March Madness with a Twist

I recently read a blog from one of my good friends, Tom Goodman, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Austin--so I'm passing it on to you. Although I am an Oklahoma Sooner fan at heart, I can't help but root for the Longhorns, too, in the upcoming March Madness college basketball tournament. Gotta represent... Anyway, this article will add a little something to your interest in the tournament--because it's about HEARTS, not hoops. Enjoy...

"Horns Coach Under Construction"

Maybe you missed today's Statesman article about UT men's basketball coach, Rick Barnes. Kirk Bohls points out that Barnes has dropped the swearing, started eating healthier, and developed a more serene sideline persona that has positively impacted his team. His players and assistant coaches have noticed, and their remarks on the change show up in the article.

Down in the closing paragraphs, you get a hint about what's going on:

"Ask him what's on his iPod," assistant coach Russell Springmann coaxed.

If Barnes isn't breaking down film of Austin Peay before Texas' NCAA tournament opener in Little Rock, Ark., on Friday, there's a very good chance he's listening to one of the sermons from Matt Carter, a preacher at the Austin Stone church where Barnes and his family attend services. They are members of Lake Hills Church in Westlake.

The coach also takes part with his wife Candy's daily devotionals and reads from books she has given him, such as Billy Graham's "The Holy Spirit" and Minneapolis preacher John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life."

"The journey's real important," one Barnes confidante said. "Having self-control is never a bad thing."
I'm hoping to hear more about this life change in the near future. Life-change in Christ is noticeable! While few of us are as high-profile as a UT head coach, all who follow Christ have people watching our lives. Would your life-change be worth a Statesman article?