"I can honestly say — and it's a big surprise to me — that I have never had a dream about being on the moon," Neil Armstrong told the audience as he announced the top 20 engineering achievements of the 20th century in February 2000.
This same man was heard by 600 million people on July 20, 1969 and as he announced, “That’s one step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” as he made the first walk on lunar grounds.
On August 25, 2012, at 82 Armstrong died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures. If there is one word to describe Armstrong, it would be “modest”.
In a world where non-achievers or underachievers become celebrities for exposing their dirty linen and surgically-enhanced bodies, Armstrong shunned celebrity status. After the historic moonwalk, Armstrong left a lucrative job as deputy associate administrator for aeronautics at NASA in 1971, to teach aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati until 1979. From thereon, he became a farmer tending cattle and corn, away from the limelight. He would agree to do interviews, but these would be rare and far in between.
By today’s ‘connect’ generation standard when popularity is measured by hits and likes, Armstrong is an oddball – but then he is looked upon with awe. The first American to orbit space, John Glenn, who became a US Senator, once said, "To this day, he's the one person on Earth, I'm truly, truly envious of."
St Albert the Recluse from 1115 until his death in 1140 at the age of 80, built himself a cell in the midst of a barren wilderness, fasting and praying. He did not promote himself, yet people went to him for spiritual advice, and two popes authorized him to say mass in the chapel in his cell. St Albert was an oddball, yet Christians continue to look at him with awe because of his modesty, of his sacrifices, of his blessedness. “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16)
There are now calls for a state funeral for Armstrong the last non-president to get such honour was General Douglas McArthur. His family resists the idea in keeping with modesty that Armstrong practiced during his lifetime.
Though he stands as a giant among men for his feat, the former test pilot was well grounded. He knew his mortality, he accepted his humanity. He described his out-of-this world experience in this manner: “It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.”
As you look out to the moon tonight, say a prayer to Neil Armstrong, a man who lived his life to the fullest, sans the glaring lights from the paparazzi. Neil Armstrong was a bright star among the constellation of people in our darkened world
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Monday, 20 August 2012
The Cell Door
On a Friday, a man was brought to court because of breach of bail conditions. The lady judge, knowing that this was the first violation of the man, asked him which door he wanted to go through, the one leading to the main street or the other towards the cell. The man pointed to the door to the main street, and the judge granted him bail on the condition that he not infringe again. The man left hurriedly. On Monday, the judge was told that the same man was back in court, having been caught for burglary two hours after his release. The judge asked him which door he would proceed to, and meekly the man pointed to the one leading to the cell.
While the judge was compassionate, the man showed no appreciation of her kindness. Empathy is a virtue, yet if the other ignores this, it becomes useless. Our God is a forgiving God. Because of His infinite love for us, He washes away our sins. He does so, if we observe the following conditions: Sacrifice; Forgiveness of others; Confession of sin; and Repentance.
Even without sin, Jesus died on the cross to show us that the prerequisite to forgiveness is suffering. "Without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22). We need to release the grudge we hold on others. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14,15)
Admission of our wrongness, of our transgressions may be difficult, but it is one of the significant ingredients that cleanses us of the dirt that stains our spirit. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Most importantly, we must turn a new leaf in our lives, disdaining sin and keeping God close to our heart. "Therefore this is what the Lord says, 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” (Jeremiah 15:19a)
Should we fulfill the conditions to forgiveness, then we will have chosen to take the door that leads us to God. Our sins will be totally erased by the blood of Christ. We will be blotfree and worthy of God. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)
While the judge was compassionate, the man showed no appreciation of her kindness. Empathy is a virtue, yet if the other ignores this, it becomes useless. Our God is a forgiving God. Because of His infinite love for us, He washes away our sins. He does so, if we observe the following conditions: Sacrifice; Forgiveness of others; Confession of sin; and Repentance.
Even without sin, Jesus died on the cross to show us that the prerequisite to forgiveness is suffering. "Without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22). We need to release the grudge we hold on others. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14,15)
Admission of our wrongness, of our transgressions may be difficult, but it is one of the significant ingredients that cleanses us of the dirt that stains our spirit. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Most importantly, we must turn a new leaf in our lives, disdaining sin and keeping God close to our heart. "Therefore this is what the Lord says, 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” (Jeremiah 15:19a)
Should we fulfill the conditions to forgiveness, then we will have chosen to take the door that leads us to God. Our sins will be totally erased by the blood of Christ. We will be blotfree and worthy of God. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Believe in Who You Are
There are more losers than there are winners in the Olympics. Of the 10,500 athletes from 205 nations, should there be no ties for first place a total of 300 gold medals will be awarded in the 2012 London Olympics. While the winners celebrate their accomplishments, the losers withdraw in the shadows.
Beijing Olympics gold medalist Valerie Adams took her silver finish in London with a heavy heart, saying that she let down her country, New Zealand.(Update: On 13 August, the OIC awarded gold to Adams as the original winner was found positive with drugs - MBL) Another gold hopeful, Nick Willis was at a loss of words on failing to even settle for a bronze in 1500 meters race.
One loser who stood out was 2004 gold medalist hurdler Liu Xiang. Xiang who was a leading gold medal contender in the London Olympics, failed to finish the race as he fell over the first hurdle in the 110 meters event. Even though injured, he hopped until the finish line on one foot, after kissing the last hurdle. Hungary’s Balazs Baji held Xiang in one arm, while at the same time raised the fallen champion’s hand aloft with the other. Baji said, “I respect him. I like him. It must be really bad for him. I’m really sorry. I didn’t say anything. I just couldn’t say anything.” Aries Merritt, world No 1, said: 'It's just a tragedy for that to happen to one of the best hurdlers of all time.’
But here is the clincher. Xiang suffered the same fate before his countrymen in the Beijing Olympics when due to a weakened Achilles he was eliminated from the race. Defying the odds, the hurdler recovered from the 2008 debacle by winning silver in the 2011 World Championships in Daegu.
The 80,000 strong crowd in the London stadium cheered Xiang as he was helped off the track and turned over to medical personnel. The ordeal of Xing caused a Chinese TV commentator to weep on-air as most of the people in China called Xiang a true Olympic hero.
For the 10,200 athletes who didn’t make it to the champion’s podium, I have written a song, “Believe”. You are not losers, rather you are stars in your own right, for so long as you believed in yourself, and gave your very best in the heat of the competition.
BELIEVE
Each one has a gift
Each one has a reason
To be living In this world
We are meant to give
We are born to follow
The path of our dreams
Refrain:
Believe in who you are
Believe in what you do
Give the best of what you are
You can go, yes you can go far
You can be a star
(Repeat All)
…Believe
(P.S. Should you want to listen to the song, please email: librelaw@yahoo.com and I shall personally send you an exclusive copy of a live recording. God bless.)
Beijing Olympics gold medalist Valerie Adams took her silver finish in London with a heavy heart, saying that she let down her country, New Zealand.(Update: On 13 August, the OIC awarded gold to Adams as the original winner was found positive with drugs - MBL) Another gold hopeful, Nick Willis was at a loss of words on failing to even settle for a bronze in 1500 meters race.
One loser who stood out was 2004 gold medalist hurdler Liu Xiang. Xiang who was a leading gold medal contender in the London Olympics, failed to finish the race as he fell over the first hurdle in the 110 meters event. Even though injured, he hopped until the finish line on one foot, after kissing the last hurdle. Hungary’s Balazs Baji held Xiang in one arm, while at the same time raised the fallen champion’s hand aloft with the other. Baji said, “I respect him. I like him. It must be really bad for him. I’m really sorry. I didn’t say anything. I just couldn’t say anything.” Aries Merritt, world No 1, said: 'It's just a tragedy for that to happen to one of the best hurdlers of all time.’
But here is the clincher. Xiang suffered the same fate before his countrymen in the Beijing Olympics when due to a weakened Achilles he was eliminated from the race. Defying the odds, the hurdler recovered from the 2008 debacle by winning silver in the 2011 World Championships in Daegu.
The 80,000 strong crowd in the London stadium cheered Xiang as he was helped off the track and turned over to medical personnel. The ordeal of Xing caused a Chinese TV commentator to weep on-air as most of the people in China called Xiang a true Olympic hero.
For the 10,200 athletes who didn’t make it to the champion’s podium, I have written a song, “Believe”. You are not losers, rather you are stars in your own right, for so long as you believed in yourself, and gave your very best in the heat of the competition.
BELIEVE
Each one has a gift
Each one has a reason
To be living In this world
We are meant to give
We are born to follow
The path of our dreams
Refrain:
Believe in who you are
Believe in what you do
Give the best of what you are
You can go, yes you can go far
You can be a star
(Repeat All)
…Believe
(P.S. Should you want to listen to the song, please email: librelaw@yahoo.com and I shall personally send you an exclusive copy of a live recording. God bless.)
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
The Great Michael Phelps
On August 5, 2012, swimmer Michael Phelps earned his 22nd and final Olympic medal, as part of the United States’ 400-meter medley relay. On the same day, FINA, the international governing body of swimming, gave him a statue with the inscription, "The Greatest Olympic Athlete of All Time."
Phelps had reached the summit of an illustrious sports career, having earned eight medals in Athens – 6 gold, 2 bronze – as a teenager (19) in 2004; eight gold in Beijing in 2008; and six more in London – 4 gold, 2 silver.
While finishing the final lap in the 400-meter medley relay would be “the Kodak moment”, Phelps gave the world a more memorable image – as he stepped into the stands, he embraced his white-haired coach for 15 years Bob Bowman, telling the latter, “I love you….We did it.”
What makes an individual great is not just doing one’s personal best it is also in acknowledging those who helped you along the way. While belief in one’s self is the key to success, someone’s belief in you drives one to reach greater heights. Albert Schweitzer said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
At all times, Jesus Christ acknowledged God the Father in all His work. Thus St Paul wrote, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” (Roman 15:5)
The athletic greatness of Phelps was seen in the water, but his greatness in character was shown that day outside the pool. And it is likely he will achieve greater things. “It’s just time to move on. There are other things I want to do in my life. I’m not sure staring at a black line for four hours a day is one of them.” Take a bow, Michael.
Phelps had reached the summit of an illustrious sports career, having earned eight medals in Athens – 6 gold, 2 bronze – as a teenager (19) in 2004; eight gold in Beijing in 2008; and six more in London – 4 gold, 2 silver.
While finishing the final lap in the 400-meter medley relay would be “the Kodak moment”, Phelps gave the world a more memorable image – as he stepped into the stands, he embraced his white-haired coach for 15 years Bob Bowman, telling the latter, “I love you….We did it.”
What makes an individual great is not just doing one’s personal best it is also in acknowledging those who helped you along the way. While belief in one’s self is the key to success, someone’s belief in you drives one to reach greater heights. Albert Schweitzer said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
At all times, Jesus Christ acknowledged God the Father in all His work. Thus St Paul wrote, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” (Roman 15:5)
The athletic greatness of Phelps was seen in the water, but his greatness in character was shown that day outside the pool. And it is likely he will achieve greater things. “It’s just time to move on. There are other things I want to do in my life. I’m not sure staring at a black line for four hours a day is one of them.” Take a bow, Michael.
Monday, 30 July 2012
Olympic Spirit
The London Olympics opened with a five-hour spectacular extravaganza spiced up with Mr Bean’s comic antics, James Bond’s security effort on the Queen and a wondrous lighted cauldron. The competition started in earnest with world records being smashed, and the medal tally tightly monitored.
Honesty and fairness are considered as important as speed and strength in each contest; yet cheats still continue to hound the organizers. When Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal for doping, most sporting events, not just the Olympics, have been plagued with competitors using prohibited drugs to enhance their performances. Sports writer Peter FitzSimons described the Olympics as “a heady mix of personal ambition and unrestrained nationalism, creating a "win at all costs" attitude. Some athletes don't know when to draw the line, however, living by the creed that it's only cheating if you get caught.”
One such athlete who was caught was Boris Onishchenko. He won for the Soviet Union in modern pentathlon in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics. In 1976, where he won gold for the third time, it was discovered that he used a modified weapon in the fencing contest that registered a touch (a hit) without making any contact on his opponent. He was stripped of his medal, causing great embarrassment to the Soviet Olympic team members with the USSR volleyball team threatening to throw him out of the hotel’s window if they met him. Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev gave him a personal scolding, and he was dismissed from the Red Army, fined 5,000 rubles and stripped of all his sporting honours. “Boris the Cheat”, as newspapers labeled him, became a taxi driver in Kiev.
Pope Benedict XVI has given his blessing to the Olympics in his message to pilgrims at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo near Rome: “We pray that with the will of God the Games in London will be a true experience of brotherhood between the peoples of the world. I pray that, in the spirit of the Olympic Truce, the goodwill generated by this international sporting event may bear fruit, promoting peace and reconciliation throughout the world.”
God has meant each one for a purpose. And there are those who are gifted with ability in sports. Surely, God wants these talented athletes to reveal Him through outstanding performances. God also wants us to enjoy life, and sport gives such joy. Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko said, “I love sport because I love life, and sport is one of the basic joys of life.”
What did the founder of the modern Olympics have to say about the Games? Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator who is primarily responsible for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1894 stated, “For me sport was a religion... with religious sentiment.” He knew that victory in any sporting contest, was not just a victory for the individual or the nation represented, rather it’s meant to glorify the one God who wants every person to be perfect in spirit.
Honesty and fairness are considered as important as speed and strength in each contest; yet cheats still continue to hound the organizers. When Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal for doping, most sporting events, not just the Olympics, have been plagued with competitors using prohibited drugs to enhance their performances. Sports writer Peter FitzSimons described the Olympics as “a heady mix of personal ambition and unrestrained nationalism, creating a "win at all costs" attitude. Some athletes don't know when to draw the line, however, living by the creed that it's only cheating if you get caught.”
One such athlete who was caught was Boris Onishchenko. He won for the Soviet Union in modern pentathlon in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics. In 1976, where he won gold for the third time, it was discovered that he used a modified weapon in the fencing contest that registered a touch (a hit) without making any contact on his opponent. He was stripped of his medal, causing great embarrassment to the Soviet Olympic team members with the USSR volleyball team threatening to throw him out of the hotel’s window if they met him. Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev gave him a personal scolding, and he was dismissed from the Red Army, fined 5,000 rubles and stripped of all his sporting honours. “Boris the Cheat”, as newspapers labeled him, became a taxi driver in Kiev.
Pope Benedict XVI has given his blessing to the Olympics in his message to pilgrims at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo near Rome: “We pray that with the will of God the Games in London will be a true experience of brotherhood between the peoples of the world. I pray that, in the spirit of the Olympic Truce, the goodwill generated by this international sporting event may bear fruit, promoting peace and reconciliation throughout the world.”
God has meant each one for a purpose. And there are those who are gifted with ability in sports. Surely, God wants these talented athletes to reveal Him through outstanding performances. God also wants us to enjoy life, and sport gives such joy. Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko said, “I love sport because I love life, and sport is one of the basic joys of life.”
What did the founder of the modern Olympics have to say about the Games? Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator who is primarily responsible for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1894 stated, “For me sport was a religion... with religious sentiment.” He knew that victory in any sporting contest, was not just a victory for the individual or the nation represented, rather it’s meant to glorify the one God who wants every person to be perfect in spirit.
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