Coachesword’s Blog

Well I haven’t posted in a while…no thanks to football season I just wanna talk about something God has been dealing with me about for the past month to two months. My Heart!

I have been single for going on 10 months now. Which is the longest I’ve been single since I started HS. Now don’t get the idea that I’ve just dated a ton of girls because that’s not the case. I was in 2 long relationships during HS and college. But I promised God after my last relationship that I wasn’t going to date again until He brought me the woman He has planned for me! As you can imagine for someone who is used to being in a relationship its been an awkward and tough 10 months.  God has given me patience to believe He has something incredible waiting on me! He’s also been there for me to lean on when I’ve felt lonely!

Well about a month and a half ago I began to grow very impatient. I thought something might’ve been in the works. So I was like Ok this is what God wants, Even though I hadn’t prayed about it. Well the next sunday at NewSpring the campus pastor got up and said “Were in such a rush sometimes and get caught up in the fast flow of life. I think God just wants us to Wait and listen to Him sometimes.” I immediately thought to myself  “OK God, I know your speaking to me but is this situation what your really talking about.” Just so you know don’t question God..haha. Well I began to pray very seriously about it! The next week at church the message was on a lie of the devil. The lie was “just follow your heart.” The 3 main points were 1) God replace my heart. 2) God focus my heart..and 3) God break my heart. God spoke straight to me and said “Am I the central focus of your heart?” I can honestly say he wasn’t. I had my own motives controlling my heart and not what God wanted.  Obviously God has different plans for me. At least at this point in my life.

So you may wonder where I’m at now?? Well my heart is completely focused on what God’s will for my life is. Not that I didnt want his will before, I just got distracted and selfish. I want God to break my heart everyday! I want Him to be the Focus of everything I do! In Acts 7:59-60 Stephen had a Heart like Christ even though he was being stoned to death! So the Motives of my heart are learning to know God and for Him to Focus my heart!

Sorry its been so long since i’ve posted…i’ve just been wayyyy to busy. Havent really had time to sit down and write whats on my mind.

The past 2 weeks I’ve had a lot of different thoughts running through my brain. But two that kept coming back were concerning the death of Michael Jackson. I saw SOOO many people acting like it was the end of the world. Yes he was one of the Top 3 artist of All Time and made  a plethora of Great songs. But what did he do for YOU? People were crying hysterically and sobbing on National Television like he was a God. I’m sure to some people he was. The 2 thoughts that continued running through my mind were #1 I wonder if MJ was saved? and #2 If Jesus were alive today and would’ve died, how would people react?

Back to my first thought. Was MJ saved? Only God and MJ know the answer to that. But what if he wasnt? Think about the King of Pop spending eternity in a Burning Fire of Hell. My mom and I were talking about this at the beach and how we really hoped he was saved. Because all the great things he accomplished would’ve been for nothing if he werent saved. How sad it is to think of ANYONE having to die and go to Hell. But whether or not MJ was saved, Jesus still Loved Him with the same Love He has for you and me!

To my second thought. If Jesus were alive today and would’ve died, how would people react? Would thousands of people paid tons of money and flocked to the Staples Center in Los Angeles to see his memorial service? Would people have put millions of flowers and pictures in front of His house? I dont know the answer to that, but I know that Jesus Christ hung on a Cross to save me from having to spend eternity in Hell!! I would’ve shown up, I know that! Would you have? Or would you be embarrassed? Let that thought sink in a little bit.

I dont want anyone to take this as a MJ bashing. Cuz thats not what it is. I have a bigtime respect for MJ and his music. What he did for music is undeniable. I just wanted to let ya’ll in on some of my thinking.

Just so ya’ll know…only 47 more Days till the Blue Ridge Tigers kick off against Wade Hampton!!! GO TIGERS!!!!

Love is a word that in my opinion is often misused in today’s society. The past week or so my devotions have been on Love. Then Sunday at NewSpring, guess what the message was about……you got it, Love. God is Love to be exact!

God commands us to remain in His love. John 15:9 says  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”  God longs to see this everlasting love rest upon us and work within us. 1 Peter 1:8 says ” Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” How freaking AWESOME is that….when we believe in Him and His love we wont even be able to express how Happy and Joyful we are! Our love for Christ isn’t an emotion; it is a working principle. If we have His love we find pleasure in doing the will of the Lord. It should be a Joy to obey His commands!

Where I find the word Love being misused so much is in relationships. I see and know so many people who will date someone for less then 2 – 3 weeks and they are telling each other “I love you.” Really??? Would you die for them? They would say yes, but in all practicality, No they wouldn’t. That’s how you know Jesus’ love for us is real. He did DIE for us.You and Me! He died so that You and I could have eternal life. He died to wash away all our sins. He was embarrassed beyond belief, hanging on a cross in excruciating pain for you and me! The one problem I see in relationships so much is that people are in it to GET something out of it. I can actually admit to being in a relationship like this before. ” Oh it’ll make me happy so we’ll date.” Not a good thing. You know its love when you want to GIVE and not receive! Christ GAVE his life for us. That’s some awesome stuff!!

God has been teaching me so much about Love and Giving lately. God puts certain people in your life for different reasons. Love each one of them with the kind of Love he had for us. Love them like Jesus would!! I’ve taken that approach lately and I ‘ve never been more happy! I know God is doing Big Things and if I’m patient and wait on His timing he will have someone who will love me more than I could ever imagine!! Don’t ever underestimate the Love God has for each of us!

Hope ya’ll have a Great Week!! Remember God is LOVE!!!!

As I was driving to Clemson Saturday I had the windows down and the radio on. Flipping back and forth between stations. Well my sister heard a song that she liked or something. So being the Great brother that I am ……..

that’s me being a good brother btw……..I listened to the song. One line caught my attention, it went like this. “Its like Crystal it aint real clear.” God spoke to me and said “This is like my will for your life. Its not going to be clear. You have to follow me and pursue my presence if you want to know the will for your life.” Well that hit me pretty hard. We are always wanting to know exactly what out future is going to be, what kind of job were going to have, who were going to marry and those kinds of things. I’m not going to lie, I catch myself thinking that way every now and then. If we would just put our total Faith and Trust in God He will work everything out for the good for those that know him!

In Matthew 17:14-21 Jesus talks about “oh ye of little faith.” The disciples tried to remove a demon out of a young boy but they could not do it. So the boy’s father brought him to Jesus. Jesus rebukes the demon and the boy was healed. The disciples ran to Jesus asking “why couldn’t we drive it out?” And Jesus replied “because of your little faith.” He goes on to speak about if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains. That really encouraged me & challenged me at the same time. I want to have the Faith to move mountains!

So I encourage ya’ll to seek His presence and to have the Faith that Jesus was talking about. Once we get it, we have to stand firm in it! Have a great week! Be Blessed!!!

Let me start this off by saying this week has been one of the most tiresome weeks of my life. But God has graciously given me the strength I need to get through each day! Week 2 of Spring Practice plus the SoCon Baseball tournament at work! All of that and me being tired, it was a Great Week.

We had our Spring Game at Blue Ridge Thursday. We looked pretty good on offense! My Quarterbacks both did a good job to be in 9th grade.  One of them threw for 356 yds and 7 TD’s. The other threw for at least 3 TD’s that I know of. I cannot wait to see how they will progress this summer through our workouts and passing league tournaments! I actually had to leave during the game because my mom got me tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert which started at 7:30. Coach Cooper was kind enough to let me leave early, thank god.

We got to the concert just in time and we didnt have to walk far either. Which I was afraid of cuz I thought we might be a little late.  The four of us (Mom, Dad, Jennifer , & Myself) had a BLAST!!! Lady Antebellum was Great, I absolutely love their music. Miranda Lambert also did a great job. Then Kenny Chesney came out and performed for an hour and a half. What a Great performer!! Probably the best concert I’ve ever been to! After the concert I got to see my boy Ben and his sweet girlfriend Kaylee. Such great people who Love Jesus!!! Always a blessing to see them. I Love Ya’ll!!! I really had a wonderful time. God put a Lovely Young Lady in my life who I was able to take to the concert! What a blessing she was to be with and spend time with !!!!! God has def got his hands all over her life!! Glad YOU got to come

While at the concert I started pondering some things. I was watching all these people scream, shout, raise their hands, and clapping like crazy. All for Kenny Chesney! Which I dont have a problem with because I did some of it myself. But it made me think; How many of those 15,000-20,000 people in their are saved?!? And for the one’s who are saved, do they shout out praise’s to God and raise their hands and clap in church? Or in their everyday lives for Jesus? I know I try to live everyday for Him and His Glory! Yes, I FAIL…everyday I fail. But dadgumit if I dont clap my hands for Jesus and raise my hands for Him, I sure as heck aint gonna do it for Kenny Chesney! Nothing against him cuz I like him.  I think we as “christians” have it all backwards. We should give Jesus all the Praise and Glory before we stand and shout or clap for anyone else. I wonder if Jesus Christ was coming to the Bi-Lo center in concert how many of those “christians” that were there last night would show up. Heck I know I would, i’d be fighting for a front row seat…haha.

I hope each one of you has a Wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!! Be Blessed!!!!

Le t me just start this out by saying God is Good!!! We started football practice at Blue Ridge this week and we couldn’t have had better weather. Monday was cloudy and cool and God held off the rain for us. Today was Beautiful and not too Hot! Considering we have so many young kids we have really had two good days of practice! I Love Coaching!! If I haven’t told you that. I can’t describe to you how much God has blessed me to be able to coach first of all, and through coaching!! If you wanna see how blessed I am come to practice and see how pumped I am about making these kids better players and better men. That’s my #1 goal anyway…#2 Being State Champs!!!

Sunday night I started reading “The Prayer of Jabez” Its a small book, took me about an hour or so to read. It was a about a short one sentence prayer that Jabez prayed. Its goes like this “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” When you actually apply the prayer to your life God begins doing some unimagnary things!! You’ll have to ready the book to fully understand it! I decided to make this part of my prayer every morning and see what God does! Well I have only been praying it for 2 days and WOW!! I’ve had more chances to talk with some of my players about Church and relationships in the past 2 days than I have in a longggg time! Thats the part of the prayer that talks about enlarging my territory!! Through my reading that book God has inspired me to do more reading!

Sooo, I got a book from NewSpring last fall called “The Blessed Life.” It was written by Robert Morris who is a traveling evangelist. Ive only read the 1st & 2nd chapters but it has already impacted me! It talks about when we tithe it needs to be the first fruits we have….not wait and see if were gonna have enough money to tithe. We are supposed to trust in God to provide. The author tells a story  about how much he usually received per month from speaking. Well he said the next month he only had 1 speaking engagement. So he was a little worried about his bank account. At the end of the service he spoke at they took up a love offering for him. The pastor came to him after the service and said “im pleased to give you the largest love offering this little church has ever given.” He said when he opened it, it was roughly the same amount as his entire monthy budget!! As he stood their holding the check, he remembered the testimony that a missionary had shared earlier that night. God spoke to him and said “i want you to give him your offering-all of it” He struggled with that..like do what god..haha. He asked him again what? and God spoke to his heart and said “give him the offering. Trust me” He signed the check and handed it to the missionary then walked away.  About an hour later he was sitting in a pizza place with about 20 members of the church. A guy sitting across from him asked him “how much was your offering?” The pastor kinda thought to himself, did he really just ask me that. He continued asking and finally the guy handed the pastor a folded peice of paper. It was a check. The amount-to the penny- was 10 times the amount of the one he had given away only an hour or so before. That only goes to show that God is in control and he WILL bless us if we obey and give.

So after reading all that I decided I was going to go ahead and write my tithe check for the check I had just received and for my Tax check I got back, which I never tithed on. I questioned doing it becuz I wasnt sure if I would have money to pay Bills. But I did it anyway.  Well turns out I will have enough money to pay bills….AND I walked into Coach Coopers office today and he started talking to me about my coaching supliment.  He told me he was going to switch my supliment to the Greenville school district instead of the TD Club at BR. Which means i’ll get a raise because they will pay me like a 6th year coach!! Each year you coach your salary goes up a little! SO it should be a good raise!!! Praise God!! Talk about being blessed!! I just started laughing when he told me cuz I knew that God was ALL OVER that one!!

Sorry this was a little long. Just wanted to encourage you to give from your heart and God will bless you!! Hope ya’ll have a Great week and weekend!!!

Hey ya’ll, hope ya’ll had a great week. My week was kinda hectic but a good week overall. God really taught me a bunch this week. I want ya’ll to watch this video. It basically sums up what God has been teaching me and my hearts desire..check it out

All week my devotions have been on being Bold for Christ and Making him Famous!  How we have to gear up and step up when the time is right. “Stand , therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armour on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helment of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is God’s word” Ephesians 6:14-17

Once we have prepared ourselves for that we can Step up for God and do big things. The enemy will attack but we have everything we need to destroy it. Being Bold for Christ is not something that comes easy. I find it very difficult myself sometimes. Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as Bold as a Lion.” We must pray that God would give us Boldness everyday! Acts 4:23-31 talks about praying for Boldness, check it out.

Another way God has shown me that I can make him know is through Serving! Lets be honest, we as humans are selfish. Serving isnt something that comes natural for us. There is a mighty Power in Serving. “If anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:21-23 If you have ever been on a mission trip then you know what God can do through serving.  We need a passion for serving, because through serving people see Jesus!!! Pastor Rick Warren said “We serve God by serving others.”

I just wanted to share with ya’ll what God has been teaching me.  I encourage you to Step Up and be Bold. Serve someone and Make His name Famous!

I havent been able to Post in a while cuz my computer is screwed up with spyware. Not a good thing. This past week was pretty stressful with work, coaching stuff, and getting everything organized for my Birthday Party. But thanks be to God cuz I got through it.

I am SOOO Blessed to have the family I do. My parents have been the Biggest blessing on my life. They have tried to pour God’s Wisdom and Love into my life since the moment I was born. That is why I have such a Strong Foundation in my Faith. My sisters are both great!! Yes we fought like heck when we were kids but the love we have for each other now is undeniable. I thank God everyday for Truly Blessing me with such a Wonderful Family.

My Birthday party was great!! B-Nice, Julianna, April, Trish, Ray & Tara, Mike, Jon (JG24), Jonathan, Robbie, Morgan, Hillary, Mom & Dad, Mama & Papa, and Mema….Thanks to each of you for coming!! It truly made me realize just how Great friendships can be!! I appreciate each one of you.  Ya’ll made it alot of fun…especially the Bowling part!!!

So for my Birthday my Mommy got me 2 Kenny Chesney CD’s and 2 tickets to the KENNY CHESNEY CONCERT at the Bi-Lo Center. I was sooo excited then I saw when the date was…May 21st. Also the same day as our Spring Game at Blue Ridge. Which I really CAN’T miss.  I Started praying that God would make a way for me to attend the concert. Cuz my mom spent  ALOT of money on those tickets. Considering i’ve never seen Kenny Chesney in concert i really dont wanna miss it. I’ll find out 2morrow if Coach Cooper will let me leave the Spring Game early to go to the concert.

 I have been praying about something for a little over a month now. I promised God I would wait on his timing because I want it to be His Will & Not Mine.  This isnt a little thing either, its something im pretty serious about. I’ve even asked my mom to pray about it.  I dunno how many of you have ever really wanted something and have tried to be patient for it to happen or make some headway. Its very hard not to try and do it yourself, but I promised God I would wait on His timing. Well God finally gave me a pretty good sign to take a step toward what i’ve been praying about. The first thing I said when I saw the sign was “Its a Sign from God”.  I was Pumped!! Its kinda funny because it came about through my Birthday and my Birthday present!! I guess if God continues to answer my prayers and His will is matched with the Desire in my heart ya’ll will know what i’ve been praying about! Until then…pray for me that I would continue to seek God’s will in this matter!!

We start Spring practice at Blue Ridge next Monday. Im soo Pumped about getting back on the field for the first time since Nov. 6th. Spring is a time for installing our offense and teaching the little details so we dont have to teach them during the season. I’m excited about teaching my Quarterbacks in every way possible. Being a great QB and a Great Man!! 

Hope ya’ll have a Wonderful Week!!!! Hope God blesses ya’ll in some awesome ways!!!

I really dont know where to begin. The last week has been absolutely amazing. God did so many great things and im not really sure if i can write about all of them. It would be wayyy to long!

Let me begin with FCA/Rob last week. I knew my friend Rob wasnt where he needed to be in his relationship with Christ! I invited him to come to Clemson’s FCA with me and I immediately began praying that God would touch his heart. Not only that but that God would soften his heart and make it receptive to his spirit and that he would become a real man in his walk with the Lord. Well the week went by slowly but Thursday came and FCA was spectacular!! God spoke through Perry Noble in a mighty way. The music was Great as always too!! Rob was able to see alot of young christians fellowship and worship together. I think being around so many people who love God moved his heart. Well Friday morning Rob wrote a note about him wanting to Get Real with God and the Struggles we face as college aged christians. I gotta give Rob props cuz that took alot of Guts and he was a Real Man by doing it. Thank God for answering Prayers!!!!

Easter Sunday…WOW!!!!!!!!!! The service at NewSpring Sunday was probably the most Powerful service I have ever been apart of in my life! Seriously the Spirit moved in amazing ways and over 350 people gave their life to the Lord!!! The service just reminded me of HOW MUCH Jesus LOVES US!!!! He was freaking embarrassed in front of thousands, flogged and beaten, nailed to a cross and DIED. Just for Me and You, so that we wouldnt have to spend eternity in Hell!!! I was literally Weeping as the last song played. Because I know what he went through for me, & I am so undeserving of his Love. But he did that for me. How incredible is our God!!!

As I was doing my quiet time monday morning I knew the Greenville Drive had a 8 Game homestand this week. Which meant I would probably have to work every night. So I began praying that God would work out my Schedule in order for me to go to FCA Thursday night. I get to work and im off Tuesday but on the Schedule for Thursday. I started praying again God if there’s anyway to change that let it happen. Well I asked my boss if he knew anyone that wanted to switch. He said Bruce wanted to work thursday and Jeremy needed someone to cover for him Tuesday. So I went & talked with both of them. God Straight Up DID WORK!!!!!!! Bruce is gonna work for me Thursday and im working for Jeremy Tuesday, that way I dont lose any hours. I was Flippin PUMPED when I left work. I called Rob and was almost screaming at him telling him how good God was!!! haha

Prayer is Very Powerful when it is put to use all the time. I hope this encourages ya’ll to pray more often and see what God does. Hope ya’ll have a Great Week!!

So the School I Coach at, Blue Ridge High School is on Spring Break this week. For me that means I did not have to be at workouts, QB Drills, or Wide Receiver’s Practice Sad I know! I really was not looking forward to this week. Sometimes I put to much of what I do into Football and Coaching. Its what I live for Everyday!! I forget that God has blessed me with the talents to be a good coach and He has put me at Blue Ridge for a reason. Sitting at home yesterday and today has made me realize just how blessed I am to be able to Coach something that I love and be able to Impact kids lives in a positive way! Praise God for such an Amazing opportunity!!

In my quiet time this week God has been teaching me that I have to Train and Work Out! I have to train my heart, spirit, mind, & body to become more lilke Christ. I have to Work Out my faith with Christ. Philippians 2:12-13 says “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose.” Its important to be disciplined in your physical training, but it is more important to be disciplined with reading your bible, praying, and being around people who help you grow in your faith. I love how God relates his scripture to things we do in this world!!

Since i’ve been away from the High School, I find myself spending that time  reading the word. It’s amazing what God can Teach us when we give him a little time!! I wanted to encourage ya’ll this week to try and train yourself in those four areas and see what happens!?! God continues to show me that HE IS IN CONTROL. Go read Philippians 2:8-11. Have a Great day!!!