Month: July 2020

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A Coach’s Words of Wisdom

I played High School football. Yes, I did.

It was kind of an odd thing for a choir boy. I sang in the school chorus, acted in school plays, and even sang in the Chamber Singers. Yep. I was a glittery-cummerbund-donning, ruffly-shirt-wearing Chamber Singer.

Nonetheless, I also loved sports. I loved watching sports. I loved playing unorganized, pickup games with my friends – baseball, hockey, football, and boxing. Mom doesn’t know about the boxing part. I played church softball and even ran track and field in Junior High and High School.

But, for some reason, untalented as I really was athletically, I decided to try out for football and somehow made the team. I was a proud Westland John Glenn Rocket. Unfortunately, I had no clue what I was doing.

I didn’t even know what position I wanted play. Somehow, I believe accidentally, I ended up practicing with the offensive linemen, so I ended up becoming one of those. Later, when I started getting the hang of things, I would also join the ranks of the defensive line (which I loved).  

I’ll have to say it was pretty tough, physically. There were plenty of days, especially during two-a-days (two practices per day in the heat of muggy Michigan summers in a dry, dusty field) that I was ready to give up. If it wasn’t for my coaches, I probably would have walked away. They instilled a toughness in me that wasn’t there before.

From day-one our coaches preached, “Never give up.” That has always stuck with me. It’s been engrained in my DNA and has become a part of who I am. It became my battle cry when facing every giant on the other side the line of scrimmage. As a side note, believe it or not, I did get to start on both offense and defense for one whole season! Rudy! Rudy! But then in my senior season I lost all confidence and rode the pine…but that’s a sad story for another day.

Why do I tell you all of this? Along with the never-give-up anthem, there rang another life-altering phrase, just four words that have helped drive me through some of life’s toughest times.

David and Goliaths

I was only five feet nine inches tall and weighed in at a mere 165 pounds, if I had recently eaten a bowl of spaghetti. I often had to line up against guys of Goliath-stature (to me) and my monumental task was to move them out of the way or keep them from destroying our quarterback. When I first started playing, this wasn’t working out very well for me, to put it mildly. But, I would gently turn my helmet back around and try again.

Upon noticing my comical inability to successfully execute my assignments, my coach spoke (okay, yelled…along with an expletive or two) those game-changing words into my life. “Keep your feet moving!” He didn’t say it once. He didn’t say it only to me. He repeated it to all of us, over and over and over.

Whenever he saw any of us with feet planted, toe-to-toe against an imposing force we would hear above all the grunts, groans, and cracking of pads, “Keep your #%$!@ feet moving!” That advice helped me overcome many a defensive foe. It was true! Stand still, get beat. Keep your feet moving, get the job done.

Words to Live By

The helmet and cleats are long gone now, but that one sentence (minus the expletives) still rings loud in my ears every time I experience something hard in life. Whenever I’m tempted to stand still or give in, I hear those words, “Keep your feet moving!”  

When I’m worn down from the heat and dust of life’s two-a-days and I’m ready to walk away from it all, “never give up” rises up in my soul and my tired feet begin to move and I press on.

Sound Familiar?

The Apostle Paul shared this sentiment when he wrote to the church at Philippi, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul could do this and anything else because he knew it was Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 3:14; 4:13). The author of Hebrews encouraged us to, “Run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

I have discovered in life there are times when, despite the resolve of my heart, I just cannot muster the strength to move my feet; I cannot find it in myself to run the race or press forward. But, it’s in these despairing moments when I can trust that God will be my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1).

So, when you encounter that immovable giant in your life, remember, keep your feet moving in the strength of Jesus. Trust Him when you don’t feel like you can. He’ll be your strength.

When that trial you’re facing beats you down and wears you out, remember, never give up. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep pressing on.

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My Missions Trip was Cancelled: Now What Am I Supposed to Do?

With the devastating introduction of COVID-19 and all of its glorious luggage, myriads of vacations, events, and plans have been at best postponed, but more than likely canceled altogether, including that missions trip that you were so excited about.

My church had three incredible trips planned for 2020 and all three have unfortunately been canceled.

Certainly, there is no small amount of disappointment if you are missing out on your trip. But what’s more, think about the hundreds of missionary and national hosts unable to welcome the teams from which they would have received so much help. Not this month. Probably not even this year.

Maybe you hadn’t planned on going on a missions trip this year, but having a heart for global evangelization you’re concerned about the future of cross-cultural ministry. Whatever the case, What are we to do now? How are we supposed to help our global partners in the light of the stifling Coronavirus?

First of all, we can be assured that the events of 2020, most notably COVID-19, have not taken God by surprise. The same God who called each missionary to the field, each national leader to their task, and even each short-term team member to their trip, knew this virus would come and interrupt all of our best laid, prayed-over plans. At the risk of sounding cliché, I emphasize, God. Is. Still. In. Control.

In fact, I have a pretty good feeling (according to God’s track record throughout history) that even greater missions-oriented accomplishments will arise not only in spite of, but as a result of our trips being canceled. But how might that involve us? You have a huge heart for missions but wonder, “What in the world can I do.“

I have a few ideas, alternative activities that any of us can do in the absence of physical, geographical missions trips, that could make an enormous global impact.

First, most missions trips cost each individual a fair chunk of change. In most cases support is raised from multiple sources including family and friends, various fundraising activities, savings, etc. What if, even though you aren’t able to go on a physical trip, you still raised your support? What if, instead of using that money for airfare, insurance, and ground costs, you raised it for the host toward a special project or general need?

For example, if fifteen team members each continued to raise what was their required $2,500 for a canceled trip to Tanzania, and in turn sent it on to Michael Titus for whatever project, that would be a total of $37,500! Even better if non-team members pitched in! I can only imagine all that Michael could accomplish with that kind of gift once he regained consciousness.

Second, and on even a grander scale, what if, during the dates of your would-be trip, you committed to pray each of those days for a specified amount of time, for the host and the people to whom they minister? Can you imagine the impact (spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially) it would have on every host and the all the peoples to whom they minister, if each team member did this?

Third, today’s social media makes it so easy to communicate with the rest of the world. What if a global partner used you to simply testify, teach a lesson, or even train individuals or groups in some way that they may not be able (This isn’t just limited to spiritual or theological topics, but any other skills)? How cool would that be?!

Or, how about simply contacting one of our global partners by email and encouraging them in some way? What about sending them a care package full of things they wish they had but can’t get abroad?

Would you be willing to do any of this?

If so, I’d be more than happy to speak or correspond with you. Do you have any ideas? Please leave some comments below! I’d love to hear from you, whether on my blog page or my Facebook page. If you’re one of our global partners would love to hear your thoughts as well!

You can find a list of our global missions partners at www.charity.church/ministries.