The "JOY" Factor

                           Jesus                  1^st

                          Others               2^nd

                          Yourself             3^rd

 

Scott Drew, Baylor’s basketball coach, encourages a “JOY” lifestyle for his family, coaches, and players.  Not only is the concept taught, it is also modeled, on a daily basis, by Coach Drew. 

 

The current basketball players have chosen to make “JOY” a priority for this season.  That commitment is displayed in the unselfishness of the team.  If you watched a few basketball games the past few weeks, wanting the best for the team was displayed on both Baylor’s offense and defense.  The team win was more important than an individual’s points or record.  After a game, win or lose, it shows in the circle that is formed on the court, with players and coaches, and the prayers offered.  Jared Butler was recently named Associated Press first-team All-American, which he considers a team award.  Butler is known for his talent, abilities, work ethic, and intelligence, but being a team player is a priority.  He also makes a difference by teaching Sunday School to second and third graders.

 

The Baylor basketball players have Bible studies and also attend Chapel before every game.  Realizing the importance of keeping Jesus a priority, Coach Drew hired a full time staff chaplain, Scott Brewer, to invest in the young men.  There are other mentors who also give of their time and talents to train, encourage, and lead the athletes.

 

The COVID months have been difficult at times, causing many sacrifices to be made.  To help stay healthy, the players committed to not seeing family or friends, to stay in their room, or be in the gym, so they would be ready and at their best for the upcoming games and NCAA Tournament.  Taking care of business, team commitment, and support came before individual pleasures for a season.

 

Coach Drew acknowledged that past players helped to build the team that won the championship.  Many former athletes still send inspiring texts and messages to encourage the current team.  That’s why Coach Drew calls it a “we” thing.  KWTX reported that “Baylor’s men’s basketball coach Scott Drew sent all of his former players nets, t-shirts, and personalized letters to thank them for helping build the program to where it is now – a team that is about to play in the Final Four.”

 

On April 5, 2021, the Baylor men’s basketball team won its first National Championship by defeating undefeated Gonzaga 86-70.  For Baylor's coach, Scott Drew, this victory had been 18 years in the making.  For the Baylor fans, it’s been a lifetime of waiting and hoping.

 

What a difference "JOY" makes!  From this Texas Tech Red Raider, congratulations to the Baylor men’s basketball team, coaches and fans.  May “JOY” always be part of your journey; and may we choose it to be the priority of ours, as well.

 

 

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.

Matthew 6:33

 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4

He Lives!

 

Earth’s saddest day and 

gladdest day were just…

three days apart.

 

 

The real symbols for Easter are the CROSS and an EMPTY TOMB.

~ Steve Daniels

 

 

At the cross, man was at his worst, but God was at his best.

~ Steven Lawson

 

 

This Holy Week has reminded us, once again, of God’s great love for mankind.  He desires a relationship with us.  Since prophets and kings were not able to convince the people to obey and follow God, He sent the ultimate gift of His Son, Jesus, to redeem His people.  After three years of ministry, Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to a close.  He yielded Himself to His Father’s will, over His own, and became the sacrifice to pay for our sins.  After Jesus’ death on the cross, three days later He rose from the grave.  He is now seated at the right hand of God in Heaven.  Romans 10:9  assures us, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

 

“Because He Lives”

William J. Gaither and Gloria Gaither

 

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus

He came to love, heal and forgive

He lived and died to buy my pardon

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives.

 

Because Jesus rose from the grave and lives today, we have the promise of salvation for all who accept Him as Lord and Savior.  And that gift of love should make a difference in the way we choose to live.  Like Jesus, may we desire, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

 

 

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

     he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

     and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

     each of us has turned to our own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

     the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

 

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Luke 22:42

 

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:15, 21