Month: September 2016

The alarm goes off!   We hit snooze….

The alarm goes off again…….   We peer at our iphone half asleep and try to touch the snooze button again (usually holding the iphone awkwardly in a position we normally wouldn’t).

We sit up…or roll out…of bed and place our feet on the ground.  The first stop is the bathroom.  We do our deal….and we brush our teeth.  We grab a towel (if we don’t forget) and jump in for a shower.  We usually have an internal clock of how much time we have to take aforementioned shower.  “It’s 6:07!  I need to be out of the shower by 6:15″…..

We get out of the shower and put on each layer of clothing…..

We grab our wallet, keys, briefcase, protein shake…and give one last glance around the room…and we are off to chase the American dream…

Sound like your average morning….?

The description of the morning routine above is the average morning of most Americans today.

At that point, our lives separate via Chevrolet, Toyota, Subway, and Southwest Airways into millions of locations and job titles…..responsibilities and relationships!   Banks, schools, employment offices, and hospitals.  Foundries, factories, and refineries.  Museums, government agencies, and non-profits.

Literally, millions of different occupations and physical locations…..all pursuing this idea called ………..

I must admit….this subject has really been weighing on my mind for the past few years.  Mainly, a simple question…

What….makes…us….successful?

If you really sit down and attempt to write down your own, personal definition of success you may experience a little writers block. You will start to write but your pen will stop just before your put thought on paper.  Your stuck…….

So, let’s ask a few serious questions:

-Is YOUR success a measurement of financial status?  Does your definition of success depend directly on your net worth or your salary?

-Is YOUR success a measurement of a title?  Does your success depend on obtaining the CEO label?  Maybe a Ph.D?  Better yet, will you only consider yourself successful when you become a Head Coach?

-Is YOUR success a measurement of fame?  Does your success depend on “making it big on the main stage”?  Do you dream of public adoration (playing music at Red Rocks…or giving speeches in front of massive crowds)…

-Is YOUR success a measurement of Power?  Does your success depend on the amount of power you can exude and number of people you can control?

-Is YOUR success a measurement of relationship(s)?  Does your success depend on who your girlfriend or boyfriend is?  Does it depend on who you are dating…married to?  Better yet, (I have to go there)…is your success measured by sexual conquest?

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Everyone, regardless of where you are from or what your title is, has to define success for themselves at some point in life….sometimes several times.

As I attempted to navigate and define the term of success for myself I began to look to individuals I respected and started to see several similarities…..

Served as Head Coach for 25 years and the current Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Athletic Department.

Author, filmmaker, and designer.  He is founder and Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, California.  Mosaic started out by placing churches in BARS.  Yes, BARS!  Cleaning them up Saturday Night and having service Sunday!

Former Penn State football player who suffered a spinal cord injury that ended his football career.  One year from the day of his injury….. he lead the Lions onto the field.  In turn, was MY motivation to get over my knee injuries and subsequent surgeries.

And finally………

Brodie Croyle is the Administrator of the Big Oak Ranch in Springville, AL.  Croyle was the Quarterback for The University of Alabama as well as with the Kansas City Chiefs.  Today, he works to change the lives of children across the state of Alabama and the world.

PS>Check out his blog….

Brodie Croyle’s Blog

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As I thought about these men and their lives, something began to stand out.

Years from now, long after Jesus has called us all home…..people will mention each of these men and say,

“Well done, Good and Faithful Servant!”

These men are leaving a legacy!  They are changing lives!  These men are defining their success by the lives they impact and have impacted along the way.

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This week, I recommend you look internally as your own definition of success.

I recommend asking yourself the following questions:

-My definition of success:

-My definition of relational success:

-My definition of love:

-My definition of faith:

-My definition of …..LEGACY:

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So tomorrow morning when your iphone alarm starts ringing and halfway open your left eye to hit snooze.

Ask yourself who, what, and why you are actually getting out of bed.  

Your answers may surprise you…

So……Just to stimulate thought….and for a little feedback…..

I want to leave you with some scripture.  Read it two or three times over the course of half a day.  Then, text, call, or comment at the bottom of the blog how you think the scripture directs your thinking……

Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

¹⁴ “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants^[a] and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents,^[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. ¹⁷ So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. ¹⁸ But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹ Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.^[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. ²⁹ For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Let me know where you thoughts are….

#COACHKD

I simply can’t help it!!!!

When traveling, I like to have an idea of college towns that I will be passing through.  If possible (and it’s not too far out-of-the-way), I like to get a glimpse of the given institutions facilities.  Most importantly, their FOOTBALL STADIUM!!

Today, as our team buses drove through Baton Rouge, LA I had another chance to see the home of the Bayou Bengals!  I timed it just right as we drove over the mighty Mississippi River!  I gazed south toward the bayou and caught a glimpse of Death Valley.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I am not a die-hard LSU fan. I’m simply drawn to those buildings….

 I’m drawn to what they represent.

I’m drawn to the pageantry and pride that each institution places in these landmarks.

I’m also drawn to memories on foggy, humid fall nights.  The smell of grass and paint.  Battle cries from fans and the anxiety of a state as their heroes gallop onto the gridiron.

One may say….these icons have a way of haunting me!

As football season kicks off, I always have a rush of memories.  This year, as we prepared for our first opponent, my mind drifted back to Bryant-Denny Stadium in 1999.  The Crimson Tide was playing the Mississippi State Bulldogs on a humid and foggy night in Tuscaloosa. I’ll never forget how the sound of the crowd seemed to stay under the fog for the entire game.  I remember the face-paint!  I remember the Alabama Greek Section!  I remember my date for the game wearing my jacket after a few adult beverages rained down from above.

It was loud!

It was intense!

It was SEC FOOTBALL!

As the years have passed I have noticed a distinct shift in my thinking.  I am still drawn to these icons of American sport….the Rose Bowls, the Texas State Fair, The Swamp, Kyle Field!!  However, as drawn to them as I am, I now pair them with memories and relationships, and dreams!

 I will always remember…

….the anticipation that we had before flying out to Pasadena in 2009 for the National Championship.  And the hugs exchanged when the game was over!  And the quote from Coach Carter Blount, “Let’s go get another one”…….

…..staying in western North Carolina the night before the Tennessee/Alabama game in with friends and driving to Rocky Top that Saturday morning.

…..the silence of Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga on that fall night in 2008 when the “Blackout occurred!” and high-fiving our players as we headed back to Tuscaloosa.

….. those pregame prayers in the football building at Tuscaloosa County High School.. and holding my players and fellow coaches hands before we went to war.

…….Coach Dan Newell’s prayer in the locker room at Hampden-Sydney.  It still gives me chills years later.

and here is the biggest one…..

Watching these young men and coaches pursue their dreams!

….and maybe more importantly….

Remembering what dreams have we have ignored or tried to forget?

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This week I want to pose a few questions that hopefully will stir something inside you!

What dream have you let become dormant?

What goal have you always wanted to obtain?

What is it in your soul that just won’t stay silent? 

In the early morning hours…on nights that you can’t sleep…what does your heart bring to mind?

What personal “football stadiums” are out there to remind you of your God Given Talents?

We all have a purpose in this world!  We owe to ourselves and those around us to pursue those gifts with everything we have!

You may have to quit your comfortable job…

You may have to leave your comfortable life….

You may have to leave your well-paying job in South Florida?

But eventually, you have to jump!  

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I was sitting in a hospital parking lot in Texarkana, TX!  I was working for an AWESOME company traveling the country working with incredible doctors and incredible people.  I had been called in early in the morning and was about to walk in to work.  As I scanned down through social media….I found this video and in turn….awoke my spirit…

This week, all I want to do is stir that dream inside of your soul!  I want you to drive by your personal “football stadium” and awaken your personal gifts and dreams!  I want you to feel that fear and freedom!  The ups and downs!  The dependence on God himself!

I want you to wake up and feel alive with anticipation and nervousness!  I want your palms to be sweaty and I want you to look in the mirror and see a natural …..SMILE!

Do you feel called to be a minister…start an ARC church?   DO IT!!!

Do you feel called to be a coach?  DO IT!!!

Do you want to go back to school to finish that degree?  DO IT NOW!!!!

Do you want to adopt a child?  DO IT!!!!

Do you want to move to Florida and live on the beach?  Make it happen!!!!

Do…You…Want…To…Be….Happy?  That’s your choice.

I don’t know what each of your dreams and aspirations are!  But I do know the beauty in seeing someone fulfill their purpose!  And if I can encourage you to simply pursue your purpose…then I’m living my dream!

I’ve jumped….

I’ve been scared doing it…

I’ve had to rely on God….for everything….

I’ve doubted myself and questioned myself in the middle of it…

But….I did it! And it’s LIFE that I’m pursuing.

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This week, as you lay down for bed, and ponder how to awaken your dream…meditate on this word from the commissioning of Isaiah:

Isaiah 6:8.

” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

“Here I am.  Send ME!”

It will be scary at first…..It will be intimidating…..

But it beats driving by your own “football stadiums” and wondering

What if ……….

Dream Again….

You will miss people…family…and friends….

You will miss places like Texarkana and Shreveport…..Tampa and Tuscaloosa…..Dallas and Baton Rouge……Chattanooga and Birmingham…..NYC and Miami….

You will have doubts…you will doubt yourself……

But eventually…you will KNOW THAT YOU HAVE NO REGRETS!

DREAM AGAIN!

#CoachKD