“…Take your everyday, ordinary life... And place it before God as an offering... Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out…” – Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” – Matthew 6:33

Add Gessica Hufnagle’s name to the ever-expanding list of former players turned coaches. As a four-year letter-winner at Notre Dame, the Indiana native officially joined the coaching ranks in 2008 after a standout career at both catcher and outfielder for the Irish. Now in her third season as an assistant softball coach at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hufnagle is learning more each day about what it takes to be a godly coach and spiritual guide for her players.

Last year I wrote an article about how portion sizes have grown significantly during the past 30 years. I mentioned that common foods like bagels, hamburgers, french fries, pizzas and steaks have doubled and sometimes tripled in size and number of calories. It seems that, like Elisha, we always want more. Yet, while Elisha sought more spiritual power so he could speak courageously to God’s people and lead them in God’s ways, we often seek bigger portions of food to satisfy our physical and even emotional hunger.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” — Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV)

“Inconsistency is the only thing in which men are consistent.” — Horace Smith

Consistency leads to continuous forward progress. It’s defined by being steady, reliable and persistent. Inconsistency, on the other hand, is the enemy of excellence. It takes shortcuts and makes excuses. It results in a lack of progress and improvement. One step forward, two steps back. For many, this defines their health journey.

In the 1970s, Swiss biologist Hermann Brandt created a game called tchoukball (pronounced “chook-ball”)—a teamwork-heavy mashup of more well-known sports, including volleyball, jai alai and handball. The goal was to allow players of all ages and walks of life to experience the thrill of competition without the aggressiveness and violence that commonly permeates athletic events.

Four decades later, tchoukball has increased so much in popularity that it now boasts junior, women’s and men’s world championships at the international level. And today, it is helping a passionate group of FCA International missionaries and partners in the Philippines reach athletes and coaches for Christ and share a love that transcends creed, culture and competition.

Dallas Steward’s path to the Sioux Falls Stampede bench began as a player chasing his NHL dreams. After a successful career in college and in the minors, the Chippewa Falls, Wis., native decided to hang up the skates and pick up a whistle. Transitioning from player to coach has been a learning experience, but the same passion with which he played is now being translated to his players through his Christ-like modeling of dedication and determination.

This is a PDF commitment card that you can use for events. 

Orioles Second-base man Brian Roberts talks about struggling with sin and responding God's way.