Sunday, September 21, 2008

Star Players - On & Off the Field

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my church? Well, I LOVE my church! God has given our senior pastor an amazing gift, plus we often have special guest speakers come in throughout the year. This morning, we got the opportunity to hear three Ohio State football players talk about how their faith impacts their lives both on and off the field. Now, these are not only three star players at OSU, but one might argue they are some of the best players in the country. I just have to say that I was so impressed by these three who are using their celebrity status to bring people to Christ. As I looked around the room at a packed congregation, I saw tons of bright-eyed and eager children, teens and die-hard Buckeye fans ready to see and hear some of their favorite athletes. I guarantee you they heard every word these three had to say.

Whether or not you are a Buckeye fan, these are three amazing guys. I thought I'd share some of the highlights from each of them:

Marcus Freeman (#1, Linebacker): To him, God & Jesus come first. Football is just something he does. He knows for sure that he is going to heaven, and nothing else matters. (Even if he is getting yelled at by the coach.) He emphasized to those that have not, they should choose TODAY to invite Jesus into their heart and live their life for Christ, as none of us are ever promised a tomorrow.

James Laurinaitis (#33, Linebacker): He is following in his father's footsteps, using his status as an athlete for the glory of Jesus Christ. In high school, he read the Bible through twice. When he got to Ohio State and first started playing football, he started feeling a little arrogant, but then recalled James 4:6, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." which helped change his thinking. Everything he does, he does to glorify Jesus. He, Marcus, Malcolm and some other OSU players hold a Bible study EVERY game day morning - no matter if it is a noon game or an evening game.

Malcolm Jenkins (#2, Cornerback): He wasn't raised in the church. He played football all his life, but in high school, even when winning championships, he felt like something was missing. It wasn't fulfilling on its own. He, along with some friends, started going to church in high school and he was saved his senior year. Early on in college, he strived to be perfect, but realized that none of us are perfect. What we should do is continue to grow in our relationship with Christ. Christ knows us, we just need to get to know Him.

OK, so now do you just LOVE these guys, too?!?

I am ending this post with some pics I took of Mia before church this morning. She is wearing a dress I bought on the One Child at a Time auction, which was donated by Jennifer at the Fly Away Home Clothing Boutique. Thanks, Jennifer for donating such an adorable dress. I love it, and Mia did, too!


092108 Mia Chinese Dress



092108 Mia Chinese Dress p3




092108 Mia Chinese Dress p4




092108 Mia Chinese Dress p5




092108 Mia Chinese Dress p6

My graceful girl.

092108 Mia Chinese Dress p7

Digital Kit: Chinese Heritage Pack from scrapandtell.com
Have a great week!!

23 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

Did you see the football player, this past Saturday, tell a reporter that he couldn't do the interview yet, then kneel down to pray? When he finished, he stood and looked around for the reporter, but she grew impatient and left during his prayer. The entire thing was caught on camera. I can't remember what team it was (the game was playing in the background at a party we attended)... but that moment surely impacted me.

missy said...

What great role models these athletes are. I am sure they touched so many today by taking time out to speak. I look for people in all walks of life who believe in God, so that I can always point them out to Paige. I will have to look these gentleman up online.

LOVE Miss Thang's new dress! She is such a gorgeous little model! I ordered a similar outfit from ETSY, except it is an apron skirt. Don't you love the fabric.

Gotta love your graceful girl : )

Football and Fried Rice said...

That is so awesome that the OSU players came to speak!! We are BIG TEN fans (Hawkeyes) - but we love to cheer on the Buckeyes when they aren't playing us. I wonder if a tonggu momma was talking about the Chicago Bears game. They have an amazingly talented young man named Matt Forte who is a Christian and rarely gets any press coverage; they will STOP talking to him when he starts giving God the glory for this athletic ability. The reporters than go to the players who are jumping up & down glorifying themselves. That's what the viewers want......

Your girl is beautiful before church; I love that dress!!

Somewhere In The Sun said...

Wow, that's a fantastic post! And Mia look so adorable in her new dress!

~Lynn

mommy24treasures said...

Thank you for sharing about the players.
Love the pics of Mia in her dress, the shoes are perfect!

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

I love hearing stories like the ones about these Buckeyes. I wish EVERY team had people like this on them. I hate all the chest-pounding, taunting, and glory-seeking that can happen. I am sure this was great for the kids (adults, too) of your congregation to hear. I always cheer for OSU except when they are playing Penn State or Texas...Supposedly they'll be playing Navy in 2010 so I'll have to root for Navy that time.

Mia looks beautiful and very proud of her dress. Jen was in my DTC Yahoo group while we were waiting for Lindy. I'll have to check out her latest creations--she's super talented.

Hope you're getting back to normal after your crazy week...

Love,
Lisa

Christi said...

Hey Michelle! I looove the pictures of your girls that are in your header and on your sidebar! Did you take those? If so, I'm not sure you need a class! ;)

Julia said...

Mia is SO adorable in that dress and pigtails! (and btw, love the style of that chair behind her too!)

Marla said...

Your right, I love them too. Isn't it great how God is all around us!
Mia looks so cute in that dress. Great find.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What wonderful role models....your pastor sounds amazing!

Miss Mia looks so cute in that adorable dress...she is like a little model striking a pose...and what a cute scrap kit....I love it!!

Rebecca Lily said...

Those are such adorable photos!! The dress suits her perfectly. :)

redmaryjanes said...

Love the dress....
BUT IT'S THE SHOES...THOSE ARE THE COOLEST RED MARYJANES EVER :0

debi9kids said...

How fantastic! Your church sounds just wonderful. It's always so enlightening to get to experience with others how faith impacts their lives. Thank you for sharing those stories :)

ps LOVE the dress! ADORABLE!!!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

I don't have a favorite team because I choose things about a team to inspire me.. Ex. I like Florida (Gators) because of Tim Tebow, he is a Christ follower and a great example ... I do like Ohio St. because of Troy Smith and the amazing adoption story he shared a few years back when played, I love Florida State because Bobby Bowden was kind to Marshall University way back when their plane crashed ... Those are just some of my crazy examples ... I love the men that make up a team, not a school ... They do inspire us and set an example ... I will be watching for your players ... They seem like amazing young men ...

Thanks for rejoicing over our God news ...

Adele said...

Oh she looks so precious in that dress. We have that same dress and I love it!
I loved this reading this post about those football players. What a testimony! I bet so many in your congregation were moved bythese athlete's sharing their faith. Good stuff!!!

day by day said...

Hi Michelle!

Thanks for sharing some of the football player's testimonies....I do not follow sports, but yes....I DO love these guys now!!!

Mia's dress is soooo adorable...love it!!

Ohilda said...

Michelle,

I just don't think it's possible for Mia to get any cuter. Oh, my!!

As to the role models. Amazing how God can transform a life if you are willing to open your heart to Him? I LOVE the stories. Thank you for sharing.

Hugs,

Ohilda

fleur de lis cottage said...

So glad your power is back on. The fabric Mia's dress is made of is completely adorable.

Leslie said...

What a great post. I'll have to share it with my DH.

Mia looks so cute in her pretty dress. Sweet..Sweet.

Anonymous said...

What a blessing to be in a great church! your daughter is so cute in that darling dress!

Ronda said...

I love when sports figures talk about their faith. Nothing is more moving to young people than to hear from a hero about what is right and wrong. You are so blessed to attend a church with such great examples.
As usual, love the pictures of Mia-love the dress.

JinXiu said...

Love the new pictures. she is getting more and more beautiful.

What a great outfit

Amie said...

WOW. Love these stories!! I am going to have to pay more attention to these guys! Very very cool stuff..

And love your little model. I have seen those dresses all over the bloggy land.They are darling! She looks so cute!

:)
AMie