Category Archives: News
Coaching Tip #9: Is it time to Move?
Opportunity for change. Regardless of our present circumstance, a “grass is greener” perspective and appeal can be inherent to a new vision. Our heart deceives us as we escape the reality of our current issues. Wise counsel is available in the story of King Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25.
King Amaziah enjoys success in battle and contemplates a move. Visions fill his head of recent successes and anticipated future victories. Unfortunately for the King, he fails to recognize the reality of his current condition. Amaziah has abandoned the God who brought him triumph in favor of idols worshiped by his defeated opponent. Amaziah’s issue involves pride and humility. He is about to make a disastrous move.
God tries to convince Amaziah of impending destruction, first though an unnamed prophet and then through one of the his peers. In verse 19, King Jehoash of Israel tries to talk sense into his fellow king. “You (Amaziah) have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and you have become overconfident that you will get glory. Now stay at home. Why stir up such trouble so that you fall and Judah with you?”
Given opportunities to change, move, or transfer, our hearts often deceive us, blinding us to the true issues. God’s warns us in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Be sure to check your heart before making any significant move. In evaluating change, consider all the reasons for the appeal. If you are willing to face the truth, you may find Jehoash’s counsel wise: “Now stay at home.”
Coaching Tip #8: Discipline is a Must
Many are familiar with the old testament teaching which tells us not to withhold correction from a child. ”If you beat him with a rod, he will not die.” Prov 23:13
But perhaps a more staunch warning appears in Chapter 19. ”Discipline your son while there is hope. Don’t be intent on killing him.” Prov 19:18 The NIV translation reads, “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”
Not only will discipline not kill our children or spoil them…if we choose not to discipline them, we contribute to their death. God does the same for us. ”Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.” Rev 3:19
There are only two kinds of pain: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. One leads to victory and an abundant life. The other unfortunately, leads to death. Choose life for your children and your athletes!
John 4 – The Samaritan Woman
Coach Hoza teaches at the Broward County “Refuge,” drawing six points from the Gospel of John.
Coaching Tip #7: Don’t Drink the Kool Aid
The “Saturation point.” If coaches are not careful, it can happen somewhere near the end of two-a-day practices. Players become difficult to reach, and coaches’ ability to inspire gets severely tested when players think they’ve learned all there is to know. Truth be known, we coaches often contribute to the problem. We watch the video of a practice or scrimmage and think privately, “We’re good.” In our walk, we communicate our confidence to our fellow staff members and players… sometimes without saying a word. The players assume they have arrived.
Is confidence a bad thing? Absolutely not. But confidence is not based on a snapshot. Confidence is a mode of operation rooted in continuous assessment, recalculation, revision, adjustment and recommitment. The industry leader can’t sit still, because number 2 wants to be number 1.
Our walk with God is similar. We must constantly look to grow in our understanding and knowledge of God. We can not become complacent, believing we have learned all there is to know. Matthew 12 teaches us to not only eradicate sin and clean our house, but to fill the space with Godliness. Failure to do so can result in the arrival of evil 7 times worse than what we experienced initially.
On the weekend of the first game, half the teams in the country – who thought they were ready – find out they had not judged themselves accurately. Those teams are disciplined by losing. Good coaches then make adjustments to insure losing ways don’t continue. Good coaches see their teams as they really are, and help their teams to likewise see the truth.
God tells us in 1 Cor 11: 31-32 to judge ourselves properly. Why? Because God loves us too much to let us live a lie. If we continue to deceive ourselves, God disciplines us so we won’t be condemned with the world. God sees our heart. So be careful not to let any one snapshot of your team… paint an inaccurate image of your progress. Don’t live a lie or let your team live a lie. In other words…Don’t drink the Kool Aid!
501 (c) (3)
It’s official. Counter Culture Sports, Inc. is a tax exempt organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. As we continue to pray for the future of the organization and the impact we might have, we are excited for confirmation that our government considers our vision worthy of this legal classification.
Keep Your Eyes On…
“…those who live as we do.” (Phil 3:17)
While in the pocket, quarterbacks must keep their eyes downfield even as the pass rush comes close. If they bring their eyes to the pocket, they see only onrushing defenders and miss open receivers.
What we allow our eyes to see should be closely monitored. “But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Gen 4:7) We must be a master of our own bodies including our eyes. As the old song says, “Be careful little eyes what you see.”
Born Leaders???
There was only one born leader…Jesus. Every other leader develops over time. Some leaders can be described as good; some as bad. Some leaders are effective; while others are ineffective. Some lead from out front; others from less conspicuous position. But leading requires traveling the path you would influence others to travel. If the leader in any organization wants the team to serve, then the leader must serve.
Jesus modeled servant leadership. He didn’t say “Do as I say, not as I do,” He said, “Be perfect, therefore, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5:48). While we can not be perfect on our own, we can be made perfect as we surrender our will to that of our Heavenly Father.
Hands Inside
Every coach, whether offense or defense, wants their player to have hands inside when engaged. This desire stems from a knowledge of physics and leverage. The coach’s desire is for their player to be productive in the game of football. Simply stated, it’s the best way to play in order to be successful.
God has a similar desire for our lives. He wants us to do things the best way. He gave us a playbook to follow called the Bible. The Bible has instructions for every situation and every component of life…physical life, thought life, spiritual life, emotional life and perhaps most importantly eternal life. What a gift to have a Coach who always tells us how to do things the best way.
Post Practice Prayer
To really know someone, we must spend time with them. Seeing how one responds and reacts reveals character and nature. Having dialogue similarly provides insight. All relationships require communication to deepen. Coach Hoza, his staff and the Calvary Christian Academy football team began reading through the 260 chapters in the new testament at the beginning of spring practice. Each morning one chapter is read providing God a chance to speak to each member of the program.
God has a distinct advantage in His relationship with us. He knew us before we were formed in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5), knows every hair on our head (Matthew 10:30) and knows the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Even still God desires to hear from us in prayer. He tells us we should always pray (Luke 18:1) and to let Him know about everything (Phil 4:6). The Eagles begin and end practice with prayer. Who prays more during practice – players, coaches or trainers – is much debated.
Living in The Christian “Bubble”
Acts 11
Today’s chapter marks the first time the word “Christian” appears in scripture; the first time the word was used in reference to Jesus’ disciples.
Find encouragement and peace in verse 17 when considering work done with Christian brothers and sisters… even the ones with whom we are sometimes conflicted. When motives of fellow disciples are pure – even when direction or opinion is different than ours – we know we can defer to them and not “possibly hinder God.” They possess the same Spirit of the living God!