It has been my privilege since 1984 to have been hosted innumerable times by Nelson Cook in my years in sport ministry, the most recent was in 2009 where I addressed coaches over breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
This is Nelson Cook's latest letter:
A story from James Stuart Bell:
Arabian horses are trained rigorously in the Middle Eastern deserts. The horses must learn to fully obey their master. This obedience is tested by depriving the horses of water for many days and then turning them loose near water. As the horses get to the edge of the water, and just before they drink of the much-needed water, the trainer blows his whistle.
If the horses have learned to obey they turn around and come back to the trainer who then gives them as much water as they need.
The trainer knows what his horses need and will not allow them to die of thirst, but they must trust him. God knows what His children need and wants to supply it, but we must trust and obey Him.
Sports Training
Who is my trainer?
Who is the trainer in my (your) life? If we don't have one, then we are self-made people and the end product isn't everything we should and could be.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12 verse 11 (NASB)
Training is a two-way street. Paul says to Timothy in II Timothy 2 verse 2 - The things which you have heard (been trained in) from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to FAITHFUL men who will be able to teach (train) others also.
What is God training you toward following Him in today? Do you have witnesses (faithful people) who you are sharing these truths with?
We need to be faithful in listening, learning, and obeying in our training, so that we have a heart message to share with others (team, family, etc) and lives are changed. After all, when people hear from us, they'd rather hear from a trained practitioner than an empty theorist.
Do this and you'll be moving Onward and Upward in your pursuit of our Lord. Along the way, have a drink of HIS living water and you'll be refreshed.
Water and leaves
The Garbage Truck
Have you heard of "THE LAW of the GARBAGE TRUCK?" Definition of garbage: Anything worthless, inferior, or vile.
One day a guy jumped in a taxi and took off to the airport. While the taxi driver was in the right lane, suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of him. The taxi driver slammed on his brakes and skidded; missing the car by inches.
The driver of the other car started yelling at the taxi driver. The taxi driver just smiled and waved in a very friendly way. The man being driven asked why the taxi driver was so friendly to a driver who almost hit them and could have done damage to them and the taxi. That's when he learned "The LAW of the GARBAGE TRUCK".
Many people are like garbage trucks. They are full of garbage brought on by anger, frustration, disappointment, unfulfilled expectations, etc. Their garbage piles up, but they have no place to dump it. So, sometimes they dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, pray for them, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to others at school, home, family, work, or wherever.
Garbage Truck
Don't let garbage trucks take over your day. Learn to cast all your cares (and garbage) on Him (Christ) Who cares for you. Learn to walk in the Spirit, constantly yielding the moment, the loss, and the anxiety to Him who has borne all your sin and weaknesses; so you are free to let your light shine. Have a garbage-free day!
As Nelson Cook says, Onward and Upward!
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html