YouVersion sermon is back this weekend!!!

The sermon on YouVersion's Holy Bible is back this weekend for you iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and Blackberry users... along with anyone else who wants to use it live during the sermon!!!

Check it! (Under events and Zanesville's zip code)

Jim

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Daily Read October 23, 2010

John 8:31-32 (New International Version)

 ³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

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Running... What's next???

So I've intentionally held off on making any plans public for running next year.  A couple of reasons for that... since I know you all have waiting on the edges of your seats... like my running is some incredible feat of athleticism. 

But I've held off.  One, I didn't want the excitement of completing my first half marathon to make me go off and predict that I could do something that I couldn't do.  Two, I wanted to confirm with a friend who may be joining me for one of these next year.  Three, I wanted to make sure that this was something that I wanted to do. 

And it is. 

I was standing at a local high school football game talking with a member of our church (and local doctor... who also runs marathons) about running last week (and actually last night too).  As we were talking, he said to me... "So do you think this running thing is going to stick?"  I said, without hesitation... "Yes." 

I have begun to really enjoy my time out.  Said doctor and I were talking last night about running and training and as I walked back to my car after the game, I found myself excited for my run today just because we had talked about it last night. 

So I have decided on two races for next year. 

The first will be the Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio.  While it's got a funny name, there isn't anything funny about this race.  It has a serious reputation for some massive hills that test the runner.  So I'm already counting down the days (189 days and 20 hours) until this half on May 1st.  Why the half, you ask?  I am planning to tackle a full (see below), but I'm not going to push to run a full marathon early in the spring with the bulk of my training being during the temperamental winter months... it could be 30's and mild all winter or single digits and frigid all winter... you never know.  So, I'll save the full for a bit later... 

My second long race (not counting any little 5ks of 10ks over the course of the summer) will be the Air Force Full Marathon.  That's right folks... the whole 26.2 miles.  I thought this would be a fun run... it's on an Air Force base about 3 hours from here... and it will be mostly flat.  I will need to work hard to make the whole distance, I don't need some massive hills slowing me down.  So... I'm also counting the days here... (328 days and 21 hours)

So... that's my plan for 2011 running-wise.  I want to return, at some point in the future, and run the full marathon in Akron... since I ran the 1/2.  But next year might not be the year... my parents are having a big anniversary next year and we are talking about a whole family trip that would land on Akron weekend.

After next year... we'll have to see which of the rest of the 49 states to tackle a marathon in!

Jim 

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Month of Wisdom - October 22

(Yay... Blogger got it's act together!!!)

I'm always amazed at the compromises that some folks will make.  Cheat to get a good grade (and yes, using someone else's homework is cheating...).  Go out with someone because you think they're cool when you know their reputation.  Steal to get what you want.  Lie to make yourself look better.  Put others down to push yourself up. 

If you are tempted to do that, today's reading from Proverbs 22 is for you. Check out the first verse:


Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
 ¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches;
       to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.


A good name... a good reputation... good standing is more important than getting ahead.  Why?  It's a good witness to our world as to who our God is.  What message does it give the world when we cheat, steal, lie and act dishonorably?  (Answer: They think we aren't any different than the world...)  We are different!!! At least, we're supposed to be!!!

Jim

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Daily Read October 22, 2010

John 8:12 (New International Version)

 ¹²When 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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Month of Wisdom - October 21

Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)
²³ He who guards his mouth and his tongue
       keeps himself from calamity.

This is just good advice!

Jim


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Daily Read October 21, 2010

Matthew 16:24-27 (New International Version)

 ²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷For 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 he has done.


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Daily Read October 20, 2010

John 6:35 (New International Version)

 ³⁵Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.


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Month of Wisdom - October 20

Proverbs 20:9 (NIV)
 ⁹ Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;
       I am clean and without sin"?

No one can.
That's part of the beauty of the good news of Jesus Christ.  We have all come up short of God's perfect standard.  We all have sin and uncleanliness in our hearts.  Jesus choose to come to earth to clean that all away. 

That's good news indeed!!!

Jim

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Daily Read October 19, 2010

Luke 9:20 (New International Version)

 ²⁰"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
      Peter answered, "The Christ of God."


Jesus asked this question of Peter and His Disciples... but we all have to answer it at some point.  


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Month of Wisdom - October 19

I need reminders.

I don't know how you organize, but I have a moleskine (which I have a couple of friends that will tell you that's it a fancy name for a journal...) that I keep just about everything that is currently important or might be important in the future.  I'm a list keeper.  I keep a list of projects.  I keep a list of current ideas.  I keep a to-do list for things that I have to get done this week... this month... and my current goals. 

Same is true about my running.  I have a schedule... list of my upcoming runs... so I don't have to worry about what to do next. 

Same is true with my office.  Things that get filed are often out of sight... therefore out of mind.  So I tend to leave current projects on my desk. 

I need to be reminded regularly. 

That's one of the reasons that I read my Bible regularly... I need to be reminded... I tend to forget... I need to continuously be putting instruction into my heart.  (And yes... I have a list of Bible readings too...)

Take a look at
Proverbs 19:27 (NIV)
" ²⁷ Stop listening to instruction, my son,
       and you will stray from the words of knowledge."

Those who quit listening to instruction... tend to stray... I want to stay on task today... how about you?

Jim

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David Crowder Band - SMS [Shine]

Sweet new video from the Crowder Band!!!

Super creative!!!

Check it out HERE.

Jim



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Daily Read October 18, 2010

Matthew 10:37-39 (New International Version)

 ³⁷"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; ³⁸and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.


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Daily Read October 17, 2010

Luke 11:9-13 (New International Version)

 ⁹"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
 ¹¹"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"


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Month of Wisdom - October 17

Most times it's better to say nothing all.

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)
 ²⁸ Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
       and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Jim

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blogger's being stupid...

For some reason... Blogger won't load up images...
It's slowing down my blogging...
Come on Blogger!


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Daily Read October 16, 2010

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

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


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Month of Wisdom - October 16

When was the last time that you prayed about doing something BEFORE you did it?  Most of us likely do what I do... do something and then pray that God blesses what I just did.  It's amazing, though, when you take the time to pray to God about something before you do it how much more Spirit-guided it is.

Sometimes... when I pray about something that I want to do... and it's not Spirit-guided... I don't do it. 
Sometimes... when I pray about something that I want to do... and it's not Spirit-guided... it fails.
Sometimes... when I pray about something that I want to do... and it's not Spirit-guided... I do it anyway and I look stupid.

Sometimes... when I pray about something I feel God is leading me to do... and it is Spirit-guided... God makes it HUGE!  Check out what Solomon says in Proverbs 16...

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
 ³ "Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
       and your plans will succeed."


Jim

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Daily Read October 15, 2010

Matthew 9:35-38 (New International Version)

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

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Daily Read October 14, 2010

Matthew 7:7-11 (New International Version)

 ⁷"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  ⁹"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

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Month of Wisdom - October 14

You have to be cautious of who you hang around with.  We tend to become like the people that we spend time with.  If you want to become an athlete, hang around with athletes.  If you want to become musical, hang around with musicians.  If you want to become a stylish person, hang around with people who have style.  If you want to become foolish (not sure why you would), hang around with foolish people.  

Why?  You'll become foolish because there is no wisdom or knowledge on their lips.  In fact, Solomon even goes so far as to warn us to stay away from... avoid... foolish people. 

Proverbs 14 (New International Version)

 ⁷ Stay away from a foolish man,
       for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

Wisdom for you today might mean... staying away from some people that are foolish... especially if you're shooting for wisdom!

Jim

(BTW: For some reason, Blogger won't let me upload the "wisdom sign"... sorry.  And my apologies for missing yesterday... just didn't get a chance to get it done!)


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Daily Read October 13, 2010

Matthew 6:31-34 (New International Version)

³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


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Month of Wisdom - October 12

Stupid is a pretty harsh word. 

In fact, I have heard of several parents banning the word "stupid" from their homes.  (If you are one of those homes and I just introduced the word back into your house, my apologies.)

Many of us would be shocked to find out that the Bible uses the word "stupid".  It's right here in Proverbs 12:1...

Proverbs 12 (New International Version)

 ¹ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
       but he who hates correction is stupid.

The definition for stupid is, according to Dictionary.com, "lacking common sense."  Seems simple enough.  If I drive down the road and ignore the correction of the speed limit signs and get pulled over, that was stupid... I didn't heed the correction and knowledge of the signs.  If I ignore the law that I should put on my seat belt when I drive and then get into an accident and get hurt because I didn't wear it, that was stupid. 

Most of us don't like the word "stupid" because it sounds harsh and mean.  God's Word says, however, that those who hate correction... especially the correction, knowledge and wisdom that come from God's Word are stupid...

Jim
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Daily Read October 12, 2010

Matthew 6:19-24 (New International Version)

 ¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  ²²"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. ²³But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
 ²⁴"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.


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The Mp3 Experiment Seven

This has got some serious youth ministry potential... we've gotta try this out!!

Read more about it HERE!
HERE'S the vid!



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Evidence that I should hide my markers...

An unlocked door...
Available markers...
Encouragement from a certain wife...


I should hide my markers...

:-)

Jim

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Month of Wisdom - October 11

We all like to think we know the answers. 

I used to love to take tests in middle school and high school.  For the most part, a lot of the tests were fill in the blanks tests or matching tests... those essay tests are from the devil... and I had way too many of them in college.  But I loved to take those tests especially when I knew the answers.  I could fly down the page filling them in and finished in 20 minutes. 

Sometimes we don't know the answers.  What happens then?  When you don't know an answer, who do you go to?  Who gives you advice?  Do you go to anyone at all???

You might want to check out the words of Solomon...

Proverbs 11:14 (New International Version)

 ¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,
       but many advisers make victory sure.

Jim


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Daily Read October 11, 2010

Matthew 5:13-16 (New International Version)

 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 by men.  ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither 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. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.


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Daily Read October 10, 2010

Luke 6:46-49 (New International Version)

 ⁴⁶"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

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Month of Wisdom - October 10

I love to run. 

Most of you that know me or at least follow me on my blog, Twitter or Facebook know that.  One thing about my running that you may not know is that I hate to run after dark.  If the sun isn't up (or at least coming up soon) yet or it's about to go down (before half of my run is over), I'm not going to go. 

I have had bad ankles in the past and I'm intentional about making sure that I don't do something to hurt my ankles... which can happen when it's dark.  A twisted, hurt or broken ankle sidelines a runner fast.  I've got running goals to accomplish and don't want to be sidelined for an extended period of time.

So if I'm not sure about my footing when I run, I don't run.  I want to be able to run securely... so I stay off of dark roads and crooked paths... Check out Proverbs 10.  Good advice, not just for running, but for life. 

Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)
 ⁹ The man of integrity walks securely,
       but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Jim
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Daily Read October 9, 2010

John 4:34-38 (New International Version)

 ³⁴"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. ³⁵Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ³⁶Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. ³⁷Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. ³⁸I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."


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Month of Wisdom - October 9

I like to read.  I won't really say that I love to read... given equal opportunities, I might choose to do other things (like going for a run... hanging out on Facebook or playing XBox (although I haven't played much XBox lately).  But for the most part, I like to read. 

Because I like to gain new knowledge.  I don't have it all together.  I don't know everything (yet... although I'm getting closer).  I know that there are things that I don't know and can learn from others. 


For instance, right now I'm reading John Maxwell's leadership classic "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership."  Here is an individual who knows far more about leadership than I will ever know.  And I have a few moments every day where I get to learn a bit from him and his experience.  When you think about it, that's a great opportunity. 

Learning truly is a privilege.  One that many don't take.  Solomon valued wisdom and learning and reminded us that wise folks learn and gain in wisdom...

Proverbs 9:9 (NIV)
 ⁹ Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
       teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

What do you need to read today in order to learn???

Jim

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Daily Read October 8, 2010

John 4:23-24 (New International Version)

²³Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."


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Month of Wisdom - October 8

There have been times when I've done stupid stuff... I know... hard to believe but true.  There have been times when I thought I knew what I was doing.  There have been times when I thought I knew where I was going.  But in reality, I didn't.

A couple of weeks ago I drove up with Jackie to visit Ashland Seminary, where she is taking a few classes.  In my mind, I knew for the most part where I was going.  I also had a GPS in the car that was giving me directions.  I, however, decided that I knew better which direction to go and assumed that the GPS would just play along and eventually realize that I was going the "best" way. 

Come to find out, I didn't know where I was going.  And I had to take some less than ideal dirt roads in order to get where I wanted to go and almost made us late for an appointment. 

See I thought I knew... but I really didn't.  Wisdom said, "Follow the GPS... It has a better perspective and more knowledge than you do."  Foolishness said, "I know where I'm going... This will be okay."  Wisdom would have saved me some time, dirty looks from my wife and dirt on the car.

Maybe you need to hear the word of Proverbs 8 today... especially verse where the foolish gain understanding from wisdom. 

Proverbs 8:5 (NIV)
 ⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence;
       you who are foolish, gain understanding.

Jim

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Daily Read October 7, 2010

John 3:16-17 (New International Version)

 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. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.


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Month of Wisdom - October 7

I eat an apple almost everyday. 

A couple of years ago, Jackie and I began a diet habit that has carried over... it's a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack.  Around 10:30, I have a morning snack and around 3 pm, I have an afternoon snack. 

Almost everyday, that mid-morning snack is an apple.  Right now is a great time to eat apples because they are all fresh and tasty.  (As a sidenote, we got a great box of apples for about $10 and they are awesome... just thought I'd share.)  I always look forward to that apple for snack. 

We should have a similar response to the wisdom found in God's word.  Check out Proverbs 7:2:

"² Keep my commands and you will live;
       guard my teachings as the apple of your eye."

As the old saying goes, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away..."  A bite from God's Word brings life.


Jim


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Daily Read October 6, 2010

Luke 5:29-32 (New International Version)

 ²⁹Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. ³⁰But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
 ³¹Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³²I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."


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Month of Wisdom - October 6

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NIV)

" ⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard;
       consider its ways and be wise!
 ⁷ It has no commander,
       no overseer or ruler,
 ⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer
       and gathers its food at harvest.
 ⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
       When will you get up from your sleep?
 ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,
       a little folding of the hands to rest-
 ¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a bandit
       and scarcity like an armed man."
I am by nature a procrastinator.  Friday afternoons are super busy for me because there are projects and tasks that have to be done by the weekend and many times on Tuesday they don't seem particularly pressing.  But they are very pressing by Friday. 

Solomon uses a simple analogy to illustrate that we should be diligent in our work.  Ants don't have a boss or a supervisor... yet they get all their work done in a timely manner.  They have enough food to survive the winter. 

We should model the ants in how we work... diligent and effectively.  Many times, however, we work in just the opposite fashion.  Today, consider how you work and if that method should change.

Jim

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Welcome "Awake"

A couple of weeks ago, officially changed the name of our Sunday night program from Kardia to Ignition. 

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been some concern that the name is too close to another area youth ministry's name "Ignite."  There were also some that speculated that someone may have overloaded the voting before others could vote. 

So... Sunday night we put to another vote and set it up so that no one could overload the software with votes.

Therefore, Kardia was Ignition and is now: Awake!!!

"Awake" is the new name for the Sunday night event for students at North Terrace Church of Christ. 

Jim


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Daily Read October 5, 2010

Luke 5:17-26 (New International Version)

 ¹⁷One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. ¹⁸Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹When 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.  ²⁰When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
 ²¹The 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?"
 ²²Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? ²⁴But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." ²⁵Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. ²⁶Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."


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Month of Wisdom - October 5

Proverbs 5:21 (NIV)

 ²¹ For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.

How often we forget that God sees all.  There are days when I forget the simple truth that Proverbs 5:21 shares with us.  We go through our life... work... friends... hobbies... socializing... hanging out online... and we forget that everything we say and do is in full view of God.  He knows where we go, what we do, what we think or feel and how we express ourselves when someone runs a red light or cuts us off on Maple Avenue. 

Something to think about today!

Jim

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Daily Read October 4, 2010

Matthew 4:18-22 (New International Version)

 ¹⁸As 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 make you fishers of men." ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him.  ²¹Going 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, ²²and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.


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Month of Wisdom - October 4

This month, Pastor Bill has challenged the congregation of North Terrace to spend some time in the book of Proverbs (check out the sermon from October 3rd HERE) as he teaches us through Proverbs between now and Thanksgiving.  He has encouraged us to read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the day of the month that it is... today is the 4th of October, therefore read Proverbs 4. 

So I'm going to start a line of devotional blog posts that correspond with my reading through Proverbs this month.  I used to read Proverbs regularly like this... but stopped in the past couple of years... not sure why.  I'm kinda excited about getting back into this habit.  The hope is that it encourages you.

Proverbs 4:10-13 (NIV)

 ¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
       and the years of your life will be many.
 ¹¹ I guide you in the way of wisdom
       and lead you along straight paths.
 ¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
       when you run, you will not stumble.
 ¹³ Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
       guard it well, for it is your life.

When I started running a couple of years ago, I had no idea what I was doing.  The first time, I put on my shoes and headed outside.  But I had tons of questions.  What kind of shoes to get?  What kind of clothes to buy?  How much to run?  How hard to train?  How to handle specific issues that I was facing (like blisters, etc)?  What time during the day should I run?  How far was a mile?  But I had no idea what I was doing... since I had never done it before.

Thankfully, I found several good friends surrounding me who were regular runners.  They possessed the wisdom that I desired.  In order to achieve the answers that I needed, all I needed to do was ask.  I could have continued to try to figure it out on my own... Or I could just ask someone. 

That's wisdom.  Asking someone who's been there and done that.  One of the greatest helps to my running was getting a monthly subscription to "Runner's World Magazine."  Every month it comes packed with great advice, tips and ideas about running from folks who learned the hard way. 

Why go through life learning the hard way?  Why not go to the source of wisdom (God's Word) and dig into His wisdom (Proverbs...)? 

Jim
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Daily Read October 3, 2010

Matthew 4:8-10 (New International Version)

 ⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
 ¹⁰Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'

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Daily Read October 2, 2010

Mark 1:35-37 (New International Version)

 ³⁵Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

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Daily Read October 1, 2010

Mark 1:14-20 (New International Version)

 ¹⁴After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"  ¹⁶As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ¹⁸At once they left their nets and followed him.
 ¹⁹When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.


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Daily Read September 30, 2010

Matthew 3:13-17 (New International Version)

 ¹³Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"  ¹⁵Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
 ¹⁶As 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 lighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."


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Daily Read September 29, 2010

Matthew 1:20-21 (New International Version)

 ²⁰But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."


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Daily Read September 28, 2010

Luke 1:26-33 (New International Version)

 ²⁶In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."  ²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."


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Daily Read September 27, 2010

John 1:1-4 (New International Version)

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.  ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men.


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Akron 1/2... Had a blast!!!

I had an absolute blast today!!!!

Today, I ran the Akron (Ohio) 1/2 Marathon and it was awesome.  (This picture is me at the start line after the race was over.)  I had a pretty good time... 2 hours, 6 minutes and 40 seconds.  I was hoping for less than 2 hours... but it just didn't happen... and I'm okay with that. That's a respectable time for my first half marathon. 

It was a fun race... I'm already thinking about returning next year for the full 26.2 miles. 

But something dawned me today.  After I completed my race, Jackie and I hung out in Canal Park Stadium (home of the Akron Areos)... where the finish line was... and watched as the other runners came into the stadium.  We watched them cross the finish line.  Some of them struggled to walk another 10 feet after crossing. 

After a bit, we left and went over to the YMCA (queue the music) where the Akron marathon had worked out an opportunity for free showers.  Rather than subjecting Jackie to smelling me... and I stunk... all the way home, I thought the shower would be a wise investment.  It was.  I felt good afterwards.

But then we stood along the race course and watched some of those who were still coming in for the full marathon.  I recognized some faces since I had run with some of these folks... They ran the full... I ran the 1/2... but we were running a similar pace.  So we had run together.  As I watched them, a Scripture came to mind.

" ¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV)


As I watched them and cheered them, I felt like part of that cloud of witnesses and I got a glimpse of heaven.  Many of those who were running the full were struggling to finish (and they only had about 400 meters to go... but when you've gone that far, another step can be a struggle) and I wanted them to finish so bad I could taste it for them.  I wanted to jump in and run it for them... but I couldn't. The Akron Marathon allows us to put our names on our bibs above our numbers so we could cheer for them by name.  It was great to cheer people on by name in the midst of their greatest struggle.  I can imagine heaven filled with the millions of those who have gone before... some of which we know (Peter, Andrew, James, John, Stephen and others)... some of which we don't... all cheering us on as we run.  Screaming... cheering... chanting our names as we run towards the finish.  They've gone before where we haven't gone yet... but they know the glory and thrill that lies just around the bend and across that finish line. 




That seems to be exactly the image in Hebrews 12!!! What a great experience!!!


Overall the half marathon was a great, great experience.  Fun to run with so many people who were serious about running.  Fun to face the challenge of 13.1 miles (most I had done previously was 11 miles).  And felt great to cross that finish line... running... hard!!! (Hopefully I'll have that picture soon... since the Akron marathon photographs everyone crossing... to put up here.)

I want to finish life that way. 
I hope you do too!!!
I want to finish spiritually running hard!!!!


A couple of days off... back on the road on Tuesday for a couple of miles. 
What's next?  I don't know for sure.  I'll let you know.  Right now, I need a nap!!!

Jim




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Akron 1/2

This is it!!!

I'm about to jump in the car and head to Akron for the 1/2 marathon tomorrow morning at 7 am.  (If you want to keep up with me, check out THIS post.)  All of my training has come down to this. 

I'm nervous.
I'm excited. 
I'm looking forward to it.
I'm thinking about going home. 
I suppose those feelings are normal and natural. 

So here goes nothing!!!

See you at the finish line!
Jim

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Daily Read September 22, 2010

Esther 4:14 (New International Version)

¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"



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Akron 1/2 Marathon staight ahead!!!

It's tough to imagine that all I've been training for this summer is almost here.

-Saturday morning
-7 am
-Downtown Akron will be the Akron 1/2 Marathon.

So far this year I've put in about 300 miles in training for this 1/2 marathon. (Some were running and training before officially being on a training plan... but really, doesn't all the running that I've done up until now qualify as prep for my next race???)

I think I'm ready. Today, I only ran 5 miles. Which seems long unless you consider that last week on Monday I ran 11 miles. Today's accomplishment was pretty significant though... I ran 5 miles, all of which were under 9 minutes per mile. So I finished today's 5 mile run in 44m 50s. Which is great!!

I have one more run... a short little 2 miler on Thursday.

Then I'll be ready.

If you want to keep up with me for race weekend, there's a couple of ways to do it.

• If you want "live" text message updates from the Akron marathon about my progress, you can sign up HERE and cheer me on from wherever you are... I'm assuming these will be pretty quick after crossing certain points on the race course... could be wrong though.
• After the race, I will sync up my race time through Nike+ which will show up through my TWITTER page or my FACEBOOK page.
  
• Finally, I will also put up a quick message with my time here on MY BLOG.
  

I'm looking forward to a great run and a great time. I'm especially looking forward to the free, post race massage!!! I'm really looking forward to enjoying the race atmosphere at this level since this will be my first 1/2 marathon.

Then... what will be next??? Flying Pig in Cincy??? Maybe returning to Akron for the full marathon??? Don't know...

Jim

Eric Samuel Timm of No One Underground

An incredible painter and an amazing speaker!!! Eric does an awesome job every time I see him work. I don't do many endorsements on my blog... but if you are looking for a painter and/or speaker... check out Eric. He's one of a kind!!! Literally!!

Jim

Change is in the air... Kardia is now "Ignition"

Fall is here...
The leaves are beginning to change...
The temps are starting to drop...



Sunday nights are changing at North Terrace as well. We've make a few programming and visionary changes to the Sunday night student program and so we thought a new name was in order.

The students voted (via text poll) Sunday night and chose "Ignition" as the new Sunday night name.

So... Kardia is now Ignition.

Welcome Ignition!

Jim

Daily Read September 13, 2010

Daniel 3:13-18 (New International Version)

¹³ Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, ¹⁴ and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? ¹⁵ Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Remembering...

I remember exactly where I was...

I was behind the wheel of my GMC pickup truck on my way to a youth ministers' meeting in Brookville, PA. It was a clear blue sky day without any clouds in the sky. I remember hearing the news on my radio that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center... Then a short period later, another plane hit the other tower...

I remember sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Brookville with some very close friends watching the towers fall. I remember the panic that we felt when we heard that another plane had crashed 100 miles from where we were sitting. I remember rushing home because they were dismissing school and I felt that I needed to be there. I remember looking at the blue sky and thinking about how odd it was that there wasn't a single airplane in the sky... because they had all been grounded. I remember calling my mom on my cell phone and feeling some relief to talk to her. I remember leaving my TV on for hours because it felt wrong to turn it off. I remember folks flocking to church to hold hands with others and pray. I remember the feeling of helplessness.

I remember my parents talking about where they were and what they were doing when our President, John F. Kennedy was assassinated and I never really understood that. But after 9/11, I remember everything... even small unimportant details about that day.

Today... on September 11th... 9 years later...

I remember.

I remember that these words carried a lot of meaning 9 years ago.

Psalm 91 (New International Version)

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

I remember those those lost their lives that day... those in the towers... those firefighters and police officers who tried to help others out of the building and lost their lives... those who bravely defended our nation on foreign soil.

I remember.

And most importantly... I will never forget.

Jim

Daily Read September 9, 2010

Ezekiel 34:11-16 (New International Version)

¹¹ " 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. ¹² As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. ¹³ I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. ¹⁴ I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. ¹⁶ I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Fall Running

I love fall running.

Today reminded me of that. This morning was cool (about 65 when I left the house) without a trace of that oppressive summer humidity. It was a great run!!! There was a breeze!! Awesome!

I love the crispness of the air. I love the leaves scattered on the running trail. I love the cooler temps to move my big body through... although this week I have had several 230's weigh ins... like 239 today... 237.5, 238, etc... can't remember the last time I was in the 230's weight-wise.

But I love fall running.

Today was a great 7-mile run leading up to the Akron 1/2 marathon (Sept 25). It's amazing to me what I have been able to train my body to do. Today's 7 mile run really didn't push me too much. Monday, I ran 10 miles... first time ever in double digits.

By the way... if you would like to receive text message updates about my race in Akron... You can sign up HERE. I have no idea how quickly they will come... but if you want to follow along, feel free to sign up.

So as I head into the last couple of weeks of intense training, I'm loving the early onset of fall!!!

SYMC 2011

Man... I'm gonna miss this this year...




But if you're a youth worker... and you can get there... you gotta get there!!!!

It's awesome!!!

Jim

Text Messaging Service for North Terrace Youth!!!

Texting is the way to go. Most communicate via text... especially students. So we are in the process of gearing up a texting service for our students through Simply Youth Ministry Texting. The texts will be updates about upcoming events, sign up sheets and important information about current happenings of the youth ministry.

Students, we are passing out green colored cards over the weekend for you to sign up on if you would like to join the service.

If you don't want to wait, you can sign yourself up. Follow these simple links and you'll be set up and ready to roll with the texting service as it gets started. (You can opt out on down the road if you decide you don't want the updates.)

Don't worry parents... we haven't forgotten about you. You can sign up too so we can let you know important information and trip return ETAs. You can sign up below as well.

High School Students sign up here:
Sign up for our TXT message alerts!

Middle School Students sign up here:
Sign up for our TXT message alerts!

Parents sign up here:
Sign up for our TXT message alerts!

Let me know if you have any questions!
Jim