johnny cash soundtrack

 This past weekend I knocked out one of my hardest base training sessions of the year.  Saturday I headed down to Muskogee for a 70 mile bike ride and then that same afternoon headed to OKC to run a ½ marathon with a good friend. 

 

Casey just got back into running a little over a month ago,  His longest run before Sunday was an 8 miler!  I’ve never seen a guy gain so much fuel from being around others than Casey did.  It was cool to see a guy truly be himself.  I literally ran next to a “Johnny Cash” soundtrack.  Every runner within 15 seconds distance of Casey was laughing and having the run of their lives.  It’s no wonder this guy is doing so well with Edward Jones with all the charisma he contains!

 

Another friend of mine named Matt finished the full marathon in around 4 hours 20 minutes.  He is a beast!  I’m looking forward to doing some future triathlons with Matt and running in the Route 66 marathon with Casey in November.

 

Nothing has taught me more about my relationship with Christ, other than my boys, than triathlon and running.  It allows you the opportunity to celebrate a milestone with friends and family, lose weight, and gives you the chance to build new relationships.  It provides you with good health and energy.  I dare you to tackle what Matt and Casey did this past weekend.  Get off the couch and enjoy life.  Fill good about yourself.  All it takes is a little more than your normal comfort.  They’ll always be an excuse: long work hours, kids, and anything else you want to fill in the blank.  Words mean nothing and good intentions mean nothing.  Desire without actions is a fantasy and involves just daydreaming. 

 

What do you say?  How about setting some physical goals and losing a little weight?  Lets do it together.  I dare you!

 

 

 

 

 

top 3 links

      Are you ever forwarded different links to check out on the web?  I often get several a week if not a day.  Within the past week these three are my favorite that I thought I would pass along. 

 

 

If you need some major encouragement and just want to know how incredible God is – here ya go:

www.4-14.org.uk/thats-my-king-s-m-lockridge 

 

If you are training for any sort of endurance race you’ll absolutely love this freebie:

www.powerbar.com and then click on the powercoach link

 

If you know anything about the Boston Red Sox this dude is hilarious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m0cyvfvMK0

throw it in the fire

Last week I received an email that , well to be brutally honest, cut deep.  It was a below the belt opinion and it was razor sharp in its criticism of a recent email that I sent out.  Have you ever had anyone criticize you for something that perhaps wasn’t deserved?  Sure, we all have.  It’s part of life.  But….. it is how we respond, not react, that makes or breaks the relationship.

 

My gut-level reaction was flat out defensiveness.  I was angry and felt such a lack of respect.  I felt like the person made a huge judgement on me without fully understanding my true heart.  I began to type out my defensive email in return and felt justified in doing so.  Everything in me wanted to hit the send button and return the favor.  In the past I woud have, but not this time.

 

You know what I decided to do?  I waited until I defused.  I waited a day, and then another.  I waited five days!  That sounds crazy, but I just didn’t know what to say.  I deleted it and decided I’m going to act like I didn’t receive it.  Then on day six I responded.

 

I replied by thanking the person for their opinion and for taking the time to email me.  I ignored the below the belt comments and apologized for not being as specific in my explanation.  I also encouraged them and thanked them for other things I have noticed in the past.  

 

Have I always responded like that?  Nope.  Have I been on the other end and criticized others?  Yep.  A lot.  It’s like it just happens.  I hate it and have to be intentional everyday to bite my tongue.  I’ve learned to maintain my humility and suck it up.  I’ve learned to toss destructive criticism and grab a hold of any truth at all.   I’ve learned to look beyond the critcism to the critic.  I ask myself, “Does this person really care about me?  Are they trying to help me or hurt me? 

 

I think people criticize because a lot of times they are insecure themselves.  I think if a person doesn’t agree on something the exact way that you do, they feel the urge to tear down.  Bottom line – if you share your opinion about something with passion and conviction, someone – somewhere is going to get ticked.

Criticism is a fact of life. The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing!

Abraham Lincoln said, “You can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can’t please all the people all the time.”

It is told that if Mark Twain ever received criticism he would set aside time in the evening by his fire place and write a letter in defense.  He would then sleep on it.  The next morning he would wake up and ask himself if it was still a big deal and if it was worth sending.  If it wasn’t he would throw the letter in the fireplace and move on.

Have you recently received criticism?  What is your response going to be?  Is their an letter, or conversation that perhaps you could just “throw in the fire”?  Is their an email that you just don’t need to hit the send button on?  If you do …. you’ll never get it back.

investing in others

This morning I got to talk to two more people in our community that were able to answer some key questions that I’ve been asking different people, such as

1. 1.  what are some of the most unmet needs in our community?  2. who are the most forgotten in our community?  Tanya from the visitors bureau and Dr. Brown from the RSU innovation center were gracious enough to answer my questions.  So far college students continue to rank high on that list.  I’ve been meeting with one of the most gifted college students I know who is majoring in graphic design.  Nick recently created the promo ad for “The Tempest” put on my the drama department at RSU.  After I finished a run through the nature preserve today I noticed this banner along the main drive at the college.  It was so cool knowing that Nick did it.  I enjoyed an incredible conversation with him today about life.

I got to meet on of my closest friends at Starbucks for our weekly “iron sharpens iron” conversation.  He challenges me in my thinking just about as much as anyone else.  I love our friendship in that it is one in which we can absolutely say anything and be brutally honest with each other.  I told him today that no matter what is ever shared, I would always show up the following week to meet with him.  We will always be friends and I believe God desires that we all have more friends like this. 

After catching a few innings of a high school baseball game, in which my ole friend Doug’s boy plays, I headed home.  Camden and I just finished up some finger painting on the kitchen floor while Amy is having some alone time at Starbucks.  The day is done and I feel like I truly was able to invest in others today.

How about you?  Are you investing in others around you?  Do you have a friend you can meet with regularly that you can be brutally honest with? 

 

 

 

 

volunteer appreciation day

This morning I received one of the most meaningful certificates of appreciation ever.  Woodmanor nursing home put on a volunteer appreciation day and they honored everyone.  I noticed alot of organizations that volunteered but no individuals.  The guy next to me asked me who I was apart of.  I told him that I came on my own and that I lived back behind the field.  He acted confused.  I got to share with him my desire to spend time with the elderly and that I don’t get to see my own grandma these days and wish someone would visit her more often.  He couldn’t believe that someone would do that.  I praise Christ that he allowed me an opportunity to set an example today.

This afternoon I got to meet one of my good friends that has been a pt client of mine for over six months now.  Vlad had lunch with me at an Indian resteraunt we both enjoy in Tulsa.  Vlad and I share the same appreciation for trying out new places around town.  I’m bummed that we only have three sessions left, although we will continue to meet for lunch and do some bike rides together.

I was planning on hitting the pool to do 60 laps tonight but the lightning put an end to it after 30 – lets just say I wasn’t very aggrevated.

banded duck prayer

Yesterday afternoon I ran out by Claremore Lake and was overwhelmed with love and affection for Claremore.  I was also frustrated at some of the progress lately.  As I passed some ducks God reminded me of that same spot on the lake five years ago during a tough transition in my life.  I saw a “banded duck” that is basically the leader of a whole flock of birds to a certain destination.  God used that duck to illustrate that he was too leading me.  This won’t happen in my time or no one elses.  This won’t happen by man but by God.  This community will only see transformation from his leading not ours. 

 

I’ve not asked enough of people that I love and respect to pray.  To be honest – I have been in daily prayer, but not with the dependence on God and the brokenness for souls as I should.  It is said that many church planters tend to “value activity over communion with God”.  I have said from the beginning that it wouldn’t be me.  Well, lately, I’m guilty of that.  How is it that we ever live a day thinking that we can possibly make something happen, without calling on God for his help? 

 

This past January I read a passage from Luke 9 that I have devoted to keep close to my heart.

 

“Jesus now called the twelve and gave them authority and power.  He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick.  He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment.  Keep it simple; you are the equipment.”

 

Transparency?  I really don’t know what I’m doing.  I’ve read alot and listened to alot and watched other guys.  I stink at administration.  I stink at…. well alot of things.  But…. I know how to love people and serve people.  I know how to sweat and get dirty.  That’s what I’m going to do and let God do the rest.  We don’t have any money.  No building.  Just a few on our core team presently.  That’s all God needs.  We are making ourselves the equipment and sitting back to see where God takes us for this ride!

 

This morning during my devotions I read in John 14:12-14 “The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things.  Whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it.”

 

merry go rounds & little league

What a great day to head toward the Tulsa Zoo!  First off on the agenda – merry go round.  I about threw up, but it is one of Camden’s highlights.  The giraffe got shafted because it didn’t move up and down.  The tiger got the call.  We ate leftover pizza and I think Cale just about put away a piece himself along with an entire brownie.  I’m really going to have to work out a schedule with my 11 month old for some pt sessions.

Tonight we were able to catch some baseball games for our Godkids.  Caleb and Aaron were incredible!  Here’s a pic of Caleb and Bob as he was given the game ball after his team ripped it up – go Caleb!  I couldn’t help think, as Bob and I put away a back of sunflower seeds, what will I be feeling when my boys arrive at this stage in life? 

I love baseball.  I love it even better when it is spent with some of the best people in the world.  The Walker’s are priceless and I’m looking forward to raising our kids together!

 

sprint tri & core gatherings

This morning Amy crossed the finish line and completed her first sprint triathlon!  I am so proud of her for all the training she did considering having a 3 year old and a 11 month old.  She’s an inspiration to me.  Two years ago I competed in this same race not knowing anyone.  This year I was given the opportunity to volunteer as the guy that lets people know when to start the race.  I had my stopwatch and was able to give the last encouraging words as each participant jumped into the water.  I knew over a dozen triathletes this year – it was great!  Just so you know the last three words I told Amy as she was jumping into the water was, “I love you”.

Tonight we had our second core gathering for The Well.  I got a picture of some of those that attended.  I truly felt a kindred spirit and we were able to truly move further down the road in our identitity and what we want to be known for in this community.  I’m so thankful to be surrounded by such an incredible group of people.  God is forming a team that will help transform lives!  I love the quote from Margaret Mead that says,

“never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

 

 

85 miles and UFC

One of my riding buddies and I left out of Inola High School today to endure a 75 mile ride.  Todd is currently training for Ride the Rockies in June.  He will ride 435 miles in 6 days – did I mention in the Rockies?  He was quite ticked at me after we arrived back at a comfortable 85 miles.  My bad on the mapping – oops.

Tonight I headed out for a UFC guys night out.  It was every bit of it.  Wings, ribs, sausages, chips, cokes, and baked beans were on the menu.  One of the guys works at a butcher shop and do I need to say more?  You can’t hardly beat sharing stories from the good ole days when we all thought we were professional athletes in high school.  Throw in some halo and UFC and it makes for a pretty nice recipe for male testerone.

I better get to bed so I can wake up to support my better half in her first triathlon!

cornhole and friends

Today was just simply crazy.  After knocking out an hour at the pool I went over to my in-laws house to put together a cornhole set.  My fnl busted it out in about an hour.  I played this game when i was in the 7th grade when my family visited my grandpa out in Wisconsin.  I’ve never forgotten it and can’t wait to play with friends!  It’s kinda like horseshoes but you toss bags filled with corn into a hole.

During this project a few cows got out from a neighbor’s property.  Yes yours truly was a cowboy for about 30 minutes.  The neighbor’s name was Kris and I think she may have been more of a man than me.  I got to meet our Claremore Progress marketer and editor named Sean.  He truly had a wide range of knowledge about our community as could be expected.

Tonight I was able to hook up for dinner with the North Tx A/G church planting director and Dave from over at Claremore A/G.  It was good times and my prayer is that we would continue to partner with one another serve this community with the love of Christ.  I met a new friend named Seth at a Starbucks to knock out the evening – I’m jealous as he left to go to D.C. this morning.  He is going to be meeting with Mark Batterson, a pastor that has truly had a long-distance influence on my life.