Running update... 60 days til the Pig!

Tomorrow, it will be 60 days until my next race.

I realized tonight that it's been a while since I've done a running update and with the Flying Pig Half Marathon looming 60 days out, things are beginning to fall into place. 

My running schedule has maintained a good intensity in February despite the weather (you can see a good progression on my runkeeper graph... the red is some cycling I have done at the gym).  One of the difficulties of running in Southeastern Ohio is that some weeks: the weather is great!  Others: not so good.  Being primarily an outside runner... temperature, precipitation and and wind conditions make a big difference.  My averages are looking good though... Feb 6: 18.4 miles - Feb 13: 21.9 - Feb 20: 19.7 (I threw in an extra run the week of Feb 13... because it was 60 degrees one night when I wasn't supposed to run... but I couldn't resist).  On a side note, I have landed a seasonal membership at a local gym where I get in some short runs on the treadmill if I can't run outside.  That's helping!  Especially for speed workouts and tempo runs.

Another positive note, as of today... My daily average for running (even counting days off) is 1.95 miles a day.  That means if I maintain this pace... and my overall distance will increase greatly after the 1/2 when I begin my marathon training... I will run 710 miles for 2011.  My goal for 2011 is 750!  So... overall... even though my January was very sluggish (being sick... bad weather... etc), my average is great!

Overall... my weight is beginning to come back down with regular long distances.  As I go into the next 60 days, I'm beginning to watch my diet, count calories and monitor and increase my water intake.  Additionally, I'm going to begin to take some additional vitamin D after a sports medicine clinic I attended over the weekend.  That should help!

All in all... I'm happy with my progress towards the Flying Pig half marathon on May 1st.  I'm hitting a lot of hills in the area and feeling confident about my ability to run the 1/2 in under 2 hours!  Trying to keep running and staying healthy!  If you want to follow me on Runkeeper, check me out HERE!

Keep running friends!

Jim


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Daily Read February 24, 2011

Psalm 42:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When can I go and meet with God?


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Daily Read February 23, 2011

Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;    he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
   out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
   and gave me a firm place to stand.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
   a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
   and put their trust in him.


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Daily Read February 22, 2011

Psalm 36:5-6 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁵ Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the skies.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
   your justice like the great deep.
   You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.


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Mondays...

Most people hate Mondays...

Because I work on Sunday (as a pastor), I'm granted a day off during the week.  Which is great! I used to take Fridays off... which seemed logical since I also had Saturday off.  Problem was... many youth events happen on Fridays and Saturdays (retreats, trips, events, high school sporting events, etc).  So there went my day off.  Additionally... if the work from the week didn't get done on Mon-Thursday, it still had to get done and often became part of my Friday "day-off routine."  (Which wasn't much of a day off... to feel like you had to work.)

When I moved to Ohio, I found that I could no longer have Fridays off... but would have to choose another day (that would have left only one pastor in the office... we try to have two in the office most of the time during the day).  I remembered, back in the day, my friend Doug Fields talking about how much he loved Monday days off (Doug blogged about his day off HERE today... got me thinking about this).  So I thought I'd give them a try. 

So I switched to Monday. 
And I'll never go back.

There is no pressure to work on Mondays... because nothing has to get done as the weekend is still a long way off. 

I can:

• rest... 
• relax... 
• read... 
• and run! (As I train for my next 1/2 marathon)

Most people hate Mondays...
I love them!  I wish it were Monday every day!

Jim


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Daily Read February 21, 2011

Psalm 34:8 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.


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Daily Read February 20, 2011

Psalm 32:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Blessed is the one
   whose transgressions are forgiven,
   whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
   whose sin the LORD does not count against them
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.


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Daily Read February 19, 2011

Psalm 29:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
² Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.


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Daily Read February 18, 2011

Exodus 34:10-14 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹⁰ Then the LORD said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. ¹¹ Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ¹² Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. ¹³ Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. ¹⁴ Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.


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Daily Read February 17, 2011

Exodus 33:7-11 (New International Version, ©2010)

  ⁷ Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. ⁸ And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. ⁹ As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. ¹⁰ Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. ¹¹ The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

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I love it when this happens...

It happens every once in a while in youth ministry. 

We do a couple of trips every year that are pretty expensive.  (Like $250 expensive!)  We always have some students who can't go because of finances.  We try to make sure that doesn't happen... but sometimes I just does.

Over the weekend, I was buzzing around the building following evening service like I usually am.  A person walked up to me that I didn't even know and said... "Hey, when I was in the youth ministry, there were a lot of times that I didn't have money to go to CIY or Summer in the Son.  Someone always came through and helped me go.  Now that I'm grown and can afford to help others, I would like to.  Do you have anyone in youth ministry that could use some financial help with the conference?"

Um... (.0000005 seconds later)... YEAH! 

Then last night, she walked up to one of the members of my volunteer team and handed them cash in an envelope for the trip!

I just love youth ministry stories like that!  Just thought I'd share a little good news on a warm, February day!

Jim


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Daily Read February 16, 2011

Psalm 24:3-6 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.
 ⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
   and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
   who seek your face, God of Jacob.

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Daily Read February 15, 2011

Psalm 24:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
   the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
   and established it on the waters.


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Daily Read February 14, 2011

Psalm 23:1 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.


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Daily Read February 13, 2011

Exodus 31:12-15 (New International Version, ©2010)

The Sabbath

 ¹² Then the LORD said to Moses, ¹³ “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.  ¹⁴ “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. ¹⁵ For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death.


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FREE NIV download for YouVersion iPod/iPhone Bibles!!!

You know me...
I like FREE!

Especially when it something really, really good.

I have talked and will continue to talk in the future about how great the "Holy Bible" app is on my iPod/iPhone from some friends down at Life Church in Oklahoma.  One of the greatest things about this app is the abundance of translations to choose from.

Since I was a middle school student, I have been a consistent NIV reader.  From time to time, I will spend some time with other translations to change up my Bible reading pace... NLT, NRSV and a few others.  But I always come back to the NIV (like an old hoodie... I was going to say sweater... but I never wear sweaters and wouldn't really know what that feels like).  Partially because I have so much of it memorized from my Bible Bowl days (since that was the version that was used).

This weekend... in celebration of the 400th year since the King James Version first provided a full translation of the Bible in the common language of the people... YouVersion is going to be giving away downloads of the NIV version on the Holy Bible app for 400 hours.  (So from (Saturday, February 12th) TODAY to March 1st, you can download it anytime.)

This is a great deal.  The only limitation to the Holy Bible app is the issue of being able to use it when you have limited cell service or when YouVersion is "down" for whatever reason.  This will eliminate that issue.

Go HERE for the full story and instructions about how to download it for yourself.  And enjoy!

Jim


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Daily Read February 12, 2011

Psalm 20:7-8 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
   but we rise up and stand firm.


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Daily Read February 11, 2011

Psalm 19:14 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.


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Michael P. Vigilante III - Mighty to Save (at Ninety-Six West Coffee Hou...

I'm really not sure what to do with THIS:



Laugh...
Cry...

But it's making me want to watch Napoleon Dynamite tonight.

I'm thinking the cheering at the end was because he was done...

Enjoy (if you can!)

Jim



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Daily Read February 10, 2011

Psalm 19:7-11 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
   giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
   enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
   and all of them are righteous.
 ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
   than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.


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Daily Read February 9, 2011

Psalm 19:1-4 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.

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Middle School SITS is coming!!!!

Summer In The SON JH from Kentucky Christian University on Vimeo.

Here's a little taste of what Middle School Summer in the Son looks like (although there are a couple of places in the video where they used high school footage). 

Jim


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High School Summer In the Son 2011

Summer In The Son HS from Kentucky Christian University on Vimeo.

Here's a little taste of High School week of Summer in the Son!


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Daily Read February 8, 2011 (Psalm 8)

Psalm 8 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
   You have set your glory
   in the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.
³ When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which you have set in place,
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
   human beings that you care for them?
 ⁵ You have made them a little lower than the angels
   and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.
 ⁹ LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!


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Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

Best. Commercial. Of. The. Super. Bowl.

Watch it HERE.



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Daily Read February 7, 2011

Psalm 7:17 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹⁷ I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
   I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.


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Daily Read February 6, 2011

Psalm 1:1-3 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers.

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Daily Read February 5, 2011

Exodus 15:11 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹¹ Who among the gods
   is like you, LORD?
Who is like you—
   majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
   working wonders?


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Hawk Nelson - Crazy Love

Cool new video from Hawk Nelson. Just kinda fun... thought I'd share!

Watch it HERE!




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How do you use your cell phone?

How do you use your cell phone???  It's amazing... I see myself using my phone more like a teen than an adult. 


Jim

Thanks David for the link!


Click the image to enlarge it. 


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Daily Read February 4, 2011

Exodus 15:1-3 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:    “I will sing to the LORD,
   for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
   he has hurled into the sea.
 ² “The LORD is my strength and my defense;
   he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
   my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
³ The LORD is a warrior;
   the LORD is his name.


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Daily Read February 3, 2011

Exodus 14:13-14 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹³ Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”


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Groundhog Day...

Hate it!  (Stupid holiday for a stupid made up reason... 2010 HERE and 2008 HERE are a couple of past rants... I'll save my next Groundhog day rant until 2012 just to keep the even year rants going.) 

Love this movie!!! So funny!!!

But here's hoping that spring does actually arrive early!!!  I'm ready for more consistent running outside without winter nastiness.

Jim

Image from HERE!


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