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Just a Minute
Mar 15 2012 - 7:53pm

As many teachers are, I am a lover of books! I read sometimes two or three at a time, just because they all interest me and I can't decide which to choose. I do have a challenge though, whether it is my memory or simply too much information, I rarely can recall much of a books ideas a couple of weeks after I finish it. Once in awhile though an author hits a topic in such a way that the books message will be remembered forever.

Just a minute by Wes Stafford was just such a book. At first blush you might think it is a book about time management but after a few pages you quickly realize it is a book about kids and the difference that can be made with “just a minute” invested in their lives. The book was basically story after story of how just a minute of attention focused on a child made a difference that lasted a life time. I haven't really given much thought of the impact one can have either good or bad with just a few minutes. But the endless stories of thanks for simple words of encouragement, challenges to do ones best, a hug at the right time, pointing out skills or gifting that seen, complementing a job well done, or an unexpected act of kindness gave a clear picture of how “just a minute” can impact the life of a child.

Discipleship is such a critical part of what Front Range Christian School focuses on and time spent in relationship, sharing life as we walk with the Lord, is key to this happening. However, I have a new perspective and now plan on looking for those “minutes” as well.

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Bringing Glory to God through Athletics
Jan 17 2012 - 9:57am

What does it mean to bring glory to God through athletics? As a Christian coach my constant encouragement to our team is to play in such a way that the people who watch are caused to think about how awesome God is rather than the awesomeness of the team or an individual player. It’s quite a counter cultural idea, especially when you look at the way “big time” athletes consistently direct everyone’s focus on themselves after a great play. The constant example from professional athletes encourages student athletes to act the same way. We have all seen the Little league player or prep football player pound their chest or do a peacock walk after hitting a home run or making a successful tackle. It really shouldn’t surprise us, enticement by fame and fortune has always been a tool of the evil one.

How do Christian coaches counteract this? It isn’t an easy task to be sure, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can mentor and disciple the athletes God has entrusted to us, towards a desire to bring glory to God through their athletic involvement. We glorify God by loving Him and loving others. As coaches we can do this by studying Scripture with our team, being godly role models, holding them accountable, praying for them and continually encouraging them along the way. Tim Tebow has given us a great example of what glorifying God through athletics can look like. As the Denver quarterback plays the sport God has gifted him to play he consistently directs others to think about God instead of himself. It appears to me that through his behavior and words both on and off the field he is striving to love God and love others, making God known to anyone paying attention. Does it mean we have to pray publicly after each game or sing praises on the sidelines? Not necessarily, but it does mean acting in a way that shows our opponent we have a purpose much greater than the “competition” at hand by loving God and loving them.

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Joy in the Service
Nov 30 2011 - 12:13pm

A couple of weeks ago, as part of our Go Wednesday program at FRCS, I had the privilege of taking seven Jr High boys to rake leaves for an organization that serves a struggling neighborhood in Denver. The plan (i.e., my plan) was to work hard and joyfully for 2 hours in order to get as many leaves bagged as we could. Ultimately we got 43 bags filled but it was far from hard work and joy. What do you say to 12 year old guys who’d rather be playing video games or basketball? I found myself saying things like “It’s just two hours, you can do it,” “See who can get the most bags filled,” “Look how nice things look, you’re doing great,” “You are representing Jesus and the school so do your best,” and “Think how good you’ll feel after you finish.” I don’t know that any of my comments did much.

Were does our motivation come from as followers of Jesus Christ? I believe that our motivations for doing simple acts of service should be different than those who don’t have faith in Jesus, but how so? In a recent secular article the author commented that serving others was an important aspect of life because it would help one to feel better about themselves. And that is probably where the difference lies: selfishness or sacrifice.

Timothy Keller, in his book Kings Cross, talks about Christ’s death on the cross being one of “substitutionary sacrifice.” He stresses that our response to Christ’s sacrifice for us should be to live our lives as living sacrifices — being willing to sacrifice our personal comforts and desires in order to take the place for someone else. The motivation then comes as a result of understanding the depths of Christ love and his willingness to take our place on the cross. We aren’t serving to earn brownie points or to feel good about ourselves but rather to love God back and share with others in a “living sacrificial” way how much Jesus loves the people we are serving.

Should I expect Jr High boys who are just beginning their journey with God to serve with this motivation? Maybe not, but we should start talking with them now, guiding them to the truths in scripture about why we serve and praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal to them now “how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Perhaps in a short while our serving will be loving Jesus back with a living substitutionary sacrifice. Then I think we’ll see hard work and joy!

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