My Love For Basketball!

My love for basketball. NeedEncouragement.com

When my love for basketball overran my trust in God’s guidance, I needed to reevaluate my priorities!

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My love for basketball was something that my mom encouraged me to pursue. I struggled in school, but my mom used basketball as a carrot to keep me in line. I thank God that I have learned that when life gets complicated, and you see no way out from the mess we make for ourselves, we need to call on God. He is our refuge and strength because He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. A daily walk with God before messing up our lives is the wise way to do it. My love for basketball helped me overcome some tough times I got myself into. God allows difficulties to happen in each one of our lives, like He allowed my teens and early twenties to be chaotic, but He made it into a message for others like you. Hopefully, I can avoid the same pitfalls of sin that I fell into.

Psalm 40:4  Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

 

 

 

My Love For Basketball Included Kareem’s, Sky Hooks! 

What Are Your Priorities In Life?

My passion for basketball taught me discipline and perseverance, qualities that strengthened my faith and helped me overcome life’s obstacles. Although God loves us and will never leave us if we follow him, I realized I made horrible mistakes growing up. I put alcohol, drugs, other harmful things, and even good things in my life ahead of belief in and core love for God.  I found meaning in life, mostly from my passion for basketball, until I was almost 30. When I realized I was treating basketball as an idol or minor god, I reevaluated and put it in its proper perspective. I learned not to attempt to handle what the devil and the storms of life deal out because I am not strong enough without God’s help! Trusting in God’s strength is what truly sustains us through life’s challenges. 

Remember what it says in Romans 8:28: we know that God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Find your strength in God, not in yourself.  If you rely on yourself, you are bound to fall flat on your face, but if you trust in the Lord, the Lord will pick you right back up, even if you fall. He will never leave you or forsake you! I have made mistakes and done some things well. ~ Bill Greguska

 

I Have Loved Basketball As Far Back As I Can Rememember

Here Are My Top 55 NBA Players, Active And Retired

The Best And My Favorite Players

Plus 96 Short YouTube Videos Of The NBA With Music

Bill Greguska

 

 

 

 

An Example Of My Love For Basketball!

My Love For Basketball Began In 4th Grade!

My excitment for basketball grew and grew, I always dreamed of playing in the NBA. NeedEncouragement.com

Find out what God’s Word says about your situation and what to do about it ~ Click here.

 

This Shot Is Way Longer Than A 3-Point Shot!

 

 

My Testimony In Jesus Christ

My Mom Was My Biggest Encourager Most All My Life! NeedEncouragement.com

My mom and I are at the Serbhall for a fish fry!

I first heard of Jesus Christ when I was a young boy, about seven years old. My parents took me to church every weekend and even enrolled me in a church school to learn, which helped me develop some of my faith fundamentals. My faith in God was deeply frustrating: I knew what was correct and acceptable, but it was hard to live it out.
Then, while growing up, the Lord allowed me multiple difficulties, such as drug and alcohol problems, homelessness, and problems with the law, to ultimately understand how deep a need I had for God through these challenging times I got myself into.

My Mom Used Basketball As A Carrot To Keep Me On Track!

There was a period in my life when I got very serious about my faith because God orchestrated that I would end up in long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation for two years, where I got the needed help.  
I got out of treatment in 1989, and shortly after, I found Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, which caught my eye because of its open basketball program. I had a genuine love for basketball. Basketball was the “carrot” that got me back in church again! Elmbrook took me in and helped me grow as a Christian under the teaching of Stuart Briscoe and the rest of the staff.  

My Son Chris’s Heritage Basketball Team Game Plan!

My Love For Basketball! NeedEncouragement.com

Like Father, Like Son!

In 2002, I was privileged to coach my son’s basketball team at Heritage School (me on the far right; Chris is fifth in the front row).
Both Chris and I loved basketball very much. He became an outstanding player, and Chris had years of fun playing basketball, as I did.
Just around that time, I took Chris to the NBA Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., just the two of us. We had such a wonderful time visiting the Hall of Fame and watching a Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers game. We also saw a Globetrotters game while we were out there. What a great time and great memories!

 

Harlem Globetrotters Were Always Fun For Me To Watch!

My Dad’s 8th Grade Basketball Team, 1931

My Love For Basketball My Dad Had Too! NeedEncouragement.com

My Dad Was 49 Years Old When I Was Born!

I can remember my dad and me shooting hoops in the backyard. He had an old-school shooting method—not the typical jump shot, but an underhand one.
From left to right, my Dad was the second boy standing beside the coach.
I was blessed to have two parents who loved me and attended every one of my basketball games. I wish I could have seen my dad play. That would have been very interesting. ~ Bill Greguska

NBA Signature Moves!

Elmbrook Church Healed Me In Many Ways!

I got a job at Elmbrook church as a custodian for almost five years after I got out of long-term alcohol and drug treatment. The seeds of faith were planted. My roots were deepening into what I had learned in God’s word over the years. I also attended both NA and AA for about ten years during that time. NA and AA helped me to some degree, but Elmbrook helped me more because it was there that the seeds of faith were planted, and my roots were becoming more established through what I was learning in God’s word over the years.
My love for basketball has endured for well over 50 years!  I attended AA and NA for almost ten years, yet even though they helped me, I found Elmbrook Church through its open basketball program. Basketball got me into the church again in 1989, shortly after I got out of long-term treatment. The church took me in and helped me grow as a Christian under Stuart Briscoe and the rest of the staff.
My born-again faith on June 25, 1986, when God finally took away my addiction to drugs and alcohol, gave me a new opportunity to live my life for Jesus Christ.

 

Basketball was always my dream!

Basketball was my God! NeedEncouragement.com

 Do You Have Any Idols In Your Life? Click Here!  

Yes, basketball was my god from 4th grade until 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 Michael Jordan never lost a basketball game? 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 follow Jesus Christ, not our worldly idols. Never forget that prayer helps more than you could ever 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 humanity, the man Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hansel Enmanuel Won’t Take No for an Answer!

 

Hansel Enmanuel, despite having only one arm, plays better basketball than I ever could with both of my arms at my best! ~ 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?

Bill High School basketball At Pius XI NeedEncouragement.com

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. 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)

~ Bill Greguska

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, Through LSU And The NBA. Thank God, Pete Maravich, and I Both Found The Lord After Some Trials In Life. ~ Bill Greguska

 

Here Are Some Helpful Personal Links:

 

 

What Happened To Basketball School Star Mickey Crowe?

Extremely Serious About Basketball!

Bill Greguska vs Alan Iverson Basketball NeedEncouragement.com

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 4 to 8 hours a day in the summer, 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, setting many goals to achieve. When I get involved in something, I jump with both feet.

Isaiah 42:17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.

This page is long, so I’d like you to read through it now or later, if you have time. I have enjoyed playing and watching basketball since 1969, when 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?Peace and quiet! NeedEncouragement.com

 

 

 

 

 

Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:

2 Timothy 2:5 ESV

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Proverbs 16:3 ESV 

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:13 ESV 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

 

 

My Top 55 Favorite And Greatest NBA All-Star Players, Past And Present!

In Alphabetical Order ~ Do You Agree?

  1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  3. Nate Archibald
  4. Nate Archibald
  5. Charles Barkley
  6. Rick Barry
  7. Elgin Baylor
  8. Dave Bing
  9. Larry Bird
  10. Wilt Chamberlain
  11. Dave Cowens
  12. Billy Cunningham
  13. Stephen Curry
  14. Adrian Dantley
  15. Luka Dončić
  16. Clyde Drexler
  17. Kevin Durant
  18. Julius Erving
  19. Patrick Ewing
  20. Walt Frazier
  21. George Gervin
  22. John Havlicek
  23. Connie Hawkins
  24. Elvin Hayes
  25. Allen Iverson
  26. Magic Johnson
  27. Nikola Jokić
  28. Michael Jordan
  29. Karl Malone
  30. Moses Malone
  31. Pete Maravich
  32. Pete Maravich
  33. Bob McAdoo
  34. Kevin McHale
  35. Earl Monroe
  36. Earl Monroe
  37. Hakeem Olajuwon
  38. Hakeem Olajuwon
  39. Shaquille O’Neal
  40. Robert Parish
  41. Scottie Pippen
  42. Willis Reed
  43. Oscar Robertson
  44. David Robinson
  45. Dennis Rodman
  46. Bill Russell
  47. Bill Sharman
  48. John Stockton
  49. Isiah Thomas
  50. Nate Thurmond
  51. Wes Unseld
  52. Bill Walton
  53. Victor Wembanyama
  54. Jerry West
  55. James Worthy

 

 

 

 

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