Who is Your Hero?

Theme: Who is Your Hero? 

Verse:  1 Corinthians 15:58  

This week we stopped for a day to remember the events of September 11th, 2001. How did you mark the day? Of course, you remembered the tragedy of the terrific loss. But did you also remember the hundreds of acts of heroism shown that day?   

Often, we call members of our sports teams’ heroes when they hit the walk off home run or kick the game winning last second field goal (as I write this the Rays’ Yandy Diaz and UCF’s Colton Boomer executed each of those feats). While those are great when they work for our teams, real life heroes are more important and they appear in everyday places like in the police force, at the fire station and yes in our schools teaching our children. 

What makes a person a hero? We normally think of heroes as those that perform actions without any expectation of reward and have committed themselves to a lifestyle of service to others. That’s a pretty solid foundation to build a life upon, don’t you think?  

Who are your heroes? Think about that this week and when you do try to reach out to them or their family and let them know what that person means to you and why they are YOUR hero. 

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black   

Steward Well

Theme: Steward Well

Verse:  Matthew 25:14-30

Stewardship.  In the church environment, that is often a code word for we “need” a new building and we are about to ask the congregation for money to build it. 

But what stewardship ACTUALLY means is “responsible planning and management of resources”.  Those resources can be anything from money (the most often associated resource) to our ability to do various things (build houses, fix leaking faucets, be a great event organizer-the latter being a resource of my eldest daughter, Emily).  Regardless of the resource, we should always acknowledge that ALL that we have and are able to do are gifts from God provided for us to manage.  This is quite counter-cultural, especially in the United States!

When you flip the normal way of thinking about having assets on its head, it is transformational.  If we think of ourselves as managers of someone else’s assets and that someone (God) is holding us accountable, we treat them in a whole different way.

Let’s ignore assets like money and think of our ability to run, walk, swim, bike etc.  How are we using that talent that God entrusted to us?  Are we using it to attain personal glory by winning gold medals or accolades from fellow athletes and fans OR are we using those abilities for the good of others? 

For example, maybe you could inspire others to join in and become runners, walkers, swimmers, bikers as well so they can be a healthier version of themselves.  Or maybe you use those talents to raise funds for a charitable cause in local and / or national races.  The point is we all have some resources entrusted to us.  It is our job to manage those resources in a way that will honor the giver of those gifts, Our Heavenly Father.  

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Joining Jesus at the Bottom

Theme: Joining Jesus at the Bottom

Verse:  1 Timothy 1:5

In our culture, we constantly hear about how to get ahead and make it to the top.  Unfortunately, we often try to circumvent the process and get to the top without a solid foundation to help us stay there.

The best way to reach (and stay at) the top of the mountain is to spend a good amount of time at the bottom in preparation.  What does that preparation look like?

At its core, the preparation is the realization that God wants us to emulate Jesus by being humble in service and to love one another.  Jesus left heaven to come serve us, many times in the lowliest places imaginable.  He started in a barn and finished on a cross enduring a horrible death. But throughout He was true to His calling to serve humanity.  He feed the 5,000 (Matthew 14), He healed the sick (Matthew 9, Mark 2, Luke 17, John 9), He sat and actively listened (Luke 24)

There is the model.  Love one another and serve others with humility.  Fortunately, we are not asked to go to the extremes that Jesus endured, but we are asked occasionally to get out of our comfort zone.

So, the next time you hear or see an advertisement for how to reach the top, turn that thinking upside down and do things as Jesus did.  First, head to the bottom and find a way to serve.  With that as your foundation, the experience at the summit will be glorious and enduring!  

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Centerfield

Theme: Centerfield

Verse: Romans 12:4

The Little League World Series is culminating this weekend. That tournament has always intrigued me. It is designed such that a total team effort is required to win the championship. A team may have a dominant pitcher, but that player has a pitch limit for each game and must “rest” for a number of days before pitching again. Another unique rule is that everyone on the roster must participate in each game. The coach has to carefully deploy the players to make sure the group meets the participation rules.

I know you are saying, ok, how does that apply to the church? Well, the church is the body of believers that, like a Little League team, can truly succeed only if everyone participates. Sure,the church needs a strong pastor, but there are a host of other functions that make “the church” really touch a community; Here in Brandon, FL you could work with local food banks like ECHO, minister to shut-ins, or take a rotation for Family Promise. These three are but a few of hundreds of opportunities.

You may not be the starting pitcher, but I assure you that your contribution is important. I’m not sure John Fogerty had evangelism in mind when he recorded his 1985 hit song, “Centerfield”, but it fits perfectly for this message.

“Put me in, coach, I'm ready to play today!

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

Rewards beyond our expectations

Theme: Rewards beyond our expectations

Verse:  Hebrews 11:1  

My mother-in-law, Dorathe, passed away last week at the age of 94. She, and her husband Doyle, were the best in-laws a man could ever ask for. Her passing was very sad for all, but her celebration of life services gave us time to reflect on the tremendous impact she had on our family and the community of Le Mars, Iowa.

One of her famous quotes is, “Getting old is not for sissies!” That Dorathe-ism is a perfect start for this week’s devotional.

As we get older, we realize that nothing lasts forever (even if we don’t want to admit it aloud). Various parts of our body start to fail, and we have to work just a little bit harder to do physical things that came so easily when we were in our 20s. But with that age comes a lot of wisdom and through that we often find new things to accomplish, new finish lines to reach.

Regardless of age and our shortcomings, each one of us has something to contribute to our social groups and doing so is part of God’s plan for us. If you are a runner, perhaps it is to show how to do negative splits on a long run. If you are a fisherman, maybe it is teaching a grandchild the serenity of being out on a lake.  Maybe it is sitting with someone and being a good listener. Or maybe it is being an example of a great faith walk for follow-on generations.

Yogi Berra is attributed with saying, “It ain’t over, ‘till it’s over.” (Referring to the 1973 New York M-E-T-S, who rose from last place on August 30th to win their Division and eventually made it to the World Series). While a funny saying, it is very true.

What is your next finish line? This week think about some finish lines you want to cross and make some plans to get there.

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Volunteerism

Theme: Volunteerism

Verse:  1 Peter 4:10

In every event, there are many behind the scenes people doing work to make the event a success.

At road races there are volunteers you see at the package pick-up, or marshalling people at the start, marking tricky turns along the route, or manning the water stations to ensure the racers stay hydrated. They are all there to serve the participants and in a larger sense the community. This volunteerism is a beautiful picture of what the New Testament describes as serving each other in love.

At our church we recite several things we will strive to do to do our mission of “Making More and Better Followers of Jesus.” Among them is that we will strive to “Give of our Time, Talents, and Resources.”  We all can do at least one of those three things. With seven billion or so people on the planet, that could be quite a movement.

But let’s start small and work our way up to that. Our challenge this week is not physical. It is to pick a way(s) to give of your Time, Talents, or Resources in your local community. Commit to doing that in some way for the next 90 days. Keep a log of what you do and how you feel after each activity. See if it does not have a positive impact on how you see the world.

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Run Your Race

Theme: Run Your Race

Verse:  Hebrews 12: 1-2

The Women’s World Cup is just finishing the Group stage. Soccer (or Futbol) is the quintessential team game and for these teams winning is paramount.

But running is different. Except for cross country and a few relay races, running is, at its core, an individual sport. And for most of us, the measure of success is not the breaking of the finish line tape. Rather, it is in finishing the race. Most events are set up so you can participate with those who move at a different pace. Each racer has the chance to run their own race. But no matter how fast you run, there are always people along the way to encourage you and at the finish line to welcome you home!

Our faith walk is the same. We are all on the same route, but we move at various speeds and are on different parts of the course. Just like a race, our faith walk is ours to live out, but we don’t do it alone. There are always others on the same journey that can encourage, demonstrate determination, and help us focus on the finish line.

Triathlon challenge: Spend a total of one hour on each triathlon event this week. Biking (stationary or outside), Water (swimming or water aerobics), and running (outside walking or running, treadmill or another run-like machine)

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Get Moving

Theme: Get Moving

Verse:  Matthew 9: 18-19

In our verse, a man came to Jesus seeking his intervention to heal his daughter.  While Jesus could have healed her from his current position, it is notable that He got up and followed the man to where the daughter was.  The disciples also got up and MOVED with Jesus.  In so doing, He got IN THE GAME and healed the young girl.

GETTING IN THE GAME is important!  It is better to be an active rather than a passive participant in most things in life. So how can we GET IN THE GAME?  In Running (Exercise) that is an easy thing to conceptualize (not necessarily easy to actually do, though).  But what about in our mental life? What about in our spiritual life?

What if those are all connected?  Runners often describe the endorphins built in the process of running as a “runner’s high”.  Often that high is transferred into other activities.  But it works both ways.  Getting in the game in one of those other aspects of life; PHYSICAL, MENTAL or SPIRITUAL can lead to reaching greater heights in the others.

Try it this week!  Find something that is easy for you to GET INTO THE GAME and see if that does not cause improvement elsewhere.

Physical Exercise challenge:  Core!  Your core is the key to success in any athletic endeavor.  Here’s the challenge.  20 repetitions of each of these exercises daily.  1) Basic Crunches, 2) Bicycle Crunches, 3) Double Leg Raises, and 4) Knee to Elbow Plank, plus one static Plank for your “100 minus your age” seconds.   

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Every Part is Important

Theme: Every Part is Important

Verse:  1 Corinthians 12:20

Cross County is an interesting sport. For those unfamiliar with the scoring, the team score is the sum of the top five places finishers for one’s team. As such it is an intricate mix of individual and team effort. Because of how the scoring works the 6th and 7th place finishers for a team can be critical to a team win by pushing the 5th place finishers of other teams down far enough to allow their team to win.

The point is every runner on the team is important to the competition. The same is true in our church communities. While pastors have the high-profile roles, we are all part of the body that does that mission.

One of our church’s tenants that we recite each week is to “Strive to give of our Time, Talents, and Resources.”  It is a reminder that each of us has a unique offering that is important to accomplishing the mission of “Making More and Better Followers of Jesus”.

This week think about what your gifts are. Share those gifts with others whatever they may be. You may think they are insignificant, but I assure you that they are not.

Physical Exercise challenge:  Lunges. Just like two weeks ago, subtract your age from 100. Do that many lunges on each leg each day.

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Making the Most of our Time

Verse: Colossians 4:5

How do we use our time? It might be instructive to track how we use the 168 hours we have available each week.

Right off the bat, 56 of those hours should be dedicated to sleep (My family would say I cut that one a touch short). Then, if you are still in the workplace or in school, you can account for another 50 hours there. That leaves somewhere around 60 hours to account for.

How you use those 60 hours will have a profound effect on your life. We all have different pressures on our lives, the blueprint is going to look different for each of us. That said, it would do us all good to spend some of that time in distinct types of exercise. There is PHYSICAL exercise (like this week’s exercise challenge outlined below), MENTAL exercise (maybe doing a Crossword, Wordle, Nerdle (a version of Wordle for math geeks), or reading a book), and SPIRITUAL exercise (engaging in a small group or yes even reading this and coming to our group meeting at Campo Y on Saturday at 7:00AM, if you live in Brandon).  Hitting all three exercise groups each week should be a goal!

Physical Exercise Challenge: 40 minutes of daily aerobic activity (running, walking, biking, swimming, or like activity) for at least 4 days this week! And for those that want to you can maintain 100 minus your age push-up, sit-up, plank challenge.

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

Being There for Each Other

Theme: Being There for Each Other

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:26

Exercise partners are important! They encourage us. They hold us accountable to be at the meeting spot at 0500! And most importantly they share our trials and our accomplishments.

In November 2020 I met my good friend, Alex, at a race at the local Y. We ran the 5K independently but struck up a conversation afterwards. He was looking for a training partner to prepare for future races. I was available and just like that a great training friendship was born.

Nearly every week for the past two and a half years we have encouraged each other through interval and tempo run training. We have talked about lots of things along the way from sports (specifically when teams should go for two points conversions after touchdowns) to the wonder of mathematics (he’s a retired college math professor) and the importance of faith in our lives.

Having a spiritual partner(s) is important. You keep each other on track. You help each other grow. And most importantly, you allow each other to see the world through a different lens. If you don’t have one, you are really missing out. If you do, count yourself as blessed.

This week’s challenge is to go to your spiritual partner(s) and do something to thank them for being there for you!

Have a great week!

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black 

The Prize is the Journey

Theme: The Prize is the Journey

Verse: Jeremiah 29:11

Running (and exercise in general) can be addictive, hopefully in a positive way. It tends to make us feel a bit better about ourselves. (Well, not always. When I see the 20-year-olds leave the start line like a bolt of lightning, it is a bit demoralizing.) 

Challenging ourselves physically allows us to push back on all of life’s “No’s” that try to trap us into apathy. As humans, we are wired to strive for something bigger than ourselves. Running (Exercise) allows us to see this in tangible ways with fairly quick feedback. It also sets us up for better performance in other areas of our lives.

Races are lots of fun with lots of people and excitement in the air. But the journey (the early morning training runs, the extra set of pushups before you go to sleep, or maybe eating a little bit better) to get to the race is what is really important. The Prize is in the Journey!

Have a great week and Go Get ‘Em! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

Quest for Meaning

Theme: Quest for Meaning

Verse: Jeremiah 1:5

One truth is we are all here for a purpose.  Another truth is we often have no idea the totality of that purpose.

One of the great stories from my hometown is my chemistry and physics teacher taught at the local high school for 54 years (or in President Lincoln terms, two score and 14 years).  In that time, he probably had students in his classroom from every family in town.   In his final year, he taught a single class so that he could have the great-grandchild of one of his first students in his classroom.  Four generations of one family learning that Force = Mass x Acceleration and how to read a Periodic Table.

In my house I have a couple of school desks from the old Crystal City Elementary School. My mother and aunt sat in desks just like them when they attended that school.  The desks have been refurbished after moving around the Air Force with me. My daughters played school in them.  When I look at the desks, I think about my teachers, coaches, and mentors and how each of them had a role in shaping my life and that of my family.  It helps me remember that like it or not I have that responsibility as well.

You never know where your life will lead or who you are going impact (and you are going to impact someone whether you intended to or not).  It’s a tremendous responsibility and opportunity!  

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

One Day at a Time

Theme: One Day at a Time

Verse: Philippians 4:6-7

Whether it is exercise or the study of something, to succeed you’ve got to get it into the regular rhythm of life.

It’s no accident that I see the same group of people in the morning at the local Y.  Finding a schedule (or rhythm) for one’s exercise makes a huge positive difference.  That group of people apparently has determined, like me, that the morning is a time of the day when other life demands tend to not interrupt.  

The same applies to our faith journey.  We need to dedicate time to exercising that part of our lives.  Once we find that time, we need to take things one day at a time.  

In exercise and our faith walk our training needs to be consistent, so we make some progress every day.

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

A runner is a runner no matter what

Theme: A runner is a runner no matter what

Verse: Romans 10:9

Last week at my race, there were people of all speeds and ages. It was a wonderful experience to be with several hundred people who shared an interest that morning. We also shared a common direction once the race began. You didn’t need to be a professional or run at a minimum speed. Everyone got to experience the glory of completing the race and the thrill of crossing the finish line and in this race hear their name announced as they approached the finish.

Our scripture is clear that one does not need to be a professional theologian to make their way around “the course” here on earth to reach heaven. It’s a singular, not necessarily simple, task. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

So, it’s not how long you have been a believer, or how much you know about the Bible. If you believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose to be with the Father, you have met the standard. For that you qualify to cross the finish line, hear your name called, and get “your medal.”  

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

Run through Self-Doubt

Theme: Run through Self-Doubt

Verse: Joshua 1:9

Baseball is a great game.  It’s a metaphor for our lives in many ways.  There is a one-on-one struggle between pitcher and batter, but the game cannot be played successfully without relying on the team to back you up.  There are lines on the field and people (umpires) around to let the players know if the ball is inside or outside the field’s parameters.  Finally, no team has navigated an MLB season without a few losses.  In fact, the MLB record for wins is 116 (1906 Cubs (36 losses) and 2001 Mariners (46 losses)).  Notably, neither of those teams won the World Series that season.

Our faith walk has many of the same dynamics.  We have a one-on-one interaction with God, but our faith family is in place to back us up when we struggle in that relationship.  The Bible gives us clear operating parameters, and those around us are there to help us know which side of the ‘foul line” we are on.  And none of us are going to “run the table” without a setback or two.  No one, other than Jesus, has lived the perfect life on this earth.  

As my eldest daughter likes to say, “The Struggle is Real”.  But I think overcoming the difficulty that causes the struggle is what makes life worth living.  As we live our faith don’t be afraid of the unknown.  Be confident that God will keep his promise and be with you wherever you go!

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

Built for Community

Theme: Built for Community

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:27

Humans were created to operate in communities. We grow up in families, build teams at work, play team sports, and form small groups in our church environment. It’s almost impossible to escape being part of some community.

Most running communities are encouraging groups. While personal goals are always important for runners, running groups tend to be most proud of the achievements of the entire group, whether it’s breaking the finish line tape or completing the race just in front of the end of route balloons.

Healthy Christian groups should act the same way. It’s easy to applaud the brother or sister that graduates from divinity school or becomes a Bishop. But how often do we honor the servant that never does anything flashy but is faithful in the small things day after day, year after year?Sometimes we realize at the very end how many people that person has touched along the way.

Two challenges this week. First, think about a person that has a significant positive impact inyour Christian walk. If possible, reach out to them and thank them. Second, find a way to have a positive impact on one of your communities (your family, workplace, church, just pick one) and build a plan to act. Consider sharing either or both stories in the comments section of the website posting so you can be an encouragement to others. 

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

The Race is Marked

Theme: The Race is Marked

Verse: Proverbs 4:26

Race Day! There is something different about race day that you don’t get in daily training sessions.

First, on race day you run a defined path. There are course boundaries within which runners are supposed to stay. Stray from the assigned path and you do so at your own risk (as I did in Kentucky last October, but that’s a story for another time).

Second, race day is a time to put forth your best effort. Giving the race your best shot will give you a sense of accomplishment whether you finish 1st or 101st. 

Finally, distance races have progressions. Even the 5K is not a full sprint (although it seems like it is for some of these youngsters that I see for about 20 seconds after the starting horn sounds). Everyone will have periods in the race that challenge them. Persevering through the struggle is what makes completion so rewarding.

Our Christian walk is similar. God has a specific plan (Our Path) for each of us. Determination (Our Best Effort) is required to finish the plan He has for us. During the race, we will go through phases, but continual advancement (Our Progression) will get us to the finish line if we put forth an honest effort.

This week many of us in Tampa will compete in one of several local races. These will be a reminder that God has a defined path for each of us. The courses may be different, but the destination (race completion) will be the same for all. 

Follow YOUR path, give it YOUR best effort, and make continual progress. If you do that, we’ll all meet up at the FINISH LINE!

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

We invite you to join us in the 2023 Running of the Bulls 5k

Held at Bloomingdale Senior High School on Saturday, May 20. After a 2 year off-campus hiatus, it is returning to its original on-campus format this year!

Participants are welcome to run or walk the 5k! Walkers can select a timed or non-timed option. New this year is a ½ mile fun run/walk. 

Registration is at:  2023 — Running of the Bulls 5K — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising

Keep Moving Forward

Theme: Keep Moving Forward

Verse: Philippians 3:13

In running there is a simple difference between success and failure.  It is just taking the next step.  Success in running is not simply measured by speed, but rather by completing the task at hand.  I think that is one reason they give participants finishers medals at the conclusion of races.  That is to celebrate completing the journey.

In our Christian walk, we can measure success in the same way, TAKING THE NEXT STEP.  It’s not important how long or how fast the journey is, but rather in the completion.

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

We invite you to join us in the 2023 Running of the Bulls 5k

Held at Bloomingdale Senior High School on Saturday, May 20. After a 2 year off-campus hiatus, it is returning to its original on-campus format this year!

Participants are welcome to run or walk the 5k! Walkers can select a timed or non-timed option. New this year is a ½ mile fun run/walk. 

Registration is at:  2023 — Running of the Bulls 5K — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising

Showing Up and Daring Greatly

Theme: Showing Up and Daring Greatly

Verse: 1 John 4:19

Running has a lot of similarities to our Christian walk.  We typically start off slowly, a bit uncertain of the path ahead. Going in groups tends to give us more confidence but eventually, we find our own path.  And in every run (or walk, swim, cycle) our limits are tested in some way.  

Last week we spoke about not trying to be something that you are not.  That is not to say that what you are cannot be expanded within the talent set God has entrusted to you.

Everyone has limits and the ability to expand those thresholds. Running is an easy way to demonstrate this truth.  I cannot count the number of people I’ve watched go from fledging runners to downright beasts on the race circuit. (These days I watch many of them from behind and they greet me as I eventually get to the finish line). 

Outside of running, I’ve seen this happen as well.  In the past month my youngest daughter, Amanda, has embodied stretching one’s limits.  For those that do not know her, she is the exact opposite of me.  Let’s just say she is a bit reserved.  Despite that personality, she is doing things with life I could not imagine her doing as she was growing up.  In just the past month she has directed a school play, been a stage mentor for a young actress, and guided her Bell Creek Academy math students to what hopefully will be the successful end-of-year testing.   (Go Panthers!)  She’s done all this by expanding her limits, learning from the occasional failure, but persevering through. 

We are not stuck inside the box we currently find ourselves in.  If you test your limits and run the race hard, you will not be disappointed in the result, no matter where (or when) you finish.  

Have a great week! 

Adapted from They Will Run and Not Grow Weary by David Alan Black  

We invite you to join us in the 2023 Running of the Bulls 5k

Held at Bloomingdale Senior High School on Saturday, May 20. After a 2 year off-campus hiatus, it is returning to its original on-campus format this year!

Participants are welcome to run or walk the 5k! Walkers can select a timed or non-timed option. New this year is a ½ mile fun run/walk. 

Registration is at:  2023 — Running of the Bulls 5K — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising