Graduation Message

Teacher, Coach, as I have stated numerous times throughout my teaching and coaching career, those two nouns are interchangeable. If you are a good teacher then you probably spend a great deal of time coaching your students to not give up when things are tough and to always do their best. Transversely, if you have experienced a great deal of success as a coach, you undoubtable have spent a great deal of time teaching the X's and O's of the game, the intricacies of a technique, the plays that seem to always work, and then exhuming a tremendous amount of time and effort into practicing those learned skills to perfection. I just don't see how one of these positions can be mentioned without the other. So, with that being said, I'd like to share a message with graduating seniors of the class of 2024. 

 

Graduation Day is upon us across these United States of America and with that said I'd like to offer a resounding "Congratulations" to each graduate in America and beyond! Sticking with the teacher/coach analogy, those graduating this spring have been in practice mode for the past seventeen or eighteen years. You have had a plethora of "coaches" throughout your formal education ranging from parents, to teachers, to mentors, and for those that entered the playing fields of sports a vast number of literal coaches. During my tenure in the classroom and on the athletic fields of the sports I coached, I gave credence to a phrase that hopefully inspired at least a small percentage of those I taught/coached. "Never give up, never quit, and always do your best", was my challenge as we practiced and trained. That challenge invokes a great deal of personal sacrifice, you have to be able to endure hardship, obstacles, even brick walls that stand in your way without ever giving up. Paul summed it up like this, "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." I Corinthians 9:27. Now your "practice" in the classroom is coming to an end and it is time to take your practice to the next stage of your life's journey. 

 

I often refer to post-secondary plans in my conversations with students, which in the athletic realm would be comparable to the athlete's game plan. Some students will choose to attend a four-year university directly out of high school, while others may make the choice to attend a community or technical college. Others will make the decision to join the military ranks and serve our country which is an honorable decision for sure. For some, the training and certifications gained during the practice stage of their education will provide them an opportunity to move directly into the workforce. Regardless of the path your journey takes you on next, I would like to impart a set of challenges to you. This trio of life challenges won't guarantee you success, but they will most certainly give you a better opportunity to succeed. 

 

1. Be a life-long learner. Always maintain a thirst for knowledge. Just as a professional athlete must continue honing his or her skill set, pursuing advanced certifications and degrees will keep you at peak level on the game field. Read, study, and obtain knowledge every day. "Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:10-13. Your unquenchable thirst for knowledge will open doors of opportunity and provide you with a better understanding of the world and of who you were purposed to be. 

 

2. Determine how you will make this world a better place. An athlete's contribution to the success of the team requires placing others before self. One of the best athlete's I have had an opportunity to be associated with, would run off the court after a game and ask his grandfather, "How many assists did I have tonight?" It wasn't about how many points he scored individually, but it was all about how many other people he could assist in scoring points themselves. And as I stated, he was most likely one of the best athletes I have had the privilege to watch grow up. "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4. Regardless of the degree you earn or the career field you choose, you will have a choice to make. You will choose to help others or to help yourself. Acts 20:35 tells us, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said “It is more blessed to give than to receive." Gandhi had it right, "Be the change you want to see".

 

3. "Never give up. Never quit. And always do your best!" As a coach that has always been my mantra, we didn't always win, but we were never going to give up in trying to win. Failure is not an option. Giving up is giving in which is what this world will tell you to do. Don't listen to the world and don't allow your head to tell your heart what to do. Don't quit, the stories of men and women who have been on the brink of quitting, but persevered and reached success are countless. And, when you show up to the game or clock in for the job, always give your best! Someone is watching you and they will rise or fall to your level of performance. You are a leader, lead them up! "Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men. " Colossians 3:23.

 

As the pomp and circumstance of graduation concludes, I encourage you to not look at this as an end. This is just a chapter of the book of your life, and as you turn that page the paper is blank. Write the story you want to write and don't allow anyone to write it for you! Let the journey begin! 

Coach Carter

 

 

 

Consistently Constant

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8. If you sit back and reflect on it for a moment there really isn't much in life that we can label consistent. The labor market fluctuates and the pay for the jobs that are available scale from mediocre to unreal. The cost of living keeps going up with utilities, groceries, and gas prices giving the appearance of a rocket ship blasting off to outer space. Relationships ebb and flow with the divorce rate ever inching up, while the measure of right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred in our society. If anything could be said to be consistent in our world today, it would have to be that inconsistency is the only constant we have. 

 

Where consistency provides comfort and peace, inconsistency creates uncertainty and anxiety as we strive to map out our days. For those who are "planners" nothing rocks the boat more than unexpected events impacting our best mapped out plans. On the other hand, those that roll with the flow as life presents itself, may find it challenging to see the bigger picture of finding God's purpose for their lives in an inconsistent world. Not having a vision and a plan to reach that vision has the potential to keep you sitting in a spot and never moving forward. 

Today's verse reminds us that in a world filled with inconsistency, there is one thing that remains constantly consistent, Jesus Christ. Regardless of the rising waves of uncertainty that rock our tiny boat when a storm hits, we can rest assured that the same God who spoke this world into existence, is the same God who will steady our course and see us through the storms of life. Coupled with that knowledge we can also find comfort and peace knowing that His promises are true forevermore. If you are weary, downtrodden, or oppressed know that God is with you, He always has been, and He will be each day of your life's journey. 

 

When I think about the image that the author of the Book of Hebrews wanted us to retain from the declaration that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever it is one of consistency. No doubts, no uncertainty, but 100% faith that God is with us always and if He is with us who could ever be against us that we should ever feel alone? (Romans 8:31). The visual image that comes to my mind is that of the rising and setting sun. If there is one thing that we could say is a constant, it would have to be the sun. We rise each day at sunrise, we set our calendars based on the earth's position in relationship to our planet, and we go about each day working from sun up to sundown. Even when storms take over the sky and we can't see the sun, we have the comfort and assurance of knowing that behind the storm clouds the sun is prepared to shine through. God's "Son"shine is always with us, yesterday, today, and forever! 

Coach Carter

Shining Through

Funny how inspirations for the Flat Tire Ministry thoughts just seem to pop into my head right out of the clear, blue sky. Today's FTM literally came to me yesterday as I was driving home after a spring shower ended. The sky was not clear nor was it blue, but the inspiration definitely was provided by looking off to the horizon and the gray cloud cover that existed. As today's title suggests, as I peered off towards the cloud covered sky, a small break in a section of the clouds opened up and in that particular area the sun burst through with a shimmer of sunlight. As the clouds dissipated, more and more glimpses of the hidden sunlight appeared through the dense cloud cover. It was a beautiful site to witness. The bright light shining through the dark rain clouds provided me with a comforting reminder that God is with us in our adversities and afflictions, whether we can see Him or not is irrelevant, God is there and if we keep our eyes and our hearts open we will eventually witness His light of love and hope shining through the darkness of our situation.

Dark skies, dark clouds, or dark times are all inevitable. We have become conditioned to a basic understanding that if the skies become dark, more than likely rain, wind, lightning and thunder are on the way. When the storms hit we also are conditioned to find cover or stay inside until the weather subsides. Recently, a friend's family members who live in Oklahoma had to deal with the possibility of the storm clouds turning into a devastating tornado. Fortunately, they were spared the blunt impact of that storm, to God be the glory! In life, storm clouds enter our lives in much the same fashion, but many times the duration of our life's storms long outstays its welcome and it can become a challenge to see God's light in the midst of our storm. 

We all experience storms in life. The impact of your storm can be comparative to that of a rain shower in May where we seek temporary shelter to avoid getting wet, or at times, a storm in our lives leaves us scared, alone, and uncertain about the future. A tornado like storm disrupts, destroys, and leaves a trail of destruction, much like the tornadoes of life that leave us wondering if we will ever experience peace again. Fortunately, we have the ability to see God's light shining through any magnitude of storm that this life blows our way. 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5. When Jesus entered the world as a man, He was identified as the "Light" of the world (John 8:12). We will live a life that encounters darkness, some storm clouds will be short term and for some the darkness of life's storm may feel like a cloud that circles overhead following us everywhere we go. Regardless of what type of storm you are encountering, the closer your relationship is with God the better equipped you will be to endure and even thrive for God in your storm. His light will shine through and His light will illuminate the darkest of storms. 

Today, I encourage you to seek God's light in the midst of your storm. Life's storms are inevitable, yet so is God's light! May the light of God's love come shining through your storm clouds today! Seek Him, He is near! He is the Light that will come shining through!

Coach Carter

 

Giving It All You Got

As a coach, often throughout my career, I have relayed the charge to my athletes to go out there and "give it all you got". What I was asking for was for them to not leave anything in the reserve tank, go out and do everything in their body and soul to compete and hopefully win. In the classroom, those of us that work inside the world of education, can attest that they too have often used this phrase as students in their classes prepared for an exam or high stakes mandated test. I feel certain that "Give it your best", "Don't give up", or "Give me all you got" could be heard around the world in classrooms of all grade spans. We want this for our children, we want this for those we "coach" and teach, and we should definitely want this for ourselves. But what does that mean for us as we navigate our relationship with God? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains what it means to "give it all you got" to a young man, which aptly fits today's Flat Tire Ministries Thought for the Week. 

 

Today's topic of giving it all you got hit home pretty hard with me today. We may feel like we are doing all we can because our schedules surely make us feel like we don't have anything else to give. Maybe it isn't time, could it be that we are holding back in another area beyond how we spend our time? Giving it your best can be applied to any area of your life. Do you give your best when it comes to giving of your tithes? Do you give it all you've got when it comes to your faith? How about your commitment to fulfilling God's design for the life He gave you to live? In Matthew 19 we read the story of a rich man who wanted to know what he needed to do to gain eternal life. The wealthy, young man thought he had done all that he needed to do to earn a seat in Heaven, Jesus explained it a bit different. 

 

Everyone's "giving it all you got" thing is different. The area where you need to step up is most likely different from my area and my area is probably different from the next. It all depends on where you are holding back. The rich, young man in Matthew 19:16-22 seemed to be doing everything right, that is until Jesus explained what the man needed to personally do. At first glance it appeared the well to do young man was knocking it out of the park but, "... a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus said, “Why do you question me about what’s good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you.” The man asked, “What in particular?” Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself.” The young man said, “I’ve done all that. What’s left?”  “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.” That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go. (Matthew 19:16-22) The wealthy man was under the impression that if he committed his life to following God's commands then surely, he would inherit eternal life, but in reality, he hadn't committed everything to God. He was holding back in the one area that he just didn't want to give control over to God. For this young man, his wealth was his true god. Jesus commanded him to give everything away, not just the areas that are easy for us, but in all areas of life. When the young man was asked to give it all he had literally, he turned away with his material possessions in tow and turned his back on God. 

 

It isn't always clearly evident what you or I may be unintentionally holding out on when it comes to serving God. Could it be your time is split? What about service to others? Service equals time and giving of our time sacrificially can be a challenge. Maybe it is your finances, our society encourages us to borrow and create debt which in turn makes us a slave to our money. Or, we become so obsessed with material possessions that we forgo giving, instead focusing on self. Whatever it is that God asks you to give it all to Him, we have to make the decision to submit it to the One it belongs to in the first place, or we will decide to withhold the one thing that creates a wall between you and the One that offers us eternal life. My advice to self-included,

“Give it all you got!”

Coach Carter

Be Slow, But Be Quick

What's the first thing you do when you get into a disagreement? Do you jump right in the fray and state your case because you know you are in the right? Or, do you pass judgement on the other person because of the way they look or the words they are saying even before you give them a chance to share their thoughts and their perspective on the situation? Well, in the Book of James, the author gives us a formula on how we, as Christ followers, should enter a disagreement with family, friends, or even that complete stranger who has entered your personal bubble. 

 

In James 1:19 James shares the following steps on how to effectively work through disputes and avoid arguments, "... Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry ...". The way I interpret James guidance is more of a 2:1 ratio in being slow to do certain things and then being quick to do the one thing that can dissipate a disagreement effectively. Our job today is to gain a better understanding of the aforementioned formula, Slow + Slow + Quick = Christlike relationships. 

 

So, what does it mean to be slow to speak and slow to get angry? Well the first part is pretty easy, don't talk. The first thing many people want to do in an argument is defend their position and win the disagreement. In their mind there is no doubt, they know best and if the other person would just listen to them then they too would come to a better understanding and a place of agreement with them. Sound familiar? Don't worry, I've been there myself, probably more times than I'd like to admit. King Solomon, recognized as one of the wisest men of all time provided a full chapter in Proverbs to the topic of disagreements and the vast majority of wise counsel provided by Solomon directs us to listen before speaking, "Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish." Proverbs 18:13 NLT and "Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions." Proverbs 18:2 NIV. Sounds like sound advice from wise counsel to me. To avoid arguments be slow to speak. From there the second slow down suggestion is be slow to anger. Anger is defined as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. What if instead of delving into a state of being annoyed and hostile, we slowed down and sat in the other person's seat for just a moment. An antonym of sorts for the emotion of anger is empathy. We can still disagree with another person's point of view, but giving a moment to consider the circumstances that might be framing someone's stance gives us the ability to view things a little differently. To show empathy requires us to slow down and not give our two cents worth. Our opinion may not change, but giving a little grace instead of a harsh response may be the very thing that helps us avoid an argument.  

 

The third component in our equation today is to be quick to listen. It would appear obvious that if we are being slow to speak and slow to anger then listening would be the only other option. Au contraire mon frère, to truly listen means we not only hear what the other person is saying, but we also have to take in what is being said and then apply the empathic olive branch to it. As we listen we gain a better understanding of the other person's frustration. Over the years I have mentored educators and administrators to listen to an irate parent or guardian before saying a word, sometimes they just want to be heard! How can we ever find a resolution if we don't fully understand what the other person is wanting to resolve in the first place?

 

We live in a world today that is defined by a stark division. I'm not going to claim that all of today's societal woes will be healed by being slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to listen, but I do believe that by following James three step advice we will be on the right path to God's design for our walk with Him. I write that with confidence because the very next verse in James 1 tells us that "human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:20. Refrain from the urge to argue, avoid swift judgment on your neighbor, and use the two ears God gave you twice as much as the one mouth he provided. 

Coach Carter 

 

Contentedness is Not Complacency

The title of today's Flat Tire Thought provides two words that we need to make sure aren't confused as being one in the same. The two words need a clear distinction in our understanding of their meaning, but also an understanding of how the two words play out in our actions and interactions. To provide context to our time together today, let's look at the definition of each and then we may be better able to discern how we apply the two concepts in our daily lives. 

 

Complacent - adjective, pleased, especially with oneself or one's merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger

 

Content- noun, a state of satisfaction 

 

Equipped with the definition of the two words it is obvious that they have similarities, yet the subtle differences in the two make for a worthy conversation and warning to take heed for us today. 

Being complacent as the definition points out has a certain degree of danger to it. We can actually go from a state of contentment to a place of complacency. The problem with being complacent is when we become too comfortable with our surroundings, we almost take on a sense of laziness. Another issue with complacency is that things have to be going in our direction for us to settle in on being complacent. As the definition explains, "without awareness of some potential danger". Many times, the fall comes after the situation is cast into play. Kind of like Jesus's warning that the man would have been prepared if he had known what hour the thief was coming that night. (Matthew 24:43) At the end of the day, being complacent in life is just one step away from a bad fall.

 

In comparison, being content is all about being able to comprehend that God is in control, God has a plan, and at any given moment God's plan is being played out in your life. The Apostle Paul was not a complacent person. In Philippians 4:11-12, while imprisoned in Rome, Paul explained to the church in Philippa that he had discovered the key to contentment. "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." This was not complacency. Paul stated that he had learned what the secret sauce was to be content in the circumstances you are currently residing regardless of how good or how not so good things are going. 

 

To the complacent person, as long as life is good at the moment, that person is at peace. To the point that if things were to turn bad it might be the front end of a disaster. For the content person, as long as we are cognate that our contentedness isn't a product of something we do on our own, but instead we adopt the philosophy of Paul in the verse following his declaration of being content in all situations, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. Key point to remember, not on our own, but through Christ. As we prepare to start a new week, let us be filled with the spirit of being content, but far removed from a sense of complacent bliss. If we are willing, He is able!

Coach Carter

 

"I Know a Place"

 Sitting around with a group of friends or colleagues and the topic of discussion turns to where are we going to grab a bite to eat, inevitably someone in the group will comment, “I know a place". Their recommendation will be based on a personal experience, or it could be that someone else gave them the point of reference. Regardless, when someone recommends a place to eat they are basically telling you "I went, I tried it, and I liked it, you should give it a try!" 

Currently, there is a song out on the airwaves that made me think about the whole idea of sharing a good recommendation. Contemporary Christian artist Leanna Crawford's song "I Know a Place" shares a similar message to one of a friend recommending the chicken parm at a new Italian restaurant. In Crawford's song she references a metaphor found in Psalm 34:8 in which David encourages us to "Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Throughout the song we are reminded that there is a place where we can find hope and peace for our weary souls. "Are you stuck on hopeless? Does everything end up broken? I know, I've been there too, let me tell you. Has your soul been shaken? Do you need a new foundation ..." The list goes on and on, but the response remains the same and never changes, when you feel hopeless, "I know a place". You may feel like your life is broken with nowhere to turn, but "I know a place", a place where mending your broken heart is the norm. When that figurative earthquake hits you or your family and your soul feels like it has been shaken to its foundation, we can find peace and rest because we know a place!

If you know God then you know where this "place" is, God's peace and restoration are promised to us in a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus stated to the disciples, “... if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." We may experience challenging situations in this present world, Jesus pretty much guarantees that will be the case, but within the challenges of this world, Jesus tells us that He has overcome this world and we will one day move from the place we are to a place that God has promised us, (John 16:33). 

If you feeling overwhelmed, remember God offers a place of peace. If the waves and winds of life's storms are making you feel like your ship is about to sink, know that God has a place of comfort and rest. If you are hungry or thirsty, the message is clear "come taste and see" I know a place!

Coach Carter