Do you rejoice over events or people in your life with singing? I do. When I experience or feel something new, I immediately think of music lyrics. Often times, I will seek out new songs that I can identify with based on what I am feeling. For me, music has a way of expressing emotions that I sometimes can't find on my own.
As long as I can remember, I have enjoyed many styles of music. In middle school I started listening to the words of songs to understand what the artists were trying to say. I was in middle school during the heights of some amazing artists, such as MC Hammer, Sir Mix-a-lot, Vanilla Ice and the like. Needless to say, my life did not reflect what these 90's rappers were singing about, but I still listened intently. In high school I went through many stages of music, including alternative/grunge, classic rock and pop. Most of the music I listened to was usually associated with athletic endeavors.
Then, in college I started listening to Christian rock. I was certain that I was never going to enjoy Christian rock. After all, it seems as though most of the music in this genre is out dated, and it is, but the lyrics are timeless. Christian rock gave me a fresh perspective on my own life and on my personal relationship with my Savior. It also gave me an avenue to sing praises to God. In a unique way, Christian rock allowed me to view other music in a different way.
When individuals create music and write songs they reveal how they see the world. Every one's perceptions of the world is shaped through their experiences in life. This is why I am so intrigued by music and lyrics. It gives us a snapshot of what someone is feeling - joy, happiness, confusion, mistrust, anger, sadness, love, etc.
God creates his own music and rejoices over us with singing. In Zephaniah 3:17, we get a snapshot of how God views us as His followers. It says, "The Lord your god is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Instead of fleeing in the face of danger, God can save his people from it (Ex. 14:30). This verse remarkably adds that God himself will rejoice over you with gladness. He personally delights in those who seek and follow him. This is not an aloof, emotionless contentment, but it bursts forth in joyful divine celebration: he will rejoice over you with singing (ESV Study Bible, page 1738).
It makes me feel good to know that someone is joyfully singing over me. How much greater of a feeling is it to know that the God of the universe rejoices over me so much that he can't help but to sing? I think that's awesome!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Turn The Silver Lining Gold
As the high school wrestling season quickly approaches, we at Victory School of Wrestling are focusing on thinking positively. One of the most powerful tools in athletics is the mind. Our mind determines our approach and orchestrates our abilities (and limits to our abilities). Of course, abilities have physical limitations, but success has many different measuring sticks and we need determine what makes us most successful. That's when a positive outlook becomes important.
In 1634, John Milton wrote a series of poems and short stories in a book that is referred to as Comus. In one story he outlines the heartache that he experienced during a forbidden love relationship. He said, "Was I deciev'd, or did a sable cloud turn forth her silver lining on the night?" Here, the famous slogan "silver lining" was coined. In every situation, even if devastating, there is something positive that can come from it.
With a positive attitude, we should always be able to find the silver lining. The silver lining provides opportunity in every difficulty. We can look at each situation and find something good in it. This is key to achieving success in athletics and in life. Positive attitudes force us to look at the good is all things.
Some view disappointments as a prelude to failure while others view disappointments as stepping stones to success. Most major achievements are born out of failure and disappointments. This is only possible with a positive attitude coming from thinking positively.
"Positive thinking won't let you do anything but it will let you do everything better than negative thinking will." ~ Zig Ziglar. Think about it, positive thinking guarantees you nothing, but you will surely do better with positive thinking than with the contrary.
When God allows us to see the Light, what we discover is that the whole world is in darkness. However, the Holy Spirit gives us a lens to see the good in people and situations. He allows us to find the silver lining.
If we operate with positive thinking and live our lives to a higher standard (gold standard), we can take the lyrics from a popular Rilo Kiley song and apply them directly to our lives. Lead singer Jenny Lewis sings, "I'm your silver lining...but now I'm gold."
Find the silver lining and turn it gold.
Monday, October 12, 2009
You Can't Play Today's Game By Yesterday's Rules
Yesterday I had the privilege to hear Rod Olson speak at the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Annual Meeting. "Coach O" is a former football coach who has organized his life to help coaches understand what is most important - teaching character. His presentation, called "Motivating the 21st Century Athlete," spoke directly to me as a coach.
When I was a junior in college, wrestling at the University of Wisconsin, we landed the number one recruiting class in the nation. We had 8-10 "can't miss" athletes that committed to our program in hopes of becoming national champions. Needless to say, they didn't completely live up to the expectations that the wrestling community had.
I saw something different in that group of athletes. I sensed that they felt entitled to something, but I couldn't put my finger on it. As we were striving for excellence, individuals from that recruiting class fell by the wayside.
When I finished competing, I started to look at athletics from a different perspective, that being a coach. I saw how people were motivated and learned differently. At first, I didn't know what to make of this phenomenon. I come from an "old school" mentality where everyone worked hard and followed authority and rules. This is not the case for the 21st century athlete.
Through a variety of education classes, I became aware of multiple intelligence levels, different learning styles and different teaching techniques. I was very motivated and inspired to reach out to this new kind of athlete. The most important lesson I learned in education is to know your students.
Coach O reconfirmed many of my personal coaching philosophies and helped me add to them. We do, in fact, need to develop healthy relationships with our athletes to become successful coaches. Also, we need to treat them all as individuals with different interests, desires, motivating factors, strengths, etc. Developing a "system" where everyone does the same routine is out-of-date and no longer the best practice.
In trying to understand the today's athlete, think about how they have been raised and what society where grew up provides for them. In college, I played massive amounts of Play Station and can identify with a teenager's obsession to gaming devices. However, consider what these machines are teaching these teenagers. Think about it...what does every little kid do when they are losing in their favorite game? They hit the reset button. You can even buy memory cards to save the good games while you get rid of the bad ones. You can go online and find short cuts to success (they even call them "cheat" sheets). This attitude is not limited to X-Box or Play Station. Today, there are no consequences for losing. At youth tournaments, every participate gets a trophy. If you show up, pay your money and do the absolute minimum, you get a reward. This is counter to what I experienced as a young athlete.
Today's athlete is starving for relationship! Everything that they experience is about not being in relationship. They go to practice then go home. Text messages, Twitter, Facebook, etc. are great tools and extremely convenient, but are eliminating real relationships. Real relationships require communication and transparency.
To be a successful coach today, I must change my focus. I love the old school mentality, but I need to make adjustments to reach today's athletes. My role as coach is about relationship. I can't change the entire youth population, but I can meet them where they are at. If I care more about the lives of my athletes than I do their athletic achievements I will seek who they are. If I care more about them as men and women than I do about them as players I will try to capture their hearts.
The secret is relationship. It is the basis of motivation.
"Value people over productivity" ~ Jerry Moore
When I was a junior in college, wrestling at the University of Wisconsin, we landed the number one recruiting class in the nation. We had 8-10 "can't miss" athletes that committed to our program in hopes of becoming national champions. Needless to say, they didn't completely live up to the expectations that the wrestling community had.
I saw something different in that group of athletes. I sensed that they felt entitled to something, but I couldn't put my finger on it. As we were striving for excellence, individuals from that recruiting class fell by the wayside.
When I finished competing, I started to look at athletics from a different perspective, that being a coach. I saw how people were motivated and learned differently. At first, I didn't know what to make of this phenomenon. I come from an "old school" mentality where everyone worked hard and followed authority and rules. This is not the case for the 21st century athlete.
Through a variety of education classes, I became aware of multiple intelligence levels, different learning styles and different teaching techniques. I was very motivated and inspired to reach out to this new kind of athlete. The most important lesson I learned in education is to know your students.
Coach O reconfirmed many of my personal coaching philosophies and helped me add to them. We do, in fact, need to develop healthy relationships with our athletes to become successful coaches. Also, we need to treat them all as individuals with different interests, desires, motivating factors, strengths, etc. Developing a "system" where everyone does the same routine is out-of-date and no longer the best practice.
In trying to understand the today's athlete, think about how they have been raised and what society where grew up provides for them. In college, I played massive amounts of Play Station and can identify with a teenager's obsession to gaming devices. However, consider what these machines are teaching these teenagers. Think about it...what does every little kid do when they are losing in their favorite game? They hit the reset button. You can even buy memory cards to save the good games while you get rid of the bad ones. You can go online and find short cuts to success (they even call them "cheat" sheets). This attitude is not limited to X-Box or Play Station. Today, there are no consequences for losing. At youth tournaments, every participate gets a trophy. If you show up, pay your money and do the absolute minimum, you get a reward. This is counter to what I experienced as a young athlete.
Today's athlete is starving for relationship! Everything that they experience is about not being in relationship. They go to practice then go home. Text messages, Twitter, Facebook, etc. are great tools and extremely convenient, but are eliminating real relationships. Real relationships require communication and transparency.
To be a successful coach today, I must change my focus. I love the old school mentality, but I need to make adjustments to reach today's athletes. My role as coach is about relationship. I can't change the entire youth population, but I can meet them where they are at. If I care more about the lives of my athletes than I do their athletic achievements I will seek who they are. If I care more about them as men and women than I do about them as players I will try to capture their hearts.
The secret is relationship. It is the basis of motivation.
"Value people over productivity" ~ Jerry Moore
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Happy Birthday, Stephanie
Today is my oldest sister's birthday. Stephanie has been married to Jeff for 6 years and they have a beautiful baby daughter named Sophia.
Stephanie has always been a "ball of energy." From the time my brother and I first started competing in youth sports, she was our biggest (and loudest) fan. She is very small in stature, but quite large when it comes to support.
She is an X-Ray Technician and has an extremely contagious work ethic.
Happy Birthday, Stephanie!!
Stephanie has always been a "ball of energy." From the time my brother and I first started competing in youth sports, she was our biggest (and loudest) fan. She is very small in stature, but quite large when it comes to support.
She is an X-Ray Technician and has an extremely contagious work ethic.
Happy Birthday, Stephanie!!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Little Things: Parking Spaces
When I finally got my driver's license my sophomore year in high school, I drove to school everyday with my brother. We were very ambitious and often the first car in the parking lot. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we even arrived before the janitor. Needless to say, we had the best parking space day after day.
After graduating from high school, one of my teachers made a comment about our work ethic and discipline stating that when he got to school early in the morning he would see our navy blue Blazer in "our parking spot." That simple statement caused me to wonder about my privileges as an individual.
Matthew 20:16 says, "so the last will be first and the first will be last." As an athlete, my paradigm doesn't jive with this sentence. If I work hard to be first, why should I be last. I can assure myself coming in last if I don't try, right? If I try my best shouldn't I be rewarded? It seems like such a contradiction, but sometimes that's how God spins it.
I don't think this verse from Matthew is supposed to be applied literally in all cases (especially athletics). Instead, it is a matter of the heart. It's a check on our priorities and test of our humility.
Taking it literally, I applied this lesson to my parking space choice in high school. Is God saying to me in that moment to not take the first place parking spot in case someone else needs it? I surely don't need it. I'm capable of walking to the door from the furthest parking space. Ability aside, should I defer from parking in the closest spot because I should recognize that I'm not entitled to it? It is something to ponder.
Now I handle my parking situation differently. I don't take the first place parking spot because I say to myself, "who am I that I should have that privilege?" Now, I look for a parking space closest to the cart corral. This decision is made out of pure convenience. I don't like pushing the shopping cart clear across the parking lot, especially with a baby in the back seat.
Something else to think about regarding parking spaces involves mall parking lots. Why do people break their necks to park as close to the door as possible so they don't have to walk far already knowing they're going to walking 2-3 miles once inside the mall?
After graduating from high school, one of my teachers made a comment about our work ethic and discipline stating that when he got to school early in the morning he would see our navy blue Blazer in "our parking spot." That simple statement caused me to wonder about my privileges as an individual.
Matthew 20:16 says, "so the last will be first and the first will be last." As an athlete, my paradigm doesn't jive with this sentence. If I work hard to be first, why should I be last. I can assure myself coming in last if I don't try, right? If I try my best shouldn't I be rewarded? It seems like such a contradiction, but sometimes that's how God spins it.
I don't think this verse from Matthew is supposed to be applied literally in all cases (especially athletics). Instead, it is a matter of the heart. It's a check on our priorities and test of our humility.
Taking it literally, I applied this lesson to my parking space choice in high school. Is God saying to me in that moment to not take the first place parking spot in case someone else needs it? I surely don't need it. I'm capable of walking to the door from the furthest parking space. Ability aside, should I defer from parking in the closest spot because I should recognize that I'm not entitled to it? It is something to ponder.
Now I handle my parking situation differently. I don't take the first place parking spot because I say to myself, "who am I that I should have that privilege?" Now, I look for a parking space closest to the cart corral. This decision is made out of pure convenience. I don't like pushing the shopping cart clear across the parking lot, especially with a baby in the back seat.
Something else to think about regarding parking spaces involves mall parking lots. Why do people break their necks to park as close to the door as possible so they don't have to walk far already knowing they're going to walking 2-3 miles once inside the mall?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Good Bye Gourmet Magazine
Today the dreaded announcement finally came. Gourmet magazine is officially closing. Unfortunately, I have seen this coming for a few months.
Since I was a little kid, I have been fascinated with food. I love trying new dishes and experimenting with ethnic meals while I travel. At a very young age, I gravitated towards the kitchen when my mom made family meals. I often asked what she was doing or how she made my favorite foods like tator-tot casserole, Shepherd's Pie and ravioli. In college, I had to make my own meals and that opened a love for preparing food that I never saw coming.
I started getting Gourmet when I was a junior in college. I admit, I didn't use many of the recipes that were inside, but I was intrigued by what others had to say about a variety of foods. Also, being very visual, I enjoyed the pictures immensely. I saved all of my copies and printed covers offline that I put into frames to decorate my kitchen.
I dreamed about living in my family's old farm house with an amazing and modern kitchen. I would see myself preparing fine meals for loved ones and the many visitors that we would entertain. I envisioned sitting at the kitchen table sipping red wine (even though I don't drink) listening to compliments on the food and keeping my recipes a secret.
I know the Editor in Chief, Ruth Reichl, would have loved the scene. Her column will be sadly missed. Can you believe that she used the word "highfalutin" in last months issue? How cool is that? American home cooks, like myself, will miss the Magazine of Good Living very much.
After all, isn't good living all about good food?
By the way, my most recent issue (October 2009) sported an amazing looking red wine caramel apple, but my one year old destroyed to cover. I can forgive him...
Since I was a little kid, I have been fascinated with food. I love trying new dishes and experimenting with ethnic meals while I travel. At a very young age, I gravitated towards the kitchen when my mom made family meals. I often asked what she was doing or how she made my favorite foods like tator-tot casserole, Shepherd's Pie and ravioli. In college, I had to make my own meals and that opened a love for preparing food that I never saw coming.
I started getting Gourmet when I was a junior in college. I admit, I didn't use many of the recipes that were inside, but I was intrigued by what others had to say about a variety of foods. Also, being very visual, I enjoyed the pictures immensely. I saved all of my copies and printed covers offline that I put into frames to decorate my kitchen.
I dreamed about living in my family's old farm house with an amazing and modern kitchen. I would see myself preparing fine meals for loved ones and the many visitors that we would entertain. I envisioned sitting at the kitchen table sipping red wine (even though I don't drink) listening to compliments on the food and keeping my recipes a secret.
I know the Editor in Chief, Ruth Reichl, would have loved the scene. Her column will be sadly missed. Can you believe that she used the word "highfalutin" in last months issue? How cool is that? American home cooks, like myself, will miss the Magazine of Good Living very much.
After all, isn't good living all about good food?
By the way, my most recent issue (October 2009) sported an amazing looking red wine caramel apple, but my one year old destroyed to cover. I can forgive him...
I'm a Sinner
One of my biggest hang-ups lately has been phony Christians. As I have said before, I am not a fan of organized religion. This may seem like a contradiction because I go to church, attend Bible study and don't swear or drink. However, "religion" is not the reason I make these choices. It is because of my faith in Jesus Christ.
Recently, I have tried to submerse myself in God's Word to look for answers about what I am really created to do on this earth. I am also in the process of reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love and Erwin McManus's Barbarian Way. These books, along with what I have found in the Bible, have struck a chord inside me. True Biblical Christianity is not about a set of rules and rituals. It is about asking the tough questions of God and struggling and wrestling with the difference between our own self-indulged will and God's perfect will. It is about being real and authentic.
I have been involved in churches, Christian organizations and bible studies that I believe do as much harm for the advancement of the name and fame of Jesus Christ as they have done good. There are far too many legalistic and phony-baloney sensationalists in the church today who are afraid to get out of their safe environment and experience God for who He truly is. They operate under a set of guidelines that are fake and are not willing to accept people for who they really are - sinful. We are all sinners and are broken and torn apart from our Savior. I'm a sinner, you're a sinner and the squeaky clean church goer is a sinner.
God never intended us to live in an environment that is safe and free from persecution. He wants us to be in the battle. He wants us to struggle with becoming more like Him. He wants us to ask the questions that are really on our hearts and not be afraid if we offend others.
John Acuff wrote about "dorky Christians" in his blog. These type of religious Christians have really gotten under my skin because they're not real. He wrote, "but think about it, no one ever says, 'you know who is cheesy? Muslims.' Rarely will you hear someone proclaim, 'The Hindus are all uptight.' And when Buddhists are stereotyped they're labeled as being 'relaxed and peaceful.' Christians though have a lockdown on dork status."
I think Christians appear cheesy, dorky, fake, phony, etc. because they are afraid of what is really true. They're afraid to admit that they are sinners just like the prostitute.
Imagine what the church would like today if they embraced the words of Melissa Etheridge, "I run for hope, I run to feel, I run for the truth, For all that is real." Is it possible for a lesbian rock-n-roll star to be closer to God than the church-going goody goody that I sit next to in church? I believe Jesus would say "yes."
For me, it comes down to Luke 7:36-50. We are all the prostitute. It is clear that Jesus rejected the Pharisee in this passage. The Pharisees re-wrote the law to fit their needs. The prostitute recognized her need for a savior. We are all the prostitute.
Recently, I have tried to submerse myself in God's Word to look for answers about what I am really created to do on this earth. I am also in the process of reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love and Erwin McManus's Barbarian Way. These books, along with what I have found in the Bible, have struck a chord inside me. True Biblical Christianity is not about a set of rules and rituals. It is about asking the tough questions of God and struggling and wrestling with the difference between our own self-indulged will and God's perfect will. It is about being real and authentic.
I have been involved in churches, Christian organizations and bible studies that I believe do as much harm for the advancement of the name and fame of Jesus Christ as they have done good. There are far too many legalistic and phony-baloney sensationalists in the church today who are afraid to get out of their safe environment and experience God for who He truly is. They operate under a set of guidelines that are fake and are not willing to accept people for who they really are - sinful. We are all sinners and are broken and torn apart from our Savior. I'm a sinner, you're a sinner and the squeaky clean church goer is a sinner.
God never intended us to live in an environment that is safe and free from persecution. He wants us to be in the battle. He wants us to struggle with becoming more like Him. He wants us to ask the questions that are really on our hearts and not be afraid if we offend others.
John Acuff wrote about "dorky Christians" in his blog. These type of religious Christians have really gotten under my skin because they're not real. He wrote, "but think about it, no one ever says, 'you know who is cheesy? Muslims.' Rarely will you hear someone proclaim, 'The Hindus are all uptight.' And when Buddhists are stereotyped they're labeled as being 'relaxed and peaceful.' Christians though have a lockdown on dork status."
I think Christians appear cheesy, dorky, fake, phony, etc. because they are afraid of what is really true. They're afraid to admit that they are sinners just like the prostitute.
Imagine what the church would like today if they embraced the words of Melissa Etheridge, "I run for hope, I run to feel, I run for the truth, For all that is real." Is it possible for a lesbian rock-n-roll star to be closer to God than the church-going goody goody that I sit next to in church? I believe Jesus would say "yes."
For me, it comes down to Luke 7:36-50. We are all the prostitute. It is clear that Jesus rejected the Pharisee in this passage. The Pharisees re-wrote the law to fit their needs. The prostitute recognized her need for a savior. We are all the prostitute.
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