Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts

Monday, February 7, 2022

For Faith-Olympians

Whether our 'fight/race' takes us to the Olympics, Ottawa,
across the world or close to home, the ultimate finish line is the same!
Face to face with He who is the author and perfecter of Faith!

This is not for nothing
This race of faith we run
For all who remain faithful
Will hear God say 'well done'

Though full of test and trouble
This race of faith we run
Is for the joy still waiting
When God will say 'well done'

Then, though we may grow weary
We spur each other on
So we may all be present
To hear God say, 'well done' 

Could any Prize be sweeter
After faith's race is run
Than to behold faith's author
And hear Him say, 'well done'

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
 let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
  2looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, 
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb.12:1-2

In the Olympics, competitors see the finish-line or at least its proximity...
not so with faith; faith is certain of what it cannot see!

Heb.11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen....

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.





Oh God, you know our first impulse is not to honor You
Human nature is not humbly inclined to pray things through
Faith is the substance of things hoped for before we receive
Where we would rather touch, taste, see, hear, smell, than just believe

To keep desire tamed and tuned to righteousness and peace
Requires us to seek You first for love’s faultless increase
The Mystery of things not seen confuses and deceives
If first impulse prevails and doubts You rather than believes

The greatest of these, love, adapts to every shape and size
Where the race set before us does not guarantee the prize
The Author and Perfecter of faith helps us to achieve
The victory only if we love, obey and believe

Oh God, You know our first impulse inclines to vindicate
When confronted with evil injustice of greed and hate
Help us to love our enemies lest we Thy Spirit grieve
For the joy set before us let us endure and believe

Let faith fuel in us an Olympian energy 
To run toward the Evidence we know but cannot see
God, free us from the sin that would a worldly view perceive
Fuel us with the certainty You give when we believe 

© Janet Martin





Friday, February 23, 2018

Some Things Good To Know



So, we have had a few disappointments here in Canada 
Tasted a bit of  disappointment with the athletes
 on our Women's and Men's hockey teams

But...
Let's not let disappointment overshadow the highlights and
  amazing accomplishments of our Canadian athletes in Pyeongchang.
Well done Canada!
 A look back at a highlight moment from last week...



 It's good to think about what's good to remember!
A week ago I remarked to Jim that we hail the football players for catching a ball,
The athletes for their efforts (and well we may)
but there are no cheers and standing ovations as the Dr. pulls a tumor from a body :)
Now there's a hero!
(a week ago Jim was in hospital for removal of a small tumor.)
He is feeling well a week later but he will not see a Dr. 'til Mar. 13 
then we find out the results regarding the tumor.
So impressed with the HARD working Dr.s and nurses.
They need a shout out too!

Here's a little 'good-to-know' contemplation...

Good to know that God will hear us
Even when prayer has no voice
Good to know that He is near us
Not by chance but by His choice

Good to know guilt is forgiven
And God’s grace is undeterred
Good to know after death, Heaven
If we are washed in the blood

Good to know no one can earn it
Redemption’s deliverance
Good to know that we can learn it
Patience for the circumstance

Good to know the green of May-June
Clothes the March tree, shiver-clad
Good to know earth is not immune
To the tune that makes it glad

Good to know we are all tethered
To the Thing that leaves us vexed
And the seasons we have weathered
Prepares us for what is next

Good to know we need each other
It is hard to love alone
Where the bud relays the flutter
That decays on graven stone

Good to know joy precedes sorrow
And no matter come what may
We can try again tomorrow
Where we failed a bit today

(unless it was Olympic Gold in Canadian hockey or curling we were trying for…
…then we have to wait four years to try again😀

© Janet Martin


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Our Champions



Dara Howell wins gold! I love watching the Olympics...and hearing the stories that come with the athletes. As I listened to them asking Dara's mother how she felt through it all I realized every parent feels the same emotions as they watch their kids strive, stumble, succeed! Congratulations and all the best to each athlete in Sochi! 



Whether it’s the next triple flip, slalom,
Word, step or sum
We are there for them
Cheering them on
Weeping their disappointments,
Laughing with joy
At each new accomplishment
For every girl and boy
Is reaching for a pinnacle,
A goal, a prize
And they are all champions
In their parent's eyes

© Janet Martin