Daily Read November 30, 2010

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.


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Daily Read November 29, 2010

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version, ©2010)

  ²⁴ 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. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

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Retiring old laces...

Today may have been the last run for the shoes on the right.

They have been my faithful running shoes for the past 7 months... or in running shoes language... 492 miles!!!!

That's a ton of miles.  Today, during my 6 mile run, I decided that my ole faithfuls need to be retired.  I have a brand new pair of Nike+ Pegasus 26's on the shelf (the ones on the left) waiting for their day on the trail... and if the rain holds off tomorrow, they will get their first 5k in.   But my current pair of Nike+ Pegasus 26's are hurting my feet a bit... especially in the balls... and they are starting to feel "heavy."

So, likely their running days are done... unless I get them another 8 miles so that I can say I went 500 miles in a pair of running shoes (keep the Proclaimers lyrics down over there...)! 

All in all, I've been happy with this pair of running shoes.  They have helped me cross some major milestones running...

• Set two Personal Records in 5k... Susan G. Komen 5k in Columbus in May... and the Caldwell Fireman's Festival 5k in July...
• Carried me to my first 1/2 marathon.... Akron in September
• All of my Ohio running miles have been logged in these shoes
• Helped Jackie get started running

So... it's a bittersweet deal for a runner.  (You non-runners won't understand... sorry.)  While I'll be retiring some old faithfuls... they will be demoted to everyday shoes instead of running shoes... which is one step above the last stop: lawn mowing shoes...

I'll be starting a new career with new running shoes.  Hopefully they will see a new PR in the 5k this weekend (Zaney Reindeer 5k), a half-marathon (Flying Pig in Cincy in May) and maybe a marathon (Air Force in September - although unlikely they will make the race... just take the brunt of the training).

Tomorrow morning, if the rain holds off, will be a bittersweet morning for me as I lace up to head out for my run.  But it will only be bittersweet for a few steps!

Jim

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Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Tis the season!!!

Jim

Check it out HERE!



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Daily Read November 26, 2010

Acts 4:12-13 (New International Version)

 ¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
 ¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.


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Happy Thanksgiving - Thankful for...

It's hard to imagine that it's Thanksgiving again.  But alas, it is.  Not that I'm complaining... I love eating until my brains fall out... taking a nap... watching some football... then heading in to eat again. 

This time of the year, it's easy to turn our minds towards being thankful. 

Colossians 3:17 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


So... in the spirit of the holidays, here are a few of the things that I'm thankful for this year:

• My wife... who is amazing and incredible!!! 
• A great new church filled with incredible teenagers, amazing staff, great leaders.
• An incredible team of volunteers that love students and give of their time sacrificially.
• All of our new Zanesville friends who have welcomed us into their lives.
• My parents... who are allowing us to live in their basement while we get back on our financial feet.
• Running... it's amazing how much this has changed my life in the last year... since I ran my first race one year ago today in Naperville... and I missed running a Turkey Trot this year.  But since I started running, I've lost 40 pounds and changed my family tree!
• Starbucks... yeah, I can be that shallow...
• A God and Savior who forgives my mistakes... loves me unconditionally when I don't deserve it... and continues to use my best efforts in spite of myself.  

I have much to be thankful for!!!  But that's enough for now... where's the turkey???

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your's!!!

Jim

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Daily Read November 25, 2010

Matthew 28:18-20 (New International Version)

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”


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Daily Read November 24, 2010

Matthew 28:5-6 (New International Version)

 ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.


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Daily Read November 23, 2010

John 19:38-41 (New International Version)

  ³⁸ Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹ He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. ⁴⁰ Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. ⁴¹ At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

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Daily Read November 22, 2010

John 19:30 (New International Version)

³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


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Daily Read November 21, 2010

Luke 23:46-47 (New International Version)

⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
 ⁴⁷ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”


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Daily Read November 20, 2010

Mark 15:37-39 (New International Version)

 ³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
 ³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”


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Daily Read November 19, 2010

Matthew 27:50-51 (New International Version)

 ⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
 ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

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Daily Read November 18, 2010

Matthew 27:32-37 (New International Version)

  ³² As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. ³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁶ And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. ³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

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Daily Read November 17, 2010

John 17:20-23 (New International Version)

    ²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

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Daily Read November 16, 2010

John 15:13-15 (New International Version)

¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.


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Daily Read November 15, 2010

John 15:4-7 (New International Version)

⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
   ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.


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A season with the Scotties...

I had some time to reflect tonight on my way home from New Philly.

It has been an interesting season.  It has been over 15 years since I took off my football helmet for good.  That was also the final time that I stood on a football sideline.  This year, I had the rare opportunity to head back down to the sideline and spend time with Tri-Valley Scotties football team.

When I arrived in Zanesville, an open door with the football team was already available.  The head football coach is a member at North Terrace and offered me the opportunity to help out with the team.  He wanted me to do two things.  1. Come out one afternoon during the week and talk about character with the team for 5-8 minutes. 2. Come out before the game and lead the team in Lord's Prayer, then I was welcome to hang out on the sidelines during the game.

Both of which I was happy to do.

And I had a blast.

We talked about things like goals, leadership, communication, attitude, courage, sacrifice, service, vision, perseverance, devotion and reliability.  All of those topics are sports related... but they're also Biblical.  While I never quoted a Bible verse to the players all season... I did paraphrase Scripture and slip it into the talk.  And I closed every talk with prayer.

It was an incredible experience... getting to know the players (who come up and talk to me when they see me at other events... like soccer games...), getting to know the athletic trainers, getting to know the coaches and other athletic staff.  Even the student section that came out and got rowdy for the games got to know me.

So... It was a great experience.  One that I hope that I get a chance to repeat next year.  One that I am definitely going to miss.

Jim

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Daily Read November 14, 2010

John 15:1-2 (New International Version)

¹ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

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Daily Read November 13, 2010

John 14:6 (New International Version)

 ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


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Awake - Weekend Recap!

Here's a little recap of Sunday night, November 7...

We kicked off a new series on Sunday night called "Friendship 101."  We are talking about friendship and what goes into making a great friend Biblically. 

Here are some of the elements that went into Sunday night:

• We kicked it off with Casting Crowns video... Until the Whole World Hears. Great video with a powerful message.
• We played a very fun and very competitive new game... called Bronco, Baby, Backpack.  (I picked it up HERE.)  It works kinda like "Rock, Paper, Scissors" only active with a partner.  We call out bronco, baby or backpack and the two have to get into that position.  Last group is out! Congrats to Jacob and Brock for winning that!  It was close!
• We had a great worship set by worship team 2.  Set list was: Nothing But the Blood, Marvelous Light, How He Loves Us and Hosanna
• A couple of short videos about friendship... Greatest Game Ever Played and Holes.
• We talked about what creates a quality friendship versus what creates an average relationship.  Quality relationships are relationships that put the other first, last over time, tell the truth and take you in a Godly direction.  Showed a fun video about friendships... sometimes that how friendships are; they blindside you!

All in all... it was a great weekend.  We seemed to have a bit of a perfect storm as far as volunteers.  Four regular members of the team ended up being out Sunday night... two planned to be away and two couldn't make it suddenly.  Thankfully a couple of great folks jumped in and helped out. 

Looking forward to Week 2 of the Friendship 101 series... Dealing with trust!

Jim

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Daily Read November 12, 2010

John 14:1-4 (New International Version)

¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

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Thank You Veterans!

Thank You

Thanks Veterans and Current Military men and women.

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your willingness.

Thank you for your sacrifice.  

Today, I'm thinking of three people... who will never see this blog post... but I'm still thinking about them.  My Grandpa (Jim) who passed away in 1988 but served bravely in World War 2 on the European front.  My step-Grandpa (Kenny) who never uses the Internet but bravely served in World War 2 on the Japanese front.  My uncle Johnny who doesn't use the Internet (that I'm aware of) but served bravely in Panama and the first Iraq conflict and retired after 20+ years of service to the US Army.  

Thank you Veterans!!!

Jim

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Driscoll Middle School Trick Play

This is awesome!!! Can you imagine how many times this story is going to be told as these kids get older!!

Jim

Check it out HERE



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Daily Read November 5, 2010

Matthew 26:26-28 (New International Version)

 ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
 ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.


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Running update!!

I quietly snuck up on a major running goal. 

Mid-March, I started to track my running in a running log (thanks to Runner's World Magazine... I got it free with my subscription).  So, some of my running details were saved there and some of them were still in Nike+ where I had been tracking them before (if you don't know, I'm tracking my running with Run Keeper now...). 

A couple of weeks ago, I sat down and added up the mileage that wasn't in my running log and added it in.  I realized that I was 15 miles from having run 450 miles for the year. 

That was two weeks ago!!! I've currently run 457 miles for the year!!! That's the same distance as basically running from Caldwell to Chicago. In other words... a lot of miles!!!

This being my first full year of running... I started running in August of last year... I didn't know what to expect.  But I'm pleased.  My average, through the year, even on days off is a mile and a half.  That's pretty great.  Maybe I can get my average next year up to two and a half miles a day even on days off.  But overall, I'm pleased.  And I'm hoping to knock out another 100 miles before the end of the year. 

So what's next?

As I blogged a couple of weeks ago, I'm planning on running the Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon in Cincy in May.  Additionally, I'm planning on my first full Marathon in Dayton, Ohio at the Air Force Marathon. 

In the short run... I need a race on the calendar (my training really suffers when I don't have a race on my calendar).  A Turkey Trot isn't really accessible... much to my chagrin... So I've signed up for the Zaney Reindeer Run 5k hosted by the YMCA on December 4th in Zanesville (at Vista Golf Course) with some friends. 

It should be fun... and yeah, I'll likely be wearing reindeer antlers and shooting to better my 5k PR of 24m 38s.  I'm hoping for 24 minutes flat!

Keep running!!
Jim

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Daily Read November 4, 2010

Matthew 25:34-40 (New International Version)

   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


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Daily Read November 2, 2010

Matthew 23:11-12 (New International Version © 2010)

¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.


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