ABOUT FAITH & FREEDOM

Thursday, January 09, 2025

Hollywood, God and Football

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Nikki Glaser, the comedian who hosted this year’s Golden Globes Awards in Beverly Hills, joked Sunday that none of the evening’s winners thanked God for their successes.

While it was mostly tongue-in-cheek, she delivered her message to Christians while mocking the Catholics.

Her comments were related to the hundreds of football players and coaches who stood before TV cameras over the past couple of weeks and told the nation and the world that God---Jesus Christ, is the most important person in their lives.

There is a great spiritual move of God on the college and university campuses in America.

Self-absorbed Hollywood can't seem to restrain itself when it comes to mocking people who are acknowledging God as the most important person in their lives.

Be informed, not misled.

RE Hollywood

At the halfway point of the star-studded show, Glaser said the acceptance speeches had been “on fire” before looking at a tally of who winning celebrities had thanked upon receiving their prizes, with cast and crew members filling the No. 1 spot, followed by moms and “Access Hollywood” host Mario Lopez.

“God, creator of the universe, with zero mentions,” said Glaser. “[N]o surprise in this godless town.”

“I am not here to roast you tonight,” she told the "famous" A-listers crowd. “I want you to know that. How could I, really? You are all so famous, so talented, so powerful.”

At another point during her performance Sunday night, Glaser poked fun at Catholicism.

“There were so many great movies this year, from ‘Wicked’ to ‘Conclave,'” said the comedian, who was raised Catholic. “Wait, that just gave me an idea.”

At that point, the lights went out, and when they came back on, Glaser was wearing a bishop’s hat and was holding a pink and gold glittery staff reminiscent of “Wicked.” She then began singing a parody of the song “Popular” from the musical.

“You will be pope-ular. You’re gonna be pope-ular. I’ll teach you some Catholic prayers,” she sang before abruptly stopping, pretending then to speak to someone through an earpiece: “Wait this sucks? This whole thing sucks? I’m embarrassing myself in front of Elton John?”

You can watch Glaser’s comments about God in the video below:

RE God and football

In the world of collegiate football, it appears Jesus is going on a blitz.

A large number of young football players have, in recent days, used the publicity from their games as a way to point fans and viewers toward the Gospel — a holy interference that seems to be gaining momentum.

Athletes from various teams are speaking out about their faith in God.

Ahmed Hassanein, a defensive end for the Boise State Broncos, offered perhaps the most powerful testimony after his team’s loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

“First, I want to start off and say, all glory to Jesus Christ,” he said. “He’s the true champion.”

Hassanein then turned to his defensive coach, Deion Barnes, telling him, “Coach D, you changed my life. … I did not know God until I got to Boise State.”

The player went on to give a succinct Gospel presentation, telling the reporters gathered at the press conference that “Jesus Christ is the only true God,” who “died and rose from the dead three days later.”

“That’s the champion that I serve,” he added, nearly in tears while tens of millions watched on television.

Hassanein wasn't alone in his reflections on Jesus.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard immediately pointed to his Christian faith when a reporter asked him for his reaction to his team winning the Rose Bowl.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “You know, first and foremost, I’ve gotta thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage and here, in the Rose Bowl. A younger me would be in awe right now.”

Howard’s bold comments come months after players with the Ohio State football team led a massive revival on campus, prompting scores of baptisms.

After his team’s win in the Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard made similar comments.

He told ESPN, “First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be here as a whole group. … I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.”

A team of student reporters from The Lantern newspaper reports the event was led by the school's football team members who preached the gospel before 800-1,000 people. Some campus ministries and churches helped to organize it.

Throughout the evening, football players shared their testimonies as the crowd grew larger and larger.

"I was just doing my thing because it was fun, and I'll tell you this: I was on High Street, and I enjoyed it," former Buckeyes wide receiver Kamryn Babb said, according to The Lantern. "I had fun. But at the same time, I didn't recognize my condition. I was spiritually dead. I was spiritually dead. I could go out there, and I could smile and laugh. I can go back to the [Woody Hayes Athletic Center], and smile and laugh. But on the inside, I was broken. I was broken."

By the end of the night, an estimated 60 students chose to get baptized into the Christian faith in four tubs of water near the stage.

Takeaway

Ohio State offensive lineman Luke Montgomery also recently used his platform to tell reporters about Jesus.

“I never didn’t trust the Lord’s will and His path for me, if that makes any sense,” the sophomore athlete told reporters during a press conference on Aug. 22. “When I got here, I was blessed with the opportunity to have Scripture-based Bible studies with … guys that are moving on to the next part of their journey.”

As he steps into this new season, Montgomery said the responsibility of making faith central to what he and his teammates do has fallen to him and his other Christian peers.

It’s the Lord’s way; it’s not mine,” he said. “Things go His way and you’ve just got to trust in His plan. I pray about that a lot — every day before I run out past the red line and leave everything behind.”

I'm reminded of the words of the Prophet Joel (2:28), "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

What does this mean?

He enables us to declare His truth in a divine way through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

Underscore: "Your young men shall see visions." 

The word "visions" actually means "inspired" appearances.

Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.