Running for Life Pt 3: Discipline

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline  my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

The final thing that I have learned from running in my first 5k is that there were days leading up to the race that I DID NOT feel like running. When I first started running I struggled running for 60 seconds, so I had to get back in shape. To do that I decided to run 4 days a week. Our family's schedule is a little hectic in the evening and I want to spend as much time as possible with the kiddos before they go to bed. Because of this, I set my run times EARLY in the morning.

I would get up and run around 6:15am four days a week and several days I DID NOT want to get up. Especially as the mornings got darker darker and colder. Honestly the first 10 minutes were horrible.  I hated it. I had to make my body and mind come into agreement with my purpose of running 3.1 miles. I had to DISCIPLINE myself to get out of bed, especially on Saturday mornings. If I had the not, I would not have been able to run the race, I would have had to walk/run it.

I touched on the subject of Discipline in a previous post. But what I found is that there are periods, after you set a goal and set your directions, that you are going to want to "take a break". You will try to convince yourself that you deserve the break with all kinds of excuses.

It's too early.
It's too late.
I don't have time right now.
I'll do it later.
I've been doing really good so far.
This is too difficult.

One excuse can lead to another one, then another, and then another. Finally, we are no longer pursuing the finish line. You have to make yourself do what you are supposed to do in order to cross that finish line. If you don't, you are disqualifying yourself from the race and you will loose. Once you've been disqualified, in order to cross the finish line, you may have to go back the starting line. Then thought of having to start all over can lead to complete surrender and  giving up.

Whatever goal you've set, or finish line you defined in your life. You're not always going to feel like training and making the preparations for your race. Do whatever it takes to make sure you can cross it. If not you'll wind up discouraged and starting over or dropping out. Set the alarm, disable the snooze, get up, and run!

Running for Life Pt 2: Direction

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline  my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

What would a race look like if everyone was going in different directions? What if those in the race were not running in the direction of the finish line? What if they ran in the opposite direction? Odds are they would have a hard time reaching the finish line if at all.

In a race the path to the finish line is marked with signs and markers letting you know where you are, where to turn, and even how far you have gone. The night before my first 5K I was given a map of the course that showed the start and finish lines, the direction I was to run, and where the turns were. As I was running each mile was marked, each turn was marked, and there were even folks on the side line encouraging us and pointing us in the right direction. I knew I wanted to cross the finish line in a certain time, I had my purpose, but before the race started I also knew how I was going to get there.

Go Commando 5k Clarksville, TN

It doesn't matter how clear and precisely marked your finish line or purpose is, if your course is not set and you don't have a clear direction on how you are going to get there...you will have a hard time crossing your finish line if at all. You will struggle in accomplishing your goal. Take some times before the starting gun sounds and mark out your course. Set each step. Clearly mark your turns. Where will your uphill climbs and down hill coasts be? Don't just choose the shortest distance either. Just because it's quicker doesn't mean it's the best way either. Make sure you have people in your life at the right places cheering you on pointing you in the right direction. Don't get distracted by the scenery or try to take shortcuts. Make sure you stay on the right path until reach the end. 

Running for Life Pt 1 - Purpose

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?SO RUN TO WIN! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline  my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I've been chewing on this verse for a couple of months now. Partly because I have started running (believe it or not.) Seven weeks ago I began a C25K (couch to a 5k) program in order to run my first 5k in honor of a fraternity brother who passed away. And on October 15th I completed my first 5k with a time of 28:16, almost 2 minutes under my goal time.

In times past I have made fun of people who run for fun or exercise. My thought was that running is something you do when you are being chased. However, many times I tried to start running to get in shape and many times I failed after a couple of days. I even bought a  pair of running shoes and wore them twice until recently. I also bought a tiny mp3 player to  entertain me as I ran. It was used mostly in our cars.

The primary reason I failed all of those times, is because I had no clear purpose for my running. Sure I wanted to get in shape, but there was no set goal I wanted to reach. The above scripture said that a runner runs to win and each step is made with a purpose. My earlier purpose of "get in shape" was vague and shallow. There was no finish line to cross. That is why I never followed through.

My current obsession with running is attributed to my decision to run a 5k in honor of a friend. I wanted to run it, not walk it, or even run/walk it. I didn't want to just complete it, wanted to run it in at least 30 minutes. I set my "win" and with that came the purpose for each step I ran. The goal was concise, precise, and attainable. Something I could work toward and there would be a finish line I would cross.

I crossed that finish line and I'm still running. I'm running in another 5k in a few weeks and I'm planning on running a 10k in the summer. I'm still running because I have set another finish line to improve my time and increase my distance. I've also found that I REALLY enjoy running.

I don't think anyone would complete a race or even run in one if there wasn't a finish line. Most of our incompletes in life or even failures are due to a lack of finish lines. Is your purpose clear? What are you wanting to accomplish? What are you wanting to achieve? Why are you running? Did you reach that mark and then stop? Are you tired of nothing changing in life and always giving up? Is it financial, relational, physical, or spiritual? Find a finish line. If you don't see one, set one. Once you reach that goal, set another one that will take you to the next level. Run to win!

The D word

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are DISCIPLINED in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I DISCIPLINE  my body like an athlete training it to DO WHAT IT SHOULD. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I am the MAN of the house, the parent of the house, and I have a responsibility to discipline my daughters in ways that benefit and protects them... I've known this would be the case since before Ella  was born.

But another reality has made itself very clear recently.(AGAIN) I am also responsible for disciplining MYSELF as well. Not in a way that keeps me out of trouble and out of jail. But in a way that helps me be and do the best I can in a few areas of life. Those areas being...

Finances - Exercise - Eating Habits - Time on Technology - Hours of Sleep - Reading - Writing - Prayer

That may not seem like much....but those things are HUGE portions in my life.

I would easily say that lack of financial discipline is the reason for our nations economic problem (at the political and individual level.) The obesity problem in our country is due mostly to a lack of discipline to push away from the table and declining to take a walk (Not including real genetic and medical issues.)  Our lack of productivity is due to staying up all night and then staying distracted by twitter, facebook, youtube, and random blogs (like this one.)

The point is this...the things that we SHOULD be doing have been replaced by things we WANT to be doing. And  just because we want to do something doesn't mean that it is the best thing for us. In fact the things we SHOULD be doing are some of the hardest to do. We have to discipline ourselves to do them.

What do you know you should be doing, but aren't. Stop feeling guilty for not doing it. Make the decision to do it and then just do it. That is the only way it is going to happen. You don't have to read another book, get another idea,  or find a better or easier way to do it. Just start where you are and do what you know to do. Right now.

Sliding through the park

This is a little shot of Addison's first trip to the park. Don't worry she was fine. I was not however...ha

If you knew...

I was just listening to a podcast of one of my spiritual mentors...and wow. He just revealed a nugget of truth I had never thought about and just pass over.

One of the greatest hurts we face as leaders, pastors, or just people is betrayal by someone we are in relationship with, someone we care about. For whatever reason a relationship breaks down because of a lie, deception, or disagreement, and we feel betrayed. We feel stabbed in the back as the saying goes.

How do you  normally respond in that situation? Like most we put up walls, we retaliate, or we go into hiding. Usually anything to deal with the pain and possibly try to punish the person. Now let me ask you this. What would you do "If you knew someone was going to betray you?" How would you respond?

Would you jump ahead and hurt them first? Would you confront them with the information? Would you avoid them all together trying to prevent the betrayal? Any one of those things would be part of our human nature to respond.

But this is what Perry Noble pointed out Jesus did in John 13.

I've read and taught John 13 dozens of times from the angle of humbling yourself and serving others. But totally missed that Jesus was also serving the one who would betray him...AND He already knew Judas was going to betray Him.

v2. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. v3. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. SO He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around Him and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet....

Where it says he began to wash the disciples feet....that includes Judas. Judas, the one who sold Jesus out! Jesus didn't exclude him. In the SAME chapter Judas leaves to betray Jesus.

1. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him
2. Jesus knew He had been given authority over everything. He could have used that authority to prevent the betrayal or correct Judas in front of the other disciples.....or just take Judas out all together.
3. Jesus knew all this SO He got up from the table and washed their feet. It was because He knew these things that He did what He did AND included Judas in the experience.

Jesus was walking out what He was talking about in Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-35.

The truth is this...people are going to betray you at times. But that does not exclude them from our love. I bet if we lived this way the betrayal would have a lot less power over lives.

SO knowing this.......serve/love the one who hurt you this week.

You may have went to church today

If you are a Christian in the US, odds are today you went to church. (We had a HUGE day at FaithPoint Church today with 619 in attendance and around 15 Fresh Starts with Christ) You were able to get there with little difficulty, other than getting the kids ready and a possible argument with your spouse about dirty clothes left in the bathroom or getting to church on time. And you were able to go to lunch after service and publicly share your experience at church. Odds are during the week you catch very little flack and your life is rarely threatened because of your belief. To be honest, as Christians in America, we face very little persecution.

Jesus encouraged His disciples that as much as He would be persecuted that they would be even more. Paul even celebrated the fact that he was persecuted everywhere that he went and looked forward to opportunities to suffer more. I believe this is a hard concept for most American Christians(myself included) to grasp. I am both thankful and ashamed of this when I think about it.

We are persecuted so little in the US but still keep our beliefs a secret to most so we do NOT to offend them. How would we respond in other countries where our very life would be threatened daily because of the choice to be a follower of Christ?

We think about this from time to time, whenever we read a book or hear a story of someone who has suffered for the Gospel in another part of the world. After some time the thoughts fade and we sink back into the safe complacent Christianity that we have here in the US.

Don't take what we have, what they are doing, or what He did for granted.

Listen to the lyrics of this song...Powerful!




CHORUS
the pain that i bear cannot compare
to your arms once i get there
people don't hear You
so I'll be your voice
suffering daily
but still we rejoice
time for your glory
im just telling your story
we'll carry the cross
you suffer before me
people dont know you
so i'll be the one
to introduce them to your glorious son
and until that day
when we see your face
this race we'll run
inspired by LOVE

My Girls

Thought I would share a couple of videos of my girls. Being a dad is so stinking cool, that I can't stand it some times. Never a dull moment....but then again sometimes never a silent moment.

I love it when Ella gets a hold of the flip! You never know what you are going to get. You have to watch it all the way through to get the full effect.



Addison is REALLY trying to tell us something important.