Mexico Mission Trip 2012 Oakfield-Alabama, Elba, and Lockport Churches

Gaining New Confidence

A comment I hear frequently when I mention that I'm training for another marathon is, "I could never do that!"  And my response is typically the same, "Neither could I when I first started running."

In fact, when I first started running, I was lucky if I could run around the block without gasping for air.  I used to secretly pray that my shoe would come untied so I could take a break!
  
Running a marathon isn't something you decide to do one morning and then sign up for a race the next weekend.  Rather, you start out small and then, over the course of time, you push yourself further and further... a few 5K races, then a 10K, and then a half-marathon (13.1 miles) or two.

Soon you discover that the initial pains of running have passed and you actually look forward to getting out on the road again.  One of the people in our running group posted this week that she found herself smiling while running!  That's when you know you're hooked.

Recently, I've been helping other runners prepare for their first half and full marathon by being a pace leader on our Saturday longs.  I love running with these people.  It's great to hear them say, "I've never run 10 miles before!" and then see them smile when we finish our run.  They're finding for themselves something I discovered since becoming a runner... a new found sense of confidence.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength."  I often repeat this verse to myself while running or when I find myself in a new or uncomfortable situation.

Distance running has given me the confidence I need when facing difficult challenges, knowing that God will give me the strength I need to push my way on to the finish line.

No Fear

On Wednesday I'll be leading a mission trip to Mexico.  There are 10 people (including myself) that will be going to work at Resplandor de Vida, a children's home located near Juarez.  We will be holding Bible classes & activities for about 110 children, distributing food in a nearby colonia, worshiping in a local church, and doing some light construction work at the mission compound.

All of us are excited to be going.  And most of those we know are excited for us.  But there have been some unexpected responses.  On more than one occasion I have heard something like, "What?  Are you crazy?  Don't you know how dangerous it is for Americans in Mexico???"  Such statements have come from well-meaning church members, concerned parents, and other pastors & leaders.


So, here's my response to those concerns...

1. Yes, I know about the dangers that exist in the Juarez, Mexico area.  Dangers exist all around us, even in what we normally consider to be safe areas.  The recent shooting spree in Aurora,  Colorado reminds us of this.
2. We will show proper care to follow the directions of those who know the area best.  We will be there for one week; they live with these dangers constantly.
3. Our God is bigger than any of the difficult or dangerous situation we may face, and we will trust in His care.

Here are two Bible verses that I think of frequently: 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:28,38-39, NIV)

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

We do not need to fear.  There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from God's love.

Here is what God will do for us, whether we are in Juarez, Aurora or anywhere else... he will protect us from all harm, he will sustain us through our difficulties, or he'll take us to our eternal home.  He may even choose to do all three! 

Oh yeah, there's one more thing God will do...  He will use us to honor & glorify Him.  And that's better than anything else we could desire.

For more information about Resplandor de Vida, visit www.harvesthandsministries.org

"Take Five" Friday

It's been a scorcher of a week here in WNY, as it has been in many parts of our country.  This has led many people to seek ways to stay cool.  Here are some ideas you may not have thought about... until now.

Feel free to give them a try and let us know how you make out or share a few of your own suggestions.

5 Unusual Ways to Beat the Summer Heat...

1.  Having a picnic lunch in your bank's lobby.

2.  Standing in an appliance store with all the refrigerator and freezer doors open.

3.  Volunteering to inventory the grocery store's frozen food department.

4.  Posing as a statue in the park's fountain.

5.  Wrapping your body in freeze pops.

A Tribute to Andy

Today we lost an American legend... Andy Griffith.  Like thousands of others, I grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show.  His role as Sheriff Andy Taylor gave us a glimpse of the man he truly was:  gracious & fair, loving & firm, a man of rock solid convictions, and one whose faith was genuine.

Before pursuing a degree in music, Andy prayerfully considered becoming a preacher.  I am so glad he chose the path he did.  I have to believe he touched more lives by the roles he portrayed than he ever would have from a pulpit.

"Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord," his wife, Cindi Griffith, said in the statement issued through the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina. (CNN)


Andy, your presence & influence will be greatly missed. 

  

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Psalm 116:15

"Take Five" Friday

Beginning tomorrow, I'll be starting a one week vacation with my wife, two daughters, one son-in-law, and two granddaughters.  We're renting a lakefront home on Honeoye Lake (one of New York State's Finger Lakes).  So this week my "Take Five" Friday selection is...

 

TOP VACATION ACTIVITIES

(in no particular order... it's vacation!)

 

#1 - Morning coffee by the lake

#2 - Reading a book by John Grisham

#3 - Being with my family

#4 - Browsing local shops

#5 - Evening coffee by the lake

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Today marks the official beginning of summer and 90 degree temperatures are called for today and tomorrow.  Heat & air qualities advisories have been issued.  Meteorologists and reporters are all sounding the warning to keep cool and stay hydrated.

Runners, like all athletes, know the importance of proper hydration.  They've typically learned it the hard way... from personal experience.  I've had a few occasions where found myself in trouble due to dehydration.

The first time was when I was out on a long run on a summer day.  My running partner had gone out the evening before to strategically place water bottles along our new route.  Unfortunately, a road we were supposed to take didn't exist (don't always trust Mapquest!).  After running a few extra miles, we realized something was wrong and turned back.  By the time we reached our water, I was no longer sweating and becoming light headed.  I ended up walking for a couple of miles to make it back home.  On another occasion I went for a 20 mile run after donating blood the day before.  Bad idea!!

Proper hydration is important to one's body functioning properly.  This is especially true during hot weather and periods on intense or prolonged physical exertion.  Among other things, dehydration can  slow thinking, reduce endurance, decrease strength, cause cramping and slow muscular response.

The solution?  Be sure to properly hydrate before, during & after your workout.  By the time you realize you're thirsty, it's too late.  You must be prepared!

Just as proper hydration is essential to peak performance for athletes, proper spiritual hydration is needed for those who desire to live godly lives.  In Psalm 1, the writer pictures the person blessed by God as one who is like a tree planted by streams of water... a tree that is fruitful and prosperous.  And where does one find this water?  By delighting in and meditating upon God's Word -- the Bible.  

Just as it's physically important to give attention to proper hydration, it's equally important to give careful thought to your spiritual hydration.  If you wait until a crisis hits, it's too late.

Take some time to read and meditate on God's Word.  Your soul will be refreshed and your life will be blessed by God.  Here's a great place to begin.  Start today & drink up!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+1&version=NIV