I love this kid

Fifa's World Player of the Year. Ricardo Kaka.

2 Timothy 1:7

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Paul (Timothy's coach in the faith) is writing to Timothy from prison. Paul knows that the one thing that can hinder the use of Timothy's gifts is fear.

I often find myself forgetting that God has given me His spirit and that it is one of power. When I feel weak I need to be reminded that my God is strong and He has given me all the power, love, and self-control I need to handle any circumstance.

How do I face the fears that seam like Giants in my life?

Living in the Spirit of God. Setting my mind on the things of the Spirit.

Christian athlete, you should not be fearful, undiscipline, or un-loving in your sport.

How do you know you are saved?

My high school football coach used to tell us before film session, "gentlemen, put on your thick skin." He was preparing us to hear the truth about how we performed. He didn't want us to be so offended and hurt by his feedback that we would miss out on the truth of how we needed to get better. Coach had a choice, protect our self-esteem and let us fail to learn from our mistakes, or tell us the truth, wounding our spirit, but enlightening us to the truth so that we would know how we could become better.

Christian, put on your thick skin. Hear the truth of this tough message. Take time to be silent and evaluate your life. There might not be a more important message that I could forward on to you than this.

Do not play this video if you have less than an hour to devote to this. The sermon is 48 min. and you are going to need some time to digest this after viewing it. Do not play this video without first praying that God would prepare your heart and reveal His truth. Do not play this video with "thin skin." Listen.

Competitor's Creed - Part 3

I do not trust in myself.
I do not boast in my abilities or believe in my own strength.
I rely solely on the power of God.
I compete for the pleasure of my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.

This is my favorite part of the creed. It makes me want to put on the uniform and go compete for my Lord. We as athletes have been coached to "have pride," "believe in yourself," and "rely on your teammates," to "represent your school," and to "make your parents proud."

The creed poses a challenge. It probably goes against everything you know in your sport. I love it, and I hope that you also get excited about the opportunity you have to compete for the pleasure of your Heavenly Father.

Let me leave you with a movie quote that first got me fired up about competing for Christ. It is from the movie Chariots of Fire.

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."

JMAC

You've probably seen this one. This story never gets old, though.



What a movie this will make. It was obvious to me that this kid was someone that everyone was rooting for. As I look back at all great sports movies I've watched through the years, there's always the character or characters that you are dying to see succeed. What is it about these players that makes us root for them?

Here are a few common denominators: determined, unselfish, resilient, underdog, and kind. Rocky, Rudy, Remember the Titans, Miracle, Hoosiers, etc..

As Christians, we should possess character traits that people are drawn to. Love, Humility, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-Control, Discipline, Unselfishness, Perseverance, Teachable, Trustworthy, and Positive (not complaining).

Christian Athlete, are people rooting for you or against you? Picture your movie, are you a likable character? I'm not saying that you should live and compete with the motivation of being liked by men, but I do believe if your life resembles Christ, you will "fall into favor," people will like you.

As a 12 year old, Jesus is accidentally left in Jerusalem by His parents. They find the boy 3 days later in the temple in the midst of the teachers "listening to them and asking them questions." In this time it says in Luke 2:52 that Jesus increased in favor with men (and God).

Jesus's ministry didn't begin until he was around 30 years old. This is when people began being offended by who He claimed to be, but when he was just a young man, living out godliness, He was well liked. Your life should not offend people (the truth that you share about Jesus will).

Tim Tebow's Prison Ministry

The following is an excerpt from an article at ESPN.com (click on title to read more)

This is what it's all about. God giving you talent, and you using that talent for His kingdom. I suggest reading the article.

Heisman provides Tebow broader audience for message of faith
By Mark Schlabach

In the four months since Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, he has sought to spread his message of faith as far as possible. Winning college football's most coveted individual award has provided him with a broader audience.

"Because of my name recognition and because of who I am, I've been given an opportunity to go places where most other people can't go," Tebow said. "I can go into prisons and speak, and no one will say anything. I can go into schools and speak, and they'll love to have me. I can go to all these different places because of who I am as a football player. That's a platform the Lord has given me, and I think it's my responsibility to take advantage of it." read more

Goodness on the softball field

It is just good. I don't know what else to say.

Competitor's Creed - Part 2

I am a Competitor now and forever.I am made to strive, to strain,to stretch and to succeed in the arena of competition.I am a Christian Competitor and as such, I face my challenger with the face of Christ.

listen to the full competitor's creed by clicking the link at the bottom of the side bar.

Ricardo Kaka

Unbelievable skills. Great T-shirt. I gotta believe that the Lord enjoys watching this kid score goals.

Tom Brady Interview

Tom Brady has it all. Right? This is evidence that we are foolish to chase success for the sake of money and fame.

Competitor's Creed - Part 1

I am a Christian first and last.I am created in the likeness of God Almighty to bring Him glory.I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.I wear the colors of the cross.

Listen to the full competitor's creed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the side bar.

IDBTM

I heard a great story today about an FCA staff member's father that just passed away this week. One of our staff members shared that he was getting mentored by this guy shortly after being saved.

He walked into the man's house and there were stickers all over the house on various pieces of furniture and appliances. The stickers had the letters IDBTM. He asked his mentor what the letters were. He said, "It doesn't belong to me."

What are the things that would crush you if they were taken from you? Your possessions are His. Your talents and abilities are His. Your athletic career is His. Your life is His. Your every second, minute, hour, day.

As a Christian we submit our lives to God's will. Athlete, read God's word, pray, and listen. Ask God to convict you of possessions that you are gripping too tightly. Ask God to align your desires with His will.

May I suggest putting the letters IDBTM on your spikes, wrist tape, glove, hat, or gloves.

Around the Horn

Three Christian baseball players break it down. Great article.
Click Here

Honoring God

How do you honor God in your sport? Here are a few ideas: This is not a complete list



1. Have a good attitude. "Do everything without complaining or arguing," Phl. 2:14
Do you complain about referees, umpires, officials, your coach, your teammate, the weather, or your opponent?

2. Practice and Play with an effort that would please Christ. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." -1 Cor. 9:24
Are you just out their playing or are you competing to win? God's word does not tell us to win, but to give a winning effort. Do you give a winning effort in practice? in your games? Do you get lazy at practice or in the game? Do you think that pleases God?

3. Use your God-given skills as a tool for His kingdom. Be an example to others of what Jesus would have played like if he played your sport. "I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it." -1 Cor. 9:23
Are people turned off to Jesus by watching you compete or are they drawn to learn more about Him? Are you committed, loyal, teachable, positive, joyful, humble, patient, discipline, and a good teammate?

1 John 2:17

"The World and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17

What are the desires of this world? Money, Appearance, Prestige, Success, Power, etc.
What about the world of sports? Hits, Strike outs, making the team, winning, awards, championships, scholarships, drafts, pro. contracts, etc.

Scripture says these things are passing away. All of these things are temporary.

Christian athlete, my question to you is: will you be devastated when it does pass away? Are you wasting your time playing for the temporary or are you playing your sport focusing on what is eternal, "the will of God"?

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, you have been given abilities for a purpose greater than championships and scholarships. Discover what God's Will is for you in your sport. Pray that He would make clear to you your purpose for playing.