Dear Panthers.....
I've been thinking all weekend about what I'd to say to each of you....if I had the opportunity. Could I find something profound? Or encouraging? Or motivating? Would you listen? Would you care? You all are 16-18 year old boys. I'm just a mom. Uncool. Sappy. Pretty much irrelevant in the whole scheme of things. I know. And I understand. I get it. And I'm not offended in the least. :) I know one day you will be grown and look back on this experience.....and feel what I'm feeling for you today.
Proud. Incredibly Proud.
I know you have had a wonderful team of leaders guiding you this season. So this is just a pipe-dream of sorts...Getting to say these words to you. I DO get the opportunity to talk to one of you.... Poor Sam. :) He listens in exchange for gas money. haha. Anyway, all weekend I've had this team on my mind. During a few lazy moments, we watched an old DVR'd movie that is by far a family favorite. I'm sure each of you have seen it. IF you haven't? Watch it. Like now. Today. Hands down, no second thoughts, this movie should have won an Academy Award. It is probably the best movie I have ever seen and the story behind its production is incredible. We have watched it again….. and again...and again.
During several scenes, I would have given my right arm for each of you to be sitting beside me to hear. So.....I recorded and searched for some of my favorites scenes to share here.
Facing the Giants. In essence, its lesson is that "With God, all things are possible." This is the story about a Christian high school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure. In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe in God for the impossible on and off the field. Facing the Giants is a powerful experience for the whole family inspiring viewers to live with faith, hope, and love.
There is no way to describe the power in these scenes....and the truth behind them. So here is my PANTHER Spin on it....:) (Note: You may have to click on the link below each scene. Sometimes the videos cause me "technical difficulties" :) )
P - Prepare your fields. Prepare for "rain."
Mr. Bridges feels led by the Lord to tell Coach Taylor that God wants him to stay put in his position and prepare his fields for rain. To "bloom where you are planted." Wow, you all have definitely started to do that. When it was easy for so many to quit. To walk away. You didn't. You stuck it out. Never gave up. You have bloomed. Sometimes....in life...there comes a time when our fear and our faith collide. Like Friday night.....Your coaches have prepared you. You know what to do....."Prepare for Rain." Boys....Prepare for Rain.
A - Accept the Challenge. What is the purpose of this team??
Most important thing God wants is for you to love Him will all your might and your neighbor as yourself. Not just on the football field. But everywhere. "I want God to bless this team so much that people talk about what He did...."
Hmmmmm.....What do ya think, Panthers? Will you join me?
N - New Focus
This team has shown that when you began playing for something bigger than yourselves....As a team....For your School....For your Community....For each other....For HIM....Look how far you can go? Think back over the season. Stone's "millionth" interception in the end zone for a 100 yard TD to save the game. Brandon's blocked punt and Ben's TD. Cason to the Drews. Cason to Casey. Cason to Sam. Chase...Julius (our bulldozers in the backfield!), Grant's Field goal heard AROUND the world...and who can forget the heart and passion of the PDC... all. year. long. These are just to name a few. All the way back to the Salt Bowl. God's favor has been on your hard work. Your determination. Your heart. Miracle after miracle...Right before our very eyes.
When you focus on God, and His plan for you...you will NOT fail. Don't worry about your opponent. Worry about you.
T - The Death Crawl
"Your attitude is like the aroma of your heart." I love this. You must lead by example. Give your best effort and leave the results up to God. Coach Taylor challenges one of the team’s leaders, Brock, to give his very best at the Death Crawl to inspire his team. Are you a leader? Moreso...are you an EFFECTIVE leader? Do you LEAD by example?
Are your words and actions pleasing to Him? From your thoughts......from your mouth....on social media.....your tweets....your "yik yaks"....all of it. Are they honorable? Someone is always watching you. Are you honoring Him??
Can you protect your brother? Can you carry him 100 yards...ON YOUR BACK....if you have to?
Yes. I believe you can. I believe in you.
H - Honor your Authority
Important enough to be one of 10 Commandments. Honor your Parents. Honor your Coaches. Respecting Authority is a show of Godly discipline. We may not always agree or enjoy the leadership of others. But we are to respect it. This applies to all of life.
http://youtu.be/nFRI77Ro7Wc
In 1 Samuel 17:8-11, Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
Are your words and actions pleasing to Him? From your thoughts......from your mouth....on social media.....your tweets....your "yik yaks"....all of it. Are they honorable? Someone is always watching you. Are you honoring Him??
Can you protect your brother? Can you carry him 100 yards...ON YOUR BACK....if you have to?
Yes. I believe you can. I believe in you.
H - Honor your Authority
Important enough to be one of 10 Commandments. Honor your Parents. Honor your Coaches. Respecting Authority is a show of Godly discipline. We may not always agree or enjoy the leadership of others. But we are to respect it. This applies to all of life.
E - Execute your "STONE WALL"....
http://youtu.be/nFRI77Ro7Wc
There are no better words, than this Nehemiah story. To, YOU....PDC. Build your Stone Wall. I have no doubt. It. Will. Stand.
R - Results up to HIM!
Again, the most important lesson in this...and all of life....is that if you give your absolute best and leave the results up to HIM....You will not fail. The words "Do not fear" are used 365 times in the Bible. If you think about it....that is for every day of the year. Matthew 14:26 tells us that With God...ALL things are possible.
Remember: "You won the BIG ONE...when you accepted Christ..."
Never forget tonight....how God has blessed this team thus far. Do not fear.
S - Savor These Moments.
Use this as a milestone for the rest of your lives...With God, ALL things are possible. Record these moments in your mind. Never forget the feelings you have and the lessons you have learned. KNOW your blessings as you take them with you.
God created us to be overcomers, and the greatest enemy we often have is ourselves. Through God, all things are possible for those who believe in Him. We all have giants in our life, but the positive message of the Bible tells us that we can overcome the giants in our life and it begins when we determine that the purpose of our life is to glorify God.
Think about the giants in your life. Either you have faced a giant or are facing a giant or will face a giant, or a combination of all of the above. When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants…he stumbled. Let me say that again:
"When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants…he stumbled."
Goliaths still roam in our world. debt. disaster. dialysis. divorce. deceit. disease. depression. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. And while these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what to do! We’ve learned what David learned, and we do what David did. We become God focused. We pick up five stones. We make five decisions. And we take a swing.
Panthers, I am so proud of you. Just like in the movie....Nobody thought we would be here now....one game away from the Championship. Believe it or not...there are STILL doubters out there...."Giants" in your eyes. There is a field full of "Wildcats"....coming after you on Friday. And just like earlier in the season...when we played them...and the Zebras....And the Wolves....arguably bigger and faster teams, we showed that "heart" is the miracle that brought us this far.
Also remember, dear ones, that you have also gained the support of so many. All eyes are on you. Make it count.
My Advice to you:
P - Prepare your fields. Prepare for Rain!
A - Accept YOUR purpose for this team.
N - New Focus this week. Focus on HIM....not them.
T - The Death Crawl....Lead...Carry...Love.
H - Honor your Authority.
E - Execute your "Stone Wall." It will Stand.
R - Results. Do your best. Leave the Results up to God.
S - Savor every moment, boys. Every moment.
Here's YOUR story. Never Forget! Remember me....for centuries!!!
http://youtu.be/9dLDrmoNGhI
Now...Let's go pick a fight with some Wildcats, boys! :)
Go Panthers!
1 Team....1 Heartbeat.
Family.
May God's richest blessings fall on each and every one of you.
In Him,
Ms. Terri
Think about the giants in your life. Either you have faced a giant or are facing a giant or will face a giant, or a combination of all of the above. When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants…he stumbled. Let me say that again:
"When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants…he stumbled."
Goliaths still roam in our world. debt. disaster. dialysis. divorce. deceit. disease. depression. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. And while these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what to do! We’ve learned what David learned, and we do what David did. We become God focused. We pick up five stones. We make five decisions. And we take a swing.
Panthers, I am so proud of you. Just like in the movie....Nobody thought we would be here now....one game away from the Championship. Believe it or not...there are STILL doubters out there...."Giants" in your eyes. There is a field full of "Wildcats"....coming after you on Friday. And just like earlier in the season...when we played them...and the Zebras....And the Wolves....arguably bigger and faster teams, we showed that "heart" is the miracle that brought us this far.
Also remember, dear ones, that you have also gained the support of so many. All eyes are on you. Make it count.
My Advice to you:
P - Prepare your fields. Prepare for Rain!
A - Accept YOUR purpose for this team.
N - New Focus this week. Focus on HIM....not them.
T - The Death Crawl....Lead...Carry...Love.
H - Honor your Authority.
E - Execute your "Stone Wall." It will Stand.
R - Results. Do your best. Leave the Results up to God.
S - Savor every moment, boys. Every moment.
Here's YOUR story. Never Forget! Remember me....for centuries!!!
http://youtu.be/9dLDrmoNGhI
Now...Let's go pick a fight with some Wildcats, boys! :)
Go Panthers!
1 Team....1 Heartbeat.
Family.
May God's richest blessings fall on each and every one of you.
In Him,
Ms. Terri
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