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

Dancing Merengue Dog

You can teach some people anything...

Wow!

Jim

Check it out HERE if you want!

Daily Read August 28, 2010

Ezekiel 18:20-22 (New International Version)

²⁰ The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.

²¹ "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. ²² None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live.