Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Thanks-Giving!

11/27/2024

“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

The opposite of "Sadness" is "Gratitude". It is challenging to turn sadness into happiness but it is even more difficult, or near impossible, to be sad when we acknowledge ALL that we have.

Lord, thank You for EVERYTHING, and most of all, the saving grace of Jesus.

I Don't Know How to Do That!

11/26/2024

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10

Teachers, Coaches, Parents, Friends, YouTube ... we can learn A LOT from others when we have no clue what we are doing. No better LIFE COACH than God.

Lord, thank You for being willing to teach me ALL the things I don't know and please give me the strength to not be resistant to Your teaching.

Label Limits!

11/25/2024

“Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Humans love labels. We love to put labels on others ("They are ...") and we love to label ourselves ("I am ... " or "I am not"). Labeling others can be helpful in categorizing for simplicity but it can be very harmful in limiting our curiosity and the benefit of finding out more about someone. Labeling ourselves can help with organization and efficiency in our own lives, but it can also be a convenient excuse to not change or pursue something valuable.

Lord, help me to avoid labeling others and myself because those labels limit what is possible for You to do in my life and limits You can use me to relate to others.

I Am The Best At Humility!

11/21/2024

“A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.” Proverbs 29:23

Humility is not what you think it may be. Someone with confidence may, and often does, have humility. Someone with a high level of confidence typically has more humility than most. Lack of confidence does not mean you are humble. Cockiness is not the same as confidence or even the same as over-confident. Cockiness is confidence with the absence of humility. Now that we have this cleared up, find your confidence in Christ and in your talents that God has given you and realize that that confidence is a gift from God and understanding the source of your gifts is what humility is.

Lord, I have so much in my life but none of it is mine but is Yours and/or comes from You.

WARNING!!!!!

11/20/2024

“The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.” Proverbs 10:17

It seems as if each generation puts more value on "how I feel" and "what I want" and push away from absolutes and the idea that there is a "right" or "wrong". It is true that we evolve as humans and as a society. Ideas we once thought were true (flat world) is not as true as we once thought. However, it is dangerous to believe that EVERYTHING from the past is bad or wrong. And even worse to believe that we ourselves can never be bad or wrong.

Lord, help me to have discernment between my imperfect gut and proven wisdom and help me to listen to the wisdom.

Time Well Spent!

11/19/2024

“The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.” Proverbs 12:11

Hopefully, we think a lot. We have brains and those brains have a purpose. Thinking is good. But we also have muscles and limbs and moving parts. Thinking is good but thinking too much and thinking about the wrong things is detrimental. As much as thinking is good, DOING is often better and will keep us from thinking too much or worrying at all.

Lord, thank You for my big brain but help me to use it wisely and to also use my body to get stuff done.

Taking Care Of Business!

11/18/2024

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33

When we take care of God's Business ... He will take care of our business.

Lord, help me to put Your stuff first and trust that You will take care of my stuff.

Believe!

11/14/2024

“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children – and we are!” – 1 John 3:1a

If you believe that people are really your friends when then click a heart on something you post on line, then you may as well believe that God exists too.

Lord, I believe in stuff so help me to believe and value the things that matter most.

Not A Suggestion!

11/13/2024

“And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.” 1 John 4:21

We are typically commanded to do things that we would not normally do on our own. There is a big difference between a "suggestion" and a "command". Commands happen when we don't want to do them. God commands us to love others because honestly, we have a hard time doing this because we are selfish humans. But just because it is a command, it doesn't mean the action is bad or that God is a meany.

Lord, help me to follow Your commands, and if possible, do it without being commanded or even forced to do so.

Stolen!

11/12/2024

“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10

What is being stolen from you? Peace, Joy, Faith, Love. These are a short list of gifts that God provides but they are also being stolen from us. Peace is taken away when we fail to trust. Joy is taken from us when we focus on what we don't have instead of ALL that we have. Faith is taken when we only believe in what we have in front of us at the moment. Love is taken from us when we love something more than we love God.

Lord, thank You for all that I have and help me to lock down so that nothing is taken from me.