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2019 BASEBALL PREVIEW The Boston Red Sox dominated 2018, winning their fourth World Series since 2004. Can anyone stop the Sox in 2019? (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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CONTENTS
To subscribe, or for questions about your subscription, call:
16 — 2019 MLB Season Preview Predictions and storylines to watch
1-866-821-2971
20 — Cardinal Standard of Excellence
$18, 4 ISSUES (PRINT)
As Adam Wainwright’s storied career nears its end, his Christ-focused influence on a young team has never been greater. PLUS: Wainwright Building Up Brothers
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28 — A Brave New World
Former No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson helped his hometown Atlanta Braves return to the postseason in 2018 for the first time in five years. But a wrist injury kept him from playing in that series, and the time off forced the shortstop to seek more of God.
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
32 — Kingdom Builders
As Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd lives out his dream of pitching in the major leagues, he’s also right by his wife’s side in living out her dream of rescuing children from the Ugandan sex trade.
36 — Big-Game Believers
Sports Spectrum talked football and faith with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams prior to Super Bowl LIII. PLUS: NFL Draft Prospects to Watch
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40 — Building Something Special
As the Tennessee men’s basketball program establishes itself as a national power, many of the squad’s leaders are establishing their foundation in Christ.
43 — The Walking Triple Dub
Born to Romanian parents who had little knowledge of basketball, Oregon’s All-American point guard, Sabrina Ionescu, owns the most triple-doubles in NCAA history while playing for Christ.
46 — The Pursuit: Strength For Two By Jimmy Page
47 — The Increase Devotionals
Messages from professional athletes, chaplains and leaders
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4 - By the Numbers | 6 - Around the Spectrum 8 - MLB Follows & Gear 10 - Sports Spectrum Digital 12 - Heart of an Athlete & Coach | 84 - Gospel Message
COVER • PHOTO CREDITS: Adam Wainwright (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
PUBLISHER Sports Spectrum Media PRESIDENT Steve Stenstrom
VP OF MINISTRY OPERATIONS Howard Haworth MANAGING EDITOR Jon Ackerman jon@sportsspectrum.com ART DIRECTOR Aaron Dean Sauer aaron@sportsspectrum.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Becky York becky@sportsspectrum.com DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Jimmy W. Page PODCAST HOST Jason Romano CONTRIBUTORS Cody Benjamin Kevin Mercer Jimmy H. Page CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Lauren Atherton BUSINESS OPERATIONS Jacob House Tricia Hudson
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.
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BY THE
43.6 4,620,809
AVERAGE POINTS SCORED PER GAME FOR JAMES HARDEN IN JANUARY, THE HIGHEST AVERAGE FOR ANY PLAYER IN ONE MONTH SINCE WILT CHAMBERLAIN’S 45.8 IN MARCH 1963.
ALL-STAR VOTES FOR LEBRON JAMES THE NBA’S TOP VOTE-GETTER. MILWAUKEE’S
AP Photo/Don Wright
AP Photo/Elise Amendola
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO WAS SECOND WITH 4,375,747 VOTES.
AP Photo/Elise Amendola
YARDS IN ONE PUNT FOR JOHNNY HEKKER OF THE RAMS,THE LONGEST
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CONSECUTIVE TRIPLE-DOUBLES FOR RUSSELL WESTBROOK
PUNT IN SUPER BOWL HISTORY. HEKKER HAD NINE PUNTS IN THE GAME; THE RAMS’ LEADING RUSHER HAD ONLY 10 CARRIES.
(THROUGH FEB. 11), BREAKING THE NBA RECORD OF NINE SET BY WILT CHAMBERLAIN IN 1968.
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
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POINTS SCORED IN SUPER BOWL LIII. NEW ENGLAND TOPPED THE L.A RAMS 13-3 IN THE LOWESTSCORING SUPER BOWL EVER.
100.7 MIL. TOTAL VIEWERS FOR SUPER BOWL LIII, DOWN FROM 111 MILLION IN 2018. OF THOSE VIEWERS, 7.5 MILLION WATCHED ON STREAMING DEVICES.
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TRANSFER FEE PAID BY CHELSEA TO ACQUIRE 20-YEAROLD CHRISTIAN PULISICFROM BORUSSIA DORTMUND IN GERMANY, THE LARGEST FEE EVER PAID TO ACQUIRE AN AMERICAN SOCCER PLAYER.
CAREER POINTS SCORED BY ALEX OVECHKIN (AND COUNTING) TO BECOME THE TOP-SCORING RUSSIAN PLAYER IN NHL HISTORY, PASSING SERGEI FEDOROV.
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. MIL. 73 1 , 1 189
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLES FOR SERBIA’S NOVAK DJOKOVIC, THE WINNINGEST PLAYER IN THE EVENT’S HISTORY. IT MARKS THE 31-YEAR-OLD’S 15TH GRAND SLAM TITLE, WHICH IS NOW THIRD ALL-TIME.
AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski
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POINTS EARNED IN 55 GAMES THIS SEASON FOR TAMPA BAY’S NIKITA KUCHEROV
THE NHL’S LEADER THROUGH FEB. 10. HE’S ON PACE FOR 120 POINTS THIS SEASON, WHICH WOULD BE THE LEAGUE’S HIGHEST SEASON TOTAL SINCE SIDNEY CROSBY TALLIED 120 IN 2006-07.
AP Photo/Eric Risberg
AP Photo/John Locher
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CAREER VICTORIES AT PEBBLE BEACH FOR PHIL MICKELSON,
TYING THE TOURNAMENT RECORD. HE NOW RANKS NO. 9 IN ALL-TIME PGA TOUR WINS WITH 44.
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AROUND THESPECTRUM
AP Photo/Bill Feig
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
AP Photo/Jim Mone
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
RIVERA A CUT ABOVE BUCKING HISTORY With 425 votes, Mariano Rivera became the first player to be unanimously selected for the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. It was Rivera’s first year on the ballot after a 19-year MLB career that ended in 2013. A 13-time All-Star, his 652 saves rank No. 1 in MLB history — and he did it mostly with one pitch, a cut fastball. “When I start thinking about it and put in perspective how I was able to dominate with one pitch, all I have to say is that I’m grateful to the Lord,” Rivera said.
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The Milwaukee Bucks finished 44-38 last season, good for No. 7 in the East and a first-round playoff loss to Boston. This season, they had 40 wins by Feb. 6 and have owned the NBA’s best record much of the season. Milwaukee is easily the surprise of 2018-19. The team would need 66 wins to match a franchise best, but more of a goal is to reach the NBA Finals for just the third time in franchise history. Milwaukee won its only NBA championship in 1971, and made its only other Finals appearance in 1974.
BREES BACK AT 40
A crushing loss in the NFC Championship Game will not be how Drew Brees goes out. The Saints QB, who led New Orleans to the best record in the NFL in 2018, told reporters after the controversial loss to the L.A. Rams, “I plan on being here next year and making another run at it.” Brees turned 40 in January, but remains one of the best passers in the league. He made his 12th Pro Bowl this past season, when he also set the NFL’s all-time records for most pass completions and passing yards.
MAYA MOORE STEP BACK Maya Moore, one of the most decorated women’s basketball players in the game’s history, says her purpose in life is “to know Jesus and make Him known.” So in order to better live that out, the 29-year-old decided she needed to step away from basketball, at least temporarily. “My focus in 2019 will not be on professional basketball, but will instead be on the people in my family, as well as on investing my time in some ministry dreams that have been stirring in my heart for many years,” Moore wrote in the Players’ Tribune.
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BASKETBALL | BASEBALL | FOOTBALL | SOCCER | HOCKEY
AROUND THESPECTRUM IT’S LIGHTNING SEASON
The Tampa Bay Lighting earned 113 points last season, the highest mark in franchise history and good for the No.1 playoff seed in the East. Through 56 games this season, it had already tallied 86 points, putting it on pace to set a new franchise mark with 125 points. The Lightning has just five 100-point seasons in its history, all of which have come since 2003-04, when the team won its only Stanley Cup title. Through Feb. 10, the Lightning were 12 points ahead of the next best team in the NHL (Calgary, 74 points).
TIM HOWARD’S FINALE
NEW NO. 1
In January, Tim Howard announced he’ll retire from soccer following the 2019 MLS season, his fourth with the Colorado Rapids. He’ll turn 40 in March, and will go down as arguably the best goalie in U.S. history. He’s the most capped U.S. goalkeeper of all-time, with 121 caps between 2002 and his international retirement in 2017. Howard made a name for himself during 13 years in the English Premier League (with Manchester United and Everton), before closing out his career in the MLS, where he began his pro career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
Following a U.S. Open victory last summer that was mostly overshadowed by arguments between Serena Williams and the chair umpire, Naomi Osaka won the Australian Open in January to become a back-to-back Grand Slam champ. In the process, the 21-year-old became the first player from Japan to reach No. 1 in the world tennis rankings, the youngest No. 1 since a 20-year-old Caroline Wozniacki in 2010, and the first woman since 2001 to win both of her first two Grand Slam finals. Previously, Osaka had never made it past the fourth round of a major.
AP Photo/Chris O’Meara
KELLY CLARK CALLS IT A CAREER
No female has impacted snowboarding more than Kelly Clark, who won dozens of Olympic and X Games medals, won an ESPY among countless other awards, and was the first woman to land a 1080 in competition. Now, the 35-year-old will influence the sport outside of competitions. Clark decided to retire after nearly two decades as a pro — during which time she also gave her life to Christ and impacted those around her. “You know, maybe if they get to meet me and have the experience of an extension of who God is, that’s awesome,” she said.
AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel
AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File
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GOLF | SOFTBALL | VOLLEYBALL | RUGBY | SKIING
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TOP MLB PLAYERSTOFOLLOW CLAYTON KERSHAW, DODGERS
ALBERT PUJOLS, ANGELES
ADAM WAINWRIGHT, CARDINALS
CHASE ANDERSON, BREWERS
BRANDON NIMMO, METS
BRIAN DOZIER, NATIONALS
AARON JUDGE, YANKEES
KYLE GIBSON, TWINS
DANIEL WINKLER, BRAVES
DANSBY SWANSON, BRAVES
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PATRIOTS ROOKIE SONY MICHEL AT SUPER BOWL: ‘WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST, THERE IS NONE OF THIS’ By Jon Ackerman ATLANTA — The New England Patriots expected production out of running back Sony Michel when they selected him No. 31 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. But he entered the NFL with knee concerns, and the Georgia product missed the first game of the regular season after undergoing a knee procedure in August. So everyone was pleasantly surprised when Michel ended the regular season as the Patriots’ leading rusher. He appeared in 13 games, starting only eight, but totaled 931 yards on the season, with six touchdowns. And he was even better in the playoffs. Michel took 24 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round. He then collected a season-high 29 carries against Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game, totaling 113 yards and two more touchdowns. In Super Bowl LIII against the L.A. Rams, Michel took 18 carries for 94 yards, and scored the game’s only touchdown. But at 23 years old with a strong faith in God, Michel says none of this — the stats, the hype, the Super Bowl — ultimately matters. “Without Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, there is none of this,” Michel told Sports Spectrum during a pre-Super Bowl media session. “We get all this glory, but the glory is not for us, it’s for Him. We do this for Him. That’s kind of my purpose. So really, none of this matters to me.” New England’s director of team development and team chaplain, Jack Easterby, led the team in Bible studies this year focused on a theme of being “glory reflectors” — to reflect God’s
glory, not their own glory. It’s an idea Michel aims to live out. “Once I step out of the house, I want people to be able to see that God is working in my life,” Michel said. “It’s not me working, it’s not me doing the things that I do. It’s Him applying those things in my life … giving me the opportunity to be able to reach the next person, make an impact on the platform that I have. He gave me this platform so I can be able to make an impact and that’s what it’s all about. It’s just reflecting Him...”
“WE GET ALL THIS GLORY, BUT THE GLORY IS NOT FOR US, IT’S FOR HIM. WE DO THIS FOR HIM. THAT’S KIND OF MY PURPOSE. SO REALLY, NONE OF THIS MATTERS TO ME.”
To read the rest of this story, search “Sony Michel” on SportsSpectrum.com.
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HIGHERSTAKES
By Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints linebacker
“WE WERE ONLY A FEW PLAYS AWAY FROM HEADING TO THE SUPER BOWL, PUTTING SO MUCH ENERGY INTO EACH SECOND. BUT WHEN THE RAMS SCORED FOR THE WIN, IT FELT LIKE THE AIR LEFT THE BUILDING.” AP Photo/Bill Feig
While it was a really hard way to go out, I’m very grateful for this season. What a refreshing thing it was to be part of a championship organization — one that has won the Super Bowl before and was coming off a great year prior to this one. It felt like I was walking into an environment of winners. Every day when I went to work, I was able to feel the challenge of rising up to a certain standard. And day in and day out, we would continue to push that standard. This is truly a team that embodies the philosophy of iron sharpening iron in the realm of football. The team itself not only has a high level of athletic ability, there is a great base of Christian men within the huddle as well. Each week there would be about 20 of us who would meet together for chapel to study God’s Word. We
followed a theme in chapel this year, looking at different characters in the Bible. Each time we’d meet, we’d see how ordinary people were being used by God to do the extraordinary. Then midweek, we had a separate Bible study where we would explore the attributes of God. For me, it’s a game changer to be in a locker room with guys who I not only respect as great football players, but as Christ-followers as well. Preparation for playoff games is a little different than regular-season ones. Yes, you stick to the routine you’ve been mastering all season long, but the excitement is much greater because you’re on a much bigger stage. The whole country is watching. Entering into the playoffs was so exciting. Every week the stakes became higher. We worked so hard to get the first-round bye and
home field advantage. At that point, you just don’t want to blow it. We knew we just had to win two games from home to make it to the big game. We knew how much this would mean to each one of us. It felt really good to win the first game, realizing we were just one game away. Then in the next game, we were only a few plays away from heading to the Super Bowl, putting so much energy into each second. But when the Rams scored for the win, it felt like the air left the building. But I have to put it all in perspective. Of course it hurts to lose like that and you have to let yourself properly grieve such a loss. You can’t ignore those emotions. You’re sad, angry, disappointed and more. You need to allow those feelings to come, but you can’t dwell there... To read the rest of this story, search “Demario Davis” on TheIncrease.com.
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For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.
HIGH SCHOOL
LINDSAY STENSTROM VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM
Lindsay Stenstrom, a senior at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., has been swimming since she was 6 years old. She was coached for much of her life by her mother, Lori, an All-American and NCAA-champion swimmer at Stanford University, where she met her husband, Steve, the school’s quarterback. On board to start her freshman year at UCLA this fall, Lindsay says she competes for the glory of God.
HOW DOES YOUR FAITH IMPACT THE WAY you COMPETE?
also have to work hard to do things daily that will further my relationship with Christ.
I think having faith in Jesus changes the way I approach every day, practice and moment. In a sport as exhausting and stressful as swimming, it is in Christ where I find peace and rest. He is the only place where I can find a purpose that satisfies me fully. I believe God has given me a talent for swimming in order to meet and influence others to bring them to Him. I believe God places us in situations where we can best glorify Him and share the Good News with those we meet. I strive to plant seeds of faith in the lives of all my teammates and look forward to doing the same with all my future ones as well. God has given me this platform for a reason and I intend to use it for His Glory alone.
What is your favorite verse and why? My favorite verse is Romans 8:38-39, which says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It reminds me that no matter what, because Jesus died for me, nothing can stand in the way of God’s love for me.
How has your family been AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU?
How HAS YOUR FAITH BEEN CHALLENGED AT YOUR SCHOOL?
They have been my biggest supporters; they love me no matter what. My siblings and I are best friends and they are always encouraging me. My parents have raised me to have a heart for Christ by displaying that in their lives. They have made it clear they will love me no matter what and that I should always give thanks to God in all circumstances.
I attend a Christian
school but even in this environment many kids like to “play the part” of a Christian at school without actually acting like it outside of school. It is hard to not get caught up in the negative things people say. This pushes me to choose joy every day. I
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How do you share your faith with your team? One of the easiest ways to show Jesus in our lives is to love others. It is not always easy to be kind and loving when people on my team have morals so far away from mine, but I really focus on that. I also display it in my actions without being judgemental of my teammates.
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TIMOTHY FLOYD
JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH Coach Timothy Floyd is the head football coach of the Jonesboro High School football team in Jonesboro, Ga. He’s seen success on the field, leading the team to a school-record 11 wins in 2015. But he believes coaching his players off the field has helped the team on it. Floyd has instituted character study sessions, in which his players analyze how their behavior can affect others. That’s just one of the ways Coach Floyd shows his players that sports are not the most important aspect of their lives.
How has your faith impacted the way you coach? I coach football knowing that I belong to Christ. I recognize the significance of wins and losses, however, my goal is to instill the principle to the players that these are not the most important things. Knowing this helps me have more fun while coaching. And I still coach just as hard as I ever have.
IN WHAT WAY HAVE YOUR OWN COACHES INFLUENCED you?
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How do you share your faith with your team?
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I try to let them see God work through me. Whether it’s the blessings I’ve received — I’ll share that with them — or attending the school’s FCA meetings. I hope they say they see the love of Jesus in me and that I was a blessing to them in some kind of way.
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What is your favorite verse and why?
I can go on and on about my family’s encouragement. From their prayers and their constant words of encouragement, to daily morning conversations I have with my mother and sister. I’m so thankful for my amazing wife, Angela. The Bible says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22, NKJV). Her constant prayers and understanding support are always comforting. She loves the young men on the team and wants what’s best for them. She once insisted we go watch a couple of my former players play against each other in a college football game on her birthday.
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One of my college coaches I must mention as well: Coach Mike White. He really pushed us during practice but also displayed a willingness to do anything in his power to help someone dealing with personal issues. The biggest impact he had one me was when I saw him as an usher in the church we were visiting on Sunday. He understood whom he belonged to.
How has your family been an encouragement
Pho
Throughout the years, I have come across some coaches that have had a great influence on me. To name a couple of them: Dr. Robin Hines, my high school coach, showed me that he cared about us by spending time with us off the field, both individually and with his own family. For him to show us his emotional side when his dad passed let me know that it’s OK to show those type of emotions.
This a reminder to me that we are blessed so that we may be a blessing to others. Through every situation we go through, there is a blessing in there somewhere. And not only is it there for us, we must use that situation to help someone else as well.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’” — Matthew 25:40
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SPECTRUM
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COLLEGE
BLAIR SCHAEFER
FORMER MISSISSIPPI STATE SHOOTING GUARD Raised in Starkville, Miss., Blair Schaefer played four years of basketball at Mississippi State University, during which the team played in the program’s first national championship game. The Bulldogs fell to South Carolina in 2017, and made it back to the title game in 2018, but lost to Notre Dame. Schaefer finished her career at MSU ranked fifth in career 3-pointers made (175) and third in career 3-point percentage (38.5%). Her coach at MSU was her father, Vic. We asked Schaefer five questions about how she depended on God while playing.
How did you come to believe in Jesus Christ? I grew up in the Church but my faith wasn’t really tested until after my eighth grade year when my twin brother, Logan, was in a wakeboarding accident. When he got to the hospital, he was a Level 4 (Level 5 is dead). After the surgery, they were able to save him, but the doctors said he’d never be the same. We would have to do everything for him to help him function. Through this my parents were my foundation; watching them fully rely on Christ through this helped me believe. After a total of three brain surgeries, Logan is now perfectly fine and in graduate school. It was a miracle; this solidified my faith in God.
to impact fans and teammates for Christ. It doesn’t matter to me what they think of me, only one person’s opinion matters and that’s God’s.
How has your coach impacted your life? I played for my dad, who was the head coach. Every Sunday, we would have our pregame meal and he would lead us in a devotional. He constantly poured into us and used his coach’s Bible to give us a message.
What do you hope your teammates remember about you?
How dID your faith in God impact how you playED?
I hope that no matter what happens they know they can always come to me, that I’ll listen to them and not judge them. I hope they know the reason I play the way I did. I hope they remember me to never quit, never be negative, but always lift people up. I hope they understand where my drive comes from.
My platform as a Division I athlete gave me a big stage to let people know why I play so hard. God’s given me a purpose and it’s beyond the basketball court, but this was a great way for me
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How would you influence your teammates? It wasn’t so much face-to-face sharing the Gospel, but whenever I knew one of my teammates was having a bad day or struggling with something, I would try to shoot them a text message with a Bible verse that might encourage them. ocki /Sue Ogr
AP Photo
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VIC SCHAEFER
MISSISSIPPI STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH Following seven years as head coach at Sam Houston State and 15 seasons as an assistant, Vic Schaefer took over at Mississippi State in 2012. He has since turned the women’s program into one of the best in the nation. The Bulldogs finished runner-up the past two seasons, and Schaefer was named Women’s College Coach of the Year in 2018. We asked Schaefer five questions about how he leans on the Lord in coaching.
What advice do you give your players? On our team we have a saying: “It’s not what we do, but how we do it that separates us.” We talk about being accountable. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, that is one of the biggest things in our culture today. We are in a very competitive arena here. Mississippi State spends a lot of money on women’s basketball, so I talk to the girls about earning their check. They are being given an amazing education and their cost of living is paid for, so they need to take full advantage of what they’re being given. I also make sure they know that when faith taps them on the shoulder, they have to be ready. If you’re not ready when it does, you’re too late. You have to prepare every day as if it’s your last because you never know when your number will be called.
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I love seeing the players every day. I make them each walk down the hall to visit my office every day because I want to see them outside of basketball too. As they walk down to my office, they also pass the other assistant coaches’ offices. This is a good opportunity for them to step inside a door and talk to someone if they need to. I never want my office to be a bad deal, it’s a good deal!
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What do you love most about coaching?
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Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” That’s how we try to play — with all our heart and energy. And that’s how we build our fanbase as well. We wouldn’t have over 10,000 fans in the stands each week if we didn’t! The reason we max out the gym is because we play with honor. We play hard, we play the right way, and it’s fun for people to watch. We want people to see the Lord in us as we honor the game and each other. Ultimately, we are playing for an audience of One. Jesus is the only person we play for.
It’s never going to mean as much to the players as it does to me. That’s the lesson I learned a long time ago from another coach. I’m trying to perfect our game. I would love to shut out all other teams, and even if we can’t, that’s how I’m going to coach. We try to practice perfect; we try to play perfect. We have an obligation to our administration and the university as a whole to give them our very best every day.
Pho
How does your faith impact how you coach?
How has your faith been challenged as a coach?
What do you hope the players say about you? I want them to understand how much I care about them and how passionate and committed I am. At the end of the day, they know I’m all in for them. I’ve got their back.
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WILD CARD ROUND
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2018 | MLB SEASON RECAP
MOOKIE BETTS
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
AL: No. 4 N.Y. Yankees beat No. 5 Oakland NL: No. 5 Colorado beat No. 4 Chicago Cubs
AL: No. 1 Boston beat No. 2 Houston in 5 NL: No. 2 L.A. Dodgers beat No. 1 Milwaukee in 7
WORLD SERIES
Boston beat L.A. Dodgers in 5
DIVISIONAL ROUND
AL: No. 1 Boston beat No. 4 N.Y. Yankees in 4 AL: No. 2 Houston beat No. 3 Cleveland in 3 NL: No. 1 Milwaukee beat No. 5 Colorado in 3 NL: No. 2 L.A. Dodgers beat No. 3 Atlanta in 4
AL MVP: Mookie Betts, Boston NL MVP: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee AL Cy Young: Blake Snell, Tampa Bay NL Cy Young: Jacob deGrom, N.Y. Mets AL Rookie of the Year: Shohei Ohtani, L.A. Angels NL Rookie of the Year: Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta AL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin, Oakland NL Manager of the Year: Brian Snitker, Atlanta
2019 | MLB STAFF PREDICTIONS AMERICAN LEAGUE AL AL AL AL
East winner: New York Yankees Central winner: Cleveland Indians West winner: Houston Astros wild cards (2): Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
AL champion: New York Yankees over Boston NL champion: St. Louis Cardinals over Philadelphia
WORLD SERIES
World Series champion: New York Yankees
NATIONAL LEAGUE NL East winner: Philadelphia Phillies NL Central winner: St. Louis Cardinals NL West winner: Colorado Rockies NL wild cards (2): San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves
* Note: Predictions made before signings of key free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.
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AL MVP: Mike Trout, L.A. Angels NL MVP: Nolan Arenado, Colorado AL Cy Young: Blake Snell, Tampa Bay NL Cy Young: Aaron Nola, Philadelphia AL Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto NL Rookie of the Year: Brendan Rodgers, Colorado AL Manager of the Year: Scott Servais, Seattle NL Manager of the Year: Mike Shildt, St. Louis
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:: RIVALRY IN LONDON ::
::: EARLY OPENING DAY :::
For the first time ever, MLB will play a regular-season series in Europe. The Red Sox and Yankees will take their classic rivalry across the Atlantic to London, playing a two games June 29-30 at London’s Olympic Stadium. FOX Sports will broadcast the Saturday, June 29 game at 1:10 p.m. ET, and ESPN will produce the Sunday, June 30 game at 10:10 a.m. ET. The matchups count as Boston home games.
First pitch for the 2019 season comes March 28, the earliest Opening Day in MLB history (not including special season openers abroad). The earlier start allows each team three or four additional off-days over the course of the season. All 30 clubs are scheduled to play, which is similar to last year, but due to weather-related cancellations, only 13 of the 15 Opening Day games were played on the first day.
AP Photo/Alastair Grant
:: SUPPORT BOWIE’S BATTLE :: Back problems from Micha Bowie’s pitching days have left him with lungs that function at less than 10 percent. The 44-year-old has been denied disability benefits from the MLB Players Association, yet, “I’ve always known that God is in charge,” he told Sports Spectrum. “It’s His way, not mine.” To help Micah Bowie and raise further awareness, donations can be made in Micah’s name through the Association of Professional Ballplayers of America. AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson
As of press time, baseball’s two biggest free agents were still without a team — mere days before pitchers and catchers reported for spring training, and less than a week before full squads arrived. Oddsmakers had San Francisco as the frontrunner for Bryce Harper (26-year-old six-time All-Star), followed by San Diego and Philadelphia. As for Manny Machado (26-year-old four-time All-Star), the Yankees were leading, followed by San Diego, Philadelphia and the Chicago White Sox.
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Boston brought home its fourth championship since 2004 — winning 119 combined regular and postseason games, third most in MLB history — and figures to be strong again in 2019. But can they repeat? The Red Sox haven’t won back-to-back World Series since 1915-16, and no MLB team has done it since the New York Yankees in 1999 and 2000. So the odds aren’t with the Sox, but few would be surprised if they did. AP Photo/ Jae C. Hong
::: BRYCE HARPER? MANNY MACHADO? :::
::: RED SOX REPEAT? :::
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:: LITTLE LEAGUE CLASSIC ::
::: CAN DODGERS STAY ON TOP? :::
For the third consecutive year, MLB and Little League International will play the Little League Classic. On Aug. 18, the Chicago Cubs will face Pittsburgh at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., home of the Little League World Series. Players from both teams will attend the LLWS games earlier that day, and then players, coaches and families of the 2019 LLWS teams will make up much of the crowd for the MLB game at night.
The two-time defending NL-champion Dodgers resigned ace Clayton Kershaw, and extended the contract for manager Dave Roberts, the first to lead L.A. to the postseason each of his first three years. The Dodgers have also won the past three NL West titles, but Colorado joined them in the playoffs the past two years. The Rockies kept their best player, for at least one more year, signing Nolan Arenado to a record $26 million arbitration deal. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
:: MAJOR LEAGUE TEBOW TIME? :: Back for his fourth season of baseball, 31-year-old outfielder Tim Tebow will start 2019 with Triple-A Syracuse. He hit .273 with six HRs and 36 RBIs in 84 games at Double-A last year, which was cut short due to a broken hand bone. The former NFL quarterback played in seven spring training games for the Mets in 2018, going 1-for-18, but has shown progress in the minors despite not playing baseball since high school. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
::: BLUE JAYS’ NEWBLOODS ::: Toronto always finds it tough to reach the playoffs with the Red Sox and Yankees in the AL East, and the Blue Jays missed out the past two years. But their prospects are rising due to some rising prospects. Third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is already being touted for Rookie of the Year; he’s MLB.com’s No. 1 prospect. Toronto also boasts infielder Bo Bichette at No. 11 and catcher Danny Jansen at No. 65. AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
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::: CARDINALS FIND GOLD(SCHMIDT) ::: St. Louis hasn’t had a losing season since 2007, but hasn’t played postseason ball since 2015. The fans are restless. So the team traded for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, an All-Star the past six seasons with Arizona. With 33 HRs, 83 RBIs and a .290 batting average in 2018, Goldschmidt will instantly help a team that collectively hit just .249 last year. The Cards hope he provides the stability they’ve been lacking at first base.
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ADAMWAINWRIGHT
CARDINAL OF
STANDARD
EXCELLENCE AS ADAM WAINWRIGHT’S STORIED CAREER NEARS ITS END, HIS CHRIST-FOCUSED INFLUENCE ON A YOUNG TEAM HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.
BY JON ACKERMAN
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ADAMWAINWRIGHT
CARDINAL
STANDARD
OF
EXCELLENCE
“You know how many days I did that? Zero times, and he was my idol growing up. And I didn’t do it because it was 6 a.m. in the morning and I thought, ‘That is the dumbest thing. I am not getting there at 5:45 in the morning.’ I look back at that now and I go, ‘What was I doing? So stupid,’” Wainwright says. At 37, Wainwright is now that esteemed veteran younger pitchers aim to model. Like Maddux, he makes himself available to talk pitching with
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty
aised on the ball fields of Brunswick, Ga., a coastal town 40 miles north of the Florida border, Adam Wainwright revered the Atlanta Braves. His boyhood days coincided with the glory days of the Braves franchise — he was 10 when Atlanta appeared in its first World Series, 14 when it won the World Series, and in awe when a Braves pitcher won the National League Cy Young Award six of eight years from 1991 to ‘98. With Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz — all future Hall of Famers — the Braves boasted an embarrassment of riches with pitchers. And they added Wainwright to the farm system in 2000, taking Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year out of Glynn Academy with the 29th overall pick in the 2000 MLB Draft. He skipped college to sign a lucrative contract with his favorite organization. As Wainwright reported for camp in the spring of 2001, there were his pitching heroes. He didn’t train with the big-league unit, but he launched his pro career at the same Walt Disney World complex in Orlando that Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz had been gracing for years. And from that first camp, Wainwright remembers an interaction with Maddux — or lack thereof — that he regrets to this day. “Greg Maddux told me one morning, me and a couple other young guys in our first big league camp, he said, ‘Hey, I’ll be in this weight room sitting on this leg extension machine with my crossword puzzle, and I’ll be here every morning at 6 a.m. if you want talk pitching.’
“I don’t think I could have retired without going out and competing one more time, and going out in a better way — at least knowing I didn’t leave something in the tank.” — Adam Wainwright
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Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty
Wainwright and the Cardinals celebrate winning the 2006 World Series.
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“He’s that standard of excellence that we all want to be at. He sets a great example of how to go about doing it.” — Jack Flaherty
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
anyone who cares to engage. Yet, he’ll gladly discuss more than pitching too, inspired by another early-career incident involving a Braves Hall of Famer, this time being Smoltz. “We went to a Bible study in spring training with the Atlanta Braves and they said that John Smoltz was coming,” Wainwright recalls. “With John coming to speak that night, our showing was incredible. There were so many people there who wanted to hear what he had to say. It was powerful to see a future Hall of Famer come and pour his heart and soul into a message for us. “I know I was on the fence at that time in my own faith, as I’m sure many others in the room that night were. And we were able to see someone who we really looked up to share his faith through the platform he’s been given. By this platform, many are
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able to come to know and trust in Christ.” This past October, Wainwright resigned with St. Louis, the team he was traded to in 2003. He never got to pitch for his childhood team in Atlanta, but feels St. Louis ended up being a better fit anyway. His new contract is for one year, which will mark his 15th with the organization. He’s coming off a tough season in which he threw only 40.1 innings over eight games, as he sat out nearly four months with right elbow inflammation. Wainwright pondered retirement, and also the possibility of joining a new organization. “I don’t think I could have retired without going out and competing one more time, and going out in a better way — at least knowing I didn’t leave something in the tank,” he says. “So I probably would have gone somewhere
else. That being said, I did not want to. And so I would have done just about almost anything to come back to St. Louis. I think we signed a deal that was fair for both sides.” Wainwright feels no need to verbalize this is his last year, though he acknowledges “probably it is.” But the reason he’s back isn’t purely for himself. He believes he has more to give on the mound, but also plenty to share in the locker room or on team buses or anywhere else he may have a conversation that dives past surface level. “I’m looking to go out and win a World Series championship with our young players that are so talented,” he says, before adding, “and to help walk them through being a professional and through this life as a professional. That is what I feel like I’m going back for.”
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“There’s no doubt in my mind that if I didn’t feel so connected to this young group of pitchers coming up — and even the young position players, but especially the young pitchers — it would have almost been a nobrainer for me to walk away. But I feel so strongly that I have more to give, not just in a competition way, but also as a mentor.” — Adam Wainwright
he Cardinals missed the playoffs last year for the third straight season. They were close each year and actually haven’t had a losing season since 2007, but everyone in St. Louis expects playoffs. The team’s biggest offseason move was trading for six-time All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt from Arizona, a big bat that’ll boost the offense. But the front office’s most important move may turn out to be bringing back Waino. He’s more than simply a veteran pitcher with three All-Star selections and two World Series rings. Being a mentor is “a humongous factor” in Wainwright still wanting to play. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if I didn’t feel so connected to this young group of pitchers coming up — and even the young position players, but especially the young pitchers — it would have almost been a no-brainer for me to walk away. But I feel so strongly that I have
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more to give, not just in a competition way, but also as a mentor. I love that role. I’ve just been taught so much and I’ve struggled through a lot of different stuff; I’ve had ups, I’ve had downs, been hurt, I’ve recovered. There’s a lot of things that I’ve been through that I think I can help others to get through better.” To that end, he’s a key contributor on a teamwide text chain that encourages, builds up and motivates. Anyone can chime in, whether it be to pump up the team, get on someone a little bit, encourage guys to stay the course, highlight someone’s stellar play, or build a rally cry for the next game. It’s not Scripture-based, but Wainwright often thinks of a particular Bible verse as he types out messages: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
do this with gentleness and respect.” — 1 Peter 3:15 Separately, Wainwright started a smaller text chain last year that is all about Scripture. He calls the group “Studs in the Word.” It’s him and 14-15 young guys in the Cardinals organization, mainly pitchers and catchers, and it centers around a 365day Bible engagement plan written by Don Christensen, a pastor who serves on the board for Baseball Chapel as well as a financial advisor to numerous pro athletes. “There’s daily reading for the day, you go about it, you read it, you take your own notes on it, and somebody would chime in to kind of start it, and then it would just be a continuous conversation about what went on, the way guys see different things,” says Jack Flaherty, a 23-year-old starter who led the Cardinals in strikeouts (182) in 2018. “You’re never wrong, which is one of the things that was so great — no matter what you say, you’re
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him. Not only does he disciple guys in the major league spring training side, but he walks through the minor leagues [fields] when there’s chapel. Before everyone goes out, he goes, ‘Hey, chapel. Chapel at whatever time.’ He walks through each aisle announcing it, and everyone sees. ‘Oh, Adam Wainwright, he’s already a Cardinal legend. He’s going? I want to go.’ So he’s got a good presence.” Wainwright makes his presence felt intentionally — whether by announcing to the locker room that chapel is about to start, inviting guys to an offseason conference, or simply saddling up next to a teammate in the dugout to share some encouraging thoughts. He’s lived and learned so much from players who came before him that Wainwright doesn’t want to waste the time he has left with this next generation. Ponce de Leon has sought Wainwright’s wisdom on how to talk to teammates or friends about God. Flaherty sees a confidence in Wainwright that helps him understand “your relationship with God can grow even while playing baseball.” Weaver watches and learns from Wainwright on being a “great leader and man of God.” That Waino is also a Cardinals icon — second in franchise history with 1,623 career strikeouts; fifth in franchise history with 148 career wins — just adds to the
influence he has on younger players. They know and revere him — sort of like Wainwright did with the 1990s Braves. “He’s that standard of excellence that we all want to be at,” Flaherty says. “He sets a great example of how to go about doing it. He’s not going to just let you blindly go down the path of trying to figure out how to do it; he’s going to help you along the way.” If it is Wainwright’s final season in the big leagues, he’s just as intent on winning games as he is on telling teammates about Christ. He knows the expectations in St. Louis better than anyone else on the squad. “I take huge responsibility in that, knowing that the last two and a half years, I haven’t pitched like myself,” he says. “I’ve had flashes of it here and there, but I’ve just been injured and I have not been able to compete like I want to compete, and it’s just killing me that I haven’t been able to help … “A lot of teams go, ‘Eighty-eight, 89 wins? That’s a pretty good season (St. Louis finished 88-74 last year). That’s almost a 90-win season,’ which is the bar of a great season for a lot of teams. But that’s not the bar in St. Louis. The bar is, they want to see a pennant go up. They want to see a ring on our guys’ fingers. And trust me, we want that too.” Where Waino leads — on the field or off — the Cardinals will follow.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
not wrong. What you have to say may impact anybody in that group and you may not even know it.” Wainwright first ran the “Studs in the Word” idea by Luke Weaver, a 25-year-old starting pitcher and good friend of Wainwright’s (Weaver was traded to Arizona in December as part of the Goldschmidt deal). Weaver loved the idea. “[It’s great] to have a leader that’s always pursuing and trying to put it out there when guys, time [with God] in their day just kind of gets pushed aside. But you can always see that message. A lot of times I won’t even click on it when I’m not ready for it, that way I know it’s there and it doesn’t just get thrown under the rug. There’s good dialogue that comes in that.” Outside of texts, Wainwright also leads the way to Sunday chapel services and conferences that both players and their wives can attend. “You can see the fruits of his spirit,” says Daniel Ponce de Leon, a 27-yearold pitcher who made his MLB debut last season. “The Cardinals have a huge presence every year at PAO (a conference by Pro Athletes Outreach). We have a Bible study in spring training with the Mets, the Marlins, Nationals and Astros, and our presence is pretty big there every Sunday. “You can see it being led through
“The bar in St. Louis is they want to see a pennant go up. They want to see a ring on our guys’ fingers. And trust me, we want that too.”
— Adam Wainwright
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BUILDING
UP
BROTHERS
As Adam Wainwright has journeyed through his MLB career — winning dozens of games, playing in All-Star Games, suffering injuries, winning World Series — he came to the realization he’d experienced quite a bit. With a heart to build others
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AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
up, he began intentionally investing in younger players. Pitchers Luke Weaver, Daniel Ponce de Leon and Jack Flaherty are three such beneficiaries. Here is what Wainwright has learned about the upand-comers:
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LUKE WEAVER
YEARS OLD DRAFTED BY ST. LOUIS IN 2014 (1ST ROUND), TRADED TO ARIZONA IN 2018
“Luke’s an encourager. And he’s transparent with the problems he’s going through. From Day 1, I feel like he and I have had a connection where he feels confident coming up and asking me things, and knowing that what I’m offering is in love, and he can take it or leave it. “The cool thing about Luke, before I even knew Luke, I would hear from other people that have come up in the organization with him what an impact he had on their life, in their spiritual life — helping bring people to studies and chapels, and bringing people to Christ. He’s been doing that since college. It’s great to see a guy leading. You don’t have to be an old guy in the game to be a leader, and he’s embraced that role without even trying to. The best leaders aren’t trying to be leaders, it just happens naturally. And that’s what he’s done.” AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
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DANIEL PONCE DE LEON DRAFTED BY ST. LOUIS IN 2014 (9TH ROUND)
YEARS OLD
“For one thing, Daniel throws an invisi-ball. He can rear back and throw a fastball 90 times a game and get 80 swings and misses — when it’s right down the middle. It just doesn’t happen in the big leagues. “But what I love about Daniel is he’s this quiet warrior. He’s been through so much — he got hit in the head and almost died two years ago. He came back strong, wanted to get right back out on the mound, but he’s at every Bible study during spring training, he’s asking questions, he’s digging deeper into the Word. When you have guys that ask questions and constantly are trying to learn in their pitching game but also in their life game, their spiritual game, that just adds a whole different dynamic of life.” AP Photo/Gary Landers
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JACK FLAHERTY DRAFTED BY ST. LOUIS IN 2014 (1ST ROUND)
YEARS OLD
“Jack’s one of the most physically-gifted people that I’ve met. He looks like he ought to be an NFL wide receiver. He’s super fast, super athletic, big vertical jump. Fiery on the mound, and the most soft-spoken, gentle person off of it. It’s hilarious the contrast. When he’s on the mound, he could run right through a brick wall. When he’s off the mound, you can barely hear him talk; he’s whispering all the time. “At the end of 2017, Jack came to me and said, ‘Hey, before you leave to go home, is there any way I can sit down with you and just ask questions, and just sponge for a while?’ Jack sits right at the table, pen and a pad, and for an hour and a half asks me question after question after question after question about how he can get better in baseball. And I just thought, ‘Wow, the maturity of someone to go, “You know what, there’s ways he can help me.”’ Instead of being like, ‘I know everything.’” AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez www.sportsspectrum.com
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DANSBYSWANSON
By JASON ROMANO
In one of Tony Bennett’s toughest moments — seeing his topseeded Virginia team become the first to fall to a No. 16 seed — the coach showed character that comes from following Christ
By Jason Romano Former No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson helped his hometown Atlanta Braves return to the postseason in 2018 for the first time in five years. But a wrist injury kept him from playing in that series, and the time off forced the shortstop to seek more of God. 28 28
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To listen to the entire interview with Dansby Swanson, visit SportsSpectrum.com
“I’d wake up even more grateful and I’d wake up being in a better place because of the log of my prayers.”
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ansby Swanson’s 2018 season didn’t end the way he would have liked. After hitting a career-high 14 home runs, playing great defense at shortstop (.981 fielding percentage) and helping his team to a first-place finish in the National League East, Swanson suffered a wrist injury that forced him to miss the final week of the regular season, as well as the postseason. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 MLB Draft chatted with me recently to talk about the wrist injury, how his recovery is going, his faith journey, why prayer is essential to his spiritual life, and the day he was traded to his hometown team in Atlanta. How’s the recovery going? It’s going good. Obviously anytime you get surgery it’s never too fun, but at the same time, it’s nice having peace of mind knowing that the issues are taken care of and [I’ll] be able to get off to a healthy start. Baseball, you know, wrists and hands are kind of your everything. Being able to get that off my chest a little bit is nice and I’m looking forward to a good 2019 and a healthy one. What’s the timetable for your recovery? I definitely expect a full recovery by spring. Just kind of like a slow progression with range of motion and strengthening until that point. Obviously it’s slow, just like any surgery [recovery] would be, but at the same time, I’m getting healthier everyday, which is a nice thing. How did your walk with the Lord help you deal with an injury like this? I think there’s a couple different ways that I’ve been able to look at it. When it first happened, it was tough on me obviously. I’d be lying if I said I handled it very good and I was completely fine with it. Being a competitive kid, all I want to do is play and help my teammates. www.sportsspectrum.com
For a couple of days right after it happened, I went back to Atlanta while the team was finishing up the season, and I was in a bad place. I really was. I ended up talking to my girlfriend and admitted that I wasn’t doing too good and that I kind of needed help. She gave it to me, what I needed to hear. I started to realize that faith comes, honestly, in a couple different ways for me. There’s strength that can be drawn from God Himself and through prayer. But also at the same time, I’ve realized through the years that He’s given me certain people in my life that help me get through that. It might not be strictly through faith in the traditional way of Bible study and praying. It’s more so the things that He’s done circumstantial around me, and allows me to get through it and be able to take strength from those people around me that love me and are loyal and great friends, girlfriend, family, all of that. With those people being in place, I realized that was more of my gift to rely on them for strength and guidance. You mentioned prayer, tell me about what prayer looks like for you? It’s always been something I’ve done consistently. It’s always been a big part of me because that’s kind of the one thing that I’ve always felt was something that I could do every day and tied in more with my personality. I feel like my whole life I never really understood what it was that I was praying, like how you should pray, what you should say and what you shouldn’t do. And when I started to realize that it was a lot about conversation and even if you’re not necessarily physically hearing something back, that you’re able to almost have a little therapy or meditation session. I say that because I feel like I can get things out of my head that are bothering me or that I’m struggling with or things I’m thankful for. I can kind of present all of that and really know and understand that someone is listening. The way that I really started getting involved with it is by doing a prayer journal, which I’ll admit, I haven’t been as good at lately. But I had a prayer journal that I’d SPORTS SPECTRUM
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write in every night — things I was praying about, things I was struggling with, things I was thankful for, things that I was asking about. When you log it, not only are you saying it, but you’re writing it back and you kind of see how things are answered, whether you realize it or not, and you start to get an understanding that God answered this in a way that I anticipated or He did this that really allowed me to shine in a different light. It gives you that gratefulness every day. I’d wake up even more grateful and I’d wake up being in a better place because of the log of my prayers and what I was thinking about at that time. Tell us where that faith journey began for you? For me, growing up in the south, in Atlanta, I’ve always been going to church. It’s what we did every Sunday — going to church, being involved in some of the different youth stuff. With all the sports I played though, it was really hard to
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really get involved because, with travel baseball, you’re playing every Sunday. And I was really blessed to be surrounded with people that thought just like me, and valued the same things I did. I was always a good kid, went off to college and I started to get a better understanding of what [faith] meant to me, and that there was a difference in just going to church and living a life that is required of us to become who we’re supposed to be. That’s kind of been my journey lately, really trying to live out my faith just by loving other people or treating people the right way. I’m not a guy that’s going to necessarily go and talk about Jesus with people, but I will show what I believe in by how I act and how I treat people and how I handle situations, trying to be graceful. I’m not perfect, I mess up plenty of times. But at the end of the day, I feel like we’re called to serve and love other people, and by doing that more and more, you really kind of shine God’s love whether you talk about it or not.
In December 2015, six months after being taken No. 1 overall by Arizona, you were traded to your hometown Atlanta Braves. What was your reaction when you were traded? I was not happy. Most people think I’m crazy for saying that, but at that point, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to be back home. I was kind of looking forward to starting a new life somewhere else and being able to make my mark. I’d made it up in my mind that that’s where I was going to be and that’s who I was going to be. Being such a loyal person and committing to a team that had thought highly of me, that’s where all my loyalty went; all my eggs went in that basket. I saw the vision that they had and I wanted to be a part of it. So when that vision got taken away, it kind of took me back a little because I just expected the same thing in return — the loyalty. [But I] definitely got a quick taste of what business is like. It did take a little bit of a toll on me just because at that time I didn’t know that it was what I needed or
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AP Photo/John Amis
“When that vision got taken away, it kind of took me back a little because I just expected the same thing in return — the loyalty. [But I] definitely got a quick taste of what business is like.”
wanted, but in retrospect, looking back at it, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me because of the people that I met. Certain things that would have never happened that have now happened are just tremendous. What is God teaching you right now in this season of life where He has you? Dealing with injury is never fun and kind of having things that I’m accustomed to having, as far as physically being able to do stuff, is not there. I’m not completely one-handed but I’m very limited on what I can do with weights, I can’t hit yet, I can’t do baseball stuff. So it kind of has taken a different challenge on me mentally, and helped me to learn how to deal with anxious thoughts and how to deal with not necessarily having everything I want. And how to battle through that and really develop a different kind of sense of strength of mine, mentally through confidence and securities. It’s not been easy, it really hasn’t. I’m definitely confident enough to say that, but I’m working through it and I have great people around me to help me with that. It’s not fun but at the same time, I do really believe and have the faith that it will ultimately take me to a height that I want to be at and that is probably bigger and better than I could have wished for anyways.
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MATTHEW&ASHLEYBOYD
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
AS TIGERS PITCHER MATTHEW BOYD LIVES OUT HIS DREAM OF PITCHING IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES, HE’S ALSO RIGHT BY HIS WIFE’S SIDE IN LIVING OUT HER DREAM OF RESCUING CHILDREN FROM THE UGANDAN SEX TRADE.
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n the heat of the Ugandan sun, Detroit Tigers lefthanded pitcher Matthew Boyd and his wife, Ashley, joined 36 young girls. They sang, danced, laughed and found joy in the midst of a reality so harsh, many would not be able to comprehend it. These 36 girls, between the ages of 6 and 14, were once at risk of sex trafficking and child slavery. But they have since been rescued and brought into a new, hopefilled reality at the recently-founded Kingdom Home — a safe haven created by the Boyds for these children. Here they have found hope, education, health, and most of all, the love of Christ. For some major league baseball players, the offseason is simply a time to rest and prepare for the upcoming spring. For Matthew, however, it is a time to dive into a world far from his own reality. The Boyds established Kingdom Home in February 2018, and were able to make their first trip out to Uganda in November. But their passion to help these young girls began years prior, propelled by Ashley’s heart for the hurting. “It was all Ashley,” Matthew says. “She’s always had a heart for social justice.” Having grown up in typical American suburbia, Ashley found herself with a keen interest in other cultures at an early age. TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971
KINGDOMBUILDERS
Photos courtesy of the Boyds
“Our goal is to end this injustice before it happens. We can beat the bad guys to it. We can end this injustice through prevention.”
“I just felt like God was calling us to step down by faith that He had something else in store, even though I didn’t know what at the time. It was scary,” Ashley said. “But little did I know that less than a year later, I would be starting my own ‘Remember Nhu’ with support and guidance from all my friends at my previous job. Plus, I was getting to do this with my husband.” “We prayed about where we were going to be called to serve the Gospel and soon it became clear — Africa,” Matthew says. Ever since journeying on a missions trip to Uganda in high school, Ashley had developed a heart for this people group. So in faith, with no clear direction or plan, the Boyds began planning a trip to Uganda. During that Christmas season in 2017, the Boyds met for coffee with Ashley’s former boss, Carl Ralston, founder of Remember
Nhu. During the meeting, the Boyds mentioned their upcoming trip to Uganda, prompting Ralston to eagerly tell them he was also planning a trip to Uganda the following fall. “He said, ‘Why don’t you go with us?’” Matthew recalled. “Carl shared with us that Remember Nhu didn’t have the bandwidth to save every child, but they wanted to empower other people to join them under their umbrella — a model that has been so successful. We were interested but thought, ‘We just can’t right now.’” But in February 2018, Ralston called to present an opportunity that would soon change the Boyds’ lives. “He said he received a letter from some of their employees on the ground in Uganda. They had more kids to help but no room. They needed partners,” Matthew said.
— Ashley Boyd
“I was always especially interested in what was happening to other kids around the world and I loved learning about different cultures,” she said. “I guess I was fascinated that not all children lived like I did.” While Matthew was starting his pro career in the minor leagues, Ashley jumped at an opportunity to help those in need with the nonprofit organization Remember Nhu, which hosts 100-plus homes in more than 30 countries, rescuing hundreds of kids at risk. “We were both chasing our dreams,” Matthew says. In 2015, he was first exposed to the tragedies surrounding the sex trade industry when the young couple traveled to Thailand with Remember Nhu. “We saw the evil in the red-light district, the villages where these rescued kids came from. We saw how little these families lived on,” Matthew remembered. “But then we also saw the joy that these rescued kids had … My own heart opened up. I realized this is a present need and change needs to happen.” But when the Boyds welcomed their first baby girl, Meira, into the world in July 2017, Ashley felt the need to step back. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar www.sportsspectrum.com
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MATTHEW&ASHLEYBOYD
Before they knew it, the Boyds agreed to begin their very own non-profit. “Holy smokes” was Matthew’s initial thought. “Us starting a non-profit?” Remember Nhu’s team promised to walk alongside their new partners every step of the way — and they have. From handling day-today operations, to finding full-time “moms” to run the home, to fundraising and more, the partners joined hands to see Kingdom Home open its doors. The Boyds’ generosity and selfless act of faith didn’t surprise those closest to them. “Boyd is a man of God. I’ve known that since the first five minutes of meeting him back in 2013,” said fellow Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris. “I truly see Christ in him every day. He carries joy in his heart and credits the Lord every chance he gets.” With Ashley a full-time mom and Matthew still taking the mound in the majors, this couple’s undertaking was not a small venture. But venture on they did, and because of their obedience to God’s call, 36 girls’ lives have been changed for eternity. “God has provided us with the bandwidth,” Matthew says. “I would have thought that this mission would distract me from [baseball], but God has provided a way. And He’s provided Ashley with the bandwidth to run the organization while still being an amazing wife and mom.” AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
“No child should have to go through that. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the children. Jesus calls us to protect them. We now have 36 Ugandan daughters.” — Matthew Boyd Kingdom Home not only provides these young girls with a safe home, mothers to raise them, clean clothes, their own bed, three meals a day, and an education, they also make sure each girl knows the love and truth of Christ’s Gospel message. The Boyds say they could not do it without the house’s main “mom,” Dorothy, a 27-year-old rescued Ugandan woman who knows what it is to be destitute. A victim of forced child marriage at the age of 8, Dorothy was rescued by the Catholic Church. Ever since, this fierce woman has dedicated her life to saving young girls under the mission of Jesus Christ. She, along with four “aunties,” take extreme care for each girl who steps into Kingdom Home.
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or Matthew, this is not just an offseason side project. This is an opportunity to serve alongside his wife to advance the Gospel. “My passion is baseball,” he says. “God has put that on my heart; I have so much joy on the field. This has been my ministry and it still is, but I know my wife’s heart and her passion. She’s sacrificed and let me chase my dream for so long and this now is her dream and I’m so happy to be able to help her in any way I can. To walk handin-hand with her in it is amazing.” By serving alongside Ashley, Matthew has developed quite a heart for this mission as well. His passion to see no girl left without rescue has set a fire within him. He takes seriously the call God gives us from Psalm 82: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” — Psalm 82:3-4 “No child should have to go through that. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the children. Jesus calls us to protect them. We now have 36 Ugandan daughters,” Matthew says. Tigers chaplain Jeff Totten has seen how this power couple makes an impact wherever they are, whether in TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971
KINGDOMBUILDERS To partner with this mission and donate to the organization, sponsor a child within the home, or even join the team on its next trip to Uganda, visit KingdomHome.org for more information.
the baseball park or in the streets of Uganda. “Matt and Ashley’s commitment to Kingdom Home reflects their desire to see the world and view people through the eyes of Christ,” Totten says. “This is evident in their financial commitment, hands-on leadership, prayer and on-site visits to the girls.” Partners keep arising for Kingdom Home as many individuals and corporations, such as Adidas and Soles for Souls, donate items and clothing for these girls. One woman from Michigan made sure they were equipped with all school supplies needed for the year, while Baycities Lomita Church in California made dresses for each girl. The Boyds truly view each of these girls as their own, spending hours FaceTiming, writing letters, emailing, sending videos and
caring for these girls even from afar. “Our girls had nothing,” Matthew says. “They were destitute, abandoned. They now have their own beds for the first time in their lives, clean clothes, beautiful dresses, three meals a day, they’re getting an education — living as children should. They are joyful, singing and dancing, praising the Lord. That is just so cool to see.” The Boyds sobbed as they had to leave the girls after their trip in November, but promised to come back a year later. Though the fight against child slavery may seem insurmountable to some, the Boyds are fully convinced this injustice will come to an end. “God is bigger and greater than this,” Ashley says. “He is fighting for each one of those kids and we are honored to join
“SHE’S SACRIFICED AND LET ME CHASE MY DREAM FOR SO LONG AND THIS NOW IS HER DREAM AND I’M SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO HELP HER IN ANY WAY I CAN. TO WALK HANDIN-HAND WITH HER IN IT IS AMAZING.” — Matthew Boyd the fight. Our goal is to end this injustice before it happens. We can beat the bad guys to it. We can end this injustice through prevention.”
Remember Nhu founder Carl Ralston, Ashley and Matthew speak at a conference.
www.sportsspectrum.com
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BIG-GAMEB E
Sports Spectrum traveled to Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII to talk football and faith with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams — prior to the Pats defeating the Rams, 13-3, in the lowestscoring Super Bowl ever. Here are some key performances from that game, including messages of faith from the Christ-followers we spoke with.
SONY MICHEL
AP Photo/Gregory Payan
18 CARRIES PATRIOTS RUNNING BACK 94 YARDS “Without Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, there is none of this. We get 1 TD all this glory, but the glory is not for us, it’s for Him. We do this for Him. That’s kind of my purpose. So really, none of this matters to me.”
BRANDIN COOKS
RAMS WIDE RECEIVER “We’re born sinners and still not perfect, but His grace is unbelievable and I rest in that as much as I can. I think that’s the most important thing in life. We’re never going to be perfect, but that’s why Jesus Christ died on the cross for us.”
8 CATCHES 120 YARDS 36 36
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AP Photo/Gregory Payan
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B ELIEVERS STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI PATRIOTS KICKER
“To have something to believe in more than this game is important, because you get really caught up in this game — wins and losses and everything else. But at the end of the day, having faith in something bigger than that makes it a lot easier to deal with the pressures of the game.”
7 POINTS (2 FGS, 1 XP)
AP Photo/Tim Donnelly
MICHAEL BROCKERS RAMS DEFENSIVE TACKLE
7 TOTAL TACKLES
“[God’s taught me about] being faithful in Him. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Don’t rush His timing, everything is in His hands. Everything is in His control.”
DEVIN MCCOURTY
AP Photo/Gregory Payan
AP Photo/Gregory Payan
PATRIOTS SAFETY
“We talk about being a glory reflector and not thinking everything is coming to you, and not thinking you deserve this or deserve that, but realizing God has given you everything.”
2 TOTAL TACKLES www.sportsspectrum.com
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BIG-GAME BELIEVERS JOHNNY HEKKER RAMS PUNTER
“This year’s been great, having gone deeper with some mentors and people in my life that have been able to really speak Scripture into my life ... The depth of knowledge you get from actually opening up the Word and reading it [has been great].”
9 PUNTS, 417 YARDS, SB-RECORD 65-YARD PUNT AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
REX BURKHEAD PATRIOTS RUNNING BACK
“[Faith] is huge. It gives you a purpose in life, a purpose out there on the football field. Early on in my footballplaying days, I was playing more for myself and my own glory and not God’s glory. It’s just such a blessing to be a part of this team.”
7 CARRIES, 43 YARDS 2 CATCHES, 15 YARDS
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AP Photo/Matt Rourke
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2019 NFL DRAFTPREVIEW
5 PROSPECTS TO WATCH DWAYNE HASKINS OHIO STATE QB
@dh_simba7
Widely expected to be the first quarterback off the board after tossing for 4,831 yards and 50 TDs last season, Haskins said earlier this season that he and Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa “sent each other scriptures” to bless one another. AP Photo/Michael Conroy
DEVIN WHITE LOUISIANA STATE ILB
@devinwhite_40
The 2018 consensus All-American and Dick Butkus Award winner is projected to be a top-10 pick. “Thank You God, I’m so blessed and honored to be able be the 2018 Butkus Award winner. Dreams do come true. Thanks to my family, teammates and coaches,” he said. AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
CLELIN FERRELL CLEMSON DE
@missiledreaming
“God has instilled greatness in all of us. I will continue to let my light shine,” says the 2018 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, consensus AllAmerican and Ted Hendricks Award winner (DE of the Year). Projections have Ferrell as a mid-first-round pick. AP Photo/Richard Shiro
D.K. METCALF OLE MISS WR
@dk_metcalf14
Expected to be the first receiver chosen (mid-to-late first round), the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Metcalf boasts size and pedigree (father, uncle and grandfather played in the NFL). “I look at football as a platform to help other people or to spread the Word of God,” Metcalf says. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
DAMIEN HARRIS ALABAMA RB
@royal_soaq34
Bama’s leading rusher the past three seasons (3,070 career yards), Harris is projected to come off the board in the second round. He calls himself a “child of God” and often cites the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11. AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
www.sportsspectrum.com
APRIL 25-27
DRAFT ORDER 1. Arizona Cardinals 2. San Francisco 49ers 3. New York Jets 4. Oakland Raiders 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6. New York Giants 7. Jacksonville Jaguars 8. Detroit Lions 9. Buffalo Bills 10. Denver Broncos 11. Cincinnati Bengals 12. Green Bay Packers 13. Miami Dolphins 14. Atlanta Falcons 15. Washington Redskins 16. Carolina Panthers 17. Cleveland Browns 18. Minnesota Vikings 19. Tennessee Titans 20. Pittsburgh Steelers 21. Seattle Seahawks 22. Baltimore Ravens 23. Houston Texans 24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago) 25. Philadelphia Eagles 26. Indianapolis Colts 27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas) 28. Los Angeles Chargers 29. Kansas City Chiefs 30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans) 31. Los Angeles Rams 32. New England Patriots *Order as of February 12; subject to change SPORTS SPECTRUM 39
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UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
As the Tennessee men’s basketball program establishes itself as a national power, many of the squad’s leaders are establishing their foundation in Christ.
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By Cody Benjamin
KYLE ALEXANDER
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AP Photo/Wade Payne
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wo hundred and forty-one seconds had passed without a Tennessee score. If anyone was going to prove that the Volunteers’ hot start was more smoke than fire, it was going to be the Florida Gators, an SEC name brand with a perfect home record against UT dating back to 2012. So of course it was the guys in blue and orange who, on Jan. 12, threatened to keep the Vols from a 10-game win streak and their best start to a men’s basketball season in more than a decade. Two hundred and forty-one seconds without a Big Orange bucket. It was the first sign that coach Rick Barnes’ best season-opening run since his days with the Texas Longhorns might be too good to be true. Just two seasons prior, after all, Barnes’ second go-round as Tennessee’s head coach produced a 16-16 mark with a conference record below .500. A double-digit win streak with increasing national acclaim would’ve suggested Barnes’ squad had finally — gulp — arrived. Thanks to Jordan Bowden, it still did. Florida may have bottled up UT for a quarter of a half, but the Vols’ 6-foot-5 junior put a swift end to any concerns over Tennessee’s validity with a second half that saw him snap the four-minute, 17-second scoreless skid with 12 consecutive points, a 52-percent field-goal mark and a go-ahead steal and slam dunk to put the Gators under water for good. Bowden was also big four days earlier, when he dropped 20 against another top-35 defense in Missouri, but it was his clutch-time surge against Florida that may have confirmed the Volunteers as true contenders. Ask Bowden what’s driven Tennessee all the way to a No. 1 national ranking, however, and he won’t list himself. In fact, he won’t even list his teammates. Or Barnes. Or anything especially related to basketball, really. For him, and for the Volunteers who, for once, opened with as much promise as the school’s eight-time national-champion women’s team, a lot of this 2018-19 success can be attributed to something that happened in a pool of water. On Nov. 18, three days before UT routed Louisville at the home of the Brooklyn Nets to improve to 5-0 on the www.sportsspectrum.com
UNIV ERSIT Y OF TENNESSEE
RICK BARNES
“I think the whole ‘audience of one’ thing has really kind of struck our team hugely. I know guys have really taken that to heart, just playing for God and the abilities He gave us.” — K YLE ALE X AN D E R
year, Instagram played host to a series of photos from Bowden, senior forward Kyle Alexander and sophomore star Grant Williams, the 2018 SEC Player of the Year and Tennessee’s All-American leading scorer. Each image showcased what the UT trio now suggests is a symbol of the Vols’ success: the baptisms of Alexander and Bowden. At the time of the ceremony, the Volunteers were already ranked No. 5 in the nation. Yet Barnes, who entered the year in search of his first Final Four appearance since 2003, told reporters afterward that “what happened with Kyle Alexander and Jordan Bowden is far more important than any win we’ve ever had.” Not only did that resonate with the two young men who submerged themselves in proclamation of a faith in Jesus, but it verbalized the unique chemistry of Barnes’ best UT team yet. “I think the whole ‘audience of one’ thing has really kind of struck our team hugely,” Alexander says. “I know guys have really taken that to heart, just playing for God and the abilities He gave us.” If the mentality sounds similar, like an echo of recent professional sports teams who’ve pointed to
Jesus and even showcased in-season baptisms alongside championship-caliber performances, that’s just fine by Barnes, who Bowden calls a “God man” and whose son, Nick, serves as a Middle Eastern missionary. But it’s as much an exercise of team-building around a shared lifestyle as it is a collection of personal journeys to faith. Take Alexander, for instance. Here’s a young man whose parents brought him to church, but, like many his age, he never personally made belief in Christ an everyday priority while he was growing up. “When you’re younger, you don’t really understand it,” he said. “You’re like, ‘OK, as long as I don’t kill anybody, I’ll go to Heaven and everything’s going to be good.’” Once he got to know Barnes, however, Alexander realized that faith could, in fact, be life-changing. As he began exploring The Walk, a Sunday night college-oriented service at Sevier Heights Baptist in Knoxville (about five minutes from the UT campus), he also began studying the Bible alongside the Vols’ head coach. “Sometimes when I go to talk to him one-on-one,” Alexander says, “he brings out Scriptures and the Gospels, and it kind of gives you a different view on things.” Taking the next step — public proclamation of faith through baptism — was still challenging, seeing as SPORTS SPECTRUM
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UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AP Photo/Crystal LoGiudice
though Alexander didn’t grow up knowing and, thus, talking about Jesus. But that’s where community came in, JORDAN BOWDEN and his community just so happened to be his fellow Volunteers. “They offered the chance to get baptized [at The Walk], and I had the form in my room, and I’ve always GRANT WILLIAMS wanted to do it,” he said. “I just never filled it out because I hate being the center of attention, as bad as that sounds. But then one day Bowden was like, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about getting KYLE ALEXANDER baptized this weekend, so can y’all be Instagram photos courtesy of Kyle Alexander there for me? And I said, ‘I’ll do you one KYLE ALEXANDER JORDAN BOWDEN better. I’ll get baptized with you.’” So there they were — two young men who decided they wanted not only to be teammates on the court but brothers in Christ. For Bowden, fifth on the team in scoring, the baptism also represented a continued commitment to his own relationship with Jesus. “I just felt like it was time to take first,” Bowden said. “We’re always praying before the game, another step toward God and get closer to Him,” he said. coming together, and I love everything about it.” “For me, God’s first and then basketball. ‘Cause you’re not The spiritual cohesion has affected more than even the going to play basketball forever. So you’ve got to have biggest Vols fans might realize, influencing everything from onsomething to rely on. I rely on God, and I put God first in my court chemistry to the way the team’s athletes handle themselves. life, and my family does “There are so many different distractions — you know, as well.” women, drugs, alcohol,” Alexander said. “And when you The catch is that, in the Vols’ case, “family” has often find Christ, it kind of solves all those things, because you included everyone. realize you can find happiness in Him “I came out the water,” Alexander and you don’t need it in other things. said of his baptism, “and Barnes was I’ve noticed it with a lot of my teammates, there, my strength coach was there, the “You’re not going to they’ve been trying to change things in whole team was there. I mean, it was their lives, just the way they view things and awesome, so that just shows the family play basketball forever. the way they do things.” environment we have here.” So you’ve got to have Now, will any of that guarantee a Williams was another proud witness. long-anticipated return to glory for “They’ve really put all their faith in the something to rely on. Tennessee’s men’s basketball team in Lord, and it’s really mesmerizing to see,” the NCAA Tournament? Will any of that he says. “It’s inspiring when someone I rely on God, and I put guarantee continued dominance of cares about faith as much as Coach God first in my life.” the Gators? Will any of that guarantee Barnes and most of this team does. It another Jordan Bowden showcase really inspires you to get closer to God … — JORDAN BOWDEN when the team needs him most? [And] it’s helped a ton, because, for us, The answer is “no” on all accounts. it’s all about being a family, and there’s But that’s not the point. Every no better family than a Christian family.” Volunteer, including Barnes, will tell you their No. 1 goal for Not everyone is necessarily all-in with their beliefs, of the 2018-19 season is to capitalize on UT’s hot start, carry course. And no one’s suggesting Tennessee jumped out to it into March and, you know, win it all. Their No. 1 goal for a 22-1 start solely because of shared faith. The basketball each other, however, is a lot different, and it has nothing to production of Alexander, Bowden, Williams and the rest of do with getting a bucket to break up a 4:17 stretch of no the squad certainly has a lot to do with that. But to overlook points. It has everything to do with something greater. the impact of Christ on the Vols’ locker room would be to “It’s special,” Alexander said, “because a lot of teenage overlook perhaps the biggest reason players, not to mention and college kids aren’t thinking about things like this, like, Coach Barnes, have provided for UT’s unity amid their ultra‘I’m trying to build a relationship with God.’ That just shows promising season. how special this team is.” “We’re all together, we all stick together, we all keep God 42
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AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
AP Photo/John McCoy
BORN TO ROMANIAN PARENTS WHO HAD LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF BASKETBALL, OREGON’S ALL-AMERICAN POINT GUARD, SABRINA IONESCU, OWNS THE MOST TRIPLE-DOUBLES IN NCAA HISTORY WHILE PLAYING FOR CHRIST. BY KEVIN MERCER www.sportsspectrum.com
ith six minutes left and an insurmountable lead against Air Force on December 20, Sabrina Ionescu of the Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team snatched a rebound off the rim. The play itself was nothing spectacular; normally, it would never appear in a highlight video. But this wasn’t any normal play. It was Ionescu’s 10th rebound of the game, giving her a historic triple-double. This particular triple-double was the junior point guard’s third of the season and 13th of her career — the most triple-doubles, for men or women, in the history of NCAA basketball. Ionescu’s achievement immediately vaulted her into the national sports conversation. Meet-and-greets with NBA superstars Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant, media inquiries galore, and a deluge of praise from the sports world suddenly filled Ionescu’s schedule. Everyone wanted an opportunity to talk to “the walking triple dub,” as Curry called her. When the buzzer sounded and the scoreboard clock read triple zeroes that night in Eugene, Ore., no one would have blamed Ionescu for taking a moment to reflect on all she had accomplished. She had certainly earned the admiration that came her way. In a little more than two collegiate seasons, she had turned herself into one of the best players in the country and rewritten the NCAA record books. But Ionescu doesn’t especially care which way the limelight shines, even when it lands squarely on her. It’s simply not her nature. SPORTS SPECTRUM
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SABRINA IONESCU
“My teammates know that’s what I’m capable of and my coaches know that’s what I’m capable of, so it was almost just like another day,” Ionescu said of her record triple-double. “It wasn’t anything special.” A humble statement indeed, but one dripping with self-confidence — a self-confidence forged in Ionescu from a young age. Ionescu’s parents, Dan and Liliana, and her older brother by nine years, Andrei, emigrated from Romania to Walnut Creek, Calif., in 1990, in the wake of the Romanian Revolution. Seven years later, the Ionescus welcomed twins Sabrina and Eddy into the family.
Christianity was one of the many aspects of Romanian culture that her parents brought to America all those years ago. Some of Ionescu’s earliest memories are of her mom and dad praying with her every night before bed. The Ionescu family was even able to find a church in California in which Romanian was spoken; the songs were sung in Romanian and the Bible was read in Romanian. Ionescu — who in elementary school was still working on becoming fluent in both English and Romanian — didn’t quite grasp all the concepts of what it meant to be a follower of Christ.
During her middle-school years, she and her family began attending a predominantly English-speaking church in a neighboring town. Eventually, the incredible beauty of what Jesus did on the cross began to click. “That’s kind of when I took a curve,” Ionescu said. “I was starting to be able to understand the power of the faith and everything that comes along with it.” It was then that Ionescu took a hold of Christ. Her faith became her own. Ionescu’s newfound faith continued to humble her even as her passion for basketball morphed into a talent. All those pickup games in Walnut Creek gave her toughness and savvy. Growth spurts gave her strength and athleticism.
“My parents worked a lot when we were younger,” Sabrina remembers. “They just dropped us off at the park or the gym and we just played basically the whole day until they got off work.” Soccer would have made sense for Sabrina. It is by far the most popular sport in Romania and familiar to the Ionescu parents. However, it was the local basketball courts that became like a second home to Sabrina and Eddy. “My parents had no idea about the sport,” Sabrina says. “No trainers, none of that stuff that a lot of the kids have today. I think that kind of makes me who I am.” Those seemingly endless days of pickup basketball taught young Sabrina the game. Her skin grew thick as she learned how to compete and how to win. That time in her life laced her game with a grittiness that no triumph or award has yet diminished. By the time she was in fourth or fifth grade, a passion for basketball consumed Ionescu. She and the sport were inseparable. Her grade-school wardrobe mostly consisted of basketball shorts and basketball shoes. There was never a time she wasn’t ready to play. There was also never a time when faith was absent from Ionescu’s life. 44
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AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
“[COLLEGE HAS] 100 PERCENT DEEPENED MY FAITH JUST BECAUSE I’M AWAY FROM HOME. THERE’S SO MANY MORE OBSTACLES AND ADVERSITY THAT YOU FIGHT WHEN YOU LEAVE.” – SABRINA IONESCU
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OREGON DUCKS
At Miramonte High School in Orinda, Calif., Ionescu showcased on the court what her brother Eddy had long known she could do. She averaged double figures in points per game on the varsity team each of her four years, while leading Miramonte to three straight 30-win seasons. In her senior year, she was named the USA Today Girls’ National Basketball Player of the Year, played in the Jordan Brand Classic and was named MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game. Oh, and she posted 21 triple-doubles. When the time came for Ionescu to make a college decision, she felt most at home a few hours north in Eugene. She signed with the Ducks. “With the coaching staff, they were great to me,” she said. “They were genuine and cared about me as a person on and off the court.” Ionescu still visits her family back in Walnut Creek and watches all of her church’s sermons online, but her faith grew in leaps and bounds when she arrived on campus. “[College has] 100 percent deepened my faith just because I’m away from home,” Ionescu said. “There’s so many more obstacles and adversity that you fight when you leave.” As if learning to navigate life on her own wasn’t adversity enough, Ionescu battled through various injuries on the court as a freshman. Through it all, she still managed to finish second on the team in points per game, second in rebounds and first in assists. She won the Pac12 and ESPNW Freshman of the Year awards and notched four triple-doubles. As a 10-seed, the Ducks advanced to the Elite Eight. Her sophomore year was more of the same. Ionescu led Oregon as it won the Pac-12 regularseason and tournament titles. She was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-American first team. The Ducks again advanced to the Elite Eight — this time as a No. 2 seed — before falling to eventual champion Notre Dame. In 38 games, Ionescu tallied six more triple-doubles to bring her collegiate total to 10. Through Feb. 12 this season, Ionescu was up to 16 triple-doubles and counting, as she was averaging 19.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.2 assists. She had led Oregon to a 23-1 record with a No. 3 national ranking. They’re in the national title conversation and she’s in the running for national player of the year. Yet even while the stats, accolades and praises continue to pile up, Ionescu has maintained a humble reverence for Christ. She knows she needs His grace just as much as she ever did. It makes things a little easier when some of Ionescu’s strongest encouragers in her faith are the women with whom she shares the court. “We pray as a team before every game,” Ionescu says. “I say a little something, like a little prayer at the end.” www.sportsspectrum.com
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
The atmosphere of faith the Ducks have cultivated brings them together. It has not only translated into wins on the court, but deeper friendships off it. Ionescu knows she can lean on fellow believers on the roster whenever the outside noise gets overwhelming. Ionescu also finds some serenity before each game as a great opportunity for prayer. It’s a chance to reflect on her identity in Christ, on the opportunities He’s set before her, and on all the people He’s placed in her life. “I love my teammates, love my coaches,” Ionescu says. “I do everything for them and try to have Christ live through me, and help those that need helping.” Ionescu knows she’s called to love people with a sacrificial love, just as God first loved her. There’s no better earthly display of sacrificial love than when a family comes together to care for one another. For Ionescu, of course, family support comes with a
Romanian twist. “A lot of my family doesn’t even really understand what a tripledouble is,” she said with a chuckle. “That’s honestly humbling and it just shows me that they care about me more as a person than as a basketball player.” From those Walnut Creek courts to cavernous Pac-12 arenas, Ionescu will never forget where she came from and what made her.
“A LOT OF MY FAMILY DOESN’T EVEN REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT A TRIPLE-DOUBLE IS. THAT’S HONESTLY HUMBLING AND IT JUST SHOWS ME THAT THEY CARE ABOUT ME MORE AS A PERSON THAN AS A BASKETBALL PLAYER.” – SABRINA IONESCU Her Romanian background gave her that calculated confidence and single-minded determination on display each night. Her Heavenly Father gave her the talent to rack up triple-double after record-setting triple-double. The Holy Spirit is what gives her the humility to do it all for the glory of God. “I am who I am,” Ionescu declared. “I’m not going to change.” SPORTS SPECTRUM
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THE PURSUIT
STRENGTHforTWO “This is my command — Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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PUSH BEYOND YOUR NORMAL LIMITS At some point, to increase your strength, you have to take on more than you can currently handle. To increase capacity, you have to be stretched and tested. To gain muscle, you have to lift heavier weights. To grow in faith, you have to step outside your comfort zone. To grow in empathy, you have to step inside another person’s shoes.
— JOSHUA 1:9 (NLT)
n Greek mythology, a hero is believed to have “strength for two.” In other words, to be heroic, you not only had to thrive on your own, but you also had to help someone else thrive, too. When we envision superheroes today, we’re often drawn to both their physical strength as well as their moral strength to come to the aid of those in need. Over the last several years, Spartan Racing has become part of my DNA. I love the electric atmosphere before each race, but what’s inspired me most is when I see those who are strong helping those who are struggling. Shouting words of encouragement is common in many non-Spartan races, but I’ve seen racers literally carrying other competitors, bearing their burdens, pitching in and paying someone’s “burpee penalty,” sometimes even hoisting them over a 10-foot wall. The longer races — the Super and the Beast — have truly tested every bit of my physical, mental, spiritual and emotional strength. And I’ve been on the receiving end of borrowing someone else’s strength. I thank God every time for those people; it’s truly the best example I’ve seen of the “strength for two” principle. And it’s one of the main reasons I exercise every day. Having spent nearly 20 years in the health and fitness industry, I’ve met folks who exercise for all kinds of reasons. Some are recovering from surgery. Others do it because doctors warned them of serious health issues. Some are training to get bigger, faster and stronger so they can make a team. Still others do it simply to look good. But I’ve met very few, if any, who say they’re training “to be ready.” “Ready for what?” you might be asking. Well, ready for the challenges of every day. Ready to help somebody who might need it. Ready in case of an emergency. Ready for life. Abraham Lincoln once famously said, “Today I prepare because one day my time will come.” Lincoln lived with a sense of purpose. And, failure never stopped him from trying, and working, and getting ready. In the end, he not only had “strength for two,” he had strength for an entire nation. The challenge for each one of us is this: Will we have the “strength for two”? And what are we willing to do to get ready? What am I personally willing to go through so that I’m strong enough in mind, body and spirit to actually help others when the time comes? I love how the Apostle Paul frequently used competitive comparisons to describe the journey of life, like in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT): “Run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step ... I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” Applying that to your life and training, here are three keys to developing “strength for two.”
BY JIMMY PAGE
If it doesn’t challenge you, it will never change you.
2 SEE PAIN AS YOUR FRIEND We all have to stop seeing pain as something to be avoided, and instead start using it to our advantage. God promises to use tests and trials to refine us and mature us if we let Him. To grow, you need to depend on the strength of God in your weakness. To become more compassionate, you have to let God use your pain to be a blessing to others in pain; God only allows pain so you will develop the “strength for two.”
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Let God turn your pain into progress.
FACE YOUR FEARS We have two choices when it comes to dealing with fear. We can “Forget Everything And Run” or “Face Everything And Rise.” Scripture reminds us in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We have nothing to fear because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s taking action in spite of fear. When we build a habit of facing our fears, we become armed with “strength for two.”
F.E.A.R. — Face Everything And Rise
We are in desperate need of heroes today. Heroes who have the strength for two. We need people who are morally strong, unwilling to cut corners or compromise. We need people who are physically strong enough to help others in need. We need people who are emotionally strong enough to refresh and encourage those who are down and out. So, be strong and courageous! It’s time to develop the “strength for two.”
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS: What’s one thing you will do right now to push beyond your limits? (Mind. Body. Spirit.) What pain are you going through that you can let God turn into progress? What’s one fear you can face right now to build confidence in God? Jimmy Page serves as the Executive Director of Field Ministry for FCA. He is a competitor, speaker and author of “One Word,” “True Competitor,” “Life Word,” “WisdomWalks” and “Called to Greatness.” He and his wife started a cancer foundation called BelieveBig.org following her victory over cancer. They live with their four children in Colorado. You can reach him at jimmy@fca.org, Twitter @jimmypage37, or www.jimmypage.us. TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971
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).
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 lives of Christian athletes, visit TheIncrease.com. www.sportsspectrum.com
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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY His Hands, His Feet
I reached a point in rehab this past season when I realized I really have to focus solely on the task at hand. So for weeks, I put my phone aside as much as I could, so I could recenter myself around what is important. One day during this time, I was in Chicago, headed to one of my favorite cafes, and I saw a homeless man sitting outside. He was obviously destitute but not asking for anything. I didn’t sit down to have a long conversation with the man, but I did buy an extra coffee to give him on my way out. I could tell just by the look in his eyes that he really appreciated it. He wasn’t asking for anything and neither was I, but this interaction — and many more I’ve had like it — helps me throughout my day. It makes me feel like I’m doing something to help others, something outside of baseball. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of homeless and needy people in every city. I’ve often been asked why I will reach out to the one I notice. The answer is because it’s important to me. I think it all started in high school when I went to Atlanta to play summer ball. My mom started encouraging me to pack a bag lunch, to have something in the car with me at all times for when I came across someone in need. I had no money at this time, but this was something I could do to help them. It felt good to share God’s love with someone, even if it was without words. I knew it was a way that I could serve the Lord. Ever since, this has been something I’m drawn to. And today, whether it’s a gift of money, coffee or a simple conversation with someone who is in need, I really enjoy serving in this manner. It brings a smile to my face to know I can be the hands and feet of Jesus in a small way. Jesus was generous with His time, and with everything else He had. It’s a big deal to let these people know that you see them, that they’re there. They may feel invisible. I envision Jesus walking down the street and spending time with these people, giving them whatever it was that He had on hand. As the old bracelets used to prompt us, it’s important to think, “What would Jesus do?” I don’t think He would place a high priority on many of the things we do today, but He was very proactive in helping those in poverty. That’s why I want to be as well. Whether we have a lot or a little, we always have something to offer those in need.
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DANIEL NORRIS 44
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TUESDAY Celebrate the King
[Open with Psalm 2]
The psalms are songs, praises, prayers,
proclamations and even complaints, written by various men over several hundred years expressing their relationship with God. The word “psalm” comes from the Hebrew word for “praises.” King David wrote many of the psalms and is primarily credited for gathering them all together for the collection we have today. Psalm 2 is the first of 11 psalms scattered throughout the book that are often referred to as the “Royal Psalms.” Other royal psalms are 18, 20–21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132 and 144. These psalms were written and read/prayed/sung for the coronation of a king in Israel. They celebrated the reign of a new king and asked God’s blessing upon him and the people. They were also used as kings went into and returned back from battle. The Royal Psalms also point to the ultimate reign of the King of kings and the Lord of lords — Jesus. The significance of Psalm 2 and, in particular, the phrase “kiss His Son” (verse 12) in applying to those who love Jesus or oppose Jesus, is seen at several places in the New Testament (Acts 4:25-26; Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 1:5-6). Reading Psalm 2 encourages us to “serve the Lord .... and celebrate His rule” (verse 11) as King of our lives now. We are to do this despite opposition that frequently occurs from those around us (verses 1-6). Note God’s response to those who oppose Him (vv. 4-6). Celebrate and affirm Jesus as your King today.
WEDNESDAY The ABC’s of Finding God’s Way [Open with Psalm 25]
Psalm 25 is an acrostic. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew language. This was primarily done to help people more easily commit this psalm to memory. It also serves as a reminder that this psalm reveals the basics of living life God’s way. David’s central request in this prayer is found in verses 4-5: “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me ...” Knowing and understanding God’s ways is not a right. It is only by God’s mercy and love that it is revealed to us (v. 6). In the remainder of the psalm, God describes the person to whom He shows His ways. www.sportsspectrum.com
First, “He instructs sinners in His ways” (v. 8). Who doesn’t qualify here? Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned.” We are blessed to know that regardless of our pasts and what we’ve done, through forgiveness found in Jesus Christ, our lives can go forward on a different path following God’s ways.
The psalm closes with the statement that “the Lord blesses His people with peace.” He doesn’t promise peace without storms, but peace through the storms. For a picture/video of this, look up “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” by Jack E. Dawson .
Secondly, we are told that God “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (v. 9). Elsewhere in the Scriptures we are told that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6). We must humbly accept His grace, which allows us to know and follow God’s ways.
Repentance and Forgiveness
Finally, “The Lord confides in those who fear Him” (v. 14). This fear is not distress that causes one be distanced from God; rather, it is a reverence and respect that draws one into a trusting and obeying relationship. Ask God to show you His ways and follow Him! .
THURSDAY More Than a Weather Report
[Open with Psalm 29]
Do you like watching thunderstorms? Their magnificence can be captivating. As a shepherd and warrior, sometimes fleeing danger, David spent a lot of time outside. Life’s circumstances frequently inspired David to compose psalms in the wilderness, in caves, or on mountainous plateaus. In Psalm 29:3-9, David gives a pretty cool description of a thunderstorm as it forms over the Mediterranean Sea and travels across the land of Israel (“thunders,” “flashes of lightning,” etc). Beyond giving a weather report, David offers two reminders about our God.
FRIDAY
[Open with Psalm 32]
To fully appreciate this psalm, one should read the narrative of the darkest events of David’s life. In 2 Samuel 11-12, David covets another man’s wife, commits adultery with Bathsheba, has her husband (Uriah) killed, and lies about it all in a coverup. After nine months of living with this guilt, David finally comes to the point of genuine repentance and understanding God’s forgiveness. This is what he writes about in Psalm 32. It’s possible that this and Psalm 51 were composed at the same time referenced in 2 Samuel 12:20. Read Psalm 32 and follow its description of genuine repentance and God’s forgiveness: Comfort (vv. 1-2): As we are honest and open before Him, God desires to bless us with His forgiveness of our sins through His Son, Jesus Christ. Conviction (vv. 3-4): Instead of rationalizing our sin, let’s realize that God’s conviction is an act of love so that we might come to Him and deal with our sin. Confession (v. 5a): Let’s agree with what God says about our sin. Cleansing (v. 5b): Forgiveness gives a fresh start. Communion (vv. 6-7): Fellowship with God is restored. Counsel (vv. 8-9): A new direction in our lives is guided by God’s Word, which we are called to trust and obey. Contrast (vv. 10-11): Woe for those who reject God’s forgiveness and love for those who truly repent and experience God’s forgiveness. Choose and experience His love!
First, because of God’s power and control over all creation, we are reminded to “ascribe” glory to Him and worship Him (vv. 1-2). As you spend time outside (working, hunting, golfing, surfing, walking, shoveling snow, etc.), let’s not forget to Continue reading through the Book look around and praise Him in our hearts of Psalms: and with our voices. Psalm 18; Psalm 51
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Secondly, the end of the psalm reminds us of the peace God gives in the midst of a storm (vv. 10-11). The reference to a “flood” recalls the hope and promise God gave with the sign of a rainbow following the judgment of Noah’s time. In the Gospels and today, Jesus is with His disciples through every storm to strengthen us and calm the storms (see Mark 4:35-41).
Jeff Totten Detroit Tigers chaplain
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For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.
INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY He’s in My Circle
Often I’ll travel back to my small hometown in Florida to speak to groups in schools or at events, and almost every time I do, I am asked, “How is it playing in front of millions of people? Are you scared to mess up?” And my immediate response is, “I don’t know how anyone could go out there and perform at this level without having a relationship with the Lord. That is where I find my comfort and identity.” I know that I will inevitably disappoint coaches, fans, teammates, family, friends, and even myself for that matter, but I know that the Lord Jesus is in my circle, fighting for me. I can’t imagine myself playing at this level — or doing anything, really — without having Him in my circle. I never want to compromise my team in any way. I don’t play just to play; I play to play my best and to win. I prepare the same way every week and weekend, giving my team, my coaches and my fans my all so I don’t let anyone down. But even if I fall short after giving it my all, I know that in God’s eyes — the most important eyes — I’m still loved and valued as His child. When I play before millions, I’m playing with the best God’s given me in order to bring glory and honor to Him. My play on the field is bigger than myself; it’s bigger than my team or my family and friends. I use this platform to make sure I can spread His name to others who may not know Him as I do, so that they may find the joy I’ve discovered in Him. If I can do that, I would count my career successful. If I can go to the Pro Bowl and make the Hall of Fame, that would be amazing. But the reason I can go out on that field feeling stressfree is because I know my purpose is way bigger than me. At the end of the day, all I want to do is to spread the love of Christ. “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” — Philippians 3:8 Who’s in your circle?
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JUSTIN SIMMONS 31
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TUESDAY Use Your GPS
[Open with John 14:16-17]
Recently, my daughter was asked out
on a date. My wife reminded her to tell the young man he has to come inside the house and officially meet us. Grudgingly, my daughter agreed. Once we met him and they left the house, I asked my wife, “How do we know they are really going where they said?” She reminded me that we can GPS track her through an app and know her exact location. For those of us who are Christfollowers, we also have a built-in GPS system, and His name is the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of Truth as Jesus refers to Him in John 14:17. Jesus tells us there are three facts about the Spirit of Truth:
of Christ can also put ourselves in “bad coverage areas” — and there are many. But there are three that I believe are extremely problematic. We will discuss one of those areas today, then cover the others over the next two days:
FRIDAY
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” — Proverbs 13:20
THURSDAY
www.sportsspectrum.com
My prayer today is that we stop “codeswitching” based on who we are around, and in humility live authentic lives that bring glory to God.
1. When you value the opinions of those you’re with more than you fear the Lord. Some of my biggest regrets in life are tied to decisions I made while with someone I met and I considered their opinion to be Slow Fade far more important than honoring my Lord [Open with Galatians 5:1] and Savior.
Has there been a time in your life when you were with someone, somewhere, doing something you’re not particularly proud of? 1. He will be with us forever (John 14:16). Maybe that describes your life right now? Once we accept Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for The Bible says when we are around people who do not share our morals and values, it our sins, by asking Him to forgive us and acknowledging Him as Lord over our lives, can lead to disaster (1 Corinthians 15:33). My prayer today is that we examine our He tells us that He will send us another Advocate to help us and be with us forever. lives and remove anyone who does not help us to be more like Jesus. 2. The world cannot accept him. Culture encourages us to please ourselves and Jesus implores us to die to self Stop Code-Switching (Matthew 10:38). The two messages are [Open with Galatians 2:11-13] contrary to one another, which is why Paul warns us not to be conformed to the world It’s frustrating when trying to utilize (Romans 12:2). technology that is designed to make our lives easier, but we find ourselves in a “bad 3. He lives in us (John 14:17). coverage area” that prevents us from using David, in Psalm 139, tells us there is no our devices. Yesterday, we discussed the place to which we can flee from God’s first area that can prevent Christ-followers presence. As followers of Christ, culture from living the life God desires. Here’s the tries to tempt us into turning off our location services so no one will know what next one: we are doing. 2. When we feel the need to My prayer today is that we live a life fully “code-switch.” devoted to the One who paid the ultimate Code-switching is when you act a certain sacrifice for us. way around one group of people and completely differently with another group. In Galatians 2:11-13, Paul rebukes Peter for “code-switching” when his Jewish brothers Walk With the Wise came to Antioch. Paul basically says to [Open with Proverbs 13:20] Peter, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it then, Since my job requires that I travel about that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish 50 percent of the time, I often find myself customs?” in cities that have terrible cell reception. During times like these I realize just how dependent I am on technology! That can be During these times, some Jews did not consider Gentiles worthy of being holy. frustrating when you are trying to Google something and have to wait for what seems They believed they were sinful people who could not and should not receive God’s like an eternity. Oftentimes, I chalk it up to grace and mercy. The message to us from being in a “bad coverage area.” Paul is, “How can we as believers try to act Not only can our cell phones get caught like non-believers when no other believers are around?” Paul says our testimony is not in “bad coverage areas,” we as followers
WEDNESDAY
as powerful when we do this because we are engaging in hypocrisy. Those who are not Christ-followers could use our behavior as a reason to mock the God we serve.
Technology can be a great tool, unless we find ourselves in a “bad coverage area” that renders our devices useless. We have already talked about a couple of the “bad coverage areas” that hinder our Christian walk. Today, we end with a third area: 3. When we find ourselves in places we don’t want those we love to know about. Casting Crowns has a song called “Slow Fade”: It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away It’s a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray And thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade Paul urges us to stand firm and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:1, 16). If we have to lie about where we are, it can only lead to bondage, and God has called us to a life of freedom. My prayer today is that we stand firm against the temptations that lead to bondage and live free lives surrendered to the One who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
WEEKEND
Continue reading about living to glorify God:
Matthew 5 & 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 5 & 1 Corinthians 6:20
Don Davis Director of Increase Football
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For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.
INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY His Way
In middle school and high school, I started struggling internally with thoughts of sin and other faith issues. Having grown up in a Christian household, I thought, “Maybe I’ll ask God for help. Maybe I’ll try this God thing.” God saved me during that time and my relationship with Him grew from there. When I started college at the University of Florida, I was tested with the whole leaving-home-and-makingmy-own-decisions thing. I had to make the choice of who I wanted to be. As a college athlete, you have to put everything into your sport and I struggled with how to stay rooted in the Lord. But the Lord brought revelation to me and He brought people alongside me to mentor me. This is where I first learned that I could use my sport as part of my walk with the Lord; I could actually minister to others through softball! That was the jumpstart to how I live my life today. “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.” — Isaiah 43:7 When I was a freshman at Florida, I kept asking myself the question, “What is my purpose?” I clung to this verse and the fact that we are created for His glory. From that point on, I’ve always tried to find ways to be a light to others in softball. This has nothing to do with my success as a player, but it does have to do with what kind of a teammate and person I am. In softball, like baseball, we all get to choose a walkup song. Since I want to be true to who I am, I choose an upbeat Christian worship song, one that I would listen to before a game. It’s not typical, but it’s true to who I am. I’ve had people come up to me and say that this meant a lot to them. This is only one of the many small ways we can choose to glorify God in our lives and sport. Without Christ in my life, I wouldn’t be on the national team. There have been so many things throughout my softball career that are unexplainable apart from God. I was never recruited to play in college and I never pushed myself hard enough to think about playing for the USA team. It was the hand of God pushing me along to put me exactly where He wanted me to be. If I didn’t have Him in my life today, I think I would be so overwhelmed with the pressures and constant comparisons that you face as a professional softball player. Mentally, that can be hard to deal with, but I am able to find freedom from this in Christ. So instead of worrying about people’s comparisons, my finances, or how others expect an elite athlete to live, the Lord gives me peace and freedom because I know He’ll always make a way — His way.
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MICHELLE MOULTRIE 16
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TUESDAY Ears to Hear
[Open with 1 Samuel 3:10]
Being in the Reds organization for 12
years back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I knew the history of the Big Red Machine of the 1970s. As a catcher, I was also aware that Johnny Bench, whom many believe is the greatest catcher of all time, led those teams and made every catcher after him pale in comparison. But Johnny would often come help young catchers like me. And when he spoke, our young ears were excited to listen. In the Bible, Samuel was dedicated by his family to serve the Lord. This was at a time when the Lord’s words were rare in coming to the people. One night, God called out for Samuel three times. Finally Eli, the priest, realized God was speaking again and told Samuel to answer. Samuel, who had been serving God all his young life, hadn’t heard God speak to him before. But still, Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” When you read about Samuel’s life, it was never the same again!
So what do we do? If we want the Spirit to fill us daily, we need to empty ourselves and admit our weaknesses. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Don’t let the Spirit dwindle in the minors of your life — call Him up! Allow the Spirit to fill you daily, so that you will not become overwhelmed by life’s circumstances.
THURSDAY Hang in There
[Open with Philippians 1:20-26]
We come from different backgrounds, listen to different types of music, but what we all have in common is that hard times come our way. What do we do? Why does it happen? Where do we turn?
Paul’s letter to the Philippians may help. The first thing we can do is adopt Paul’s purpose in life for ourselves: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). If we I know the impact of when Johnny Bench are to live for Christ, then we should also spoke to me, but will we respond the same live like Christ. Our attitude during hard times should be one of humility — way when God speaks to us? The word of the Lord was rare in the time of Samuel, but the same as that of Christ Jesus (2:1-5). it isn’t for us today. We have God’s Word. God is the one who can fulfill all our needs, and if we want Him to do so, then Will you allow God to speak to you as we need to have faith in God no matter you humbly live out your life for Christ? the circumstances (4:11-13, 19). When we offer our prayers and requests to God, then we can enjoy God’s peace (4:6-7). Hard times are tough, and they all take time to get through, but we know they are Call Up the Spirit [Open with 2 Corinthians 12:9-10] all temporary compared to eternity.
WEDNESDAY
When a player gets selected in the MLB Draft, their journey starts in the minors. A handful have skipped the minors, but most everyone has to go develop their skills. Time spent in the minors depends on the player’s talent and ability to improve. Unfortunately, the vast majority of players never make it to the majors.
Life is hard, but we don’t have to go through it alone. Christ is not only with us, but God is working in us to complete that work (1:6). Our part starts with humbling ourselves, then allowing God to guard our hearts and minds as we rest in His peace through Christ. (4:7).
As followers of Jesus, we believe and hold onto the great mystery of the Trinity: one God, three Persons, equal in nature and worthy of praise. If we honestly look into our lives as we try and live out the Gospel, we struggle at times because we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us daily.
FRIDAY
When we try to do things in our own strength, we get frustrated and fail. This striving is like having the Spirit in the minors of your life. Trying to do everything on our own power implies that the Spirit is lacking in a certain area, and we can do it better. www.sportsspectrum.com
looked the part, so it came down to the youngest boy, who was tending the sheep. This is the one God wanted Samuel to anoint. Why? The Lord chose David because of his heart (v. 7). In 1 Samuel 17 is the story of young David and the nine-foot tall Goliath. No one from Israel would fight this warrior, but David believed the Lord would deliver victory to him (verses 24-37). How was young David able to defeat the mighty Goliath? David conquered because of his heart for God (vv. 45-47). In 2 Samuel 11, the great King David took the wife of Uriah (Bathsheba) for his own, and he tried to cover up his sinful mistake by sending Uriah to the frontline of battle to die. God then sent the prophet Nathan to confront King David with the story of a rich man who took a poor man’s only female lamb and prepared it as a meal. This greatly angered King David — until Nathan made him realize that he was the man in the story. David confessed from the heart of God (2 Samuel 12:13). If we are honest, we can find ourselves in similar situations. How is your heart today? Our heart toward God reflects and affects our life.
WEEKEND
Continue reading about having a heart for God: Psalm 73 & Proverbs 3:5-6; John 17 & Philippians 4:6-7
A Heart Like David
[Open with Acts 13:22]
David was described as a man after God’s own heart. What was it about his heart that that set him above the rest? Here are some examples. In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel was sent by God to find the next king of Israel among Jesse’s eight sons. The first seven were eliminated, though they may have
Eddie Taubensee Director of Increase Baseball
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For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.
INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY Long-Term Focus
With a performance-based career like professional baseball, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking about the short-term — what we’re doing here on earth — as our main goal. But I don’t want to get wrapped up in these things because I can’t take any of this with me. I want to make sure I’m using my time and energy, both verbally and nonverbally, to impact people for eternal purposes. I want to use my career in baseball to impact a generation with the Gospel message. I love it when I get the chance to have a discussion with my teammates about God. Often I want to do more than just have a conversation — to really help them understand who God is — but I’m excited when I get to have these chats, answer any questions they may have about my faith and talk with them about why they believe this or that. We talk, not only so that they can gain my perspective — God’s perspective — but so that I can better understand them and where they come from. When we’re able to sit down with four ears and four eyes, getting to know each other better, we are able to find common ground. Different moments allow for different conversations about faith in God to pop up. One moment I’ll be working out or hanging out with the guys in the locker room, and the next thing I know God places an opportunity in my life to talk about Him. That’s why I always try to stay on my toes and make sure I’m intentional with every word I’m saying, because it’s not really me speaking at all; the Holy Spirit is who gives me the words to say. “Do not worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” — Luke 12:11-12 There will be a day when we all stand before Jesus and make an account for the opportunities He’s given us, that we’ve either taken or missed. At that moment, I don’t want to just be the baseball player with all the accolades to his earthly name. Instead, I want to be able to say that I did everything during my life on earth that I possibly could have to impact the Kingdom of God and bring glory to His name. I don’t want to live a life of comfort or contentment. I want to be the man God created me to be, a reflection of His glory, leading others to a saving faith through Jesus Christ. What’s driving you to be who you are today?
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LUKE WEAVER 7
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TUESDAY One Mind
[Open with 1 Peter 3:8]
“Finally, all of you should be of one
mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” — 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT) We live in very divided, fearful, uncertain, anxious and isolated times. Where is the unity? Where is the community? Peter writes this letter to the followers of Jesus some 2,000 years ago with hopes that the body of Christ would be unified. What would his letter look like today? How do we obtain unity in such chaotic times? Peter asks that we be of “one mind.” Does that mean we are to all think the same? Nope. Does that mean we are to all keep our opinions and thoughts to ourselves? Nope. It means that we agree on the essentials of the faith. What are those? Well, herein lies the problem — we can’t seem to agree on what those are. If I were going to divide the Church, I would start right there! And isn’t that what Satan did in the garden when he said, “Did God really say ...” (Genesis 3:1). He created doubt in Eve’s mind so that her mind wouldn’t be one with God’s — or Adam’s for that matter. Then division manifested. I have heard that there are more than 33,000 different branches and churches all under the label of “Christianity.” Wow!
right into being sympathetic toward each other. Sympathy means you hurt when someone else is hurting. It’s about caring for each other, while empathy is about getting inside another person’s shoes. As a Church, we lack sympathy and empathy. Why? First, we are too busy debating our own current situations or struggles. Second, we live in selfpreservation mode. And third, we hate responsibility and love to judge. We don’t live our lives from a 30,000-foot view. We lack big-picture thinking because we are so wrapped up in trying to build our little kingdoms instead of being about the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus connected with us in every way humanly possible. He was tired, hungry, tempted and betrayed, and He experienced suffering, pain and weeping. But in all of this, He never sinned (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus came to establish a Kingdom that would not perish, but live forever. When we focus on the perishable things of this world, we lose sight of what’s important and begin to forsake the prize of God’s creation: people! So how do we become sympathetic toward others? By loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.
for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” — Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT) Jesus not only saved me, He teaches me how to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). When we have a 30,000-foot view, we slow down, trust more and are less worried about stupid, temporal things. We become more tender toward others and less interested in using them to advance our causes. What’s central to your heart?
FRIDAY Humble Attitude
[Open with 1 Peter 3:8]
Pride creates division in churches, businesses, teams, families, relationships and inside our own souls. When an earthly king reigns, the people are there to serve him. But when Jesus, the King of Glory, came to earth, He showed us who the King is and what His Kingdom is all about. Jesus valued others above Himself (John 13:1-17), He walked in humility, fully trusting the Father, and He loved deeply. Apart from Christ, we have no chance to walk as He walked. When we begin to approach life as if we know best, then we will be divisive and unsympathetic, our hearts will be hard, and humility will only represent a state of weakness.
So how do you know if you have true, authentic humility? When others succeed, does that threaten you? Do you only like to Tenderhearted help others when it makes you look good [Tenderhearted] in the eyes of others? We need to get back Unity doesn’t come naturally and, again, to the basics in our faith: keep it simple, Here are what I believe to be the nonnegotiables of the Christian faith: the Bible in today’s culture it’s truly uncommon. Peter repent, forgive, engage, love, give grace and give truth in love. lays out a simple plan: 1) Is your mind on is the infallible Word of God; there is one things of Heaven? 2) Are you sympathetic God expressed as Father, Son and Holy toward others? 3) Are your hearts tender? Spirit; Jesus left Heaven for earth; Jesus was born to a virgin; Jesus lived a sinless, What does that mean? What are things perfect life; Jesus died on the cross for most people are tender toward? Babies our sins, rose from the grave on the third Continue reading about unity: day and ascended into Heaven; those who (unless they are crying), puppies, kittens Romans 12 & Colossians 3:14; believe must repent to receive forgiveness and children with cancer or some other 1 Corinthians 1 & 2 Corinthians 13:11 for their sins and the indwelling of the Holy illness. The list is small. Why? Spirit; and I believe Jesus sits at the right hand of the throne of God and will one day “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from return for His Church. His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working Sympathy together with one mind and purpose. [Open with 1 Peter 3:8] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress Peter lays out a simple plan to create others. Be humble, thinking of others as Brian Hommel unity, starting with one mind and rolling Arizona Diamondbacks chaplain better than yourselves. Don’t look out only
THURSDAY
WEEKEND
WEDNESDAY
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For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.
INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY Faith In The Locker Room
A big percentage — probably a quarter — of the guys on our team are very outspoken Christfollowers, and a number of us are regularly attending Bible study, encouraging each other and praying for each other. It’s probably not far off from your typical office building where you have folks who want to do life their own way, and then others who have tasted the goodness of Christ and don’t want to do life any way contrary to that. A lot of people see NFL players on ESPN and think they’ve got it all. “What an incredible life!” many think. But for a lot of these guys, there are a lot of broken areas in their lives, and when they come to talk to us about it, we are able to love on them. When things start to get tough, it’s awesome that they often come to those of us on the team who follow Christ. They want to identify with us, as if we have a general idea of how to handle these things because of our relationship with Christ. This is a testament to just how powerful God is! Recently, I was sitting down, talking with one of my teammates, and life was just not going well for him. He wanted to ask how we did life, what our family was like, how things started for me with my relationship with Christ, and what life looks like as a professional athlete whose identity is found in Christ. We will talk with these guys, pray for these guys and love on them. It’s so awesome! “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.” — Ephesians 6:19 It’s great that many of us are outspoken about our faith, but it’s inside the locker room where lives are changed, as those who are sick of this broken way of life reach out to us. If we can just be a bit of that light that shines and can turn them to Christ, that’s what it’s all about. When it’s all said and done, and our short careers are over, how many lives and families will be changed just through the locker room? What an incredible story that would be! What can you do to help transform your community with the message of Jesus Christ? What story is being created within your sphere of influence?
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TRESS WAY 5
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TUESDAY
Don’t Waste Your Time and Energy
[Open with Psalm 127:1]
There’s an NBA player who has a tutorial on YouTube about how to shoot a jump shot. He gives pointers on how to position your feet, where to place your hands on the ball, and how to line up your shot. One thing he also mentions is where to focus your eyes, because it doesn’t matter how perfect your form may be if you aren’t focused on the goal. If you’ve got great form but no focus, you are wasting your time and energy.
In Psalm 127:1, we read, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” All of us desire intimacy and security, but if we aren’t focused on the Lord and seeking Him to provide that intimacy and security, we are wasting our time and energy.
In Psalm 127:2, we read, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for He grants sleep to those He loves.” If we get up at 4 a.m., workout, go to work or school, check the stock market, and then come home and work until late into the night, it’s a waste of time and sweat if we aren’t depending on God. Even when we go to bed and quit working, studying or working out, God keeps working. God provides for us even while we are sleeping.
FRIDAY
Have the Right Focus
[Open with Psalm 127:5b]
Leadership is the ability to influence people and their decisions.
Last season, a Rockets coach and a player arrived early to chapel. The player was eating a pregame, fruit-flavored nutrition bar. The coach then said to the player, “That bar makes your breath smell So when we sleep, we are demonstrating like strawberries.” The player responded, our trust in God. Rather than avoiding rest “I’ll stop eating them then.” and sleep, trust God to provide and work for you while you are sleeping. I then said, “That’s influence.”
If we focus on the Lord and depend on Him, Psalm 127:5b says, “They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” The court is city What’s the Target? hall. It’s where the city’s leaders met and [Open with Psalm 127:3-5a] deliberated. The person focused on the Lord will have influence with their enemies. My daughter bought a top-of-the-line, auto-everything camera recently. Now here’s Proverbs 16:7 tells us, “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes If you are trying to build a household full the thing about this camera: If it is focused their enemies to make peace with them.” on the subject properly, everything else of loving, intimate relationships, but aren’t will take care of itself. On the flipside, if the depending on the Lord and committed to camera isn’t focused on the subject properly, I believe the “they” mentioned in Psalm obeying Him, then you are wasting your 127:5b are the children of people focused time and energy. If you are seeking security then it won’t take a good picture. In our by arming yourself or getting a state-of-the- walk with God, when it comes to having our on the Lord. They will be the ones who are leaders. They will be the ones God uses to needs met, focus is everything too. art alarm system, but aren’t depending on provide intimacy, security and provision to the Lord and committed to obeying Him, their loved ones. If the focus is right, God then you are wasting your time and energy. In Psalm 127:1-2, we find that we will take care of everything else. can trust God for intimacy, security and provision. In the rest of the psalm, that If you aren’t focused on the Lord and So rather than focusing on everything depending on Him, then you just might be intimacy, security and provision is seen in our children. Children are a reward and gift else, focus on the Lord. Commit to seeking wasting your time and energy. Recommit Him and His rule in your life (Matthew 6:33) from God. yourself to Him today and make Him the and God will give you and your children focus of your life. influence. In Psalm 127:3-5a, we read, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of God Works When You Stop them.” You are your parents’ arrow. And [Open with Psalm 127:2] Continue reading about focusing on God: if you are a parent, your children are your Hebrews 12 & Philippians 4:8; I recently finished reading an actionarrows. Like arrows, they are meant to be Colossians 3 & Isaiah 26:3 thriller novel by a best-selling author. The aimed at and focused on a target lead character of the book is an F.B.I. agent and released. who is also a former world-class athlete. Though she is mentally, physically and The target we need to focus on is to emotionally tough and nearly invincible, the love God and love our neighbor (Matthew author regularly describes her taking a nap 22:37-40). If we do that, God will provide or sleeping in her simple apartment after a the intimacy, security and provision we long day of crime fighting. need. As parents, we need to constantly aim our children to love God and love Everyone needs sleep, yet some of their neighbor. us work long hours and skimp on sleep thinking that we are the exception. We drink So examine yourself today. What are you triple espressos or energy drinks to try and focused on? What are you focusing your make it through our long days, but sleep is children on? a way that we demonstrate our dependence Ikki Soma on God. Houston Rockets chaplain
WEDNESDAY
www.sportsspectrum.com
THURSDAY
WEEKEND
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For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.
INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY First Things First
I’m learning just how important it is to first prioritize my relationship with Jesus every day. Everything else can flow from that. When I don’t connect with God each day, I definitely notice. Especially in season, I lose my perspective. Suddenly my atbats are a way bigger deal, I’m not as patient with those around me, and I forget why I’m doing what I’m doing. It’s exhausting! But when I invite Jesus along with me daily, my perspective shifts off myself and onto Him. I can be a light to others; it’s a natural overflow from the light Christ gives me. Even when I invite Jesus into my everyday, it’s still a constant battle to keep Him first. God’s created me to have a passion for softball, He wants me to care about it so I can put in the extra work it requires to be great. But the enemy wants me to take it to an unhealthy level of priority in my life. I constantly have to fight to keep the right perspective of why I’m playing this game. I never thought I would be on the USA team. It wasn’t a dream of mine growing up simply because I didn’t think I was capable of it. But in college, my career took off. That was all God. He didn’t have to give me this amazing opportunity, putting me in this place at this time, but He did. That’s what drives me now. He really does have me here for a reason and He has entrusted me with this platform. This pushes me to be my best both in season and during the offseason. When I try to do it all for my glory and my success, I get worn out. When I’m working because I know God’s given me this gift and I can be a tool for His Kingdom, I can push myself to go even further than I ever imagined. And in the moments when I don’t feel motivated to push, I ask God, “If this is where You want me, put a fire in me to work hard and get after it.” He answers every time. It’s so humbling and much more enjoyable to go out there and play when I know it’s not all for me, it’s for Him. What can you do today to use your talents and passions to bring glory to God? “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33
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JANIE REED 9
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TUESDAY
Who Wants to be Successful? [Open with Joshua 1:8]
There is something inside of every one
of us that wants to know we are successful at something. In school, sports, business or ministry, we desire to know we have succeeded in our endeavor. Have we considered the “why” in what we have attempted to accomplish? “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” — Joshua 1:8 God’s Word makes it simple if we truly desire to have an eternal impact in our own lives and in the lives of others. His Word carries the truth and the means by which we can make an eternal impact. If we take the time to learn His Word and apply it to our lives, we will experience the success He promised. Joshua was given the mantle to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, having taken it from Moses, and the Lord told him that if he wanted to have success it would be directly attached to following His Word.
The more time we spend with Jesus in His Word, the more we will understand His purposes in our lives. He has promised to reveal Himself to us in the Word by the power of His Spirit. The question we have to ask of ourselves is, “Do we truly long for His Word?” Longing suggests that we deeply desire something. We long for God’s blessing, provision and supply for our lives, but do we truly desire how we can obtain these things? Hunger and thirst for His Word and you will be satisfied in every area of your life.
THURSDAY Sacred vs. Secular
[Open with Deuteronomy 6:4-9]
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-9
and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12 The word is alive! God’s Word is a living organism. I can read the same passage a year from now and the word will have a different application to my life depending on where the Lord presently has me. His Word helps me to clarify what I am thinking. His Word helps me to discern my motives for why I would choose to do what I do. His Word gives me direction on the right path that I need to walk. His Word corrects me when I choose to go my own way. His Word gives life to those who choose to follow. There is a saying that states, “God’s Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from God’s Word.” That statement is truth. His Word strengthens me to withstand the enemy’s attacks. His Word encourages my soul, helping me to understand that this world is not my home. His Word warns me and protects me. His Word gives me peace and joy beyond what this world has to offer. His Word is the provision for true life. Philippians 3:10 is my life verse: “I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”
How successful do you desire to be? What do you want to succeed at? God has When God established His people, He laid the plan out as plain and simple as He wanted them to understand that He made can. Follow His Word and you will succeed. no division between what was sacred and To know Him is to know His Word and to what was secular. All to Him is sacred! Each follow in His footsteps. area of our lives is precious to Him and He desires that we would understand that.
WEDNESDAY Longing For the Word
WEEKEND
[Open with 1 Peter 2:2-3]
Have you ever seen a newborn baby when it comes to feeding time? The baby will cry and scream until his need has been met. Once the feeding has been satisfied, the baby is content and ready to enjoy being loved by those who are taking care of him. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” — 1 Peter 2:2-3 As we desire to be filled with the truth that comes from the Word of God, He uses His Word to fill us up and satisfy the hunger and thirst within our lives. As we read, study and apply God’s Word in our lives, we will desire His Word more and more to be central in our lives.
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Our lives are to be a living example to the rest of the world. As we walk in the Continue reading about knowing world, we need to consider every event God’s Word: and circumstance as coming from our 2 Timothy 3 & 1 Thessalonians 2:13; loving Father’s hand. We are to use life’s situations to point our families, friends and Proverbs 2 & Matthew 4:4 co-workers to our Savior, Jesus. We have the privilege to utilize God’s Word on a daily basis to impact our families and those the Lord brings into our paths. If we don’t know the Word of God, however, then we can’t use the Word of God to impact ourselves or others.
FRIDAY The Word is Alive
[Open with Hebrews 4:12]
“For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul
Mickey Weston Chicago White Sox chaplain
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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY He’s Changing Me Still
I grew up in Christian home and went to church every Sunday. I think I had a relationship with Jesus when I was younger, but I didn’t really understand what that looked like in the day-to-day. I moved away from home at 16 years old to play hockey and at that time, when I was away from the protection, rules and values of my parents, I started to look more and more like the world. You could say I was living a double life — when around my parents and at church on Sunday I fit in and knew how to be a Christian, but the rest of the week Jesus wasn’t a part of my life. During this journey of playing junior hockey, my team got in trouble and I remember my coach challenging us to go to church. He figured we needed it. I took that challenge. At that point, I was no longer going to church for my parents, but I was going to check it out for myself. Over the course of a few weeks, whatever the pastor was sharing that Sunday, it didn’t even matter what it was, the Holy Spirit was convicting me of the life I was living and the sin in my life. I was trying to hide, but I was finding conviction every time I went, and I kept going back. That led to me going to church and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bible study on campus during my freshman year in college at Bowling Green State University. The combination of having Godly friends in my life and learning who Jesus is — that was just what I needed. I remember a moment meeting with our campus church pastor over coffee at the student union and, as a man, it’s hard to show weakness, but I started confessing my sin to him and the things in my past I felt so ashamed of. I expected him to be upset or surprised, but he wasn’t. He shared Jesus and the story of the Gospel with me, and though I had heard it many times, I finally understood the hope and new life Jesus offered me. I wanted that and I believed that. From that day on, I was all in for Him. Of course there’s been ups and downs, but God gave me a new life to walk with Him. Being married and now having a kid, I realize just how selfish I really am. In light of that, I realize just how good God is to me and how faithful He is to me, no matter what. In Philippians 1:6, it says, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” That just reminds me that God not only saves me but He’s going to keep changing me into His image every day. He’s not going to give up on me. So those days when I feel like I’ve completely blown it — whether that be as a dad, as a husband, or in hockey, whatever it may be — I know that God’s grace is enough. He’s going to keep changing me and He’s not letting go of me. 60 60
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TUESDAY
to our daily lives so we can recognize and overcome temptation. (See Matthew 4:1-11.)
What Bothers You?
[Open with Nehemiah 1:4]
The Bible: Jesus always went back to God’s Word. He combated lies with truth! Nehemiah was cup-bearer (like a highly- Other believers: Who we hang with usually trusted butler) to the king. It bothered plays a big part with temptation. Be with Nehemiah that the remnant of Jews (his the right people in the right places. people) in Judah were in distress, and Set boundaries: Make a list — these are that the walls of Jerusalem were broken places I won’t go, these are things I won’t down (and they were very vulnerable to do, these are people I won’t hang with. attack). So he asked the king (his boss) for permission to return and rebuild the city. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And This was a very bold thing to ask, with God is faithful; He will not let you be great risk of losing his job and possibly tempted beyond what you can bear. But even his life. However, his burden (the load when you are tempted, He will also provide he was carrying for his people) was real a way out so that you can endure it.” and he knew he needed to do something — 1 Corinthians 10:13 about it. Look at what temptations are common God will put burdens on our heart — to you and apply these principles to people we want to see come to know overcome them! Him, a friend that may be walking in sin, a social injustice, even a sin we are struggling with, etc. As we walk through God’s Word daily in our life, these burdens will come to the forefront through the Do I Exhibit Boldness? [Open with Joshua 1:9] Holy Spirit. The question then becomes, “What will we do?” Boldness: willingness to take risks and In Nehemiah 1:4, we see that Nehemiah act innovatively; confidence or courage. was moved — he wept, he mourned, he fasted and prayed! Then he did something It is a challenge at times to take a stand to share the Gospel with someone or to about it. Action is the key. The burden speak up for truth. We get concerned moved him to action. He got permission, raised the resources, rallied the people and about how we might be received or what rebuilt the walls. It wasn’t an easy process, people may think about us. Let’s face it: We all want to be liked and accepted, but he responded to the burden God put and we have fears that if we speak about on his heart, and it was worth it. Jesus we might be ridiculed. What burden is on your heart today? However, we are commanded to be What will you do about it? bold about our faith and not to be timid or afraid. We are to be confident in knowing “Do not quench the Spirit.” that the power of Almighty God is with us — 1 Thessalonians 5:19 at all times. Take a look at the life of Peter in the book of Acts — what a picture of boldness. He was not afraid, and he and the other disciples risked their lives to spread the Gospel. Think about that — Temptation Is Real they must have really believed if they were [Open with Ephesians 6:12] willing to risk their lives. Temptation is real to all believers, and it is vital that we understand our enemy Do you really believe the Bible to be the has one goal in mind: He wants to destroy true Word of God? Do you really believe our lives. that Jesus is the only way to God? If so, what is holding you back from being bold “The thief comes only to steal and kill in your faith and seeking the true Word of and destroy; I have come that they may God? Pray and ask God for boldness and have life, and have it to the full.” courage to speak His Word in your world. — John 10:10 “What, then, shall we say in response to Thankfully, we have some strategies laid these things? If God is for us, who can be out in God’s Word that we can apply against us?” — Romans 8:31
THURSDAY
WEDNESDAY
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FRIDAY
No Worries, Just Trust
[Open with Matthew 6:25-34]
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” — Matthew 6:25 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34 So, God is all knowing, correct? And He loves us, correct? And He knows what’s best for us, correct? And He is trustworthy, faithful and good (plus a lot more). So … why do we worry so much? Seriously, God has a plan, He knows what is going on. His Word tells us not to worry or stress, but to trust Him. I know it’s easy to say that, but we need to be reminded often of His faithfulness and His trustworthiness, and believe that He has things in control. We need to trust Him with all our heart, as if our lives depend upon Him — and by the way, our lives do depend on Him. He has always been faithful, right and true. That is His nature, so why do we think He is going to change? Whatever it is that you worry about or are stressed about, take it to the Lord in prayer. Give it to Him and place your trust in Him. He has a plan. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
WEEKEND
Continue reading about being bold: Acts 4 & Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 18 & John 16:33
Chris Lane Miami Marlins chaplain
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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS
MONDAY To Love Like Christ
Being a family man within the NFL can be tough. Being away for a good portion of each week during the season is hard, but it does cause me to place a greater intentionality on the times my wife, Yesenia, and I do get to spend together. In the same way, I try to be as present and attentive to my children every day. Whether I talk to them on FaceTime, on the phone or in person, I want them to always know how much their dad cares for them. My family has needs whether I’m home or not, and as the father, it’s my job to make sure these needs are met. When Yesenia and I first got married, I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to be the dad who comes home from work, grabs a beer and checks out in front of the television. I want to be there to take my kids to their after-school activities and discover what’s important to them. I want to be involved not only in my kids’ lives, but in my wife’s life as much as I can. A sacrificial marriage means giving up things that you might want to do, or just not choosing the easy way. It means putting your family’s needs above your own and that’s what I aim to do. Usually when I get home from work, I’m exhausted — mentally and physically. I’ve had conversations with people all day and the last thing I want to do is have another one, but that’s what my wife needs. So she knows to give me 15-20 minutes to myself when I get home to collect my thoughts and refocus my mindset, then I can give more of myself to her and the kids. I need to replace my competitive mindset (what we call my “warrior-attitude”) to be able to be the husband and father I need to be at home. I don’t want to be another athlete who goes home to their wife only to maintain the competitive, argumentative attitude they have on the field. She deserves more than that. We’re on the same team; we’re not against each other. We’re striving together for the same goal. Sacrificial love is who Christ is. I find that the more I spend time with Him, the more I portray His qualities in my own life. The more I read about Him in His Word, or spend time in prayer, or just talk with Him, the better I understand the great love He has for all of humanity. It rubs off on you. Just like when you are around other people — in the Church or outside of it — who are displaying a sacrificial love for others, it’s contagious. The closer you cling to Him, the more you start acting like Him. That’s who I want to be.
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TUESDAY The Lord Builds The House [Open with Psalm 127:1]
So many marriages and families are
destroyed because people tend to build every kind of home except a Godly home. Some strive to build a financiallyprosperous home, or a home driven by a hard work ethic, pride or academic achievement. Nothing is wrong with any of these, but when you leave God out of the equation, you’ve missed the whole point of building a family.
No matter what comes against you, “stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Even in prison, Paul knew the Lord was with him. The Lord will always give you everything you need to do what He has called you to do.
That’s great counsel! Keep doing the right thing for the right reason and God will reward you in the end! Regardless of what we face personally, we are encouraged to be “very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
FRIDAY
The Disease of Discouragement [Open with Psalm 43:5]
In Exodus, the Israelites were in a seemingly hopeless situation. They had become slaves of the Egyptians. However, God told Moses that He was going to bring the entire nation out of Egypt and set To stand firm, be wise and make the them free, so they could worship the Lord. We intentionally plan and invest in every most of every opportunity takes spiritual But “they did not listen to Him because of personal and professional goal we set. But fortitude — grit, courage, resilience, their discouragement and harsh labor” when it comes to building a Godly home, determination, stamina. The truly wise (Exodus 6:9). we are less intentional and strategic — as receive this kind of spiritual strength if it’s going to happen just because we directly from the Lord. There are a few things we can learn want it to. One of the main reasons God established marriage is because He wants Make every day count — you never know here. First, discouragement is contagious and destructive. We see this kind of Godly people who raise Godly children when it may be your last! Don’t count the (Malachi 2:15). days — make each day count for God’s glory! discouragement in certain areas of the world and even in some neighborhoods in the U.S. But the Bible lets us know in At this juncture, it doesn’t matter if you Proverbs 15:15 that “the cheerful heart has are married, divorced or never married, or a continual feast.” if you have children or not. Here are three essential tools you need if you want to Learning To Be Content Second, discouragement is a choice. contribute to building a Godly home where [Open with Philippians 4:11b-13] It’s been rightfully said that “you can others are taught and inspired to live a life While chained in a Roman prison, Paul trust God or you can worry, but you can’t that honors the Lord (Proverbs 24:3). wrote that he “learned to be content.” do both at the same time!” Worst of all, Even though Paul was literally in a dark discouragement will cause you to ignore - Wisdom: Seeing things and people place, he didn’t let his perceived sense of the Word of God. Look at all the promises from God’s perspective. need drag him to a dark place spiritually the Israelites refused to believe because of - Understanding: Responding with or emotionally. their dismay: Biblical insight. - Knowledge: Perceptive learning, Discontentment comes from three “I am the Lord and I will bring you out having a teachable spirit. unhealthy perspectives. The first is unfair … I will free you ... I will redeem you … I comparisons, or basically trying to keep will take you as My own ... I will be your These tools only come from God up with the Joneses. King Solomon made God … you will know that I am the Lord ... (Proverbs 2:6). And you only acquire this astute observation more than 2,500 I will bring you to the land … I will give it access and skill in using these tools if years ago: “And I saw that all toil and all to you …” — Exodus 6:6-8 you intentionally and seriously seek Him achievement spring from one person’s (Hebrews 11:6). envy of another. This too is meaningless, a The Lord wanted His people back so they chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:4). could worship Him freely. He was willing and able to deliver them from an impossible Second, a discontented heart comes circumstance — and He did just that! Make Every Day Count from uncontrolled ambition. James [Open with Psalm 46:1-2] teaches, “For where you have envy and The groundbreaking 1982 hit “The selfish ambition, there you find disorder Message,” by Grand Master Flash and and every evil practice” (James 3:16). Continue reading about staying positive: the Furious Five, help put hip-hop on Learning to be content does not mean you Proverbs 3 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; the global music map for good. We all must abandon all your ambitions. It’s OK Psalm 37 & Philippians 4:4-9 remember the hook: “Don’t push me to dream big. But make sure your dreams ’cause I’m close to the edge, I’m tryin’ not are in tune with God’s Word and His will for to lose my head…” These lyrics express your life. And whatever you do, don’t allow the constant challenge and frustration of your ambitions to drag you off the path of living in a messed-up world. obeying and honoring the Lord.
THURSDAY
WEDNESDAY
WEEKEND
But Christians, nevertheless, have been called out to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). www.sportsspectrum.com
And third, unnoticed blessings bring a discontented heart. Regardless of your circumstances, remember that the blessings of the Lord always outweigh your real or imagined needs (1 Timothy 6:6-7).
Jerry Birch Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain
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You CAN know
PERSONALLY
Our Problem, God’s Solution
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By Randy Alcorn
“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) and desired to have a delightful relationship with them. But something went terribly wrong. When Adam and Eve chose to follow Satan’s advice in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), sin poisoned the world and now we are all born with the desire to do things our own way, not God’s.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Our sins against a good and holy God have distanced us from Him (Isaiah 59:2). God “cannot tolerate wrongdoing” (Habakkuk 1:12). Through sin we forfeit a relationship with God, and along with it our happiness. The result of all this is death. Spiritual death is separation from God in a very real place called Hell. Physical death marks the end of our opportunity to enter into a relationship with God and avoid eternal condemnation (Hebrews 9:27).
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). There is absolutely nothing we can do to restore ourselves to God. He is holy, we are not. In fact, He says even our good deeds are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But God loved us so much He sent us His Son 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 did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. When Jesus died for us, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The Greek word translated “it is finished” was written across certificates of debt when they were canceled. It meant “paid in full.” Jesus then rose from the grave, conquering sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
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If these words reflect your heart and you would like to receive salvation through Jesus Christ, say this prayer to God. It's as simple as A-B-C: Admit, Believe, Confess. SPORTS SPECTRUM
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“Three questions every single human on earth has to answer: How did I get here? Why am I here? Is there anything after this? Jesus is the only One who can truly answer all of these questions for us. He tells we were uniquely made by God, we’re here to give God glory and we can enjoy Him forever! I challenge anyone to search for the truth — if Jesus really did live, die and rise three days later from the grave. It’ll be the best choice you ever made.”
NEW COPY BELOW Steven Souza Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
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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). God’s 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 Christ’s work of grace for us on the cross (Titus 3:5). He is the one and only way to God. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
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“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).
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“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).
To be right with God, we must admit our sinful hearts and actions, and ask God’s forgiveness. If we do, He graciously promises full 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.
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). God’s Holy Spirit indwells us and helps us obey Him (2 Timothy 1:14).
“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 & former NFL player 3
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