Hand Down, Man Down: Faith and Focus on the Courts of Life

By Fadi Jolag

A powerful use of a great sport as an analogy for the Christian life, Hand Down, Man Down will inspire readers of all ages.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Jan 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781486616299

Book preview

HAND DOWN, MAN DOWN

Copyright © 2018 by Fadi Jolag

All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

EPUB Version: 978-1-4866-1629-9

Word Alive Press

119 De Baets Street, Winnipeg, MB R2J 3R9

www.wordalivepress.ca

Cataloguing in Publication may be obtained through Library and Archives Canada

Dedication

I would like to dedicate Hand Down, Man Down to my beautiful niece, Arianna.

When you were born, my life paused. You made me realize how precious and important our own life is to others around us. You gave me strength and confidence to go out and help others. Even though you are young, your personality is enough like mine that you have had your share of struggles, but throughout it all, you stay positive and your smile always brings joy and happiness to those around you.

Janina and I love you, and we promise to always be there for you.

Remember, do your best, and God will do the rest!

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction: Court Vision

1. Jump Ball

2. Coach Jolag

3. Fear

4. Faith

5. Believing in Christ

6. My Life Coach

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the one and only Jesus Christ. If it wasn’t for His presence in my life, I wouldn’t have the strength and courage to live life to the fullest. He has guided and protected me from the moment I was born. His love and care for me is irreplaceable.

I’d like to thank my mother, father, and six sisters. They all sacrificed and led me in the right path. Each one of them played a special role in my life. They always made me feel complete, even when I wasn’t.

I’d like to thank my high school basketball coach, Mr. Nahirniak. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since my high school graduation. I hated playing for him. I used to dread going to practice, knowing how hard it was going to be; however, when I left high school, I realized the important role he’d played in my life. He taught me the importance of working hard and staying humble. He was a retired teacher, but he was at every practice and game, which taught me the importance of dedication. The countless conversations we had on and off the court is the main reason why I became a coach. His work ethic rubbed off on me, and even though in 2007 we lost in the Peel Region High School championship game, I worked hard as a coach to win that title in 2016 for you.

As well, I would like to thank Terry Balaura. This man took me under his wing and helped me not only grow as a teacher, but as a man. He gave me the keys and did everything in his power to allow me to coach and start a basketball program at his school.

Finally, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife, Janina. Thank you for everything, but most importantly, thank you for being who you are. I know that you suffer sometimes because you’re in ten places at once trying to help everyone; however, I will always be there for you, because I know that your heart is pure and that God’s calling for you is to take care of others. I love you with all my heart. This journey that we agreed to go on has not been,