The Ball

 

The Ball

The sixth graders on this team are now out of college!  It went by too fast. This is from January 29, 2012.

Our basketball season ended on Friday. It was unlike any season of coaching I've had in either baseball or basketball. Twice, I coached baseball teams that qualified for the high school state tournament in Georgia. My first middle school team at WCS went 24-2 and my high school squad here won the state championship in the private schools' division. On the other hand, my first high school baseball team won one game and a number of my basketball teams had sub .500 records. But records and emotions can deceive. The best coaching job I ever did was with a team that posted a 4-27 mark and coincidentally, my favorite team ever. My 2011-2012 WCS Middle School Lady Wildcats did not win a game. In our final game on Friday, we were tied at the end of the first quarter, the deepest we had been in contention all season. That same team had beaten us by forty points in November so we talked about the strides we made. Only one girl on the team was not a sixth grader and we played an eighth grade schedule. These kids, while tall for their ages and decently athletic, had zero basketball experience among themselves. If they work hard, they can be competitive and perhaps even very good by the time they finish eighth grade in 2014. As with everything, time will tell. Regardless, in the past six months, these mostly not yet teens have secured a place in my favorite team category.

When I started with this bunch of girls in August, we stressed the most important concept of the game which is team. As we began learning on the court, we stressed the most important thing is THE BALL. It was something we struggled with all year although showing marked improvement late in the season. We did not always value possession of the ball and were very careless with it. On defense, we taught the two primary rules:
1. SEE THE BALL!
2. STOP THE BALL!
It sounds simple but if you have played, you know it isn't, especially if you are a novice at the sport. The game revolves around THE BALL. At the start of each year, I ask the kids, "How many points did Lebron/Kobe/etc. score last year?" They always give a variety of answers, usually in the upper twenties to lower thirties per game range. It's a trick question because Lebron/Kobe/etc. NEVER score, it's THE BALL that goes through the hoop and so it is vital to know where THE BALL is at all times. If we learned nothing else this year, I think we are beginning to grasp this concept.

As a Christian, I sometimes struggle with the same thing as my basketball players but instead of the ball, I lose focus on the cross. I sometimes don't value it as I should. I lose sight of it. Other things in life distract me with little resistance on my part. Without the ball, there is no game. Without the cross, and the One who willingly gave it meaning, my existence is fleeting and of little value. My players will mature in basketball if they choose to make it part of their life going forward, and we always make sure they understand it should only be a small part of their life. The question is, will I grow into my view of the cross as I go onward or will I be content to be stagnant in my relationship with the Lord? Basketball is seasonal; Christianity is daily....or at least, it needs to be. Check back this time next year and I'll update you on some girls and THE BALL and their coach and the state of his vision. We pray for improvement on both fronts!

Applicable quote of the day:

"In sixth grade, my basketball team made it to the league championships. In double overtime, with three seconds left, I rebounded the ball and passed it - to the wrong team! They scored at the buzzer and we lost the game. To this day, I still have nightmares!"
Zac Efron 

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

To Whom Honor Is Due

 

To Whom Honor Is Due

This entry is about a WCS legend- it is from September 12, 2018.
I've just begun my 21st year at WCS and to say it's gone by in an instant would be an understatement. We've grown in so many ways in the two plus decades. Facilities, faculty, and students, the physical measures of a school, have continued on an upward trajectory although there are always bumps along the way. My first two teaching and coaching stops were at schools which were out in rural areas. While Westbury Christian is not in the downtown part of Houston, it is close enough to give it an urban feel, at least to me. It's also close enough to my apartment where I can easily access my classroom on the weekends and in off hours if necessary. I used to come in and lift weights at 4:30 AM when our workout room was part of the main building on the main campus. That was an eerie feeling! Part of me was praying I was the only one walking the halls at that hour! But one thing that always fascinated me was walking by our lower school library on my way to the weight room which is now our elementary art lab. It wasn't the library itself; it was the spotlight. Directly in my line of vision through the glass doors is a memorial showcased by track lighting in an otherwise dark room and I often stopped and just gazed at it for a minute. The plaque on the wall is dedicated to the woman whose name graces the library, Jackie Scarbrough. Jackie was one of our lower school teachers who passed away the year before I relocated to Houston. Curious, I asked Diane King, our long time librarian, to tell me something about this lady. Here is what she wrote:

Jackie Scarbrough is and has been a light to the world.  As a first grade teacher, she treated each student with respect and modeled fairness to her students and other teachers alike. The twinkle in her eye drew children like a magnet and showed her love.  Her character spoke volumes and backed her words.  She knew without a doubt what was important: her faith, family, friends and students.  This soft spoken woman could bring a noisy classroom to whisper silence with a look and raised pointed finger.  Although unassuming, she could make big dreams come true like the time she teamed up with co-teacher Joan Partain to collect one million pennies for a playground.  The drive spanned two school years, but the day they celebrated the accomplishment, all 3 local television stations were on hand.  Best friend to many, and ultimate teacher, she pursued teaching as not just a job but a passion.  She even used the hallways for playful instruction.  One day she had her students use their bodies on hallway tiles to construct a bar graph of their favorite colored Skittles or fruits.  She loved to teach reading but Bible was her absolute favorite subject.  The afternoon of her passing, she had taught her Sunday Morning Bible class about heaven, enjoyed lunch with her family, and laid down for a nap.  As the story goes..she awoke in heaven but her light shines on through our school and the many friends and students she left behind. 

Wow. I never met Jackie but Diane's tribute makes me sad I missed that great blessing. I tell my students that monuments and arenas are named for those who typically fall into one of  two categories; the rich who gave a significant and generous donation or someone who has passed away who made a difference. Jackie Scarborough built a fortress in the latter definition. Every family and business and team and church needs the bright lights that emanate from the Jackie Scarbroughs of the world. She left a torch that still burns brightly here even though few are left who knew her personally. Beacons like her are not extinguished easily....... and light overcomes darkness, even at at 4:30 AM.

Applicable quote of the day:
Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come. 
Rabindranath Tagore

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

The Final Words

 

The Final Words

Every year I read through the Bible but now I use oneyearbible.com. The following is from December 31, 2009 and it discusses some books I  had just finished reading at that point in time.

As the year has wound down, I have been very busy reading. Since arriving in Kansas eleven days ago, I have completely read three books and I'm halfway through number four. There are few times that I can just sit down and soak up reading material and this is one of them. One of the books was inspiring. How Starbucks Saved My Life is the true story of a high powered business executive who lost his career through no fault of his own and subsequently lost his family, totally through his own sin. But the author, Michael Gates, was able to rebuild his life though the help of an entry level job at the world's largest coffee chain and the encouragement of a Starbucks' staff whose members shared almost no common traits with the author. Dave Ramsey's The Money Answer Book taught me terrific financial principles based on Biblical concepts. The other two reads have been about celebrities. Girls Like Us is a concurrent biography about singer/songwriters Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. The Chris Farley Show, which I hope to finish tomorrow, is a look at the life of the mercurial comedian who died at age thirty-three. To be honest, the chronicles of the celebrities have left me sad. In spite of great professional success, the four led existences marred by drug and alcohol use, marital infidelity, promiscuity, and family heartaches. Being blessed with extreme amounts of talent and critical acclaim while in their twenties did not protect the quartet from trauma and anxiety. Maybe they mirror what most of us would become if flooded with adulation and wealth at a very young age. I also blame myself in the case of the women, enjoying the music they produced in their youth over their later works. I would hate for anyone to think my productivity peaked when I was twenty-five. At that tender stage of of my life, I barely could tell which way was up.

I finished another book today. Late this afternoon, I read the December 31st entry in the One Year Bible, a division of the scriptures in 365 segments. Tomorrow, I'll go back to the January 1 section of Genesis 1- Matthew 1- Psalm 1- Proverbs 1. Overwhelmingly, I don't re-read anything with the exception of the Bible. I take comfort in knowing how it ends before I delve back into, ''In the beginning...'' the first day of each new year, or as is the case in several hours, each new decade. There is always more to learn, to see, to inspire, to pass on. I find that is spite of my many imperfections, I am loved and saved. That is the best message I have ever read. And so, to end this year, let me leave you with the final verse of the scriptures, Revelation chapter 22, verse 21:''The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. AMEN"

Applicable quote of the day:
''Nobody ever outgrows Scripture: the Book widens and deepens with our years''

Charles H. Spurgeon

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

Future Parents

Future Parents

 

This is from September 12, 2022. 

I'm teaching three classes of mostly 9th-10th graders in Old Testament Survey, a daunting academic task if there ever was one. Last week, we covered the murder of Abel at the hands of his brother, Cain. We noted that families often deal with serious, even grievous, issues among the children. I assigned my 65+ students in this class to consider how they would parent with the assignment below. Immediately following, I have posted two points of view from a freshman boy (James) and a sophomore girl (Eden) as representative of thoughts as a future mom or dad. Both were used by permission.

The Old Testament is full of dysfunctional families, the result of animosity between siblings. (Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau, Rachel/Leah, Jacob's sons, David's children) If/when you are a parent, describe how you would raise your children to love and respect each other while loving and respecting you as well. (HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER!) You may use positive or negative examples. There is a 150 word minimum and you  must use complete sentences with proper grammar/capitalization. GOOD LUCK!

For the purpose of this assignment, I will have 2 children. There will be a boy named John and a girl named Rose. John is older than Rose. I would give them a comfortable life but they would need to earn it. No bullying would be permitted and no flaunting of wealth. Both John and Rose should get a job by 18 if they still live at home. I would encourage them to save money for their futures. At age 16 I would see how much money they had saved for a car and give them an equal amount of money so they could use it to buy transportation. They would be encouraged, but not forced, to go to church every week. I have seen how it affects children if their parents are really pushy when it comes to religion and that it usually causes the child resentment to fester toward the parent and might not even stay religious after they are old enough to make that decision for themselves. My children would be given a mobile phone with reasonable restrictions when they enter middle school, improving communication skills with their parents and encouraging responsibility. This should allow them proper time to learn to manage time effectively. My children would go to a private school to receive a good education. I will start a college fund for both children when they are born and will contribute to both equally. I would promote volunteering by requesting that they volunteer at soup kitchens or food banks. This will ideally instill in them the values of generosity and of helping others. They should learn at least to be proficient in a second language by senior year of high school to increase their value as an employee and as a person. Rose should join Girl Scouts while John joins Boy Scouts. They will learn many life skills that will help them in the future and provide them with entertainment in that they can make close friendships because of many shared experiences. My hopes are that by doing all of the things previously listed, John and Rose would have good lives and be good people. James, freshman
When I grow up, get married, and have kids, I’d forever want my kids to learn how to love. In order to do so, I want a structured system to where they benefit, learn, and grow from showing love. For my son(s), I would want them to think outside of the box when coming into contact with women, especially if I have any daughters. I would start teaching them this when they are very young, such as etiquette and acts of service. As for my daughter(s), I would want them to expect to be respected, but to also step down from a pedestal. Serving others will always remain important, because Jesus always did the same for us. As for everyone in the family, love will always be permitted, no matter what the situation is. There is always time to show love, and if you have time to have any sort of attitude, you also have time to be there for your brother when he needs you. Love is action; showing it makes it more and more known. Any failure in showing the love that the whole family deserves will result in a punishment that I haven’t fully worked out yet, but in my house, I will not tolerate any lack of compassion. Love begins at home, not anywhere else. If that’s where it’s starts, it can grow from there…but it also needs to stay. If it doesn’t, how do you learn to love? Love will be able to solve more than anyone will ever know… after all, God is love!

Eden, sophomore

Applicable quote of the day: My children are the reason I laugh, smile and want to get up every morning. Gena Lee Nolin God bless, Steve/Coach Luke 18:1

The Phone Number

 

The Phone Number

This entry, from September 10, 2018 is about one of the two most important phone numbers in my life.
I may or may not have mentioned that I am making two trips back to my home town of York, Nebraska in this, the fall of 2018. My brother, Dave, is being inducted into two Hall of Fames this autumn, one in October and one in November. In October, it will be the York College honor and in November, York High School will be bestowing the award. Both venues will have other inductees as well. I'm also really excited that our cousin-in-law, Laura Hastings Hawley, is going to be a  York College HOFer as well! Several weeks ago, I received a postcard as a York College Panther letterman, reminding me that I needed to reserve a seat at the YC festivities, which will coincide with Homecoming next month. So, this afternoon during one of my planning periods, I took several minutes to RSVP for the event, which will be held at the renowned Chances ''R'' Restaurant, one of my all-time favorite dining experiences. I spoke to a wonderful young lady at the college and I am guaranteed a seat!! Only five weeks to go!

While I had the phone in my hand and a few spare minutes, I acted on a hunch. I dialed 402-362-4990. There was no need to look it up. It had been years, decades since I made that call. The last time was using a dial telephone but I could not begin to tell you when that was. You see, that was probably the first phone number I ever memorized, back in the day where you learned it by rote or you wrote it down. It was my dad's office phone at the East Hill Church of Christ. He was the first preacher for that congregation and that was his phone number when we arrived in York in 1959 from Brooklyn, New York. I was not disappointed this afternoon. A familiar voice answered the phone, a voice that sounded eerily like Dad. It was the new (two years!) preacher at the church, a young man named Glenn whose last name happens to be Hawley. We talked about family and life in York and I explained why I called. Lord willing, I'll get to see my first cousin and a few other kinfolk over the next eighty days or so. I just think there is a neat circle of life in that the first and latest ministers of the Gospel share the same DNA and the same family heritage. I like symmetry and I think that fits the definition.

My best guess is that phone number for the church has been operational for more than sixty years. During my formative years, I am sure I called it more than any other number. I called it to relay messages to Dad or just because I was a little boy who felt like calling. It might have been Mom needed him to run an errand- we only had one car for much of my early childhood. Maybe I even prank called- I was no angel! But take me out of  the equation. How much has transpired over that line with that number over the years? How many announcements of births and tragic deaths? How much counseling of members and college students and citizens of that town of 6,000, and not just from Dad and Glenn but from all the preachers who came in between? How much good was done done and how many tears have been shed? How many disputes have been ironed out and how any apologies offered and accepted? I can still see my father's name plate on his desk in his church office and now it resides with me. Not sure why I'm nostalgic tonight. I do wish Dad had lived to see and hear his nephew preach the word from the same pulpit that he once graced. But this afternoon, I settled for a call to a far away phone which brought memories very near. If only a phone number could talk! Then again, preachers reside in a world of confidentiality. Those confidences live on with Glenn.

Applicable quote of the day:
I don't understand this whole Twitter, Facebook stuff. I don't get it. Make a phone call. Talk to somebody.
James Avery


God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1

The Interpretation

 

The Interpretation

I've been translated a lot, mostly when I was preaching or teaching Bible classes or communion services. This is about a unique interpretation. It is from October 21, 2012. 

We had an interesting Chinese worship this morning. Normally, the sermon by our minister, Ronnie Chang, is translated by Nina to the non-Mandarin speakers, through headsets. But today, the communication devices were not available so we had a dilemma. Ronnie's sermon was longer than normal, about forty-five minutes, so to do a traditional say a line/translate a line interpretation would have made the message ninety minutes. This creates another problem as we eat together right after worship so to delay 3/4 of an hour might have caused food issues. Ronnie came up with a unique solution; six of the Chinese Christians translated for us non-speakers independently, spread out over the Fireplace Room where we gather. Yirong was my personal translator and it all worked out perfectly, just a little louder than normal. I always tell my students being bilingual is a gift. Today illustrated the point.

I wish I could speak Chinese or Vietnamese or Spanish but I can't. I've heard it said that the only way to learn a foreign language is immersion in another country with marriage to a native speaker a plus. On the other hand, people in other countries are attracted to me as they assume, rightly so, that I speak English which is a magic door for education and career advancement in the eyes of many. My birth language might be my best asset in spreading the Gospel, at least in the short term. But when I preach in Vietnam or China, I need help and it comes in the form of brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, Ronnie imparted the Gospel to me but he did it through the words of Yirong. Translation is always a two person skill.

Applicable quote of the day:

"Translation is like a woman. If it is beautiful, it is not faithful. If it is faithful, it is most certainly not beautiful."
Yevgeny Yevtushenko

God bless,

Steve
Luke 18:1

Small Town Hope

 

Small Town Hope

Football season is upon us! I thought you might enjoy a football story today that has less to do with money and fame and more to do with the one thing we all need, HOPE. This is from October 12, 2006. Much has happened since I wrote this  years ago.To read more about the origin of this squad, click this link: http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=tundra

Rarely do I watch movies more than once. When I know what's coming next, the enjoyment is drained from the story. I have made an exception with The Music Man, the 1962 musical written by Meredith Wilson, starring Shirley Jones and Robert Preston. A scam artist arrives in a small Iowa town and sells the locals on the idea of a boys' band, complete with uniforms and instruments. It's a hoax, uncovered by the old maid librarian (Jones) who threatens to expose the con artist (Preston) until she falls in love with him. As the scheme unravels and the pretend band director is about to be tarred and feathered, the Iowans make a fascinating discovery. The band, even though it was a swindle, had the ripple effect of giving the town a passion for living and raising the expectations of a bunch of aimless kids. The conniving Professor Harold Hill unintentionally gives River City a new lease on life.

This week, espn.com features an intriguing story of a town and its high school football team. Barrow, Alaska is the furthest northern community in the United States, located above the Arctic Circle. Due to a grant last year and a new school superintendent, the local high school has inaugurated a football program. With no experience and no culture of the sport, the team took tiny baby steps this season. The decision to add a gridiron squad has bitterly divided this village of less than 5,000. Detractors claim the price tag, in excess of $200,000, was too steep and the funds should have been spent toward more traditional educational goals. Supporters counter that the kids in Barrow, drowning in a sea of alcohol, drugs, and vandalism, now have positive goals to focus on. The jury is out on the long-term outcome of this football experiment in one of the coldest inhabited spots on earth but it is a gripping tale of what can draw a hamlet together or drive a wedge into its collective soul. One thing is for certain; kids who play under those weather conditions on an essentially gravel field can handle adversity.

I have come to realize in my teaching that perhaps the biggest motivator a child has is hope. If a young person has a reason to keep trying, a purpose for persevering, the odds of their realizing any level of success multiplies. Praise stimulates some while others thrive on any sense of belonging. The value of extracurriculars can't be overstated. The bond of pushing toward any sort of collective dream can be priceless with students who feel there is a reward for hanging on in a educational culture that can be daunting and bewildering. Drama productions, literary meets, or any variety of clubs, it really doesn't seem to matter as long as there is a legitimate involvement. Hope is a major theme in the writings of the apostle Paul, who used the term fifty-two times in his epistles. In Romans 5, he places it at the conclusion of a four part listing of ascending levels of spiritual maturity; suffering, perseverance, character, hope. He concludes the thought by stating that "hope does not disappoint us," due to God's love abiding in us through the Holy Spirit. In our academic-social-career-family lives, hope can make our existence bearable. In our spiritual lives, hope makes our Christian walk possible. Whether in a fictional band, a real-life high school football team, or a soul reaching out for heavenly assistance, hope is a runway for a flight into the possible.


Applicable quote of the day:
"If God wanted women to understand men, football would never have been created."
Roger Simon


God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1