Swing Thought & The Red Rubber Band

At a previous Men's Breakfast Tim Hatlestad delivered the following presentation about something he called "The Swing Thought". Please enjoy reading about it and then pick up your complementary Red Rubber Band at the Men's Ministry Table after any Sunday service or Men's Breakfast...

What’s a Swing Thought?
On the driving range while practicing, or during a round of golf, the concept is to focus on just one thing. A “Swing Thought.”

The Idea being, that with too many variables, too many things to remember, various things to do, perfect timing, and a multitude of things to coordinate, to manage, to synchronize –
we ultimately end up with a bad shot, a bad hole, a bad round – a bad day.

What’s a Baller Band?
Long before various colored wrist bands were used to raise awareness for many wonderful, worthy causes; and long before mass production of these various colored wrist bands began; there were simply – rubber bands – called “Baller Bands.”

Along the same lines as a swing thought, a basketball player would use the rubber band as a way to help focus on one quality, trait, value, or behavior change – such as hustle, or rebounding, or intensity, defense, teamwork, and so on.

The player would also use the rubber band – the baller band - as a way to remember – and sometimes correct the behavior – with a pull back of the band and “snap.” Lack of hustle – snap. A missed rebound – snap. A bad decision – snap.

Now - Grab a red rubber band, and put it on your wrist.

Our Swing Thought is a difficult one. A very personal one.

For all of us, there’s ‘something.’ A vice. Quirk. A temptation. A sin. Bad habit. Unhealthy behavior.

It could be, swearing, pornography, an addiction, lying, lust, stealing, adultery, deceit or others. Some behaviors may be more troubling, perhaps than others but – at the end of the day, and certainly at the end of our earthly life, they’re all the same: they’re not Godly. They’re not honoring. They’re not ‘us.’ They need to go, before it’s too late. We need to change.

The swing thought: DON’T DO IT.

Now, you might be thinking – “this one, this swing thought: “Don’t Do It,” is for the other guys. Not me. After all, I’ve got it together. I've been a Christian all my life. I’m righteous. Pure. I’m clean. Not me.”

Right. Sure. Bull-oney. If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Give yourself a snap for even thinking that.

Whatever you think, bottom line is this: The Don’t Do It swing thought is between you and God.

Before you pray, four last thoughts:

1. The Baller Band is just rubber. It’s just material. It’s not a cross, or a nail, or a palm frond. It’s not Holy. But, it truly can be a reminder, or a tool for you.

2. Try it. For a day – this weekend – or the next three months.

Behavior specialists say that it takes 40 continuous days of continual change in order to make a change in human behavior permanent.

40 days. 40 days! Think of the Biblical significance of 40 days.

3. This rubber band isn’t meant to trivialize things. Some of us need more than a rubber band. If you do, we’re here for you. Hombres de Cristo and the Pastors are here for you. Just reach out. Just ask. Start with the band today, and call one of the Pastors, and say, “we need to talk.” (480-948-1234).

4. Lastly. This won’t be easy. Change isn't easy. “Don’t do it” are three very tough words to live by. Stumbling and wobbling is okay. It’s okay to trip up before you get your balance. Try for a day – and make it. Then two days. Then a week. Have a goal of forty days.

We’re going to need each other. Pray for each other. Fist Bump. Talk. Read.


Now, put one hand on your band, and pray with me:


Lord, this is an incredible, awesome day. Today’s a great day for many reasons – including that it’s a brand new day. God I praise you for what you’ve done for me – for your love and grace and that in spite of all of my faults, weaknesses and sin, that you forgive me and you love me.

Lord, I need help. There’s a lot of temptation in our world and in my life. I am weak sometimes. At times I’m sinful. I can’t always say no. Stop. Or, Don’t do it. There’s a dark part of my life, Lord, that I pray for your help to change.

As a man, Lord, I sometimes lose my way - and sometimes don't stop to ask for directions. Today Lord, I am asking for direction – and help.

Lord, I ask that this simple, red rubber band around my wrist be blessed and empowered – and that by it, I am reminded to stop – don’t do it.

When I am working to be stronger, and I begin to stumble, Lord, when I start to give in, I’ll snap the band. I pray Lord, that the snap reminds me: Stop. Don’t Do It. And that the slight pain of the snap reminds me that you’ve already paid the price, that I am forgiven.

Lord, in my weakness you are made strong; and I pray that you strengthen me. That I Stop. That I Don’t Do It. I Resist, correct, change. And that I’m forgiven.

Make me strong, Lord, and keep me strong.

Amen