2015 by Jeff Kemp
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www . bakerpublishinggroup . com
Ebook edition created 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-2877-2
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations identified GNT are from the Good News TranslationSecond Edition. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations identified NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations identified AMP are from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
All events in this account are factual; however, the names of certain individuals have been changed in order to protect their privacy.
Cover design by Dan Pitts
Author is represented by Alive Communications, Inc.
Jeff Kemps Facing the Blitz is a game-changer for every man. What youll find in these pages is that Kemp is the Life Coach you need to successfully execute with purpose and resolve. Suit up and read this bookits game time!
Dr. Dennis Rainey President and CEO, FamilyLife
Former NFL quarterback Jeff Kemp knows well that blitzes can knock you flat on your backbut if youre prepared, you can beat the blitz for a huge play. In Facing the Blitz , Kemp transforms this on-field knowledge into real-life wisdom, teaching you how to beat the blitzes in your life and turn them into victories.
William Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education and host of the nationally syndicated talk show Morning in America
If you like football, youll love this book. But Jeff Kemps sage advice applies to much more than the gridiron. Every one of us will be confronted by seemingly insurmountable odds at some point. Facing the Blitz provides solid, biblical advice for confronting lifes most difficult challenges.
Jim Daly, president, Focus on the Family
Dads face problems, and so do their kids. Facing the Blitz gives us riveting stories and strategies to live well and help our children overcome and thrive.
Mark Merrill, president, Family First; author, All Pro Dad: Seven Essentials to Be a Hero to Your Kids
This book could change your lifeor help you to help another who has suffered a blitza devastating loss, defeat, or humiliation. Jeff Kemp, a former pro quarterback and a faith-filled family advocate, inspires us by citing examples in his own life and others, to understand that we can convert a terrible present into a bright future.
Mort Kondracke, political journalist
As a quarterback in college and professional ranks, Jeff Kemp knows the blitz well and gives us preparation and training for lifes blitzes. He is a very transparent guy and, as you read this book, you will want to share it with others. This is a message not only for men but for women as well.
Darrel Billups, ThD, executive director, National Coalition of Ministries to Men
When I first read the title of Jeffs book Facing the Blitz , it put a smile on my face. As a former quarterback and then a quarterback coach, it was my job to prepare athletes for the possibility of overwhelming attack. Jeff Kemp was a great quarterback and a wonderful student. He was as prepared as any quarterback I have coached to handle the blitz as well as other difficult situations on the field. Now he has taken the lessons he learned on the field and applied them to life. This book is a must-read for all of us. Tests and trials are a part of the human condition; no one is immune to the challenges of facing adversity. My hope is that, by reading this book, we all may be better equipped to deal with tough situations and emerge stronger and wiser from the experience.
Mike Holmgren, former head coach, Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers
Jeff is a man of deep faith, love, and leadership. I have tremendous admiration for Jeff and his approach to living a complete and healthy life. Hes as prepared to face the blitz as well as anyone I knowand Im not talking about just when he was an NFL quarterback. Read, learn, and apply. Valuable lessons for lifes greatest challenges.
Jim Nantz, CBS sportscaster
Facing the Blitz is a gem full of wisdom and hope and practical advice for anyone who fears suffering and difficulty. Its easy to read, remember, and use. Amazing!
Pat Lencioni, president, The Table Group; bestselling author of The Advantage and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
I dedicate this message to my universally loved mom, Joanne Kemp, who has always modeled the faith, hope, and love that fueled our family and allowed my dad to be the champion father he was. I also dedicate it to my greatest teammate and love, Stacy... and to our family, Kyle and Lindsay Ann, Kory and Dana, Kolby and Keegan. Who you are and how you lift others excites me!
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsemets
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
Strategy #1: Take a Long-Term View
1. Find the Opportunity in the Crisis
2. Let the Old Dream Die
3. Embrace a Bigger Vision
Strategy #2: Be Willing to Change
4. Take a Deep, Honest Look at Yourself
5. Cultivate a Relational Value System
6. Be an Investor, Not a Consumer
Strategy #3: Reach Out to Others
7. Look to the Team Around You
8. Leverage the Power of LIFT
10. Invest in Your Home Team
11. Leave a Lasting Legacy
Conclusion: Find Your Power Source
Notes
About the Author
Back Cover
Acknowledgments
T o be very clear, quarterbacksand husbandscant do anything without help; we depend deeply on others. If we forget that or take it for granted, we are fooling ourselves and dishonoring our team. A lineman can make great blocks on his own. A defender can tackle on his own. But a quarterback cant complete a pass without a whole lot of help from his teammates. He cant even start the play until the ball is snapped to him. And as for how much a wife helps a husband (and especially how much Stacy helps me), thats a bigger job than a quarterbacks!
In that spirit, I have a lot of people to thank for help on this book. Beating blitzes and turning lifes troubles into triumphs is essentially about teamwork, and I have been blessed with amazing teammates, advisors, and friends. My best friend and ultimate teammate, who has faced the most blitzes with me, is my wife. Stacy, thank you for your unconditional love, your dedicated faith in the Lord, your courageous truth-telling, your prayers, your wisdom, and your perspective. What Im especially grateful for is your heroic dedication and excellence in shaping our family and our home. You are my benchmark for being a love investor. Weve laughed about how helpable I am, but I celebrate that I married the worlds strongest helper. Your beauty is inside and out, and your legacy will be magnificent.
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