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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAccording to What\u2019s the story behind this insane, viral Olympic surf shot?<\/a> by Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register, Gabriel is not saying that he’s #1 or that the Brazilians are #1, he’s pointing to Jesus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what did the finger mean? Was Medina telling the world he\u2019s No. 1? A premonition that the Brazilians will come in No. 1 spot at the Olympic games to win gold?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Medina, who is devoutly religious, days earlier had to cover an image of Jesus on his surfboard due to Olympic rules.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But his faith-based messaging came in a new form as Medina pointed toward the sky, the photo capturing his relaxed body floating above the saltwater in the air in a seemingly mystical image.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can do everything through him who strengthens,\u201d Medina wrote on social media under the unbelievable shot shared around the world.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The article is worth the read in its entirety<\/a> and includes this picture of him on the actual wave:<\/p>\n\n\n God has people everywhere, even if there are those in Paris trying to proclaim another message<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4.13, NKJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar\u2019s household. (Philippians 4.22, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n P.S. There is doubt in some circles about whether what I wrote yesterday about the Opening Ceremony mocking Da Vinci’s Last Supper is accurate. Here’s an alternate view with some good lessons by a Christian art teacher: The Paris Olympics’ Altar to an Unknown God<\/a>. And here’s another alternate view that explains that how art is perceived is as important a consideration as how it was intended to be perceived: The Lessons of the Paris Olympics Tableau<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n P.P.S. Christianity Today published a beautiful article on this photo on August 9, 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Olympics are in full force, and I’ll probably do some lessons learned as I usually do. But this story can’t wait. It’s about the Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina after a successful ride on an epic wave: According to What\u2019s the story behind this insane, viral Olympic surf shot? by Laylan Connelly in the Orange County … Continue reading “I can do everything through him who strengthens”<\/span> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n