If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It

I have a quote on my work desk that reads, "If you can dream it, you can do it."  Walt Disney spoke those words over 50 years ago and they have inspired me to keep dreaming, and go for those dreams that God has given me.  When people walk through our basketball offices at BJU and see that plaque, most of them can't help but say something about it.  The typical remark is usually something like, "I have dreamt a lot of dreams in my lifetime that I was never able to do" or "I always wanted to be an astronaut and now I'm a janitor."  It always makes me chuckle or smirk when I hear these things, but at the same time it is encouraging to me.  I am encouraged by the fact that I am still alive with a dream and I am still chasing it unlike so many people.  Although I understand that some "dreams" are unrealistic, I still choose to dream.  Many people say that, "dreams are just goals without a plan", but I believe that dreams are goals filled with inspiration and creativity.  We can set goals all day long, but if we are not passionate about pursuing those goals they are pointless.  Just because someone out there gave up on their dreams, don't let them convince you to give up on yours.  My dreams are special to me and they hold a sincere place in my heart.  Walt Disney's life story is so amazing to me and to think it all started with a dream!  So keep dreaming your dreams, and continue to go after those things that make you who you are!  God is calling all of us to do great and mighty things, so dream big and dream often! 

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James Naismith, Basketball, and God

I've been reading many good books lately, but one of my favorites so far has been, "The Good Life" by Trip Lee.  It has spoken to me in a real way and I'm really excited to see the impact it has on culture. 

Since basketball season is just beginning, I wanted to share a snipet of Trip's book where he talks about James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball.  Many people struggle with the reality of who God is as creator, but I thought it was interesting how Trip used this illustration of James Naismith to paint a picture for us.  I know in my life, I sometimes try to figure things out on my own and I think that I am in control.  Instead of having the mindset that my success, and the blessings I receive are God's and were created by Him, I often take the credit, lacking humility.  The following is a section taken from "The Good Life."

"For one, He is God.  That statement in itself says more about Him than anything else could.  He is the all-powerful Creator, Sustainer, and Owner of all things, including you and me.  All of the universe belongs to Him.  And the fact that He made every inch of creation makes Him the authority on how it should operate.

In 1891 James Naismith was asked to create an indoor game for the students at a unviersity.  He racked his brain and came up with a new, unique game he called "basket ball."  He grabbed a soccer ball, hung up two peach basketbs, and posted thirteen rules on the wall for the young men to see.  They were ready to play their first game.

Now can you imagine one of the students arguing with him about what the rules were?  It would be arrogant and downright silly.  How could they tell Mr. Naismith how to play the game he created?  Similarly, God is our creator, He has given us life, and He knows how it's supposed to work.  How arrogant of us to think for a moment that we know better.

I imagine that if the students were left to themselves to figure out the game, they would have come up with a much less glorious version - throwing the ball at one another and pulling the peach baskets down.  Left to our sinful imaginations, human beings will not come up with the right way to live.  We'll spend our energies chasing fantasies and masquerades, blinded to the true realities of life.  God's way is not only right, it's better.  Using your life for hedonism is like using a Ferrari for target practice.  Not only do you rob that life of its higher calling, but you destroy it in the process.  God the Father knows best.

In addition to that, God's identity gives Him ownership over His creation.  Psalm 24 says, "The Earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters" (NIV).  That includes us.

Most of us live under the illusion that our lives belong to us, and us alone.  But the truth is, you belong to your Creator.  He made us, therefore we're His.  It's that simple.  That doesn't mean we're just objects, lacking any kind of freedom.  But it does mean that rejecting God's leadership is robbing Him of something that is rightfully His.

Not to mention, He is the highest authority.  There is no one He has to answer to.  He did not have to be elected and He cannot be impeached.  His judgements cannot be appealed and His decrees don't have to be approved by any council.  He will never lose power and His term will never come to an end.  He is God!

You can purchase Trip Lee's new book, "The Good Life" by clicking here.

Follow Trip Lee on Twitter @TripLee116
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Broken-Down House (Chapters 1-2)

It has been a very long time since I have been on here writing!  Our basketball team at BJU is going to be using the book, "Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad" by Paul Tripp for our discipleship series this season.  I am extremely excited to begin going through this book with our players and I am praying hard that our staff and players will grow in a mighty way!

Personally, I began reading the book tonight by studying chapters 1 & 2.  I want to dig deep into the thoughts of this book, so in order to help me with that process, I am going to post what I learned, here!  I hope throughout this season, you will be encouraged by the work that God is doing in my heart and in the lives of our players.

The imagery of a broken-down house is used by Paul Tripp to describe the fallen nature of our modern day world.  I was challenged to acknowledge my chosen state, to be a tool in God's restoring hand.  So often we want to "demolish" the world around us with complaints and bad attitudes.  2 Timothy 2:20-21 calls us to do just the opposite.

"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." - 2 Timothy 2:20-21

God clearly calls us to be "restorers" of this fallen world, not "demolishers."   Tripp goes on to write, "He calls you and me to live in this broken-down house with hearts of patience and eyes of promise."  Typically, our sinful nature brings us to complain and go through life with a "survival" mentality instead of having a mindset to "thrive."  James 5:7-11 is a great passage that calls us to live in this world with "hearts of patience and eyes of promise."  We need to keep our hearts focused on the call to restore this world.  We need to disciple and make disciples.

I pray that Jesus will give me a heart of patience so that I can keep my eyes focused on the promises that God has made.  I am excited to keep learning what God has for me in these next few months as I go through this book with our team!

Live Christ.

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The Victory Is His

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 reads, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name." (ESV)

Dictionary.com defines "Victory" as, 

vic·to·ry [vik-tuh-ree, vik-tree]

1. a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.

2. an engagement ending in such triumph.

3. the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest.

Although we often associate the term 'victory' with the sports arena, the true victory was won at the cross of Jesus Christ.  I have been assessing myself as a coach and asking myself the question, "why do you coach?"  Obviously there is a passion and desire to win championships, develop the skills of my players, and to reach the highest level of success that is possible.  But if the wins, success, and reputation among my peers is the only place I'm finding victory, then I have truly lost.  When I break it down to the fundamentals, there really are only three reasons I coach and they are the only things that will make an impact for eternity.

1. Discipleship within a basketball program is key.  I want to disciple my players to the best of my ability to ensure that they are growing in their walks with Jesus and that they are winning off the court as well as on the court.  It is also very important that I am being a disciple to the coaching staff around me.  One area that is often forgotten though, is the fact that I need to be discipled as well.  If no one is coaching the coaches, then we are in trouble. (Matthew 28:19)

2. Proclaiming the gospel to the nations is essential.  Throughout the season it is vital to not only be visible in the community, but also to have a presence in the world.  As coaches, we ought to make it a priority to get our teams overseas to the mission field where the gospel is scarce.  If we aren't telling non-believers about Jesus, then we are failing in our call as coaches and as human beings. (Matthew 5:16)

3. Glorifying Jesus Christ in all we do is the umbrella over it all.  We were put here on this earth by a marvelous Creator and he deserves all the praise we have to offer.  God the Father sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for our sin, rise up from the grave, and give us victory.  He gave us victory because he won the battle over sin.  He gave us victory because he sits triumphantly at the right hand of God the Father.  (1 Corinthians 10:31)

It was the ultimate sacrifice and according to the Bible and the definition given to us by Dictionary.com, we really do have victory in Jesus!  We can worship Jesus by the way we coach, the way we live, and by the legacy we leave.  Next time you think about victory and winning a championship, check your intentions and make sure that you are doing everything for the glory of God!

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10 Thoughts About Leadership by Jon Gordon

Just to be up front, this is a blog written by Jon Gordon.  I wanted to share it here, though because I had a good time reading it! Here you go:

10 Thoughts About Leadership | Jon Gordon

1. People follow the leader first and the leader’s vision second – It doesn’t matter if the leader shares a powerful vision, if the leader is not someone who people will follow the vision will never be realized. As a leader, who you are makes a difference. The most important message you can share is yourself.

2. Trust is the force that connects people to the leader and his/her vision – Without trust there is a huge gap between the leader and the vision. Without trust people will stay off the bus. However if people trust the leader they will hop on the bus with the leader and help move the bus forward towards the vision.

3. Leadership is not just about what you do but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do.

4. A leader brings out the best within others by sharing the best within themselves.

5. Just because you’re driving the bus doesn’t mean you have the right to run people over – Abraham Lincoln said “Most anyone can stand adversity, but to test a man’s character give him power.” The more power you are granted the more it is your responsibility to serve, develop and empower others. When you help them grow they’ll help you grow.

6. “Rules without Relationship Leads to Rebellion” – Andy Stanley said this and it’s one of my favorite quotes. As a leader you can have all the rules you want but if you don’t invest in your people and develop a relationship with them they will rebel. This applies amazingly to children as well. It’s all about relationships.

7. Lead with optimism, enthusiasm and positive energy, guard against pessimism and weed out negativity.

8. Great Leaders know they don’t have all the answers – Rather they build a team of people who either know the answers or will find them.

9. Leaders inspire and teach their people to focus on solutions, not complaints. (The No Complaining Rule)

10. Great leaders know that success is a process not a destination – One of my heroes John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, never focused on winning. He knew that winning was the by product of great leadership, teamwork, focus, commitment and execution of the fundamentals. As a leader focus on your people and process, not the outcome.

Taken from www.jongordan.com
Follow Jon Gordon on Twitter @JonGordon11 

Becoming a Bruin

Well, it feels like the past few months have been a roller coaster ride, as I've been trying to find a coaching position for this upcoming season.  I'm very excited to announce that God has opened a door for me to coach at NCCAA DI, Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC.  My young coaching career has been filled with mostly part-time and volunteer positions, so I am extremely thankful for my first "full-time" position where my job is to get paid to coach basketball!  How cool is that?!

My wife and I have spent numerous hours praying that the right position would open up, and it has.  I am looking forward to working with a great head coach in Neal Ring and being part of BJU's inaugural season of intercollegiate athletics.  I didn't think that when Coach Ring first talked to me about coming to BJU it would actually happen.  I had a lot of skepticism and was doubtful about the whole situation, but I guess good things happen when you talk to coaches at the Final Four!

I look forward to being part of a program where Jesus Christ is lifted high and lives will be impacted for the Kingdom of God.  Anyone who knows me understands my passion for basketball and my desire to use the game to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to coach at an institution where I can do that.  I am also grateful for my mentors who have discipled me along the way and continue to make huge impacts in my life.  Coach Peter Wehry, Coach Paul Whitt, and Wayne Simien (there are many more coaches, too!) have been some of my greatest coaching role models and I appreciate everything they do.  I am pumped up to begin work as a Bruin and I am ecstatic to see the awesome things God does with our basketball team!

The Waiting Game

It's been a few months since I've been on here, but I'm happy to be back!  The last couple months have been filled with excitement and I know the most exciting is still yet to come.  Like many young coaches out there, I too, am waiting to see where I will be coaching next season.  My email account has been overworked.  I've sent out more resumes that I can even count.  And my mailbox has been filling up with letters of rejection as "someone more qualified" landed that job I wanted.  I'm sure you can all relate to that if you're a coach!  It has definitely been discouraging at times, but I keep reminding myself that God is in control and He has the perfect plan for my life and career.  That thought quickly humbles me and forces me to ask myself daily, "Are You Prepared?"  Regardless of how many "NO's" I hear, I continue to press forward and make sure that I will be ready for that one "YES."  Spending at least a half hour every day preparing for my next job has allowed me to stay confident that I will be the BEST person for whatever coaching job God gives to me.  I've learned more in these last two months than I've probably learned over my entire coaching life so far.  And the best part about that is I have only learned a very small percentage of what I can learn!  I'm eager to land that next job, but in the meantime I just need to keep doing the best I can to be ready when my time comes.  If you're in the same boat as I am, stay encouraged!  Keep working hard and be confident in your ability to coach the game you love.

“Young man, tell yourself, ‘I will be prepared and then perhaps my chance will come, because if it does come and I’m not ready another chance may not come my way very soon again." - John Wooden

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