Archive for January 9, 2008
Deion Sanders Testimony
The following is told by Deion Sanders. Sanders was a two-sport star in Major League Baseball and the National Football League:
“I remember winning the Super Bowl that year, and that night after the game I was the first one out of the locker room, the first one to the press conference, and the first one to go home. And I remember my wife, Carolyn, saying to me, “Baby, you just won the Super Bowl! Don’t you have a party downstairs or something to go to?” And I just said, “Nah,” and rolled over and went to sleep. That was the same week I bought myself a brand new $275,000 Lamborghini, and I haven’t even driven a mile before I realized, “No, that’s not it. That’s not what I’m looking for. It’s got to be something else, I’m so hungry.”
That’s when the Lord was really calling me. There was nobody going through it with me. It was just me, one-on-one with God. I tried running from it and running from it, and even when I was playing baseball the following year in Cincinnati, the Lord kept calling me, pulling me, drawing me along.
I tried everything. Parties, women, buying expensive jewelry and gadgets, and nothing helped. There was no peace. I mean I was playing great. I got all this media attention and everything the world has to offer, but no peace, no joy, just emptiness inside.
The Bible describes it in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes as chasing after the wind, and that’s exactly what it was like. I tried to by myself something to make me happy and I was even emptier than before, because I could see that nothing could possibly satisfy the hunger that was deep down inside of me.
I tried throwing myself into my career, into sports, trying to see how far I could go, and when I achieved every goal I could think of, I was right back where I started. Empty, empty, empty and nothing I did could touch that deep loneliness inside of me. I was just running, I couldn’t stop. (more…)
Joe Gibbs leaves Redskins feeling ‘blessed’
Joe Gibbs retired from Head Coach & President of the Washington Redskins this week
“I mentioned the Youth for Tomorrow. Pat and I and everybody in this community plan on being here. I am a Washingtonian. Even though from times I will be in Charlotte traveling back and forth with the family. I just really want to say a big thanks to everybody. I know I left a lot out. I just hope that my heart came across to everybody here on how I feel about this. The last thing I want to say, it has been amazing for me to experience the fact that- we serve such a wonderful God that looks down and most cases takes a very average person, a physical education major in my case, with ballroom dancing and hand ball, and blesses him with some of the greatest experiences anybody could every have on earth. I have been blessed beyond belief. I want to say thanks to the Lord for letting me be a part of this and I want to say a personal thanks to all of you.”
Mississippi State’s Alexandria Hagler’s overcomes abortion, homosexuality, and depression by God’s grace
Have you ever fallen into the pit of despair, landing in a pool of your toxic mistakes and filthy sin? There in the depths you gaze in doubt at the slippery walls of consequence that rise 20 feet above you on all sides. “I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold,” describes the psalmist in 69:2 (NIV).
We’ve all been down there—we’ve all experienced deep anguish. But, if you read further, you find that the psalmist escapes. “Praise the Lord, O my soul,” he shouts, “who redeems your life from the pit!” (103:2-4, NIV).
The story told in the Psalms is familiar to Mississippi State senior Alexandria Hagler. Plagued at one time by sexual sin, homosexuality and abortion, Alex’s pit became deep and slippery. But just like the psalmist, Alex now shouts for joy that her Savior redeemed her life from the abyss. Her story reminds us no sin is too great for God’s grace.
I grew up in a Christian family that went to church on Sundays, but I was never surrounded with people who had a fiery zeal for knowing Christ. We attended church, but didn’t really read the Bible or seek after the Lord.
Things were difficult for me and my brother. Our father was a hard man, emotionally and physically abusive to my mother, brother and me. And when I was 5 years old, my parents got divorced. From that point on I became especially protective of my brother, and we became close as we shuffled back and forth between visiting our mother and our father.
We continued to go to church, but the older I got, the more I went in my own way. I began to stray from seeking the Lord because I didn’t have anyone around to lead me in the right direction. (more…)
Cowboys’ Anthony Henry Testimony
Anthony Henry remembers the 1.5-hour walks well.
Who knows how much of his childhood was spent accompanying his mother, Mae Robinson, on her treks to work? Sure, she could’ve tried the car; but it broke down all the time, so why bother? Besides, many weeks, this was the only significant time Anthony and Mae got to spend together, considering the long hours and multiple jobs she had to work to keep the creditors at bay.
The walks were good for reflecting, at least for Mae. There was plenty to think about: life as a single parent, the surrounding crime that threatened to snatch her youngest boy, and her older children who had already been ensnared.
Anthony, though, didn’t mull such things. He was 11 and just happy to be with his mom. Whatever he did after they arrived, it was certainly better than the alternative of idle hours spent in the projects. He was away—for a few fleeting moments, at least—from the guns. Away from the dope-pushers. Away from the destructive maelstrom that swallowed up so many souls. (more…)
Redd used time with Team USA to witness
Source: Sports Spectrum
Michael Redd viewed his opportunity to play with Team USA this past summer as more than just an opportunity to show off his game.
“I think that [was] my purpose, other than just to shoot the basketball,” Redd says. “It gives me the chance to let others know about Christ and help them through situations they may be going through. I thank God for the opportunity and the privilege to share the gospel in no matter what setting–whether it be in Vegas, in a casino, in a hotel–just somewhere I can let these brothers know that they need Christ. It’s a privilege, man. It really [was] an honor to come out here and do that.”
Canes’ Cam Ward grateful of God-given talent
Source: Sports Spectrum Magazine
CAM WARD, GOALIE, CAROLINA HURRICANES
BIO NOTE: Cam and Cody Ward were married on July 22, 2006.
RECENT NEWS: On Tuesday, Ward picked up his third shutout of the 2007-2008 season and the fifth of his career.
FAITH QUOTE: “Before every game I will pray just before I go on the ice. God gave me a special talent, and I will be forever grateful for that. I feel that when I say a prayer, it helps me feel more relaxed and calm.”
Big Faith in Little Man
Source: BPSports.net
A story on Navysports.com profiles Navy’s Reggie Campbell and examines his friendship with teammate Irv Spencer.
“That’s my brother in Christ, right there, my brother from another mother, as I always say,” Spencer said about Campbell.
Campbell, at 5 feet 6 inches tall and 168 pounds, is small for a slot back. But despite his size, he’s earned respect from his opponents for his ability.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” Campbell said of the questions he gets about his size. “When I look at someone else, say another sport with an undersized guy, I kind of see why people are so amazed at a smaller person doing things (they consider) out of the ordinary.
“It just goes to show, you can do anything through Christ. That’s how I feel about it.”
Cy Young Winner Peavy tries to make a difference in others’ lives
This story is from 11/29/07
San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was the unanimous selection for the National League’s Cy Young Award.
Peavy led the league in wins, earned run average and strikeouts, going 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA.
Sharing the Victory, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Atheletes, recently featured Peavy in a story.
“Because I’m a baseball player, I’ve had some opportunities,” Peavy said in the story. “And I realize what a blessing it is to be able to stand up and challenge people to let God’s light shine through them and to make a difference.
“That’s what I think we’re called to do as Christians: to make a difference in other people’s lives and to take other people to Heaven with us,” he continued. “We’re called to tell them about the good news that we have—that you can have such a peace and be at peace with yourself knowing that your sins are forgiven. That it’s not about how good we can be, but about this gift that we have of eternal life through Jesus Christ. And there is no greater opportunity than to lead somebody to the Lord.”
Christ Turns Kitna’s Life, Detroit Lions around
This interview was from 11/23/2007:
The Detroit Lions have a lot to shout about these days. They have a winning record after six losing seasons. Players say a key part of that turnaround on and off the field is number eight — Quarterback Jon Kitna.
“My mission is to do whatever I can to be obedient to Christ and further His Gospel; tell people about the things He’s done in my life and the things He can do in their life,” Kitna said.
Kitna’s faith in Jesus Christ made national headlines early in the season. It was September 16. The Lions were in a battle with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kitna suffered a concussion after taking hits from behind and from the side.”I ended up staying in the game for a couple of plays, threw a touchdown, all that,” Kitna reflected. “Didn’t remember any of it. Hadn’t remembered that we played the week before in Oakland. Basically, I was totally out of it on my feet.”
Detroit Lions Chaplain Dave Wilson recalls the game. “I was on that sideline,” Wilson said. “I mean he was out of it. It was just weird. He didn’t know who I was. He didn’t know who people were, and then at halftime, I talked to him, and it just started. Cognizance was coming back.” (more…)
Football has given Tadman platform to witness
Playing football at Boise State University, Marty Tadman has made such a name for himself that someone else has it.
“I have a kid named after me, Tadman. It was (by) some random fan. It was kind of weird, surreal,” Tadman said.
A 5-11, 185-pound senior safety from Mission Viejo, Calif., Tadman was named first team All-Western Athletic Conference this season, Boise State’s defensive player of the year and helped lead the Broncos to a 10-3 record.
With 83 regular-season tackles, 10 pass break-ups, two interceptions and two career-high games of 12 tackles (Southern Mississippi and Louisiana Tech), Tadman was described on national television as the best defensive player on the team. (more…)
