Used by permission from Christian Examiner By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO (Christian Examiner) – American Simone Manuel became the first African-American woman to medal in an individual swimming event Thursday night, and then immediately gave "glory to God" during an emotional interview. Manuel won the women's 100-meter freestyle, tying Canada's Penny Oleksiak for the gold medal with a time of 52.70 seconds – a new Olympic record. It was a comeback victory for Manuel, who appeared out of the gold medal hunt halfway through the race but passed several swimmers during the final 50 meters. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]
George Foreman – fighting the good fight
By Ron F. Hale People got killed every weekend in the bloody Fifth Ward of Houston, TX where George Foreman struggled to find his way as a troubled teenager. With a menacing manner and imposing physique Foreman became a bully and a mugger. Either by fate or the providence of God, Foreman found his way into a new government program called Job Corps. Charles “Doc” Broadus, a counselor and boxing coach, inspired Foreman to turn that big chip on his shoulder into punching prowess. Incredibly, in 20 short months Foreman went from being a no-name novice to becoming the world heavyweight amateur champion. Waving a small USA flag as the new heavyweight boxing gold medal winner was Foreman’s “Kodak moment” at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The 19-year-old came home a champion; however, some called him a “chump” for not protesting with other black athletes. This was a gut-wrenching blow to someone who fought so hard to overcome a life of poverty and pain. That chip on the shoulder returned with a vengeance. Turning professional in 1969, Foreman promptly knocked out 35 fighters, racking up a perfect 37-0 record by 1972. His ring résumé led to a toe-to-toe shot at the heavyweight crown with Joe Frazier on January 22, 1973 in … [Read more...]
OLYMPICS: Nightly prayers keep skeet shooter’s focus on God
By Tim Ellsworth, Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - Vincent Hancock was so fed up with skeet shooting in 2011 that he almost quit. Despite winning gold in skeet shooting in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Hancock had lost his love for the sport. After a horrible World Cup competition in Slovenia - his worst finish ever - he called his wife Rebekah to tell her he wanted to quit. "No, don't do that," Rebekah told him. "Just get home. Let's talk about it. Let's pray about it." To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]
OLYMPICS: Shawn Johnson, 2008 Olympic gold medalist: Christ is ‘my greatest reward’
The following article is used by permission from the Christian Examiner. By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO (Christian Examiner) – Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and the rest of the "Final Five" are this year's American gymnastics Olympics stars, but eight years ago in Beijing, it was Shawn Johnson. Johnson went into the 2008 Olympics as the favorite in the women's individual all-around, floor exercise and balance beam. Her teammates were quite good, too, and many considered the USA the favorite to beat the hometown Chinese for the team gold. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]
OLYMPICS: Runner Allyson Felix tells reporters, ‘Faith leads my life’
The following article is used by permission from the Christian Examiner. By Gregory Tomlin, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Christian Examiner) – U.S. Track & Field athlete Allyson Felix will compete in several races next week in the Rio Olympics and, while she hopes to win the gold, she's more interested in winning the crown of life. Felix told the L.A. Times last week that her Christian faith is the reason she runs, and she said she knows the ability she has to virtually fly around the track was given to her by God. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]
US Supreme Court blocks lower court’s ruling on transgender bathroom issue
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-court-transgender-20160803-snap-story.html … [Read more...]
Louisiana College names Mason, Carter associate athletic directors
By Brad Welborn, Louisiana College Sports Information PINEVILLE – Reni Mason and Patrece Carter have been named associate athletics directors according to a news release by the Louisiana College Athletic Department. Louisiana College President Rick Brewer and Athletics Director Dennis Dunn made the announcement Aug. 4 and their new positions become effective immediately. Mason has been named the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Carter will serve as the Associate Athletic Director for Operations. Both also will continue to lead their respective basketball programs. "Coach Carter and Coach Mason bring to these expanded assignments a deep commitment to the college's mission and vision, accompanied by their unique gifts and experiences, which they will use to advance LC's athletic program,” said Brewer. “Expanding LC's NCAA Division III programs from 13 to 18 sports this year amplifies the need for these additional administrative/coaching positions at the college." Mason will be the primary contact for the athletic department in the community. He will assist Brewer and Dunn in the planning and overseeing of marketing strategies for the individual programs and the department as a whole, as well … [Read more...]
Olympics: ‘Thy will be done’ is shooter’s prayer
By Tim Ellsworth, Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - In Sarah Scherer's competitions, the slightest movement -- even an errant breath -- can be the difference between winning and losing. It's understandable that such circumstances can cause times of nervousness and tension during a shooting competition. That's why the Olympic shooter a few months ago decided to start reciting the Lord's Prayer to herself when the pressure is on. "I realized I do that in life," Scherer told Baptist Press. "I might as well do that when I'm competing. Being able to say a prayer that's a structured prayer is very comforting." The 2016 Olympics are a return visit for Scherer, who competed in the women's 10-meter air rifle competition in London in 2012. This time, in addition to that event, she's also representing Team USA in the 50-meter rifle three position, in which competitors shoot at a target from kneeling, prone and standing positions. When she's competing, Scherer has to summon every ounce of focus and concentration she can to be successful. And she has a time limit. That's where the Lord's Prayer comes in -- something she knows by heart and can recite quickly without losing mental focus. "The words are still just as … [Read more...]
Olympics: Faith, support steadies archer’s focus
By Tim Ellsworth, Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - Mackenzie Brown showed enough promise as an archer that she moved to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., as a teenager. That proved to be a difficult experience that required a lot of extra maturity, and Brown relied on the Lord to help her through those times. "That was kind of a culture shock for me," Brown, now 21, told Baptist Press. "It definitely put me through a couple of rough patches where my faith wasn't as strong, but I always came back. God always found me and pulled me out every time. I thank Him every day for it." Brown, the fourth-ranked archer in the world, was upset in the round of 16 on Monday (Aug. 8) by San Ye Htwe of Myanmar, ending her hopes for a medal and bringing her first Olympic competition to a close. Despite the disappointing outcome, Brown's Olympic journey was done with the support of her family and her family's home church, Flint Baptist Church in Flint, Texas. Brown's mother Stacey is the Vacation Bible School director at the church. Her father Chuck and sister Rilie are also members there. Though Brown attends church in California where she lives, she also manages to stay connected to the Flint … [Read more...]
72-year-old Brazlian proof that age is not a factor in accepting the Gospel
The 72-year-old man was a visitor to the medical and eye clinics held at First Baptist Church in Veneza, Brazil, and was given something much more precious - an opportunity to hear Christ. He heard the Gospel presented several times before meeting Sue Johns, a member of First Baptist Church in Graceville, Florida, who served with the Louisiana Baptist mission team’s ophthalmology clinic. While she was fitting him with eyeglasses, he was convicted by the Holy Spirit and began singing a hymn he had composed. Johns learned he had fallen away from church for some time, and so prayed with him to get right with God and get back into church. On the final Sunday of the mission trip, he attended the evening service and asked Jesus to forgive his sins and committed to live his life for Christ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg_1WiHbJu8 … [Read more...]
