Whose family taught this child?!
[New Generation Bible Study] From Tebowing to Linsanity
▲The standard action of Jeremy Lin and Teebo pointing to the sky amidst the thunderous cheers of the audience after winning the game reminds us that life is not just about winning.
The personal moral integrity and family faith inheritance model reflected behind this are the most powerful witnesses for Christians in these last days!
The legend is still happening...
By the time you read this article, Jeremy Lin, the "Harvard boy", has already finished his journey of setting off a whirlwind of fanaticism in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan at the turn of summer and autumn. He has once again put on the No. 7 jersey that symbolizes the perfect grace of the Lord in his mind and devoted himself to the 2012 to 2013 season. In the new NBA season of 2011, he started playing for the Houston Rockets, who only kept him for twelve days in November 2011.
As the curtain rises on "The Legend of Linsanity Episode 2" and the storm surges, I believe that thousands of Chinese fans will still be able to get excited and dance when they recall the "Episode 1" staged in New York from February to March this year! Wow! A long wait of 562 days full of frustration and setbacks, and a brilliant leap of dragons and tigers in just 50 days. What a twists and turns, "more movie than movie" contemporary inspirational story!
Speaking of "Linsanity", many Chinese compatriots are familiar with it. However, many people have not studied the meaning of this new term in detail, which was translated as "Linsanity" by the Chinese media and was only officially recognized by the Global Language Certification Agency (GLM) on February 24, 2012.
After searching on Google, its direct definition is: combining the first letter L of Jeremy Lin’s surname Lin and insanity (crazy fan), which means “Jewel Lin’s rise that shattered everyone’s eyes in just a few days, and his global popularity.” Not only that, but there is also an extended definition-"Break through political, economic, cultural, and ethnic stereotypes and challenges, and create miracles amid the impossibility."Just from the double meaning of the word, you can smell the exciting and inspiring legend behind it.
▲Jeremy Lin set off a whirlwind of enthusiasm in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan at the turn of the summer and autumn of 2012.
"The Teebo of Basketball"?
What about "Tebowing"? But even fewer Chinese know about it. This word is four months earlier than "Linsanity". It was certified as a new English word by GLM in late October 2011! Its direct definition is: combining Tim Tebow's surname and the action of kneeling in prayer "bowing", which means "Tebow kneels down on one knee and bows his head to pray." The extended definition is even more interesting─"No matter what everyone around me is doing, I just focus on what I think is most important."As a result, this greeting has become popular among American Christian circles:"Have you Tebowed today?"What kind of scene and what kind of story would give rise to such a new word with such a positive connotation?
The above two English words go hand in hand and complement each other. Not only can they be used as nouns and verbs, but they also carry rich connotations of contemporary American popular culture. What is more special is that they can become famous in the profit-seeking and self-centered post-modern society. The mainstay of faith and virtue!
In the early days of the "Linsanity" outbreak in February 2012, a sentence appeared repeatedly in media reports: "Jeremy Lin is the best in basketball!" Based on this reasoning, he gave people the impression that he was just like Jeremy Lin, often in almost impossible situations. , lead the team to reverse the situation and turn defeat into victory!
Tebo was born in the Philippines in 1987, his parents are missionaries. After returning to the United States as a teenager, he overcame many obstacles and joined the American football team of a nearby high school and began to stand out. After attending the University of Florida, he quickly became a high-profile sports star and won the Heisman Trophy, college football's highest honor, in 2007.
After graduating from college, Teebo joined the Denver Broncos as quarterback and repeatedly made extraordinary achievements. What attracts fans and media the most is that in a situation where defeat seems to be a done deal, he leads the team to fight unremittingly, catch up, and finally miraculously come back to win. This is exactly why Jeremy Lin, a yellow boy, is compared with this white boy by the media and is called "Tippo in the basketball world."
Drive trends and influence culture
Of course, these two legendary sports stars, in addition to their equally exciting personal performances and team leadership on the court, are also devout, serious and evangelical Christians.
The "Christian nerd pep talk" that Jeremy Lin and his teammates must do before every time they play for the Knicks; the "In Jesus Name I Play" bracelets worn on both wrists; and the whole game after the victory. The standard gesture of raising his right hand high and pointing his index finger upward amidst the thunderous cheers; and his repeated "Thank God" during the interview... have been widely spread by Chinese and foreign media and deeply impressed in the hearts of the people.
Where's Tipo? When he was playing college football, he often had Bible verses written in white on the sunscreen paint he wore under his eyes. In a competition in 2009, he wrote "John 3:16" (John 3:16). The next day, Google received 94 million queries, which was three times the number of people watching the TV broadcast. As a result, the National Collegiate Football Association (NCAA) issued a ban prohibiting players from writing on sunscreen paint. This is known as the "Tibo Rule." After entering the professional American football world, he still frequently staged comeback victories, and after each victory he loudly declared: "Thank you to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
▲Tippo often writes Bible verses in white on the black sunscreen paint he wears under his eyes. The NCAA actually introduced the "Tippo Rule" for this purpose.
On October 23, 2011, after another miraculous comeback victory, while all his teammates, staff, and fans were shouting and jumping to celebrate, he knelt down on one knee, lowered his head and humbly expressed his gratitude to Heavenly Father. This action was broadcast all over the world through live television footage, and the new English word "Tebowing" was born.
In recent years, many young people have gone viral on the Internet, either horrifying and sad "beheaded photos" or "street photos" of competing for the best. Now, "Tebowing" is born! Within two and a half months, more than 20,000 fans, men, women and children from all continents around the world sent photos of them kneeling in prayer at schools, companies, shopping malls, stadiums, markets, on top of mountains, under the water... back to Tibo. 's official website.
In addition to always seizing the opportunity to preach the gospel in front of television cameras, Tibbo is also very concerned about charity. "The Tim Tebow Foundation" he initiated has been in operation for several years. Tebow personally returns to the Philippines, where he was born and spent his childhood, several times a year between football seasons to help rescue orphans and build children's hospitals. work.
▲ After winning the game, Tebow knelt down on one knee, bowed his head and humbly expressed his gratitude to the Heavenly Father - "Have you Tebowed today?" It became a popular greeting.
Dreams are the most beautiful
Not to let Tiebo be more beautiful than before, as early as when he was still affiliated with the Golden State Warriors and only held the fictitious title of "the first Taiwanese NBA player" and was basically sitting on the bench, Jeremy Lin took the opportunity to go to Taiwan to participate in charity activities. Then, he took the initiative to contact Pastor Kou Shaoen and bear witness at the evangelistic meeting.
Now with the reputation of "Linsanity" and a net worth of tens of millions of dollars, he held sermons and testimonials in Hong Kong and Taiwan in late August and early September before the new golf season started. Seeing live TV, online broadcasts and rebroadcasts, with one or two million people around the world participating enthusiastically, and various media rushing to report his testimony and information without daring to "leave out", we cannot but feel sorry for this famous man. The young brother, who celebrated his 24th birthday on August 23, finally achieved his original intention of using the basketball court as an altar to glorify God and benefit people, and expressed his gratitude to Heavenly Father.
At the end of February 2012, Jeremy Lin, who was in New York at the time, had a phone call with Teebo, who was in Denver, and the two became friends.
On April 18, 2012, the American "Time Magazine" announced "The 2012 Time 100" list. Jeremy Lin, who had announced on March 31 that he would be suspended for the entire season due to injury, topped the list. Teebo, who was transferred to the New York Jets at the end of March, was also listed behind.
Rick Stengel, editor-in-chief of Time Magazine, explained the selection principles:"We try to choose people who have lasting influence... We choose people who are worthy of admiration, whose virtues can have a ripple effect and create events that are contagious and will last for a long time."Who would say this is not appropriate to describe Harvard boy Jeremy Lin? !
The recommendation that Jeremy Lin was invited to write for Tipo must also be his own ambition and dream─"Watching Tebo play American football, you can observe all aspects of his character. You see his strong fighting spirit and solid work ethic. He is a leader among others. He not only has the trust and respect of his teammates, but also has a strong relationship with others. What is different is his life off the court. He is not ashamed of his beliefs and beliefs, and his life actually reflects his values. Through the support group, he continues to lend a helping hand and bring hope to people. He deeply understood that he was blessed and shared his blessings with those in need. As athletes, we strive to win. However, Tebo's story reminds us that there is more to life than winning."
What a great saying: "Life is more than just winning games"; what a great saying: "I deeply realize that I am blessed, and therefore share my blessings with those in need"! These are the words of wisdom given by two big boys who both turned 24 and 25 in August 2012 to all of us who are striving for career, service, fame, and status. What is the most important thing in life? How to share blessings? ─Looking closely at Jeremy Lin and Tibo as well as their own testimony and sharing, "family" and "church" are definitely the most important answers!
▲Jeremy Lin and Tebo both won the 2012 Excellent Sportsmanship Award (ESPY). The picture shows Jeremy Lin and Tebo taking a group photo at the celebration.
Double covering for home and church
Pastor Kou Shaoen, who collaborated with Jeremy Lin twice before and after he became famous to witness evangelism in Taiwan, shared this on Facebook in mid-August 2012 (excerpt):
In July 2011, Shuhao invited me to preach with him. I invited him to come to my home for a talk. After an afternoon of fellowship and prayer, I felt that this big boy was really different... Sure enough, in February of this year, God miraculously placed him on the lampstand that the whole world is paying attention to. He is available to the Lord and has prepared himself to be used by the Lord at any time.
...I asked: "Who had such a special influence on Shuhao's spiritual growth?" Mother Lin said, "It's the church!"
...The three brothers...never neglected spiritual practice, Bible study, meetings, and service because of playing ball. In the spiritual covering of the church, under the leadership of the pastor, there is no special step, it is just to learn to be a disciple of the Lord step by step, in a down-to-earth manner!
Every soldier of Christ must humbly surrender under the spiritual covering of the church! Every church must seriously face the complete Great Commission—making disciples of the Lord—discipleship training!
I hope that the next generation of the church will build more "Jeremy Lin" for the Lord - in the communication world, the business world, the political world, the education world... I hope that more people from all walks of life will equip themselves to live for the Lord and be salt, Make light! In their respective positions, in this crooked and perverse generation, become Christians who shine for the Lord!
Today, I received an E-MAIL from Lin’s mother. Regarding the preparatory meeting for the “Jeremy Lin Youth Evangelistic Conference”, she made only one request: “I saw the prayer list for the evangelistic conference on the Internet. Can you add one? I hope that in this evangelistic conference, No one but Jesus. May God’s name be glorified.”
(I haven’t changed a word of Mama Lin’s original text!)
A family that respects the Lord will create a young man who respects the Lord!
Many people are studying: How did the couple cultivate "Harvard boys" like Shu Hao who can both study and play ball! Mother Lin...said very sincerely: "It's not our fault, it's not our special methods. We also have many shortcomings. It's just God's grace, and it's God leading the scholar step by step..."
I said to Mother Lin, this is it! When everyone in the world is looking for “methods,” the key is to look to God and rely on God! That's the way...
The following words from Teacher Mo Fei, director of the Genesis Literary Training Bookstore, coincide with Pastor Kou’s feelings. She thinks:"The most important testimony of a Christian sports star is not his continuous victory on the court, but whether he maintains his identity as a child of God, stands firm in the Lord, and can praise and thank God at all times. Therefore, he must be solid His church life and inner life, for him, faith is not only a public testimony, but also his sincere personal commitment to Jesus.”
A tough spiritual battle
In a news report, when Jeremy Lin was showing off his skills on the court, there was a large group of fans in the stands, wearing masks shaped like his face and worshiping him collectively. ─In the NFL (National Football League) or NBA, sports stars who perform superbly or can turn defeat into victory are often deliberately portrayed as "The Chosen One" (The Chosen One) by the teams and the media. This is indeed a scene in American sports culture. .
Teacher Mo Fei, who has always paid attention to the trend of popular culture, pointed out to the point:"Sports culture is mixed with media business opportunities, fame and fortune, and power struggles. It is engulfing popular culture. Its influence and power cannot be underestimated. Especially the seductive power of being revered as an idol by millions of people is an arduous spiritual battle."
In such an atmosphere, many sports stars forget who they are too easily. Not only on the court, but off the court as well. Looking around the private lives of NBA or NFL sports stars, abuse of steroids, growth hormones, drugs, and alcohol has almost become the norm; and chaotic sexual relationships, gambling, and being in and out of jail... have made paparazzi and gossip media subjects endless; as for the incredible Their high salary (don’t forget that Jeremy Lin’s annual salary was as high as US$760,000 when he was still earning the lowest salary in the NBA), which made them accustomed to extravagant spending, and even bankruptcies were common.
Mr. Tang Xianglong, a Taiwanese current affairs commentator, once pointed out in 23 words why Jeremy Lin is so widely loved:"He has Harvard; he has Taiwan; he is Christian; he is humble; he is polite; not a single tattoo on his hands or feet..."That's right, this Asian "little man" who is only 191 centimeters (6 feet 3 inches), if measured by his pure temperament and humble character, he can be said to be one of the 300 to 400 players from the 30 NBA teams. "Stand out from the crowd"! The "Federik Crisis" is an example. We saw that Jeremy Lin not only showed a generous and humble character in the spotlight, but also remained consistent in private -
On March 27, Jeremy Lin, who was about to officially announce his suspension for the entire season due to injury four days later, invited Anthony Federico to have lunch in New York City through his family.
Who is this dear friend? He is the former editor of ESPN, the most famous sports media in the United States. On February 17, the New York Knicks lost to the New Orleans Hornets 85-89, ending their seven-game winning streak since the "Linsanity" outbreak on February 4. Anthony's report on the battle was titled "Chink in the Armor." It can be literally translated as "a crack in the armor", or it can be extended to "a Chinaman in armor", mocking Jeremy Lin as a Chinaman whose armor is already vulnerable and "Linsanity" has died.
This headline with strong racial discrimination immediately caused an uproar. ESPN immediately fired the person and apologized to the public as a thank you to the world.
During the more than an hour-long dinner conversation on March 27, Jeremy Lin and Anthony talked about faith and knee injuries, laughing and joking. Finally, I asked him specifically that this matter is purely a private activity and should not be exposed. However, Anthony was so moved that he couldn't help but reveal this unforgettable experience of "eliminating grudges over a meal" to many media friends. He repeatedly said: "Forty days have passed and everything has been settled. Jeremy Lin doesn't need to pay attention to me anymore. His spirit of forgiveness is so touching!"
On and off the field, honoring God and benefiting people
In another article, Teacher Mo Fei shared her observation:"The testimonies of several well-known Christian athletes in the United States are not only on the court, but in their lives. Winning does not change the way they view themselves, and losing does not change their understanding of God; charging on the field is full of He is enthusiastic and courteous in his treatment of others. In addition to thanking God and living frugally, he uses the huge salary he earns to do various gospel, public welfare, and charity work..."
"It does not depend on a game, nor does it depend on a period of court career, but on a spiritual life. For them, winning is not everything. The most important thing is to win souls. So whether Jeremy Lin or Jeremy Lin We can all look forward to it with such joy as to how Tipo plays in the next game - may they face all these ups and downs and stand firm in the Lord, both on and off the court, throughout their lives. , everyone can have a wonderful testimony!”
In the 2012-2013 new football season, the teams that Tebo and Jeremy Lin belong to are bound to win and lose. Let us watch eagerly for these two young brothers. In addition to praying to the Lord to protect them from serious injuries to their flesh, muscles, and bones in the highly confrontational and collision-prone NFL and NBA fields, and more importantly, to prevent them from falling into the severe temptations that are everywhere and at all times, and to satisfy their families. He is warmly supported and has always been closely covered by the church, so he can continue to serve as a golden lampstand that expresses the glory of God in this position and in this generation.
▲Family and church are Jeremy Lin’s double coverings.
When the story of Tippo and Shuhao's excellent golf skills and noble moral character first spread to the world, many fans asked each other on the Internet: "Whose child was this taught by?!" - This question is not as simple as saying It was out of curiosity, rather it was full of admiration and appreciation. The personal moral integrity and family faith inheritance model reflected behind this are the most powerful witnesses for Christians in these last days! We are convinced that the garden of life of these two brothers who love the Lord will surely produce more sweet fruits and bloom more fragrant flowers, so that more people will continue to ask in surprise: "Whose child was educated by this family!? "Editor's note: Due to space limitations, what is published here is only a condensed version. If you are interested in learning more about the reports, quotes and information sources mentioned in the article, as well as important terms in Chinese and English, please go to KRC Facebook http:// www.facebook.com/KRChrist to read the full article.
Author profile:
Su Wen'an has a thorough understanding of Jin Yong's complete works. He is familiar with Journey to the West, Red Mansions, Three Kingdoms, and Water Margin. He is familiar with numerous movies and TV series from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the United States, and Europe. He carefully extracts their essence based on biblical truth and integrates them into writing, editing, and classroom. Pastor Su Wen'an also likes to combine family and literary ministry, and is often invited to serve as a lecturer for families or literary camps in various places. He emphasizes that "workers come before work, authors are more important than works, and sincerity is better than everything else."