You and I happen to share this planet and have been called on to minister for Christ in the most explosive time in the history of the world. Powerful tides are surging across much of our world today, creating a new, often bizarre environment in which to work, play, marry, raise children, or retire.
I believe in the land of beginning again. I believe that Humpty Dumpty can be put together again. I believe that because I believe in the God of the second chance. I believe that good can come out of evil, that victory can come out of defeat, that hope can come out of despair, that the light can come out of darkness. I believ...
Knute Rockne was one of the greatest football coaches ever. In his 13 years at Notre Dame, his teams won 105 games, lost 12, and tied 5. He never had a secret practice. In fact, he sometimes put up a sign for visitors that said, “Secret practice. Come and bring your notebooks.”
On one occasion when an Army scout missed a train connection and didn’t get to the Notre Dame game he was to cover, Rockne obligingly sent him the plays he planned to use against the West Point men. He explained his actions by saying, “It isn’t the play that wins; it’s the execution.”
All great coaches agree: champions are made by majoring on the fundamentals – blocking and tackling. They execute well. Teams seldom win by trick plays or gimmicks.
The same is true of life. Tricks and gimmicks will seldom get you to the top in any endeavor and can never keep you there. Major on the basics in all of life – work hard, honor God, be honest, kind and helpful to others, and go to church regularly.