Perplexed over Your Problems?

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the problems that may be in your life? I definitely have felt that way before. Unfortunately what happens is that we become so focused on our own trials or difficulties that eventually they seem to overwhelm us and we feel like we're sinking in a sea of hardships. I think that when God sees us in that state His message to us is," My child, why are you so wrapped up in your own problems? You are completely missing the big picture. Start serving and helping others and you will find freedom from your perplexity." We get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget that there is a world of need around us. It really is a sin when we become that selfish and self -centered. Yes, selfish and self- centred. It may be a different sort of selfishness that we are used to , but nevertheless, it is still selfishness. I am definitely as guilty of that sin as anyone. When we get to that point we need to realize the sinfulness of our "me-centeredness" and turn our eyes on others. I have found myself that when I become too focused on my own difficulties, sharing the gospel with the lost and ministering to my brothers and sisters in Christ helps me refocus on the big picture: that of glorifying God and being a light to all for Him.
So if you're discouraged because you are overwhelmed by your current problems, get your mind on others and their needs which many times are much greater than our own. 

The Dangers of Pride

"Let not the foot of pride come against me..."- Psalm 36:11

Pride. It was the root of the very first sin and the downfall of Lucifer who is now known as Satan. It so easily slithers its way into our hearts without us even noticing it. The Bible refers to pride as an abomination to God, and that it is something the Lord despises (Proverbs 6:16-17). Although the world tries to tell us it is harmless, nothing could be further from the truth. Pride severs us from receiving the blessings and mercy that is given to a humble heart. The Devil whispers in our ears the lie that we are self-sufficient, that we are "pretty good" and we believe him all the while forgetting the Source from whom all blessings flow. In fact, Daniel 4:23 mentions that even our very breaths are in God's hands. That means that, whether we are saved or unsaved, God gives us every breath we have and at any time He could stop those breaths. Whatever a person is prideful about I can guarantee two things about it. Either it is a gift from God and we have no reason to be prideful about it or we actually do not have what we are prideful of (I.e. we are deceiving ourselves into thinking that we have a talent, quality etc. that we don't actually have). Also if anyone is reading this and saying,"I think I'm pretty humble; I don't have a problem with this," please think again because, believe me, pride has already taken a foot hold in your life.
As those who have put our trust in Christ alone for salvation, it is extremely important that we deal with pride in our lives. Christ died and rose again so that we could walk in newness of life and be free from the chains of sin and pride, yet we go right ahead and put those chains on again. We don't realize how much that grieves our Lord. Let's turn from this sin and walk in the new life God has given us. It is essential to see that all we have is from God. Everything is His gift. Read verses like Romans 12:3 and Proverbs 6:16-17, 16:5,18. These verses can help us with the pride in our lives.

Coach Tom Edinger

The Lord has really blessed my basketball team and myself with a great coach. He has made it a goal to instill in us not only a deeper ability to play basketball, but also a deeper relationship with God. Before my team's basketball season ended, I asked our coach Tom Edinger if he could write a post for me about what is like to be a Christian basketball coach. He accepted and here it is:


When I was asked to be a Christian Basketball coach four year ago I had apprehensions. First: never coached boys in an organize program. Second: has God prepared me for this journey? Third: if I do take this position, will it be for the glory of God my Savior.


Today, the praise of God for all the blessing received, not only from seeing boys grow into young men, but also their testimonies of what God has accomplished in their life’s these short four years.

Playing football, basketball, Track and Field from 6th– 12th grade in public school bring lots of glory to one’s self, but years later finding myself empty of the enjoyment and competitiveness of sports. Don't get me wrong, I'm very competitive now and still hate to lose.

But now, a measure of grace to testify to the one called “The lamb of God” Jesus.

Christ, who now sits at the right hand of the father executing the father’s will has moved within my soul to bring back the love of the game called basketball, with a new desire serve him.

The event of being “Born Again” changed not only attitude towards competitiveness but also gave me the patience to let the work of the Holy Spirit change my heart in which all the issues of life come.

Now, coaching a basketball team has brought great joy and peace to my heart and a ministry unto him who deserves it.



The team called Charger’s;

It's now at the point where losing a game would disappoint their teammates more than me. When that happens, I've done all I can. Now I just have to coach the game. They’re starting to play for each other and have come together like a family.

We predetermine how we would conduct ourselves in public, especially during games. Corinthians 10:31, which simply states, “Whatever you do….do it all for the glory of God.” This is our testimony in which God has blessed this team. As a coach I could not be more proud of them for their love of the Lord Jesus and the abilities God has given them to use for his glory.

To be a Christian Coach:

Teaching the fundamentals of the game, including dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and handling the ball through drills at each practice, Determine the best offense and defense for the next game based on their skills and instruct them in floor position. Combining different types of defense based on the opposing team's strengths and weaknesses running man-to-man defense or using a zone to defend. Be patient. A major part of being a Christian coach is teaching. (Corinthians 10:31) Spend as much time on the basics as possible.

Not every coach is a great one, but by the “Grace of God” I can be a good one.

Charges’ Coach

Re-Post

Just recently I was going through a list of old posts, and I came across this one. I have seen alot of hurt and trials in the life of many people recently. My family and I just came out of one recently so I know the great need for encouragement that is there for a child of God going through a very difficult time. I wanted to re-post what I wrote here in last July, and I hope it will be an encouragement to those who need it.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

My family and I came back from visiting a theme park recently. My brothers and I love rollercoasters, so those were the major attractions we went to. After going there, I was thinking about rollercoasters and the spiritual applications that could be drawn from them. There were a whole bunch that were brought to my attention but I just wanted to give one for now. Whenever I'm on a rollercoaster and I look ahead at a huge twist or turn in the tracks, I'm thinking," O no, this does not look good!" But once I'm actually on the other end of that huge twist in the tracks I usually think," Hey, that wasn't all that bad. That was actually pretty good!"
As children of God, we will go through twists and turns in the "tracts of life" so to speak. One of our comforts during those twists is that just as a rollercoaster track is all laid out and planned, so God has our life all planned out and He will work everything out for good (Rom. 3:23). The twists in the tracks of our life will seem scary to us when we aproach them, but if we remain faithful to God and stay on the tracks He has for us, we will look back after going through those twists and think,"God did use that twist in my life for good." I have been through a "twist" in my own life recently and I can tell you that Romans 3:23 is true. I look back at the twist that I went through and yes, I didn't like what I had to go through. However, I can tell you this: I am glad that I went through it because God used it for such a greater good. The joy of the after result out-weighes the pain of the "twist". This is another promise that God has given us so that we can go through the trials of life.

"...for He is faithful that promised." - Hebrews 10:23

The Basketballathon

  Earlier this month my basketball team had our annual "Basketballathon" which basically is a huge one night tournament. This tournament was really special and important because this year was my brothers senior year, and I and everyone else on the team wanted to make sure we won first place for his last year. First up, we played the Calvary Cougars and we won that game fairly easily. After waiting while other teams played, we played a school named Victory Christian Academy. They were a bit tougher. In fact, in the fourth quarter, it was such a tight game that we had to go into an overtime. However, we managed to pull away and secure the victory (no pun intended). Next up, in the game which if we won, the tournament would be over and we would win first place, we played a charter school named the Eagles. This team was probably our highest rival team partially due to the fact that each of us had one victory over each other in the regular season games. In the first half of this game were up by ten points; however, we let our lead go and with approximately three and a half minutes left in the second half, we were down by nine. Our coach huddled us together during a time-out and said,"You've got to trust the Lord. When storms arise in life, you trust the Lord." So I went out trusting the Lord that He would help me do my best. Then, miraculously we came back. With just a few seconds left we were down by two and we were taking the ball out of bounds under the hoop. It was all riding on this play, and we all knew it. My teammate taking the ball out of bounds, Christian Weidler, slapped the ball telling to begin our out-of-bounds play. I set the screen for my brother Jesse to swing around the three point line and receive the ball. Christian made the pass and Jesse shot an extremely difficult two pointer which sunk through the basket sending the game into overtime. All through the overtime it was neck-and-neck. However, with around ten seconds left one of the Legacy players hit a three putting us behind by one. In the final seconds of the game, we ran the ball up the court passed it to Jesse, and he launched another extremely difficult shot. Everyone who was there says it was like the ball was in slow motion as it spiralled up towards the hoop. Finally, the ball sank through the basket, and the buzzer sounded. We had won! We all ran down the court and jumped up and down together. It was such a sweet victory because it was my brother's final year and I really wanted us to win this one for him and all our seniors.  I thank the Lord for helping us to pull this one out because if it were not for Him we couldn't do anything.

Playing against Victory

Jesse making the pass against Legacy

Just after the celebration of hitting the game/tournament-winning shot.

Holding the trophy!

Post- game celebrating and giving glory to Whom it is due

The Lord really used this victory to help encourage my family in a really difficult time. The tournament took place right in some of the toughest times of taking care of my grandma. God used this tournament to remind us of the need to never give up in adversity or after failures. We were down by nine points with three and a half minutes to go. I specifically remember thinking that the game was lost and there was no hope left. In spite of these thoughts, none of us gave up fighting, and as a result we pushed it into overtime and won.

No matter what you may be going through or what you might have done, never give up and never let the Devil get you discouraged enough to get you out of the game. God is on your side, and His forgiveness is always there for you. When you hold on to God's strength and promises you will have the victory; just trust Him.