Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself

by Clayton Kershaw, Ellen Kershaw, Ann Higginbottom

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is best known for the curveball Vin Scully dubbed “Public Enemy Number One.” But Clayton sees his ability to throw a baseball as just one way he lives out his passion for God. In Arise, he teams up with his wife, Ellen, to share what they have learned about making a difference in the world while living out your God-given dreams.Long before Clayton began his pro baseball career, he and Ellen made a commitment to live out their faith in Christ by giving to others—and they see their success on and off the field as blessings to be shared with those who are hurting most.

Genres: Sports, Faith, Nonfiction, Baseball, Autobiography

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Reid Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is not a lot of hope left in professional sports, let's be honest. It seems like every week there is another big name athlete in some sort of trouble. Even our "respectable" athletes are greedy numbskulls constantly looking for bigger paychecks and blaming others for all their personal woes. Truthfully, parents today would probably rather not have their kids idolize today's professional athletes.

Clayton Kershaw is not your typical athlete. He is much, much more. With his wife Ellen by his side both physically and spiritually, Kershaw strives to be a Christian first and a baseball player second. In their book, Clayton and Ellen document their years together starting in high school until the present. They grow as a couple but most importantly they grow together in the Lord. Ellen has a heart for the people of Zambia. Clayton has a passion for baseball and standing out as a Christian in an un-Christian world. They encourage each other, support each other, and pray for each other.

Every young man and woman should read the story of Clayton and Ellen Kershaw. Their story isn't typical but it is inspiring to see a young man and woman be so dedicated to serving and loving others. They give us hope that athletes can do good.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've admired Clayton Kershaw as a baseball player, as well as for his humanitarian work. This book was a quick read, giving insight into how he and his wife live out their faith. That being said, I enjoyed Clayton's chapters much more than Ellen's. Ellen's writing seems very sincere, but not of much substance. It's almost as though she has a word count quota to fulfill with how many times she can include "Lord," "God," and "Jesus" in each paragraph. She is very fervent, and this book was written when she was quite young; I wonder if with more life experience she might have brought a little more content to her writing. In addition, the other thing that bothered me about this book was the tendency to use "Africa" and "Zambia" interchangeably.

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A faith-journey book written by a very young Clayton Kershaw and his wife for an even younger audience. This book is written for high schoolers who are young and excited about their faith and is about following your dreams. Recommended for the young; unfortunately, not enough baseball in this book to keep my interest.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooo so good! made me love clayton kershaw so much more than i already did.

[Crystal Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a big baseball fan and honestly haven’t heard of Clayton Kershaw. When I first received this book, by looking at the cover I thought it was about them adopting children from another country. Little did I know that it was a story of faith, hope, love and fulfilling Christ’s calling on your life.

Clayton is starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and loves baseball but he loves Christ even more. Ellen has a love for Africa and for Christ even more. During her college years, Ellen spent time in Zambia at a orphanage. All she wanted was to help these children. After they were married, they took a trip to Zambia and there Clayton got to see how much this meant to her.

After they returned, Kershaw’s challenge was born! For every batter Clayton struck out they would donate a $100 to make life better for the orphanage. I highly recommend this book to all college kids, adults, young adults, and athletes and to those who love helping orphanages, no matter where they are. You definitely will not be disappointed.

Thank You to Regal for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review

[Benjamin Friday · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't terribly thorough or deeply insightful into the life and career of Clayton Kershaw, but it succeeds at being a very solid, easily readable evangelistic tool probably geared more towards high school aged kids. I enjoyed it for what it was, and can't really knock it too much seeing as I happen to agree with the Kershaws on many of their points and share their faith. I walk away from reading it challenged and encouraged by their stand for the Lord, and with an even higher opinion of the couple than I previously held. But it does bear pointing out (strictly from a reading comprehension level point-of-view) that this book doesn't really go or read that deep. That's not bad, but it's just what it is.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book! Would recommend this for any youth or youth minister to use as a Bible study discussion. Living in Zambia, their accounts and perceptions of Zambia are very accurate! Great to have people like this as role models for our kids. They love Jesus it is obvious!!

[Sabra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a neat book. Would be great for h.s. kids. Never heard of the pitcher, but apparently he's big time!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great couple great story

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story

[Chris Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. Little to religious for me, but they are great people. would recommend to a teenager or baseball fan.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read with a great message, I highly recommend reading this book.

[Kittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Jonathan Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. This peak into Kershaw' s Christ-centered life confirms why he is one of my favorite athletes.