Last December, STV asked Leah Rush, starting power forward of the nationally ranked University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team, to give readers a peek into her daily routine by logging a game-day journal.

Rush agreed and kept a dairy on Dec. 20, the day of the Sooners’ homecourt showdown with Ohio State, which was then a match-up between the third- and eighth-ranked teams in the country. To that point, the Sooners were undefeated on the season, but the Buckeyes stunned OU that night with a 74-67 upset. Certainly this journal looks different than Rush expected, but that’s life — a day in the life of a college athlete.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

While his work may not generate headlines in local newsfeeds, University of Texas strength coach Donnie Maib knows the importance of his behind-the-scenes role in the Longhorn athletic department. Every day he works to prepare athletes for competition, and it’s a task he cherishes along with building relationships with each player who crosses his path. Maib has learned that, in the heart of training, he is able to instill in athletes a strong work ethic, good values, and the ability to handle any adversity they face.

Cancer is a powerful enemy, and I believe God calls us to be aggressive as we fight it–both in prayer and action. At one moment we are called to trust and surrender, and in the next to take up arms and fight. That’s what it means to be aggressive: daily doing battle in the heavenly realms, prayerfully asking God to move and do what only He can do. During our fight, we need God to do surgery inside us at the heart and soul level. We need Him to change our internal environment, both spiritually and physically.

It’s a simple phrase, yet one that means everything to former two-sport Baylor University star Melissa Jones, who ends every email with those encouraging words.

Over the last four seasons, “MJ,” the Big 12 Conference 2011 Female Sportsperson of the Year, was just as comfortable sharing Christ’s love with others as she was distributing the rock to her teammates. Her work ethic, athleticism and faith shined both on and off the court—even as darkness, quite literally, crept in.

While my family was close knit group, Christianity wasn’t part of our upbringing. During my junior year of high school, though, I was introduced to the Lord. Learning about Jesus Christ was empowering, and it transformed my life.

Danny Woodhead is content with his anonymity—for however long it lasts.

Elusive on the field and often overlooked off it, he’s shifted through, sneaked around and slipped past defenses, college coaches and pro scouts for years as each has missed the opportunity to snag him.

Every comeback starts with a single play and then grows with momentum and belief. Start your health comeback today!

In his 25 years of coaching, Mercer University Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Hoffman has seen it all. From high school to the pros, men’s hoops to women’s, he’s experienced everything from the highs of national titles to the lows of losing seasons. But one constant for Hoffman amid the many changes has been his focus on Christ—the One who placed him in each coaching seat to share His glory and love with every player and coach along the way.

Like every little leaguer, I had dreams of playing in the big leagues one day. And, just like every other kid, I also dreamed of going pro in every sport and competition imaginable. Whether it was baseball, football, basketball, soccer, skiing, hunting or fishing, my older brother and I were doing it and competing to be the best while growing up in Fountain, Colo.

Coming off her third consecutive season of All-Pac-10 honors, Washington’s Kristi Kingma was set to have a stellar senior season in 2011 when a knee injury in exhibition action ended her year before it began. Now, with a new appreciation for the game, Kingma sees her redshirt season as a blessing from her Lord—one she plans to enjoy from start to finish, embracing every struggle and triumph along the way.

There is a place where a person can go when life gets complicated — a place where he can feel completely at ease and safe from the big, bad world. It is a wonderful place where one feels at home not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Life is easy there. Life is good.

That place is called Comfort Zone. Yet, in spite of its welcoming title, it’s often located at the address of 1000 MissedBlessingsAndOpportunities Dr., in the city of Half-Lived, Life.

Dayton Moore remembers his comfort zone.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

As Carly Schumacher’s collegiate career nears its end, the middle blocker reflected on how she’s grown as an athlete and follower of Christ during her four years at Saint Louis University. The Clinton, Ill., native has learned through leading the FCA Huddle and the tragic death of a former teammate that what she’ll remember most are the relationships developed and lives touched for the Lord.