Compete Inside
100 Reflections to Help You Become the Complete Athlete
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
So much is done for me; so much is given to me – I feel like I have a right to it all. That attitude takes over during certain moments in my life. I develop a sense of entitlement that breeds a lack of gratitude and real fairness. I begin to think having things handed to me is normal and having what I want is fair.
Entitlement is dangerous. It can blind me to the needs around me. Getting what I deserve gets lost into getting what I think I deserve. It becomes about me, rather than about us, a community.
Lord, give me proper perspective. Help me to put my wants and desires second to my team and family and neighbor.
“What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war.” James 4:1-2
“For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are walking in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 Where do I see the spirit of entitlement creep into my life? How do I typically act when I have the spirit of entitlement? What are things I need to do to counter this?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The opportunities that exist for Christian athletes are amazing. The potential to leave a lasting impact is overwhelming. The challenge is to stay focused on what ultimately matters: a vibrant relationship with God. Faith and sports are an invaluable tandem that sometimes fall off balance. Compete Inside offers athletes reflections, relevant Scripture passages, and piercing questions to help them develop their faith and integrate it into their athletic life. Nothing can be more valuable than investing in your faith.
“These reflections inspire the athlete to put first what should be first: our faith and trust in Christ. Awesome!”
—Philip Rivers, 11 year NFL Veteran Quarterback, 5 time Pro Bowler
“As athletes, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We put our performance out there for all the world to evaluate. We have high highs and low lows. Because of this, sports are more than physical competition or mental challenges. It becomes a spiritual journey. We all know the importance of focus in athletics. This book will help keep you focused on the most important thing, and assist you in leaving a meaningful legacy that lasts far beyond your playing days.”
—Matt Birk, 15 year NFL Veteran, Super Bowl Champion, and 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
“This book is an excellent resource for all athletes striving to excel in their sport and live a life for Christ! It is highly relatable to the highs and low that athletes face and speaks the truth of God’s love and mercy”.
—Kristen O’Neill, Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Seattle University, former WNBA, FIBA, and Division I athlete
“This book will serve as a road map to help us give God back the glory—not to strive to have him on our team, but to one day cross home plate with the winning run and be on his team. In society, sometimes we glorify athletes more than a man that died on a cross. It can create an EGO (Edging God Out). These great reflections help us bring God back into the mix.”
—Tony Robichaux, Head Baseball Coach, University of Louisiana – Lafayette
About the Author
Thomas has been around sports his entire life. He was an all-state quarterback in high school, helping his team to the state finals in Arizona. He went to the University of San Diego on a Presidential Scholarship and played a season of football. He finished his last three years of undergraduate work at Benedictine College and played club level rugby. While completing his Bachelor’s degree, he had a profound encounter with the Lord in large part through those he met involved with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). He has worked with college athletes since 2001 as a missionary with FOCUS. He launched Varsity Catholic, a division within FOCUS that serves the faith needs of student-athletes across the country. He received his Master’s degree in Catechetics and Evangelization as a member of the first graduating class of the Augustine Institute. His website is www.faithandathletics.com, and has been featured on the Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for the Laity, Church and Sport section’s website.
He strongly believes in the significant role sports can play in developing men and women of exceptional faith and character.
He resides in Littleton, CO with his wife and children.
You can connect with him at the following: Twitter: www.twitter.com/twurtz13 Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/twurtz13