Coach John Cokos

Coaching both Baseball and Football in the Washington FCA System, Coach John conducts regular Bible studies with his players and attends quite a few with fellow coaches. What you'll find here are posts that summarize those studies and devotionals as well as other random musing on coaching as a Christian, and coaching Christian athletes ... in a sometimes not-so-Christian world.

[coachcokos]

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13

It's not easy being a Christian.  Especially a Christian athlete.  People love to tear you down. In fact, some make it their mission to find and make known your imperfections and flaws.  There are those out there that are rooting for your failure and that can't wait to point them out. Especially when you're failure goes against that crazy bible that you cling to!

In many places, the bible tells us to love, bless and pray for our enemies.

Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"

Romans 12:20 tells us "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head."

Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

None of that sounds like a whole bunch of fun ... especially when some jerk from the other team rubs your nose in the mud and starts venting a bunch of slurs and foul language at you.  There's not a single thing about having your manhood questioned by someone that makes you think to yourself ... "Hmmm ... let me pray for this guy"

Well ... except maybe that whole "Heaping Fiery Coals" thing from Romans! 

There's a dual reference here.  The obvious meaning is drawn from the ancient ritual of melting metal, where they would cover Ore with burning coals to melt it down.  In much the same way, we can see the "heat" of our "blessings" melting someones heart. Couple that with the notion that a mans shame is burned with guilt after being shown kindness in return for evil.

The Bible gives us even more tools to use when presented with persecution.  In all cases, you'll note a common theme of calmness and order.  If you react to evil, you'll generally say something you'll regret or certainly say the wrong thing ... which is exactly what the enemy wants from you and is begging for you to show.  Rather, look to respond with clarity.

Undeserved Suffering

13 And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 

1 Peter 3:13-17

Lets go back to Luke 6:

29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don't hold back your shirt either. 30 Give to everyone who asks from you, and from one who takes away your things, don't ask for them back. 31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

I love how he's not pulling any punches at all here. One great question that we should be constantly asking ourselves is this:

Who are you comparing yourself to?

As Jesus so eloquently point out here ... it's easy to do what the sinner will do. Big deal. Do what The Father does.  Don't compare yourself to garbage.  If you do, then that's all you are -- just a little bit better than garbage.  Shoot for Him. Compare yourself to Him.  Those WWJD bumper stickers?  That's what they really mean!

So, how do you do this in the context of a baseball or football (or any other) game?  I don't think you're supposed to respond to someone calling you a wuss or a wimp or some other slur with a big smile, a hug and a prayer. The opposite is also not true. Coming back with an "F" you isn't the answer either.

Why not a simple "Good One"?  Why not help them up the next time you drop them, posterize them, or strike them out?  Why not a high-five when they do the same to you the next time?

Sometimes the best way to react is simply not to. Remember, the person thats persecuting you may not (and probably does not) know Jesus.  It's your responsibility as a Christian to at the very least SHOW THEM JESUS.  Maybe they won't "get it" the first time or even the 50th time ... but you can bet that by bringing Jesus to every game and showing him off like that can only have a positive result.

And if not ... there's always that whole fiery coals thing.

[coachcokos]

Righteous Anger

16 Then Samson said, "With a donkey's jawbone I have made donkeys of them. With a donkey's jawbone I have killed a thousand men."

Judges 15:16

Oh no, he didn't ... Uhhh, yeah.  He did.  Leading up to this passage, Samson has been through some "unfortunate" things.  He's betrayed by his wife to his 30 companions. As repayment of the debt of 30 suits of clothes, he slays 30 and returns the bloody heap as their reward.  Nice. His wife is then given to his friend.  

This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them

Judges 15:3

He then lights 300 foxes on fire and burns up the Philistines' grain, vineyards, and olive groves.  As repayment, the Philistines burn his wife and her father alive and seek him out.  Finally, in an effort save their own hide, the men of Judah tie Samson up and give him up to the Philistines so that they can kill him.

God intervenes, unties his bindings and the rest, as they say, is history.  Samson finds that blessed jawbone and slays 1,000 men with it.  Making donkeys of them with a donkey bone. That's delicious stuff right there.

Righteous Anger.  Samson's story is only just beginning here ... but you can see God's hand at work already.  He's been brought to this earth blessed, as a deliverer.  And as such, he is tested at every step.  Lied to. Beaten. Wife taken.  Wife burned.  Forced into situations where he must show his (God's) strength and finally given up as a selfish sacrifice by the very people he's trying to save! Does any of this sound familiar?  

Note that Samson is not acting selfishly or purely for revenge.  God is using him as a witness.  God is very clearly giving him the strength, tools, and the opportunity to do his will.  We see here at the end of this story that Israel not only refuses to cry to God, they do not even wish to be delivered.  Samson shows both remarkable restraint and remarkable strength.  He is being used here by God as a tool.  As a way to deliver Israel and as a way to bear witness to the Philistines.

Some food for thought ... how is God using you?  Are you witnessing and delivering when given the chance?  

When you are angry, are you being selfish?  Or Righteous?  Selfish anger is just that -- anger that serves no purpose other than to server yourself.  This is a sin.  Righteous anger is blessed and serves a purpose.

There are so many opportunities for us use the strength that God has given us to move mountains, change hearts and minds, and bear witness to (and through) His strength.

Can you recognize those situations?  How will you react to them?

[coachcokos]

Teammates & Brothers

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24 NIV

Or, as another translation (NLT) puts it ...

"There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother."

That's a pretty powerful bit of wisdom there.  Especially when you put into context what it means to be a friend and a brother.  Brothers are bonded by blood. There's a love built into that relationship that is as strong as steel. As much as we'd like them to, brothers may not like each other or even respect each other, but they are bonded as only family can be.  And that's a bond that can never be broken.  You can't choose your brother, God has done that for you.  

When we look at friends, you see the opposite to be true.  You can choose your friends ... and be chosen by them.  This makes the bond elective rather than  built into your DNA.  This bond is no less special and is perhaps more meaningful than that between brothers.  The caveat is that it can be much more easily broken as it does not have those deep roots that only family can share.

That said ... the Bible makes room for friends to become like brothers.  Here, it makes a very clear distinction between acquaintances and true friends.  Between friends and brothers.  Are you a brother to your teammates?  Or do you just share the field with them?  When someone wrongs your family, you take that personally.  Do you have that same sense about your teammates?

Looking into Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we can see the beginnings of a blueprint for how this looks in the eyes of God:

"25 … Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don't give the Devil an opportunity. 28 The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ."

Ephesians 4:25:32

As players on a team, especially a faith based team such as with the FCA, you are as Paul says "members of one another."  You represent the same God, the same set of values and are playing for the same goal.  You are more than just teammates, but are spiritually bonded in you mission.  This isn't something to be taken lightly.  The Devil will take every opportunity to split you up, pit you against each other, and work on every nerve.

Is your team a collection of players?  Of pretty good friends?  Or are you truly brothers that will battle with and for one another and truly have each others' back, even when (or especially when) they're not around.

Remember

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?

12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

I can guarantee you ... a team that is truly built on brotherhood is going to be a force. 

[coachcokos]

Wasting your God-given talent is a sin!

Jumping outside the world of sports for a moment ... everyone has some sort of talent. And its the rare individual that lives up their full potential. Many of us make the mistake of not recognizing our talent ... choosing to focus our energies on building skill and improving in areas that we don't necessarily have an affinity for.  Passion yes ... skills ... not always.  Ever feel like beating your head against the wall? Like you're trying to fit a square peg in a round hole? 

Chances are, you are. Look at what God built you for, what you rock at, and pour your soul into it. Speaking personally, I've tried to succeed in so many areas with varying levels of success and many failures. My wife on the other hand has always known where her strengths lie and she's pursued them with passion.  Can you guess which of us has had a more fulfilling, less stressful career?

It's taken some shots to the head, but I've realized that God has built me for a few specific things and that by not embracing them, by not pursuing, and by not living them them I'm living in sin. Plain and simple.

To The Word we go ...

The Parable of the Talents

14 "For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one-to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more.

18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.

19 "After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.'

21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'

22 "Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I've earned two more talents.'

23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'

24 "Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, 'Master, I know you. You're a difficult man, reaping where you haven't sown and gathering where you haven't scattered seed.

25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.'

26 "But his master replied to him, 'You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven't sown and gather where I haven't scattered, 27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.

28 "'So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  

30 And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matthew 25 14:30

If you had one word to describe the slave that buried his Talents and didn't make them work for his master what would it be?  In my opinion, that word is "Coward."

It's easy not to do the right thing.  It's easy to do not take a risk.  It's easy to stand pat and do nothing.  Sure you won't lose, but you've also not lived up to your potential. In fact, by doing nothing, our scared little slave here didn't even consider his potential.  His master knew what was possible (just as God knows what is possible with you) and he gave the slave the tools (Talent) to achieve as high a goal as he could.  Rather than work to unleash his potential, to please his master, and to simply do himself proud, the slave squandered his opportunity.

His reward for his lack of effort?  The talent he was given was stripped from him and given to the slave that exceeded his potential, and he himself was cast into darkness where there will be "gnashing of teeth."  In other words, he's going to have to live with his cowardly self and wonder what could have been.

Squandered talent? A sin in the eyes of the Lord. Plain and simple.

Your teammates, coaches, parents, colleagues, friends and even your enemies are counting on you to live to your full potential.  God expects it.  Embrace it, nurture it, and live up to it!

[coachcokos]

Play in a way that will glorify God

27 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith [that comes from] the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance-and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him

Philipians 1:27 HCSB

We tell our players every game to "Play in a way that will glorify God."  In fact, we pray for it before each game ... and then after each game, we pray that we actually did it. It. What is the "it" that we're talking about?  How do you glorify God in a baseball (or football or basketball or any) game?

Put that question to your team and your players will give you rather predictable, although not incorrect, responses:

"Let the other team's players know when they did a good job"

"Help people up"

"Don't talk smack"

"Hustle"

"Do your best"

"Don't show your anger or frustrations"

"Don't chew out the umps, Coach John"

These responses are typical "surface level" thinking ... which is probably as deep as most players get.  At the surface, they're certainly correct and are obvious "checklist" things that we as Christian athletes should always be doing during competition.  But if you read deeper into Paul's words, you'll discover what it really means to "Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"

Paul says in verse 27, "whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you..."  Have you ever heard the quote that goes something like "Character is what you do when nobody is watching".  Isn't it interesting that 2,000 years ago, Paul had already figured that out.  Although he's speaking in specifics here, because he certainly will hear about how the Philipians are conducting themselves, his message is far deeper.  God knows how you're conducting yourself.  Not just on Sunday morning or as you pray yourself to sleep, but all the time.

The next tidbit from Paul is intended to get us fired up about sharing the Word.  Paul wants us to be "standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side..."  Can you immediately see how this piece of Scripture correlates directly to Sport?  This is one of many Scriptures that perfectly describes a team as a cohesive unit.

In verse 28, Paul says further that we should not be "frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance-and this is from God"  The obvious application to sport here is that when you are fully in tune with the message and the game plan, God will have your back. Sometimes, you just need to get out of the way and let God work through you, which you can only do when you are fully confident in Him.  I think that this verse gets deeper and is much more amplified by the close ...

"For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him."  Nobody ever said that being a Christian was going to be easy.  Especially a Christian athlete where you're under the microscope all of the time (just ask Tim Tebow).  In fact, it's going to be difficult. Enemies of the faith and your opponents will be looking for and in many cases rooting for you to fail. The enemy looks for every chink in the armor and seeks to expose it. This verse should fill you with the confidence of knowing that when your team is of one mind and singularly focused as a group, that God will absolutely have your back, if you let him.

To circle back to what it means to play in a way that'll glorify God ... the kids have it right. But lets not do those things as checkbox items. Lets pick each other up out there and behave in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ because it's in our hearts and consuming us.

I tell my players to use a simplistic and probably juvenile visual. When I'm out there on the ball field, I want God and everyone else up in heaving giving high-fives and fist-bumps whenever we do something RIGHT.  I want their dinner conversation to be "Hey ... did you see how Coach John put his arm around that kid from the other team after he struck out to tell him it'd be alright?  Yeah ... how about when that kid needed a single to tie the game and almost beat out that grounder?  I loved it when he high-fived the first baseman on that great pick on his way back.  Yeah! That's what I'm talkin about ... "

You want to Glorify God? Get him to jump up off his chair and give someone a chest bump.