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Refined By Fire: How to allow GOD to refine you into who HE CREATED YOU TO BE

The other day, someone shared an interesting story with me about how forest rangers actually create fires on purpose.

They intentionally burn down old forests.

At first, that might sound destructive. But the purpose is to clear space — because the old growth has become inhabitable for many species of plants and animals.

Once the fire has done its job, new life begins. New trees, fresh vegetation, and new habitats spring up where the old ones once stood.

It reminded me of what happens in the weight room.

When we train hard, we feel the burn. Our muscles are literally breaking down.

But we know — that pain leads to new strength. The fire we feel is the path to becoming bigger, faster, and stronger.

As athletes and coaches, we face fires in our own lives, too.

You may go through the fire of getting injured.
You may lose your starting spot or struggle to meet performance goals.
You might feel burned by disappointment, pressure, or comparison.

As a coach, your fires may come from tough losses, difficult parents, or administration issues.
Or maybe you're losing players to off-the-field distractions or academic problems.

And beyond sports, the fires of life hit hard as well.

Maybe you've lost someone close to you.
Maybe you’ve lost a job, struggled in school, or feel uncertain about your direction.
Maybe you’re feeling the fire of not measuring up to your purpose or potential.

But here's the truth:

Every fire you walk through is refining you.

It’s burning off the old parts of you — the ones that no longer serve your growth.

On the other side of the fire is new life.

There is growth.
There is strength.
There is peace.
There is a higher, more complete version of who God made you to be.

So my encouragement to you is this:

Embrace the fire.
Walk through it with courage, tenacity, and a deep surrender to God.
Let Him do the refining work.

Because through the fire, you are becoming.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of enduring the fires in your life and experiencing the transformation of new life on the other side, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Malachi 3:2-3
• 1 Peter 1:6-7
• Isaiah 43:2
• Romans 5:3-5
• James 1:2-4

Listen to Audio Here

Strength, Power, and Endurance: The cornerstones of conditioning your faith

Three qualities that strength and conditioning coaches seek to develop in their athletes are:

• Strength
• Power
• Endurance

Strength is a measure of how much force you can produce. More strength means you can more easily push through an opponent.

Power is a measure of how fast you can produce that force. More power means you are faster, can jump higher, and can more swiftly move an opponent.

Endurance is a measure of how long you can exert force. More endurance means you have more capacity to do work and can outlast an opponent.

Conditioning Your Faith

Obviously, these three qualities are vital to your performance on the playing field ...

But they are also vital in your walk of faith!

Colossians 1:11 says:

"Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience"

What I want to ask you is ...

How are your strength, power, and endurance in your faith?

How strong is your faith?

Are you able to take on challenges that might crush others around you?

How powerful is your faith?

When a challenge comes your way, how swift are you to lean on GOD so the two of you can move it?

How much endurance do you have in your faith?

When others around you are falling by the wayside, do you have the capacity to persevere to the other side?

Training for Your Faith

Of course, you develop physical strength, power, and endurance in the weight room.

Are you developing spiritual strength, power, and endurance in your spiritual weight room?

Are you spending time:

• In prayer
• In your Bible
• With other believers who can challenge and develop your strength, power, and endurance

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of wielding strength, power, and endurance in your faith, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Colossians 1:11
• Hebrews 12:1
• Isaiah 40:31
• Philippians 4:13

Listen to Audio Here

Put More Time on the Clock: How to receive GOD's gift of more "time"

I'm sure you're all aware of it by now, but today is daylight savings time.

If you haven't done so already, may this be another friendly reminder to simply change your clocks to the appropriate time.

I remember when I was growing up as a kid and I was in sports, this was one of my favorite days of the year.

It gave me an extra hour to train.

So I would spend that extra hour in the gym, getting after it.

It always felt like such an amazing gift to me, because I felt like this extra hour was giving me an extra opportunity to reach my highest potential as a basketball player.

Especially since tryouts were always coming up within the next couple of weeks.

Many times in our lives, it feels like we get a gift of extra time to reach our highest potential as well.

We see this many times in sports when we make the playoffs.

It gives us an extra opportunity to continue to play and go for the championship.

We see this in our jobs or in our schooling too.

Whether it’s getting a scholarship so we can continue our education...

Or getting a promotion in our jobs so we can have a larger platform to impact people around us.

But most importantly, this also happens in our spiritual walks of faith.

We know that God always gives us second chances.

And we know that God can give us all the time in the world.

Because when we truly give our life to Christ, we know that all time goes away.

And we know that we will continue to endure for all of eternity.

So my encouragement for you today is this:

Whenever God gives you these gifts of extra time — whether it's in school, in sports, in life, in coaching — take advantage of it.

And when it comes to your faith, take advantage of it as well.

Experience that peace that transcends all understanding.

Give your hearts, your minds, and your lives to Christ.

And experience the unconditional love and beauty for all of eternity.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of having extra time to reach your highest potential, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verse:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1
• Psalms 90:12
• Galatians 6:9
• 2 Corinthians 6:2

Listen to Audio Here

How Do You Handle Fear? How to transcend FEAR through the LOVE of CHRIST

This upcoming Friday is Halloween.

And during this time of year, the topic of fear gets thrown around a lot.

But let’s be honest…

If you see a little kid dressed up like a goblin, you’re not going to be afraid.

You’re going to smile.

Maybe even laugh.

Because you know it’s just for show.
It’s only a costume.

The same is true in life.

There are so many things we fear.

As athletes, we fear:

• Losing our starting spot

• Getting injured

• Watching our teammate get a D1 offer while we get nothing

As coaches, we fear:

• Conflict with parents

• Losing a key player to grades or off-the-field issues

• The emotional rollercoaster of the season … or even losing our job

And then there’s life itself.

We fear:

• Losing loved ones

• Broken relationships

• Falling short of our dreams

• Not being good enough

Sometimes we even fear death—both metaphorical and literal.

The fear of “dying” to old identities or limiting beliefs.
The fear of uncertainty about what happens next.

But here’s the truth…

When we grow in our faith—
When we become mature in Christ—

We begin to see through the costume.

Just like the little goblin on Halloween night,
We realize fear is only a show.
It’s a façade.
It’s not real.

Because in Christ, fear is:

• Swallowed up

• Transformed

• Turned into love, courage, passion, and purpose

So the next time fear shows up in your life ...

Smile!

Recognize it for what it is—a costume.

And allow Christ within you to transcend that fear.

Let Him transform it into:

• Love

• Passion

• Courage

• The unwavering heart you know is already inside you

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of transcending all fear through the love of Christ, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,
Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Joshua 1:8-9
• Isaiah 41:10
• 1 John 4:18
• Psalms 23:4

Listen to Audio Here

Be Open, Adaptable, and Free: How saying “yes” can help you discover more of who GOD has called you to be

This upcoming week is a rare one in the sports world.

All four major professional sports are happening at the same time.

• NBA and NHL are just beginning

• NFL is already a few weeks in

• MLB is coming to a close

As a fan, you’re not locked into just one sport.

You have the freedom to choose what you want to watch.

But in life…

It doesn’t always feel that way.

In today’s world, it seems like society is trying to fit us all into a box.

We're told we need to:

• Pick one thing

• Zero in on it

• And pursue it with everything we have

But from my perspective?

That often traps us.

It doesn’t make us free or adaptable.

In sports, we hear it all the time:

Focus on just one sport.

Then within that sport, focus on just one position:

• Only be a pitcher

• Only be a defensive back

• Only shoot corner threes

And for coaches?

It’s the same message:

• Stick to your position group—offense or defense

• Specialize in one area—O-line, running backs, etc.

• Only run one system—Read and React, Spread, etc.

And in life ...

We’re told the same thing:

• Choose one career path

• Pick one major or field of study

• Devote your life to that one thing

But again, from my experience...

That doesn’t free us.

That only isolates us.

It doesn’t help us adapt to life’s ever-changing situations.

What has helped me?

Being open.

Being willing to immerse myself in a variety of experiences.

As an athlete, I tried to learn many positions.

I learned different footwork and different skills.

And it helped me thrive in more situations.

If someone shut down one of my strengths, I still had another way to make an impact.

As a coach, I studied different systems.

So if my main strategy got shut down?

I could spot weaknesses in the other team.

I could adapt and still help my team find a way to score.

In life, I’ve done the same.

Instead of sticking to just one path, I’ve tried to stay open to different areas of study.

That’s helped me discover the interconnectedness of different perspectives.

It’s helped me say yes to:

• Volunteer opportunities I never expected

• Extracurriculars I wouldn’t have considered

• Cultures and customs I once knew nothing about

Openness has freed me

It’s helped me learn more about who I am.

And more about who GOD has called me to be.

So my encouragement to you is this:

Don’t isolate yourself in a box.

• Be open
• Be adaptable
• Let GOD lead you into all the experiences He has for you

In sports, that might mean:

• Practicing footwork from other positions

• Learning how others play the game

• Becoming more well-rounded

As a coach, that might mean:

• Studying other positions

• Learning different systems

• Being ready to adapt when your plan isn’t working

In life, that might mean:

• Saying yes to trying something new

• Exploring a different activity or art form

• Immersing yourself in a new culture

• Opening your heart to a new perspective

Through that openness, I’ve become:

• More well-rounded

• More dynamic

• More adaptable

I’ve found new passions GOD placed on my heart.

I’ve walked through new doors GOD opened for me.

Doors I never knew existed.

And I believe the same will happen for you.

As you say yes to new experiences:

• GOD will open doors you never expected

• GOD will place new desires on your heart

• GOD will help you discover more of who you are

And through that whole process…

You’ll experience more of GOD’s divinity.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of being open to all the gifts and experiences GOD has for you, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Romans 12:2
• 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Listen to Audio Here

Embracing Struggles: How to experience peace and joy, even in suffering

Do you embrace being in the midst of struggles?

Or do you try to grit your way through them and see them as a means to an end for something better on the other side?

The other day, I saw some people running which reminded me of some experiences I had as an athlete which relate to this topic.

Football Conditioning

I remember back when I played football, we'd end practice with conditioning where we'd do a ton of sprints to get us in better shape.

We'd be out there working hard, drenched in sweat, grimaces on our faces, and grinding and gritting our way through conditioning.

And if you'd have asked the majority of my teammates if we enjoyed conditioning, we'd say ...

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!"

And most of us simply saw conditioning as a necessary means to get us in better shape for our games.

Cross Country Conditioning

Meanwhile, when we were in the middle of our conditioning, the cross country runners would be finishing up their runs.

They looked so relaxed, conglomerated in groups, chatting with each other while jogging, and looked like they were having a great time.

Rather than grinding their way through their running, they were actually even laughing. They looked like they were having a wonderful time.

And if you were to ask them if they enjoyed their running, they'd probably say ...

"ABSOLUTELY!!! We feel freedom when we run!"

Running Through Life

Most of us seem to take on the stance of the football players in our lives:

• Running as fast as we can from one thing to another
• Gritting and grinding our way through the struggles in life, seeing them as necessary for something better on the other side
• Not actually enjoying the struggles we are going through

However, I'd like to encourage you to take the posture of the cross country runner:

• Rather than being so fixated on the destination, enjoy the beauty of the scenery of the process every step of the way
• Rather than being so intense, gritting and grinding through situations, be open, relaxed, and light-hearted
• Rather than viewing struggles as a necessary means to an end, see if you can make peace with them and realize how beautiful they actually are

Often times, you may find that by taking this open, relaxed, light-hearted posture ...

You may actually enjoy and embrace struggles and experience that peace in all situations.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of experiencing joy and embracing struggles, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Romans 5:3-5
• James 1:2-4
• Philippians 4:7
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Romans 8:28

Listen to Audio Here

Be Invincible: How to live with freedom, boldness, and reckless abandon

Think back to a time where you felt invincible:

• You knew nothing could hurt you
• You were free to be bold
• You were free to be assertive
• You were free to live with reckless abandon

That probably felt pretty good didn't it???

I remember when I played football, I felt invincible when I put on the pads.

I knew nothing could hurt me, so I felt free to:

• Play boldly
• Play assertively
• Play with reckless abandon

In Ephesians, Paul talks about putting on the full armor of GOD to protect yourself from the devil.

When I see most people read this passage, it seems like they focus on putting on a whole bunch of armor to brace themselves from external attacks.

But I read this from a different perspective.

I read this from the lens of putting on the pads.

When you put on the armor of GOD, you are invincible.

Nothing can hurt you, so you are free:

• To be bold
• To be assertive
• To live with reckless abandon

As you embody Christ in all you do.

What are you doing to put on your armor?

Are you:

• In prayer/meditation
• Reading your Bible
• Spending fellowship with others

How are you living boldly and embodying Christ in all you do?

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of putting on the armor of GOD and being invincible, bold, assertive, and living with reckless abandon, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Ephesians 6:10-18

Listen to Audio Here

Facing the Unknown??? Three Keys for Managing Uncertain Situations

Have you ever found yourself in unknown situations before??? 

Athletes

Maybe you've experienced:

• Slumps
• Loss of playing time
• Troubles in relationships

Coaches

Maybe you've experienced:

• Unknown trajectories of a season
• Hardships in your job
• Marriage troubles

Recently, I was facing unknown situations.

At first, I was grappling and wrestling with the unknown.

Eventually, this prayer came to mind and perhaps you can adopt it as well through the unknown situations in your life.

The prayer consisted of three parts

1. Clarity

That I may have clarity for what GOD was calling me to do.

2. Cooperation

That I may cooperate with whatever GOD was calling me to do.

Whether I needed to perform an action ...

Or if I needed to wait, surrender, and be still.

3. That GOD's Glory May Be Revealed Through This

At the end of the day, we know that GOD is working all things for your good because He has called you according to His Purpose.

Trust GOD with all your heart, leaning not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will lead you on straight paths.

During those unknown situations when your life seems to be filled with insecurity, know that you can rely on the Ultimate Source of security, and He will sustain you through it, and you will experience a transformation far greater than anything you could have imagined before.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of traversing the unknown situations in your life, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Romans 8:28
• Proverbs 3:5-6

Listen to Audio Here

Maximize the Fall Season: How to reap the harvest in your game and your life 

What do you like most about Fall?

• Going back to school
• Watching your favorite teams
• The changing of the seasons, colors, and weather

Throughout many cultures and traditions, Fall was symbolic of reaping the harvest and gratitude.

For Your Game

Now what I want to ask you is ...

How are you reaping the harvest in your game?

How are you reaping the rewards of all your efforts:

• In the weight room and on the practice field
• Developing chemistry and cohesion with your teammates
• Breaking down game film and creating game plans and strategies

And ...

Are you grateful for your game?

Are you grateful for the opportunity to:

• Lace up the shoes
• Compete with your teammates and players
• Put your talents on display in front of a stadium of fans

For Your Life 

I also want to ask you ...

How are you reaping the harvest in your life?

Are you storing up treasures on Earth, like:

• Greed
• Fame
• Power
• Control

Or are you storing up eternal treasures in Heaven like the fruits of the Spirit?

And ...

What are you grateful for in your life?

Are you grateful for all the blessings you receive in every moment?

• The opportunity to live and breathe
• The beauty of the birds, trees, and nature
• The chance to have loving relationships with those around you

How are you reaping the harvest in your game and in your life?

How are you grateful for your game and in your life?

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of reaping your harvest with gratitude, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
• Matthew 6:19-21
• Galatians 5:22-23

Listen to Audio Here

Unlock Your Potential: The key to lose your self and realize your potential

Don't you wish you could play at your highest potential all the time?

That'd be great wouldn't it!?!

I hear it in the world of sports all the time ...

People say something like:

"I wish there was a way I could always play at my best ...

There are fleeting moments when I play outside my mind, 

But most of the time all that potential feels like it's locked inside me ...

And I wish there was a way to let it out!"

Once I read some words from a man who I think had some wise words to say:

"Whoever wants to save their life will lose it ...

But whoever loses their life will find it."

This is so true in the world of sports.

Many of us are looking for that key that will unlock our potential and enable us to play at our best. 

But it's not until we lose our:

• Own individual sense of self
• Own individual stats
• Own individual performance

And surrender into the flow of the game and our teammates that we paradoxically play at our highest potential.

We fall in line with the flow of the game and the game seems to come to us effortlessly.

This is also true in life.

Many of us are looking for that key that will unlock our potential and enable us to live at our best:

• Who are we?
• What is our purpose?
• What are we made to do? 

But it's not until we lose our:

• Own individual sense of self
• Own individual wants, needs, and desires
• Own individual incessantly searching for our purpose

And surrender into the flow of life and in service to the Body of Christ that we paradoxically live at our highest potential.

We fall in line with GOD's Will and our calling and purpose seem to come to us effortlessly.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of releasing your own individuated and separate sense of self, and falling into alignment with your highest potential, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 16:25

Listen to Audio Here

Kickoff the Season: How to experience a fresh new start in life

Have you ever gone through seasons in your life where you feel like you are going through a slump?

• Nothing seems to go your way
• You can never seem to find a break

Contrast that with the seasons of your life where everything feels like it is flowing naturally:

• It feels like you experience a fresh start
• You feel like you are breathing in new life

Of course, today is the first major Sunday for the NFL season and all the teams are experiencing a fresh new start:

• Teams that did well last season look to have another amazing year
• Teams that did not do well last season are on an even playing field with a record of 0-0

You get to have a fresh new start as a Christian

In our walks of faith, we have an opportunity to experience a fresh start each and every moment.

Christ gives of the breath of life:

• Life of abundance
• Redemption
• Salvation

Allow yourself to receive this breath of life that Christ offers you in every moment ...

And may GOD's love and peace fill you ...

And His Spirit of power fuel you.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of having a season of a fresh new start in Christ, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• John 10:10
• Psalms 40:3
• Isaiah 43:18-19

Listen to Audio Here

My Take on Week 1: How to persevere for a championship season

Have you ever felt other people define you based on a single performance?

Of course, this is the opening weekend for college football ... 

And what always amuses me about the opening week is how the sports analysts from major networks absolutely overreact from Week 1.

They make their predictions for who will win the championship and which top tier teams will fall off the radar, just based on one performance.

However ...

Great teams are not defined by a single game. 

Rather, great teams show up week after week for the entirety of the season.

Athletes and Coaches

You are not defined by one game:

• By one loss
• By one dropped pass
• By one missed block
• By one missed shot

You are also not defined by one win:

• By one heroic catch
• By one pancake
• By one goal before the horn sounds

In Life

The same is true in the Game of Life.

You are not defined by one performance:

• By one failed test
• By one lost job
• By one broken relationship

You are also not defined by one "win" in life:

• By one passed test
• By one made job
• By one new relationship

But if you show up day in and day out for the long term, you will reap great dividends and rewards beyond your imagination.

My Encouragement to You

Show up consistently day in and day out for GOD every day, representing Jesus Christ for the long haul, and you will experience joy, peace, fulfillment, abundance, and opportunities you would have never foreseen.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of releasing your identity based on a single performance and showing up consistently over the long haul, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• 1 Corinthians 15:58
• Galatians 6:9
• Hebrews 12:1

Listen to Audio Here

Game Changing Habits: Optimize your routines in these 4 areas

It's that time of year when kids are going back to school.

During this time of year, the topic of routines comes to my mind.

People are getting back into their normal routines and rhythms.

However, I don't want you to simply go back to a normal routine.

Instead I want you to develop habits that will enable you to become a better human being.

Today, we are going to talk about:

Four areas to implement habits into your routines to help you become a better human being.

Sleep

When people get back into routines, sleep unfortunately is the first thing they let go.

Sleep is vitally important for all areas of your life:

• Your game
• Your joy and happiness
• Your mind and spiritual faith

Make sure you are placing an emphasis on getting high-quality sleep every night.

Your Mind

For those of you in school, this will be easy because you'll have many opportunities to expand your mind.

But don't just learn the material to do well on a test.

Learn the material to learn more about yourself as a person:

• Understand how the Kreb's cycle can help you become a better athlete
• Understand how the themes in Lord of the Flies can help you transcend temptation and have compassion
• Understand how repping out algebra problems correlates to repping out basic skills so you can improve the fundamentals of your sport efficiently

If you are a coach (and not simultaneously a teacher), find ways you can expand your mind as well:

• Learn something new
• Dive into problem-solving, strategizing, and planning
• Take breaks in your day to relax your mind a free it from daily stressors

Your Game

Once again, if you are in your competitive season, this will be easy.

You'll be working on your game daily with your games, practices, and competitions.

But if you're out of season, see how you can still sharpen your tools.

If you play basketball, work on ball handling drills 5-10 minutes before school.

If you play baseball, invite some friends to have some batting practice and play catch.

If you are a coach and out of season, see how you can work on your game as well:

• Do the behind the scenes work that no coach enjoys doing 🤣
• Stay in touch with your players and parents to keep them up to date
• Have barbeques or cook-outs with your team to keep the camaraderie strong

Your Spirit

See how you can enhance your spirit.

As a side story ...

Monks commit their lives to monasteries so they can grow closer to the LORD.

Many monasteries operate on system of bells.

When a bell rings, the monks stop what they are doing, say their prayers, and go to their next activity.

Isn't that a lot like school???

You can make your school day a mini monastery!

When the bell rings to end class, stop what you're doing, take a quick breather, say a prayer, do a brief reflection, and go to your next class.

You can also adopt a habit of doing a quick 1-2 minute devotional first thing in the morning while eating breakfast.

Recap

1. Sleep- Make this a priority to enhance all other areas of your life
2. Your Mind- Understand how what you are learning relates to you as a human being
3. Your Game- Compete if you are in your competitive season, sharpen your tools if you are out of season
4. Your Spirit- Find easy ways throughout your day to increase your continuous connection with GOD and fortify your faith

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of implementing habits that will enable you to become a better human being, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Listen to Audio Here

Are You Being Overlooked??? How to remain powerful and confident to be an inspiration

Have people ever judged you and not believed you will reach your aspirations?

I can't say I've met Timothy before, but if I had, I think we'd have a lot in common.

Paul's Letters to Timothy

During Paul's two letters to Timothy, he tells Timothy to not let people look down on him because he is young, and to realize he was not given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-control.

He told Timothy to look beyond others' judgments and to persevere in using his gifts, which would help him not only be inspired himself, but would also inspire others.

My Story

Growing up, I was very often looked down on because I was small and looked young.

People didn't believe I would reach my athletic aspirations.

Sometimes I took their words to heart and doubted myself.

When I did this, I neglected to use my gifts.

But other times I realized I wasn't given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-control, and I persevered in using my gifts, which helped me to be inspired myself and inspired others.

My Advice to You

Do others judge you? 

Do they say that you are:

• Too small
• Too weak
• Too slow

Or not good enough?

Look beyond their judgments.

Realize you were not given a spirit of fear ...

But one of power, love, and self-control.

Persevere in using your gifts.

And not only be inspired yourself, but also inspire those around you.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of realizing you have a Spirit of power, love, and self-control, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• 1 Timothy 4:12-16
• 2 Timothy 1:7

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Get Out of the Trenches: How to experience a spiritual awakening

What are some of your favorite memories about this time of the year?

• Eating ice cream
• Seating on a deck by a pool
• Having one last summer vacation before school

Surprisingly, one of my fondest memories of this time of the year is ...

Two-A-Day Football Practices 

Yes, those first two weeks of the football season in the brutal, sweltering heat.

And for most of my life, I never knew why I enjoyed them ...

Until I read a blog post when I was in college that described the feeling beautifully. 

Kokoro Camp 

The author of this particular blog post decided to go on a retreat. 

Not to some remote, serene place in nature ...

But to Kokoro Camp 

Which is a simulation of the Navy Seal boot camp.

When he described his experience of Kokoro Camp, it articulated why I loved two-a-days.

He mentioned how this camp was harder than normal.

He was in brutal conditions, with long, grueling, and exhausting days.

Drill sergeants were yelling insults, profanities, and obscenities in his face.

Not everyone was able to make it through the camp ...

But those who did had an amazing experience. 

The individual participants realized they couldn't make it through on their own.

But they realized there were others in the trenches with them ... 

And if everyone gave their all for each other ...

They would make it through the camp. 

And when they did ...

Each participant experienced a personal transformation ...

And the group as a whole experienced a collective transformation.

The author described this as a spiritual awakening! 

Two-A-Day Football Practices

A similar scenario is played out during two-a-days.

These first two weeks are harder than normal.

You practice in brutal conditions, with long, grueling, and exhausting days.

Coaches are yelling orders at you.

Not all players make it through those first two weeks ...

But those who do have an amazing experience. 

The individual players realize they can't make it through on their own.

But they realized there are others in the trenches with them ... 

And if everyone gives their all for each other ...

They will make it through. 

And when they do ...

Each player experiences a personal transformation ...

And the team as a whole experiences a collective transformation.

It might be a stretch to call it a spiritual awakening, but we can go along with it! 

Life as a Spiritual Journey

A similar scenario is played out during our walk of faith.

Sometimes life seems harder than normal.

It seems to place you in brutal conditions, with long, grueling, and exhausting days.

Internal and external voices are yelling insults at you, telling you that you are not enough.

Not everyone makes it through those challenging times ...

But those who do have an amazing experience. 

During these times, individuals realize they can't make it through on their own.

But they realize there are others in the trenches with them, brothers and sisters in Christ and an Eternal Savior ... 

And if everyone gives their all for each other ...

They will make it through. 

And when they do ...

Each person experiences a personal transformation ...

And the Body of Christ as a whole experiences a collective transformation.

Which is a real spiritual awakening! 

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of persevering in the trenches with the Body of Christ and experiencing your spiritual awakening, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way, 

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Joshua 1:9
• Isaiah 41:10
• Psalms 23:4
• Deuteronomy 31:6

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The Easiest Play in Life: How to run the pick and roll with GOD

Do you feel like you and GOD are playing on the same page?

Or do you feel like you are sometimes out of sync?

A few weeks ago when I was at the FCA summer camp in Spring Arbor, the chaplain said something that really struck me:

"Don't build something unless GOD provides the blueprint.

And if He hasn't provided the blueprint, He is building you for it."

As soon as he said that, a shiver went through me and I knew I'd need to reflect on it later, and when I did, I realized:

Life is a Pick and Roll with GOD

As you know, in the game of basketball, during a pick and roll, the point guard will set up and wait for the big man to come set him a screen.

When the screen is set, the point guard will come off it and read the defense to make a play. He will decide to:

• Shoot
• Drive
• Snake
• Throw the lob
• Kick to the corner
• And so on

The first part of the screen may be the most important ...

Which is ...

TO WAIT!!!

Before the point guard can use the screen, the screen must be set.

If the point guard leaves too early, he will likely create a moving screen and a turnover the other way.

If the big man is not setting the screen, it may be for various reasons:

• The point guard is not in a good position to come off the screen
• There is not the right amount of time on the clock yet
• There is other stuff in the background the big man is dealing with

The Same Is True in the Game of Life

In life, you are running a pick and roll with GOD.

You must wait for GOD to set the screen:

• Your opportunity
• Your moment
• Your time to shine

If GOD hasn't set you the screen yet ...

WAIT!!!

There is a reason He has not set it for you yet:

• He may be waiting for you to get in a better position to use the screen
• There may not be the right amount of time on the clock yet
• He may be dealing with other factors in the background

But rest assured, your opportunity is coming ...

And when GOD does set your screen ...

USE IT!!!

Brush shoulder to hip with GOD, come off the screen, read the defense, and make a play!

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of running the pick and roll with GOD, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Lamentations 3:25
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Psalms 27:14
• Psalms 130:5

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How to Make Miracles: Unifying the Body of Christ 

Growing up, one of my favorite movies was Miracle, which was about the 1980 US Men's Olympic Ice Hockey team.

Back then, the Olympic team was made of college players from various schools rather than professional players like today.

In the beginning of the season, the team wasn't gelling well:

• They couldn't mesh
• They had poor chemistry
• They weren't winning hockey games

During practice, the coach would pull the players aside individually and ask them who they played for.

They would say which schools they came from:

• University of Denver
• University of Boston
• University of Wisconsin

After one game which they got beat, the coach had the team do sprints on the ice before going to the locker room.

They'd do one sprint ... the coach would blow the whistle and say, "Again!"

Then another ... Then another ... Then another ...

Until finally, one of the players broke down ...

And said ...

"I play for the United States of America!"

And at that moment, a switch was flipped. 

They were no longer operating as separate, individual universities.

They were competing as a unified nation for the United States of America.

The rest is history.

They started to gel:

• They meshed well
• They had great chemistry
• They won hockey games and pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all-time against the Soviet Union and eventually brought home the gold medal

We Are Seeing the Same Thing in the Church Today

Often, the current Church is operating as separate, individual denominations.

Last I heard, we have well over 1,000 denominations operating independently.

If we continue to do this, we can't serve the Body of Christ to our highest potential.

But when we put aside our differences ...

And come together under the unified Body of Christ:

• Truth
• Love
• Life

We, too can serve at our Body of Christ ...

And the rest will be history!

A Reflection For You

Are you ready to put aside your differences?

Are you ready to come together as a unified Body of Christ?

Are you ready to serve at our highest potential together?

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of putting aside your differences and operating as a unified Body of Christ, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 18:20
• Psalm 133:1
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

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Are Hard Work and Passion Pushing You BACKWARDS? How to surrender and let Christ reroute your passion for impact

Have you ever been so passionate about something ...

And worked so hard to pursue it ...

But realized it was actually pushing you backwards???

I know I sure have.

And it turns out the apostle Paul had the same thing happen in the Bible.

Paul's Testimony

I was recently reading 1 Timothy where Paul shares his testimony with Timothy.

Paul was so passionate about the Jewish law and worked so hard to follow the Jewish law that he would persecute anyone who would not uphold the law ...

Which included killing Christians!

However, Jesus eventually made himself known to Paul.

He looked past Paul's shortcomings and saw Paul's passion and hard work, and used them to reroute Paul so he could become one of the most influential missionaries of all time.

My Story

When I read this passage, I couldn't help but relate with Paul's story, because mine was strikingly similar.

I was so passionate about basketball and worked so hard to one day be able to reach my dreams of playing pro.

As a result of my hard work, I severely overtrained myself, so severely that ...

I ended up in the hospital 3 times from exhaustion and on the brink of death.

And the third time this happened, it ended my competitive athletic career.

However, Jesus looked past my shortcomings. He saw my passion and hard work, and has enabled me to use my story to inspire and impact many athletes around the area.

Reflections For You

Today, I encourage you to reflect on those times in your life ...

Where your passion and hard work have actually seemingly pushed you backwards ...

But Christ has looked through your shortcomings and used your passion and hard work to make an impact on the Body of Christ.

And ...

What areas, perhaps, in your life today are you so passionate about and working so hard for, but may actually be pushing yourself backwards ...

And how can you surrender to allow Jesus to reroute you so you can more powerfully impact the Body of Christ.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of combining your passion and hard work with surrender to impact the Body of Christ, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• 1 Timothy 1:12-17

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Searching For Answers??? How to allow answers to find you and unleash your full potential

Do you seem to search for answers but can't seem to find them?

Or you know there's a ton of potential inside you but it seems to be repressed and doesn't surface like you want it to?

Today we're going to talk about:

How you can lay back in surrender and release the potential that's been in front of you the entire time.

I am reminded of this story from my childhood ...

I had an awesome Jango Fett toy that would shoot discs.

One day, I was playing with it outside and when I went to pick up the discs after I had shot them, I realized one was missing.

I kept trying to find it, but no matter how hard I searched for it, I couldn't see it.

And eventually, I gave up searching altogether.

And when I gave up searching ...

I found it!!!

And it had been right in front of me the entire time.

In Life

We see this situation play out all the time in our daily lives.

Perhaps we are looking for our keys and can't find them. Eventually, we realize that they were right there in front of us all along.

Or maybe we are searching hard for our glasses. Eventually, we realize that they were on our head all along.

In Sports

We see this situation play out all the time in our sports.

We can search hard for that ingredient that will unleash our full potential.

We may perform well in practice knocking down shots or making solid contact with the ball.

But in games ...

We don't perform well under pressure.

We choke under pressure.

We may miss our shots or strike out.

And we keep looking for a way to be confident and play at our highest potential.

But it's not until we stop searching for this missing ingredient and relax into the flow of the game that we finally unleash our full potential and realize it's been inside us all along, waiting for us to get out of our own way.

In Faith

Many times, we ask GOD to show signs of His Presence.

We ask, seek, and knock, but we don't seem to receive, find, and doors don't seem to open.

Until we finally surrender.

And when we do fall back in surrender, we realize GOD's Presence and answers have been there in front of us the entire time, waiting for us to get out of our own way.

And on top of that ...

Sometimes the answers have been so close to us, closer than we'd ever dare to look ...

Because GOD's answers may even be inside us.

A Reflection for You

What situations in your life are you perhaps so caught up in and can't seem to find answers?

See if you can release your grip and lay back in surrender, and see if this, paradoxically, enables the answers that were right in front of you the entire time to reveal themselves to you.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of allowing yourself the freedom to surrender so the answers that have been there all along may present themselves to you, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you!

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 7:7-8
• Jeremiah 10:23

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Do You REALLY Feel Free? The key to freedom most people don't realize

Happy 4th of July!

In America, today we remember our independence as a nation ...

(And we love our independence)

However, seems to me this desire for freedom isn't just in Americans ...

Rather, it seems like there is an innate driving force within all human beings for them to be free.

The more I've reflected on it ...

It seems to me the highest levels of freedom aren't attained through being independent upon yourself.

Rather, it seems the highest levels of freedom are attained through falling back on a Higher Power beyond yourself.

Take food for example:

I'm assuming all of you experience the freedom to eat food without worrying about starvation.

However, I doubt you have this freedom because you prepare all the food yourself.

Instead, you fall back on a higher power beyond you to have the food:

• The farmers that grow the food
• The truck drivers that take the food to the market
• The workers at the market who enable you to buy the food

In Sports

We see this play out all the times in sports as well.

As athletes and coaches, we often have an independent mentality:

• We go the extra mile
• We show up early to practice
• We leave practice late

All in the hopes to have the freedom to play at our highest potential.

Athletes

It's not until you fall back on a higher power beyond yourself until you can experience the highest levels of freedom to play at your highest potential.

You need to rely on:

• Your teammates
• The strategy

Coaches

It's not until you fall back on a higher power beyond yourself until you can experience the highest levels of freedom to play at your highest potential.

You need to rely on:

• Your staff
• Your players

In Our Walks of Faith

Many of us act like it's all on us to live these righteous lives and have union with GOD:

• We'll say our prayers
• We'll go to church
• We'll do this and that

All in the hopes of being saved.

However, we all end up falling short:

• We may fall into temptation
• We may cheat on a test
• We may tell a lie

And it's not until we fall back on a Higher Power beyond us until we can experience the highest levels of freedom:

• An eternal unearned grace
• Jesus Christ our Savior
• The LOVE of Christ surging through us

May this not be a damper on your desire for freedom ...

May this be an invitation to see where you can fall back in dependency upon a Higher Power ...

And see how that, paradoxically, enables you to experience higher and higher levels of freedom.

Athletes and coaches for Christ, I wish you well on your journey of falling back in dependency upon a Higher Power beyond you and experiencing the highest levels of freedom, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you.

May GOD inspire YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Bible Verses:

• Romans 3:23
• John 8:36
• 2 Corinthians 3:17
• Galatians 5:1