Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Just Ask!

2/27/2025

“Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” John 16:24

We don't want to bother others or sound as if we are stupid or admit that we need help. The truth is, most people want to help, sounding stupid is better than being stupid, and we all need help. Get over yourself and ask!

Lord, help me.

I Know God's Will For Your Life!!

2/26/2025

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18

A job. An activity. A person. A location. A thing. None are God's will for our lives. God's will is that we have the type of relationship with Him where we are grateful for what we have (good or bad), that we feel close enough to Him to talk with him all of the time, and that we are thankful for what we have and even for what we may not have. And if that is the relationship we have with God, then we will TAKE GOD WITH US to any job, any activity, any relationship, any location and any thing.

Lord, thanks for making life easy and I am sorry for making it so hard.

Why We Complain?!

2/25/2025

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

Why do humans complain? I asked my computer and this was the result ...

We complain because it's a way to express dissatisfaction with a situation, often when we feel powerless to change it, and can serve as a means to vent frustration, seek validation, connect with others by sharing a shared negative experience, or sometimes even attempt to bring about a change by voicing a grievance; however, excessive complaining can be detrimental to our well-being and relationships.

It is interesting that the last reason is almost an after-thought "sometimes even attempt to bring about a change". So this leads to another question, why don't we ask God to help us when he won't simply attempt to bring about change but He actually has the ability to bring about change.

Lord, complaining has a purpose but expressing my pain and frustrations to You will actually bring about some positive results so help me to complain less to others and talk more to You.

A New Day!

2/24/2025

“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

A lot of new beginnings started about two months ago. Thankfully, we don't need to wait another 10 months to have a fresh start and to put the junk behind us.

Lord, thank You for fresh starts and that You give me all I need, WHENEVER I need it.

Lacking Something?!

2/21/2025

“for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak.” – Jeremiah 31:25

We all lack something. We feel unsatisfied or empty or that we are simply "missing" something. No one is beyond this feeling of a void that must be fulfilled in some way. Simple question ... what are you searching for to fill that void? A simple question but a life impacting question and the answer is important.

Lord, thank You that you satisfy my every thirst and feed all of my weaknesses.

Kid Stuff?!

2/20/2025

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” Ephesians 6:10

I don't know if this is still a thing, but when I was a kid, "boys being boys" would say to their buddy's (or any other boy they came across) ... "My dad can beat up your dad".

Lord, thank You that I am Your child and that You are stronger than anyone and anything that I may face and You always have my back.

Two Things At Once!

2/19/2025

"Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news.” Matthew 28:7-8

Emotions are a result of our current circumstances. We are happy when something good happens. We are sad when something bad happens. Fear, anxiety, doubt, apprehension, anger are all a result of what is going on at the moment. Joy is an attitude that we choose to have despite our current situation. We choose joy. We are able to have a "good attitude" when we allow ourselves to look beyond the current situation and to see the bigger picture. Choosing the right attitude requires maturity and patience and ... God's strength.

Lord, help me to understand that I am a 100% emotional being but also help me to understand that my emotions don't need to dictate my life because You have given me the opportunity to control my attitude.

TEAM Sport!

2/18/2025

“Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house.” Acts 2:46a.

Life is a TEAM sport. Good luck getting through it with any level of success without the help of others. The Christian Faith is a TEAM sport. Good luck getting through it with any level of success without the help of others.

Lord, help me to avoid the myth that my faith is "personal" and "individual" and meant to be figured out on my own and thank You that You have intended for our faith to be shared and lived with others.

Keeping Score!

2/17/2025

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John1:9

Unfortunately, humans are really good at keeping score. That is why forgiveness for humans is extremely difficult, if not impossible to do. That is why bitterness and jealousy (comparison) are the thieves of joy. Our superhuman ability to keep tally of everyone else, and even ourselves, surpasses our ability to move beyond the scoreboard. Thankfully, God doesn't keep score when we own up for our failures.

Lord, help me to be as forgiving of others AND MYSELF as You are of me.

Buckle Up!!

2/14/2025

“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23

It is easier to protect ourselves from the tangibles. Put on a helmet when riding a bike. Wear a jacket when it is cold and raining outside. Put on sunscreen after experiencing a bad burn. Put your hands up if someone is going to punch you in the face. What about the intangibles? Unfortunately, words and actions from others often cause the most harm. Even worse, the voice in our own head can do even more damage. A good habit is to not only buckle up when we get in a car, but buckle up our heart when we get up in the morning.

Lord, I am not good at guarding my heart so I need You to intervene to remind me or pick up the pieces after the damage is done.