Go Humans Go!!

So, I haven't written in a while - just a bit overwhelmed by the training lately - but still encouraged. I think I might be reaching the point where my body could handle about 30 miles straight right now. Yes, I have a long ways to go but I have come far too. I am trying to stay alive to the vision, you know, leaving the past behind and straining toward what's ahead. This will be another week of back to back 15 milers and then at the end of the week a 11 mile run and an 8 mile run. Thanks for the prayers, love and support because lately I have been thinking a lot about the interdependency of us as humans. We really do need each other in all ways. Why do we so quickly gravitate toward our differences rather than in our general disposition being "for us?" Jesus always seemed to be for us and against the spirit that boxed some people out and had "ins" and "outs." I want to live my life with the inner disposition of being "for us" rather than "against us."

Hitting the Training Wall??

Well, friends, this is week number 5 of my training and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, tired and doubtful. I will persevere, stay the course and all of that but my flesh and spirit feel a bit weak today. I have two 15-20 milers this week along with an 8 miler and a 10 miler. I also have some anxiety about the $50K - I have confidence that the finances are out there, but I don't know if there is a willingness for the release. We will see and if it happens, all honor will the God's - as usual, the only way it should be. This whole vision is an exercise in following a call in obedience but having so little ability, power, or strength to get it done. May God make it such a great story that I get the privilege, along with many others, to simply tell his story. Peace and Strength to all of you this week. Remember, hold firm as an important image bearer in God's mysterious divine drama!!

Getting Stronger, but still many doubts

Well, I did a 15 miler yesterday and had my quickest recovery yet - I feel quite strong today - the next day- but still can't imagine doing that three times plus a final 5 miles. I don't know if I will ever feel like I will be able to do the 50 miles. I will train the best I can, arrive at the day, go for it, and trust God will come upon me in my weakness - guaranteeing that only he gets the glory - how cool is that.

The Dreaded 20 miler - but wait a minute...

I just finished my 20 mile run and it went amazingly well. I was dreading this run because I had 3 bad 8 milers in a row last week. But today I actually felt like I had another 3 to 4 miles in me - Thanks, Lord, for the gift of that. I really needed the encouragement - and thanks to many friends who are praying for me and my training. Who would have thought a whole community would help a guy get ready to run 50 miles....ahhh, community...so, so, good.

Keep Me in Prayer!

Keep me in prayer. These weeks of back to back longer runs are going to be difficult. The Recovery takes about a day and a half but mostly it is a mental thing - having to get it done and then face it again the next week so quickly. This week was 8 miles on Monday and 18 on Tuesday and then two more 8 mile runs before the week ends. Next week I do it all over again. At this point running for 10 hours seems overwhelming. Also, keep spreading the word about the vision - all of us doing this together. Imagine 200 of us asking 9 friends for $25 for clean water in Africa and suddenly 2,000 of us will have had the privilege of participating in changing thousands of lives in Kenya. Wow! When we allow the streams of our lives to flow together so much happens!!!

Streams of Life

I have been thinking a lot lately about how each of our lives is represented by a stream of water. When one stream runs into another stream they build strength, momentum, power, energy, movement, influence and effect. Soon a few streams encounter a few others and a river is formed and the energy and influence grows again. Soon the rivers meet and form bigger ones that eventually flow into oceans of water - the power and vision of community. We are so much better together than separated as individuals. Oh, the creativity and imagination we could offer to the world. The hope we give in the name of our Creator would be unstoppable. The Church would be unleashed! It seems to me that this is what God created as our capacity. What if we set aside our differences as the christian community and began to celebrate the gifts that each of us and our church communities have been given? That's the vision of John 17 and Revelation 5 and 7. May God give us the grace.

Am I Making Progress??

Hey friends, 8 miles done tonight in 89 degrees and they went soooooo well. I give honor to God who came upon me in my weakness as an ordinary, everyday guy going about his daily followership. I am blessed beyond measure. I am beginning to feel like I am making progress. Just think, I only have to do 8 mies 6 times. No problem - ugh!!