The Anger of Love.....

In the 4th grade during outdoor recess, I was talking with friends. Out of the blue, one of my friends made a comment about my mother. I remember asking him to repeat it, just to make sure I heard it correctly. He confirmed the hurtful words. My response was quick, powerful, and passionate. I picked him up by his arms and pinned him against the brick wall of the building. After hanging suspended for a few moments, he recanted his statements and I allowed him to stand on his feet.
I have often wondered why Moses would get so angry at the People of Israel. Didn't Moses know God could take care of the grumblers and complainers? Then I read Exodus 33:11, thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Moses loved God the way we love those special people in our lives. Friends and loved ones we defend passionately and sometimes in anger. Do I love the Savior of my life with that kind of passion? How often is my passionate anger saved for the important idols of my life?

Training is Exhausting....

A few weeks ago, I introduced you to my new training partners, Donald Guthrie (author of New Testament - Introduction) and George Eldon Ladd (author of A Theology of the New Testament). They are working my eyeballs off. These two authors exposed me to various criticisms of the synoptic gospels. In other words they helped me read Matthew, Mark, and Luke with different eyes. They did this by explaining how the background of the author, the targeted early church audience, the historical time period, the original language, and classification of literature impact how we should interpret each gospel. I just wish they could have explained it with fewer words. My head trainer is Professor Knox Chamberlin. A pleasant voiced southerner who has a love for teaching/lecturing about the smallest detail in each Gospel. The three of them, worked to get me ready for my first long run, a test on Tuesday. Not sure how I did, but I was not surprised by the course. With the first long run behind me, I get to tackle the Gospel According to John. What is that coach Chamberlin? My break is over? 100 more pages and 50 min of lecture, right now? OK! pray for me.....

Let the Fun Begin...

This week, I began to feel the impact of the decision to run this race. I received the books and lectures for my first class, The Gospels and Acts - a New Testament Theology Class. Over the next 60 days it my goal to read over 1500 pages, listen to 48 lectures, learn a bunch of new theological terms, drink a good share of coffee or tea, learn about the men used by the Holy Spirit to write the Gospels and Acts, and Jesus and His Kingdom. The culmination, a series of tests or long training runs. This is like finding new training partners who are going to challenge me. They are going to expand my vocabulary, my reading and note taking skills. Not sure I'm going to like these guys (check the photo, yes they are as scary as they look).

While more of my days will be spent reading and studying Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts, the early mornings spent with my current training team will remain special (photo below and right). This is the time where I remember just how deep the Father's love is for me. Where I see how that love was expressed in both word and deed 2000 years ago. And the Holy Spirit will help me see how that love is expressed today. Its never to late to join that morning run.