Nothing more needs to be said. Breathtaking performance!
Posted on 08/03/2012 12:09:50 PM PDT by Kfobbs
As a record shattering Olympian, gold medalist Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas leapt into history as the first American athlete to win the prestigious team gold and the all-around gold medal in the same Olympics. What is equally monumental is that she prepared herself for the arduous competitions by drawing upon her strength from God. In the midst of what has to be tremendous pressure, she has always maintained her faith and presence of mind to reach out to the Lord.
Sounds familiar?
Of course football sensation and devout Christian quarterback Tim Tebow does it as well, and many national comedians and liberal political pundits have attacked him for his faithful practice of kneeling on the gridiron and giving thanks to God. His righteous practice has accomplished very noble purposes and caused him to be the target of vilification as well. First, he has shown his strength to honor his creator and thereby be a Christian role model for other young athletes. His commitment on the football field helps them to not be afraid to show that God has prepared their spirit and heart for the competition of the day.
Secondly, Tebows practice demonstrates a true Christian ministry that parents can point their children to as an example of standing for your faith, even when adversity and cruel pointless comments attempt to diminish their young spirits.
Does God deserve credit for Gabrielle Douglas Olympic gold record?
It appears that Gabby believes that he does. In fact, before the beginning of her All-Around competition, Gabby tweeted to the whole world, "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me."
Yes, Gabby sent out a message that is as clear as her faith is pure and her determination is focused, that the Lord, ...
I’ve heard her several times say to reporters “the sacrifice is not in vain” when they remark on her discipline.
I have yet to have one of them quote to me this verse, from the same sermon:
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
I’m wondering if NBC has told the athletes to cut the faith talk. I noticed after Tyler Clary’s win in 200m backstroke he pointed to the heavens. Then when Andrea Kremer interviewed him she asked him what it all meant and he said there would be no way to sum it up in a few short words the broadcasters would be OK with.
Maybe some of the other athlete’s have talked of their faith after winning and I haven’t heard.
Oh, so you’re one of those people who obsessively hates Tebow. Got it.
Don’t care much about him one way or the other.
Do find it striking that Christ made very clear comments on ostentatious public prayer. One would expect regular discussion of why his exhortations on the subject do or do not apply to what Tebow does. Yet I don’t believe I have ever seen it discussed.
Since we have the ball rolling, what is your reason for belief that Christ’s words are not applicable to Tebow’s actions?
I reckon, if she says he does, that ought to be the end of it!
“Does God deserve credit for Gabrielle Douglas Olympic gold record? “
If she thinks God does, that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
I’m not one to try to deny God whatever glory He is due.
My problem with granting due glory to Him when it comes to sporting events is this.
The teams of a number of nations are participating in these events. The members of the other teams may have Christians among them, and they may be praying to our God also.
So if it’s a prayer to prevent injury, I say give God the glory.
If it’s a prayer to win, I accept that God is not going to intervene.
If it’s a nation like Iran, or a nation predominantly reverencing another god, then I believe our God could intervene. I’m careful not to use the word ‘would’, because if we do lose, it’s like God has somehow failed us.
God does not fail us. His ultimate plan will play out, by His grand design, not ours.
The Russian girl was cheated.
Glad she won, she was consistently very, very good.
But tell ya what - the last floor exercise by the Russian gal who won the silver was PERFECT! She deserved to win on that alone!
Add to that that she is probably the best in the world on the uneven parallel bars. Hard to figure because she’s kind of bony and lanky, something that normally doesn’t bode well for a gymnast.
But hey, it worked for Peggy Fleming when she was on the ice, right?
I noticed that too.
Komova was not cheated. She was gifted on her vault score. Gabby had a better meet by far.
Actually, there are some very negative comments being made out there about this young gymnast, too. Just like they do with Tebow, it seems that sometimes people look for reasons to knock down other people who are successful.
Btw, like Tebow, Douglas was also homeschooled (since the third grade, according to what I read).
“The Russian girl was cheated.”
Well, then God allowed it! What’s your point?
My daughter has the dream of competing in the 2016 Olympics. Barring an unforeseen injury or just the loss of passion for her sport, at worst she will participate at the NCAA Division I level. (At 15 she is already ranked as one of the top College recruits in NY State.)
We have taught her from the beginning that her abilities come from God. We have taught her to encourage others, to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
She always begins the competition by shaking hands with those competing against her. Win or lose, she hugs them afterwards. During the ladies swimming events she received numerous tweets from her rivals saying that she reminds them of Missy Franklin.
If someone belives that their ability comes from God, no matter if they are an Olympic athlete, or a heart surgeon or an auto mechanic, that person will carry out their vocation with grace, joy and humility. And to God goes the glory.
Why atletes who give the glory to God are bashed and thug athletes are idolized I don't know. (Actually, I do know, it is a sign of the times.....)
Does god deserve the credit?
No, He doesn’t intervene in gymnastic meets,
He has been busy on more important matters, like Chik-Fil-A.
sorry, should have capitalized “God”. my mistake
"Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed."
Jesus
Luke 9:26
Nothing more needs to be said. Breathtaking performance!
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