Saturday, March 31, 2007

Sam's Top Four Goals: A Self Examination.

I'm taking spiritual inventory today. It's not going to be pretty.

I have a Framed List on my desk at home of my top four goals in life. This is sort of my life 'mission statement'. These are the things that were most important to Coach Sam dating back to a little over three and a half years ago. This list is supposed to define me. I made this list right after Monica and I got married in June, 2003. Here's my list and the grade I'm giving myself as of today, March 31, 2007.

#4. -Excel in my career. I want to be the best coach, pro, manager, and businessman I can be.

-This is a good goal. In order of importance it's number four on my list. I think I'm on target for this goal. I've always strived to be the best I could be at what ever task it was that I was undertaking. I've always been passionate about tennis. I'd give myself a "B" in this category.

#3. -Achieve the peak physical fitness I had in my early 20's. I'd like to get my weight down to 160-70 lbs.

-This is another good goal. -And one that I absolutely need to do better on. Back when I got married I weighed in the neighborhood of 225 lbs. My weight yesterday morning was 232 pounds, and that was DOWN from 240 lbs about three weeks ago...! Clearly, I've made no headway towards achieving that goal. I'm giving myself an 'F' in this category and would define this as an urgent, life or death situation!

# 2. -Be a spiritual leader to my family.

-Now we're getting down to my top two goals. The two things That I feel should be the most important on my list. Am I the spiritual leader in my family...? Sometimes. But not nearly enough. Not that I'm in any kind of 'spiritual competition', but my wife has definitely been outshining me lately. I've really been led more by her in recent months. Honestly, I feel my spiritual life has been under a tremendous attack lately. I thank God daily for my sweet wife. She is truly heaven sent...! But, I'm digressing here. This commentary is supposed to be about me. I'm not leading the way I should. I give myself a 'D' in this category.

'D' is for DEFINITELY need improvement...!

#1. Grow in my faith and personal relationship with the Lord.

-This is what's supposed to be my NUMBER ONE priority. Unfortunately, I'm off my mark here, too. I have grown 'SOME' spiritually since I got married, but if growing in my faith really is my number one life priority then I should be a lot farther along than I am.

I give myself a 'C' on this one... The 'C' stands for I CAN do better...!

If you average my grades, I'm below a 'C' average. Sigh... I've got to do something different. What I am doing is not working. Monica's in a similar circumstance, although I think she's doing better than I am spiritually...

Let me stress that I don't feel my wife and I are in any kind of spiritual competition, but we do try to encourage and motivate each other in the Lord. She's a little run down right now, too. So this morning I'm just going to give thanks and praise for my many blessings, and lift her and myself up in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, I recognize that you have given me a great life. I live in the greatest country in the world. I have all I really want and need materially. I have a great wife and a wonderful family. Most importantly, I have OPPORTUNITY. I can do anything I want and be anything I want to be.

Father God, I want to be right in the center of Your will for my life and I want my family to be right in the center of your will, too. Lord as far as my family goes, it starts with me. I've got to step it up.

Help me to be the Leader You have called me to be. I know that starts with my personal relationship with You. I've got to re-prioritize. I've got to re-proportion the hours in my day to reflect what's MOST important to me. And that's YOU.

YOU are my King. I surrendered my life to YOU many years ago. But I've wasted too much time since I first found YOU. Father God, help me to make the most of what little time I might have left. I want to truly lead my wife and family. I love you Lord, and I love my family. I want to honor You by taking care of them the BEST I can, and I know that means much more than just providing for their physical needs....

Thank You Lord for my sweet precious wife. Help me to be more of a help to her. Help me to always be an inspiration and an encouragement to her. Lord I pray many blessings on Monica this morning.

And lastly Dear Father, I lift up Connor and Elijah to You. I realize that my greatest contribution to the world, and my greatest tribute to You is to raise these boys up to be Godly men. Indeed, I count that as one of my greatest responsibilities. That being recognized, I intend to work harder on my relationship with You, my King.

I love You, Jesus. I give today to You. I humble myself, Lord. I totally submit to You. And I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.


Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Business By THE BOOK

Recently I was working in the tennis shop and Elijah was with me. He was reorganizing the book shelves in my office. He uncovered a book that I've had since 1990... I haven't read that book in 17 years but have just started re-reading it.

It was written by Crowne Financial ministries founder Larry Burkett. The book is called: Business by the book and it's a complete guide of Biblical business principles for men and women in business.

I remember when I read it for the first time nearly 17 years ago. I was a relatively new christian and I was definitely a new businessman. Since my walk with the Lord was so new many of the scripture references bounced right off of me. Now as I revisit the text it all makes much more sense to me.

Larry Burkett passed away several years ago but he left a great ministry and a legacy of changing people's lives for the better through helping them learn to manage their money God's way.

It is very timely that Elijah uncovered that book because it comes at a time when Monica and I are thinking about both expanding my business and starting a new one.

I have several prayer requests today. Several of which involve our family finances and business ventures. Other prayer requests involve what's going on in local church and lifting up the church leadership. And of course, prayer for my time management.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord You are such a great Provider and Protector. Thank You for bringing that book back to my attention. Thank You for the life and ministry of Larry Burkett. His work continues to impact others years after his death. I want to leave a legacy like that, Lord!

Lord, You know the plans I have for my business. Father, I submit them to You for approval. I want everything I do to be pleasing to You and to honor You, Lord. Help Monica and I to make wise business decisions and to be good stewards of our finances and our time.

Father God I want to take time today to pray for our church leader, Pastor Dave. I pray for his decision making as he leads our church through some difficult times. Help Monica and I to stay the course and not be discouraged. Show us how to effectively minister to those around us, Lord.

And help us to manage our schedules better. Help us to set priorities and boundaries in our lives that will protect and shield us from being weary and ill all the time.

Lord I especially lift up my precious wife to you this morning. She has worn herself out and is need of recharging her batteries. Help me to help her, Lord. Give her rest.

Father God I love You and I give this day to You. I come to You in prayer first thing this morning because I know it's foolish to begin my day without checking in with the commander in chief, first. You are my King. You are my Precious Lord and Savior. I bow down and worship You, Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' name.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Proverbs Study.. Back on Track

What ever happened to my proverbs study...?

Well, that study has been attacked and thoroughly thwarted by the Enemy for some time now... It's difficult to explain, but I have had a tough time getting past Proverbs 6. But today I do intend to press on....

Proverbs 6:1-5 Caution one against making promises to friends that one will later regret.

Verses 6-11 Warn against laziness and encourage us to be like an ant, keeping to the task and storing up provisions for later and being prepared for the future.

Verses 12-15 Define a wicked man. These are the verses I want to focus closely on this morning.

Verse 12 says a wicked man is worthless and walks with a perverse mouth.

Verse 13 says the wicked man winks with his eyes, shuffles his feet and points his fingers.

Verse 14 Says a wicked man has perversity in his heart, he is always thinking evil thoughts and sows discord constantly.

Verse 15 Describes what will become of such a man. It says that his calamity shall come suddenly and he will be broken without remedy.

Monica and I were witness to a 'Wicked Man' yesterday evening. We were shocked and sickened by something we observed and are agonizing now over how we should or should not have reacted to what we observed.

Honestly, this morning I'm still sickened by the ordeal. And I do hope and pray for God's swift intervention and hold on to the promise of verse 15.


Dear Heavenly Father,

You are an awesome God, a loving, just, and holy Father. You have blessed me beyond measure. My family and I have about the best life imaginable.

Our station in life is made more apparent to me when I witness acts of atrocity like I did last night. Lord I feel set apart and burdened with the responsibility to make a difference in this world, and to impact those around me within my sphere of influence for the Kingdom.

And Lord, You have given my family and I what seems like a larger sphere of influence than most. Father, in my life I have missed many opportunities and I know I must account for them one day.

I don't know if I did enough in the situation I found myself in last night. I had a restless sleep because of it and today my heart is still heavy, so I think I kind of messed up.

Lord, I'm sorry if I didn't act appropriately. I was truly shocked and amazed at what I witnessed. And I was frightened for my own family's safety.

Father forgive me. I could have and should have done more. I do pray for Your will to be done in this matter and lift up the precious innocent victim to You, my King.

Lord I want to be right in the center of Your will. I want to live every moment for You. I pray blessings on my family, Lord. Protect them from trouble. Protect them from the evil of men.

Right now I pray a hedge of protection around Monica, Connor and Elijah and myself, Lord. Protect us and help us to be discerning as to opportunities to witness for You. Help us to act more appropriately the next time an opportunity presents itself.

I love You, Lord and I give this day to You. And I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Prayer for Healing

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord here I am again. Ashamedly, I come to You asking forgiveness for allowing myself to get too busy. I'm facing overwhelming odds again and I'm physically depleted. My body can't take the strain and stress of it all.

Father once again I ask for Your intercession. I need Your healing power and Your Loving Grace to press on. I am weak today Lord. I am weak mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Lord, I know I can do all things through You. You can Strengthen me, Father. But Lord, I know for You to bless me in that way then I must be called to Your purpose.

My question right now is am I operating within the parameters of Your will...? I don't believe I'm on the right track. You can't have called me to the purpose of an insane, unmanageable schedule that makes me physically ill.

Of course, I realize that the road of a Christian life is often times rocky, and I'm certain I'm not facing more than Brother Job faced many years ago. But still, I question my path.

Lord I lift myself up to You this morning. I know that others are in agreement with me in prayer today, as well. Bless me Father. Draw me closer to You. -And never let me go!

Bless my sweet wife who is also on the verge of exhaustion. Thank You for Monica, she is the perfect Godly wife who loves me completely and does her best to honor You in everything she says and does.. Father bless my two boys, Connor and Elijah. I love them very much and thank You for their presence in my life.

I love You Lord and I give this day to You, for your Divine Glory, Forever and Ever, Amen.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Calling On Grace...

Today is like every other day I've had this past week... One Big Difference is that in spite of the fact that I am buried under an avalanche of things I need to get done in relatively little time, I am taking time to honor my Heavenly Father from whom I draw all my strength, courage, and motivation from.

I feel weak today. I feel small. I feel insignificant. I feel crushed under the weight of all i need to get done today.

But you know what...? As I awakened this morning. I prayed. And God reminded me of one of my favorite verses, (2 Corinthians 12:9) which says...

"My Grace is sufficient for You, My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will accept my weaknesses all the more so that Christ's power may rest on me."

God's Grace IS sufficient. God's Grace is PERFECT. Today I rest IN HIM. And to coin another one of my favorite scriptures:

"I Can do all things through HIM who strengthens me..."

Dear Heavenly Father,

God you are Good... You are Awesome... You are Mighty... You are my Dear, Sweet, Savior.

Father God, I can accomplish nothing apart from You. And this morning I need You more than I've ever needed You. I give this day to You, my King. I want to make this day an offering of worship. I want to give my every ounce of effort and determination today to You for your Kingdom Glory.

Lord I am so blessed. And I recognize that all good things come from You. I've not done done anything on my own under my own strength. And that's why I have no strength. You are showing me just how weak I am so I will know that it's not me. (Believe me, I do).

But Father I want to hold You to the promise to make me perfect in weakness. As I draw close to you I want to wrap Your Grace around me like a warm, comfortable blanket.

Thank You Lord for Grace.

And Lord I learned of a terrible tragedy last night. I learned that one of my former tennis students died recently. I know his daddy very well and my heart is greatly saddened at this news. I don't know any of the details but am thinking of the family of Tyler Farrer today and lifting them up in prayer. And not only Tyler's family, but his friends everyone in his sphere of influence.

Lord I remember Tyler as a young man full of life and potential. His passing reminds us that we are truly just a vapor here in this world. We are not here for very long at all and we do not know our appointed hour so we should live every moment like it could be our last.

I love You Lord. And I give my life up for You. Help me to live every moment for You. Let my every breath be used to exhort Your Holy Name.

And I pray these things in the power of the blood that was shed for me by You, Hosannah.

Amen.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Thanks And Praise

God has been Good. I have been blessed with a great turnout for my tennis camp this next week and things are starting to look up for this tournament I'm organizing over the following weekend, too.

All I can do is give God the Glory for it all. It's nothing that I personally have done. It's just HIM working through me. God is definitely taking care of me and sustaining my family and I.

Sometimes odds and situations seem overwhelming and insurmountable and I must admit that I get discouraged. But Hallelujah, God is bigger than any problem I'll ever have...!

You know, I guess I'm still learning to trust God. I should already be there, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm not. -Even after ALL He's done for me... I know my faith is not where it should be because I'm still facing times when I say:

'...Wow, what a terrible situation, what am I going to do...?',

when what I need to be saying is:

'...Wow, it sure is going to be neat to see how God works things out this time...'

Ahhh, God is Good... Thank you, Lord. Thank You for being patient with me. (I'm a mess at times...)

I remember when I used to be in a routine of just setting aside one day a week devoted solely to thanking and praising God for His blessings. I've slipped out of that habit and I'm going to try to get back in the routine again.

My thoughts on that were that my conversations with God were too 'one way'. I was doing all the talking basically asking for favors and 'other stuff...' So, I wanted to have at least one day that I devoted solely to praise and worship. I picked Friday because of the term 'Thank God It's Friday...'

I know today's Saturday. But hey, EVERY day is a good day to praise the Lord...! Amen...?

That's right. And You know the Holy Spirit is hard at work behind the scenes when a negative situation does get turned for 'good'. I've seen it happen time and time again.

So, THANK YOU, JESUS...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I am so sorry that I allow doubt and worry to creep in to my thinking at times. I know that after someone claims You as their personal Lord and Savior on one hand, but then doesn't trust You enough to provide for every situation on the other hand, it's got to be particularly frustrating and annoying to YOU.

Not to mention that it probably offends You.

Lord I would never want to offend You. Today I'm not asking for anything. I just want to Thank You for the Blessing of my sweet wife and loving family. They are just that, a Blessing. And Father thank You for blessing me financially. I know that You will always provide. You are Jehovah Jirah, the Great Provider...

Thank you Lord for great partners in tennis like my new pros, Tony and David. I have never had such a capable and helpful tennis staff working with me like those two gentlemen. Thank You Lord for Coach Michelle West, a wonderful Coach who obviously loves You as it is clearly evident in her attitude, work ethic, and interaction with both children and adults.

Father God, I appreciate the improved rapport with Coach Langner. I want to lift Houston and his family up to You. It's not easy raising four children in this day and age and I know that between teaching, coaching, and raising kids that he's got to be stretched thin at times.

Lord, I'm also very grateful for Ken and James and all they've done to help promote tennis in this area. So many factors have just been coming together to make tennis a viable entity in this area. I know it's NOT the work of myself or any small group of men and women, but it's only by Your Grace and Mercy, Lord that things happen the way they do...

Lord You are God. I love You. And I give this day to You for Your Honor and Glory. I just want to Thank You and Praise You my King, and I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name...

Amen.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Coach Sam's Personal Story: Making a Spiritual Come Back Through Prayer

Today's post is little lengthy, but it ties in perfectly with a sermon series our pastor at church is conducting.

Here's a quick confession: My life has been a mess lately. Last week I made a decision to stop blogging for awhile. I rationalized that I didn't have time, and I needed to re-priortize my life and get caught up on things that I was slipping farther and farther behind on.

But the fact is, I've been miserable without blogging. And, after a week I still haven't been able to get a grip on my schedule or routine. In fact, I think I've slipped farther into the depths during my sabbatical from writing. So, here's the deal. I'm going to try to get back into a blogging routine right here and now.

I absolutely have to blog in my prayer journal every day. That's a given. This is special time with the Lord that I can't cut back on. Really, it's utterly absurd that I would even consider doing such a thing given this blog's history.

But I think my decision to stop blogging last week was a direct result of spiritual attack, not rational thinking. The Enemy has really been waging a tremendous spiritual war on my wife and I lately. You see, we've been challenged in many areas of our lives the past few months. Our time management has definitely been under fire. Our physical health has been attacked. Relationships with friends and family have been strained. Finances have been stretched.

But I feel the tide has turned. I see the error we, (certainly I) have been making. And I am absolutely certain that cutting back on blogging is not the answer.

No, the only answer is MORE time with the Lord. And I don't necessarily mean MORE blog time. But for me at least, blogging is a direct result of my time spent with the Lord. Blogging grounds me. Blogging is my way of sorting out my thoughts.

And my prayer journal... Well, what an interesting story that is... For over twenty years I have been in the habit of keeping a personal journal of my life experiences. I have literally volumes and volumes of hand written manuscripts packed away in boxes. Several years ago a dear christian friend suggested to me that I begin keeping a 'prayer journal' and chart how God answers my prayer. I spent a year being discipled by this gentleman and faithfully chronicled how God answered my prayers time and time again. I became amazed at how much God was at work in my life and did not realize how much he listened to and answered prayer until I began regularly writing down my prayer requests..

Around that time my wife and I were attending a church that was really strong on emphasizing the understanding a believer's spiritual gifts. We took numerous courses and studies on spiritual gifts and discerned that my strongest spiritual gift was intercesory prayer.

Now it's very interesting how God works. His plans don't always line up with our own plans, purposes, and thinking, that's for sure. But my life experiences certainly tell me that God pretty much knows what he's doing.

My online prayer journal actually started with a totally different purpose. Back in 2003-04 Monica and I were attending a small church in the Montrose area of Houston's inner loop. (this was not the same church that emphasized knowing and understanding one's spiritual gifts.) There was a tremendous spiritual battle going on inside that church and I started my prayer journal as a men's ministry to try to pull the men of our church together in prayer for the unity of our congregation. The idea was for the men of the church body to bathe the church and the church leaders in prayer virtually 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

I tried to start a group prayer journal for the men of that church. But no one supported the idea. Some elders of the church didn't like the whole 'technology' thing. And, it was sort of a power issue with others who wanted every thing to be their idea. Any way, it never took off for the purpose I intended it.

But God did bless my efforts. All of a sudden, I randomly began receiving email from strangers around the country expressing their appreciation for my encouraging journal posts and even sending me their prayer requests. After awhile I began receiving messages, comments, and prayer requests from people around the world as far away as Australia, Germany, and Iraq.

And I'm not saying this for my own promotion, this is just a testament of how God has worked in my life. It's not about Me, but God answering my prayer and doing a work through me.

I want to be a blessing to others through prayer and discipleship. And God has answered my prayer tremendously. Monica and I are thoroughly delighted to be serving God in West Columbia, Texas. God has blessed us with a church family and community that loves, supports, and appreciates us.

I am delighted that our church is doing a study on prayer right now. Obviously it is my favorite topic. And I pray that Pastor Dave's current sermon series will bring about a revival in our church and community the likes of which we've never seen.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I definitely don't have my act completely together. I'm still a mess. But that's why I'm not God and You are. And that's why I seek You now more fervently than ever. Lord hear my cry. Out of the depths I cry to You, oh Lord. I need You Jesus. I am so incomplete without You. Oh how I try to do things under my own power all the time, only to fall and be reminded that I am nothing a part from You.
Father God, You are the Master Time Keeper. You are the Divine Healer. Lord I give my troubles to You. I thank and praise You for my sweet wife and precious family. They are special gifts entrusted and bestowed by You to be blessings in my life. I thank You for the church family you have allowed us to serve with. I lift them up to You, Lord.
I thank You for Your Word and for prayer, Lord. They are the perfect combination of communication with You. I love You, my King. Thank You for dying for my sins and for the Resurrection Power of Your Blood. And Lord I pray these things in Your precious holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.