

 

Recap:

As a Christian Athlete, if we could adopt this attitude, how much more successful could we be-- both on and off the field?

The next time you mess up in practice or a game, try Sunshine’s approach and smile about it. How does that make you feel?

What things do we get upset about that are not that big of deal-- things that are really not that important, Things  that

we can smile and shrug our shoulders at….

Checkout Britt Nicole's song “Gold”.

Consider playing it as inspiration for this story.

Squeeze vs Sacrifice

SQUEEZE VS SACRIFICE

LOCATION:

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 HEADLINE:

"I wish everyone would turn to Jesus and to the Bible. So many say, ‘Let me do my own thing for a while and I'll change in a couple of years.' The sad thing is, you may never get there. We don't control the next breath." – John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves

 

GAME SUMMARY:

While traveling overseas with an Athletes in Action Fastpitch Softball Team, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with the opposing team and fans in the stands (typically between games of a double-header). A great way of communicating this in relation to softball is to use the Suicide Squeeze Play.

Just like the Coach has a plan or strategy for getting a runner home, God has a plan to get each of us home to Him!

A suicide squeeze can only be put into motion if the batter sees the sign from the Coach. In the same way, Jesus received the plan from His Father.

Now the batter has to be willing to give up their at bat and lay down a bunt. Jesus, as well, had to be willing to lay down and give up His life for us.

All of that, and the only way the play will be completely successful is if the runner at 3rd sees the signal and chooses to run home once the pitch is on the way. The same is for us, as we have to acknowledge God’s plan and respond to Jesus’ sacrifice for us!

 

 

 

MVP:

Jesus Christ who died for your sins so that you can have everlasting life!

 

 

 

RECAP:

Have you ever missed a sign your coach has given you when you were at the plate? If you missed a sign for a suicide squeeze, your teammate at 3rd will most likely be out easily, right? We can rejoice in knowing that Jesus didn’t miss the “sign” and we can easily come home to Him! The runner has to start running before the batter makes contact, and have faith in the batter to make contact. When have you had to have faith in someone else, in God, so you are successful in what you do?  When have you started something, and had to depend on someone else before you could finish?

 

PRACTICE:

Checkout the song Suicide Mission by Gospel Lee

Watch the movie  ...  Passion of the Christ
Contributed by Vicki Simpson, owner of www.bigfishtees.com

 

 

SPECIAL VS NORMAL

 

Location:

Matthew 25:40  Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’

Headline:

"Every team requires unity. A team has to move as one unit, one force, with each person understanding and assisting the roles of his teammates. If the team doesn't do this, whatever the reason, it goes down in defeat. You win or lose as a team, as a family."

Jack Kemp (pro quarterback in the 1950s and 60s)

Game Summary:

Often times kids who are special are completely separated from the so called “normal” kids in school, but how powerful can they be together?

A friend of mine sent me a YouTube video about a middle school football team whose players decided they wanted to plan a surprise for someone special on their team.  The players met secretly for weeks and designed two plays they would use in a game they would play soon.   During that game, one of the players who was a part of the secret plan, was running for a sure touchdown, but instead of scoring, he slid down to the ground on purpose, on the one yard line.  The fans in the stands were upset, because they saw that he could have scored, but he didn't, on purpose.  On the next play, the quarterback took the snap from center, turned and handed the ball off to a player who had never played before, because he was a special needs student.  The quarterback stepped to the side of his special teammate, put his arms around him, and with the help of other teammates, guided him into the end zone to score the touchdown!  He was truly a part of the team now. What a thrill for him, and his parents, as well.

Why did the players do this?

Having this special needs student on the team helped them understand how blessed they all were and how difficult life was every single day for their special teammate.  They had lots of friends, they were the "cool" ones at school, they were invited to all the parties, they were " normal".  Their special friend had none of those things, and he certainly wasn't considered "normal".  The players realized they spent most of their time thinking only of themselves and their "normal" friends and what made them happy.  They wanted to do something special, for their special teammate.

So, what's the lesson to be learned?

*Don't think that helping those less fortunate, is just for adults.  I'll bet you can think of someone at school, on a ball team, in Bible class, a neighbor, a relative, who could use a friendly "Hi!  How are you?"  Or ," I heard you've been ill, are you feeling better?"  Or, "We're going to a movie, would you like to go with us?"  Practice is necessary to improve on anything we're wanting to accomplish in our lives.  Begin looking today for people you can reach out to and ask God to help you as you do.  The more you reach out to people, the easier it will become, and remember, God loves you!

 

MVP:

Keith Orr #14 from, Olivet Middle School in Olivet, Mich

 

 

Recap:

Who can you think of that you could do something special for?

Brainstorm with the team on what you could do.

Practice:

The video link to this story is available at this link, Special vs Normal

It was a featured special story on CBS Evening News.

Contributed by Margaret Kaiser, Sports Parent and Fan