How has the University of Alabama established such a long-term winning tradition?
When President George Denny took over the University of Alabama in the early 1900′s, he made a declaration that he wanted the school to be known for football. He put an emphasis on the game. He got the right coaches, and they began to win. They went to several Rose Bowls and won their first national championship in 1925. In this case, I think success begets success. By and large, the very foundation of the winning program was established almost 100 years ago, and we’re still building off that now. With the exemption of a few years here and there, Alabama has been very successful in almost every decade since the beginning.

Do you expect Alabama to be in the hunt for another national title again next season?
Alabama is certainly going to be up for national honors. They’re bringing back an experienced quarterback with a national championship under his belt. They definitely have the resources they need. Saban is the best defensive coach and coordinator in the country. He’s got a younger group of players about to emerge who have learned what it takes to win. They really have a drive to play to a certain standard, regardless of opponent or circumstance. The players have evolved into Saban’s principles of playing your absolute best, regardless of their situation or circumstance. They showed a lot of maturity this year as a team, and the younger players will be able to continue that next year.

You’ve been connected with Saban for more than 20 years. Have you seen his leadership progress or has he always been a dynamic coach and leader? 

Alabama is getting the true end result of the experiences that Saban had at Toledo, Michigan State, and LSU. As with any young head coach, Saban learned through some trial and error, but he’s taken those experiences and learned from them. He has built up a program not only on the field, but off the field as well. The training, psychological support, strength and conditioning, and recruiting is better than any team in the country. His coaching staffs at Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama have all been different, yet he has won at each place. Once he gets a staff in, he knows what he wants them to do. It all stems from his leadership. Alabama is getting the fruits of his labor over the years.

You mentioned that Saban’s leadership is the key to Alabama’s success. What role has leadership and mentoring played in your own career?
I’ve been mentored and I’ve become a mentor. I’ve been extremely fortunate to be mentored by some great men. My first real football boss was Bill Curry, who is currently the head coach at Georgia State. He is a very principled man with very strong Christian faith. From Curry, I got a chance to see firsthand how you mix big time football with big faith. Bill Belichick had a tremendous influence of me in terms of work ethic and attention to detail. He instilled in me lot of the little things that can propel you to a successful career. Seeing that work ethic and the hours required in getting a team ready to play made a huge difference for me.

When I was in Cleveland with Saban, I got a chance to see up close and personal the intensity and focus that he brings to the job. A lot of people had a big impact on me, and I remembered what they taught me as my responsibilities increased. I would hire younger guys and train them up as scouts, showing them the right way to do it. Many of those guys are in the NFL and doing well. They’re in positions where they have a voice. It’s important and very rewarding to see guys that you helped out doing things the proper way, with class and the right ethics. I think the legacy that people leave is not your win-loss record, but how you influence others. 

If you focus on yourself all the time, the rewards end up being hollow. The bonds and relationships that you form along the way last a lot longer than a particular game or season. I think it makes your job more fulfilling if you’re passing on some knowledge and experience to others. At the NFL level, it’s important for people to realize and understand the principles that are involved in doing it the right way. 

What role has faith played in your career journey?
Faith is a major part of your career, whether you’re a coach, scout, color analyst, salesmen, secretary, or whatever your vocation. As a Christian, faith is always going to be number one priority. Because of the demands of different jobs, there are times when you’re not putting enough attention to your faith as you probably should. Especially if you’re with a team that’s losing or if things aren’t going well, you have a tendency to pray a little bit more or be more aware of what you’re doing from a faith standpoint. Because professional and major college football is such a fleeting career path, you have to stand on the foundation of faith, regardless of the circumstance. Career is here today, gone tomorrow. A lot of the people in the NFL and major college football realize that they’ve got to have an anchor and faith in Christ – that gives them a compass to operate from. 

How about Tim Tebow? What’s your take on him and his outward display of faith?
He’s a unique talent. It’s remarkable that he’s taken the platform that he’s been given and done so much with it, yet maintains such a humble spirit that he’s not offensive to people. That’s a difficult, tight road to walk – to display your faith and not turn people away. If anything, he’s certainly extended himself where more people have been exposed to the Christian faith, maybe more than by anyone else since Billy Graham. 

Any surprises with the Giants and Patriots being in the Super Bowl?
Neither one is a surprise. Brady is one of the best quarterbacks to have ever played the game and Eli Manning is well on his way to proving himself as a tremendous quarterback. Both quarterbacks are well-coached and extremely disciplined in their approach to the game. One of the keys to making it to the Super Bowl is for a team to be hot & healthy at the end of the year. It isn’t a surprise that they’re here because they’re both hot, they’re both healthy, and they both have experienced head coaches. 

Any last thoughts?
It’s never too early to start thinking about leadership and how you can make an impact on other people. The University of Mobile Center for Leadership and the Twelve23 Movement is putting an emphasis on leadership, and the impact is far-reaching. People are replicating the leadership they’ve seen, and they’re making a difference in other people’s lives.  

During the Super Bowl XLII contest held between the New England Patriots and New York Giants in 2008, Tom Brady’s Patriots were 18-0 and a twelve point favorite over Eli Manning’s Giants. In what could be considered as the best ending in Super Bowl history, the Giants shocked the world by winning 17-14. Manning was named game MVP.

During the post-game interview on national television, a reporter asked wide receiver Plaxico Burress to share what attributed to the win. He answered, “Coach just told us to throw our hearts across the bar and that’s what we did. We threw our hearts across the bar!”

When I heard Burris’ words, I sat in disbelief, asking myself, “did I really just hear what I think he said?” Within seconds, different people watching across the country began calling me to ask if I had heard what Burris had said. One person jokingly exclaimed, “Your devotion helped bring down the undefeated Patriots!” Another laughingly said, “I guess the Giants will be sending you a ring!”

To this day, I still wonder if Coach Tom Coughlin of the Giants really used my devotion to inspire his team. Its fun to think that he did, but it certainly may have simply been sheer coincidence. Either way, it reminds me how impactful our words can be and how we should consistently strive to be a voice of inspiration to others.

Below is the actual devotion I wrote January 17, 2008 to an audience of primarily NFL coaches, scouts, and executives:

A famous trapeze artist was teaching his students how to perform on the trapeze bar. After hours of instruction, he told them to climb up and demonstrate their ability.

One student climbed to the top of the ladder, but was gripped with fear as he looked down from the high platform. He couldn’t move as his muscles squeezed in fear. “I can’t do it!” he exclaimed.

With great wisdom, the instructor put his arm around the student and said, “You can do it and I will tell you how.” Then he shared a great insight. He said, “Throw your heart over the bar and your body will follow.”

Put that quote to memory. It’s packed with truth.

When you are facing a barrier, an obstacle, or a fear, go throw your heart over the bar! Don’t let your fears grip and immobilize you.

I personally know of many people who have missed out on their greatest blessings because they had no heart! They instead let fear, intellect, circumstance, and the like keep them from pursuing their true passions. They allowed hard times to snuff out the fire that once burned so brightly.

I am not talking about going and doing something stupid. I am not talking about going and doing something contrary to Scripture. I am not even saying go and do everything that YOU want. What I am saying is “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). When you align your heart with His and you have a God given desire, then you need to fulfill that desire!

Is there something that God has burned into your heart that you aren’t doing? Why aren’t you?

Go “throw your heart over the bar!”

“Lord, I first ask you to take my desires and form them to be pleasing unto you. Burn away all those desires that are not from you and give me all the desires that you want me to have. Then oh God, give me the courage and faith to throw my heart across the bar. I thank you for giving me my desires and helping me fulfill your desire for my life this year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Cave of Adullam

A new year may be upon us, but the people of our great nation are still facing the same serious issues as before. The economy still falters, politicians are still irresponsible, the main-line media still infuse bias into our news, and there seems to be insurmountable social and spiritual concerns at every level of society. While these grave times for our nation are certainly not to be celebrated, we can find solace in the fact that many God-fearing Americans are taking a stand! In spite of the constant barrage of rhetorical spin, political correctness, and ridiculous musings that seem to fill our airwaves and lecterns, there is a groundswell of individuals who have simply had enough. They are sick and tired of standing on the sidelines while our nation is invaded by opposition to its foundational strengths.

American current events remind me of a time in Israel’s history long before the birth of Christ. The nation had come to a seriously concerning condition under the leadership of King Saul. The Bible records that “everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered” (1 Samuel 22:2) with David in a cave called Adullam, which means “refuge” in Hebrew. These individuals who gathered numbered 400 men strong. They began to unify, train, and take ownership of establishing solutions to Israel’s problems. The number of men continued to grow until they reached thousands. In due time, these men became one of the mightiest armies the world has ever known, and more importantly, they restored Israel to its God-honoring purpose.

As part of my work with the Twelve23 Movement & the University of Mobile Center for Leadership, we have created a new online magazine named “Adullam” in remembrance of what was and in hope of what will be in our country. It serves as a reminder of how one group of focused followers of God can take a nation back to its purpose in response to a divine call.

Click here register to receive “Adullam,” the free monthly online.

Often I hear pastors or individuals in churches say they desire to “lead in their community.” The simple fact is this: If a person is not solving community problems then they are not and will not be “community leaders.” It’s just that simple….
All Christians regardless of their chosen occupation or place of residence are called to be problem solvers in the lives of other people. This is what Jesus meant when He told you that “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Light brings hope into darkness. Light brings comfort when in distress. Light brings focus to chaos. You my friend are a light and God has assigned you to the task of being someone else’s problem solver! Your life is their solution, so go solve some problems today!

We know the Christmas tree was part of Christian tradition back in the 700’s in Germany. The tree was then called the “Christ tree.” On the eve of Christmas, German towns would host dramatizations about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As part of the play, Eve would place an apple (signifying her sin), upon the Christ tree (signifying the cross of Christ)…
After the play, the townspeople would go home and place their own individual apple upon their own “Christ tree.” This was a meaningful event that helped each person remember that Christ was born to be their “Savior” – to redeem them from their sin (Matthew 2).

Last Sunday, I preached this message to the people at First Baptist Church in Silverhill, Alabama. After the service, two elderly ladies took an apple each and placed them on the town’s Christmas tree that sits in the main square. Others told me they were going home to place an apple on their “Christ tree.” One gentleman jokingly said that his sin is so great that he was going to buy a bushel of apples to place on his tree.

My wife and I have an apple hanging on our tree. It’s the ugliest yet most beautiful ornament on the tree! Maybe this Christmas, you might consider placing an apple on your “Christ tree” while giving God thanks for His perfect gift – Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16).

Merry Christmas!

On November 21, 1620 they reached the Cape Cod coast. As they sailed looking for appropriate land for settlement, they encountered a horrific storm causing them to anchor at Cape Cod. Before coming ashore, 41 men aboard the ship sign an agreement which would set up a new style government. The agreement was called the Mayflower Compact. It would be the first document of self government in the New World.

With sea weary legs, the men began exploring Cape Cod for suitable land to settle. The women and children stayed on board. Winter was upon them. Temperatures began to plummet at night. Urgency began to set in. The journey was becoming quite difficult, but their toughest days were still ahead!

As they began to settle, natives appeared with arrows flying. The Pilgrims fired back. Knowing they would never have peace, the Pilgrims board The Mayflower and set sail again. This time they would land at the place they called Plymouth. It would be here that they would settle; more out of desperation and urgency, then out of finding the perfect Utopia.

Several members of their group became sick. Others passed away. William Bradford’s wife would drown – either by accident or by suicide. No one knows for sure. Being ill-prepared for a harsh winter and all that came with settling a New World, the Pilgrims would begin to die at a rapid pace. In no time at all, half of the Pilgrims would pass away leaving them with only 53 individuals counting women and children.

They didn’t know where to fish. They didn’t know how to grow crops in this new type soil. They didn’t have enough housing to protect them from the bitter cold. They didn’t know if natives might attack and kill them. They didn’t have shipments of supplies on the way or a new group of people to join them. They didn’t know how to stop the death of so many. To put it mildly, the Pilgrims were in grave trouble and if they didn’t receive some help soon, they would all die only to be remembered as Christian fools looking for freedom.

Then the incredible happened! It would be something that Americans three hundred years later would forget . . . or simply not know about . . . or simply leave out of the script we call “American History.”

On March 21, 1621, as the Pilgrims were going about their daily duties, they heard a rustling in the woods nearby. The men grabbed their guns thinking this might be the dreadful attack they had so often feared.

Suddenly, an olive skinned native named Someset stepped out of the woods and greeted the Pilgrims in a broken form of their own language, explaining how he had learned English from fishermen and traders in what is now Maine. A few days later,
Someset brought a friend named Squanto to meet the Pilgrims. Squanto would be a man who was both peaceful in approach and fluent in the British language. He would turn out to be God’s answer to their persevering prayers.

Can you imagine the shock and amazement as the native dressed Squanto emerged from the wildness of the woods with an outstretched hand and an English vocabulary?

As Squanto, William Bradford, and the other Pilgrims sat to talk, Squanto began to tell them his life story. They were dumbfounded by the story of Squanto as the providential hand of God was being unveiled!

At the age of twelve, Squanto and some other natives were kidnapped by Englishman Thomas Hunt. Hunt took the natives to Malaga, Spain to sell them into slavery. Some local friars discovered Hunt’s plans and purchased Squanto. Soon after, they allowed Squanto to attempt a voyage back to his homeland. Squanto managed to get to London where he lived and worked with John Slany, a shipbuilder who assisted Squanto in learning more English. After a few years, Squanto traveled with Slany to Newfoundland and then on to his native homeland in New England in 1619 to be reunited with his family and tribe.

Sadly, upon arrival, Squanto found only skeletal remains and empty homes as the majority of New England tribes including his family had all died from an epidemic plague, possibly smallpox. He would remain in the area alone and saddened. For months, he would mourn his great loss and remember the bountiful times he shared as a boy with his family fishing and hunting.

It would be less than two years later that the Pilgrims arrived and unknowingly formed Plymouth at the same exact location where Squanto’s family once lived. And it would be the English speaking and heart-broken Squanto who would teach the Pilgrims where to fish, how to grow crops, and how to live at peace with neighboring tribes. Squanto would adopt the Pilgrims as his new family and he would become their answered prayer! Governor William Bradford described Squanto as “a special instrument sent of God for [our] good.”

That summer, the Pilgrims reaped a bountiful harvest. Pilgrim Edward Winslow exclaimed, “God be praised, we had a good increase of corn”; “by the goodness of God, we are far from want.” The grateful Pilgrims therefore declared a feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends. Ninety Wampanoag Indians joined the fifty Pilgrims for three days as they feasted (which included shellfish, lobsters, turkey, corn bread, berries, deer, and other foods), played (the young Pilgrims and Wampanoags engaged in races, wrestling matches, and athletic events), and gave God thanks.

Squanto would remain with the Pilgrims for years serving as a helper and peacemaker. According to Bradford, Squanto “never left [us] til he died.” When Squanto lay dying of a fever, Bradford wrote that their Indian friend “desir[ed] the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen’s God in heaven.”

Modern-day American leader Chuck Colson observed, “Who but God could so miraculously convert a lonely Indian and then use him to save a struggling band of Englishmen? It is reminiscent of the biblical story of Joseph, who was also sold into slavery–and whom God likewise used as a special instrument for good.”

On this day of Thanksgiving, may we look again to God for His amazing providence in our lives. May we give Him sincere thanks and may we each by faith acknowledge that God’s Word is true that “all things work together for good for those who
love the Lord and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Happy Thanksgiving!