Now Entering: The Taper

This week I entered maybe one of the hardest parts of the marathon training schedule... the taper.

If you aren't familiar with the taper... It's the routine of a couple of weeks before a big race (in my case, a marathon), a runner begins to intentionally cut back mileage and intensity in training in preparation for a race.  This gives my body some time to heal from the rigors of training.  It also gives me a chance to build up some extra energy reserves that I'll need for the big race (Sept 17th).

So this week... I started the taper.  I have two runs in (a 6 miler and a 5 miler... I had to skip this morning 5 miler due to some severe weather... but I'll pick it up over the weekend).  While it seems like it would be easier... less mileage... less stress... less effort... it's really not.

Most of it is mental.

For the past 14 weeks I've been pushing hard.  I've been pushing my body and my mind hard... longer distances... faster paces... more mileage... I've conditioned myself to run and train hard.

Now for the next 3 weeks, I'm cutting back... running less... running less hard.  Still running... just running less.  But my body wants to run more.  For instance, on Monday, I was scheduled to run 6 miles.  As I powered through mile 5, I thought, "I could easily run 10 or 12 today."  The weather was perfect.  I felt good and strong.  But I had to remind myself... "Slow down.  We're tapering. Remember?" 

So... for the next three weeks, while my body is saying "Yes!!"  My mind will have to say, "No!" so I can say "Yes!" on race day!  Bring on September 17th!

JC

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Daily Read September 1, 2011

John 13:12-17

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹² “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he (Jesus) asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

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Daily Read August 31, 2011

Isaiah 2:2-5

New International Version (NIV)

 ² In the last days
   the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
   as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
   and all nations will stream to it.
 ³ Many peoples will come and say,
   “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
   to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
   so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
   the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
⁴ He will judge between the nations
   and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
   and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
   nor will they train for war anymore.
 ⁵ Come, descendants of Jacob,
   let us walk in the light of the LORD.

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Daily Read August 30, 2011

Isaiah 1:18

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
   says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
   they shall be like wool.

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Daily Read August 27, 2011

John 11:25-26

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

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Daily Read August 26, 2011

John 10:11-15

New International Version (NIV)

   ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
   ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

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Daily Read August 25, 2011

John 10:10

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

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Daily Read August 22, 2011

John 8:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

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Medal for the Air Force Marathon - Race Ready?

I'm almost ready for that big one in the middle.

This week is the last reduced mileage week before my final 20 miler (next Saturday).  After that, I'll start down the two week taper route toward the race on the 17th. 

Am I ready?  I don't know. 
One day I think, "Yes." 
The next, I think "I don't know." 

I've done one 20 mile run.  Most people who have trained and succeeded at a full marathon say that if you can do 20... you can do 26.2.  I'd love to be run a 25 mile run before the race, but I'm not going to have time.  I'll have to trust my training... which was been great so far... and those who have gone before me and succeeded with having run only 20 miles. 

On almost every single run... I think about that medal... I think about crossing that finish line... I think about having a General put that medal around my neck!  It gives me chills.

Jim


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Friday Fun - Jamie Grace - Hold Me featuring tobyMac

A fun little Friday music video...
Enjoy!

Check it out HERE





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Finishing a goal early... 750 miles...

Way back in January, I set some running resolutions for 2011.  One of those resolutions was to run 750 miles this year.

Well... this morning I blew past that mark (if you are checking out the Daily Mile app and wondering if I've miscounted... I didn't start doing Daily Mile until May...).  I have officially finished that New Year's Resolution in August... instead of December.  And I still have four months to go.  I'm now hoping that I can get 1,000 miles in for the year.  We'll see about that.  I've had a strong training schedule at my back driving me at nearly 37-43 miles a week for the past couple of months.  That will be hard to replicate after the Air Force Marathon on September 17th. 

Tomorrow morning... as I head out for a 12 mile run... It will be mile 751-763.

Follow me on RunKeeper HERE and Daily Mile HERE. 

Keep running!

JC

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Daily Read August 17, 2011

John 3:16-21

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

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Daily Read August 12, 2011

Luke 22:54-62

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁵⁴ Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”  ⁵⁷ But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
 ⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
   “Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
 ⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
 ⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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Daily Read August 11, 2011

Luke 22:24-27

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

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Daily Read August 6, 2011

Luke 15:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

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Did Evernote just kill my Moleskine???

This has been the approximate location of my Moleskine for about the last three weeks (that's on the desk calendar on my desk in case you aren't familiar with the layout of my workspace). 

It's been coming for a while... But breaking up is always hard to do. 

As many of you know, I've been a faithful Moleskine user for quite some time.  I have several sitting already used and a new one still waiting in the wrapper on the shelf in my office.  The pages are marked with to-do lists, ideas, meeting notes, thoughts, dreams, phone numbers and the like.  I have carried them around on Sunday mornings and always in my backpack to jot down ideas or things that I need to remember.  I have planned countless events and knocked off lots of projects from my ministry to-do list.  Many of those at my church have grown used to seeing me having it with me at all times. 

But times are a changin'. 

The past two or three weeks have been a bit of a test.  A test of whether or not Evernote could handle the Moleskine's work.  And at this point, Evernote is passing with flying colors. 

If you aren't familiar with Evernote, it is an program for both computer (Mac OS X and Windows) and mobile phones that syncs up online.  The free version, which I am currently using, has a limited amount of storage per month.  But I can store just about anything that I want... pictures... lists... ideas... snipets from books that I'm reading... random thoughts... things that I've found interesting on the Internet. 

If you aren't familiar with a Moleskine, it's basically a fancy tablet with lots of blank pages for capturing ideas. 

There are a couple of reasons why Evernote is taking the lead and the Moleskine is fading out of my ministry life:

1. Evernote has limitless pages.  I can jot down a thought or an idea and move on.  I always felt bad or worried that I would lose an idea if I just wrote down one thing on a page... felt that I was wasting a whole page.  With Evernote, as long as I don't go over my monthly quota... and you can get more by upgrading... I don't have to worry about wasting a page.  Plus, I don't have to buy a new Moleskine when all the pages are full. 
2. Evernote lets me "tag" things.  Basically this is assigning a keyword(s) to a note so I can find it quickly in the future.  Nothing frustrates me more than taking 25 minutes to find something that I can't find.  With Evernote, I go up to the search tag and search for it.  Bam! There are all the notes with that word or phrase. 
3. I can save more things that simply written words in Evernote.  I can save pictures... audio files... PDFs of things that I've scanned... websites... pages that I've clipped from websites (Firefox has an add-on that makes that super easy).  If I read something or think that something might be helpful in the future, I can save it super-quick and easy!
4. All my notes in Evernote sync with my mobile phone... which is with me any way.  No need to carry two things.  
5. Evernote is free!  Both the mobile app and Mac OS app are free.  If you want to upgrade for more storage, you can for $45 a year (or two-three Moleskines).  At this point, I've never even gotten close to using up all my monthly usage.  

While I hate that I'm losing a trusted partner in crime and I hate that I'm losing the feel of paper and pen... the functionality of Evernote is making it more practical. 

So, Moleskine, is this the end?  For now, I believe it is.


Links:
Evernote in the Mac App store.
Evernote in the iTunes app store for iPhone.
Evernote websites with downloads for other computer programs (windows, Android, iPad, etc).

By the way: Evernote didn't pay me to write this article or review... Just one person passing along what's working for me. 

Jim


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Daily Read August 5, 2011

Luke 12:22-31

New International Version (NIV)

  ²² Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?    ²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.


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Daily Read August 4, 2011

Luke 9:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

 ²³ Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

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Daily Read August 3, 2011

Luke 9:18-20

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”  ¹⁹ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
   ²⁰ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
   Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

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Daily Read August 2, 2011

Luke 8:4-8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
   When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

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Daily Read August 1, 2011

Luke 6:27-36

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.    ³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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Mission Accomplished!!! New 5k PR and 24 minute mark broken!

Tonight was the annual Caldwell Fireman's Festival 5k here in Caldwell.  I've had this date circled on my calendar for a couple of months.  Why?  Because I had a couple of goals for tonight:

• Set a new PR.  My previous was just about 7 months ago at the Zaney Reindeer 5k in Zanesville.  
• Break the 24 minute mark.  In my previous 5k effort, I fell 27 seconds short.  

Mission accomplished on both parts!

I set a new PR... 23 minutes, 25 seconds over the previous 24 minutes, 27 seconds!
I also broke the 24 minute mark that has been plaguing me for the past year. 

It felt good.  I ran hard.  I struggled with a bit of a cramp between the 2 mile and 2 1/2 mile mark.  But I managed to ignore it and keep rolling.  It felt really, really good. 

I also enjoyed running in my new Active Water jersey.  (Feel free to go HERE and donate for clean water for those who don't have it!) 

The next time I am scheduled to race will be the Air Force Marathon... in 49 days!

Jim


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Daily Read July 25, 2011

Luke 5:27-28

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, ²⁸ and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

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Middle School Summer in the Son picture video

Song: "Listen to the Sound" by Building 429


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Daily Read July 24, 2011

Luke 5:17-26

New International Version (NIV) 

¹⁷ One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. ¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹ When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

 ²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
 ²¹ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
 ²² Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ²⁴ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ²⁵ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. ²⁶ Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

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Daily Read July 23, 2011

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

New International Version (NIV) 

¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 

   “Praise be to you, LORD,
   the God of our father Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting.
¹¹ Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.

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Daily Read July 22, 2011

1 Chronicles 21:20-25

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁰ While Araunah was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel; his four sons who were with him hid themselves. ²¹ Then David approached, and when Araunah looked and saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.
 ²² David said to him, “Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.”
 ²³ Araunah said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.”
 ²⁴ But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”
 ²⁵ So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site.


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Daily Read July 21, 2011

1 Chronicles 16:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

 ²³ Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
   proclaim his salvation day after day.
²⁴ Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
 ²⁵ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
   he is to be feared above all gods.
²⁶ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
   but the LORD made the heavens.

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The Amazing Spiderman - Trailer 1 (HD)

AMAZING!!!! Can't wait!!!

Jim

Check it out HERE!


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Daily Read July 20, 2011

Mark 16:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
 ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
 ⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

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Daily Read July 19, 2011

Mark 15:21-24

New International Version (NIV) 

²¹ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. ²² They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ²³ Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. ²⁴ And they crucified him. 

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New Racing Jersey!!!

In 1994, when I took off my football jersey for the last time, I thought I'd never officially put on another official jersey.  But that is going to happen next week. 

Next Friday night will be my first official run under the "Active Water" banner as I run the Caldwell Fireman's Festival 5k (and shoot for a new PR).  I blogged a couple of weeks ago about joining "Team Active Water" for the upcoming Air Force Marathon on September 17th.  Last week, while at Summer in the Son, I picked up a tech shirt to run in in support of Team Active Water.



I'm excited!
I'm also gonna be looking for a pair of grey shorts to go with it. 
I'm also looking for donations.



If you would like to donate to aide those around the world without clean, drinkable water, go HERE or put the donation in my hand and I will make sure that it gets donated for you. 

Help me help others as I run for clean water!

Jim

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Picture Video from High School SITS 2011

Here are some photos from High School week of Summer in the Son.  We used this video as a countdown on Sunday morning, July 10th.  The song is "Beautiful" by MercyMe!

Jim

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Daily Read July 6, 2011

Mark 4:3-9

New International Version (NIV)

³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
 ⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”


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Daily Read July 5, 2011

Mark 2:17

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”


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Running for ( Active ) Water

Saturday's run was rough. 

Officially, it was the first time that I have run 14 miles before.  I've gone 13.1 before... but never to 14.  Saturday, I did it!  (Here is the GARMIN DATA and RUNKEEPER DATA for the run... if you want to see a bit more detail.)

But it was hot. 
It was humid.
And towards the end, I was really struggling. 

But I made it. 
And I made it in part because of water.  First, I needed regular hydration in order to make a run that far.  Usually when I run shorter distances, I don't take water along... I can usually make it without it for runs in the 5-9 mile range.  But for 14... I certainly needed the water. 

Secondly, I made it because the water provided motivation for me.  I have hydration belt pack... but I don't really like carrying the weight... so I have begun to hide water bottles (partially frozen) near where I start my runs.  When I get back to the start (after either 4 or 5 miles), I have a drink.  Towards the end of my 14 mile run... I just wanted to get a drink... so I was working or those water bottles. 

It got me thinking about something. 

So far, all my running has been about me.  It's been about what I've accomplished... the medals that I have earned... the weight that I have lost... and what I have succeeded at.  Kinda seems a bit shallow. 

So I'm going to deepen it.



In training for my first full marathon and after a week at Summer in the Son, I have decided to partner with Active Water to raise funds and awareness for the millions around the world who do not have access to clean water.  Many millions of people around the world, especially those who live in third world countries, do not have access to clean water on a regular basis.  (HERE are some facts about clean water... I'd encourage you to check them out.)  Active Water came and presented the work that they are doing in Zambia and around the world last week at Summer in the Son and how they partner with athletes to make a difference in lives.  I was challenged and convicted to join the team. 

Active Water is a group of athletes who are helping to take on the world's water crisis one run... one race... one donation at a time. 

I have officially joined Team Active Water. 

I have set a fundraising goal that I plan to achieve before the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio on September 17th.  I am aiming to raise $1,020 for Active Water.  That will be enough money to provide 12 families in Africa with bio-sand filters in their homes that will provide them with clean, drinkable water for 20 years. 

Would you be willing to join me???

I have created a fundraising page so that you can join me... encourage me as I train... and spur me on to raising $1,020 before the Air Force Marathon on September 17th.  All donations above $1,020 will go to provide more bio-sand filters... or even help dig a well!!! (Wouldn't that be amazing!!!)

So... If you are interested and willing to help me fundraise for Active Water, VISIT MY FUNDRAISING PAGE HERE to donate.  It will only take a couple of moments and will change the world of those who do not have access to clean water.

Over the next couple of months... I'll do all the work...
            Active Water will get all the money...
            Families around the world will get clean water!!!

Won't you join me?

Jim



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God Has Blessed America

Happy 4th of July!

Check it out HERE!



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SITS #3

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SITS #2

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SITS #1

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Daily Read June 24, 2011

Matthew 22:34-40

New International Version (NIV)

The Greatest Commandment

 ³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


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Daily Read June 23, 2011

Matthew 20:25-28

New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


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Working the training... Air Force Full Marathon

I'm in my 5th week of training for my first full marathon... the Air Force Marathon on September 17th in Dayton, Ohio. 

So far... training is going well (knock on wood). Just after starting this cycle, I decided to switch plans.  Up until a few weeks ago, I used Runner's World's Smart Coach as my guide for my training.  For my Flying Pig training, I was training four days a week, which I really liked.  As I started this cycle, they pushed me back to three days a week.  I wanted more.  


So I began to ask around.  Almost unanimously most marathoners that I talked with recommended Hal Higdon's plans.  I browsed around and after a little tweaking, I landed on Intermediate I.  And I like it.  I'm running five days a week (not on Sundays or Wednesdays due to church obligations) and feeling pretty good.  


I'm in my 2nd slow down week currently... prepping for my first longer than 13 mile run... next weekend at 14 miles.  And I feel good.  I know that every day... except big church days... is a run day.  It's part of my thinking for the day.  Tomorrow morning, I'll run.  Friday morning, I'll run.  Yesterday morning, I ran.  It's part of my day... I don't have to think about it.


Lesson for runners: Listen to your body.  I've had a few aches and pains, which are normal.  I've had a few bad runs, again normal.  But overall, I feel ready to run every time I lace up my running shoes.  And I'm feeling like I'm building a solid base (at the height of training, I'll have two 43 mile weeks).  I think and hope that I will be ready for my race 86 days from now.  


I would invite you to participate... but as you'll see from their website, the marathon and half marathon are both sold out! 


Jim



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Adorable Kitten for Adoption!

Jackie and I rescued this little guy the other night.

A storm came through Caldwell about 5:30 pm, just as we were getting ready to head out for a run.  We prepped dinner and after the storm went through, we headed out for a run.  Jackie went one way... I went a different.  When she came home, she was talking about hearing a kitten crying loudly. 

So... we went... took some ham and found the little guy.  He (we're assuming) was cold... wet... hungry... thirsty... and very lonely.

He acts like he used to belong to someone.  He is very friendly... purrs very loudly.  Wants to play and be petted.  He is also litter trained.  We've put up some posters, hoping that if he used to belong to someone they will come forward.  At this point, nothing. 

So, we are working to find him a "forever home."  If you are local to Zanesville, Caldwell or Cambridge and would like to consider adopting him into your life and home, contact me either via phone (which you'll have to know because I'm not going to post it here) or Facebook. 

We're trying to find a home for this little guy.  Help us... if you are interested.  If you know of someone who is looking for an awesome little kitten, pass this along to them. 

Jim
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The Newsboy is back!!! Peter Furler - Reach (music video)

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Daily Read June 20, 2011

Matthew 19:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.  ¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.


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Daily Read June 19, 2011

Matthew 18:12-14

New International Version (NIV)

   ¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.


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Daily Read June 18, 2011

1 Kings 19:9-13

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ There he went into a cave and spent the night.
And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  ¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
 ¹¹ The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
   Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
   Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”


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Daily Read June 17, 2011

Matthew 17:20

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”


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Daily Read June 16, 2011

Matthew 16:24-28

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
   ²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”


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Daily Read June 15, 2011

Matthew 16:13-16

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
   ¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
 ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”


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Daily Read June 14, 2011

Matthew 11:28-30

New International Version (NIV)

   ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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Daily Read June 13, 2011

Matthew 9:35-38

New International Version (NIV)

  ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

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Daily Read June 12, 2011

Matthew 9:9-13

New International Version (NIV)

The Calling of Matthew

 ⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.“Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

 ¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

 ¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

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Daily Read June 11, 2011

1 Kings 2:1-4

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹ When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

 ² “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, ³ and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go ⁴ and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

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Daily Read June 10, 2011

2 Samuel 24:18-25

New International Version (NIV)

David Builds an Altar

 ¹⁸ On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” ¹⁹ So David went up, as the LORD had commanded through Gad. ²⁰ When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.

 ²¹ Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”

   “To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”

 ²² Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. ²³ Your Majesty, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the LORD your God accept you.”

 ²⁴ But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

   So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. ²⁵David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

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Daily Read June 8, 2011

Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

   ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


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Wave At the Bus

I heard about THIS this morning on the radio...

The short story:
A creative dad (pictured in the wedding dress) realized that after the bus picked up his (then 15 year old) son, it made a loop and circled back past the house.  So he decided to wait and wave.  This, of course, embarrassed his son... which only encouraged his dad. 

Every day for the rest of the year, his dad found a creative costume to dress up in and wave... Seriously, some of these are really creative... pirates, wedding dresses, Michael Jackson, a giant chicken, Ariel the mermaid, a soccer goalie, batgirl, and even Terry Potter... just to name a few from the end of the stunt.

But for 170 days, his dad dressed up in order to have some fun with his son.  That's pretty cool. 

Sometimes it's difficult for parents to connect with their kids... especially their teenage kids.  This dad found a way and made a memory.  I will guarantee, his son will never forget. 

What creative ways are you using to connect with your teenager(s)?

Jim
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Daily Read June 7, 2011

Matthew 4:18-22

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed him.  ²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²² and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.


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Daily Read June 6, 2011

Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  ¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
 ¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”


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