Good evening on this late Friday, July 27th. Tonight as I write my blog I'm watching the final segment of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics coming from London. I'm one who is a huge fan of both the summer and winter Olympic games and eagerly anticipate their arrival every four years.

Watching some of the finest athletes from all over the world compete to be the best in their events is a thrilling experience, especially when the competition is so keen that as little a one-hundredth of a second can separate the metal winners. Most of the competitors begin preparing years in advance and spend the majority of their time and energy training for their competitions. They give it their all as they strive to win. It takes desire, determination and discipline to go for the gold.

The coming of the Olympics always reminds me of what the Apostle Paul wrote about the early games of his time as he used them to illustrate what is required to live a successful Christian life. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Know you not that they who run a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain." He adds in Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." That same desire, determination and discipline that is required to succeed in the athletic world is also required in the spiritual. Being spiritual doesn't happen by accident any more than an athlete winning the Olympic gold metal.

One of the great books written in our generation for believers is "The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives" by Dallas Willard. In that book Dr. Willard carefully details the disciplines Christ practiced continually in His life and emphasizes that if we are to be Christ-like, we must follow His example. Next week I'll write about the disciplines Christ regularly practiced and apply them to our lives.

Sunday's sermon is another in our series of messages on prophecy. Please plan to hear it.
Mel Brown