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Ciara Responds to Boyfriend Russell Wilson's Jaw-Dropping Celibacy Announcement
Russell Wilson and girlfriend Ciara at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. (Reuters)
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There's "absolutely" no sex happening before marriage for pop sensation Ciara and boyfriend Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson.
"It's until the deal is sealed," she told a reporter.
The two have been in the spotlight recently after Wilson told pastor Miles McPherson God asked the two to wait until marriage. Both admit it's been a struggle to remain hands off.
"I think both of us look at each other and we're like—whew!" Ciara says. "But we take it one day at a time and keep it going with each other, and I'm really enjoying every day that we're sharing."
Though their choice has been criticized by some, McPherson has vocalized his support for abstinence.
"There are some in the media (who) claim waiting until marriage to have sex is 'stupid'. I bet you that this would not be a 'stupid' idea if he were dating their daughter. The thought is: The prettier the girl, the more unrealistic it is to wait. It's as though there is no other option," McPherson says. "... To all of you questioning why there is a hole in your heart after all of the sex you've had—it won't go away by having more sex."
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WATCH: Christian QB Russell Wilson Drops Private Bombshell During Church
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Sex before marriage leads to heartache that only God can heal, says Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson.
And that's why he spoke up when he started dating pop star Ciara.
"God said, 'I want you and need you to lead her,'" Wilson says God told him when they started dating.
Watch the video to see what that means.
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The New England Patriots' Malcolm Butler intercepts a pass meant for Seattle Seahawks' Ricardo Lockette. (Reuters/USA Today)
When the Seattle Seahawks made their "miraculous" comeback against the Green Bay Packers, it looked like God was with Russell Wilson, the openly Christian quarterback of the Seahawks who was in tears of praise after the game.
Two weeks later, in the aftermath of their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss (and the infamous "worst play call in Super Bowl history"), it looked like God was with the New England Patriots rather than the Seahawks—or is talk like this complete folly?
Here are four points for consideration:
1) Our God completely transcends football, but He is at work in the big things and the little things worldwide.
It is absolutely ludicrous to think that Almighty God has any interest in the score of a football game any more than He cares about who wins when I play cards with my 92-year-old mom or play basketball with my 11-year-old grandsons. I'm quite sure that the courts of heaven did not shut down Sunday night to watch the game.
At the same time, if God knows the number of hairs on our head and not a bird falls to the ground without His knowledge (or involvement; see Matt. 10:29-30), it's silly to think that He has no involvement in an event of this magnitude watched by countless millions worldwide.
I don't mean that His concern is in the final score. I mean that He might have a million different purposes at work in and around the game. Why not?
Perhaps He wants to raise up one and put another one down. Perhaps He has other lessons to teach. Perhaps He will use the events surrounding the Super Bowl to lead people to Himself in His own inscrutable ways.
Why not? Let God be God.
2) The idea that God is orchestrating the outcome of sports games points to the idolatry of sports and entertainment in our culture.
Again, let God be God, and if He chooses to give someone success who honors Him and who will make His name known, so be it.
This seems to be what happened with David Tyree, the New York Giants receiver who made the "miraculous" helmet catch against the Patriots in Super Bowl 42 and who has used his fame to spread the gospel, to give one example of many.
And if the Lord has some sovereign purpose in arranging the score of a game, who are we, puny mortals that we are, to argue with Him?
On the other hand, how much money is bet on sports every week?
How many hours are spent with sports and consumed on sports?
How many churches adjust their schedules so as not to conflict with the Super Bowl or other major sports events?
And for all the sports fans reading this, what grips your heart more, a burden for the lost or your interest in sports?
What plays on your emotions more? What dominates your thought life more? What occupies your conversations more?
Is your joy in sudden victory or your agony in sudden defeat greater than your joy in Jesus and your pain for the world?
Sports can be invigorating to play and fun to watch, and there's much that can be learned from it in terms of character and discipline and teamwork and the like. But it is plainly an idol in our culture today.
That's why I tweeted out after the game, "For Christian Seahawks fans: God is just as wonderful when you suffer an agonizing defeat as He is when you make a 'miraculous' comeback."
On another note, since the game was the most watched TV show in American history, how did the Lord feel about Katy Perry singing "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" for all those millions of viewers, including lots of children?
3) Our theology of sports reflects our superficial theology of "divine blessing = winning."
I embrace and affirm the many promises to the godly in the Scriptures, including the promise that for those who focus day and night on God's Word, whatever we do will be blessed (see Ps. 1:1-3; John 15:7). And I believe that when the Lord is with us and we are doing His will, His blessing will be evident.
At the same time, I recognize that obedience to Him often costs us dearly in this world, that His blessing doesn't always amount to winning, that many times we grow far more through adversity than through success, and that He often takes us down paths that we would never choose for ourselves.
Implicit in much of our shallow thinking is that, since God is with Tim Tebow (or Russell Wilson or Kurt Warner), his team should win.
Of course, godly living has benefits, and the Lord often smiles on us in tangible ways as a sign of His favor.
But following Jesus does not always mean winning and success, and at times, it is quite the opposite (see, for example, 1 Cor. 4:9-13).
If we are loyal to the Lord, we will be richly blessed, but that doesn't mean we will always "win" in this world.
4) Let's keep things in perspective.
From God's point of view, I do not believe that the big event of last week was the Super Bowl, even though it was a fun family event at my house and at the houses of many.
I believe the beheading of the Japanese journalist by ISIS terrorists was a bigger event.
I believe the murder of thousands of babies in the womb last week was a bigger event, not to mention the death of countless starving infants worldwide or the ongoing suffering of the destitute and poor.
I believe the salvation of lost sinners was a bigger event.
I believe the praise and worship of God's people was a bigger event.
And I believe we would do well to ask our Father for the perspective of heaven and for a heart in tune with eternity, lest we get caught up with the idolatry of this age.
As our lives are filled with the love of God and the presence of the Spirit, everything else will fall into its proper place.
PROPHECY WITNESSED BY 100 MILLION VIEWERS…but perceived by those with “eyes to see and ears to hear.” The picture for this post shows a hoped for hanging of Number #12 Tom Brady. (See PROPHETIC INSIGHT #10 for the lesson.)
Prophet Kim Clement said this game would be prophetic- and it was! He predicted that the unknown would become well known and the Superstars need to let the Day of the Saints begin. (Malcolm Butler makes this prophecy interesting.)
MY TOP #11 PICKS FOR PROPHETIC INSIGHTS
The Patriots’ win was not a prophetic story about the team franchise…though the symbolism of America’s true Patriots winning is a clear message! From a prophetic perspective Christians should not miss the point. God does not like New England more than the North West. Christians were playing on both teams, and believers live on both coasts.
HOWEVER: The game is a HUGE platform for insight into where America is and where it is going. It is a PROPHETIC STATEMENT for all of us who have EARS TO HEAR. Even those who don’t like football… (or half-time shows where Joel Osteen isn’t invited to sing).
PROPHETIC INISIGHT #1 THE COMMERCIALS REVEALED THREE THINGS! 1. GOD IS TURNING THE HEARTS OF FATHERS TO THEIR SONS AND FAMILY IS A BIG DEAL TO GOD! 2. HUMOR IS THE MOST POWERFUL FORM OF MARKETING. (Stop being grumpy when you preach.) 3. CARS, CARS, AND SOME TRUCKS! All are prophetic symbols of ministry vehicles. GET READY FOR GOD TO GIVE YOU A NEW VEHICLE FOR YOUR MESSAGE!
IMPORTANT…. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson became a Christian when Jesus visited him in a dream when he was a teen.
He is already a very blessed man. Yesterday he was looking for his second Super Bowl win in only his third NFL season.
Got to love this 26 year old guy. His Twitter tagline: “Too blessed to be stressed” along with the Bible verse John 3:30: “He must become greater; I must become less.”
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #2 SOME CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE LESS SO OTHER CHRISTIANS CAN BE MORE. The competition in ministry is killing the platform for new champions and ideas to emerge.
He was a super star and draft pick while attending University of Wisconsin-Madison but friends say: “He didn’t handle HIS CELEBRITY like a college kid,” said former Wisconsin teammate Aaron Henry. “Once he started having a little bit of success you found out if God was real or not for him. Girls coming at him at 100 mph. I was with him one night and I watched him pushing girls away. Any other person would’ve taken that and ran with it.”
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #3 YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE TEMPTATION THAT COMES WITH SUCCESS.
Quarterback Wilson wears the number #3. This is the number for the trinity. Wilson is blessed, but the Trinity is throwing the ball to a ROOKIE!
Enter…The ROOKIE No. #29 Malcolm Butler!
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #4 THE “BUTLER” IS IN THE STORY OF ALL THE “JOSEPHS” GOD IS RELEASING FROM THEIR PRISON. You’ve been a prisoner – not of circumstance, but prisoner of a prophetic process of preparation.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #5 MALCOM BUTLER had a VISION the night before the game. God showed him he would make a BIG play. THE BUTLER IN JOSEPH’S STORY HAD A DREAM WITH #3 BRANCHES WHICH MEANT IN #3 DAYS HE GOT RESTORED! The number 3 is connected to the dream of the “Butler”!
Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler.” (Genesis 40:12-13 NKJV)
THIS is the story of all of us who have had reversals but get A SECOND CHANCE!
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #6 A YEAR TO OVERCOME THE CURSE THAT KEEPS ROBBING YOU! Malcom had to OVERCOME a HUGE REVERSAL when he thought he tackled No. #15 Jermaine Kearse (pronounced curse) but in a crazy moment in Super Bowl history the ball bounced off of Kearse’s stomach and he kept possession! The reversal was bad. The dreaded Kearse (curse) could not be stopped even when it looked like breakthrough.
BUT As the Seahawks went to score and END the game, ROOKIE Malcom Butler intercepted the throw! The game was REVERSED again and over! (And, I don’t think Kearse is a “curse”. He made a great play…just surprised when my secretary told me his name and pronunciation.)
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #7 —– 2015 is a year of REVERSALS REVERSED!—- Malcom Butler WAS NOT CHOSEN BY MEN! There were 35 cornerbacks drafted by NFL teams in 2014….AND MALCOM WAS NOT ONE OF THEM!
He had to sign with the Patriots as a free agent! He was one of many undrafted rookies who reported for training camp, the chances of sticking with the team somewhere between slim and none.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #8 THIS IS A YEAR WHEN THOSE NOT CHOSEN BY PRO’S WILL MAKE WINNING PLAYS! GOD IS GIVING YOU A SERIES OF “WOW” MOMENTS TO GET NOTICED.
How did he get into the BIG GAME? He had a lot of ‘wow’ moments that kept building, they said. This is a guy that wasn’t drafted, but I believe wholeheartedly that HE THOUGHT HE BELONGED HERE.
BUTLER had a dream before the game. Instead of a big play he had a big setback. THEN….the BIG PLAY.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #9 DAVID HAD HIS BIGGEST REVERSAL AT ZIGLAG ONE DAY BEFORE HIS BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH TO THE THRONE! Overcomers must not quit. At his worst moment…David “encouraged himself in the Lord!” And WON back all he lost!
For years people will debate the wisdom of the Seahawks decision to throw the ball rather than hand it to the man who led the team as an unstoppable force running with the ball.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #10 A Seahawks Fan said to me: The only prophetic thing I get out of this is “Don’t do STUPID things to sabotage your victory when you’re THAT close. DON’T do it ….”
PROPHETIC INSIGHT #11 TOM BRADY, Playing NO.12 was beset by slander and allegations of winning by cheating, this was a game where no curse could stop #12…the government of God in the earth. It represents apostolic vision. The kingdom of God will overcome all curses of the enemy and keep advancing to victory and vindication.
AMERICA SHALL BE SAVED!
Some would say I am reading into things. Maybe so, but if God can speak through a donkey…
When God calls He rarely considers our plans. Where He leads often makes no sense to us. When I want to stay, He says, "Go!" When I want to go, He says, "Stay!"
The worst place on earth turns out to be the perfect place to advance His Kingdom. And He never asks me what time it is when He says, "Go!"
Tomato Salvation
A husband and wife shared how they wanted to leave their small town in Texas. Darkness oppressed them. God said, "Stay and plant a church!"
A woman, the town drunk, kept interrupting the services. She stomped her feet and gave mean looks. One day, the pastor, while preaching, happened to mention how he loved tomatoes. The intoxicated woman with a loud voice spoke up: "Tomatoes? I grow tomatoes in my back yard. I will bring you some!"
The next service she brought the tomatoes. During the sermon she came under conviction and gave her life to the Lord. Instant deliverance! The whole town shook from the power of her testimony. Her drinking friends still ask her, "How long is this going to last?" She tells them, "Til Jesus comes and for all eternity. I am done with alcohol. I have no taste for it!"
When God calls us to a certain place, it usually isn't for our sake but for someone else's.
(Photo via Stock.xchange by Henrik Pelsen)
God's Most Wanted List
When God calls, it's time to tear up our list of people who we think are too far gone in sin and evil. Surprisingly, we find them on "God's Most Wanted List," where we used to be.
If God saved you and me, He can save anybody. I believe when we see God face-to-face, we will realize we could have loved more and judged less.
Years ago, my mother called and said, "Bill, your half-brother, Clifford, got saved!" I said, "You mean Clifford?" Unbelief struck me. Clifford lived in bars and had so many women in his life. I am ashamed to say it, but I gave up on Clifford years ago. And I couldn't believe the Lord saved him without me praying.
The cross hairs of Heaven are on many we have given up hope for and written off.
In Jesus' name, great strongholds, chains, and bondages will be broken this year over both the lost and God's people who are captive and have become trophies in the enemy's camp!
God gives up on no one.
He is pulling the trigger on unconditional love, exploding in the darkest hearts, impacting whole nations. Those who have nothing going for them will rise up out of obscurity as the Lord gets all the glory. The odds stacked against them will fall like dominoes.
Why Not You?
The world watched in unbelief as the Seattle Seahawks obliterated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. The shortest quarterback to win a Super Bowl game was Seahawks' Russell Wilson at 5' 11''.
His height, from the start, was a handicap to play football. Russell said, "I remember my dad asking me one time – and it's something that has always stuck with me: 'Why not you, Russ? Why not you?"
Russell repeated those words to his team. "Why not us? Why not us to win the Super Bowl?"
God is calling many this hour who have the odds stacked high against them. But can you hear your Father's voice say, "Why not YOU? Why NOT you?"
Don't think, "Why me, Lord?" Shout, "Why not me? Here am I, Lord, send me!"
His voice shook me today. "Follow Me!" I heard those words thirty-seven years ago while working in a steel mill. That call led me to leave a good paying job and give my bank account away. Though difficult, it's the best thing I've ever done. On a recent morning, those words returned stronger, with urgency. I'm not sure what it will mean this time. But I will follow Him. Why not? Why not me?
Bill Yount has been a member of Bridge of Life in Hagerstown, Maryland, for the past 33 years where he is now an elder and a home missionary. He is currently an advisor at large for Aglow International.
Bill faithfully served in prison ministry at Mount Hope for 23 years and now travels full-time, both in the U.S. and internationally, ministering in churches and Aglow circles. "Humility and humor" characterize his ministry as he brings forth a fresh word that is "in season," proclaiming the word of the Lord! The shofar (or ram's horn) is often used in his meetings, breaking the powers of darkness over regions, churches, and households.
The shofar represents God's breath blowing into the nostrils of His people, reviving them and awakening the lost. Many of God's messages, which Bill ministers prophetically, come out of his everyday life with his family and friends.
Many of us know people that we've been praying for to get saved... and for the prodigals to come home. Bill Yount's latest word will encourage you to NEVER GIVE UP on anyone! Bill shares:
God gives up on no one. He is pulling the trigger on unconditional love, exploding in the darkest hearts, impacting whole nations. Those who have nothing going for them will rise up out of obscurity as the Lord gets all the glory. The odds stacked against them will fall like dominoes.
You never know if that person you've been praying for YEARS for could very well be a World Changer... Never give up!
Blessings,
Steve
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***
Note from Steve Shultz:
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If things don't seem all that clear right now, don't worry. February's uncertain times will become clearer towards the end of the month.
Clarity is coming and some new radical positive events will start happening in March. Expect to see the clouds lift by the end of the month while God pours out encouragement in March through April.
Attacks of 2013 Become Authority
What were your struggles and how did the enemy attack you in 2013? Your attack in 2013 is the area of your new authority this year.In many cases, the enemy overplayed his hand against you and 2013 was about trying to get you to quit.
For those who stuck with it, God is giving new levels of authority and anointing. But there is a key to this new promotion this year: we must get rid of accusations against others.
God is releasing new anointing and authority to those who are humble and able to love others.
A key verse for this time is Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
God spoke to me that if you have anything against someone else, it is time to put it behind you. Especially if you are holding evidence saved to prove you are right. Let it go.
It's time to trust God to fight your battles and let go of any grievances because they will disqualify you from promotions this year.
New Ideas and Inventions
I had a prophetic dream this month that God is releasing from Heaven new strategies, ideas and inventions right now.
I was standing next to an angel and suddenly a high-tech umbrella appeared in my hand that not only shielded me from the elements but also had a mist of refreshment falling down on the inside. The dream means that God's angels will shield us while bringing a creative, inventive spirit.
When we are protected by God, new divine strategies and inventions create Kingdom finances even through tough times.
I also had several dreams of violent weather. God is saying do not worry about how things look but trust that God will open up opportunities to be blessed in any situation.
God gave Isaac a strategy to reap a hundred times during a terrible famine.
"Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him." Genesis 26:12
In every downturn there's always a way to reap. Ask God for eyes to see what you can do right now in your situation.
Super Bowl Score
Even though the Super Bowl was not that super this year, unless you are a Seattle Seahawks fan, the final score was intriguing to me. I felt it was significant and knew that again, like last year, it was not intended to say that God is judging.
Taking a look at the final score, Seahawks 43 to Broncos 8, God led me to some powerful verses packed in Isaiah 43 which many of us know.
Here God brings comfort during rough times, forming us into people of godly character, able to lead others by following Holy Spirit into new things (Isaiah 43:1-2, 5-8 and 18-19).
Check out the verse corresponding to the final score, 43-8 to Isaiah 43:8: "Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf." Isaiah 43:8 NIV
God is opening people's eyes and ears. People who have no idea about the power of His Spirit will be led by those called by God's name. Like the power of God's Spirit, who helped deaf Seahawks fullback, Derrick Coleman, who "stuck with it" and despite his disability, gained much new authority.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."Isaiah 43:18-19
God's challenge in the game of life is to take comfort during character-forming times. Your heart's re-shaping helps you and others show God's awesome goodness. Read through the entire chapter of Isaiah 43 because it is packed full of promises from God to pray into your life.
Get Rid of Judgment
When God does something new, quite often the previous movement is judgmental towards it. This is repeated throughout Church history.
God is doing something new right now to draw in people who have been rejected by Christianity. I have been encouraging people everywhere to embrace anyone who needs God and not judge them.
Before we can help others, we must ask God to look at our own hearts and see if there is any judgment against others.
I've been praying a prayer for a while, "God, show me what the enemy does not want me to see about myself."
And also, "God, reveal to me anything I might have in my heart towards others."
As we get rid of judgment, we are better able to embrace people who are different than us.
Let's pray together that God would help us be more persistent so we can "stay in it." And we would have judgment-free eyes to see clearly and find new ways to hear how to use our new authority to touch many.
Doug Addison is a prophetic dream interpreter, speaker, writer, Life Coach, and stand-up comedian. Doug travels the world bringing a message of love, hope, and having fun! His unique style helps open people to discover their destiny and experience God's supernatural love and power.
From the desk of Steve Shultz
Doug Addison's word is very much needed for the Body in this hour. I know some of you have been dealing with great struggles and storms...and this word will really help and encourage you.
What an encouragement from Doug as he shares: If things don't seem all that clear right now, don't worry. February's uncertain times will become clearer towards the end of the month.
Clarity is coming and some new radical positive events will start happening in March. Expect to see the clouds lift by the end of the month while God pours out encouragement in March through April.
Be greatly blessed!
Steve
To receive daily, encouraging prophetic emails from
Your support for the Elijah List helps to pay the cost to deliver daily Words from the Lord to you for FREE. You help us by simply purchasing your prophetic and other Christian resources from a selection of over 6,000 products directly from us at:elijahshopper.com.
We appreciate our dear readers and we thank you for supporting your Elijah List staff!
Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson on Win: 'God Is So Good'
By Shawn Brown, CBN Sports Reporter Feb. 3, 2014
The Seattle Seahawks have won their first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history, routing the Denver Broncos in a lopsided 43-8 victory.
It was a big upset after the Broncos had become the highest-scoring team in history during the season, making them the #1 offense in the NFL.
But the Seahawks, with the #1 defense in the NFL, managed to shut down Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. In fact, the Broncos didn't even smell the end zone until the very end of the third quarter.
After the Broncos got off to a rough start with a bad snap that ended in a safety, the Seahawks struck with two field goals. Then Kam Chancellor picked off a Manning pass, leading to a Marshawn Lynch touchdown, putting the Seahawks up by 15 -0.
With 3:36 left in the first half, Manning's short pass to Knowshawn Moreno was picked off by Malcolm Smith, who took it in for the TD. At the half, it was Seahawks 22 and Broncos 0.
On the opening kickoff for the second half, Percy Harvin rubbed salt on the Broncos' wounds with an 87-yard return for a touchdown.
The Broncos tried to fire back but turned the ball over. The Hawks capitalized when Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson connected with Jermaine Kearse for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
Then, with 3 seconds left in the third quarter, the Broncos finally put some points on the board. But even after the 2-point conversion they still had a long way to go.
With 11:55 left to play, the Seahawks struck again when Russell Wilson connected with Doug Baldwin for 10 yards and a touchdown. With the score at 43-8, the Broncos were finished off and the Seattle Seahawks became Super Bowl champs.
"You know it's just frustrating to get this far and lose like this. I mean it's embarrassing," Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker said after the game.
"You tell it was too out of hand. We weren't getting anything going. Offensively… defensively…we could tell it was coming to an end," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said, "This is the highest level of competition in this sport and this is the greatest challenge, the ultimate challenge in the game. And to accomplish this for everybody that took part in it, it's very, very special."
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson not only led his team to victory, but as the game ended with confetti raining down on them, he also led fellow Christians to kneel and pray on the field, giving glory to God.
"I told the guys, 'Why not us?'" Wilson said. "It's only my second year, but I believe in the guys that we had. I believe…in the coaching staff…it's just God is so good. He brought me a really long way. It's unbelievable. It's kind of surreal to be honest with you. Sitting there holding that trophy up and I'm looking up, I'm just so thankful for everything that I've been given."
Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse called the team's win "amazing."
"It still hasn't hit me yet. I'm still kind of in shock," he said.
Seahawks offensive tackle Russell Okung also gave thanks to God.
"The Lord allowed me to be here," he said. "And I keep saying that all the time, man. With Him there's purpose man. I'm not just here to exist, I'm here to live. And I'm glad He's going to use me this way through my platform to bring glory to Him."
Some members of the team will play the game to the glory of God.
Recently, some of the Seahawks players and a coach were kind enough to sit down and talk with me about their faith in Jesus Christ and how it intersects with life on and off the football field.
We’ve got some great content, and I’m hoping they make it all the way to the Super Bowl, giving us some weeks to roll it all out. Until then, here’s a preview of that lengthy interview:
Please pray for our brothers as they step into the national spotlight. Go Hawks!
In this video (part one in a forthcoming series), starting quarterback Russell Wilson tells his story and shares some of the ways that Jesus influences his life.
Published on Jan 10, 2014
Leading up to the Seattle Seahawks 2014 playoff run, Pastor Mark Driscoll sat down with a few of the players and one of the coaches to talk about their faith in Jesus Christ and how it intersects with life on and off the football field.
Posted by: Ahuva BalofskyJanuary 29, 2014 BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS
“Lord, hearken unto my voice; let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” (Psalms 130:2)
(Photo: U.S. Air Force/ Wiki Commons)
In a recent poll by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), half of all sports fans included in the survey revealed they believe God may play a part in determining the Super Bowl outcome. 1,011 adults were surveyed regarding their sports interests and their beliefs regarding supernatural influences on sporting events.
“As Americans tune in to the Super Bowl this year, fully half of fans—as many as 70 million Americans—believe there may be a twelfth man on the field influencing the outcome,” said Dr. Robert P. Jones, PRRI CEO. “Significant numbers of American sports fans believe in invoking assistance from God on behalf of their favorite team, or believe the divine may be playing out its own purpose in the game.”
48% of those surveyed agreed that God rewards athletes who have faith, giving them good health and success. More than one fifth of sports fans perform some sort of ritual they believe will provide their team with an edge. More than a quarter said they prayed for the success of their team at some point. Interestingly, more football fans turn to prayer than other sports fans: 33% as opposed to 21%.
“America’s football fans stand out from other fans in their belief in the supernatural, which may not be surprising after last year’s Blackout Bowl,” said Daniel Cox, PRRI’s Research Director, referring to last year’s power outage mid-game.
19% of those fans interviewed acknowledged God’s influence on the outcome. More than half of those also said they prayed for their team.
Courtesy of PRRI
Upon hearing the results of the survey, one Jewish educator and football fan explained, “God doesn’t care about football, God cares about people.” He believes God determines the outcome of sporting events such as the Super Bowl for the greater influence it might have. “One team’s win may create a job for someone, or put someone else in a better mood.”
Other Jewish educators talked about the positive influence professional sports have on their students’ spiritual lives. The Times of Israel spoke to Denver Academy of Torah head of school Rabbi Daniel Alter. He mentioned the 2007 World Series, in which the Colorado Rockies faced the Boston Red Sox. He said his students were more focused on prayer than ever before.
“That created a conversation on the role of prayer,” Alter said. “It brought up questions: Does God care? We probably will be having some of those conversations in the week leading up to the Super Bowl.”
When God calls He rarely considers our plans. Where He leads often makes no sense to us. When I want to stay, He says, "Go!" When I want to go, He says, "Stay!" 
From the desk of Steve Shultz:
many of us know. 
