GOD'S 1st STRING

Bonnie Lynch Nettles

Description

God's 1st String is a true story of unconditional love, life changing redemption and a joyous victory over the addiction fueled life of a professional linebacker. He had everything earthly you could want, but also alcohol and drug addictions which nearly cost him everything, including his soul. From a young age, she had always loved him through thick and thin, no matter what. And when God's power was unleashed during his redemption, there was nothing preventing a surrender which ensured his entrance into heaven after fighting cancer. But it was the joint battle this husband and wife sacrificed through a pure love for God and each other that will change your heart, deepen the way you view redemption and infuse the raw power of living in the moment into your life.

Sujets

• Sport
• Autour du sport
• Histoire du sport
• Sports
• Lettres et linguistique
• Biography
• Autobiography

Informations

• Publié par: Outskirts Press
• Date de parution: 25 mars 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781977211941
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

GOD’S 1st STRING
A Linebacker’s Trade from the Team of Addiction into the League of Ultimate Redemption
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2019 Bonnie Lynch Nettles
v4.0 r1.0

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Outskirts Press, Inc.
http://www.outskirtspress.com

ISBN: 978-1-9772-1194-1

Cover Photo © 2019 University of Tennessee. All rights reserved - used with permission.

Outskirts Press and the “OP” logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


FOREWORD
Ray Nettles was known for most of his life as a relentless pursuer of quarterbacks, but I was privileged to witness the part of Ray’s life when his greatest pursuit was the knowledge of Jesus Christ. His tenacious effort to make up for lost time with Jesus will forever be an inspiration to me and I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be Ray’s pastor, friend and brother for his 4 th quarter.
Also, I am very thankful that God has called and empowered Bonnie to chronicle the incredible journey of my friend Ray. I have always believed that God creates us with passion, purpose and giftedness, all for our part in the building of His Kingdom. Bonnie Nettles was created to model God’s love as she determinately walked alongside the man who would become her husband and later her mission.
This book is a testament to God’s scandalous grace and undying love. It is a reminder that where sin abounds grace abounds even more. If you are looking for an affirmation of The Good Shepherd’s relentless pursuit of His one lost sheep or The Father’s unconditional acceptance of His prodigal son, this book is a must read. Within the pages of this book, you will see the beauty of rescue, reconciliation and redemption. As you take this journey through these pages, you will be encouraged by the God of this story and inspired by the people of this story. You will be convinced of the truth that Paul wrote to the Corinthians that if a man be in Christ, he becomes a new creature. Ray’s life serves as an example of how old things can pass away and all things can become new.
Pastor Frank Ciresi
University Baptist Church
Jacksonville, Florida


DEDICATION

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Philippians 4, verse 13
The Living Bible
This book is lovingly dedicated to all those who struggle with the illness of addiction, whether it is the addict himself, family members, friends, business associates and all others who love and suffer along with the addict. Addiction is a terrible disease which destroys everything in its path. If you are dealing with addiction in any form, get help. When all else fails (and it will), get God. He is ready, willing and able to heal the addict as well as everyone who knows, loves, lives with and has interaction with the addict. He is the only medication needed and the only one that truly works.
Ray’s addictions were well documented. Although I tried for many years to change him, I could not change Ray. No matter what I did, how much I loved him, the sacrifices I made and the suffering I personally endured, it just didn’t work. You cannot change anyone but yourself. God is the only one who can change others. Yet God did change Ray, in God’s timing and in His perfect plan for Ray’s life. Ray may have touched many through his talent of football, but he reached many more through God’s redemption of his addictions. This has been God’s most healing gift to me.
Ray’s story is a wake-up call to all those who struggle with addiction. Addiction of any kind is a nasty, destructive disease capable of annihilating even the best of us. Fortunately, there is a Lord on high who reigns and whose love, forgiveness and redemption surpass all addictions and destruction as a result of these choices. Addictions are very real and deep rooted illnesses that manifest within and alter a person’s whole being including their ethics, beliefs and morals. My gratefulness comes in knowing I first-hand witnessed God redeem Ray. That is just a mere ripple in the water as to what He is capable of and can do in each of us if we believe in His power to heal.
I pray the same for you. May God bless you on your life’s journey and may you find the healing you seek in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and go into His courts with praise. Give thanks unto Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100
The Living Bible
God very graciously gifted me with the talent to put these life experiences down in black and white. However, without Ray’s profound presence in my life, these words would simply be nothing more than mere words. His impact led to an adventurous and sometimes dangerous detour on my life’s road map, yet resulting for me in a strengthened personal walk with the Lord. We human beings often speak of how people affect us and Ray’s simply being a part of my life strongly contributed to molding me into the person I am today. I have always believed peoples’ paths cross for reasons ordained by a power stronger than we earthly beings. That was very true for us, Ray and me. Through unconditionally loving Ray, I learned to live each day to the fullest, take chances when least expected, love deeply and for as long as I can, trust enough to open the door allowing others access into the rawest place within my being and to follow God’s direction no matter what. The blessings as a result of this transformation are innumerable, still multiplying after Ray’s passing.
There are many, many people who contributed to this book in ways even they themselves are not aware. Literally, it would take an army to list all their names but they know who they are and how they affected Ray during his earthly life. However, several special people must be openly acknowledged. Without their encouragement, support, compassion, understanding and love of Ray, this book would still be only words rolling around in my heart and head. I thank you for giving me the courage and strength to take that next step and place them down in black and white for all to see.
Personally, I am extremely grateful to Pastor Frank Ciresi of University Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida of his unconditional love for Ray and the closeness they shared during the last year of Ray’s earthly existence. Their relationship was a true testament of God’s love in action. Without Pastor Frank’s love, encouragement, prayers and hand-holding, I could not have weathered the storms specifically from September 2008 to November 2009. Most of all, I thank you for being there for Ray no matter what. The personal sacrifices you made for Ray were above and beyond whatever anyone could have imagined. Your gentle and unselfish ways of honoring God’s tender love were extremely humbling to benefit from and I know our Lord joins me in the joy of your witnessing to Ray.
Gene Frenette, from the Florida Times Union newspaper, a sportswriter who wrote articles covering both Ray’s various lifetime and football milestones and who so eloquently shared his love of Ray with us at Ray’s memorial service must be commended for his in-depth and brutally honest account of Ray’s lengthy battle with addictions. This particular article ran in the Florida Times Union on Friday July 10, 2009. The sheer impact of this accounting of one man’s battle with addictions was enormous and many responses were received, some even from other parts of the world. Thank you, Gene, for taking the ugliness of this horrible illness, putting a face to it and sharing the victory of the battle which Ray achieved prior to his death. Your words are more valuable than gold, have touched many lives and are continuing to do so. Also, a big heads up to videographer/photographer Bruce Lipsky, also of the Florida Times Union , for the wonderful video he filmed of Ray shortly before his death. The video is widely available to be viewed on YouTube. Throughout my healing, and even now nine years after Ray’s death, I find it reassuring to be able to see him, hear his voice and know the words he speaks are pure truth. Priceless.
To others who were Ray’s close and personal friends, including all high school, college, professional players, coaches, business and work associates, most of you knew Ray during his drug and alcoholic days which I am sure made it challenging for you. However, your undying love and acceptance of the addictive Ray all the while knowing the real Ray was such a great testament to who you are as God’s children. I am humbled by your actions and hearts. Thank you for standing by him even when it may have caused you pain. May God continue to bless each and every one of you.
To the Tennessee Tribe….this group of humble, genuine, caring and exceptionally generous men who knew Ray from the football trenches in college to the deathbed of cancer I cannot say enough. To each of you I give my deepest thanks for being there in every way possible. I applaud y