2-1

We've had two basketball games (Luke 1-1), a soccer game (girls beat San Antonio Highlands) - and a baseball practice in the last 24 hours.

I love coaching (baseball) and watching my kids use the gifts God has given them . . . Cindy and I aren't sure what we'll do when their sports are over one day :) . . .

Also had a couple of great spiritual conversations today with folks at the ballgames/practice . . .

Sports Beeper!

Well we've had better weekends in the win/loss column -- we didn't win the soccer tournament or the baseball tournament this weekend -- but all in all it was a great weekend to be outside!

And a couple of times my beeper went off and helped me keep sports (and yelling at the refs!) in perspective!

Laura did get a these pics taken of her by the Caller Times -- if you're a grandparent or someone else really interested :) you can see them better on the Caller Times website by clicking here and here.

A Sad Day for Football

In our culture pro sports are largely about overpaid, arrogant guys who are out for themselves and their fame. But that's not true with everyone.

I'm not necessarily a Packers fan but I'm a big Brett Favre fan. He's from a different mold. He played the game of football with the same passion that God calls us to live life. He showed up every day (started a record 275 straight games!), didn't whine about his contract, made everybody around him better, and emanated a sense of joy and excitement about life.

Today Favre retired. I pray that when I retire some day people will be able to say that I lived life for God with the kind of passion that Brett Favre played football.

How about you?

Licking our Wounds

Gonna give you a final game count from the weekend . . . Saturday didn't go so well, we were 0-4. (0-2 YCA basketball - played some giants, not to mention poor coaching!; and 0-2 KHS soccer, although 2 good games (1-2, 0-1) against two good teams from Houston and the valley.)

So, final count for the weekend 4-5-1. But it was fun! Just glad we don't have that many games every weekend!

Game Count as of Friday Night

I told you yesterday that we have nearly a dozen games this weekend.

As of Friday Night:

Basketball 2-wins 1-loss (King HS 2-0; YCA 0-1)
Soccer 2-wins 0-losses 1-tie

Total 4-1-1 Not too shabby. Coooooooold day at the soccer field!

Athletics & Jesus

The King Girls Basketball season began last night and we smoked the Mathis Lady Pirates! I'm excited about my daughters having the opportunity to play JV & Varsity basketball this year, but I'm just as excited about the opportunity God has given me with the Varsity Girls.

The Coach has asked me to come before every game and share a devotional and pray with the team. Last night I talked about one of my favorite verses, Proverbs 4:23:

"Above all else guard your heart. For it is the wellspring of life!"

I told them that the heart is the seed of life - and that most importantly the spiritual life begins with a heart focused on Jesus.
I went on to relate it to basketball - and life - in that those who live from the heart (and not just on their physical talent and/or intelligence) are those who find fulfillment and victory!

Please pray for me as I relate God's truth to these young ladies and coaches. This weekend we have a tournament and I plan on spending each pre-game talking about courage.
My hope is to be salt and to unwrap the Hope of Christ through the season.

YCA Baketball Team -- 1-0!

Thanks to those of you who prayed for the young men on my Hooks baseball team this Fall.

I told you then that soon I would tell you more about the YCA Middle School Basketball team. We played our first game last night and won! They did awesome!

Here are the names of those boys and I would be grateful if you would ask God to pour Himself out on them and their families:

Dylan T.
Grant B.
Hunter B.
Hunter F.
JJ Jones
Luke B.
Nathan J.
Peyton P.
Ross B.
Tucker G.
Walker G.

Monday Random Sports Thoughts

How bout' them Boys! Tony Romo is a playa! Get your wallet our Jerry.

And the Red Raiders scored 75! That's ridiculous . . .

One cheer for my Mom . . . How bout' them Rockies!

World Series Prediction: Cubs vs. Red Sox . . . Cubs win their first WS since the Civil War! Ok, maybe a dream more than a rational prediction. But IT COULD HAPPEN!

Check out this story about Allan Houston and his NBA comeback. He doesn't want to leave any regrets on the table. He's chasing his lion.
A couple of excerpts:
When asked about what he was looking forward to: "Just playing again. The feeling of doing what God has blessed me to do."
He went on to say about his decision to come back: "In the end, prayer is what will determine everything. After all, we will only take our faith to work if we know that our work is valuable to God!"