Pastor John’s

Office hours: Sunday, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. -12 p.m.

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Pastor John’s e-mail: jwgilmore@mchsi.com

to listen to Pastor John -March 2, 2008 Sermon

From your Pastor

I heard the news on the radio as I was listening in the office the other morning.  Shawn Johnson had won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.  Fantastic.   I think that we all had been captured by her smile, and it was great to celebrate the heart and effort she had given to the games.  Who had not noted her charitable attitude? Or how she was the consummate team player? Gracious in winning gold or silver.  To me, she was the model of the Olympic games of good sportsmanship and deserves to be on the box of Wheaties.  It makes me proud she is from Iowa. 

    Now contrast that with the attitude of the Jamaican sprinter who won the 100 meter race while looking back taunting and disrespecting his competitors. You will recall that he was the one who beat his chest, slammed his fist in the air, and stood before the camera while holding his finger in the air. Yelling “I am #1!”  When I saw that I couldn’t help but think of the way a tight end in the NFL spikes the ball after a touchdown during a football game and dances around in triumph, taunting his opponents. To me, that is not OK in football and certainly not very sportsmanlike for the Olympics.  The IOC agreed with me and remarked a few days ago how inappropriate his actions were for the games. Wow, isn’t that the model our youth need, one more spoiled obnoxious athlete taunting his competitors?

     And contrast that with the three American track and field sprinters who swept the three medals for their race-gold-silver-and bronze.  They were interviewed following their race and the gold medal winner spoke and said “Well before we begin, let me say that I thank God for this win and appreciate the opportunity to run”; the second one spoke also saying, “I want to say what a privilege it is to be here”; and the third one said, “and what a great moment for our country to sweep these medals today!”  How wonderful to give God the gratitude for the gift that one has, and to believe that to use it is a privilege and an opportunity!!

     Well, the apostle Paul was aware of athletic competition, and whether that was the Olympics, I do not know.  But he used the metaphor for running a race to bring words of exhortation to us all in our journey of faith.  Let me remind you of those.  From Philippians 3: 13 b “but this one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.  And I Corinthians 9:25 “Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.”  Now that is something to live into.

Please note that the first Confirmation class begins September 7th, at 9:00AM.  Looking forward to seeing you this fall! Confirmation involves 7th and 8th grade students. 

Looking forward to a great season at St. Paul.

Pastor John