Words to Live By

It's just a simple wooden sign, painted gold and blue and mounted on a cream colored brick wall at the foot of a stairwell. Yet, the "Play Like A Champion Today" sign, found outside Notre Dame's locker room, is so much more. Lou Holtz said about the message that "Regardless of the won-loss record, regardless of the problems you have, when you walk out on that field you have an obligation to your teammates and the fans to play to the best of your ability - to play like a champion and to think like a champion."


John Wooden is the greatest college basketball coach of all time and is perhaps one of the greatest coaches of any sport period. Coach Wooden never talked about winning or losing and at practice he primarily focused on character building. Not once in any interview did Wooden ever mention "This is a must win," "If we can just win this game." All of his efforts were focused on shaping his players to be men. Wooden coached the likes of Lou Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabarr) and Bill Walton. Wooden won 5 championships under those two superstars and he won the other 5 with blue collar basketball warriors. He retired winning the national championship in 1975. Wooden has some great quotes from his era. Here are some of my favorites:
-"Never mistake activity for achievement."
-"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. "
-"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. "
-"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
-" It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."


Ever since I was a kid, my Dad always told me to bring my absolute best to the playing field or to the classroom. He only accepted my best effort and I will always be thankful of his legacy in excellence. Last year, I was challenged by my College Minister Bubba to think about what I wanted to be known for in my life. After listening to him, praying about it, and reading the Bible I would like to be known for three things in my life:
To Be Strong
To Be Courageous
To be Humble
I want to be strong in my faith, courageous to not back down from adversity, and to be humble in every blessing God has given me. Joshua speaks to his men after Moses dies and says this:
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."- Joshua 1:7-9

Words from man are great words to think about and apply, but words from God are something to bury deep inside of your being. Meditate on God this week. Be strong, courageous, and humble!