Tony Dungy, the head football coach of the Indianapolis Colts who won the last Super Bowl, recently wrote a book entitled QUIET STRENGTH. In this book Coach Dungy not only shares his experiences in football, but he shares his faith in Jesus Christ that has anchored him in times of great struggle, including the loss of his oldest son. As a coach, it was interesting to read of Coach Dungy’s commitment to certain key principles in his work. He felt if he and his staff could be unified in focusing on the most important things, everything else would work out. At the end of a championship season, Coach Dungy gave all glory to God.
Another coach of a different generation had a similar philosophy. Many would say John Wooden is the greatest coach in college basketball history. Wooden is renowned for his ‘pyramid of success’ which simply emphasized that matters of character are most important. “I used to tell my players to be more concerned with their character than their reputation, because character is what you really are while reputation is merely what others think you are.”
At the beginning of a school year, I always find myself determining my focus. What is my goal? What is more important than anything else? Where must I fix my eyes? Of course, such questions always lead to a simple but profound answer: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Tony Dungy wrote that if a coach is not fully committed to his principles, he will be knocked to and fro in professional sports. If you lose more games than you win or if you don’t make it to the playoffs or if you don’t measure up to the standards of others, the pressure to change will come from the press, the fans, and even your friends.
If Jesus had listened to his friend Peter, he wouldn’t have gone to Calvary. But Jesus kept his eyes on his Father. He knew his Father was with him and Jesus’ goal was to please him. “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” With this focus, Jesus knew how to handle the fickle opinions of men. “I do not accept praise from men…”
Is this not the way Jesus calls us to live? Knowing that faith is what pleases the Father, Jesus asked: “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” If we think we can’t live such a focused life, Jesus reminds his disciples that he is with us. Even better – He is in us! “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” “Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
Thanks for continued prayer. We had a great summer of camp and I got to help with weddings in Hawaii, Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans. Every wedding I attend makes me think of the great future day when the joyous Father will present a beautiful Bride to his beloved Son. I’ve been enduring the same type of chemo for over a year now. Last week, Susan and I met with a specialist at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles that helped us in 2001. He was quite amazed I’ve been able to tolerate this chemo for so long. Most patients develop side effects that prevent continuation. He gave us some suggestions for the future and encouraged us to stay the course. While in LA, we got to see our friend Sherill Baker play a couple of games for the LA Sparks. Sherill was traded from New York to LA this summer. I think she likes the West Coast better than the East. Susan took Kinsey to Harding this week and Taylor started classes in Athens. With two in college, Karlyn will have to suffer as an only child in the house 
. We thank God for so many blessings.
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you…”
Dana