Bound to Forgive

Matthew 6:14-15 (New International Version)

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Writer Norman Cousins said that life is an adventure in forgiveness. I think Fr. Lawrence Martin Jenco would agree.

In 1984, Fr. Jenco traveled to Beirut, dedicated to help the poorest of the poor. On January 8, 1985, he was kidnapped by Shiite Muslim extremists and held hostage for 564 days. He endured imprisonment, beatings, illness and heartbreaking periods of sorrow and loneliness. Several years after his release, he wrote a book (BOUND TO FORGIVE, Ave Maria Press, 1995) about his experiences in captivity and, more importantly, about the power of love and forgiveness.

Fr. Jenco tells about being taped like a mummy from his ankles to the top of his head each time he was transported from one place to another. He described being forced to breathe only from his nose as his mouth was stuffed with a cloth and taped shut.

He tells of times when his captors said they were going to kill him and he waited for the bullet to go through his head. Other times he was dressed up and told he was going home, only to have his spirits dashed when he was later informed they were just kidding.

He remembers being chained hand and foot, donning a plastic bag on his head, and left in a two-foot by six-foot closet. And he remembers his stench when he was denied washing for over four months.

He was later asked what lesson those of us who haven't been in such a position can learn from his experience and apply to our daily living. He said, "Just look at the madness that goes on in the world today. We lug our hates and our bigotry and prejudices from generation to generation and we pass [them] on.... We [must] stop and look at each other and say, 'I am so sorry for the hurt I caused you. I ask your forgiveness.' And then [we must] extend forgiveness and...receive forgiveness. Somewhere along the line we are going to have to do that. We're all bound to forgive."

Fr. Jenco has forgiven and can attest to the power of forgiveness. And though our hurt may not be the same as his, it is no less real. We, too, are "bound" to forgive. For when we covenant with life to earnestly forgive whatever hurts come our way, we see amazing results. We find inner peace and, often, improved physical health as well. As Dr. O. A. Battista says, "One of the most lasting pleasures you can experience is the feeling that comes over you when you genuinely forgive an enemy -- whether he knows it or not."

Genuine forgiveness is crucial if we are to be at peace. Whether or not it restores a broken relationship, it sets our own hearts free. Those who will be bound by the promise to sincerely forgive, will be freed from the bonds of the past. Bound by love, they are bound...to be happy.

Dear Lord we pray that we would be forgiving. Help us not hold grudges with those around us. We pray that we would show Your love in the way we respond to those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

17 Days of Glory

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version)

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

WOW what a great 17 days!  Regardless of the sport, it has been fun cheering along with my family.  I haven’t watched this much TV since.... well.... the last Olympics. Now it is time to get some rest and reflect on what we have experienced. I sure have enjoyed the Olympics these past weeks. Many of the stories are inspirational and encouraging. We see the story of life portrayed in the ups and downs, the striving, the unexpected twists and turns, and even the grit in picking oneself up and continuing.

One of the things I really enjoyed this year is the emphasis on the parent support, especially mothers. Proctor and Gamble produced this commercial honoring all that moms do to help their children succeed. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.

Those spots remind me to express my thanks and be grateful for those behind the scenes. The teacher that comes in three weeks early before school starts to get her classroom ready and to write welcoming notes for her students. The man who walks the pews after church straightening up the mess left behind by others. People who pray for strangers and give to food banks.  So many everyday Olympians.

I remember seeing a video featuring the Olympic Gold Medalist and figure skating commentator Scott Hamilton, One of my all-time Olympians.  He shared his story and how the faith and support of his mother and his wife held him up in rough times and opened his heart to God. He reviewed his life especially after he faced cancer - twice and how it changed how he prays.

“Who would I have been without a brain tumor? I could choose to look at it as debilitating or focus on the suffering. I choose to look at my brain tumor as the greatest gift I could have gotten - it made everything possible. The only true disability in life is a bad attitude.”

It is amazing the lessons that surround us when we open our eyes and hearts to see, hear and learn them?

Another thing I have enjoyed is hearing the stories of the many challenges and obstacles that some of the athletes had to face on their way to becoming an Olympic athlete.  It is inspiring to see the dedication that they have made, along with their families, to be able to represent their country.   Whether it was watching a man run with prosthetics, to hearing how an athlete had to overcome numerous physical injuries, to hearing how a mother scrapped for every penny to finance her daughters Olympic dream, the Olympics are a reminder of the sacrifice it takes to earn an Olympic medal.  It is no wonder when an event is over to watch a grown woman or man break down in tears.  The countless hours of training that requires intense discipline, and the weight of knowing you represent an entire nation, would certainly bring an emotional response from anyone.  I remember the other day watching the US women’s gymnastics team receive their gold medal.   As the American flag was raised and the national anthem began to play, I felt an inner sense of pride that I was American.  Even though I did not participate, at that moment there was an emotional connection with those young girls who were representing my nation.

There were certainly many stories that are a great reminder of how important dedication, discipline, determination and desire are not just in sports but also in life.  However, I also think that the Olympics are a great reminder of some important spiritual lessons.  Perhaps the greatest one is that as followers of Jesus Christ we are also in a competition, and just like Olympic athletes we have to make sure that we have a good spiritual training program in place.  Things like reading God’s Word daily, praying, and removing those things in our lives which does not produce godliness are essential to anyone’s spiritual training program.  The question for each of us is what is your spiritual training program?  What are you doing in your life to prepare you for the race that is marked out for you?  Every time you admire an athlete who receives a medal, and you admire the strict training and sacrifices that he/she made to receive that award, remember that we too are competing for a medal.  However, our medal is not made of gold, silver or bronze that will wear away with time; instead, we are competing for a medal that is eternal.

Dear Lord as we think about the Olympics and the dedication of the athletes to do their very best we pray today that we would make it our goal to do our very best for You. We pray that we would run the race that is before us and that we would keep our eyes on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Christian Olympians Give God the Praise at London Summer Games

Matthew 5:16 (New International Version)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

As we look back at the 2012 Summer Games I want to take a moment and look at some of the athletes that weren’t afraid to share their faith. As the top athletes gathered in London many were keeping their fans involved through social networks like Twitter. The exciting part is that many of the devout Christians shared that their desire in competing is more about honoring God than striving for an Olympic medal.

(Lori) Lolo Jones, who has been very candid about her difficulties with staying celibate, has been open with followers on Twitter about her reason for competing in the Olympics.

The 29-year-old track and field star thanked God Thursday as she made her way to the Olympics Village: "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."

She has also corrected fans who think her motivation in competing is simply to win a medal.

"Sadly people  think they prayed 4me to win Olympics & getting tons of rude tweets. Same prayer as last Olympics: to be an inspiration & honor God," Jones has shared, adding: "I never have prayed to win a gold medal at Olympics and never will. The Lord is my Shepard and I shall not want. May His will be done."

Allyson Felix, competing in the 100- and 200-meter track and field races in London, was ecstatic to qualify for the Games, as she shared with fans earlier this month.

"It's official...I'm going to London!! All glory to God! I'm so thankful for the love, support & encouragement," she shared on Twitter.

The month before, in preparation for the qualifying trials, Felix shared with followers on Twitter, her reason for running, writing: "Race Day! Thanking God for another opportunity to do what I love & run for His glory!"

Archer Brady Ellison, a "country boy who likes to shoot his bow," has consistently given God the glory for helping him in his journey to the Olympics. The Arizona athlete tweeted Friday ahead of the opening ceremony: "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, another U.S. track and field star, will be participating in the Men's High Jump. He has been known to give God the glory, tweeting earlier this month: "Praise the Lord Jesus Christ he is good!" He was joined by Team USA mate Marquise Goodwin, a long jumper, who tweeted his thanks Thursday: "All this wouldn't be possible without you! #God."

Marathon runner Ryan Hall caught the public's attention when he told the New York Times that he has long considered God as his coach. He shared with curious fans ahead of the Olympics how he starts out his days. "I like to start off every morning by asking God how He sees me," he tweeted.

Another track and field star, Bryan Clay, has also let fans know where his priorities lie, although he failed to qualify this year for the decathlon competition during the 2012 Summer Games, tweeting in May: "God first. Family second. Track third."

Clay was in London, however, to receive his 2012 Eric Liddell Award for outstanding "character at home, in the community and on and off the field of competition." The Olympic gold and silver medalist is apparently also a fan of evangelical Christian leader Francis Chan, having tweeted a quote from Chan to his 9,500 Twitter followers: "Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."

Finally, soccer champ Lauren Cheney revealed the perspective she holds as she prepares to compete in London, tweeting this week: "We weren't given these talents to be mediocre. Our God is great – He deserves greatness." Her bio on Twitter refers to 2 Chronicles 16:9, which includes the passage: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

Dear Lord we thank You for those that are faithful in showing Your love to the world around them. We pray that we would have the strength to do the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bless the Gym, Kendrick Farris

John 14:13 (New International Version)

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Kendrick Farris knew about God, and he made a decision to follow Him from a young age. But it was an injury sustained during the 2008 Beijing Olympics that would pull Farris back to his Christian roots and out of the lifestyle he had fallen into.

Kendrick Farris is a weight lifter blessed with talent. He likes to share his life story.  I was raised by Christian parents and we went to church often: to Vacation Bible School, youth programs and all that. But my relationship with God really became more intimate toward the end of 2008. I was faced with an injury and was doing a lot of things that I knew weren’t right. I knew I needed to make some changes, and I turned back to God. I’ve really been growing spiritually since then.

Growth for me has come through focusing on God’s Word, understanding that those promises don’t come without preparation. You need to be aware whose you are and the power you have through Him. That’s what keeps me going and reminds me why I am doing what I’m doing. Verses like Psalm 63:4 – “I will live for thee and lift my hands in praise” – and John 14:13 help me focus when I’m practicing or competing.

I try to share my faith as much as possible, using this platform that I have as an Olympian. For me, part of that is just being real and showing that faith is a part of me. This is the truth for me.

My faith is part of anything that I’m doing. God has given me these desires, and He cares about those things. If I’m doing it to glorify His name, there’s no way I can fail. I may not do exactly what I want to do, but if I’m doing it for Him, I won’t be disappointed. I just want to share my story with people and inspire others.

My motto is “Bless the Gym,” and that has multiple meanings. For me, the gym represents our body that we live in every day, so we want to take care of that and live an active and healthy lifestyle. With the physical gym building, I want to bless it with my time, talent and presence, being a good influence to people around me. Whatever your gym is, that’s yours to bless, whether it’s the track or the pool. If you believe in the Word of God, your body is the gym.

The centerpiece of my peace is God, my Lord and Savior. That’s why I do what I do. I’ve been blessed with these abilities, so why would I not want to do my best and leave a legacy through that. I want to excel, not just athletically, but that gives me a platform to connect with people.

Dear Lord We pray that we would take care of the gym. Help us bless you with our time our talent and our presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Gabby Win or Lose Give God the Glory

Psalm 119:9-16 (New International Version)

9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

    By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;

    do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

    that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, Lord;

    teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount

    all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes

    as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts

    and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;

    I will not neglect your word.

Gabby Douglas will soon have more money than she ever dreamed.

With a vibrant smile and two gold medals to her credit at the Olympics, the 16-year-old gymnast undoubtedly will cash in with endorsement and marketing deals worth millions of dollars. At the top of her wish list? An Acura NSX.

"I want the one like Iron Man's off 'The Avengers,'" Douglas said. "That was a nice car."

The fame and fortune that Douglas instantly captured may make some things easier, but they won't remove the difficulties from her life. When she faces such struggles, she turns to Scripture.

"God has given me this awesome talent to represent Him. Glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on us," Douglas said Aug. 5 in a press conference at the North Greenwich Arena.

When she's learning something new that may seem intimidating, she tells herself, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of peace, love and a sound mind," she said. When she's having trouble perfecting a skill, she quotes, "All things are possible through Him."

"You just mentally quote that, and it builds your faith up so much," Douglas said. "God will never fail you. He's always on your side."

Her first Tweet after winning the individual all-around read simply, "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me."

Before Douglas left for London, Quintin Stieff, pastor of the Valley Church where she attends in West Des Moines, Iowa, likened her to a light that should shine to draw attention to God. Douglas shared her testimony with the congregation.

"The glory goes all to Him. He's waking me up every morning and He's keeping me in the gym every day. That's very important," she said, asking her church family to pray for her to "bring home the gold."

Douglas made history, winning two golds in the first week of the Olympics -- one in the women's individual all-around and one in the women's team competition. She's the first African American woman to win gold in the Olympic individual all-around, and the first American woman to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic Games.

While she couldn't replicate that success in the second week, finishing eighth in the uneven bars and seventh in the beam, her performances will be remembered as one of the London Olympics' biggest stories. Her face is already on a Kellogg's Corn Flakes box.

At age 14, Douglas left her family home in Virginia Beach, Va., to stay with a host family, Travis and Missy Parton, in West Des Moines, Iowa, allowing her to train with coach Liang Chow. Douglas' mother Natalie Hawkins sends Douglas Scripture passages twice daily to keep her on track to victory, Douglas said.

"When it was time for me to go to bed I would just put my earphones in and just fall asleep listening to the Bible," she told the congregation. "It's been a daily thing. I love reading about the Word. We have to put on the full armor of God, so when Satan tries to come against us, we are ready and prepared."

Dear Lord we thank You for Your Word. We pray that that we would stay in the Word and hide it in our hearts so that we would have the testimony like Gabby. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Trials and the Tri Athlete

James 1:2-4 (New International Version)

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

A swimmer lagging behind the field at a triathlon competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in October ran to his bike for the second stage of an event.

A race referee should have stopped him before he darted onto the road where the other athletes were already speeding along on their bikes. But he didn't. Hunter Kemper slammed into him with his bike, sending Kemper tumbling and skidding along the pavement for several feet.

"It was just a freak, crazy accident," Kemper said. "The guy in front of me swerved so fast. I tried to get out of the way, and I couldn't do it. I never saw him until he was right there in front of me."

Kemper sustained an injury to his arm that required surgery, with a plate and 13 screws inserted into his elbow. Two months later he developed a staph infection. He began to think that his chances for a 2012 Olympic appearance were over.

But Kemper says God healed him from the injury and enabled him to compete in the Olympic trials, where he earned a spot on the Olympic team for the fourth time. He competed in the triathlon event on Tuesday (Aug. 7) in 14th place -- one of only two athletes to participate all four times since the sport became an Olympic event in 2000.

"What a journey I've been on the past six months," Kemper said. "For me to overcome that, and feel like I have God every step of the way with me, it's been real eye-opening."

Kemper is not one to hesitate in talking about the Lord's work in his life, although that wasn't always the case. He attended church every weekend as a child, but the Bible wasn't read at home, and Christianity wasn't a major influence in his family away from church. His church attendance dwindled through high school and college.

Late in his years at Wake Forest University, however, Kemper had a group of friends who were believers. He was somehow drawn to them, and wanted what he saw in their lives. He began attending church more frequently, and a year after graduating from college, broke down in his apartment, surrendering his life to Christ.

"I felt like for the longest time I had been trying to do it on my own and by my own abilities," Kemper said. "I felt like I couldn't do it anymore."

He remembers weeping uncontrollably on the day of his conversion, and says since that day he's been trying to walk with the Lord faithfully. He admits that's not always easy in triathlon -- a sport that combines swimming 1,640 yards, cycling 26.7 miles and running 6.2 miles.

One of the challenges for him has been how he relates to sponsors. As one of the nation's top triathletes, Kemper depends upon the revenue from sponsors for his livelihood.

"I always get the sense that if I'm too outward and too open about my faith, that maybe sponsors will back away and they won't like that," Kemper said.

But he's decided that he needs to be open and upfront about his Christian beliefs, even if it may cost him sponsors. He knows that if that happens, God will provide for him in other ways.

"I want to do well for Him, but also to be able to share my faith," Kemper said. "It's something I pray about a lot, that if I can go out there and win, and when I win not to shy away."

The October accident, and the subsequent complications that resulted from it, proved to be another challenge for Kemper. It humbled him and forced him to evaluate whether he had been relying on himself too much, rather than relying on the strength that comes from God.

Through the ordeal, he was able to refocus his life, putting more emphasis on his faith and his family and less on triathlon. Still, even with his priorities properly aligned, he desperately wanted to make the Olympic team again.

That looked less and less likely in the spring, as the injury cost him several months of training and competition. He prayed that if God would allow him to come back, that he would never forget that God was the one who got him back.

The Olympic qualification came in May. Kemper hadn't participated in a triathlon since the accident in October, but he performed well enough to earn a spot on the team.

Kemper had his eyes set on a medal. That's been his dream ever since he was an 8-year-old boy watching the Olympics on TV. At 36, Kemper knows this year will probably be his last chance to win that prized medal. But he also knew that the only thing he can control is his own effort and doing everything he can to get the best result possible.

If that result is a medal, great. If it's fifth place, then he'll kindly acknowledge the superior performance of his opponents -- because he knows that his relationship with Christ is more important and is unaffected by his showing on the field of competition.

"Triathlon doesn't define who I am as a person," Kemper said. "It doesn't define me, and that's what's so comforting in my life. I'm not defined by wins and losses.

His favorite verse in the Bible comes from Isaiah 40:28-31:

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

On the days when I don’t think I can run another mile, or when I don’t think I’m able to cross the finish line, I always remember that God does not grow tired or weary. Anything is possible with God. As long as I put my faith in God, He will renew my strength, and I will “soar on wings like eagles.”

Dear Lord we thank You that we aren’t defined by whether or not we win or lose. We thank You for the strength that You give us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Charmed Life or God is in Control?

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Ruth Riley is the Center of the  USA women’s Olympic basketball team. Some say she has lived a “charmed” life—Notre Dame’s 2001 NCAA Championship—WNBA first-round draft pick—2004 WNBA Championship and Finals MVP with the Detroit Shock. An exhilarating ride, yes, but my life hasn’t always been so easy.

Growing up in a single-parent home was tough. Mom was always there and her faith encouraged me, but Dad seemingly never cared to know me. That was painful.

At Notre Dame I became intentional about reading books to improve my character, and began attending church. I started “owning” my faith.

Then came the WNBA draft, moving me to Miami away from family and friends. Challenged, I discovered even greater spiritual growth. Pre-game chapels helped me give God my distractions and focus on His strength. Team Bible studies gave me perspective, allowing God to continue to fill the void left by my dad’s absence.

I have confidence in my game because I know God loves me regardless of my performance, and shapes me through my circumstances for His purpose. When the Miami Sol folded and I ended up in Detroit, I didn’t panic, remembering that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Whether my circumstances are “charmed” or painful, I know this verse is true! My part is to love God; His part is to work everything for good! Although I don’t always do my part well, God always does His part. This truth inspires me to give God my best game both on and off the court.

Dear Lord we thank You that You are I control of everything whether it is good or bad. We pray that our trust would be completely in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.