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EDWARD'S LEAP OF FAITH
Jonathan Edwards emerged from one of the most traumatic years of his life to land the Olympic gold medal.
How fitting that the most famous vicar's son in British sport should provide the ultimate leap of faith which gave Great Britain its sixth gold medal of these Games, a tally last achieved 44 years ago in Melbourne when the Olympics were last held on this continent.
And what a difference from the 'Hop, Step and Slump' headlines after Edwards, supposedly a racing certainty, had failed to bring gold home from Atlanta and had been forced to settle instead for a disappointing splash of silver. For four years Edwards has carried that burden on his copious travels in a suitcase of self-criticism..
He questioned whether he had been a good father to his children. He questioned whether he was a good husband. He wondered and worried about his role as a messenger of God, conceding that it would have been easier to succeed if he had not been a Christian.
But in Stadium Australia the paralysis by analysis which has so scarred Edwards' career was finally over. The introspection was gone and at last Edwards had fulfilled his greatest ambitions at the grand old age of 34.
But though Edwards draped himself in the obligatory Union Jack and ran around the track, going through the motions of triumph, his demeanour was also strangely muted.
"I was just overwhelmed," he explained. "I was on the point of crying a couple of times and had to choke back the tears. I couldn't believe it had happened in this amazing arena and I was the Olympic champion. I just couldn't believe it. I wasn't calm and confident. I was very nervous. It was hard work. I didn't jump particularly well. I didn't run in the way I could. Today was very tough."
"I don't think I'm favoured because I serve God. I don't know what's in God's mind or if this was a reward for me or just the way it happened. I'm just thankful to God for giving me the talent I've got. I've had the talent to win the Olympics and not done it. I became an athlete because that's what God wanted me to be."
At last Edwards felt at ease. So he should - on the night he was as good as gold.
Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's!!!!
This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLoud, on September 1, 2000.
I thought it was worth sharing with the world, and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It clearly shows just how far this country has gone in the wrong direction.
"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honour God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.
As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control. If someone is offended, no problem. I can designate a schoolday as earth day and involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology. I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional, Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment.
However, if anyone uses this facility to honour God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be at best, inconsistent and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be at best, inconsistent and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. However, if you feel inspired to honour, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law - yet."
(Addendum) "We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29
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