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Commercial and bureaucratic hindrances collided with an uncontrollable reality: the faith of many players.
Stop feeding resentment, doubt, problems and bad memories, and put a moment of gratitude in their place, of happiness...a sweet memory.
Federico Martin Bahamontes won the Tour de France in 1959. / Cordon Press.
The winner of the Tour de France in 1959 was FEDERICO M BAHAMONTES.
This was not the first time that this cyclist had done the race. Nor was it the first time he had worn the yellow jersey, to show he was the race leader. In previous years Bahamontes had been in first place.
But then, when he was leading a mountain climb, Bahamontes stopped a moment in order to buy an ice cream. He sat down, and lost a lot of time and his career with this action, .
Sportspeople know the danger of failing in small details. For example, they run or play with the least amount of weight possible. Nobody would think of running with heavy clothes, or play basketball in mountain boots. All that is not essential is a hindrance.
But it is easy to be prepared in big things, and yet to fail in small details. Those small details are burdens that we believe are unimportant - a small lie, a small deceit, a single criticism... nevertheless these small things can conquer and defeat us.
But it is not just the small internal or external things that make us fall. On many occasions they are, simply, memories. Yes, memories of errors in the past. Lost opportunities that come to mind again and again.
Sadnesses from the past that weigh heavily on us and make us broken-hearted: a friend who defrauded us, somebody who returned us evil for good, an unsolved problem, a person whom we have not forgiven, bad memories, burdens that take away our victory.
There is a way of getting rid of these burdens. Fill our minds with sweet memories. It is that simple! Because everyone is good at remembering bad things, God said that our mind should instead be full of everything pleasant (Phillipians 4:8).
We should remember the good moments of our life, the people that we knew, places we were in, those situations that made us happy. We should thank God for each one of those moments, those people, those places. We should give thanks to God for each one of the memories!
All of us have sweet memories, it doesn't matter if you are 10 or 100. God has already given us hundreds of happy moments in our life. Get rid of all your burdens! Stop feeding resentment, doubt, problems and bad memories, and put a moment of gratitude in their place, of happiness...a sweet memory.
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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