When defeat stared at me,
I looked deep in its eyes with humbleness,
my faith in God lifted my weakened knees,
the noise around me was still,
those who were friends disappeared,
but he stood by my side with hope,
his words soothing my soul,
telling me of his love,
showing me his mercy,
reminding me to love my enemies as myself,
The day defeat came,
I felt like a hero,
there were no shadows following me,
my path was clear,
I knew there would be tomorrow,
God showed me the answer,
he guided my journey,
Today I fear it no more,
I accept it as a part of life,
it gives me strength to rise above my enemies,
it shows me that each day is different,
but in the end,
God is always with me.....
Dayne Christopher
"Embrace defeat and let it make you stronger to face the challenges ahead."
DCA
DCA
Bolt beaten, but hold on a minute.....
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Usain Bolt was beaten by Tyson Gay but was not disgraced. We have all known for weeks that Usain is not at his 100% best, but he has shown an attitude that all young people should strive to do. He has not made excuses, but has made his defeat a lesson to work harder. He was gracious in defeat, hugging Tyson Gay, and showing that you must always respect your opponents. He posted in his Facebook that he was thankful for the fans who have always supported him over the years. Bolt has been through injury before, and at times it seemed as if he would not rise to the highest level, but he has done so.
While some people were blaming his partying in Negril and blah blah blah, it is undeniable that any athlete that suffers an injury needs time to recover. The fact is that many people are quick to quit when defeat comes, but Bolt has embraced it over the years, and it has made him a better person. I am sure a lot of 'waggonist' will start jumping off the wagon before the horse stops, but bear in mind that Bolt will be back to his lightning best sooner than you think. He is only human and not superman....
Usain Bolt was beaten by Tyson Gay but was not disgraced. We have all known for weeks that Usain is not at his 100% best, but he has shown an attitude that all young people should strive to do. He has not made excuses, but has made his defeat a lesson to work harder. He was gracious in defeat, hugging Tyson Gay, and showing that you must always respect your opponents. He posted in his Facebook that he was thankful for the fans who have always supported him over the years. Bolt has been through injury before, and at times it seemed as if he would not rise to the highest level, but he has done so.
While some people were blaming his partying in Negril and blah blah blah, it is undeniable that any athlete that suffers an injury needs time to recover. The fact is that many people are quick to quit when defeat comes, but Bolt has embraced it over the years, and it has made him a better person. I am sure a lot of 'waggonist' will start jumping off the wagon before the horse stops, but bear in mind that Bolt will be back to his lightning best sooner than you think. He is only human and not superman....
"He has regarded the prayer of the destitute And has not despised their prayer." Psalm 102:1
The power of prayer was demonstrated this week, when on Friday my brother in Christ, Gregory, was freed from his tribulation in the face of the enemy. It highlighted that God does answer the prayer of the righteous even when all seems lost. Oftentimes we are tempted to believe that God does not answer our prayers, because we expect things to happen right away. I have fallen into that trap many times, which ends in doubt, and loss of faith.
Colossians 4:2 teaches us that we should, "devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;". If we devote ourselves to praying with an attitude of thanksgiving we will focus of righteous, leaving the negatives of doubt. In my walk with God I have noticed that when I pray with an attitude of thanksgiving that God has answered my prayers. I am thankful for all that God does for me. Christians are often quick to focus on what they don't have, instead of focusing on what they have. If you have food, clothes and a place to lay your head, what are you worried about? Jesus said in Matthew 8:20, "Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Yet we who are so blessed complain. Do we ever just pray thanking God that we woke up today, or we had a shoe to put on, or eyes to see? When we pray, what are we thinking about? Are we thinking about what we want or what we need? Do we pray about our enemies the same way we pray about our brother and sisters?
When we pray today, let it be more than a ritual, but a genuine reverence before God. In Psalm 141:2, "may my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering", we see the humility offered. Let us empty our thoughts when we bow before him, yes we are constantly tempted, but when we come in his presence we should surrender all.
Proverbs 15:29 teaches us that, "the LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous." We have the power of prayer to change the life of ourselves and others, but we have to believe in our hearts and to have faith in God. Without faith and humility we are without hope.
Let us continue to pray steadfastly, trusting in God always. Pray without ceasing, it doesn't matter when or where, God will hear us.
Debate brewing over the testing of young athletes...
There is a mounting debate amongst the local athletics body to introduce testing for athletes at the junior level. This would include athletes competing at the very competitive Girl and Boys Championship. While there is some common sense involved in this planned approach, there are some negatives that I would like to highlight. My often held view is that good sense is not 'common'.
In my estimation Jamaican authorities are being pressured by the overseas media to move beyond the world norm. Were in the world are junior athletes at a high school level competiton being tested? Not in the US, UK or Europe from my limited research. It seems that with the exploits of athletes such as Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and now the rising star Yohan Blake that whispers have begun in the galleries. This is reinforced more by the recent failed test of Shelly-Ann Fraser, and one can say the verdict is yet to be determined, but one is often guilty until proven innocent in this regard. People are quick to point fingers, especially when a B sample comes back positive, it doesn't even matter if the substance is a non-performing agent.
The media has often been a killer of dreams, cultures and countries. This is the case for poor Jamaica. When we rise above the mediocrity of the world, we are placed in a box and scrutinized under the microscope of doubt. When Usain runs 9.58 in the 100 meters, the doubters made conspiracy theories questioning his meteoric rise.
With Jamaica's explosive performance at the 2008 Olympics and then the 2009 World Championships, countries are seeing red in their eyes. The media has become the pawn to be sacrificed in order to discredit our performances. Many media houses globally watched the 2010 Boys and Girls Championships in awe, and no doubt were stunned into disbelief, that a country considered 'third world' by the powers that be could produce such outstanding performances. Now our local body has been drawn into the temptation of listening to the world instead of continuing to nurture the growth of the youth program. There is no doubt that without the excellent management of the authorities that we would never be able to produce athletes such as Asafa and Bolt, and so many other outstanding athletes. However, it does not seem fair that juniors should be subjected to the rigorous testing that our senior athletes endure. It is very demanding for an athlete to monitor every single thing that enters his body. When you are a junior you want to be able to consume all foods. Although it is well known that many high schools give their athletes supplements to increase muscle growth and recovery. Yes, the testing will prepare then for the rigors of senior level competition, but they should be allowed to enjoy their youth.
If they do intend to introduce a drug testing policy, it should be for athletes above 16 years old. There is no way in my estimation that a 12 year old should be subjected to such testing. In fact, I would suggest that if a child below 16 years old is asked to take a drug test, that parents should not allow this to happen.
Whatever the outcome will be, let us hope that 'common sense' is used in the process and not the emotion induced by the overseas media houses.
There is a mounting debate amongst the local athletics body to introduce testing for athletes at the junior level. This would include athletes competing at the very competitive Girl and Boys Championship. While there is some common sense involved in this planned approach, there are some negatives that I would like to highlight. My often held view is that good sense is not 'common'.
In my estimation Jamaican authorities are being pressured by the overseas media to move beyond the world norm. Were in the world are junior athletes at a high school level competiton being tested? Not in the US, UK or Europe from my limited research. It seems that with the exploits of athletes such as Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and now the rising star Yohan Blake that whispers have begun in the galleries. This is reinforced more by the recent failed test of Shelly-Ann Fraser, and one can say the verdict is yet to be determined, but one is often guilty until proven innocent in this regard. People are quick to point fingers, especially when a B sample comes back positive, it doesn't even matter if the substance is a non-performing agent.
The media has often been a killer of dreams, cultures and countries. This is the case for poor Jamaica. When we rise above the mediocrity of the world, we are placed in a box and scrutinized under the microscope of doubt. When Usain runs 9.58 in the 100 meters, the doubters made conspiracy theories questioning his meteoric rise.
With Jamaica's explosive performance at the 2008 Olympics and then the 2009 World Championships, countries are seeing red in their eyes. The media has become the pawn to be sacrificed in order to discredit our performances. Many media houses globally watched the 2010 Boys and Girls Championships in awe, and no doubt were stunned into disbelief, that a country considered 'third world' by the powers that be could produce such outstanding performances. Now our local body has been drawn into the temptation of listening to the world instead of continuing to nurture the growth of the youth program. There is no doubt that without the excellent management of the authorities that we would never be able to produce athletes such as Asafa and Bolt, and so many other outstanding athletes. However, it does not seem fair that juniors should be subjected to the rigorous testing that our senior athletes endure. It is very demanding for an athlete to monitor every single thing that enters his body. When you are a junior you want to be able to consume all foods. Although it is well known that many high schools give their athletes supplements to increase muscle growth and recovery. Yes, the testing will prepare then for the rigors of senior level competition, but they should be allowed to enjoy their youth.
If they do intend to introduce a drug testing policy, it should be for athletes above 16 years old. There is no way in my estimation that a 12 year old should be subjected to such testing. In fact, I would suggest that if a child below 16 years old is asked to take a drug test, that parents should not allow this to happen.
Whatever the outcome will be, let us hope that 'common sense' is used in the process and not the emotion induced by the overseas media houses.
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