Sports Spectrum - Fall 2018 by Sports Spectrum

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HIS

CONTENTS 12 — Finding Hope in an Unlikely Place

A group including numerous NFL players annually serves one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the country

18 — Quarterbacks for Christ

Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Case Keenum, Drew Brees & Andy Dalton are indicative of many quarterbacks who live by the example of Christ + 2018 NFL Predictions

34 — 2018 College Football Preview

Five storylines and five players to watch

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1-866-821-2971 For information on subscriptions, back issues, discount bulk issues, or changing your subscription address: Web site: www.sportsspectrum.com/subscribe/ Phone: 1-866-821-2971 Mail: 640 Plaza Drive, Suite 110, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Email: support@sportsspectrum.com General correspondence, Letter to the Editor, or Writer’s Query No unsolicited manuscripts, please E-mail: support@sportsspectrum.com Permissions, Reprints Phone: 1-866-821-2971 E-mail: support@sportsspectrum.com COVER • PHOTO CREDITS:

36 — Preach It, Dabo

The head coach of perennial power Clemson is unafraid to use his platform — both literal and figurative — to spread the Gospel

40 — A soldier (and reporter) for God

PUBLISHER Sports Spectrum Media PRESIDENT Steve Stenstrom

VP OF MINISTRY OPERATIONS Howard Haworth

Top ESPN analyst and reporter Maria Taylor uses her passion and talent to see lives impacted by the love of Christ

MANAGING EDITOR Jon Ackerman jon@sportsspectrum.com

44 — Purpose Bigger than Baseball

ASSISTANT EDITOR Becky York becky@sportsspectrum.com

Pedro LaTorre was a hotshot baseball prospect, but walked away from the game, became a pastor, touring drummer, author, church planter and public speaker on mission for Jesus

50 — Staying On Course

For a growing group of PGA Tour golfers, the weekly Bible study comes before the birdies and bogies

COPY EDITOR Kirsten Brotze PODCAST HOST Jason Romano CONTRIBUTORS Cody Benjamin Kevin Mercer Art Stricklin BUSINESS OPERATIONS Thomas Tanner

56 — Daily Devotionals

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4 — By the Numbers 6 — Around the Spectrum 84 — Gospel Message SPORTS SPECTRUM

ART DIRECTOR Aaron Dean Sauer aaron@sportsspectrum.com

Sports Spectrum Global is a multimedia ministry with the purpose to impact people by connecting faith and sports in a relevant way, ultimately directing people, with resources for discipleship, toward a personal, loving God who demands Christ-centered lives. Printed in USA. Copyright © 2018 by Sports Spectrum Publishing. Bible quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

13 weeks of devotionals from professional athletes, chaplains and leaders

Andy Dalton (Jared Wickerham/Getty), Drew Brees (Chris Graythen/Getty), Kirk Cousins (Chris Graythen/Getty), Case Keenum (AP/Jack Dempsey), Nuck Foles (AP/Kelvin Kuo)

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3 3

ADAM VINATIERI

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

BY PEYTON MANNING

3,841

Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini

TO BREAK NFL ALL-TIME SCORING RECORD

72,242

YARDS NEEDED BY QB DREW BREES TO BREAK NFL ALL-TIME PASSING YARDS RECORD (71,940)

NEEDED BY KICKER

AP Photo/John Raoux

1,496

58 POINTS

ATTENDANCE FOR ATLANTA UNITED FC GAME JULY 15, LARGEST SINGLE-GAME CROWD IN MLS HISTORY

YARDS NEEDED BY QB TOM BRADY TO JOIN PEYTON MANNING, BRETT FAVRE AND BREES IN 70,000-YARD CLUB

Current record of 2,544 held by Morten Andersen AP Photo/Steven Senne

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HOST CITIES FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP IN U.S. (10 CITIES), MEXICO (3) & CANADA (3)

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AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

WINS BOSTON RED SOX WERE ON PACE FOR THROUGH AUG. 15; 106 WOULD BE FRANCHISE RECORD AND 117 WOULD BE MLB RECORD

102

PLAYERS IN NBA 2K LEAGUE, A PROFESSIONAL ESPORTS LEAGUE LAUNCHED IN MAY

8.5 MILLION

VIEWERS REACHED BY CBS FOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL ROUND, 73 percent increase from 2017; Tiger Woods placed second, his best major finish since ‘09 AP Photo/John Locher

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AP Photo/Phil Long

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AT-RISK 3RD AND 4TH GRADERS ENROLLED IN LEBRON JAMES’ NEW “I PROMISE” SCHOOL IN AKRON, OHIO. ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE FREE TUITION, FREE UNIFORMS, FREE MEALS, FREE TRANSPORTATION, FREE BICYCLES, FAMILY ACCESS TO A FOOD PANTRY, AND GUARANTEED TUITION FOR GRADUATES TO UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

YEARS IT TOOK WASHINGTON CAPITALS TO WIN THEIR FIRST STANLEY CUP

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BASEBALL|SOFTBALL

AP Photo/Matt Smith

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

DODGERS NOT DAWDLING

Los Angeles finished 2017 just one game from its first World Series since 1988, and remains in win-now mode with ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw still under contract (he can opt out after this season). So in a bid to win the NL again, the Dodgers bolstered their middle infield right before the July 31 trading deadline. They acquired SS Manny Machado (four-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover) from Baltimore and 2B Brian Dozier (2015 AllStar, 2017 Gold Glove) from Minnesota.

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SALE’S STELLAR RETURN

The Red Sox are red-hot this season, and one of the biggest reasons is Chris Sale. The AL’s All-Star Game starting pitcher was enjoying yet another stellar season when he went on the 10-day DL in early August with shoulder inflammation. Boston, already cruising with the best record in baseball, braced for significant time without its ace. But then he returned — and in fine form. Sale fanned 12 batters, allowed one hit and no runs with only 68 pitches in his five-inning return from the DL. The outing gave him the league lead in strikeouts and ERA.

TOUGH BREAK FOR TEBOW

Tim Tebow was hitting .273 at Double-A Binghamton (N.Y.) with a .336 on-base percentage — and then a broken hamate bone in his right hand ended his season. The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback, who also smacked a double in the Eastern League All-Star Game, was continuing to show his go at a second pro sports career had promise. That’s mighty impressive considering he hadn’t played baseball since 2004, when he was in high school. Tebow needed surgery on the hand, ending his season, though the Mets organization called his season a “positive.” He’ll be 31 if he reports for a third spring training next year.

U.S. SOFTBALL OLYMPIC-BOUND AGAIN

By advancing to the goldmedal game of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship, the U.S. booked a berth in the 2020 Olympics, which will see softball and baseball return for the first time since 2008. Then the U.S. women went on to defeat Japan with a 7-6 walk-off win for their 11th world title, and first back-to-back titles since ‘06 and ‘10. The last seven championship games have been between the U.S. and Japan (the U.S. won five), and those figure to be the nations battling for Olympic gold in two years.

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LEBRON’S A LAKER

Leaving his hometown team for a second time, LeBron James opted to move west in free agency, to one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. The Lakers have won 16 titles, trailing only Boston’s 17, and hope to be right in the mix with the world’s best player after missing the playoffs the past five seasons. James has appeared in the past eight NBA Finals (with Cleveland and Miami), but getting there through the Western Conference — Golden State has won the West the past four years, and the NBA crown three of those years — would be a feat maybe only James could pull off with the team’s current roster.

BASKETBALL

KAWHI’S A RAPTOR

Following an injury saga that saw San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard play just nine games last season due to a quad injury (of which no one really knew the full extent), the Spurs traded Leonard to Toronto. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year will join a Raptors team that claimed the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 playoff seed in 2018, and figures to battle Boston for that spot in 2019. Leonard averaged a career-high 25.5 points a game in 2016-17.

DEMARCUS IS A WARRIOR

While all the top contenders spent the offseason trying to move into better position to challenge the defending champs, the defending champs sneakily got better too. The Warriors won the 2018 championship with four All-Stars (Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson), then added injured free agent DeMarcus Cousins, a four-time All-Star with Sacramento and New Orleans. Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles, so there’s no guarantee he returns to All-Star form. But if the 28-year-old center does, he’d fill the only slot in Golden State’s starting five that doesn’t already feature an All-Star.

LINDSAY WHALEN CALLS IT A CAREER

After 15 years, WNBA legend Lindsay Whalen plans to retire after the 2018 season. She’s from Hutchinson, Minn., starred at the University of Minnesota (where she is also the women’s head coach), and joined the Minnesota Lynx in 2010, then led the franchise to four WNBA championships. Whalen leaves as the WNBA’s all-time wins leader. She also helped the U.S. women to gold medals at the 2012 and ‘16 Olympics.

AP Photo/Brandon Dill AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty

AP Photo/Ben Margot

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SOCCER

AP Photo/Annie Rice

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader AP Photo/Paul Newberry

AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

FRANCE CLAIMS WORLD CUP

Led by strikers Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, who each scored four goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, France cruised past Croatia for its second World Cup title. Germany (the favorite) failed to get out of the group stage, and Brazil (the second favorite) bowed out in the quarterfinals. That made France the front-runner, and Les Bleus toppled Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium en route to the final. The 19-year-old Mbappe was named the tournament’s best young player, and then celebrated by donating all his World Cup earnings to an organization that aids hospitalized and disabled children.

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RONALDO TO JUVENTUS

After nine years with Real Madrid, among the most prominent clubs in soccer history, Cristiano Ronaldo transferred in July to Juventus, the most successful team in Italian history. His $113.7 million transfer fee marked the most ever paid by an Italian club, and the most ever for a player over 30. The 33-year-old Ronaldo, who also set transfer fee records when he moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009, is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner (four in the past five years). Only Lionel Messi has won soccer’s top individual award as many times.

U.S. WOMEN ON TRACK

The U.S. men may have missed the 2018 World Cup, but one year out from the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the U.S. women are favored to win. They collected their third World Cup in 2015 — the first nation to do so — and will be looking to take back-to-back crowns for the first time. The Americans won the 2018 Tournament of Nations in August (featuring the U.S., Australia, Brazil and Japan), giving them 19 consecutive matches without a loss. The U.S. seeks another major title after its shocking quarterfinal defeat to Sweden in the 2016 Olympics.

ATL LOVES MLS

Major League Soccer continues to grow, adding 12 teams since 2007 with plans to add three more by 2020. Atlanta United FC was one of two teams to join in 2017, and already is the best supported club in MLS; it brought in 48,200 people per game last year and is averaging more than 51,000 this year. Atlanta advanced to the postseason in its inaugural year, was ousted in the first round, but is a favorite to win the MLS Cup in 2018. Through mid-August, it boasted the best record in MLS.

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TAVARES TO TORONTO

The crown jewel of free agency in 2018, John Tavares left the only NHL team he’d ever known for the city he knows best. The nine-year vet of the New York Islanders — the No. 1 overall pick as a 19-year-old in the 2009 NHL Draft — signed a seven-year, $77 million contract in July with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the hometown squad he grew up cheering for. The 27-year-old center is a five-time All-Star who now makes Toronto — already among the top offensive units — the team to beat in 2018-19.

HOCKEY

STASNY HEADS TO VEGAS

Pegged by many as the second most sought after center in free agency, Paul Stasny signed with last year’s second best team: the Vegas Golden Knights, who won the West but lost in the Stanley Cup Finals in their first year of existence. Stasny went to Winnipeg from St. Louis at last season’s trade deadline, and scored 15 points in 17 playoff games for the Jets. But he opted to join the squad that ousted Winnipeg, and figures to slide in and upgrade Vegas’ second line, bolstering what was already the No. 2 scoring offense in the Western Conference.

GRETZKY GROWING THE GAME

After hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing is set to host the 2022 Winter Games, becoming the first city to host both versions of the Olympics. But winter sports remain new in China, hockey included. To boost the sport’s profile, the NHL is hosting promotional games there for a second year, and Wayne Gretzky in August was named a global ambassador for China’s only pro team, the Kunlun Red Star, which plays in Russia’s KHL. Gretzky will focus on youth development in China, including a hockey school to provide advanced training for young players.

JAMAICAN HISTORY

It’s not often that the 199th overall pick makes history, but never before has a Jamaican-born hockey player been selected in the NHL Draft. Jermaine Loewen now owns that distinction after getting picked by the Dallas Stars in June. Dropped off at a Jamaican hospital as a 1-year-old, he wound up in an orphanage, and eventually was adopted by Stan and Tara Loewen of Manitoba. Growing up in Canada, it wasn’t too long before he received his first pair of ice skates. After seven years of minor league hockey, the 20-year-old winger gets his shot at the NHL.

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty

Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty

AP Photo/Chuck Burton

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SPORTSSPECTRUM.COM “Everybody wants to be the Black Panther until it’s time to actually save lives in Africa” — Emmanuel Acho

Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Acho

FOR EX-NFL LB EMMANUEL ACHO, SERVING NIGERIA IS AN AFFAIR OF FAITH AND FAMILY By Cody Benjamin

“Everybody wants to be the Black Panther until it’s time to actually save lives in Africa.” These were powerful words to start a June 26 tweet. And they could have been self-directed in an age of hashtag activism and hollow #ThoughtsAndPrayers. But anyone who knows Emmanuel Acho knows that the man behind those words is not interested in a digital facade of righteousness. And anyone who knows what he and his family have been doing since before he was a teenager know the Achos are not just a family of Texas football stars and NFL linebackers. In fact, cinematic hyperbole aside, they’re about as close to representing Wakanda as anyone. Planting the Seeds In the 1980s, Dr. Sonny Acho, a mental-health professional and pastor of North Dallas’ Living Hope Bible Fellowship Church, found himself heartbroken on

visits home to Nigeria alongside his wife, Christie. Childhood friends and family were dying, the couple said, “due to a lack of simple, over-the-counter medications” — all of which were commonly available in the United States. So in 1989, a year before their son Emmanuel was born, the Achos teamed up with local church congregants, especially those with ties to medicine, to organize medical missions to their home country. In time, “volunteer doctors, surgeons, nurses, volunteers

and pharmacists” joined forces to form Living Hope Christian Ministries and its Operation Hope, an annual service trip to rural Nigerian villages. By the time Emmanuel was old enough to help, the seeds of service had already taken root. Living Hope now has an eight-person board of directors, including four doctors, his brother Sam and sister Stephanie. In June 2018, at 27 years old, Acho had lost count of how many times he’d been back to Nigeria. “This may be somewhere between my 15th and 20th trip for the missions,” he told Sports Spectrum. The NFL started taking note of Acho’s service during the tail end of his football career, which started with the Cleveland Browns and ended with the Philadelphia Eagles. Perhaps it was because he and Sam, who still plays for the Chicago Bears, made something of a dynamic off-field duo. (Both men also either won or were nominated for the Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s top community service honor, at the University of Texas.) But playing superhero — or, more so, channeling the heroic servitude of faith — came long before his NFL days... To read the rest of this story, search “Emmanuel Acho” on SportsSpectrum.com.

For your daily sports and faith content — such as news, videos and devotionals — visit SportsSpectrum.com. 10

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FINDING

IN AN BY BECKY YORK

Buffalo Bills chaplain Len Vanden Bos annually leads a group that includes numerous NFL players to one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the country. Change takes place in hearts on both sides of the gates. AP Photo/Judi Bottoni

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“I was in prison and you came to Me.” — Jesus in Matthew 25:36

he Louisiana State Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison set on 18,000 acres of working farmland, with roots dating to a slave-run plantation located on the same site in the 19th century. Bounded on three sides by the fast-moving Mississippi River, there is only one road in — and for most of the 6,300 criminal offenders in residence, there is no way out. The average length of sentence at Angola is 90 years, and in Louisiana, a life sentence means just that — no chance for parole or time off for good behavior. Eightyfive percent of the men will die at the end of that road. The LSP is known by several monikers: “Alcatraz of the South,” “Angola” after the region in Africa where the plantation’s slaves came from, or simply “The Farm” by those who live and work there. For most of the 20th century, the prison did its own time earning a reputation as the bloodiest, most brutal in America; life inside characterized by violence, rage and fear. The behavior of inmates ruled by a survival of the mightiest; the weak mercilessly preyed upon by the strong, the fierce and the opportunistic. Staff assaults and inmate-on-inmate acts of violence and killings ruled the days. As late as 1971, the prison’s conditions were described by the Associated Press as “medieval, squalid and horrifying.” Then came a passionate Christ-follower, Burl Cain, the prison’s warden from 1995 to 2016, on a mission from God given to him by his mother, who told him, “God’s going to hold you accountable for the soul of every man at Angola, that they have a chance to know Him. And if you fail at that, He’s going to punish you.” Burl replied, “Yes ma’am.” Cain was desperate to change the culture inside the razor-wired fences. He found the way to morality and rehabilitation for the men in his care through an innovative idea that installed light, hope, purpose and meaning in the darkest of places. Shortly after he arrived, he partnered with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) to establish a satellite campus at Angola providing education and training in Christian ministry, theology and counseling.

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he greatest addition that came T O S U with B S C R I B E :Cain’s C A L L 8 6 6 - 8 2 1 - 2 9 7 1 13

FINDING HOPE

Pastor Albert Tate

“What better way for God to change a place than for men to learn about who God really is,” says Justin, an inmate pastor and mentor serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. In the last 20-plus years, nearly 400 men have graduated from NOBTS with an accredited college degree. Former perpetrators of violent crimes lead 28 thriving churches at the prison, providing counseling, mentoring services and peerto-peer ministry programs like hospice care for their sick and dying brothers. Today, the culture at Angola is starkly different, transformed by men who find their identity not in what they have done, where they came from, or in their circumstance, but in Christ. Acts of violence are rare, down significantly since Cain installed the Seminary. Nearly 2,500 men actively participate in the life of the Church, attending one of the 400 or so services, prayer meetings and Bible studies happening every month. “The world will fill you with hate, but when we look up we have a greater sense of purpose and plan,” says one of the inmates. “God gives us the strength every day and it’s because of Him that we are who we are today.” Referring to the prison’s history of brutality and blood, Cain says, “God truly did 2 Chronicles 7:14. He healed this land.” “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14 When Cain retired in 2016, his vision to see transformation in the lives of the incarcerated did not diminish. He established the Global Prison Seminary Foundation and now works with other departments of corrections and seminaries around the country to drive culture change and educational opportunity in other facilities. Meanwhile, his legacy lives on at Angola.

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SSPPOORRTTSS SSPPEECCTTRRUUMM

Photo by Mike Moreland

uffalo Bills chaplain Len Vanden Bos first visited Angola in 2010 while on staff at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill. He attended a two-day conference put on by Awana, an international Christian nonprofit aiming to reach kids; his interest was learning about a ministry program called Malachi Dads. Inspired by Malachi 4:6 — “And He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers” (ESV) — the program encourages and equips inmate fathers to actively engage in the lives of their children despite life behind bars. Moved by these men and their desire to be Godly fathers, Vanden Bos knew he wanted to help. “After three years of helping run these events and making friends with inmates, we got the idea for High Ground,” Vanden Bos said. “Our ministry is unique because the board of directors for High Ground is made up entirely of inmate leaders and pastors. Who better to lead the ministry than the men who know and have helped change the prison culture?

The chapel was packed full with inmates and staff members. Everyone was singing from the bottom of their hearts. You could feel the presence of Jesus. — Bills long snapper Reid Ferguson

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IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE

“We wanted to empower them to lead and shape the ministry so that it would meet the needs of their fellow inmates.” Partnering with his friends in the prison, Vanden Bos began to design a program to reach lost inmates, encourage believers and strengthen the prison churches and inmate pastors. “We felt called to support the churches that were already within Angola,” he said. “We agreed to provide practical church leadership training for the prison pastors, as well as put on a couple of high-energy services so that Christ-following inmates will invite their inmate friends to attend.” The first High Ground event took place in 2014, featuring two services with worship and preaching led by the Willow Creek team. NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, a Willow Creek member during his playing days with the Chicago Bears, gave his testimony. Sports make up a big part of prison life, as inmates are enthusiastic supporters of their favorite teams. And Vanden Bos soon recognized that professional athletes attract men to the services whom otherwise are hesitant, if not completely opposed, to attending. In following seasons, Vanden Bos served as team chaplain for the Chicago Bears and on staff with the Baltimore Ravens. Partnering with other chaplains around the league as he traveled to games, he had opportunities to invite more players to participate in High Ground. When Len became the full-time chaplain for the Buffalo Bills at the

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beginning of the 2017 season, he continued to extend invitations to players. This past March, for the fifth annual High Ground event, Angola welcomed 12 current or former NFL players and one team owner: Travaris Cadet, Malachi Dupree, Reid Ferguson and Zay Jones of the Buffalo Bills; Sam Acho, Chicago Bears; Austin Carr, New Orleans Saints; Jordan Matthews, New England Patriots; Deonte Thompson, Dallas Cowboys; and former players Steve Stenstrom, Steve Smith, Eric

Wood and Renaldo Wynn. George McCaskey, owner and chairman of the Bears, came with Acho. “In today’s culture, the NFL player is considered ‘the most of these,’” Vanden Bos says. “They have money, fame and everything the world says is important. Everyone looks up to them. At the other end of the spectrum are these inmates. They are forgotten by society and poor — exactly who Jesus would call ‘the least of these.’ When these two groups come together, something powerful happens. The inmate suddenly has this ‘I’m not forgotten!’ moment, while the NFL player gets a dose of perspective on life that he can’t get anywhere else.

Ministry and life change happens in both directions between inmates and players.” On the first day of the trip, the players began with a tour of the prison, where they saw the cell blocks, trade shops, chapels, hospitals and the recreational areas on the prison yards. “It was a big wake-up call for me,” said Matthews, a wide receiver and first-time Angola participant who had never stepped foot inside a prison before. “The tour was led by Keith. I was surprised when I suddenly found out that he was one of the inmates serving a life sentence — I couldn’t believe it! Many of the guys I met were the ones teaching classes, leading churches and creating programs with so much talent. It was amazing to see how self-sufficient and hopeful they were in a place that many consider hopeless.” Ferguson, the Bills’ long snapper, also had never done anything like this before. Going in with an open mind and heart, ready to serve, Ferguson’s expectations were blown away. “My perception changed for the better during the first church service on Tuesday night; the chapel was packed full with inmates and staff members,” Ferguson said. “Everyone was singing from the bottom of their hearts. You could feel the presence of Jesus.” Returning for his second High Ground, Acho, a Bears linebacker, came with great expectations, knowing God would be at work. “Before you go into prison, you have a horrible idea of what it’s like,” he admitted. “After going to Angola

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for two years, I feel safer than I do in my

Jones

Sam Acho neighborhood. I feel like I’m with my peers; that’s the beauty of what God can do. These are my friends. I think I’m going to help them but in reality they are helping me. I’m learning so much from them.” Acho has maintained contact with those on The Farm who have become his friends. “I consider one of the men, who has been in prison for 27 years, to be a mentor of mine.” he said. “His life has been completely Jones Matthews Keith Smith changed. He really knows God. Here I am in a position of influence and he’s in a desperate situation, but this guy knows God better than I do. I want to follow God the way he does and have the kind of hope that he has.” At the suggestion of the High Ground inmate board this year, hundreds of hygiene packs were passed out to Angola’s most desperate population: men who don’t have family or friends on the outside sending them money for basic necessities. High Ground volunteers and NFL players visited cells and hospice units, where many were blessed by gifts of soap, toothpaste, shampoo and other items that most of us daily take for granted. This first day continued with the inmates putting on a flag football game; the guests from the NFL were impressed by the level of competition. A Christian music group made up of inmates provided entertainment, rapping original lyrics written from their life stories. On the — Bears linebacker Sam Acho sidelines following the game, Acho shared an encouraging word with the teams and spectators.

Before you go into prison, you have a horrible idea of what it’s like. After going to Angola for two years, I feel safer than I do in my neighborhood. I feel like I’m with my peers; that’s the beauty of what God can do. These are my friends. I think I’m going to help them but in reality they are helping me. I’m learning so much from them. 16

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Cadet Thompson

Ferguson

“My message to the inmates was about how we serve a God who loves us — REALLY loves us,” he said. “I have a 3-year-old son and a 1-yearold daughter; if anyone messes with my children, I’m going to stand up for them. In the same way, we are God’s children. If anyone tries to mess with us, He’s going to stand up for us. He says, ‘I love them — my son and daughter in whom I’m well pleased. I sent My Son to die on the cross for them!’” The NFL players then moved to visit inmates on death row, having a chance to come face to face with men whose days on earth are literally numbered. “Visiting death row was eyeopening,” said Acho, remembering one specific interaction he had with an inmate. “He was asking us, ‘Why are you all here?’ I said, ‘I’m from the Chicago Bears and we’re here to visit with you.’ His eyes got really big and it was almost as if his walls came down as he said, ‘You came to visit me? All right, I have some questions for you…’” The inmate started right in drilling Acho on the ins, outs, politics and structure of the NFL. “I think he felt like he was free a little, just talking about sports and life,” Acho said. “I came back to reality when I tried sharing a verse of encouragement with him and he said, ‘Hold on, this cell I’m in is very real. Don’t ever forget that.’ Then he started sharing Scripture with me!” The day ended with a service in the main prison chapel, standing room only, with more than 800 men in attendance. NFL stars were interviewed by Keith, a High Ground board member, about their personal testimonies, worship was led by a team from Willow Creek, and Pastor Albert Tate from Fellowship Monrovia (in Monrovia, Calif.) shared the Word of God. At the end of the message, 50 or so of the 800 men came forward to publicly declare their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

FINDING HOPE IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE

Jones

Photo by Mike Moreland

Wood

Photo by Mike Moreland

NFL players with inmate football players

he next morning, Acho and Willow Creek pastor Steve Carter led a leadership training session for inmate pastors and prison leaders. Afterward, the celebration continued as Pastor Tate shared a message to another full house. Shortly thereafter, the High Ground team departed for the airport. A quick trip, but the impact experienced in the lives of both the inmates and the NFL athletes will not be soon forgotten. “Getting to know a few of the guys and hearing their stories left a mark on my heart that it’s possible for Jesus to make a believer out of anyone, no matter where you come from,” Ferguson said. “The trip has

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definitely challenged me to think about my own religious freedom in Christ and how I can use the experiences and conversations I’ve had to improve certain aspects of my own life.” The culture continues to transform within Angola as the inmate pastors and churches lead the way. Ministries founded by the inmates themselves outlast the life sentences, bringing hope and community to people who matter so much to God. Malachi Dads is one such ministry. The program runs in more than 250 prisons and jails serving the incarcerated around the country. It was created and developed by Keith, who’s also a graduate of NOBTS.

“There is a lot that goes on; a lot of ministries come through this prison on an annual basis,” Keith said. “To me, High Ground is real revival. When Pastor Tate was ministering last night, I thought, ‘OK, he’s talking to me.’ And for me that’s revival; because it’s an awakening. I’m being challenged to up my life another notch. Every time this event comes it’s refreshing; for me it’s invigorating because every year I know I’m going to be challenged to extend to a greater height.” “From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2

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Having spent almost 20 years of my life playing quarterback, I can definitively say that my perspective on many fronts has been shaped from “behind center.” No matter the position on the team, there tends to be a unique profile that many who play that position possess. But my experience says that is especially true for the QB. While each guy who leads his NFL team on the field this season is absolutely unique in his own way, what he shares in common with other guys on other teams is noteworthy. Leadership, decision-making, poise, discipline and many other qualities are absolutely present in each of the 32 field generals each season.

Craig Jones/ALLSPORT

Most football people already know that and understand that quarterbacks are more alike than they are different when they take the field. What is less known is the degree to which many QBs — both presently and historically — share commonalities away from the game and beyond the stadiums. Much deeper within, but even more significant, is a shared commitment to faith that motivates and guides each of their lives. In the pages ahead, you will read several of their stories. The five we’ve captured in this issue are incredible, and indicative of many others playing this year in other cities and countless others who have gone before this generation of signal-callers. I hope you engage with their stories and cheer them on as they lead their teams into battle this year with hopes of ending up in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. But know for certain, before they ever take the field to lead their squads, they would want you to know that their primary focus is to echo the words of the Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 11:1 — Steve Stenstrom, President and former NFL quarterback

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KIRKCOUSINS

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“At the stage I am in life, I’ve learned that the only way to be an excellent football player is to not make it everything.” — Kirk Cousins

KIRK

COUSINS

FLEXING THAT FAITH MUSCLE T

he Minnesota Vikings went 13-3 in 2017, logging their best regular season since 1998, dethroning the Green Bay Packers as NFC North champions for just the second time in almost a decade, and advancing to within one game of the Super Bowl. A big reason for that was their quarterback, who had a career year and capped it off with a “Minneapolis Miracle.” And yet the Vikings entered 2018 with QB atop their wish list. Their “No. 1 priority,” as general manager Rick Spielman told the media in March, was one-upping their own signal-caller. NFL PREDICTIONS 19

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By Cody Benjamin

Kirk Cousins lingered in perennial uncertainty, but followed God’s call to a home in Minnesota

With the bar already set dangerously close to the ceiling, it was no surprise, then, that Minnesota pulled out all the stops when it did find its new quarterback. Fresh off the unveil of its luxurious new headquarters, the team was not content to have only Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer introduce their fresh face of the franchise. That’s why team owner Mark Wilf was part of the public welcome party, a direct-from-the-top stamp of approval on the $84-million contract that made it all possible — the first multi-year, fully guaranteed deal for a QB in NFL history, and the richest per-year agreement among all NFL QBs at the time. “It’s a rare and unique opportunity to go out and sign a quarterback of this caliber,” Spielman said. That quarterback? His name is Kirk Cousins. How you know Cousins is another question. Is he the former

AFC EAST 1. New England

2. Miami

3. Buffalo

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fourth-round draft pick who rightfully usurped Robert Griffin III as Washington’s franchise QB, posting a better passer rating than everyone except Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan since 2015? Is he just OK when he’s needed most, going 4-19 against teams with winning records? Is he overpaid, a beneficiary of ballooning one-year salaries? Is he underpaid, making just $500,000 more per year than a QB in Jimmy Garoppolo who has seven career starts? The Vikings will tell you he’s one thing: their guy. His new teammates, some of whom have seen seven different QBs start for Minnesota in the last five years, will tell you they’re glad that’s the case. “You can see the excitement in him,” newly paid pass rusher Danielle Hunter said after a June practice. Deep down, however, Cousins also sees this next chapter as something bigger than a better shot at a Super Bowl, the biggest contract of his life or the head-over-heels adoration from Vikings executives that ushered him to the Midwest. For him, at its core, this is all just the next step of a faith journey he holds dear. “We believe that it’s important, as you walk through life, to hear and respond to the voice of God,” Cousins said recently on the Sports Spectrum Podcast. Cousins, whose father, Don, pastors Discovery Church in Orlando, has been a dedicated believer since about 16 years old, when he realized that following Jesus “needs to be a commitment, not just church attendance on Sunday and then claiming to be a Christian when people ask.” He cites 1 John 2:6 (“Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did”) as inspiration for genuine, not politicized or inherited, faith. That’s why he believes his move to Minnesota was, more than anything, an act of obedience. “One of the ways [God] speaks to us, we feel, is through His peace,” Cousins said. “And so we prayed that He would do that and make it abundantly clear, and we just felt a very strong peace about being a part of the Minnesota Vikings.”

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty

A relationship with God is nothing new for Cousins, who brought his wife, Julie, and their baby boy, Cooper, with him to the Twin Cities. He needed it when processing regrets from his time in Washington, where he spent the first six years of his career. “I wish we could’ve won more,” he said. “Somewhere between where we were and six world championships is where I would’ve loved to land.” He especially needed it when juggling contract negotiations with the Redskins, who, unable to strike a long-term deal with him, became the first team in NFL history to use the franchise tag on a QB in successive years. “Usually it’s a process for people that takes a month or two in free agency,” he said, “but because of the nature of my situation, it [was] about two and a half years of wondering ... There hasn’t been a great deal of stability beyond just year to year. As a result, oftentimes I felt like maybe the Lord’s timing was off or it was incorrect. This whole process has taught me the Lord is not late. He’s on time. He just may not be on time to what we want.” The perennial possibility of leaving D.C., which preceded the Vikings’ eager embrace, helped him “grow my faith muscle.” And now, looking back, he says it’s clear God “used that to then lead us to where we are now.” After all, without years of uncertainty in Washington, Cousins might not be soaking in his current responsibilities for an organization that values him to a historic degree — and on a team that’s primed to contend for a championship. From a business perspective, his path to the cash was unprecedented. One longtime NFL agent said Cousins “benefited from the timing of things” like QBs almost never do. And to Cousins, that timing was divine. Now, he’s handsomely paid and, for the first time in his career, he’s an unquestioned “franchise quarterback.” He was the answer to the Vikings’ biggest question. He is their No. 1 priority. And this is where he sees the value of his walk with God the most. Does he want to win a Lombardi Trophy? Yes. Is he fully committed to leading the Vikings?

NFL PREDICTIONS 20

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AFC NORTH 1. Pittsburgh

2. Cincinnati

3. Baltimore

4. Cleveland TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

KIRKCOUSINS

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CHRIST

AP Photo/Mark Reis

Yes. Does he care about becoming a better quarterback? Yes. But nothing, he says, takes precedence over the Lord. That’s why he starts his youth football camps with Bible verses and makes regular donations to International Justice Mission, a global anti-slavery and human-rights program, in Jesus’ name. “God is so much bigger than pleasing a boss or pleasing a teacher or winning a group of friends,” he said. “God is so much bigger than that ... even if it costs me my friends or embarrasses me, if you will, I’m OK with that, because my relationship with Jesus — my commitment to Him — is more important than how I’m perceived by my peers.” He knows full well that means “swimming upstream” in a world and profession driven by the pursuit of money, fame and approval. It’s also far easier, he says, to mention God for the sake of looking humble by “just checking the box and saying that you’re a Christian.”

AP Photo/Mark Reis

NFL PREDICTIONS 21

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AFC SOUTH 1. Houston

2. Jacksonville

But Cousins doesn’t proclaim Christ just to look good, nor does he do it because he just likes being different. (“Nothing would grieve my heart more,” he said, “than for someone to say, at the end of my story, ‘He was really a fake.’”) He does it because he’s simply found more satisfaction in Jesus than he has in anything else. Because fulfillment from anything or anyone else — Vikings fans included — is fleeting. “You can’t allow your identity to get wrapped up in that,” he said. “You have to remember who you are [and] whose you are ... At the stage I am in life, I’ve learned that the only way to be an excellent football player is to not make it everything.” That’s good news for any Vikings fans worried about him living up to the hype. Because to Kirk Cousins, his “everything” lies beyond the football field.

3. Indianapolis

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“My priorities are always my faith in Christ, my family, and football comes way below that.” — Nick Foles

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

NICK

FOLES

people wonder why Nick Foles is OK with MOST VALUABLE When going from from Super Bowl MVP to backup QB, he BACKUP shows them an identity established in Christ

By Jon Ackerman

ick Foles couldn’t avoid the question over the offseason. And no matter how many times he was asked in a slightly different way, he’d give a similar answer. “How are you handling potentially going from Super Bowl MVP to backup quarterback again?” It’s a justified question. The vast majority of most valuable players from the big game are stars, or at least entrenched starters with no doubt about their status on their team. Foles’ situation, though, is unique. He started just three regular-season games last year for Philadelphia, all after starter Carson Wentz went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 14. Foles notched three more starts in the playoffs. NFL PREDICTIONS 22

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AFC WEST 1. Oakland

And he took full advantage — six touchdown passes and one pick in the postseason, 72.6 completion percentage, 323.7 passing yards a game. In addition to throwing three TDs in Super Bowl LII against the Patriots, Foles also caught a touchdown pass in the 41-33 win. That “Philly Special” play will long live in NFL lore. A quarterback really can’t end a season any better. That would typically lead coaches, players, fans, media — everyone — to safely place high hopes on said quarterback’s shoulder pads for the next season. With Foles, however, the expectations are there, the starts just won’t be. Wentz — who was posting MVP-type numbers before his injury — is expected to fully recover and resume his role as QB1. That would make Foles the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl for a team and begin the next season on that team’s bench. |

2. Kansas City

3. Denver

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NICKFOLES And he has no problem with that — as he’s said over and over. “That’s a big question everyone wants to know, and I think even with my answer people still don’t quite get it,” he said on the Sport Spectrum Podcast this summer. “I think that’s because today, in our age, it’s all about getting first. It’s all about winning the race. It’s all about having that title. “If you go ask my dad, ‘Hey, has Nick always cared about having the title of starting quarterback?’ he’ll go, ‘No he’s never cared about it.’ I’ve never really cared for the title of starting quarterback, I’ve never cared for the title of backup quarterback; I’m just a quarterback. I’m just who I am. “If you have to name me starting quarterback [for me] to go be a starting quarterback, then I probably have some issues I need to address. You need to have something inside of you, you need to have that identity and that confidence ... That’s where my faith in Christ comes in, because that’s my identity.”

FOR

wo short years ago, Foles strongly considered retiring. He’d lost his joy for the game after a broken collarbone in 2014, a trade to St. Louis in ‘15, and a release from the Rams in ‘16. Were it not for a challenging, emotional, heart-to-heart discussion with his wife, Tori, he might have been on his way to becoming a youth pastor. But God wasn’t finished with Foles in the NFL yet, and the Lord made it clear Foles wasn’t trusting Him. To have complete faith, he needed to keep playing. So he moved to Kansas City in ‘16, and returned in ‘17 to the Eagles, who drafted him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Arizona. Then Foles won a Super Bowl, the first in Philly’s history, and endured an offseason for the ages. He took the obligatory MVP trip to Disney World, hopped aboard the talk-show circuit (Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, ESPN, Fox and Friends), won an ESPY (Best Championship Performance), had the best-selling NFL jersey in the first quarter of 2018, and squeezed in time to write a book. He partnered with author Joshua Cooley and Tyndale House Publishers to promptly produce a New York Times bestseller — “Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure, and Overcoming the Odds.”

CHRIST

When first approached with the book idea, Foles was hesitant. But after praying about it and seeking wisdom from renowned Christian author Randy Alcorn, Foles and Cooley went to work. “A huge reason Tori and I decided to do this is, we’re very fortunate to play football and have that source of income, so we’re doing this book and giving away 100 percent of what Tori and I receive to charities, to churches, to different organizations — one being Dysautonomia International. They’re a foundation that really does research and creates awareness for dysautonomia, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, POTS. It’s what my wife was diagnosed with five years ago,” Foles said. POTS is a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and breathing. The most common symptoms are fatigue, gastrointestinal issues and near-constant lightheadedness. The diagnosis came after countless doctors struggled to assess what was going on. “She didn’t know what it was and she

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

NFL PREDICTIONS 23

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AFC EAST 1. Philadelphia

2. New York Giants

3. Washington

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went to several doctors and no one could figure it out,” Foles said. “Some of them tried to diagnose her with depression, but Tori is not depressed.” This all took place during Nick’s second NFL season, when he replaced an injured Michael Vick in Week 5 and earned a Pro Bowl nod by season’s end. But while he traveled to Hawaii (and earned offensive MVP honors), Tori mostly stayed in bed. While he attended the NFL Honors show in New York City, she stayed in Austin, Texas, where their family tended to her. Finally, they visited the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and found Dr. Brent Goodman, who issued the POTS diagnosis. “Most people haven’t heard of that, and she definitely hadn’t heard of it before she was diagnosed,” Foles said. A chapter of Nick’s book details Tori’s struggles, and during the ensuing book tour, they encountered numerous people thanking them for bringing awareness to the syndrome. Tori and so many others deal with POTS on a daily basis, but have learned how to handle the symptoms and still enjoy life. Another reason for writing the book and doing the tour: Foles knew it would give him chances to share his faith. “Every opportunity I meet someone, every opportunity I sign a book, every opportunity I speak, I have an opportunity to glorify God,” said Foles, an online seminary student with Liberty University. It was on the book tour that the MVP-to-backup questions intensified. He’d tell people he’s “an extreme competitor and would do almost anything to win a game,” but also reiterate, “My priorities are always my faith in Christ, my family, and football comes way below that.” Many were perplexed by his stance — including NFL decision makers who may have a say in Foles’ football fate once his contract runs out after this season. But Foles has stayed in Philly because he loves the organization and people he works with. If he enters free agency, he’ll seek out a similar situation. “There are GMs listening to what I’m saying right now, saying, ‘I don’t want a guy like that. Everything’s got to be football. He’s got to want to be a starting quarterback, he’s got to want these things.’ Quite frankly, I don’t want to play for you because you’re not going to get who I am. But there’s going to be someone out there that understands it, and even if it’s less money, I’d rather play there than follow the money,” he said. In case he hasn’t made it clear, Foles’ identity is found in Christ, not football — which is a good thing for anyone interested in his skill set. “Because of that,” he says, “I’m able to play football at a high level.”

NFL PREDICTIONS 24

SPORTS SPECTRUM

NFC NORTH 1. Minnesota

AP Photo/Michael Perez Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

2. Green Bay

3. Detroit

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“Am I a football player who happens to be a Christian? No, I’m a Christian who happens to be a football player. That’s my calling. That’s my defining characteristic.” — Case Keenum AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

CASE

KEENUM

PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF By Jon Ackerman

he Case Keenum praise began piling up immediately. And not from just anyone, but from some of the best in the business. “There is more confidence on that side of the ball ... It’s not the question mark like it was the past two years. Case takes command of the huddle,” said linebacker Brandon Marshall on the first day of training camp for the Denver Broncos, who boast one of the NFL’s best defenses (No. 3 overall, No. 4 against the pass in 2017). “Our offense is way better than they were last year,” said three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris a week later. “With Case under center, he’s thrown great balls. He’s had great accuracy all camp.” Such precision that it wasn’t until Day 6 that the stout D finally picked him off. The task was accomplished by safety Will Parks, who danced, shimmied and chest-bumped teammates like he’d scored in a game that mattered. NFL PREDICTIONS 25

Case Keenum is finally an unquestioned starting NFL quarterback, and he’s thanking God for the perfect fit he’s found in Denver

SPORTS SPECTRUM

“We were talking about that today too. We were like, ‘We got to get him,’” Parks said after the practice. “But that’s a good thing. Obviously, No. 4 has been doing a [heck] of a job making great throws and not turning the ball over.” “That’s the beauty of having a starter in place,” head coach Vance Joseph said. “He feels comfortable in the leadership position, because he is the guy, so he can take the reins and help young guys, and help older guys also.” These comments are music to Keenum’s ears. The seventh-year quarterback has started 38 games in the NFL since coming in undrafted out of the University of Houston, but all were because another QB on the roster was either hurt or not yet ready to play. When Keenum, 30, takes the field in Denver’s season opener Sept. 9, it’ll be just the second time he’ll play Week 1 as a starter. The other

NFC SOUTH 1. Atlanta

2. New Orleans

3. Carolina

4. Tampa Bay TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

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“We want this book to be about glorifying God and ultimately, hopefully, pointing people to Christ. If it blesses somebody, encourages somebody, challenges somebody from the things that I’ve messed up, the things that I’ve done well, that’s what I want people to take away.” — Case Keenum AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

instance came two years ago, when he was QB1 the first nine games of 2016 for the Los Angeles Rams. But lingering over each one of those contests was the fact that L.A. had traded six draft picks to move up to No. 1 in that year’s draft to select Jared Goff. The rookie started the team’s final seven games. So Keenum joined Minnesota in 2017 and was slotted as the backup to Sam Bradford. When an injury felled Bradford in Week 1, Keenum seized the opportunity. In collecting 14 regular-season starts on the year — easily a career high — he tallied 11 wins, 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 98.3 QB rating, seventh in the league. Those 14 games, along with a playoff run to the NFC championship game, earned him a bit of a raise. He signed with Minnesota in 2017 for one year and $2 million, but with Denver in March on the first day of free agency for two years and $36 million. As Broncos GM John Elway turned over the podium to Keenum at his introductory press conference, he said, “I’d like to introduce you to the new starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Case Keenum.” From the start, he’s been the starter. That’s something Denver hasn’t had at quarterback since Peyton Manning retired in 2016.

hat’s incredible, being introduced by John Elway,” Keenum said as he officially became a Bronco. “That’s a dream come true.” Growing up in Abilene, Texas, Keenum obviously pulled for the Dallas Cowboys. But he also had an Elway poster on his bedroom wall. “As a coach’s kid growing up and wanting to play quarterback, it was Elway and the Broncos and Aikman and the Cowboys,” Keenum said. “That was a big part of my childhood.” God was too. The son of Steve and Susan, and brother to Allison and Lauren, Case learned about Jesus at church every Sunday and at home every day. Both parents were standout athletes and heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Steve left high school and college football coaching to become an area director with Big Country FCA in Abilene, a role he still holds today. Case gave his life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 7. But he says his faith became real to him in college, when he realized his decisions had consequences and he didn’t have Mom and Dad telling him what to do. It was up to him to sleep in or go to church on Sundays — not always an easy choice after playing games on Saturdays.

NFL PREDICTIONS 26

SPORTS SPECTRUM

Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

“

NFC WEST 1. Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

2. Arizona

3. Seattle

4. San Francisco TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

CASEKEENUM

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

FOR

Houston was Keenum’s only scholarship offer coming out of Wylie High School, and he more than earned the tuition money. By the time he left in 2011, he held (and still holds) NCAA records for completions (1,546), passing yards (19,217) and passing touchdowns (155). Still, his name wasn’t called during the 2012 NFL Draft. He was, however, invited to join training camp with the Houston Texans, who kept him on the practice squad all of 2012. Other QB injuries allowed Keenum to start eight games the next year, but the Texans lost each one. He bounced from Houston to St. Louis to Houston to St. Louis over the next two years, and stuck with the Rams as they moved to Los Angeles. But when a team gives up so much to pick a QB at No. 1, it’s only a matter of time before the existing QB is jettisoned. Moving to Minnesota ended up being the change Keenum needed to have the career year he knew he was capable of. The Vikings’ 13 wins marked the second most in franchise history. The playoff run was their deepest since 2009.

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

NFL PREDICTIONS 27

SPORTS SPECTRUM

CHRIST

And, of course, it included the “Minneapolis Miracle,” the 61-yard TD pass from Keenum to Stefon Diggs on the last play of the divisional playoff against New Orleans. No NFL playoff game in history had ever ended on a touchdown as time expired. Afterward, Keenum told FOX Sports’ Chris Meyers, “It’s probably gonna go down as the third best moment of my life — behind giving my life to Jesus Christ, marrying my wife, and this one’s right there close.” The Vikings fell to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles the next week. But that play and the attention it generated (it won an ESPY for Best Moment), coupled with Keenum’s unlikely rise to stardom over the course of the season, led to a book offer. Keenum laughed it off at first, but Sports Illustrated contributor Andrew Perloff offered to help write it, noted Christian publisher B&H Publishing Group got involved, and Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy wrote the foreword. “Playing for More: Trust Beyond What You Can See” hits stores in September. B&H announced the book in June with a press release. “Am I a football player who happens to be a Christian?” Keenum asked in the release. “No, I’m a Christian who happens to be a football player. That’s my calling. That’s my defining characteristic.” The book hitting stores will coincide with Keenum’s regular-season debut in Denver, marking a special time for Keenum — getting his first chance to be a franchise quarterback, and doing so with a larger platform to share his faith in Jesus. “We want this book to be about glorifying God and ultimately, hopefully, pointing people to Christ,” Keenum told Sports Spectrum. “If it blesses somebody, encourages somebody, challenges somebody from the things that I’ve messed up, the things that I’ve done well, that’s what I want people to take away … God has intricately placed every tiny detail with masterful perfection. We wanted God to be glorified. “It’s not my story. It’s God’s story told through me.”

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — New England over Pittsburgh TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

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“We all want to be able to see, touch and feel things in order for them to be real. As Christians, we have to understand that God has a plan for us, though at times we will not understand it or agree with it.” — Drew Brees

DREW

BREES

BIGGER CALLING IN BIG EASY By Jon Ackerman

rew Brees remembers the first NFL preseason game of his career, just months after he was selected by San Diego in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. The contest took place in Miami, home of the legendary Dan Marino for 17 years. The 22-year-old Brees saw a list of Marino’s career achievements and just marveled at the longevity of his career. Brees also remembers his final game with the Chargers, the 2005 season finale against Denver at home. Late in the second quarter, he dropped back to pass and was blindsided. The ball came loose, so he dove on it, and a defensive lineman dove on him. The impact dislocated Brees’ right shoulder, the arm he’d used to earn his first Pro Bowl selection the year before. NFL PREDICTIONS 28

SPORTS SPECTRUM

As he stays aligned with God’s purpose, Drew Brees enters his 18th season with some NFL records there for the taking “Besides maybe like a broken neck or something, that is the absolute worst injury that I could ever have asked for, for a quarterback,” Brees told The Increase, part of the Sports Spectrum network. As he walked off the field, he felt surgery was imminent. And without a contract for 2006, the 26-year-old not only figured he’d just thrown his last pass as a Charger, he wondered if he’d just thrown his last pass in the NFL. Thirteen years later, Brees is still in the league. He had in fact thrown his last pass as a Charger, but the New Orleans Saints signed him and his bum arm as a free agent. It was the first of what would become four contracts with the Saints, the most recent a two-year, $50 million deal inked this past March. And so, the 11-time Pro Bowler enters the 2018 season at 39 years old, his 18th campaign in the NFL. Not only has he surpassed Marino’s longevity, he’s broken many of Marino’s records. Actually, Brees has

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — L.A. Rams over Philadelphia TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

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AP Photo/Jim Mone

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

topped most every quarterback’s NFL records. Before he’s done — he has said he might play until he’s 45 — he could be pretty close to owning every major QB record in the books. A big one figures to fall this year: the all-time NFL passing yards mark (71,940), currently held by Peyton Manning. Brees needs just 1,496 yards to get there, a number he could realistically meet in Week 5 or 6. Another big one could topple next year: the alltime passing touchdowns record of 539, also held by Manning. Brees needs 52 more, a target he could hit by the end of his current contract. But Brees doesn’t plan to play into his 40s just to break some records. He owns only one championship, defeating Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Brees wants another, and the Saints boast a squad with a genuine shot at getting there. New Orleans was 25 seconds from the NFC championship game last season, but were on the wrong end of the “Minneapolis Miracle,” a 61-yard TD

pass on the last play of the game. For much of his Saints tenure, Brees’ production has carried the team. Not so anymore. Though his 4,334 passing yards ranked fourth in the league in 2017, they were his lowest total as a Saint. So were his 23 touchdowns. With a more balanced offense thanks to running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, Brees had more time in the pocket, resulting in an NFL completion percentage record (72.0) and his fewest number of interceptions (eight) since 2004. Thus, the Saints aimed much of their focus during free agency and the draft on defense. The 2017 New Orleans D ranked third in interceptions (20) and 10th in points allowed (20.4). When a Brees-led offense averages 28.0 points, the formula works. So count the Saints among the NFC favorites, and count Brees among the hungriest in the NFL. He may not be in it for the records, but were the Saints to win it all, he’d be 40 — the oldest QB to win a Super Bowl (topping Manning yet again). Another Super Bowl would also enlarge Brees’ platform, which is already large and boldly used to proclaim his faith in Jesus Christ.

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rees didn’t end up in the Big Easy just because the Saints offered him the best contract he could get with his injured arm. “It was six months post [Hurricane] Katrina and we were just looking at the sheer devastation, and just saying, ‘I’m not going to trust what I see with my eyes here, because my eyes are telling me not to come here,’” Brees said. “And yet my heart, my soul, the Lord is telling me that this is our calling. It’s not about just coming to play football and be a part of the resurgence of a football team or an organization, but it’s about the resurrection and rebirth of a city, and we can be a part of that.” That’s Brees simply living out his life verse, 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” “We all want to be able to see, touch and feel things in order for them to be real. As Christians, we have to understand that God has a plan for us, though at times we will not understand it or agree with it. Yet with our trust and faith in Him, we know that this is part of our journey and He will lead us and develop us into who He meant for us to be,” Brees says.

SUPER BOWL — New England 34, Los Angeles 24 TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

FOR

DREWBREES

CHRIST

Indeed, Brees led a resurgence of the organization and the city. On the field he took a team that finished 3-13 in ‘05 to 10-6 and the NFC championship game in ‘06. He led the league in passing (4,418 yards), earned another Pro Bowl trip and was also named first-team All-Pro. Three years later came the Super Bowl. Off the field, the Brees Dream Foundation immediately jumped in to assist with the hurricane recovery efforts. The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, and provide care, education and opportunities for children and families in need — there were thousands of families in need in New Orleans. So Brees partnered with Operation Kids to rebuild and recreate academic facilities, parks, playgrounds, athletic centers and mentoring programs. Since launching in 2003, the Brees Dream Foundation has contributed more than $33 million to charitable causes globally. Just within the past year, the foundation has helped open an all-inclusive playground in New Orleans that allows children and adults of all abilities the chance to play side by side, and provided

significant funding to the athletic facilities renovation project at a New Orleans high school. As long as Brees is playing in the NFL — four, five, six more years? — and likely well past his playing days, his foundation will continue to bless others in need. That’s because the foundation of the Brees family is Jesus Christ. For Drew, it began on his 17th birthday in church, one month removed from a knee surgery that kept him sidelined while his team cruised in the Texas state playoffs. “Prior to that moment my identity had been wrapped up in football and sports,” Brees said. “As I sat in church that day I realized that there was a bigger calling for me — much bigger than myself. I was listening to the pastor talk about how God was looking for ‘a few good men’ to lead His Kingdom and spread His Word. That spoke to me. I felt Jesus come into my heart that day as I understood that God had a much larger plan for me than just to be a football player.”

AP Photo/Butch Dill

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OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR — Saquon Barkley, N.Y. Giants | DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

ANDYDALTON

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“To have that support from a fanbase that’s not even yours is crazy. But the amount of good that we’re going to be able to do with that money, it’s going to be awesome.” — Andy Dalton AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

DALTON

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ndy Dalton has been the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals since they selected him out of Texas Christian University in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, and is a three-time Pro Bowler who has helped lead the Bengals to four playoff appearances in his seven seasons. Dalton is now also a legend in the city of Buffalo because of his game-winning touchdown pass against Baltimore with 44 seconds left in the final regular-season game of the 2017 season. The win knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs and helped to catapult the Bills in, their first playoff berth since 1999. Bills fans were so grateful that they donated more than $350,000 dollars to the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation, which helps provide daily support, opportunities, resources and life-changing experiences to

TRU

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By Jason Romano

PLANTING SEEDS IN CINCY

ANDY

CAST

To listen to the entire interview with Andy Dalton visit SportsSpectrum.com

The Bengals QB leads a generous foundation which was surprisingly blessed by Buffalo fans seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families in Cincinnati and Fort Worth. Recently, I sat down with Andy to discuss his NFL career, being cheered by Bills fans, where his faith in Christ began, and why he wanted to start his foundation. HAVE YOU EVER WON A GAME LIKE THAT IN YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER? ON THE ROAD, THROWING A TOUCHDOWN LIKE THAT, FOURTH AND 12? In high school, I won a game — it wasn’t fourth down, but it was the last play of the game. But other than that, no, I haven’t had something like that happen with very little time at the end of the game. YOU WIN THE GAME. DESCRIBE THE EMOTION. Obviously you want to win every single game you play. And for us, the

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ANDYDALTON

AP Photo/Nick Wass

CHRIST

week prior, we had just beat the Lions and they were in playoff contention and they ended up not making the playoffs. And then for us to beat the Ravens, and realize that they didn’t make the playoffs. So we played two good teams and got quality wins at the end of the year. We ended the season the right way. Obviously we wanted to be in the playoffs, but it felt good that we did end the year on a good note. HOW DID YOU START TO DISCOVER THAT PEOPLE FROM BUFFALO WERE EXPRESSING THEIR THANKS TO YOU BY SUPPORTING YOUR CHARITY? After the game, I had just got on Twitter to check my mentions and to randomly see what was going on, and a couple people had said, “We’re going to donate to your foundation.” I didn’t think anything of it until later on that night, Amy [Floyd], who runs our foundation, she was like, “You have no idea how many donations we’re getting. We have so many donations from the city of Buffalo and these Bills fans.” And then it caught fire. It just kept going. We ended up raising close to $400,000. THAT’S INCREDIBLE. I SAW THAT IT WAS ALL RAISED IN LESS THAN A WEEK BY 16,000 PEOPLE? To have that support from a fanbase that’s not even yours is crazy. But the amount of good that we’re going to be able to do with that money, it’s going to be awesome. YOU AND YOUR WIFE, JORDAN (J.J.), STARTED THE FOUNDATION TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED. TELL US ABOUT THE FOUNDATION AND WHY YOU STARTED IT. We started our foundation in 2011. We had to figure out who we wanted help. We decided we wanted to work with sick children and kids with special needs to give them life-changing experiences. We do several events. We’ve taken kids and NFL PREDICTIONS 32

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For more on the Daltons and the great work they’re doing with the foundation, visit AndyDalton.org their families to Kings Island, an amusement park in Cincinnati. We’ve done a Christmas party. We’ve done a date night for the parents where the parents drop off their kids with us and we’ll babysit and have a bunch of games and fun with the kids, [and it also gives] the parents a date night to be together and connect because it’s hard for that to happen with these kids who have so much need. But the main area our foundation works with is we provide grants for families where insurance doesn’t cover full payment of medical expenses. Whatever it may be, we’ll be able to help fund that for them.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas | DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Aaron Donald, L.A. Rams TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

ANDYDALTON

FOR

CHRIST

HOW WAS YOUR FAITH STRENGTHENED THROUGH THIS TIME WHERE YOU SAW YOUR FOUNDATION BEING BLESSED BY THAT TOUCHDOWN YOU THREW AND THE WIN FOR THE BENGALS? It wasn’t the ending of the year that we wanted. But the amount of good that was able to come from what we were able to do, the Lord really blessed that end of the year with something that we were trying to do. Obviously we won the game, but the blessings from so many people, the Lord was just very generous to us. WHERE DID YOUR FAITH START? I grew up in a Christian home. I grew up going to church. I accepted Christ when I was in third grade in the living room of my house. I feel blessed that my parents raised me the right way and then making that faith my own. Getting married to a Godly woman and being able to share that faith together, it’s what you want. TAKE US TO THAT MOMENT IN THE LIVING ROOM OF YOUR HOUSE WHEN YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST. My family and I were all together, sitting on the couch of my house. We had our pastor over at our house. Our pastor’s name was Doctor Wisdom — that’s a pretty good pastor name. I remember him just explaining if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that you’d have eternal life. I remember at that moment that this was something I wanted to make my own. YOU’RE THE LEADER, THE FACE OF THE BENGALS FRANCHISE. TAKE US THROUGH STAYING DISCIPLINED IN THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF THE GRIND THAT IS AN NFL SEASON? It’s how you live your life and what you do; how you handle certain situations. People are always watching you. We’ve got a great group of guys. We’ve got a great group of wives and girlfriends on the team too. We have a really good community. J.J. and I host a couple’s Bible study at our house every week. I think being in the community and surrounded by others trying to grow in their faith is a big thing for us. That’s a big way to show who we are in the locker room and around the guys on our team. NOW AS A HUSBAND AND A DAD, OBVIOUSLY BEING A QB WITH THE BENGALS, WHAT IS GOD TEACHING YOU? For me, the big challenge is to continue to grow and continue to strive to get into God’s Word. To learn more. To lead my family, to be the dad, to be the husband that He’s called me to be. I’m trying to improve and get better with that each day. First Peter 5:6 has been a verse that’s stuck with me for a long time since I was little and it’s been one of my favorites. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” — 1 Peter 5:6

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MVP — Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

college

20 18 BY JASONROMANO CAN TEXAS RETURN TO PROMINENCE?

The man who made Oregon a highpowered juggernaut of an offense (more than 40 points a game) is back in college football. Chip Kelly has taken over at UCLA after NFL stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, and he is ready to show he still has what it takes to score a lot of points and win a lot of games.

It’s been a while since the Texas Longhorns were a dominant college football team. The last time they won the Big 12 was 2009, when Colt McCoy was under center and Mack Brown was head coach. Nine years later, fans in Austin believe their team is on the verge of returning to prominence. Second-year coach Tom Herman has his squad at No. 21 in the coaches preseason poll.

THE DOMINANCE OF ALABAMA

On Aug. 2, the preseason coaches poll was released with the Buckeyes ranked No. 3. Normally, that’s the big news in Columbus. Unfortunately, just one day prior, head coach Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave due to allegations that he was aware of domestic violence incidents involving former assistant coach Zach Smith. Ryan Day was named acting head coach, and football will continue to dominate the landscape for the Buckeyes. But will the coaching uncertainty have an impact on their national title hopes?.

SCOTT FROST GOES HOME Scott Frost led Central Florida to an undefeated 13-0 record last year, orchestrating one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history (he took over after the Knights went 0-12 in 2015). His reward was a trip home to Nebraska, and he’s tasked with leading his alma mater back to prominence. The Cornhuskers haven’t won a national title since 1997, when they were led under center by Frost. Nebraska ended up 4-8 last season with four consecutive losses to close out the disappointing year.

AP Photo/Nati Harnik

AP Photo/David Goldman

Spoiled rotten. That’s what the rest of the college football world says when they see Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide once again at the top of the rankings. Coming off of an incredible overtime win against Georgia to win the 2018 National Championship Game, Alabama is back and loaded with talent. The obvious question: Who will be the starting quarterback? Will it be junior Jalen Hurts (26-2 as a starter) or sophomore Tua Tagovailoa (who came off the bench in the second half to win the national title)? Both should have an impact this year.

HOW WILL OHIO STATE FARE IN LIGHT OF COACHING SCANDAL?

AP Photo/Cooper Neill

CHIP KELLY RETURNS TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

STORY LINES TO WATCH

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20 18 TUA TAGOVAILOA ALABAMA QB, SOPHOMORE

ED OLIVER HOUSTON DT, JUNIOR

When we last saw Tua Tagovailoa, he was throwing a dime of a touchdown pass in overtime to help Alabama win another national championship. One throw in the most pressure-packed game was enough to put him on the map. Tagovailoa is also outspoken about his faith, as evidenced by his response in a postgame interview on ESPN after winning the championship: “First and foremost, I’d just like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With Him, all things are possible.”

Both ESPN and Sports Illustrated have Ed Oliver as their top college football player for 2018. That’s high praise considering he comes from Texas but doesn’t play for UT, TCU or Texas A&M. As a sophomore last season, the Houstonian was named to the Walter Camp All-America first team and won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman. Oliver, who says “God over everything” in his Twitter bio, has already announced he’ll forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, of which some predict he’ll be the first overall pick.

AP Photo/Butch Dill

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AP Photo/Michael Wyke

college

The early favorite for the 2018 Heisman Trophy, Bryce Love is coming off a 2,118-yard, 19-touchdown season that saw him finish second in the Heisman voting behind Baker Mayfield. After 8.1 yards per rush in 2017 (an FBS record) and 13 rushing TDs of 50 yards or more (another FBS record), Love owns 3,126 career rushing yards and needs only 1,174 to break Stanford’s all-time record. “Just a kid from Wake Forest w/ big dreams,” Love wrote on Instagram after becoming a unanimous All-American selection. “I thank God for blessing me with the people I have around me, who helped turn one of our dreams into reality.”

Dexter Lawrence is another defensive lineman projected to be a top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Says NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, “He has only scratched the surface of what he could ultimately become in the near future.” The 2016 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year enters his third year with head coach Dabo Swinney in the hopes that he can help the Tigers replicate the national championship they won in 2016. “God first and family second,” Lawrence states in his Twitter bio, a motto Coach Swinney (page 36) certainly shares in leading the No. 2 team in the country.

Lost in the hoopla of Alabama and Tagovailoa winning the national title was the incredible freshman season by Jake Fromm. He threw for 2,615 yards, 24 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He also performed well on the biggest stages, leading the Bulldogs to a 54-48 double-OT win over Oklahoma in the national semifinals before falling just short in the national championship game. Fromm expressed his gratitude to God after each win by posting a prayer of thanks and praise. This year, expectations are high for both Fromm and Georgia to make it back to the title game, but with a different outcome.

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AP Photo/David J. Phillip

JAKE FROMM GEORGIA QB, SOPHOMORE

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

DEXTER LAWRENCE CLEMSON DT, JUNIOR

AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

BRYCE LOVE STANFORD RB, SENIOR

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Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

PREACH IT, By Kevin Mercer

The head coach of perennial power Clemson is unafraid to use his platform — both literal and figurative — to spread the Gospel n Jan. 9, 2017, with tears in his eyes, Dabo Swinney was handed college football’s National Championship trophy. After eight years as Clemson’s head coach, it was his. Swinney raised the prize over his head in glorious triumph, the 35-pound object symbolizing the weight of championship aspirations placed on his 2016 Tigers. But before he could fully savor the 35-31 last-second victory over his alma mater, Alabama, he was handed a microphone. The world was watching. It was time for Dabo to be Dabo. He began and ended his speech with some of the distinctive motivation that 36

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has come to characterize Swinney’s tenure at Clemson. He shared how he instilled supreme confidence in his team and how, after 35 years, a Clemson flag flew at the top of the college football mountain. But between those two motivational bookends, in perhaps the most widely seen interview of his coaching career, in a torrent of title-winning emotions, Swinney acknowledged his Heavenly Father: “Only God can do this!” No one who has spent time around the Clemson program since Swinney took over midway through the 2008 season was surprised. Swinney has been eager to talk openly about his faith at every

opportunity that’s come up. More recently, a chance presented itself in July at the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff event in Charlotte, N.C. Swinney was asked why he immediately mentioned his faith right after winning the national championship, and he jumped right in. “Man, that’s the easiest question I’ve had all day,” Swinney began with a smile. He explained that Christ put a stamp on his life at the age of 16 that defines him to this day. “That was a game-changer for me,” Swinney said. “[My relationship with Christ has] really become the foundation of my life.” TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

“If there’s really hope in the future, then there’s power in the present to deal with whatever mess you’re dealing with in your life, to step through, to hang in there, to persevere, to continue to believe in something, and that’s what my relationship with Christ did for me.” AP Photo/David J. Phillip

e is arguably the most outspoken coach in the country about his Christian faith, and he is also one of the most successful on the field. The 2016 national champions weren’t simply one-year-wonders; they established the program as a powerhouse. Now, entering the 2018 season at No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll, on the heels of three straight appearances in the College Football Playoff, the one-time upstart Clemson Tigers have a seat at the table 37

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of college football royalty. Annually they will be somewhere in the hunt for the national championship. Clemson returns Kelly Bryant, a dynamic playmaker at quarterback, and brings in five-star freshman Trevor Lawrence to push Bryant for playing time. The Tigers’ stable of running backs, led by Travis Etienne, are more than equipped to shoulder the rushing load. A few key pieces from the offensive line return as well. Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McLeod, two big receiving weapons for Bryant last year, are gone,

but as can be expected from a topfive program, a bevy of gifted young receivers are ready to step in to plug any holes. If anything was a weak spot for Clemson last year, it was the offensive side of the ball. The drop-off in passing a year ago from the absence of Deshaun Watson (No. 12 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft) was especially glaring. Yet with so much returning and incoming talent, it will be difficult for the Tigers not to improve offensively. Defensively, Clemson’s outlook is TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

blindingly bright. The Tigers’ national championship hopes received a colossal boost when defensive end Austin Bryant and tackle Christian Wilkins decided to return. Those two — along with DT Dexter Lawrence and DE Clelin Ferrell — will star on a line that is both very talented and very deep. It’s not a stretch to say Clemson’s 2018 defensive line could be one of the best ever assembled. The Tigers’ linebacker core and secondary have been overshadowed this offseason by the defensive front, but both are strong in their own right. The losses of linebacker Dorian O’Daniel, cornerback Ryan Carter and safety Van Smith are noteworthy, but Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables should have little trouble finding talented replacements waiting in the wings. The schedule shakes out favorably for Clemson as well, as it will play only one team — Florida State — in ESPN’s preseason top 25. The Tigers are slated to be favored significantly in every matchup this season; they open at home Sept. 1 against Furman. Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama may have something to say about it, but the 2018 Clemson Tigers seem poised to give Swinney a second dose of what he tasted in 2016. With Swinney’s infectious personality and perpetual optimism, it’s tough for any Clemson fan not to smile right now too. hings weren’t always so upbeat around the Clemson program. Under Swinney’s predecessors, many viewed the Tigers as perennial underachievers. Clemson often was a world-beater on paper, but rarely lived up to the hype once the season began. Yet under Swinney, those days seem like the distant past. Swinney has changed the culture around the football program in Clemson, S.C. His teams are always distinguished by a sense of absolute togetherness and inner self-confidence. Even when the outlook is bleak, the Tigers never quit, never stop clawing until the final whistle. The Tigers have come to embody the qualities of their head coach, and their head coach holds fast to Christ. “Swinney’s Sermon,” as some are calling it, at the ACC Football Kickoff is a prime example. “Everybody sees me now and I’m the head coach at Clemson and this and that, but my life 38

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Photo by Gabe L’Heureux/Getty

hasn’t always been this way,” Swinney said. “If there’s really hope in the future, then there’s power in the present to deal with whatever mess you’re dealing with in your life, to step through, to hang in there, to persevere, to continue to believe in something, and that’s what my relationship with Christ did for me.” Swinney explained that Jeremiah 29:11 has resonated with him throughout his life. It says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Passages like this give Swinney the strength to outlast any obstacle he faces in life, like how his team outlasts so many opponents in the fourth quarter. It gives him hope in the face of hopelessness, just like what his team had in their national championship game victory when they trailed 14-0. Still, Swinney is not naïve. He knows bad things happen to people every day, Christian and non-Christian alike. TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

Coach Swinney raises the 2016-17 National Championship trophy.

AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File

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Coach Swinney with QB Kelly Bryant.

“Life is hard, and we’re all going to experience death and failure and setbacks and disappointments and cancer,” Swinney said. “It’s just a really difficult world.” But the coach doesn’t let pain have the final say. Instead, the peace of God, the grace He offers and the hope of the inevitable return of Jesus are where Swinney places his trust. It’s what gets him out of bed in the morning and keeps him working hard for the glory of God. That hard work has translated into success in his role as head coach. Despite Clemson being his only head coaching job, Swinney has amassed an impressive resume. It includes bowl appearances every season, four ACC championships, three playoff appearances, and the national championship, all to go along with numerous Coach of the Year awards. However, Swinney measures his success not by the standards of this world but by the eternal standards of God. “Probably the greatest accomplishment that I have had to this point is to see my three sons come to know Christ and to know Him as their Lord and Savior,” Swinney said as he concluded his response at the ACC Kickoff. “Those are personal decisions that people have to make, but [this is] just how I choose to live my life. “Trust me, people that know me know I ain’t perfect, but I do try to live my life in a way that hopefully can be pleasing to my Maker. I know I’m going to meet Him one day, and He’s not going to pat me on the back and talk about how many wins I had or how many Coach of the Year trophies we got or how much money I made. I really think He’s going to hold me accountable to how I took advantage of the opportunity and the blessings that He gave me, the impact that I had on young people, the type of men that we develop through a game.” For Swinney, even surrounded every day with a game as ruthless as football, the love of Christ must win. Ultimately, it will. Swinney said it best a few years ago — also publicly, in another “sermon” in front of the media. “[The Bible] says, ‘Love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul. The second [commandment] is, love your neighbor as you’d love yourself.’ It doesn’t say love your neighbor from the same religion. It doesn’t say love your neighbor if they’re the same color as you. It doesn’t say love your neighbor if they pull for the same team as you. It doesn’t say love your neighbor if they’re the same gender as you, or whatever. [It doesn’t say] love your neighbor if they have the same sexuality as you. “It just says love your neighbor as you’d love yourself.”

“[The Bible] doesn’t say love your neighbor from the same religion. It doesn’t say love your neighbor if they’re the same color as you. It doesn’t say love your neighbor if they pull for the same team as you... It just says love your neighbor as you’d love yourself.” TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

Photo by Allen Kee/ESPN Images

SOLDIER (AND REPORTER) FOR

GOD By Becky York

TOP ESPN ANALYST AND REPORTER MARIA TAYLOR USES HER PASSION AND TALENT TO SEE LIVES IMPACTED BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST You might recognize her as one of ESPN’s top sports analysts and reporters, or you might remember her as a collegiate basketball and volleyball player at the University of Georgia, where she was named to the AllSEC volleyball team three times. Having graduated in 2009 with a degree in broadcast news, Maria Taylor is now an up-andcoming voice in the sports media world. 40

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Hired by ESPN in 2013, she began covering college sports for ESPN2 and later the ESPN-owned SEC Network. She has since worked her way up to assignments for some of the most widely-watched sporting events in the country: the NFL and NBA drafts, the NFL and NBA combines, the ESPYS, the Rose Bowl, numerous primetime games and more. The calls keep coming, and in her business, constant calls are a really good sign. “It’s been the most gratifying and satisfying [summer] I’ve had in a long time,” Taylor said recently on the Sports Spectrum Podcast. “Just being able to do an array of different things and flex some different muscles has been fun.” Last year, Taylor replaced Sam Ponder as a reporter for ESPN’s popular Saturday morning football show, College GameDay, as well as the sideline reporter for ABC’s marquee Saturday night college football games — roles she is excited to carry into the 2018 season. From football it’s right into college basketball, when she’ll host studio shows and report on marquee men’s games. “Some people ask, ‘Why do you still want to do college basketball?’” she said. “Because it’s the same prospects that end up in the NBA. Unless they change the one-and-done rule, I’m going to be doing college hoops, because that’s the best place to meet the next layer of talent.”

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MARIATAYLOR As a former college athlete, Taylor has always been fond of collegiate athletics. After all, it was through a college teammate that Taylor was most influenced during those formative years, and not only on the court. This teammate showed Taylor that there’s a greater purpose and calling in life found outside of sports — the path of Jesus Christ. “[My] family, we didn’t come together and share our faith,” she said. “When I got to my junior year in college, we had a young lady named Katie Winchell, and she loved volleyball; it was her passion. She was the first one in the gym and last one to leave. But one day she said to us all, ‘Guys, I don’t think I’m supposed to be playing anymore. I don’t think God has volleyball in my plans. There are other things I need to focus on.’ “She was upset about it, but at the same time you could just see she had a solid foundation and she knew exactly why she wanted to make this decision. It wasn’t something I had seen before … It made me want to investigate Jesus and God and what that really means.” Because Taylor and her older brother of four years, Steve, traveled every weekend for sports competitions growing up, all things faith and church took a backseat.

But soon after seeing Katie boldly live out her faith, Taylor joined the campus FCA group with other athletes on mission to pursue Christ. “We’re talking Olympic gymnasts who are there and we’re going over Scripture, talking about how faith affects us every day, and very personal stories,” she said. “It was the first time faith became real to me. I think sometimes it becomes more real when you can share it in a community, and this was the first time I had a community of believers to kind of be around, and they were also my peers.” As she sought to follow God’s call for her life, Taylor discovered that her newfound passion for Christ could align with her love for sports. As doors opened for her to pursue what she wanted to do (when asked her junior year what her dream job would be, she said, “ESPN sports journalist”), and as she was assigned to cover more and more prestigious sporting events, she always remembered the most important aspect of her job was thinking of others — establishing and building lasting relationships. “If people that you’re interviewing don’t feel comfortable with you, then you’re not going to get very good answers,” Taylor says. “It’s going to be awkward and no one wants to see that. You really have to work on building those every time you interact with a player or their family or their coaches, and try to get to know them on and off the court. They have to believe that you care about more than just their performance on the court.” Taylor understands these athletes — their passions, emotions, hard work and challenges — because she was once in their shoes. By finding ways to connect with and encourage these athletes and their families, she feels fueled to carry out her timeintensive, mentally-demanding, yet exciting career. Photo by Allen Kee/ESPN Images

Photo by Scott Clarke/ESPN Images Photo by Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images

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T O S U B S C R I B E : C A L L 8 6 6 - 8 2 1 - 2 9 7 1 41

Taylor with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa

Photo by Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images

Taylor with Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams

Photo by Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images

Taylor’s path to become a widelyrecognized sports reporter was not always smooth. And in fact, it wasn’t always clear. Entering her collegiate career at the University of Georgia, Taylor thought she would one day be a team doctor. When she realized science wasn’t her forté, she began pursuing a degree in accounting. It wasn’t until she watched one of her best friends take broadcasting classes that Taylor realized that’s what she needed to be doing. “You’re talking about the game that I love,” she recalled. “I would like to do that.” Taylor didn’t plan to jump into the reporting world right away after graduating, but with the SEC volleyball season coming up and Comcast calling the school in need of an analyst for matches, Georgia’s athletic director gave the company her name. “I showed up 30 minutes before the match not knowing anything,” she said. “We put the headsets on and Chris Stewart, who does radio for Alabama football and basketball, said to me, ‘Just talk about what you know about the game and I’ll handle the rest.’ I just remember loving everything. I had a passion for it. I was at the right place, at the right time … I knew this is where I’m supposed to be and all I can do is go up from here, if I put in the work and learn what’s happening.” Taylor’s passion is most stirred when she is able to connect with and encourage the athletes she interacts with during her postgame interviews. When that athlete shares her same belief in Jesus Christ, her excitement soars.

Taylor with Kansas coach Bill Self

“It’s so refreshing,” she said. “I’m just glad to hold the microphone while this person is sharing their faith. Allowing people to see what God can do through someone, that’s always cool. You can see it almost radiating off of them. There’s something different in the way they carry themselves, the way their teammates even talk about them, and you can see it clearly in that postgame interview.” On or off the court, with or without a microphone in hand, Taylor uses every opportunity to portray Christ’s love for others. Her Twitter followers will notice her profile boasts Ephesians 2:10, which says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” “It’s such a reminder that my work here doesn’t mean anything,” she explained. “The work God has prepared for me and has for me to do is not technically of this world. My work is determined by God. He is my boss and the only One I serve. It’s such a great reminder that He’s prepared good works for us. All the gifts He’s given us we can forget about or hold a pessimistic mindset about, but there’s so much good that has been given to us. Sometimes that’s disguised as work and sometimes it’s disguised as a relationship we have to work on, but all the work God has for us is good. We just have to see the good in it while we’re here on earth.” Taylor’s influence doesn’t end when the camera goes off. In 2014, she and a former ESPN coworker, Corinne Milien, co-founded the

“MY WORK IS DETERMINED BY GOD. HE IS MY BOSS AND THE ONLY ONE I SERVE. IT’S SUCH A GREAT REMINDER THAT HE’S PREPARED GOOD WORKS FOR US. ALL THE GIFTS HE’S GIVEN US WE CAN FORGET ABOUT OR HOLD A PESSIMISTIC MINDSET ABOUT, BUT THERE’S SO MUCH GOOD THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US.” 42

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Taylor with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney

Photo by Allen Kee/ESPN Images

“I WILL ALWAYS DO ANYTHING I CAN TO BRING SOMEONE TO CHRIST BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THAT IS OUR JOB HERE ON EARTH.”

Photo by Allen Kee/ESPN Images Photo by Scott Clarke/ESPN Images

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Winning Edge Leadership Academy, where female and youth minorities can gain a chance to pursue their dream career in sports. Taylor and Milien have been able to orchestrate job shadowing, leadership retreats, enrichment trips and mentorship opportunities for those who are eager to pursue emerging careers within an industry that often seems closed to them. No matter which title Taylor dons at a given moment — athlete, analyst, reporter, mentor or friend — her greatest aim in life is to influence others for Christ. “I will always do anything I can to bring someone to Christ because ultimately that is our job here on earth,” she said. “I’ve just got to be a soldier for God.” TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

B I G G E R T HBA ING G E R

Photos courtesy of Pedro LaTorre

BIGGER BIGGER BIGGER B ByI GCodyGBenjamin ER BIGGER PEDRO LATORRE WAS A HOTSHOT BIGGER BASEBALL PROSPECT, BUT HE BIGGER WALKED AWAY FROM THE GAME,

THAN THAN THAN THAN THAN THAN THAN THAN

BECAME A PASTOR, TOURING DRUMMER, AUTHOR, CHURCH PLANTER AND PUBLIC SPEAKER THROUGH DIVINE SETUPS FOR A MAN ON MISSION FOR JESUS

t was right where he wanted it. Senior year. First at-bat. Second pitch. And when the blurred, white glow of the baseball came screaming toward the outside corner, his hips were already pivoting, hands already turning and bat already driving. Crack. It took only the fraction-ofa-millisecond collision between cowhide and aluminum for young Pedro LaTorre to know he had crushed the ball. From there it soared, right over the left-field fence. Gone. And with it, young Pedro LaTorre’s career. Teammates flocked as he rounded the bases, and they were fooled when he smacked a triple later in the game. But he knew something 44

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was wrong. He knew it when he held his shoulder in the dugout. He knew it when he backhanded a grounder at shortstop, firing to first base at maybe 60 miles per hour instead of his usual 90. And he definitely knew it when the physician assistant at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital told him his arm — specifically his labrum and rotator cuff — looked like a chewed-up piece of bubblegum. “I don’t think you’ll ever play baseball again,” the specialist told him. It was a glum contrast from five years earlier, when Myles Shoda, agent for Hall of Fame Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, told LaTorre that he had a future in Major League Baseball. Or months earlier, when the Milwaukee Brewers started attending his practices. Or weeks earlier, when the New York Yankees did the same. And yet, as a now-32-year-old LaTorre tells it on the phone from his Los Angeles home, it was a tragedy he needed.

aseball had always been his destiny. His father, of the same name, was drafted by two MLB teams to play second base — first the San Francisco Giants, in 1980, and then the St. Louis Cardinals, in 1984 — and spent time in the minors. By age 10, the younger LaTorre was part of the East Cobb Baseball program, an Atlanta-area “Mecca for baseball” that produced All-Stars and Gold Glovers like Brian McCann and Jason Heyward. In 12th TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

“ALL THREE ENDED UP GIVING THEIR LIVES TO JESUS. MY GAS TANK WAS ON ‘E,’ BECAUSE WE SAT IN MY CAR JUST TALKING FOR HOURS. AND I THOUGHT THAT NIGHT, ‘IS MY PURPOSE BIGGER THAN BASEBALL? IS IT BIGGER THAN HITTING A WHITE BALL WITH RED SEAMS?’”

High school 45

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grade, LaTorre was training alongside Desmond Jennings, who went on to play seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. Heck, even his birth certificate reads like some kind of mashup of Hall of Fame names. (Pedro Martinez, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre, anyone?) “I always tell people that if you’re a Pedro, you can only be one of three things: A pro baseball player, a youth pastor in the urban context, or a landscaper,” LaTorre jokes. “You have permission to laugh.” No one, however, was laughing when he was on the comeup as a prospect down south. They were only smiling. In between travel baseball and some coaching from Shoda, he was a teen sensation to anyone whose eyes found him in the infield. “I would make plays that other guys just couldn’t make,” he recalls, “diving in the hole, throwing the ball across the diamond, throwing at age 12 as hard as a senior in high school. People started telling me, ‘You have a gift. God’s given you a gift.’ And I began to believe what I was told. On every level, I thought, ‘This is what I’ll do. I’m going to be a pro baseball player.’” Pro scouts believed it, too. They believed it enough to have a 12-year-old LaTorre, along with other East Cobb players, undergo “physical assessments with a doctor they brought in, looking for anything that could be a liability, even genetically,” to a potential pro career. His test revealed “multi-directional instability, a big, long phrase for ‘your joints are too loose.’” But it didn’t bother anyone, especially since the Yankees, one of his future suitors, were already pleased by a young shortstop with a similar condition — someone named Derek Jeter. That is, until LaTorre’s fateful home-run swing a few years later. “My arm just got progressively worse and worse after that,” he says. Arthroscopic surgery at the hands of Dr. James Andrews, one of pro sports’ most famous orthopedists, put LaTorre on the recovery track, and seven months later, despite a 12-month

Junior high

Grade school TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

SPEAKING

“

rehabilitation proposal by Andrews, he was back at shortstop. But not even two months of instructional-league spring training in Cocoa Beach, Fla. — where he enjoyed luxurious weather and inquiries from the Cardinals and Chicago White Sox — could stop him from retracing his steps and realizing that his hunt for the next level of baseball fame actually came from darker, if innocent intentions. “My identity was so tied to baseball,” he says. “If I was honest, I thought if I could be a great baseball player, my dad would love me more. It was a self-imposed idea. And it was all, really, a chase to be affirmed by a father, just to have love.” It turns out, in between his rounding the proverbial bases of a career in his father’s footsteps, LaTorre was constantly — and often unknowingly — fighting for acceptance amid his family’s footsteps. Born of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent in Fort Lauderdale, LaTorre says he moved to Birmingham with his mom, dad and sister when he was young, and by the time he was 7, his parents had already divorced. His father told him right then that he was “the man of the house now.” After that, both parents “took us on some crazy escapades,” separately relocating to Texas, Georgia, back to Birmingham and then to Fort Myers, Fla. Up to age 12, LaTorre took flights by himself to visit his dad from afar. And at 13, with his baseball future blossoming, he completely moved in with his father after his mom and stepdad also divorced. “Nowadays, you say ‘broken home,’ and everybody’s from a broken home,” he says. “It wasn’t as common then. For me, I always felt like a bit of an outcast. I went to 19 schools in 20 years. There was a lot of bitterness in my family, generational stuff that was

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just not healthy.” Baseball still had his attention, but suddenly, the sport’s inability to heal those lifelong scars made it hollower than usual. That was never more clear than in Cocoa Beach. Twenty years old at the time, LaTorre was finally processing the dysfunction of his childhood. He was also exploring a Christian faith that was often buried by his pursuit of earthly-father approval. But you could say he truly started transforming when he began playing taxi for minor league baseball players in the area. “Every single night, and this is just baseball culture, they’d go to strip clubs and party on the beach,” he recalls. “They didn’t have cars, because most of them flew in from all over — China, Japan, other countries. And this was pre-Uber days. So being a believer, I told them, ‘I’ll drive you, and I’ll pick you up, because it’s better that you’re alive,’ and I earned a little respect, driving them all hours of the night. These were dudes who were, like, mid-20s, late-30s, some of them professional baseball players who were just back in the minors.” On one particular night, he was driving three players back from the club, and “I Can Only Imagine,” the best-selling MercyMe song that inspired 2018’s Dennis Quaid-starring film, was playing in his car. A quiet moment passed, and that’s when LaTorre remembers them asking the question. “They were like, ‘Are you a Christian? You’re different, dude. You’re just different.’” From there, LaTorre says he told the players he cared more about their safety than them being saved. That led to deeper conversations about life and spirituality, not to mention the most transformational return trip

IN FRONT OF 5,000 OR 10,000 PEOPLE IS COOL, BUT THE DAY THAT BECOMES WHAT I’M WORKING FOR IS THE DAY I’VE

MISSED IT. OUR VALUE AS HUMAN BEINGS SHOULD NOT BE ATTACHED TO OUR ABILITIES, BECAUSE THERE WILL COME A DAY WHERE YOUR ABILITIES WILL FADE, YOU WON’T BE AS GIFTED AS THE NEXT GUY.” LaTorre speaks during RiseFest in Sheldon, Iowa.

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LaTorre speaks at San Francisco’s AT&T Park for an event featuring Compassion International.

On tour with KJ-52 from the strip club that he and his new friends would ever have. “All three of those guys ended up giving their lives to Jesus,” he says. “My gas tank was on ‘E,’ because we sat in my car just talking for hours. And I thought that night, ‘Is my purpose bigger than baseball? Is it bigger than hitting a white ball with red seams?’” The late-night encounter may have been an abrupt coincidence of curious young men trying to find their way, but to LaTorre, it was God telling him to “stop running.” It was a revelation that his Heavenly Father cared “far more about who you are than what you do.” It was a choice to lose baseball 47

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and find his purpose. “I drove off from spring training with offers to play minor league ball, an opportunity to go to Ohio State,” LaTorre says. “I left that day and told God, ‘I’m going to give You my whole life.’ And I had no idea what I was driving to.” First came a series of odd jobs that suggested he’d gone from MLB hopeful to handyman: flipping houses, laying carpet and installing hardwood floors. But the leap of faith paid faith-related dividends soon after. While making $25 per week as a youth pastor out of a Florida rollerskating rink, LaTorre came into contact with Christian rapper KJ-52, whose CD he once got as a birthday gift and who

came to the rink to shoot his “Stuck in the ‘80s” music video. Two weeks and a conversation over pizza slices later, he was asked to go on tour as KJ-52’s drummer, embracing one of the few hobbies he had held outside of baseball. In a heartbeat, he was transported back to the days of flying across the country — this time with purpose. One tour stop led to another, and along the way, a church internship jumpstarted his own tour, in which he took his life story to prisons, youth camps and school assemblies everywhere from New York to New Mexico and beyond. Between partnerships with a TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

On tour with KJ-52

LaTorre speaks during RiseFest in Sheldon, Iowa. suicide-prevention agency, the Minnesota Twins, humanitarian nonprofit Compassion International and countless conferences and festivals, he started believing that while baseball had long been a mask for his pain, the hurdles that surrounded it were more like divine setups for a man on a mission for Jesus. “I look back at when I was a kid, between 7 and 13, flying by myself constantly and having conversations with perfect strangers,” he says, “and it was actually God’s way of preparing me for what He prepared for me.” That’s not to say LaTorre doesn’t see the value of celebrity status, which he may have owned had his baseball dreams survived. He’s got a rather large platform himself. Since turning 21, he hasn’t worked a regular job, instead expanding his speaking tour, writing a book, planting churches in California and Tennessee, touring with singers Colton Dixon and Jordan Feliz, and hosting Los Angeles Bible studies for artists and actors, all while finding time to marry his high school girlfriend, Jessica, and father a son of his own, Justice. But he now knows that commanding any stage — whether or not it’s shaped like a diamond — is not and has never been his heart’s true desire. “Speaking in front of 5,000 or 10,000 people is cool,” he says, “but the day that becomes what I’m working for is the day I’ve missed it. Our value as human beings should not be attached to our abilities, because there will come a day where your abilities will fade, you won’t be as gifted as the next guy, you won’t have the arm, the speed, the bat.” 48 48

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Pedro and wife, Jessica, announce their first child.

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Pedro Jr. and Pedro Sr. with Justice

“THE ONLY WAY I FOUND VALUE WAS FROM JESUS. ONE DAY, WHEN YOU’RE FACING DEATH, ALL OF THOSE THINGS YOU WORK FOR WON’T MATTER AS MUCH, SO I TRY TO THINK ABOUT THAT LAST BREATH AND THEN LIVE MY WHOLE LIFE FROM THAT PLACE.” There was a time, of course, when LaTorre had the arm. The speed. The bat. But that was never who he was. “The only way I found value was from Jesus,” he says. “One day, when you’re facing death, all of those things you work for won’t matter as much, so I try to think about that last breath and then live my whole life from that place.” For a guy whose journey to that last breath could’ve easily produced a simpler story (say, the boilerplate tale of baseball’s next best thing), Pedro LaTorre has hit enough of life’s curveballs to convince you when he says he was “raised by God” — from split-up families to the creation of his own, from tumultuous travels to ones fueled by purpose, from America’s pastime to a Kingdom’s mission. And when that next curveball inevitably comes, like a blurred-white baseball screaming to the plate? It’ll be right where he wants it.

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Justice, Pedro and Jessica LaTorre

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STAYING ON COURSE FOR A GROWING GROUP OF PGA TOUR GOLFERS, THE WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY COMES BEFORE THE

BIRDIES & BOGIES BY ART STRICKLIN

“It doesn’t matter if you’re playing golf or making loans in a bank, we all need community to walk in life together, and to have these Christian brothers out here is really a blessing.” — Blayne Barber 50

AP Photo/Butch Dill SPORTS SPECTRUM

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AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Then there’s your on-course success and failure being published in the news media for all to see. And the constant pressure to financially succeed to keep your spot on the PGA Tour, fending off the always young, hungry group of golfers eager to take your job. Just last year, it took more than $700,000 in prize money to retain your spot on the tour for 2018. It’s certainly a mixed bag of grit and glamour, which has influenced the success of the PGA Tour Bible study for almost half a decade. “The road can get dark in a hurry for us and it really helps to get with other brothers in Christ,” said longtime PGA Tour caddy Paul Tesori, who works for fellow Christian player Webb Simpson. “It’s important when we get on the road, we’re pulled in a lot of different directions and duties and other stuff, but we know once a week we are going to get the Word of God spoken to us and we are going to be able to encourage others.” 51

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he weekly Bible studies officially started in the late 1960s, but the need for a faith in Jesus Christ to handle the rigors of the PGA Tour has been around even longer, sometimes made apparent by the most unlikely of sources. One month after winning the U.S. Open, the new champion was quoted in a national publication as saying, “But there’s something else I’m thankful for — you just can’t do this sort of thing without God’s help.” What winner gave God props? It could have been several, from Steve Jones to Bubba Watson to Webb Simpson and others. In fact, if you said Simpson in 2012, you would be correct, for he did indeed credit his faith in Jesus Christ, and praying to God in the final round, for helping him win at Olympic Club. But the quote is actually from more than 60 years ago by Texas golf legend Ben Hogan. In the July 1953 issue of USGA Journal and Turf Management,

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

he PGA Tour Bible study — the weekly gathering of the Christian and the curious, the devoted and those facing a dead end in life and in golf — has been around for close to 50 years, prospering and growing through a series of new leaders and veterans. The goal has always been the same: being a faith-based community for those PGA Tour golfers in a new city and a new week, still seeking fellowship and instruction on how to do life together in their highly publicized and specialized careers. “It says in the Bible it’s blessed for the brothers to dwell together in harmony,” said PGA Tour veteran Aaron Baddeley. “That is what we are trying to do. Get together, share and encourage one another. That’s the Biblical way. That’s what we want to do with the study.” The life of a professional golfer can certainly seem fun and famous. You actually win prize money by playing golf, something millions pay to do every week. You travel to exotic places, play amazing courses, gain applause and TV time, as well as off-course sponsor income. But what many don’t see is the constant separation from family and friends, the week-to-week travel to a new place and new venue, rarely seeing the same people regularly, outside of your caddy. Not every family is financially able to travel together without school for the kids getting in the way.

TOP

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AP Photo/David J. Phillip

STAYING THE COURSE

USGA executive director Joe Dey wrote an article about Hogan and what the recently-crowned, four-time U.S. Open champion thought was the formula to winning four Opens (in a story first reported by Golf Digest). When Davis Love III first came on the tour in 1985, even though he had grown up in a church, it didn’t take him long to see he was going to need extra help to survive and thrive. “When I came out on tour, I learned from guys who were already out here: Larry Mize and his wife Bonnie; Scott Simpson, who spoke at the NCAA banquet when I was a player; and Larry Moody and Dave Kruger, tour chaplains. [They] all showed me the way to model true Christianity,” Love said. “I wanted what (Masters champion) Larry Mize has: a nice family and everybody said Larry Mize is the nicest guy on tour and what a great guy and what a great father he is. I wanted that, but I didn’t know how. 52

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“In the last 10 years as my faith has grown, I know why Larry was like that — because he had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just because he wanted to be a nice guy, but because of his walk of faith, he became somebody you looked up to.” Moody, who heads Search Ministries, and Kruger, along with brothers Babe and Jim Hiskey and player Kermit Zarley, were among early leaders of Bible studies on the PGA Tour. Today, young players like Blayne Barber, Cameron Tringale and Martin Piller are leading with the help of College Golf Fellowship, which has taken over the mantle from the early leaders to serve the PGA Tour golfers. Brad Payne, who works for CGF and whose salary is paid by the ministry, spends 17 weeks a year on the PGA Tour and said it’s a special ministry to a very special and spotlighted group of athletes.

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STAYING THE COURSE “For most of these guys, money is just points or a way of keeping score, but we are more concerned with the condition of the human heart,” he said. “Every struggle the guys have is played out in the fish bowl. “We do spend a lot of time talking about their identity in Christ. When they do that at home, they find some security in Christ, but here on the road we are stressing their identity is not their golf score. We want them to know how to stop listening to others and listen to God.” To that end, Payne and partner Stephen Bunn, who does about 20 weeks a year on the tour study, prepare a weekly lesson for the players. They just finished a study this year on the Book of John, and also provided a book for players to read in their spare time, something to encourage others of like-minded faith.

“It’s a Biblical model and a reproducible model, which is relationship-based and helpful to those of us out here,” said Barber, 28, who is only in his third full year on the PGA Tour. “It doesn’t matter if you’re playing golf or making loans in a bank, we all need community to walk in life together and to have these Christian brothers out here is really a blessing.” Piller, 31, who first encountered College Golf Fellowship at Texas A&M, said his second full year on the PGA Tour has been an experience made better with fellow Christian brothers and sisters, including his wife, Gerina, an LPGA star and new mother. “Golf has a way of maturing you, because it’s a very hard game while you are young,” he said. “I think CGF is spectacular and I know

the relationships they have helped build here, they certainly had an impact on me in college and I will continue to work with them out here [on tour].” “I want to surround myself with guys like that,” Love said. “[Golf teacher] Harvey Penick once told my dad, ‘Go to dinner with good putters because that will rub off on your game.’ That’s what we have to do out here, go to dinner with guys who are doing the right thing, got their lives right.” In fact, Love has an unsolicited idea for how the PGA Tour could run better these days under its new commissioner. “The [PGA Tour] player meeting is mandatory, but if the Bible study meeting was mandatory, then guys wouldn’t be getting themselves into as much trouble out here,” he said.

“For most of these guys, money is just points or a way of keeping score, but we are more concerned with the condition of the human heart. Every struggle the guys have is played out in the fish bowl.” — Brad Payne, College Golf Fellowship

Top left, (Brad Payne). Top right (Stephen Bunn) Bottom left (Dave Krueger). Bottom right (Larry Moody)

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ery rarely do the PGA Tour Bible study leaders pray for oncourse victory for a specific player or players, knowing God has bigger plans than that. But when they do, God sometimes shows up in a spectacular way. Veteran Christian PGA Tour player Ben Crane said Moody made such a bold prayer request at the weekly prayer meeting one Wednesday night, less than 12 hours before the 2007 Masters Tournament, which Zach Johnson, a believer, won for his first major championship. “Larry prayed at the weekly study that a Christian would win the Masters and he would give glory to God,” Crane said, adding, “I missed the cut this year and was sitting at home Sunday afternoon watching the final round with my wife. When it got down to the final holes, I turned

STAYING THE C

to my wife and said, ‘Larry’s prayer is going to come true.’ It was just incredible.” Johnson had a chance to share his faith in Christ in a Masters TV interview and later to the international press corps. “Golf is really my ministry,” Johnson said after the Masters win. “I just spoke from the heart and let people know how I felt. I’ve always had a platform for Jesus, now I just have a bigger platform.” “The younger generation is unabashedly Christian and unashamed of their faith,” Tesori said. “Some of that is the Tim Tebow generation. They saw he was bold and unashamed and that is what they want to do. I think the guys are more outspoken than in the past. “Our only skill set is to glorify God and that is why we are out here.

That’s why Webb and I are always thinking, ‘Why has God put us out here?’” “More players keep coming [to the study],” Simpson added. “I’m not really sure why. Maybe there are more players on tour and maybe there is more of a hunger for the Word and the weekly study.” While more public attention is paid to the major golf winners, Payne said much of today’s ministry on the PGA Tour is done by players who are faithful regardless of their on-course success. “When you win, you celebrate so much of the hard work and hard times,” Payne said. “You can celebrate after the win, but remember God doesn’t need us to win to celebrate for Him. “Jonathan Byrd is somebody who has struggled on the golf

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AP Photo/Reed Saxon

AP Photo/Chris Carlson

AP Photo/David Dermer

“I know that whatever happens out here is not going to change my reliance on God or my faith in Jesus.” — PGA Tour caddy Michael Greller

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AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

E COURSE

“Golf is really my ministry.” — Zach Johnson

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

course, but he still has been a great inspiration for others. He has a great influence on other players on the Web.com Tour no matter if he has won or not. Being a faithful follower of Christ, Jonathan has touched people with the Word no matter if he’s fifth, 50th or 500th. We can be identified with our losses and make them our victories.” Today’s PGA Tour study also uses modern techniques to reach the newer players and older veteran with the weekly dose of prayer and encouragement. Instead of a flyer hanging in the player locker room, there’s a chain email which goes out every week listing the location and the topic for the week. “We’ve shifted it from Wednesday night to Tuesday night, usually in the tournament hotel because that’s where a lot of the guys are staying. We found if somebody has

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an early tee time on Thursday, he might not want to be out late on Wednesday,” Tringale said. “The key is to maximize the attention and maximize the impact.” Today, even caddies, equipment representatives, members of the PGA Tour staff and traveling media are welcome to attend the Bible study, sharing their faith in the most public of athletic professions. “I write Joshua 1:9 (“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”) on the yardage book I get every week. It teaches me to be calm and patient and wait on God,” Jordan Spieth’s caddy, Michael Greller, said of his pre-tournament preparations with the multiple major champion. “I know that whatever happens out here is not going to change my reliance on God or my faith in Jesus.” “I have seen some of those players who have greatly changed. I needed a greater faith to see what God has done,” Payne said. “I have seen a player who was standoffish and arrogant who is now engaging and open to people. We get a front row seat to see how God can convert people.” That’s a priceless ticket any faith-filled golf fan or player would purchase.

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56 56

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DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Like the Psalmist says, it’s important for us as Christians to know God’s Word so that we stave off sin in our lives. But the Bible also has many other vital benefits. As Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

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These devotionals come directly from The Increase, a community of athletes all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” For more first-person testimonies and stories from the TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971 57 lives of Christian athletes, visit TheIncrease.com.

WEEK

DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday A R

ction equired

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” — Galatians 5:13 Seeking shows action; it shows a pursuit. In order to seek Christ, you have to put forth an effort and predetermination in the fact that you are choosing to find Him. When you search for something, you have to put all your effort into it. The pursuit requires putting aside all worry and the things that may hinder the search for what you’re looking for. When you do choose to seek Christ, you’ll find you are able to rest in the peace, joy and fulfillment He brings. A heat-seeking missile is looking for what it’s been shot toward. Heat-seeking missiles don’t veer off, they are not looking this way and that way, they are going straight for the heat. In the same way, when you are seeking something, you have a goal, something you are aiming toward. That’s the way I want to be seeking Christ — keeping my eyes on Him through all circumstances and all adversity. This is the narrow path of seeking Christ. It’s easy to be caught up in this game of football. At the end of the day, there are so many things that this game can bring: fame, money and status (which is more like a facade), in which you can get caught up if you’re not careful. A lot of times I focus so much on the game that it takes a lot of my time away from other things — important things. When my focus is elsewhere, I don’t get enough time to spend talking with Christ and reading His Word. Yes, I want to put in a lot of time into what God has given me. I want to work hard to proclaim His name through the platform He’s blessed me with. But at the same time, I have to make seeking Him first a requirement in my daily life. These are the firstfruits of my life and it has to go to Him. “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33

Jordan Hicks Philadelphia Eagles linebacker 58 58

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Tuesday

what’s your mission? [OPEN WITH]

Proverbs 27:19

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.” — Proverbs 27:19 This verse gets us to focus on what is eternal as opposed to what is temporal. What is your life’s mission statement? Our goals are oftentimes completely off track with what the Lord wants for us. We give way too much authority to our circumstances and allow others, rather than Jesus, to determine our steps.

Fixing your eyes on Jesus means you don’t make decisions without the Lord’s involvement. If Jordan were to go his own way in the middle of a game, and not the way of his coach, he wouldn’t just suffer, the whole team would suffer as well. He seeks to understand the plan and he stays focused to execute it.

fix your eyes

Ephesians 5:2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” — Hebrews 12:1-2 How do we fix our eyes upon Jesus? As Jordan stated in his devotional, we must keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of adversity and all circumstances, because if we are not careful we can lose our way and start heading down some rough roads.

Acts 17:27

“Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 Seeking first His Kingdom is about submitting to Jesus and His authority. What servant would just do whatever he/she wanted without first checking in with their master? What would the outcome be if they did?

Most of us are seeking the Lord to just sign off on what we have presented, so we get what we want. But what if what we want is dangerous to our souls?

We go about our day too often without checking in with what is on the Lord’s heart that day. Why? Over the last few years, the Lord has been waking me up about an hour before I need to get up so that I can meet with Him. It’s the greatest blessing of my soul and each morning I am amazed that He wakes me up and lets me meet with Him!

THursday

WedneSDAY

seeking and submitting

Do you seek Jesus in prayer? Do you commit your ways and plans before Him, or do you ask the Lord to just bless the direction you are heading? This all comes down to trust: Can you trust Jesus with your plans, your sin and your dreams?

How do I know if the direction I am heading is the wrong way? Is the way you are going about you or about the Kingdom? Are you more of a curse to those around you than a blessing? Do you have peace sidetracked or is there turmoil inside your soul? Do you 1 Corinthians 7:35 allow others into the deeper parts of your soul, or is there a wall up protecting your We can all get distracted and we deeper agendas and keeping others out? can all allow good things to keep us away from the best things. But why The Lord knows your heart and your are we so easily sidetracked? motives, and most of the time we act in such a manner that implies we don’t Jordan mentioned a few different things care that He knows. This should cause he is distracted by, but what are some us to repent. We need a direction things that distract you? I have an app change, as the way we are going is on my phone called “Moments,” and it self-serving. Circumstances and trials calculates how much I am on my phone are meant to expose what’s in our and how many times I pick it up. I don’t hearts so we will rejoice because our want to be consumed with info or other hearts are clinging to Jesus, or repent things. I can tell my girls one thing, but if because our hearts are far from Him. my actions are doing the opposite, won’t What’s being revealed to you today?

FRIDAY

I be sending a confusing message?

“‘Why are you so angry?’ the Lord asked Cain. ‘Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.’” — Genesis 4:6-7 Jealousy and pride distracted Cain to the point of killing his own brother, Abel, but the Lord was fully aware of the direction Cain was heading. So He fired a warning shot to get his attention, but Cain disregarded it and went his own way. What warning shots are you neglecting to pay attention to? Your time here on earth is but a breath, here today and gone tomorrow. So the question at hand is: Are you wasting the time that has been gifted to you?

“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22 The greatest worship we can present to the Lord is our obedience to Him and walking in His ways. Jordan desires to walk in the ways of Jesus. He desires to be a blessing to everyone he comes in contact with, but just desiring this won’t accomplish the task. So Jordan has a game plan: Seek Jesus first in prayer and in the Word, and then go on His way. Over the course of this next month, commit to meeting with the Lord every morning. Find a quiet place (I use my closet) and see what happens!

WEEKEND

...continue reading about being fixing your eyes on jesus:

Psalm 14 & 1 Chronicles 22:17-19; 1 Corinthians 10 & 2 Chronicles 7:14

WRITTEN BY

BRIAN HOMMEL Arizona Diamondbacks chaplain

WEEK

DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday T R A

aking adical ction

He who is last in the world will be first in the Kingdom. Here you have to be a servant — the lowest man on the totem pole. All the lies of the world tell us to look for what’s next. We’re always chasing something, with our eyes set on the person in front of us. We see people who have more money than us, a bigger house than us, nicer cars than us, and we want it. We don’t naturally see the people who have less than us — at least, we don’t pay attention. It’s so rare to see people we highly esteem acting as a servant. That’s why it was such a conundrum for the disciples to see Jesus washing feet. Imagine if the president came into your home and you were trying to prepare a feast for him, but he said, “No, no, no, let me cook you guys a meal. Sit down, watch TV, and let me cook.” Then he goes into the kitchen, takes his suit coat off to put on an apron, and starts to cook. Essentially, that’s what God wants to happen! That’s what Jesus did for us. When you radically take on the mode of a servant, people will be watching you and wondering why. The greater your platform, the more radical these actions will seem to others. For me that often means going to impoverished communities to spend time with young kids. I don’t want anything from them, I just want to spend time with them and get to know them. When people see me do something like that and then say, “Oh you don’t have to do that, you have a lot of other stuff you need to do,” my reply is, “Yes I do! I do have to do this. This is for the Kingdom!” I want these young kids to understand that there’s someone who is bigger than their situation. There’s someone who loves them unconditionally. I love spending time with youth in impoverished areas because I can relate to them. I want them to do better in school and be able to chase their dreams. But most importantly, I want them to find God and seek Him for themselves. No matter what they do after that — whether they stay in an impoverished area for the rest of their life or whether they have a rags-to-riches story — I know they’ll be OK because they have God with them. It’s very easy for any of us to say, “God, when I have a little bit more, I’ll give more.” Or, “When I have more time, I’ll spend more time with others.” Or, “When I get to know this person a little bit more, then I’ll share God’s message.” But God always needs people who will pray, people who will give and people who will go. Our lives were not meant to be lived for ourselves, we are to be constantly serving those around us. What will you do? 60 60

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Demario DAVIS

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New Orleans Saints linebacker

Tuesday the least of these

[OPEN WITH]

John 13:15

With the cross just a few hours away, Jesus took the time to drive home a final lesson with His disciples. He demonstrated real servanthood when He washed their feet. For them to lead the mission going forward, they would need to be servants first. How they treated people would really matter. Jesus modeled and taught servanthood like no one ever had before or has ever since. He concluded the lesson with this promise: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). He set the example and gave them a promise. In Matthew 25, Jesus also taught about servanthood by telling the story of the sheep and the goats. The story illustrates that one of the defining characteristics of His followers would be how they helped the needy. He concludes the story by saying, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did for Me” (verse 40). Did you catch that? Every time we encounter someone less fortunate, it is an opportunity to show love and kindness to Christ Himself. Incredible! Believing this can change our perspective dramatically. What if we really put this into practice? It starts with a simple prayer: Father, open my eyes to the “least of these” in my life today.

WedneSDAY i was hungry

Matthew 25:35

In Mark 6, a crowd of more than 5,000 was following Jesus as He was teaching and healing. It was late in the day and He knew they were getting hungry. Instead of following the disciples’ request to send them away to feed themselves, He told the disciples, “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37). Jesus was keenly aware of their hunger. While they needed His words more than anything, they still needed to eat. To ignore this need would have made His teaching seem hollow. Instead, He took a boy’s lunch and fed the multitudes. His compassion extended to both their spiritual and physical needs.

FRIDAY

While most of our refrigerators are full and we seldom experience real hunger, that’s i was in prison not the case for everyone. Regardless of where you live, I bet there are those not Matthew 25:36 far from you who struggle with getting a nutritious meal every day. With our time and In Matthew 8, Jesus encounters a surplus, we could meet this need. man with a skin disease called leprosy. Leprosy was so contagious that those Do you know a single mom or a family with the disease had to live far away from that is struggling these days? You could people and call out “unclean, unclean” offer to cook a meal and bring it over to as a warning when anyone came near. them. Most communities have a homeless No one went near a leper. shelter or food pantry that desperately needs volunteers and supplies. Before Jesus heals this man, He does You could give a little time and effort to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a dear brother or sister who is hungry. They would receive a blessing and so would you.

THursday i was a stranger

Matthew 25:35-36

In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. He told this in response to a question from a skeptic who wanted to know how far we should go in our compassion toward others. So Jesus told a story of a man from Samaria who showed incredible care for a stranger. The man bandages the stranger’s wounds and provides shelter and financial support. The key to the story is that these were two men who would not normally associate with one another in this culture. It demonstrated how far Jesus is commanding us to go when it comes to compassion. We are surrounded by strangers. In our work, schools and neighborhoods, we rush by people every day who are lonely. They lack friendship and long for authentic relationships.

something no one did. It says in verse 3 that Jesus “reached out and touched the man.” This is what Jesus came to earth to do — to heal the sick and abandoned. No one was unclean to Jesus.

Similar to the lepers in Biblical times, there are plenty of people who feel like outcasts in our world today. Whether it’s visiting the young in a children’s hospital or the elderly in a nursing home, there’s nothing like letting people know they are not forgotten. When it comes to visiting inmates, there are a lot of mixed emotions. America’s prisons are indeed a layered issue and the prisoners are complex as well. Yet they matter to God. Therfore, they should matter to us. You should try visiting a prison sometime. It might change your life. It did mine. And while there, you just might find yourself face to face with Christ Himself.

WEEKEND

...continue reading about servanthood:

Matthew 25 & Galatians 5:13; Luke 10 & Matthew 8

While not all of us are extroverts and find it easy to invite people into our lives, all of us can make an effort. It can start by being curious about other’s stories and asking them simple questions about where they grew up and what they like to do with their free time. It also starts by being a good listener. Who knows what one invite to a lunch, a party or a church service might mean to someone? Most of all, it starts when we listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit and take the first step in building a friendship with a stranger.

WRITTEN BY

LEN VANDEN BOS Buffalo Bills chaplain

WEEK

03DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday G rounded

Jesus Christ has done great things in my life. Everything else will fade away, but it’s our faith in Him that ultimately saves us. This is where true and lasting happiness comes from. It’s no secret that other things can make us happy in life, but genuine, pure, happiness — in the midst of our best and worst moments — comes from Jesus Christ. It’s vitally important to be grounded in your faith. Part of that process is putting good people around you to influence you — other Christ-followers and people you can trust. When you become a famous athlete, everybody wants a piece of the pie. So it’s crucial to have people around you whom you can trust, who can mentor you, and who will keep you grounded. Being a professional athlete and having a voice to speak out is really a cool thing. People will take notice of you; you have a platform to do great things! Sometimes you may have a few mishaps along the way, but that’s normal. You’re human and we all err. But the great thing about this is that we can still glorify God through the good and bad. By giving Him the glory and acknowledging His grace and power, we can use our platforms to share the Gospel. At Manchester United, we had a number of men who were really strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. One was Quinton Fortune, who played for the South African national team. He and I were able to help each other along in our faith. Other players, as well as the chaplain, were also very influential in helping me and my family along. I always had people there to lend a hand, an ear and a voice, people I could dig into the Gospel with. One of my favorite verses, the one I have tattooed on my wrist, is Psalm 46:10, which says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Whether I’m faced with a situation where I’m dealing with my turrets syndrome, making a tough decision, or I’m just feeling anxiety arise in my heart, I can go back to this truth. Just be still and God will take care of it — all the noise, jitters and anxiety. When I read this verse, it’s as if God is speaking quietly to me, yet demanding that I just be still and let Him take care of the rest. God is continually teaching me to let go and let Him take the wheel. Coming to the end of my career, I’m thinking about what’s next. These questions can easily create doubt, but I know He’s been so good thus far and He’s going to be good for the rest of time. So when I start to get tense and think too much about what might come, I just back off and give it to Him.

TIM HOWARD 62 62

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Colorado Rapids goalkeeper

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Tuesday double portion [OPEN WITH]

1 John 1:9

When I was released from the New Orleans Saints in 1998, I was extremely disappointed and I remember thinking I would have given anything to remain with the Saints. I didn’t realize God had bigger plans for my life.

In John 14, as Jesus knew His time on earth was about to end, He brought together His disciples and told them in verse 12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” Can we really expect to do greater works than Jesus? The answer is yes.

It can be difficult at times to interpret the Bible because of our “western” abundance mentality. We can read passages like In the book of 2 Kings, Elisha asks for a these and instantly think about material double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit blessings. However, the bigger purpose (2 Kings 2:9). After Elisha made the request, of having a double portion and having the Elijah went up in a whirlwind to Heaven (v. ability to do greater things is for spreading 11), which caused Elisha grief (v. 12). Elisha the Good News to all the people for was distraught, but didn’t realize God had whom Jesus Christ has paid the ultimate great plans for his life, which were noticed sacrifice — for us to have eternal life. by the sons of the prophets, who said, My prayer is that your life produces even “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha” (v. 15). greater works in the lives of those around Earlier in the Bible, in Joshua 5, Joshua you today as you live a life worth emulating. commanded the children of Israel to “make for yourselves flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time” (v. 2). After this act of obedience, Joshua a better man delivered the following message from 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 the Lord, “Today, I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you” (v. 9). Egypt In 1 Kings 19, when Elisha has an was a place of slavery for the children encounter with the prophet Elijah, he of Israel, but after they obeyed God’s immediately made two decisions.The instructions, they realized His bigger plan, first was that Elisha made the decision to which included entering the Promised Land. follow Elijah.

THursday

Once we confess Jesus as Lord of our lives, He delivers us from our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If you want to realize God’s big plan for your life (a double portion), I pray that you confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness. This is the only way to roll away the reproach of the sin in our lives.

WedneSDAY greater things

John 14:12-13

Elisha’s life was forever changed after an encounter with the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19. According to Bible scholars, Elisha followed Elijah for about four years when his apprenticeship came to an end. In 2 Kings 2:9, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” Elisha then boldly asked Elijah for “a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” That seems extremely arrogant, doesn’t it? Basically Elisha said he wants double of everything Elijah had.

blood to save me. If you have never made the decision to become an ambassador for the One who paid the ultimate price for your sins, I pray that you make that decision today.

FRIDAY let your light shine

John 8:12

Just as Elisha was smitten by his encounter with Elijah, I was awestruck the moment I met Coach Dungy. That same year, I was cut by the New Orleans Saints and claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were coached by Dungy. Prior to all of this, I had not heard or known of Coach Dungy, but after our first meeting, I knew there was something different about him. For the next seven weeks of the season I watched every move he made. I was so impressed by his calm demeanor; nothing seemed to upset him. I was in awe of the humility he displayed each week as fans would approach him for autographs. After meeting Coach Dungy and spending time with him, I too was wanting and willing to follow Coach Dungy and learn from him like Elisha did with Elijah.

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they The second decision was to burn his oxen may see your good works, and glorify your (v. 21). This may seem odd at first glance, but Father who is in Heaven.” I pray that I have after Elisha meets Elijah, he decides he was made half the impact on someone’s life the never going back to plowing. He knew his way Coach Dungy has impacted mine. life was about to go in a different direction; it was never going to be the same again. My prayer for you today is that you would live in such a way that those around you will I had this same feeling after meeting want to follow you too. Coach Tony Dungy in 1998. His life was so impressive to me that I wanted whatever he had. He had a peace and joy that was unmistakable, and once I got to experience it first hand, continue reading about living I wanted to become a better man.

WEEKEND ...

In 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, the Bible says that we as believers are the aroma of Christ. The Apostle Paul penned these words to the Church at Corinth, encouraging them to live as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). After my encounter with Coach Dungy, I wanted to become more like him. I wanted to follow his example. I wanted to become an ambassador for Christ, who shed His

a life that’s different:

Matthew 5 & 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 6 & Philippians 2:12-18

WRITTEN BY

DON DAVIS Director of Increase Football

WEEK

04DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday S L top and isten

It has become more and more evident to me just how important it is to listen to God. It’s really easy to feel good about life when things are going well, but when things start to get hard, you begin searching for answers. In years past, I haven’t listened. I’ve sought answers and asked God for wisdom, but I didn’t allow Him to respond. I would try to figure it all out on my own and the questions would consume me. They would preoccupy me at home, on the field, and in between starts. I would be talking with my teammates or wife without really being present in the conversation; my thoughts would be on my next start instead of truly believing God is in control. Over the past year, with all the good things that have happened and the struggles I faced, I realized that listening to God is crucial. At all times I must seek His voice and then be silent to hear Him respond. I want to hear what it is He’s saying to me so I can respond to His call. Listening to God begins with me meditating on what He’s speaking to me through Scripture. This can be easier when I’m on the road and not distracted by doing stuff with my family or the daily routine of practice. But no matter where I am, setting aside time to read, reflect and meditate is a must. I’m learning that I need to present whatever is on my heart to God instead of trying to control it myself. From the smallest of things, such as a broken toe or blister, to the bigger roadblocks, I need to surrender it all to Him. There are times when I need to pray, “I just can’t throw a strike right now. Help me, Father.” Or, “I’ve had two bad innings and I can’t figure out what’s wrong. My mind is a whirlwind! Guide me, Father.” Even in baseball, I need His helping hand. Sometimes what we’re facing in life seems huge to us, but God is able. When I know and believe God goes before me, my heart is at ease. He’s at my right hand, battling for me. I need to know this to experience the peace He promises — the peace to know He can do this and I don’t need to on my own. The battle is already won; He has conquered all the things that are bothering me right now. When you’re able to give it to God, He will bring things to your mind and heart to show you where to go. He will provide you with the peace you need to make it through. It’s easy to be consumed by the momentary troubles that bombard you, but if your eyes are on Him, and your worries are given over to Him, He will show you He’s in control and has a way out of the mess.

Matthew boyd 64 64

Detroit Tigers pitcher SPORTS SPECTRUM

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Tuesday

answering god’s questions [OPEN WITH]

Genesis 3

When it comes to the Bible, God wants us to “wear it.” He wants His Word to leave a definitive mark on our lives.

Most Biblical researchers believe In his devotional, Matthew emphasizes Deuteronomy 11:18 was a figurative instruction to stay focused on God’s Word the importance of communication with and to carefully follow it. However, later in God. I’ve been privileged to see Matt Israel’s history, they actually took certain live out this truth in his life in my role scriptures, written on rolled up parchment, as the chaplain to the Detroit Tigers. enclosed them in a small leather tube, The first recorded conversation between and with leather straps would wear them around their foreheads. These were called God and man is found in Genesis 3. It “frontlets.” They actually wore the Scriptures. occurs in the aftermath of Adam and Eve sinning. What a beautiful reminder that, While we are not instructed to make such even in our times of failure, God wants to a fashion statement with God’s Word, we are talk with us through His Word and prayer. The conversation is initiated by God (verse repeatedly commanded to let the Scriptures mark our lives inwardly and live it outwardly. 9) and structured around three questions Adam and Eve needed to answer — questions that are foundational to our relationship and communication with God.

“I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” — Psalm 119:11

“Where Are You?” — Where are you in your relationship with God? Do you truly know Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? You cannot know the Father except through the Son.

Read James 1:19-25, Joshua 1:7-9 and all of Psalm 119 (every verse in this psalm has a reference to God’s Word).

“Who Told You That You Were Naked?” — Who/what is your authority for life? Who has your ear? Who do you listen to: popular culture, religious tradition, peer pressure, Satan or God? Deciding to listen to God begins by accepting His complete authority in your life.

chew the cud

“What Is This You Have Done?” — Will you take responsibility for your sin? We are all prone to excuses and blaming others for our own sin. To have an open, close relationship with God, each person must acknowledge, confess and repent of sin through Jesus Christ. We must “own” our sin to receive Jesus’ gift of taking upon Himself the punishment for our sin so we might be eternally forgiven.

WedneSDAY wear it

Deuteronomy 11:18 In baseball jargon, the term “wear it” refers to a batter letting a pitched ball hit him in order to get to first base. The player must be willing to feel the impact of the ball in order to get a positive outcome. On more than one occasion, I’ve seen the bruise on a player’s body where the stitches of the ball have left a visible mark.

THursday Psalm 1:1-2

“Cud is a portion of food that returns from a ruminant’s stomach to the mouth to be chewed for the second time. More accurately, it is a bolus of semi-degraded food regurgitated from the reticulorumen of a ruminant. Cud is produced during the physical digestive process of rumination. The idiomatic expression chewing one’s cud means meditating or pondering; similar expressions such as ‘he chewed that over for a bit,’ or ‘chew on that’ likely have the same derivation.” — Wikipedia

FRIDAY

communication boundaries

Matthew 26:36-46 Electronic communication and social media often blur the boundaries for healthy communication. A pending decision about God’s will in a certain area, an emotion shared in the heat of the moment, and the highlight from last night’s game often receive the same treatment. Sometimes, those things that have eternal consequences are devalued, and what has temporal significance is overvalued. What did Jesus share and with whom did He open up? On the night before He was crucified, we observe Jesus using three levels of communication. The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:36, we see Jesus enter Gethsemane with His 11 disciples (Judas, a false disciple, had already left to betray Jesus). With the group, Jesus related factual information — “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” In verses 37-38, Jesus took Peter, James and John off to the side. With His closest friends, Jesus shared His feelings — “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow …” In verses 39-46, Jesus, by Himself, goes further into the garden to pray. Here, alone with God, Jesus contemplates and prays about His future — “Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

It’s appropriate to share factual information, especially the Good News of Jesus, with anyone God brings into our lives. We need to reserve sharing innermost feelings with those closely connected or intimate — a spouse, relative, mentor, fellow believer, etc. And we commit our future plans and decisions to only The comparison of cows chewing the cud and Christians continually meditating on one — our Heavenly Father. This is how we God’s Word fits well. Cows spend nearly eight stay “in the moment” with God and others. hours out of every day chewing their cud. This, plus normal chewing of food, can equal upwards of 40,000 jaw movements per day.

WEEKEND

Meditating on and memorizing God’s Word is vital to the Christian’s health and growth. God blesses those who revisit and re-digest scriptures they read, hear and come across in other ways. Throughout each day, let’s recall and ponder on the truths of the Bible.

...continue reading about communicating with god:

Romans 10, 1 John 1:9 & Luke 10:22; John 6 & Luke 6:46-49

WRITTEN BY

JEFF TOTTEN Detroit Tigers chaplain

WEEK

Monday J S U

05DAILY DEVOTIONALS

ust how

One of the cool things about having a new coach on the team is that even though we have a number of returning players, we all have to adjust to a new system. Everyone on our team is working really hard, which makes it easier to gel and grow as a team because we’re working together toward one goal. As excited and confident as I am about how we will compete on the field this season — I know we’re going to be working hard and winning games — I think I’m most excited about the impact we as a team have the opportunity to make off the field. A number of us have been getting together every morning to go over the Word of God. We’re growing in our faith and in our fellowship as a community, and we know we can expand on that growth and passion to serve others. If we want to make an impact, we first need to understand the Word of God and His power within us. These same men we see every morning at Bible study are the ones going out into the community to mentor kids, meeting with the police to form plans for a better society, and getting to know those we’re living among. This comes down to the powerful act of fellowship of just showing up. If one of your brothers has something going on, show up. Even if it’s inconvenient, show up. If it’s uncomfortable, show up. If it’s going to take a sacrifice on your part, show up. Not only will you get a chance to meet new people and serve others, you get to know and appreciate your teammates better. We often underestimate the power of showing up, but this is one of the greatest things we can do for others; it establishes trust and builds tight bonds within a community. It’s as easy as saying “yes.” Your “yes” speaks volumes and ends up creating more “yeses” to more opportunities, which leads to friendships that last a lifetime. “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear — not by Heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’” — James 5:12 A lot of times when we give, we think we’re doing something for someone else. One thing I’ve noticed about mentoring others and sacrificing time for them is that every time I do, I feel way better afterward. People have this concept that when we serve, we are pouring out of ourselves in a draining sort of way, but they don’t recognize we are actually the ones who are rewarded. Not only are we storing up treasures for ourselves in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20), but we gain so much on earth as well. We gain a sense of joy that is often not talked about or experienced. Instead of saying, “I have to go do this,” we should be saying, “I get to go do this!” 66 66

Sam Acho

SPORTS SPECTRUM

Photo by Winslow Townson/AP Images

Chicago Bears linebacker

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Tuesday one minute [OPEN WITH]

1 Thessalonians 5:17

It seems like time-saving conveniences have only made us busier. We rush from one activity to the next. Years ago, I remember seeing a 10-minute devotional book in a Christian bookstore. I knew Christians were getting busier when publishers began to put a time stamp on the time we spent focused on our most important relationship. Today, there are several one-minute devotional books. We are so busy that out of the 1,440 minutes each of has in a day, we can only sacrifice one minute to hear from God. Imagine seeing book titles like “The One-Minute Marriage,” “The One-Minute Friendship,” “The OneMinute Cookbook,” or “The One-Minute Workout.” We all know it takes more than one minute to develop a great marriage, friendship, meal or body. Devotionals aren’t meant to be a task we check off our daily to-do list after we complete them. Devotionals are meant to be the spark that ignites our awareness of God’s presence and activity in our lives.

Bible-teaching church for many years. And now, here’s the follow-up Those are all great blessings, but they can question: Based on what God has given also present a temptation — the temptation you, what can you give to others? to rely on our own abilities and knowledge. Even though the Apostle Paul knew the Old Testament inside and out, he didn’t rely on his wisdom and abilities. He relied on the power of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:5, Paul says, “I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” I heard one preacher say it this way: “When we rely on the Holy Spirit, God adds His super abilities to our natural abilities, and we are able to be used by God supernaturally.” The more we learn and grow, the more we should ask God to continually fill us with His Spirit. That way, when we serve people, people see the power of God working in and through us.

THursday give what you got

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“I just want to do for others what others did for me,” said one of the Houston Texans players who attends the church I pastor. He The Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians had just given out his cellphone number to 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” He a 10-year-old boy who wanted to become didn’t put a time stamp on how long we a pro football player one day (it’s pretty rare should pray. We should be in constant for professional athletes to give out their cell communication with God. Ephesians phone numbers because so many people 5:18 says that we are to continually want things from them). He even offered to do be filled by the Holy Spirit. Jesus some football workouts with the aspiring kid. tells us in John 15:4 that we are to continually stay connected to Him. “There were many coaches and players that helped and encouraged me along Devotionals are a tool to help us grow the way and I just want to do for others in our continual relationship with God. what they did for me,” the player said.

WedneSDAY the power of the spirit

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I had the privilege of graduating from one of the top Christian graduate schools in the world. I learned Greek from a professor who many consider to be the top Greek scholar in the world. I studied preaching under a preacher that one university calls one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English language. Perhaps you have a similar background. You grew up in a Christian home and have studied the Bible from a young age. You know all the Bible stories. You’ve been to Bible college or have been attending a

This Texans player understood that what God had given him through other people in the past, he could and should give to others in the present. He was a conduit for God’s blessings. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul tells us that the same comfort we’ve received from God during difficult times in our life, we can now give to others. So, here’s a question: What has God given you? Or, what has God given you through others? Parents? Coaches? Friends? Pastors? Has He given you knowledge? Has He given you a platform? Has He given you money or equipment? Has He given you a network? Has He given you comfort? Has He encouraged you?

FRIDAY we are family

1 Peter 2:10 and Ephesians 2:19 My younger daughter and I recently went on a volleyball recruiting visit to a college in the Midwest. Over lunch, the head coach shared the team’s core values. The first core value was family. The team didn’t just see one another as players from around the country assembled to win volleyball matches, but they saw one another as family. They cared for one another. They supported one another on and off the court. One of the players was an art major and some of her artwork was being showcased at the college’s gallery, so her teammates showed up to the gallery on opening night to support her. When one team member rejoiced, all rejoiced. When one team member wept, all wept. As we were enjoying delicious Tex-Mex tacos with the coaching staff, I remembered that the Church is a family. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul says that Christians are a part of God’s household. First Peter 2:10 says that Christians are God’s people. We are the family of God. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. God has called out people from around the world to be a part of His family through faith in Jesus Christ. So rather than seeing Christians at your school, work or on your team as Christians you go to school with, work with or play with, see them as family.

WEEKEND

...continue reading about being connected to god: 1 Peter 2 & Psalm 112:6-8; 1 Peter 3 & 1 Peter 5:6-7

WRITTEN BY

IKKI SOMA Houston Rockets chaplain

WEEK

DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday W G H M here

We know it’s the Holy Spirit who draws people to Himself, but as believers, we have the opportunity to engage with others. We are invited by Christ to participate in His mission of drawing people toward faith in Him. At times, our role as witnesses may seem monotonous; you might think people aren’t listening when you don’t see the fruit from your labor. But all of a sudden you may experience people telling you that they watch you in the locker room, they hear the things you talk about, or their wife has been impacted by yours in a way that is life-changing. Hearing this feedback — knowing God is using you to bring people to Him — is extremely moving. These are the moments of confirmation, knowing our obedience to His call on our lives really does pay off. It’s really satisfying when you see teammates you care about start to hunger for God, wanting to know more. Recently, I was able to baptize one of my teammates and his wife, who had just committed their lives to Christ. Years prior to this I was able to get in a pool to baptize two or three other teammates. These were guys I had been in Bible study with, and my wife, Kirsten, was in relationship with their wives or girlfriends, who were baptized alongside them. It’s hard to explain how powerful these moments are. I know that what I’m able to do with them in those moments is far more important than teaching them how to block, tackle or even raise their kids. Every bit of advice I can give them pales in comparison to them coming to know Jesus and having a relationship with Him, and then realizing they want to make a public declaration of their faith by being baptized in front of their peers. Having them ask me to baptize them is such a blessing. This is my mission field, being in the NFL; it’s where God has me. This is where I want to make the most difference. As followers of Christ, we’re called to be a light. The first step toward shining a light for Christ is to be baptized. I was baptized at about 12 years old in the Chesapeake Bay after having committed my life to Christ a few years prior. I knew baptism was not some magical moment, even though it can be quite an emotional one. It is, however, an outward expression of an inward commitment and a sign to all of one’s death to self and rising to new life. The washing and rebirth doesn’t happen in that moment, but in the moment you surrender and place your faith in Christ. Baptism is not what lasts. It is an act of obedience and celebration that every believer is called to by God. What happens inside of you is what lasts.

Benjamin Watson 68 68

SPORTS SPECTRUM

Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/AP Images

New Orleans Saints tight end

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Tuesday

FRIDAY

reality once we surrender our lives to Him. Stepping out of spiritual darkness, we enter choosing to stand out consider the source into the light found in the person of Jesus Christ. When we accept the salvation Christ Romans 12:12 [OPEN WITH] 1 Timothy 6:18-19 has to offer us, we accept the light of God in our hearts, which is both uncontainable If you have been a Christ-follower for In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he encourages and contagious to everyone around us. any length of time, you’ve experienced the all Christ-followers to be rich in good works. highs and lows of the faith. You’ve probably What does it mean to be “rich” in this sense? Not only that, when we take in the been to a conference or a church service light He offers, we gain the knowledge of where you felt so uplifted, so encouraged, In Benjamin’s story, we see that he not the Holy One! God’s light creates in us a and so on fire for the mission of Christ. We only shared his faith with his teammates, burning desire to know Him more and gives often call this a mountaintop experience. but he lived it out. He chose to be a light us the ability to comprehend who He is Maybe you even left the building with a list to the world around him, one that could and how He works. The veil is torn down of things you want to change in your life to not be put out. As a result, those who and the shades are lifted from our eyes. become more like your hero — Jesus Christ. were around him took notice of the fact that he was rich in good works. They were Are you truly walking in the light of the But the enthusiasm is hard to sustain drawn to this; they wanted to know more. knowledge of God’s glory? Turn to the face when the rest of the world seems to live the of Christ and choose to walk with Him. exact opposite purpose — one focused on When you choose to live a life that is self satisfaction and momentary gain. That’s defined by generosity, love and selflessness, why we need to constantly stay connected to you will stand out. People will take notice. our Source. Think not only of what you gain In fact, your selflessness will be an attractive from staying close to Christ, but think of the let it shine! and enviable trait! Everyone wants to impact your counter-cultural behavior can know that there is a greater and more Matthew 5:14-16 have on others. How you choose to live your fulfilling purpose outside of their own life can eternally change the lives of those lives, and they want to be a part of it. If you have chosen to place your around you. Think about that for a moment. identity in Christ and replace the darkness Paul goes on to say that not only will in your life with His true light, you have Consider what you say. Be intentional your selfless example point others toward been given the greatest gift anyone about what you watch. Be careful what Gospel-saving faith, you will also be could receive! Likewise, you have the you listen to. Use your time and actions storing up an eternal reward for yourself best gift to offer those around you. wisely. God is not the only one watching, in Heaven. You will be laying down your present comforts to lay down a solid As Jesus says in Matthew 5, “You are the the world has its eyes on you. You are a vessel of God, a light for the Kingdom. foundation for the entirety of your future. light of the world.” You cannot be hidden! No one wants to hide such a precious and What are you shining your light on? How What does your eternal investment say miraculous transformative light. In the same about your life? How are your daily priorities way, we are to let our light be on full display is your life illuminating the face of Christ? and decisions reflecting your purpose? for others. We do this not to put the spotlight on us, but quite the opposite. The light of Christ that shines from within us deflects off of us and portrays the wonder and glory of continue reading about the Father in Heaven who placed it there.

THursday

WEEKEND

WedneSDAY light in the face of christ

Genesis 1:2-3

From the beginning of time, God has been the true source of light and life — both physically and spiritually. He created the sun, the moon and the stars to guide us. And in the same way, He sent His Son to be our Guiding Light in a very practical, spiritual and relatable way. In 2 Corinthians 4:6, we read, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” Our God, who created everything out of nothing, gives us a new identity and a new

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But trying to shine can be exhausting. Focusing on your example can be both intimidating and overwhelming. So don’t. Don’t focus on what you can do, focus on what Christ can and has done in you, and let that naturally display His glory in your life. Stay connected to the Source of light. When we stay close to God, His light pours forth through us in brilliant and magnificent ways that can change the world, even when you can’t see the immediate results. But just as Benjamin experienced, you too will soon see the fruit from your labor as others take notice of even the smallest of your decisions to honor Christ first. Don’t miss out on the light show!

shining christ’s light:

Romans 12 & Daniel 12:3; Romans 13 & Isaiah 60:20

WRITTEN BY

BECKY YORK The Increase

WEEK

07DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday H H C M ow

reated

Patience. This is what God has placed on my heart for this season. As I pray for patience in the midst of circumstances that might not be what I hope for, I’m able to have faith in God’s plan. I’ve been reading a lot about how to rejoice in our challenges, to actually be stoked about them because these are opportunities to grow. The more we grow in our faith in Christ, the more we understand and experience His glory. Whenever I’m given a challenge, I know I’ll make it through because it’s part of God’s plan for me. By rejoicing in and working through these challenges, we can experience victory through Christ and use these circumstances to give Him glory. I never want to push the Bible on anyone. Instead, I try to focus on being a good friend to others. By doing this, I hope and pray that I’m able to share the love and grace of Christ. God can shine a light through us when we choose to be a good friend to someone, and talk with them about our relationship with Christ in a way that’s not forceful, but rather authentic. My family was like this for me. A lot of my faith comes from watching my parents live out their faith. They would act and say things in such a way that would help me grow. They still do. I hope I can live the type of faithful, Christ-centered life they do and be that kind of a light to others. Last year, I stressed a lot about having success on the field. It became really hard to live every day like that. This year, I obviously still care about my success and I strive to be the best I can be, but ultimately, I know God has a plan no matter what. No longer do I live and die by my success. I live and die by my faith in God. Everything after that is just an added blessing. I’ve never been really interested in the lifestyle of the rich and famous. The things that draw me in are more simple. I try to surround myself with the simple things such as mountains, surfing and nature, because that’s what I enjoy. I’m inspired by nature. I’ve never been tempted to stray from that. By being in creation, I’m able to learn about and enjoy God’s artwork. Seeing what God has created is simply magnificent! However I can play in it — hiking, surfing, camping or practicing photography — I want to share that with others so they can experience the beauty of God’s handiwork as well. Baseball is definitely my main passion and focus, but these secondary things are also a big part of my life. However I can use my life to point others to God, while enjoying the way He’s created me, I will. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” — Psalm 19:1 70

Daniel Norris

Photo by Winslow Townson/AP Images

Detroit Tigers pitcher

Tuesday challenges [OPEN WITH]

2 Corinthians 11:22-29

“Whatever anyone else dares to boast about — I am speaking as a fool — I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.” — 2 Corinthians 11:21-23 Danger, danger, danger. I’m not sure I’ve ever boasted about my trials like Paul did. I tend to ask for my circumstances to change instead of changing my response to circumstances. If you read all of 2 Corinthians 11, you will find that Paul describes much of his pain, imprisonment and persecution. He boasts to the Philippians as well, but about his pedigree, power and popularity. Paul seems to consider all circumstances something in which to boast. But boasting is not the key here. Patience and humility work together in Paul’s circumstances so that in everything, he boasts in the Lord. He finds joy in his circumstances because each, whether victories or challenges, draw him closer to his King. We may not experience Paul’s pain or prominence, but we must make the principle of patience prominent in our lives. This type of patience is not a flaccid waiting, but an aggressive perseverance through all circumstances. Regardless of where Paul found himself, God used everything Paul was to advance His Kingdom.

Jesus inviting others to follow Him — sometimes with the directive “come follow Me,” sometimes by His teaching, and sometimes by the power He displayed. He talks with His disciples, according to John 15, about friendship and doing life together. The first thing He did was invite them into a relationship. We see in verse 16 that He chose them.

Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:4-5

Since you are reading this, it is evident that at some point you have been invited into a relationship with Jesus — maybe years ago, maybe as you are reading this magazine. Regardless of our maturity in Christ, we are asked to be in relationship with others in a way that points them to Christ.

This is how God introduces Himself formally to Moses when Moses asked Him, “If they ask Your name, what shall I say?” God’s answer is, “I AM WHO I AM!” (Exodus 3:14). In the language of Israel, the word sounds like Yahweh — the God that is. God was, God is and God always will be!

My pastor urges us to help people feel like they belong before they believe. What he means is that we need to initiate and invest in the lives around us, so they see the love of Christ. It is not so much an invitation to church, but an invitation into a Christ-centered relationship.

Here’s the amazing thing: We are asked to know the I AM personally. To know God is to know His attributes. He is infinite — beyond all we can comprehend. And yet He is intimate — wanting to be in relationship with His creation.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

THursday in christ

Galatians 2:20

Marinated, saturated, steeped, soaked, submersed. Understanding that we are “in Christ” and Christ is “in us” should invade all areas of our lives.

The Apostle Paul stresses this to the Ephesians nine times in 11 verses in the first part of his letter. He says we are blessed in Christ. God chose us in Him. In Him we have redemption. God will unite all things in Him. In Him we have an inheritance. We have hope in Christ and in Can we live in that way? Our challenges Him we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. shouldn’t dictate our faith in Christ. Faith in Christ overcomes our challenges. When you read the rest of Ephesians,

WedneSDAY invitation

John 15:16 It is evident throughout Scripture that God initiates relationships. Some are invitations, some are callings and others are appointments, but God initiates it all. Jesus does the same with His disciples. Throughout the Gospels you see

or anywhere else in the Word for that matter, read it understanding the fullness of what it means to be “in Christ.” Jesus stresses this to His disciples. He wanted them, and He wants us, to be identified by Him, not by what we may accomplish. Where are you finding your identity? “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches.

FRIDAY knowing god

John 17:3

Paul writes to the Romans that part of the way we (man) know God is through His creation (Romans 1:20). From the power and expanse of the universe, to the beauty and complexity of this planet, we can be drawn into intimacy with our Creator and we can be awed by His splendor. So we can know Him by what He has made. We also know Him by what He has said. As infinite and intimate as creation is, His Word is just as profound. It speaks of His all-knowing, all-powerful and always-everywhere existence, and it pierces our inner being with His love, conviction, mercy and grace. Take some time to sit in His creation and read about the “God That Is” and how He wants to be known by you.

WEEKEND

...continue reading about knowing god:

2 Corinthians 11 & Colossians 1:9; Colossians 2 & Galatians 4:8-9

WRITTEN BY

STEVE SISCO Baseball Chapel staff

WEEK

08DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday D C O H aily

hallenge

umility

Being a fifth-year NFL player, the biggest daily challenge I face is the one of humility. It’s a constant battle to keep a humble attitude every day I come into the building. When you’re in year one, it’s easy to stay humble. You get pushed around the field and you always have something new to learn. Then you get to years four, five and six, and an uninvited sense of entitlement begins to creep in. You think, “This should be easier,” or “I already know these things.” You start to think you deserve certain things, which no one has promised you. Instead of coming in each day with a teachable, humble attitude, you assume you know it all. But the truth is, we don’t deserve anything. Ultimately, whatever the Lord has for me today, that is what’s best for me and it’s more than I deserve. Once you have gained some knowledge and have some experience under your belt, it’s hard to fight that egotistical mindset, even when you’re in a new space. But you can’t; you should aim to reset your mind and take an attitude of humility. Even when I have a bad day at practice, my flesh wants me to think, “Don’t worry about it, tomorrow will be better.” But what I need to do is realize I’m never too good. I need to stay late on those days and keep practicing. I need to reset my thinking. But the battle with ego can be won. One of the greatest weapons against this temptation for me has been Galatians 1:10: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” My wife knows I love almonds; I eat them all day long. Every morning she packs me a bag of almonds with a little note for me as I leave for work. One day she wrote this verse on the note because she knows it’s one of my favorites. With it I ask myself, “Am I doing this to please men or God?” And I have to throw myself into the “men” category. “Am I trying to please myself or the Lord?” Whenever I go through any type of hard time, this is when I have the most authentic and real quiet times with the Lord. This is when I have the most meaningful communication with God. Often, the times we experience the worst situations are the moments we ask some hard questions. And it’s in these moments when we can rely on God in a very real way. With these questions come the ultimate opportunity to connect with Jesus and build a solid relationship with the One who will carry us through. 72

jordan matthews

Photo by Winslow Townson/AP Images

NFL wide receiver

Tuesday

adversity is temporary [OPEN WITH]

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

The very first thing we need to understand about adversity is that it is a temporary allowance from God meant to grow and teach us. When we find ourselves in adversity, God shouts forth the lessons we all need to hear from the adverse times and conditions. In 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Paul makes the reference to say we have our treasure in jars of clay. He doesn’t say the jars are our treasure, but instead what is INSIDE the jars is our treasure. He is sliding the bar from the fickleness of the facilitator (the breakable pot) to the purpose and power that the treasure inside (the Gospel) should bring. In the same way, he is saying we are those jars of clay, holding the power of God and His Holy Spirit within us.

You see, in this life, having adversity prepares us to learn to STAND with Christ so that we will be comfortable doing so forever in Heaven. Adversity shows us that God has an opponent and the opponent WILL LOSE IN THE END! We need adversity to show us the shallowness of the devil’s schemes and the fickleness of the enemy’s glory versus the awesomeness of God’s glory. Adversity teaches us to gain a proper perspective. In fact, the Christ-follower should welcome adversity, knowing that it produces in us greater faith and endurance. When you face adversity and yet still taste the goodness of God, all other bitterness and affliction fades away. Your testimony becomes real, it becomes effective. You essentially saw the devil matchup with God and you saw God win — time after time.

FRIDAY adversity leads to a powerful testimony

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Adversity is powerful and painful, therefore it almost always produces a bridge-building story in your life that engages others. Anyone can go to an event or a celebration and talk about how wonderful their life is; they can make an incredible speech about how successful they’ve become. But that doesn’t impact others. In fact, it gets old quick and can disenfranchise you from your audience. The message of Christ (which is different from all other faiths) is that He came from the right hand of God, to the cross, and back to the right hand of God. Jesus came down to suffer and die for you. You see, the reality is that suffering is the most contagious, moving, inspiring and path-creating testimony we could possibly have. When we suffer, we endear ourselves to the Kingdom of God, because then our testimonies begin to match that of Jesus — the ultimate testimony!

So embrace adversity because it will show you, yet again, God wins in the end and it is We have to understand that the adversity best to be on HIS SIDE! we go through in this life and in our bodies is not permanent, it’s temporary. Satan’s No. 1 tool to make major damage in our hearts adversity creates dependency and lives is to make us think our problems If we want to reach the next generation here on earth are never going to end. The 2 Corinthians 4:16 with the Gospel, we need to be willing adversity may seem insurmountable in the to say, “God’s broken me of myself. But moment, but adversity is the enemy’s tool to Adversity is hard on us, therefore it creates because I was a mess, God got messy so fool us into thinking our treasure is in doubt. a need for dependency on others outside I could become clean.” Our testimony of the given circumstance. In every adverse is not one of ego, but one of humility, Whatever adversity you’re encountering, situation you’ve been through, immediately recognizing our need for Christ’s salvation. it’s temporal. It’s MOMENTARY. In light you were forced to rely on others around We’re broken so God may be glorified. of the treasure inside of you, you have you — the body of Christ, your parents, nothing to fear! w-[vnskdnvsnknvn your teammates, your pastor, your doctor There will be no adversity in Heaven. or someone who could help you. You see, Therefore, it’s our greatest witnessing adversity creates a need for dependency. tool here on earth. People long for a life free from adversity, and we have Success breeds celebration, which adversity declares sides the message that can take them there. is great, but it doesn’t always make you Are you bold enough to share it? 2 Corinthians 4:17 aware of other things, the people around Our second benefit of adversity is that it you, or even your need for God. When urgently declares our opponent and it forces adversity rains, you suddenly become keenly aware of others around you and continue reading about us to choose a side. As Christ-followers, your need for HELP. Adversity also creates we need to recognize the situation as transforming your adversity in you a need and dependency on Jesus. what it is — a battle. God has chosen us

THursday

WedneSDAY

WEEKEND ...

to fight a battle for Him and alongside Him — the ultimate battle of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE! We are His soldiers and He wants us to declare our willingness to work for His team, which will ultimately win!

Dependency on others is not natural for any of us. We don’t want to go there. We want what’s ours and we want to show others we deserve it. But adversity ultimately reflects our true condition — When Paul writes that adversity is LIGHT and we’re all in need of a Savior. Yes that’s right — although we look great on the MOMENTARY compared to the glory that will be revealed, he is referring to the END outside, we are the problem. We have dug of the game and how only one side will win. ourselves a hole and need help to get out!

Philippians 4 & James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4-5 & Joshua 1:9

WRITTEN BY

JACK EASTERBY New England Patriots chaplain

WEEK

09DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday C P hoosing the ositive

In baseball, you always face the challenge of feeling like you need to put more pressure on yourself, no matter what role you play on the team. You feel like you need to go beyond what you’re capable of. But when I take a step back, I realize this is a team game. Guys are coming up, ready to go and hungry to play. I believe each guy on our team has really taken full advantage of the change in roster we’ve had. We’ve all been playing really well and the leaders on our team are still supporting and cheering on their teammates. There are so many levels of play in the game of baseball, and there will always be people who want to be at the level you are. They’re hungry to get there at some point. I remember being in that spot; you don’t want to see anyone get hurt or do badly, but you also know with time and patience you just might get your chance to shine. This year, I’ve recognized that I need to stay humble, always optimistic, and act as a good leader and teammate to those around me. I can do this with confidence because I know God’s plan will always work out for the best. If I trust where He has placed me, He will provide. And if He needs me to be somewhere else, I will listen and do what He says. Throughout the season, you always face the challenge of having both good and bad innings. But staying level-headed throughout it all is the key. You really can’t let yourself get too down or too up. When you have bad moments, you need to push through them and learn from your mistakes. If you listen to the negative thoughts that come from our flesh, or begin second-guessing things instead of accepting what has happened and moving on, you will drag yourself down. We can’t allow the thoughts of this world to linger in our minds and cause us to wander from the truths of God. Reading God’s Word more this year and learning the truths within it has been so incredible for me. Although sometimes our schedule doesn’t make this easy or convenient, when I am able to make time to sit down and really get into the Word, I am changed. One thing God has really been teaching me lately is to be walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Wherever you choose to walk, you will act accordingly. If you walk in all the good things the Lord brings, all the negative thoughts and actions of the flesh will fade. But the opposite is also true. If you allow the things of this world to distract you from God, you will be brought down. We have to choose every day what we are allowing to sink into our hearts and minds. What is determining your choices and actions today?

luke weaver 74 Photo by Winslow Townson/AP Images

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher

Tuesday we are different [OPEN WITH]

Colossians 3:1-17

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages Christians to not give in to cultural pressures or get overwhelmed with challenges in life. Instead, he encourages Christians to stay focused on who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Then Paul draws out some implications of what it means to experience the new life with Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, then the Bible says you are someone who has died to your ordinary ways and has been raised to experience a new life with Christ. The obvious implication of this mysterious transformation is that you ought to be noticeably different than those who haven’t experienced this transformation. And one of the ways that you ought to be different is in your overall focus and outlook on life.

How much of your time and energy is spent on what Paul might consider things that are earthly? How many of us have exalted our careers to a place where it dominates our minds and dictates our attitudes and behaviors? How often do we even consider the things that Jesus taught or might be thinking about? As followers of Jesus, we must learn to spend more time thinking about things that are above rather than dwelling on things that are earthly. We must learn to think about the life of Christ and the new life that we now experience with Him. And as we spend more time thinking about such things, we will become people who begin to think and act more like Jesus.

THursday set your mind

FRIDAY the new you

Colossians 3:10 The focus of our hearts and minds will determine the choices we make and the actions we take. If we starve ourselves of Scripture and feast on the fading trends of the culture, then we will inevitably find ourselves lost among the crowd and failing to experience the life we were meant to live. It is tragic that so many among the Christian community fail to experience the new life they were meant to live simply because they lack the discipline to focus their hearts and minds on the new life with Christ. Many of us fall into old patterns and give in to old habits simply because we are failing to focus on the new life Christ has given us.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul tells Christians to intentionally put on the new you which is being renewed in knowledge Followers of Jesus must learn to think after the image of your Creator. This is an How often do you put too much focus on about the life of Christ and the new life astonishing proclamation! Paul is saying things that don’t matter, or on things that are that we now experience with Him. But if out of your control? When players spend too we are honest, we must admit that thinking that now, in Christ, human beings can once again be what God intended for us to be much time thinking about their stats, their about these things on a consistent basis from the beginning. This means that the salaries or potential roster moves, they end doesn’t happen naturally. And so, in the truest form of human existence is found up getting tossed around in the waves of a words of the Apostle Paul, we have to long season that is full of ups and downs. intentionally set our minds on these things. in experiencing the new life with Christ. When you fail to focus your heart Paul’s letter reminds us that we The act of setting your mind on something and mind on the new you, then you are ought to be different. As those who are implies a level of focus that is locked in on experiencing and living a subhuman experiencing the new life with Christ, we a particular object and not distracted by must rise above the waves of life’s ups and what’s going on around you. When a batter existence. We will only experience the life downs and remain focused on the things steps in the box, he sets his mind on hitting we were meant to live when we focus on we can control, and on the new way of the pitch he wants to hit and clears his head the new life that Christ has given us. life that we ought to be experiencing. of everything else going on around him.

WedneSDAY things above

Colossians 3:2

As those who are experiencing the new life with Christ, we ought to avoid letting our minds wander into negativity or wrong ways of thinking about life. In the words of the Apostle Paul, we ought to set our minds on things that are above. The ordinary mindset of this world is to spend most of our time thinking about ourselves and what we desire to have or achieve in this life. But the transformed mindset of the new life with Christ learns to spend more time thinking about Jesus’ way of life and the fact that He is now the Lord over this world.

Colossians 2:6-8

How would you describe your current level of focus when it comes to following Jesus? What does it even look like to be locked in on the life of Christ and the new life that we now experience with Him?

WEEKEND

...continue reading about

living a new life with christ:

Colossians 2 & Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3 & 1 Peter 1:15-16

As followers of Jesus, we must meditate and focus on Jesus’ way of life and the fact that He is now Lord over this world. We can start by setting our mind on Scripture. And as we read through what God has done in human history, we will gain a deeper understanding of Christ and the kind of life we were meant to live.

WRITTEN BY

TERRY EVANS Atlanta Braves chaplain

WEEK

10 DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday P P rayer in erspective

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21 I used to pray for a win. When I was an early Christ-follower, just starting off my NFL career, I would pray to God for certain results in a game. In a way, I guess I believed that if I lived a holistic, blameless life, God would bless me on the field and I’d play well. Looking back, I realize this is a completely selfish perspective to think that one individual’s actions during a particular week would determine his team’s scoreboard. Now that my faith in God and knowledge of Him have progressed, my prayer has changed. Yes, I still pray before each game, but my prayer isn’t the same as it was when I first began my career. Today’s prayer is one for guidance; it’s a prayer requesting that at the end of the day — win, lose or draw — God would get all the credit. It’s not an easy prayer to say. The easier prayer is to ask for a win, especially when you’re entering the playoffs. It’s hard to be happy when we end a game with a loss. I am disappointed, and I don’t often feel like talking to other people or smiling. And if the loss was a direct result of something I did, or failed to do, it’s even worse. But my prayer is that God would truly be glorified through my play, no matter what that may look like. I hope my competitors and teammates alike would see Christ in me, in the way I conduct myself. Pregame, during competition and postgame, my position is to bring Him glory. In the beginning of most our faith journeys, we often try to use God as a lucky charm. I’m one of the biggest offenders of this. But that’s not God’s role. Confining Him in our mind as a sort of rabbit’s foot sells us short of experiencing His true power and glory in our lives. I do believe God cares about the wins and losses of each one of our games. He is in control of it all, but not in the way our minds consider it. He has a greater plan weighed on a scale much larger than we can even comprehend. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14

Trey burton 76

Chicago Bears tight end

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty

Tuesday

who would you choose to talk to? [OPEN WITH]

Jeremiah 29:12-13

If you had the opportunity to talk with one person from the past or present, whom would you choose? This is not an easy pick, but my choice would be Jackie Robinson. Why? There is none like him in the game of professional baseball. What he had to endure, and the way he showed grace toward those who were against him as he broke the color barrier in baseball, was incredible. I’m sure if I had the chance to talk with him, I would not only see the game differently, but appreciate it that much more. What we tend to forget is that it’s possible for anyone to approach God anytime to talk to Him. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can approach God with boldness (Hebrews 10:19-22). Think about this for a second: We can choose to talk to God anytime we want. Why would we choose anyone else?

The more time we spend in God’s Word, the more it will transform our lives. We will start finding ourselves in a place where we will want God’s will to be done instead of ours (Luke 22:42). E.M Bounds, in his book “The Weapon of Prayer,” writes, “Prayer makes a Godly man, and puts within him the mind of Christ, the mind of humility, of selfsurrender, of service, of pity, and of prayer. If we really pray, we will become more like God, or else we will quit praying.” Prayer is powerful. God has not left us to fend for ourselves. He puts His Spirit in us, prompting us to pray. He is our example of how to pray. When we pray according to the will of God, we will see a change within us and around us that gives Him the glory.

THursday

are you walking every day?

Proverbs 3:5-6

I recently read an article that said the worldwide average for the number of steps A.W. Tozer in his book, “The Pursuit of taken each day is 4,961. In a year, that God,” writes, “The Bible assumes as a self- would come to 1,795,882 steps, and that’s evident fact that men can know God with just for an average person. We don’t think at least the same degree of immediacy as about how far we’re walking in a given they know any other person or thing that day, we just do it. Our steps are merely a comes within the field of their experience.” way for us to get where we need to go.

FRIDAY

would you skip meals?

Ephesians 3:14-19 Athletes can’t afford to skip meals; it weakens their bodies and can affect their performance in a game. We need to take this same type of attitude when it comes to prayer. We cannot skip a day of prayer. We should pray many times a day. When we don’t, it’s reflected in our lives. The great Christian author and apologist C. S. Lewis famously said, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” Praying is not a ritual, it’s a vital part in our growing relationship with Jesus Christ. It helps us understand the fullness of the love of Christ. When we go deeper into the love Christ has for us, we can also stand against our adversary, Satan, who is looking to attack us in our weaknesses. Ephesians 6:10-17 says we are to put on the armor of God to resist the enemy, but that success comes through prayer. Paul finishes in 6:18 by saying, “Pray at all times in the Spirit.” Prayer not only gives us the ability to win the fight against Satan’s schemes, but by it we fall in love with Jesus.

Prayer is personal. Take time to talk to At times as Christians, we tend to have Prayer is constant. It’s vital for our God from your heart. When you do, He will this type of attitude toward prayer. We know daily living and it shows our love and hear you and you will get to know Him. we can pray, but we may not be intentional or even know how prayer works in our lives. dependence on God. Remember to go to Jesus like a child (Luke 18:17). Go to Scripture to see how and where Jesus Why is prayer important? We have would pray; He is our best example. the ability to thank God for the things,

WedneSDAY can i get some help?

Galatians 4:6

How do we approach God in prayer? What do we pray for? Does God even listen to my prayers? As followers of Christ and children of God, we get to have fellowship with God through prayer, and the good thing is that we have plenty of help in how to do that. wo’rbnwojrnbwob The Holy Spirit, whom God has supplied to those who are His, will move in our hearts to pray to God. And not only do we have the Holy Spirit to move us to pray, we have the example in Scripture of Jesus, who would often go off and pray (Luke 5:16). Jesus even took the time to teach others to pray.

big or small, He has provided for us on a daily basis (Psalm 9:1). It’s a time for us to admit that God’s way is the right way (1 John 1:9). Life is hard and challenging for each of us; God wants to hear our hearts (Jeremiah 33:3). Prayer also puts God in His proper place as the One who is in control of our lives (Proverbs 3:5-6).

WEEKEND

...continue reading about prioritizing prayer:

Matthew 6 & Ephesians 3:12; Ephesians 1 & 1 Peter 5:8

Prayer is essential. Just as steps get us to our daily destination, prayer is an essential part of faith. It allows us to reach the destination God has for us in all situations.

WRITTEN BY

EDDIE TAUBENSEE Director of Increase Baseball

WEEK

11 DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday C W alled to

ait

Many people build up professional sports to be the pinnacle of all career goals. It’s what a lot of young people dream about. But when I was first offered a position in Major League Soccer in January 2013, I turned it down. I had just finished my collegiate soccer career at UCLA, having won the title of Pac 12 Player of the Year in 2012 as a senior. Meanwhile, my older brother, Scott, had been feeling called by God to start a church. Since my freshman year, when he had graduated, Scott and I would talk about that at least monthly — how our church would glorify God and make disciples. I had always said, “Scott, you tell me when and where and I’ll be there.” After four years of conversations, Scott called me up and said the church was finally going to start. February marked the start of the 2013 MLS season. I was getting calls from different MLS teams asking me which city and organization I thought would be a good fit for me. But I told every team that called, “I’m not going to play. I’m starting a church with my brother back in Sacramento. Do not draft me.” That January, my wife, Taylor, and I left for Haiti to help out at an orphanage, where we were without internet and phone access during the MLS combine and draft. We came home to find hundreds of missed calls and messages waiting for me, telling me that FC Dallas had drafted me in the second round. We were shocked! I thought everyone had heard not to draft me. Dallas said it wanted to take a chance on having me come back to play once the church plant was underway. Back in the Sacramento area, Scott and I spread the vision of the church. We called everyone we knew to build a core group for the launch. Once we had about 50 people, we were able to look into renting a building and officially starting our first Sunday service. In October 2013, we were seeing the vision come to life. After the second week, my brother told me, “We have the funds to bring a second pastor on staff to help me out and basically take over all the jobs you are doing right now. If you want, this is your chance. I think you should still play soccer.” Two days later, Dallas called. The coaches told me they’d love to have me come out in January to start the new season with them. While I thought taking that year off would end my professional soccer career, it ended up being a great part of my journey to play professionally. I used to think that in order for people to know I was a Christ-follower, I would need to be talking about the Gospel all the time. And while I do want to be a man who’s consistently giving God glory, I realized my life itself can be an overflow for Him. How is your life showing your devotion to God?

Ryan Hollingshead 78 78

SPORTS SPECTRUM

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

FC Dallas midfielder/defender

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Tuesday waiting is hard [OPEN WITH]

Habakkuk 2:1

Have you ever wondered, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?” Some point the finger at the one praying: “You’re praying with wrong motives.” Or, “You don’t have enough faith.” I suppose either of those things could be a factor, but do we really have to prove ourselves worthy of answered prayer by perfect motives and unwavering faith? Over and over in Scripture, God invites us to pray. Why would He set us up for disappointment when He doesn’t respond to our requests? We often turn to God in our most vulnerable moments with a desperate need only He can meet. Why does He sometimes remain silent? Could it be that God’s silence is often a call to wait? Could it be that good things happen in my heart as I learn to wait on Him? Habakkuk was a prophet who learned this lesson. He served during troubled times; Israel had been split in two. The southern kingdom of Judah was being ruled by a wicked king and they were being threatened by the Babylonians. In the midst of this, he directs two questions to God: “How long?” and “Why?” Watching and waiting is hard; it takes time. We want answers now. It’s hard because we’d rather do something. It feels so unproductive to just wait. And it’s often such a lonely job; the watchman normally waits and watches by himself. We have to stay focused even though there’s so much to distract us. But often, God calls us to wait.

WedneSDAY instant gratification

Psalm 27:14

several times a week — in traffic jams, supermarket checkout lines, banks and fast food drive-thrus. These everyday waits seldom fail to try our nerves. However, there is another kind of waiting which is much more difficult. I think of the waiting of a single person for marriage, a childless couple for a child, the chronically ill for healing, those in dead-end careers for a breakthrough, or the lonely to simply belong. This kind of waiting is far more than just a minor, passing irritant, it’s a source of deep pain and prolonged heartache that drains us emotionally and spiritually. One of the things that makes waiting of any kind so difficult is that we live in a world afflicted by the need for instant gratification. But the psalmist in Psalm 27:14 clearly tells us that we all must learn to wait on the Lord. It’s part of the normal Christian life. Are you waiting on Him?

probably because we haven’t come to grips with the extent of our brokenness. We’re still satisfied with who we are and what this world has to offer us. But when God allows us to see our brokenness, we can begin to appreciate how wonderful it will be to be whole.

FRIDAY

when will the wait be over?

1 John 3:2 In 1 John 3:2, John is referring to the second appearing of Jesus. The idea of our being transformed into all that we long to be at the second coming of Christ is one that captured the New Testament writers. I don’t think a day went by in their lives when they didn’t wonder if this would be the day. Why is it that we have lost this vision of what the early Church called “the blessed hope?”

I’m reminded of a 2-year-old child who, having just learned how wonderful Heaven was going to be, announced what are you waiting for? that she, her mommy and her sister were going there. Her dad asked, “What 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 about me?” She looked at him and said, In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, we learn about “No, Dad. You have to go to work!” some things that are worth waiting for. This I’m afraid that for many of us, the word “sanctify” means to be holy — set necessities of life in the “here and now” apart for God and pure and righteous in crowd out the vision of what life will be like character. Paul, the author of Thessalonians, in the “there and then.” And without even wants this sanctification to be complete. knowing it, we’ve rid our Christian faith of the one thing that really makes it worth living. He uses a remarkable word here. This is called the “blessed hope” because it He actually invents a word: holoteles. brings blessing and meaning to our lives now. It’s a combination of two other words.

THursday

“Holo” means whole; “teles” means end or fulfillment. The idea is to be whole to the point of fulfillment.

Paul says, “and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete” (NASB). The word “complete” here means whole, not to the end, but whole in all its parts. He mentions the various parts of us that will be kept whole: spirit, soul and body. The totality of our person will be made whole!

But we still have to wait for it. And the waiting is hard. We wonder if it will ever really happen, and if it does, will we really be included? But the promise of God and the witness of the Bible is that it will happen and it will be worth it.

WEEKEND

...continue reading about

waiting for the blessed hope Being whole is being without blame, without responsibility for any wrongdoing. I hate to wait. My image of hell is that of Habakkuk 2 & Philippians 3:20; spending an eternity waiting in line. When I When we’re sanctified — made completely Habakkuk 3 & Titus 2 wait I grind my teeth, my blood pressure rises, whole — we will also be blameless. my vision narrows and my temper erupts. So what are we waiting for? Wholeness that I go to great lengths to avoid waiting. It’s not uncommon for me to arrive somewhere is holy and blameless. Can you imagine life WRITTEN BY and say to my wife, “I made it in 43 minutes without such things as fear, frustration, grief, anger, impatience, greed, jealousy, bitterness, and 22 seconds. That’s a personal best!” confusion, guilt, remorse, loneliness, sickness She looks at me as if to say, “Who cares?” San Francisco Giants and disease? All of us desire wholeness. Chaplain Even though we may go to great lengths If we don’t ache for wholeness, it’s to avoid it, most of us are forced to wait

MARK MITCHELL

WEEK

12 DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday B S A R e till nd est

Be still. This is the message God’s been hammering into my heart for the past few months. After the Super Bowl win, we were all pulled in a lot of different directions. We had countless requests coming in, wanting our time and devotion, and while many of these were good things, we had to learn what we could and couldn’t say yes to. With all the exposure and excitement, people wanted to hear from us. We were able to magnify God’s message and what He’s done in our lives on a much greater scale! Having said that, there are certain things worth investing time into and certain things I have to say no to, both for the betterment of my career and my family’s wellbeing. As my wife always says, “Every time you say ‘yes’ to something, you are saying ‘no’ to something else.” She’s right. God calls us first to serve Him and minister for His Kingdom, then to take care of our families. Everywhere we go, people get excited. We experience everyone’s best as they encourage us and tell us just how great they think we are. I’m thankful for this and truly do appreciate it; it’s a blessing. But God’s Word also tells us that we are to think of ourselves with sober judgment (Romans 12:3). We can’t get comfortable or complacent. Yes, we just won the Super Bowl, but we have a whole set of new challenges and lessons to be learned moving forward. The only way for me to truly stay grounded and remain teachable is to make sure I stay in God’s Word and pay attention to what He’s teaching me. The NFL is a very humbling league. You can be on top one minute and then back at the bottom of the barrel the next. It’s the same spiritually. No matter where we think we are in our walk with the Lord — whether we feel like we’re floundering or we think we’re doing really well — we need to stay fixed on God to make sure we’re continually growing in our faith. No matter how strong I think I am in my faith today, it’s imperative for me to put the Lord first, remain teachable, and keep my eyes focused on Him. I’ve found your family reveals a lot about who you are and what your priorities are. Yes, I’m a Super Bowl champ, but when I come home, I’m Dad, I’m a husband and I’m a servant. I’m not above folding laundry or helping around the house. I’m a hero to my kids, not because I won a trophy, but because I’m their dad. As much as I may be tempted to think it’s all about me, it’s not. During this season God has been calling me to be still and rest in Him, to truly know what it means to be filled by His strength and presence for each moment. Only then will I be able to hear His voice and learn what it is He’s teaching me today.

Chris Maragos 80

Philadelphia Eagles safety Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Tuesday

what are you willing to suffer for? [OPEN WITH]

Philippians 1:29

What are your passions for the Kingdom of God? Be careful before you answer. I didn’t ask what are you zealous about. Biblically speaking, these are different questions. Zeal comes from a Greek word “zelos” and has the root idea of fire, as in “What gets you fired up?” The wisdom of Proverbs 23:17 instructs, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” In other words, be on fire for God! Yet, Paul says this against his Hebrew brothers: “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge” (Romans 10:2). They indeed were on fire for God, but ignorant of the Gospel. Passion, on the other hand, comes from the Greek word “pascho,” which means to suffer. Among other verses, it’s found in Luke 24:46: “He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer (pascho) and rise from the dead on the third day.’” The last week of Jesus’ ministry on earth is referred to as “The Passion of Christ,” because it is all about the suffering He endured surrounding His arrest, crucifixion and death for the forgiveness of our sins and the redemption of our souls. So what are you passionate about when it comes to the Kingdom of God? What are you willing to suffer for?

WedneSDAY whom are you willing to suffer for?

1 Timothy 2:3-4 The real question is not what are you willing to suffer for, but for whom? When it comes to suffering for the Kingdom of God, it begins and ends with how we endure suffering in our relationships. God’s greatest desire is expressed in today’s verse, 1 Timothy 2:3-4. Let’s face it: People can be annoying and challenging, friends and enemies alike. But God has called and equipped us to suffer the foolishness of others for the sake of building His Kingdom one soul at a time. Ministry is all about serving God by serving

people in His name. That’s why there is so much instruction on dealing with people, so that we draw them to God and not push them away by our own selfish behavior. The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit as well as spiritual gifts for two primary reasons: to evangelize the lost and to edify (strengthen) the saints. Both endeavors require immense sacrifice and suffering. It’s critical that we listen to the Holy Spirit and not our own cynicism, as He uses us in our relationships for God’s glory. As we obey, His life pours out of us in ways that point others to the grace of God. Jesus radically taught in Matthew 5:44 to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Christ is more concerned about the salvation of your enemies’ souls than even your own personal offense and their threat against you. Their redemption was at the core of His suffering.

THursday

Church, so that we all may be more effective as ambassadors of the ministry of reconciliation for Christ’s sake to the world.

FRIDAY the cia is destroying the christian witness

2 Timothy 3:12

Don’t panic! I’m not a radical conspiracy theorist or a Christian anarchist. The CIA I’m speaking of is the Christian Inactive Association! These are believers in Christ who have enlisted into the army of God by faith in Christ, but have failed to show up for basic training. These brothers and sisters have no idea how to use their spiritual gifts or the armor that the Lord has provided for battle. They are AWOL (absent without leave) and have never experienced suffering for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Living out loud for Jesus Christ will always bring rejection and ridicule. When you fail in the open, someone somewhere will say 2 Corinthians 5:16 these words: “And you’re supposed to be a As Christ-followers, we are not to tolerate Christian!” I know many Christians who are professional athletes that prefer to keep their sin in others or ourselves. But we are to accept unbelievers as they are. It seems we faith in Christ under wraps, simply because have such a poor track record of accepting they do not want to face the scrutiny. unbelievers because we have such a If you truly have any “passion” for the difficult time of accepting other believers, Kingdom of God, it will be expressed in especially those who don’t look like us. your willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Paul proclaimed in Romans The idea and definition of tolerance 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, has changed over the last 30-40 years. because it is the power of God that brings Back in my day, tolerance meant enduring something unpleasant, like a toothache or a salvation to everyone who believes: screaming baby on an airplane. That’s why I first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” have never liked the new idea of tolerance You can’t serve God on your own terms. when it comes to dealing with those who differ from me as it relates to race, ethnicity Suffering for the cause of Christ is part of the genuine Christian experience. or gender orientation. If we are to have a God-honoring relationship, don’t tolerate my differences, accept them. If there is any hope of being used by God to bring others continue reading about who are not like you into the Kingdom of God, it must begin with acceptance. But suffering for the sake of the gospel the practice must begin within the Church.

whom are you willing to accept?

WEEKEND ...

Paul writes in Romans 15:1-2,7, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up ... Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” I pray that more of us will be willing to suffer for reconciliation within the

2 Corinthians 5 & Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 8 & Matthew 5:44

WRITTEN BY

JERRY BIRCH Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain

WEEK

13 DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Monday W A Y M B hat re ou

easured y?

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.’” — Matthew 16:24 Often when we think of surrendering, we think of it in a very negative light. Surrender means to give up, to quit. But when Jesus said the words in Matthew 16, He understood that what the people were chasing in order to be connected with God were marks; they were trying to measure up and make a certain mark. Jesus understood they were trying so hard it was suffocating them. He was trying to tell them that if they just surrendered and followed Him, they would experience a peace beyond explanation. When you surrender, you’re giving up things that will suffocate you. Christ is calling you into a life that in some respects might be different from what you think is going to satisfy you, but ultimately, it’s going to bring you peace. Some of the best moments in my life have been when I kept falling short of the mark I was trying to measure up to. It was a huge burden until I realized that is not what I’m measured by. Because I follow Jesus, He measures me how He’s measured. He sees me as God sees Him: perfect. Knowing I don’t have to live up to a certain standard frees me to live life, and live it to the full. My life is not my own, and that’s a very freeing thing. I’m free because I’ve surrendered to Christ. All the worldly expectations and standards are gone because I’ve surrendered and chosen to follow Jesus. All the things that used to weigh me down, I no longer have to worry about. I can live freely knowing there will be good days and there will be bad days. There will be days when I fall miserably short of the standard God calls to me to. But He still loves me. Everyone’s default is to go back to some form of selfishness. We all want to be pleased with the outcome. I’ve always wanted to know that I’m going to be on this team for a certain amount of time so I can have my future set. Selfishly, I wanted to know everything was going to be OK. Looking over the course of my career and the way it has been so uncertain, I see how my circumstances have continued to put me in a space of faith all the time. I’m thankful for that. We all fight for security. Often when we think we’ve done the right thing, we think we deserve to feel secure. Our pride says, “I deserve ____” (fill in the blank). But when we surrender control over to Christ, we become free from expectation and pride. The “I deserve” mindset is replaced with gratitude and 82 82

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Tuesday

the power of our words [OPEN WITH]

Ephesians 4:29

Anyone who has been bullied can attest that the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is flat out not true. The words we speak have the power to build someone up and the power to tear down decades old friendships. Throughout the book of Proverbs, we are regularly reminded to examine the power of our words:

to allow to stay connected. The vines need to be pruned so the nutrients carried by the vines don’t get diluted in several branches, but are concentrated in a few that will produce the most mature grapes. This is the principle Jesus teaches His followers in John 15. Jesus knows we are people that get easily distracted. We can find ourselves distracted with a lot of good efforts, while at the same time miss the depth and joy that comes from focusing on a few things.

What are the relationships, habits and situations you need to “prune” from your life? Ask the Lord to reveal the things that often distract you and ask Him to help you prune those. As you do, you’ll experience the full life Jesus promises and become In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the Ephesian Church to fruitful in all you set out to do in His name. “live a life worthy of the calling they have received” (Ephesians 4:1). He spends half of his letter reminding them of the saving work of Jesus and the powerful Gospel story that prince of peace redeemed them from a life separated from John 16:33 God. He then spends the second half of his letter reminding them how they should live One of the names Jesus sometimes goes in response to this astonishing good news. by is “Prince of Peace.” Peace can come in various ways. Peace doesn’t necessarily mean He actually reminds his readers that the absence of conflict, but the affirming when we use our words to tear others down reality that you are not in eminent danger. by talking bad about them behind their backs (or in front of them), we are actually Jesus’ disciples were His closest grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). companions. Over the course of Jesus’ We think our words come out of our mouths ministry, they expectantly watched and and fall on deaf ears or will somehow fall listened to Him strategically navigate to the ground without much impact. difficult conversations with religious leaders, and face great opposition from Our words have power. That kind political figures and even demons. of power should be stewarded well and used for things that build people There was a peace about Jesus that up, rather than tear them down. the disciples admired. He never seemed rattled nor anxious. What gave Jesus the peace He needed to fulfill the mission laid out by His Father? How did Jesus gracefully reveal the distractions navigate situations with such composure? “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly.” — Proverbs 11:9ovvbnwnbv

THursday

WedneSDAY John 15:1-5

A few years ago, I was officiating a wedding for two longtime friends. They decided to get married at a beautiful winery in the foothills of California. The setting was beautiful. My wife and I took a walk around the winery to explore the beauty that surrounded us.

The easy answer is: He is Jesus. The second person of the Trinity. Our Lord. But something deeper gave Him the poise needed to carry out His ministry: time with His Father. There is nothing more comforting when facing a difficult time than knowing someone is with you. We don’t have to face difficulty alone.

We came across one of the winemakers assigned the task of overseeing the growth and harvesting of grapes for the wine that would be produced. We asked him about the process of growing grapes and he told us the hardest part of his job was to determine which grapes to cut from the vine and which grapes

Jesus oftentimes withdrew from the crowds to spend time alone with God. In John 16:33, Jesus clearly articulates the reality that His followers are not guaranteed an easy life, but a difficult one. Following Jesus doesn’t make life easy. In actuality, the spiritual reality gets more intense with Jesus,

and with a pastoral presence He comforts His followers and assures that even though times may be difficult, they’re never alone. The Prince of Peace is always with them.

FRIDAY experiencing the miraculous

Luke 5:1-8

Each of us has experienced what it’s like to finish a hard day’s work. Whether it’s a day at the office, at the field or in the yard, there is nothing more satisfying than finishing a job and knowing you’ve accomplished something. Consequently, there is almost nothing more discouraging than working all day and knowing your task isn’t finished, or your effort did not bring the hoped-for result. Simon Peter had first been introduced to Jesus through his brother, Andrew, who encountered Jesus while under the leadership of John the Baptist (John 1:35-41). Peter must have been intrigued about this carpenter-turned-preacher who gathered an audience wherever He went. One day, Jesus was teaching by the shore when Peter and his crew came in from a long day at sea with no fish to show for it. Peter must have been mortified to know that a large crowd was gathered around them. “Now everyone will know I’m a failure,” he must have mumbled under his breath. What Peter didn’t know is that the person who had stepped into his boat to preach is the One who is the Fisher of men. Jesus commanded Peter to go back out to the water and cast his nets. Reluctantly, Peter obeyed, and to his amazement, his biggest problem went from having no fish to having nets bursting at the seams. When we invite Jesus into our lives, we experience the miraculous — even within situations that once seemed hopeless.

WEEKEND

...continue reading about staying focused on god:

Ephesians 4 & Proverbs 11:12; John 18 & Proverbs 15: 1

WRITTEN BY

REZA ZADEH Denver Broncos chaplain

You CAN know PERSONALLY ’s Solution OurRandyProblem, God Alcorn by

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“God created mankind in His own image … God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:27, 31). God made human beings with personal and relational qualities like His own (Genesis 1:26). But something went terribly wrong. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our sins against a good and holy God have broken our relationship with Him (Isaiah 59:2).

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). When humankind chose to rebel against God, sin poisoned the world. People lost their relationship with God, and with it their happiness. But God loved us so much He sent us Jesus, fully God and fully man, to deliver us from death and give us life (John 3:16). “God demonstrates His own love toward us … while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus went to the cross to pay the price for our sins. He rose from the grave, conquering sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

If you believe Jesus Christ loves you, and would like to ask Him to forgive you and receive salvation, pray this prayer with me. It’s as simple as A-B-C: Admit, Believe, Confess. 84

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“I think it’s really important for people to understand who God is, what He says about us, and what He says about our sin. You have to turn from your old ways, from your old self. It’s not going to be perfect, but you have to turn and focus your eyes back on Him.” — Matthew Slater, New England Patriots

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Godʼs greatest gift is a restored relationship with Himself, delivering us from hell and granting us entry into Heaven (John 3:36). This gift depends not on our merit but solely on Christʼs work of grace for us on the cross (Titus 3:5). “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). We must admit our wrongdoing, and ask Godʼs forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Then we are to affirm to others that the resurrected Jesus is our Lord. “Whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). The life we long for is freely offered to us in Christ. We can believe His promise and call on Him to save us, humbly accepting His gift of eternal life: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

“Dear God, I ADMIT that I’m a sinner and the penalty of my sin is death. I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that He died and rose from the dead for my sin. And I CONFESS Jesus as my Savior. Please forgive me. I repent of my sin and surrender my life to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen." — Miles McPherson, senior pastor and former NFL player 3

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