Spiritual Growth #7

Growing in spiritual life is very important because it allows Christ to express himself through us. It also lets us bring greater glory to God and because of that, we get to experience more of him in our everyday lives. I recently finished a study on spiritual growth by Pastor Tony Evans, and thought i’d share it and some of my interpretations of it because of how great it was. It was a 15 part breakdown of the essentials of spiritual growth. 

1. Conversion: 

This is the foundation of spiritual growth and it is the process that God puts in you everything needed from him. Because of Christ, everything in us is new and gives us the ability and knowledge to serve God. 

2. Identity: 

Your identity in Christ is the key to your spiritual growth. Because you place your faith in Him, you became new and locked in your spot for eternity. 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

I remember when I was in highschool and I had a small press conference to announce which college I would be attending for the following year. I was so proud of myself and felt so accomplished because to me this was one of the most important decisions I have made at this point in my life. When I chose Kent State, that is who I identified myself with. Even though I was still in high school, every single football and basketball game I played my senior year, I wore socks with a Kent State logo on them. Even though I was playing for my high school team, I wanted to let everyone know I was apart of something bigger. The same way God called us to be in the world, but not of the world is a great example of solidifying your identity in Christ. We live physically in the world, but are called to live spiritually and mentally in God’s kingdom. God has placed hope in us that can only be achieved when we come to Christ. 

3. Sin:

The blockage of our spiritual growth. This is the choice we make to go away from God's word. In today’s society, it can be hard to not see sin as a sin because of the standards that have been set. Best way to understand it is, Gods truth or the world's truth. There is no in between, it is what God believes is right or what the world has deemed as truth. Understanding and operating away from sin will help take your spiritual growth to another level. 

When you operate in God’s word, you understand the difference on what is sin and what is righteous. While I was in college, I learned quickly that I was apart of a team. Learning that my actions, along with others actions greatly affected what happened. Many times we had 6 a.m. conditioning workouts or practices because of things we did outside of the team goal. Sin is the same way, regardless if it is sin we cause on ourselves or others sin that has been passed onto us, it is outside of God’s will.

4. Grace: 

Grace is God’s favor in which we cannot earn, but it is given. We are not deserving of it, we can’t do anything to work for it, but it is still given to us by God. That is why it is important to grow in grace, because you learn that your actions should be the efforts of receiving something you can’t earn on your own. All my life, I did things to give myself the best possible chance to be successful in basketball. I would go to trainers, extra workouts at home, changing teams and coaches to give myself better opportunities and even go to college elite camps. All great efforts to be able to grow physically and mentally in the game of basketball. Spiritual life isn't like that. Because we can’t earn or repay back what God has given us, we are called to praise his name to show how great he is. 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. - 2 Peter 3:18

As you continue to grow in your spiritual walk, I hope that you gather the information but also connect it to your living reality as well. It is important in spiritual growth to be connected to Jesus Christ and make him your focus and your walk will be transformed. I went over four of the fifteen total in this blog, and I hope you continue to join for the rest as well.

Playing Both Sides of the Ball #6

I was very fortunate that I grew up playing basketball against really good competition. I started playing AAU and competing nationally in third grade. I remember in middle school and high school my dad telling me, if I could score there would always be a spot on the court for me. He was right...in a way. Being able to showcase my offensive game, gave me opportunities to succeed. However, I soon learned that a good player plays both sides. Every coach would agree that they want players that are committed and take pride in both offense and defense. 

Even though my mind was more focused on scoring and the offensive side of the ball, I was still a big competitor. Finishing with my senior year of AAU not committed to a college, but with a number of division I college offers, I played in a tournament in Florida with many college coaches on the sideline. As a smaller guard I wanted to prove I was able to score, able to assist my teammates and able to shoot from the 3 point line. After playing one of the best games I’ve probably played that summer, I got a call from Kent State. They had offered me a scholarship. One of the main things they wanted in their point guards was to be a tough floor general. When I finally took my visit to Kent State, the coaching staff told me they offered me because of my skills but more importantly that I took a defensive charge in a summer AAU game. Sometimes it does pay to play both sides of the ball. 

Defense 

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, defense wins championships. Well that is partly true. To stop the other team from scoring is half the battle but usually the toughest one. It is true in sports, but also in your spiritual life. Everyone is in a constant battle with Satan, but the difference between sports and our spiritual battle is, Jesus has already won the game for us. That doesn’t mean Satan will give up, but that God has given us great defensive techniques and mechanisms to fight off our enemy. 

Having great faith in the Lord will give you strength and peace to overcome your struggles. Also, by reading God’s word and finding out what He says in a matter will help you avoid and fight off the temptations and strategies used by the evil one. There is strength in numbers. That is why the Bible says to be a part of a church/community and surround yourself with friends that have positive spiritual thinking just like you do. 

Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

Offense

One of my favorite NBA players to watch is James Harden. His offensive skill, footwork and body positioning is unmatched. The NBA has changed dramatically over the past couple years because of the 3 point shot and spacing of the floor. Because of this, it gives great offensive players the freedom to attack and put pressure on the defense. 

God has given us our offensive playbook. The way we are to attack satan, is throwing what God says and His word in satan’s face. It’s not enough to take what the Bible says and store the information, but to use it and become the living message. One of the devil’s best tactics is when he gets you to use your own thoughts or opinion on a matter. Our flesh is weak, that is why he wants to try and beat us this way. God says if you lean on Him, He will wipe out your problems. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

To sum it all up, it is important to protect yourself and have a strong defensive wall, but also important to attack downhill and put pressure on the enemy. Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are arguably the best players in the NBA right now, but it is because of their offensive and defensive attributes, not just one skill. To fight off the ways of the devil, we must be strong in the Lord, use what He has already given us and know that the victory has already been won with the death of Jesus Christ. 

Value of Mentorship #5

Mentorship is the guidance and knowledge provided by an experienced and trusted individual. The goal is to provide a special connection and personal support to help guide someone to success. I was very fortunate that I was placed around great basketball knowledge growing up. My father taught me everything he knew, and then after that ran out, he placed me with great trainers and coaches to teach me more. A mentor is someone that can help shift your focus to where it needs to be or even advise you on decisions you’re unsure about. 

Growing up playing the majority of the point guard position, I tried to master many different basketball skills. Many good point guards have good physical attributes but the vocal and mental leaders are what separate the good from the great. The main thing I’ve learned from the point guard position is, it comes with great responsibility. You are called to be a floor general and a vocal leader on and off the court. I learned early that in order for me to lead, I had to learn how to lead first. 

Today, many young athletes and even adults have a personal trainer to help them in a specific area of their life. The reason they have one, is for someone to help and hold them accountable for their development and to have someone that has been through the same struggles they want to overcome. It’s not often that someone would go to or hire a trainer to teach them something that the trainer hasn’t studied or done themself. The same can be said about life and spiritual situations as well. 

Over the last couple of years, I have developed a relationship with someone I would call my mentor in life. This developed from a basketball relationship, however, he himself is not a basketball athlete, but his daughter whom I train is. Because of the great relationship I have with her, it has allowed me to create the relationship with him. He helps me in many areas of my life spiritually, and inside and outside of sports. My point with this story is, you should be receptive of positive spiritual people in your life. I’ve always thought most the relationships I’d develop in my life would be through basketball and sports, but as I started reading more scripture I found out that I can use my gifts to reach many other people. This is an example of one. 

The Bible calls you to also be a mentor. Just as you should have someone or multiple people in your life helping you, you should strive to make a difference in someone else’s life as well. The Bible also says to use your gifts for good. For me, I was blessed with the gift of creating relationships through basketball. Everyday you should strive to do something to improve yourself physically, mentally, financially/goal oriented and most importantly spirituality. There are many ways to use the things God has already possessed you with to make a difference, you just have to want to do it. 

Proverbs 1:5 - Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance

In the book of Mark, Jesus spoke in parables to explain the truth of God’s Kingdom to different people who came to hear Him preach, but to His disciples, He explained every detail. (See mark 4:33) The reason behind this is, you may get general information from the internet or just attending a class once, but to really dig deep and change things in your life, you must latch on to God’s word and be like a sponge soaking up information. 

Being Still in your Situation #4

We live in a fast paced world. A society where we have access to answers, content and news immediately. It can be tough to slow down your life in a time where you expect things to happen quickly. When we get too caught up in the world, God will allow certain things to happen to change our perspective from worldly to spiritual. This virus that has hit our nation has caused everyone and everything to slow down. 

It took me a little bit to adjust to our current situation. My basketball season in Germany, like all other sports around the world, ended and I was sent home early. I was excited to get back to family and friends, and even begin training for next season. It didn’t hit me until I was literally forced to stay at home to readjust my thought process and my life. 

At first I was still thinking about my current situation and how it would affect me. I had to change my perspective, and that allowed me to change my thoughts. I was worried about this season, missing out on a bonus in my contract and how this altered me for next season before I realized it was much bigger than me. Some people and families have been greatly affected by the virus, and it is to be taken serious. Many companies, sports organizations and schools are all closed because of the potentional dangers of a virus we can’t even see. This is a perfect time to walk by faith and not by sight. 

Psalm 46:10- He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  

Being still in your current situation doesn’t mean to do nothing, but rather be content. I think about all the times I played a basketball season and wanted more from it rather than enjoying it. Middle school, I wanted to prove I was ready for high school varsity. High school, I wanted to get an offer from a good college program. College, I wanted to show I was ready to play professionally. Nothing is wrong with setting and reaching individual goals. However as I look back now, even though I worked hard, my mind was always looking so far ahead I didn’t get to fully enjoy the moment I was in. Work for your goals, but remember to enjoy going through the process of not reaching them yet. 


During this time of social and physical distancing, I have been able to refocus my mind and change some habits that I probably wouldn’t have done otherwise. I’ve gotten the chance to really go deeper in my study of God’s word, I’ve spent much needed time with my family and I have even started planning out things I want to do in the future. However, I’m most proud of the time reconnecting relationships with people I haven’t been in contact with for awhile. My two favorite things I’ve done so far are, spent time binge watching a show with my mom and then one afternoon my dad and I went and worked out in a basketball gym. My parents and I are very close, but even something that small made me feel even more connected to a much needed relationship.  



Right now, I encourage you to write down a list or come up with ideas in your head of things you have gotten away from that will bring you happiness, make you more productive in the future and most importantly, what you can do during this time to give back to God’s kingdom. Once you have this list, you should share it with a family member or friends or whoever you want and encourage them to do the same. Including someone else in your list will build communication and restore or even create a strong bond that will go deep in your life. Put God’s view ahead of all and remember that during this time of stillness, He is giving you time to work on yourself for His kingdom.