Our Thoughts Reveal What We Are Becoming

"Our voluntary thoughts not only reveal what we are - they predict what we will become. The will can become the servant of thoughts, and to a large degree even our emotions follow our thinking. Thinking stirs feeling and feeling triggers action. That is the way we are made and we may as well accept it.

Thinking about God and holy things creates a moral climate favorable to the growth of faith and love and humility and reverence. We cannot by our thinking regenerate our hearts, nor take our sins away nor change the leopard's spots. But we can by Spirit-inspired thinking help to make our minds pure sanctuaries in which God will be pleased to dwell.

The best way to control our thoughts is to offer the mind to God in complete surrender. The Holy Spirit will accept it and take control of it immediately. Then it will be relatively easy to think on spiritual things, especially if we train our thought by long periods of daily prayer, even talking to God inwardly as we work or travel."
A.W. Tozer

Wow! You are what you think! That has a lot to say about what we watch, read, listen to, and dwell on.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2a

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely. whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Difficult Run - Beautiful Day!

I guess a bad day running is better than not running at all and today was absolutely perfect weather so it was nice just to be outside. My run itself was difficult and I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm not used to the heat (71 degrees) LOL! Or maybe it was the fact that I pushed the stroller again (with Anna in it) and pushed a lot harder today. Or maybe it was what I ate for lunch. I'm not real sure but I had a lot of side stitches (pain) and I wasn't able to concentrate very well (maybe that was because I was trying to hear all the things Anna was trying to tell me as I ran). But as I said, a bad day running is better than no running at all.

I was out for 35:50 with an 8 minute final mile. Ian ran the first mile with me. He is getting a little better already.

Ian

I spent a lot of time with Ian (our worship leader at Crossroads) last week. We had some good times together. We meet every Tuesday to plan the following weeks worship. It is such a joy to work with Ian. He is so moldable and so talented. Then Tuesday evening, Becky had a night out with the girls so Ian just hung out with me and Brannon and Anna. We went to Cici's and had a good time togehter. Both of my girls just love Ian. When he comes over, they both run around the house screaming, "Ian!" Then on Friday, we went to Olive Garden for dinner together and just had some hang out time. I always want our relationship to be something more and beyond just church. We had a great time togehter. Then Ian went running with me on Saturday morning. That was really cool and I was real proud of him for his first time out running.

I am SO thankful that Ian is in my life. I am so thankful that God allowed me to be of some influence on him when he was a young teenager and how God used that relationship to call him to Morgantown and to Crossroads. I was skeptical to say the least about hiring an 18 year old kid to lead worship at Crossroads, but he has done an amazing job leading worship as well as adjusting to a new life here in West Virginia.

Ian, I love you and I am extremely proud of you. I look forward to all that God is going to do in your life and in your ministry as you keep seeking Him. It is going to be fun to see how God grows us together for future ministry years togehter.

Running with Brannon

I took Brannon running with me this morning. I had promised her that she could go next after taking Anna with me the other day. When we woke up this morning and saw that is was raining and that it was only 48 degrees, Becky and I both tried to dissuade her from going, but she would have none of it. She wanted to go running with daddy regardless of the weather. She was a great little trooper as she always is, but she did tell me that she was "getting really cold" when we had 1/2 mile left to go. When we got back to the van, I put her in and started the heater while I stretched. I think it took her a while to finally get warm.

It was a great run and it was fun having Brannon along with me. She loved seeing the geese and the waterfalls along the way. Brannon and I were out on the trail for 36:23. I think I am finally getting back into some semblance of shape after my sickness several weeks back. I gotta start racing soon and I really need to get back on the bicycle. I think I'll wait for it to warm up a bit.

Day with Becky

A big thanks goes out to Natasha P for watching Brannon and Anna today. Becky and I had a nice rare day together without the girls. We actually had a meal together at a restaurant without anybody else there. Then we didn't know what to do with ourselves so we went to see Iron Man. Good movie! It was a wonderful time just spending time with my bride but we both talked at one point how much we missed the girls. It just felt like part of us was missing. I think we have a rare bond as a family - at least that is what we are shooting for.

Running with Anna

Yesterday, I ran with Anna. It is much more difficult running and pushing a stroller but it was worth it to have Anna along with me. She is so cute. It was fun watching her enjoy all the birds and dogs that she saw along the way. Since I was pushing the stroller with Anna in it, I was much slower than normal. I didn't keep track of my distance or any of my split times but I ran for a total time of 36:58. It was also the warmest temperature that I have run in since last summer. It was 76 degrees and it felt good to have sweat running down my face. I am glad that warmer weather is here and that I am able to take my girls running with me.

85!!!!!!!!!!!

85 people in attendance at Crossroads Church yesterday! You gotta be kidding me! It is so rockin awesome what God is doing at our church. We have had record attendance and giving for the past two weeks. I truly believe as I always have that God is up to something special at Crossroads in Morgantown, WV.

Our old highest attendance was 76 and yesterday we had 85! I am still a little blown away and very excited to see all that God is about to do in us and through us as we keep moving forward in faith and obedience.

This journey is like a roller coaster in that it is really fun and exciting and at the same time it is a little bit scary. All in all though, roller coasters draw lots of people. That is what we want to do. We want to draw lots of people and point them to Jesus and in so doing literally transform the whole culture of Morgantown and WVU. This is only just the beginning!

Yesterday's Run and Today's Worship

I had a good run yesterday morning (thanks to Drake for getting me up last week, I thought I'd do it again even though Drake couldn't come along this week). I ran in a perfect 70 degrees for 33:28 with a final mile in 7:49. I am still a little bit slow as I recover from my two week illness from a few weeks back. I think I need to start working in an extra run day.

Our gathering times at Crossroads Church just keep getting better and better. God is blowing me away with what He is doing and with all the great new people that He is bringing into our body. Today was great! Ian and the worship team just keep getting better and better. Their skill level is great, but I really appreciate all of their hearts. I know that they have an awesome love for God and a tremendous desire and responsibility to lead people to Him. The fellowship before and especially after our worship time is crazy cool. It's almost like you have to remind people that they are hungry and should leave and go get some lunch. It is such a wonderful privilege to be apart of such a kickin church. Crossroads is the bomb! I love you guys!

Personal Retreat

I am so stoked. I will be gone for the next three days on a personal retreat to Fairhaven ministries in Roan Mountain, TN. This could not have come at a better time. I am really looking forward to spending a lot of quiet time alone with God. I plan to pray a lot, read a lot, write a lot and also work in some good hiking with just me and God. I am anticipating good refreshment and renewal. I will not be blogging while I am gone but will blog about my experiences after I get home. Pray for me as I seek stillness, simplicity and renewal.