In solitude we voluntarily abstain from our normal patterns of activity and interaction with people for a time in order to discover that our strength and well-being come from God alone.
The haunting words "in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place" describe a pattern of life more than a single event (Mark 1:35). Jesus needed frequent retreat and solitude to do his work. Yet we somehow think we can do without what he deemed essential.
"Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home" Richard Foster
For 24 hours this past holiday weekend I was able to get away to "Shepherd's Rest", a home out in the country east of Wichita set aside for use for solitude and spiritual renewal by Friends pastors. I find Foster's words challenging and a great reminder.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Topeka to Auburn 1/2 Marathon
Saturday was my first race of 2009 - the Topeka to Auburn 1/2 Marathon. It was a midly cool, sunny morning with a slight north breeze and beautiful morning for running, especially for a January Kansas day. I finished in 1:50:13. I was trying to finish under 1:50 but came in 13 seconds behind my goal, but oh well. There were a lot of hills and even some really long hills, especially the first 7 miles and the last 2-3. Overall, great course and a great time. Allen Smelser finished as well about 25 minutes behind me.
Pictures: http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/01-17-09topeka_action/pages/IMG_0347_s_jpg.htm, about mid-way http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/01-17-09topeka_action/pages/IMG_0348_s_jpg.htm, and 1 block from the finish line sprinting http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/01-17-09topeka_action/pages/IMG_0641_s_jpg.htm
For results, click on 2009 results: http://sunflowerstriders.org/topeka-to-auburn/awards-results. I finished overall 96/270 and 5th in my age group of males 25 - 29 out of 18.
Pictures: http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/01-17-09topeka_action/pages/IMG_0347_s_jpg.htm, about mid-way http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/01-17-09topeka_action/pages/IMG_0348_s_jpg.htm, and 1 block from the finish line sprinting http://00673d3.netsolhost.com/photoalbum_index.htm/01-17-09topeka_action/pages/IMG_0641_s_jpg.htm
For results, click on 2009 results: http://sunflowerstriders.org/topeka-to-auburn/awards-results. I finished overall 96/270 and 5th in my age group of males 25 - 29 out of 18.
The Wisdom To Lead Us With Humility
Text of the Invocation Prayer by Pastor Rick Warren for today's Inauguration of President Barrack Obama :
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.
History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven. Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
"What To Pray for a New President: Seeking God's blessing for a pluralistic, conflicted, and divided nation" an article from Christianity Today about how and why to pray for the new President: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/currenttrendscolumns/culturewatch/whattoprayfornewpresident.html?start=1
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.
History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven. Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
"What To Pray for a New President: Seeking God's blessing for a pluralistic, conflicted, and divided nation" an article from Christianity Today about how and why to pray for the new President: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/currenttrendscolumns/culturewatch/whattoprayfornewpresident.html?start=1
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Wild Night
If you look closely (above) it says C.S.I. at Dodge & Munnell
The door (notice the broken glass, broken door frame, and kicked in bottom section (above), and the blood)
Last night at 8:30 pm I came home from the YMCA to find that my house had been intruded upon. The door window was shattered and the bottom part of the door kicked in. No one was home when the invasion took place. Strangely, nothing was stolen or even moved, as far as we could tell. Andrew and I used to laugh about how our house would be the wrong house for someone to break into because they'd be very dissapointed to find absolutely nothing of value! Not too funny anymore, I guess. The intruder apparently went into the basement and left a trail of blood (apparently injured breaking the glass). Wichita PD CSI came and looked for fingerprints and took blood samples.I slept with a hammer next to my bed last night just in case!
We are thankful that we weren't home when it took place and that nothing was stolen!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday Night Small Group January Kick-off: Bowling!
Strike! (For the first time in my life I bowled 5 strikes within 10 frames!)
Anyway, last evening we took our Small Group to the Newton Bowling alley for our 2009 Kick-off! Lots of fun!
Church Bulletins
One of my favorite all-time emails passed around that I just received again today (maybe for the 6th time?):
They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters.
These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
--------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."
They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters.
These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
--------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
--------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tortured For Christ
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
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
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!
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