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Commercial and bureaucratic hindrances collided with an uncontrollable reality: the faith of many players.
When we want everything to finish quickly, it's because we are afraid of losing our victory in the last moments.
The 1990 Football World Cup in Italy was one of the most boring sporting events in recent memory - anyone who watched it will remember it well.
A great part of the problem was the tactics used by some teams whose only goal was to "kill time", in other words to defend, contain, let the minutes pass, destroy the game... and to make sure they got to the end of each game without the opposing team scoring.
Then, at least there would be a chance of qualifying on penalties. Many teams follow a similar tactic. Especially towards the end of their games, where the winning team finds a thousand and one reasons to waste time.
Players injure themselves in the last minutes. It is a time to put the ball out of play. They all decide that the goalkeeper has not played much and they give him the ball in the last minutes...
It seems everything is allowed as long as you waste time. We forget that when we waste time it is only because of fear. When we go on the defensive, we make ourselves scared and become cowards.
When we want everything to finish quickly, it's because we are afraid of losing our victory in the last moments. It's the same in life! We haven't learned to make the most of our time for fear of what everybody may say, fear of being pointed out as different, fear that others will laugh at what we are doing...
God tells us in his word that we must make the most of time: above all when we are young and have all our strength. How many are sorry for the time they have wasted once they can no longer do anything!
How many say: "if only I could turn the clock back!" Unfortunately, being sorry about it doesn't help at all. The only thing that helps is to make the most of the time we have now! If we carry on feeling sorry for the past, or dreaming of the future... our present will also escape from us!
When we wait for time to pass, when we get bored and don't know what to do, when we are wasting time, we become scared and cowardly.
God says that we should make the most of the days we have; that we must dedicate our lives to serving him.
There is no better objective in life than to hope to hear God say, "I remember the devotion of your youth.”
The varying and changing climate in the Bible lands allowed for a wide variety of trees, which took root everywhere from the high, and very cold, mountain regions of Mt. Hermon to the hot Negev desert and the shores of the Dead Sea.
The painting portrays Gauguin’s struggle with the meaning of existence.
Straightaway he replies, “Here I am”, and that begins a conversation with God which ends up with him choosing to abandon his comfortable lifestyle and to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
Life is like a relay race. As we grow up, others are already running, and the day comes when they pass the baton.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Kathy Bryan: Online sex trafficking in the USA
“Prostitution is nobody’s dream, it’s a very traumatic lifestyle”, says Kathy Bryan, director of the Elevate Academy. She mentors former victims.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Sharing Jesus with World Cup fans in Moscow
A team of Steiger mission is starting conversations about the gospel in the middst of the football celebration in Russia.
Analysing current issues in the light of the Bible
At the 2018 Apologetics Forum in Comarruga (Spain), Michael Ramsden, Pablo Martinez, Ruth Valerio and José de Segovia analysed how society and the Bible approach the issues of personal identity, integrity, sexuality, pop culture, and environmental care.
European “Bridges to Inclusion” gathering 2018, in Riga
The network of Christian ministries working for the inclusion of people with disabilities, celebrated its tenth continental meeting in Latvia with the participation of 12 countries.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
What are the essential characteristics of a godly leader?
Clinical Pastoral Counsellor Emoke Tapolyai reflect on three characteristics Christians who have been given leadership roles should develop.
Reaching non-Christian ‘Christians’
How can we reach those who call themselves ‘Christians’ but have not experienced a conversion to Christ? Forty missiologists and mission practitioners came together for a Lausanne Movement global consultation in Rome.
Trailer: “The Peace Between”
A film about the experience of refugees in Europe. Churches, small groups and individuals are encouraged to use it during Refugee Week: 17-24 June.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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