"Turning my life over to God was a difficult thing because it meant that I had to give Him control of my life. Everything in our society is geared towards having more, and that's the way I am, too. I'm determined and stubborn that I will get more by pushing myself. But I found that the more I tried, the less happy I was. I learned that life is better when I give everything to God. It’s my relationship with Jesus that gives me true significance.”
—Catriona LeMay Doan, Canadian Olympic gold medalist speed-skater

“I was singing in bars with a heavy-metal band called Doomsday. We told people we were a prophetic band from the darkness. One night between two sets after singing ‘Highway to Hell’ by AC/DC, somebody gave me a little New Testament from The Gideons and said, “Take this and read it, because someday you’re going to sing about what’s in it.” I started reading it instead of hanging out with the band between sets. It totally changed my life. ”
—Luc Gingras, heavy-metal band member

“Before my race I’m usually praying. I just pray that I will skate for God’s glory and to the best of my ability. I’ve won a medal, but that’s nothing compared to the crown I’ll get in Heaven. I see a lot of people in sports who think when they reach a certain level they’ve got it made, but really, you can only find happiness in the Lord.”
–Cindy Klassen, Canadian Olympic gold medalist speed-skater

“My courage comes from my faith. I can rely on God and I know that things are in His control, not mine. It feels like I’ve almost got an unfair advantage.”
—Lyndon Rush, Canadian Bobsled Team

“As a small child, I was repeatedly molested by a close relative. In my teens I turned to drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. I became pregnant at 18 and had a baby girl. About a month later, I picked up an old worn Gideon Testament that I had lying around the house. I felt unworthy and guilty, but as I read on, I knew that even the vilest offender can come to Jesus. As I accepted Jesus into my heart, I knew that my life would never be the same.”
—K.G., British Columbia

“I was introduced to a life of prostitution when I was 14, and met and married my pimp when I was 17. The next 10 years were very, very dark, filled with much abuse, violence and drugs. One night I was hiding out in a hotel room by myself and I opened the drawer and there was a Gideon Bible. I opened it up somewhere in Psalms. For the first time I understood what God was saying to me. That night my life began to move in a new direction.”
—Natasha Falle, former prostitute and drug addict

“For me reading the Bible has been a wonderful experience as I have grown in my knowledge and appreciation of God. This is where He speaks to me. I would recommend starting in the New Testament, maybe in the Book of John, and continuing from there. Read slowly and carefully. ”
© Paul Henderson Life Story — Paul Henderson, former NHL player and member of Team Canada for 1972 Summit Series

“I read the Bible every day. I’m in my second pass-through now, in the Book of John. My pastor told me to start with the New Testament, so I did, maybe two years ago. Worked my way through it, then through the Old Testament. Now I’m back in the New Testament. ”
© 2008 Reader’s Digest — Denzel Washington, actor