Lives Lead. Lessons Learned. Legacies Left.

John Wooden

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” -John Wooden

Short Bio: John Wooden is considered by many to be the greatest coach that has ever lived covering all sports and all levels of those sports. His Pyramid of Success on winning in sports is used in countless lockers rooms and clubhouses across the world. Known as the “Wizard of Westwood” he led UCLA to 10 national titles including 7 in a row. But it’s who he was as a person that truly stood out. His love for God and for people separated him from the pack and his legacy is remarkable beyond words. His words of wisdom on life will be carried on from generation to generation. John Wooden is a man who we need to closely study in order to grasp what love and faith in action is all about. Here is a brief look in his remarkable life and legacy.

John Robert Wooden was born in town of Hall, Indiana on October 14, 1910 to Roxie Hugh and Joshua Hugh Wooden. His two sisters died before reaching the age of three; one dying in infancy and Cordelia died at the age of two from diphtheria. John had three brothers: Maurice, Daniel, and William. At the age of seven John and his family moved to a small farm in the town of Centerton, Indiana. Life was hard and difficult for the family has they had no running water or electricity along with little money. From this, John began to learn and develop the value of discipline and hard work. In 1924, went bankrupt and lost the farm thus moving to Martinsville a small town that took pride in their high school basketball teams.

As a boy growing up one of John’s biggest role models was  Fuzzy Vandivier of the Franklin Wonder Five that was a dominant force in Indiana high school basketball from 1919 to 1922. From early on, John loved the game of basketball and showed a gift for the game through his childhood. In high school, he led his team to three consecutive state championship finals winning the tournament in 1927 and he was named an All-State selection three times.

After graduation from high school, he went to Purdue University and lead the Boilermakers to the 1932 National Championship, via vote instead of a NCAA tournament which didn’t begin until 1939. During his time at Purdue, John received many honors including being named to the All-Big Ten and All-American three times. He graduated with a degree in English in 1932.

Turning Point: Wooden met his future wife, Nellie, at a carnival in 1926. She was the only girl he ever dated and she baptized him in 1927; introducing him to Christ. Here is how he recalls that life changing event:

“We were juniors in high school and she was the only girl I ever went with and we had a relationship and she suggested that we join at the same time. I don’t want to say that I accepted Christ at that particular time because of the fact that I did this primarily because she wanted me to. But my acceptance came gradually as time went by.”

 They were married during John’s senior year in college at a small ceremony during August 1932.  John and Nellie had  a son, James Hugh Wooden, and a daughter, Nancy Anne shortly after their marriage. They were married for 53 years, until her death to cancer in 1985.

John read scripture daily throughout his life attending the First Christian Church of his childhood. He developed a stronger friendship with evangelist Billy Graham throughout the years.  Here is how John would state how important his faith was to him:

“I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior.”

Short Bio Part 2: Shortly after college, Wooden played several years professionally with the Indianapolis Kautskys, Whiting Ciesar All-Americans, and Hammond Ciesar All-Americans. He also taught and coached in high school at Dayton in Kentucky for two years. Then he coached basketball at South Bend Central in Indiana.  During World War II, he joined the Navy for three years earning the rank of lieutenant.  

After the war ended, John proceeded to coach at Indiana State Teacher’s College for 3 years. In 1947, his basketball team won the Indiana Intercollegiate Conference title. They were invited to the NAIB, a National Tournament, but Wooden refused because the policy in place to ban African American players. One of his players was Clarence Walker, an African American.  The following year they won the conference title again and played in the NAIB when they dropped their policy on African Americans. They lost and this was the one and only championship game loss that a team coached by Wooden.

After the loss, Wooden left coaching high school to become the head coach of UCLA. In his first year coaching the team he turned around a 12-13 previous year into a PCC Southern Division Championship with a 22-7 record–the most wins ever for UCLA at that time. His team would go on to win the PCC Southern Division title the first four years he coached.

 Once a probation was lifted because of the football program, Wooden’s UCLA team began a run of dominance never seen in the history of college basketball.  After losing the semifinal of the 1962 NCAA Tournament, they put the final pieces together and won the school’s first national championship in 1964. They repeated as defending champs in 1965, before a slight step backwards in 1966, finishing second in the conference.  From there Wooden would lead UCLA to 7 straight national championships from 1967-73 and 8 of 9 with a final championship in 1975 with a win over Kentucky.

Following the game, Wooden announced that he would retire from his legendary coaching career after winning a unprecedented 10 national championships. On top of these championships, Wooden won 620 games in 27 seasons, had a record winning streak of 88 games with UCLA, won 38 straight games in the NCAA Tournament, and a record 98 straight home game wins at Pauley Pavilion. He was named coach of the year 7 times and was named in the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming the first to be honored as a player and a coach.

During his time as a coach he never made more than $35,000 a year and never once asked for a raise. John even turned down an offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers which would have paid him ten times what he was making as a coach for UCLA. In 1977, the John R. Wooden Award was created to honor the top college basketball player of the year.

Through the next few decades Wooden maintained good health and aged into his mid-nineties. Then he began suffering an increasing amount of physical ailments. He was hospitalized several times including breaking his wrist in a fall and catching pneumonia. Then on June 4, 2010 at the incredible age of 99 Wooden passed away peacefully of natural causes.

His Impact: John Wooden’s legacy is goes far beyond the basketball court. His teachings, leadership example, and love for people have an profound impact on athletes and people of countless professions.  On February 29 of every year at UCLA John Wooden Day is celebrated. He was named into the founding class of the NCCA Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. There are several schools and athletic centers named after him including the UCLA basketball court which was originally named the John & Nell Wooden Court but John insisted that it should be changed to Nell & John Wooden Court because his wife’s name should come first.  Even a post office where his daughter lived was named in his honor. In 2009, the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership established the John Wooden Ethics in Leadership Award with Wooden being the inaugural recipient.  Lastly, also in 2009, he was named the Sporting News “Greatest Coach of All Time.”

Lessons From His Legacy:  There is so much to be taken away from Wooden’s life that this written paragraph doesn’t do him justice. However, here are some of the main lessons we can take away from him. First, there is strength in gentleness. One of John’s greatest heroes of the faith was Abraham Lincoln. His favorite quote from him was “There’s nothing stronger than gentleness.” Wooden was known for controlling his temper through his coaching career despite the numerous situations that dedicated the exact opposite reaction. He was a man of quiet strength. Also he taught us to believe in our talents and abilities while remaining humble in reverence to the One who gave us what we possess. Another rare quality that Wooden showed us is what modesty looks like. Later in his life, past his teaching days, he remained at his condominium in San Fernando which he had shared with his wife from the early 1970s. He refused most gifts offered to him and resisted product endorsements countless times. He wrote this concerning the endorsements offered to him: “If I don’t feel comfortable doing it,” he has written, “then I’m not going to do it, regardless of how much money they want to pay me…I may not have their money, but I do have my peace of mind.” Finally, John displayed a simply incredible love for his wife that is so contrary to what our culture teaches us. After her death and 53 years of marriage, he began a monthly ritual to continue to remember her. On the 21st of every month he visited her grave and then wrote a love letter to her. After completing the letter, he placed it in an envelope, added it to a stack of similar letters that he had previously written to her, and put them on a pillow she slept on during their life together.  What en example of what love between a man and a woman in marriage should look like! Simply put John Wooden’s legacy is one that will live on forever in not just sports but in the way he lived and loved others. He was a man who we need take a closer look at, emulate, and admire. His greatest  aim wasn’t making the Basketball Hall of Fame, it was making God’s Hall of Faith. May be inspire to do the same!  

Trivia:

• At Purdue, Mr. Wooden earned the nickname “the India Rubber Man’’ because he would bounce back up from the floor so fast. 
• In 2003, Wooden was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
• Wooden had four laws of learning: explanation, demonstration, imitation, and repetition
• During this time as coach he was dubbed as “St. John” because he never swore or drank alcohol
• John served as a physical education instructor in the United States Navy during World War II. Appendicitis kept him from shipping off for the South Pacific. A Japanese kamikaze plane struck the ship Wooden was to travel on, killing the officer who had taken his place.
• His daily prayer was: “Lord, make me beautiful inside.” 
• Wooden liked to cite what he called his “Pyramid of Success,’’ a combination of 15 virtues- such as industriousness, loyalty, and self-control — he considered essential to winning in life and basketball. His Pyramid of Success is printed below.

 John Wooden’s Seven Point Creed, given from His father:

• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

 Quotes by John Wooden:

“Ability is a poor man’s wealth.”

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.“

“Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.“

“I’d rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent.“

“It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.“

“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.“

“Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.“

“Never mistake activity for achievement.“

“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.“

 “Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.“

“There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.“

“Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.“

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden

http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/john-wooden/

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_wooden.html

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_basketball/articles/2010/06/05/john_wooden_99_legendary_coach_won_10_titles_at_ucla/

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/woo0bio-1

http://religion.lohudblogs.com/2010/06/09/john-wooden-man-of-christian-faith/

http://jrwoodward.net/2010/06/remembering-john-woodens-by-imitating-his-faith/

http://www.mitchhorowitz.com/john-wooden.html

Albert Pujols

“My life’s goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.” Albert Pujols

Short Bio: Albert Pujols is arguably the best player in Major League Baseball. In fact, he’s off to the best start of any player in baseball history statistical and has already many awards, honors, and a championship in his very successful career.  Aside from being an amazing baseball player, Albert is a devout Christian who has had an incredible impact on countless lives and communities that shows his life is more than just about playing baseball. He came from a very humble background and was overlooked in the draft but because of his firm faith in God and his moral character, Albert was separated himself from the rest of baseball and is now the model of what an ambassador for Christ looks like.

José Alberto Pujols Alcántara was born on January 16, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was raised by his grandmother early in his life as his father, Bienvenido, was in and out of his life from an early age. His 10 aunts and uncles also looked after him and were more like brothers and sisters to him. The Pujols family lived in extreme poverty, living off of government assistance programs.

Despite his humble surroundings, Albert was well adjusted and happy about his life. Thanks to his grandmother, America, who treated him like a son, he was introduced to Christ and had a solid role model in his life. Albert’s passion for baseball came from his father, who was a great well-known pitcher for the Dominican Republic. At the age of six, Pujols started playing baseball and his favorite player was Julio Franco.

Soon after, the Pujols family began migrating to the United States. Albert and his father joined them when he turned 16. The Big Apple turned out to be much more expensive and violent than they expected and after Albert witnessed a man being shot to death, they decided to move again. The Pujols family decided on Independence, Missouri. Albert then began playing shortstop in American Legion ball becoming one of the top players in the country.  He entered Fort Osage High School as a sophomore and began to quickly learn the English language. Baseball dominated Albert’s life and he established a personal dedication that few his age had for the game.

During his senior year, Albert met his future wife, Deidre at a Latin dance club. After lying about his age, he confessed and found out Deidre had a daughter, Isabella, who had been diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  Albert quickly bonded with Isabella and Didre was amazed at the maturity of this teenage boy.

After his senior year, Albert entered the MLB Amateur Draft, but wasn’t selected until the 13th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He turned them down and instead chose to play in the Jayhawk League, a Kansas circuit for college players.  After tearing it up in the league and leading the team in nearly all offensive categories; the Cardinals upped their signing bonus from $10,000 to $60,000 and Albert accepted. He played in the Arizona Fall League learning a new position, third base. During that winter, he and Deidre were married on New Year’s Day 2000.

Albert began his professional career on the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League playing third base. He played outstanding defense, hit .324, with 32 doubles, 17 home runs, and 84 RBIs–striking out a mere 37 times in about 400 at-bats. He was named league MVP after the season. Pujols quickly rose up the minor league system and eventually helped the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds win the PCL championship series. He was named the league’s postseason MVP.

As the 2001 season began, Albert was targeted to start the year in Triple-A, but his spring training performance quickly changed the organization’s minds.  Along with his performance,  a slew of injuries and off-season trades, Albert started the season on the big league club and he then took the league by storm.  Albert ended April with eight homers and made the All-Star team in July. By the end of the year he composed a .329 batting average, 37 homers, 130 RBIs and 112 runs scored. He was named NL Rookie of the Year unanimously and broke  nearly every rookie franchise record.

By 2003, Albert was considered by many to be a superstar and some even thought of him as the best player in the game.  He battled an elbow injury for the 2nd half of the season, but still managed to hit .359, with 43 homers, and 124 RBIs. In 2004, Albert signed a 7 year, $100 million contract with the Cardinals and then led them to their first World Series since 1987 . He was later named in NL MVP. The Cardinals would go on to be swept against the surging Red Sox though in the World Series. In 2005, Pujols would have another spectacular year, nearly winning the NL Triple Crown belting 41 homers, batting .330, and collecting 117 RBIs. Despite not getting back to the World Series, Albert had a memorable November as his wife gave birth to their daughter, Sophia.

The following year, 2006, Albert and the Cardinals barely made the playoffs despite another outstanding year individually from him.  They began playing well again as the playoffs began and reached the World Series. The Cardinals were heavy underdogs to the Detroit Tigers, but thanks to errors and lack of hitting by the Tigers, the Cardinals won the series 4 games to 1. Albert had finally reached the pinnacle of a ballplayer’s career, winning the World Series! But, winning the World Series was not Albert’s highlight of the season as he states in his personal testimony:

“If you asked me about the pinnacle of 2006, you would probably be surprised to learn that winning the World Series or winning my first Gold Glove at first base was not the highlight moment of the season for me. My personal favorite moment during that season was seeing two of my friends and teammates come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

Although the Cardinals have failed to make a splash in the standings in the past few years, Albert continues to put up record numbers winning his second MVP award in 2008. Last year was arguably his best season to date as he hit .327, scored 124 runs, totaled 47 homers, and drove in 135 runs. He would end up with his second straight MVP award and his third overall. 

Albert and Deidre now have four children, Isabella, Albert Jr., Sophia, and Ezra. Recently, a new center for adults with Down syndrome opened in Chesterfield, Missouri that Albert founded. Not only is Albert off to the best start for any player in baseball history statistically, but he’s also one of the most beloved, well-liked, and respected people in all of baseball. His priorities are simple: Faith. Family. Others. Then baseball. As he stated with this quote stats and personal glory are a distant second in his life:

“I don’t play for numbers. I play first of all to glorify God and to accomplish in this game what everybody wants to accomplish, which is getting to the World Series and coming up with a win at the end. Those are the things that I really try to focus on and try to make sure that I do every day for the rest of my career.”

His Impact:  Albert isn’t just a phenomenally talented baseball player, he is also a man of great faith, love, and compassion for others. Pujols actively participates with Down Syndrome foundations as his daughter, Isabella, has down syndrome. In 2005, Albert founded the Pujols Family Foundation which is about helping people that have or are affected by Down Syndrome. This foundation holds annual golf tournaments in which members from the Cardinals play golf to raise money to send dentists to the Dominican Republic. Also he is very active in outreach programs that target poor people living in his home country, the Dominican Republic.  Albert was named the 2008 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, which awards the player who displays the sportsmanship, community involvement, and superb contribution to his team.

Lesson From His Legacy:  Albert’s life is a testimony to a life of passion, hard work, compassion, and love for people. From his life, we are reminded that our gifts and abilities are given to us from God and to used for His glory. From this we should be reminded to be humble with what God has given us, always giving Him the glory and honor. Another thing to take away from his legacy is that God puts a passion for a certain group of people in our heart throuhgout circumstances in our lives. It’s our responsibility to discover who God has called us to impact (with Albert it’s children with Down syndrome) and make an lasting difference in their lives displaying the love of Christ to them.  Finally, remember to work towards the Lord, not towards men. The world seeks praise from their peers, friends, family members, but we must seek praise from the audience of One–God.  Albert’s legacy is growing with each passing year and when it’s all said and done, he may go down as the greatest player to ever play the game. Albert’s legacy though will be much greater–he will be remembered for his love, compassion, generosity, and impact he had on people. Loving God and loving others–that’s what Albert will be remembered by.  There’s no greater calling to pursue!

Trivia:

• From 2001 to 2005, Pujols hit 201 home runs, second all-time for the most hit in a player’s first five seasons.
• By 2009, he reached the 350-homer plateau at the age of 29—the third-youngest to do so—and surpassed Ralph Kiner’s record for most home runs in his first nine seasons.
• Albert is the second player in Major League Baseball to post nine consecutive seasons with 30 doubles, a .300 batting average, 30 home runs, and 100 runs batted in or better. The only other player in baseball history who can claim this–Lou Gehrig.
• In his first 5,000 career at bats, Pujols has amassed 372 doubles, 358 home runs, and 14 triples for a total of 744 extra-base hits, the most in NL history.
• Albert has been selected to 8 All-Star Games, has 5 Silver Slugger Awards, and won a Gold Glove in 2006.

Sources: 

http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Pujols/Pujols_bio.html

http://www.albert-pujols.net/albert-pujols-bio.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Pujols

http://www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org/faith/

   

Francis Chan

 

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”-Francis Chan

“Lukewarm living and claiming Christ’s name simultaneously is utterly disgusting to God.”-Francis Chan

Short Bio: Francis Chan today is one the most emerging pastors and authors in America.  He has written two best- selling books Crazy Love and Forgotten God. He founded the church Cornerstone Community Church and Eternity Bible College. As a 41 year- old Hong Kong native Francis has been through more tragedy in a short life than most people do in a lifetime, but God has used everything in his life to bring him where he is today. Here is his amazing story that keeps getting better.

Francis Chan was born in 1968 in Hong Kong. His mother, Moy Won Chan, died giving birth to him. His father, Paul, was very strict  and beat him for disobeying or bothering him. Francis, though, learned discipline and respect through his father despite his dysfunctional relationship with his father. At the age of 7 his father remarried and moved his family to California. Less than 2 years later, Francis’ stepmother was killed in a car accident. Then at the age of twelve as Francis began high school his father died of cancer. Shortly after, Francis moved to Stockton, California to live with his extended family. It was there he became involved in a local youth group and came to know Christ. From his experiences in youth group, he began to grow an interest in ministry.

After high school, Chan attended Master’s College just north of Los Angeles where he earned a seminary degree.  During this time, Francis worked for a variety of employers including Taco Bell, Mic Pizza, Kirby Company, Ralphs Market, Broadway Men’s Clothing, and hardwood flooring contractors.  After graduating, Chan landed a youth pastor position at the Church at Rock Peak in Chatsworth, California. It was during this time, that Francis separated his religious views from his personal life. He would later say this about this period in his life:

“Those were the worst times of my life. I learned more intellectually than any other time, but it was a sinful, hypocritical time.”

Turning Point:  Chan would leave the youth position to wait tables at a local restaurant. He was confused and disillusioned; he was “falling apart” and ready for a change. During this period, Francis met his future wife, Lisa, who sang in the worship team at a local church. Over time Chan slowly  gathered ten other families who were also disillusioned with their faith and the church. In 1993 he married Lisa and then shortly after in 1993 founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley.

Over the next ten years, Cornerstone grew to over 3,000 regular attendees who come to multiple campuses in the L.A. area. In its twelfth year, Cornerstone was the epitome of success—a vibrant, growing mega-church—and Chan was celebrated as a leader to watch.  But something to Chan didn’t feel right. He didn’t feel like a sold-out follower of Jesus. So on a spring night in 2006, Chan faced a personal crisis of whether he was the follower that Jesus demanded. Growth had become the goal of the church and everything seemed to be focused on themselves. Chan said this about that time:

“I was very self-centered, and therefore, I led a church into being self-centered.”

It was an experience a few years earlier, in 2002, that changed his life. He went on a missions trip to Uganda and for the first time saw real poverty. He witnessed daughters going through dumpsters for food and the question: What does it look like to love my neighbor as myself? ran through his mind. So he moved his family out of their 2,00 square-foot house into a house that was one half that size so he could give more to missions.  

So on that night in 2006, Francis wrestled with God’s difficult call to his personal life and announced his plans to resign as Cornerstone’s pastor. During that time he spoke at Passion conferences but he spent most of that time studying God’s Word. It was then that he began to see God as the perfect father; the father he never had.  It was then that Chan decided to trust God–allow him complete control for the first time. He talked to his wife and his executive pastor planning to leave Cornerstone and start a new church. But after an overwhelming response from the congregation to stay and give them a chance; he decided to stay.  His sermon “Lukewarm and Loving It” explaining why Christians often settle for a lukewarm faith. The sermon marked a new beginning for him and the start of a new Cornerstone.

Short Bio Part 2: Before the sermon in October 2006, Cornerstone gave only 4 percent of its budget. Chan asked them to give away 50 percent. Cuts in staff salaries and other sacrifices were made, but everyone was on board.  In 2008 the church gave away 55 percent to the poor and hungry, including a $1 million annual commitment to Children’s Hunger Fund and a contribution to World Impact. As the growth continued it was proposed that they built a larger church–a $50 million dollar church but Francis wanted nothing to do with it. Instead they decided to built an outdoor amphitheater where the community come meet during the week and a gathering place for worship on Sunday. It saved them tens of millions of dollars. If it rained, Chan would be content knowing their money was feeding the hungry.

Today Cornerstone attracts over 4,000 regular attendees. Chan’s second ministry, weekly Simi Valley sermons, rank consistently in the top 20 Christian podcasts on iTunes.  On April 18 of this year, Chan announced to the church that he was resigning once again to pursue a new adventure God is calling him to do. Francis says this about his decision:

“I’m excited about it, I’m sad about it. At moments, I’m afraid of it. It’s just a really crazy time in my life right now.”

Although he is unsure of what his next adventure will be or what God is calling him to do he feels drawn to Los Angeles, but he also feels to go somewhere where he is unknown. Yet another calling he feels led to is to do church differently, not necessarily with formal Sunday services.  He says fame, comfort, or money aren’t reasons for this decision. He believes he’s being led to greater obscurity and to lift people into the limelight.  

Impact:  Besides being the senior pastor for Cornerstone Community Church; Francis has made many more contributions being felt across the globe. Chan currently gives away 90 percent  of his income and doesn’t take a salary from the church.  Also Chan donates his book royalties, around half a million to various charities including organizations that rescue sex slaves in foreign countries. He is the founder of Eternity Bible College and is on the board of directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact. He speaks at many conferences throughout the year, including Passion Conferences. In 2008, Chan wrote his first book, Crazy Love, which calls us to live a life of authentic faith away from comfort, complacency, and the status quo. It’s sold over 300,000 copies and has made may best-seller lists. In 2009, Crazy Love, was followed by his second book, Forgotten God. The book addresses the church’s need to pursue the sprit-filled life of effectiveness that God desires.  Here are a few quotes from his books that are thought-provoking:

“It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn’t call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace.”

“The core problem isn’t the fact that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of
God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into their lives in some small way. We forget that God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He’s great and deserves to be the center of our lives.”

Lessons to Legacy: Much can be taken away from Chan’s life to this point. First, God uses tragedy and pain for his eternal purposes.  Despite his difficult childhood, everything was orchestrated to bring Chan into ministry and to impact people across the globe. Also from his life we can grasp that God is the father we ultimately need and will never disappoint us, forsake us, or leave us.  God is the father to the fatherless.  Another big lesson to be grasped is that life here on earth for Christians will not be easy and problem-free; in fact the exact opposite is most likely the case. God doesn’t call us to lead lives of comfort and complacency–instead he calls us to trust Him completely with everything we have living lives of sacrifice, surrender, and love. Finally, Chan’s life is a testament on the calling to give back to God and others. Giving just because we’re commanded to is not the correct response God wants from us; instead we should give because of God’s amazing love for us. Not out of obligation, but joy.  The future is very undefined for Francis Chan but is predominant fixture in the Christian ministry scene has just begun. Francis lives what he preaches and doesn’t settle for what the world defines as success.  He is truly a man of faith, conviction, love, and compassion that we would experience a revival in the church if we would follow his example.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chan 

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/authordetail.php?aut_id=526 

http://www.kingsway.co.uk/Groups/86968/Kingsway_co_uk/Survivor/Authors/Francis_Chan/Francis_Chan.aspx 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/discipleship/francischanscrazylove.html 

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100419/francis-chan-takes-step-of-faith-lets-go-of-megachurch/index.html 

Christianity Today October 2009 Pages 42-45, Crazy Passion   

Sara Groves

“Creativity begets creativity, compassion begets compassion. We are all called to be people of justice and mercy. It’s my job to write songs for the journey.” -Sara Groves  

Short Bio:  Today Sara Groves is considered one of the most renowned  songwriters in Christian music. She’s released nine albums,  been nominated for three Dove awards, and her latest album Fireflies and Songs was named Album of the Year by Christianity Today. Yet despite all of her success Sara is one of the most humble artists in the industry writing lyrics honest, vulnerable, and intimate that few can match. Her passion for social justice is also another reason why she is so widely admired among her peers in the Christian music industry. Sara shows us what compassion, honesty, integrity, and complete surrender to Christ really look like.

 Sara Lee Colbaugh was born on September 10, 1972 in Vineland, New Jersey and grew up in Springfield, Missouri.  Sara grew up in a Christian home as her Dad was a pastor and she had a strong relationship with her parents. She came to accept the Lord at the very young age of 4 and started playing music when she was 5 years old on a piano. Every opportunity to serve the Lord  she did growing up and she was  very dedicated to her faith in Christ.

 Sara went to Evangel University in Springfield, a private Christian University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in History and English in 1994. She spent her first four years out of college teaching at a high school in Rosemount, Minnesota. In that time period she would meet and later marry, Troy Groves who inspired her to begin to share her music to the public. Her first performance was for a fundraiser for Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. She played five songs with a band and at the end of the night a girl came up to her. She knew that this girl was involved in witchcraft and she asked for a CD to take home for her mom. It was then that Sara felt compelled to do something with her music. The following Sunday she did a CD release night for a drug rehabilitation program and she got a letter from the girl involved in Wicca and she told her that because of Sara’s music that she came to know Christ. This is one of the major reasons why Sara decided to make her first album.

Sara’s first album, Past the Wishing, was recorded in 1998. It was an independent album and was followed by Conversations in 1999 which was originally independent and later picked up by INOTOF Records.  It was her third album, All Right Here, that really jump started her career in Christian Music. She was nominated for “New Artist of the Year” in 2002 and “Special Event Album of the Year”  in 2003 by the Gospel Music Association.

Turning Point: It was shortly after the birth of her first son, Kirby, in 2001, in her late twenties that Sara went through a faith crisis. She began to feel ill-equipped to introduce Kirby to the world and what it means to be a city of a hill. She realized that she was not believing God; she actions were right but her heart wasn’t. The fruit of the Spirit wasn’t being produced in her life. She took a year off from being on tour and rediscovered her faith. She began to see what God really intended for her life and the church. She’s is what she found through her studies:

 ” The pilot light was lit. I started thinking, “I don’t want my kids to watch me be afraid. I want them to watch me be passionate and dangerous about the gospel of Jesus Christ the way that Paul was, the way different people – these great leaders – were. I want them to watch me believe. I want them to see me take God at His Word. I want my children to watch me find that grace in my own life, and not always see that striving.”

Short Bio Part 2: Shortly after she would have another son, Toby born in 2003. In 2004 she began to write on her personal experiences from the past few years. Her fourth album and fifth albums, The Other Side of Something, and Add to the Beauty,  reflected her feelings of struggling with her faith and the resolution of displaying her faith in her life.  Add to the Beauty, was named “Album of the Year,” by CCM Magazine.

In September 2005, Sara and her husband, Troy, along with a few others delivered a tour bus and trailer load of baby supplies to victims of Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, Sara was chosen to be a subject of a film titled: Sara Groves-Just Showed Up For My Own Life produced by Fearless Films, Inc. In the film, was video of Sara’s relief efforts of Katrina and a trip to Rwanda, Africa with Pastor Rick Warren.

In 2007, Sara released her seventh album, Tell Me What You Know, which landed as the #2 iTunes album in Christian Music for the year. During this time, Sara gave birth to her third child, Ruby Cate.  She also helped produce her father, Dwight Calbaugh’s first album Beautiful Story in 2007. In 2008, she released her first Christmas album, O Holy Night, which contains both Christmas standards and newly written material. Recently on November 17, 2009 Groves released her ninth album, Fireflies and Songs, which was the “runaway” #1 choice of Album of the Year by Christianity Today.

Impact: Sara is more than just a music artist; she’s also a social activist who has an incredible heart for people in need. As stated above, she and her husband helped in the relief efforts for the Hurricane Katrina  victims.  In 2005, she, Rick Warren, and members from Saddleback Church visited Rwanda. It was through her time in Rwanda that she say her need to change her attitude from charity to justice.  She then connected with Food for the Hungry and during the 2008 Art*Music*Justice concert tour she recruited about 700 people to sponsor children in Gisanga through working with Intentional Justice Mission.  Also in 2008, Sara provided a free concert at the United States Medical Center For Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.  Finally, she made an awareness of the AIDS issue in Africa and sponsored children through World Vision.  Here is her take on what is going on today with the Church:

“The second reformation will be about deeds. The Church has amputated its legs and its arms. We’ve become a mouth. That’s all we’ve got. It’s time that we reattach the hands and the feet. I think we are going to witness amazing things.”

Lessons From Her Legacy: Sara’s life is an example of someone is has used everything she’s been given for the glory of God. So the first thing we can take away from her legacy is to use our gifts, talents, and time for God and to further His kingdom. Also don’t hide who you are from other people, be transparent and let the world know to who you belong to. Another important lesson to be taken from her is to have a heart of justice, not just charity. Get involved and be a part of people’s lives in need.  Whatever cause God has put on your heart to be active in, join it! Finally, be completely honest to God with your emotions, feelings letting Him change you for His purposes and molding you to the person He wants you to become. Sara continues to inspire with her honest, soothing, raw, and pure lyrics and will sure to be a fixture in Christian music for many years to come.

Sources:

Christianity Today November 2009 Pages 34-35, Less Charity, More Justice

http://www.saragroves.com/bio/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Groves

http://music.thoughtquotient.com/sara_groves/sara_groves.htm

http://www.faithtalks.com/saragroves.htm

Becky Hammon

 

“I’m a living dream come true!” -Becky Hammon

 

“My faith is the most important relationship I have in my life. If you know my story, then everything and everyone in this world said I shouldn’t be a professional athlete. All the ‘experts’ said I’d never really amount to much in the basketball world, and where everyone else said no to me, He said yes! And He’s always made a way for me. So I’m just walking out the journey He set in place for me. Everyone is always very quick to point out my height and my quickness or lack of, but God always assures me that He’s given me enough to do what He wants me to do.” -Becky Hammon

  

Short Bio:  Becky Hammon is one of the best women’s basketball players in the world but you would never believe it if you saw her in person. At  5″6 Becky was considered by many to be too short and small to play professional basketball, but she provided with God all things are possible!  Becky has become proof that with faith, hard work, and seizing the moment God will to extraordinary things through you.

Rebecca Lynn Hammon was born on March 11, 1977 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Martin and Beverly. She was the youngest one three, with an older brother Matt and an older sister Gina. Growing up in South Dakota, she grew fond of the outdoors instead of the city life. She went camping, fishing, off-roading, and hunting went she grew older.  Her love of basketball came from her brother and father as they would play two-on-two with her brother’s friend every day after school.

Growing up in a Christian home, Becky’s faith in Jesus came very early in her life. At the age of 7, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She learned to play drums for her church and grew in her faith through high school. She went to Stevens High School in Rapid City and as a junior earned the South Dakota Miss Basketball. She high school basketball team made it to the state championship her senior year, but lost on a last second shot at the buzzer. Becky applied at many big universities out of high school in the area, but only one major university offered her a basketball scholarship–Colorado State University.

At Colorado State, she broke many school records that still stand today and was names to the WAC all-district team three times. Also she was the 1997 Colorado State Most Valuable Player and named to the Kodak All-American twice in 1997 and 1998. In her senior year, she led Colorado State to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever and finished with the most points ever for a man and woman in Colorado State’s history with 1,916 points.

Coming out of college, Becky entered the 1999 WNBA draft with high hopes but went undrafted. Soon after, the New York Liberty picked her up as a undrafted free agent. She went from a small city in the country to the biggest city in the US–New York City. The fight to make the team was hard and she was constantly knocked over and hit hard. But she keep getting back up and never quit. The coach Richie Adubato noticed her fight and decided to put her on the team, Becky had achieved her dream to play in the WNBA.

Early in her career, Becky served as a bench player only playing only 6.7 minutes a game in 1999. In 2000, her minutes shot up and so did her performance as she averaged 11 points per game. She quickly won over the fans with her hard working attitude, her kindness, and her down-to-earth personality.  By the end of the year, the New York Liberty had made the WNBA championship series and took it to the decisive 3 games thanks to a last-minute dramatic shot by Teresa Weatherspoon. Sadly, once again Becky came up short of a championship as the Houston Comets won game 3.

Over the next 5 years Becky kept getting better as a professional WNBA player and soon become a starter and a star in the WNBA. She made the All-Star twice and her jersey was one of the top selling jerseys in all of the league. She still faced many trials including tearing her ACL in 2003 and seeing her team disassemble after falling short in the playoffs in 2004. Along with her WNBA career Becky played overseas playing in Italy and Spain and in the short lived, NWBL, on the Colorado Chill.

On April 4, 2007, Becky was traded to the San Antonio Silver Stars and had to adjust to a whole new team and culture. After a slow start, Becky had a career year averaging 18.8 points a game and 5.0 assists. The Silver Stars made the playoffs for the first time and made it to the conference finals. Becky was second overall in the MVP voting.  During the off-season, Becky signed with CSKA, a Euro League team.

Turning Point: It was during the offseason of 07 in Moscow, Russia that Becky recognized that she needed to recommit to the Lord. She had fallen away from her faith and was living how she wanted to live. She was seeking change instead of just seeking the Lord. She spend a lot of time in God’s Word and it was then that she began to see what God wanted from her. She saw how alike people were in Russia to the United States and felt the need to reach out to the Russian community.  She then become a Russian citizen. As she began the 2008 WNBA season, Becky was faced with a very difficult decision. She was left off the USA women’s basketball team and not even given a chance to try out. Her dream was to play in the Olympics and she felt God calling her to join the Russian women’s team. After a lot of prayer and counsel from friends and family she decided to join the Russian team. Many immediately questioned her patriotism and she was criticized hard for her decision.  Becky never wavered, never attacked her accusers, and went through with her decision. Despite losing to the USA women’s team in the tournament, the Russian team ended up with bronze and Becky achieved her dream of getting a metal in the Olympics.  She would say this about her Olympic experience: 

“The whole experience leading up to the Olympics actually changed me as a woman for the better. It’s not always the final outcome, but the process along the way that builds integrity, perseverance, and character. I learned a lot. His way and plan had so much more impact than what I thought would be my greatest moment as an athlete, standing on the medal stand for the USA, but it wasn’t His plan. He had a much bigger purpose and plan for me than I even had for myself.”

After the Olympics, Becky returned to the Silver Stars and led them to a the WNBA championship series with 35 points scored in the decisive game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.  Unfortunately, once again Becky and her team fell short of winning the championship, getting swept in 3 games against the Detroit Shock.

Today, Becky is currently under her last year with the San Antonio Silver Stars and still is trying to achieve her ultimate goal of winning a WNBA championship. Becky is beloved in the San Antonio community and by WNBA fans around the globe. She is considered my many to be one of the top women basketball players in the world. She hasn’t decided on what to after her basketball career is over but she plans on continuing to let God use her in incredible ways!

Impact: Becky has a compassionate heart towards others and has supported many charities throughout her career.  She’s raised money for The Battered Women’s and Children’s Shelter in San Antonio and  Respite Care over the past few years through a birthday charity drive. Also she’s served in WNBA community programs that promote reading, education, and good health.  In 2006, she helped raise $60,349 on Wheel of Fortune for Hurricane Katrina victims.  Becky’s also run her own basketball clinics in her hometown area and Colorado during the early part of her career.  Here’s Becky’s  take on helping others:

 “I am passionate, and I’m that way because at my core I’m very compassionate. “If I see others suffering, it affects me; it moves me, it stirs me, it bothers me – and I’m motivated to help. If I have the ability to help, I want to help! That’s how I was raised; if someone needs help, you help them – just that simple. And I’m glad that I’m in a position to help many others. The saying is true – it’s much better to give than to receive.”

Lesson From Her Legacy: There are many things we can take away from Becky’s life. First, never let others tell you what you can or cannot do. Believe that God can do great things through you no matter what the odds. Also no matter how many times you fail or get pushed down, preserve and your hard work and dedication will pay off.  Another key lesson is to dream big! Don’t let your circumstances dictate your life and keep you from living the life you were meant to live. Becky’s life is a living testimony that He can bring our wildest dreams to life! Finally, it is better to give than receive.  It would have been easy for Becky to bask in the glory and accolades of her success, but she has shown God’s love through giving back to her fans, communities, and people in need and God has blessed her immensely because of this.  As Becky enters her 33rd year of her life, her impact and legacy continues to be felt across the globe. She’s a role model for young women, a solid example of Christ, and someone who exemplifies how God can turn the ordinary to the extraordinary!      

 Trivia: 

• Becky holds the Guinness World Record for Most Free Throws made in a minute by a woman after swishing 38 of 42 attempts in 60 seconds on Feb. 16, 2008.
• Becky learned to drive when she was 7 and got pulled over for driving by herself. The cop had let her go but had asked for her father when he saw the stack of pillows she was sitting on.
• Becky has a sandwich named after her at New York’s famous Carnegie Deli called The Hammon, Egg and Cheese.
• Becky has a group of loyal fans who call themselves “Hammonites”.

Sources:

http://www.slamonline.com/online/other-ballers/womens/2010/01/becky-hammon-a-portrait-of-integrity/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becky_Hammon

http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/silver-stars-faith-night-6-28-08-part-2/fKCCsJhBzJpMJzOd5uQ9wQ

www.beckyhammon25.com

C.S. Lewis

“If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” -C.S. Lewis

Short Bio:  C.S. Lewis today is concerned one of the greatest apologetics of his time. His fiction series The Chronicles of Narnia is his best known work having sold over 120 million copies in 41 languages. Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 28, 1898 in Belfast, Ireland. He never liked his name, so he decided to change his name to “Jacksie” and became known as “Jack” to his friends for the rest of his life. Lewis had a younger brother, Warren, who he became very close to all his life. At an early age, Jack was fascinated by books and it was from there that turned to writing. He first wrote about talking animals from a model set he and Warren created called Boxen. Lewis also drew pictures of the main characters with detailed illustrations. Little did he know that 40 years later he would once again write about talking animals in The Chronicles of Narnia.

At the age of nine, his mother became very ill of cancer and died within a few months. This left his father distant and he never recovered from losing her. This led Jack to atheism and an anger at God that lasted throughout his early life. Shortly after his mother’s death Jack has shipped off to boarding school. Despite his love of learning and knowledge Jack hated his time through his schooling experience especially his first school, Wynyard House, in which the professor was indicted to an insane asylum. Despite his struggles with school he found solace in both ideas and close friends, which became stable centers for his life.

Lewis at the age of fifteen found his intellectual mentor, W. T. Kirkpatrick, that would guide him to become the scholar he wanted to be. With his tutelage, Lewis learned foreign languages, classical literature,  and he was taught how to present his thoughts clearly. All of the hard work paid off in the end, as Lewis was accepted to Oxford University in England. But he wasn’t there for very long, as soon after World War I came. Lewis enlisted in the army and was sent to battle in France. The war was brutal and he saw many of his friends die including his best friend, Edward Moore. He was also wounded in three places with shrapnel embedded in his chest ending his time in the war.

Soon after, Lewis returned to college and excelled academically. His first publication was a book of poetry called Spirits in Bondage. He then accepted a short-term position teaching philosophy at Oxford. He flourished and in 1925, he would take the job that he’d keep for the next thirty years: a lecturer in the English department of Oxford’s Magdalen College.    

Jack had a close group of friends that eventually formed a club called the Inklings. They met usually met at the now famous Eagle and Child in Oxford and talked at literature and philosophy.  In 1930 moved to a house in Oxford called the Kilns where he would live the rest of his life in.

Turning Point: In 1931, Jack rediscovered his long lost faith in Christ. Two years earlier he became a theist but still wasn’t convinced that Jesus Christ was the son of God.  It was because of long discussions with JRR Tolkien and Hugo Dyson that he began to see the that Christianity was true.  He “admitted that God was God and perhaps he was the most reluctant and dejected convert in all of England.” He soon after joined the Church of England and upheld an Anglican theology worldview in his writings.  From that point on he committed his works and life to Christ.

Impact:  Lewis’ first book after his conversion was the Pilgrim’s Regress, which at the time was poorly received. Despite the criticism, Lewis kept writing with His Space Trilogy, a science fiction book series and then his first classic, The Abolition of Man.  He also focused on themes of Heaven and Hell with his works, The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters.  His Apologetic work, Mere Christianity is considered today as one of the greatest books written in the twentieth century.  Other Apologetics work of Lewis include The Problem of Pain and Miracles. His autobiography, Surprised by Joy , tells of his conversion to Christianity. A few other notable works that Lewis is known for are The Four Loves, God in the Dock, and The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses    

By far the Lewis’ most recognized works his is children’s fantasy novel series The Chronicles of Narnia. Written from 1949-1954 and illustrated by Pauline Baynes the series has sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages. Many consider it to be the greatest Christian allegory fiction series ever written. Although Lewis did not consider them allegory, he instead said they were a “suppositional”.  Aslan is the supposal of a Jesus Christ figure in the form of a lion and is present in all seven books. There are many Christian themes and lessons in the Chronicles including: creation of Narnia and temptation in The Magician’s Nephew, sacrifice and resurrection in The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe, the spiritual life in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and the Last Judgment in The Last Battle The series has been adopted in part in radio, television, and most notably now into movies with The Lion, The witch, and The Wardrobe in 2005 and Prince Caspian in 2008. The Voyage of The Dawn Treader is currently in production and scheduled in theaters in December 2010.

Short Bio Part 2: Much later in life Lewis corresponded and met Joy Gresham, an American writer who was also a convert from atheism to Christianity. She was divorced and had two sons, David and Doug. At first, he viewed her as a close friend and agreed to a civil marriage contract so she continue to live in the UK. Soon after, she was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer and they were formally joined in a martial covenant at her hospital bed in 1957.

 Then a miracle happened and her cancer went into a brief remission allowing them to live together for a brief 3 years before the cancer returned and took her life in 1960. Lewis was overcome with grief but carried on raising her two sons, David and Doug. Shortly after, in 1961, Lewis was diagnosed with inflammation in his kidneys which led to a series of health problems in the next year. After experiencing a heart attack in July of 1962, he was released from the hospital but resigned from Cambridge because of his poor health. Then on November 22, 1963 at the age of 64 Lewis passed away at his home on the same day as the assassination of John F Kennedy. 

Lessons From His Legacy: C.S. Lewis dealt with much pain, suffering, and death in his life but it’s because of this that He has impacted millions of lives across the globe over the course of many generations. He addressed key issues of why Christianity is the one true faith in his apologetic works and why Jesus Christ must be either a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord in Mere Christianity.  Also we can learn how to deal with the key issues we face in our lives through reading The Chronicles of Narnia: temptation, skepticism, courage, friendship, longing, faith, and pride. Another key lesson to be learned from Lewis is the different aspects of love: friendship, eros, affection, and charity and how to express them in The Four Loves. Through The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce we can learn different aspects of Heaven and Hell and the spiritual war around us. Finally, we can learn how to deal with pain and suffering and why God allows us to go through them in his works The Problem of Pain and A Grief Observed. As time passes by C. S. Lewis’ legacy continues to grow and his contributions are more and more recognized.  His invitation remains– to go further up and further in!

Sources:

The Chronicles of Narnia: Beyond the Wardrobe The Official Guide to Narnia. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2005.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis

C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity. Macmillan Publishers, 1952