Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Scared?!

4/28/2025

“The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” -- Deuteronomy 31:8

If you are scared, get a dog. Or, better yet, get Jesus.

Lord, thank You for always being with me and even going before me so that You know what to expect when I get there.

Proof!

4/24/2025

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13

If you ever questioned whether there is a God or not ... AND ... if you ever wondered if He has a sense of humor, I can confirm that He exists and He does.

Lord, thank You for the ways that You prove Your existence, both in humorous and sometimes not so funny ways.

Opportunities missed!

4/23/2025

"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

It is important to be intentional and proactive and deliberate. Laziness is not a redeemable trait. However, we also must leave space in our day to be aware of opportunities that aren't planned out. We often miss the biggest blessings when our head is down, not in prayer, but in rushing through life in order to reach our destination. Enjoy the process and allow yourself the gift of unexpected opportunities that come up many times throughout the day. Running into a friend or someone you haven't seen in a while. Helping someone and being thanked which may take your focus off of yourself and turn around a bad day. Hearing God speak to you in a long line at the store.

Lord, help me to be organized and help me to allow flexibility in my organization.

Trust Like An Eagle ...

4/22/2025

"but those who trust in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

I learned this verse the night before my first ever track and field race. This verse got me through ever race I ever ran in my life. This verse got me through every challenge I have ever faced in my life.

Lord, help me to TRUST in You so that I soar on wings like Eagles and so I don't run around like a chicken.

Run Away!

4/21/2025

“But you… flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:11

I was sitting in my apartment in college with my roommates in the early 90's watching the popular TV show "COPS". As we watched, the specific episode took place around my childhood home. As we continued to watch, a guy was arrested and when the officer asked him, "Carlos, why did you do that?". The guy answered, "I am not Carlos, I am Renee. Carlos is already in jail!". Carlos and Renee were my two best friends from Kindergarten to 4th grade. I slept over at their house more times than I can remember. Thankfully, when Carlos and Renee and I started making bad choices, I realized those choices weren't going to end well. Unfortunately, Carlos and Renee did not.

Lord, only by the Grace of God and thank You for that grace and for the option to flee.

Great Friday!

4/18/2025

He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:6

Good Friday is a great example that horrible stuff often must happen for amazing stuff to also happen. We tend to look at hard and bad things as being completely bad, with no redeeming quality. However, if Good Friday never happened, then Easter Sunday would have never happened.

Lord, thank You for doing what is unimaginable on Friday so that the unimaginable could happen on Sunday.

Find A Way!

4/14/2025

“He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man.” Luke 19:3

Zaccheaus was vertically challenged but he didn't let it stop him. He climbed a tree because he really wanted to see Jesus. This brings TWO important questions to mind ... What types of things do we allow to limit what we can accomplish? What are the things we are willing to do to "see" Jesus?

Lord, I am sorry for not climbing enough trees and for making excuses instead of finding solutions!

Purpose Full!

4/11/2025

“everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.” Isaiah 43:7

If you are finding it hard to find your "purpose", then maybe you are looking in the wrong place. God has created you and made you, not for a single job or career or task, but for His purpose and that purpose is to Love Him and Love others.

Lord, help me to keep the main thing the main thing and not complicate what You have made pretty simple and clear.

Yoda Was Right!

4/10/2025

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

Be a DOER! Don't be a DON'TER!

Lord, help me to do more than I think and think before I do.

Bonus Video - https://www.google.com/search?q=yoda+there+is+no+try&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS852US852&oq=yoda+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYjwIyCggBEAAYsQMYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyCggDEAAYsQMYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEC4YgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYjwLSAQoxMzM3NWowajE1qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:bb53779d,vid:8rkdYSRoqRM,st:0

Eggs Are Too Expensive anyway!

4/9/2025

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Easter is coming soon. Praise God for that!

Lord, as we continue to be busy, help us to not be too busy to celebrate and be thankful for the reason for the season.