Today, I thought it would be a good idea to go for a bike ride since my knee has been bothering me so much recently. Sure it was 22 degrees and we had just gotten 5 inches of snow, but that would just make it more fun, right? Needless to say, I was cold!
I biked 9 miles on all paved rail-trail riding Becky's mountain bike. I was fine for the first 4 miles, but after that I was cold and hurting in the seat area if you know what I mean. I am in decent running shape, but I learned today that I am in poor bike shape. I have a lot of work to do get get up to speed on my bike. It makes sense though why my knees have been hurting when I think how weak my leg muscles must be. So now I have a new goal in addition to my running PR's; I must also get into bike shape and I think that will help my overall running goals as well.
Anyway, today when I got done with the 9 miles (I think I would have rather run it), I was so glad to see my van (I turned the heat on immediately because my feet were wet and so cold. They were like big ice cubes.). And you should have seen the bike when I was done. It was hilarious! There was ice everywhere and some of it was so thick that I could not break it or knock it off. All in all, it was a pretty miserable experience except for the fact that exercise is exhilarating in and off itself and also the fact that I just love to do absolutely crazy things like that. When I got home, I told Becky to never let me do that again and ten minutes later I was talking about doing it again the next time it snowed. Go figure!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A Short Sermon from Rich Mullins
Rich Mullins was an amazing man. If you have never heard of him, you should Google him and read a little about his life. I know that you know some of his music. He wrote Awesome God and Step by Step. He has always been an inspiration to me and still is. He was again an inspiration to me this morning when I found this clip from an old concert that he did. Carve out 10 minutes in your day and watch it. It is so good, filled with truth, and convicting. Don't be too busy to be impacted by this great man of God. Let me know what you think of the short message that Rich delivers.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is
What has captured you heart more than anything else in the world. Need a hint? Just look at your checkbook and there you will see the things that are most important to you. What vision/mission are you living for? So many people who call themselves Christians invest their money into their own little kingdom. This is in direct opposition to the Bible. God says in Matthew 6 that where your treasure is that is where your heart is and goes on to say that it is impossible for people to serve God and at the same time serve money or stuff. Too many "Christians" ignore this, as well as hundreds of other biblical references to how we are to live in relation to money, by claiming not to serve money. But once we take a peak at our checkbooks and credit card statements, we realize we are spending way more on our kingdom than on God's Kingdom. We are living for stuff and pleasure instead of living to build His Kingdom.
As Christians, God has called us to invest in His Kingdom vision. This broad call tells us to fund organizations that place a high priority on global evangelization as well as feeding the poor and eradicating poverty. (Be careful to give to reputable, holy organizations and not to hucksters who are living high on the dollars of those they schmooze.)
As members of a local body of Christ with a specific vision, God calls us to fund the work that we believe in and that we are a part of. For the individuals who believe in what Crossroads Church is doing, it is their responsibility to fund that/our specific vision. I just read a quote from a Mark Driscol book in relation to this very idea. He said, "For our people to own our mission, they must also own our expenses!" I thought that was a blunt way of saying it, but it is very good. If people consider themselves members of a church and buy into the vision of that church, it is holy and helpful to fund that church and that churches mission/vision.
If Christians would really get serious about God's Kingdom, money would never be an issue in churches or in organizations that are set up to evangelize and help the poor. What are we afraid of. Why are we clinging to the things of this world? Do we not believe Matt 6:33? Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (stuff that we need) will be given to you as well. Maybe we are just selfish and are afraid that God will not give us our wants if we begin to fund His Kingdom.
If you want to read more about this, go get The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. Read it with an open heart and mind. It will transform your life. It will be the best, most eternal $10 you will ever spend if you read it and "get it".
As Christians, God has called us to invest in His Kingdom vision. This broad call tells us to fund organizations that place a high priority on global evangelization as well as feeding the poor and eradicating poverty. (Be careful to give to reputable, holy organizations and not to hucksters who are living high on the dollars of those they schmooze.)
As members of a local body of Christ with a specific vision, God calls us to fund the work that we believe in and that we are a part of. For the individuals who believe in what Crossroads Church is doing, it is their responsibility to fund that/our specific vision. I just read a quote from a Mark Driscol book in relation to this very idea. He said, "For our people to own our mission, they must also own our expenses!" I thought that was a blunt way of saying it, but it is very good. If people consider themselves members of a church and buy into the vision of that church, it is holy and helpful to fund that church and that churches mission/vision.
If Christians would really get serious about God's Kingdom, money would never be an issue in churches or in organizations that are set up to evangelize and help the poor. What are we afraid of. Why are we clinging to the things of this world? Do we not believe Matt 6:33? Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (stuff that we need) will be given to you as well. Maybe we are just selfish and are afraid that God will not give us our wants if we begin to fund His Kingdom.
If you want to read more about this, go get The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. Read it with an open heart and mind. It will transform your life. It will be the best, most eternal $10 you will ever spend if you read it and "get it".
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Snowy Return Run
I have taken a week off from running trying to heal my knee up a bit. No such good fortune. I ran 33:23 today which is in the neighborhood of 4 miles and my knee is really hurting tonight. I have got to figure this out. Running is so therapeutic and important to me.
The knee never really hurt until after my shower so the run itself was exhilarating. 4 miles is short compared to what I have been running recently, but still a great stretch of the legs as I was trying to take it somewhat easy. Anyway, a great run in the snow flurries turned my blah morning into a major spiritual high. I love how God speaks to me and what He does in me on my runs (I told you running was important to me - please pray for my knee). I listened to an Erwin McManus sermon and it was just what I needed. I started the run not really wanting to run and ended weeping over the sin and lostness of Morgantown. Talk about a big attitude change. That would have never happened sitting on my couch watching TV!
The knee never really hurt until after my shower so the run itself was exhilarating. 4 miles is short compared to what I have been running recently, but still a great stretch of the legs as I was trying to take it somewhat easy. Anyway, a great run in the snow flurries turned my blah morning into a major spiritual high. I love how God speaks to me and what He does in me on my runs (I told you running was important to me - please pray for my knee). I listened to an Erwin McManus sermon and it was just what I needed. I started the run not really wanting to run and ended weeping over the sin and lostness of Morgantown. Talk about a big attitude change. That would have never happened sitting on my couch watching TV!
Home Again
It is so good to be home. Leaving my three girls was hard to do, but coming home to see them was so sweet.
I was not able to access my blog at the end of day two of the road trip and I was so tired at the end of day three when I got home that blogging didn't even show up on my radar screen. Days two and three were great - lots of driving, but great!
Day two was so encouraging as we met with CPC (Churches Planting Churches) in Sparta, TN. We got to hear what God was doing in all the other church plants as well as hear about a new work in Seymour, TN. It was also just great meeting with and praying with like-minded pastors who are all in this thing together. I also connected with an old college buddy for dinner that night. I had not spoken to Bob in 14 years. It was great to see him and find out all that God had done in his life as well as others that I knew during my freshman year at UTM (Univ. of TN at Martin). Day closed out by crashing at J.R. and Susan's house in Kingsport, TN. It was so good to see them again. They have been friends of mine and my mom and dad's for more than 20 years. It was wonderful visiting with them.
Day three started off with more visiting with J.R. and Susan (Thanks you guys for everything) and then on to Cracker Barrel to have breakfast with Sherree, John, and Judah (my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew). That was a good time as well as it always is with Sherree. Then we hit the road again headed for home (Take me home country road to the place I belong, mountain momma, WV, take me home country road - Oh sorry! I just love calling WV home!). It was a great drive with Ian and Donald as we laughed and spurred each other on in our walks with God. It was also great as Ian crawled in the back seat and opened his guitar case and we did some worship planning and some worship itself. It was a great time and I was thoroughly encouraged. I was really glad that Ian and Donald went along with me. Thanks guys!
As great as the trip was, it sure is good to be home and I really look forward to being at Crossroads tomorrow!
I was not able to access my blog at the end of day two of the road trip and I was so tired at the end of day three when I got home that blogging didn't even show up on my radar screen. Days two and three were great - lots of driving, but great!
Day two was so encouraging as we met with CPC (Churches Planting Churches) in Sparta, TN. We got to hear what God was doing in all the other church plants as well as hear about a new work in Seymour, TN. It was also just great meeting with and praying with like-minded pastors who are all in this thing together. I also connected with an old college buddy for dinner that night. I had not spoken to Bob in 14 years. It was great to see him and find out all that God had done in his life as well as others that I knew during my freshman year at UTM (Univ. of TN at Martin). Day closed out by crashing at J.R. and Susan's house in Kingsport, TN. It was so good to see them again. They have been friends of mine and my mom and dad's for more than 20 years. It was wonderful visiting with them.
Day three started off with more visiting with J.R. and Susan (Thanks you guys for everything) and then on to Cracker Barrel to have breakfast with Sherree, John, and Judah (my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew). That was a good time as well as it always is with Sherree. Then we hit the road again headed for home (Take me home country road to the place I belong, mountain momma, WV, take me home country road - Oh sorry! I just love calling WV home!). It was a great drive with Ian and Donald as we laughed and spurred each other on in our walks with God. It was also great as Ian crawled in the back seat and opened his guitar case and we did some worship planning and some worship itself. It was a great time and I was thoroughly encouraged. I was really glad that Ian and Donald went along with me. Thanks guys!
As great as the trip was, it sure is good to be home and I really look forward to being at Crossroads tomorrow!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Road Trip Day 1
Today has been a good day although it started out a little shakey. When I woke up and checked the weather, there was snow warnings all along our morning WV route. I didn't want to get into bad weather so I was questioning whether or not to postpone our little ministry partner road trip. After some inner debate, I decided to make a go off it. We did have snowy roads for about 60 miles and I had to put the trusty Sidekick into 4-wheel drive. That gave extra confidence and I never slipped and even made pretty good time.
The drive with Ian and Donald was very fun and entertaining. Needless to say, I never had to worry about falling asleep. Sometimes we had great spiritual conversations and other times we just got slap silly and laughed alot.
The visit with Hillcrest was great! I always love the encouragement that I recieve from being with my Hillcrest family. They are an inspiration and they rock! Spending time at IHOP with Pastor Dave, Doug J. I and Doug J. II (some Hillcrest Leadership) was especially entertaining and encouraging. Those guys are fun and helpful to my walk with Jesus. It was a great time and I think the staff at the Morristown IHOP thought we would never leave.
It's late (12:20 AM) and we need to get to bed so that we can be prepared for another great ministry partner road trip day!
The drive with Ian and Donald was very fun and entertaining. Needless to say, I never had to worry about falling asleep. Sometimes we had great spiritual conversations and other times we just got slap silly and laughed alot.
The visit with Hillcrest was great! I always love the encouragement that I recieve from being with my Hillcrest family. They are an inspiration and they rock! Spending time at IHOP with Pastor Dave, Doug J. I and Doug J. II (some Hillcrest Leadership) was especially entertaining and encouraging. Those guys are fun and helpful to my walk with Jesus. It was a great time and I think the staff at the Morristown IHOP thought we would never leave.
It's late (12:20 AM) and we need to get to bed so that we can be prepared for another great ministry partner road trip day!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thank God for Ministry Partners
I will be out of town for the next three days as I roll on down to TN to spend some time with and report to two of Crossroads ministry partners. Words can't really describe how thankful I am for all our ministry partners but these two church groups in particular. CPC (Churches Planting Churches) based in Cookeville, TN have been such an awesome blessing since the inception of Crossroads. I can't wait to visit with all the pastors and planters that make up this group. It will be a great time of encouragement on Thursday. Where would we be without Hillcrest Baptist Church in Morristown, TN. They have been on board with the Crossroads mission since about 6 months after we started. God sent them along at the perfect time and they have been such a blessing over the past year. It will be great to be with them on Weds. night. I will blog about my trip along the way as I have the opportunity.
Road Trip !!!!!!!!!!!!! Ian and Donald are going with me. Should be a very entertaining drive!
Road Trip !!!!!!!!!!!!! Ian and Donald are going with me. Should be a very entertaining drive!
Monday, February 18, 2008
One Sick Kid
Anna is so sick! I can hardly think of anything worse than having a sick 2 year old. She is so pitiful and it is so hard to watch her feeling so bad. It makes it worse when you know that you can't really do anything about it. Nights are especially stressful when she has such a hard time sleeping. My heart goes out to Anna and I am so tired from ineffective rest/sleep.
In light of Anna's sickness, I must say that Becky is so amazing. She is the best wife and mother. In this hard situation with Anna being so sick, Becky especially shines. God has truly blessed me with an incredible wife and has blessed two little girls with an incredible mother.
In light of Anna's sickness, I must say that Becky is so amazing. She is the best wife and mother. In this hard situation with Anna being so sick, Becky especially shines. God has truly blessed me with an incredible wife and has blessed two little girls with an incredible mother.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Run Canceled
Well today is a regularly scheduled long run, but I am not going out on the trail today. My left knee has been bothering me and yesterday my neck and shoulders started really hurting bad. I don't know what it is, but something is wrong. This is rare for me. After 6 years of running, I have had very little pain and injury.
I know that I am still a young man at 34, but my body does not respond to stress and injury like it did when I was 24. Becky hates it when I talk like I am getting old. She says I am not even close to old and I know she is right, but I also know my body is not 24. So I am going to take this Saturday off and see if I can get my neck and knee at least a little better. Besides I need to spend some extra time with the family since I will be out of town for three days next week.
I hate not running, but I think I hate having pain or problems that I can't control even worse. You think I have control issues? It drives me nuts that my neck hurts. I feel like less of a man if I have a problem that I can't solve. I guess I need to turn that over to Jesus , huh? He needs to be in control, not me. Maybe that is what He is trying to teach me through this slight pain (and I mean slight - I know that there are millions hurting worse than me today). Man, I love blogging. It really helps me learn and think through things.
I know that I am still a young man at 34, but my body does not respond to stress and injury like it did when I was 24. Becky hates it when I talk like I am getting old. She says I am not even close to old and I know she is right, but I also know my body is not 24. So I am going to take this Saturday off and see if I can get my neck and knee at least a little better. Besides I need to spend some extra time with the family since I will be out of town for three days next week.
I hate not running, but I think I hate having pain or problems that I can't control even worse. You think I have control issues? It drives me nuts that my neck hurts. I feel like less of a man if I have a problem that I can't solve. I guess I need to turn that over to Jesus , huh? He needs to be in control, not me. Maybe that is what He is trying to teach me through this slight pain (and I mean slight - I know that there are millions hurting worse than me today). Man, I love blogging. It really helps me learn and think through things.
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