Coaching

I don't really have many strong positive personal experiences when it comes to coaches. I did play little league football and remember enjoying it, and I suppose we had a coach, but I just don't remember much about him. On the negative side, two coaches really stand out. There was the year I tried out for baseball. I went to all the practices and although I was no standout I thought I had a pretty good chance of making the team (seeing that coach was my best friend's dad). But the day came when I was cut from the team without any explanation. Then there was my junior high school football team. Mr. Moore was our coach and I had a conflict! I was wearing braces at the time and I had an appointment one afternoon and was told if I missed practice I was off the team. The appointment stood and I was out.

Now on the positive side a high school basketball coach, Ron Paulk had a great influence in me. You are right to scratch your head! I never played basketball, but he also taught pre-algebra. He made math come alive for me and helped me to see that it was something I could accomplish. When I was struggling, he came alongside to encourage and challenge me forward. He was a real coach!

When Trey began to play t-ball I became the coach. The city actually called to say that if they could not find a coach there would be no team. I was elected by default. Immediately I thought about helping this group of five year olds become a great team, but in one of the first practices the kids were all over the place. Some playing with grass, some playing tag, and I saw Trey turning around in the outfield with his glove on the ground. I yelled out, "Trey, what are you doing?" He replied, "Being a chicken." It was a great year!

I continued to coach Trey until the day it occurred to me that he knows more about playing baseball than I did. I had to trust his coaching to someone else who could move him forward. Over the years Trey has had several coaches. Some have done a great job, others . . . well they were not so good. Trey loves to play, and I have tried to teach him that he needs to learn what he can from both the good and bad coaches so he can continue to improve. At times, it has been hard to watch, but I am proud of him for never giving up!

How did I come to think about coaching? I just started a book called Transformissional Coaching. So far it strikes a cord with me. They state, "Coaching provides guidance and accountability to help leaders successfully implement new learning into the life of the church so that real change is accomplished".

When I think of coaching within the church three things come to the forefront of my mind. First, there is no room for bad coaching. Second, we must remember that we cannot coach what we have not experienced. Third, we need to remember that some of our coaching may take place outside of our “regular” assignments.

I believe that the authors are right, that coaching will be a primary means of rising up new leaders in the church. I wonder what kind of coach will I be? Thanks for coming along!

Antenna???

Did I tell you that we got rid of our Dish account? We had way to many channels with nothing to watch and lots to avoid so Michelle and I decided we would be content with the "local" channels that we could pick up. We had a small indoor antenna that we quickly determined was useless! I looked up information about outdoor antennas and convinced Michelle that I could have it up with no problem. Trey was a real trooper as we tried to figure out where to put it, which side of the house had our cable input, and what direction it would need to point. Well, two hours later I am standing on the top rung of our ladder reaching up to put brackets in the house and trying to balance the antenna and a wrench and screwdriver and holding it all together as Trey looked helplessly from below. He was great! I mean he did everything I asked - except for the time when I asked him to see how the picure looked as we rotated the antenna. His description was fine, ok, good, etc. I would come in and find a fuzzy picture and go back out in disgust. Tonight we watched Green Bay get stomped by Dallas - my friend Leslie will be gloating, but I will remind her that Favre is with another team and . . . .

So what can you learn from putting up an antenna? Well, my projects still take at least twice as long as I estimate and it will never go right the first time. Perhaps I should read the instructions! Relating this to my walk with God is easy. I often take detours, and make mistakes that take up precious time. I continue to learn that I need to take time to read His instructions. Thanks for coming along!

Golf

Golf is a wonderful game! Well, it is when you hit those handful of shots that will bring you back to the course once again. I happen to hit a long ball. I always have! The problem is not knowing quite where the ball was going to go. In other words, in golf I often have lots of thrust but no vector.

Trey, my son, is now playing golf with the high school team here in Yuma. Don't tell him, but he is a better golfer than I am. He has a much nicer swing and that (along with some concentration) makes a great shot! I find it truly amazing that I can stand behind him and give him suggestions that help him focus on his shot. When I am hitting the ball, I find myself trying to give the same suggestions and sometimes it helps and sometimes . . .

I have had seasons in my Christian life when I was all thrust and no vector. Lots of fire, but no real direction. I have watched others burn themselves out by being so busy they really had no time for their walk with God. I have found that I need someone standing behind me giving me instructions, challenging me forward and helping me focus on what is ahead. Sometimes we think that we have to live this Christian life on our own, but we forget that we are called to walk with God in community. We don't have to be alone, we can walk togeher and help each other along the way. Thanks for coming along!

Dreams

I had my first dream about running last night. I don't really know if I was running to or running from someone or something. I just remember running and thinking, "This is not so bad, I can really run!" It is ironic that the previous morning I moved my walk to a walk/run. I am supposed to walk five minute run two and repeat. I never got to two minutes on my run (jog) portion. I actually stayed closer to the one minute mark. I found myself a little sore, but awoke challenged by a dream and encouraged to keep on the path.

I was listening to a pastor friend of mine who stated that God has dreams for us. His dream is that we be formed into the image of His Son. I look in the mirror of the Bible and see my reality and know that I am far from being like Jesus! Knowing that God has dreams for us is an encouragement for me. I may not be the man I need to be just yet, but I am challenged by a dream and encouraged to keep on the path. Thanks for coming along!

First Post!

I really don't like to run. I never have. Perhaps I appreciated it more when I was a pre-teen running for my life from the neighborhood bully! I did have a day when I determined I was going to run and I ran about five miles. Well, I really limped home and could not move for the next few days. Running does not hold fond memories for me!

Why share this with you? I have a confession. I want to run a triathlon. A triathlon is the combination of three disciplines. Swimming, Bicycling and . . . Running! Now, I have been putting this off for more than twenty years. I have not been willing to discipline myself to exercise, or eat right so that I could actually accomplish this feat. Now I am 45 years old, and I want to run a triathlon.

How badly do I want to do this? Well, I purchased shoes the other day to fit the needs of my feet. I have been walking and riding my bike and I am watching what I eat. Nothing has helped more than finding a guide. I found a training program that will help me move from the couch to compete a sprit triathlon (a short distance race) in three months.

I have found this true in my Christian life as well. I desire to be the man the God desires for me to be, but sometimes I have lacked discipline in my life. I have not spent time with God as I should in Bible Study and Prayer. I have not said no to things that would distract me from my goal of living a Godly life. I believe that there is a simple plan laid out in scripture to help me with my task. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word (Psalm 119:9).

I have begun these journeys, to run a triathlon and live a life pleasing to God. My blog will share the journey with you. Occasionally I will rant, share thoughts about the weather, my family, friends, and friends and the Church. Thanks for coming along!