14 Aug, 2008
He Just Won't Stop
The greatest Olympian of all time!
American swimming star Michael Phelps insists he is beatable despite winning an 11th gold medal to become the most successful Olympian ever.
The 23-year-old has won five golds in Beijing so far, to surpass nine-time gold medal winners Larysa Latynina, Paavo Nurmi, Carl Lewis and Mark Spitz.
And he remains on target to top Spitz's record of winning seven at one Games.
But he said: "It's not over yet - I am not unbeatable and anything can happen in the next three events."
Phelps won his record-breaking 10th gold medal in the 200m butterfly in another world record time of 1:52.03 seconds despite his goggles filling with water.
And one hour later he lead the United States team to the 4x200m relay gold and his fifth world record of the Games."To be the most decorated Olympian of all time, it just sounds weird. I am speechless," Phelps said.
"It started to sink in a little after the butterfly. I was trying to focus on my next race but I kept thinking 'Wow. Greatest Olympian of all time'.
"It's a pretty neat title and I'm definitely honoured.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story courtesy bbc.com, 8/13/08
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NLT)
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about His strength?
Think of all the hours of training Michael Phelps has had to go through to make winning even one gold medal possible. On several occasions after winning a gold medal he has had only 50 minutes until his next race. This time is packed full of cerimonies, cool downs, drug tests, and then warming up for the next race. It has to be exhausting and feel endless at moments.
Isn't this how life often feels? We feel like we can't possibly go on. We are so tired of trying to keep our spiritual lives together in the middle of every other life challenge, we want to quit...and then life gets even more difficult!
No matter how tired and weak we feel, God's strength and power never change. God is always the ultimate and perfect source for the strength we need.
How do we get this strength? Trust the Lord. If you believe that God loves you and has your best in mind, then be confident in His promises to strengthen you to keep going, one step at a time. Even when our faith is weak and our feelings are unreliable, remember that God is in control and His power and grace will be enough for us, according to His time and plans, which are always perfect.
If you have ever seen an eagle fly, it's no wonder that Isaiah uses this incredible picture to help us understand what it means to regroup with God.
He promises to make us strong again and give us His perspective and direction!
How do we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Call a "timeout" right now and pray. Talk to Jesus about whatever is making you wonder if you can keep going. Reflect on the words of Isaiah......now just wait on the Lord.....be quiet in His Spirit and listen.....thank Jesus for God's strength and direction.
- Besides your time in DAILYBIDE, take at least two other "timeouts" every day, just to spend time talking with Jesus.
- Remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint. So keep a written journal about what Jesus is teaching you as you let Him pace you every day.
- To help you "wait" on the Lord, memorize today's scripture.
- Use a picture of an eagle for your computer screen or place one in your room as a reminder of how God will renew your strength.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Every day, pray for Jesus to help you recognize when your friends and family are "tired", so that you can encourage them with God's strength.
- Ask questions. Get beyond "How ya doing?" If they sense that you are really interested and care, they may talk about being tired of work, stress, relationships, a bad habit, feeling confused about the future...
- In that moment, trust Jesus to lead you to share just the right amount of your story which includes how God gives you strength.
- Whenever you hear someone use the words "run" or "running", use today's story about the "greatest Olympian of all time" as a conversation starter to learn more about their story.
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