Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

God's Country!

11/30/2023

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." - Matthew 5:16

Those who love nature will often make the expression ... "This is God's Country" or "I love being in God's Creation", acknowledging the Creator, as much as the creation. Many feel closer to God when amongst His creation. How wonderful would it be if we felt that same way when we are around other people, who are also God's creation. Yes, God created your loud neighbor or former "best friend" as much as He created your favorite mountain. How wonderful would it be if people felt closer to God in the same way when around us?

Lord, help me to be the type of person that allows others to see You when they are around me.

Disappointment!

11/28/2023

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

We have all worked really long and hard for something to only find disappointment. God does not promise success in life. God does not insure that all of our efforts will result in our desired goals. God does not speed up time so that all of our hopes and wishes are not only achieved but achieved in an expedient time frame. God DOES guarantee that life will be long and hard and a "labor" but when we labor for Him, He will NOT DISAPPOINT!

Lord, give me the strength to be steadfast, immovable and always excelling for YOU!

Karma!

11/27/2023

“The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.” - Proverbs 10:9

Some people call it Karma. Others say that "what goes around, comes around" while others warn that "You reap what you sow". In the most general terms, it is cause and effect. In more specific terms it simply is ... sooner or later, the truth reveals itself. Throughout our life, there will be arguments and broken relationships that revolve around conflict and disagreement. We struggle to know "what is right". Our focus should be, "do what is right" and in the end, history will reveal the right path.

Lord, help me to do what is right, no matter what others may do that is wrong.

Try Hard!

11/20/2023

"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

We must be aware that society's goal is to tear YOU down to build themselves up. Few people have the genuine desire to make others better. A popular phrase among the youth is calling someone a 'try hard". It is an insult, meant to say, "You are trying too hard and you still aren't good" or "You try hard but are failing at it". Calling someone a "try hard" is trendy and helps tear others down and make us feel better. The problem is that it puts the importance on NOT TRYING or simply focusing on the result and succeeding or being good instead of the emphasis on effort. We all need to TRY HARDER. We all need to look at our own effort level, while at the same time encourage those who are at least trying, despite the result.

Lord, I want to try harder and I want to try harder for You.

What REally Matters?!

11/17/2023

“Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27

Face it, we all lose our way and forget what is important. We all need reminders. We get overwhelmed with ALL of the options and choices and competing interests in life. If you find yourself lost and wondering what matters and whether you have a purpose, simply remember this one thing ... live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Lord, help me to remember what really matters.

Why Am I here?!

11/15/2023

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

If we really want to know, all we need to do is ask and then listen and then do.

Lord, thank You for giving me a purpose.

It Is BECAUSE IT IS!

11/14/2023

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house." Matthew 7:24-25

My least favorite phrase in the world ... "It is what it is". I get it. It makes sense and gives us solace in times that are confusing and seemingly out of our control. Unfortunately, this simple phrase is often used as a justification or excuse to not look deeper into our situation. "It is BECAUSE we put ourselves in this position and we probably need to change some things" or "It is BECAUSE God has a bigger and better plan than we do" or "My life is crumbling around me NOT because 'It is what it is' but because my life is built on a foundation that is allowing my life to crumble around me." Life is complex and complicated and messy and hard. Thankfully God has given us many ways to make it better if we only choose to listen to Him and trust WHAT HE IS!

Lord, thank You for being who and what You are and for choosing to help me when I do everything I can to make my life harder.

Be Aware!

11/13/2023

"Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Greatest Commandment is to Love God. Second is to Love Others. How can we show love to others? Help them when they need help and support them when they need support and care for them when they may feel that no one else cares.

Lord, help me to be aware of those around me who are hurting and need me help and more importantly, need Your help.

Responsibly Helpful!

11/9/2023

"Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Who did you make better today?

Lord, help me to be responsible and take care of my business but at the same time, help me to focus less on myself and more on making others better.

Lineman or QB!

11/8/2023

“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

On the playground, everyone wants to be the QB or the Pitcher, and very few choose to be the offensive lineman or right fielder. When I read this, I can't help to think about the difference between those who want the status of having the ball in their hand and those who choose the less glamourous but extremely important and valuable roles.

Lord, help me to do what needs to be done and not simply those things that give me recognition.