What does it mean to be a Christian athlete?

Check Out this wonderful article from www.desiringgod.org.  See link below for David Mathis' video interview with Minnesota Twin's Josh Willingham.  Our favorite here at SB2W is Josh's description of how he reads his Bible daily.  

To see the portions of the video interview go to http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/ordinary-life-for-an-extraordinary-athlete.

Ordinary Life for an Extraordinary Athlete  
by David Mathis | October 29, 2012

 




We can be so quick to put them on a pedestal. So quick to assume professional athletes live a fantasy-camp life, away from the everyday pressures and pains facing the rest of us.

We subtly treat them as almost a different order of being, somehow immune not only to our daily grind, but our need for a Savior.

Unashamed for Jesus

Enter Twins slugger Josh Willingham — by all accounts an extraordinary athlete, and manifestly a normal human, and Christian, unashamed about his need for Jesus.
Willingham is a regular guy, even if his baseball stats aren’t. This year he batted in 110 runs (third in the American League) and became the first Minnesota Twin to hit 35 homeruns in a season since Hall-of-Famer Harmon Killebrew in 1970. He also once hit two grand slams in one big-league game — no ordinary feat.
But as he sits down in the Desiring God studio — for a moment forget the bright lights and multiple cameras — he sounds so ordinary, and isn’t afraid to look the part in jeans, sandals, and a long-sleeve thermal tee. Mention hunting and he’s ready to talk. Fishing will do just as well. When I try to relate as a fellow deer-hunter, I quickly learn he’s a bowman, and I’m kindly put in my place as he informs me with a smile, “My five-year-old could kill a deer with a rifle.” That must be why they call him Josh.

It’s a Wild Life — Sorta

Without the major-league uniform, and 40,000 on-looking fans, Willingham seems so ordinary off the field — like one of the guys I played high school baseball with. So when I ask what the life of a professional athlete is like in the everyday, out of the public eye, I’m not too surprised to hear a litany of disclaimers following his initial claim, “It’s a wild life.”
Turns out it’s not so wild in the ways we amateurs might expect. The life of a pro athlete definitely has its wildness, according to Willingham. Wild inconvenience. Wild irregularity. Wild frustration. Wild temptation. Wild stress.
But press deeper, and you’ll discover a surprising sense of normalcy in the things that really matter. Deep down it’s very ordinary and very human. This life is a vapor’s breath, “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14), and a view from the brink of eternity has a way of adjusting one’s perspective.

Devotional Passages for the Week of October 28- November 4

Sunday: Jeremiah 51:1-53, Titus 2:1-15, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 26:17

Monday: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3:1-15, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 26:18-19

Tuesday: Lamentations 1:1-2:22, Philemon 1:1-25, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 26:20

Is Love Blind?

Have you ever met two people who were “so in love” it seemed like they were blind to the realities of their own relationship and the world around them?  Love, or probably more accurately, infatuation, has an incredible ability to impair people’s sense of reality.  I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who are in bad and unhealthy relationships, destructive to themselves and their relationships with people who truly love them…and they can’t even see it.  Or perhaps they just don’t want too. 

I’m sure this is the way Paul felt about Demas.  In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul says, “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me…”  Obviously at one time Demas appeared to be a faithful follower of Jesus and a fellow worker for the gospel alongside Paul.  At one time Demas was putting God first, but unfortunately he lost his first love for something far less. 

Devotional Passages for Week of October 22-29

Monday: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18, 2 Timothy 1:1-18, Psalm 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 26:1-2

Tuesday: Jeremiah 42:1-44:23, 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Psalm 92:1-93:5, Proverbs 26:3-5

Wednesday: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17, Psalm 94:1-23, Proverbs 26:6-8

Thursday: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalm 95:1-96:13, Proverbs 26:9-12

Did you wake up any differently this morning?

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25

It is quite apparent that the reason Jeremiah’s sleep was so pleasant to him was because he was satisfied by God.  He had said, “At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”  What he had seen when he looked was a whole list of wonderful promises that God made to His people.  The promises of God that he saw were sweet refreshment to his soul. 

As you read God’s promises in chapter 31 are they sweet to your soul?  Have you had a weary or languishing soul?  Have you experienced satisfaction in God for your soul?  What an amazing experience to have our soul replenished and satisfied in God.  God is not only the best means of truly being satisfied, he is the only way.  Unfortunately we are like lost sheep that stupidly seek satisfaction in so many false and counterfeit ways.  Have you sought to satisfy yourself in things other than God?  Sometimes we aren’t even seeking satisfaction, we are just looking to numb the pain in our lives with worldly things.  I want to kick myself sometimes and say, “Why are you content with that worldly substitute, when God holds his hands out promising to satisfy and replenish my weary soul.” 

How did you wake up this morning?

“At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”  Jeremiah 31:26

Did you wake up tired and groggy this morning or did you wake up refreshed?  On any given day I can wake up feeling so many different ways.  Sometimes I wake up dreading the day, filled with anxieties about the hours ahead.  Other times I wake up soul weary from the difficulties of life.  There are those days too that I wake up filled  with anticipation, excited about the day.  Some days I am energized, eager to tackle the day’s plans.  How about you?  What was the state of your soul as you woke up this morning?

As we look at Jeremiah’s statement, the question that begs to be answered is:  What was it that he looked at that caused his sleep to be so pleasant to him?  I don’t know about you, but I want to know what it was, and I want to see the same thing he did.  I want to wake up as Jeremiah did on that morning.

SB2W Camper Perspective of Camp

If you have not seen it...check out First Term Camper Scotty Nye's video from his experience at camp this summer.

Devotional Passages for Week of October 15-22

Monday: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 25:16

Tuesday: Jeremiah 28:1-29:32, 1 Timothy 1:1-20, Psalm 86:1-17, Proverbs 25:17

Wednesday: Jeremiah 30:1-31:26, 1 Timothy 2:1-15, Psalm 87:1-7, Proverbs 25:18-19

Thursday: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44, 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 25:20-22

Devotional Passages for the Week of October 7-14

Sunday: Jeremiah 8:8-9:26, Colossians 3:1-17, Psalm 78:32-55, Proverbs 24:27

Monday: Jeremiah 10:1-11:23, Colossians 3:18-4:18, Psalm 78:56-72, Proverbs 24:28-29

Tuesday: Jeremiah 12:1-14:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 24:30-34

Devotional Passages for the Week of October 1-8

Monday: Isaiah 62:6-65:25, Philippians 2:19-3:3, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 24:13-14

Tuesday: Isaiah 66:1-24, Philippians 3:4-21, Psalm 74:1-23, Proverbs 24:15-16

Wednesday: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 4:1-23, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 24:17-20

Devotional Passages for Week of September 24-October 1

Monday:  Isaiah 43:14-45:10, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 24:1-2

Tuesday: Isaiah 45:11-48:11, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 24:3-4

Wednesday: Isaiah 48:12-50:11, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 69:1-18, Proverbs 24:5-6

No Longer A Foreigner

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:19-20

I remember walking through the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while on a mission trip feeling completely out of place. I did not know the language, the culture, the people, where I was going or what street I was on. There was no comfort of knowing I could call 9-1-1 if I was in trouble, let alone any Ethiopian law enforcement willing to help me.  This experience has reminded me of just how thankful I am to be a citizen of the United States. Its something I don’t often think about, but nevertheless am very thankful for.  It is a privilege to be a citizen, and with it comes responsibility, loyalty and a sense of belonging. 

Devotional Passages for the Week of September 16-23

Sunday: Isaiah 22:1-24:23, Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 23:15-16

Monday: Isaiah 25:1-28:13, Galatians 3:10-22, Psalm 61:1-8, Proverbs 23:17-18

Tuesday: Isaiah 28:14-30:11, Galatians 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12, Proverbs 23:19-21

Wednesday: Isaiah 30:12-33:9, Galatians 5:1-12, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 23:22

Thursday: Isaiah 33:10-36:22, Galatians 5:13-26, Psalm 64:1-10, Proverbs 23:23

Friday: Isaiah 37:1-38:22, Galatians 6:1-18, Psalm 65:1-13, Proverbs 23:24

Saturday: Isaiah 39:1-41:16, Ephesians 1:1-23, Psalm 66:1-20, Proverbs 23:25-28

Sunday: Isaiah 41:17-43:13, Ephesians 2:1-22, Psalm 67:1-7, Proverbs 23:29-35

Devotional Passages for the Week of September 9-16

Sunday: Isaiah 3:1-5:30, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Psalm 53:1-6, Proverbs 22:28-29

Monday: Isaiah 6:1-7:25, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 54:1-7, Proverbs 23:1-3

Tuesday: Isaiah 8:1-9:21 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Psalm 55:1-23, Proverbs 23:4-5

Wednesday: Isaiah 10:1-11:16, 2 Corinthians 12:11-21, Psalm 56:1-13, Proverbs 23:6-8

Thursday: Isaiah 12:1-14:32, 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Psalm 57:1-11, Proverbs 23:9-11

Friday: Isaiah 15:1-18:7, Galatians 1:1-24, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 23:12

Saturday:  Isaiah 19:1-21:17, Galatians 2:1-16, Psalm 59:1-17, Proverbs 23:13-14

Sunday: Isaiah 22:1-24:23, Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 23:15-16

Devotional Passages for the Week of September 3-10

We will again be posting suggested Scripture verses for you to read.  Every week there will be Old Testament & New Testament passages, as well as a Psalm and Proverb.  Know that your ability to live faithfully outside of the camp gates are directly tied in with your reading or lack of reading the Bible.  Make it a point to print out these readings every week and sticking them in your Bible.  Don't feel like you have to read it all.  Pick a passage or two a day, then read and pray.  If you would like to comment on something you read, just click on "comment" at the bottom of this list.  Let us know how you are growing through your reading of Scripture or ask a question, we'll post your comment and respond to you.  We'll keep posting our own devotional thoughts once a week.  Next devo will be up on Monday.

Monday: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7, Psalm 47:1-9, Proverbs 22:16

Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18, 2 Corinthians 7:8-16, Psalm 48:1-14, Proverbs 22:17-19

Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 22:20-21

Thursday: Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16, 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 22:22-23

The Lion in the Streets

"The sluggard says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!'" Proverbs 22:13

The sluggard, meaning the person who is passive, lazy, and underachieving, always has an excuse for not being pro-active.  As I thought about this proverb, what came to mind is the spiritually lazy person.  The sluggard who won't make any effort to grow spiritually.  All of us can relate to being spiritually sluggish.  We fail...

    We fail... to get into God's Word because we sleep in .
    We fail... to pray before bed because we watch too much TV then fall asleep before praying.
    We fail... to stand up for what is right, because we are too fearful of what others may think.

We are really good at coming up with excuses for our sluggishness, and often it is exactly as the sluggard says, we are fearful of what lays beyond.  We are afraid that indeed there may be great harm outside..."in the streets".  The mystery of stepping out into the unknown can be very frightening.  Can your spiritual sluggishness be traced back to fear?  Fear of trusting God with your life.  Fear of what friends/parents/siblings may think.  Fear of changing.  Fear that God may require something of you that you don't want to give up.  So like the sluggard we craft excuses, some are fabricated and completely false...others are true.

Indeed there is a lion in the streets.  "The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." I Peter 5:8b  Peter's advice is not to flee the lion or avoid the streets, but rather to be "watchful" and "sober-minded".  Our fears ought not hamper us from getting after the business of following Christ.  We must not be sluggish in our pursuit of God, but vigilant.  Peter goes on to say, "Resist him."  Resist the lion and his schemes.  Step out into the streets ready to resist.  But be warned...

Coming Soon

We'll be back in action as of this coming Monday, September 3rd.  Be on the lookout for devotional readings, posts, videos, and more. 

Devotional Passages for the Week of May 13-20

Sunday: 1 Samuel 14:1-52, John 7:31-53, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 15:5-7

Monday: 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4, John 8:21-30, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 15:11

Wednesday: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24, John 8:31-59, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 15:12-14

Devotional Passages for Week of May 7-14

Monday: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21, John 5:1-23, Psalm 105:37-45, Proverbs 14:28-29

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22, John 5:24-47, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 14:30-31

Wednesday: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17, John 6:1-21, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 14:32-33

Sifting Season

I love driving by wheat fields. I can’t say that I have ever been much of a farmer, but I’ve learned a little bit about the harvesting process of wheat. I once heard a difficult period of life thought of as a time of  “sifting.”  The person was referring to Luke 22 where Jesus is talking to the disciples on the night he is arrested. It says,

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32