Ouch! Endurance Hurts

Sore muscles can work on your attitude. When things hurt, especially things you didn't know you had, it can create an interesting situation for you. Hurts can impact your thoughts about how hard to keep going. Or hurts can shout at you to stop.

But there are somethings that you have to just keep pushing through in order to get better. The muscles may be sore but they need to keep moving in order to
build. Your body may want to tell your mind to quit. The mind has to take over and tell the body what to do in order to get better.

All this reminds me of painful times in the past. Whatever the issues appear to be they can sideline us or move us forward. Even grief can sideline you for too long if left un-healed. Whether it is grief, painful disagreements with a loved one or friend, or disappointments in life in general we must endure through the soreness to get better.

Hebrews 10: 35-36  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

All this is your choice - you can get better or you can get bitter.
I vote for the better way.

Today: warm-up 400, dynamic stretch, 3.5 miles, 2 sets of stadium stairs, 5 minuets of "crazy abs", and great stretch. (But oooo I am sore)

Dreams require a little WORK

Here we go again. And boy do I have a dream about this summer. The weather has warmed up and the track is buzzing with action early in the morning. My dream is to get back at this running joy.

Funny how dreams don't just happen. If you want to move from the couch to the 5K as they say then you have to do just a little bit of work. Dreams don't just come true without a little work.

I think that we have always known this truth but our inner lazy kid wants to get the dream without the work. Recently, I found a little verse in the Scripture that confirmed this and caused me to really begin to think. Solomon wrote, "For a dream comes through much activity..." Ecclesiastes 5:3a.

So go ahead and dream but get ready to go to work to make it happen.

Here was my work this morning: mile warm up, dynamic stretch for 20 min, 3 miles, core work, long stretch, and two wonderful conversations with friends.
(Take 6 minutes to watch this video for some motivation.)

Making a Promise

Notes from a survey sermon based on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:27-37

People with good intentions make promises. People with good character keep them.

It would be a challenge for anyone to live up to Wooden’s Nine Promises that can Bring Happiness every day in every way, but imagine a world if everyone did.

1. Promise yourself that you will talk health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible.

2. Promise yourself to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value

3. Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others.

4. Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

5. Promise yourself to be strong so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

6. Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.

7. Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile.

8. Promise to give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

9. Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, to strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you.

1) Consider the Consequences of breaking a promise (27 -30)

Ex: This sermon elevates the seriousness as to which we are to approach our sin-life.

There is something we can do about sins – make a choice to avoid sinful situations, make a plan to deal with sin as dangerous thing, make a promise to go to extreme lengths when we sin.

AP: lust (one of the 7 deadly sins) is the most extreme example that Jesus throws our way in this portion of the sermon. Many think that as long as they don’t act on the impulse of adultery (lusts ultimate goal) than a glance is ok. The trouble is lust is not satisfied with a glance.

2) Consider the Commitment of relationship (31-32)

Ex: While Jesus places a category on permissible Biblical divorce – this is in effect to deal with the seriousness of marriage and right the wrong of giving up on a marriage that may take work. This is an indictment of the condition that the Rabbi’s had allowed to come to marriage.

(IL: Divorce was a simple as writing a certificate and sending the woman back to her family. There did not even need to be any cause or reason – not pleasing to look upon, not quick enough with the supper…)

(This is one of the passages that I believe can be pointed to as Jesus elevating the status of ladies in culture. In cultural context a woman was a mere possession. Jesus changed all that and elevated the status and importance of ladies.)

AP: for specific context Jesus is pointing to the commitment of relationships – which allows takes work, hard work!

3) Consider the Consistency of keeping your promises. (33-37)

In the movie Second Hand Lions – my favorite scene is the fight at the soda shop…

Then the old tough uncle brings the boys home and gives a speech – “The Everything you to know to be a man speech”

Later he gives part of the speech to his young nephew – and promises later to give him all of it.. Hub McCann to Walter

" Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good. That honor, courage and virtue mean everything ; that power and money ... money and power mean nothing. That good always triumphs over evil. And I want you to remember this.... that love....true love never dies ! Remember that boy ... remember that. Doesn't matter if it is true or not, a man should believe in those things , because those are the things worth believing in...... got that ? "

I’ve added to this for my boys to include these truths to live up to:

Integrity Matters  

Honesty is essential

Consistent is about the habits we’ve developed when no one was looking.  

Dependable always be one others can depend on – therein lies the secrets of leadership. 

Starting - Stretching - Succeeding

Do you feel like running? Do you feel like chasing the rabbit? I've currently moved through a season of light injuries that have reduced my speed & actually a little desire to get after it. So I have to dig down and find my motivations.

I actually believe that I got injured because of not stretching properly. Let's stretch out then and get

started.

Allow me to suggest some ways to stretch out there in 2015 -

• Read your Bible daily for at least 15 minutes 
• Memorize & apply 15 Bible verses
• Plan to volunteer in 15 ways/times
• Personally invite 15 people to church 

(you are welcome to come see us at WFBC in Hoschton, GA!!)

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place

Lately, the legs have been weak and the times have been slow. I even feel like I'm trying to overcome some physical struggle. This all feels like being stuck between a rock and hard place - but it may be just where God wants me right now.

 

Psalm 105.41

He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a stream in the desert. 

Ever been between a rock and a hard place? Life can place us in some interesting circumstances. Okay - life can be hard. Even Christians are bound to get into difficulties from time to time. 

I think one of the reasons philosophers call it “rock and a hard place” is because it appears that no matter what you do there is no soft way out. There is no way to dig through or short cut around. You may even have trouble blasting your way out. But blast we do, and most of the time upon the ones we love the most.

Have you ever considered that the Lord may have ordained the hard places in your life? Sure it’s not a concept we wish to dwell on long. The Lord has a way of moving us into the arena of the difficult so that we can see how faithful He is while He is seeing how faithful we are. (Oh too convicting sorry). 

Let’s remember that when God’s people are between a rock and hard place we still have hope. The wandering Israelites found themselves at a rock in the desert needing water. A lot of water! Rocks can be awesome. But when you’re thirsty you need a pool not a petros, right?

Hang on don’t forget Jehovah. A rock is all He needs to provide for you. Sure it’s a biblical miracle. Sure the people had not seen this happen before. Sure you may never have seen God move this way in your life before. Trust Jehovah, He knows what you need and when you need it. He owns the water and the rock.

“…the Lord is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His actions. The Lord helps all who fall; He raises up all who are oppressed. All eyes look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145.13(b)-16) 

So go on walk on over to the ROCK and get what you need from the Lord.

Finishing a race with the Overflow

Psalm 45

Overflow, what a great word. Just think for a minute of all the things that can mean. Let’s ponder for a minute and see if we cannot produce a smile.

Overflow bowl of homemade ice cream from Bluebell. Overflow cup of lemonade. Overflow plate of bar-b-que and stew. Overflow room in church full because the worship center is packed (every preacher smiled on that one). Overflow heart that is rushing over the edge with wonderful thoughts of Jesus.

Overflow is a wonderful expression for passionate worship of the Lord. The sons of Korah came to a place of overflow in their service of the Lord. Almost in a tremendous moment of exuberance, like they could not help themselves, they took up pen to compose a shout to the Lord.

“My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” (45:1). They could not help themselves but praise His name. They could not help themselves but to dream of the glorious wedding day when King and Bride will be united. In the words of the old spiritual I love – Oh Happy Day!

Allow your heart to get full today. Do not fight back the thoughts, emotions, and dreams of your Lord. Go ahead Overflow with praise to the one who is “…fairer than the sons of men…the Mighty One with…glory and majesty – your throne, o God, is forever and ever!” (3-6)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When my Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away

He taught me how (oh, He taught me how)
To wash (to wash, to wash)
Fight and pray (to fight and pray)
Fight and pray
And he taught me how to live rejoicing
yes, He did (and live rejoicing)
Oh yeah, every, every day (every, every day)
(oh yeah) Every day!

Winning over Temptation

Gorgeous day here today. Finished up track practice working with some great 4x100 middle school athletes. I was inspired by their work effort. All day I had prepared myself for the moment that practice let out and the last student was picked up. This would be my moment. The moment to run!

The last two days have been tough for running. Weather perfect and quality of air fantastic but the old muscle proved to be tired and a little weak. Today was going to be the day of the break through however.

Then it happened. Yes sir, it happened. My mind began to remind me of the aches and pains. My thoughts raced to all those things I needed to accomplish. TEMPTATION crept upon me like a well oiled machine ready to run me over.

The Bible says, James 1: 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Temptation comes from my own "lazy" desires. Temptation does not have to be sin. In fact, it only becomes sin when we act upon that by which we are being tempted to do (or not do). I was reminded of what a cool preacher said Sunday in his sermon - "Sin presents short cuts to roads that lead to nowhere."
If I had taken the short cut on not running I would have found myself on a dead end road that left me aching with regret.

So run I did! Run, Coach Run! And you know what? It was an awesome run, the best in days. Here's the rundown: Ran 2 miles, 1 miles of sprint intervals, stadium steps x 10, 5 Min of Core (Mountain climbers, crunches, high planks - rinse & repeat), stretched for 20 minutes.

So glad I didn't fall prey to the temptation not too - I would have missed out on a great day.
Don't miss out on the good stuff in life by reaching for the short cuts.