Iceman 2010

This year’s Iceman mountain bike race was very different from last year (http://www.thatguykp.blogspot.com/2009/11/present-sufferings-dont-compare.html) .
Last year it was sunny, dry and a high of 63. This year there was a blizzard and hail the night before. The temps were in the upper 20’s at the starting line the morning of the race. Part way through the race it warmed up to the upper 30’s which caused some of the snow to melt and made for very muddy conditions. Even though the conditions were much more difficult this year, I was (by God’s grace) able to knock 12 minutes off my time in a year that most racers added 10 minutes. I’m not saying this to brag but to make the point that proper physical training and preparation can help a person perform. My training for this year involved over 800 miles of mountain bike trails, many crashes and some nutrition changes. I did well but all the Glory Goes To God. What’s also encouraging is that even though I moved up 460 places there was a guy in the 70 year old and older class who beat me by 1 minute. Hopefully I’ll be able to beat his time when I’m 70 :-).

In a similar way, spiritual training helps a person prepare for their eternal home. I Corinthians 9:24-25 says “ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” In the Iceman I didn't win any prize except for a very fun experience. How much greater it will be when we get to heaven, after a life of spiritual training, and see the scene described in Revelations 4:9-11 "Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” God’s words always puts our purpose in the proper perspective. Let's never quit our spiritual training until we reach our final destination in God.

Here’s a video of me from the race and some audio from a woman who I think is the best and most supportive wife in the world.

Drop Your Nets

If Jesus walked up to you today and said “Follow me” would you? Would you drop your nets like Peter and Andrew and follow the creator of the universe or would you cling to the created things? The nets symbolize the things of this world that trap us, things that hold our daily attention. How about money, fame, possessions or even people? How about a sin that your comfortable doing and don’t want to give up?

Mark 1:16-20 says:
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen."Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

James and John not only left their career, they left their Dad and family business as well.

Would I give up the temporary things to follow the Eternal One? Logically, this world is temporary and I should have no problem following what is eternal. We even sing songs in church with lines that say, “This world has nothing for me.” Does my life demonstrate that as a true statement or do I sing lies? Ponder these thoughts this month and leave me a comment as to what God reveals to you.

The Wind

Being led by the Spirit of God can mean that what we say and where we go doesn’t always make sense to others around us or even ourselves. Being obedient to God might cause us to be in odd places or situations. One caveat I should mention is that if you think God’s asking you to do something that goes against His word in the Bible then it’s not God’s Spirit asking you to do it. Obeying God, however, may seem strange at the time or take us out of our comfort zone. It might even require a thing called faith. But, after being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s calling and looking back, what was asked of us usually makes complete sense and it is obvious that God’s hand was in the whole thing.

In John 3:8 The Bible says “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Let’s not fear being different and let’s exercise faith this month. Listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to interrupt our busy daily agenda. Post a comment of the great things God did when you where open to His requests this month.

Being Different Part II

Here's the workout I promised that I'd post from last month's article

Let me know what you think.

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "
Let this be a true statement for our daily lives.

Being Different

Why is it that people in general strive to make everyone average? I recently got a pair of Vibram FiveFinger shoes and was talking about them with some friends. One friend expressed their disgust by implying that they wouldn’t want to be around me if I was wear the FiveFingers. Really? Are the shoes more important than the person? Why would looking different create such a response? People of all different ages like to fit in. We like to feel a sense of belonging. We dress similar, do our hair similar and live in similar houses. We have home owners associations to keep everyone similar. Some even undergo plastic surgery to fit in. Standing out from the crowd is generally frowned upon. God tells us to be who He created us to be, with our unique appearance and talents. Jesus stood out even though it’s said of Him in Isaiah 53:2 “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” He didn’t invest in His outward appearance. However, He spoke different and acted different. He stood out like a light in the darkness and like a city on a hill. We are called to do the same. Matthew 5:14-15 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

When I was growing up I stood out in school because I didn’t swear. People actually felt uncomfortable around me because I talked with non-vulgar words. One day I actually was offered money if I’d say a swear word. They wanted to be able to justify they’re cursing by getting me to participate. Let’s stand out for being followers of God. Don’t be concerned with what others think. If it’s not a sin, just be yourself and bring honor to God’s reputation by being who He created you to be.

Next month I'll post a workout that incorporates my new shoes….

Sirens

When you hear sirens during your day do you stop and pray for the people in need? If you’re driving a car you’ll pull over and let the ambulance go by. If you’re in the ambulance you’re most likely thankful for the help of the EMTs. These events interrupt our busy agenda and with justification. What about situations in life when God is sounding sirens to get your attention? How do we react? Can we even hear God’s calling? Are we to busy with our own agenda to do what God wants us to do? Most of the time it seems like God whispers but sometimes He raises his voice like an ambulance siren. Let’s practice listening to God for the next 30 days no matter how many decibels He uses.

Ps. 26:2 Test me, O Lord, and try me. Examine my heart and my mind. Pray this verse as a prayer this month and then listen. See what God does with your faith and openness. Share your experience with others in the comments below.

The Square

It’s good to test yourself every once in a while. In school, tests always forced me to study. If I wasn’t going to be tested, I wouldn’t study. In life God tests us by asking us to do something that we can’t accomplish. When we realize we’re helpless to complete the task, that’s when we realize we need to depend on God and that with Him we can do whatever He asks. I know someone who hates public speaking but felt that God asked her to give a talk to a Mom’s group. She was stressed for weeks leading up to the talk. She was praying about it, reading Bible verses as encouragement and receiving support from loved ones and friends. This was a test and she was faithful. The day came and she couldn’t eat until the speech was over. There were about 70 people in the room and she got up there and talked about what God told her to say and touched many ladies lives. A+. Here’s a sobering verse: 1 Chronicles 29:17 “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”

And here’s some verses that when you think about it, take great faith and trust to pray. Psalm 26:2 “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

Another way God tests us is financially. All that we have is from God. Christians would agree with that statement. Even every breath we breathe is given from God. However, when God commands in His word that we give Him back a tenth (tithe) of our wages, many Christians fail the test and don’t obey. This is just one way that we get stretched by God. Malachi 3:10 says “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” If you’re currently failing the test with your finances, take a leap of faith and give God what already belongs to Him. Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.”

Here’s a workout, I call The Square, that you can do with a friend to test each other. This is how it works. You do a round and then hand off the weights to your friend to do a round. Continue like this for 7 rounds. Physical and Spiritual tests can be very difficult at the time but, the benefits are worth it. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”