Great Group of Players

It has been a great start to the season. We are a couple weeks away from our first game, but it has been exciting to see the development to this point. I have a great group of kids that work hard. Don't get me wrong they do have their moments when they have to be "encouraged" to go harder. I'm excited to see how they will mix together as a group as they learn how much they really need each other. If they become a team and learn the system, they could have good year with wins and loses. If they sell out and commit to the greater good of the team, they could have a great season. Obviously, there are many factors that influence a season along the way, but the one thing we have total control of is our effort. If we determine to give a championship effort every night who knows what could happen.

Conditioning

As conditioning sessions have come to an end I was thinking how physical conditioning has common threads with spiritual conditioning. How are they the say?
1. Conditioning is the base on which we develop. As we work our bodies to be more conditioned we have the ability to work on the basketball skills and develop at a higher level. Fatigue does not hold us back. The same is with spirituality. As we focus in on our conditioning, a quite time with God, we create a base on which we can live our everyday lives. We can grow beyond the basics.
2. The conditioning allows us to lengthen our performance. Athletes that never tire are very productive to a team. Those spiritually conditioned can stand longer in the fire of temptation.
3. Those that are physically conditioned will have a greater ability to use their cognitive skills because they will not tire as quickly. They can instruct and guide others in the mist of the battle. Those that are spiritually conditioned will have an answer for different situations. They can have the ability to guide and counsel others spiritually.

The Bible tells us to be ready to give an answer for our faith in 1 Peter 3:15 (But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear) and to be alert in 1 Peter 5:8 (Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour). I know this can be hard as we walk our through our daily lives, but if we condition ourselves we can better live out our spirituality in our daily lives.

It is always fun to see how Christ brings spiritual concepts to mind as we focus on the physical.

Time to Start Again

It is almost that time of year. The best time of year. Time to begin again. We have been working and preparing for this time. On November 12th we will get the great opportunity to start practicing as a team. It is always exciting looking forward to what we could become. There is a ton of potential with this group of players. Once tryouts are complete, we will begin the process of coming together as a team. It should be a great time.