Archive for March, 2008
Faith is big part of Luke Ridnour’s life
Through most of Luke Ridnour’s career in the NBA he has been a starter for the Seattle Sonics. Things changed this season after he sustained a broken nose during training camp and then on November 16th he suffered a torn right thigh muscle which resulted in him missing four week. During his time rehabbing this injury, his back-up, Earl Watson, jumped into the starting five and has yet to leave. Instead of pouting Ridnour has taken this challenging year in stride and has embraced his new role as back-up point guard for Seattle.
Ridnour recently sat down to chat with HOOPSWORLD about how his faith in God gives him strength, his thoughts on Watson’s strong season and he talked about how he approaches his role as a veteran player in Seattle’s locker room. (more…)
Indianapolis Colts punter and Christian rock artist Hunter Smith talks about worshiping God through all of life’s situations.
Not too many rock bands include Super Bowl champions in their ranks. But Hunter Smith, punter for the Indianapolis Colts, is finding much success with his Christian rock/worship band, Connersvine. Smith, whom Beliefnet recently named one of the Top Evangelicals in Sports Today along with longtime friend Chris Wilson, co-wrote all of the music on their self-titled debut album, and take turns at the mic, sometimes playing acoustically, and other times with a band. Currently on the Winter Jam tour, where they are performing with artists Mandisa, BarlowGirl, MercyMe, and NewSong, Smith recently spoke to Beliefnet’s Dena Ross about songwriting as an act of worship, leading Bible study with Third Day, and the importance of faith among the Colts. (more…)
Former reporter Gary Fallesen reaches out with Climbing For Christ
The idea came to Gary Fallesen 10 years ago as he was training for a summit climb to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
Why not combine mountain climbing with missionary work? That idea was pesky and kept coming back to him, becoming too loud to ignore.
So Fallesen climbs mountains in far-off places around the globe carrying a Bible in his backpack and a message in his heart for people not well-acquainted with the Christian faith. In short, Fallesen is a missionary reaching out to people in extreme places.
The result is Climbing For Christ, which grew into a nonprofit that started in 2002 with Fallesen, his wife, Elaine, and a few supporters. It now has 600 members in 35 countries. In 2007, it also started its first chapter outside the United States in Jakarta, Indonesia. (more…)
Jason Elam speaks on his new book and faith
Last fall, Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam — one of the best kickers in NFL history, a three-time Pro Bowl player with two Super Bowl rings — invited two of my boys and me to speak at a chapel service for Broncos’ players and coaches, and then attend a Monday night game against the Green Bay Packers. We had a great time and got a chance to spend some time getting to know Jason, a devout evangelical Christian and a real kindred spirit when it comes to blessing the people of the Middle East with the love of Jesus Christ. Jason had become acquainted with me by reading I had just read an advance copy of his first political thriller, Monday Night Jihad which I thoroughly enjoyed and immediately endorsed. The novel is now out, and as part of his book tour, Jason just returned from encouraging U.S. forces in Iraq. Here’s an interview I did with him via email.
ROSENBERG: You were just in Iraq. Why did you go? What did you see?
Four years ago I went to Kosovo with the same organization, so when I got a call from them again in January I jumped at the chance. Although, my whole reason for going was to encourage the troops; not surprisingly, I was the one who ended up encouraged. Seeing our military sacrificing so much for us can’t help but make a person feel proud and incredibly patriotic. (more…)
David Tyree and Caron Butler experience spiritual transformations
You probably saw the catch on TV. Or maybe you saw it on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The grab made by New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree may be the greatest catch in Super Bowl history. It certainly was a pivotal moment in the Giants’ victory over the New England Patriots. But it was not the most pivotal moment in young David Tyree’s life. That would be when Tyree found himself behind bars in a jail cell.
“What looked to be the lowest point in my life ended up being the greatest thing that ever happened to me,” Tyree told the New York Times, referring to his 2004 arrest.
Tyree drank and smoked pot from an early age—habits he carried with him into the NFL. In 2004, to pay a $10,000 fine for being late to a team meeting, Tyree decided to sell marijuana—and was arrested. That is when his girlfriend issued an ultimatum: “her lifestyle or his.” He began reading a Bible he spotted on her bed. (more…)
Allan Houston speaks on his faith
New Man: Thanks for doing this interview. I’ve long been an admirer of your silky smooth shot and I miss it on the court.
Allan Houston: (Laughs) Yeah, me too!
New Man: Let’s start by talking about your basketball camp, Father Knows Best. What inspired you to start the camp?
Houston: It was really a vision I had about seven years ago. It took me a couple of years to follow through with it. I shared the vision with my dad. He’s a very dynamic man, a hero to me. He led by example as a dad and I still admire him on so many different levels. He coached me in college and he coached a lot of other guys who went on to play in the NBA. I started thinking that our experience had been unique. Then I started to understand from a spiritual level, that my connection with God as a spiritual Father made me appreciate my biological father’s example even more. He showed them to me. So I felt like we had to share this and encourage other fathers and sons—and give those kids who don’t have fathers, these skills. So we decided to bring it together through a basketball retreat. We didn’t want to call it a camp because it was hopefully more than just a camp. It’s an empowering and enriching weekend. You establish a deeper connection and sons are learning how to grow as young men, and fathers are growing as men who used to be in their sons position, and you’re doing it all through basketball. We do drills, shooting demonstrations, along with workshops on communication. We also deal with women and understanding a man’s role in that relationship. But we just make it really fun. The kids play against each other and have a lot of fun. (more…)
Sonics’ Adrian Griffin testimony
I’ll be honest. I was really blessed in my childhood. I had two wonderful parents who were the biggest living testimony of God’s love. I watched my dad, a pastor, labor and pray for God to pay the bills, provide us with food and put us through school.
At a young age, I realized just how alive God truly is and how He works through our circumstances. I could see through my parents’ lives that I needed to follow their example and enter into a personal relationship with Christ. But it wasn’t until after I graduated college that I truly was able to rely on Christ 100 percent.
As a three-year starter at Seton Hall University, I, like so many other college standouts, wanted to continue my basketball career. But to my disappointment, I wasn’t drafted into the NBA. There I was, a 22-year-old college graduate who was, by that time, a husband and a father; and I was without a job. (more…)
Former Browns RB Green finds God and now searching for second chance in NFL
Even when you don’t make the connection with William Green these days, you get the message.
“All things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose,” the recorded voice of William’s wife, Asia, says on the couple’s answering service.
The 2002 first-round pick (No. 16 overall) has spent the past two seasons finding his way with God. Now, the question is whether Green will find his way back to the NFL. After two seasons out of the game, Green will be working out Tuesday at Boston College, his alma mater, in hopes of catching the eye of NFL scouts, coaches and executives.
There figures to be a good crowd in attendance at the Chestnut Hill campus. Matt Ryan, the top-rated quarterback in this year’s draft, is scheduled to work out along with the other draft-eligible players from BC. Ryan could go as high as No. 1 overall to Miami … or to another team if the Dolphins decide to trade out of the top slot. (more…)
Ex-Redskins QB Schroeder discusses football, faith
Jay Schroeder twisted the Super Bowl ring on his right ring finger, a hunk of gold and diamond as large as a swollen knuckle, then turned his eyes up toward the roomful of men sitting in front of him.
“It doesn’t mean a thing,” Schroeder said. “It doesn’t mean a thing.”
Schroeder, who talked for about one hour Saturday night to a men’s ministry group at Northside Community Church about football and Christianity, earned the ring after the Washington Redskins knocked off the Denver Broncos, 42-10, in Super Bowl XXII. Schroeder started 10 games during that regular season and passed for more than 1,800 yards but he fired only one pass during the game that can define careers.
Not that Schroeder cares too much about all that now.
“That’s what I did,” he said. “That’s not who I am.” (more…)
Christianity, like sports, has impact players; Paul was example
“Play ball” are words I have been waiting to hear. Being a sports addict, along with having a grandson that plays baseball, gets me fired up and ready to watch. My lifelong love for the sport has not diminished with age. In my fantasy world I am still hitting home runs and pitching strikeouts for my favorite college team.
But one thing I have noticed over the years is that every successful team has an “impact player” or two. They are the “go-to” guys when you need the big hit or the “stopper” on the mound. In the realm of sports these type plays have always been around.
In 1934 Lou Gehrig was an impact player. He won the Triple Crown with a .363 batting average, 49 home runs and 165 runs batted in. Babe Ruth retired in 1935 with 714 home runs and 2,209 runs batted in. He, too, was an impact player.
The truth is that in all areas of life there are impact players. The sciences, the arts, and the religions of this world all have such men and women. Christianity also has its share of individuals who have profoundly influenced our way of life. (more…)
Jesus Christ's Superstars - Celebrities, Athletes, Actors who use their spotlight to honor God. 