Milt Tenopir, who built the “Pipeline” and coached the best offensive lines in Nebraska football history, asked me to publish The Pipeline. Most of the books I publish are spiritual training manuals for Christian athletes and coaches, not training manuals for offensive line coaches. Though this wasn’t the ideal fit for me, I agreed to do it out of respect for him. He was one of the most respected coaches by all the players. Head Coach Tom Osborne said, “He would be firm but never denigrate or embarrass any player, and he earned their loyalty and devotion.” Besides providing blocking schemes for football, his book was filled with stories about his offensive line who were nicknamed The Pipeline. One of his most significant accomplishments came in 1995. His offensive line lost four starters to graduation, including Stai and Wiegert, and only Graham was back as a starter. That season, Nebraska averaged almost 400 yards a game rushing on its way to the national title.

Hebrews 4 – Sword of the Spirit

Milt Tenopir knew how important it was for his offensive line to protect their quarterback. He used rigid training methods and taught the proper use of line techniques to gain maximum protection. Likewise, the author of Hebrews explains the importance of the sword to protect oneself from harm or attack the enemy (4:12). God refers to His Word as a sword. A soldier needed to get rigid training on the proper use of the sword to get maximum protection. All Christian soldiers need the same strict training to properly handle the Sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God.” The phrase “sword of the Spirit” is found in Ephesians 6:17. Paul tells Christians to put on as part of the “full armor of God” to enable them to stand their ground against evil (Eph. 6:13). In Hebrews 4, the sword is described as living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword. The Roman sword was made in this manner. The fact that it had two edges made it easier to penetrate and cut in every way. The idea is that of piercing or penetrating; the Word of God reaches the “heart,” the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of those it touches.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete love the Word and embrace the surgery that comes from the divine surgeon to do his gracious cutting. They allow God’s Word to pierce their personality to its depths and bring conviction.