FCA Discussion Questions (Meeting Feb. 26)

1. Last Time: Our Attitude is a choice. The foundation of a good attitude is gratitude and enthusiasm.

2. Video Clip: Tony Dungy


3. John Wooden: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"

4. What are some more serious ways in which athletes and coaches choose the wrong way over the right way?
- Some athletes choose the wrong way like Michael vick by getting into trouble. If you know what your doing is wrong, don't do it, it's not worth it. Some coaches choose the wrong why when they do things such as: overwork the players, swear, etc.

5. If you knew no one would ever find out would you:

Skip a workout?- Yeah
Lie to your coach?- Depending on the situation
Root against a teammate?- No
Take steroids?- No
Cheat to win?- No
Throw the game?- No

6. How do these choices cheapen the athletic experience? As athletes do you think we are more defined by our achievements or choices?
- They cheapen the game becasue the game becomes unfair. Its not fair to go up against someone on steroids, if your not on steroids. As athletes, people care more about our achievements than choices, but choices are more important in my mind.

7. Application: Joshua 24:15

Hopewell vs. Belle Vernon

Tonight, our basketball season ended dramatically with a tough loss to Belle Vernon 40-25. Obviously, looking at the score, it was a very sloppy game. Neither team looked good, but Belle Vernon looked much better than we did. They ran a 2-3 zone that we could not overcome. No one on our team could get to the hoop or make and outside jump shot. It was by far the worst game we played all season, and it came at the worst time. Myself, Kevin Welsh, and Dayne Smith, our top three scorers, shot 7 for 30 from the field. During the season, we averaged together 40 points a game. Tonight, we only had 16 points together. Looking past this loss, we had a good season, and we won the Section Championship.

Biblical Principles for Godly Verbal Communication

SAY WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR, NOT JUST WHAT THEY WANT

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth (Proverbs 16:13).

Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet (Proverbs 29:5).

He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue (Proverbs 28:23).

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses (Proverbs 27:5,6).

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful (Proverbs 14:25).

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16).

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you (Proverbs 9:7,8).

Bible Verse of the Day

Biblical Principles for Godly Verbal Communication

DON'T TAKE TOO SERIOUSLY THE HARSH WORDS OF OTHERS

Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you--for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others (Ecclesiastes 7:21,22).

SPEAK THE TRUTH

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13).

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free (Proverbs 19:5,9).

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful (Proverbs 12:22).

Bible Verse of the Day

Section Champs (Hopewell vs. Center)

Here is a video of the Game of the Week against Center. I played with these guys on my team since 5th grade, and this is by far the best game we have every played. After the first quarter, the score was 19-2. At halftime, we were up 33-6. The final score, Hopewell over Center 60-24. This win gave us a share of the section championship with Blackhawk. It is our second section championship in the past three years. Next week playoff seedings are decided.

Biblical Principles for Godly Verbal Communication

MAKE YOUR WORDS TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE

A mand finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23)

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

Hopewell vs. Blackhawk

Tonight, my basketball team traveled to play Blackhawk at their home court. In the past three years I have played there, we have never won. Actually, I can't recall the last time a Hopewell team has won there. Let's just say the referees aren't always on our side, but still the fact that we played terrible didn't help either. It was a long bus ride with the slick roads, and it just seemed like our heads weren't in the game. Time after team we got called for traveling. None of our shots were falling, and we were all in foul trouble. Also, they were hitting 3-pointers, which forced us out of our 3-2 zone and we had to play man to man. We made a last reluctant effort to come back, but it was too little too late. Blackhawk defeated us to 64-48.

Christian-Athlete Profile on Drew Brees

Drew Brees played his college football at Purdue. I remember watching him when I was younger because I'm a big Penn State fan and I always got nervous when the two teams faced. After a successful college career, Drew Brees was drafted to the San Diego Chargers. Here, he did well, but struggled with injuries throughout his career. After a supposedly career ending injury, the Chargers no longer wanted Drew Brees. In FCA, I learned that he was a Christian. Drew Brees' video clip tells us how he prayed every day for God to show him the way. One day the New Orleans called trying to get Drew Brees. Brees felt that this was a calling from Christ and that this was where he was supposed to be. So, Drew Brees went to New Orleans where they at first struggled after Hurricane Katrina and everything. Now, he is going to play in the upcoming Super Bowl after an amazing season.

Hopewell vs. Beaver

Tonight, we played a home game against the Beaver Bobcats in another section game. Coming into the game we knew we needed to continue to play well in order to win the section. We couldn't afford any losses against teams we believe we should beat. We played well again tonight and Beaver struggled against our 3-2 zone. I scored 21 points and Dayne Smith and Kevin Welsh had big games again also. We continue our race for the section championship with our 53-20 romp over Beaver.

Biblical Principles for Godly Verbal Communication

WEIGH YOUR WORDS: THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

The heart of righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (Proverbs 15:28).

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin (Proverbs 13:3).

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity (Proverbs 21:23).

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless (James 1:26).

Hopewell vs. Ambridge

Tonight, we played Ambridge again in another section matchup. In my past experiences, we have always had trouble when playing at Ambridge gym. Whenever we play their we never have a good offensive output. Last year we only scored 25 points there. A similar thing happened this year, but we were still able to pull out the victory. Once again, Kevin Welsh had another huge game against Ambridge and lead our team to victory. The final score was 41-32 in our favor.

Drew Brees

On Wednesday, February 6, I will be profiling Drew Brees as a Christian-Athlete.