Tuesday, June 30, 2015
GR guys getting a training summer session in
Here is this week's post from junior Nick Hopkins
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. "(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
This is what separates us from all the other teams in the WHAC. This is why I love this team and something I would love for this team to excel in. We aren't a team that isn't only training for trophies, we aren't training for the earthly things that will not last but we are training for the eternal glory of God. Run the race. Run the race that God has set out for us and run in a way to win. We can't train while cutting corners and going at everything only with half of our heart into it. Everyone else in the WHAC is training, the same way we are. We all train hard to win...but how are we going to be different? I want to encourage all of you to train with all of heart this last month before getting into the season. We are called to do everything whole heartily to glorify God in everything we do. As Colossians 3:23 puts it "in everything you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord." This goes beyond soccer as well. It involves the classroom, off the field activities, and relationships. In everything you do..go all in for Christ.
As this season gets closer to a month away don't train your body in a way that is soft and passive or like a runner running aimlessly but train hard. Step out of your comfort zone and be willing to push yourself more than you have this summer. Strike blows to your body so that when the time comes you are ready to face the race, and face the challenges. Most importantly remember we are training to win and training to get better everyday but we are training for the best prize of all which is Jesus Christ. Don't just run the race. Run the race to win!
- Scarves will be in on July 8th. I will have Advancement start mailing them out to donors and if you want to personally hand deliver scarves to your donors, I will be back in office on the 10th. We are still way off on our numbers for our goal. Please get on this asap.
- SWOL issues. I am sending all of the freshman/transfers an email with instructions from CU Admissions that should help with your ID and email questions.
- Freshman: Some of you have got to follow up on your PLAYNAIA application. You will not be allowed to participate until you are declared eligible by the NAIA.
- Tuesday night training for SCOR. I need as many guys as possible to help run SCOR kids on July 14th, 21st and 28th from 6-8pm. We are expecting big numbers and need as much help as I can get. SCOR will be making a donation for trip.
Thanks to my amazing wife, I got to go see U2 again in concert at United Center in Chicago. I know most of you probably are not big fans but this is a band that I have followed since I was in college (1981). Here is an article by Michael Lee Stollard titled "It's All About Teamwork"
"The rock band U2 has had a phenomenal run since it came together in 1976. It has won a remarkable 22 Grammy awards, more than any band in history. Critics rave over U2's music and fans worldwide can't seem to get enough of its songs and concert appearances. All the signs indicate that U2 is at the top of its game and will be going strong for the foreseeable future. Why has U2 been together for more than 30 years when most other bands eventually fall apart? Understanding why U2 has thrived for so long provides insight into the factors that make groups of all types and sizes thrive, including teams and organizations from committees to Fortune 500 companies.
U2 is comprised of four band members: lead singer Bono, lead guitar player "Edge," bass guitar player Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. The band members have known each other since they were teenagers in Dublin, Ireland.Bono has said that the way the band functions is even more extraordinary than the band's music. He has described the band as more of an organism than an organization. Several aspects of the band's culture standout: a shared mission and set of values a participatory, consensus-oriented decision-making style and a caring community.
SHARED MISSION AND VALUES
To begin with, the members of U2 share a vision of their mission and values. While you might expect a band's mission to be to achieve commercial success measured by Number 1 hits and concert attendance, U2's mission is to improve the world through its music and influence. Bono calls it "the spark." He feels it sets U2 apart from many other bands. U2's songs address themes the band members believe are important to promote, such as human rights and social justice. Bono has described himself as a traveling salesman of ideas within songs.
The band values excellence in the music it produces and in its concert performances. Bono has described this value as a desire to achieve the band's potential. He distinguishes it from envy, which is an unhealthy state of mind that exists when people want what others have in a competitive sense. U2's members value continuous improvement to achieve their own potential, never feeling satisfied that they can't become even better.
PARTICIPATIVE, CONSENSUS ORIENTED, DECISION-MAKING STYLE
U2 is further unified by its participative, consensus-oriented decision-making style. The members of U2 argue relentlessly over their music, which reflects their passion for excellence. Bono has stated that this approach is frustrating at times but that U2 feels it is necessary to achieve excellence.
The key here is that the band's members appreciate each other's strengths. Bono has said that although he hears melodies in his head, he is unable to transfer them into written music. Because he considers himself a "lousy guitar player and an even lousier piano player", he relies on his fellow band members and recognizes that they are integral to his success. To Bono, U2 is "the best example of how to rely on others".
A CARING COMMUNITY
Like all human beings, the members of U2 have experienced difficult periods in their lives. These experiences have shaped them in important ways. Bono's mother died when he was 14 years old. Bono describes the period following her death as one in which he felt alone and abandoned. Although he longed for the emotional support of a family, his grief-stricken father was unable to comfort his son. To some extent, Bono's desire for family was met through his friends and getting to know their families.
Having experienced what it was like to suffer alone and how the support of a family could help an individual make it through difficult periods, when Larry Mullen's mother died when he was 16 years old, Bono reached out to console him. Thus began a close, supportive friendship. When Edge went through a difficult divorce, the band members were there to support him. When Adam Clayton became addicted to alcohol and drugs, the band members reached out to help him recover. Bono has stated that when one of the band members is in need, the band rallies around to support him and they put that need above the performance of the band. It's no wonder that one of U2's most popular songs is entitled, Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own."
Have a great week.
Coach Bell
