It has been my privilege this year (in my fourth season as the Kings team chaplain) to lead a weekly "team" Bible Study with everyone invited (but most frequently attended by Jason and CJ). We had another player join us this week to see what it was like...I guess the real test of the value of the study to him is whether or not he comes again. He seemed to benefit from it...and enjoy it!
Occasionally Jason's wife is able to join us and she is a very welcome addition...a beauty amongst the beasts! CJ's wife is interested...and may join us when work allows. We are studying the book of Galations.
Anyhow, I am very proud of CJ this week. We have been talking and praying about using sports achievement as a platform for sharing the Good News of Jesus love and forgiveness with others. I shared earlier in this blog (in March, 2005) about Jason's journey with Jesus story in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (article still available at the Kings Website listed below...in the News and Events Tab--Media Release 145--written March 18, 2005).
This week the King's official website did a feature on CJ and actually printed at least some of what CJ had said about his faith.
The article appears on the Kings website ( www.sydneykings.com.au) entitled "CJ Bruton – The Son Also Rises" (which title is not in reference to "the other risen Son"...but to the fact that CJ's Dad was also a Hall of Fame Basketball Player in Australia). I have also copied the good bits (from my perspective) right here...
(CJ had an extremely attractive offer (financially) to play in Russia this year...) "However, he had already signed the NBL Proposed Player Payments form, which in effect tied him to the Kings for the next three seasons. Now, like (another player's name omitted), who signed the same form yet bolted for Europe once the Eurodollars were waved under his nose, Bruton could have dug his heels in and held out – especially once officials decided that the PPP form didn’t constitute a contract in their eyes.
But that wouldn’t have been the right or honourable thing to do, and when the Kings advised CJ they would hold him to the so-called ‘Heads of Agreement’, he accepted the decision. Yet, he admits it has been difficult at times.
“It’s been up and down, and there are days where it’s still a struggle”, he says. “But again, my family rallied around me, and it was my strong belief in the Lord that got me through it, that I realised that my path will be taken care of no matter what happens, that down the track something good would come of this”.
(CJ's)...been a part of some great teams and not so great, but the things that have characterised his outstanding nine-year career in the league are consistency and productivity. In Sydney, he’s become a leader of men, someone everyone looks up to as an example of what dedication and hard work can do.
CJ is a committed Christian, and his family is incredibly important to him, especially his wife Jessica. He can’t say enough of what she means to him, both on and off the floor.
“She’s like the backbone”, he says. “She has such a great heart, and she’s been the one who really has brought both my family and her family together. She’s always keeping me on the right path, reminding me that the Lord has given me this opportunity. I rely on my family so much to get me through the tough moments and also be there to cherish the good times”.
Blessings "on ya" CJ!!!
CJ and Jason have both been accepted on our national team squad (the Boomers) for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, 2006. I'm praying that they will continue to walk closely to the Lord...and find opportunity to "talk the walk" whenever possible. That they will be strategic infuencers of our culture for our Lord Jesus.
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