| Gail Devers
Gold medal, 1992 and 1996 Olympics, 100 meter sprint TESTIMONY In 1988, I encountered one of the toughest challenges of my life. While training for the Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, my health began to deteriorate. I soon found out that I had Grave’s Disease, a debilitating chronic thyroid disorder. Deep down, I was scared to death that my life as an athlete was over. But I wasn't going to give up - the word "quit" has never been part of my vocabulary. With lots of hard work, determination, perseverance and faith in God, I was able to resume training and regain my health. In 1992, less than 17 months after the doctors had considered amputating my feet, I won my first gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and was named the "World's Fastest Woman." Whenever faced with a challenge, I dig deep within myself and summon my spiritual
and physical forces. This gives me the focus, determination, perseverance and
support I need to succeed. Without this motivation, positive attitude and faith,
I wouldn't have been able to accomplish such feats as winning two gold medals
at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, launching the Gail Devers Foundation or giving back
to help others inspire positive change within their communities. My advice to you: The best advice I can give is to be the best YOU, you can be!! |
Mike Jackson
TESTIMONY Making it to the big leagues in 1986 with the Phillies was a great day in my life. The highlight of my career though was pitching in the 1997 World Series with Cleveland. It’s a thrill just to play the game of baseball, but all the achievements on the baseball diamond are temporary, lasting only a little while. I remember in 1991 reaching a point in my life when I realized there has to be more to life, a greater purpose. That greater purpose is to know God, to understand He has a plan for my life, that He loved me and sent His Son Jesus Christ to die in my place. “And this is that testimony – that evidence: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life” (1John 5:11-12). I had rejected God’s love by not accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I went about life as if God didn’t matter, without giving a thought about my eternal destiny. Sad to say, a lot of people are just like I was. Entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ, accepting His payment for my sins rather than trusting in my own goodness has been the highlight of my life. I get to live it every day as I study God’s Word, striving to know Him more and serve Him better. And better yet, I’ll get to enjoy Him and worship Him forever. My advice to you: I want you to experience the joy of knowing and following Jesus Christ and the peace in knowing He paid the penalty for your sin. It’s up to you to choose – accept Him or reject Him – He’s waiting for you to respond. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Used by permission of TheGoal.com |
Ruthie Bolton-Holifield
TESTIMONY To achieve success you have to maintain proper motivation. My formula has been hard work coupled with the right perspective. I have to be careful not to let my devotion to basketball take away from my other priorities, primarily my relationship with God, my husband Mark Holifield, and my family (which includes 20 brothers and sisters). My spiritual background and being a Christian has really helped me as far as keeping a great attitude and realizing I can't take basketball too seriously. I need to take it serious to a certain point, but at one point realize this is all background music. By background music I mean basketball is something that has added happiness to my life but doesn't make up the core of who I am. The most important thing is to do right and please God. I was fortunate to learn this at a young age. Growing up I was made to go to
church. My father, a pastor, didn't 'save' me, but he helped me along the way
to know about Jesus Christ and how I can know him personally. I knew if I wasn't
a true Christian, but just hanging on to my parents' beliefs, then I my faith
wouldn't survive when I left home. So I made a personal decision to place my faith
in Jesus Christ and to believe he is who he says he is-the Son of God and Savior
of the World. By receiving Jesus into my life, I'm able to handle challenges and
withstand temptations. It is my walk with God and spiritual upbringing that continues
to help me now. |
