Competitors for Christ Newsletter (Spring 2023)

Newsletter Volume I, Issue 3

April 2023

GO SEE THE TRAINER!

Have you ever been told to, “go see the trainer”? I believe our athletic trainers are some of the most important people we have in our lives as athletes and coaches. But even if you don’t play sports, you can still relate. There are rehabilitation trainers, fitness trainers, speech trainers, nutritional trainers, and many other trainers or therapists that we use throughout life. If you have ever been treated by a trainer, then you know this statement to be true.

TRAINING IS HARD, BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

Going through rehab is hard. Trying to get in shape is hard. Living a healthier lifestyle is hard. Losing weight is hard. Getting up earlier to workout is hard. Staying after practice to get extra reps is hard. Putting time into your sport or job to be a better version of yourself and develop your craft is hard. Again, I say…

TRAINING IS HARD, BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

Why is going through the struggles and pain of training worth it? Victory. When you come back stronger than you were before the injury. When you lose that weight and your mind and body feel way better than before. When you make that game-winning shot. When you get that hit or score that goal. Victory makes it worth it.
In Hebrews chapter 12 the writer tells us that we have a spiritual trainer. A trainer who can do far greater things for us than lose weight, get stronger, or come back from an injury. Just like the trainers I have previously mentioned, this trainer disciplines us and trains us for our good (vs. 10). He trains us to be more holy (vs. 10).

He trains us so we can be more righteous (vs. 11).

OUR SPIRITUAL TRAINER IS GOD

Just because God is our trainer doesn’t mean it is easy. In fact, it is sometimes painful and unpleasant (vs. 11). What we must remember even with God is

TRAINING IS HARD, BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

It’s not always easy to get up on Sunday morning for Worship. It’s not always easy praying to God when I know I’ve let him down. It’s not always easy to read my Bible. It’s not always easy to take up my cross daily and follow Him.

TRAINING IS HARD, BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

Why is it worth it? Victory. Victory in Jesus! Spending eternity in Heaven with God, family, friends, teammates, coaches, etc. makes it worth it. You might be thinking well how does God train us? One way is by His Word and a good start is by reading the beginning of Hebrews 12. He tells us to:
- Get rid of our sins and burdens (vs. 1).
- Run the race of our spiritual life with endurance (vs. 1).
- Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (vs. 2).

I want to leave you with a challenge.

GO SEE THE TRAINER!

— by Connor Creasy, FHU assistant baseball coach

STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Name: Catherine Crabb

Sport: Softball

Class: Senior

Hometown: Meridianville, Alabama

Major: K-5 Elementary Education

What I wanted to be when I grew up (as a kid): A teacher

What I want to be when I grow up (now): A teacher!

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite movie: Sweet Home Alabama

Favorite TV show: Friends

Hobbies: Going on walks, working out, going to get coffee

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Why I chose to come to FHU: "I grew up coming to church camps at Freed-Hardeman, and I was able to see the goodness of God that was present on this campus. I have been fortunate to be able to continue my softball career while making lifelong friendships and growing into a better Christian than when I first stepped foot on campus my freshman year.."

A little-known fact about me: "My dad's a veterinarian, and I'm scared of all animals."

ATHLETIC ALUMNI ARTICLE: TIFFANY (HARRIS) FORBIS

I first came to know about Freed-Hardeman University through the Booneville church of Christ in Booneville, Missouri where my family attended. David Powell, a professor at FHU, and a group from the North Jackson church of Christ, in Jackson, Tennessee, would come to Booneville each summer and conduct a Vacation Bible School that my brother and I would attend. In the summer of 1998, while they were there, David Powell baptized my brother and me. As I got closer to picking a college, my familiarity with FHU played a big factor. Although Coach Elliott offered me a scholarship, I ended up committing to play for a university closer to home. But God always has a plan. Prior to graduation, the soccer coach where I planned to attend, could not fulfill his promise. I reached out to Coach Elliott and even on short notice, he still held true to his original offer and said there was a spot for me at FHU. At that point, I began to realize the special place, filled with special people, that is Freed-Hardeman.

Every August I still think back to those timed morning runs, the two-a-day practices in the heat, and midnight practices when you were already tired from a long day. It was hard and mentally taxing! At times I was homesick and wanted to quit. But I had a strong support system of coaches, teammates, and others associated with the university who encouraged me to keep going because God always has a plan. One of my ultimate goals was to make the Hall of Fame. The day I signed my paperwork to play soccer, I sat in the Hall of Fame room in the Brewer Sports Center and looked at all of the plaques on the wall. That was my dream but I knew it would take hard work and dedication. As a team, we were fortunate to have great success during my time there and I was blessed to start all four years as the goalkeeper.

Following graduation, in July of 2011, I married my husband who I met at Freed-Hardeman. We have two beautiful children, and we attend North Jackson church of Christ in Jackson, Tennessee. Could it have been anything but God’s providence? I tend to think not. God always has a plan and that plan for me was Freed-Hardeman University. I will always be thankful to Coach Elliott for the example he was for me and the faith he had in me as a player. In 2016, he gave me a phone call that I will always remember. He let me know that I was being inducted into the Hall of Fame as the first-ever soccer player. God always has a plan and I couldn’t be more grateful for the time I spent and the lessons I learned at FHU.

— by Tiffany Forbis, pictured with family

RUNNING THE CHRISTIAN RACE

In 1954, a runner by the name of Roger Bannister did what was believed to be impossible at the time. Researchers had come to the conclusion that the human body was not capable of running the 4-minute mile. Once he proved it could be done, it only took 46 days for his record to be broken. To this day, 1,663 athletes have broken that barrier since then. How amazing would it be knowing you broke a record only a handful of people have broken in the last 70 years! Learning from Bannister and these athletes, to earn their names on such a list, we can be confident in two things.

First of all, we know that these athletes had to compete according to the rules. Just as these runners had, God expects us to do the same. We see in Paul's letter to Timothy “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Tim. 2:5). In our Christianity, how can we expect for God to reward us unless we have done His will? We may be tempted to bend rules, or ride the line God has set out for us, but in the end, will we be able to say that we haven’t bent the rules? As a runner here at FHU, my team and I learn path efficiency, staying on insides of curves on a course to ensure we’ve not run further than necessary. On the other hand, as tempting as it may be for us to cut corners, we are disqualified if we do not stay on the course that has been set out for us. Are we as Christians finding ways to cut corners in our Christian walks, doing the bare minimum?

Lastly, we can assume that anyone capable of running such a fast time had a high level of work ethic. In order to accomplish such a feat, all apathy had to be replaced with drive and a desire to win. When writing to the Corinthians, Paul said, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Cor. 9:24-25). We too must have a drive to exercise our Christianity in order to win. The walk won’t be easy. Just like making it to practice, or making time to go to the gym, it is not always ideal or convenient. Just as in sports, when the standouts are those who remain consistent to their training, no matter the circumstances, we too must compete to win in our Christian lives. This may mean being willing to stay true to our morals, even if we are alone.

So, rather than cutting corners or backing out of God-given opportunities, how are we competing for an imperishable wreath God has promised to us?

• by Eli Combs, men's cross country / outdoor track and field