THINK ABOUT IT            8-13-24

GOING FOR THE GOAL

PROPER PRIORITIES: Lawrence Lemieux

Another famous Olympian was Jesse Owns, who humiliated Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.  Hitler disliked black athletes and felt they were inferior to Arians.  Hitler was hoping that the 1936 Olympics would prove him right.

Jesse Owens was an African-American track star whose main event was the Long Jump.  But Owens was having trouble with that event in Berlin.  In the qualifying rounds, he missed two times.  The first time, he thought he was just taking a practice jump, but the official counted it as one of his three actual attempts to qualify.  On his second attempt, he misjudged the takeoff spot and fouled again.  One more miss, and he would be eliminated from competition.  His main competitor was a German named Lutz Long, the only jumper there with a reasonable shot at beating Owens. 

It was just then that Lutz Long walked over to Jesse Owens and chatted with him for a few moments.  “Something must be bothering you,” Long said.  “You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed.  Owens explained that he hadn’t realized that his first jump counted as a qualifying attempt.  That had so rattled him that he overcompensating in his second jump.

Long said, “Since the distance you need to qualify isn’t that difficult, make a mark about a foot before you reach the foul line.  Use that as your jump-off point.  That way you won’t foul.”

Jesse did just that.  He used his foot to dig a mark in the grass next about a foot short of the foul line, and he used that as his jump-off spot.  He qualified that time with a couple of feet to spare.

Later that afternoon, Jesse Owens and Lutz Long went head-to-head in competition.  It was nip-and-tuck to the end, but when Jesse Owens won the gold metal, Hitler reportedly scowled, but Lutz Long ran over and threw his arms around him in congratulations.  Years later, Jesse Owens talked about that moment, and he said, “You could melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t match the 24-carot friendship I felt for Lutz Long at that moment.”

The two men became good friends and stayed in touch, even during World War II when the two nations were locked in a terrible war with each other.  Lutz was a lieutenant in the German Army, but he wrote to Owens and said, “I hope we can always remain best of friends despite the differences between our countries.”

It was the last communication the two of the ever shared, for just a few days later, Lutz was killed in battle.  But the story doesn’t end there.  Years later, Owens received a letter from Lutz Long’s son, who was then 22-years old and getting married.  The letter said, “Even though my father can’t be here to be my best man, I know who he would want in his place.  He would want someone that he and his entire family admired and respected.  He would want you to take his place.  And I do, too.”

And Jesse Owens flew to Germany to be the best man at the wedding of the son of his former arch competitor and rival.  What does that tell us?  It tells us that friends are important, and that we must carefully guard and nourish our friendships.  The Bible says that love never fails. (By Robert J. Morgan, used by permission)

David Stone 

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, TX

Here’s another story, and one that was totally unfamiliar to me, although I think it’s well known by anyone who studies the history of the modern Olympics.  The very first Olympic champion in the history of the modern games is an American named James Connolly, the first person to win a gold medal after the resumption of the games in 1896.

James Connolly, who was born in south Boston, dreamed of attending Harvard University, but he couldn’t afford it.  He worked multiple jobs for many years to save enough for tuition; and at age 27, he finally enrolled.  The year was 1896, and soon rumors spread that the ancient Olympics would be reborn in Athens.  At Princeton University, runner Robert Garrett had already decided to go, taking three teammates with him.  Princeton gave them six weeks off for the trip.         

Back at Harvard, Arthur Blake, another runner, was granted permission to attend the Olympics.  But when James asked for the same privilege, the school refused.  ‘You’re only an undergraduate,” said the dean.  “If you leave now, you will have to quit—and you may not be allowed back in.”      

“I’m a good enough jumper to beat anybody in the world,” James replied.  “I’m going to Athens to prove it.  And if that means quitting Harvard, then I quit right now.”  Storming from the school, James withdrew his college funds and, shortly afterward, left for Europe aboard a German steamer.  The other athletes were on board, too, but they had lots of funding and could travel first class.  James found himself far below deck in a cramped, musty, dank cabin with little food.  He suffered terribly from seasickness.           

James was no sooner off the boat in Naples then someone bumped into him on the crowded streets; and when he later reached for his billfold, it was gone.  He’d been robbed of every cent by a pickpocket.  He arrived in Athens exhausted, penniless, frazzled, and traveling at the mercy of wealthier teammates.  He was weak and out of shape.  But at least he had two weeks to recover from the trip.  That’s when he suffered his next shock.  The Greeks used a different calendar than the Americans, and Olympic competition was set to begin the very next day!           

When morning came, James dragged himself out of bed for the opening ceremonies and stood for hours in the blazing sun awaiting the arrival of the King of Greece.  When the games began, James’ event, the triple jump, was first on the schedule.  “I don’t know if I can manage even one jump,” James said.  “I’m exhausted.”           

But his teammate pulled him aside. “I’ve seen you make it this far despite all the problems you’ve had getting here,” said his friend.  “And I’ve seen you jump.  There’s no one here who can beat you.  Just remember.  You’re representing Americans now.”           

As the competition proceeded, James watched his opponents.  The French jumper had the best marks, a triple jump of 41 feet, 8 inches.  Walking to the edge of the runway, James’ threw his cap a yard beyond his opponent’s distance.  A rush of adrenaline came, along with a fresh surge of confidence.  Racing down the runway, James leaped into the air and to everyone’s amazement, his triple jump measured nearly 45 feet—beyond even where he had thrown his cap.          

Leaping to their feet, the thousands of spectators began roaring, “Nike!  Nike!”  

“What does that mean?” asked James.  The judge said, “That means victory.”  That afternoon, James Connolly stood on the victor’s stand and was awarded the silver medal, at that time signifying first place.  Not only did he become America’s first Olympic hero, he was the first Olympic champion of modern times.

As I read that story, I was reminded that we must all persevere through difficulties if we’re going to win the crown.  The Bible says that we must run with perseverance the race that is set before us.  We mustn’t give up.  I recently listened to tape recordings of the speeches Franklin Roosevelt gave to America during World War II, including his famous fireside chats.  In one of those speeches, he said something like this:  “These are difficult days, but they are not dark ones.”  The Christian has many difficult days, but they aren’t dark ones.  We must keep on going until the prize is won.  (By Robert J. Morgan, used by permission) THINK ABOUT IT!

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,TX

THINK ABOUT IT           8-10-24

In 2008 I sent a series of articles based on stories related to the Olympics. The series was called “GOING FOR THE GOAL”- a twist on those who are going for the “gold” in the Olympics. I am repeating these the next few days with the hope that you will find inspiration to reach your God given goal in life. – HDS

GOING FOR THE GOAL

THINK ABOUT IT           8-9-24

The two hospital patients

Over the years I have repeated this story several times and inevitably someone tells me it was a blessing. I hope that’s the case this time.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on holiday.

And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and, after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.” THINK ABOUT IT!

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346