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Christian Olympians

Since our last post was so successful, it inspired this one.  I thought I would list a few Olympians who have shared their Christian faith.  This is not intended to be a full list so please feel free to add a comment, if you know others.  Thanks!

Gabby Douglas  Gabby Douglas, 2 Gold Medals, Gymnast

“I meditate on scripture” said Gabby Douglas to the reporter when asked about how she deals with the pressure and the nerves of being a gymnast on the biggest stage in the world

“I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me.”

Allyson Felix Christian

 Allyson Felix, 3 Gold Medals, Track and Field (100 and 200 meters)

“It’s official…I’m going to London!! All glory to God! I’m so thankful for the love, support & encouragement,”

“My faith inspires me so much. It is the very reason that I run. I feel that my running is completely a gift from God and it is my responsibility to use it to glorify him. My faith also helps me not be consumed with winning, but to see the big picture and what life is really all about.”

David Boudia Christian

David Boudia, Gold Medal, Diving

“It’s all about glorifying God. I approach the practices and the competitions the same. I’m at peace when I’m doing those things and it’s for God and His glory.”

“Whatever happens at the end of this Olympic Games is completely out of my control, God is totally sovereign over everything.”  (This realization also helped him overcome depression)

 

 

 

William Reid Priddy Christian

 William Reid Priddy, Gold medal, Men’s Volleyball

“I believe that God is most glorified when I use the gifts He has given me to the best of my ability, whether I am on international TV or just training,”

Christians should be “to pursue greatness (no matter what you are doing) in the name of God and clinging to the strength He provides. Not with the end goal of winning – though it can be a goal and is part of the process – but rather to become more like God and glorify Him.”

Lauren Cheney Christian

Lauren Cheney, Gold Medal, Women’s Soccer

“We weren’t given these talents to be mediocre. Our God is great – He deserves greatness.”

(After losing the 2011 World Cup) “It was a rollercoaster ride, but it was neat to just see (God’s) hand on that (situation),” Heath said. “It’s more than just winning or losing. There are so many relationships that go deeper than that. He has a plan in it all. You have to trust that. Even though it’s not the ideal outcome—I mean, everybody wants to be winners—you have to trust that God has a greater plan for this even when you can’t see it.”

Jacob Wukie Christian

 Jacob Wukie, Silver medal, Archery

“I will be living my life for Christ, seeking to know Him more, and seeking to be used by Him to influence the lives of those around me so that they might know Him as well.”

 

 

Lolo Jones Lori (Lolo) Jones, 4th, Track and Field (100 meters)

“It’s just a gift (virginity) I want to give my husband. But please understand this journey has been hard. There are virgins out there and I want to let them know that it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“As I arrive in London for the Olympics, I’m overwhelmed with emotions. Thank you Lord for another chance and for holding me as I waited.”

 

Ryan hall Christian Ryan Hall, DNF – injury, Track and Field (Marathon)

God as his coach.

“I like to start off every morning by asking God how He sees me,”

 

 

 

 

 

James Nieto Christian

Jamie Nieto, 6th place, Track & Field (Men’s High Jump)

“Your only limitations are what you believe them to be, and as long as you put God first, you can achieve   all things through Him,”

“I need God in every aspect to help me move forward in my career and being here at the Olympics is a testament.”

 

And a few others:

Brady Ellison, Archer – “Here we go four years of sweat and blood and hard work to prepare for today. Thank you Lord for lettin me [be] here this week. Lets do it.”

Jesse Williams, track and Field (High jump) – “Praise the Lord Jesus Christ he is good!”

Marquise Goodwin, track and Field (Long jump) – “All this wouldn’t be possible without you! #God.”

Bryan Clay, track and Field (Decathalon) – “God first. Family second. Track third.”

Creative Commons License
Christian Olympians by Westchester Men’s Ministry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at https://nymensministry.com/2012/08/13/christian-olympians/ .

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Trust God and Be at Peace

Trust God - peace

     May today there be peace within

   May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

    May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

    May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has

    been given to you.

    May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

    Let his presence settle in to your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

                            It is there for every one of us.

                                                                 ― St. Thérèse de Lisieux

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Top Tweets in the Last Six Months!

As I looked at these I noticed many of them occured more than 2 months ago so I thought I would share with our new followers.  I hope they are an encouragement to you.  God bless!

#10 Jewish word 4 “obey” = ‘to listen’. NT Greek word 4 obedience, hypakouein, literally means ‘to listen carefully’ Obedience = submit 2 Word –Aug 1

#9 Perfectionism is the enemy of creation, as extreme self-solitude is the enemy of well-being. –John Updike — Jul 31

#8 Sometimes I try to do God’s job; It causes a lot of anxiety. Thank you Lord for being in control! …Retweet if u agree — Nov 26

#7 God will not give up on you; don’t give up on yourself! — Dec 05

#6 Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved him o’er & o’er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O 4 grace 2 trust Him more! -For Mildred Kothe –Jan 7

#5 2 Cor 4:8-12 Hope, because although u face troubles, you are not 4saken. Actually you face these troubles because Jesus is alive within u –May 23

#4 God gave us weaknesses, so our gaps fit perfectly (ie. jigsaw puzzle) into the body of Christ. For He is our strength. Don’t try this alone! –Aug 02

#3 Do your best; trust Me for the rest. – God –Aug 19

#2 Without #God, all we are predestined for is the grave. Thank you Lord for saving us from #death! #Grace #Salvation #Jesus –Jan 25

#1 Ed Dobson, you are an inspiration.   http://t.co/eW3rvqmu     No “poor me” thoughts for me today. Thank you! — Oct 18

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This Year will be Different – SkitGuys

Do you feel sometimes that your life consists of waking up, eating, going to work and doing it all over again tomorrow.  Make next year different.  You can start today!

Source: http://skitguys.com/videos/item/this-year-will-be-different

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In Jesus’ Name

A Prayer from Jesus; He gets the Credit

    It isn’t uncommon today for someone to donate money to a cause on another’s behalf.  This could be done as a gift or to celebrate / mourn an event.  They may have said “I have made a donation to this organization in your name“.   Of course you would thank them, especially if you have strong feelings for the organization or its purpose.  The fact the money was given in your name means you get the credit for the donation rather than the giver.

   I was thinking the other night that this isn’t that different from a prayer said in Jesus’ name.  When we say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer, we’re saying that this prayer should be treated as if it came from Jesus directly.  Also He will get the credit for any good thing that comes from it. 

 

Authority

   There is a difference though.  Unlike donating to a charity, a prayer said in our own name will not be accepted.  It’s not because God doesn’t love us but because we aren’t righteous (sinless) and therefore have no ability or authority to ask on our own behalf.  Think about it this way, although this isn’t a perfect analogy, if you needed a favor from someone but you recently had a bad argument with them, it isn’t likely that they would go out on a limb to help you.  They may not even want to talk to you.  You would need someone else who they respect and possible love, to go on your behalf and ask them.

   When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are asking Jesus to be the conduit with God.  To advocate for us because He is the only one who can.  We are also following the direction He gave us in John 14:13-14.

His Will

Now, if we were to take the anology about donations above a little further, we can attempt to explain the last point on this topic.  If someone said that they would like to donate money or time to an organization in your name, and the organization had a purpose/mission that you strongly opposed, you would refuse.  Or you might recommend a different organization. 

In the same way, when we pray in Jesus’ name our prayers must align with God’s will.  If we ask for something that doesn’t glorfiy God, than we shouldn’t expect the prayer to be answered.  Actually if we are truely open to God’s will, many times we know this before we even complete the prayer.  One of the hardest aspects of prayer, is the letting go of our will.

Of course Jesus says in John 14:12 that we must also pray with faith.  We must believe.  If God is worth praying to, He’s worthy also of our expectations that our prayer will be answered.  Isn’t He?

May God bless your reading of this blog entry, in Jesus’ very precious name!

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Passover Poem

On that night, so long ago, when Adonai heard the plea.  Of the Jewish slaves in Egypt, through Moses they would see, The plagues were sent, the shout rang out,  “LET MY PEOPLE GO!”

But Pharaoh defied the Great “I AM” responding with a “NO”

The lambs were slain, the blood applied, Adonai would pass them by,  The homes without the blood, meant their firstborn would die,

They fled the land, …Moses staff in hand, the LORD parted the Red Sea.   And God’s chosen ones, the Israelites, were finally set free.

On that “Passover” so long ago, Adonai heard the plea, And sent HIS Son “Yeshua”,  So all the world would see, HE was the Passover lamb, for all the world to know, HE IS… the “MASHIACH”, foretold of long ago,

When we apply HIS blood, to the doorposts of our hearts, The sea of “sin” inside us, is now, what parts, HE fills us with His Ruach, who helps us to obey, So we can honor his Torah, in a graceful, loving way.

On that Passover, so long ago, our Father showed His Love, And on that day, every year, we praise the LORD above!

Author: unknown
Images courtesy of: ubdavid.org, http://www.jesuswalk.com
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The Gospel in 7 minutes

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>The Sun Will Rise!! Indeed!

>Our dog was saved by Danny and Ron. Please check out this moving slide show and consider giving to their efforts. Thank you!

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

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>Small Group Opportunities

> Last week, we kicked off the year with breakfast. Kevin Gillen spoke to us about being an example in our homes. This is our first and in many ways our primary missionary field. So it was a very appropriate way to kick off our year.


Two small groups are now available for you to join to continue the conversation. These groups provide a safe environment to share, be encouraged and to grow together in Christ. I hope you will take advantage of them.


Thursday Evening at 7pm

Rob Rosati and Marc Greenblum (leaders)

22 Baltic Place, Apt. 3P

Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

Every other Saturday Morning at 7:30am

(Yea, you miss a little sleep but you won’t miss any Saturday family events.)

Started Today. Will meet Oct 17th and 31st. November 7th and 21st; December 5th and 19th.

19 Saddle Ridge Road (right off of route 133 near Millwood)

Ossining, NY 10562

914-373-4855

Don’t wait until the next monthly breakfast to be blessed!