faith tested

I would be willing to bet that if I asked anyone reading this blog would you like to have your faith tested, that you would all respond "no".  In fact I would be willing to bet that if you walked into any church in the world today and asked the very same question that overwhelmingly the answer would be "no".  I mean who would want to be pushed to the end of their sanity, their patience, and to feel totally helpless like you are drowning in your own world, self pity, and sea of problems.  We just don't want to.  We don't desire to.  I mean, who in their right mind would.....In fact, you and I would just as soon every always be peaches and cream.  But that is simply not reality is it? 

So how do you feel then when you read these verses in James:

^2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ^3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ^4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (Jas 1:2-4., NIV)

Having your faith tested, is no fun.  Having your faith tested is not easy.  That being said how in the world can you and I "consider it pure joy" when we "face trials".  Start with the word "joy".  Joy is not talking about smiling and laughing, joy is talking about the person that gives us joy.  For the Christian the person that gives us joy is the Person of Jesus Christ.  What we need to consider is the Person of Jesus when we face trials.  When you and I compare our trials to what Jesus endured they don't even compare.  However, a trial is a trial.  Having a trial and comparing it to Jesus doesn't lower our stress level when going through a trial does it now.  The thing that you and I have to keep in mind is that eventually the trial does end.  At the end of the trial is when you and I can look back and consider the Person of Joy who helped us through the trial.  The purpose of trials to test our faith and develop perseverance.  It's not that its something that you and I want, but it's something that you and I need.  God wants us to be mature and complete in our faith.  Let's be honest a faith that is not tested, a faith that is not pushed to its very limits, a faith that is never questioned is not complete.

As much as we would love for our little world to always be perfect.  To always have money in the bank.  To always have perfect and sunshiny days.  To always have family getting along and communicating.  To always have everything go right at school, at work, and at home.  To have every day, month, and year be a carefree time.  Never in the history of all humanity has that ever happened, nor will it ever (at least while we are here).

So how do we deal with it:

• Perspective.  We NEVER like to hear this, I can say that because I sure don't, but the fact is that no matter how bad things are going for you there is someone who is worse off than you.  There is a mom somewhere that is working three jobs trying to raise her 4 kids on her own.  There is a veteran sleeping under a bridge.  There is a young lady that has been sold into slavery in a brothel.  There is a soldier's wife and family that just learned he will not be making it back from war.  There is a Dad that just got a phone call that his wife and kids where killed in a car crash.  There is a family wondering what they are going to eat tonight.  There is a child that has just been orphaned because his parents disappeared.  There is a thirsty child looking for clean water.  There is a senior citizen that has been dropped off in a nursing home that hasn't been visited by family in years.  There is a family that just found out that someone close to them has terminal cancer. There is a person that just took their own life because everyone gave up on them.  There are millions of people dying everyday without the hope of Jesus Christ.  I don't think I need to continue the list, I get the point... do you?
• Keep moving forward.  The biggest mistake you and I make during a testing of our faith is to stop.  To stop reading our Bible, to stop praying, or to stop attending a place of worship.  You and I may slow down during a time of testing, but it is important to keep moving.  Yes you will be tired, yes you will be frustrated, and yes you will feel like giving up, but don't!
• Serve.  Serving your fellow man, always makes you feel better and grows you spiritually.  Take the focus off you and put it on focusing on others.
• Exercise.  It is important to take care of yourself.  Get out and enjoy life.  Don't sit around.
• Have fun.  Intentionally do things you enjoy.  There is a lot of things you can do.  Whatever it is go do it.
• Learn.  Whatever it is that is testing your faith.  Learn from it.  Grow from it.  History always repeats itself, however mistakes in your life shouldn't be.

Jim Valvano's ESPY speech in 1993, in my opinion, is one of the best ever.  Here is an excerpt of it:

“To me there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think -- spend some time  in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that's a heck of a day.”
― Jim Valvano

Jimmy V didn't say this in the middle of one of the easiest times of his life, but towards the end of a long and hard battle with cancer.  His faith tested.

In the words of Jimmy V, when your faith is tested "laugh, think, and cry".

Just don't give up, don't ever give up.

Chris

A lesson from the hammock

I bought a hammock yesterday.  I have always wanted one, but never got one.  I love being outdoors, hence why I run year round.  The weather has been so nice the last two weeks, that I decided that I finally was going to get a hammock and put it up so I could sit outside read and enjoy.  So I did.  What I wasn't expecting was while I was laying there relaxing watching clouds, looking at green and colors bursting forth, and listening to the songs of the birds that God was going to teach me the lesson He did.

The last several months has been a trying time in life for me and my family.  A time of solitude, stress, and struggle.  A time that reminds me a lot of winter.  It's been a long cold winter.  It's been a harsh winter.  It's been a winter of snow, ice, and bitter cold temperatures.  It's been a winter that seemed like it would never end, and in some parts of the country it still hasn't.  However, here in western North Carolina winter is winding down and spring is beginning to show itself.

I love spring.  The temperature starts to go up, and the days are longer.  I love shorts and tee shirt weather.  Spring informs me my favorite season is coming: summer.  Spring is when all the plants, trees, and grass begin to show their true colors and burst forth in bloom.  Spring is when nature begins to stretch its arms from the slumber of winter and remind us of how beautiful she is.  Spring is where everything around begins to show new life.  Spring is when Easter comes around and shows us that we can have new life in Christ because He Rose, He lives, and He gives new life.

I am hoping as with the closing of winter, this time in our life is coming to an end.  I am ready for new life to burst forth.  I am ready for a fresh start and a chance to bloom.  God taught me yesterday from the hammock that winter does end, spring does come, and He is ready to bloom a new life in me.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)

God do a new thing, spring it up in me........

encouragement

You ever had one of those days, weeks, months, or maybe even years....Where you ask yourself:  is anything going to work out? 

You know you have been there, lets face it we all have.  In times like those it's when you are able to look at your circle of family and friends for some encouragement.

Better yet, Look to your Heavenly Father for encouragement:

^13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ^14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. ^16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ^17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  (2 Th 2:13-17., NIV)

1. He called you... or He chose you., its an old attaché, or adage, but God has called you for a specific purpose that is only for you.  He has equipped you for a perfect fit, a perfect match, and a perfect plan.  God has a unique share in the kingdom for you.  Sometimes our discouragement comes in the journey of trying to discover that share, that part, or that plan.  What He is doing in your life is part of the journey of discovery.  Now I hear you when you say or think you want it now.  I get that.
2. Stand firm.  The lessons in life that we learn along the way, help us to stand firm.  We are able to look back in times and see that God has brought us along through our journey.  Life is so full of mountain tops and valleys.  God wants us to stand firm in between the two.  Everything along the way is teaching us something.  Pay attention and learn the lessons. 
3. He will encourage and Give strength.  God always has a way of finding a way of encouraging us.  It could be by using His Word, it could be a soft voice in your prayer time, or He could use some people He has placed around you.  The point is this.  God has not left you, remember He promised He would not.  He will find little tidbits of ways to encourage you, if you pay attention.

I had a friend several years ago that shared this story with me:  He was really discouraged with something that was going on in his life.  So he had taken part of the day to just go somewhere and get away.  He had went to a local park that had a lake and some benches.  He sat there and prayed and asked God to give him a sign of some kind.  God responded in this way:  A little hummingbird flew up to him and they where nose to nose (well beak).  They sat and stared at each other for a few, then the hummingbird flew away.  My friend said that a peace and calmness came over him like he had never felt before.  My friend knew in that moment of time, God sent that hummingbird to Him to reassure Him that everything was going to be OK.

Remember this:  God chose you, stand firm, and He will encourage and give you strength.  Never be afraid to ask for a sign, and God will show you somehow (maybe even through a hummingbird) that He loves you and cares for you.

Have a blessed weekend... Chris

throw it

I really feel like if you asked the average parent, worker, family, mom, dad, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent about what it is like to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders they could probably tell you.

They would tell you that some days (maybe even months) it feels like the weight of the world is getting unbearable.  They could and would tell you that they lay awake at night crying because of the anxiety of the troubles of the world.  They could tell you of what it is like as a parent to see the horrific event like "Sandy Hook Elementary" happen and then not be able to sleep because of worrying about what if that happened to my child.  They could tell you about the stress of trying to balance work, paying bills, spending time with children, and trying to give spouse adequate time.  They could tell you about trying to figure out how they are going to pay for the ever increasing cost of higher education, because our children have to have it in order to survive. 

They could tell you what it is like trying to raise a Godly family in days that are tremendously ungodly.  They could tell you about trying to be strong for everyone when they feel weak enough to crumble.  They could tell you about not thinking they are going to be able to take another day, another phone call, another dispute, or another thing going wrong.

Wouldn't it be so refreshing to take all of that weight, to lift it up over your head, then go down into a squat and when you stand back up with all your might, and all that is within you to just chuck it.  I mean rare back and throw it as far away from you as you can.  Can you imagine that?  Can you imagine the way you would feel.  How great it would be to take every burden, every problem, every heartache,  and everything that you are carrying around as weight and just throw it as far as you can.  Man, I get a sense of relief just thinking about that.... do you?

Did you know that is what we are supposed to do...  check this out:

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

Cast all your anxiety, your cares, your problems, your heartaches, your weight on Him.  This verse is telling that Jesus said to take all these things and throw them on Him.  What would it be like for you and me to take all of this and throw it on the shoulders of the One who cares for us.  The one who sacrificed it all for us, is still saying "I will take more", "Give it to me, I can handle it".  The reason, He cares for you.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine.  He cares for you so much.  Jesus watches everyday as you and I bear the weight of the world on our shoulders, and He tells us day after day.... Give me that, Give me that, I will take it... Just toss it over here.

Why don't we?  Oh, there could be numerous reasons.  I would say one of the reasons is pride.  We think, I got this, I can handle this. 

I sincerely think that mostly you and I don't just because it's in our nature not to. 

Picture this, and tell me if this has happened to you.  The weight of the world finally gets so heavy that you finally give in and pray, "OK God I can't deal with this anymore, I can't deal with one more sleepless night, one more tension headache, or one more day of carrying this".  So you kneel or lay in prayer, crying, and ask God to take this great burden away from you, or you throw it at Him.  You feel this immediate sense of relief, so you get up from prayer.  However, as you walk away... yep you guessed it, you pick it right back up off Jesus' shoulders and carry it again.  You know it's true.

So we do this day after day, week after week, and year after year.

We walk around like the man in the picture, carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders and we begin thinking "there is nothing we can do to get out from it".

Yes, there is and His name is Jesus.  Trust Him.  He can handle the world, and YOUR world.

So throw it all at Him and let Him keep it, because He cares for you.

Chris

Hit with a stick

Adult Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long.
[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]
Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.
[laughs]
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.
[swings his stick again at Simba, who ducks out of the way]
Rafiki: Ha. You see? So what are you going to do?
Adult Simba: First, I'm gonna take your stick.
[Simba snatches Rafiki's stick and throws it and Rafiki runs to grab it]
Rafiki: No, no, no, no, not the stick! Hey, where you going?
Adult Simba: I'm going back!
Rafiki: Good! Go on! Get out of here!
[Rafiki begins laughing and screeching loudly] 

Epic Rafiki in the Lion King. 

When I read this verse this morning, this scene came to mind.

^"13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead"  (Philippians 3:13, NIV)

If there is one thing that we lot hold us back for entirely too long, it is our past.  Maybe it's a broken relationship, maybe its a divorce, maybe its a wayward child, maybe someone physically or mentally hurt you, maybe you have been abused, maybe you have been bullied, maybe you have made a string of wrong choices, maybe you made one major wrong choice, or maybe you where just wrong place at wrong time.  It doesn't really matter, because it's in the past.

Maybe your past does hurt.  Maybe it is always glaring at you in your face.  Maybe you are facing consequences for your past.  Maybe you feel like you simply can't move on.  Maybe you feel like your past has a grip on you that won't let go.

Or maybe, just maybe, it's you.  Maybe you haven't forgive yourself.  Maybe you haven't allowed yourself to move on.  Maybe you think your past will define the rest of your life.

Don't misunderstand me, the past helps shape us into who we are today.  Your past doesn't define you your past should simply help you.  What would it take for you to be willing to give yourself another chance.  God has forgiven you if you have asked for it, so why can't you forgive yourself.  Mistakes are made to be learned from and not to hold us captive.

As Rafiki said the past does hurt.  I know it and you know it.  Sometimes it seems when we think we have healed from past hurt a sound, a smell, or a sight brings it all rushing back and we feel the hurt all over again.  The past does hurt, you don't imagine it, it really does.  The hurt reminds us to not make the same mistake, the hurt reminds us that we are human, and the hurt reminds us that we have to keep trudging forward.

This verse says "forgetting what is behind";  what would it take to forgive, to "let it go".  The past cannot be changed.  Though you and I wish we could go back and change some of the things we have done and the mistakes that we have made.  Reality is that we cannot.  It is beyond our control now.  Our only option now is to let it go and forget what is behind now.  Not forget the lesson learned but forget and forgive the parties involved.

Forget what is behind, and strain for what is ahead.  Strain gives the idea of having to work hard.  Mentally you have to set yourself up for this.  I have to have a different mindset on days that I am going to run 5 miles, 6 miles, and 8 miles.  On the 8 mile + day I have to really psyche myself up that it is going to be a long hard run.  I have to pace myself differently, make sure I have eaten the right things for energy, and ensure I have enough to drink to stay hydrates.  We have to get up everyday and strain for what is ahead.  We have to mentally and physically prepare ourselves to keep moving forward and forget what has happened behind.

Every runner can remember having an absolutely horrible run.  Maybe it was too slow, maybe you where too tired, and maybe your muscles cramped and ruined the run.  If I allow myself to remember that right before an 8 mile run, how do you think my run will go... exactly not good.  I have to forget the bad run and strain towards the new one.

Forgive yourself, forgive others, and move on from the past.  History should not repeat itself in your life.

Have a great weekend, Chris :)

Ever feel like your getting Nowhere?

You work hard, study hard, and try to do all the right things at the right times for the right people, but yet still feel like your getting nowhere?  Yeah, we have all probably felt that way at some point.  You feel like no matter what you do you are heading down a "road to nowhere"... Did you know there really is such a place?

Here is the story of the road to Nowhere:

In the 1930s and 1940s, Swain County gave up the majority of its private land to the Federal Government for the creation of Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hundreds of people were forced to leave the small Smoky Mountain communities that had been their homes for generations. With the creation of the Park, their homes were gone, and so was the road to those communities. Old Highway 288 was buried beneath the deep waters of Fontana Lake.

The Federal government promised to replace Highway 288 with a new road. Lakeview Drive was to have stretched along the north shore of Fontana Lake, from Bryson City to Fontana, 30 miles to the west. And, of special importance to those displaced residents, it was to have provided access to the old family cemeteries where generations of ancestors remained behind.

But Lakeview Drive fell victim to an environmental issue and construction was stopped, with the road ending at a tunnel, about six miles into the park. The environmental issue was eventually resolved, but the roadwork was never resumed. And Swain County's citizens gave the unfinished Lakeview Drive its popular, albeit unofficial name "The Road To Nowhere."

 

http://www.greatsmokies.com/roadnowhere.html

 

I have good news for those who feel like they are on a road to nowhere:

 

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

We all pretty much know the frustration of the feeling of "getting nowhere fast".  When we start feeling that way the first thing that we start to lose is our confidence.  Confidence is a good thing to have, as long as we don't get over confident.  We need to remember that God has equipped us with what we need to accomplish the purpose He created us for.  God has a plan, He has a purpose.  We just don't always, or can't always see it.  Look at the picture of the tunnel.  There is light at the other end, however it is a long way there.  Sometimes we get in the middle of that tunnel and stop, because the light seems so far away.  Listen, the light is there, you just have to keep trudging forward.  God has begun a great, unbelievable, and exciting thing for you.  You are not done.  He has something at the end of the tunnel for you.  He will help see you through.  Don't give up, don't give in, and don't stop.  You and I have to keep moving forward.

Your not on a road to nowhere, your on a road to somewhere and God is your Guide.

Chris

Why I am the way that I am

While on my 6 mile run (thought I would throw that in there, lol) this morning, this thought "Why am I the way that I am" and this verse kept coming to my mind:

^"10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. "  (Judges 2:10, NIV)

This verse and that thought leads us, or leads me to a defining moment.  Things that happen in life shape us and mold us into who we are.  Something was said in a church meeting several years ago that led me to really meditating and seeking God's will for my life.  That day began  to build a burden in my heart for students.

Eight years ago I was sitting in a church meeting and we where having an open discussion on how we where going to reach our community and things we where going to do to make our church more inviting, when someone spoke up and said this, "it costs too much money to concentrate on teenagers".  That statement really struck me, and struck me hard.  Now, please keep in mind I don't totally fault the person for the statement, for as a church we where at the time in a financial shortage, however it pierced like a knife through my heart when it was said.  It really opened my eyes to where God was leading me to:  Student Ministry.

God placed Judges 2:10 on my heart because it's reality.  If we don't concentrate on the current generation, and the generations to come the fact is they WILL NOT know who the LORD is or what He has done.  There is a tremendous need for Student Ministry, but yet the amount of Student Ministers are few.  I have been around long enough to know that sometimes in churches we get in to "maintenance" mode, in other words "what do we need to do to maintain who we have, or to keep the people happy".  If you around enough churches you will see that the average age of congregations are getting older, and the amount of younger couples, students, and kids is getting smaller.  That proves Judges 2:10 is coming to fruition.  Now don't misunderstand me, there are some churches and congregations that student ministry is a vital part of what they do, and I applaud them for that.

Student Ministers are the unsung hero's of the church, especially the ones who are part time or volunteer.  They are the direct examples (other than parents) of how to live the life.  They are counselors, chaperone's, teachers, leaders, and mentors to our next church leaders.  They have long long nights of texts, snapchats, and calls of teens in need who thinks no one else will listen to them.  It means long Thursday and Friday nights under the lights.  It means going from a tennis match, to a football game, to a golf match, a basketball game, and topped off with a band, school play, or chorus concert.  While trying to keep up with your own children's activities.  We do it not because we have to but because we want to.  We do it because we want them to know we care about them outside of the church setting.  Being a Student Minister is by far the most exhausting but most rewarding thing I have ever done.  To see a student on fire for God.  To see a student on the verge of giving up become a strong Jesus follower makes it all worth it.  When students fall in love with Jesus, they are "all in", it's an amazing thing to see.

A couple of years ago I was asked to turn in what dollar amount I wanted for the year's budget and then give a description of what I needed the funds for.  I came so close to putting a dollar amount on the back of a group picture of the students with these words:  "to invest in them".  That's what Student Ministers are doing.  We are investing our lives into your students.

It takes a special breed to be student minister.  We are solid in what we believe, but yet we still know how to laugh and have fun.  We are tired, but yet we still have energy.  We get frustrated, but yet we still go with it.  We get discouraged, but yet we keep trudging forward.  Our lives are full of others drama, but yet we still smile.  We have fun, but yet maintain a heart of worship....Because we are proud to be student ministers.

That is why I am the way that I am.  No matter where I go or what I do, Judges 2:10 will be ingrained in me.  I want to do all I can to ensure that this generation and generations to come "know who the LORD is and what He has done".

If we don't start seeing more student ministers, the church will see less and less students. 

Chris

why I LOVE March Madness

For college basketball fans, March is what we know as "the most wonderful time of the year".

It's called march madness, and the reason is because its crazy!!!!

64 teams = one dream.  Yes, I know its gotten lately to where it is more than 64 but, we will stick with 64.  All with a legitimate chance at a national title all they have to do is:  win, and keep winning.

According to ESPN these are the greatest upsets in NCAA Tourney History:
1. NC State stuns Houston in championship game (1983)
2. Villanova beats Georgetown for championship (1985)
3. Princeton eliminates UCLA (1996)
4. Texas Western defeats Kentucky for title (1966)
5. Boston College over No. 1 UNC in round two (1994)
6. Canisius stuns NC State, 79-78 (1956)
7. Repeat for the Rebs? Duke just says no. National Semifinal (1991)
8. Santa Clara beats Arizona, clobbers the spread (1993)
9. Little Rock ousts the Irish (1986)
10. LSU beats Kentucky, advances to the Final Four (1986)
(http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/ncaatourneyupset.html)

Of course who can forget 2010 little known Butler College goes all the way to national Championship to face my Blue Devils, and lose 61 to 59.  ESPN names this game one of the greatest Cinderella team runs in history.

Or how about 2012 where no. 16 seed UNC-A came within a few points of beating no. 1 Syracuse in opening round....

Or maybe the madness was in 1993 when Michigan's Chris Webber calls that "time-out" that they don't have and hand the title to UNC...


oh yeah it's march madness baby, time to get the brackets out and figure out whose going all the way and who is going to be the next "Butler"....

Duke Blue all the way :)

Chris

Why I run

I love to run.  It's that plain and that simple.  Why?  Well, that is a good question.... let's begin with some background...

As I shared in a previous blog, my doctor told me several years ago that I needed to lose weight. I was approaching 40, overweight, always tired, and very out of shape.  She suggested I get outside and walk several times a week, which I did (half-hearted), but quickly was getting bored with it.  Then something scary happened... not long before my 40th birthday, I was on my walk when I became extremely light headed, pain in my chest, and pain radiating down my arm; and I knew what that was a sign of... heart attack.  It went away fairly quickly, but I called doctors office right away and they saw me and did an EKG, which came back abnormal and they scheduled a stress test.  Fortunately everything came back OK, but it really got me thinking about my health.

So reasons why I run:

1. Brandy, Ginny, Rebekah, Samantha, and Olivia.  I run for my health, so I can be around for my wife and children.  Running is something I can do to not only lose weight, but strengthen my body.  I have asthma, when I first started running I couldn't even do a mile without being winded.  Now after running for two years, I can run for hours and my lungs are strengthened enough that I don't get winded.
2. Stress.  Everyone needs an outlet.  Running gives me a chance to put the ear buds on and tune the world out, while burning away anxiety and stress.  Some people lift weights, hit the bag, or kick box, me I run.
3. Confidence.  I have never been athletic.  Which means I have never caught that game winning touchdown pass, hit the home run, hit the 3 pointer to win, or kicked the goal.  However with running I have competed in several races and finished strongly.  Running is something I can do.  I am goal oriented, so days like today boost my confidence.  My goal was 8 miles today; when I hit 7 miles I felt good and still felt I had a lot left in me so when I hit 9 miles it was fist pump YEAH! time (people around me probably thought I was crazy but don't really care lol), finished the day with 9.33 miles (a new personal best); today gave me a huge boost in self-confidence on a day I needed it.
4. Spiritual.  Days like today not only boost my confidence but it also gave me a solid 2 hours to commune with God.  Two hours of praying, asking questions, and listening for answers.  Two hours of uninterrupted (which is hard to do) time with my Creator.
5. Freedom.  Something about running gives me the sense of freedom.  I don't know or understand why, but it does.
6. Nature.  I run outdoors.  Whether it's 15 degrees or 80, I run outside.  Don't do the treadmill thing.  I had thought about it at one point, because I don't run if its less than 15 outside (and we have had a few of these days here).  Running gives you a chance to explore and see new things.  I even run while on vacation, you see more.
7. Energy.  I know it sounds crazy, but on days that I run I have more energy and I sleep better.  Days I don't run I feel drained and mopey all day.
8. I can.  I run because I can, and so can you. I was reading in a book the other day that running is the oldest sport.  Biblically running is mentioned several times for that reason.  The Greeks originated competitive running and it has been around every since, therefore, running is mentioned in scripture because people understood it.  Running is an all inclusive group, whether you run a 6 minute mile or 15 minute, you are still a runner.  You can work on distance or you can work on speed, or both. 
9. Community.  Running is a community of people that have respect for one another.  We encourage each other.  Most runners will give each other a thumbs up or a wave when we pass each other.  Runners ask each other how the run was, cause it's not about the distance or time, its about the run.
10. Me Time.  Some of my best sermon ideas, ideas, and problems get solved during a run.  Who knows maybe the worlds problems could be solved by a good long run... :)

I'm sure I could come up with more, but that pretty much gives the highlights of why I am a runner.

"let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1b-2a, NKJV)

Chris

life

Life is NOT a game, even though we treat it that way sometimes.  The spin of a wheel, the landing on a space determines what comes next.  Real life doesn't work that way, although as we discover it can change in an instant, in one move, or on one space...

I was talking to someone yesterday that I hadn't spoken to in years, you know just kind of catching up on life.  A life altering surgery has changed this persons life.  Everything he knew has changed.  Career, lifestyle, and personality in an instant.....gone.  What do you do when this happens?  Life has handed you something that is "unfair".  This happens to people we know, maybe even you, everyday.  You work hard, your an honest person, and life is going better than you could have ever imagined.  In an instant it goes from smooth sailing to a train wreck, and you find yourself going through emotions such as anger, depression, and confusion.  We find ourselves thinking, praying, or even saying, "hey this is not fair".  The thing that we soon figure out is that fair or not it still happens.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn 10:10., NIV)

Jesus said that.  Your life is not defined by the things you lose, but by the moments you gain.

I have found myself many times thinking things in life have happened that don't seem "fair".  One of the hardest moment in life for us was when Brandy and I lost a child.  At that moment I was totally feeling that our child's death was "unfair".  In that moment I gained something much more, something that cannot be described in words, and a life lesson that will last a lifetime.  A lesson that every moment, every minute, and every second of life is precious.

Life is coming home in the afternoon and your kids hugging you and kissing you because they missed you.  Life is spending precious time with your better half.  Life is being there to cheer your child on when they miss or make a play in basketball.  Life is taking care of your pets.  Life is cleaning the house.  Life is supporting the ones you love.  Life is going to the store.  Life is family reunions.  Life is weddings and funerals.  Life is when you clean up a scrape on a knee.  Life is sledding down the hill in the snow with your kids.  Life is sitting around the table at night discussing every one's day.  Life is reading our Bible together.  Life is making our little circle and praying together.  Life is trying to walk the kids through homework.  Life is sitting there letting your kids read their 20 minutes a day to you.  Life is scaring your spouse during a horror movie.  Life is quiet dinners.  Life is teaching your child to ride their bicycle without training wheels.  Life is the mounds of laundry.  Life is cooking dinner.  Life is working to provide for your family.  Life is making a difference in the lives of others.  Life is teachers conferences.  Life is dealing with loss.  Life is being there for ones you love.  Life is comforting those who need it.  Life is spending every moment that you can enjoying the life you have.

Life is NOT your car, your house, your job, or defined by money, fortune, or fame.  Life is NOT defined by your past, but determined by your present and future.  Life is like a river, it doesn't stop it keeps flowing.

In an instant life as you know it can change.  In the midst of the change we have to remember that Jesus wants to give us "life and life to the fullest".  God doesn't always cause the changes in life.  What He does do is promise us that He will work it out for us to have the fullest most complete life in Him.  Through the changes in life we are learning to trust Him, love Him, and follow Him regardless of our past, present, or future circumstances.

I don't have life all figured out, nor have I claimed that I have all the answers.  The thing I do know is this:  God is teaching me His plan for my life, and this plan has to do with a much bigger picture than I can see.  I have but one chance at this life.  When life is over, it's over.  I won't get another chance to play, because life is NOT a game.

Chris

Rasicm

One day this past week I was early to Olivia's (my youngest) pre-school, so I let her go into the resource room (library) to hang out with the other kids that where early, while I was there the thought for this blog came into being.  I sat there and watched as my Olivia traveled around the room hugging kids and talking and how excited they where to all see each other.  You may ask, how is that unusual or why would you get an idea for a blog.  Here's why:  Olivia preschool is head start program and is full of multi-cultural and ethnic groups.  In other words it is very diverse.  To my Olivia and the other kids it doesn't matter, and as well it shouldn't.

So the kids are all playing, but as I looked around the parents are not.  In fact they are avoiding eye contact and very stand offish with each other.  The kids are all talking, playing, and hugging.  The parents won't have anything to do with each other.  This brings me to this question:  at what age does this change?  and why?  What age do we all of a sudden see someone for their skin color, and our view change?  Is Racism still that real?  and Why?  I don't get it.....

But you see discrimination goes beyond just skin color.  Some treat others different not because of the color of their skin, but the art they put on their bodies.  Some treat others different not because of the art they put on their bodies, but their career.... or their family.... or their money..... or their heritage.... or their culture..... or their religion..... or their belief .....  or their lifestyle ........

discrimination leads to segregation which leads to self-destruction of humanity.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28, NIV)

I chuckle when I think of how mainstream American Christians view Jesus.  Somewhere along the line they where sold on the idea that Jesus is pale skin.  Won't they be surprise to find out His skin would have been olive colored (or even darker), because of being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern and not American.  Jesus is neither black or white.... and it doesn't matter. 

For some it matters, and I just can't figure it out...  why does it?  Does the color of my skin change who I am?

Olivia really opened my eyes to seeing how we should be.  A world where there are no boundaries.  A world where there is no separation based upon skin, culture, ethnicity, family life, or social status.  Was this a glimpse of heaven?  and shouldn't this be a glimpse of the church?

I'm so tired of hearing people in the church saying everyone should speak our language, look like us, dress like us, and be like us.  I had a friend of mine remind me the other day that this land was actually not ours, we stole it... so perhaps we should be speaking native American instead of making them speak the English language.

In one of his songs Lecrae sings that one of the most segregated times in America is on Sunday morning.  Think about it:  its the truth.  We have White churches, Black Churches, Hispanic Churches, Korean Churches, Ukrainian Churches, Biker churches, Cowboy churches, and list could go on and on....Why?  Because we think everyone in our church should be like us.  If a white comes into black church they will feel unwelcomed, if a biker comes into a Ukrainian church unwelcomed, and so on... ridiculous.  News flash, there is no indication that Heaven will be that way.  No racism, no segregation, and no division.

Racism is one of those things that is taught, handed down from generation to generation.  Therefore, it is up to you and me to make the change.  Some of the greatest leaders of all time have given us great strides in ending racism, in ending discrimination, and stopping segregation.  I have come to realize we still have a long way to go America.  Diversity is what makes us great, Diversity is what makes our churches great.

I know my thoughts are kind of all over the place today, but my head is racing with how great it would be to get past all of this and realize that we where all created in the Image of God.

I have never considered myself a racist.  I base my friendships off their character and not the color of their skin, their ethnicity, their political view, or their lifestyle.  What will you choose to do?

Choose to like Olivia, choose to be like Christ.......