My favourite belt in all of wrestling – the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.You can be a champion for God if you don’t give up!
Everyone (including me) wants to appear to be a champion, and we put our best faces on social media even if you actually feel like giving up. (Especially me.) đł It’s always an image to make people believe that things are cool… but as the old saying goes, ‘All that glitters is not gold.’
I stumbled upon a post on the Reddit.com community Stop Drinking that really inspired me. It’s not Christian, nor written by one, but the wisdom to win over depressing circumstances is there. It’s not even a popular post – I don’t think anyone really comment on it. However it really helped me personally, and I’d like to adapt and share it with you briefly.
I’ve felt like giving up at lots of things, and looooots of times. Sometimes, I just need an alternative to do that crappy, destructive thing that got me here in the first place. If you’re like me sometimes, here’s some ideas…
It sounds ridiculous and almost condescending but just don’t give up.
Reminds me of the scripture, ‘having done all to stand, stand therefore’. Even if you’re battered, beaten, and nothing else left to give… just stand. Even your enemy will be shocked. (Ephesians 6:13)
Do literally anything other than give up.
If you have say, an alcohol addiction, when you want to drink it can feel like that’s all there is do in the world. It isn’t true… there’s more that you can do. God can show you a way out of any temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Eat a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.
As a person who speaks Subway, and is fluent in fried chicken… There’s literally nothing better for us to do!đ Go buy some cool food. Try something new, cook something awesome. Release endorphins. You deserve it. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
Watch YouTube.
Go in your history and watch some of your favourite videos. Find some videos to laugh at. Look for videos to educate yourself on your problem. The internet is the one of the great advantages we have ever had for our faith and well-being. Use it wisely. (Philippians 4:9)
Play a mindless video game. Love video games, wrote a whole article about it. Think about this… if you can solve a simple problem like a video game, you can problem solve in your life right? Remember these small miracles. (Matthew 16:3)
Call a friend.
Connect to someone. Maybe a text message, maybe a voice note, but however you do it get talking. Ever heard of that song, ‘I get with a little help from my friends?’ It’s a classic. (Proverbs 17:17)
Post here, to a stranger.
Strangers on the internet you should be very, very careful of exposing sensitive information. But if you use good judgement, on a good website, you could be with an angel and not know it. (Hebrews 13:2)
Read a book or magazine.
Open up that one book from your childhood you loved – I loved the Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 because I was nuts like him.đ Take a flick through a comic, or buy a new book – reading will increase your understanding of your problem. (Daniel 9:2)
Pray or meditate.
No-one’s ear is open 24/7, except for God’s. In my experience, prayer brings an unmistakable, supernatural peace that comes from nothing else. He made us so we could be His friends, and friends share, care, and lift burdens. He’s waiting for you. (Philippans 4:6-7)
Read about something new and crazy.
Don’t go off the deep end, don’t entertain foolishness… but learn something new and different. There is something to learn from everything – from Samson to SpongeBob – if you have the right heart, and eyes sharper than a knife. (Proverbs  24:30-32)
Go the Walmart and walk up and down the aisles until you’re tired enough to buy Kraft dinner and go home and sleep.
Step outside, change your environment for a little. Some things seem clearer outside the same walls and people. A little peace and a little rest can restore more than a little strength. (Isaiah 30:15)
Be proud of yourself. You’re an absolute badass for being here.
Tell yourself the truth – the fact you have a conscience, you see you have a problem, and that you want a change is real. Many are not humble enough to consider it. You’re on the right path. Thank God. You’re awesome. (Philippians 4:8)
Giving up will likely cross your mind no matter what course you’re on. Whether it’s finishing your coursework, staying sober, losing weight and getting healthy, keeping off your unhealthy addiction… you can be that champion you’ve wanted to be. Don’t give up – you can make it by the grace of God!đ
Take that John Cena saying to heart… Never Give Up.
đ”’Sister, Sister! Talk about a two-way twister. Shaking up the family tree, with sibling synchronicity.’ It took me 21 years before I ever realised what those lyrics were.
Sister, Sister – a hit 90s sitcom starring twins Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamera Mowry-Housley – is apparently coming to Netflix today! (Still not seen an official statement about it but whatever.) Easily one of my favourite things to watch as a kid on Nickelodeon, and having a crush on the twins like I was Roger didn’t hurt.đ
When I became born again as a teen, an interview on ChristianityToday.com (that I can no longer find) caught my eye showed me that apparently, Tia and Tamera are Christians. I think they were the first celebrities who were openly Christian that I came across. I’ve always had an affinity and admiration for celebrities who are open about their faith. People like Tia & Tamera, or wrestlers like Shawn Michaels or Eddie Guerrero, I feel really comfortable supporting them because they feel like brethren. And how good it is for brethren to dwell in unity!
I can’t find the original interview I saw in the 2000s so now I’m just searching for quotes from Tia & Tamera on Christianity and sharing them with you. Let’s go fast like a bullet from a gun…
You went on to see the Lord this morning and Iâm so happy I got to see you. I thank God. I love you grandma, I love you. My heart is broken. Instagram, 2019
Grandma Clo ⊠You are the strongest person I know. You are the matriarch of our family. Every good thing trickles down from you,â Housley wrote. âYou amaze me every day with your strength and unconditional love. Your obedience and love toward our Heavenly Father is admirable. Love you so so so much. #cancersucks. Instagram, 2019
âIâm so happy you got to see her. You prayed for her in my womb and now you got to touch and see her before you transitioned,â she shared on Instagram. âIt was your wish. We miss you already. I love you Clo.â Instagram, 2019
You are with the Lord now. You fought a long long fight. Your wish was to be around your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ariah, Aden, Adam and I miss you so much. I love you love you. Till we meet again. Instagram, 2019
First we have these quotes from Tia & Tamera’s Instagram accounts, about their grandmother passing away in 2019. It would appear their grandmother was very influential in her ways to them, as was my grandmother to me. Their grandmother also prayed for the Tia’s youngest child in the womb… More people should do this!
“He’s such man of God,” she said. “He has faith beyond this world and I learned that from him. His faith is unstoppable.” PEOPLE Magazine, 2016
â[Cory will] put something on the board and heâll say, âTia, I know that thatâs going to come to passâ, and Iâm like, this dude is crazy,â shared Mowry-Hardrict. âThen it comes to pass and not only thatâhe taught me how to believe in myself more than I believe in myself. He is like my biggest supporter and biggest fan.â Quick Fix YouTube series, 2017
Tia married fellow actor Cory Hardrict in 2008. These two quotes reveal a little about how her husband has helped her by being a man of faith. You can really hurt a relationship by being a pessimist (I’ve learned from experienceđł) but being a faithful, hopeful person can really motivate your significant other. Tia’s in a loving marriage. 8 year old me probably wishes it was to me, but…đŹ
âMy sister and I; not naming any names; run into so many people who say before they get famous, âI will never [compromise], all of the sudden we see them taking their clothes off.â
Christianity Today interview, 2005
Yay, I found an article quoting the interview I found back in the way!đ And it’s an important one about compromise. Fame and money has a way of controlling you, and it’s easy to do something you really wouldn’t if you put God first, for the sake of money.
I hadn’t seen any terrible scantily clad pictures of Tia & Tamera the first time I read this. I think there are some bikini pictures out there now, though nothing nude or like that. So good for them, I guess. I’d just be careful to not say things that I can publicly default on. After all no-one’s perfect. Doesn’t do your image much good when you do something you say you’d never do.
âPeople donât want to hear that God doesnât care whether you have a âDr.â by your name or whether youâve won an Oscar. In Hollywood, youâre not on the cover of a magazine because you helped the poor or volunteered at a hospital; youâre on the cover because youâre worth so-and-so amount of money. We have to focus on the fact that all of this is temporary. The main thing God is concerned about is what weâre doing for Him.â Christianity Today interview, 2005
The last quote showed me that Christianity Today is now Crosswalk.com, so that’s fun. It also re-iterated one of the main reasons I’m saved, because God showed me that accomplishments are temporary, but a relationship with God is the most important thing.
Well, the last two quotes came from this cool article so check it out for the full thing and more quotes. If Sister, Sister really hits Netflix today, I’ll have a hard time not watching; I’ve got about 20 other things I should be doing (as usual). But when I do sit down to binge, you can be sure I’ll be supporting my favourite celebrity twin brethren someway, somehow. I pray Tia & Tamera fight their fight, finish their race, and really make it to heaven in the end to meet our wonderful maker in Jesus’ name.
Lots of people wants to lose weight in December, joins a gym in January, and then is back to normal by April. Everyone resolves to do better, but who actually does better? What’s the secret? It’s those who have a vision, for the year, and for their lives.
Do you see what is in your future well? [Insert 2020 joke here.]
It’s not enough to want something – you have to see as far as a an Eagle with contact lenses and Celestron telescope. Those who want to lose weight? See yourself putting in the hours in exercise, see yourself preparing your meals and avoiding unhealthy foods. See yourself without the pot belly and less fat on your face. They saying ‘seeing is believing’… It’s a cliche (and a bad one) but here it has some weight. No pun intended.
And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. Genesis 13:14-15
Before God made Abraham the father of nations, He took Abraham use his vision and physically look around. God told Abraham that as much land as you can see is yours. What can you see is as far as you can go.
Lots of people don’t do well at school, for example, just because they can’t see it happening. I was one of them – I was smart as a fox but blind as a bat. I didn’t know where good education leads you, or how to study well, or how limited the opportunity to be education for free in sunny ol’ London is. I never saw myself with 10 A star GSCEs or a 1st class degree and guess what? Didn’t happen. If I had SEEN myself being successful… Things could’ve been different. One big blessings of the church I attend is it gave me a better vision for my life.
What do you see? It’s not a trick question. Take stock of what you see everyday. Is it babies without fathers? Do you see unsatisfied people in unsatisfying jobs? Is it people trying to make a better tomorrow? Do you see happiness? Is it a good education and a good career? Is it a group trying to know God? What do you see? What you can see is what you will become.
Without a clear vision, you are going nowhere. In the creation of the Earth in Genesis 1 and 2, God simply announced every vision, ‘Let there be this’ and ‘Let there be there’, and it happened. Of course we can’t announce ourselves as pilots and then it will be done. (Don’t fly my plane if that is the case for you.) Declare your intentions clearly, and put your creative forces in to have what you want.
Even if you can’t see well, you still need a vision. Someone else can have a vision for you, good or evil. That’s why we have fathers and mothers, teachers and mentors, people who set courses and education curriculum. You may not have the vision to progress, but someone higher than you *does* and they will guide your paths.
Think of Mike Tyson and Cus D’amato. On his own Tyson was a street thug, angry and becoming another statistic. He may not have a vision to be the boxing legend he became and earning the money that he did, but someone did. Cus trained Tyson up until his death when Tyson was 19. Cus’ methods were controversial, but eventually lead Tyson to become the youngest World Heavyweight champion at only 20, and one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in history. You can’t trade the controversy for those results, and it came from this leadership and vision.
The top of the line of this leadership is of course, God Himself. God loves you, and knows what you need. When you need love, He will give it. When you need to be rebuked and corrected harshly, you better believe you will get it. We don’t understand everything and never will, but God does and can simply direct your path so you will be safe. If only you will not solely follow your understanding, and rely on the vision of our Shepherd, you will be led to success.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1
If you can’t see how to progress? Tap into the vision of someone who knows how to move forward. That’s why people pay thousands and enrol on courses – let someone else teach you how to do something rather than just want it. The examiners lay out the path to knowledge and betterment and it’s up to you to walk it.
The eye cannot see what the mind does not know. You’ll never know what is truly good and valuable until you are educated on (and sometimes experience) what is good and valuable. You can go on thinking McDonald’s and KFC are the highest quality places to dine… until you visit the Ritz or the Shard and realise fine dining has no fries in it. đ
What kind of vision should you have for the next year then? The New Living Translation of the oft-used vision scripture sheds a little light:
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Proverbs 29:18 NLT
Seek God by praying and reading the Bible. Seek his divine ideals and guidance. He will show you what He wants and what you need this year. Trust Him and you’ll have a clear vision.
More reading on vision? Try reading…
Think Big by Ben Carson
The Art of Leadership by Dag Heward-Mills
This article was soooooo hard to edit because my computer keyboard is a mess :S I have a vision to get a better one tho đ
I really need to shave mo- I mean, smile more. Life’s pretty good. đ
How can I be happy? Ever sat and asked yourself this after an especially rough day? Well…
O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
There it is. God is the one who makes a human being truly happy. This isn’t a long, philosophical diatribe… Let’s just get to the point.
If you’re reading this article, chances are you have a computer or a phone. (I have both. đ ) These modern technologies are a part of the modern world, but when you live in the modern world, you’ll get a modern problem – dissatisfaction. When you look at an Instagram pic, someone’s Snap, or a Facebook post about how magical someone’s life is you might think ‘If only I had that…’
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15 NLT
There is a fine line between encouragement and demotivation. There are different ways of looking at something you desire, including 1) mostly forget about it, 2) want it and push yourself or 3) want it and become a little disheartened that you don’t. I fall into number 3 so many times.
Don’t be pulled into the rat race of life, thinking that a job, money, or a title means you’ve made it. If you have the Lord in your life, you’ve made it just fine.
People strive for all kinds of titles, and that’s all well and good… but being called Mrs. XYZ isn’t enough. Having BSc Phd follow your name isn’t enough. Possessing the WWE Championship title doesn’t make you the best. (Sorry Daniel Bryan.) Having the title Pastor shouldn’t make you believe you have it all. Having God is when you really have it all.
Hey, I’m not saying you should have nothing, pursue nothing, and enjoy nothing. That’s a lot of nothing. Have things! Have dreams and pursuits… but put it into perspective – God is the ultimate satisfaction. Many people have what you want already and they’re looking for something else. When you have God, you truthfully have nothing else to look for.
God Himself will guide you to what you need to make you happy, when you need it. Was it not God Himself who diagnosed Adam with a problem of having no wife, and then made him one?
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18 NLT
When we put the blessings God has given us in front of God Himself, then we’re going off. Rather let God be your all, and let Him make the call when you something. Need a job? Need a partner? Need fulfilment? Need entertainment? Consult the Lord and He will point you in the right direction, so that He remains on top, and what He gives you comes after Him.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Real satisfaction comes from believing and experiencing that Christ is enough. I have tasted many kinds of success but nothing compares to the feeling of peace when I gave my life over to Christ. And as I have come closer to Him over these twelve years, still, nothing has beaten that feeling.
I’m a normal guy though, so I’m always slipping and forgetting, but I come back to the same conclusion as I did when I was a boy – Christ will make me happy. This one scripture I always need to remember puts it better than I can. đ
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
This is the first of a few posts Iâll be making about the power of words and how they impact us. My sons development was seemingly so rapid; he seemed to very quickly grow to a healthy size and begin showing awareness of himself, rolling around and expressing himself. In all of this however I have to say there was perhaps no greater excitement for me than when he spoke his first word⊠âDadaâ.
What joy! What elation! What happiness! I was thrilled and all the more so because he seemed to call my name first, Iâd beaten my wife to the punch and, despite being informed later that most babies say âDadaâ first because itâs an easier sound for them to make the âMamaâ, I was filled with so much light.
This is the potential effect of words in our lives, to bring lightâŠ
Eddie and his daughters in 2002. He loved his family and God more than anything.
In November 2005, professional wrestler Eddie Guerrero passed away. He was a husband, father, and a Born Again Christian – a crucial piece of knowledge for me.
Eddie Guerrero serves as an inspiration to me for a few reasons… Firstly, as a professional. He ascended to the height of his work as a WWE superstar, winning the WWE Championship in February 2004 with a dramatic match against future UFC legend Brock Lesnar. He was also loved and well received by the majority of his peers and fans (mark and ‘smark’ fans alike). Eddie was crisp and smart in the ring, and charismatic outside of it – go and check out the Los Guerreros short videos. They are amazing comedy. đ Eddie reached the peak of his professional life through intensity and hard work. As a person who struggles to stay motivated in secular activities, knowing Eddie passion for his work helps me to soldier on in my own.
Secondly, Eddie is an inspiration to me because of his redemption story. You can say wrestling isn’t real but there was nothing faked about what Eddie Guerrero overcame with God’s help. He was a self-confessed addict, with problems with prescription drugs and alcohol. In 1999, he fell asleep at the wheel of his moving car from an overdose and almost killed himself. He received a DUI in 2001 and was fired from the WWE. And he admitted to not being close with God, despite being Born Again as young man. He lost his family’s confidence and his wife, Vickie, decided to end their marriage.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
However like a phoenix from the ashes, Eddie Guerrero rose again starting with rebuilding his relationship with God. He prayed and read his Bible, went through counselling and was checked into rehab for his addiction. He wrestled for smaller companies such as Ring of Honor (ROH) until early 2002 when WWE offered him a new contract. Eventually, he wiped away his bad reputation by the grace of God. And later that year, he rekindled his relationship with Vickie Guerrero, leading to them renewing their vows in 2003. By 2005, Eddie celebrated 4 years completely clean and sober by God’s grace.
Eddie went through separation from his wife and family, disgrace in his industry, and a life-long addiction and came out on the other side of the valley, thanks to the Good Shepherd.
Eddie using his finishing move – the Frog Splash – on Brock Lesnar in 2004. Photo credit: WWE
Finally, Eddie Guerrero was open about sharing his faith with people in his workplace. In a business known for drugs, sex and violence, Eddie became a light for Christ in the WWE locker room.
He gave other wrestlers Bibles. He openly discussed his love for Jesus Christ with people. led people in prayers. By the brief accounts I’ve read from others, he was not overly preachy, but loved others. To me, Eddie was the consummate professional Christian – he was at the top of his line of work and not afraid to show others the love of Christ that got him there.
Here’s a story from Ken Anderson, a TNA wrestler and former WWE superstar who worked with Eddie in the months before his passing:
“He loved the business and he loved people. He loved people that loved the business. He loved his wife and children. He was a devout Christian and used to share scriptures with me in the locker room and discuss their meanings even though he knew that I was a non-believer. He didn’t do it with any sort of condescension but in a gentle caring way, and he valued, listened to and understood (to a degree) my rebuttals and the reasons for my skepticism. He treated everyone with the same amount of respect.
“Once, Chris Benoit, Eddie and I went into a Bob Evans on a Sunday morning to eat breakfast before hitting the gym. The line, as you can imagine, looked like the line for Space Mountain at Disneyworld during peak season. The host recognized us and said, “Don’t worry, a booth just opened up. I’ll get you guys seated next.” Eddie very calmly said “No man, all of these people have been waiting patiently. We’re not special. Don’t treat one group of people better than you would another. Thank you, but we can wait.” Life is precious folks. Treat people the way that you want to be treated. Love the people that you love as hard as you can. Enjoy them while you still have time. I’m a better person for knowing this man, if but for a brief moment in time. The wrestling world misses him dearly. If I believe in any sort of afterlife, it’s the fact that while he was here he touched so many lives and continues to do so 10 years after his passing.”
In the end, you see that what Eddie Guerrero accomplished in his life was not only his determination, but due to the grace of God. The man they called ‘Latino Heat’ wrestled his way to the top of life but not against flesh and blood, but by beating out principalities, powers, and the demons he encountered. He wrestled life with God on his side and won.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
It’s been said a thousand times… Eddie, you lied, cheated, and stole our hearts. Thank you for your great example, and rest in peace in the comfort of heaven.
The LIVE episode was cray, crazee, and CRAZY FUN make. We bought cakes, a new webcam, and a jumper for the contest winner, all together about ÂŁ40. Was it worth it? Damn right it was.
While making this evangelism clip I got to do two great things: 1) think about God’s grace in my life to keep doing outreaches and 2) run around like an idiot.
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