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BIDWELL DELIVERS MESSAGE OF FAITH
posted 07/14/00
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| Josh Bidwell, pictured here signing autographs at last year's training camp, was the featured speaker at the Fellowship Golf Outing dinner. |
Packers punter Josh Bidwell concluded the Second Annual Christian Family Fellowship Golf Outing with a heart-felt testimony of his faith this past Wednesday.
Bidwell spoke at a dinner at the Swan Club in De Pere, Wis., following a day of golf for over 100 participants and their spouses at the Wander Springs Golf course in Greenleaf, Wis.
Each golfer paid $150 for the day's events, with all proceeds going to the Green Bay Players Chapel Program, a foundation that supports organizations providing service to youth and those who may have spiritual, financial or other needs.
Several items were auctioned off at the dinner, including Brett Favre and Reggie White autographed jerseys, Bart Starr autographed footballs and Willie Davis signed mini-helmets.
Bidwell was joined by teammates Rob Davis, Matt Hasselbeck, Scott McGarrahan, Jim Nelson and Ryan Longwell, the foundation's vice president. Packers Head Trainer Pepper Burress and Reggie McKenzie, Green Bay's director of pro personnel, also were present for the day's festivities, as were Bethany Bidwell and Sarah Longwell, the kickers' wives.
Gill Byrd, president of the chapel program and Packers executive director of player programs and community affairs, spoke to the audience about the players involved with the program.
"We're all here to focus in on Jesus Christ," said Byrd. "We make no bones about it. These guys are not afraid or ashamed of what they believe."
Bidwell then told of his recent battle with testicular cancer, a fight he appears to be winning just 10 months after being diagnosed.
The cancer was discovered one week before the start of the 1999 regular season, which would have been the fourth round draft choice's rookie year following graduation from the University of Oregon.
Although he admits to being scared at times, Bidwell attributes God with seeing him through the toughest of times.
"Knowing God was working in my life at the time - that was the biggest comfort I've had in my entire life," he said. "I didn't know if I was going to live or die, but I knew I was in good hands."
Bidwell spoke of conversations he had with friend Casey Martin, a golfer on the PGA Tour who suffers from a circulatory disorder in his right leg that makes it painful for him to walk long distances.
Martin shared with him the Biblical story of Jesus healing a blind man. After discrediting the belief that the disability was due to sin in his life or that of his parents, Jesus said, "This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
Bidwell paralleled that story with his own experience, saying, "God had entrusted me with this to glorify Him, and I didn't want to waste that.
"I know God has a wonderful plan for me," he concluded. "My only duty is to keep my focus on Him, and I encourage you all to do the same."
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