Reflections on 1st John

vs9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrightousness.”

The condition here is agreeing with God that certain thoughts and behaviours are sin. If we do then He forgives and wipes the slate clean..Still one shouldn’t use this promise to keep doing certain sins without an intent to stop and then claim this promise. Don’t think it is meant to be taken that way. Instead when we struggle with a particular sin trying to stop and fail we can know if we confess it God forgives. At least that is how I look at this verse.

Still pushing forward on the memory challenge to myself. 

Running Reflection 

I was listening to some sermons today of Major Ian Thomas about the resurrection. Great stuff.In case you don’t know who Major Thomas was he founded The Torchbearers and wrote 2 classic books on Christian living,The Saving Life of Christ and The Mystery of Godliness.He reminded me that the first thing those who can to the empty tomb did after being frightened out of their wits was to run to tell the news Christ was risen. In our lives whether in running or any other activity the message we proclaim both in word,deed and spirit is to be Christ is alive to live in me.That is news worth running to tell.

Another lesson from the sermon was  ”why do you seek the living among the dead.’ We too often spend life trying to find life in things which are dead, because they aren’t alive in Christ.About 8 years ago after a long time of working in a dead church which God in His mercy delivered me out of. I coined this phrase based on  Major Thomas’ teaching.”It’s Empty So I’m not!” Don’t waste your life seeking life among that which is dead. The worst kind of dead I’ve discovered is dead religion that replaces the life of living in the Risen Lord.Run for and in the power of a Risen Lord.

Todays Run

A hot sticky day today here in Austin, Tx. Ran 5 miles around Town Lake Felt pretty good about it. Really watched my eating today. The old first of the month good time to start eating healthy. Only 9 days until the Chicago marathon and I’m feeling very nervous.Excited though about running for a great cause.

Reflections on 1st John

vs8: “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

Justification of the sins, which I like, is a practice in self deception.Dealing with sin isn’t just realizing that a particular thought or action is a sin. It is a desire to give up the sin, and hopefully succeed. I am amazed sometimes at the power of my rationalization to hang on to sin.

Well the scripture memory thing is a real challenge. I am keeping at it. Before the week is out I should have chapter one done. Retention is difficult!!

Running Reflection 

I will simply qoute what Eugene Petterson writes about Jeremih 12:5. It doesn’t get much better then this.

“…are you going to live cautiously or courageously?I called you to live at your best,to pursue rightousness,to sustain a drive to excellence.It is easier, I know, to be neurotic.It is easier to be parasitic.It is easier to be in the embracing arms of the average, easier, but not better. easier but not more significant.Easier ,but not more fulfilling……If you are fatigued by this run of the mill mediocrities, what will you do when the real race starts, the race with the swift and determined horses of excellence? What is it you really want,Jeremiah,do you want to shuffle along with this crowd or run with the horses?”  Eugene Peterson, Running with the Horses

Today’s Run

Coached tonight. Drills, plus a 3 mile easy run. Felt good. The temps were good tonight low 80’s.

Reflections on 1st John

Vs 7: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another and  the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

The promise seems to be if we live in the holiness of Christ doing his will His death takes care of all sin. The sin we are aware of and the sin we aren’t.The reference to the blood is important because Jesus death doesn’t just cover up our sins it cleanses them away.

Running  Reflection 

“If you have raced with men on feet,and they have wearied you,how will you compete with horses? Jeremaih12:5a”

Jeremiah was at the end of himself. God is in effect saying, ‘you want to give up after only “running with men” go ahead. But who will you rely on for strength when the horses of an invading army come. Do you think this is bad Jeremiah you haven’t seen anything yet.”

The truth is you can’t out run God.As Johnny Cash sang, “You can run on for a long. long time, but sooner or latter God is going to cut you down.” You can run to God,for God, or away from God, but you can’t out run God.He will catch you at the exact time He has decided to.The wise thing to do is not waste time and energy trying to do the impossible, out run God.So, instead run to God and then for God.I’ll have more reflection on this vs. tomorrow.

Today’s Run 

Today I coached a running group at 11:30. So it was running drills and then a mile time trial with them. Followed that with a easy 3 mile run. My hamstrings are still tight from Sat’s. 1/2 marathon on hills.

Reflections on 1st John

vs 6 ‘If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness we lie and do not practice the truth.”

Two things hit me right off as I read this and am trying to keep memorizing the letter. The first is lying is not merely by words but by action or lack of it. The second is there have been too many times to count I have claimed fellowship with God but continue to choose my own selfish pleasures for temporary satisfaction but no real joy.Sooner, hopefully, then later I will wise up and stop.Well enough confession for one day. I think there are verses ahead that speak to confession.;-)

Running Reflection

The creative well is dry on this right now. Maybe I’ll write a longer one tomorrow to make up for today. Been a busy weekend.

Today’s Run

Coached the men at Salvation Army today. A fun time. It was hot again and I’m missing those nice few days we had of coolness with showers.Real light workout for me. Lead some basic drills and then a 20 minute jog. What I needed after yesterdays 1/2 marathon.

Reflections on 1st John

vs 5  ”this is the message we have heard and proclaim to you that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

God is completly pure and holy. He is light. All we can do is to a degree reflect His light. The question I should ask myself is how well do I reflect his holines to others in my falleness of sin? Only to the degree that I walk in the light as He is in the light will I reflect light(holiness).The light of God’s holiness will drive the dark(sin) out of my life if I will walk in it.

Running Reflection

Ran a half marathon this morning.Afterwards I ate lunch with a friend who has completed 12 ONE HUNDRED mile runs. Yes he ran 100 consecutive miles. I have finished that feat once, this guy has done it 12 times. Others I know have done even more 100 milers. It reminded me of that vs. in Isaiah 40 about running and not growing weary. To run 100 miles without sleep through the middle of the night takes energy and to get that kind of energy takes eating enough calories to get the right amount of energy. The same is true everyday for our faith. If we feel weak spiritually it is because we aren’t taking time to be still with God and our fuel runs low. Well, that’s my reflection for today.

Today’s Run

Ran a difficult half marathon today near Austin in Fredericksburg. It has the most elevation gain of any road half marathon in Texas. Couple that with starting at 10a.m. and sunny skies with temps in the high 70’s low 80 made for a challenge. A beautiful course through rolling hills some of them fairly aggressive.The only complaint I had was there was no electrolyte type drink at any of the aid stops, not ideal for that kind of heat and hills. Should have brought my own. Had a great time with friends after the run. Chicago marathon is getting close. The next 2 weeks will be maintenance runs and eating healthy.

Ran   

Reflections on 1st John

vs4:”and these things we right to you that your joy may be full”

Got a short vs. today to work on.My prayer is that by trying to focus and memorize this whole letter, and doing what it says,I might find this joy he talks of. I can’t really characterize my life as joyful right now. Periods or moments it is, but not a constant reality. Maybe it is an unrealistic expectation but it sure would be nice to know this joy John talks about more as a norm then an exception.That’s about all my thoughts on this one verse.

Running Reflection 

Here is a quote I came across a couple of months ago I really liked.“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing but to turn it into glory” William Barcley  

Sometimes I fall into the habit of complaining about how hard life is or how hard todays run was.I simply need to shut up and turn all of life into thanking and glorifying God. We have had two great days of perfect weather and it is easy to thank God on a run like yesterday. It is when life and the run turns hard that we should keep being grateful and by that we turn a hard thing into glory. That is something I need to be reminded of. I want to thank my friend Dan of reminding me of this.Keep fighting Dan I love you brother.Dan is a running friend of mine who has been diagnosed with  ALS.He is an example of someone who daily is turning a hard thing into glory.

Today’s Run

A real brief 2 miles today just to keep the legs loose for a hard half marathon tomorrow. I’ll report on the race tomorrow. Keep Running

Reflecting on 1st John

vs 3 “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim to you that you may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ”

Well this makes day 3 of memorizing.Here is what I got out of vs. 3. Real deep fellowship is based on a mutual knowing of the Father and Jesus.The goal of proclaiming is to build a family of mutual fellowship.People who are in fellowship with God and in turn with one another. A community of mutuality.It is hard to get to a place of deep fellowship with someone who doesn’t know deep down what makes your life. If Christ is your life then deep fellowship will be with others who lives are also Christ’s. Also,it is hard to have fellowship with those who are churched in legalism but don’t know deep fellowship with Christ. This is why I think it is sometimes less stressful and real to be around genuine caring non-Christians then legalistic churched people who are only christian by name or tradition and are typically judgemental and down right mean.As I’ve read through the letter through once now in the last two days this idea of mutual community will come up again in the letter.Faith while deeply personal isn’t to be lived out in isolation from others, nor in shallow passings in church hallways with a fake smile and a how are you brother now let me pull out my two edged tongue to stab you in the back.Jesus life was one of close fellowship with true followers mixed with  heated encounters with the legalists of his day.Some things never change!

Running Reflection 

In case anyone out there is reading this I thought I would mention why I am calling these entries, Reflections of a Running Fool. First I like the movie Forest Gump and the scene where  Forest is running through hometown and a couple of the towns old men say, “that boy is just a runnin fool.” But on a more serious note it is a prayer of sorts, that I would be considered somewhat of a fool by a non- believing world. That is because deep down I want to follow a different drumbeat which, shall we say, will confound peoples view of what is “reasonable”. It is said this way in 1st Corinthians as Paul is speaking to some Christians who were thinking to highly of themselves and putting the apostles down. He says,with a tinge of sarcaism,in 4:10 “We are fools for Christ,but you are wise in Christ!,We are weak but you are strong,you are distinguished but but we are dishonored”. So it isn’t such a bad thing to be seen as a fool for Christ.Maybe I’m getting closer to that reality.Time to go run.

Todays Run 

The best 4 miles I have had in forever. The weather was perfect and my legs felt like running so I did. No jogging an actual RUN.One of those rare moments when all was smooth and relaxed and I ran 4 miles at a 8:20 pace. If I could only find it in me to do that for 22.2 miles. hope springs eternal.

Day 2: I think I have finally latched on to the format I’ll use to blog each day. Three sections.

REFLECTIONS FROM RUNNING  

This will be a section devoted to runnning tips, running stories and running as it relates to faith and life’s journey.I’ll just start out by giving one of my “life verses”.” But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my race, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”  How does that relate to running and life? It tells me that in order to stay in the race(finish the course) you need a motivation greater then yourself.In a marathon that may be friends cheering you on, or it might be the promise of a finishers medal and the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with finishing.Life is a race as well and to finish that race well is even harder then a marathon. Paul was so intent on finishing the course God had laid out for him he says in effect,”I’m willing to put aside my own self preservation to do what Christ has told me.” That is hard core.I need to carry that mentality into my running and my ‘running’ of life.   

REFLECTIONS ON 1ST JOHN

Well today was memorizing vs. 2. It’s hitting me already that this “ain’t gonna be easy”. Here is vs.2 by memory ” the life was manifested ,and we have seen it, which we testify to, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and made manifest to you.”  

So here is what I got out of vs. 2  I thought about that word manifested. Didn’t look it up in Websters but a manifest as best as I know is a sent document that usually spells out someone’s beliefs or desires. So Christ is life manifested.

and we have seen it  The eternal unseen becomes seen in Christ. As I read this vs. I asked myself how often do people really see any of Christ in me? I know he is in me through the Spirit but I can’t say I daily make all of myself available to Him.That is the thing that hit me as I read.

”  and testify to it”  What John is telling us is his firsthand testimony of having ben physically with Christ. It is not his speculation or opinion but his testimony of Christ.If our life is to be all God intends it is to be a testimony of Christ who lives to live His life through us.

“And proclaim to you THE eternal life”  I am grateful again to Ian Thomas for pointing out to me that etenal life is the life of Jesus himself becaause Jesus is present tense that eternal life in us.The quality of His life in us.

Well that’s it for today on 1st John.

TODAY’S  RUN

  It’s 4p.m on a rainy day here in Austin. Getting ready to go for a planned 8 miler. Let you know how it goes and what I learn on the run today.Not too many days until the CHICAGO MARATHON.Well, a greagt run today. Perfect weather.Ran in my neighborhood. Nice cool temps. with a stedy drizzle. How good is that. The legs felt good until a final downhill stretch. I could feel my quads really haven’t completly recovered from running down Pikes Peak 5 weeks ago. Hope the weather stays like this for my 1/2 marathon on Saturday. Keep Rejoicing!

Here are my miles for last week. Was a hectic week so didn’t make daily entries.

Tuesday 15th 10 miles around 11:15 pace

Weds 4.5 miles at 9:20 pace

Thurs 7 miles at 10:30 pace

Friday 5.5 miles 3@ 8:45 2.5@ Slowjog/walk 

Sat 12 miles at 12 min miles pace

Sunday Coached Salvation Army group 25 minutes easy pace.

A good week from milage standpoint not so good on the eating front. Same old story.Chicago less then 3 weeks out.

Monday(yesterday) I got in an 8 miler. My legs felt pretty good.Having to undue the weight gain “damage” from the weekend.  26 days until the marathon. I should know by the end of this week my state of readiness.10 miler at long run (slow) pace today. Around an 11:30 per mile pace.I’ll let everyone know how it goes.Go Team World Vision.