During this morning's message, we ran this video clip.  Not the most profound, but fun.  Check it out!

What is your testimony? 

How would you define the difference Jesus has made in your life? 

Peggy D sent me the link to this video clip.  I am not able to embed it into our site, so you will need to follow the link to view the clip.  It will be well worth your time to check it out and ponder the change Jesus has made in you. 

Interesting thing about this clip:  As the people share who they were 'before' Christ, check out their faces.  Then take note of the change to their countenance as they reflect what Jesus has done in their lives.  The before and after effect is really cool!

Turn up the volume and enjoy!

http://www.rhchurch.org/pages/cardboard-testimonies/

Baptist Press posted this article on the Arizona Cardinals.  Thought some of you football fans might like to check it out. 

Anquan Boldin, Kurt Warner stir Cardinals' faith

By JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor

Published January 29, 2009

 

TAMPA, Fla. (FBW)--Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has had a bittersweet year: a Super Bowl berth and a painfully broken face, causing him to miss two games.

For Boldin, however, there has been one constant: His faith and testimony in Jesus Christ.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, speaking to reporters on media day prior to the Super Bowl, noted, "No matter what goes on in my life -- surgeries, injuries, hard times or whatever, I'm a man of faith and I believe that's one of the reasons I'm here today."

When Boldin was injured against the New York Giants on a vicious hit this year, his wife called the Cardinals team chaplain for prayer while he was still on the way to the hospital.

Well before he could get back on the field to help his team move toward their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, Boldin was back at the team's regular Wednesday chapel.

When he showed up just three days after surgery, it was nothing unusual for Boldin.

"That's just who I am; that's just my faith," he told Baptist Press. "No matter what goes on in my life -- surgeries, injuries, hard times or whatever, I'm a man of faith and I believe that's one of the reasons I'm here today."

Boldin said his faith is "what keeps me grounded; it's what keeps me focused. Through life you are going to go through some ups and downs, you are going to go through some hardships, but me being grounded in my faith I think truly is the reason that I'm here."

Boldin was one of numerous Cardinals players on the field at Raymond James Stadium for the Jan. 27 media day who voiced their faith in Jesus Christ to an array of reporters who have descended on Tampa, Fla., for this Sunday's Super Bowl pitting the Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive end Bertrand Berry, in his fifth year with the Cardinals -- longer than many players on the team -- said finally playing in football's biggest game isn't equal to what ultimately is important in his life.

"A lot of athletes live their life any way they can, regardless of what it shows," Berry said. "I think when you see a teammate like Kurt Warner sharing, it's a testament to the faith both he and I have.

"I think Kurt is a Hall of Fame person along with a Hall of Fame quarterback," Berry said.

As usual, Warner took the media stage Tuesday to share his faith in Jesus Christ to anyone who would ask and listen.

"I never want to force what I believe or any of those issues on anybody else. I'm always there," Warner said in response to one reporter's question about how he is open about his Christian faith. "I'm willing to share and talk to them about any questions and issues they may have."

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner listens to a reporter's question during the media day preceding this Sunday's Super Bowl in Tampa.

The number 13 on his jersey, Warner told reporters, was his second choice in college, but he kept it after entering the NFL because it is a sign of his faith.

"A lot of people think 13 is an unlucky number, a lot of superstitions and negative things come with the number 13. The one thing I know in my life is that my life is never dictated by superstitions and it's never dictated by unlucky numbers," Warner said.

"My faith is always first and foremost, and God supersedes everything. And so a number that a lot of people wouldn't choose, that they wouldn't put in a hotel or whatever it is, I kind of embrace it to say, 'Hey, my belief is in something a lot greater than numbers and superstitions; it is in God.'"

Defensive end Antonio Smith, like Berry, draws inspiration from watching Warner mix faith and football in a non-threatening manner.

"Kurt is a shining beacon to what all Christian witness should be like," Smith said. "Be like Christ in all that you do."

Wide receiver Jerheme Urban told reporters the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers isn't going to change the way he lives his life.

"My faith stays the same. Maybe we have a chance to share with a few more people in a different stage if we win, but my faith stays the same."

Cornerback Michael Adams, who is in his second NFL season, said he watched last year's Super Bowl as little-known New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree emerged as the game's unlikely hero, then used the spotlight to share his faith in Christ.

"When God gives me the chance," Adams said, "I want to share with the world. I know I have to give glory; that's what Kurt [Warner] does and what David did."

With additional reporting by Art Stricklin. Art Sticklin is a Dallas-based sports correspondent for Baptist Press.

Carole C sent me this link of her son flying in the Pacific.  I copied the article and thought those of you who know Scott might enjoy reading it.  The following is  from the Kadena Air Base news.

Raptors begin training with 18th Wing Lt. Col. Scott Croxton, 27th Fighter Squadron pilot, straps on his helmet prior to a local F-22A Raptor mission on Jan. 15 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-22's are deployed from the 27th Fighter Squadron Langley Air Force Base, Va. in support of U.S. Pacific Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway) Download HiRes Story Tools  Printable story  E-mail story by Tech Sgt. Rey Ramon 18th Wing Public Affairs 1/15/2009 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- F-22 Raptors took to the skies here Jan. 14 as the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron began flight operations with the 18th Wing. The Raptors will spend the next several months conducting air combat training alongside Kadena's F-15s and will work to integrate with all of the aircraft assigned to the 18th Wing as well as other U.S. military services.  The Raptors are operating out of Kadena as part of a routine PACOM theater security package deployment to the Pacific region.  "The F-22 Raptors are here to demonstrate our commitment to Japan and to the Pacific region with our unique capabilities," said Lt. Col. Lance Pilch, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. "With the best team of operators and maintainers in the world, we are trained to meet any challenge."  The F-22 provides asymmetric advantages over other aircraft through a combination of stealth, precision, super cruise, and maneuverability. This air superiority fighter also has integrated avionics that give it a level of situational awareness never before seen in a fighter aircraft, said Colonel Pilch.  This advanced technology benefits the pilot, other aircraft operators and warfighters on the ground.  "During our training [at Kadena], the Raptor will demonstrate its capabilities and pass that situational awareness to other fighters," said the colonel. "We can all learn from each other, combine our strengths and become a more effective joint fighting force."  The F-15C Eagle and F-22 Raptor perform similar roles and employ the same type of weapons. However, the Raptor is able to use its stealth capability to penetrate enemy airspace and clear it for follow-on aircraft. According to Capt. Randy St. John, an F-22 pilot with the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the Raptor can "kick down the door, sweep out all enemy aircraft and get out without being detected by the enemy."  Capt. St. John said the Raptor deployment to Kadena demonstrates the United States commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.  "It's an important region both for the U.S. and all of its allies - and we like to maintain a presence in the area," said Captain St. John.