Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Un-Forgiven!

5/29/2026

“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

Forgiveness is hard. Nearly impossible. It is much harder and it is impossible without compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Lord, help me to forgive and when I don't think I can forgive, help me to instead be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient ... and then there is a chance I may end up being in a place to forgive.

Consider This!!

5/27/2026

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Have I considered anyone other than myself yet today? It is never too late.

God, help me to be less selfish and more aware of others and what they may be going through.

Unconditional

5/25/2026

“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

We all know that our emotions are directly linked to our circumstances. When stuff is going bad, we feel bad/sad. When things are going good, we feel good/happy. Unfortunately, we don't realize until much later in life, often times so late that we have created a ton of baggage, is that there is a simple life hack. Instead of letting our circumstances dictate our emotions (ie - situational or conditional response), we should live unconditionally and realize that joy is a decision/choice and when we choose to give God the glory, not only when life is going well but more importantly when life isn't, because it could always be worse and we probably have more than we deserve, then that unconditional decision will correct our condition/circumstances.

Lord, help me to choose to see what I have and that main thing that I have is YOU.

Hangry!

5/18/2026

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Read "sober-minded" as "not Hangry" or "not tired/frustrated/overwhelmed/etc". We can't avoid everything but we can avoid being vulnerable a lot of the time. And when we can't avoid, we need to be even more aware of our vulnerability.

Lord, help me to make good decisions so I am not compromised but also help me to be aware of when I am not on my A-game.

Everything Will Work out!

5/15/2026

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” Genesis 50:20

Worst advice that you can ever give to someone who is going through anything painful. Second worst and similar is "It will be ok". However, they are both true for those who trust that God is in control. Decades of life experience have demonstrated that everything does indeed work out and everything does end up ok in the end.

Lord, Thank You for Your promises and more importantly, for keeping Your promises.

Abnormal!

5/14/2026

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking, ‘Who will I send? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8

I don't know anyone who wants to be characterized as "abnormal". Tell someone they are "abnormal" and they will most likely take offense. Similarly, everyone wants to be characterized as "above average". You've seen the statistics, 60-70% of people view themselves a "above average". Well, that isn't mathematically possible. Face the facts, most people are normal (hence the word). To be above average or even exceptional, we must choose to do what no one else or at least, very few will do. When was the last time we volunteered for something that no one else would do without a measurable amount of compensation or reward?

Lord, help me to be abnormal.

Opportunity!

5/13/2026

“...Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14

God's timing is better than our timing. God's plan is better than our plans. Unfortunately, we always think the time is now and we always feel that we know better than anyone else.

Lord, help me spend more time SEEING the divine opportunities in front of me instead of wasting time trying to create opportunities that aren't nearly as good.

Lions ... and Bears ... Oh My!!

5/12/2026

“Then David said, ‘The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’” 1 Samuel 17:37

It may feel like our trials and issues are going to scratch our eyes out and eat us alive ... but most of them won't.

Lord, help me to put my challenges in perspective but also trust that You will rescue me from them no matter how big or how small they are.

To Do List!!

5/11/2026

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” Galatians 5:22-23

We often look at lists as being responsibilities or stuff we need "to do". In this case, this list is more like a list of options for us when we encounter life. These are possible responses or even reactions to the circumstances that we find ourselves in. We can either react with bitterness or love. We can either respond with sadness or joy. We can shout in anger or speak with peace, kindness, goodness or any of the others.

Lord, help me to respond or react to life better.

Check Me Out!!!!

5/6/2026

“Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6

I used to work at a summer camp and my buddy Clutch (yes, his name) referred to this other staff member as "Check Me Out". The guy was all about him and all the time. Everything he did was as if he was yelling "Check Me Out". I wish I could remember the guy's name. If I did, I would find him on Social Media and then immediately unfollow him.

Lord, help me to be about You and not be about me and what others think of me.