Power to Change » sports

Christian Hosoi – I Had it All

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:38:32 +0000

How hard do you have to fall and hit rock bottom before you make the decision to stop doing whatever it is that’s satisfying you on the outside, but killing you on the inside? Christian Hosoi, an All-American professional skateboarder, lived by the creed, “Skate and Destroy.” While he found his calling in skating at an early age, he also found himself in the midst of destruction. “I was trying to destroy myself” because I was searching for love in money, fame and girls. None of it satisfied me.”

Hosoi had fame. He had money. He had it all but it was all taken. It took him losing it all to realize that freedom wasn’t in material possessions. It had nothing to do with cares of this world. He realized who and where freedom really was: in Christ.

After you have watched the video above, consider the following:

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it?

Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, and there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Are you ready to choose a different path?

Jesus came, and died, and rose again to wipe the slate clean. He was scourged, tormented, and finally nailed on the cross for humankind’s sins – this was all part of God’s plan to bring you and I back into relationship with him. God wants to be a part of your life … in fact, not just a part of your life, but wants you to live in full fellowship with Him. Is this the life for you?

God loves you and created you to know Him personally. He longs for you to have the kind of full life you were always meant to have. So why do people not experience this kind of life? People are lost and separated from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love. Because of our sins, we justly deserve judgement. But God provided his Son, Jesus Christ, as the only provision for our sin. He died in our place, then he rose from the dead.

We must individually trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally, receive forgiveness for our sins, and experience His love: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12)

We trust God through faith. You can trust Christ right now by faith through prayer! (Prayer is just talking with God.) God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

If it does, pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Creating Athlete Communities of Faith

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:32:10 +0000

Most athletes probably don’t spend a lot of time with their teammates talking about God and faith. That’s where events conducted by Angela and her Athletes in Action partners help students to find a place of community and belonging where they can feel comfortable discussing the deep questions of life with caring Christian witnesses. If you are an athlete wondering how you can become involved on a local campus, explore the ministry opportunities available with Athletes in Action!

Using Basketball To Reach Out

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:55:16 +0000

The Friday Night Basketball League is a perfect opportunity to minister in the community every week. Many times Frank hears from parents how his coaches are amazing role models for the young athletes who come to play. Sports can open incredible doors in any community. Are you ready to play?

Related:
Want To Get Involved?

God’s Eternal Plan

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:22:48 +0000

Chris Wiens wondered what good could come of their captain breaking his hand during the first game of a hard-earned international tour? What the team learned, however, is that God had much bigger, eternal plans for their new Russian teammate.

Related:
Want To Get Involved?

Wrestling Evangelism

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:56:58 +0000

Edmonton. Freestyle Wrestling Championships. Not a place you might expect there to be a lot of “God conversations.” But Jarret and friends showed God’s love in a tangible way by handing out free cups of Gatorade before and afterwards. This simple action initiated ongoing faith adventures among those Jarret and friends met. Have you ever thought about how your sports abilities could be used in serving God?

Related:
Want To Get Involved?

Is Success Enough?

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:48:54 +0000

Rebecca always wanted to be accepted. She tried to become the absolute best at whatever athletic endeavor she tried so that people would want her on their team. But the reality is that this kind of never-ending struggle to be “best” is unfulfilling, as Rebecca discovered. What is most important to you in your life? Is success enough?

Play Sports, Share Faith

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:06:57 +0000

You don’t need grand, expensive events to share the gospel. All you need is a few guys and a swimming pool. Sharing the gospel is more about building community and relationships than throwing a party. Can you get a few non-christian friends together to play sports and build into their lives?

Sharing the Gospel at Camp

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:59:55 +0000

Each summer hundreds of kids and teens take part in Athletes in Action soccer camps. During one camp four particularly rambunctious boys caught Clarke’s attention. As they talked he realized that they had no clue what the gospel was. He knew that if could just get them to settle down he had the news that would change their lives forever. Do you love sports? God can you use you to share your faith at soccer camp.

When Sickness Slows You Down

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:47:52 +0000

When Clarke got sick, it shook his world. Always athletic, now he was barely able to walk around the block. It challenged everything: his work life, his social life and even his faith. How long would the sickness last? What would the future look like? Where do you turn when your world flips upside down?

Related
You can look for answers to life’s questions in many places, but have you considered how Jesus can answer these questions for you?

Measuring Up

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:19:32 +0000

Suzanne has always been highly competitive and driven to be the best. Early success in sports and academics made it easy for her to place her sense of identity in those achievements. That’s when she realized someone would always be better than her. While culture tells her she’ll never measure up, Suzanne has learned to listen to a different voice. “God loved me before I was good at anything,” she says.

Related:
What Does Your Soul Crave?