16 Aug, 2006
Breaking the Rules
Landis sample shows high and synthetic testosterone
PARIS -- Floyd Landis was fired by his team and the Tour de France no longer considered him its champion Saturday after his second doping sample tested positive for higher-than-allowable levels of testosterone.
The samples contained synthetic testosterone, indicating that it came from an outside source.
Landis had claimed the testosterone was "natural and produced by my own organism."
The Swiss-based team Phonak immediately severed ties with Landis, and the UCI said it would ask USA Cycling to open disciplinary proceedings against him.
"Landis will be dismissed without notice for violating the team's internal Code of Ethics," Phonak said in a statement.
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said Landis no longer was considered champion, but the decision to strip him of his title rests with the International Cycling Union.
"It goes without saying that for us Floyd Landis is no longer the winner of the 2006 Tour de France," Prudhomme told the AP in a telephone interview.
photo & story courtesy espn.go.com, 8/5/06
2 Timothy 2:5
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (ESV)
What does today's scripture teach us about obeying God's rules?
Rules in athletic competition exist for several reasons. They make the competition fair and protect the athletes from injury. Most kinds of games include penalties or fouls as consequences for players when they don't play fair or when they are trying to harm someone from the other team.
In today's verse, Paul makes it clear that we must follow the commands or rules that God has given us. His commands are given to us because He loves us and wants us to win the race He has given us to run.
How are you doing at following the "rules" given to us by God, found in His Holy Word?
Floyd Landis was crowned the winner of the Tour de France, but he will now experience the negative consequences of breaking the rules. If we ignore or break God's instructions, we too will experience heartbreaking consequences.
Obeying God's rules not only leads to victory, but it demonstrates our love for Him!
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- As you read God's Word, write down, every week, at least one command that you know God wants you to keep. This will be your personal list of God's "rules" that you know will help you run the "race" for Him.
- Pray every day for Jesus to help you live according to God's "rules".
- Memorize today's verse as a reminder to stay motivated while you run the "race" with Jesus.
- Thank God right now for giving us rules to live by and please Him. Confess any of His instructions in His Word which you know you have been ignoring or breaking. Thank Jesus for providing forgiveness and giving you a clean record! Praise Him for giving you the Holy Spirit's power to get back in the race and obey the rules!
How can you connect today's God's Story and your story to others?
- Go for a bike ride and spend this time praying for friends and family who need Jesus.
- Use today's DAILYBIDE as a resource in your small group or youth group to talk about the importance of following God's "rules" in His Word.
- Be a good listener to others as you try to learn their stories. When you hear them talk about the rules or restrictions in their lives, use this opportunity to share more about your story as it relates to God's "rules" in your life.
- July 2008 [18]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [17]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [18]
- July 2007 [13]
- June 2007 [11]
- May 2007 [14]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [12]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [5]
- November 2006 [14]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [4]
