Do you want to be a Champion?

PHOENIX — John Wooden has not coached a basketball game since 1975, but his immense influence on the game of basketball can be seen from the fact that his Pyramid of Success was posted this season on the locker of Amare Stoudemire, a player who did not even play college ball and wasn’t born for seven years after Wooden retired.

But Wooden — who passed away on Friday of natural causes — was that big of a giant in this game, influencing so many basketball players from his era and subsequent ones.

His lessons are universally revered among those in the game of basketball, and his wisdom will keep him alive in the game for many years to come.

There never has and never will be another coach like Wooden, and it’s unlikely that his dominance at the college level will ever be surpassed. He won 10 of the 12 titles between 1964-75, including seven in a row between 1967-73. Wooden’s Bruins lost a grand total of 10 games in his 10 title years and at one point they won an unfathomable 88 consecutive games.

During the Nash Era, the Suns have always been better as the hunters rather than the hunted, as evidenced by the special 2004-05 and 2009-10 seasons that started with little expectations. The only other time a Nash Suns team made the conference finals was the underdog 2005-06 team missing Amare.

Grant Hill repeated that exact sentiment in the aftermath of the Suns’ conference finals loss to the Lakers.

“Next year we’re going to be hunted, people are going to come after us because of what we were able to accomplish this season, and so we have to be prepared for that,” he said. “We can’t sneak up, we can’t be that silent assassin that surprises teams all season. I think it’s tougher when you are considered a good team.

“People have watched us and seen what we’ve done and people are going to be circling their calendars and preparing and wanting to get a win against the Suns next season.”

Before the conference finals, I wrote about the Disease of More. Basically after a championship season (or in a watered-down form after a good season like the Suns’ this year), everybody wants more money, more time, more touches.

We’ll be seeing that next month when Amare seeks a max contract, Channing Frye asks for the biggest contract he will probably get in his career, and Lou Amundson looks for his first decent NBA contract. It’s why sustained success is so difficult in any sport, because when you taste success everybody wants to go get their big dollars and expanded roles elsewhere, and you aren’t as hungry as you were the first year.

The Suns still obviously will be hungry for a title, but we know the Suns’ trio of big men will be looking to cash in on the open market.

Of course, Wooden did not have to deal with free agency departures at UCLA, but he did have to deal with the complacency that can set in with a team that wins and his Bruins ALWAYS were the hunted.

That complacency is a reason we haven’t seen back-to-back champs in the NBA since the Lakers three-peated from 2000-02, why we haven’t seen back-t0-back baseball champs since the 1998-00 Yankees dynasty, and why we have seen just the 2003-04 New England Patriots repeating this decade.

Since Wooden left college hoops there have been only two different repeat champions, the special 2006-07 Florida teams and Hill’s own 1991-92 Duke Blue Devils. Sure, the talent pool is much more diluted these days, but for Wooden to have won 10 titles in 12 years and for there to have been only a pair of repeat champs in the past 35 years says a lot about the Wizard of Westwood.

But really that should be no surprise to anybody familiar with some of Wooden’s most famous quotes. Here are some of my favorites:

“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”

‘Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

“Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character.”

“Never mistake activity for achievement.”

“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

We lost the world’s greatest college basketball coach ever and an even better man on Friday. May his wisdom be an inspiration for future basketball teams at all levels, including — of course — the Phoenix Suns.

Read more: http://valleyofthesuns.com/2010/06/05/john-wooden-inspire-suns/#ixzz26ldve6WK

Sustaining Grace

Sustaining Grace 2nd Corinthians 12:1-10, especially verse 9  by Derek Gentle Sustaining Grace is God's timely infusion of spiritual strength to protect His people from despair and bitterness and which empowers them to mature through suffering.  1. Sustaining Grace supplies spiritual power when we are weak "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness' Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2nd Corinthians 12:9  2. Sustaining Grace enables us to avoid despair ". . . Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our god and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace" - 2ndThessalonians 2:16 NIV: "Eternal encouragement" It is realistic: "Well-founded hope" (Amplified) 3. Sustaining Grace helps us at just the right time "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16  4. Sustaining Grace keeps us from bitterness "Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by this many become defiled" - Hebrews 12:15  5. Sustaining Grace matures us through suffering "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" - 1st Peter 5:10 3 basic results: (1) Fixing what's broken - "That no defect may remain" (John Wesley) (2) Making us strong - "That you may conquer all adverse power"  (3) Stabilizing us on a firm foundation - "As a house upon a rock"

Are you Justified?

Wesley makes a distinction between it and new birth.  The former Wesley describes as relating to that which “God does for us”, while new birth, he claims, is that which God does “in us” (John Wesley’s Sermons – An Anthology, Albert C. Outler, page 336).  Although Wesley states that in the very moment one is justified he is born anew, he insists justification always precedes new birth.  Wesley also believes that while one may not always immediately feel new birth, the believer can find full assurance of the justification that God has performed in his/her life.  This assurance is evidenced in the believer’s life by a vibrant faith, which gives power over sin, and by the hope now found within the believer’s heart.

Justification deals effectively with original sin.  A repentant sinner before God becomes justified through the merits of Christ imputed to him/her.  However, though sin no longer rules the newly born Christian, it still resides in that person’s life.  As Wesley writes, the newborn Christian may soon find that sin in his/her life has not been destroyed, but only suspended, is not dead, but only stunned. According to Wesleyan thought, justification does not reach beyond the new birth experience into the believer’s life in a way that wrestles it free from the grip of sin or to cause the believer to love perfectly.  Rather, Wesley believes that the presence of sin in the believer’s life is defeated by the next step in the order: sanctification.

Sanctification, according to Wesley, is the process of change in a believer’s life from sinfulness unto holiness.  It is also the process of becoming “more dead to sin” while we become “more and more alive to God.”  It should be noted, however, that this holiness is holiness of living and is distinct from the righteousness reckoned to us by God through Christ.  The holiness that we receive from God through Christ cannot be improved upon or added to.  That is perfect, absolute and effective holiness.  The holiness that Wesley taught, preached and sought to exemplify was holiness in living.  It included good works, works of mercy and a rejection of sinful living.  And just as we are justified by faith, Wesley believed we are sanctified by faith.  All good works committed and evil deeds refrained from cannot be considered sanctification when apart from faith in God.  Wesley firmly held that entire sanctification is full salvation from our sins and thus what the Apostle Paul described as perfection.

The third and final step Wesley sees in salvation is glorification. This is the end result of our Christian life.  It includes the changing of our mortal state to become “like him” (1 John 3:2).  Wesley, however, sees glorification as changing not just the state of humankind but of all creation, that was corrupted by the fall of Adam.  In that day, not only our salvation, but the redemption of all the cosmos will be complete.

Integrating conversion and Christian nurture and growth – Wesley views conversion as prompted by prevenient grace.  This is God’s divine love that surrounds all humanity and prompts our first awareness of God and our desire for deliverance from our sin.  It is this love, Wesley believes, that moves us toward repentance and faith.

After conversion is prompted by prevenient grace, Wesley believes it is effected by justifying grace.  This is God’s love that pardons the repentant sinner and accepts him/her into God’s family.  This conversion experience can sometimes be dramatic as it was for St. Paul on the road to Damascus, or it can be quiet, even gradual.  Either way, the experience, Wesley believes, is marked by a very real change in the heart of the believer.  This change is most evident “as faith working in love” (The Book of Discipline – 2000, page 46).

Wesley, contrary to much of the thinking in his day, believed that the assurance of justification could be known and understood by the believer in her or his life.  This assurance comes from the witness of God’s Spirit with our own that “we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

It is apparent that Wesley lived out his own theology, fully integrating the justification he received by faith with the assurance he came to recognize in his own spirit.  He knew assurance not as an intangible idea, but as something he actually experienced.  This is evident as he penned, “Each moment draw from earth away my heart that lowly waits thy call; speak to my inmost soul and say, ‘I am thy love, thy God, thy all!’  To feel thy power, to hear thy voice, to taste thy love, be all my choice.” [emphasis mine] (The United Methodist Hymnal, selection # 414).  Even on his deathbed, Wesley’s saw an unmistakable blending of the God’s justification and the assurance he experienced as he proclaimed, “The best of all is, God is with us!”

I am completely and utterly humble by the amazing concept that in my sin that I am pardoned from the death penalty of death and sin...praise God and be encourage...we have hope and life in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Blessings to all!

Kirk

Who needs a little "Grace?"

God's Preparing, Accepting, and Sustaining Grace

John Wesley believed that God's grace is a wonderful gift freely offered to humankind. We do not "earn" it. God provides us with three kinds of grace:

1. prevenient (preparing) grace
2. accepting (justifying) grace
3. sustaining (sanctifying) grace

God's prevenient grace is with us from birth, preparing us for new life in Christ. "Prevenient" means "comes before." Wesley believed that God places a little spark of divine grace within us that enables us to recognize and accept God's justifying grace.

Today some call God's justifying grace "conversion" or being "born again." When we experience God's justifying grace, we come into that new life in Christ. Wesley believed that people are free to accept or reject God's justifying grace.

Wesley believed that, after we have accepted God's grace, we are to move on in God's sustaining grace toward perfection. Wesley believed the people could "fall from grace" or "backslide." We cannot claim God's salvation and do nothing. We are to participate in what Wesley called "the means of grace" and to continue to grow in Christian life.

I just have recently been trying to have a deeper understanding of God's work of "grace" in my life. Have I always recognized God's work in my life? Today am I sensitive and always being mindful that grace was shown to me only by "Jesus on the cross"? Have I learn from past mistakes, hurts and joys? I   Honestly, I get distracted by circumstances, things to do and places to be just like everyone in the world.  "Jesus loves me -Kirk Woodard" he loves me unconditionally and has revealed and demonstrated  his  great love to me. God has prepared a way (prevenient grace) by and only through the broken body and blood of  his only son Jesus on that tree. "God demonstrated his love for me, that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me." Take that to the bank for it speaks life that the dead may rise and the redeemed in Christ Jesus will say so. Do you know Jesus? The way has been prepared by Jesus and yes he carried that cross and died so that the world may have true victory in this life and accept and recognize Jesus as Lord.  Will you "say so" and testify to his faithfullness.  I have failed time and time again.... I am just very ordinary guy....but I know and serve a God of "grace" and mercy and for this today I give thanks. I am a work in progress but I am daily placing my life in the "Potter's" hand and allowing God to mold, shape and refine me into the image of his son Jesus. So I need a liitle grace...how about you?  Blessings to all! 

Teachers make a difference! -Students can change the world and make it better!

August 27th, 2010 by David Reber

I’m going to step out of my usual third-person writing voice for a moment. As a parent I received a letter last week from the Kansas State Board of Education, informing me that my children’s school district had been placed on “improvement” status for failing to meet “adequate yearly progress” under the No Child Left Behind law.

I thought it ironic that our schools were judged inadequate by people who haven’t set foot in them, so I wrote a letter to my local newspaper. Predictably, my letter elicited a deluge of comments in the paper’s online forum. Many remarks came from armchair educators and anti-teacher, anti-public school evangelists quick to discredit anything I had to say under the rationale of “he’s a teacher.” What could a teacher possibly know about education?

Countless arguments used to denigrate public school teachers begin with the phrase “in what other profession….” and conclude with practically anything the anti-teacher pundits find offensive about public education. Due process and collective bargaining are favorite targets, as are the erroneous but tightly held beliefs that teachers areunder-worked, over-paid (earning million-dollar pensions), and not accountable for anything.

In what other profession, indeed.

In what other profession are the licensed professionals considered the LEAST knowledgeable about the job? You seldom if ever hear “that guy couldn’t possibly know a thing about law enforcement – he’s a police officer”, or “she can’t be trusted talking about fire safety – she’s a firefighter.”

In what other profession is experience viewed as a liability rather than an asset? You won’t find a contractor advertising “choose me – I’ve never done this before”, and your doctor won’t recommend a surgeon on the basis of her “having very little experience with the procedure”.

In what other profession is the desire for competitive salary viewed as proof of callous indifference towards the job? You won’t hear many say “that lawyer charges a lot of money, she obviously doesn’t care about her clients”, or “that coach earns millions – clearly he doesn’t care about the team.”

But look around. You’ll find droves of armchair educators who summarily dismiss any statement about education when it comes from a teacher. Likewise, it’s easy to find politicians, pundits, and profiteers who refer to our veteran teachers as ineffective, overpriced “dead wood”. Only the rookies could possibly be any good, or worth the food-stamp-eligible starting salaries we pay them.

And if teachers dare ask for a raise, this is taken by many as clear evidence that teachers don’t give a porcupine’s posterior about kids. In fact, some say if teachers really cared about their students they would insist on earning LESS money.

If that entire attitude weren’t bad enough, what other profession is legally held to PERFECTION by 2014? Are police required to eliminate all crime? Are firefighters required to eliminate all fires? Are doctors required to cure all patients? Are lawyers required to win all cases? Are coaches required to win all games? Of course they aren’t.

For no other profession do so many outsiders refuse to accept the realities of an imperfect world. Crime happens. Fire happens. Illness happens. As for lawyers and coaches, where there’s a winner there must also be a loser. People accept all these realities, until they apply to public education.

If a poverty-stricken, drug-addled meth-cooker burns down his house, suffers third degree burns, and then goes to jail; we don’t blame the police, fire department, doctors, and defense attorneys for his predicament. But if that kid doesn’t graduate high school, it’s clearly the teacher’s fault.

And if someone – anyone - tries to tell you otherwise; don’t listen. He must be a teacher.

Legacy

Why is the contract of the first basemen Prince Fielder, such a big deal?  Ok Fielder just agreed to play for the Detroit Tigers  ( nine year 214 million)!  That is alot of money and the 4th largest contract in the history of the game. I personally do not believe any one professional athlete is worth that kind of money.  What an awesome platform to set a positive example to the youth of the world what is of great value.  With a contract like that how many athletes / actors.. etc take what is given to them and give it to a cause greater than themelves? What or how do you define the word legacy?  Joe Paterno, the late great head football coach at Penn State. A question was asked during the service of his life, "What or how would one define the word legacy?"  Then the speaker said, "A legacy is very hard to define but once see it you never forget it."  Everyone who new and loved Joe, encountered a legend on and off the field and he will never be forgotten because of the impression he made in my life and so many others.

It's certainly a fast paced world. Everyone has busy schedules and stays busy with work, family and friends.  Is it really all about you?  Do we stop to consider how we can invest our time to change the world to make it a better place.  It's time to slow down and evaluate what is important in our lives. Are our lives filled with large houses, that new sports car and expensive getaways?  All these things are simply material possessions and a quick fix that still leaves a hole in our hearts and a emptiness that can't be described.  I encourage my readers to step out in faith and to be passionate about giving to others and putting others and go be filled and completely satisfied in living a full and meaningful life.  Do you want to leave a legacy how will they remember you?

Come to Me

In all of our lives and each day we make choices that will affect our lives in either a positive or negative manner. What firm foundation do people have in place to help make choices that will bring satisfaction? Some people are  self-seeking and are making their choices based on power, position and prestige. Materialism is one of the biggest distractions that people face today. The world offers many things that would appear to fill the void  in our hearts and lives.  Jim Elliot a missionary once said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." When we give our time and effort into something we shouldn't have the mentality that we need to get something in return. Yes all of us have failed and fallen  short of what would be best for our lives. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and my hope is built one nothing else other than as the hymn says "His blood and righteousness." We have made poor choices and regret the things of my past. How do we find peace in our lives? Why is my life not going the way I planned?  Does it seem like your life is like a dark storm cloud where their in no light or hope? Well we all have been in darkness and difficult circumstances.  How do we get out of living a life of mediocrity?  I know I am posing lots of questions. From my experience and past failures and poor choices I have learned Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life - and I find my hope and joy in Jesus alone.  Do you feel like you have tried everything you know to be content and have true joy? Maybe as you read this you have never attended church and for that matter don't plan on ever sitting in a church pew. What everyone is longing for no matter where you live, rich or poor, black or white. Everyone wants to be loved!

When you hurt - Jesus gives you His peace that passes all understanding

When you are hungry - Jesus is the "Bread of Life"

When you are sick - Jesus is the "Great Physician"

When you are in darkness - Jesus is the "Light of the World"

When you were judged - Jesus offers forgiveness

When the world needed joy - God sent His only begotten son to be born of a virgin in a manager to die in my place a Savior.

For God so loved ( your name) that he gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

The gift of Jesus is offered to all who are willing to come and die to your wants and needs and humbly bow at the foot of the cross and invite the love of Jesus to fill your heart and transform you life.

"Satan come to kill, steal and destroy but I have come that you may have life and life more abundantly.

John 10:10

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-31

Try Jesus because we have the capacity to love others but Jesus first loved us.  Amen.  

Blessings to all!