Dare & Choose Happiness:

So I conclude, that first, there is nothing better for a man than to be happy and to enjoy himself as long as he can; and second, that he should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of his labors, for these are gifts from God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Committed to Playing Hard?

Only when a player plays hard on every possession, on both ends of the court, all the time and everyday can they say that they're fully committed and giving their best.

Hoop Hunter Tip for Student-Athletes:

What's It Worth To You?

The price that student-athletes must pay to have a high and meaningful amount of success (in the classroom & on the court) is often a much higher price than they're willing to play.

"If you're not getting what you want from your current output, then you must find other ways of increasing your output, because what you're currently doing isn't enough."

The Perfect Combo Platter; Jesus & Everything That Concerns You

[Jesus Christ & Holiday Blues]

During the holiday season, if a person (Christian) starts to feel down and out (and began to get the blues), I suggest that they kneel before the lord in constant prayer and dedicate themselves to reading and hearing the word of God daily until it brings comfort and peace to their hearts and souls.

The Perfect Combo Platter; Jesus & Everything That Concerns You!

Payers Should Play Basketball Without Boundaries

Until players decide to play basketball without boundaries (not giving it everything they've got) there will always be limits of what they can and can't do placed on their game by themselves and their coaches.

About Playing Time

During the course of a season, remember not to get down on yourselves if you're not getting the minutes you believe you deserve. Keep working and chopping wood until you get your opportunity.

Something to remember:

Working your way into a line up and/or the rotation may take more time than you can wrap your brain around. But if this is what you really want, you must respectfully buy into the coaches philosophy and game plan or else, odd man out!

Hang in there, regroup if you need to and be the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines.

A Personal Testimony

I didn't think it could be, until it happened to me, huh?

[Me living a Christ centered life?]

As a young adult, I strayed from walking & living a Christ centered life.

And each time that I felt the need to start living righteous,I started to second guess whether I could ever be cleaned up enough to "sincerely" be the child of God that He created me to be, less known be the person that my mother & father raised me to be.

What was I thinking?

"My parents raised me in church (where I played drums) to be a Christ centered person. But as I became a teenager, I began to notice that the outside world opposed my Christian upbringing.

And that's when I started to feel like the "Lone Ranger."

As a teenager and young adult, the more I tried to honor Christ, the more peer pressure I felt to ignore the Christian values and principles I was raised and taught to respect unless I when to church on Sunday.

[Giving In to Peer Pressure]

Once I gave in to peer pressure (because I cared too much about what others thought about me if I didn't) I found myself trying to fit in (being a follower) rather than leading by example, not good." Oh, and guess what, I never truly fit in, it was simply a figment of my imagination.

The new guy!

Today, I no longer "stand"  convicted because of my past failures but I "kneel" (giving thanks to God) because I've been forgiven and redeemed from all of my past, current and future sins and trespasses by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Undeserving Grace & Love:

Because of God's grace and unconditional love for me (that I did nothing to deserve) I made a commitment to live my life as an unashamed faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

In Service:

Today, I'm thankful to God for calling me out of sin and into a life of service.

The fruit & gifts of the spirit that he's given me is and will forever be shared faithfully with those in need.

My prayer:

Dear lord,
Thank you for calling me out of a life of sin and leading me into a life of service for the lord.

"May the work and life that I live, speak for me."

In Jesus name Amen.

 "Living for Christ isn't easy but it's worth it and it ain't for no wimps"

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UNT Men's Basketball Update: My Alma mater

I will be speaking tomorrow to the UNT men's basketball team prior to the opening of their season which beings Friday, Nov. 13 vs Jarvis Christian at 7:30pm.

I would encourage all everyone to join me at some of the games this season, it's a great way to spend quality time with the family and kids. And bring your neighbors too.

Whatever God calls you to do, do it to the best of your ability and to His delight.

Going the extra mile

Players who choose to make a sacrifice and practice (an extra 15 to 30 min a day) during the season tend to maintain a higher than normal success rate than their teammates and opponents.

Hoop Hunter Starting 5 Line-Up:

1. "Teach" all who are willing to learn with a sincere heart, regardless of their talent, skill level and experience. And teach depth.

2. "Motivate" all who are willing to work and accept constructive criticism when needed, but don't exasperate!

3. "Inspire" players in a way (by using words) that makes them want to give their best, everyday.

4. "Encourage" players to believe that nothing's impossible when they put forth their best effort daily.

5. "Praise" players as often as needed. Coach and build them up. We bare that responsibility.

These are the principles that HHB Organization uses as a guide to help impact the growth and development of each person/player.

Hoop Hunter Tips for Players & Coaches

The biggest and most important piece to the successful play of each team is whether or not all of the players are in tip top shape.

Getting a team in shape doesn't have to be through unnecessary means (anger, threats, belittling and the use of profanity) but coaches need to find more motivating, creative and *fun ways to get players in shape excluding the use of the clock. The honor system works best for me (give your best, do your best and be your best).

The Truth:
Teams with players (all) that are in tip top shape often play at a higher level and for a longer period of time against their opponents!

Hoop Hunter Tips for Parents

(Extended version)

When young men and women join the United States Army, Navy and Marines, the parents and friends of these individuals tell them prior to joining, "you must respect, obey and adhere to everything that your commanding officer ask or tells you to do," and everything will workout just fine.

But when it comes to basketball, many parents feel that they have the right to tell their child (player) what they want them to do (from the sidelines) while disregarding what the coaches want them to do. This is wrong!

[I call this conflict of interest!]

Parents, yes the players are your kids and yes you have a trillion rights under the parental laws act, but when it come to sports, you bare the responsibility of teaching your child to respect the authority of their coaches; and you too must learn to accept the fact that it's not your team and that you're not the coach, you're the parent.

And finally parents, stop trying to coach your kids from the stands because this often interferes with who's instruction the player (your child) is going to follow.

It also further complicates things and brings on more conflict and dissension between the coaches and you, the player and coaches and the fans in the stands and you.