Pastor Steve LeBlanc of Sherman Bible Church in Sherman, TX, said, “A verse without context is a pretext.” It’s a simple statement, but it packs a punch. When Scripture is taken out of context, it can be used to justify almost anything we already choose to believe. At that point, we’re no longer submitting to God’s Word—we’re just using it. We turn the Bible into a tool for self-confirmation rather than a source of transformation. Context matters because God didn’t give us a

Ephesians 4:17–6:20 offers one of the most direct depictions of what it looks like to live differently after being made new in Christ. Paul isn’t writing abstract theology. He’s describing a way of walking that shows up in daily relationships, in discipline, in authority, and in pressure. This is why this passage resonated so strongly with me in the context of sports. Sports amplify who we already are. Pressure exposes character. Locker rooms reveal hearts. Coaching reveals l

There’s something alluring and exciting about an underdog story. You know… when the smaller, slower, overlooked player rises against a giant. Or when the team with no budget and virtually zero chance of pulling off the impossible does. This is the kind of stuff sport dramas are made of—and if you think about it, it’s the essence of the Gospel. Traditionally, God has done some of His best work through the people no one expected anything from. Scripture is full of “dramatic ups

Leadership shows up in a variety of styles, but one contrast stands out everywhere: some leaders operate with flash while others operate with legacy. Flash leadership is loud, attention-seeking, and focused on being noticed. Legacy leadership is steady, humble, and more interested in impact than visibility. One fades quickly. The other continues influencing people long after the moment has passed. 2 Corinthians 10:18 says: “For it is not the one who commends himself who is ap

I give thanks with a whole heart, remembering the wonders You have done (Psalm 9:1). Your steadfast love endures forever, even in the quiet places of my life (Psalm 136:1). With thanksgiving I enter Your courts, choosing praise over worry (Psalm 100:4). This is the day You have made, and I rejoice because You are near (Psalm 118:24). In all circumstances, I give thanks, for this is Your will for me (1 Thessalonians 5:18). With gratefulness I lift my prayers, knowing You hear

There’s a particular kind of silence that follows being told you’re not starting. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how talented you are, or how hard you’ve worked—those words hit in a place deeper than your stats. And if we’re being honest, for a lot of athletes, that silence quickly turns into something louder in your spirit: shame, frustration, doubt, or even anger. I’ve seen it happen again and again—athletes who go from confident to crushed because they didn’t make the

When you think about leadership in sports, names like John Wooden or Tony Dungy may come to mind. But some of the greatest lessons for leaders—coaches, captains, and athletes—are found in Scripture. When most people think of heroes in the Bible, they might name Moses, Joshua, Samson, Esther, or Judas Maccabeus (Catholic and Orthodox). I just finished the Book of Nehemiah in my Bible in a Year podcast (Fr. Mike Schmidt). Nehemiah is the Old Testament leader who rallied God’s p

A follow-up to the previously published article: “Athletes and Body Dysmorphia” There is a big difference between taking care of your...

*Heads up— I was hanging out in left field with this one. It has nothing to do with athletics. A few weekends ago, I visited Lake Pointe...