Part Insanity, Part Genius!

The title is the quote from the end of the video you just watched. I've watched this a couple of times now, and every time I was left with this sense of "that's how I want to live my life for Christ". I want to live with recklous abandon for Him.

I want to go for it all, knowing that you never really achieve great things without taking great risk. My heart wants to go after something with absolutely EVERYTHING I've got, holding nothing back, no excuses left!

And yet, to be honest, I'm not sure I've ever attacked anything in my life in this manner.

Most things I go about doing with a sense of hesitation, holding back something. I suppose the fear is that nothing I do will ever quite be good enough, so the thinking is why pour 100% into something if it's not going to be good enough. This has proven to be a difficult challenge to overcome throughout the years.

Yet, there is something deep inside of me that longs for more. Almost that longs to fail in such an incredible way because I absolutely went for it all. Have I done some incredible things in my life? Yeah, I think so. Raising over 30 child sponsorships for my race in South Africa last year certainly ranks up there. Raising my two daughters to love Jesus and the 2 children we sponsor is pretty good as well. Loving my wife and still being married after 8+ years is definitely something to feel good about.

And yet, if I'm honest, I've held back in each area. Why? Simple.

Fear.

Fear that my efforts won't be good enough.

Fear that I won't be good enough.

And that's why I hold back from God. Fear that He will find me to not be good enough.

Ladies and gentleman, this is what we call a LIE.

Because of what Jesus has done for me, God the Father WILL find me to be enough. I will bring Him pleasure. He will find delight in my, and in a relationship with me! So how do I combat that; how do we combat this together?

We fight back.

WE FIGHT BACK! We try something that we would never think we could pull off. Now, I'm not talking about being reckless or foolish. But I think we all have something that we'd love to be able to pull off, and yet fear holds us back. I might be talking about something personal yet meaningless like bungee jumping. I might be talking about something like offering to pray for my best friend who's going through a divorce right now. I might be talking about giving up cable to sponsor another child in another part of the world. I might be talking about putting down the computer and playing with my children. I might be talking about planning a romantic date night for my wife without the kids. I might be talking about walking up to a person in Walmart who I don't know but sense God asking me to pray for.

It doesn't really matter what I'm talking about. What matters is stepping out. Here's your permission, GO AHEAD AND TAKE A RISK! I journaled the other day that I want to be rich in life experiences, not material possessions. Boy, that one sure hurt. There's nothing more I'd like than to have an unlimited budget for toys. And yet, at the end of the day, what I remember most are experiences I've had, not things I've wasted money on.

So, today I challenge you. TAKE A RISK! Don't settle for a life of meaningless pursuits. You've only got one life to live, so GIVE IT YOUR ALL! Don't hold back, as I've done! No regrets! Sure, you'll make some mistakes along the way. But you'll learn and adapt; God will mold you, and you be the better for it.

So go ahead, take the first step, jump off that cliff, step out of that airplane, be rich in life experiences! Make a difference in someone else's life.

Love this video!

I love so many of the thoughts of the different professional runners on this video. Kind of sums up most of what I love about running.

Family Fun-Labor Day 2011

We began our door by enjoying the festivities of a little kung fu fighting with a praying mantis! (that song always pops into my head when I see one of these) I think I was more enthralled than Zoey, but I enjoyed a few moments with our new found friend anyways. We were excstatic when he happily olbiged at having his picture taken!

So, we attempted to take the girls camping last night. Well, sort of.

All the spots during this weekend around the country are probably full every year. So, we decided to just do a little campout in our backyard. I put up the tent (two actually), got a fire going, and we were on a roll. It's never quite this simple when doing anything involved with children. They actually did well. The fire was the tricky part since it had rained on and off the last two days, making the wood a little wet. My first go around was unsuccessful, so I resorted to what all non-outdoorsy types resort to, GASOLINE! (much to my wife's disapproval). Thankfully, I'm blessed to have Emily around to keep me under control, so I dripped a few drops of gasoline on the wood, nowhere near enough, and it did nothing. So I dumped some more on, and nearly knocked myself over as I lit the instantaneous inferno, and all was right with the universe.

WE HAD FIRE!

We feasted on perfectly roasted hot dogs, chips, cheese puffs, pop, and eventually moved on to the GRAND FINALE, s'mores!

This s'more was amazing, to say the least! I did in fact, only eat one of these bohemoths, but it got the ball rolling. My next s'more adventure may include pop tarts, peanut butter cups, and who knows what else I can come up with. THIS one included:

graham cracker
peanut butter
1/2 Hershey chocolate bar
marshmellow
chocolate brownie
marshmellow
1/2 Hershey chocolate bar
peanut butter
graham cracker

Oh yes, it was the SHOWSTOPPER! Once we finished with the s'mores, we attempted to put the children to bed. It's quite possible that Zoey finally fell asleep after about an hour, but no one can stand up to the best sabotage attempts of our youngest, our dear little Hadley. She just likes to mess with people. She's the ultimate prankster, even at the young age of 3. Finally, I think it was about 10:30 or so, we decided it would be best for Emily and Zoey to head inside so that they could at least get some sleep. I cuddled with Hadley and eventually we dozed off for a few hours. We finally awoke to the cool, crisp morning air, and the first words out of her mouth.........."You're the best daddy in the world!"

Music to my ears! Totally worth every second! What more could a dad ask for? We sat in the tent for a few moments before coming inside, only to find Zoey already awake. Hmmmmmm, I'm thinking the girls will definitely be put to bed early today for naps. Hopefully they behave for Emily today while I'm trail running, attempting to run off that 10 pound gigantic s'more.

So, for now, strong coffee is the order of the day. And thinking back on some great memories.

Hebrews 13:5-6

"Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, 'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,' we can boldly quote,

'God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?" -The Message

A good word for today, especially for Americans. How often am I consumed with getting the next big thing, especially when it comes to running? How easily I forget all I NEED to run is road. Technically, I don't even need shoes! But yet, I want the latest in technology, the latest fad in footwear and clothing, the latest GPS watch, etc. It gets out of control very quickly.

Why is it that I'm very good at being obsessed with getting material things, but rarely obsessed with God? Why am I not more obsessed with showing God's love to others? Why doesn't that control the majority of my thoughts?

What a sad state I live my life in all too often. My life is a living testament to the truth that we need daily renewing of our minds. I love Romans 12:2 in the King James Version.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." I love the word "renewing" here because it indicates to me a constant action. This is something that must happen regularly.

And that makes complete sense! Of course we must continually renew our minds because Satan is continually attacking us! This is no accident. Of course he wants to distract me with materialism, he wants to distract us with anything that works! Sometimes he makes life so difficult, and we begin to really focus on Jesus, then all of a sudden life takes a turn for the better, and we loose our focus. Just had a conversation today about that. WE MUST CONSISTENTLY RENEW OUR MINDS, AND KEEP OUR FOCUS ON JESUS, REGARDLESS OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES!

So, where do you stand today? Maybe, like me, you need to do a little renewing of your mind. Work with me to stop focusing on ourselves, and focus on Jesus and others.

New Insights Keep Coming

This was an excerpt from something I journaled yesterday morning, and I thought I'd share part of with you today.

"I had some interesting new thoughts last night in regards to Isaiah 42:16, which I spent a good hour or so blogging about. I still want to continue memorizing that passage, but this morning I'm finding my attention being drawn to another favorite passage, Isaiah 43:1-4.

"But now, God's Message,

the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,

the One who got you started, Israel:

'Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.

I've called your name. You're mine.

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.

When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you're between a rock and a hard place,

it won't be a dead end---

Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you:

all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

That's how much you mean to me!

That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,

trade the creation just for you."

I love the sentiment of what it appears God is trying to convey. For a long time I took it as a comfort when times were really rough. And it surely does work for that. But this morning, as I look at it and read it over and over, my eyes are opened to a slightly different perspective. God is reminding the Israelites how much He loves them. He is being proactive in expressing His love to them and for them. How powerful it is to feel that in those in between moments of life. Those times when things aren't good and they aren't bad, they just are. Those moments where life almost seems to be in a lull, or stall pattern. Those are usually the moments when I begin to make small decisions that lead me astray and into trouble. It's really in those times that I need reminders of how God thinks of me, with the hope that it will cause me to re-evaluate choices I'm about to make. I love how God gives some specific examples of His feelings, and then in case we still aren't getting it, He makes it plain as day like at the end of the passage above. We mean everything to God. What a powerful thought. Simple........yet profound. GOD LOVES ME."

I needed this reminder again this morning. God does indeed love me. He paid a dear price for me! He gave everything for ME! What greater love is there. Thank you Jesus, for your love for me. There is no greater gift.

Surprising Encouragement

Today was a long day. I spent 11 hours at church today, and then came home and ran 10+ miles because I'm so close to reaching 200 miles for the month. In fact, after tonight's run, I only need 1.1 mile to reach 200. Should have kept going. Oh well, I've always got tomorrow and Wednesday.

Back on track.....so I'm running tonight. I've had some dreams for a little while now (they will remain nameless, and not like dreams when you sleep but dreams as in future aspirations) and they come to mind again tonight. I spend almost the entire run thinking about them. I got home, showered, and began to see my favorite verse, Isaiah 42:16 in a whole new light. Let me refresh your memory (even though I just posted about it).....

"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way,

who can't see where they're going.

I'll be a personal guide to them,

directing them through unknown country.

I'll be right there to show them what roads to take,

make sure they don't fall into the ditch.

These are the things I'll be doing for them--

stick with them, not leaving them for a minute."

I always took this in a sort of "Help God, I'm in real trouble here and you are promising to take my hand and guide me through this mess." But tonight was different. I think that definitely God wants us to know He will be there, much like search and rescue in times of need. But, I also think He wants to lead us into and through adventures, challenges and situations that will put us to the test. They will require everything in us, and at the end of the day, that won't be enough. We will have to rely on Him. But what He leads us into and through, will be so rewarding. Words won't be able to describe the impact on us!

Too often I've viewed God as someone to lean on in times of trouble, much more so than someone who will lead me through a life of adventure. Maybe it's time I begin to let the Holy Spirit take my hand, be my personal guide, and show me what roads will lead to adventure with Him. I don't want God to only be there for me like a search and rescue unit. I want Him to be like an adventure guide I hire at the beginning of an adventure. Someone that's there the entire time, that I trust to lead me into and through some exciting and dangerous adventures.

Stuff like this just gives me the chills!

Then we've got crazy stuff like this kayaking video!

And of course, it'd be tough for me to talk about adventure without a little trail (or in this case mountain) running video thrown in.

Now, adventure with God leading the way will look different for everyone. And certainly won't necessarily regularly include things like mountain running, kayaking, base jumping in a wing suit, or other things like this. But I think we can come to a consensus that when we allow God to lead, life gets very adventurous very quickly. Trying to follow the Holy Spirit can be very unpredictable. In fact, that reminds me of a book written by Mark Batterson, called Wild Goose Chase. Here's an excerpt found in the introduction.

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….
Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction

Ok, that's enough rambling for tonight.

"You go, we go"

So this scene came to mind today in the strangest of places. I was at church, and it was during praise and worship at the end of the service. God was really moving, and I was feeling many things I thought He might be trying to tell me. And at one point, a picture of me hanging off a cliff with someone holding me by the hand, keeping me from falling, came to mind. I stayed with the scene for a few moments, and then the Backdraft scene came to mind.

I began to feel like that's exactly what God has been doing for me the past little while. I've truly felt at the edge at moments, felt like nothing more than a sinking ship. And yet, this vision was showing me that God was right there, holding me by His fingertips, saying "You go, we go".

Now, the only problem here is that in the scene above Kurt Russell's character ends up letting go. But God NEVER will. Some of you might be there with me. You might feel like there's nothing else to do but give up. And I think God wants to show you He's right there, keeping you from falling. He's saying, "You go, we go" but the truth is that He will never fail. His grip will NEVER slip. He will NEVER let go!

And what an amazing truth that is! So reassuring.

So I decided to have a fire tonight, to give God some more time, and take a few moments to reflect on that today. And He brought to mind a passage that I've been working on memorizing. A passage I've shared before; one that's been dear to my heart for years now.

Isaiah 42:16 in The Message says,

"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way,

who can't see where they're going.

I'll be a personal guide to them,

directing them through unknown country.

I'll be right there to show them what roads to take,

make sure they don't fall into the ditch.

These are the things I'll be doing for them--

sticking with them, never leaving them for a minute."

What a powerful promise here. God will take our hands when we are bling to all else. He will guide us each and every step through those tough times, when all we want to do is give up. He'll show us what roads to take, keeping us from falling. He will stick with us, and never leave us. What power in these words. What a great reminder for me tonight.