It is my intent in the writing of this book to reveal a few of the many lessons (in life) that should be taught to our student athletes. We must be able to reach each individual's heart and mind through the understanding of these methods, concepts and ideas. I firmly believe we must develop the character of the student athlete first in order for them to achieve success in life and through this development of character the student athlete will establish a firm foundation on which to make sound decisions. The coaching of basketball allows an opportunity to teach and establish positive morals and values and in doing so will allow the student athlete a foundation from which they can reasonably expect success. We as coaches, parents and educators must help to develop the minds and hearts of our young student athletes if we are to succeed and flourish as a nation. It is my belief that through a successful sports program, such positive ideas, concepts and methods can be taught and expressed. I believe such ideas as setting goals, the development of a positive attitude and self-discipline are essential in the growth and well-being of our student athletes and our nation. Hopefully, through the teaching of these ideas and methods, individual growth will continue and with an expanded self awareness, selfishness will be replaced by selflessness. When this transformation of the heart and mind is complete and when we, as individuals, turn from selfishness to selflessness, all mankind will begin to fully understand the meaning of God's love. It is through the acceptance of God's love, we as His creation are drawn to Jesus Christ. For God is love and it is only through knowing Jesus Christ that love truly lives. I wholeheartedly believe, that with this new found knowledge of Christ, will come eternal truth, faith, hope and salvation. (John 3:16) Respectfully, Phil Ripton

A father and son learn a valuable lesson about how to cope with the loss of a loved one, through nature.

It is my intent in the writing of this book to reveal a few of the many lessons (in life) that should be taught to our student athletes. We must be able to reach each individual's heart and mind through the understanding of these methods, concepts and ideas. I firmly believe we must develop the character of the student athlete first in order for them to achieve success in life and through this development of character the student athlete will establish a firm foundation on which to make sound decisions. The coaching of basketball allows an opportunity to teach and establish positive morals and values and in doing so will allow the student athlete a foundation from which they can reasonably expect success. We as coaches, parents and educators must help to develop the minds and hearts of our young student athletes if we are to succeed and flourish as a nation. It is my belief that through a successful sports program, such positive ideas, concepts and methods can be taught and expressed. I believe such ideas as setting goals, the development of a positive attitude and self-discipline are essential in the growth and well-being of our student athletes and our nation. Hopefully, through the teaching of these ideas and methods, individual growth will continue and with an expanded self awareness, selfishness will be replaced by selflessness. When this transformation of the heart and mind is complete and when we, as individuals, turn from selfishness to selflessness, all mankind will begin to fully understand the meaning of God's love. It is through the acceptance of God's love, we as His creation are drawn to Jesus Christ. For God is love and it is only through knowing Jesus Christ that love truly lives. I wholeheartedly believe, that with this new found knowledge of Christ, will come eternal truth, faith, hope and salvation. (John 3:16) Respectfully, Phil Ripton

Sometime ago I read a definition for worship that says one does not have to workup worship rather one responds to the reality of God. This got me thinking about the many times I have seen and heard worship leaders vociferously commanding gatherings of people to "worship" as if they were a bunch of misfits coming together to tryout for some team or other. I have always believed that, if taught relationship with Him, no one has to be bossed around when it comes time to worship the God who loves us so much that He gave His Son to die in our place. If as pastors and worship leaders we would learn to worship and not just about worship then we would be able to lead and teach worship instead of bullying the people who are looking to us for direction. The Church has become so business/works oriented and "me" focused that we have lost our appetite for giving God glory in worship. The focal point of our gatherings is primarily about our buildings, possessions and numbers, and the fame they can bring our local church. As Christians, our priority is to glorify the triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Revelation 4:8 - 11, John gives us a glimpse of how to worship Him. It is time to stop the folly of seeking fame, fortune and the favor of man; it is time to stop getting "cute" with Scripture; it is time to get back to teaching relationship with Him through His Word so that we can grasp the reality of God and begin to sing the sweet song of the soul.

My chains are loosed, I've been set free
He nailed my sins upon a tree
He took the rap, He paid the price
And now I am alive with Christ

The primary function of this book is to promote righteous thinking in the believer. It started out being a devotional but somewhere along the way the author's thoughts began to focus on a popular belief that says it is okay to sin because of grace. He believes very strongly in Galatians 2:20 and wants to give every member of the Body of Christ the opportunity to take the step to a relationship with Jesus that will bring light to the fact that Christ died for us and He lives in us. He uses Scripture as the base for conversation and poetry to bring his thoughts to life at the end of each reading. The Christian talk is two-fold - witnessing to the non-believer, and encouraging the believer - but the walk has to begin in earnest before the talk. The walk is studying the word for God's approval and praying that He gives us real insight into what His word says and how we should live it. It is where we find the relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, and the relationship is where we come to know Him and begin to understand what John means when he says: "No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning." (I John 3:6). Understand that we are not perfect but are being perfected and we will slip into sin from time to time. Understand also that He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess these sins but it is never okay to sin. Paul clearly speaks to this in Romans 6:1-2 "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" We must contend for righteousness because "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (II Corinthians 5:21). May the reader use the pages of this book as a springboard to enter the very heart of God through justification by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and subsequent glorification on the Day of the Lord.

Soul matches soul deeply zealous Heart to heart for His purpose - Ripton