Can anything be more interesting in sports than the Olympic games? Even with all the controversy surrounding performance enhancing drugs and blood doping, it is still interesting. There’s something special when athletes from 204 countries come together to give their best. The competition is simply outstanding.
I found the opening ceremony fascinating. Normally this doesn’t interest me. In fact, I can’t ever remember watching as much of the opening ceremony as I did last Saturday evening. Maybe part of the attraction was our British heritage and our common language. But, it really was more than that.
Two areas really interested me. First, I was amazed at the elaborate sets and props and the number of people involved. Second, though this wasn’t the intention, the opening ceremony highlighted the Christian heritage of the British people and the British Isles.
Did you notice how many hymns are part of Great Britain’s cultural and political heritage? Again and again, we heard and saw British culture on display–the culture which has helped to form American culture, particularly in our Christian faith.
From the British, we have the King James Version of the Bible and the great William Tyndale who suffered martyrdom for the hope that the Bible might be read in the language of the people.
C.S. Lewis is called the greatest apologist of the Christian faith. Along with J.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings), Lewis astounded people with his insight into the Christian faith and a fallen world.
In sports, the British produced Eric Liddell, whose Christian faith and athletic skills were highlighted in Chariots of Fire.
Great Britain is known for two great revivals that continue to inspire the world–the Welch Revival of 1904 and the work of Saint Patrick in Ireland.
In recent times, England gave us the recently deceased great biblical expositor John Stott.
What makes the opening ceremony so sad is that Britain is no longer a place of deep faith, and we are the worse because of it. England’s churches are relics but not places filled with people of growing faith.
Many people debate what happened. I certainly don’t have the answer to that. I simply want to do all I can to help our country remain faithful to God.
That begins with you and me.
4 Responses
Indeed it does. “Even a child is known by his doings.” Yet, how does the children’s children know what it True when the moment of expediency becomes the vale of True Expedience. May we realize in our struggle Romans Chapter 12 and struggle working out our own Salvation in verses 4-6 in Him directing the fit. Letting Him be in Charge is my Prayer.
I’ve missed nearly all this year’s activity except the email I get from the Committee. Thanks.
I thought of William Wilberforce (1759-183) as one included in the list of great, godly people from England: He led the charge to abolish slavery in England and beyond. He also worked to improve the life of children promoting education, personal hygiene and religion in their lives.
One of many quotes from Wilberforce: “It must be conceded by those who admit the authority of Scripture that from the Word of God, there can be no appeal.” William Wilberforce, Real Christianity
John Newton, author of the “Amazing Grace” Hymn, became Wilberforce’s mentor, and Newton encouraged Wilberforce to remain in Parliament to end slavery. Check out the convicting, awesome story in the Movie, “Amazing Grace”!
► 2:30► 2:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Cv5P9H9qU
Thanks for the reminder about William Wilberforce. He should not be left out.
Indeed it does. “Even a child is known by his doings.” Yet, how do the children’s children know what is True when the moment of expediency becomes the veil of True Expedience? May we realize in our struggle the implementation of Romans Chapter 12 in the group task of “working out” our “own Salvation,” specifically noted in verses 4-6; allowing Him to direct the fit, His Bride for His Purpose. Letting Him be in Charge (Lord) is my Prayer. Amazing Grace!
I’ve missed nearly all this year’s activity except the email I get from the Committee. Thanks.