my life as a running runner

2008-08-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

I think about my friend Rick’s reaction to politics and the lack of a solution via any of the “prescribed parties”, and I think of Brian McClaren’s book “Everything Must Change”.

I’m not done with it yet, but the premise of the book is regarding the following two questions: What are the world’s top crises, and what do the life and message of Jesus say to those global crises?

Now, for where I am at in the book, so far, what has stood out to me is the fact that there are two groups in the world, or it seems like there are: The dominant and the subservient. Define it any way you want, one group is in charge, the other is not. And maybe groups can be interchangeable. Or to ask the brutal question: Are the groups interchangeable?

One group is the west. The other is not.

One group has the stuff. The other does not.

One group has the guns. The other does not.

One group is the Christian. The other is not.

One group has the power. The other does not.

One group knows “the way”. The other is lost.

Meanwhile, the trouble, the pain, the suffering, the issues, and the problems that the author speaks about get ignored/

What group would I rather be associated with?

How can I not be a part of one? Or both?

I have to be a part of the story. Either story. I am one of the characters.

What character are you?

The character that points the finger, prescribes the solution, then climbs back into a bubble of stuff, guns, and Christianity?

Or the character that’s killed, accused, isolated, not cared about?

Or are you neither?

And where does the Christ follower fall into all of this?

That’s a question worth asking.

2008-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Check out wordle. It takes your words, phrases, sentences, and makes them art.

2008-07-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

Recently, my church went through a big change.
Our worship arts director left to a new city.
Her husband got a new job.
We miss her.
A friend of mine recently said:
"Change is change. It's not good. It's not bad. It's just change". I thought that sounded smart.

Gone, Goodbye
We weep, we cry
They leave. Goodbye
Bygones, memories
No more
A long time, so short
Here for a while
Then it's over, ended
No more
A song, a drum
A note, held, high
A clap, a beat, then silence
No more
Gathering, holding
Grasping, wishing
Wanting, groaning
No more
A tear, A sigh
A wave, goodby
A hug, a smile
No longer there.
Gone.
Goodbye.

By E. Obaka

2007-09-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

I was at church today, and heard Joel Rosenberg speak.

He's the author of books: "The Last Jihad" and "The Ezekiel Option".

Wow did he have some good points for us christians.
Are we so comfortable in our "faith", that we have forgotten what we are here for?
Are we carrying out the great commission, to go into all the world and spread the good news of God's love?
Are we too insular, too exclusive, too judgemental, so that we look on the world around us with condemnation rather than with compassion?
Christians, are we awake at all?

I know I have not been feeding the hungry, or welcoming the stranger, or clothing the naked as I ought. Do I even think of them at all?
And guess what Jesus says. Whatever we do to the least of these, we do to Him. So if we're ignoring the needs around us, we're essentially ignoring Jesus.

So what do we seem to occupy our religious cathedrals with? Our theology, our knowledge, our big buildings, our selves.

How about we start to pray for a revival in the church?
How about we start to pray for forgiveness from God?
How about we begin to fulfil our commission, given by God?
How about we stop fighting amongst ourselves and get out there and love the world instead?

2007-09-04T15:51:00.001-07:00

Browser issues

Microsoft really really needs to update their (Internet explorer) browser site. Because it's becoming worse in comparison to other systems such as firefox or safari. What the hey?

Instant messaging works ok, but the link between that and my hotmail account works when it feels like it. Sometimes my hotmail works, sometimes it doesn't. And talk about spam!

When I try to log in to my blogger account, it doesn't let me...
When I try to get on runnersworld.com...it balks most of the time.

It crashes, yields stupid results in their search engine, etc.

What else could potentially go wrong??
Yes, I'm ranting and raving right now, and I bet you're wondering why I even bother with IE anyway. Good question. I should just take it out of the equation all together.

Maybe I will.

2007-08-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

I discovered a great podcast the other day. (ok it was last month). I just listened to my first cast. It was awesome! And now I'm motivated to run today. After work, I'll be going running a few miles, just for the heck of it. Even though I ran yesterday almost 10 miles.

Oh the podcast is http://phedippidations.com/

Enjoy!

2007-07-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

I went running this morning around 10.30 a.m. I'm taking July 5th and 6th off from work and woke up late this morning. It was already in the low eighties by the time I made it out. And humid.

I was supposed to run 5 miles. I'm training for another half marathon you see.

Well I started out and felt tired after mile one. It was so humid! I was thirsty, with no water in sight.
I used markers down the bike trail.
I passed the wooden bridge that crosses the big sioux river, went past the mile 8 white pole marker, then the bridge I run past, then the water fountain, then the mile 7 white pole marker, then the sign right before minnesota ave. I turned around to go back home then.
I'd run halfway.

I was still tired and figured I could walk some of the rest of the run. I did, when I got back close to the wooden bridge. I walked for maybe half a block but it was too hot and humid and there was no shade around me. I just wanted to be home.

So I started running. I figured I would get home in half the time if I ran.

I finished my 5.1 mile run in about 50 minutes. Yes, I could have run faster, but...

The sweat that ran down my face was so salty, that I knew that water was in order "now".

Later on, sitting on my couch, I read the article in runner's world that told the story of Danelle Ballenger, one of the best endurance runners out there. She survived a big fall and injuries, to run again. I cried a little when I read the story.

But her story inspired me to run and push it and keep going for the love of running.

2007-05-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

I have a bonneville. It's a 1994 model and it holds 15 gallons of gasoline. It now costs me $50 to fill my tank and that tank lasts a couple of weeks. I drive only 15 miles a day, and get maybe 18 miles to the gallon in town.
You say I have nothing to complain about. You drive 25 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles a day. You drive an SUV or a huge truck. So your gas mileage is worse than mine.

Ok, you may be right. But I have a few questions.

Why has it taken this long for us to complain this time? Are we getting used to the pain we feel at the pump?
Why is it that as soon as a few states began to raise the outcry, the price of gas dropped about ten cents?
Will you tell me it's because the demand reduced, or the inventory increased, or because the world suddenly was at peace?
Bull.

We're getting used, we're being hosed, and we're too stupid to really do anything about it.

American vehicle manufacturers GMC and Ford, aren't doing too good.

Hello! Isn't the obvious reason that smart people are buying the more efficient vehicles out there????

So why can't Ford and GMC get with the program? it's patents....lack of technology....more time...something...other....
Bull.

what's holding them up? Gasoline consumption. Who gains? Us? Of course not.

Are we just stupid, blindly believing that America is the land of the beautiful, the brave, the free? A democratic government of the people, for the people, by the people? Ha. Yeah right.

Middle class America is shrinking rapidly underneath the weight of debt and the pressures to adhere to an image.

Stupid!

And we wonder why the rest of the world tends to despise us!

Ok. I'm ranting.

But just how stupid can we get?
How much longer before we decide enough is enough and we take matters in our own hands to bring change? To better a system that's broken? Or just replace the whole system?

Will we? Or are we too chicken?

2007-05-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

Of recent I've been thinking a lot about Africa, and how much there needs to be hope of some sort in the vast continent.

I come from Nigeria you see. And I've been gone for almost 10 years now.
I want to be able to return to help out, to give the young people of my generation and younger some hope.
I want to give them a light to see, resources to use, happiness to feel.

I've asked God before and I have to admit that I still do ask him occasionally, why He created Africa in the first place.
A continent filled with pain, disease, hunger, war.
A continent that is determined to remain third world.

What does it mean? And why does it have to happen?
Why does so much suffering have to happen?

What is the hope for Nigeria, or the Sudan, or so many other African nations?

I was talking to a friend today and we were sharing our hopes and dreams and desires for our respective countries.
Our hopes of helping, sharing our skills and knowledge that we've accumulated over the years.

What can I say?
I guess the only thing I can say is that
One day, I hope I can help.

2007-05-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the starting line!! And see those dark africans on the right in the picture? Yup, they were the winners.
My sister was in corral E, my friend Lara in K, and yes, I was far behind in R. For those of you who don't know what corral means, quick definition: divided sections that they assign you to. The faster you run, the closer you are to the front of the pack.

Well, I put in 2 hours and 30 minutes for my race. (I'll tell you my results in a bit....:))

Today I feel I can move again. Pretty much recovered from the festival 500 mini-marathon.
Remember my blog from months past? Well, I did it. I finally ran 13.1 miles and didn't stop. It was awesome, exhilerating and....dang! I can't believe I did it!

Ok, so I'm still excited about the run.

But before I get to the run, there was a trip...

Continuing my saga on the trip with Lara, we made it to Indianapolis with no mishaps. We ran into traffic getting into Indy....duh. And finally made it to my sister Mary's place. Lara got to meet Mary and then took off for Brazil....Indiana.

Next day, it was the convention center and packet pickup. Oh my! Yes, reality hit that yes, I was going to do this race after all. Picking up my packet and seeing my bib and all the stuff at the convention center. Then back to the hotel. Check out the Hyatt! We were on the 11th floor and right outside on Capitol ave was the starting line for the race.

Alright, I'll get to it...race day was damp and humid. Starting gun was at 7.30. I crossed the starting line at 7.49.

Mile 1 to 5 - pretty good
Mile 6 to 8 - the speed way... boring!!!
Mile 9 to 11 - ok....still chugging along....
Mile 11 to 12 - tired...hot...thirsty....kind of want to stop
Mile 12 to 13 - ok. the last mile was hard. Really hard...
Then down to the last 3/4 mile, then 1/2 mile then 1/4 mile.

I actually sped up here and sprinted through the finish. And since then I've pretty much been eating since.

Today we went up to the cabin with my family the mackays. It's beautiful up there.

So anyway, it's sunday night now and I'm just chilling out. Lara and I head back home on Tuesday. It's been a wonderful trip.

Oh yeah! :) My time? Was 2 hours 10 minutes and 36 seconds. Hey. Not bad for a newbie.

2007-05-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

I'm with my friend Lara in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Heading towards Indianapolis for the Festival 500 half marathon on saturday. We're half way there. Have another six hours of travel again tomorrow.

So far, it's been a peaceful trip. Full of thoughts, laughs, talks, what else?

New Friends, new places, seeing another piece of the American landscape.

Tonight we sleep on air mattresses in Tammy's living room. fun times!

But I wrote something today. I wrote that I wanted to be home anyway.
Interesting how that happens huh?

I'm excited about the run. I think I'm ready to run the 13.1 miles.
But I still want to be home on my couch.

I'm having fun meeting new people, talking with new friends. And of course Lara.
But I still want to be home reading a book in the quiet.

I like to be alone. And it feels like it's been a while.

Anyway, tonight, I'm being renewed.
Sitting on Tammy's couch (Tammy lives in Cedar Rapids by the way)
Writing this blog.
Then I'll read the bible.
Then I'll read the novel I'm working through: 'The dead room' and hopefully finish the book tonight.

Then I'll go to bed. and sleep.
Then tomorrow, a new day.

Once again on the road to the race.

(Read Lara's blog. She's writing too as we travel)

2007-04-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

I just came accross a comment from one of my earlier posts. (check out evangelismcoach.org)
And it brought back to my mind a lot of what I've been learning in the past few weeks about my relationship with Jesus Christ, and how much I desire to share Him with others.

First:
If I am excited about something, have a good experience of something, like or love something, won't I share the info with somebody?
For example, if I check out a new restaurant like Azia in Minneapolis, and love it (I did), won't I share that with somebody, like a friend, and tell them to check it out too?

So why don't I don that with Jesus? Don't I love him enough? Shouldn't He have that kind of place in my life, where I share what I have encountered with Him because He has changed my life?
So why don't I?

Second:
Jesus healed the sick and did miracles and told us we would do greater things than these. Yes he did say that in John 14:12. So why don't we believe this? why do we say that miracles were for then, for the past. Not for today.
I used to be so excited about praying for people and watching God heal them - immediately, the next day, the next year. then I stopped being excited because the Christians around me didn't believe in healing and miracles.

I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed I allowed my faith to be determined by human frailty.
Instead now I will make the move to believe. To pray for my friends on the spot when they are having a hard time. I'll pray for healing and for restoration of the people around me. I'll reach out a hand and whisper a prayer.

God will answer, because He wants to.

Third:
Do I know what I know regarding my Christian faith? Or am I being spoon fed by a pastor, or a Christian culture, and not doing any searching and discovery on my own?

What is your faith?
What do you know?

If you don't know, how can you share?
It's not about how you share your faith.
It's about knowing your faith and knowing God like a best friend,
so that it is natural to share, natural to pray, natural to hunger for God.
Natural to get excited and spread the love of God to everyone. Leaving nobody out.

And natural to go out there and do missions (evangelism, prayer....and just plain hanging out with friends)

I want missions to be natural. A part of my every day.
A part of my job, my taekwondo, my restaurant trips, runs, and movie nights.

I want missions to be a part of everything about me.

May it be so.

2007-04-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm dying tonight. It's only 8.30pm and I'm ready to drop.
Why?
Because I ran ten miles today. Straight. No stopping. And I surprisingly did it
in an hour 36 minutes. Faster than I thought I would.

Sure that's not very fast to most elite runners.
But I'm definitely not elite.

I run for the freedom
For the peace
for the quiet
for the music
for the nature
for the prayer
for the time
for the rush
for the fitness
for the thoughts.

I run, because I love running.

So I think I'm a little closer now to being able to do the Indy 500 half marathon.

Wish me luck!
Send a prayer out for me!

I feel a scream coming....
kidding.

But I am excited.

2007-03-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

What is missions? What is evangelism?
Is it just going, and doing manual labor in a city far away from home?
Is it just about helping to buid a church, clean a neighborhood,
play with kids at vacation bible school?

Isn't it even more about sharing Jesus
with the people we encounter
as we help build a church, play with children,
clean a neighborhood?
Isn't it even more about forming relationships,
seeing the hearts and souls of the needy,
of your friends.

I feel bothered that I'm not doing enough.
That I don't see enough.
That I'm not obeying his command to go
and make disciples of all nations.

I volunteer, I go, I do.
But do I share Jesus?
Do I open my mouth and help lead others to HIm?
I haven't in a while.
And I feel convicted of this.

I want to do more.

But I do know, that even more,
I need to be with you.
To know you.
to love you, to hear you, to obey you.
So Lord, let me love, let me see, let me go.
As you want me to.

2007-02-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

Running Morale

I was just reading a runner's world blog: http://rodale.typepad.com/mile_markers/

and decided hey, I'm kind of in a similar position preparing for the Indianapolis half marathon. Yes, it's on 13 or so miles, less than a marathon, but trust me, it's hard to train, to stay faithful and to keep trying and pushing for better.

This is my first half marathon. The last race I did was a 5K. So I'm kind of freaked. But I have my Saturday running partner Lara to keep me running on Saturdays for those harder long distances, and I have my sister Mary who did the race last year in 1.57 and demanded I do the race with her this year. :) Of course she'll be in a coral up ahead of me. I'm hoping for a 2.30. Maybe. I just want to finish!

So from the blog was this awesome idea, of having mile markers with a bible verse to mark the mile. I don't know if I'll do this or even remember, but think about this:

You're at mile 10, tired, cranky and not wanting to continue (trust me I'll be there). Think of

Isaiah 40.31

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Or taking Kristin Armstrong's image of the verse from her blog:

Colossians 1:29

people! To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me!"

I really like that.

So I'll run. Tomorrow at 5.15 a.m. And saturday, hopefully, I'll make mile 7.

2007-02-15T07:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a million years (ok, maybe not) since I posted anything and yes, I finally did order a macbook pro. After months of intensive research. Crazy! Yes. I'm excited and scared about making the change....yes, everyone who uses a mac says I won't regret it and all that. But then I wonder, is it all a cult following? You know what I mean.

So, my friend Lara (see her blog) has a powerbook, and she loves it. I'm an architect and work with lots of graphics and therefore a macbook pro was recommended. Most of my research was at www.notebookreview.com. Great website. Lots of information.

Anyways, how about I keep y'all posted on my experiences?

Peace out.

2007-01-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

A mac or a pc? That is the question, and now I believe I am finally taking the plunge.
I am switching from a pc to a mac. Maybe my creative juices will flow better.

I've done so much research, my brain is bleeding out of my ears, but I've heard it all and I am crossing over.

On a plane back from Indiana, I sat beside a couple who had a macbook and they definitely sold me on a mac.

My friend Lara has a mac. She raves about it.

My dilemma"s" originally? Can you get remote access to a pc? Can you use windows based software on the mac?...

Yes you can apparently.

So I am going on faith and I hope I don't get dissapointed.

2006-11-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

An Idolatrous Nation

Now that the thrust for an abortion ban is South Dakota is done, and it did not pass, I take the time to reflect on the whole process.

We Christians wanted to capture back a segment of life - by preserving the life of unborn babies.

A few things come to mind that bother me though.

One
Unborn babies are only part of the life issue. And thankfully, unborn babies, should they be aborted, killed, tossed aside, are going straight to our father in heaven.

But what about the millions dying in countries in Africa from AIDS, famine, war, and genocide?
What about the thousands dying in Iraq, because of a war we initiated?
What about the hundreds dying daily because of natural disasters?

Many, maybe even most, of those people haven't heard the good news of Jesus. They die, they perish. Forever.

Two
If the abortion ban had passed, what would that have meant? Could it have meant that we Christians would assume that the problem is solved and therefore we have accomplished our goal of capturing a political issue for God?

We need to remember that God doesnt' need help, and frankly His heart breaks at the deeper issue of our idolatry. Our desire to control our lives instead of letting God, our desire to live conveniently, instead of living for God, our desire to take pleasure and not take responsibility. His heart breaks for the other issues, the rapes by family members, the college drinking and drugs that leads to promiscuous sex, those issues that lead to unwanted pregnancies.

What are we Christians doing about that? Were we showing our caring and concerned hearts, by advocating for an abortion ban?

Why are avoiding the real issue? What are the idols of our culture? What are your idols? What are mine?

2006-10-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the last day of learning about Spiritual warfare. Something that America and the west in general does not think about and tries to ignore all together.

But how can we ignore the devil and the subtle power he yields against us Christians?
I see the personal struggles that friends have, the tragedy that surrounds me, the sickness in my family, one bad thing after another.

You say it's luck. Is it?

Finally friends, let's be strong in the Lord and in His might power. Let's put on the whole armour of God and take our fight out there. To the devil.

Let's go pick a fight.

He doesn't have to win every time.

And you know what? The more we share our struggles, our weaknesses, our tears and anger and sorrow, the more the evil one looses.

Remember the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit.

Together, let's bear our burdens, stand up together and fight and shield against his stupid schemes and anticipate his next move.

And you know what?

We've already won the battle.

Now that's a cool fact.

2006-10-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

I'm reading this book called The Heavenly Man . It's the story of Brother Yun of China. It's a powerful story of persecution in the church and how this man spread the gospel everywhere he went, even in prison.

Persecution for his was not just somebody calling him a bad name, or it wasn't a case of him not enjoying his job and so calling this a "trial".

Persecution for him was being beaten, tortured, and thrown into prison for his faith in Jesus.

How do you define persecution? How do I? How does the church today? Persecution according to the dictionary is this: a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs.

In America are we being subjugated, driven away, killed for our faith? No. Maybe in some rare cases. So, are we a persecuted people? I don't believe we are. And sometimes I wish the church of America would be persecuted. This would bring us closer to God and force us to make a choice: God or our "stuff"?

One thing Yun said in his book struck me.
"If we ever put anything before our relationship with Jesus - even our work for Jesus - then we will be ensnared. If you are burned out, stop! Rest! Your lamp needs a constant infilling of the Lord's oil or your light will be snuffed out." Well Duh! Unfortunately, so many christians today are busy doing things for God. They are burned out shells, not really knowing God, not experiencing God's presence. Instead they are busy worker bees. Because the belief is that the more we do for God, the more we are justified before Him. NOT TRUE.

The sign of a life filled church is a persecuted church, a church filled with miracles and signs and wonders, a church where the people care for one another and provide for one another. Not a busy or rich church. Not a popular church. Think of the church in the book of Acts. They were persecuted, there were miracles and healings in their midst, and they cared for each other and shared with each other. They were not popular. And it was through their love for and dedication to God and each other that people came to know God. Not through their shiny, "cool" church services

Isaiah 30: 15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it. "

Rest, sleep, stop your excessive doing! Climb into the lap of the one who made you. It's that simple, that complex. Climb into his lap and rest.

I guess I'm tired of us justifying what we do, how busy we are because more people are coming to church. But do they know God??

2006-10-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I made my black belt back in July,

but sitting here and thinking of committments and busyness and goals and staying fit, I realize I haven't been training as much as I used to.

Any my excuse? Because I have been swamped at work so I don't have time.

I'm tired. I need a vacation....

So where is the balance? Dang it!

So I'm back to committing to Taekwondo again. Going twice or three times a week...blah, blah.

And then what happens when I get too stressed to continue? I will pull back, reassess those priorities and decide what needs to be tossed out the window.

I really don't have to keep up with everything.

2006-10-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Alright,

So I finally gave in to the pressure. I am joining the fad. I am becoming a blogger.

What will I write about? Stuff. I don't know.
Maybe this way, I'll stay in touch more. And people will know what's going on in my life as it is right now.

This frankly should be fun.

We'll see.