I was able to look at football as something that God was allowing me to do, not something that should define me. I couldn’t take my identity from this sport.
You can’t always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach, and response.
I enjoy watching football on TV. Many times I can visualize the whole field, even on the TV screen, because I still know enough about what the teams are doing.
The game has changed since the ’70s as more coaches have looked at ways to make it tougher on defenses. But I’m glad my career turned out the way it did – I would have never gotten a chance to learn the defensive side of the ball.
I love coaching football, and winning a Super Bowl was a goal I’ve had for a long time. But it has never been my purpose in life. My purpose in life is simply to glorify God. We have to be careful that we don’t let the pursuit of our life’s goals, no matter how important they seem, cause us to lose sight of our purpose. I coach football. But the good I can do to glorify God along the way is my real purpose.
Speaking to five thousand people is no more important than quietly teaching one.
You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. Old Irish proverb.
Everyone, everywhere, needs encouragement on a regular basis. Start with people you know and add to your list.
When things happen to us that aren’t exactly what we had hoped for, there are a number of ways we can respond. But there’s only one response that will help us to move on toward the promise of a new day full of opportunities. Get over it, get up, and try it again. Olympian Eric Liddell once said, “In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” Get over it, get up, and try it again.
Talent is God-given; be thankful. Praise is man-given; be humble. Conceit is self-given; be careful. Dave Driscoll.
Look for opportunities to share a word of comfort and grace with someone today – perhaps through a story of what God has done in your life.
Champions don’t do extraordinary things, They do ordinary things, but they do them without thinking, too fast for the other team to react. They follow the habits they’ve learned.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33.
Coach Noll had always told me, “Being stubborn is a virtue when you’re right; it’s only a character flaw when you’re wrong.
If you start making excuses to cut out the things that are important because of urgent circumstances, it will become a habit, and you’ll start cutting them out regularly.
Respect isn’t a right. We aren’t entitled to it, and we can never earn it by demanding it. It’s something we earn because of our character – and by giving it to others. If we want to be respected, we have to show ourselves to be worthy of it, not by our status, possessions, or accomplishments, but by honesty, integrity, and responsibility.
God’s Kingdom is being held in check by any church that is quick to criticize and disrespect others.
Our parents encouraged us to follow our dreams and told us that if we wanted to do something, we could do it. And, they said, if we did it the Lord’s way, for the right reasons, we would be successful. Not that we would win every game or be wealthy, but that we would be successful in God’s eyes if we did the things that glorify Him.
When society pummels you with messages that make you feel defeated and worthless, listen to the Person who loves you more than anyone else, and receive His gift of grace. Thank Him for it right now.
So, when it comes to effective leadership, it’s not about you and what makes you comfortable or helps you get ahead. It’s about other people. It’s about serving God by serving others. That’s the mind-set of the mentor leader.
Moving from desire to actually doing better is only achieved with self-discipline, and self-discipline only works effectively when you trust in Him to help. Amp up your self-discipline in the areas you need it most.