Blog Archives - COACH Toby Schwarz

COACH Toby Schwarz

Hopeless Hope!

12/31/2024

“But let him ask in faith, without doubting." James 1:6

The New Year always bring the opportunity for a New Beginning. Hope abounds with the prospects of a "new and improved" life ahead. Hope is great but belief is better. My college mentor used to say, "People tend to hope a lot and it is a 'hopeless hope'! They don't actually believe. They are simply 'wishing'. But we believe in a God and that is true hope!".

Lord, help me to believe in You and Your promises so that my hope is not merely a wish.

... Of The Year!!!

12/30/2024

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders. Blessed be his glorious name forever; the whole earth is filled with his glory. Amen and amen.” Psalm 72:18-19

At the end of every year, the media is full of "end of the year" honors. "Person of the Year", "Catch of the Year", "Epic Fail of the Year", "Cutest Cat Picture of the Year". As we reflect back on the "Best of the Year", may we at least stop for a moment to acknowledge God and what He has done for us this year.

Lord, thank YOU for EVERYTHING!

Grace and Peace Are Nice!

12/27/2024

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1-3

There is a lot of energy devoted to figuring out our own purpose in life. What do I do when I grow up? Where do I work? Where do I live? How do I think? Who do I marry? How do I spend my time? We may be better served devoting more of our time into helping others to figure out their lives. A great question to ask ... "What do I want for others in my life"

Lord, help me to want Grace and Peace for those around me and help me to provide that for them in any way that I can, which most likely is by praying for it for them.

What Will/Should I Do???!!!!

12/26/2024

“So don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:31, 33

It is important to be responsible. It is important to "take care of our own business". But it is important to avoid being so caught up in "I" and "me" and forget that life is meant to be a TEAM sport where we help others and where we are concerned about others as much as ourselves. In a PERFECT world, we understand that "when we take care of God's business", which is primarily taking care of others and their business, "God will always take care of our business", and usually much better than what we would ever do.

Lord, help me to remember that worrying will accomplish nothing, while helping others and seeking God will in the end, take care of all of my worries, in one way or another.

The Main Thing ...

12/24/2024

“So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God’s work ... Romans 14:19-22a

We are easily distracted by what doesn't matter. "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." Stephen Covey. Whether it is CHRISTmas or the meaning of life or why we do the things we are passionate about, we must not get lost or distracted by the things that don't matter or at least the things that don't matter as much as the MAIN THING!

Lord, if I ever forget what the main thing is, help me to remember that You are always the MAIN thing!

Help Someone Out!

12/23/2024

Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” – Isaiah 1:17

Who in your life needs some help? Now go help them!

Lord, life is a TEAM sport and part of being a great TEAMmate is helping out those around me.

Focus On ...!

12/20/2024

“Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27

Reason For the Season!

12/19/2024

“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19, 21

CHRISTmas is not about presents, unless it is about being "present" with those around you and "present" with God. CHRISTmas is not about gifts, unless it is about the "gift" of Jesus.

Lord, help me to remember the reason CHRISTmas exists in the first place!

When No One Is Watching!

12/13/2024

“Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Philippians 2:12

When I was in high school, I realized that I tended to work harder when people were watching than when I was alone. In the weightroom, on the track, at work, wherever I had to put in effort, I would try to "show off" by working harder. I realized this was very common so I came to the conclusion ...
"If I work hard ALL OF THE TIME, especially when NO ONE IS WATCHING, and that is more often than when they are, I will improve at a faster rate and beat more people." And, God is always watching.

Lord, You are always watching so let me show complete effort all of the time.

Do The Right Thing ...

12/12/2024

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you will be blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that, when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:14-16

... For the right reason!

Lord, thank You for the promise that if I do what is right, it may not seem right at the time or possibly ever, but it is right and that is all that matters.