Rumanian Pastor Richard Wurmbrand spent fourteen years in communist prisons and endured torture because of his work with the Underground Church. There is nothing more humbling and challenging than to read about those brave and amazing Christians of the persecuted and underground church around the world. I’d say with certainty that Wurmbrand’s book, “Tortured For Christ”, rocked my world! Below are some of my favorite passages/quotes from the book:
A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but only the things he is ready to die for. P64
The Underground Church is a poor and suffering church, but it has no lukewarm members. P79
No prison and no torture can frighten the Christians of the Underground Church. Just as in the Early Church, persecution only deepens their dedication. P116
The answers Christians of the Underground Church give, when brought before Communist courts, are divinely inspired. One judge demanded: “Why did you attract people to your forbidden sect?” A Christian sister answered; “Our aim is to win the whole world for Christ.”
The message I [Wurmbrand] bring out from the Underground Church is:
“Don’t abandon us!”
“Don’t forget us!”
“Don’t write us off!” P131
God is “the Truth.” The Bible is the “truth about the Truth.” Theology is the “truth about the truth about the Truth.” Fundamentalism is the “truth about the truth about the truth about the Truth.” Christian people live in these many truths about the Truth, and, because of them, have not “the Truth.” Hungry, beaten and doped, we had forgotten theology and the Bible. We had forgotten the “truths about the Truth,” therefore we live in “the Truth.” … In our darkest hours the Son of man came to us, making the prison walls shine like diamonds and filling the cells with light. Somewhere, far away, were the torturers below us in the sphere of the body. But the spirit rejoiced in the Lord. We would not have given up this joy for that of kingly palaces. P73
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
2008 Total Running Mileage
I've totaled up my 2008 running mileage: 1,655!
This averages to 31.8 miles per week, 137.92 per month, and 4.52 per day.
This averages to 31.8 miles per week, 137.92 per month, and 4.52 per day.
Friday, January 9, 2009
A New Hero: Eric Liddell
I’ve heard of Eric Liddell and “Chariots of Fire” but about all I’ve ever known of it is that Liddell was a Christian who was a runner. I’ve never seen the movie.
I just finished reading an article in the Mission Frontiers magazine called “The Flying Man” about Eric Liddell and his story. I am a new fan of Liddell who shares two of my passions: missions and running. While I am in no way a good runner like Liddell, I found several things about his life very interesting!
-He was a 1924 Olympic champion
-the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire” which introduced the world to Liddell won four Academy Awards and is famous all around the world (especially in China)
-Liddell struggled with whether or not his running interfered with his ministry (he didn’t think so, others did) I can relate to this!
-He once declined to participate in a heat that took place on a Sunday (because it went against his Presbyterian conviction about the Sabbath)
-He set a world record time for the 400-yard dash, saying “the secret of my success in the 400m is that I run the first 200m as fast as I can. Then, for the last 200m with God’s help I run faster.” (Sound like good advice for an ultra-marathon too!)
-Liddell was born in 1902 in China as his parents were Presbyterian missionaries. He went to the U.K. at age six to go to school and later became a runner
-after the 24 Olympics he was the equivalents of Michael Phelps today in fame, but announced that he would return to China following the footsteps of his father and older brother
-Liddell decided to stay in China even after all foreign nationals were advised to leave during the Japanese Invasion so he sent his pregnant wife and two daughters to China (never to see them again)
-he ended up in an internment camp where he continued his faithful ministry (even teaching the fellow prisoners not to hate their captors but to love them and pray for them)
-an opportunity came for Liddell to be released in a POW exchange negotiated by Winston Churchill but he refused to be exchanged, instead giving up his place to pregnant woman
-he died in the camp on February 21, 1945 (only 5 months before liberation) due to a brain tumor, exhaustion and malnourishment
-at his death he was greatly honored and mourned both in the camp and in Scotland
-Liddell’s life and legacy has even been honored by the modern Chinese government
Liddell’s story is to be portrayed in a major motion picture to be called “The Flying Man” which will come out sometime late 2009 or early 2010. Liddell is one of my new heroes because in addition to being such an excellent runner, he demonstrated sacrificial love for the Chinese people in a way that is challenging and compelling even today!
I just finished reading an article in the Mission Frontiers magazine called “The Flying Man” about Eric Liddell and his story. I am a new fan of Liddell who shares two of my passions: missions and running. While I am in no way a good runner like Liddell, I found several things about his life very interesting!
-He was a 1924 Olympic champion
-the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire” which introduced the world to Liddell won four Academy Awards and is famous all around the world (especially in China)
-Liddell struggled with whether or not his running interfered with his ministry (he didn’t think so, others did) I can relate to this!
-He once declined to participate in a heat that took place on a Sunday (because it went against his Presbyterian conviction about the Sabbath)
-He set a world record time for the 400-yard dash, saying “the secret of my success in the 400m is that I run the first 200m as fast as I can. Then, for the last 200m with God’s help I run faster.” (Sound like good advice for an ultra-marathon too!)
-Liddell was born in 1902 in China as his parents were Presbyterian missionaries. He went to the U.K. at age six to go to school and later became a runner
-after the 24 Olympics he was the equivalents of Michael Phelps today in fame, but announced that he would return to China following the footsteps of his father and older brother
-Liddell decided to stay in China even after all foreign nationals were advised to leave during the Japanese Invasion so he sent his pregnant wife and two daughters to China (never to see them again)
-he ended up in an internment camp where he continued his faithful ministry (even teaching the fellow prisoners not to hate their captors but to love them and pray for them)
-an opportunity came for Liddell to be released in a POW exchange negotiated by Winston Churchill but he refused to be exchanged, instead giving up his place to pregnant woman
-he died in the camp on February 21, 1945 (only 5 months before liberation) due to a brain tumor, exhaustion and malnourishment
-at his death he was greatly honored and mourned both in the camp and in Scotland
-Liddell’s life and legacy has even been honored by the modern Chinese government
Liddell’s story is to be portrayed in a major motion picture to be called “The Flying Man” which will come out sometime late 2009 or early 2010. Liddell is one of my new heroes because in addition to being such an excellent runner, he demonstrated sacrificial love for the Chinese people in a way that is challenging and compelling even today!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Extreme Camp Makeover 2009
(below and above) the "new view" from the ridge at CQH!
The Extreme Camp Makeover will be at Camp Quaker Haven will be held during the two Spring Break weeks in March. However, much work between now and then will be done to prepare the camp for our arrival and for the most effective use of the youth and adult teams.
Tuesday was my first all day work day there in 2009. It was cold and thinking that I'd working inside, I didn't really bring a coat. The inside temperature of the Dining Hall was 34 degrees and it held there pretty steady all day! We demolished (my kind of 'skilled' labor) the suspended ceiling completely. We also tore out the part of a rock wall and did more demo work in another building. I came home late that night covered in dirt and ready to warm up!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Wonderful Joy Ahead
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT
1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Blog for Run for Missions
Announcing a new blog address for the Run for Missions as we look forward to the Run for Missions 2009: http://run4missions.blogspot.com/
Run for Missions 2008 Final Update (Updated 1/8/09)
Dear Run for Missions Supporter,
Thank you so much for your gift in support of the Run for Missions 2008! These funds will be used for scholarships for EFC-MAYM college and graduate students intending to serve on Friends Mission fields. We set out to raise $10,000 and look what has happened because people like you caught the vision! Can you believe exactly $12,997.65 (NEW as of /8/2009) has been raised from 132 different individuals and churches since August? Thank God!
Imagine a day when our church can take it to another level in supporting the work of missions, getting behind our missionaries in financial support not only from the time they go to the field until they come home, but from the first day of their calling and throughout their schooling and education process! You have helped make this a possibility.
Thank you!
Allen Smelser and Adam Monaghan for the EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers
Thank you so much for your gift in support of the Run for Missions 2008! These funds will be used for scholarships for EFC-MAYM college and graduate students intending to serve on Friends Mission fields. We set out to raise $10,000 and look what has happened because people like you caught the vision! Can you believe exactly $12,997.65 (NEW as of /8/2009) has been raised from 132 different individuals and churches since August? Thank God!
Imagine a day when our church can take it to another level in supporting the work of missions, getting behind our missionaries in financial support not only from the time they go to the field until they come home, but from the first day of their calling and throughout their schooling and education process! You have helped make this a possibility.
Thank you!
Allen Smelser and Adam Monaghan for the EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers
Friends Student Conference 2008
The 9th Friends Student Conference was a success! Students testify to being challenged, renewed, and equipped! 
Happy New Year 2009! Brad and I "celebrating" after the New Year's Eve Party clean-up!
Happy New Year 2009! Brad and I "celebrating" after the New Year's Eve Party clean-up! 
Who knows? We found this hair-piece and several of us tried it on aboard the Royal Princess Yacht ride we took Wednesday afternoon into Kemah Bay.
Josh Locke & Michael Wilson from Crossroads
Jacob & T.J. from Chandler
Brad Carpenter (with hair) and Jeremiah Williams (Haviland, Barclay, who was in my Junior High youth group when I worked with the youth at Haviland when I went to Barclay. Jeremiah played the bass guitar in the worship band at FSC. He also ran 5 miles with me on Wednesday afternoon.)
Happy New Year 2009!
Andrew and I went to the Wichita Thunder Ice-Hockey game last night at the Kansas Colesium since it was Credit Union of America's member appreciation night (free tickets!). It was both Andrew and I's first hockey game in about 10 years. Right as the game was starting, some official guy came up and asked us if Andrew and I wanted to be in a contest during the break after the first period. We said, "of course!" We had to hit the puck off the wall and into the net. We both hit it on target but not hard enough. Just for participating we received additional free tickets. Guess we'll be going again! Other than getting to go down on the ice the only other exciting moments of the 0-4 loss was when the referee fell down going backwards and when the Thunder, realizing they weren't going win in the final minutes, decided that perhaps they could enterain the crowd much better with a good old fashioned hockey fight than by scoring some goals! 
Got Sleep? The Physical and Spiritual Benefits of Sleep
The following notes are from my Friends Student Conference 2008 workshop.
Got Sleep? The Physical and Spiritual Benefits of Sleep FSC '08
Are you constantly tired? Do you have irregular sleep patterns? Getting a good night’s rest can make your life better all around. Come here about some of the latest news in sleep research and how sleep can actually be an important “spiritual discipline”. This workshop will provide a powerful case for the need to take sleep seriously.
*Much of the information and scientific research presented in this workshop comes from Paul Martin’s extensive sleep research book Counting Sheep: The Science and Pleasures of Sleep and Dreams.
“…Samuel was sleeping…Suddenly, the LORD called out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ 1 Samuel 3
“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion…” Mark 4:38
-The Bible if filled with stories of people who heard God’s voice in their sleep: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Samuel, Joseph, Saul/Paul, etc.
–maybe there’s something to the fact that Samuel heard God’s voice when he was asleep? Chronically tired people must have a much more difficult hearing (and obeying) God’s voice.
-life is hard and complex and busy and can be filled with stress and chaos. Many things are out of your control and there’s simply nothing you can do about them but learn to respond with gratitude and trust. But there are a few things you can do that are within your realm of influence and decision making that can make your life drastically better and less complex (and significantly decrease the stress and chaos of your life).
–These are tools that help us to do what we can so we can do our best with the things we can’t. How you eat (diet), how you rest from work on a regular pattern (Sabbath), how you sweat/play/workout (exercise), and how you SLEEP are ways to make your life more balanced, less stressed and in a steady pattern! Imagine your life with… balance? With margin? (These things help us to obey God better!)
-THE SLEEP CHALLENGE- about 7 months ago I was challenged at a spiritual retreat to sleep better (and then I started researching the science of sleep as well). It has made such a difference in my life! For the first time in my life-the past 7 months-I have gotten enough regular sleep – and my body thrives on and this has helped my attitude, mindset, outlook on life, perspective, sense of humor (even better!) and my work proficiency, and all around made my life better (which all ultimately helps me to be in the right place to where it’s easier to obey God – which is the definition of a “spiritual discipline”. Imagine that! – sleep a spiritual discipline.).
-your making a big mistake if you think you can separate your spiritual life from the rest of your life – from your body - they’re 100% connected and inseparable! When’s ones a mess so is the other. (Separating body and spirit is one of the oldest heresies in the book, of course!)
FACTS
-the average teenager needs 9.5 hours of sleep/night because chemicals related to growth are released during sleep (athletes beware!); therefore teenagers require more sleep than your younger siblings who are only 9-10 years old who need around 8
-irregular sleep patterns negatively impact the quality of your sleep
-sleep is food for the brain
-skipping sleep affects your life: your attitude, your looks (skin, weight), your health (immune system), safety (car accidents), etc.
-1/2 of all students sleep 7 hours or less
-1 in 5 regularly gets less then 6 hours of sleep per night
-only 15% of teenagers get the at least 8.5 hours of sleep that they need on school nights
-being tired is scientifically proven to make us stupid and reckless
-driving while sleep is the equivalent to driving drunk because being sleep blurs our vision and decreases reaction time
-Signs of sleep deprivation:
-Difficulty waking up in the morning (hitting the snooze button) – it doesn’t have to be this
way!
-irritability in the afternoon
-falling asleep during the day
-oversleeping on the weekends
-lack of memory/difficulty concentrating
-moodiness, poor performance in school
-depression
-behavior problems
-the gospels are filled with stories of Jesus sleeping and resting
-maybe “napping and sleeping are part of what it means to be a good Christian”
RECOMMENDATIONS for getting a “Good Night’s Rest”
-establish a reasonable bedtime and wake time and make that consistent with weekends too (maybe the hardest thing to do but not impossible)
-establish bedtime routine (self-discipline)
-if you have difficult falling asleep (first, ask yourself: are you sleeping too much? Do you have a pattern? Are you off your pattern?): take a hot bath/shower 30 minutes before falling asleep, do only quiet activities that are not mentally stimulating before trying to fall asleep, starting turning off lights one by one an hour before bed, turn off cell phones!, avoid techology right before wanting to fall asleep.
-eliminate caffeine consumption 7 hours before sleep (the effects stay in your body for 7 hours) –affects your quality of sleep even if you can sleep – makes it less restorative
-keep a sleep log (record sleep times and wake times and state of restfulness for 3 weeks or until you have patterns established)
-sleep experts favor a school day that begins at 9:30 or so but until that’s an option, we have to discipline ourselves!
-give sleep the high priority that it deserves in your life (which is probably higher than it currently is)
-listen to your body: if you feel tired you probably are and need more sleep
-learn to nap efficiently and without feeling guility
-get a good bed (most important piece of furniture in your home?)
-cooler the better for sleeping
-bedroom should be as peaceful as possible – conducive environment for sleeping
-aim to avoid eating large meals just before going to sleep
“Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It is essentially laziness. It is doing the easy thing instead of the hard thing. It is filling our time with our own actions instead of paying attention to God’s actions. It is taking charge.” Eugene Peterson, Subversive Spirituality
“Fatigue makes women talk more and men talk less.” C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
Got Sleep? The Physical and Spiritual Benefits of Sleep FSC '08
Are you constantly tired? Do you have irregular sleep patterns? Getting a good night’s rest can make your life better all around. Come here about some of the latest news in sleep research and how sleep can actually be an important “spiritual discipline”. This workshop will provide a powerful case for the need to take sleep seriously.
*Much of the information and scientific research presented in this workshop comes from Paul Martin’s extensive sleep research book Counting Sheep: The Science and Pleasures of Sleep and Dreams.
“…Samuel was sleeping…Suddenly, the LORD called out, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ 1 Samuel 3
“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion…” Mark 4:38
-The Bible if filled with stories of people who heard God’s voice in their sleep: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Samuel, Joseph, Saul/Paul, etc.
–maybe there’s something to the fact that Samuel heard God’s voice when he was asleep? Chronically tired people must have a much more difficult hearing (and obeying) God’s voice.
-life is hard and complex and busy and can be filled with stress and chaos. Many things are out of your control and there’s simply nothing you can do about them but learn to respond with gratitude and trust. But there are a few things you can do that are within your realm of influence and decision making that can make your life drastically better and less complex (and significantly decrease the stress and chaos of your life).
–These are tools that help us to do what we can so we can do our best with the things we can’t. How you eat (diet), how you rest from work on a regular pattern (Sabbath), how you sweat/play/workout (exercise), and how you SLEEP are ways to make your life more balanced, less stressed and in a steady pattern! Imagine your life with… balance? With margin? (These things help us to obey God better!)
-THE SLEEP CHALLENGE- about 7 months ago I was challenged at a spiritual retreat to sleep better (and then I started researching the science of sleep as well). It has made such a difference in my life! For the first time in my life-the past 7 months-I have gotten enough regular sleep – and my body thrives on and this has helped my attitude, mindset, outlook on life, perspective, sense of humor (even better!) and my work proficiency, and all around made my life better (which all ultimately helps me to be in the right place to where it’s easier to obey God – which is the definition of a “spiritual discipline”. Imagine that! – sleep a spiritual discipline.).
-your making a big mistake if you think you can separate your spiritual life from the rest of your life – from your body - they’re 100% connected and inseparable! When’s ones a mess so is the other. (Separating body and spirit is one of the oldest heresies in the book, of course!)
FACTS
-the average teenager needs 9.5 hours of sleep/night because chemicals related to growth are released during sleep (athletes beware!); therefore teenagers require more sleep than your younger siblings who are only 9-10 years old who need around 8
-irregular sleep patterns negatively impact the quality of your sleep
-sleep is food for the brain
-skipping sleep affects your life: your attitude, your looks (skin, weight), your health (immune system), safety (car accidents), etc.
-1/2 of all students sleep 7 hours or less
-1 in 5 regularly gets less then 6 hours of sleep per night
-only 15% of teenagers get the at least 8.5 hours of sleep that they need on school nights
-being tired is scientifically proven to make us stupid and reckless
-driving while sleep is the equivalent to driving drunk because being sleep blurs our vision and decreases reaction time
-Signs of sleep deprivation:
-Difficulty waking up in the morning (hitting the snooze button) – it doesn’t have to be this
way!
-irritability in the afternoon
-falling asleep during the day
-oversleeping on the weekends
-lack of memory/difficulty concentrating
-moodiness, poor performance in school
-depression
-behavior problems
-the gospels are filled with stories of Jesus sleeping and resting
-maybe “napping and sleeping are part of what it means to be a good Christian”
RECOMMENDATIONS for getting a “Good Night’s Rest”
-establish a reasonable bedtime and wake time and make that consistent with weekends too (maybe the hardest thing to do but not impossible)
-establish bedtime routine (self-discipline)
-if you have difficult falling asleep (first, ask yourself: are you sleeping too much? Do you have a pattern? Are you off your pattern?): take a hot bath/shower 30 minutes before falling asleep, do only quiet activities that are not mentally stimulating before trying to fall asleep, starting turning off lights one by one an hour before bed, turn off cell phones!, avoid techology right before wanting to fall asleep.
-eliminate caffeine consumption 7 hours before sleep (the effects stay in your body for 7 hours) –affects your quality of sleep even if you can sleep – makes it less restorative
-keep a sleep log (record sleep times and wake times and state of restfulness for 3 weeks or until you have patterns established)
-sleep experts favor a school day that begins at 9:30 or so but until that’s an option, we have to discipline ourselves!
-give sleep the high priority that it deserves in your life (which is probably higher than it currently is)
-listen to your body: if you feel tired you probably are and need more sleep
-learn to nap efficiently and without feeling guility
-get a good bed (most important piece of furniture in your home?)
-cooler the better for sleeping
-bedroom should be as peaceful as possible – conducive environment for sleeping
-aim to avoid eating large meals just before going to sleep
“Busyness is the enemy of spirituality. It is essentially laziness. It is doing the easy thing instead of the hard thing. It is filling our time with our own actions instead of paying attention to God’s actions. It is taking charge.” Eugene Peterson, Subversive Spirituality
“Fatigue makes women talk more and men talk less.” C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
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