Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Derek Redmond arrived at the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona determined to win a medal in the 400 meter race. The color of the medal was meaningless; he just wanted to win one. Just one. He had been forced to withdraw from the 400 at the 1988 Games in Seoul, only 10 minutes before the race, because of an Achilles tendon injury. He then underwent five surgeries over the next year. This was the same runner who had shattered the British 400-meter record at age 19. So when the 1992 Games arrived, this was his time, his moment, his stage, to show the world how good he was and who he was.Derek's father Jim had accompanied him to Barcelona, just as he did for all world competitions. They were as close as a father and son could be. Inseparable, really. The best of friends. When Derek ran, it was as if his father were running right next to him.The day of the race arrives. The top four finishers in each of the two semifinal heats qualify for the Olympic final. As race time approaches for the semifinal 400 heat, Jim heads up to his seat at the top of Olympic Stadium, not far from where the Olympic torch was lit just a few days earlier. He is wearing a T-shirt that reads, "Have you hugged your foot today?"The stadium is packed with 65,000 fans, bracing themselves for one of sport's greatest and most exciting races. The race begins and Redmond breaks from the pack and quickly seizes the lead. "Keep it up, keep it up," Jim says to himself. Down the backstretch, only 175 meters away from finishing, Redmond is a shoo-in to make the finals. Suddenly, he hears a pop in his right hamstring. He pulls up lame, as if he had been shot. Redmond begins hopping on one leg, then slows down and falls to the track. As he lays on the track, clutching his right hamstring, a medical personnel unit runs toward him. At the same time, Jim Redmond, seeing his son in trouble, races down from the top row of the stands, sidestepping people, bumping into others. He has no credential to be on the track, but all he thinks about is getting to his son, to help him up. "I wasn't going to be stopped by anyone," he later tells the media.On the track, Redmond realizes his dream of an Olympic medal is gone. Tears run down his face. "All I could think was, 'I'm out of the Olympics -- again,'" he would say. As the medical crew arrives with a stretcher, Redmond tells them, "No, there's no way I'm getting on that stretcher. I'm going to finish my race." Then, in a moment that will live forever in the minds of millions, Redmond lifts himself to his feet, ever so slowly, and starts hobbling down the track. The other runners have finished the race, with Steve Lewis of the U.S. winning the contest in 44.50. Suddenly, everyone realizes that Redmond isn't dropping out of the race by hobbling off to the side of the track. No, he is actually continuing on one leg. He's going to attempt to hobble his way to the finish line. All by himself. All in the name of pride and heart. Slowly, the crowd, in total disbelief, rises and begins to roar. The roar gets louder and louder. Through the searing pain, Redmond hears the cheers, but "I wasn't doing it for the crowd," he would later say. "I was doing it for me. Whether people thought I was an idiot or a hero, I wanted to finish the race. I'm the one who has to live with it." One painful step at a time, each one a little slower and more painful than the one before, his face twisted with pain and tears, Redmond limps onward, and the crowd, many in tears, cheer him on. Suddenly, Jim Redmond finally gets to the bottom of the stands, leaps over the railing, avoids a security guard, and runs out to his son, with two security people chasing after him. "That's my son out there," he yells back to security, "and I'm going to help him." Finally, with Derek refusing to surrender and painfully limping along the track, Jim reaches his son at the final curve, about 120 meters from the finish, and wraps his arm around his waist.
"I'm here, son," Jim says softly, hugging his boy. "We'll finish together." Derek puts his arms around his father's shoulders and sobs. Together, arm in arm, father and son, with 65,000 people cheering, clapping and crying, finish the race, just as they vowed they would. A couple steps from the finish line, and with the crowd in an absolute frenzy, Jim releases the grip he has on his son, so Derek could cross the finish line by himself. Then he throws his arms around Derek again, both crying, along with everyone in the stands and on TV." I'm the proudest father alive," he tells the press afterwards, tears in his eyes. "I'm prouder of him than I would have been if he had won the gold medal. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did."
I think that this is such a magnificent picture of a father's love for his son. It also serves as a graphic reminder that our Father in heaven is watching us run the race of life with love and devotion toward us. He loves us so much that He helps us cross the finish line. God, the Father, will always encourage us and equip us to finish the race that He has set before us. God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We can make it to the end with a Father like that!
Watch a video of this inspirational and memorable Olympic moment.
Pastor Tim
Monday, August 11, 2008
John Stephen Akwhwari competed in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He ran the marathon representing his country, Tanzania. During the race, Akwhwari fell cutting his knee badly. He also injured his head and was trampled on before he could get up. Somehow, he did get up. Running in pain Akhwari never gave up. He finished the 26 mile race. He arrived in the stadium (where the finish line was), long after the last competitors did. There were a few fans left in the stadium who began to cheer him on. No doubt, they were inspired by his persistence to finish the race. The response of the crowd was so overwhelming, it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few metres of his race with a thundering ovation that far exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier, had come in first. When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital.
The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat. The first question was the one any of us would have asked, "Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?" John Stephen Akhwari said this: "My country did not send me over 11,000 kilometres to start a race. They sent me over 11,000 kilometres to finish one."
One person said that Akhwari's race is the greatest last place finish in Olympic history. In our quest for spiritual gold let's remember the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Click the link below and see a short video of John Stephen Akhwari's great finish.
Pastor Tim
Friday, August 08, 2008
Lawrence Lemieux is a Canadian sailor who competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Lawerence sailed in the Finn class (I don't know what that means, you'll have to look it up).
The sailing competition was underway at Pusan, 32 kilometers from Seoul, Korea. The conditions for sailing had unexpectedly become dangerous. Acceptable winds of fifteen knots had escalated at times to 35 knots. The waters were playing havoc with boats and crews.
The sailing competition was underway at Pusan, 32 kilometers from Seoul, Korea. The conditions for sailing had unexpectedly become dangerous. Acceptable winds of fifteen knots had escalated at times to 35 knots. The waters were playing havoc with boats and crews.
In the 470 class, two sailors on the Singapore team, Joseph Chan and Shaw Her Siew, were thrown into the water, suffering injuries and unable to right their boat. The situation was a dangerous one.
Sailing alone near the half point in his race on the nearby Finn class race course, Lemieux was then in second place in this the fifth of a seven race event and was given a good chance to win one of the medals. But still, Lemieux immediately took action, forgetting his own race and sailing toward Joseph Chan in the 470 class. As the Canadian was dragging Chan aboard, his own boat began filling with water. Successfully rescuing Chan, Lemieux immediately headed toward Shaw Her Siew, who was clinging tenaciously to his overturned boat. Lemieux performed the same rescue operation and now both Singaporean sailors were in his boat. But for Lemieux victory was impossible. He waited for an official patrol boat to reach him, then transferred the two men. Lemieux then continued in his race, but the loss of time during the rescue operation put him out of contention. He finished 22nd in a race that started with 32 boats.
Soon after the race, the story of the rescue reached the jury of the International Yacht Racing Union. They unanimously decided that Lemieux should be awarded second place for this, the position he was in when he went to the aid of the Singapore crew. None of the other contestants questioned the decision.
Though Lemieux did not win a medal in the overall seven race competition, at the medal awards ceremony Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee, awarded Lemieux the Pierre de Coubertin Medal for Sportsmanship, and paid honour to Lemieux for his act.
"By your sportsmanship, self-sacrifice and courage," said Samaranch, "you embody all that is right with the Olympic ideal."
Lemieux has since retired from sailing and is now a coach.
Sailing alone near the half point in his race on the nearby Finn class race course, Lemieux was then in second place in this the fifth of a seven race event and was given a good chance to win one of the medals. But still, Lemieux immediately took action, forgetting his own race and sailing toward Joseph Chan in the 470 class. As the Canadian was dragging Chan aboard, his own boat began filling with water. Successfully rescuing Chan, Lemieux immediately headed toward Shaw Her Siew, who was clinging tenaciously to his overturned boat. Lemieux performed the same rescue operation and now both Singaporean sailors were in his boat. But for Lemieux victory was impossible. He waited for an official patrol boat to reach him, then transferred the two men. Lemieux then continued in his race, but the loss of time during the rescue operation put him out of contention. He finished 22nd in a race that started with 32 boats.
Soon after the race, the story of the rescue reached the jury of the International Yacht Racing Union. They unanimously decided that Lemieux should be awarded second place for this, the position he was in when he went to the aid of the Singapore crew. None of the other contestants questioned the decision.
Though Lemieux did not win a medal in the overall seven race competition, at the medal awards ceremony Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the International Olympic Committee, awarded Lemieux the Pierre de Coubertin Medal for Sportsmanship, and paid honour to Lemieux for his act.
"By your sportsmanship, self-sacrifice and courage," said Samaranch, "you embody all that is right with the Olympic ideal."
Lemieux has since retired from sailing and is now a coach.
What an incredible story. It's a powerful picture of what our Christian lives are about. Everyone else may be trying to win medals, accumulate honors or achieve greatness - but our mission is to rescue those who are hurting, to offer help to those whose lives may be overturned by storms. Jesus said it best when he said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost" (Luke 19:10). That's going for the gold.
Pastor Tim
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
One of the United States most famous Olympians is Jesse Owens. Owens competed in the 1936 summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Jesse single-handedly frustrated Adolf Hitler with his athletic prowess. Hitler disliked black athletes and felt they were inferior to Arians. Hitler was hoping that the 1936 Olympics would prove him right. Jesse Owens stunning victories and achievement of four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin has made him the best remembered of all Olympic athletes. Fast and fierce, Jesse Owens sprinted his way into the history books and his story continues to inspire many today.
Jesse Owens main event was the Long Jump. But Owens was having trouble with that event in Berlin. In the qualifying rounds, he missed two times. The first time, he thought he was just taking a practice jump, but the official counted it as one of his three actual attempts to qualify. On his second attempt, he misjudged the takeoff spot and fouled again. One more miss, and he would be eliminated from competition. His main competitor was a German named Lutz Long, the only jumper there with a reasonable shot at beating Owens.
It was just then that Lutz Long walked over to Jesse Owens and chatted with him for a few moments. “Something must be bothering you,” Long said. “You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed. Owens explained that he had not realized that his first jump counted as a qualifying attempt. That had so rattled him that he overcompensated in his second jump.
Long said, “Since the distance you need to qualify isn’t that difficult, make a mark about a foot before you reach the foul line. Use that as your jump-off point. That way you won’t foul.”
Jesse did just that. He used his foot to dig a mark in the grass about a foot short of the foul line, and he used that as his jump-off spot. He qualified that time with a couple of feet to spare.
Later that afternoon, Jesse Owens and Lutz Long went head-to-head in competition. It was nip-and-tuck to the end, but Jesse Owens prevailed winning the gold medal. Hitler reportedly scowled, when his German competitor Lutz Long ran over and threw his arms around him in congratulations. Years later, Jesse Owens talked about that moment, and he said, “You could melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t match the 24-carat friendship I felt for Lutz Long at that moment.”
The two men became good friends and stayed in touch, even during World War II when the two nations were locked in a terrible war with each other. Lutz was a lieutenant in the German Army, but he wrote to Owens and said, “I hope we can always remain best of friends despite the differences between our countries.”
It was the last communication the two of them ever shared, for just a few days later, Lutz was killed in battle. But the story doesn’t end there. Years later, Owens received a letter from Lutz Long’s son, who was then 22-years old and getting married. The letter said, “Even though my father can’t be here to be my best man, I know who he would want in his place. He would want someone that he and his entire family admired and respected. He would want you to take his place. And I do, too.”
And Jesse Owens flew to Germany to be the best man at the wedding of the son of his former arch competitor and rival.
What a powerful story and what a powerful statement made by Owens that friendship was more important than medals. Proverbs 14:20 says, "The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends." There is a richness that is enjoyed when someone has good friends. Jesse Owens learned that in the 1936 Olympics and it was worth more than gold.
Pastor Tim
Monday, August 04, 2008
It almost goes without saying that when we think of the modern Olympics and Christians in the same sentence, we think of Eric Liddell, the Flying Scotsman. Eric was born in 1902 in China where his parents were missionaries for the London Mission Society. He attended Edinburgh University where he was hailed as one of their best track and field runners ever. He ran the 100 yards and the 220 yards for the university.
Liddell represented England in the 1924 Paris Olympics. His story has been made famous in the movie Chariots of Fire. There are some great scenes and some great quotes in this movie. One of my favorites is when Eric was talking with his sister Jennie. Jennie is worried that Eric is too busy focusing on running and not paying enough attention to his "real" mission in China. Eric tells his sister that he feels inspired when he runs. He says to her, "I believe that God made me for a purpose... (the mission), but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." Eric learns that his heat is to be run on Sunday, he declared that he could not run on Sundays as it would violate his convictions regarding the Sabbath. One of the most moving scenes in the movie is when Lord Andrew Lindsey proposes to trade places with Liddell so that Lindsey would represent Great Britain in the 100m, while Liddell would instead compete in the 400 meter event on the following Thursday, thus averting his need to run on Sunday. In the movie, Liddell is seen in church on Sunday, quoting Isaiah 40: 31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Liddell represented England in the 1924 Paris Olympics. His story has been made famous in the movie Chariots of Fire. There are some great scenes and some great quotes in this movie. One of my favorites is when Eric was talking with his sister Jennie. Jennie is worried that Eric is too busy focusing on running and not paying enough attention to his "real" mission in China. Eric tells his sister that he feels inspired when he runs. He says to her, "I believe that God made me for a purpose... (the mission), but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." Eric learns that his heat is to be run on Sunday, he declared that he could not run on Sundays as it would violate his convictions regarding the Sabbath. One of the most moving scenes in the movie is when Lord Andrew Lindsey proposes to trade places with Liddell so that Lindsey would represent Great Britain in the 100m, while Liddell would instead compete in the 400 meter event on the following Thursday, thus averting his need to run on Sunday. In the movie, Liddell is seen in church on Sunday, quoting Isaiah 40: 31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
What many people don’t know is that after the Olympics, he followed in his parents’ footsteps as a missionary to China. It was there during World War II that he was interned in the Weishien Concentration Camp where he died while serving Christ Jesus.
Sally Magnusson, in her biography of Liddell, explained the secret of his radiant life: “Every morning about 6 a.m., with curtains tightly drawn to keep in the shining of our peanut-oil lamp… he used to climb out of his top bunk, past the sleeping forms of his dormitory mates. Then, at the small Chinese table, (he would sit) with the light just enough to illumine (his) Bibles and notebooks. Silently (he) read, prayed, and thought about the day's duties, noted what should be done. Eric was a man of prayer...”
That was his great secret. He knew how to devote his mornings to meeting with his divine Coach. There are many lessons that can be drawn from Eric Liddell’s life, but chief among them is this: Champions for God often devote their morning hours to spending time with Him. As Eric Liddell knew, when we begin the morning with God, we can enjoy His presence all day long. Henry Ward Beecher said, “The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.”
Going for the gold in our Christian life is spending quality time with the Lord. Just like Eric Liddell.
Pastor Tim
Thursday, July 31, 2008
08.08.08 - That's the date for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. I always enjoy watching the Olympics. I believe the purest form of athleticism is exhibited in track and field events. I also enjoy learning some of the personal triumphs of the athletes. Some of these stories are really inspiring. Over the next few days I want to share some of these stories with you and hopefully they will inspire you, or re-inspire you to run the Christian race with diligence.
The Apostle Paul must have had some interest in athletics, because he frequently used the games as illustrations for his messages. He was familiar, not only with the Olympics of his day, but with all the other ancient games. And just like a good teacher today, the apostle Paul sometimes used sports allusions to illustrate his sermons and writings. Like in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: (The Message)
24-25 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
26-27 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
26-27 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
So there is precedent for drawing spiritual lessons from the world of athletics, and perhaps even from the Olympic Games themselves. And I hope over the next few days we can be inspired to run for the gold. To persevere through tough times and win that prize that never fades away.
Pastor Tim
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Last week, Pam and I took a road trip to Toledo, Ohio. We helped our son and daughter-in-law move by hauling their furniture and towing their car. I have to admit I was pretty stoked before the trip. It was kind of a “man thing” thinking about driving a big diesel truck and looking down on all the “little cars”. I was singing old trucker classics like: “Six days on the road and I’m gonna make it home tonight. And, “Give me 40 acres and I’ll turn this rig around”. After about 5 hours in the truck I was singing, “I can’t feel my booty” (sung to the tune of “If you want my body”).Interstate 80 is a long road! Did you know that there are 3 prisons in Nevada that are located off I-80? Those salt flats are good locations for prisons, I guess. Are there that many criminals in Nevada? Did you know that Wyoming has a drive-by zoo all along I-80? Well, it’s a zoo if you don’t mind the animals being dead. Apparently the state of Wyoming cannot keep up with roadkill. We saw dead deer (lots of them), antelope, porcupine, wolf or coyote (is there a difference?), rabbit, dog, duck-billed platypus and tapir. Just kidding about the last two, but it would not have surprised me.
Did you know this is what Nebraska looks like?
This also looks like Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and the part of Ohio we saw. Do we really need that much corn?
After four days on the road, the happiest moment was when we pulled into our kids driveway. After 2,432 miles and $1,467.00 worth of diesel, I was happy to be in Toledo!
Our Christian life can be compared to a road trip. It’s long and laborious and sometimes boring. But we’re in it for the long haul, right? So thinking about my recent road trip, here are some lessons I learned about the road of life.
1. Thinking about the final destination motivates you to keep going forward – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2
2. Observe what’s lying on the side of the road – Many times we pass by those who are lying on the side of the road, ran over by life. Do we care enough to stop and help? In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus was asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus made it clear in this parable that our neighbor is anyone on the side of the road who is in need.
3. Follow the signs – God has given us his word so that our lives can be pointed in the right direction. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
4. The best part of the trip is unloading – “Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7. On this Christian road trip, everyday is a good day to unload on Christ.
Let’s follow Jesus Christ down the road of life. The road is better when we travel together. Hey good buddy, we’ve got ourselves a convoy!
Pastor Tim
