About.com Christianity

Olympic Athletes Share Their Faith

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:22 +0000

This Friday, February 12, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games begin in Vancouver, and since I interviewed and shared the inspiring stories of Christian Athletes from the 2008 Olympics, many of you have recently asked for information about the Christians competing this year.

A few months ago, I had the the privilege of getting acquainted with Trevor Marsicano, a rising stars in U.S. Long Track Speed Skating. I asked Trevor how his faith influences him as an athletic competitor. He said, "It helps me remember that I am competing for more than just a result or a medal. I am competing for God."

You'll get to see Trevor in Vancouver in just a few days. He was the only Christian athlete I was able to personally talk with this year; therefore, I'm thrilled to tell you about a great new multi-language, sports evangelistic site, Beyond the Ultimate, where top Christian athletes, including many of this year's Olympic contenders, tell their amazing stories of struggle and triumph as they go beyond the ultimate achievement in sports to experience faith in Jesus Christ.

Read their incredible stories at Beyondtheultimate.com:

Jilleanne Rookard (USA) - Speed Skating
Trevor Marsicano (USA) - Speed Skating
Cindy Klassen (Canada) - Speed Skating
Chad Hedrick (USA) - Speed Skating
Rebekah Bradford (USA) - Speed Skating
Kelly Clark (USA) - Snow Boarding
Lyndon Rush (Canada) - Bobsledding
Curt Tomasevicz (USA) - Bobsledding
John Napier (USA) - Bobsledding
Elana Meyers (USA) - Bobsledding
Jen Wygant (USA) - Biathlon
Jinelle ZauggSiergiej (USA) - Hockey

_{Image: � NBC Sports / USOC}

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Olympic Athletes Share Their Faith originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 09:00:22.

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Are Psychic Experiences Real?

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:00:19 +0000

Spirits, demons, ghosts, angels of light. What are they? What about communicating with the spirit world? Are psychic experiences of talking to the dead real? Is there such a thing as a sixth sense?

Christians vary widely on their beliefs about the spirit world. I've written this article, "What Does the Bible Say About Talking to the Dead?" As a result, I receive frequent feedback from readers on the subject. So, here's your opportunity to see what others think, or tell us exactly what you believe about the spirit world, talking to the dead, and other psychic experiences.

� Tell Us Your Beliefs: Is the Spirit World of Psychic Experiences Real?

_{Photo: Jeffrey Coolidge / Getty Images}

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Are Psychic Experiences Real? originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 06:00:19.

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This Week's Testimony: Sunil's Touch from God

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:00:08 +0000

Day after day, Sunil's mysterious fever continued to rise. Antibiotics failed to have any effect, and test after test yielded no conclusive diagnosis. When medical science's best efforts were powerless to help him, Sunil knew without a doubt that God had touched him.

Sunil's true story is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it. Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form. To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

Read: Sunil's Touch from God

This Week's Testimony: Sunil's Touch from God originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 06:00:08.

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Abraham - Father of Us All

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:00:48 +0000

Abraham is the great patriarch of Israel, and to New Testament believers, "He is the father of us all (Romans 4:16)." When God called him to go to an unknown land, Abraham left immediately. Through this we gain insight into his character--he was a man of remarkable obedience to the will of God.

And even though the Lord tested Abraham severely in more than one instance, he demonstrated extraordinary faith and trust.

A nomad of sorts, he succeeded in becoming a well-respected, successful rancher, and God visited him on several occasions. He showed fierce courage in facing a powerful enemy coalition to rescue his nephew Lot. Yet Abraham, like all of us mortals, was not free from faults. Impatience, fear, and a tendency to lie under pressure were a few of Abraham's weaknesses revealed in the biblical account of his life. By studying Genesis 11-25, the portion of Scripture covering the days of Abraham, we discover his accomplishments, his character strengths and weaknesses, and crucial lessons for the Christian life.

� Profile of Abraham - Father of the Jewish Nation

_{Photo: Sylvester Adams / Getty Images}

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Abraham - Father of Us All originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 06:00:48.

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Weekly Prayers & Poems - A Manly Valentine's Day

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:00:52 +0000

Some people love Valentine's Day, others hate it. I'll venture a guess that more women are on the "love it" side and more men are on the "hate it" side of the issue. This week's post is "A Manly Valentine's Day," a funny Valentine's Day poem dedicated to all the single Christian men who would just as soon see Valentine's Day wiped off the face of the calendar.

Image: © Davide Guglielmo

A Manly Valentine's Day

My Valentine's plans
are already set.
I'll make it a day
that she'll never forget.

Those sissy limousines
are too cramped for us.
My pickup truck's as big
as a Tyrannosaurus.

I'll bring a stepladder
so she can climb in.
That bit o' chivalry
should earn me a grin.
Read more ... A Manly Valentine's Day.

Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Prayer / Poem Submission Form.

More Valentine's Day Poems & Verses:

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Weekly Prayers & Poems - A Manly Valentine's Day originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 06:00:52.

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"Lazarus, Come Forth!"

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:10 +0000

Learn a lesson about persevering through difficult trials in this Bible story summary: "Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead." Many times we feel like God waits too long to answer our prayers and deliver us from a terrible situation. But our problem couldn't be any worse than Lazarus'—he had been dead four days when Jesus finally showed up!

As you take a look at the New Testament account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, you'll find a brief summary of the story and the Scripture references where the story can be found in the Bible. For those who want to go further in their study, I have also highlighted a few interesting points from the account, and included a question for reflection.

Read: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead.
Also: What Did Lazarus See?
Check out this modern-day account of a man raised from the dead!

_{Sylvester Adams / Getty Images}

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"Lazarus, Come Forth!" originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 06:00:10.

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This Week's Testimony: Denise's Healing Redemption

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:35 +0000

Denise rebelled from her church upbringing early in her teen years. Eventually guilt, depression and anxiety took over her life. In her late 30s, when Denise felt she could no longer go on, God began a process of healing redemption. Now she spends her time sharing this good news with others.

Denise's true story is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it. Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form. To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

Read: Denise's Healing Redemption

This Week's Testimony: Denise's Healing Redemption originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 06:00:35.

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What Does the Bible Say About Angels?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:00:30 +0000

What are angels? Why were they created, and what do angels do?

Humans have always held a fascination for angels and angelic beings. For centuries artists have tried to capture the image of angels on canvas. However, it may surprise you to know that the Bible describes angels nothing at all like they are typically depicted (you know, those cute little chubby babies with wings). So, let's take a look at what the Bible says about angels.

Get the Bible Facts About Angels

What Do Angels Do

Names and Descriptions of Angels

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What Does the Bible Say About Angels? originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 06:00:30.

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Weekly Prayers & Poems - Tribute to Friendship

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:00:09 +0000

With an eye toward Valentine's Day, this week's post is called Tribute to Friendship. It's a Christian poem expressing the priceless treasure and profound love shared by genuine godly friends.

Tribute to Friendship

I love you not only for what you are,
But for what I am when I am with you;
I love you not only for what you have made of yourself,
But for what you are making of me;
Read more ... Tribute to Friendship.

More on Christian Friendship:

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Weekly Prayers & Poems - Tribute to Friendship originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 06:00:09.

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The Gift of Friendship - A Blessing from God

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:00:21 +0000

When we consider the blessings of God--the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering--friendship is very near the top.

--Donald W. McCullough, Mastering Personal Growth

While social networking sites may diminish the value of friendship, God's Word reveals a true friend's worth. You might have hundreds of "friends" on Facebook, but in reality, most of us only have a handful (or less) of genuine friendships we cherish as a blessed gift from God.

This collection of friendship Bible verses celebrates the blessings of God in the gift of true friendship.

� Read: Friendship Bible Verses

Also:

_{Photo: Altrendo Images / Getty Images}

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The Gift of Friendship - A Blessing from God originally appeared on About.com Christianity on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 06:00:21.

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