Who is the GOAT?

Who is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)? Who is the greatest player? Who is the greatest coach? Who is the greatest sports chaplain? I would contend these are poor questions, one and all. All such comparisons are bogus. They are especially foolish when made across eras. It’s entirely an exercise in wasted energy. Such discussions quickly become pointless arguments. They are quickly stressors of relationships with little value. They are argument fodder at their best and a foolish waste of time at their worst.

Instead of arguing about the relative value of players or coaches, I would ask you to celebrate each person for who he or she is without making comparisons with others of the same era or across the years. He or she is worthy of appreciation and making comparisons is not helpful.

Celebrate the achievements of sportspeople for what they are without comparing them with other’s achievements. The comparisons only diminish the memories of each.

The Apostle Paul warned us about the foolishness of making comparisons. "We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point." 2 Corinthians 10:12 MSG

After His resurrection, Jesus was meeting with His team and one of His best had a question about another highly achieving teammate. "Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind. When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him ?” Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?” John 21:20-23 MSG

Neither Jesus nor the Apostle Paul would allow their teammates to fall into the pernicious trap of comparison. They knew that such foolishness is not worthy of their callings. We would do well to similarly avoid the aimless arguments of who is the GOAT.

Coach and Sports Chaplain Zoom Call

The recording of an excellent Zoom conversation with Coach John Stiegelemeier of South Dakota State University Football and the Jackrabbits' Team Chaplain, T. J. Carlson can be accessed via the link below.

Jackrabbits Football HC and Chaplain

Sometimes We Can't Perceive Success or Failure.

Sometimes we can’t perceive success or failure. This is most days for me. Given I’m seeking fruit that remains (John 15:16), that usually demands a long-term approach to ministry. It’s normally hard to have a sense of having succeeded immediately following a chapel talk, leading a Bible study, chatting informally with a coach, or praying on the sideline during pregame with a player. It’s genuinely hard to measure.

It’s much easier if one is clear in his or her definition of success. For me, success is defined by I Corinthians 4:2 – “In this connection, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” Success for me is to simply be faithful to my calling. I express that calling like this, “I lead, encourage, and inspire sportspeople as they pursue the fulfillment of God's purposes for their lives.” To be faithful in this process is genuinely all I am after.

Insofar as I have done accomplished that in any given interaction, I believe I have been successful. Insofar that I come short of that aim, I know I have failed, and it grieves my soul.

I believe the reason many of us can’t perceive success or failure is we have not defined what success looks like. We wouldn’t recognize success even if we stumbled upon it. Take some time, ponder your definition of success, nail it down, paint it clearly, and embrace it. This will help your perception and clear your vision.

Sometimes we can’t perceive success or failure. Be patient. Be persistent. Occasionally success is wrapped in a failure overcoat.

Zoom call re: Serving Professional Sportspeople with Johnny Shelton

The recording of the May 11 Zoom call re: serving Professional sportspeople with Chaplain Johnny Shelton of the Baltimore Ravens is posted at the link below.

May 11 Zoom Call with Johnny Shelton.

Below are the Accountability Questions Johnny referenced on the call.

Accountability Questions

II Peter 1:10

1. Have you spent daily time in the Scriptures and in prayer?
2. Have you had any flirtations or lustful attitudes, tempting thoughts, or exposed yourself to any explicit materials which would not glorify God?
3. Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings?
4. Have you spent quality relationship time with family and friends?
5. Have you done your 100% best in your job, school, etc.?
6. Have you told any half truths or outright lies putting yourself in a better light to those around you?
7. Have you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever this week?
8. Have you taken care of your body through daily physical exercise and proper eating/sleeping habits?
9. Have you allowed any person or circumstance to rob you of your joy?
10. Have you lied to us on any of your answers today?

Sometimes We Fail.

Sometimes we fail. More often than I would like to recall I have failed by arriving too late, by being too early, by balking when prompted to speak, by saying something foolish, by speaking when silence would have been better, by projecting a foolish attitude, by making an inappropriate request, by making a sarcastic remark, by being critical or judgmental, or any of a thousand other ways to fail.

When you fail, and you will, own it. Take responsibility. Apologize. Confess sin. Repent. Be done with it and move on. Deal with the consequences. Persist. Rebuild broken relationships. Seek forgiveness. Let the merciful Lord restore your heart and re-engage.

Failure is not terminal. You can recover and be restored. After almost 64 years of life, 54 years as a follower of Christ Jesus, 45 years as a husband, 43 years as a father, 26 years serving in sports ministry, I have failed more than a little. In fact, I have failed so much I no longer fear it. I know I can recover. I know I generally emerge from it stronger, wiser, and better equipped to serve.

Sometimes we fail. Don’t fear it. Stride into life and service courageously.

May 4, 2020 Zoom Call featuring Lesley Clapp of Virginia Tech University

Below is a link to a recording of the excellent video conference with Lesley Clapp of FCA at Virginia Tech University.

May 4, 2020 Zoom Video Conference

Sometimes We Succeed!

Sometimes we succeed! There are days in our service of the men and women of sport when it seems like everything we touch works. Our team is playing well. Our ministry is well received. We experience great favor with most everyone. We have proper life and work balance. We sleep well, feel strong as an ox, run like a gazelle, and nothing we eat makes us fat. It’s awesome!

When those days come your way, and they will, don’t be in a hurry. Stay there. Soak up all the goodness you can. Revel in the beauty of success. It’s far too rare.

In those days, be sure to express thankfulness to everyone involved. In our service we are always invited guests. We are experiencing much of this success because we were welcomed into this community. Our Lord has granted us favor with those in authority to further His purposes in the lives of all we encounter. Let that reality keep your ego in check as you feel the luxurious emotions of success.

Sometimes we succeed. Let’s maintain humility and a thankful heart when we do. This pleases the Lord and keeps us from acting like entitled jerks.