Kay Glynn owns a dance studio in Hastings, Iowa where she teaches tap, jazz, ballet and acrobats.That’s her fulltime job.As a hobby she competes in world-class track and field events where she holds a world record in the pole vault, an event she did not learn until she was 48 years old!This summer she will compete at the 2009 Summer National Senior Games at the age of 56.
It is expected that Kay will excel in the vault (her record is 9 feet six inches) and the long jump.She held a state high school record in the long jump for 30 years.People who know her say that the word “can’t” is non-existent in her vocabulary.
There is no age barrier for accomplishment.Not everyone will be a track and field world record holder at the age of 56, but we all can be a champion at any age.
Posted on the website, www.heartofachampion.org, is an article which lists many characteristics of a true champion.Here are a few of them:
~ Champions get up one more time than they have been knocked down.
~ Champions take a stand for what is right, even when they stand alone.
~ Champions make those around them better.
~ Champions do the right thing even when no one is watching.
~ Champions understand winning is not the only thing.
You never know when you might bump into a champion.As Jesus was ministering to a crowd of five thousand people, the disciples suggested that He stop for the day because it was late and everyone was hungry.“Feed them yourselves,” Jesus said to the Twelve.
Bewildered by such a ridiculous idea, the disciples tried to figure out what they could do.In the meantime, Andrew found a little boy who had brought a lunch, five small barley loaves (the common bread of the poor) and two small fish.It wasn’t much, but in the hands of Jesus it would be enough.
This is a story about someone who left his home in the morning as a child but he returned that night as a champion.Just imagine his excitement when he told his family and friends over and over how he gave everything he had to Andrew and then Jesus used it to feed all those people.
A champion isn’t young or old, rich or poor, black or white, short or tall, Hebrew or Gentile… true champions “make those around them better,” and “take a stand for what is right, even when they stand alone.”True champions are as diverse as they are gifted, and will find a way to overcome the excuses that block their ability to serve God.We look at our two little fish and five meager barley loaves and say “I can’t.”Jesus sees what we have and turns it into a feast for the multitudes!The only thing that stands in the way of becoming a champion is vision.We look in the mirror with doubt and pessimism… Jesus looks at the same person and sees a champion.
GospeLines Prayer:Father, help me to see myself as You do.Correct my vision so that I will recognize the championship qualities in others as well as myself.Make me more grateful for my loaves and fishes and less covetous of those who have more.Amen and amen.
Whether it’s “2300 Jackson Street” or Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson’s life and troubles couldn’t be contained behind the walls of either residence.He was a tormented soul who loathed “the man in the mirror.”I suspect he died long before his heart stopped beating.
None of us know his truth and the pain he endured emotionally during most of his 50 years, but the expectations of others, constant criticism by someone who was supposed to love and accept him and his sense of perfection were a heavy, heavy burden.
No matter the amount of money spent on his attire, beautiful things, chiseling his features, and/or pain medication, it was never enough.Performing before the masses of adoring fans around the globe was not enough.He (apparently) didn’t feel he measured up to someone else’s ideal.
How many of us can relate to him on some level?How many of us have been told we aren’t good enough or we failed to live up to someone else’s vision for us?How many of us look in our mirrors and don’t like what we see?How far are we willing to go to adapt or to change into some unrecognizable persona?
God created us in His own image and we are what He says we are, not the media’s definition.Even well-intentioned folks don’t know God’s plan for us.
While I struggled with trying to please a strong-willed personality for many, many years, I was fortunate enough to be blessed and loved by others – those that God placed on my path.Even in the depths of despair or in those dark places, I was never alone, even though I sometimes felt like it.
GospeLines Prayer:Father, too many of us wear a mask, hiding from the pain.The whole world is a stage and we’re trying to play our part and we attempt to reinvent ourselves to be loved appreciated and/or accepted.Many feel isolated (whether real or imagined), but as Michael’s song says – “you are not alone.”If only he knew that when all else failed, and we do fail at times, You were ever present.
Thank You for helping me realize my potential according to Your plan for my life.Thank You for those who tried to love me, but didn’t know how.Thank You for Your love.
I am NOT alone!
In His Love,
Carla ÿ
≈ Devotional for Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Stuck in a Muddy Rut"
It sounded like a good idea at the time, spending Sunday afternoon putting my Geo Tracker in 4 wheel drive and sending it where no one dared to tread.I should have noticed that the trails were wet and empty, except for a few off-road motorcycles and a handful of pedestrians.Predictably, the last two hours were spent in a muddy rut the size of the Grand Canyon, waiting for a kind soul to pull us out.Philosophically, I told my son afterward, "It could have been worse!"He was not amused.
I recall my pastor saying the only thing different about a grave and a rut are the dimensions.Life has its ruts, and finding them is the easy part.Learning how to dodge them, straddle them or avoid them altogether is the difficult task.But the real danger is getting stuck in them and finding ourselves unable to get out on our own.
The Christian life may be difficult or challenging but it should never become boring.That's what I love about studying the life and teachings of Jesus.His message was always the same but his life was unpredictable.And it drove the Pharisees crazy!Christians, we need to walk in the Truth that never changes but our lifestyle should exude spontaneity.Let's get out of those ruts and live in a way that will compel the non-Christian to want what we have.
GospeLines Prayer:Lord Jesus, when I am near a rut, guide me; when I am in a rut, nudge me out.If I find myself in situations where there are lots of ruts to fall into, steer me to higher ground. I pray in your Holy name, amen and amen.
I’m a “Trekkie.”I’ve have been since the Star Trek series premiered in 1966.During this entire time, one of my favorite characters has always been Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer on the Star-ship Enterprise (played by James Doohan).Lt. Commander Scott (Scotty) was also known by another title – “The Miracle Worker.”
The Chief Engineer was not often seen during those early TV shown.In fact, he was usually only seen when Captain Kirk or the Enterprise was in dire trouble.Then he was called upon to perform a “miracle.”Does that sound familiar?Do you know anyone else we only call when the situation is ominous? There’s something you should know about Scotty before you answer that question.
Scotty was Captain Kirk’s friend.Yes, Scotty was under Captain Kirk’s authority – He was only a Lt. Commander and Kirk was a Captain.Nonetheless, their relationship when far beyond officer and subordinate – They were close – They would gladly and without hesitation lay down their lives for each other.Kirk knew that he could call on Scotty any time and in any situation because they were friends – They could count on each other.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)"If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)“No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)
What are the scriptures saying to us?If we find happiness and satisfaction in the Lord; if we listen to His voice and keep His commandments; He will withhold nothing from us.“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit... “(Romans 8:11)
If you want a miracle, get to know the Miracle-Worker!
Pastor RonU
“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but byMe.”
It takes a traveler sometimes close to 10 hours at the border post between Zimbabwe and South Africa to complete the immigration process to be allowed to enter South Africa. My daughter Denise had travelled 9 hours on a bus from Harare to the South African border post. She stood close to 5 hours in the queue with a fretful 11 month old baby on her back.Johannesburg was another 10 hours away. Temperatures were close to minus 2 degrees Celsius, 28 degrees Fahrenheit.She had no money at all on her and looked forward to seeing her parents and siblings who had migrated to South Africa a few months before. When eventually 4 hours later she got to the Customs official to hand over the baby’s and her passports; the baby was denied entry into South Africa on what the customs officer said was a technicality.My daughter was distraught - she neither had the means to go back nor did she have a way of correcting what the officials called a technicality that barred her daughter from getting into the country. To say she was desperate is an understatement.The bus she had come on was about to leave if she did not sort herself out.She pleaded with the driver, “Please speak to the customs officer on my behalf.” She appealed to the other passengers, “Please, can anyone help me?”She borrowed a phone and called me, “Mum can you speak to the customs officers?Speak to someone, please, otherwise I will be stranded!”
Judgment Day - I imagine long queues, I envision someone coming up close and closer in the queue. One’s turn comes up.I imagine the pleading, “Please call my pastor, he knows me as a staunch member of the church, I never missed any churches services, I gave my tithe and offerings religiously. Here is his number - he is sure to vouch for me.”The bargaining with others in the queue, “Please help me, you know I was a good person. I always gave to the poor.Don’t you guys know me, somebody, anyone?I used to appear on international television preaching to the world.Call the director of the national television station - he knows my work.Or can I see the Director here - he is sure to remember me.I am a leader of one of the biggest churches in the world, he should know me - If I speak to him - they will surely let me through.”
The Book of Remembrance, the Book of Good works is being opened.“Yes please look under Elaine Mary Jones, my name should be there - or if it’s not there, then maybe check under Elaine Jones, perhaps you want to check under my maiden name.It’s not there???”
It will be too late. We need to be right with God.