Simple way to make a Big Impact!

Many of us wonder how we can help, elicit impact, and make a difference in this world. 

We'd like to donate time, money, service, etc. to those in need. Maybe serve in our community, go on a missions trip, or become part of a mentoring program. 

I say do it!

Now with that being said, let's not overlook the power of simple and thoughtful kindness that can be acted upon daily. This doesn't take a lot of time, money, or energy... but it does make a big difference in our world. 

This thought was was sparked whenever a friend of mine sent me a motivational picture on Pinterest and said "Chad Parks, That's you!". 

It is amazing how a positive word or an intentional small gesture can brighten your day. The reminder that someone cares and thinks positively of you truly matters. 

You know what I love about this? Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of of a kind gesture, you are blessed. I mean it just downright feels good to show kindness and also to receive it from others. 

Today, I challenge you to intentionally reach out to someone and make their day. Give them a quick phone call to say "I'm thinking about you and I care about you". Alright, maybe talking on the phone isn't your thing. That's okay, send a nice text, Facebook message, or an Awesome Pin on Pinterest with a personal message. 

Many of us wonder how we can help, elicit impact, and make a difference in this world. 

While you are wondering, start where you are and make a difference in the lives of those around you!

God Bless,

Coach P

P.S. Thank You Jilliann

Dog issues and Human issues aren't that different really.

I've recently started making time to watch The Dog Whisperer and Cesar 911 (We got a new puppy!). These shows both star dog expert Cesar Millan, who seems like a pretty awesome dude. Cesar trains humans and rehabs their dogs. As I stated before, he is pretty awesome.

Two of the themes I've noticed with many of the "troubled" or "out of control" dogs that Cesar helps rehab is that they are insecure or fearful. This insecurity and fear causes the dogs to act up, lash out, become aggressive, and take away peace from their environment. 

While I was watching one of the episodes, this thought occurred to me... "Many of the students I teach are dealing with the same issues as these dogs". We have students in school that often get into trouble and at times seem out of control. These students are not bad people, they are insecure and fearful. The insecurity and fear causes them to act up, lash out at others, sometimes become aggressive, and ultimately reduce the peace in their environment.

As I pondered this, I realized the picture is much larger than dogs and students, it applies to people of all ages. I mean how many adults are dealing with insecurity and fear? These issues cause them to act out towards their spouse, peers, co-workers, and even strangers. Insecurity and fear causes people to lose their own peace and then project that into their environment.

In order to overcome insecurity and fear, Cesar works with the dogs to rebuild security and face their fears.
He says one of the hardest things for an insecure dog to do is totally submit to the pack leader in front of the other dogs. 

Again, I believe this same issue applies to us as humans. One of the hardest things for us to do is totally submit ourselves to our leader... God (this applies to us Christians as well).

When we refuse to totally submit to God, then we will ultimately deal with insecurity and fear. If this applies to you, I can assure you that you're not alone. I deal with these same issues as well. I often depend on me and this leads to issues that take away my peace. 

Guess what? There is good news! 

Just as dogs can be rehabilitated and learn, humans can too. We can learn to submit to God and ask Him to rehab us. God will step in and help you overcome the insecurity and fear that sometimes rise up and cause you to lash out. When you submit, God will go to work on your issues and fill you with peace!

When given an opportunity, Cesar Millan is amazing at rehabilitating dogs and training people. If you give God the opportunity, you'll see how amazing He is at rehabilitating you and training you for a life free of insecurity and fear. This life brings peace, a peace that only God can provide. 

God Bless,

Coach P 

Yeah, I just gave you the puppy face. 

Our Warrior!

When they nailed Him to that cross so many years ago, there was an eternal consequence the people didn't know. 

They thought He had been beaten, bruised, and placed in a grave. This poor man was in His final resting place.

What the people couldn't comprehend is that He was not only a martyr, but he was also a Warrior. 

They assumed He was dead inside His rocky tomb. 

Yet in reality He was fighting to free me and you. 

This Man descended, conquering death, hell, and the grave. He won the battle for you... 

You are no longer a slave. 

When they nailed Him to that cross so many years ago, there was an eternal consequence the people didn't know. 

What is the consequence? 

Jesus has Risen to save your Soul. 

God Bless,

Coach P

Shake off the Haters!

When Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:25) his disciples were at first scared, and then they were amazed. I'm sure there were also a few haters who heard about this miracle and said... "He only walks on water because he can't swim".

Another time Jesus healed a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years and the Jewish leaders condemned Jesus because he healed a person on the Sabbath (John 5:1-17). 

They didn't say "Dude, that is Awesome! This guy is 38 years old, has never walked, and Jesus healed him"! No, they said "Jesus shouldn't do these things because it is the Sabbath".

What is my point? 

You will never make everyone happy. Haters will hate and that's a fact Jack.

You know what? Who Cares!

WORD!

Do the work The Lord has called you to. Fulfill your purpose in this life, because only you can fulfill it.

Shake off the haters and do what God is calling you to do.

There is only one you and you are Awesome!

God Bless,

Coach P

Little Steps Matter

"Little steps always lead somewhere." - Pastor Craig Groeschel

That my friends is a simple, yet profound statement!

Life is full of little steps that take you to and fro, here and there, everywhere. 

Do you have a Big Goal? Then you need to know that it takes little steps to achieve it. 

Maybe you have messed up in some area of your life? That is most likely the result of little steps in the wrong direction. 

Little steps may seem insignificant, but I feel this is an error in thought process. Everything you do speaks and every step you take matters. 

Today, remember that each little step must be intentional as it is leading you somewhere. If you are headed in the right direction, keep going. If you are heading down the wrong path... Stop! Turn around and get your steps going in the proper direction once again. 

Every Step Matters

God Bless,

Coach P

P.S. I just finished reading FIGHT by Pastor Craig Groeschel and he has tons of quote worthy statements in the book. I highly suggest this read for anyone looking to become a Warrior for their family, their home, and God.

The difference between Fun and Joy

Fun and Joy... these two words make me feel good! I believe it's safe to assume that most people feel the same way about the words Fun and Joy. 

Let's take a quick look at definitions for each word...

Fun:  providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment 

Joy: a state of happiness

Fun is awesome and joy is where we want to hang out for as long as possible. That being said, fun doesn't always lead us to joy. As a matter of fact, fun can either add to or ruin your joy. What?

You see, fun is a double edged sword that can enhance our life or destroy it. Fun is a temporary entertainment that makes us feel good "in the moment".  Joy on the other hand is an emotional state of happiness that is not based on a fleeting amusement or feeling good "in the moment." Joy is based upon long term choices that can be fun and ultimately add to our state of happiness.

I'll get to the point...

There are a lot of "fun" activities that can ruin your joy. I mean, the Biblical Hero Samson decided to have fun a number of times (with the ladies) and most of you know where that led Samson (eyes gouged out and working as a slave, not fun). What about Biblical Hero David? He decided to have fun (with a married woman) and then had to cover his tracks by setting up a murder. Again, fun followed by not so much fun. 

Those examples seem extreme right? Well, the same issues plague us today and they can ruin our joy. Getting drunk, premarital sex, extramarital sex, etc. These are all activities that may seem "fun" for a moment, but that's how long they last... a moment. 

Fun can be awesome and I hope that you are able to have a ton of it. Just be careful to weigh the consequences of your fun. If a moment of fun cost you your joy, then that price is too high to pay. 


God Bless,

Coach P

How Far Will Your Influence Reach?

I want to thank Dr. Nathanial Hearne for his impact on my life. Dr. Hearne is a former football coach for the Permian Panthers, you know... "Mojo" and  "Friday Night Lights".

Coach Hearne was never my football coach and we have never actually met. But, I'm still grateful for Coach Hearne as he has been a major influence on my life. Sounds weird right?

When I was 18 years old, I wrestled for Missouri Valley College in Marshal, Mo. While at Missouri Valley I met an extraordinary human being named Venshard Dobbins (aka Vince). Vince played football and ran track for the college and we lived on the same floor of the dorms. He was a tall guy, monster athlete, and always had a smile from ear to ear. That's Vince. 

I would see Vince on campus or at the dorms and he'd always shake my hand, give me a hug, and say "How are you today Brother Chad?". Then he would actually sit there and listen, not just a "How's it going?" as he passed. No, Vince is the kind of guy that asked how you are and really wanted to know what you had to say. 

If you've ever heard the saying "People won't always remember what you say, but they will remember how you make them feel." That's Vince. He made you feel special every time you had a chance to talk with him. 

Vince often asked if I'd like to come to Church with him on Sunday, but I kept making excuses not to go. Finally, one day Vince asked me to go to church with him and I said "Yes Sir, I'm in". That's the day God started changing my heart and my world. I attended Sunday school classes, Church services, and partook of Church meals with Vince the rest of that school year. All throughout that time he showed me what a man of God looked and lived like in this world. He helped me understand what it was to have a relationship with Jesus. Vince was a man that walked the walk and talked the talk. 

To be honest, I could go on and on about the impact Brother Venshard Dobbins made in my life. I could tell you about all that God did in my life then and all that He is continuing to do even now. But, what I want to tell you is this... 

Coach Hearne influenced Vince in a positive manner when Vince played football for him. Vince became a great football player, went to college and that's where I met him. There he became a positive influence on my life and paid forward what he had learned from Coach Hearne. Then I became a better man and have tried my best to spend my days as an athlete and now a coach paying forward the lessons Vince taught me. 

So even though I didn't play football for Coach Hearne and I've never met him, he has been a positive influence in my life. The funny thing is this, Coach Hearne has no idea what impact he made on my life. But that is the point of this blog post, we may never know how far our influence will reach. All we can do is try our best right now, where we are, to be a positive influence on those around us. In doing so, we could change their life for the better and hopefully they pay it forward to someone else. When we do this a lot and the cycle gets repeated, a small number of people can make a huge difference in this big 'ol world we live in today.

Thank You Coach Hearne and Brother Vince for being such Strong Men of God and for the impact you've had on my life!

Below is a video about Coach Hearne's new book "Friday Night Lights: Untold Stories From Behind The Lights."  My good friend Vince is featured in the video (:39 second mark) and also in this new book. His story is incredible, absolutely incredible. 

Friday Night Lights: Untold Stories From Behind The Lights



God Bless,


Coach P

P.S. Here are a couple other takeaways from this lesson: 

1. Successful people usually have a number of untold stories that have taken place on their success journey. 
2. Successful people often have one or more people that inspired and mentored them along the way. They have one or more people that influenced or impacted their lives in a positive manner. 

Venshard Dobbins