An Olympic Spotlight - Ryan Hall

For those of you watching the Olympics this year, I want you all to keep an eye out for American marathon-man Ryan Hall. This guy is the real deal--committed Christian, family man and competitor. He has been featured in Runner's World magazine many times and an article recently delved into his spiritual life. Check out the article here. He also has a blog that gives further insight into the mind and heart of this remarkable athlete. Here's an excerpt from one blog that caught my attention:

"Perhaps we shouldn't be watching TV dreaming of what we can achieve in athletics, but rather what kind of fulfilling lives could we live if we prioritized what really matters. So what really matters? Well, I realize that I am only 25 years old but I have had a lot of dreams come crashing down on me. I had been told that if I believe and work with a passionate focus towards my goals than they would come true. However, like I said, sometimes no matter how hard you try you just come up short. Some of the goals we have may not even be possible for everyone to accomplish. For example, I know that every guy on the starting line of the Olympic Marathon on August 24th will have dreamt of winning the gold medal, but only one can win. What I have realized through many shattered dreams that I experienced is that it is not about the medals or the records it is about the condition of our heart on a daily basis. Having a heart that is at peace is far more precious than gold. I know that my heart should be set on making the most of everyday. I am excited about things like the Olympics that is a huge honor for me to partake in and is a huge opportunity to shine to the world. I am tremendously excited about the idea of running into that stadium first, hearing the roar of the crowd, and standing on the podium as they play America's national anthem. However, if I don't come into that stadium first and my dreams don't come true I know that it is still possible for me to accomplish my bigger dream. My bigger dream is the dream that the author of "Shattered Dreams" was eluding to. It was the dream that I couldn't see as I cried in disappointment after my last high school race. I have learned that my bigger dream, even bigger than winning a gold medal, is to praise God with every step. No matter what. Win, lose, DNF, no one, not even my own physical body can keep me from accomplishing my goal. It is a goal that frees me to run. When I run with a heart full of praise, released from the burderns of having to perform, I feel like I am soaring."

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The Olympics: A Flawed Picture of the New Creation

I am sure a majority of the people around the world are aware that the Olympics are now in full swing. I have to admit that I have a secret sports passion. I absolutely love watching gymnastics. I use to hold season ticket to the UGA Gym Dogs. Yet, I really do not think about this sport much anymore, except during the SEC Championship and every four years when the Olympics flood into every home.

Today I was watching the men's gymnastics and I was overwhelmed by a sense of, how in many ways the gathering of an enormous amount of tribes, tongues, peoples, and nations is a picture of what the new heavens and new earth will be like. Thus, I refer to the Games as a flawed picture. People enamored by the Games often speak of the spirit of the Olympics. Whereas in the new creation people from around the world will be overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty of the triune God.

Maybe you have heard a commentator of the Olympics grasping for words to describe the wonder of an event, or a personal story from the Games. Take note at how they will often borrow biblical language such as: Glory (cf. link, link, sermon link).

So when you watch the Olympics think about a future gathering of people from across the world (Rev. 7.9) where the focus is on the True Spirit. While you are doing this be sure to pray for the embedded mission groups who are spreading the Gospel in China during this season. If you can think of or know of any specific ways we can pray for these works please leave a response.

Just think and be moved by the idea of the gathering that is to come.

Hermeneutics and Children

I would suggest that some of the issues mention by Dr. Walton are not only specific to curriculum for children but also in curriculum designed for other age groups as well. Especially when it come to the Old Testament.

Read his post here:

Hermeneutics and Children's Curriculum