Good News Pickleball

About Good News Pickleball

Good News Pickleball combines the fastest-growing sport in America with The Gospel of Christ. In each episode John Wilkerson shares how Christians can demonstrate the love of Christ while playing pickleball. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Publisher

John Wilkerson

Category

religion & spirituality · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Dec 2023

Latest episode

28 Apr 2025

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Apr 2025

   Love is Patient and Kind

   Today I'm starting a new series on 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and it starts with patience. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4, "Love is patient and kind…" Paul pairs these two attributes of love together because the complement one another. Patience isn't "just sticking it out" or begrudgingly tolerating someone or a situation. That's stubbornness. It's an intentional action paired with kindness. It's not enough to grit your teeth and get through a bad situation. That's not love. Being kind and not getting angry are just as important in a trying situation as accepting the situation you're in. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? Patience is key when playing pickleball. Kindness is equally as important. Pickleball News If you haven't heard already, Andre Agassi is making his pickleball pro debut at the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships and will will partner up with Anna Leigh Waters. When asked about partnering with ALW he said, "[T]he idea of challenging myself to not screw things up for her is daunting." Pickleball Tip Jordan Briones from Briones pickleball provides this week's tip. In this video where he talks about coaching Augie Ge, Jordan says being aware that something needs to change is important for improving at pickleball. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the how love and kindness go together so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss the episode. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Looking for a new paddle? I use and recommend Vatic Pro paddles (https://genxdinks/com/vatic). Use code GENXDINKS to get $10 off a new Vatic Pro paddle.

2. 

   10 Mar 2025

   Blessed are the Persecuted

   Today I'm covering the eighth and final Beatitude which reads, "Blessed are the those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10 (NRSVUE) I'm going to be honest here and say that I was not looking forward to doing this particular Beatitude. Persecution is a touchy subject. I honestly think that most western Christians have not suffered persecution. When we look at persecution in the Bible, we think of the Apostles who were stoned; people tried to kill them and they were even run out of town. We see people dying for their faith. I don't know anyone who has died for their faith, but Jesus promises a reward for them. So if you're in a part of the world where Christians are persecuted and you're listening to this, I just want to say to you while I cannot relate to what you're going through, there is hope in Jesus. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? So how do we relate this to pickleball? There's not really a direct analogy, but what came to mind was targeting in a doubles match. If you're the person being targeted, it's usually because you're the weaker player in a doubles team. So what do you do? How do you overcome that feeling of pressure and how do you deal with that situation of having nearly every single ball come to you until you make a mistake? Well, I think once you're aware it's happening you need to accept it. Take a time out, talk with your partner and see if there are ways that you two can be creative to get more balls to your partner. Ask your partner for advice. Ask what you can do to switch things up for your opponent so they hit the ball to your partner. And hopefully you and your partner can workshop a solution to get more points, and maybe even win the game. Pickleball News This week's news is about this podcast. This is the last episode in this series on the Beatitudes. The next series will be on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. We'll look at the attributes of love and see how they can be applied to pickleball. Pickleball Tip This week's tip comes from Kieren Ricci and he suggests using a progressive approach to practicing your serve. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the seventh Beatitude that deals with being a peacemaker so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Looking for a new paddle? I use and recommend Vatic Pro paddles. Use code GENXDINKS to get $10 off a new Vatic Pro paddle.

3. 

   3 Mar 2025

   Blessed are the Peacemakers

   Today I'm covering the seventh Beatitude which reads, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NRSVUE) Jesus is the Prince of Peace. His life, death, resurrection, and return will usher in a new age of peace between God and man. While there may not be peace now (because people like you and me are flawed and don't always choose the path of peace) we will inherit a kingdom of peace that will last forever. Our goal now is to be peacemakers and confront conflict with the intention of a peaceful outcome. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? Pickleball is a pretty chill sport. People from all ages and backgrounds play the sport recreationally and when I'm playing with my regular crew it's fun and relaxing. Sometimes things don't go your way in a game. It could be a bad line call or someone you're playing against might be agressive or mouth off a little too much. Being a peacemaker means being respectful when you question someone's judgment and accepting the call they make. It might even mean contradicting your partner when they make a bad line call. It doesn't mean not pointing out the bad call or attitude but you should be respectful and be willing to let things go for the sake of peace. Remember: It's just one game and (hopefully) you don't have money riding on it. Pickleball News Last week's Carvana Mesa Cup produced some interesting results on Championship Sunday. Noteably, Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters earned a Bronze in Mixed Doubles. There were exciting match-ups throughout the tournament and this year's Carvanna PPA Tour looks like it will produce some interesting rivalries. Pickleball Tip Today's tip is from me! Don't spend time and money modifying your paddle to get it to feel right in your hand. Find a paddle that feels good without modification. Gabe Tardio, a top-10 PPA player, doesn't modify his paddle. Closing Remarks Next week I'll cover the eighth and final Beatitude that deals with being persecuted so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Looking for a new paddle? I use and recommend Vatic Pro paddles. Use code GENXDINKS to get $10 off a new Vatic Pro paddle.

4. 

   24 Feb 2025

   Blessed are the Pure in Heart

   Today I'm covering the sixth Beatitude which reads, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 (NRSVUE) I asked Grok (X's AI) what it means to be "pure in heart" and this is the response I received: "To be 'pure in heart' is a phrase that often comes up in religious, philosophical, or moral contexts, most famously in the Bible's Beatitudes: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). At its core, it refers to having a sincere, untainted, and honest inner character—free from malice, deceit, or selfish motives. Think of it as someone whose intentions align with their actions, without hidden agendas or hypocrisy." That's not too bad. I didn't expect it to come up with a decent answer. It's possible to do good things with impure motivations so we have to check our desires and intention when doing good. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? I forgot to put stuff here. Pickleball News The UPA-A implement a new rule this week to address "intentional or reckless targeting of an opponent above the shoulders." Players can be subject to a $2,500 fine and a point will be awarded to their opponent if a referee determines a player targeted their opponent above the shoulders. Pickleball Tip This week's pickleball tip comes from Zane Navratil and provides some great advice on when and how to approach the kitchen. Zane reminds players to watch their partner and assess the type and quality of their 3rd shot while approaching the kitchen so you don't get caught out of position. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the seventh Beatitude that deals with being a peacemaker so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can support the podcast by leaving a review, sharing this episode or buying me a coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/johnwilkerson). Thanks for listening and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Looking for a new paddle? I use and recommend Vatic Pro paddles. Use code GENXDINKS to get $10 off a new Vatic Pro paddle.

5. 

   29 Jan 2024

   Blessed Are the Merciful

   Today I'm covering the fifth Beatitude which reads, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5:7 (NRSVUE) Mercy is intertwined with sin, judgment, and forgiveness. Without sin, there would be no need for mercy. Being merciful is showing forgiveness and compassion towards someone who has wronged us. We're all recipients of God's mercy and that means we should show mercy to those who rightfully deserve punishment. Mercy doesn't mean we deny that a wrong or sin has been committed but it's extended to someone instead of judgment. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? Every time I see the word mercy in the Bible I think of Cobra Kai and their motto: "Strike Hard, Strike First, No Mercy!" This is often the attitude a lot of athletes take when playing a sport. They want to dominate their opponent by being the first to score, score often, and have total victory. When I started playing pickleball there were a lot of people who were much better than I was. They could have crushed me but instead, they showed mercy and continued the point so that I could get a little more experience. Instead of ending the game and moving on to a better match, they took the time to show me how to improve my game. Now, when I play with less experienced people I do the same. I smile, enjoy each point, offer advice (if they'll accept it), and even offer to play with them again. It's this welcoming and merciful attitude that keeps people coming back to the courts to play just like God's unending mercy keeps us going back to Him when we sin. Pickleball News High schools in Maryland now have competitive pickleball. In a report from WBAL, Bryan Lloyd of the Dill Dinkers sees high school pickleball as a conduit for student-athletes to play in college where pickleball is also becoming more popular. Pickleball Tip This week's pickleball tip comes from PrimeTime Pickleball and is about speed-ups. Specifically, how and when to speed up the ball. The biggest takeaway for me in this video is to the ball low so your opponent has fewer options when dealing with the pressure you're applying by speeding up the ball. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the sixth Beatitude that deals with purity so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Send some Satoshis: https://getalby.com/p/jorowi Looking for a new paddle? Check out Glory Pickleball. Using the code GENX10 will get you a 10% discount on their paddles and it helps support the podcast.

6. 

   22 Jan 2024

   Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

   Today I'm covering the fourth Beatitude which reads, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 (NRSVUE) As Christians, we've been made righteous in the eyes of God because of Jesus' death and resurrection. If we're already righteous, why should we hunger and thirst for it? We all get hungry and thirsty. God designed our bodies so that we need to seek food and water to live. This biological process is a reminder that we cannot sustain our spiritual lives off of one spiritual experience. Being right with God also means that we love our neighbors and enemies which can sometimes be hard to do. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? One aspect of righteousness towards God is treating our neighbors and enemies the same way we want to be treated. Doing what's right on the court means that when you're in doubt about a line call you call it in favor of your opponent. You might lose a point but it is the right thing to do. Pickleball News Thirty-5 Capital, LLC, a private equity firm focused on sports technology has acquired Paddletek, ProXR, and Boundless Pickleball to form United Pickleball Properties. Pickleball Tip This week's tip comes from Kyle Koszuta, That Pickleball Guy, and has to do with deciding whether to drop or drive your third shot. For me, the biggest takeaway is to attack your opponents where they're weak. If one person can handle drives while transitioning you may want to drive the ball instead of dropping it. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the fifth Beatitude that deals with mercy so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Send some Satoshis: https://getalby.com/p/jorowi Looking for a new paddle? Check out Glory Pickleball. Using the code GENX10 will get you a 10% discount on their paddles and it helps support the podcast.

7. 

   15 Jan 2024

   Blessed Are the Meek

   Today I'm covering the third Beatitude which reads, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." -Matthew 5:5 (NRSVUE) Meekness is often misunderstood. Modern definitions don't convey what the Biblical authors were trying to convey. I once heard someone describe it as "power under control" but that's not quite right. Mark E. Caner describes meekness as "an attitude or quality of heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire of someone else." So meekness is more about your attitude than your actions. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? If you've played in any tournaments you've had to exercise meekness. This is especially true if there's no referee. In nearly every tournament, your opponent calls balls out on their side of the court. There are times when you need to exercise meekness (even if it appears a bad call) because they have the authority to make the call. When there isn't a referee to appeal to, this can be especially difficult. One way to avoid conflict is through the acronym PEACE mentioned in Caner's article: Place your faith in Jesus Christ Employ prayer in your decisions Adjust your focus from yourself Control your anger and tongue Exude your humility and mercy I hope this helps you the next time a line call doesn't go your way! Pickleball News At the Masters last week, the PPA introduced new serve rules: There is no tossing the ball up on the serve The ball must leave the hand in a downward motion The ball must leave the hand at or below the top of the hip Some players were hitting serves into the net because they had to change their serving style. The new ball and new serve rules shook things up at the tournament. Pickleball Tip This week's pickleball tip comes from Ed Ju (Davis Pickleball) and it deals with eye dominance. The biggest takeaway from this video is to make sure your dominant eye isn't turned away from where you're trying to hit the ball. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the fourth Beatitude that deals with righteousness so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Send some Satoshis: https://getalby.com/p/jorowi Looking for a new paddle? Check out Glory Pickleball. Using the code GENX10 will get you a 10% discount on their paddles and it helps support the podcast.

8. 

   8 Jan 2024

   Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

   Today I'm covering the second Beatitude in Matthew 5:4 which reads, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (NRSVUE) Mourning is something many of us don't do well. There's a misconception among Christians that we should always be happy. Think about this, though: If you don't mourn you'll miss out on the blessing of being comforted. You also rob others of being a blessing when they comfort you. How Can We Apply This to Pickleball? You're going to lose some games. If you're like me, you're going to lose a lot of games. If I'm not playing well, I can really start feeling down on myself. When this happens, it's important for me to allow my partner or the group I'm playing with to comfort me. It's also a good time to consider any instructions or suggestions from others so that I can improve my game. News Steve Wong is the new Vice President of Competition at USA Pickleball. In a press release on their site, USA Pickleball said Wong "will oversee USA Pickleball's competition department with an emphasis on growing and streamlining all sanctioned tournament play, including National Championships, regional tournaments and general sanctioning." The Vulcan's VPRO FLIGHT Pickleball was named the official ball of the PPA Pro Tour. Pickleball Tip This week's pickleball tip comes from Briones Pickleball and it's about improving your serve. Have a pre-serve routine to help you focus on the point. Contact the ball in front of your body. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the third Beatitude that deals with meekness so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Send some Satoshis: https://getalby.com/p/jorowi Looking for a new paddle? Check out Glory Pickleball. Using the code GENX10 will get you a 10% discount on their paddles and it helps support the podcast.

9. 

   26 Dec 2023

   Blessed Are the Poor In Spirit

   This week I'm talking about Matthew 5:3 which reads, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (NRSV) Poor in spirit can refer to humility or knowing that you're in need of God's grace. It can also refer to physical poverty but most people see this phrase as more of an attitude rather than a state of poverty. The "kingdom of Heaven" isn't a physical kingdom but a spiritual one. Yes, one day Jesus will physically establish His kingdom on earth but that's not what He was referring to here. That spiritual kingdom is often referred to as an "upside-down" kingdom where the meek and merciful put others first. How can we apply this to pickleball? When I started playing, I didn't know anything about the game. I had a lot to learn and I'd actively seek out players who could teach me more about pickleball. Now that I know more, I have to check my heart sometimes and make sure I don't approach the game as a "know-it-all". There is always more to learn. Even pros have to learn new strategies and techniques to continue playing their best. I need to do the same. I should also be willing to play a game or two with that newbie. This can be hard for the competitor in me sometimes because having a partner who makes more mistakes than I do can be frustrating. But, I need to put others first sometimes so that I'm not only helping someone learn to play a fun sport but I'm also exhibiting a Christ-like attitude. News Pickleball Kingdom is expanding to New Jersey. According to a press release, Pickleball Kingdom is aggressively expanding and "has identified New Jersey as a key growth area. The company previously announced it plans to open 20 Pickleball Kingdom locations in Central New Jersey over the next few years. It is now on a star search to find ambitious people who want to participate in that growth." Pickleball Tip This week's tip comes from John Cincola and it has to do with dinking. Use cross-court dinks for offense in order to create openings for an attack. Use dinks to the middle or directly across from you for defense and to neutralize or setup your opponent. Watch his video for a more in-depth explanation. Closing Remarks Next week we'll cover the second Beatitude that deals with mourning and comfort so make sure you're following the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you liked this podcast share it with a friend and don't forget to stay out of the kitchen! Music: "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Send some Satoshis: https://getalby.com/p/jorowi Looking for a new paddle? Check out Glory Pickleball. Using the code GENX10 will get you a 10% discount on their paddles and it helps support the podcast.

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