Saturday, August 20, 2011
Having trouble getting motivated...this should help
Watch more video of Terry Brands on flowrestling.org
Check out the post below for more information on Iowa's Terry Brands...
Friday, August 19, 2011
God is using wrestling around the world!
Radek Swaidetwo Poland
I was born into a broken family. My parents were separated. Their priority was to make money and they didn’t even have time to show love to me or my siblings. As a young boy I was looking for a hero, a person that I could look up to. I admired people from the Silver Screen like Sylvester Stallone. But during that period it was my brother who became a real idol to me. He was involved in martial arts. When I was 12 years old I began to practice wrestling in an attempt to seek his acceptance. After several wins I felt like I was finally someone in his eyes.
My brother went to fight in a war in Yugoslavia. When he went off to war he became even more of a hero to me. When he came back I admired the fact that he was using his strength in bars and night clubs. I even began to take after his actions. However, the hidden truth was that we both felt empty in our hearts and were searching for something more significant in life. I asked myself questions such as, “What happens to me when I die?” Not having an answer I was filled with fear and afraid of dying.
One day when my sister came home she was different, she was full of joy. At first I thought that this was unreal, but I soon realized that my anxiety came from lacking the joy she had. After I came back to the house from a party one night I didn’t know what to do with my life anymore. So I went to my sister and asked her to pray for me. I felt the presence of Christ. I asked Him to come into my heart and then my life began to change.
Three months later my brother also committed his life to Jesus. I admired him more than ever, because he was telling everyone about Christ and what He has done in his life.
I believe that God puts us in specific places. He has a plan for each one of us. I was filled with love for kids who live in orphanages. I knew that God was calling me to proclaim Christ’s love among children and youth. Together with my wife we have been serving youth for seven years so far. I continued to practice wrestling even though it wasn’t very easy. I attempted to finish my sports career, but there were always many obstacles to overcome. I went to the Olympic Games in Athens. The fact that I even qualified was a miracle.
Through reading the Scripture Jesus has changed my way of thinking. The Lord Jesus says, “Come to Me all of you who are burdened and weary and I will give you rest.” I was competing in a very demanding sport and many times I felt that I had had enough. But when I recalled the words of Jesus, they helped me on the mat. Now however, His words help me in a different match: the match called life!
I was born into a broken family. My parents were separated. Their priority was to make money and they didn’t even have time to show love to me or my siblings. As a young boy I was looking for a hero, a person that I could look up to. I admired people from the Silver Screen like Sylvester Stallone. But during that period it was my brother who became a real idol to me. He was involved in martial arts. When I was 12 years old I began to practice wrestling in an attempt to seek his acceptance. After several wins I felt like I was finally someone in his eyes.
My brother went to fight in a war in Yugoslavia. When he went off to war he became even more of a hero to me. When he came back I admired the fact that he was using his strength in bars and night clubs. I even began to take after his actions. However, the hidden truth was that we both felt empty in our hearts and were searching for something more significant in life. I asked myself questions such as, “What happens to me when I die?” Not having an answer I was filled with fear and afraid of dying.
One day when my sister came home she was different, she was full of joy. At first I thought that this was unreal, but I soon realized that my anxiety came from lacking the joy she had. After I came back to the house from a party one night I didn’t know what to do with my life anymore. So I went to my sister and asked her to pray for me. I felt the presence of Christ. I asked Him to come into my heart and then my life began to change.
Three months later my brother also committed his life to Jesus. I admired him more than ever, because he was telling everyone about Christ and what He has done in his life.
I believe that God puts us in specific places. He has a plan for each one of us. I was filled with love for kids who live in orphanages. I knew that God was calling me to proclaim Christ’s love among children and youth. Together with my wife we have been serving youth for seven years so far. I continued to practice wrestling even though it wasn’t very easy. I attempted to finish my sports career, but there were always many obstacles to overcome. I went to the Olympic Games in Athens. The fact that I even qualified was a miracle.
Through reading the Scripture Jesus has changed my way of thinking. The Lord Jesus says, “Come to Me all of you who are burdened and weary and I will give you rest.” I was competing in a very demanding sport and many times I felt that I had had enough. But when I recalled the words of Jesus, they helped me on the mat. Now however, His words help me in a different match: the match called life!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
From one of the legends of the sport...
http://www.beyondtheultimate.com/athletes/Terry-Brands.aspx
As a sophomore in high school my [church] youth group spent a week in Colorado skiing. It was during that time that I understood what Christ could REALLY do and had already done for me. I accepted [Jesus Christ into my life as Savior] and realized that real power is through Christ.
I grew up in a broken family caused by alcohol abuse. We had little money, little material. But I did not allow that to destroy my structure of integrity formed from will, determination and guts. Christ has taught me that He is the real power and authority over all things great and otherwise.
I have heard it said that it is lonely at the top. Not true; it is lonely getting there. In society many times emphasis is placed on sex, alcohol, drugs and attending the big party. Kids are told to question authority. Values of winning and working hard are eroded in favor of mediocrity. Integrity and high moral standards are traded for worldly pleasure and quick fixes.
I gave up worldly views and “feasted on” things moral. While the temptations were there I was trained to defeat them…I am not a victim of the environment I grew up in; I am the champion of the environment God tested me in—through [the strength and power given to me by] Christ.
To win every moment we must be equipped with strong minds possessing integrity and high moral standards needed to conquer and destroy the temptations brought on by “feel good” reflexes. Christ supplies all we need to wage that war and fight those battles.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
CSU Summer Conference
“You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up & strengthen what remains!” Revelation 3:1-2.
Our Staff Conference was kicked off by Francis Chan who challenged us to “secure an undistracted devotion to the Lord.” He felt the Lord lead him to Rev 3:1-2 as he prayed over what to share with all of us. He said, “You cannot experience fruitfulness when there is sin in the camp.” We were given time & space to reflect, ask God to search our hearts, & confess our sins both personally & corporately. What an honor it is to serve with an organization that takes seriously the call to examine themselves, repent, and rise up strengthened by God’s power within them! As the conference went on our national leadership team announced that around Feb 2012 Campus Crusade for Christ will be changing its name to “Cru.”
If you are interested in seeing the official statement here is a link:
http://www.ccci.org/about-us/donor-relations/our-new-name/index.htm
The name may be changing, but the mission remains the same: to be passionate in sharing the heart of Jesus with everyone who has not yet had the chance to hear about Him! During our time in Ft.Collins we also had the chance to meet with our ministry branches. It was so encouraging to gather with those who are serving with Athletes in Action! We have renewed excitement & passion to serve God alongside these families! These few days were only a taste of what is to come, and it was delicious! We are more confident than ever that God has led us to this exact place and so we continue to trust Him to get us there in His perfect timing! The time for moving is now on the horizon, we can see it getting closer!
Thank you for praying, sacrificing, believing, hoping, & dreaming with us! We are getting some responses from our last letter! Thank you for asking the Lord to bring to mind people in your life to share in this ministry with us!
Statistic given at Athletes in Action Ministry Days
for every NICKEL given... ONE person hears the Gospel
If you are interested in seeing the official statement here is a link:
http://www.ccci.org/about-us/donor-relations/our-new-name/index.htm
The name may be changing, but the mission remains the same: to be passionate in sharing the heart of Jesus with everyone who has not yet had the chance to hear about Him! During our time in Ft.Collins we also had the chance to meet with our ministry branches. It was so encouraging to gather with those who are serving with Athletes in Action! We have renewed excitement & passion to serve God alongside these families! These few days were only a taste of what is to come, and it was delicious! We are more confident than ever that God has led us to this exact place and so we continue to trust Him to get us there in His perfect timing! The time for moving is now on the horizon, we can see it getting closer!
Thank you for praying, sacrificing, believing, hoping, & dreaming with us! We are getting some responses from our last letter! Thank you for asking the Lord to bring to mind people in your life to share in this ministry with us!
Statistic given at Athletes in Action Ministry Days
for every NICKEL given... ONE person hears the Gospel
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Campus Crusade changes name!
Many of you have probably heard that Campus Crusade for Christ has decided to change its name. Here is the official release!
5,000 Staff Renew Commitment to Mission: Proclaiming Jesus Christ
ORLANDO, Fla., July 22, 2011 – Staff members gathered in Ft. Collins, Colorado, this week for the biennial U.S. Staff Conference of Campus Crusade for Christ were introduced to a new name for the U.S. – Cru – and at the same time reaffirmed their commitment to proclaiming the name and love of Jesus Christ around the world. Since the mid-1990s Cru has been used as the organization’s name for many of our U.S. campus ministries, and is now used on the majority of our campuses.
The ministry also introduced a new logo, dominated by a cross above the name Cru. Steve Sellers, vice president for the U.S. explained that the inclusion of the symbol of the cross was critical to accepting the new name. “Just as our new name, Cru, visually points to the cross, everything we do as a ministry is intended to point others to the cross of Jesus Christ.”
“Anyone who knows anything about Campus Crusade for Christ knows we are passionate about one thing – connecting people to Jesus Christ,” noted president Steve Douglass. “In fact, we only exist for the purpose of helping people everywhere experience the transforming grace and forgiveness of the gospel through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.”
Steve Sellers, responding to a few media reports suggesting the ministry had changed its mission in the process of changing its name said “it is not our name that makes us a Christian organization – after all, a majority of well-known Christian organizations have nothing in their name identifying them as Christian. It is our mission which makes us Christian and our mission is a bold one, namely the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s command to 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’”
“Whether our ministry to Athletes, Athletes in Action, our ministry to families, FamilyLife, our JESUS film ministry or any of our 29 ministries, everything we do is intentionally designed to introduce people to the person of Jesus Christ. Consistent with Christ’s command, the JESUS film is the most translated film in history, resulting in well over 6 billion exposures to the gospel in 1,129 languages.”
The decision to expand the use of the name Cru from the campus ministries to the entire U.S. ministry is the result of a two-year study and process involving hundreds of staff members, thousands of interviews, and a list of 1,600 potential names. Sellers emphasized that the objective of the name is to “accomplish a greater level of effectiveness in ministry, and we believe Cru achieves that.” The transition to the new name will take place over the next year.
Campus Crusade for Christ is a worldwide, interdenominational Christian evangelism and discipleship organization, founded by Bill and Vonette Bright in 1951. Since its founding, Campus Crusade has become one of the largest Christian organizations in the world, served by more than 25,000 full and part-time team members in 191 countries around the world through 29 different ministries.
For more information, visit ccci.org
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST TO BECOME: Cru
5,000 Staff Renew Commitment to Mission: Proclaiming Jesus Christ
New Logo Points to the Cross
ORLANDO, Fla., July 22, 2011 – Staff members gathered in Ft. Collins, Colorado, this week for the biennial U.S. Staff Conference of Campus Crusade for Christ were introduced to a new name for the U.S. – Cru – and at the same time reaffirmed their commitment to proclaiming the name and love of Jesus Christ around the world. Since the mid-1990s Cru has been used as the organization’s name for many of our U.S. campus ministries, and is now used on the majority of our campuses.The ministry also introduced a new logo, dominated by a cross above the name Cru. Steve Sellers, vice president for the U.S. explained that the inclusion of the symbol of the cross was critical to accepting the new name. “Just as our new name, Cru, visually points to the cross, everything we do as a ministry is intended to point others to the cross of Jesus Christ.”
“Anyone who knows anything about Campus Crusade for Christ knows we are passionate about one thing – connecting people to Jesus Christ,” noted president Steve Douglass. “In fact, we only exist for the purpose of helping people everywhere experience the transforming grace and forgiveness of the gospel through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.”
Steve Sellers, responding to a few media reports suggesting the ministry had changed its mission in the process of changing its name said “it is not our name that makes us a Christian organization – after all, a majority of well-known Christian organizations have nothing in their name identifying them as Christian. It is our mission which makes us Christian and our mission is a bold one, namely the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s command to 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’”
“Whether our ministry to Athletes, Athletes in Action, our ministry to families, FamilyLife, our JESUS film ministry or any of our 29 ministries, everything we do is intentionally designed to introduce people to the person of Jesus Christ. Consistent with Christ’s command, the JESUS film is the most translated film in history, resulting in well over 6 billion exposures to the gospel in 1,129 languages.”
The decision to expand the use of the name Cru from the campus ministries to the entire U.S. ministry is the result of a two-year study and process involving hundreds of staff members, thousands of interviews, and a list of 1,600 potential names. Sellers emphasized that the objective of the name is to “accomplish a greater level of effectiveness in ministry, and we believe Cru achieves that.” The transition to the new name will take place over the next year.
Campus Crusade for Christ is a worldwide, interdenominational Christian evangelism and discipleship organization, founded by Bill and Vonette Bright in 1951. Since its founding, Campus Crusade has become one of the largest Christian organizations in the world, served by more than 25,000 full and part-time team members in 191 countries around the world through 29 different ministries.
For more information, visit ccci.org
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Field is ripe for the harvest!
I "Rob" just got home from Iowa. I had the opportunity to talk with people about AIA Wrestling & our ministry with them! I had so many great conversations & God orchestrated experiences during my time there, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to share them with you!I recently read an article where Iowa wrestler, Matt McDonough, talks about the wrestling culture in the state of Iowa. He says, “If you grow up in Iowa, you almost certainly know at least something about wrestling. !similar to" how you don't need to have farmed to be familiar with the crop cycles. Wrestling is just part of life around you.” So as you can probably guess, I was eager to meet with coaches, wrestlers, & anyone who wanted to talk wrestling! What I didn’t know was how God would amaze me with all He had planned.
The University of Iowa is the county’s most storied program. The Iowa Hawkeyes, under Dan Gable’s tenure as coach, won an unprecedented 21 straight Big 10 titles and 15 out of 21 NCAA titles including 9 straight. One surprise God had for me was a ticket to Coach Gable’s retirement banquet !and to think I would have totally missed it had I gone the week earlier, as planned". The opening prayer was lead by former Hawkeye Brooks Simpson now a pastor in the Iowa City Area. I was once again reminded of the amazing number of wrestlers who have a relationship with Jesus & how God is at work in & through wrestling!
While in Iowa, I was also able to take in two practices at UI. The first day Head Coach Tom Brands started the practice telling the wrestlers about a famous old “best seller” !Bible" that he had been reading that day. He included a few of the lessons that he had been
learning from reading it. The second workout I was able to watch, he gathered his wrestlers around him before practice and asked if anyone knew what the “best seller” he was referring to was. One wrestler responded that it sounded like the Bible. “You’re Right!” Coach Brands said. He went on to explain how the Bible talks about “if you have faith as small as mustard seed you can move mountains! Now lets go have a dang good practice!”
After practice, I asked him if I could talk to a few wrestlers and he said, “Talk to all of them if you’d like!” What an open door! I went to dinner with Ryan Morningstar and his girlfriend Sarah. Ryan is currently ranked 4th on the USA Olympic Ladder. In 2010 he helped lead Iowa to the NCAA title. That year he su#ered a devastating knee injury & amazed many by wrestling on a torn MCL and PCL, finishing 7th in the country. Ryan didn’t let his injuries define him or discourage him. In talking with him, he said he knew his faith would carry him through. Not only his faith in his training but his faith in the Lord. Many people would be bitter about being injured & not being able to finish their career on top, but not Ryan. The next year a teammate of his also severely injured his knee. His teammate was given an 8 month recovery. Ryan saw this as a great chance to invite his teammate to church & Iowa’s AIA Bible study. During this time his teammate committed his life to Christ. His recovery time miraculously was cut in half & he openly gives God the credit!
It is exciting to see the next generation of wrestlers strong in their faith and competing for the Lord! Please pray for Ryan and the others as they compete to represent the United States at the World Championships.
On my way out of Iowa I had the chance to stop by WIN Magazine the ‘Sports Illustrated’ of wrestling, to talk with their editor. I found out he is also a believer! Through this trip God has a!rmed, inspired, encouraged, & energized me!
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