Passion Perspective Interview-Julie Caldwell
We asked Julie to take us on the journey of her experiences with CEI and her publishing projects
“Real Life is Like Sports”, “Competition and the Christ-Follower” and “Sports as Worship”.
We asked Julie about her original passion?
- “For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about God, His Word and encouraging others in their pursuit of experiencing Life with God. Since sports has played a big part of my life, spiritually motivating and influencing those around me in the world of sports has been a natural overflow.
- Romans 12:1 says,
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your eating, sleeping, going-to-work and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering” (Message)
Because I interact with many whose everyday, ordinary life includes sports, I like to supplement this verse with:“Take your…coaching or playing-sports life, and place it before God as an offering”
- So it is with an intent of encouraging and challenging coaches and athletes in their faith journey that I’ve written sports Bible studies and devotionals such as, “Sports As Worship,” “Is Your Game Secular or Sacred,” “Moving Beyond An Error,” and “Competition and the Christ-Follower.”
So how and when did the passion to write a book begin?
“Several years ago, my missions pastors asked me if I had any “dreams” of which the church could help make a reality. So I shared something that had been on my heart for years: I desired to write a booklet, have it translated into another language, and give it away to the coaches and athletes we reach out to overseas through CEI. The content was to include Biblical illustrations and parables with an athletic twist. Real Life Is Like Sports” is this “dream” becoming reality.”
And what steps did you take to make it a reality?
With my pastor and church’s support, I began taking steps to make this “dream” a reality. Understanding that this would take a team effort, I shared my vision with our CEI staff, who made it possible for me to carve out chunks of time in my schedule to write. I also asked God to provide someone who could edit my writing (Thank you, Kerry!!) and another who would translate my booklet into a foreign language. In addition, I researched which publishing company would provide the best service for my printing needs. “
What sets “Real Life is Like Sports” etc. apart from other devotionals?
“When Jesus walked this earth, He often spoke in parables to reveal a hidden, yet visible life. So as an athlete, I have wondered what Jesus would say if He were to speak to a group of coaches or athletes. What word pictures or parables might He use to reveal what this hidden, yet visible life is really like? In “Real Life Is Like Sports,” I set forth several possible illustrations and stories. My hope was that through these relatable stories and illustrations, coaches and athletes would find it easier to “see” this Reality, and in “seeing” they would experience “Real Life” with the Author of Life—the person of Jesus, even as they compete!” And this is what makes ” Real Life is Like Sports” a unique and special publication.
We asked Julie about her long term goals and dreams and how she has been promoting her books.
“As I continue loving God and pointing others to Him, my long-term goals and dreams in this arena include writing more sports Bible studies and devotionals as He impresses thoughts or ideas on my heart. “Sports As Worship,” “Competition and the Christ-Follower,” and “Real Life Is Like Sports” are offered through CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com. Links to these resources have been provided on the “Resources” link on CEI’s website (www.ceisports.org). Some of my unpublished sports Bible studies and devotionals can be found there as well. In addition, I will continually post information on my new sports Bible studies and devotionals on my Facebook page (Facebook.com/JCsSportsDevos) and Twitter account (@JCsSportsDevos) as they are made available. So feel free to “like” or “follow” JCsSportsDevos!”
Enter to win Julie’s Devotional below!