Impactful Confidence

Over the past weekend, I came across a picture of Kobe Bryant. As a fan, I was surprised because I never saw this picture before. After looking at it a little longer and sharing it with my friends in our group chat, two things stuck out to me about this picture:

1. Kobe shooting a ridiculous, impossible looking shot with confidence.

2. The defense is still contesting it, just as if it were a regular shot.

Kobe shooting difficult shots was very common in his career. Being able to make tough shots is why he is considered one of the best scorers of all time. Even knowing all of that, looking at him attempt to shoot behind the backboard with so much focus on his face lets me know that a big part of him thought the shot was going in. Now that's confidence. 

In your spiritual life knowing who Jesus is, accepting him as your savior gets you into heaven. Your faith + works and obedience builds confidence in trusting God to be in control over your life on earth. Confidence comes with knowing who God really is. Even when things look impossible, you know you have a God that can make things possible. To experience that, you must align within His will. 

"and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him." 

- 1 John 3:22

When you go back and look at the picture of Kobe, notice how well the defense is trying to contest and block a shot from a player that is behind the backboard. Kobe was that much of a threat to the defense behind the backboard just as if he were standing right in front of the rim.

This makes me think about our personal lives. The devil will not stop. He will trick and try to deceive you into thinking he can play good defense on you. He wants to attack you where you are most vulnerable. That is why sometimes in our life it feels like one bad thing comes after another nonstop. Biggest key and fact you must remember however, is the game is already won with Jesus. He is the ultimate teammate, coach, and player. Following Him guarantees victory. 

So even knowing Kobe didn't make that shot, it's impressive how much impact he still had from every spot on the court with the ball. We all need to be more like Kobe and build our confidence up through the Lord so we can be an impact in all aspects of life!

Be Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving! All around the world today, people are celebrating and gathering with their families and loved ones. One tradition my family does every Thanksgiving is after we pray, we go around the room and say what we are thankful for. Normally, I will say I’m thankful for my family or health, something really general. But over this past year, one thing I am truly thankful for that goes overlooked is God’s grace that is given each day. Many times we take no notice of how we survive and get through each day and are blessed with every little thing we receive specifically for that day. 

Not everyone is as fortunate to share a memorable and pleasant Thanksgiving that is portrayed throughout the media and what we see in some people’s lives. When I was in college, one thing my coaches made a staple of was us serving the less fortunate around this time of the year. It humbled us, gave us the opportunity to help someone else in need, but also let us see different types of reality based on whose eyes it’s coming from. Big meals, sharing laughs and enjoying the company of people you care about are some of the best parts of Thanksgiving but for some people it is just another day here on earth. 

I think about my playing career now that I have played at all levels, and often I tell myself that one factor can change so many things down the line. I have seen many players become successful based on just a short amount of time of dedicating themselves or focusing. Also, I have seen many scenarios where players did not become as successful as projected just by doing the opposite or making just one bad choice to take away those chances of being successful. This also is true in our everyday lives. One choice or decision we make can have a positive or negative impact on our future. All it takes is one choice. The good thing that comes from this is, God gives you the opportunity to change whatever situation or scenario you're in around. If you know me, I love a good comeback story, but what people often miss is the route or help that caused that comeback to take place. 

So as we go on about our Thanksgiving, I encourage you to either be the light in someone else’s life that might need that comeback story or make the decision to get back on the right path to make your comeback a possibility for God to handle! 

“I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.”

 - 1 Corinthians 1:4

Look Up, Not Out

 When you are face to face with your circumstance, you have a couple options: run from the truth and find excuses, or make a divine change of direction. Overall in life, everyone faces something. Rather it be financial issues, loneliness, relationship problems or even addictions, there is always something to complain about that isn’t going our way. God allows trials we don't control and consequences to sinful behaviors to teach us a lesson. Biggest truth that we must first understand is that we are not perfect. So, there will always be something that happens to us or that we cause because of that. 

Not too long ago my friends and I did a bible study lesson on encouragement. How to stay encouraged through issues we face and how to encourage someone else through their problems. My biggest takeaways were:

• Do what’s right without wanting a reward. Your reward is your relationship with Christ.

• Stay rooted and grounded in God’s word so you know exactly how to handle issues when they arise. 

• Be someone else's support system even when they aren't asking for it. 

• Have a community/ group of people or friends you can talk to openly about problems. 

• Give effort and intentionally make time to be present with Christ. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33

When I think about the playbook (bible) that Christ has laid out for us, it makes me think about my sports career. I played for a number of coaches, basketball and football and what they all had in common was how set they were on following that playbook. They spent countless hours developing it, tweaking it, adjusting it to fit their team’s personnel and teams we played against. I can honestly say, the most successful teams I've been on and the teams where I had the most fun, we followed the coaches playbook. No, every play didn't work out perfectly. And no, we didn't win every game. But we stayed true to the plan because we trusted not only the playbook, but the coach that created it. 

When we face tough times in our life, God is telling us to trust and follow His playbook (His word), So, I encourage you today to look up and follow what God is saying on how to handle whatever issue that needs handled in your life and do not look out in the world and into your own understanding to find the answer. God is the perfect coach, so if we are willing to trust human coaches, bosses, and teachers then we should surely put Christ in the head of our lives.

BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL - Ashley Evans

Hey guys! My name is Ashley Evans. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share on Kellon’s blog. First, I’ll start with a quick intro about myself. I am from Ohio. Basketball has been a big part of my life. My father played basketball for Michigan State and my older siblings played during grade school. So basketball has been a passion of mine at a young age. In grade school I was always asked to play up a level. My senior year of high school I hit a milestone of scoring 1,400 points to join my father in the 1,000 point club. After high school, I had many mid major Division I college offers, but I had hopes to live down south. With that being said I started my college career playing at a junior college in Texas. After my freshman year I transferred to another junior college located in Kansas. I finished my college career at Kent State. I received many accolades throughout my college career such as offensive player, defensive player, team captain, and  academic All- American to name a few. After graduating from Kent I was blessed with the opportunity to play professionally for two seasons. I played my rookie season in Forssa, Finland and my second season in Morocco, Africa. 

Let’s take a walk into ‘Ashley’s Thoughts’ as a professional athlete. Prior to departing from the states to go play in Morocco there was a lot spoken over me to encourage me. A few words that stuck out were “Morocco will be the best experience” and “It’s Bigger than basketball.” First off let’s look at my experience in a natural sense. Before signing my contract I had some fears and doubts. How could a Christian be truly accepted in a Muslim dominated country? I didn’t put into account the huge culture shock I would face. The living conditions were much different than I was used to. The gym wasn’t heated and believe it or not it was an arctic bliss trying to practice and play. I literally warmed up with layers of clothing and gloves. Also, I had no idea of the language barrier. There were so many issues that I faced in that place from playing time, to having a plethora of coaches coming in and out within a span of weeks.

On top of all of that we were playing for free. We were months into our contract without any form of payment. It was a mental battle that everyday I had to pep talk myself to overcome. After four months I made the hard decision to break my contract to go home. It was the hardest thing for me to do. I felt like I gave up. I felt like I lost the fight. When I came home I learned my mother was fighting silent health battles. She had tumors that were possibly cancerous in her body. In a sense I felt like I was right where I needed to be. I stuck by her side through her process of surgery. But as she started to recover something started happening in me. The feelings of depression, disappointment, and anger began to come to the surface. I couldn’t understand why God didn’t fight for me to stay or win against adversity in Morocco. Why did my professional career stop suddenly without any explanation. After all, my intentions were always to glorify God’s name through my playing.

I essentially went through an identity crisis. For so long basketball had been a big part of me. That’s all I knew. That’s really what people identified me as “you’re the basketball player.” After a long season of lashing out at people, playing with anger and bitterness in open gyms, God began to deal with me. In the process of exchanging my identity in basketball for an identity in Christ He revealed to me purpose. That’s what the phrase ‘Bigger than basketball’ meant. Basketball was a vehicle God used to get me to purpose. Basketball was never meant to be the final destination. Today I identify as a follower of Jesus, a nurturer, a creative, a lover of people, a purpose driven person, and much more. I share all of this to say that God has taught me a valuable lesson that we can not make careers, talents, or even desires our god’s. Identity in Christ will never fade. Basketball was what I did, but not who I was or am today. 

It is my desire to see people walking into purpose and being who God called you to be. God inspired me to write a book to help coach you through the process. It is called Bigger than Basketball. It is a 31 day mind renewal devotional for athletes or anyone that can identify with my experience. It is jammed packed with real life experiences to help encourage individuals in the areas of confidence, work ethic, trusting God, working with a team, and purpose to name a few. Bigger Than Basketball is releasing October 7, 2020 exclusively on Amazon. I thank you all for sharing your time with me, the pleasure was all mine. 

Be encouraged,

Ashley Evans

1% Better #16

Just Hoops, the basketball training facility I train at has taught me so much about life. One of my favorite things I love to teach and tell people is to get 1 percent better each day. This is part of our mission statement and something we take pride in each day. I like this teaching because it is a reminder that doing something productive each day is more beneficial than to try to cram more in over a smaller amount of time. We put “1% better” on T-shirts, flyers and on posters around the gym. This is to remind the athletes that come train and workout there that they have the decision to get better or worse. More times than not, it's either one or the other, nowhere in between. So for us to preach getting better each day, coming up with workout plans to help players see their progress and to make that a habit in our facility has been something that has stood out to a big part of our progress in my eyes. 

One of my coworkers, and my personal basketball trainer said something to me a long time ago that always stuck with me. He said it’s about making daily deposits to your game like a piggy bank. One dime or even penny you put in your bank each day for months and even years will eventually add up to a significant amount compared to where you started. In the bible, it talks about sowing and reaping. Pretty much, you get what you put in. Whatever you plant is what will grow. 

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.- 2 Corinthians 9:6

If we are called to serve the purposes of God, then if we are planting that seed and actively watering it, then that is what will grow. If we do not put in the work to make this a priority in our life then we are not doing what is in God’s will for our lives. I’ve realized in my spiritual walk that I can get very impatient when I pray or want something to happen in a certain way and not seeing the results. One thing about a flower or crop, is that it doesn’t grow abundantly overnight. It takes that everyday grind of waterting and taking care of it for it to be everything you want it to be.

My basketball career was very similar. Each year I got better at something. During that year, I didn’t see the results right away, but eventually when I looked back and watched game films of the previous year, I could see some sort of progress. Getting 1 percent better isn’t just a saying, it is what is called of us by God. He is not saying we have to be perfect or even close to perfect, but He is asking us to continually strive to be better because of the grace and mercy He gives us each day. So remember, each day is an opportunity, and you have the ultimate decision to decide what you want to do with that opportunity.

Connecting to your Power Source #15

Not too long ago my trainer and I were reflecting back on our playing days and his coaching days and we got on the topic of some of the best teams and players we played or coached against. Playing for two mid major programs, I always played with a chip on my shoulder, but there would be a moment or two in every season when I witnessed other players that were simply flat out better than me or more athletic than I could dream of. We were always given a scouting report on the other team and watched film to study their plays and the teams individual players. Looking back on those days, I can admit I was never scared or nervous going into a game and mainly it was because I found confidence in my team. I played on good teams and I knew how good my teammates were. So we might be playing a big time player or good team but I always trusted my coaches to put us in a good position to win. I also trusted that my teammates would do their part like I knew they were capable of. I loved being part of a team like that because my confidence wasn’t solely connected or relied only on me. 

When you are a believer of Christ, sometimes it may feel like you're alone in a battle or going through a trial by yourself, but the good thing is you have the ultimate teammate. However to obtain His skills and power, you have to connect and trust in Him. It’s just like a cell phone. You have to connect to the charger to be able to use the phone and all of its capabilities. A cell phone without any power is useless. Just like if I went away from the coaches game plan or tried to prove to everybody how I was better than the player across from me and not that my overall team was better than the other team, then I wouldn't be trying to achieve the overall goal to win the game.  

I was listening to a really good friend last week on a zoom bible study call and he talked about meaning and purpose. He used an example of a basketball being filled with air. With air inside the ball, you can do so many things with it, it has a purpose. Without, it is flat and useless. Very similar to us letting the Holy Spirit live throughout us. Christ can fill you with whatever your purpose is if we go to Him for it. So, I encourage you to connect to your power source in Jesus, God, and His word and let it live through you. He is the ultimate teammate to fight with you on your walk to destiny. 

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5

Enjoy the Growing Process #14

One thing that excites me each year is the summer. Ever since I was in high school, I loved knowing school was out, it was nice weather outside and most importantly, it was time to work on my game. Still till this day, I look forward to the summer grind and I pick specific things to add to my basketball game. It may be shooting from a farther distance, being more in shape, dribbling better or even a combination of things. I think one reason that I enjoy this time so much is because I am constantly looking for a way to improve and I know this is the time to take advantage of it. 

I often get so caught up in wanting to receive the end result that I miss the fun in the process. I love knowing I am trying to improve, but another reason I truly enjoy the summer time is because that is when I get to train with my friends and we push each other to get better. We create a bond that goes deeper and beyond basketball just by spending that time together. Life is short, and I know sometimes I can take this time for granted and forget to enjoy it while I'm going through it. 

Recently, I had this same feeling in my spiritual life. Going into what I thought would be one of the best seasons of my life, I prepared, planned and tried to do everything I could to get to my end result. God had other plans. With worldly circumstances and personal circumstances going on in my life, I would say I got caught up in not receiving what I thought I was going to get and it shifted my perspective a little. So even as I got deeper into my faith, I found myself trying to actively search for the final answers. Nothing is wrong with that, but it is important to have fun with the process of growing deeper in your faith and getting closer to Christ just like I do with basketball and my friends. 

The trouble that one can go through with this process, is growing weary and tired of doing it. I remember last summer I would wake up everyday and train with my trainer alone and sometimes other friends, but it was not always easy waking up at 6am most days. My reasons however, were because I loved the people that I got to see each day and I had a goal in mind I wanted to achieve. It’s important to not give up. It is okay to be tired and not want to do it, but that is why we must lean on the ones we trust to hold us accountable during that time of not wanting to go that extra mile. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9

A really good friend of mine told me recently, “That very thing that you think is holding you back can propel you so much farther once God decides it’s your time to move forward.” I thought this was powerful because a lot of times as humans we can look at our circumstances as something that is holding us back or an unfair situation, but that could be exactly how God wants to use you when He decides. 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. - 1 Peter 5:10

Moral of the story is, have fun being in the growing stage rather than not at the finish line yet. A relationship with Christ is what we should seek first and it is supposed to be an exciting and vibrant feeling. Also, challenge yourself. I challenge myself each year to get better at something in the game of basketball. Apply this attitude to your spiritual life and you’ll see the growth in your faith and ultimately you’ll have the peace to enjoy the growing process.