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Straight From the Heart
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com
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by David Barnett

 

I've been watching these 2000 Olympics off-and-on over the last couple
weeks, and I especially enjoy the gymnastics events.  I am very impressed
with the strength and agility and ability of all the athletes, both men
and women.

The women's team gymnastics and the individual all-around competition
were especially interesting.  Many of the favorites to win were making
mistakes.  "The judges will deduct a tenth for that" was probably the
most common comment made by the announcers during the competition.

In addition to the mistakes being made, there were also equipment
problems.  The vaulting horse was discovered to be 4 centimeters shorter
than regulation.  It seems like such a small deal to a non-athlete like
me, but it caused some of the world's best gymnasts to make landings that
would probably look like a landing I would make if I tried it.

In the midst of these games, I got to thinking about the Game of Life
that we are all players in.  The ultimate prize, the Gold Medal, in my
opinion, is eternal life with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  If my
quest for the Gold was televised, this is probably what you'd hear from
the announcers:

Announcer 1:  Well, he's off to a pretty good start.  The way he helped
that old man across the street was really something.

Announcer 2:  Uh oh, did you see that?  He lied to his parents.  They'll
deduct a tenth for that.

A1:  Yes, dishonoring his parents is definitely frowned upon in this
competition.

A2:  Oh, did you see that???  Did you see the way he looked at that girl?
 That will be at least a tenth off, if the judges caught that.

A1:  He was off to a great start, but lying to the police officer about
why he was speeding...that will be a tenth.

A2:  This is unbelievable.  He was favored going into this competition,
but I just don't see how...

A1:  Holy cow!  The clerk gave him a $20 instead of a $10 for change, and
he saw it but didn't say anything!  You're right, I don't think he can
even hope to win any medal, much less the Gold.

A2:  Quick to anger, that's a tenth.

A1:  Failure to love his neighbor as himself.  Another tenth.

A2:  Pride.  A tenth.

A1:  Gluttony.  Another tenth.

A2:  Did you hear what he just said?  I don't remember the last time I
heard language like that from a Gold Medalist.

A1:  Selfishness.  A tenth.

A2:  Underage drinking.  Breaking the law.  A tenth.

A1:  Not feeding the hungry.  A tenth.

A2:  Materialism.  A tenth.

A1: Failing to clothe the naked or shelter the homeless.  A tenth.

A2:  I'll tell you, I haven't seen a performance this poor in a
competition...well, I can't remember ever seeing this.  He is definitely
out of the Gold Medal picture.

A1:  Yes, it is amazing.  The score will definitely be very low.

A1:  Wait, he's going into the final move of his routine.  What's this?
I don't think anyone expected this...He's getting on his knees...He's
praying...He's repenting.  He's asking forgiveness...He's inviting Jesus
Christ to be his Lord and Savior and accepting His gift of salvation!

A2:  He's getting up, and he's smiling.

A1:  I don't see why.  His life has obviously been full of errors and
mistakes.

A2:  How the judges will look at this performance is anyone's guess.  The
scores are coming up now.

A1:  I can't believe it!  He got...

A1:  PERFECT 10'S!!!  Incredible!

A2:  Yes, it is incredible, but it was that last move that really
impressed the Judge.  In the end, none of the rest really mattered.

-----
The greatest thing about these games, are that there are an unlimited
number of Gold Medals.  There isn't just a single winner...Anyone can win
the Gold.  Just make the right move.

 

by David Barnett (Gold Medalist in the game of Eternal Life)
Barnett2000@juno.com

 

Send David an email and let him know what you thought of his story!

--------
David Barnett is a father, husband, Christian, and Olympic hopeful (if
BBQ rib-eating ever becomes an Olympic event, that is).  You can contact
him at Barnett2000@juno.com.

 

David is also the founder of Daily Prayers, a Christian email ministry.
DP sends out messages Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with a bible
verse, a prayer, a special feature (story, poem, trivia, Christian
humor), and prayer requests from members.  It's free, of course, and you
can subscribe by sending a blank email to:
DailyPrayers-subscribe@egroups.com. 
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Also wanted to share another Olympic story by frequent contributor Andi Puntoriero.  Check out the link below:

Go For It!
http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/browse/view_article.gsp?c_id=190554

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REQUEST:

From: GRANDMAWRK@aol.com (Wilma)

Hello Everyone,

 Thank you for your prayers for Pete and please continue to pray for him. The doctors say he has an infection and want to keep him in the hospital for the rest of the week to try and clear it up. His temperature is under control but his blood count very low. He was hungry....( and that's always encouraging)  Pete is not doing well. The cancer is in his bones, and the tumors in his lungs have enlarged. Jan certainly needs God's strength.
 But he is in good spirits and is teasing family, doctor and nurses.  A comment was made by someone on the staff, 'He shouldn't be feeling that good according to his chart.' He tries to be strong for Jan. They appreciate your prayers very much and wanted me to express their appreciation.
 Jan is spending much time at the hospital...and I know how tiring and what a strain that can be.
Thank you again...keep them on your prayer list. 
Sharing His love,
Wilma
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Thought For The Day:

"Diligence is the greatest of teachers"
(Arabian Proverb)

 

Verse for the Day:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
(Proverbs 4:23)

 

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"If you want a puppy, start out asking for a pony."

 

Parent's Thought For The Day

"A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do."
(Lois Wyse)

 

Coach's Thought For The Day

"I saw a star, I reached for it, I missed.  So I accepted the sky."
(Scott Fortini)

 

Deep Thought For The Day:

"Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason."

 

  _
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\  /    THUNDER27@aol.com  
/_/  \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \   Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body I live for the Son
   \_\/   of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."  Galatians 2:20 

Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)

"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the least!  Within thirty seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too.  They said it was the best Christmas gift we could have given them!!  You did such a beautiful job!  They were so surprised and so touched---they really, really, really loved it.  Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all.  My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for the video too!  Thanks again!"
        
Kelli  (RKaGe@aol.com)    College Station, TX

Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
 Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html

Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
 The Four Spiritual Laws
http://www.ccci.org/laws/index.html

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