Basketball Was My God Until I Came To My Senses!
Do you have more than one God? I realized that basketball was my god for too many years!
Do You Have Any Idols In Your Life? Click Here!
Please contact us if you have questions or if you need some encouragement.
Yes, basketball was my god from 4th grade until I was in my forties. We can learn from one another, but we should not put anyone on a pedestal except for God. For example, do you believe that Michael Jordan never lost a basketball game he played in? OF COURSE NOT! He failed many times. He is human, and there is only one true God, unlike the media portrays celebrities like Michael Jordan and others!
Remember That YOUR VICTORY Sometimes Comes In Small Steps. But Those Steps Need To Be Following Jesus Christ Not Worldly Idols. Never Forget That Prayer Helps More Than You Can Imagine!
Here are some inspirational words I like to fall back on, “Keep Calm ~ Trust In God.” There is help for whatever you are struggling with. ~ Bill Greguska
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
Basketball Was My God ~ But Now It Is Just A Great Game!
Ten Ways To Discover Additional Encouragement For Yourself:
- Encouragement for Relationships
- Encouragement to End an Addiction
- Encouragement for Your Faith
- Encouragement from Many Topics
- Encouragement to Pray Daily
- Encouragement from our Ideas List
- Encouragement via Chatting
- Encouragement from our Sitemap
- Encouragement from a Free Bible
- Encouragement from My Book
Find out what God’s Word says about your situation and what to do about it ~ Click here.
Hansel Enmanuel Won’t Take NO For An Answer!
Hansel Enmanuel, Despite having only one arm, plays better basketball than I ever did with two arms! ~ Bill Greguska
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
How Can Life Be Like A Basketball Game?
I have found many things to compare to basketball. I have learned a lot from basketball, which has taught me about life, too!
Suppose for a minute that you are in a basketball game. You are down by 20 points, and it’s the fourth quarter with less than 3 minutes remaining in the game. What do you do? The one thing you should never do is give up hope or get anxious! (Philippians 4:6) There is hope no matter the odds against you, how inadequate you feel, or how many times you failed in the past. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Instead, ask God for the wisdom you need to act wisely. (James 1:5) Ask for His help to work things out, no matter the outcome of the “game” — your life — may be.
Sometimes, we will fail, but He will forgive us if we confess our sins and mistakes. (1 John 1:9) God is a gentleman who gives us free will, but we cannot choose the consequences of our sins if Jesus is not our Lord and Savior. The final horn has not sounded — life is not over — and time remains in this game of life, but don’t wait any longer. (Luke 15:21-24)The clock is ticking. Get off the bench and get on the winning team, with Jesus as your Head Coach and General Manager in charge of your life! (Romans 10:9)
If you have questions or want to talk to someone about what it means to follow Jesus Christ, go to seeklife.net.
Call 1-800-633-3446 or Chat.
Mickey Crowe’s Drug & Alcohol Abuse Was Similar To Mine!
Pete Maravich’s Basketball Career Had Some Similarities To My Life In A Much Grander Way Via LSU And The NBA. Thank God, Pete Maravich And I Both Found The Lord After Some Trials In Life. ~ Bill Greguska
What Happened To Basketball School Star Mickey Crowe!
Extremely Serious About Basketball!
Give it your best shot; don’t quit, no matter the odds! (this photo was photoshopped; I never played for the Lakers)
I played basketball for at least 4 to 8 hours daily during the summertime, and I just loved the game because I was naturally blessed and good at it. I was always the tallest in my classes; it was naturally fun! Basketball was my god, and I was very serious and set many goals to achieve. When I get involved in something, I jump with both feet.
This page is long, so I’d like you to read through it if you have the time now or later. I have enjoyed playing and watching basketball since 1969 I was nine years old, and I still love the game as a fan! Once basketball is in your blood, it is hard to get it out. ~ Bill Greguska
What Does God Say About Love And Idols?
- Does the Bible say a lot about love?
- Is tough love mentioned in the Bible?
- Love your neighbor as you love yourself. How can I do this?
- To “Love Jesus,” What does that mean?
- What does it mean that God is love?
Here Are Some Helpful Personal Links:
- About Bill Greguska
- About Diana Greguska
- How can I be a stronger Christian?
- How should a Christian view sports/athletics?
- What does the Bible say about competition?
Some Of The Greatest NBA Basketball Players Of All Time!
Basketball Was My God!
(This is from The Book I wrote)
Lord, thank you for instilling my ability and passion for basketball when I was young. Basketball helped me learn to strive for my goals and not let roadblocks and problems discourage me. It gave me a passion for doing my best with what you have blessed me. I was taller than the other kids, and my mom used basketball as leverage to get passing grades and behave in school. Her plan worked from fifth grade through my sophomore year in high school.
Lord, I practiced and played basketball for two to five hours a day and became very competitive. Looking back, I think I overdid it. Playing basketball was a huge part of my life until middle age. After age 45, I stopped competing and watched basketball on TV or went to Milwaukee Bucks games. I tried to make a comeback at about age 55 and again at age 64, but my hand eye coordination was no longer there, and it very sad not to be able to play like I remember, so I then came to grips with the fact that I no longer had what it took to play anymore. I realized that in my 40’s basketball had become my god, I was motivated to get things into perspective. Thank you for helping me do so when I surrendered my will to you, Lord. I pray I can point others to you so they can get to know you as I have.
Playing basketball for Pius XI High School was a blessing.
But when my best friend Steve died my sophomore year, it was hard for me to cope with the loss, and basketball did nothing to help. I was lost. I quickly got heavily involved with marijuana and other drugs and alcohol, and my life became a roller coaster. It wasn’t until I got the drug and alcohol problem taken care of that I realized that you, Lord, are my one and only God. Now, basketball is just an interest I can choose to enjoy appropriately. I sometimes wonder if there is something in my life I am paying too much attention to as if it were a god to me — work, school, money, sports, alcohol, drugs, food, or something else. I am glad that I have learned that you are a God of second chances!
Joshua 24:15 ~ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
I tell kids to pursue their basketball dreams, but I tell them to not let that be their only dream. ~ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, second highest-scoring NBA player by total career regular-season points scored (38,387).
Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:
John 14:15 ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
John 3:16 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 13:35 ESV
By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
James 4:3 ESV
You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions.
James 1:5 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Matthew 7:7 ESV
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Find Hope And Encouragement From Our Links!
- If you just started believing in God, we have a page specifically for you.
- If you are dealing with anger, stress, or depression, we have information to help you.
- We have phone helplines, website links, and YouTube videos.
- Learn more about us, our goals, and our purpose.
- If you have a drug/alcohol problem or want to get right with God, you are at the right place!
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