Just Running a Little Each Day...

The post last Friday dealt with my first steps on the path to pastor. Thank you for your words of encouragement, I will treasure them during the days and weeks ahead. The goal of most of my postings will be to encourage you (and by doing so me) in the training for your race.

In the marathon video, each competitor starts by running. Some go on to run with a partner or a group, but most of the time it is getting up three to four times a week and running to building up stamina and condition the body.

Reading the Bible everyday is kinda like that. It gives you a chance to remember how Jesus loves you personally and unconditionally. It is where you begin to build spiritual stamina for difficult times. Starting today the daily reading, outlined on this blog page, begins to walk through the New Testament. Starting with how John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the last verse of Malachi and the wonder of Elizabeth's and Mary's faith. Jump in today and get those legs moving...

My Marathon is Ordination....

Twenty-four months from now, I plan on standing for ordination. To get there I have done the following:

• Stood before the sessions of Chapelgate Presbyterian Church and City of Hope Presbyterian Church and found to be a good candidate for full time gospel ministry
  
• Stood before Credentials Committee and found to be a good candidate for full time gospel ministry
  
• Stood before Chesapeake Presbytery and found to be a good candidate for full time gospel ministry
  

I am a student of Reformed Theological Seminary for my academic training. That will start in earnest tomorrow when the books arrive. I have a mentor to hold me accountable for my academic and practical training. Next week I will share some of the daily changes required to run the race.

Just a Hard Day...

Today is the day before Auto Care Saturday. A day that pulls at every string in my patience and often breaks each one of them. On the way home to sleep for a 5 AM wake up call, I listened to the following song "O Wondrous Love" . This song reminds me that Jesus loves me even when my love for him fails. Over the next 18 hours, I will be resting in that wondrous love.

Verse 1

O wondrous love
That will not let me go
I cling to You
With all my strength and soul
Yet if my hold should ever fail
This wondrous love will never let me go

Verse 2

O wondrous love
That's come to dwell in me
Lord who am I
That I should come to know
Your tender voice assuring me
Your wondrous love will never let me go

Misc 1

(BRIDGE)
I'm resting in the everlasting arms
In the ever faithful heart
The Shepherd of my life
You'll carry me
On Your mighty wings of grace
Keeping me until the day
I look into Your eyes

Verse 3

O wondrous love
That sings of Calvary
The sweetest sound
This sinner's ever known
The song of Your redeeming Son
Whose wondrous love
Will never let me go

Verse 4

O wondrous love
That rushes over me
I can't escape
This river's glorious flow
You overwhelm my days with good
Your wondrous love
That will not let me go

This song reminds me that Jesus loves me even when my love for him fails. Over the next 18 hours, I will be resting in that Wondrous love.

Your Training Reflects Your Race...

As Christians, we have experienced the intentional sharing of the Gospel (the running of the race). We have experienced resurrection from spiritual death (Philippians 3:11) to knowing real LIFE! A life that can only be found in Christ. Now we train to share with others.

In Galatians 1 we see the kind of training Paul went through to run his race. Over the next 24 months, I plan to describe the kind of training I will experience to run my race, the race of pastor.

But your race is not Paul's nor mine. What race are you called to run? Every marathon runner must run, stretch, eat a different diet, and journal. In our race all of us must pray, mediate on God's Word, Bible Study, and fasting. Are you ready to train to race?

What is the Difference?

OK, we know what the Paul means by running the race, it is sharing and proclaiming the Gospel. So what is the difference between running the race and training to run the race? Aren't we sharing the Gospel just living? Everyday we are a light for the Gospel to those around us. Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world" That light is not something we manufacture, but the light of Christ dwelling in us (Romans 8:9). So everyday living (shopping, driving, etc.) we share the Gospel whether we know it or not.

As Christians, we should not be satisfied with haphazard sharing (1 Corinthians 9:26). When we commit to training (spiritual discipline, small group, etc) and an intentionally exercise of our gifts to share the Gospel (the Race), that is when we have the greatest opportunity to witness the power of Christ bringing the spiritual dead to life. What race are you preparing to run? Maybe it is the holiday meal with unbelieving family members. Maybe it is preparing to live on one income so your spouse can be home. What race are you training to run?