ure of setting many records and play ing on many championship teams. In college I had the same pleasure. Dur ing my years at U.C.L.A. I have had the privilege to run on track teams that have won the Pacific Coast Championship, the highest honor that can come to a college track team. I was also a member of the I960 Olympic Track Team, and I can thank God for bestowing these gifts upon me; but all these teams and championships come second to the greatest team of all, the great Chris tian team. The championships and col lege teams will soon be forgotten, and the lights will go out; but the Chris tian team will live the light and will never dim, but will bum on and on. Psalm 12:7 says: “ Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” In every race I run, whether it be in track or in this long, long race of life, I pray not to win, but to do my best. If I win a race, I feel great: if I lose, I do not feel so good, for no one wants to lose. But, I know that, win or lose, I am on a winning team: the Christian team, coached by the greatest runner of all, Jesus Christ. This material is available in printed form from the American Tract Society, 513 West 166th Street, New York 32, N.Y.
Decathlon Champ Says . . . by Rafer Johnson B e in g c l o s e t o the church was nothing new for me. I have been
Marks achieved by Rafer Johnson in Rome Olympics— 1960
my junior year in high school, I have loved Jesus Christ with all my heart. He is the leader in my life, and without Him 1 would be lost, for He is all. Without His help, I could not participate in athletics. He gave me an athletic body, good health, and coordination, all of which are so necessary in all sports. While participating in sports, I have had the chance to see and meet some of the great athletes from many parts of the world. When I think of the many friends I have made through athletics, I cannot help but thank the Lord; for it is only through this I ever would have had the chance to meet and talk with people in other countries about the Lord Jesus Christ. Being accepted by many athletes as their friend really makes me feel warm inside; but the greatest feeling of all is being accepted by the Lord Jesus Christ. I know He loves us all, for 1 Corinthians 12:13 declares; “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” During high school I had the pleas
100 meters ................................ 10.9 Broad Jump ........................ 2 4 ' 1] 4 " Shot Put ..........................51' 10-34" High Jump ............................ 6 ' 34 " 400 meters ...... 48.3 110 meter hurdles ...................15.3 D iscus...................................159' 1" Pole Vault .......................... 13' 51 4 " Javelin ............................ 228' 10V£" 1500 meters ........................... 4:49.7
attending church ever since I can re member. I can thank my mother and father for this, because they saw to it that their children attended Sunday school and church regularly. I was in the church choir, gave my offer ings, and was, in general, very active in its program. But, even with all my church activities, sports and school work, I still felt there was something missing. I found out what it was on October 29, 1953, when I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. There wasn’t much emotion as I asked the Lord to come into my life to guide me as I lived from day to day, but later, when I realized what He was doing for me, the tears really flowed, I don’t know when I was happier, and I felt great. In a very short time, I knew I could depend on my Saviour at all times. No matter how big or small the prob lem, He is always present and ready to help, and I fully agree with Philip- pians 4:13, which says: “ / can do all things through Christ which strengiheneth m e” Ever since I became a Christian in MARCH, 1961
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