Hebrews 10:22-25 NLT
“…let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Wow! What a passage.
Let us:
1. Go right into the presence of God
2. Hold tightly without wavering to hope
3. Think of ways to motivate one another
4. Keep on meeting together
5. Encourage one another
Amen!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Rockin' K
I finished* the 50 mile trail run, called the “Rockin K” last Saturday on the trails near the Lake Kanopolis State Park in North-Central Kansas.
I finished the 50 mile course just a few minutes faster than my last 50, but this time without any injuries. I was startled at how good I felt at the end – which really means I didn’t work hard enough throughout the day. Maybe next time I can get under 12 hours with a lot of hard work?
The hardest part for me was a stretch between miles 32 and 37 where I wanted to give up. I was out there all alone (perhaps some runners a couple hours ahead of me?), had temporarily run out of water in the afternoon sun, and was doubting my ability or desire to finish this or any future run! Once I got to mile 37, something clicked in my mind (and legs) and I never looked back or doubted myself again. I trotted in to the finish a few minutes after the limit for an officially unofficial finish!?
The funnest new-to-me thing about this run was the stream crossings. There were several streams we had to cross at ankle to knee depth with one (that we crossed twice) and waist depth. I was worried about how the cold water would affect my legs beforehand but I really loved it! Besides being really fun and wild, the stream crossings numbed any leg muscle soreness and allowed you to keep going effortlessly.
This is way too much fun!
My first ‘last place’ finish! Results:
http://www.ksultrarunners.org/rkresults08.pdf
A little bit about the Kanopolis State Park:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/state_parks/locations/kanopolis
A Great explanation of what the course is like:
http://www.ksultrarunners.org/rknotes.pdf
I finished the 50 mile course just a few minutes faster than my last 50, but this time without any injuries. I was startled at how good I felt at the end – which really means I didn’t work hard enough throughout the day. Maybe next time I can get under 12 hours with a lot of hard work?
The hardest part for me was a stretch between miles 32 and 37 where I wanted to give up. I was out there all alone (perhaps some runners a couple hours ahead of me?), had temporarily run out of water in the afternoon sun, and was doubting my ability or desire to finish this or any future run! Once I got to mile 37, something clicked in my mind (and legs) and I never looked back or doubted myself again. I trotted in to the finish a few minutes after the limit for an officially unofficial finish!?
The funnest new-to-me thing about this run was the stream crossings. There were several streams we had to cross at ankle to knee depth with one (that we crossed twice) and waist depth. I was worried about how the cold water would affect my legs beforehand but I really loved it! Besides being really fun and wild, the stream crossings numbed any leg muscle soreness and allowed you to keep going effortlessly.
This is way too much fun!
My first ‘last place’ finish! Results:
http://www.ksultrarunners.org/rkresults08.pdf
A little bit about the Kanopolis State Park:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/state_parks/locations/kanopolis
A Great explanation of what the course is like:
http://www.ksultrarunners.org/rknotes.pdf
To Not Be a Fool
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:13-21 NLT
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:13-21 NLT
Friday, April 4, 2008
Giving
I was reading an article in "The Week" magazine (current week's edition) today called "How to Buy Happiness". It caught my attention. The article begins:
"Why do the Brangelinas, Bill Gates, and Bonos of the world appear to be so happy? It's not simply that they have a lot of money-it's because they're giving so much of it away, says a new study. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have proved that spending cash on others is far more satisfying that spending it selfishly..."
Well, it makes sense to me! In February I read President Bill Clinton's book "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World". The book is an excellent confirmation of a truth that seems so plain but is so confused in our culture. The book is great for consideration of God-honoring stewardship of money, talents, and time. (There is near-zero "politics" in this book.)
http://giving.clintonfoundation.org/
"Why do the Brangelinas, Bill Gates, and Bonos of the world appear to be so happy? It's not simply that they have a lot of money-it's because they're giving so much of it away, says a new study. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have proved that spending cash on others is far more satisfying that spending it selfishly..."
Well, it makes sense to me! In February I read President Bill Clinton's book "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World". The book is an excellent confirmation of a truth that seems so plain but is so confused in our culture. The book is great for consideration of God-honoring stewardship of money, talents, and time. (There is near-zero "politics" in this book.)
http://giving.clintonfoundation.org/
More Valuable Than a Whole Flock of Sparrows!
"Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows."
Matthew 10:28-31 (NLT)
Matthew 10:28-31 (NLT)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Can You Even Imagine?
Romans 11:33-36 "The Message"
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Velvet Elvis reflections
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell
I’ve never really been able to identify with any criticisms against post-modernism until now. I just finished reading Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis”. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found that the words of the book articulated many of my feelings and put words to many of my thoughts about Christianity for years. However, I feel that Bell makes some radical jumps to conclusions about his commentary on scripture. He is very critical of some who make awful conclusions about what certain passages mean. While I hope that the ‘Gospel according to Rob Bell’ is correct just about every time he writes it, I am not so fully convinced quite as easily and believe that we should continue to approach God “with fear and trembling”. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Bell’s work:
“The moment God is figured out with nice neat lines and definitions, we are no longer dealing with God. We are dealing with somebody we made up. And if we made him up, then we are in control. And so in passage after passage, we find God reminding people that he is beyond and bigger and more.” P25
I love the question that Bell thinks aloud on p29: “Either God is in control of everything and so all the crap we see today is part of his plan (which I don’t want to accept), or it’s all out of control (which sucks too). What’s up?”
“…It is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus and you are doing what you do in his name, then it is no longer secular work; it’s sacred. You are there; God is there. The difference is our awareness.” P85
“There is Jesus’ death on our behalf once and for all, but there is the ongoing work of the cross in our hearts and minds and souls and lives. There is the ongoing need to return to the cross to be reminded of our brokenness and dependence on God. There is the healing we need from the cross every single day.” P108
“I have been told that I need to believe in Jesus. Which is a good thing. But what I am learning is that Jesus believes in me. I have been told that I need to have faith in God. Which is a good thing. But what I am learning is that God has faith in me.” P134
“As Christians, it is our duty to master the art of the long meal.” P171
I’ve never really been able to identify with any criticisms against post-modernism until now. I just finished reading Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis”. Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found that the words of the book articulated many of my feelings and put words to many of my thoughts about Christianity for years. However, I feel that Bell makes some radical jumps to conclusions about his commentary on scripture. He is very critical of some who make awful conclusions about what certain passages mean. While I hope that the ‘Gospel according to Rob Bell’ is correct just about every time he writes it, I am not so fully convinced quite as easily and believe that we should continue to approach God “with fear and trembling”. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Bell’s work:
“The moment God is figured out with nice neat lines and definitions, we are no longer dealing with God. We are dealing with somebody we made up. And if we made him up, then we are in control. And so in passage after passage, we find God reminding people that he is beyond and bigger and more.” P25
I love the question that Bell thinks aloud on p29: “Either God is in control of everything and so all the crap we see today is part of his plan (which I don’t want to accept), or it’s all out of control (which sucks too). What’s up?”
“…It is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus and you are doing what you do in his name, then it is no longer secular work; it’s sacred. You are there; God is there. The difference is our awareness.” P85
“There is Jesus’ death on our behalf once and for all, but there is the ongoing work of the cross in our hearts and minds and souls and lives. There is the ongoing need to return to the cross to be reminded of our brokenness and dependence on God. There is the healing we need from the cross every single day.” P108
“I have been told that I need to believe in Jesus. Which is a good thing. But what I am learning is that Jesus believes in me. I have been told that I need to have faith in God. Which is a good thing. But what I am learning is that God has faith in me.” P134
“As Christians, it is our duty to master the art of the long meal.” P171
"Just" A Marathon
I ran a marathon on Saturday in Olathe, KS. It was just a mileage and confidence tune-up race for the upcoming biggies.
MORE PICTURES FROM THE RACE: (Added 4/7)
http://www.backprint.com/view_user_event.asp?PID=bp%18yG&EVENTID=32070&BIB=313&S=230&PWD=
Early before the race...
http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/03-29-08Olathe_fun/pages/IMG_0198_s_jpg.htm
Just after crossing the finish line (happy to be done and slight grimmace of discomfort)... http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/03-29-08Olathe_fun/pages/IMG_0624_s_jpg.htm
http://www.olathemarathon.com/ I finished slowly but surely.
MORE PICTURES FROM THE RACE: (Added 4/7)
http://www.backprint.com/view_user_event.asp?PID=bp%18yG&EVENTID=32070&BIB=313&S=230&PWD=
Early before the race...
http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/03-29-08Olathe_fun/pages/IMG_0198_s_jpg.htm
Just after crossing the finish line (happy to be done and slight grimmace of discomfort)... http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/03-29-08Olathe_fun/pages/IMG_0624_s_jpg.htm
http://www.olathemarathon.com/ I finished slowly but surely.
Beautiful Day
Yesterday and today have both been beautiful days - for January! No clouds, lots of sun, light breeze and cold! I ran across a great Family Circus comic last week that has the little boy looking out the window saying "doesn't Mother Nature know that the Baseball season starts next week"? But who can complain, it was light until 8:30 last night!
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