Objection - Rejection - Dejection

I can clearly remember the first year I started playing organized basketball.  I was ecstatic that I could play “for real” what I did so much in my back yard.  I wasn't familiar with the program, or the process, I just showed up ready to play.  I worked my tail off during those try-outs and listened intently to the coaches.  However, my name was never called when the teams were announced.  There were 5 teams that year, and I didn't make 1 of them.  The feeling of rejection was enormous – I wasn't good enough to play on 1 of the 5 teams who would play games that year.  To make it worse, I got to play on the intramural team – basically a year-long development camp.  We practiced the same time as everyone else, but we had to practice outside on unmarked cement, rusted out backboards, and no rims.  The feeling of rejection was one that lasted the entire season. 

My entire basketball career was filled with objections and rejections.  During my junior season my coach informed me that I was “on the bubble” and that I would probably end up on our varsity B team.  My younger brother made the A team and I was allowed to suit up & warm up with the team, but I would rarely see the floor.  It wasn't a rejection because I still got to participate, but it was a very strong objection because I could not participate to the same extent as everyone else on the team.  Needless to say, I wasn't a very happy player.  Although I never said anything, I made sure that my attitude said everything.  To be honest, my coach was gracious enough to let me stay on the team because my attitude alone warranted me being kicked off.  The feeling of dejection from being objected to lasted the entire season.

These are just a couple of examples from my own playing career.  Chances are that you have experienced them as well.  I’m grateful though that I had a dad who would never let me quit, and a coach who made it a point to continually try to help me.  It’s because of these experiences, and the lessons God taught me, that I was able to overcome many different work issues, death, and life changes throughout my very short career and marriage.

As a person or a player, objection, rejection, and dejection are 3 things that you will experience in life.  As a player you have more than likely experienced the feeling of getting cut or losing a starting spot.  As an adult, you have no doubt experienced a lay-off, cut in pay, divorce, or loss of a loved one.  It’s in these moments of objections and rejections that dejection begins to take root in our hearts.  These moments are like high winds and rolling waves on an open sea – you don’t think you are going to make it, and begin to sink into hopelessness.

The Apostle Peter was this way.  In Matthew 14 we find the story of Jesus walking on the water.   As Jesus is walking near the disciple’s boat they start to cry out in fear not knowing that it was their Master.  Finally, Jesus speaks in an effort to calm them.  Peter has doubts though.  He asks Jesus if he can come join Him by walking on the water from the boat.  The winds were raging and the waves were rolling, but Peter gets out of boat anyways.  As Peter begins to walk towards the Lord on the water he takes his eyes off Jesus and starts to look at his circumstances.  As the fear of the wind and waves mount up against Peter, he begins to sink. 

This is the typical life experience of every human being.  The wind and waves of objection and rejection, and the subsequent feeling of dejection cause us to lose hope – we take our eyes off the Lord.  We begin to sink in the storm of our circumstances.  We forget that the power of Jesus is so great that even the wind and sea obey him (Matt. 8:27).  We forget that during these circumstances Jesus tells us to “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matt. 14:27).

We can’t get away from the storms of objection, rejection, and dejection in our lives. However, let me encourage you with this – instead of being fearful of the wind and waves of our circumstances – keep your eyes on Jesus. In John 16:33, Jesus says "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Don't let the storms of life overcome you. Instead, overcome the storms. Have faith. Walk on the water.

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

Subscribe to our YouTube channel! (chsmhouston)

Click Here to “Like” us on Facebook 

Live in the Present

It’s all too easy for us to think about our past.  We see pictures from friends, reminisce at family reunions, and tell our co-workers about what we used to do.  Sometimes, we just think about we want our future to be.  I am a dreamer, and I love to think about the future and what I want it to be.  I find myself thinking about my next step (that is still 10 steps away!), or what I want for my kids 5 years down the road.  As a matter of fact, I just recently found myself thinking about past friends in Colorado and new changes for the future, but then God began to speak to me.

Now don’t misunderstand – it’s not wrong to remember our past, or put together our future goals and bucket lists.  I wonder though, do we think about these things at the expense of the present?  As I pondered this thought, the Lord started to bring a few things to my mind:

Longing to live in the past. 

All too often we step outside and smell something that reminds us of where we used to live, or we go on vacation and remember how nice it was to be closer to family, or see old friends and wish it could be “just as it used to be”.  It’s not abnormal for us to have these thoughts, nor is it wrong.  However, sometimes, I think we let these thoughts hang around so long that we begin to desire the past, instead of being grateful for where God has put us in the present.  So much so, that at times we fail to see the incredible things happening right in front of us.  Our kids making new friends and building life-long relationships, or the blessings of God in our home, or the fact that someone was moved toward God because we allowed Him to use us.  When we fail to see what’s happening right now in our lives because we are looking behind us, then we end up sacrificing our present for the past.

Desiring to skip forward to our future. 

This is something I struggle with a lot.  I have such BIG visions and lofty plans and I just want God to put them all in order right now!   Sometimes it might be in regards to a job situation, or maybe we want a new house, or we want the kids to hurry up and grow up so we don’t have change their diapers, spoon feed them, or get up with them in the middle of the night.  It's not uncommon to have these thoughts.  We want to pay the house off, get rid of the car loan, or just get away!  There’s no problem with those things – it’s natural.  You should want to get rid of your debt, and if your job situation isn't healthy for you or your family, then you should want to move.  We just can’t let these things worry us and neglect to take care of the here and now.  When we do let these thoughts dominate our thinking, we usually find that our attitude goes south.  When the attitude goes south, then usually our relationships, work, and family life go the same direction.

So how do we fix this!?!?

Be grateful for where you are. 

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Your current circumstances may not be what you want them to be, or what you think they should be, but it is what it is.  God has known all along that you would be where you are today – He is not surprised!  Instead of asking the Lord to move you, or give you a new job, or resolve your financial woes – try thanking Him for his goodness and grace to you.  The will of God is to praise Him in everything we do, and everywhere you are.  If you find that difficult to do, then instead of asking God to change your circumstances, ask Him to change you and to help you realize His awesomeness around you.

Understand that God holds the future.

In Jeremiah 29:11 we find these awesome words of hope, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  This great verse constantly reminds me that God has a plan for my future!  As long as I honor Him in all that I say and do, and obey Him when He speaks to me, then I will have a life of peace.  I may go through trials and tribulations, but because my hope is in Him, I am assured that His peace will be with me (Phil. 4:7).

It’s OK to think about our past, and sometimes it’s necessary to look at our future.  We just can’t let those thoughts dominate our mind and rob us of the present.

God has a great plan for us right now, and we don’t want to miss it!

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1

Click HERE to follow us on Facebook!

Finish the Race

Almost 10,000 people will descend on Springfield, MO this week for what marks the end of the Homeschool Basketball Season - the 2013 NCHBC National Tournament. This tournament is the crown jewel of homeschool athletics and what every homeschool program wants to be in. For teams and players, this is also the finish line. This tournament marks the end of 6 long months of grueling competition & hard practices. The final exam - the measure of how far they've come during the season. As we approach this tournament It's easy for us to get the feeling of "burn-out" after a long season. Yet, this is when your character is tested - this is when you need to focus harder and finish the race strong.

Too many times in life do people get close to the end, and then quit. Most times they don't realize that if they had just kept going, for a little while longer, they would have been able to cross the finish line. Instead, we live in a culture where we want immediate gratification, a fast-food mentality so to speak. We want the race to be over as soon as we start, growth to occur without pain, and awards without hard work. What we don't realize is that God does not typically work that way - He is more of a "crock-pot" cooker - slow, steady, and true. Seldom early, but NEVER late - always on time. What we don't realize is that when we quit the race before it's over, we also stop God from producing in us the character He wishes us to have, and from achieving His greatness in us.

As we approach this week, I want to take a moment and encourage all of you - Finish Your Race.

To Mom's & Dad's: Yes, you have spent a lot of money, given up a lot of vacation time, stayed up late, shuttled kids, and had your kids shuttled. You have sacrificed SOOOO much for your child's basketball enjoyment. Stay strong for one more week. Encourage your athletes to narrow their focus on the finish line while you stay focused on the finish line as well. Don't let the frustration of all the money spent and time taken off of work detract from you enjoying your child crossing that finish line. This is the time your child needs you the most. Don't let this moment pass you by. Finish Your Race.

To Players: Your coaches have pushed you hard all year long. You have worked hard all year long too. You've suffered through embarrassing defeats, been yelled at, gone through injuries, been benched, played too much, and played too little. It has all been for this week. Your season was your preparation for this "Final Exam". This is your opportunity to show how much you have grown in your game, and grown in The Lord. This is your opportunity to be a shining light to others in your program of what excellence is, and what it takes to be great. It has been a long year, and everyone is ready for a little break - BUT, don't lose focus. Don't quit now. Your finish line is almost here. Finish Your Race.

To Coaches: You have invested so much time into your players, parents, and program during the course of this year. Sometimes at the expense of your own family, work, & checking account. Each player & parent has needed you to help them learn something. As a coach, it's easy to start thinking about your first week of no basketball in 6 months or your next season. BUT, your season isn't over yet. This is when your parents and players need you the most. Focus on them now more than you ever have. Encourage them more than you ever have. Work harder now than you have all season. The race is almost over. Finish Your Race.

To Seniors: I've saved this last paragraph especially for you. There are so many things that are going through your mind right now: am I going to college, did I get the scholarship I wanted, do I have all my graduation stuff taken care of, what do I want to major in, etc...You are also thinking about finishing out your basketball careers. Playing with your friends for the last time, and for some of you, trying to capture that elusive National Championship (I know that was the case for me!) So many things are vying for your attention, but if you really want to enjoy this week, then you need to narrow your focus and give your all one more time. This is it! The last week of your high school basketball career - make sure you step off the floor on Saturday with no regrets. Finish Your Race.

What an awesome week you are about to have! May we finish this week as Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:".

Finish The Race.

In Christ
Coach CJ
Executive Director
Christian Homeschool Sports Ministries

www.chsmhouston.com
www.facebook.com/chsmhouston

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter - @CJPomeroy1
Follow CHSM on Twitter - @chsmhouston

Enjoying the 2013 NCHBC!

It’s finally here – the National Homeschool Basketball Championships of 2013!  There are 35 states that have homeschool sports – the NCHC will have 25 of those states represented at this years tournament in Springfield, MO!  For 21 years the NCHC has given homeschool athletes a chance to compete against each other in one city, for 1 week, to claim the crown of “Undisputed Homeschool Champion”!  

This tournament has also provided athletes with a chance to prove their talent on the biggest stage in front college coaches and scouts – a chance they rarely get during their season.  The list of athletes who have played in front of college coaches and scouts is quite long, and with the advancement of social media and addition media coverage during the NCHBC 2013, the list will only get longer.

As a 10 year veteran of the NCHC, I have come up with a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to help athletes, parents, and coaches enjoy their week and continue to help make this the biggest homeschool sporting event in the country!  This is by no means a requirement - just some helpful advice :-)

o   PLAYERS

§  Do

·         Drink LOT’S of Water/fluids

·         Eat Healthy

·         Support other teams in your programs

·         Meet players from other programs in other states

·         Hang out with your teammates and family as much as possible

·         Watch the great teams play

·         Be crazy awesome when watching teams in your programs play

·         Reflect Christ in all you say & do

§  Don't

·         Stay up late/get up late

·         Be a recluse (get out with your teammates/family)

·         Eat junk food

·         Play dumb practical jokes or pranks

·         Try to dunk if you really can’t dunk

·         Get mad at referees, other players, teams, or fans

·         Anything that could disqualify you from participating

·         Say things on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or other Social Media sites that scouts can use to cross you off their list

o   PARENTS

§  Do

·         Encourage your athletes to watch/support other teams in your program as much as possible

·         Check the brackets ALL THE TIME

·         Know where the gyms are and get there as early as possible for games your athletes play in

·         Be crazy awesome when watching teams in your programs play

·         Hang out with other families in your program as much as possible

·         Use creative chants to support your team

·         Reflect Christ in all you say & do

§  Don't

·         Let your athletes stay up late/get up late

·         Be late to games

·         Assume anything

·         Badger referees, other players, other teams, other coaches, or other fans

·         Use chants that are discouraging or degrade other teams

o   COACHES

§  Do

·         Check your bracket often

·         Know what games you need to be at and what time you need to be there

·         Carry extra uniforms with you

·         Have all of your parent/players phone numbers

·         Go through your entire NCHC coaches packet

·         Communicate the essentials to your parents/players early and often

·         Meet the NCHC Staff

·         Reflect Christ in all you say & do

§  Don't

·         Assume Anything

·         Expect Tournament Staff to answer your question as soon as you ask it

·         Allow your players/fans to taunt other teams – especially if you are winning big

·         Forget your scorebook

·         Allow frustration to take away from your players experience

All of these items are crucial to making sure your week is the best that it can possibly be, both for your team and your programs.  Greater excitement leads to greater atmospheres, which lead to great games, which lead people to your programs, and scouts to your players!

Do these things and you will have the best sporting event of your life!

See you in Springfield!

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

Click Here to “Like” us on Facebook 

The Uncertain Sound

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:8, "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"  What a great question - and one that deserves our study of God's word.

The verse indicates the importance of understanding what a trumpet call sounds like and what it means when we hear it - just like our military did for so many years.  Did you know that a game does not stop because a horn goes off in the middle of play?  That's an uncertain sound.  Only a whistle stops the game - that's a rule.  Satan is always looking to distract us with uncertain sounds and the only way we can know that a sound is uncertain is to know what the correct sound actually sounds like!

Coach’s – Here is something that you can do with your team.  When you have them run a set of sprints, tell them they are to go only upon the right sound.  For instance, try a command like "whistle-whistle-go".  You then can check their responses by doing a couple of things.  Blow the whistle 3 times in a row.  Did they go?  They shouldn't have gone because that was not the right sound.  Blow the whistle once and then say go-go.  Did they move?  I hope not because that wasn't the command.  The command was a whistle-whistle-go!  You get the idea.

It’s important for our young men and young ladies to learn to listen for the right things.  They should play ball until a whistle sounds - not the horn.  They should only move when you tell them to move.  They should do as mom and dad tell them to do.  And they should do exactly what God has commanded them to do - no more and no less - knowing precisely what His voice sounds like!

Coach P

CHSM Basketball

Charlie Pomeroy is an assistant basketball coach and CHSM leadership team member.  He has over 20 years of coaching experience and is an active member at his church in Spring, TX.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

Click Here to “Like” CHSM on Facebook 

What is on your Boarding Pass?

On my last business trip I flew on a different airline to my destination.  My co-worker and I purchased standard tickets, but upon arrival to the airport we were upgraded to first class – without paying for it!  I have only flown first-class 1 or 2 times and am somewhat unfamiliar with all the added benefits that come with first-class flying.  I was also unaware with the terminology this particular airline used to identify people with priority boarding.  I assumed that my ticket was standard and stood in the standard security line where I waited for 20 minutes to go through security.  I ended up going to the wrong security point and went through the wrong security line.  I completely bypassed the priority boarding line where no one was standing all because I wouldn’t pay attention!

This is how most people view salvation.  They believe that they haven’t done enough good, or that they have done too much bad to deserve Heaven.  However, that is simply not the case.  2 Peter 3:9 tells us “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  In John 3:16 we are told “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Some people assume that Heaven is there destination, but they haven’t checked their boarding pass to ensure they are headed in the right direction.  And some people assume that they it simply cannot be that easy.  They end up going to the wrong side of the terminal and stand in the wrong line. 

Friend, life guarantees us one thing only – that we will all die.  However, our death does not need to be permanent.  God is offering “priority boarding passes” to those who have faith in His redemptive work on the cross and His saving grace.  He has a security line that few take, and guarantees you an eternal comfort in His presence.

What does your boarding pass say?

Coach CJ

Director – CHSM

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

Click Here to “Like” us on Facebook 

Why?

During the first few weeks of 2013, a very close friend of mine lost his 3 month old daughter.  It is normal for us to hear of someone passing away each and every day, almost to the point that we become desensitized to the news.  However, it is never the same when it is someone you are close to.  My friend & I go back many years and both of us have young children.  My heart has ached for him all week.  There are no words for me to tell my friend, save for “I’m sorry.  I love you, and I am praying for you.”  I can’t imagine his pain, and in times like this I begin to wonder “Why Lord?”  This is a question that I do not know the answer too, but a question that we all ask at some point in our life.  And, it is in times like this that I turn to the Bible for comfort and guidance.

One of my life verses, and one that I retreat to often in times of uncertainty and confusion, is Jeremiah 29:11 – “ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (NKJV) I then turn to Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (KJV) Finally, Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 9 – “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (KJV)

Although I don’t know the “Why”, I know that God has a plan through all of this, that He loves me, and that He only has my best, for His glory, in mind. I just have to take Him at His word and walk by faith. 

The same is true for players, coaches, and parents.  Sometimes, even though we might be working hard, we don’t get what we think should get, or lose what we don’t think we should lose.  It could be a player believing he deserves an award, a parent believing their child should play more, or maybe a coach not getting the authority he believes he should have.  It is in these times that most people begin to ask the question “Why” rather than simply trusting God to take care of the details.  God knows human-nature, and He knows that we are going to ask these questions, which is why I believe He gave us these wonderful verses.  The Bible is our reminder that God knows what is going on and He does have a plan.  God simply wants us to take Him at His word, and trust Him implicitly.

In life, we will only go backwards if we let the “Why” dominate our thoughts and actions.  However, if we take God at His word, trust in His love, and walk by faith, then we will find that the mountain-top view is more than we could ever imagine.

Have faith, move forward, and experience the love and goodness that God wants to bring into your life.

Coach CJ

Director – CHSM

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

Click Here to “Like” us on Facebook