Goal and the Glory

Description

"No guts no glory" the saying goes. But how far do "guts" go in the midst of physical feats of great strength? Learn from at least a dozen Christian Olympic gold-medal winners and Olympic contenders who tell their inspirational stories of finding God along their roads to glory. Experience the sweat and passion that goes into the making of a world-class athlete, while learning of these Christians' ultimate goals as competitive athletes and servants of God. For sixty days, plunge into each athlete's most personal moments at the games through each chapter's combination of worship, praise, and evangelism. Run, jump, and dive into these athletic experiences that reveal the role of friendship and the necessity of hard work as they teach the concepts of dedication and sacrifice. Learn of these athletes' preparation, pre-competition thoughts, faith, and how each athlete has placed his or her dependence on God.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 02 juin 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781441224798
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

2008 Josh Davis
Published by Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.revellbooks.com
Revell edition published 2014
ISBN 978-1-4412-2479-8
Previously published by Regal Books
Ebook edition originally created 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Other versions used are:
KJV—King James Version . Authorized King James Version.
THE MESSAGE —Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE . Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
NASB —Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible , © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
NKJV —Scripture taken from the New King James Version . Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
TLB —Scripture quotations marked ( TLB ) are taken from The Living Bible, copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.
All photos are used by permission by the following organizations and individuals: Josh Davis, Clem Spalding and Craig Harriman; Allyson Felix, © Allyson Felix; Jim Ryun, Jim Ryun Collection; Laura Wilkinson, Ben Chen of Sports Pixel; Jennie Finch, Landon Finch Finch Fotography; Eric Liddell, public domain; Cat Reddick Whitehill, Sideline Sports Photography; Jennifer Barringer, University of Colorado Athletics Department; Brandon Slay, Bill Mulholland; Matt Hemingway, Bryce Boyer Photography; Peter Westbrook, Kmur Hardeman. Other photos provided by Josh Davis. All rights reserved.
To my best cheerleader and training partner, my wife, Shantel. To my best coach, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks for helping me to be more than I could have imagined .
Contents

Foreword: Big Splash
By Max Lucado
Opening Ceremonies
SECTION ONE: GOALS
Introduction
1. Contagious Belief
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
2. Legacy of Champions
Jeremy Knowles, Bahamian Olympic Swim Team
3. God’s Masterpiece
Madeline Manning Mims, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Track
4. Goals to Grow By
Congressman Jim Ryun, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in the 1500-Meter Run
5. Search for Significance
Barb Lindquist, U.S. Swimmer and Olympic Triathlete
6. Choosing God’s Dream
Laura Wilkinson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Diving
7. Trusting God’s Approach
Matt Hemingway, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in High Jump
8. Changing Seasons
Vonetta Flowers, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Bobsledding
9. Choosing Wisely
LaVonna Martin-Floreal, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in 100-Meter Hurdles
10. Energizing Compass
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
11. Not “Ida” but “I Am”
Brandon Slay, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Wrestling
12. Sole Supplier
Madeline Manning Mims, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Track
Conclusion
Insights into the Heart of a Champion
Rev. Canon Dr. John Ashley Null, Two-time Olympic Chaplain
SECTION TWO: GUTS
Introduction
1. The New Anger Management
Peter Westbrook, U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist in Fencing
2. Overcoming Fear
Laura Wilkinson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Diving
3. Swimming Against the Current
Jeremy Knowles, Bahamian Olympic Swim Team
4. Divine Control
Jenny Johnson Jordan, U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
5. Feeling the Cold of Rejection
Vonetta Flowers, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Bobsledding
6. Where Does My Help Come From?
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
7. Pursuing God
Ugur Taner, Turkish Olympic Swim Team
8. Training Worship
Penny Heyns, South African Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
9. Preparation of Praise
Jennifer Barringer, U.S. Track and Field Team
10. Learning from Others
Mark Knowles, Four-time Bahamian Olympian in Tennis
11. What Happened?
Madeline Manning Mims, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Track
12. Moving On from Failure
Matt Scoggin, U.S. Olympic Diving Team
13. Expressing Disappointment
Jenny Johnson Jordan, U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
14. The Secret Is
Annett Davis, U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
15. Conforming to Jesus
Brooke Abel, U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming
16. Overcoming Temptation
David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs MVP Three-time U.S. Olympic Basketball Medalist
17. No More Compromising
Leah O’Brien-Amico, Three-time U.S. Olympic Softball Team Gold Medalist
18. Unanswered Prayers
Jennifer Barringer, U.S. Track and Field Team
19. Lessons in True Joy
Amanda Borden, 1996 Captain of the Gold Medal U.S. Gymnastics Team
20. The Best Compliment Ever
John Naber, Four-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
21. Lost and Found Promises
Madeline Manning Mims, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Track
22. Friendships Are Golden
John Naber, Four-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
23. A Labor of Love
Leah O’Brien-Amico, Three-time U.S. Olympic Softball Team Gold Medalist
24. Daily Bread
Ruth Riley, U.S. Olympic Basketball Team Gold Medalist
25. Forgiven to Forgive
Congressman Jim Ryun, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in the 1500-Meter Run
26. The Blessed Life
Gabe Woodward, U.S. Olympic Swimming Team
27. Spiritual Strength
Brandon Slay, Olympic Gold Medalist in Wrestling
28. Humbling Challenges
Cat Reddick Whitehill, U.S. Olympic Soccer Team Gold Medalist
29. Staying in the Game
Krystal Thomas, Duke Basketball Player Member of ‘U.S.A. U-19 Team
30. Unifying Hope
Laura Wilkinson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Diving
31. Temporary Amnesia
Annett Davis, U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
32. More than Medals
Jennie Finch, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Softball
33. A Heart of Thankfulness
Annett Davis, U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
34. Hearing God Through the Silence
Vonetta Flowers, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Bobsledding
35. Never Alone
Matt Scoggin, U.S. Olympic Diving Team
36. The Victory of Love: Live Righteously—Radiate Love
Eric Liddell, Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist in Track
Conclusion
Insights into the Heart of a Champion
Rev. Canon Dr. John Ashley Null, Two-time Olympic Chaplain
SECTION THREE: GLORY
Introduction
1. Fleeting Highs and Lasting Joys
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
2. No Substitutions Allowed
Annett Davis, U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team
3. Standing Still When Life Says, “Run!”
Allyson Felix, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in Track and Field
4. Suspended in Your Presence
Madeline Manning Mims, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Track
5. Eternal Investment
John Register, U.S. Hurdles/Swimming Paralympian
6. Giving My All for the Almighty
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
7. Climbing Higher
Laura Wilkinson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Diving
8. Coming Up for Air
Brooke Abel, U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming
9. For His Glory
Congressman Jim Ryun, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist in the 1500-Meter Run
10. Never Stop Believing
Shantel Davis, University of Texas Volleyball Team
11. Finishing Strong
Rafer Johnson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Decathlon
12. The Power of Influence
David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs MVP Three-time U.S. Olympic Basketball Medalist
13. Greater Gold
Brandon Slay, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Wrestling
14. Coming Home
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
15. A Champion for Others
Josh Davis, Three-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
Conclusion
Closing Ceremonies
Athlete Profiles
Special Thanks
About John Ashley Null
Josh Davis Contact Information
F OREWORD
Big Splash
By Max Lucado

Sometime back I took up swimming for exercise. I didn’t buy a Speedo, but I did buy some goggles, went to a pool and gave it a go. Over the weeks, I’ve gradually progressed from a tadpole to a small frog. I’m not much to look at, but I can get up and down the lane. In fact, I was beginning to feel pretty good about my progress.
So good, in fact, that when Josh Davis invited me to swim with him, I accepted. You remember Josh Davis—three-time gold medalist in Atlanta. His waist size is my thigh size. Half his warm-up is my entire workout. He is as comfortable in a swimming lane as most of us are in a cafeteria lane.
So when he offered to give me some pointers, I jumped in the pool. After all, I was over 50 years old with two months of swimming experience under my belt … Senior Olympics? Who knows? So with Josh in his lane and me next to him in mine, he suggested, “Swim two laps and let’s see how fast you go. I’ll be swimming next to you.” Off I went. I gave it all I had. I looked up from my thrashing to see him swimming smoothly and splashing less. Onlookers would have thought a torpedo occupied Josh’s lane. They would have thought a dying duck swam in mine. He blitzed me. I could have water skied in his wake.
That’s why I was surprised at the finish to see that he had touched the wall only seconds before me.
“Have you been here long?” I panted.
“Just nine seconds.”
“You mean I finished only nine seconds behind you?”
“That’s right.”
Whoa! Forget Senior Olympics, I’m thinking Beijing in 2008. But then, Josh added, “There was one difference: While you s