Sports
Christ is the reason for the incredible victory: McDowell, the NASCAR winner, publicly confessed his faith
Entering Sunday’s NASCAR season-opening Daytona 500 — the “Great American Race” — driver Michael McDowell was a 100-1 underdog. After the race, which ended shortly after midnight in Florida thanks to two fiery crashes on either side of a rain delay that lasted nearly six hours, it was McDowell celebrating in victory lane.
The win marked his first in the Cup Series after only four top-five finishes in 357 previous Cup Series starts during his first 13 seasons.
“I just can’t believe it,” McDowell said on the track immediately following the race. “I’ve just got to thank God. So many years just grinding it out and hoping for an opportunity like this.”
In the No. 34 car for Front Row Motorsports, McDowell was involved in the first crash on lap 15, but his car didn’t sustain enough damage to slow him down. He was third on the final lap when the two leading cars collided, causing another massive crash. McDowell emerged as the leader, and he held on to win. The final lap was the only lap he led.
During his press conference following the race, McDowell was asked if winning this race matches the dream.
“It does, but whether I win this race or not, it’s not what defines you,” he said. “It’s unbelievable and I’m so thankful, but I’m thankful to have a happy, healthy family and a beautiful wife and a great family. Not everybody makes it to victory lane and for 14 years I didn’t, so just to be here now is just so amazing.”
It was Joey Logano who held the lead down the final stretch of the final lap, but his Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski tried to pass on the inside, and instead caused both to spin out. Logano was upset that he didn’t win the famed Daytona 500, but he was happy for McDowell.
“I feel like we had a great shot being where we were and leading on the last lap, but if we couldn’t win I’m really happy to see McDowell win this thing,” Logano told FOX. “He’s a great guy, a great person, a good leader in life and has helped me a lot in my life, so it’s very cool to see him win the Daytona 500.”
McDowell’s win also essentially secures him a spot in the playoffs this fall for the first time in his career. For the 36-year-old McDowell, his success to begin 2021 is a sweet reward for his countless hours of work without a win to show for it.
“There’s been lots of years where I was wondering what the heck am I doing and why am I doing it? I always knew if I just kept grinding that one day everything will line up and go right,” McDowell said after the race.
He later expounded, saying, “When you show up to the race track, and you know that you’re — I don’t even know how to say it — you’re just in the way, taking up space, it’s hard to do that year after year and week after week. So you’ve got to have a bigger purpose than that. For me, it was knowing that I would get an opportunity eventually.”
McDowell told the Sports Spectrum Podcast in early 2019 that he has relied on his faith in God throughout his career, and he wants others to know about the love of Jesus too.
“I’m passionate about people coming to know Christ,” McDowell said. “Part of that is just a realization that you’re either alive in Christ or you’re dead. There’s no in-between.”
McDowell explained that he did not grow up learning about Christianity. When some of his racing mentors introduced him to the faith, it was unlike anything he’d encountered before. Soon after, McDowell sustained a horrific accident in qualifying at the 2008 Samsung 500 in which his car slammed against the wall before barrel-rolling to a stop. Amazingly, McDowell walked away from the wreckage unscathed and went on to race that weekend.
Through his brush with death, God revealed to McDowell the true power of the racing platform he’d been given.
“Once I fully surrendered, I realized that I love speaking and I love talking with people,” he said on the podcast, “and if I’m going to do that, then I need to be doing it, 1) to glorify God, and 2) to lead people to Christ. … That area between your feet, that’s your mission field.”
In 2014, McDowell also spoke with Sports Spectrum about his faith, how he sees his position in NASCAR and what he feels God is calling him to:Now with a Daytona 500 victory to his name, McDowell will try to win again at NASCAR’s next scheduled race, the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. ET.
httpss://youtu.be/NlqwEJPtQrs?t=3
Sports
Soccer Star Reprimanded for Writing ‘I Love Jesus’ on Pro-LGBT Rainbow Armband
English soccer player Marc Guéhi was slapped Saturday with a warning from the Football Association after the Crystal Palace center-back wore an armband emblazoned with the phrase, “I love Jesus.”
The team captain wrote the Christian saying on a band decorated with rainbow colors, intended to represent the LGBTQ flag, according to ESPN.
FA rules allow “initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect, and integrity,” but prohibit players from wearing clothing or gear displaying “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.”
While the association reminded Guéhi and Crystal Palace of their responsibilities as an athlete and team, respectively, neither will face any formal action for the armband in question.
A spokesperson for the FA said in a statement no official warning was given after Guéhi wore the band with the three-word phrase during his team’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.
“Marc Guehi has not received an official warning from us,” said the FA representative. “We have contacted Crystal Palace to formally remind them and Marc Guehi that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots, or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited as stated in Rule A4 of our kit and advertising regulations.”
The rainbow armband — without “I love Jesus” written on it — is apparently viewed differently by the FA.
Printed with the colors of the rainbow and issued to all 20 Premier League clubs, the Rainbow Laces initiative gear is purposed to encourage acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in football writ large. That message, though, is not considered a violation of the prohibition on personal, political, and religious statements. Rather, the FA reportedly sees it as a symbol of “respect and tolerance.”
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, who is Muslim, refused on religious grounds to wear the armband.
In response, the FA said Morsy’s choice was a matter for the team to decide, adding he faces no official repercussions for his choice. The club, for its part, said it “is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone,” noting it respects Morsy’s decision “due to his religious beliefs.”
Sources:faithwire
Sports
യേശുവാണ് തന്റെ കുടുംബത്തിന്റെയും കരിയറിന്റെയും അടിസ്ഥാനം: സീസണ് റെക്കോര്ഡിട്ട ബേസ്ബോള് താരം ആരോണ് ജഡ്ജ്
ന്യൂയോര്ക്ക്: “ഞങ്ങള് നയിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത് വിശ്വാസത്താലാണ്, കാഴ്ചയാലല്ല” (2 കൊറിന്തോസ് 5:7) എന്ന ബൈബിള് വാക്യവും നെഞ്ചിലേറ്റി ഈ സീസണിനു ആരംഭം കുറിച്ച ന്യൂയോര്ക്ക് യാങ്കീസിന്റെ അമേരിക്കന് പ്രൊഫഷണല് ബേസ്ബോള് ഔട്ട്ഫീല്ഡര് ആരോണ് ജഡ്ജിന് ഇത് നേട്ടങ്ങളുടെ കാര്യത്തില് റെക്കോര്ഡിട്ട സീസണ്. ഇനിയും മത്സരങ്ങള് അവശേഷിക്കുന്ന ഈ സീസണിലെ അവിശ്വസനീയമായ പ്രകടനത്തിലൂടെ താരം അക്ഷരാര്ത്ഥത്തില് ആരാധകരുടെ ഹൃദയം കീഴടക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇതിനെല്ലാം പിന്നില് ക്രിസ്തു വിശ്വാസമാണെന്നാണ് അദ്ദേഹം സാക്ഷ്യപ്പെടുത്തുന്നത്.
തന്നെ ദത്തെടുത്ത് വളര്ത്തിയ തന്റെ മാതാപിതാക്കളും തന്റെ ക്രിസ്ത്യന് വിശ്വാസവുമാണ് തന്റെ ഈ വിജയത്തിന്റെ പിന്നിലെന്നു മുപ്പതുകാരനായ ഈ യാങ്കീസ് താരം പറയുന്നു. വെയ്നെ-പാറ്റി ദമ്പതികള് ആരോണിനേയും അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ സഹോദരനേയും ജനിച്ചപ്പോള് തന്നെ ദത്തെടുത്തതാണ്. ദൈവമാണ് തങ്ങളെ ഒരുമിപ്പിച്ചതെന്നാണ് ഇതിനെ കുറിച്ച് ആരോണിന് പറയുവാനുള്ളത്. ആരോണിന്റെ 10 വയസ്സ് വരെ മാതാപിതാക്കള് അവനെ ദത്തെടുത്തതാണെന്ന് അറിയിച്ചിരുന്നില്ല. എന്നാല് 10 വയസ്സായപ്പോള് മുതല് അവന് ‘ഞാന് കാണാന് നിങ്ങളേപ്പോലെ അല്ലല്ലോ?’ തുടങ്ങിയ ചോദ്യങ്ങള് ചോദിക്കുവാന് തുടങ്ങി. അവസാനം അവര് അവന്റെ എല്ലാ ചോദ്യങ്ങള്ക്കും ഉത്തരം നല്കി.
താന് ദത്തെടുക്കപ്പെട്ടവനാണെന്ന് അറിഞ്ഞതില് തനിക്ക് യാതൊരു വിഷമവും തോന്നിയിരുന്നില്ല എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞ ആരോണ് അവരാണ് തനിക്ക് അറിയാവുന്ന തന്റെ മാതാപിതാക്കളെന്നും കൂട്ടിച്ചേര്ത്തു. സ്നേഹവും പിന്തുണയും നല്കുന്ന മാതാപിതാക്കളെ ലഭിച്ച താന് എത്രമാത്രം അനുഗ്രഹീതനാണെന്ന് ആരോണ് പറയുമ്പോള്, അവനേക്കാളും ശരിക്കും തങ്ങളാണ് അനുഗ്രഹീതര് എന്നാണ് അവന്റെ അമ്മ പറയുന്നത്. 2 കൊറിന്തോസ് 5:7-ല് പറഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്ന വാക്യമാണ് തനിക്ക് ഏറ്റവും പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ബൈബിള് വാക്യമെന്ന് താരം പറയുന്നു.
ഈ ബൈബിള് വാക്യമനുസരിച്ച് ജീവിക്കുവാനാണ് താന് ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നതെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം കൂട്ടിച്ചേര്ത്തു. മുകളിലിരിക്കുന്നവനിലും, അവന് നമുക്കായി കരുതിവെച്ചിരിക്കുന്നവയിലും വിശ്വസിക്കുക. നമ്മെ ചുറ്റിപ്പറ്റി എന്താണ് ഉള്ളതെന്ന് നമുക്കറിയില്ല, നമുക്ക് ദൈവത്തില് വിശ്വാസമുണ്ടെങ്കില് അവന് നമ്മളെ ശരിയായ ദിശയില് നയിക്കുമെന്നും ആരോണ് പറയുന്നു. 65 ഹോം-റണ് എന്ന റെക്കോര്ഡ് നേട്ടം കൈവരിക്കുവാനുള്ള ശ്രമത്തിലാണ് ആരോണ്. 2013-ലാണ് ഇദ്ദേഹം ന്യൂയോര്ക്ക് യാങ്കീസിന് വേണ്ടി കളിച്ച് തുടങ്ങുന്നത്. 2017-ല് അമേരിക്കയിലെ ഏറ്റവും മൂല്യമുള്ള കളിക്കാരനായി ആരോണ് തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു.
കടപ്പാട് :പ്രവാചക ശബ്ദം
Sports
Dodgers player says ‘God is absolutely good’ after World Series win
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen gave glory to God after his team won the World Series against the New York Yankees Wednesday night.
In an interview with the MLB Network after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees to become the 2024 World Series champions, Treinen told reporter Robert Flores that he felt “overwhelming joy” after the victory. “God is absolutely good. I got to give a shout out to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for this moment,” he added.
When asked “who was the first person you thought of on the final out,” Treinen responded: “God.”
Treinen’s remarks followed the Dodgers’ 7-6 victory over the Yankees in the fifth game of the World Series. The Dodgers won four games against the Yankees in the World Series, thereby enabling them to clinch the coveted title.
Although Treinen has a limited social media presence compared to many professional athletes, his Christian faith still features prominently on his socials. The name associated with his X profile is “BlakeTreinen” accompanied by a picture of a cross and the U.S. flag. The biography on his X account proclaims: “I love Jesus Christ he is my savior.”
Last year, Treinen cited his Christian faith when speaking out against the Dodgers’ decision to recognize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — a group of men in drag who dress up as Catholic nuns — as part of the team’s celebration of LGBT pride month.
In a statement shared by prominent worship artist Sean Feucht, Treinen expressed disappointment that his team was honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence because “many of their performances are blasphemous, and their work only displays hate and mockery of Catholics and the Christian faith.”
Treinen suggested that he was willing to accept whatever consequences might have come with speaking out: “I understand that playing baseball is a privilege, and not a right. My convictions with Jesus Christ will always come first.”
“Inviting the [Sisters] of Perpetual Indulgence to perform disenfranchises a large community and promotes hate of Christians and people of faith,” he added. “This single event alienates the fans and supporters of the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and professional sports.”
After asserting that “Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins,” Treinen shared Bible verses that informed his opinion on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, including Galatians 6:7. The Bible passage declares: “do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked; a man reaps what he sows.”
“This group openly mocks Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of my faith, and I want to make it clear that I do not agree with nor support the decision of the [Dodgers] to ‘honor’ the [Sisters] of Perpetual Indulgence,” he concluded. Treinen also quoted Joshua 24:15 to make it clear where his loyalties lie: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
In 2016, before he joined the Dodgers, Treinen participated in Faith and Family Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. He was one of several players who shared their testimonies in front of 2,000 people.
Sources:Christian Post
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