Sports Spectrum - Summer 2019

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1-866-821-2971 $18, 4 ISSUES (PRINT) For information on subscriptions, back issues, discount bulk issues, or changing your subscription address: Web site: www.sportsspectrum.com/subscribe/ Phone: 1-866-821-2971 Mail: 640 Plaza Drive, Suite 110, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Email: support@sportsspectrum.com General correspondence, Letter to the Editor, or Writer’s Query No unsolicited manuscripts, please E-mail: support@sportsspectrum.com Permissions, Reprints Phone: 1-866-821-2971 E-mail: support@sportsspectrum.com COVER • PHOTO CREDITS: Julie Ertz (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski), Gyasi Zardes (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey), Andrew McCutchen (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

“Heart of a Coach” and “Heart of an Athlete” are registered trademarks of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and used with permission.

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 DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Jimmy W. Page PODCAST HOST Jason Romano CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jim Crosby, Kevin Mercer, Jimmy H. Page, Joshua Pease CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Lauren Atherton BUSINESS OPERATIONS Jacob House, Tricia Hudson COPY EDITOR Lori Stenstrom

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 Christcentered 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.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SPORTS SPECTRUM, 640 Plaza Dr., Ste 110, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

CONTENTS 16 — Serving Through Sport

Athletes in Action, 12th Rock, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Wheel Power

20 — Kings Of The Hill

Virginia owned last year’s devastating loss, then climbed to the top of the college basketball world.

24 — The Power Of Love

Julie Ertz keeps the love of Christ as her motivation as a leader on the U.S. women’s national soccer team, a star in the NWSL, the wife of an NFL Pro Bowler, and co-founder of the Ertz Family Foundation. + PLUS: 2019 Women’s World Cup preview

30 — Glory Deflector

Gyasi Zardes has found his form again, for both the U.S. national team and the Columbus Crew. And with the increased praise, he’s quick to direct all glory to God. + PLUS: MLS players to follow

36 — Grounded On The Go

After nine seasons with the club that drafted him, Andrew McCutchen discovered life on the move last year — on top of becoming a new father.

Through it all, the Phillies veteran ensures his relationship with Christ is most important.

40 — The Seminal Skipper

Florida State Seminoles baseball coach Mike Martin has won more games than any other collegiate coach. He’ll soon leave the game, but leave behind a legacy of faith. + PLUS: What You Need To Know - College World Series

46 — The Pursuit: Do The Work

By Jimmy Page

47 — The Increase Devotionals

Messages from professional athletes, chaplains and leaders

+ PLUS Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for current news and updates!

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

WWW. sportsspectrum.com

4 - By the Numbers | 6 - Around the Spectrum | 8 - Summer Entertainment | 9 - MLB Faith Events | 10 - Sports Spectrum Digital 12 - Heart of an Athlete & Coach | 64 - Gospel Message

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VICTORIOUS VIRGINIA

Kyle Guy (5) celebrates winning the men’s basketball national championship, the first in Virginia history, on April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. Virginia defeated Texas Tech 85-77 in overtime, thus completing a remarkable turnaround one year after being the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16-seed. Turn to page 20 to see how the faith and leadership of head coach Tony Bennett played a major role.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

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BY THE NUMBERS

SUMMER 2019 8570285734057

16 36.1

HOME RUNS THROUGH 37 GAMES FOR CHRISTIAN YELICH, THE REIGNING NL MVP WHOSE CAREER HIGH IS 36 HRS IN 2018. HE’S ON PACE FOR 67 THIS SEASON.

POINTS AVERAGED ON THE SEASON FOR JAMES HARDEN, THE HIGHEST SINCE MICHAEL JORDAN’S AP Photo/David Zalubowski

37.1 IN 1986-87.

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2000 CAREER RBI FOR ALBERT PUJOLS,

JUST THE THIRD PLAYER IN MLB HISTORY TO REACH 3,000 HITS, 600 HOME RUNS AND 2,000 RBI.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

AP Photo/Aaron Gash

HE LOST THE FROZEN FOUR FINAL WITH UMASS, THEN JOINED THE COLORADO AVALANCHE IN THE PLAYOFFS (AND SCORED!)

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100 MIL.

POSTSEASON WINS FOR THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

AFTER AN NHL-RECORD-TYING 62 IN THE REGULAR SEASON.

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

DAYS OFF BETWEEN CALE MAKAR’S COLLEGE CAREER ENDING AND HIS PRO CAREER STARTING.

LIVE STREAMS CONSUMED THROUGH THE NCAA MARCH MADNESS LIVE APP, ADDING UP TO MORE THAN 24 MILLION LIVE HOURS CONSUMED, BOTH ALL-TIME TOURNAMENT RECORDS.

BY THE NUMBERS AP Photo/Jason Behnken

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BY THE NUMBERS

THE TOP CLUB IN MLS WITH 27 POINTS. LAST YEAR, LAFC RECORDED THE BEST REGULAR SEASON EVER FOR AN EXPANSION TEAM (57 POINTS).

PERFECT GAMES THROWN BY DRAKE SOFTBALL PITCHER NICOLE NEWMAN,

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

JACKIE YOUNG (LEFT) WENT NO. 1 AND ARIKE OGUNBOWALE (RIGHT) WENT NO. 5.

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GOAL DIFFERENTIAL THROUGH 12 GAMES THIS SEASON FOR LAFC,

AP Photo/Michael Woods

NUMBER OF STARTERS FROM NOTRE DAME SELECTED IN THE WNBA DRAFT.

A SINGLE-SEASON NCAA RECORD. ALL FIVE CAME AFTER MARCH 30.

AP Photo/Gregory Payan

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

FANS WHO ATTENDED THE NFL DRAFT OVER THE THREE DAYS IN NASHVILLE, TENN.,

A NEW RECORD. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, AN AVERAGE OF 6.1 MILLION VIEWERS WERE WATCHING ON TV.

600,000

www.sportsspectrum.com

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

AP Photo/John Locher

ODDS FOR COUNTRY HOUSE TO WIN THE KENTUCKY DERBY,

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WHICH IT DID WHEN MAXIMUM SECURITY WAS DISQUALIFIED FOR IMPEDING ANOTHER HORSE, MAKING COUNTRY HOUSE THE SECONDHIGHEST-PRICED WINNER IN THE DERBY’S 145-YEAR HISTORY.

BY THE NUMBERS

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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AROUND THESPECTRUM

AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

AP Photo/John Raoux

AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

NEW BEASTS IN THE EAST

After injuries limited him to nine games for the Spurs in 2017-18, Kawhi Leonard forced a trade, landed in Toronto, then took the Raptors to their second ever Eastern Conference finals. To get there and face Milwaukee (its first ECF since ‘01), Leonard hit a game-winning fadeaway as time ran out in Game 7 against Philadelphia.

Following eight straight years of LeBron James winning the East (four each with Miami and Cleveland), a new wave of superstars emerged this year. Out west, Golden State made its fifth consecutive WCF, and faced Portland, which hadn’t been that far since 2000.

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SPORTS SPECTRUM

MASTERFUL AGAIN

Tiger Woods overcame a third-round deficit to win a major for the first time, making three birdies in his final six holes at the Masters to capture his 15th major — 11 years after his last one.

And he collected his fifth green jacket, winning golf’s most storied tournament for the first time since 2005.

Woods’ fifth Masters win passed Arnold Palmer, and he trails only Jack Nicklaus’ six.

The 43-year-old became the tournament’s second-oldest champion behind Nicklaus, who won at 46. That was major No. 18 for the Golden Bear, the only man boasting more than Woods’ 15.

THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN

For the first time in NHL history, all four division winners were eliminated in the first round — Washington, the defending champs, fell to Carolina; Tampa Bay, which won the Presidents’ Trophy, fell to Columbus; Calgary, best in the West, fell to Colorado; and Nashville fell to Dallas.

The Tampa Bay defeat marked the first time since expansion began (1967-68) that a team failed to win a first-round playoff game after leading the league in regular-season points. Tampa Bay totaled 128 points this year (fourth in NHL history) on the strength of 62 wins, which tied the NHL record.

BAYLOR BEATS CHAMPS

Baylor’s Chloe Jackson hit a tiebreaking layup with 3.9 seconds left, and Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale missed the first of two free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining, giving Baylor an 82-81 victory over the reigning champs in the NCAA women’s basketball title game.

Baylor star Lauren Cox injured her knee late in the third, and the Irish were able to erase a 14-point deficit that quarter to tie it in the fourth. But the Lady Bears (who went 37-1) held on for their first championship in seven years. Jackson was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

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BASKETBALL | BASEBALL | FOOTBALL | SOCCER | HOCKEY

AROUND THESPECTRUM MAN CITY DEFENDS TITLE

Manchester City captured the English Premier League title for the second straight year with a 4-1 win over Brighton on the final day of the season. City finished with 98 points, one ahead of Liverpool, whose 97 points marked the highest total by a runner-up in English top flight history. The victory makes City the first team to retain the league crown since Manchester United in 2009. In 2018, Man City became the first EPL team to earn 100 points in a single season. In 2019, the club won its final 14 league matches to keep the league title.

ENGLISH CHAMPIONS

Liverpool may have come up short in its domestic league, but the legendary club can still attain another prestigious title: the UEFA Champions League Cup. Liverpool already owns five such trophies, more than any other English club (but none since 2005). For the crown, the Reds will face Tottenham in its Champions League final debut.

The match takes place June 1 in Madrid, and marks just the second all-England UCL final; the first was in 2008. It will be the seventh time two clubs from the same nation will meet in the final, and fourth in the past seven seasons.

CARDINALS MAKE MURRAY NO. 1

One year after using the 10th overall pick on quarterback Josh Rosen, the Arizona Cardinals used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on another quarterback: Kyler Murray, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner. Then the Cardinals traded Rosen the very next day to Miami.

In 14 games as a rookie (13 starts), Rosen compiled a 3-10 record, throwing for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, while getting sacked 45 times (seventh in the league). Murray, who turned down an MLB contract to pursue the NFL, figures to be Arizona’s starter in Week 1.

AP Photo/Frank Augstein

YANKEES SOLDIER ON

The N.Y. Yankees are always a popular pick to do postseason damage, but especially after winning 100 games last year and making roster upgrades as usual. Yet, they limped out of spring training — quite literally. In early April it was reported that $90 million of their $203.9 million payroll was on the injured list, and at one point more than half of their players on the 25-man roster were out because of injuries.

Nonetheless, the Yanks were 24-16 through the first 40 games (.600) and just a half game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

AP Photo/Rui Vieira

AP Photo/Matt York www.sportsspectrum.com

SPORTS SPECTRUM

GOLF | SOFTBALL | OLYMPICS | TENNIS | RACING

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SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT•

BREAKTHROUGH

In theaters Breakthroughmovie.com

SUMMER VIEWING SUMMER READING

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FINDING GOD IN EVERY STEP

S P O R T S By S P ERyan C T R U MHall

In theaters Aug. 23 Overcomermovie.com

CLASSIC PICK

DUDE PERFECT YouTube DudePerfect.com

DABO’S DYNASTY:

THE SIXTH MAN:

by Larry Williams

By Andre Iguodala with Carvell Wallace

CLEMSON’S RISE TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL SUPREMACY

OVERCOMER

RUN THE RACE

On Blu-Ray, DVD and digital RunTheRacemovie.com

COMING SOON

RUN THE MILE YOU’RE IN:

COMING SOON

A MEMOIR

BILLY GRAHAM:

AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY On Netflix, DVD and digital BillyGraham.org

COMING SOON

THE COFFEE BEAN:

A SIMPLE LESSON TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

By Jon Gordon and Damon West

CLASSIC PICK

42 FAITH:

THE REST OF THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY T O S U B S C R I B E : CBy A L LEd 8 6 6Henry -821-2971

• 2 0 1 9 M L B F A I T H A N D F A M I LY D AY S

ACROSS THE COUNTRY EACH

SUMMER, NUMEROUS MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS HOST FAITH-CENTERED EVENTS AT THEIR BALLPARKS. EACH EVENT IS UNIQUE — SOME FEATURE ATHLETES AND COACHES SHARING THEIR TESTIMONY, OTHERS FEATURE CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS, AND SOME FEATURE BOTH. BUT ONE THING IS THE SAME AT EVERY MLB FAITH EVENT: GOD’S WORD IS SHARED AND FANS ARE INSPIRED. HERE’S A LOOK AT THIS SUMMER’S REMAINING FAITH EVENTS HOSTED BY MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS.

DETROIT TIGERS Home Plate 2019 - June 8

https://www.homeplatedetroit.org/eventdate.shtml

PITTSBURGH PIRATES Faith Night - June 22

https://www.mlb.com/pirates/tickets/specials/faith-night

ST LOUIS CARDINALS Christian Day at the Ballpark - July 14

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/specials/thrivent-financial

ATLANTA BRAVES Zach Williams at SunTrust Park - July 18

https://www.mlb.com/braves/tickets/concerts/zach-williams

KANSAS CITY ROYALS Faith and Family Night - July 27

https://www.mlb.com/royals/tickets/specials/faith-family

SEATTLE MARINERS Faith and Family Day - July 27

https://www.mlb.com/mariners/tickets/specials/faith-and-family

COLORADO ROCKIES Faith Day - August 18

https://www.mlb.com/rockies/tickets/specials/themes/faith-day

MINNESOTA TWINS Faith Day at Target Field - August 25

https://www.mlb.com/twins/tickets/specials/faith

CINCINNATI REDS Post-Game Faith Concert - September 2

https://www.mlb.com/reds/tickets/specials/faith-day

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Faith and Family Night - September 13

https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/tickets/concerts/faith-family

Rob Tringali/Getty www.sportsspectrum.com

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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

WIFE OF LATE HUMBOLDT BRONCOS COACH FREED BY FORGIVENESS ONE YEAR AFTER HORRIFIC BUS CRASH By Dave Dawson Forgiveness is one of the pillars of the

Christian faith, and most people can comprehend the principle of extending grace to someone when words are exchanged in the heat of passion.

But what about when an offense leads to mass casualties, inexplicable grief and sorrow felt across the globe?

That kind of pain is nearly impossible to comprehend. But it’s what many families connected to the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan, Canada, experienced one year ago on April 6, 2018. A pain that may take years to come to terms with, let alone heal from.

It has definitely been a difficult journey for Christina Haugan, wife of the late Broncos head coach, Darcy Haugan. She lost her husband in the horrific bus crash that took the lives of 16 members of the junior hockey team.

“I want everyone to know that we are doing OK,” Christina said from Estevan, Saskatchewan. “It certainly has been a new journey each day, but we are doing OK.” Darcy was in his third year as the head coach and general manager of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team.

He was respected by many for being a man of great character and strong Christian faith.

“Darcy lived his life with such a high moral compass,” Christina said with somber conviction. “He had such impeccable ethics in a world (hockey) where it’s rare. For me to have a front row seat to all of this, it had a huge impact on my life.”

Darcy used to pray in the locker room with his players before each hockey game.

It was a tradition he carried for more than a decade previously with another program in Alberta, the North Peace Navigators.

“Even though he prayed with them, that’s one thing I respected about Darcy — he never pushed his faith on his players,” said North Peace GM Mike Fosty, who coached with Haugan for 12 years...

To read the rest of this story, search “Humboldt Broncos” on SportsSpectrum.com.

“He would have given up his life for this many people to hear the Gospel of Jesus.”

— Christina Haugan

Left to right: Christine, Darcy, Carson and Jackson Haugan

“The moment I forgave him, I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders.”

— Christina Haugan

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SSPPOORRTTSS SSPPEECCTTRRUUMM

Photos courtesy of Christina Haugan

TTOO SSUUBBSSCCRRI IBBEE: : CCAALLLL 886666--882211--22997711

For more stories from the lives of athletes, all pressing toward the goal found in John 3:30, visit TheIncrease.com.

By Steven Souza

“Without Christ in my life, I may have continued to worry about where my future would be and get ahead of myself too quickly. But with Christ, I know everything is already taken care of.”

oming in to score from second, I was about to cross home plate. I wanted to make sure I touched the plate quick enough, so I hurried up and when I stretched out my foot to touch the base, my foot slid across the entire plate, hyperextended and locked out. Hitting the dirt, my body lunged forward over my knee and that’s when my knee tore.

I knew I was done.

The pain was incredible. I had never had knee problems, and after coming off a year recovering from a torn pectoral, it’s what I least expected.

But I’ve been able to rest in the fact www.sportsspectrum.com

that there’s no way God’s not behind this. I’ve crossed home plate hundreds of thousands of times. I have dove countless times to catch balls and no injury has resulted. But having experienced this now, I’m even more certain that God is in complete control of every situation. It’s humbling to know that at any moment, with any step you take or breath you breathe, anything in your life can be flipped upside down or taken away.

Jesus doesn’t make mistakes. My initial reaction was to think that my career was over. Without Christ

in my life, I may have continued to worry about where my future would be and get ahead of myself too quickly. But with Christ, I know everything is already taken care of. If He wants me to come back and play in the big leagues, nothing is going to stop His plan. If He wants me to move on to do something else, nothing will stop His plan — just like nothing could have stopped me from injuring my knee at home plate.

It was C.S. Lewis who said, “Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief.” It’s really easy to say you are

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder

a follower of Christ when everything is going really well, but when your world gets turned upside down, that’s when you can really see what you believe in your heart. I trust in the King of the universe. I want people to know that whether I’m healthy or sick, on top of my game or at the bottom of it, I trust God in any and every circumstance.

Having been in the league for a while now, I’m overwhelmed with the amount of support and encouragement I’ve received from others around me...

To read the rest of this story, search “Steven Souza” on TheIncrease.com.

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HEART

ATHLETE

®

HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL L.J. Tiede is a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Md., where he captains the men’s varsity soccer team as a striker/center midfielder. This fall, he will be attending the University of Maryland, where he plans to continue playing the game he loves. When he was 3 years old, Tiede learned to play soccer from his older brother while on a three-year visit to see his family in the Ivory Coast.

How has your faith impacted the way you play your sport?

My faith in Christ has helped me a lot when overcoming adversity and dealing with tough losses. When I was in my junior year, I tore my meniscus in the first game of our playoffs. I was very depressed, thinking I had let my team down; I was upset we weren’t able to win. But I prayed, and my dad prayed with me, and I gave it all into God’s hands. God opened a lot of doors for me that I thought wouldn’t be possibilities after my injury. Schools started recruiting me anyway and I was able to continue playing. It was a huge blessing.

How did you come to know Christ?

My household has always been a Christian household and I’ve always had faith in Jesus Christ. There was a period in my life, when I was about 16 years old, when I understood my connection with Christ could not be based on who my family is. I felt that it was important to have my own relationship with Christ, so I started pursuing Him more.That allowed me to communicate with God in a different, much better way. Suddenly, I was able to understand the Word of God more and relate to it in a deeper way.

back. Lot’s wife looked back and she died, and when the rest of his family did arrive in the new city, some didn’t choose to change so they didn’t receive God’s blessing. From this story I realize that when God wants to lead me to blessing, I need to be willing to leave old habits behind and get on the right track. I want to be a person who continually grows in this life.

What do you hope your teammates or opponents say about you?

I hope my teammates see me as a great leader — someone who always pushes them to get better. I hope they see me as

someone they can come to in order to find inspiration again, when they feel like they can’t go to anyone else. I hope they remember that I would pray before every game.

TIEDE

In what ways has your coach influenced you?

My current coach, Coach Pat Wedlock, has had the biggest influence on me in soccer.

He has taught me to be a leader, helping me understand that success doesn’t come when you yourself play well, you have to make sure your entire team is playing well. That’s when you are truly successful.

When I am able to put my own personal emotions and goals aside, that’s when the team can reach that success.

What is your favorite verse and why?

I love the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. The reason why is because it has taught me to leave old habits behind if you want to be blessed. God gave Lot and his family the chance to leave the city behind, with the instructions to not look

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HEART

COACH

®

HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL HIGHSCHOOL

GINN Coach Ted Ginn has been coaching football for more than 40 years. For the past 22, he’s been the head coach for both the varsity football team and the track and field team at Glenville High School in Glenville, Ohio. During his time at Glenville High, Coach Ginn has seen more than 20 of his players drafted into the NFL, including his own son, Ted Ginn Jr., a receiver for the New Orleans Saints about to enter his 13th season.

What advice do you give your players?

I always tell my players to go out and be productive; put your name on something. We try to live out what we talk about on our team. I often tell the kids, “When you have no faith, you have no Jesus. If you know Jesus, you know faith.”

Everything we do is based on a higher power.

How has your faith been challenged as a coach?

As a high school coach, I need my faith daily to do what I do. Being an educator, parent and coach is dangerous business — a great responsibility.

We’re dealing with God’s children. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. God put me on “death row” and allowed me to have a disease that has a 5 percent survival rate. I know He allowed this because I wasn’t fully obeying Him; I was surrounding His children with adults who were not great influences on them. I was www.sportsspectrum.com

trying to change the adults, and in doing so, endangered the children. He laid me down for that. I had to have faith in order to survive that, even when I couldn’t pray to Him on my own. He gave me grace and brought me back so I could do things the right way. I may have been doing the right thing in other people’s eyes, but since it wasn’t God’s will, He humbled me. I can’t change others, only He can. I learned that if it’s not His will, it won’t happen.

How have you been impacted by your players or coaches?

I have been impacted by all my players and coaches. When I get to see my players graduate and go on to get a degree or play ball at the college or pro level, I’m greatly impacted and humbled to know I was a part of that. I really enjoy seeing and knowing I’m doing God’s work. We’re here for a huge spiritual opportunity.

What is your favorite verse and why?

Psalm 30:5 says, “His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

I love this verse because all the work I do is based on my faith in God. We all deal with a lot of challenges in this world, and we need to rely on God’s favor so that our natural thoughts don’t take over. The weeping — our problems, trials, difficulties, sicknesses — may come in like the night, but joy — life with Christ and satisfaction in Him — is our morning. If I can keep my mind on Jesus — the morning — I can make it through the night — whatever problem may come.

SPORTS SPECTRUM

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HEART

ATHLETE

®

COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE Civana Kuhlmann is going into her junior year at Stanford University, where she plays forward for the Cardinal women’s soccer team. She played in her first World Cup qualifiers at age 13 for the U.S. U-17 national team, and then competed in the 2016 U-17 Women’s World Cup. After 17 starts in 23 appearances last season for Stanford (seven goals, three gamewinners, three assists), Kuhlmann was unable to play in the 2018 U-20 World Cup due to a stress reaction in her shin.

How has your faith impacted the way you play your sport?

I grew up playing soccer with a number of friends and a lot of us considered ourselves Christ-followers. But it wasn’t until I went off to college that I realized what this really meant. Freshman year I struggled; I thought athletics could bring me acceptance more than my faith in Jesus could. I tried to let soccer bring me worth among my family and friends and even myself. This motivation left me in a very unhealthy place, and I soon realized that athletics could never bring me the kind of acceptance God has already given me. Now I play freely, out of the love I have for the game, instead of trying to gain something from it.

What is your favorite verse and why?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23 This is the verse that literally gets me out of bed each morning. No one is making me wake up at 5 a.m. to do workouts. My strength coach isn’t making me lift; my coaches aren’t making me run. This is my choice and it’s a privilege to be able to do this with the gifts given to me by God. I do it because I love it; I have a passion for it.

When I view my work and training through this verse, I have the strength and joy to do it again tomorrow.

How has your faith been challenged at your school?

I came to Stanford from Denver, Colorado, where there are many more people who call themselves Christ-followers. But in the Silicon Valley, the culture is different. It’s a very unchurched area with not a lot of Christians. Because I was so out of touch with my faith in Christ during my freshman year, I knew I had to actively pursue Christ on my own going into my sophomore year, which I did.

In what ways has your coach influenced you?

My club coach, Erik Buschey, was the biggest influence in my life on the soccer field. He taught me how to love the game and have a passion for training. He showed me the importance of getting minutes, hours and touches on the ball, and helped me set a foundation for myself of who I want to be as a player and what I want to represent on the field. When I got to college, one of our volunteer coaches, Kayley Sullivan, really impacted me. She is a lively coach and also a friend. Her light shines so bright. She truly cares about us and I felt that more than ever when she allowed me to confide in her and speak up about things I had been very quiet about. My freshman year I experienced mental health challenges that were as hard as anything I’ve ever faced. But working with Kayley allowed for a turning point in my life.

I was finally able to feel like myself again and get back on track by focusing on my faith and relationships.

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KUHLMANN

Photos courtesy of Civana Kuhlmann

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HEART

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After playing for Hesston College, a private Christian school in Hesston, Kan., Dustin Galyon returned years later to take over as the men’s basketball head coach. Now 11 seasons in, Galyon’s teams have been nationally ranked three of the past seven years. His 201516 team won the region’s national championship, after which he was named Region Coach of the Year. In addition, eight of the men coached by Galyon have gone on to play professional basketball.

How does your faith impact how you coach?

It’s the center of everything I do in coaching. At the end of the day, my No. 1 goal is that the young men I coach will encounter the real Jesus. Whether that’s when we’re lifting weights, eating our team breakfasts together, during our prayer times, or while we’re just talking about life with each other, I want them to meet Jesus. There’s an idea many buy into that they can’t be a committed Christian and a good competitor, but I think you can. I think you can be even greater on the court when you realize you are more than your sport. When your identity is found in something bigger than basketball, it makes you that much better on the court, and in the rest of life as well.

How I conduct myself with other coaches and players, inside the locker room and out, matters.

How I conduct myself as a father and a husband matters. I want to model well the things I want the guys to see. www.sportsspectrum.com

Photo by Larry Bartel, Hesston College photographer

What advice do you give your players?

I always promise my players that we are going to make them better men and good competitors.

I ask them, “What do you want your identity to be about?” I encourage them to be part of something bigger than themselves, and I tell them to lead a life that others want to follow.

How has your faith been challenged as a coach?

I’m guilty of a lot of things, one of them is being too competitive. I have to work on harnessing that, challenging the guys who have not been doing the right things, whether that’s on or off the court. It’s challenging to try to figure out how to approach guys who are not bought into the culture you have for your team. If you know a guy is doing the wrong thing, do you turn a blind eye in order to get a win, or do you focus on the long-term growth of the player and the team? These men need someone to say, “This is not OK, but I’m going to walk with you through

this.” Relationships on the team are paramount; they are more important than any win. It’s not a win-at-all-costs policy. It doesn’t matter if you have a record-breaking year, or a tough one (and we’ve had both), we need to do it with sound ethics.

What do you love most about coaching?

After coaching for 11 years, it’s the same today as it was the first day I started: relationships. Being a small piece of these guys’ lives is incredible.

Bringing men from different racial, economical and political backgrounds and building a team that learns to trust and respect each other is amazing. Some years you see it stronger than others, but we will always consistently love our guys. The wins and titles are great, but those pale in comparison to the conversations and life changes I see among these men.

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SERVING THROUGH SPORT THE ULTIMATE SUMMER CAMP

ATHLETES IN ACTION IS TEACHING ATHLETES HOW TO UTILIZE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN COMPETITION By Kevin Mercer More than 150 collegiate athletes will descend upon Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., this summer for a weeklong whirlwind of Christ-exalting competition. It’s known as the Ultimate Training Camp (UTC), one of the biggest yearly events arranged by the sports ministry Athletes in Action (AIA).

UTC gives athletes from every sport the opportunity to orient heart, mind and soul toward the Lord in the midst of intense battle. The camp culminates in a grueling 20-hour competition known ominously as “The Special.”

“It’s emotionally and physically exhausting to go for 20 straight hours,” said Reza Zadeh, the top UTC organizer, who’s also an AIA staff member and the Denver Broncos team chaplain. “We do it to create a way for them to understand: What does it mean to get to the end of themselves and only have the power of the Holy Spirit to lead them and guide them through competition?”

UTC will mark its 40th anniversary this summer, and it has flourished immensely during that span. In addition to the site in Colorado, AIA will hold UTCs in Ohio, Minnesota and Southern California. NFL QB Kirk Cousins, WNBA star Maya Moore and Virginia basketball standout Kyle Guy are just a few of the past campers who have learned to compete relentlessly — who have learned to compete like Christians.

UTC is the summer headliner, but AIA is involved in so much more. “(We are)

committed to seeing Christfollowers in every sport in every team in every nation,” Zadeh says.

The ministry boasts roughly 400 staff members serving in America and more than 600 worldwide. Those in the U.S. mostly serve athletes on college campuses, shepherding them and navigating with them through the unique challenges of the Christian life as an athlete.

AIA’s five guiding questions help to center those young minds on Christ: Whom or what do I worship? What motivates me? How do I grow? How do I deal with hard times? How do I live for God’s Kingdom, not my own?

“The ultimate goal,” Zadeh said, “is that by the time these athletes are juniors and seniors, they are turning around and discipling freshmen and sophomore athletes on their teams and in their athletic department.”

AIA provides a plethora of ways for college athletes to mature into those disciplemaking followers of Jesus.

Many spend a part of their summer or spring breaks traveling anywhere from Jamaica to East Asia with AIA, competing against international teams and championing the Gospel.

However, AIA doesn’t confine itself to the college ranks; it is also well represented in the NFL, the Olympics and MLS. It holds breakfast events where Christ is proclaimed at the Super Bowl, the men’s basketball Final Four and NBA All-Star Weekend.

With AIA, God has been transforming the lives of athletes for 53 years. Zadeh hopes for more of the same at the UTC sites this summer, bringing glory to His name through the medium of sports.

“We want to learn to compete with God,” Zadeh said, “because we want to learn to live with Him for a lifetime.”

“WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GET TO THE END OF THEMSELVES AND ONLY HAVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD THEM AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH COMPETITION?”

— REZA ZADEH, AIA STAFF

Photos courtesy of Athletes In Action

Visit UltimateTrainingCamp.com or AthletesInAction.org to learn more.

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SERVING THROUGH SPORT

UNITING THE COMMUNITY

12TH ROCK IS BRINGING ITS REGION TOGETHER THROUGH SPORTS, AND TRUSTING GOD TO INCREASE ITS IMPACT By Kevin Mercer

“I BELIEVE WE’RE CALLED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST AND WHAT HE CAN DO IN THEIR LIVES TODAY.”

— MARK JALOSZYNSKI, 12TH ROCK CO-FOUNDER Photos courtesy of 12th Rock

Brothers Greg and Mark Jaloszynski have what they call a God-sized vision for their ministry, 12th Rock, and the area around Middletown, N.Y. It’s one which sees kids around the Northeast come together in one 120,000-square-foot complex to play sports and learn to be adults with strong faith and high character. 12th Rock already has the kids and the sports; now all it needs is the building.

It’s not hard for the Jaloszynski brothers to have faith that He will turn their God-sized aspirations into reality.

“Seeing what God has done,” Mark said, “I’m believing and trusting that He’s going to make this happen.”

Greg and Mark formed 12th Rock in 2011 to introduce children to Jesus through sports, and the www.sportsspectrum.com

ministry has ballooned in size and scope since. It now offers sports like archery in addition to its thriving basketball programs. Nearly 3,000 children each year — a few of whom have never even heard the word “God” — are introduced to Jesus as a result of 12th Rock.

The ministry’s name sets a theme of remembrance as an aid to faith.

In the book of Joshua, God led the Israelites through the Jordan River on dry land. He then instructed one person from each of Israel’s 12 tribes to gather a rock from the river and lay them where they camped, as a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

“That remembering is really kind of a foundational pillar in our ministry,” Mark said. “I believe we’re called to let people know what God has done in the past and what He can do in their lives today.”

At the core of 12th Rock are camps, leagues and missions. The camps primarily run in the summer, while 12th Rock offers leagues and travel teams throughout the year. The organization’s missions are often service-based outreach programs designed to meet community needs. Usually they are some of the most powerful weeks of ministry all year.

The Jaloszynski brothers are glad to see the ways in which 12th Rock has united the place they call home.

Through missions and partnerships with local churches, not to mention the sports, 12th Rock has brought a community together that lacked quality sports programming and lacked a sense of togetherness.

“We wanted to bring something really excellent to our community,” Mark said.

He and his brother originally

looked to head south for their ministry, but God kept calling them to Middletown. He opened their eyes to see what could be done right where they were.

This summer, in the midst of camps and missions, Greg and Mark will press on toward their God-sized vision. The goal is to have the complex open for the fall of 2021, but more money is needed. The Jaloszynski brothers are certain it will come. Like the Israelites, they too have a memorial stone — a page on their website with a long list of ways God blessed them with past donations.

The plans are not in any human hands, and that’s fine with Mark.

“God’s got to open those doors,” he said. “We’ll walk through them when the chance happens.”

Visit 12throck.org to learn more.

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SERVING THROUGH SPORT LET’S GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES IS TURNING TO MATTHEW 28 THIS SUMMER TO INSPIRE AND DISCIPLE YOUNG ATHLETES By Kevin Mercer “WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN THAT ATHLETE OR THAT COACH GOES TO CAMP, WE GET TO DRILL DOWN ON SOME KEY, KEY THOUGHTS ABOUT BIBLICAL DIRECTION, ON WHAT IT MEANS TO GO MAKE DISCIPLES.” — FCA’S JEFF MARTIN

Photos courtesy of FCA

Whether you’re in Miami, Fla., or Tacoma, Wash., there’s one refrain you’re certain to hear from every camp organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) this summer: “Let’s go!”

FCA chooses a summer camp theme every year, as it provides unity and direction within every FCA camp. Much like FCA itself, the theme also combines sports with a reverence for God’s Word.

This year’s direction comes from the Great Commission in Matthew 28, in which Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...” Likewise, an athlete who just helped his or her team might yell, “Let’s go!”

“That’s the idea of what we’re trying to accomplish this year,” said Jeff Martin, FCA’s Executive Director of Ministry Advancement. “[It’s] this rally cry of ‘let’s go,’ and ultimately let’s go make disciples. Let’s take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.”

No matter the size or the type of the camp, each will have the same curriculum focused on “Let’s Go,” and speakers at every camp will touch on similar topics in their chapel times. Each camper will get a Bible wrapped in the “Let’s Go” theme.

“What happens is when that athlete or that coach goes to camp,” Martin said, “we 18

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get to drill down on some key, key thoughts about Biblical direction, on what it means to go make disciples.”

The recognizable themes have been working for FCA. Last summer, it held 771 camps in 43 states and 50 countries, while 88,000 coaches and athletes attended.

There are six different types of camps offered this summer: Coaches, Leadership, Partnership, Power, Sports and Team.

Anyone interested in finding a camp can visit FCAcamps.org to learn more about all the camp offerings.

Martin said the camps have been a tremendous outreach opportunity, dating all the way back to FCA’s inception in 1954.

Now, the camps serve as yet another way FCA carries out its mission to lead every

coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

FCA’s ministry efforts are well known around the United States, teaching coaches and young athletes to unite their passion for sports with their passion for Christ. One of the bedrocks of the FCA ministry is the small groups, known as huddles, at middle and high schools and in communities nationwide. According to FCA’s website, there are 17,783 certified FCA huddles around the world.

There are also opportunities to travel the globe with FCA-sponsored trips and serve alongside FCA international leaders. And if coaching or playing doesn’t quite fit, the volunteer opportunities are plentiful.

But during the summer, it’s all about the camps.

Whether it’s a middle-schooler trying out sports for the first time, or a coach on the other side of the country who has led teams for decades, the two will be united this summer in the body of Christ as they deepen their faith and answer Jesus’ rallying cry to go and make disciples of all nations.

Visit FCAcamps.org to learn more.

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SERVING THROUGH SPORT

BIKE-CRAZED BELIEVERS

By Kevin Mercer

WHEEL POWER IS SPREADING THE GOSPEL THROUGH ITS “CHURCH ON WHEELS” — WITH SOME PICKLEBALL AND DISC GOLF AS WELL Don’t be surprised by a group of bicyclists in bright yellow uniforms carrying a large wooden cross. That’s Judy Bowman and WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists telling people about Jesus as they bike across America … again.

Since Bowman founded WHEEL POWER (Witnessing, Helping, Evangelizing, Encouraging and Loving as we Press OnWard to Eternal Rewards), an evangelistic “Church on Wheels” missions organization, in 1993, she has taken dozens of groups on biking trips. Those “mission trips on a bicycle,” as Bowman calls them, have taken her and her fellow bike-crazed believers to every corner of the country — more than 2 million accident-free miles in all.

Trips consist of 25-30 cyclists, with 50-70 miles of biking during the days, usually on backroads. The groups split into twos to seek Gospel conversations with people they pass. At nights, churches welcome in the tired bikers for rest, recovery and Bowman’s teaching about evangelism.

God has always been working in www.sportsspectrum.com

Bowman’s life, preparing her to found WHEEL POWER when she didn’t even know it. She remembers her childhood in California, telling people at age 15 that one day she would bike across America. Years later, after Christ saved her, Bowman found herself on a stationary bicycle recovering from three herniated discs in her back.

When her therapist suggested she stop, she responded through tears of pain.

“Some day, I’m going to ride this bike farther than anyone ever has in the world because I believe God’s got some great things He’s going to do through all this,” she said.

Then, at 41, God crystallized His calling on Bowman’s life during a ride into North Carolina. She stopped to pray near a waterfall when she encountered a man with whom she shared the Gospel. It was in that moment she experienced God’s strength, peace and joy like never before. She realized what God created her to do.

“God gave me compassion and really a passion,” Bowman said, “a passion to make

“GOD GAVE ME COMPASSION AND REALLY A PASSION — A PASSION TO MAKE MY TIME HERE IN THIS WORLD WORTH SOMETHING.” — JUDY BOWMAN, WHEEL POWER FOUNDER Photos courtesy of Wheel Power

my time here in this world worth something.”

So she stepped out in faith and founded WHEEL POWER from her home in Lynchburg, Va. Twenty-six years later, with help from Bowman’s son, Steve, WHEEL POWER has expanded to include pickleball and disc golf ministries. There are 1,500 active WHEEL POWER members and dozens of evangelistic teaching resources Bowman penned herself.

She led a cycling trip through Georgia and Alabama in April and will lead another through Virginia in June. An unofficial trip to Maine is set for September.

But WHEEL POWER’s biggest event this summer is the State Games of America Pickleball Tournament in late July. Almost 700 players will attend. Bowman will teach pickleball and evangelistic techniques, and she’ll equip churches to do the same.

Bowman has long been disheartened by poor evangelism in the American Church. By God’s grace, she has done her part to fix that.

Bowman said she recalls hundreds of people God saved through WHEEL POWER’s ministry, and she hopes for hundreds more.

But she’s not special. All she’s doing is loving the Lord.

“What’s the first commandment?” Bowman asked. “Love the Lord your God. And how do we show that we love the Lord? I think it’s telling people about who He is.”

Visit WheelPower.org to learn more.

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VIRGINIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

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AP Photo/Matt York

ith a thrilling 85-77 overtime victory over Texas Tech on April 8, Virginia claimed its first men’s basketball national championship. The Cavaliers hoisted the trophy following three nerve-racking games — and 388 days after one of the most crushing losses in college basketball history.

For the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Virginia earned the No. 1 overall seed and was favored by many to win it all. Instead, it became the first No. 1 seed to fall to a 16-seed, suffering an embarrassing 74-54 defeat to UMBC (University of Maryland-Baltimore County).

But under the leadership of head coach Tony Bennett, Virginia didn’t stay down. The Cavaliers owned that devastating loss, then went to work on climbing out of the dark valley.

THE RELATIONSHIP THAT TONY AND LAUREL HAVE, BEYOND BEING HUSBAND AND WIFE, IS THAT THEY’RE DISCIPLES OF THE LORD. AND THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA BASKETBALL. IT REALLY IS BECAUSE TONY IS THE HEAD OF OUR PROGRAM.” — VIRGINIA ASSISTANT COACH BRAD SODERBERG ON THE SS PODCAST

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fter pouring in 24 points and hitting four of his five 3-point attempts, junior guard Kyle Guy was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Following the victory, Coach Bennett revealed a song he played for his team earlier that day: “Hills and Valleys” by renowned Christian artist Tauren Wells.

“It just means that you’re never alone in the hills or the valleys,” Bennett told the national TV audience. “And we faced those from last year to this year.”

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

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gainst Auburn in the national semifinal, Guy was sent to the free-throw line with 0.6 seconds left after a foul call as he shot a 3-pointer. He calmly hit his three free throws to clinch a 63-62 victory.

“WE HAVE FIVE PILLARS IN OUR PROGRAM: HUMILITY, PASSION, UNITY, SERVANTHOOD AND THANKFULNESS. … THE WAY TO GREATNESS IS THROUGH BEING A SERVANT, SO YOU HAVE TO SERVE. THE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ARE SERVANT-ORIENTED PROGRAMS.” — VIRGINIA HEAD COACH TONY BENNETT ON THE SS PODCAST AP Photo/David J. Phillip AP Photo/Chris Szagola

“IT IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO BECOME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY GOOD, YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH FOR LONG STRETCHES, YOU HAVE TO STAY HEALTHY, YOU HAVE TO GET LUCKY, AND ALL THOSE THINGS HAVE TO COME TOGETHER ...

“WE WERE FLAT ON OUR BACKS 13 MONTHS AGO. LITERALLY. LIKE, I WAS QUESTIONING HOW TONY WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THIS GROUP, THIS PROGRAM OFF THE MAT, AND JUST GET US GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, MUCH LESS GET US BACK TO THE PINNACLE OF THE ACC AND INTO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. AND HE FOUND A WAY ... HE DID A REMARKABLE JOB TO STEADY THE SHIP, TO GET EVERYBODY GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.” www.sportsspectrum.com

— COACH SODERBERG

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ust to get to the Final Four, Virginia needed a last-second jumper from Mamadi Diakite to force overtime against Purdue. The Cavs were carried

by Guy, who came back from a first-half ankle injury to score 21 second-half points. When asked afterward how he was able to bounce back, Guy said, “With my faith in the Lord, and my team.”

AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

“THE LORD IS MORE THAN AMPLE. HE’S ENOUGH. IN HIM IS REALLY ALL SUFFICIENCY … IN HIM THERE IS GREAT JOY AND GREAT REST, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE WORLD IS SCREAMING AT YOU THROUGH GREAT SUCCESS OR THROUGH FAILURE.” — COACH BENNETT 22

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fter earning a No. 1 seed for the second straight season, Virginia again faced a 16-seed in the first round this year, this time Gardner-Webb.

Overwrought with nerves, the Cavaliers found themselves down by 14 in the first half, and trailing 36-30 at halftime. But they settled in and cruised in the second half, winning 71-56.

De’Andre Hunter

AP Photo/Sean Rayford

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yle Guy (center) and an injured De’Andre Hunter (right) took the UMBC loss hard, but were key leaders in helping the team bounce back to win Virginia’s first national title.

“I THINK WHERE TONY DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB IS THAT HE TOOK LAST YEAR AND USED IT MANY TIMES DURING THE SEASON TO HELP OUR GUYS PREPARE FOR WHAT LIED AHEAD. AND IT STARTED WITH HIM, SHORTLY AFTER THE LOSS TO UMBC, ADDRESSING OUR TEAM AND SAYING, ‘THE FIRST STEP IS THIS: WE’RE GOING TO OWN THE LOSS.” — COACH SODERBERG AP Photo/Gerry Broome

THE MAGNITUDE OF THE HISTORIC LOSS THAT WE HAD, THAT WAS VERY HUMBLING …

[BUT] YOU HAVE TO REJOICE AND GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT GOD’S DOING OR HOW YOU’RE BEING EQUIPPED THROUGH THE HARD SITUATIONS THAT WE HAVE.” www.sportsspectrum.com

— COACH BENNETT SPORTS SPECTRUM

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AP Photo/Eric Risberg

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BY BECKY YORK

JULIE ERTZ KEEPS THE LOVE OF CHRIST AS HER MOTIVATION AS A LEADER ON THE U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, A STAR IN THE NWSL, THE WIFE OF AN NFL PRO BOWLER, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE ERTZ FAMILY FOUNDATION. 24

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“I want to stay true to who I am t age 23, Julie Ertz (née and my beliefs,” she says. “These Johnston) represented Bible studies really help me grow and the U.S. in the 2015 keep me accountable. It brings me FIFA Women’s World closer to my teammates; we continue Cup as the second youngest player to grow as players and persons.” on the roster. Yet, she played every

Having grown up in a Christian second of all seven games, and home, Ertz knew who Jesus Christ she helped her team finish with was, but admittedly hadn’t adopted a 5-2 victory over Japan for the a one-on-one relationship with Him world title. It marked the third such until she left for college at Santa championship for the Americans, the Clara University. While learning about first group to win the sport’s ultimate who she was as a person, and who prize three times. she wanted to be, she discovered to

Four years later, Ertz is preparing Whom she truly belonged. to compete alongside her U.S.

“That’s when my faith really took teammates at the 2019 World Cup off,” she says. in France. The tournament kicks off

As a result, her lifestyle changed June 7, with the final to be played both on and off the field. With a July 7 in Lyon. As the top-ranked new purpose and perspective in team in the world, the Americans are place, Ertz found a new freedom and favored to once again bring home a motivation to work even harder at championship. what she loved most.

But for Ertz, there’s one thing she

“Now I’m playing soccer for professess to focus on even more than a bigger purpose. I feel like I was her game: her faith in Jesus Christ. putting a lot of my identity in my

“I continue to work on all sport, but now that I have a greater things, and that goes for my perspective, I enjoy it so much relationship with Christ as well,” Ertz more,” she says. said in a recent interview. “[My faith]

And she soon realized how vital gives me a bigger perspective on a relationship with Christ is for the life and my career.” journey as a professional athlete.

Her soccer career continues to “There are a lot more ups and downs blossom. Since debuting with the in my pro career,” she says. “My faith senior national team in 2013, Ertz has has been a huge part to help me earned more than 80 caps, including when I feel like I can’t do it alone. a 2016 Olympic appearance, and [God] is there to guide me through.” she was named the 2017 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. When not competing on the national team, Ertz plays as a midfielder for the Chicago

Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League. She was selected third overall in the 2014 NWSL College Draft by Chicago, and she finished the season as NWSL Rookie of the Year.

With whichever squad she’s training and competing at the time, Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Ertz always engages in Bible study groups and pregame prayer huddles with some of her teammates.

www.sportsspectrum.com

“There are so many things you can’t control. I try to really be in tune with the Word and continue my growth. When I do, I’m a better athlete on the field. I’ve shifted my perspective so that when I go out, I go out to glorify Him.” — Julie Ertz

dding to the complexities of being a constantly-traveling professional athlete, Ertz is married to a fellow pro athlete: Zach Ertz of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. They may not often be in the same city together, but Zach has always been a supportive partner, as he is able to relate to the stresses and pressures of an athletic career.

The two met at a baseball game at Stanford University, 15 miles west of Santa Clara and where Zach was a standout tight end. Drafted by the Eagles in 2013, he has gone on to become a two-time Pro Bowler — and was a key figure on Philadelphia’s 2017 Super Bowl championship squad. He scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles won their first Super Bowl by defeating New England, 41-33.

Julie was there in Minneapolis in person to watch Zach win a title — just as Zach was there in person in Vancouver, Canada, to watch Julie win the 2015 World Cup title.

“It’s very nerve-racking,” Zach once said on the NFL Network about watching Julie play. “My mom is always very nervous before each and every one of my games, so now I kind of know what she goes through every time I play. But it’s fun being out there with the fans and experiencing it this way.”

Zach and Julie were married on March 26, 2017, in Santa Barbara, Calif., and have since learned that finding a rhythm in the rotating seasons is just the norm.

“The ultimate goal is to support each other,” Julie says. “It’s hard for sure; time is a sacrifice we give up. In my offseason I’m there to support him, then we shift. For us it’s kind of normal, we don’t know anything different.”

Whether they are at the gym, pushing each other to peak in their athletic performance, or they’re at home studying God’s Word to grow in their spiritual lives, the two aim to be ready to support and encourage.

“We were just two kids trying to figure out who we were, as well as our career goals,” Julie says. “It’s cool because we’ve been able to grow in these areas and in our faith together.”

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ombining their love of sports and passion to advance the Gospel, Zach and Julie launched the Ertz Family Foundation in November 2018.

The mission is to “empower others by sharing faith, learning through sports, and advancing education to build supportive communities.”

Targeting their local communities in Philadelphia and the Bay Area, but also beyond, the foundation has provided opportunities for youth to discover the importance of nutrition, exercise, work ethic and more, while improving the quality of education through the support of local schools and teachers. They hope to not only improve health and education, but also the strong family foundation that can be experienced when Christ is placed at the center.

The idea for a foundation began when Zach went on a missions trip to Haiti in 2018 with some of his Eagles teammates.

“We had always talked about using our platforms to start a foundation, wanting to make as big an impact as we could,” Julie says.

“It was such a moving trip for him.”

With a focus on the future generation, they are continually brainstorming about how to make a greater impact. One such way is through the foundation’s Haiti Scholarship Fund, which provides college tuition to students in Haiti, where many are unable to graduate high school. With more ideas in the works to extend their reach and further their footprint for the Gospel, they are excited to announce more plans soon.

“As athletes, we have the platform to help people we’re involved with, whether that’s in the United States or around the world,” Zach said on the foundation’s website.

“We want to maximize that platform to do the most good and help the most people we can. And ultimately, we want to show people the love we have for God and for them, too.”

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“We want to maximize that platform to do the most good and help the most people we can. And ultimately, we want to show people the love we have for God and for them, too.”

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AP Photo/Gregory Bull www.sportsspectrum.com

AP Photo/Christopher Szagola

Zach & Julie at the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade.

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JULIEERTZ

In the meantime, as Julie prepares for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, she’s recognizing that this year’s national team is very different from four years ago.

Filled with younger players who have been carefully selected for their unique skill sets, the team sees Ertz as a veteran, familiar with the journey and yet ready to adapt however she may need.

“I want to go in as prepared as possible, being fit, sharp and strong both mentally and physically,” she says. “It’s about whatever the team needs from you.”

Four years ago, that commitment meant playing the entire tournament from beginning to end, with no substitution. No stranger to the mental and physical endurance needed for this competition, Ertz is ready for anything.

“This is a long game; you can play for 120 minutes or more at a time,” she said. “These tournaments are so competitive, sometimes it’s about who can take charge when the other team makes a mistake. You need to make sure you stay focused and in tune for the whole game.”

With a World Cup to compete in, an organization to run and an NFL husband to cheer on, Ertz does not forget where her strength and endurance come from.

“There are so many things you can’t control. I try to really be in tune with the Word and continue my growth. When I do, I’m a better athlete on the field. I’ve shifted my perspective so that when I go out, I go out to glorify Him,” Ertz says.

Clinging to the truth found in 1 John 4:19, the couple’s favorite verse — “We love because He first loved us” — Julie and Zach use the love of Christ as their motivation for all they do.

“Love is the most powerful thing,” Julie says. “It’s a reminder of who we are and where we came from.”

For more information about the Ertz Family Foundation, visit ErtzFamilyFoundation.org.

Their next event will be the first Ertz Family Foundation Par-Tee, in Northern California, July 16.

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

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•WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France — June 7-July 7

Ranked No. 1 in the world, the U.S. is favored to win its fourth World Cup. The Americans secured their third world title — the most of any country — in 2015 with a 5-2 victory over Japan; they also won the Cup in 1991 and ‘99. In the seven Women’s World Cups played, the U.S. has never finished lower than third, and is the only nation to reach the semifinals of each tournament. The Americans have 33 wins, six draws and four losses all-time in the World Cup. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

The U.S. was drawn into Group F and will play Thailand (No. 34, June 11), Chile (No. 39, June 16) and Sweden (No. 9, June 20) in the opening round; Sweden is the team that eliminated the U.S. in the 2016 Olympic quarterfinals. Twelve of the players on the 2019 American roster were part of the 2015 World Cup championship team, and this year’s roster averages 80 international caps per player, with a combined total of 94 Women’s World Cup appearances. All 23 women named to the roster play domestically in the National Women’s Soccer League.

AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

Twenty-four teams in all will compete in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which is being played in France for the first time.

It marks the third event hosted by a European nation, as previous editions were held in Sweden (1995) and Germany (2011). Nine cities across France will feature matches: Lyon, Paris, Nice, Montpellier, Rennes, Le Havre, Valenciennes, Reims and Grenoble.

AP Photo/Francisco Seco

“Now I’m playing soccer for a bigger purpose. I feel like I was putting a lot of my identity in my sport, but now that I have a greater perspective, I enjoy it so much more.”

— Julie Ertz www.sportsspectrum.com

Chile, Jamaica, Scotland and South Africa will make their Women’s World Cup debuts. Brazil, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden and the U.S. will continue streaks of qualifying for each World Cup so far. Only four nations have won the Women’s World Cup: the U.S. (3), Germany (2), Norway (1) and Japan (1).

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Germany has enjoyed the most World Cup success behind the U.S. It has won two world titles (‘03, ‘07) and has reached the semifinals five times. Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Germany is 26-8-5 all-time in the Women’s World Cup. England (No. 3), France (No. 4) and Canada (No. 5) round out the top five in the women’s world rankings.

AP Photo/Saurabh Das

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GyasiZardes

HAS FOUND HIS FORM AGAIN, FOR BOTH THE U.S. NATIONAL TEAM AND THE COLUMBUS CREW. AND

AP Photo/John Amis

WITH THE INCREASED PRAISE, HE’S QUICK TO DIRECT ALL GLORY TO GOD.

BY JOSHUA PEASE

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n 2015, Major League Soccer forward Gyasi Zardes’ fame was skyrocketing. Zardes scored a goal in the L.A. Galaxy’s 2-1 MLS Cup victory over the New England Revolution, had recently been called up to join the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT), and his Instagram and Twitter accounts were flooded with new followers discovering who he was.

Social media platforms are vital for an athlete’s brand, and Zardes knew he had an opportunity to capitalize on his growing fame, so he turned to the man whose career advice he trusted: L.A. Galaxy team chaplain, Pastor Brent Eldridge.

“By that point Gyasi had been tagging every Instagram and Twitter post with the hashtag #allglorytoGod,” Eldridge said, “and people were DMing him saying, ‘Your positive example means so much, thank you for what you’re doing.’

“So Gyasi asked me, ‘Can we find one of these people messaging me, and send them a Bible?

Would that be weird?’

And I was like, ‘No G, that wouldn’t be weird, that would be awesome!’”

Every game day, Eldridge would go through Zardes’ DMs and pick one person to send both a signed copy of the Bible and a signed soccer scarf. Zardes loved it, and wanted to expand on the idea, so Eldridge suggested he carry copies of these signed Bibles with him in his travel bag.

“Whenever people would stop him in the airports for an autograph, he’d give them a signed copy of a Bible,” Eldridge said. “We gave away boatloads of Bibles.”

Since then, Zardes has been traded to the Columbus Crew, a smallermarket MLS team farther from the limelight, but his fame isn’t going anywhere.

Zardes is going to need to start buying Bibles in bulk.

“Kids look up to me, and I don’t want them to idolize me, but I just try to redirect all that attention, fame to God. Because my viewpoint is I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for God.” — Gyasi Zardes

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

merican interest in soccer has never been higher — look no further than the ratings for NBC’s growing coverage of the English Premier League as Exhibit A — and yet the USMNT’s morale has never been lower. In October 2017, the Americans took the field against Trinidad and Tobago needing only a draw to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. While the team’s form leading into the game had been shaky, and frustrations were mounting both within the locker room and among U.S. fans, a win or draw against a team ranked 93rd in the world seemed a given. Only 1,500 fans showed up in Trinidad to see a game considered to be nothing more than a formality.

The U.S. men lost 2-1.

The defeat reignited criticisms about the United States soccer program, specifically its lack of identity. The USMNT had just hired Bruce Arena to replace head coach Jurgen Klinsmann less than a year prior, but now Arena was resigning. The team had little to no identity in its style of play, and rumors of dysfunction both in the locker room and the USMNT organization emerged. In response, U.S. Soccer hired Earnie Stewart to the new role of USMNT general manager, and this past December hired the Columbus Crew’s Gregg Berhalter as the new coach. www.sportsspectrum.com

Berhalter brings a Dutch style of play that’s more possessionoriented than the grind-it-out, counter-attacking style the U.S. men had used. Under Berhalter’s regime, the Columbus Crew is regularly at the top of the MLS in passing and possession statistics, and has made the playoffs in four of Berhalter’s five seasons. Possession strategy might sound like an attacking style of play, but under Berhalter it’s been largely defensive — the opponent can’t score if it doesn’t have the ball — and the Crew has struggled to create goals. However, the goals the team has generated have come largely from one man: Gyasi Zardes.

In 2018, Zardes netted 19 goals in 33 games for the Crew, tied for fourth most in the MLS, an encouraging return to the promising form Zardes had shown in his early

seasons in L.A. In 2014, Zardes scored 16 goals in 32 games for the Galaxy, and was one of the rising stars of the sport. However, following a switch from a traditional striker role to the wing, Zardes’ performance plummeted and he was traded.

In Columbus, however, Berhalter restored Zardes to his favored position, and the 27-yearold was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

While both the Crew and Zardes have struggled to start the 2019 season — Columbus was 5-7-1 through May 17, and Zardes had just four goals — Zardes’ performance on the national scene has been encouraging. During the team’s March 21 win over Ecuador, Zardes scored the only goal, and the U.S. largely dominated SPORTS SPECTRUM

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possession. And although Chile, ranked 13th in the world, dominated the U.S.’s March 26 friendly, Zardes’ brilliant midfield flick to a streaking Christian Pulisic led to a goal, and a 1-1 tie.

Berhalter is still very new to the national team job, which means he’s still getting a sense of which players fit his preferred style of play. But there’s every reason to believe that when the U.S. has its first Gold Cup match in June, Zardes will be a starting striker for his country. With that role will come the hopes, and pressure, of an increasingly soccer-friendly nation demanding its team qualify for the 2020 World Cup. AP Photo/John Raoux

ardes grew up in a Christian home, the youngest of four siblings.

He stepped into his own faith while watching the example of one of his older brothers, Garcel, who seemed to be so joyful regardless of circumstances.

“I was talking to him more and more,” Zardes said, “but my junior year of high school, while talking with my brother, I took the leap and gave my life over to Christ.”

Zardes’ life as a professional athlete, while a blessing and privilege, hasn’t been easy. Zardes was often frustrated watching his performance dip precipitously while playing out of his preferred position for the

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Galaxy. And uprooting his family from his hometown of L.A. to Columbus, Ohio, was destabilizing.

But through it all, Zardes has tried to remember what it was that attracted him to his brother’s faith from the beginning: joy.

“I remember after one training when he was still here in Los Angeles, he was upset with what his role had become,” Eldridge said. “I reminded him that it’s in these valleys where we tend to grow the most … We hate being there, but there are things God can only teach us in the valley. Instead of trying to get out of it, cup your ears to God’s voice and listen. What’s amazing about Gyasi is the humble posture he took. He gave

his all playing in a role that didn’t come naturally to him. Any time you’re going to score a goal and lift both fingers up to Heaven [like Gyasi does] there are haters and doubters who are going to be looking to skin you alive. I told him, ‘Are you going to give all glory to God or just some of it?’

[Gyasi’s commitment to] constantly turning the attention back to God is so inspiring.”

One of the things that helps Zardes keep perspective is his family.

He has three kids with his wife, Madison, and the challenge of parenting has given him a new view of what matters most in life.

“Moving from L.A. with my family has really

brought us together, and God’s really teaching me patience in trying to be a good dad. Having a family is a blessing from God, but as a parent, patience is the one thing I’m really learning about. I have to have patience dealing with multiple kids. If I get called to the national team, I’m gone about 12 days, which is so difficult.

In crucial moments, the big thing is remembering how lucky I am to have such great kids,” he says.

Eldridge has seen dozens of players up close in his role as a chaplain. He believes you can see who a man really is by how he treats his family, and that this is one of the most special things about Zardes.

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

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“Gyasi asked me, ‘Can we find one of these people messaging me, and send them a Bible? Would that be weird?’

And I was like, ‘No G, that wouldn’t be weird, that would be awesome!’”

— Pastor Brent Eldridge AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

www.sportsspectrum.com

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“God has blessed me with all these opportunities, so there’s no better way [than] to use my platform to allow everyone to know and see whom I am giving the glory to.” —Gyasi Zardes

“Gyasi is such a great father and loyal, faithful husband,” Eldridge said. “Some players, you can tell that just making money and providing financially for their family is all they think about. But Gyasi cares and is so involved with his family. He is intimately involved in raising his kids. And what’s been cool is how he’s influenced other players around him by that example.”

Regardless of where Zardes’ career goes from here, this will be his legacy: pointing people to God, through whatever influence he’s given, for however long he can.

“The reason why I always put the ‘all glory to God’ [in my social media posts] is to direct all that fame or glamour,” Zardes said on the Sport Spectrum Podcast. “Kids look up to me, and I don’t want them to idolize me, but I just try to redirect all that attention, fame to God. Because my viewpoint is I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for God, and I firmly believe that.

Based on where I come from, based on how I was raised, man, I am so blessed. God has blessed me with all these opportunities, so there’s no better way [than] to use my platform to allow everyone to know and see whom I am giving the glory to.”

AP Photo/Matt Rourke AP Photo/Stew Milne

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•MLS PLAYERS TO FOLLOW

RAY GADDIS

PHILADELPHIA UNION DEFENDER @raygaddis

@ray_gaddis

After starring at West Virginia, Gaddis was picked up in the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union. He’s gone on to become the club’s all-time leader in minutes played. “I am able to play the beautiful game because of Him,” Gaddis posted on social media. “Through Him I am able to live out my dream! And to Him (The Lord My Savior) I Give all the Glory!”

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

BRAD GUZAN

ATLANTA UNITED GOALKEEPER @bguzan

@bguzan

Picked second overall in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA, Guzan played four years in the MLS before eight in the English Premier League. He returned in 2017 by joining Atlanta United, which won the 2018 MLS Cup. “My personal life, my faith life and my sport life — they all come together. I think they have to. You don’t have one without the others, and you have to have Jesus in your life,” he says.

AP Photo/Jessica Hill

RYAN HOLLINGSHEAD FC DALLAS MIDFIELDER @rmhollingshead

@rmhollingshead

Drafted by FC Dallas in the second round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Hollingshead delayed the start of his pro career so he could help his brother build a church. But he debuted in 2014 and remains a fixture in Dallas. “As Christians, we are first and foremost that — sinners who have been transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ, and our identity is found with the knowledge that we are adopted children of God.” AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

TIM HOWARD

COLORADO RAPIDS GOALKEEPER @TimHowardGK

@timhow1

The 40-year-old is in the last season of a legendary career, one that’s seen him play more international games (121) than any other goalkeeper in U.S. men’s national team history. He spent 13 seasons in the English Premier League, and nine in the MLS. “Being grounded in your faith is vitally important. I think it also comes with putting good people around you, whether that’s other believers, whether that’s just people you trust,” he says.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ LOS ANGELES FC FORWARD @Chris_Ramirez17

@christianramierz_21

Ramirez is back home in Southern California, leading LAFC after beginning his pro career at lower levels in Charlotte and Minnesota. He joined the MLS when the Minnesota United moved from the NASL in 2017, and Ramirez scored the club’s first MLS goal. “I just have to put myself second to God and be selfless in the way that I live my life, whether that is on the field or off it,” he says.

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez www.sportsspectrum.com

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To listen to the entire interview with Andrew McCutchen, visit SportsSpectrum.com

BY JASON ROMANO

MCCUTCHEN

ANDREW

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After nine seasons with the club that drafted him, Andrew McCutchen discovered life on the move last year — on top of becoming a new father. Through it all, the Phillies veteran ensures his relationship with Christ is most important.

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ndrew McCutchen is playing his 11th season of Major League Baseball. He began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who selected him 11th overall in 2005, and he made his big league debut in June 2009.

After nine seasons with the Bucs he was traded in January 2018 to the San Francisco Giants. In August he was again traded, this time to the Yankees. Four months later in December, he signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.

McCutchen is a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He won a Gold Glove in 2012 and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2013.

The 32-year-old recently chatted with me about the excitement surrounding his new team, his crazy 2018 that saw him change teams three times in a calendar year, why accountability is important to him in his walk with the Lord, and his memories of his first major league game.

www.sportsspectrum.com

WHAT’S THE TRANSITION BEEN LIKE FOR YOU SINCE YOU JOINED THE PHILLIES? It’s been great. It’s been a good transition. I’ve been enjoying myself. I always joke with people and say, “Red has always been my favorite color.” But to put the uniform on, I feel like I look pretty good in it. As far as the transition, there really hasn’t been much of one. I feel like last year was more of a transition for me because it was new to me. I guess I kind of feel like I’m used to it now. Everything feels pretty normal and it’s good to get on the field and play again.

THE PHILLIES LOOK LIKE THEY MEAN BUSINESS WITH ALL THESE SIGNINGS: YOURSELF, BRYCE HARPER, JEAN SEGURA, J.T. REALMUTO, DAVID ROBERTSON. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT WITH TALENT EVERYWHERE, THIS TEAM HAS TO HAVE YOU PRETTY EXCITED FOR 2019?

Definitely. I knew what this team did last year and I knew what they were capable of this year. That was one of the reasons that led me to signing. After I signed, they signed J.T, Robertson, then Harper. It’s an exciting team. We’re definitely looking forward to this year. We know what we’re capable of doing and we’re excited to produce out there and win some ball games.

WHAT WAS 2018 LIKE FOR YOU? It was an experience. It was a roller coaster of emotions for me, not knowing what was going to happen. First, the birth of our child (in November 2017) and just learning how to be a new parent, knowing our lives had changed for the better. And then not much longer down the road, being traded and trying to figure out what we were going to do next, what we were going to do with our son and traveling. It was definitely something that was tough at times, but we leaned on God, we leaned on our relationship with Him, and He helped us move on and move forward and enjoy every moment that we had.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY, YOUR WALK WITH THE LORD AND HOW THAT TOOK SHAPE FOR YOU? I grew up in a family that was faith-based. I grew up in the Church. Every day I was in the church in Florida. We lived literally right across the street from our church.

That’s what it was all about. Our lives revolved around God and how important having a relationship with God is. They told me it would be my decision when I wanted to have that relationship with God and wanted to go deeper, and I did that at the age of 16. I got baptized at the age of 16. I just wanted to get to know God more on a personal level. It’s a relationship and it takes work. You learn every single day. That’s how it is with my relationship and walk with God, the same way. Just trying to dig deeper every single day, honestly.

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GROUNDED ON THE GO ANDREW McCUTCHEN WHAT DOES THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS DURING A LONG BASEBALL SEASON? Something that I’ve come to realize and learn is that you need an accountability partner. You need someone to hold you accountable throughout the season. You’re by yourself a lot. That can become hard throughout the year, throughout the season; temptations are there. There’s a lot of things that are accessible. So for me, I’ve started to learn that having an accountability partner and having that teammate, that friend that we can hold each other accountable, that’s what we did. Last year (with the Giants), Derek Holland and I became really close. We used to get our rooms right next to each other when we were on the road. We used to open the doors, and basically his door was open, my door was open and it was an open-door policy. If he needed to come to my room to talk, and vice versa, we did that. It helped me a lot to know that I wasn’t in this thing alone. That’s something I’ve learned over the years.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT FIRST MLB GAME YOU PLAYED IN JUNE 2009?

I remember everything about that day. Stepping on the field for the first time, running out there, basically saying, “I’m living the dream.” I remember that day. It was a 12:35 p.m. game. I was leading off. Mike Pelfrey was the pitcher and we were playing against the New York Mets. It was an amazing day. I remember my first at-bat, leading off the inning, first two pitches, I was 0-2 right away, and then he threw me a fastball middle in. I hit it back up the middle and I just remember thinking, “Man, my first at-bat, I got a hit.” It was a great day and it’s a day I cherish for sure.

AS YOUR PLATFORM INCREASED, HOW DID YOU HANDLE THAT, EVEN FROM A FAITH PERSPECTIVE, THAT THERE’S A DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU COULD IMPACT? WHAT WAS THAT LIKE AS YOU SAW YOUR PLATFORM INCREASE? With the help of a lot of people, I started to realize that I could use these talents for the greater good.

Knowing that God blessed me as a baseball player, but that I could be something bigger, I went out there to try and make a difference. I looked up to Roberto Clemente, someone who was an ambassador for the game, and a pioneer. A guy who lost his life helping others. He was someone I aspired to be like. Using the platforms, being a baseball player — that’s great, and I enjoy that. But I can be a bigger difference on the field and off. I use that to my advantage and try to be an example for the next person and for whomever is watching.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED FROM BEING A HUSBAND AND DAD THESE PAST FEW YEARS? It’s great. I understand that I have a responsibility as a husband and as a father to lead and be an example — to be the leader in our house, to show my son who God is and to let him know how important it is to have God in his life. To be able to do that for my wife and lead in different ways. The biggest accountability partner I can have is my wife. It’s great to have someone like that in your life who you can always go to regardless of what is going on on the field. She doesn’t look at you as a baseball player, she looks at you as a husband. To be able to have that is great.

WHAT’S THE GREATEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED AS A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER? Everyone is watching. That’s the biggest thing. So be an example for that one kid that may come to the game that day, and that may be the only interaction he may have with you. Everyone’s watching. Be an example for your son to follow. It keeps me grounded.

It makes me appreciate the game and enjoy it at the same time. I think that just keeps me where I need to be every single day on the field and helps me cherish it every single day.

WHAT IS GOD TEACHING YOU RIGHT NOW? I believe God teaches me something every day. I think He’s showing me that He has a bigger plan for me, not just as a baseball player but as a father and a husband.

This game is amazing and it’s important, but God is more important than the game. One day, this game is going to be over and you’re not going to be playing anymore, and so you have to realize what is most important. And I feel like my relationship with Him is most important and it frees me up to be able to play the game that I love so much. It’s something I continue to learn every single day and I know at the end, it’s all worth it.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

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“I understand that I have a responsibility as a husband and as a father to lead and be an example — to be the leader in our house, to show my son who God is and to let him know how important it is to have God in his life.”

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MIKE

MARTIN

SKIPPER Florida State Seminoles baseball coach Mike Martin has won more games than any other collegiate coach. He’ll soon leave the game, but leave behind a legacy of faith.

— BY J I M CROSBY

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o hum. Just another day at the ball yard.”

Coach Mike Martin deadpanned this observation in a postgame press conference at the 1999 College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Of course, it was far from a regular day — Martin’s Florida State Seminoles had just completed a wild and crazy, 13-inning walk-off win over Stanford, which propelled FSU into college baseball’s national championship game.

But that’s just “11” being “11,” as he’s universally called in reference to his uniform number.

“His downhome humor, slow-talking storytelling and countrified fish-and-grits charm have helped make him one of college sports’ most enduring and endearing treasures,” wrote Orlando Sentinel writer Mike Bianchi, capturing Martin’s personality in May 2018, when Martin became college baseball’s winningest skipper.

One year later, the humor and charm are still present as Florida State’s legendary coach nears the end of his

AP Photo/Phil Sears

“God has given me every opportunity to be successful. I think the high points of my faith occur daily. I know that Jesus Christ is with me 24 hours a day. I talk to Him constantly.”

AP Photo/Dave Weaver

www.sportsspectrum.com

time at the ball yard. Upon the conclusion of the 2019 season, Martin will call it a career after 40 years.

And he’ll do so after collecting more victories than any college coach in any sport, ever. He earned that distinction at the end of 2018, and in 2019 has simply continued to pile on to what Baseball America calls an “unbreakable” record. In a 5-2 win March 9 over Virginia Tech, “11” picked up his 2,000th win. Through May 15, he was up to 2,021.

In all, Martin’s distinguished career has seen him inducted into three separate Halls of Fame, win all kinds of Coach of the Year honors and coach 93 AllAmericans. A national championship has eluded him — his teams have twice finished as runners-up (‘86 and ‘99) — but Florida State has advanced to the postseason each of Martin’s 39 years, and is likely to continue the streak this year.

Behind it all has been Martin’s strong faith in God. “God has given me every opportunity to be successful,” says Martin, 75. “I think the high points of my faith occur daily. I know that Jesus Christ is with me 24 hours a day. I talk to Him constantly.”

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orn in Charlotte, N.C., in 1944, Martin gave his life to the Lord at the age of 16, when he attended a Billy Graham Crusade in the Charlotte Coliseum a mile-and-a-half from his home.

“I went to church, but [accepting Christ] never appealed to me, until I went with a group of young people to hear Billy Graham speak. Then I saw what it was all about and realized that there was so much more to accepting Christ,” he says.

Martin’s mother, Lib, wanted him to be a preacher. His daddy, Baine, wanted him to be anything but a baseball player. As Martin recalls, “My dad never wanted me to do anything but work. He was raised during the Depression and he encouraged me to get a job, which I did at 16, and have worked ever since.

But Daddy wasn’t someone who felt baseball was the answer.”

Then, with a straight face, he adds, “I’m still trying to prove him wrong.”

Martin’s love affair with Florida State University began in 1965, when he left Wingate Junior College and signed

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MARTIN

“

His faith is the basis for who he is.

I don’t think you can separate Mike’s faith from what he does professionally.”

— Pastor Bob Tindale AP Photo/Rodney White

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“His beliefs serve him well in baseball and life. He knows that sometimes you’re going to strike out, but you’ve got to keep stepping up to the plate.

He accepts losses with dignity and celebrates wins with grace.”

— FSU president John Thrasher to play for former major leaguer Fred Hatfield at FSU. As a player, Hatfield was known as “Scrap Iron” because of his burning desire to win ball games. Hatfield would do anything to win, including leading the majors in getting hit by pitches. That rubbed off on Martin, who was a fiery competitor by nature anyway.

In his junior year, on the way to an All-American season, the long, lanky Martin took one for the team as he intentionally allowed a late-inning pitch to hit his forearm in a close game at Clemson. He got on base, but later when he started out to play defense in his centerfield position, he discovered he couldn’t get his glove on. His arm was broken.

Martin wasn’t able to play again for more than six months. The injury caused him to miss competing in the College World Series, but he coached first base with a cast on his arm.

That incident had other ramifications as well, which Martin feels were part of God’s plan for his life. “It caused me to miss the MLB draft that year. So, who knows where I would be now if I had left school early to turn pro. God had other ideas for me,” Martin says.

The next year, Martin was drafted by the New York Mets and roomed on the road with

AP Photo/Phil Sears

www.sportsspectrum.com

Nolan Ryan, who was just starting his pro career as well. Ryan went on to play 27 years in the majors; Martin spent three seasons in the minors.

When his pro baseball career ended, Martin and his young wife, Carol, tried to figure out what was next. Remembering happy times in Tallahassee, they returned to North Florida.

In 1975, former MLB and Seminole player Woody Woodward hired Martin as an assistant. Four years later, Woodward returned to MLB in the front

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s Martin comes to the end of a stellar career, the accomplishments are many, but what he takes the most pride in is his mentoring of the young men who have played for him. What gives him the greatest pleasure is having former players return with their families and say, “11, I never realized how much the things you taught me would mean in my life later.”

Chip Baker, who has been on Martin’s staff for 35 years, puts it this way: “My dad taught me to be a man.

Coach Martin taught me to be a gentleman.”

The respect for Martin extends beyond the Seminole players, coaches and fans. With each new series in 2019, the opposing programs have paid their respects with gifts, plaques and kind words for what he has done for college baseball.

When Boston College came to town for a three-game series in March, the Seminoles had won 16 of their last 17 games against the Eagles, and 33 of 38 games all-time. But this time was different in two respects. First, Boston College won two of the three games.

Second, what happened afterward made a bigger impression on Martin.

“BC coach Mike Gambino gave me a hug and said, ‘I am emotional, 11, but I just want to tell you,’ and he said some nice things about how he was treated by me when he came into the league,” Martin recalled. “He made it a point to come back and tell me that.”

What followed was the ultimate in class. The entire Boston College team lined up single file, and each player shook Martin’s hand and expressed their thanks and admiration for the career he has had.

Matt Diaz, who went on to play 10 years in the majors after his Seminole career, summed it up: “Coach Martin influenced me in many ways, more than just baseball obviously. When I walked in that first day at Florida State, I learned how to expect to win. Not hope to win, not just think I could win; I learned how to be on a team that expected to win.”

That’s because he played for Mike Martin, the winningest college coach of all time.

AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

office of the Cincinnati Reds. Martin hoped and expected to replace Woody as head coach, but he didn’t get the job. It went to Dick Howser, a former FSU star who played eight years in the majors, the final two for the New York Yankees. He asked Martin to stay on as an assistant.

One year later, during a fall ball game, the dugout phone rang. Martin took Howser’s place in the third-base coaching box while Howser took a call from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Forty-eight hours later, Martin would take Howser’s job as FSU’s head coach while Howser became manager of the Yankees.

The Seminoles got an ultra-fiery competitor as head coach in 1980. His son, Mike Martin Jr. — who was the Seminoles’ starting catcher from 1993-95, and has been an FSU assistant coach for 22 years — says of his dad, “He hates to lose at anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s shooting pool or playing golf, he will go all out to beat you.”

Martin’s competitiveness, paired with a short-fuse temper, was not a pretty sight early in his career. He terrorized umpires.

Once, in the first inning of a game at Florida in Gainesville, the Seminoles’ first batter was called out on a close play at first base. Martin thought he was safe. A major argument ensued with the umpire, who tossed Martin out of the game. So Martin grabbed first base and tossed it into right field.

“People used to laugh and call him ‘wild man,’” Carol recalls. “He wanted to win so badly. Some people would think that he went to extremes to obtain that end.”

All that has changed. Martin will still do everything in his power to win a ball game. And it isn’t that he won’t have a disagreement with an umpire from time to time. Nobody is perfect, especially not an umpire. And learning how to accept defeat gracefully has always been an obstacle.

But through maturity and his faith, Martin has mellowed. His former pastor, Bob Tindale (Killearn United Methodist Church in Tallahassee), says, “His faith is the basis for who he is. I don’t think you can separate Mike’s faith from what he does professionally.”

Florida State President John Thrasher said of Martin’s success, “His faith has something to do with it. His beliefs serve him well in baseball and life. He knows that sometimes you’re going to strike out, but you’ve got to keep stepping up to the plate. He accepts losses with dignity and celebrates wins with grace.”

Coach Martin with former FSU baseball & football player Jameis Winston

“

My dad taught me to be a man.

Coach Martin taught me to be a gentleman.”

— FSU coach Chip Baker

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•WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

NCAA College World Series TD Ameritrade Park — Omaha, Neb. June 15-25/26

Oregon State

Defending champion, which defeated Arkansas in the 2018 CWS finals.

AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

South Carolina

Last team to win back-to-back titles (2010-11).

AP Photo/Eric Francis

85

CWS wins for Texas, the most by a program in College World Series history. The Longhorns have won six national championships and have six national runner-up finishes.

36

64 16 8 www.sportsspectrum.com

CWS appearances for Texas, also a record.

AP Photo/Chris Covatta

Number of teams in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. The first round consists of Regionals, which puts the 64 teams into 16 four-team brackets playing a double-elimination tournament (May 31-June 3).

12

CWS titles won by Southern California, the all-time leader.

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Number of teams that advance from Regionals to the Super Regionals.

The teams are paired up for eight best-of-three series (June 7-10).

Number of teams that advance from Super Regionals to the College World Series in Omaha. Each team is seeded and split into two four-team brackets, with each bracket winner meeting for the best-of-three College World Series finals.

1947

AP Photo/Nati Harnik

Year of the first-ever NCAA Division I baseball tournament, won by California over Yale.

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THE PURSUIT

DO THE WORK

“So on October 2 the wall was finished — just fifty-two days after we had begun …

[Their enemies] realized this work had been done with the help of God.” — NEHEMIAH 6:15, 16B (NLT)

can still hear the words of my dad echo in my ears: “The greatest achievements in life are never easy. And they’re never accomplished alone.” While I’ve experienced this principle over and over in all aspects of life — from school to sports to work — I often want success to be easier. Sometimes I just wish I could get the results without the sacrifice and suffering along the way.

Vince Lombardi is famous for saying, “The harder you work the harder it is to surrender.” And personally, in many ways, I’ve found that to be true. Partly because we are willing to work hardest for the things in our lives that matter most to us. That makes giving up, giving in or quitting out of the question — at least not without a fight.

Winners work. Quitters don’t work, they whine. Dedication and discipline are two things that generally separate the winners from the quitters. Dedication requires consistency of effort and action, regardless of the circumstances or challenges. Work is never dependent on how you feel. In fact, we’ll all have plenty of days we don’t feel like showing up and putting in the work. But if we truly want the results, we have to be dedicated to the work.

Nehemiah is the epitome of what it looks like to work wholeheartedly for a cause that honors and glorifies God. God plants a vision in us and gives us the passion to go for it. Then He asks us to get to work. He multiplies the effectiveness of our effort and magnifies His name in the process. God does more than we can ever ask or imagine as we surrender to His plan and put our hand to the plow! God’s people completed the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem in an astonishing 52 days. They were determined and disciplined, and refused to be distracted or discouraged. And they worked.

We never drift toward greatness; we have to drive toward it daily. Greatness doesn’t happen by chance; it’s a choice.

It’s not found in good intentions; it’s fought for in gritty work.

It’s wrapped up in all the little steps taken along the way that produce the result we ultimately want.

Back in 2013, my son, Jimmy, was contemplating trying out for the lacrosse team at Liberty University. He had a good high school career, but was wrestling with doubts and fears about whether he could make the college team. Almost 30 years earlier, I was invited to try out as a walk-on for the Virginia Tech baseball team and decided not to give it a shot; it became my biggest regret. As I shared that story with my son, he made the choice to go for it.

Following his decision, Jimmy went to work. He pushed his body harder than he ever had. He competed with an intensity and focus like never before. He worked. He called us every night with updates and described playing better than he had ever played. He made the team and we celebrated! I believe God honored his effort and helped him in unseen ways.

After watching my son overcome doubts, adversity and challenges, and pursue a goal that really mattered to him, I have discovered three keys to success: 46

BY JIMMY PAGE

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1

PICK YOUR PRIZE

It all starts with setting a wildly important goal — a goal that stretches you beyond your comfort zone. You will only be dedicated to something that is very important to you, so you have to know the “why.” Checking your motives is at the core of this step. Identifying the things God has made you passionate about helps you pursue those things with the right heart — to glorify God in the pursuit regardless of the final outcome. Achieving our goals can never be about the trophies; it’s all about the testimonies (1 Corinthians 9:23-25).

2 COUNT THE COST

Everything worth pursuing costs something. Nothing worth achieving will come easy. So examine the cost. What will be required of you to make it happen? What habits will you need to establish? How much training will it take? What decisions and disciplines will be required along the way? Jesus encourages us to consider what it will take before we begin (Luke 14:27-29).

3

PAY THE PRICE

Once the goal is set and the cost is counted, the real work begins.

Making progress daily toward your goal, regardless of how you feel or setbacks that you encounter, is what will keep you on track. You will have to crush the distractions inviting you to get off track or take the easy road. Excuses will come disguised as “good reasons” and you will have to fight through. Crush little compromises, celebrate small successes and go to work every day (Colossians 3:23).

So what do you say? Let’s pursue God-sized goals and get to work.

In the end, God might just accomplish something pretty important and make a lasting difference in the world through you.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS: Pick your Prize – What is a wildly important, God-given goal you want to pursue? Why is it important to you?

Count the Cost – What will it take to make that goal a reality?

What things might you have to change (start/stop)?

Pay the Price – What steps will you take to make progress toward your goal?

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 Believe Big 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.

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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).

www.sportsspectrum.com

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.

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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS

MONDAY Ability Vs. Identity

I understand that I’m in the position I’m in not because of my own ability, but because of my identity. I am a child of God and everything else springs forth from that. All blessings come from Him. There’s no use in boasting in my own work because it’s not mine! I’m inheriting these things from God for His purposes.

If I lose sight of this, I can easily get insecure or begin to worry, thinking that I’m not good enough. But I know I’m a child of God and I can rely on this truth in both the good and the bad times. When I am weak, He is strong. His grace is sufficient.

Being a child of God is like being in one country and not realizing that your dad is the king of another country. You live in rags where you are, barely getting by, not realizing that you could be living as a prince or princess in another place. You need to go back home!

In the same way, how can you receive the rights of the Kingdom of God if you are not connected with Him? You have to reach out and receive it. Your Heavenly Father will be happy to receive you with open arms, without rules or regulations.

It’s like the story of the prodigal son found in the Bible. When the son detached himself from the father and chose not to walk in the kingdom, he thought he could find the good life. But it was nowhere near what he could gain if he returned home. He inherited everything, not because of anything he had done, but simply because of who he was — a child of the king.

He did nothing to deserve it. When he did choose to go back and receive his identity as his father’s son, his father was waiting, searching for him, ready to receive him with open arms and forgiveness.

This is what God is waiting for us to do as well! And when we do, we not only inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of God, but we take on the fruit of the Spirit in the here and now — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. It doesn’t mean that everything on earth will be easy, but it does mean eternal joy and peace with Christ.

It’s hard for us to be separated from God; He hates it even more. Imagine if your own child went off and did not want any part of you anymore. If they did, you would do anything you could to get them back!

And if they returned, you would do everything in your power to make sure they didn’t go off again. That’s why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us.

Even though we have many sins, the Father wants us.

God is seeking for His children to come home, and He’s ready to receive them with open, loving arms.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

— 2 Corinthians 6:18 48

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DAVIS 56 • NEW ORLEANS SAINTS LINEBACKER

AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth

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TUESDAY From Parables To Revelation [Open with Mark 4:1-2]

Jesus had a way with words. He knew

how to reach people right where they were.

He could step into the lives of people and give a word that would change their lives forever. But the word He gave to the multitude was different than what He gave to His disciples.

In the first verse of Mark 4, the text says “a great multitude was gathered to Him…” Could you imagine how many different personalities were in that multitude? The truth is that it didn’t matter the personalities of the people, it only mattered where their heart was. To the heart that was not born again, Jesus spoke to them in parables. But for those who were born again, He spoke by revelation!

Wait, wait, wait ... I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me define what a parable is. It is a narrative or story told by placing one thing by the side of another. Jesus told stories that paralleled the Kingdom. The hope was that the parable would paint a picture of the Kingdom, and that picture would bring them into the Kingdom of God. By having the parable revealed, one could then believe in Him. The parable was the bait to know the King of the Kingdom.

by John and following Jesus. They were not like the multitude; they had come into a relationship with Jesus. Thus, Jesus held them to a higher standard of understanding the things He taught.

Mark 4:3-8 is arguably the most important parable in all of Scripture.

Jesus said by revelation to the disciples, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?” (verse 13). This parable is the foundation of understanding many, if not all, of Jesus’ teachings.

When was the last time you purposefully and intensely studied Mark 4? I challenge you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the understanding of the parable of the sower.

THURSDAY Sow The Word [Open with Mark 4:14]

In Mark 4:14, Jesus gives us the title and purpose of this parable: “The sower sows the Word.” The parable is not about the soil or the heart of the hearer of the Word, but about the person giving or sowing the Word. Now, the heart is a very important part of the parable, but the sower is most important.

In the opening of the revelation of the parable, Jesus reveals the archenemy of It is one thing to know a parable, but it’s the Word of God. His name is Satan. He entirely different to have revelation. Jesus wanted the Kingdom to be revealed to men. only has one agenda: take the seed of the Word out of your heart. “…Satan comes and takes away the Word that was sown in them” (v. 15).

WEDNESDAY The Real Word [Open with Mark 4:13]

The attacks from the enemy are not personal. Stop taking things and people so personally. Satan wants the Word and I really don’t think the disciples knew what they were getting into when they said nothing else. He doesn’t care about you, “yes” to following Jesus. As time went on your family, your job, your marriage, your children or your destiny. He only cares and they realized who He truly was, their eyes were opened. They went from being about the Word that is in your heart. If he can get the Word out of your heart, he has part of the multitude to being a follower of Christ. They went from hearing parables you, your family, your job, your marriage, your children and your destiny. The Word to understanding the real word that was of God is so precious and priceless that coming from the Word.

Satan comes himself. Notice that Jesus Did you catch that? Jesus was and is the didn’t say any demons or evil spirits come Word! But only those whose eyes and hearts for the Word. The CEO of hell leaves his office to come for your heart! were opened could get that. He opened His heart to His disciples. When Jesus was What are you willing to do to protect the alone with them, He had an expectation that the parable in Mark 4:3-8 was revealed Word that’s been sown in your heart? to them. The disciples had been baptized

FRIDAY Let Them Hear

[Open with Mark 4:16-17]

In each of these examples that Jesus gives, each individual is in the position to hear the Word. This is why it’s important to be in community as followers of Christ.

Each of His examples heard the Word first.

This also echoes in Scripture every time Jesus made the statement, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” You have an ear, I have an ear, but are we listening?

In verse 16, the listener heard the Word and received it with joy. Have you ever heard a sermon and received it with joy? I have plenty of times. “To receive with joy” simply means the Word penetrated your ears and then your heart and you accepted it with no reservation. It added value to your soul and spirit. You didn’t complain about how it was delivered or what the pastor was wearing, you simply received the Word and were sincerely happy about it.

Mark 4:17 says, “Since they have no root, they last only a short time.” A root is nourished by something deeper. In other words, we have to have confidence! A tree has confidence in producing fruit because the roots are rooted in something deep.

Even though we may receive the Word with joy, we must have confidence in the One who gave us His Word!

James said to be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). As we do the Word, it builds confidence in the One who watches over that Word to perform that Word in and through our lives!

WEEKEND Continue reading about the power of the Word:

Revelation 1 & 2; Hebrews 4 & Romans 10

LaMorris Crawford Cincinnati Bengals chaplain

www.sportsspectrum.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.

INCREASEDEVOTIONALS

MONDAY A Greater Plan

For so long I have been going, going, going with baseball every day. Now that I’m in recovery, things are going pretty slow. I’m taking the time now to dive into a lot of reading, building the wealth of wisdom God can give me. Not only am I pouring into Scripture, I’m also studying the writings and wisdom of people God has spoken through.

I’m studying subjects like parenting, theology and walking through struggles. I see this almost as a sabbatical for me — a time to step away from the noise and dive into my relationship with Christ.

It’s ironic that I tore my ACL, MCL and PCL this year, and last year I tore my pec. These are not normal baseball injuries; these are more common football injuries! I know it’s a cliche thing to say, but I know I’m going to come back stronger because of this. This is not a setback, it’s just another step on the journey.

It’s not every day that we get to stop and work on strengthening our bodies completely.

The Bible is very clear on the subject of suffering and trials. Romans 5:3-4 says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” It’s in these times we draw closer to God and deeper in our faith. We grow stronger in our character and get a better perspective of what’s important in our lives. I don’t look at my situation and get depressed or take a victim mentality. I’ve seen God work in the past and every time I go through something like this, I know I’ll come out stronger mentally, spiritually and physically.

I can either take the victim mentality and play the woe-is-me card, or I can choose to trust in God’s plan. There’s nothing I could have done about my injury; it’s not something I would have drawn up for my career. But then again, I’m not God. He knows what He’s doing.

The worst part of this is that I feel for my teammates and the fans of Arizona. I wanted to go out there for all of them and use the talent God’s given me. Now I’m here, and I can’t do anything about it. But what I can do is continue to seek God and give Him the glory.

Hopefully one day when I look back at this time, I will be thankful and see how it all makes sense for the purposes of God. I’m trusting in Him to, once again, unveil His greater plan.

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SOUZA 28 • ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS RIGHT FIELDER

AP Photo/Matt York

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TUESDAY Spiritual Nutrition [Open with Matthew 4:4]

Abs are made in the gym, but

revealed in the kitchen! Eating healthy is foundational to succeed in sports; every athlete knows the importance of it.

I have a friend who, in his quest to get in great physical shape, became totally obsessed with the newest pre-workout powders and protein shakes. Every month he was trying out the newest craze. A year later, he realized he was neglecting the proper food groups, and therefore, his workouts were not producing the desired results. Because he was missing key nutrients and not sticking to a proven nutritional method of success, he wasn’t finding much success.

Just as maintaining a healthy diet is important for physical training, it is also important for spiritual training. We may have a desire to grow spiritually, but our spiritual diet is half a Sunday sermon, a Bible verse for the week, and a quick prayer before we go to bed.

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12). The proven method for spiritual training is to read His Word daily and apply it to your life.

Are you eating a healthy spiritual diet from the Word of God daily?

WEDNESDAY Spiritual Aerobics [Open with Proverbs 4:23]

What is the most important muscle in your body? It’s not your legs or back. The most important muscle is your heart, and that is why aerobic exercise is foundational to achieve athletic success.

The physical heart is an organ and the most amazing muscle in the human body.

It beats more than 100,000 times a day, sending 3,600 gallons of blood through 75,000 miles of blood vessels, pumping oxygenated blood and nutrients to cells throughout your body.

But even more amazing is your spiritual heart. The heart is the spiritual organ that drives man’s behavior and is where our www.sportsspectrum.com

emotions and desires dwell. The bad news is the unregenerate heart is treacherous, and from it flows all types of evil and sin.

The good news is that when we are born again, God supernaturally performs a spiritual heart transplant. We can now love God and people with His unconditional love.

We must guard our new heart and constantly ask God to reveal to us if there is any sinful or wicked thing contaminating it. We must do a day-by-day, moment-bymoment heart check to ensure we have a clean heart. Being totally transparent and humbling ourselves before God is vital to being transformed into the image of His Son.

FRIDAY Spiritual Strength

[Open with Ephesians 6:10]

It’s is a wonderful thing to watch a young athlete hit the weight room and begin to develop muscles. In a few years, you start to see physical transformation take place.

Every basketball fan can remember a rookie Michael Jordan or David Robinson, and the obvious muscular development from lifting weights that took place over their playing careers. Those physical changes took a lot of hard work and time spent on their muscular development.

Physical strength is impressive and To neglect your physical heart is unhealthy, but neglecting your spiritual heart everyone enjoys watching the powerlifters do what seems humanly impossible. can lead to a life of ruin.

THURSDAY Spiritual Rest [Open with Psalm 37:7]

I jokingly tell people that sleep is overrated, but in all seriousness, lack of sleep is no joking matter. Any athlete who consistently burns both ends of the candle will eventually suffer the physical consequences of a tired body. Getting proper physical rest is necessary if one is to reach their full athletic potential.

In His Word, God tells us there is a supernatural strength available to all of us who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

According to Ephesians 6:10, we are to be strong in the Lord’s strength. The supernatural feats of Samson, David and the miracles recorded in the Bible remind us of the power that is available to us. This is the same power that enables us to have victory over a habitual sin and allows us to truly forgive someone who has hurt us deeply.

When we walk close to the Lord and operate in His strength, we will begin to experience what Nehemiah declared when he said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

God commanded the children of Israel to observe the Sabbath. The fourth commandment was for them to cease from all labor and work. There is wisdom in Developing physical strength is a good getting proper physical rest. thing, but getting stronger spiritually is a “Because so many people were coming God thing. and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get Continue reading about taking in some rest.’” — Mark 6:31

WEEKEND God’s Word:

But even more important is spiritual rest. John 8 & Psalm 139:23-24; If you are going to reach your full spiritual Psalm 4 & Philippians 4 potential, you cannot neglect the Biblical command to rest in the Lord. There is true spiritual growth when we learn to give all our worries and concerns to God — living by faith and recognizing that apart from Him we can do nothing. Christ lives in us and He works through us.

When we trust and rest in Him, we begin to experience His perfect peace no matter what the circumstances. A good night’s sleep is vital for every athlete, but learning to rest in the Lord is paramount for victorious Christian living.

Sam Johnson San Antonio Spurs 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 My Platform

As a Christ-follower in the world of professional athletics, specifically professional soccer in the MLS, I often hear people talk about my “platform.” We have all heard this before, but people are referring to the ability to impact a large number of people through the faithful witness of just one person, or a few people. It’s absolutely true that people look up to and aspire to be professional athletes, which leads to athletes being trend- and culture-setters.

While this idea of a platform is true, it is definitely to a much lesser extent as a professional soccer player in the U.S., and an even lesser extent playing in a smaller soccer market like Dallas, Texas. Although the sport of soccer is growing in the U.S., and the MLS specifically is growing rapidly, my influence is still much smaller than some of the other professional athletes in the U.S. With all of that being said, I still get caught up in this idea of a platform, and the weight and responsibility on my shoulders to represent Christ well in my sport. And I have seen a few potential pitfalls in this thinking that I am learning to combat.

The platform is never more important than my family. It has been said many times before, and maybe you have heard it, but it’s worth repeating. My identity is as follows: Christian, husband, father, soccer player. As Christians, we are first and foremost that — sinners who have been transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ, and our identity is found with the knowledge that we are adopted children of God. Second, I am a husband. I am married to one person, Taylor, and the two of us are now mysteriously and spiritually one person. And after Jesus, she is the one that my heart loves most.

Then I am a father, which is literally the outplaying of my one-flesh union with Taylor. If you want to know what two people becoming one looks like, just look at my children — they look exactly as if Taylor and I combined to be one person (except my son Huck, who looks like the mailman).

Finally, I am a soccer player, and with that profession comes a responsibility to represent Christ well to a watching world.

What I often see rising up in my own heart, though, is to reverse that order. To treat professional soccer, and the platform that comes with it, as the most important thing in my life, because of its ability to impact many more people on a larger scale. The large reach of the “platform” can look sexy and enticing, but nothing is more important than the ministry taking place in my own family, within the four walls of my own house.

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“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

— 1 Timothy 5:8 TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

HOLLINGSHEAD 12 • FC DALLAS MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER

AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter

TUESDAY Come Back Here And Fight [Open with Proverbs 15:1]

When my wife, Ann, and I got married a

few years back (38 years to be exact), we had no idea the way we handled conflict was so different. We actually thought we wouldn’t have much conflict since we were so in love. Well, that didn’t last long!

Just like every other couple, married or not, we fought … a lot. And I hated conflict, so I would usually just remove myself from the situation. That’s called being a chicken, and I was a big one.

Over the past 38 years of marriage, we have learned a thing or two about conflict.

And how a couple handles conflict will determine the health and future of that relationship. It’s that important.

FRIDAY

she took a breath I asked, “Do you feel like Kensington (the church I pastor) is more important to me than you are?”

Vertical Marriage She nodded yes. And right there I knew what this conflict was really all about. She was not feeling loved and supported by me. It wasn’t until I actually shut up and listened to Ann’s heart that I realized why she was so hurt.

Our 10-year anniversary date totally transformed our marriage. After an evening of great food, great romance and great conversation, I had one more surprise up my sleeve. I took us to the middle-school parking lot where we were about to start Behind every story is a story, and we our church. I figured we could pray about won’t be able to get to the root of that story what God might do through this new until we just shut up and listen. When we church — and then we could make out! look someone in the eye and listen intently to what they are saying, we communicate Yet when I leaned over to kiss Ann, to them that they are valuable and we are she pulled away. When I asked what was willing to hear their heart. wrong, she shared six words that would change the future of our marriage: “I’ve lost my feelings for you.”

THURSDAY Undeserved Forgiveness [Open with Ephesians 4:31-32]

I grew up watching my parents drink and then fight … almost daily. Their conflicts led to a divorce and I concluded that conflict is bad, so avoid it at all costs.

Ann’s parents regularly worked through disagreements, and she knew conflicts could be resolved and actually lead to greater intimacy.

When Ann and I sat down to write our “Vertical Marriage” book, we had scripted out each chapter. On the first writing day, Ann was supposed to write a chapter about how we met. Instead, she brought me her first chapter with a title about my “neck problem.” I then realized this book was going to get “real,” real fast.

What about you? Do you run away from conflict or run to conflict? Nothing good happens when we run away, yet God can work miracles when we stay and work for resolution. Over the next few days, let’s take a look at what conflict resolution can look like.

Ann discovered my neck problem the first month of our marriage. She noticed that every time a nice-looking woman walked by, I turned my neck and followed her with my eyes. As Ann confronted me about this, I denied it — only to eventually realize I actually did have a neck problem.

WEDNESDAY Shut Up And Listen

The truth is I had a struggle with porn that began on my first road trip as the Detroit Lions chaplain. I watched 30 seconds of porn in my hotel room and [Open with James 1:19] proceeded to lie about it to Ann for I remember a mammoth fight Ann and I months. When I finally came clean and told got into one day after church. The details her about my sin, she blew up. It was so hurtful to her and caused her to wonder if don’t matter as much as the fact that we she could ever trust me again. However, were both extremely ticked off with one another. Ann thought she was right, but of eventually she gave me what I did not course she was wrong — yet again! (Or so deserve: forgiveness.

I thought.)

Only Jesus can give us the power to forgive others when they have hurt us So when we got home, we both lit into deeply. I did not deserve Ann’s forgiveness, one another. At one point she went on a but God forgives us so we can give away tirade shouting, “I do everything around what we have received. here and you are always gone running the church. You are never home and I am Is there someone you need to forgive raising the boys all by myself!” today? Ask Jesus for His power and take the first step.

It was at this point in the conflict that I actually heard what Ann was saying. When

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[Open with Proverbs 3:6]

I was shocked. I thought our marriage was a 10 on a scale of 10, but I soon discovered Ann felt it was a 1 — actually a 0.5 (her words). She shared how she felt hurt and alone for the last year. As she was sharing her heart, I heard the voice of God speak to me. Jesus firmly, yet gently, whispered just one word to me: “Repent.”

In that moment I instinctively knew exactly what “repent” meant. I wasn’t living in some immoral sin, but I was walking in lukewarmness with Jesus for the last six months. I knew right then that Jesus was telling me my marriage would never work unless He was No. 1. For my “horizontal” marriage to thrive, I must first go “vertical.”

In one word, God made all that clear to me. When we both went vertical, we discovered the secret to a great marriage.

Now it’s your turn. Go vertical. If you surrender all of yourself to Jesus, I promise you will discover the life you were created to live.

WEEKEND Continue reading about forgiveness: Matthew 18 & Colossians 3; James 4 & Luke 17:3

Dave Wilson Detroit Lions chaplain

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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS

MONDAY My Form of Worship

There’s an outward form of worship and an inward one. Recently, I was listening to an interview with Brooke Fraser from Hillsong, who helped write the Grammy-winning song “What a Beautiful Name It Is.” She talked about this idea of both outward and inward worship and how to handle the accomplishment of winning a Grammy and giving God the glory for it. There’s always the temptation of keeping some for yourself.

I resonated with this. Although we are on a much smaller platform than the Grammys, people have been paying more attention to USA Softball as we head into the 2020 Olympics. During my first few years with the team, it seemed like no one cared or even knew who was on the team. Now, so many fans are invested and excited for our sport. Once the roster for the 2019 team was announced and my name was mentioned, I immediately received calls from sponsors, which has never happened before.

I had to ask myself, “How am I going to handle this attention and continue to worship God by playing softball for Him?” My outward form of worship includes giving glory to God through the way I play my sport, how I treat my teammates, how I handle success and failure, and how I respect my coaches’ authority. Inwardly, my worship is about where I choose to allow my identity to lie and how I worship God when no one is around. He is truly the most important thing to me, and has to remain so over any gold medal or success I might achieve.

When you combine your passion with your Godgiven talent and He allows you to have success in that, there’s so much good that can result. But the enemy will want to taint that by tempting us to keep some of that glory for ourselves. We are always called to reflect all the glory back to God. Glory is never to take, but always to give. For those of us who play sports, society tells us that the fame belongs to the person who puts in the work and sees success. To reflect 100 percent of the glory back to God is difficult, but it’s what we’re called to do.

If we’re not filled with joy in the thing God’s asking us to do, something’s missing. Three years ago when I started to become burnt out on softball, I said to God, “If this is where You want me, give me a fire in my belly that can’t be put out.” He came through and renewed my love for the game and gave me a community among my teammates that I could lean on.

Now, I always tell younger players, “If you don’t want to work hard, ask God to put a fire inside you.”

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TUESDAY Love Is As Strong As Death

[Open with Song of Solomon 8:4, 6-7]

Several years ago, I read an article

Earlier this year, all the NBA chaplains gathered in Charlotte during NBA All-Star weekend. My wife and I walked into the ballroom where the chaplains’ reception was being held, and the first couple we ran into and met was a couple from the Toronto Raptors. We sat with them for dinner and quickly became new friends.

Over dinner, the Raptors chaplain told me that he was also the team chaplain for the Toronto Argonauts. I then blurted out the former Texans player’s name and he said, “Yeah, he’s very involved in our team chapels.” I was relieved and overjoyed.

which stated that 90 percent of women who are in prison are there because they were in a romantic relationship with a man involved in committing crimes. I also read the tragic story of Kemba Smith who, as a freshman at Hampton University, began unknowingly dating a local drug dealer. At 24 years old, with no past criminal history, she was sentenced to 24 years in prison for conspiring with her boyfriend to sell and Like the Ethiopian man in Acts 8 transport drugs. running into Philip, God is able to bring people together at the right time. You can I’ve seen men make some pretty foolish trust God to bring the right people into decisions for the sake of a romantic your life, and to the people to whom you relationship as well. Because romantic are ministering. love is so powerful, both men and women will do some pretty crazy things to get it and keep it. Song of Solomon 8:4 and 6-7 says it this way, “Promise me, O women We Have Hope of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the [Open with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14] time is right ... Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For My wife and I recently visited one of our love is as strong as death, its jealousy as church members in the hospital, and we enduring as the grave. Love flashes like were glad to be able to sit and pray with her fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many there. Sadly, two days later she passed away. waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.”

About a week and a half later, I had just finished working out when one of our Because romantic love is so powerful, church’s leaders called me about a member we are warned to not awaken love until the who was not doing well. By the time I time is right. Romantic love is not to be arrived at the member’s house, she too had played with. Plenty of professional sports passed away. careers have been negatively affected by romantic relationships. We need to be wise In the span of a week and a half, two about our romantic relationships. very Godly, older Christian women had gone home to be with the Lord. Their families were very, very sad. Our church wept with them. We hosted two funerals in God Is The Ultimate Connector back-to-back weeks.

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY [Open with James 1:19]

There was a player for the Texans who was a part of our church in Houston. In the offseason, he signed with another NFL team, and it was sad to see him leave town. He grew so much spiritually while he was in Houston. We’d occasionally text one another after he left, but it was nothing like being able to see one another face to face and talk. During the next offseason, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. At that point, we lost touch. I was praying that he would continue to grow spiritually, attend chapel and find a good church home.

FRIDAY What’s Your Output?

[Open with 1 John 3:10-11]

Since a young age, I have been fascinated with cars. (I was actually led to the Lord by my high school auto shop teacher’s son.) We had a class at my high school that taught students how to work on cars. Our auto shop teacher was also a drag racer. He’d work on the engine of his drag racing car and then take it to a friend’s shop, which had a dynamometer.

The dynamometer would measure his engine’s horsepower and torque — the two ways a car’s output is measured.

As Christians, our spiritual output, according to 1 John 3, is measured in two ways as well: by our demonstration of righteousness and love. The closer we walk with God, the greater our output of righteousness and love. Since God is love and the source of all righteousness, when we walk closely and intimately with Him, our output increases.

Our righteousness output is seen in our obedience to God. It’s seen when we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Our love output is seen in not only how we treat people we like, but especially in how we treat the unlovable. Biblical love is a sacrificial choice to seek the true good of the one we love. We are even commanded to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

So as we grow in our relationship with Him, it will be seen by the growth of our righteousness and love output.

WEEKEND

In the midst of this loss, I’m thankful that both of these women had placed their Continue reading about hope in Christ: faith in Christ. And because of their faith in Psalm 46 & 1 Peter 5:1-11; Isaiah 40 & Galatians 6 Christ, they were now home with the Lord.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, we’re told to grieve because we miss our loved ones, but also to have hope because if we have put our faith in Christ, we will see them again one day and be with them and our Lord forever. In Heaven, there will be no more tears, death or pain (Revelation 21:4).

So if you are missing a Christian friend or family member who has passed away, grieve. But also have hope that you will see them again and be with them for eternity.

IKKI SOMA Houston Rockets chaplain

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MONDAY Extravagant Living

When I look back on my career over the past five years, I have asked myself, “Have I really been stewarding my money well?” People may see me as a generous person, but I don’t want to look at people’s standards. I want to look at God’s standard. What does He deem important? This is a hard conversation to have.

In God’s Word, we see many examples of extravagant giving. To the tax collectors and thieves, Jesus told them to give back more than they took. To the rich man who wanted to enter the Kingdom of God, Jesus said he had to give away not some, but all that he had and follow Him. Jesus doesn’t want our “some,” He wants our “all.”

For the Christ-follower, it’s crucial for us to allow the Spirit of God to speak to us about what it is we are to do with what God’s given us. I know for me, it’s time to actually start listening and asking myself, “Is this what I want? Or is this what God wants me to do?” I’m seeking answers through study of His Word and prayer. I want to understand and mirror the heart of God by discovering how to be an extravagant giver.

The world is always going to give you an excuse.

“You don’t have to do that.” “That’s enough.”

“Are you really helping? Or are you enabling?”

Let’s stop for a second and take a step back. What did Jesus do? Is this the perspective He wants us to have? Let’s see what He did and replicate that.

Recently, I read the story in the Bible about the woman who gave all she had — just a few coins — to the Church. When I think about this story, I see a clear invitation for us to give to the point that it hurts. If our giving doesn’t get uncomfortable or alter the way we live, it’s not life-changing.

Personally, I want my son to see that as far as our family is concerned, this money we have is not ours, it’s God’s. Are we going to give to a point where we are still 100 percent comfortable? Or are we going to live trusting God to provide for our needs? This is an opportunity for me to share God’s love in a big way, and to experience God’s provision for myself on a whole new level. And as I pray for more opportunities to live in this manner, I see they just keep coming and coming.

What would it look like if we lived as the early Church did, with the people sharing all they had for the advancement of the Kingdom? How can we live to serve others instead of clinging onto the possessions we have here on earth? This year, I want to live generously, with the heart of Christ.

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TUESDAY Who’s In The Driver’s Seat?

[Open with Matthew 16:24]

We’ve all heard the saying, “Let go and

there always seems to be that one area we don’t want to release. What is it for you? Finances? Career? Future spouse?

Comfort? Relationships? What’s keeping you from releasing your tight grasp in order to experience God’s best?

FRIDAY Radical Faith

[Open with Mark 10:29-30]

God’s plan for our lives is usually harder than the plan we have for our own lives, so what do we do when doubt and fear begin In Isaiah 58, we receive a promise from God. We see that when we trust God’s way, to surface? What do we do when we start We all want to be in control of our own He will always provide; He will lead us into to assume that maybe we have a better lives; we think we have the best plans way? Or an easier way? Or a way to get to the center of His will and His plan for our and solutions for all our problems. But do our goal without disturbing the peace at lives. We don’t have to yell up front, grab we really? Even with the best intentions, work, school or in our home? the wheel or push the imaginary brake in we don’t have the whole picture, only the passenger seat when something jumps God does. The reason you may be under God’s path is radical. Take a look at any out in front of the road. God sees it; He’s constant stress or anxiety could be because got it under control. He just asks that we story of a faithful servant of God in the you’re fighting against God’s will. You may trust Him. Bible — from either the New Testament or even be saying, “I know that’s God’s will, Old — and you’ll discover testimonies of but I would rather do it this way!” radical faith and phenomenal disruption.

When we’re able to sit back and trust God’s not afraid to stir up the pot within the Driver, we will not only make it to our Each morning when we wake up to face final destination, but we will be able to our own lives, our families, our workplaces, a new day, we have a decision to make: our schools or even our churches! He’s not enjoy the journey.

Am I going to try to take control of this a people-pleaser, He’s a reality-changer. day or am I going to surrender it to the One who’s really in control? The answer to You might not want your reality this question will determine our attitude, disturbed. You may be happy with the Be Ready To Fight outlook, peace and joy. status quo. But God isn’t. God isn’t going [Open with Ephesians 4:31-32] for the status quo or the average outcome, In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said, He is in the market for the best of the best.

Letting go and letting God doesn’t “Whoever wants to be My disciple must mean we will face a journey that’s peaceful When we follow His radical leading, we deny themselves and take up their cross and serene 100 percent of the time. In fact, will definitely experience disruptions and and follow Me.” Notice the second part discomfort, but we will also experience a God promised that a life surrendered to of this verse. Jesus doesn’t say we have to Him will encounter trials and tribulations. lasting peace and purpose that cannot be carry our burdens on our own shoulders replaced.

We have to be ready to fight the good alone. He makes sure to say we must fight of faith. take up the path He’s destined for us and His plan will come to pass. Are you fully follow His lead.

In the book of Nehemiah, it is mentioned convinced that His will is best no matter how challenging that journey may appear time and again that Nehemiah was led by Knowing we have an Almighty Father from your limited perspective? What will the hand of God — that God put it in his who is not only in control, but has our best heart to build. Nehemiah knew that this it take to convince you of His unchanging interests in mind, should give us ultimate power and undying love for you — His plan would not go without pushback, but comfort and joy. So what’s keeping you child, whom He wants to lead down the he willingly accepted God’s call and was from putting your whole trust in Him? best road? obedient to disrupt his own plans. He first had to go to his boss — the king — and ask for some time off. This wasn’t a small ask, but he approached the king in faith.

Backseat Driver Continue reading about bold faith in Jesus: And God’s hand prevailed. Then he went [Open with Isaiah 58:11] Philemon 1 & Psalm 40; to Jerusalem, knowing full well that more Ephesians 3 & Proverbs 28 roadblocks awaited him on this mission.

Many of us may be willing, and even But never once did he fail to take his eyes eager, to get out of the driver’s seat and off the mission God had for him. He never let God take the wheel in our lives. But wavered in the face of opposition; instead are we as excited to let Him navigate as he girded himself with weapons to fight. well? When we let God take the wheel, we don’t become the passenger with the What battle are you willing to fight in GPS, nor are we to jump in the backseat order to follow the path God is calling you only to yell out advice and instructions to take? Most likely, it won’t be the path whenever we think we have a better way. of least resistance, so you will have to be God wants control of our whole lives, with willing to resist the temptations that arise, our complete surrender. the fear that will surface and the enemies that will threaten. Are you ready for battle?

You show yourself to truly trust in God let God.” But how hard it is to let go! How do we do it?

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

when you let Him take the wheel. But

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WEEKEND

Becky York The Increase

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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS

MONDAY Steady

Women’s soccer is a melting pot, made up of women who hold different views, opinions and ways of looking at the world. One thing I’ve found peace with in this arena is looking at what Jesus has done for us all; that makes it so easy to love everyone. So that’s what I do — I focus on love. Jesus was a friend to everybody. When I replicate that, people naturally start to ask questions.

God has called me to be as steady as I possibly can right now. This season has brought about a ton of change for me — having a baby, getting a new coach, switching positions from forward to defender after 20 years of playing on offense, and my husband, Jordan (pg. 56), switching NFL teams. But I’m choosing to be steady. Every one of my teammates knows how much transition I’ve been going through, and yet if they can see me handling it with grace, they will ask questions.

And I myself am constantly being reminded of God’s grace. Each morning as I drive into work and listen to God’s truths, I make sure I’m putting my flesh and desires aside, and choosing to embrace my new role.

If I’m able to remain calm and collected every day, whether we lose or have a bad practice, it makes people raise their eyebrows. I know I can only do this through the Spirit of God living in me.

Naturally, I talk to my teammates about what I believe and what I’ve read in the Scriptures that day, but I also encourage them to read for themselves. I know how important that is. I haven’t had any negative pushback.

I’ve been blessed with great teammates who, whether they know it or not, have the Holy Spirit working in them. They just need to recognize it.

But once we get past society’s view of Christianity, and the tendency to divide people into different groups based on their lifestyle and beliefs, then we can break down walls. We’re not supposed to be divided, we’re all called to be moving closer to Christ. And when we remove this universal view of people and focus instead on what Jesus has done for us on the cross, people are more receptive to His love.

The Spirit continues to move on my team, and as it does, I’m keeping Matthew 9:37-38 at the forefront of my mind: “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’”

— Matthew 9:37-38

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It doesn’t matter whether I’m at home with the baby, at work, or have a million errands to run, this verse keeps me moving with a purpose. I know where I am most valued and I know the only work that really matters is moving toward the Lord and His purpose for me. He is my Comforter even in the busiest of seasons. His grace all around me pushes me closer and closer to Him. TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 866-821-2971

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TUESDAY Born Identity

[Open with Hebrews 11:24-26]

cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). God always delivers the faithful on His terms and timing for His glory!

Remember — no matter how bad the situation gets, God is with you. If you Identity,” a 2002 spy thriller starring Matt acknowledge and honor His presence Damon as Jason Bourne. A highly trained in your life, this is His promise to you: government agent suffering from amnesia, “‘Because he loves Me,’ says the Lord, ‘I Bourne was attempting to discover his true will rescue him; I will protect him, for he identity before a clandestine operation acknowledges My Name. He will call upon within the CIA took him out.

Me, and I will answer him; I will be with

him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor In the Bible, Moses didn’t have amnesia, him’” (Psalm 91:14-15). but he was faced with an identity crisis too. Born a Hebrew, he ended up being Be encouraged and take God at His adopted as an infant and raised as Word. Don’t give up, don’t give in and Pharaoh’s grandson in the palace, while his don’t give out! people were enslaved.

Jesus never promised His followers But Moses made a “grown man” worldly success, but He did promise an decision. His faith led him to choose his abundant supply of things money can’t buy God-given identity, even though it meant that help us suffer well. “But the fruit of the he would have to suffer like a slave. Too Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, many Christians today have an identity goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcrisis. Who they really are in Christ is not as control…” (Galatians 5:22-23). important to them as who they are really

trying to be in the world!

Suffer well! God’s got you! Trust Him!

What about you? Who are you really?

Does your conduct and conversation back it up? If you are a true believer in Christ, Soldiering On you have been given a new “born-again” [Open with 2 Timothy 2:3-7] identity, a new nature. Are you willing to “live a life worthy of the calling you have “Soldiering on” means to continue to take received (Ephesians 4:1)? care of your duties with honor during difficult times. It’s an old expression that basically Remember — what you value most means to persevere in the face of adversity. defines your true identity and drives your This is what Paul told young Timothy (in 2 priorities and destiny.

Timothy 2) when times got tough.

You may remember “The Bourne

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY Learning To Suffer Well [Open with 1 Peter 5:6-7]

First and foremost, a good soldier stays focused on the task at hand regardless of the circumstances, concentrating only on the orders from above and not all the distracting noise. This is how battles are won! And a good soldier never suffers alone. An age-old military code proclaims, “Leave no man behind.” When it comes to the Church, the Bible puts it this way: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it (1 Corinthians 12:26-27). No group can win without sticking together.

The trouble God allows into your life is intended to make you humble and faithful toward the Lord. Humility and a growing faith in God are essential for a strong, effective disciple of Christ. Too often though, many Christians become bitter, resentful and full of complaints because they don’t respond to the adversity in their lives by learning what it means to trust God in the midst of their mess.

Next, Paul encourages Timothy to keep playing by the rules. A good soldier, like Learning to “suffer well” helps you to a winning athlete, doesn’t cheat or cut become all God desires you to be. We corners. First Corinthians 9:24 teaches, all will face hardships, losses and painful “Do you not know that in a race all the circumstances. But Peter tells us, “Humble runners run, but only one gets the prize? yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty Run in such a way as to get the prize.” hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Always give your best, no matter what, and Cast all your anxiety on Him because He let the Lord handle the rest!

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That leads to Paul’s final point: Like the hardworking farmer, the Lord will always reward your faithfulness to the task.

FRIDAY The Ultimate Victory

[Open with Matthew 6:19-21]

Former NBA player and head coach Paul Westphal quoted the great Bill Russell as saying, “There is no ultimate victory in sports.” This from a man (Russell) who won a record 11 NBA championships! At one point in Russell’s career, the Celtics won eight championships in a row (1959-1966).

Even after that epic run, Russell led the team to two more rings as their player/ head coach.

It’s been foolishly said, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” Sounds good until it’s time to die and all you have to show for your life is a bunch of toys!

Since God is the author and sustainer of life, it would seem wise to play by His rules. Jesus taught, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

That’s why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” You see, being a Christian is not about trying to act better or sin less.

Although these are important results of being a Christian, it’s not the core of the matter. Being a Christian is certainly not about getting material wealth from the Lord.

The promise of eternal life and the defeat of death, hell and the grave — that’s the ultimate victory!

WEEKEND Continue reading about victory in Christ: 1 Corinthians 10 & 12; John 16 & Ephesians 6

Jerry Birch Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain

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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS

MONDAY A Spirit Of Freedom

When I was 7 years old, I followed my dad out to the golf course and fell in love with the game. It’s probably one of the most difficult sports out there, but I love the challenge of it. By the time I was 11, I knew I wanted to be a professional golfer and that’s been my dream ever since.

Then when I was 14, I asked my parents if they would be willing to move from Washington to Arizona so I could have a better climate and tougher competition. Wanting the best for me, they sacrificed their priorities and commitments, and moved our family down to Arizona.

This was a huge moment for me. Knowing my parents made this sacrifice for me placed a tremendous burden on my heart. I wanted to perform well to please them and make this move worthwhile.

My parents are both very involved in church, so growing up I was too. I thought I knew everything about Christianity, but moving to Arizona really rocked my world. As one of the top juniors in the country when we moved from Washington, I was confident. But after the move and all the changes I faced by switching schools, states, friends and coaches, everything seemed to fall apart.

I discovered that I was finding my worth in how I played that day on the golf course. Golf is a humbling game; more times than not, you’re not going to play as well as you’d like. It’s the reality of the sport. When I played poorly, I would become angry toward God. I started questioning Him. “Why are You allowing this to happen?”

After two years in Arizona, I went on a church retreat where one of my friends from Washington spoke some much needed truth to me. He said, “Andrew, I didn’t understand why you had to move to Arizona, but I realize God has a greater calling for you. He wants you to know He loves you and He’s going to use you for something really big.”

That really clicked for me and I realized that our time here on earth is temporary, and this is so much bigger than golf. Golf is no longer who I am, it’s what I do. Golf is a wonderful game and I need to do the best I can, but in the end, I’m not Andrew, the golfer. I’m Andrew, the son of our Heavenly Father.

God gave us a spirit of freedom and love. My parents made the choice to move, not to put a huge burden on me, but because they loved me. Recognizing this, I began to see just a glimpse of how much my Heavenly Father loves me as well. This freed me up to have fun with the game again, and as a result, I started to play better.

Today, I encourage you to take some time and reflect on just how much your Heavenly Father loves you.

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TUESDAY Release Yourself

[Open with Matthew 6:14-15]

The foundation for why Jesus struggled

If you look at Paul’s letters, you’ll notice that most of them start with a greeting that affirms the holiness of God’s people.

If you read these letters, you will see that Paul is actually correcting and rebuking believers for the way they are treating one another, how they’re treating outsiders and exposing the sin that has entangled each of them. However, he addresses them as saints, not sinners. In fact, nowhere in the New Testament are believers referred to as sinners. They are always referred to as saints.

FRIDAY What’s In A Name?

[Open with Genesis 17:3-8]

In the book of Genesis, we are introduced to a character that ends up becoming the “father of many nations.”

Abram’s story of calling and obedience permeate the lineage of the world’s three dominant religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism). But the story of Abram is We are quick to accept the forgiveness not simply a historical account shared by of our sins by our Lord through His sacrifice, This slight but significant detail should different religions, it is a vital narrative that but slow to extend it to others who have put into motion the redemptive work of bring encouragement to your soul as you wronged us. In the broken world we live the Lord Almighty in the lives of Christians. consider how the God of the universe sees in, it is unfortunate that people do and say you and desires to label and interact with you. Abram’s story is one of calling, change and things that hurt one another, and sometimes covenant. Every follower of Jesus follows the last thing we want to do is forgive the this pattern as we live in union with Christ. other person.

Abram was called into a new life and Share Your Secrets But just as forgiveness is at the heart a new future. He was to leave his former [Open with 1 John 1:9] and core of the Gospel, it must also be at way of life and to set himself apart from the center of our relationships. As hard as everything that gave him value in the past.

We all have secrets we don’t want this is to hear, we must be quick to forgive anyone to know. We hide our secrets In Genesis 17, God changed Abram’s because unforgiveness establishes a root name to Abraham and entered into a because we are ashamed of what people of bitterness within us that pushes out the will think, fearing the way they would covenant with him. Abram needed a new work of God in our hearts. identity. He had been obedient in leaving perceive and treat us. Secrets can be his family and former home, but his lack damaging and never breed trust in any It is important to realize that forgiveness type of relationship. of faith in what God promised needed to does not mean we release others from what be addressed. God confirmed Abraham’s they have done in our lives. Forgiveness Unfortunately, even though we know the call and identity change by entering into a does not equal trust; we do not have to covenant with him. damage that secrets can cause to earthly trust those that we forgive. But forgiving relationships, our shame prevents us from others will always release us from the weight exposing them. The same is true of our The same is true of Christians. We too of carrying the burden of what someone have been called into a new life, one that relationship with our Heavenly Father. else did to us. forces us to shed our former way of life.

The One we should run to with the pain When we believe in Jesus and put our and hurt of our past is typically the One faith into His crucifixion, resurrection and we run from out of shame and fear. Adam and Eve were so ashamed of their sin and redemption, our identity is no longer our Saints, Not Sinners disobedience that they attempted to hide past, but who God says we are. We are [Open with Ephesians 1:1-3] His children and beneficiaries of a new from God. However, they quickly realized eternal destiny. that there is no hiding from God. Many people struggle, believing that their past or current sin excludes them from In John’s first letter, he gives us a the abundant life Jesus promises (John glimpse into the freedom found in 10:10). But Jesus reminded His followers sharing our secrets with God. The Biblical that it’s the sick that need a hospital, not Continue reading about living fully for God: word for sharing our secrets with God is the healthy. For some reason, we feel as “confession.” The tricky thing is that when Hebrews 12 & John 10; if we are disqualified because of our past Genesis 12 & Ephesians 4:22 we confess, we actually are not letting mistakes and missteps, but this couldn’t be God into our secrets, for He already knows further from the truth. them. He was present and had a front row seat to our sin.

It’s true that someone who is in relationship with Jesus must consider their Confession isn’t “letting God into our actions and commit to a life of holiness secrets,” it’s agreeing with God that we have and alignment to Biblical standards. The sinned, and asking for His forgiveness. When Apostle Paul experienced a dramatic we do, we will be forgiven and cleansed conversion experience and had to come from all unrighteousness. So go ahead, to terms with his old way of life and how it share your secrets with God. He already grieved the Lord he committed to serving knows about them and is waiting to cleanse through his ministry. you from your past. through the crucifixion is found in Matthew 6:14-15. We are people who have disobeyed and offended a Holy God, and a glorious feat was needed for us to be forgiven of our sins.

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

WEEKEND

Reza Zadeh Denver Broncos chaplain

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INCREASEDEVOTIONALS

MONDAY In All Circumstances

Being a pro athlete is exciting and fun, but it can also be intense. We’re paid to play well; it’s our job.

With that pressure, it can be really discouraging when you don’t play well. You can easily get caught up in the results and allow that to determine your self-worth. That being said, I try to be a good voice to my teammates, helping them to not get tied up in their personal performance. Instead, I focus on encouraging them in their effort, character and other qualities that make them a lovable person.

Last season, we won two out of the 24 games. It was pretty demoralizing for all of us, but I had to believe God had a plan for it all. I was choosing to trust Him, knowing He’s working all things for the good of those who love Him, despite what others may think or say about our team.

But that didn’t mean each loss wasn’t difficult. After each game I would ask God, “What are You doing with this?” It was tough in training the day after another loss, when a coach blamed me for a goal scored against us, or when I felt like I wasn’t being appreciated for what I had to offer. I had to ask the Lord daily for the strength to keep pressing on. I so desperately wanted to see some purpose and goodness, but I also knew we might not have a turnaround. We can’t judge God’s goodness on our outward circumstances. Wins, championships and awards don’t measure our worth or God’s goodness.

Last season I, along with my teammates, experienced so much internal growth, which ended up being immeasurably greater than any win. Maybe that didn’t look like success as others would measure it, but to me, it’s even more valuable. I was able to grow in greater dependence on the Lord because things were not going well. Often, when everything is going as I hoped it would, I am tempted to think I don’t need God, or that I’m the one achieving greatness. But I find myself relying on God’s strength more when I have none.

First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I definitely didn’t want to rejoice, and it didn’t seem like I had much to be thankful for at the time, but God commanded us, as His children, to do these things in all circumstances.

Ultimately, our identity is not in our performance, but in the fact that we are children of God. Everything on this earth is temporary, and I’m grateful for every day I get to step onto the field. This is where God has me right now — in this city, on this team, in this role. Thinking about what God is doing, and is going to do, is nothing short of exciting.

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It is important to remember that others are watching to see if we will do what Jesus says, even when it doesn’t make sense. Giving generously, maintaining [Open with 1 Peter 2:21-25] sexual purity, loving your enemies, and In his 1896 classic book “In His Steps,” many other commands from Jesus make author Charles Sheldon related the impact no sense to many around us. But they are a question had on a fictitious pastor, church watching to see if we will do it just because Jesus says so. and town — “What would Jesus do?”

Fast forward to the late 1980s, when a Peter’s obedience to Jesus’ command youth leader in Western Michigan, Janie Tinklenberg, had her youth group read this to “let down” his nets may be the most pivotal moment of Peter’s life. Immediately book. As a reminder of their commitment to live this way and as a witness to others, following Peter’s obedience, Jesus Janie produced several hundred bracelets informed him that he would henceforth be “catching men.” This seemingly with the letters WWJD — an acronym insignificant act of obedience resulted in for “What would Jesus do?” Bolstered greater ministry for Peter. He was faithful in by word of mouth and national media the little acts of obedience, and as a result, exposure in 1997, more than 15 million bracelets were sold within a year, and many Jesus gave him greater responsibilities to further the Kingdom. more since.

Sheldon got the inspiration for the concept and title of his book from the last Highs And Lows phrase of 1 Peter 2:21, which says, “...

[Open with Mark 9:2-29] leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” The key to obeying Jesus (walking in His steps) is found in the Mark 9 records a spiritual high for Peter, James and John. Verse 2 states that Jesus word “example.” It is the word “hupogrammas” and it translates “underwriting.” “led them up a high mountain.” Beyond the geographical ascent, they experienced An underwriting is an original document, map, picture, etc., over which a thin tracing the spiritual peak of seeing Jesus transfigured into His future glorified body. paper is placed in order to reproduce the original. Jesus is the original we are called Additionally, two past leaders of Israel (Moses and Elijah) showed up. Peter, in the to trace. The passage goes on to give some specific areas where we are to be like excitement of the moment, suggested they all just stay up on this mountain (vv. 2-6).

Jesus: avoid sin, guard speech and trust through suffering (vv. 22-24).

However, for them as well as for us, Wearing a WWJD bracelet may not be as life doesn’t just consist of mountaintop experiences. Life is more often lived in the fashionable today, but we must never lose valleys. Verse 9 says, “As they were coming the importance of following in His steps. down the mountain...” How do we make the transition from the highs to the lows, the victories to the defeats, the successes to the failures, the excitement of a spiritual Just Because high moment to the seeming monotony of [Open with Luke 5:1-11] everyday life?

Simon Peter’s declaration of obedience to Jesus’ words in Luke 5 made absolutely In the moments before their descent from the mountain, these three disciples no sense at all, but he did it anyway. It heard God speak from Heaven. His words is almost humorous — the one who was were direct and simple, “This is my Son, trained as a carpenter (Jesus) was telling the expert fisherman (Simon Peter) how to whom I love. Listen to Him!” We could fish. But Simon Peter’s words “because you paraphrase the last part of that statement as “obey Him!” True listening involves say so, I will …” gives us a simple picture more than hearing, it involves doing of being an obedient follower of Jesus.

(James 1:22).

Note that Peter’s business partners Listening to and obeying Jesus when (James and John) were there. They overheard the carpenter’s command to the things are going well in life seems obvious.

But we need to remember to listen and obey fisherman and were watching. They must have been thinking, “There is no way Peter even in our low moments of everyday life. is going to do it,” or “Peter knows more about fishing than Jesus.”

TUESDAY Tracing Jesus

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

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FRIDAY Come In, Go Out

[Open with Matthew 28:19-20]

In Matthew 28:19-20, we find one of Jesus’ final commands recorded in Scripture. It is often referred to as “The Great Commission.” Jesus spoke these words after His resurrection and before His ascension back to Heaven. He gives it with the expectation of our obedience. He promises His presence so that we may be empowered to carry it out.

The groundwork for this mission was set in motion by Jesus at the very beginning of His ministry. In Mark 3:14 we read that “He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” The “job description” Jesus gave for His followers is twofold: spend time with Him and go out to tell others about Him. Yes, there is simplicity to the Christian life. The more time I spend with Jesus, the more I want to tell others about Him. On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, two women came to the tomb and were greeted by an angel. The angel said to them, “Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell.” They were invited to take in the fact that Jesus was risen (“Come, see”) and then commanded to spread the news (“go quickly and tell”).

This should be our rhythm. Spend time with Him in order to be empowered to go and tell others about Him.

WEEKEND Continue reading about obedience to God: James 1 & John 14; 1 John 2 & John 15

Jeff Totten Detroit Tigers 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.

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“I remember how draining it was to live a performance-based lifestyle before I accepted Christ as Lord of my life. The peace of being unconditionally loved by a Savior who paid the price for my salvation is humbling and uplifting at the same time. There’s no greater joy than knowing that I can abide in love instead of having to work for it.”

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Jordan Matthews, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver

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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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