From the Blog Trench
I’m not a huge blog reader these days…. but once a month I’ll skim through some feeds that I subscribe to. The following are the ones that I dug out of the blog trench and hope that you’ll find one or two that could be beneficial! Just click on each one as it links you to the article:
Nutrition
- Would You Fuel Your Brand New Ferrari with French Fry Grease?
- Snack Attack
- Early Bedtime for Weight Loss
- How to Build a Better Diet
- Home Cooked Meals May Add Years to Your Life
- Calorie Conscious Recipes
- Healthy Foods I’m Probably Not Thinking About
- How Can I Prepare Healthy Meals for My Kids
- Fit Facts – Awesome Stats That Make You Think
- More Than Weight Loss
- How to Know if You’re Getting Enough Vitamins
Exercise / Triathlon
- You’ve Got to Move It!
- Fat Loss Tips You Never Thought
- Unscientific Markers of Triathlon Training Fatigue
- Age Group Triathlon Swimming Review and Drills
- You Might be Training for Ironman if….
- Post Race Feelings
- Triathlon Nutrition Guide
- Train Race Technology vs. Perceived Exertion
- Tri Riding Tips
Organization
Mental / Spiritual
What Kind of Warrior
There’s just certain days in life where it seems like you “have it” or you don’t. There’s probably a dozen factors of why you didn’t or why you did. I think we all learn to take advantage of those days when we “have it” and just do our best to persevere through the ones in which it’s a battle to just make it to the end.
This past Friday I loaded up for an 85 mile training ride that involved 3 loops. It was one of those days I didn’t “have it”. Perhaps it was my nutrition, the wind, the previous days of training leading up, but what I did know was one loop and I was done. There’s a verse I read recently in Gideon 5:7 that says, “Warriors became fat and sloppy…. No fight left in them”. I could relate…. I felt horrible and it knocked my confidence as I approach my A race in late June. Why couldn’t I plow through? I’ve been training for a while to know that when your body says enough…. It’s enough, if you plow through for the sake of pride it could leave you injured.
Turn the page to last night as I headed out for a 3 hour run. It was one of those days where I felt like I “have it”. Even though it was cooler, didn’t bring enough nutrition, and when I made the turn at the half way point it begin to rain. On this night I was reminded of the verse in Gideon 6:12 “God is with you, O mighty warrior”. I felt awesome! At about 2:45 in I felt the temptation to ease my pace going up the big gradual climb on McCaslin, but when “Training Montage” from the Rocky IV soundtrack comes on…. There’s no easing the pace! Yes I still listen to that soundtrack. I flew the last ½ mile downhill to my house and felt like I could run another hour.
There’s just going to be those days we’re not going to “have it” and some days we won’t and that’s just life. I’ve learned to go after it and when to ease up, avoid injury, and when to remind myself that God is truly with me and I can rely on His strength on any day, and to do my best not to allow myself to become fat and sloppy in areas of discipline. As I finished up reading chapter 6 of Gideon these lessons leaped out at me as they relate to our spiritual and physical journeys:
- We forget what God’s done in our lives
- We lose focus and get fat and sloppy and end up hiding because we’re ashamed
- God is with us and hears us when we cry out
- We get insecure and afraid when we take our eyes off of Him and look at ourselves
- God wants to be #1 in our lives and wants the credit
- His spirit is with us and He’s always patient
Clean Slate
This past week I was in Salt Lake City for a get-to-gether with some other ministers. It was a great time to hang out, build relationships, and just unwind. Often times, though, I find when I “get-a-away” I come back more tired and behind on stuff I left back home. It felt like the pile was high and I didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t eat like I should’ve and didn’t get in any training that I needed as well. It just felt like this morning I was starting behind.
Before I tried to tackle anything, I let God tackle me. I sat on the floor and collected my thoughts and was reminded of a really cool passage in Colossians 2:14 that reads:
“the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s Cross”
My heavenly Father whispered to me that April is gone and May is about here. I could rest assured that as I began planning for the new month, I could celebrate in all that occurred the previous month, but didn’t need to worry about being behind. There’s things I wish would have gone differently, wish I had more time to do other things, and the list goes on and on.
I took my calendar off the wall and sprayed over it with windex and the slate was wiped clean for a new month in which I was not behind but ready for a fresh start. The greatest reminder for me was that no matter what I’ve done or not done, no matter how I could have responded to my enemy’s temptations, no matter how far behind I think I am or not, it’s simply this…… I am a new creation today yet again.
My life will always be a series of ups and downs, but I can always go to God and ask for a clean slate, my debt is paid, and nailed. So despite feeling behind, I’m way ahead with Christ. Our enemy always will make us feel unworthy, behind, frantic, worried, and fearful as he sends them knocking at our heart’s door each day like a pack of wolves. Thank you Jesus for paying my debt and protecting my heart again. I love you.
What’s that Smell?
This past Friday, April 20th is just another day in most places…. but not in Boulder. It’s become known as the “Smoke Out” in which thousands flock together for marijuana. My friend Sam and I had no problem answering the question “What’s that smell?” About a week ago my 4 year did a number….. specifically #2 in his undies while fishing. My 7 year old yells, “Cale you smell like dog poopie!” We had no problem answering the question “What’s that smell?”. After I engulfed a Chipotle burrito yesterday after the Earth Day 5K by wife had no problem answering the question “What’s that smell?”. After finishing the Mt Carbon Half Trail run with four other guys and driving home squeezed together….. we all had no problem answering the question “What’s that smell?”
It reminded me of a passage in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 that says the following:
“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse”
I went on to read in Joshua chapter 14 where the description of this guy named Caleb leaped out at me with tremendous force “HE GAVE HIMSELF TOTALLY TO GOD“. It made me think if Caleb was in my home office right now I would have no problem answering the question “What’s that smell?“. He would be giving off this sweet scent! That sounds kind of weird right? I came across this link that talks more about “What’s that smell?” when it comes to us and God that’s pretty interesting.
Seriously….. I’m left meditating on the question as I sit alone, “What’s that smell?” What do I smell like right now to God? I think of how busy I was these past five days, how distracted I was, and the scraps I gave to my heavenly Father. I can’t honestly say I “gave myself totally to God“. I think about how I treated others…. did I give off an “exquisite fragrance?” I can’t help but make me wonder if I smell like a dead animal in the nostrils of God. In the O.T. we were commanded to sacrifice animals for the blood to remove our sins… that must have stunk wildly. Why? It gave us great insight to the smell of sin to our Father.
My prayer is that as I start this new week my attitude, my actions, my time, and my devotion would be that I give myself far more to God. My heart is a desire to give off a sweeter scent in the nostrils of God when he asks me, “What’s that smell?”
Strength & Courage
Often times I’m overwhelmed. Are you? I wish I could say that I’m always “Gung Ho” for the start of a new week, but…. it’s simply not true. This morning the looming to do’s, giants to slain, people to talk with, and projects to work on did overwhelm me….. at least until I was inspired by an ancient friend named Joshua.
You see in chapter one of the book in which he’s named, it says this:
1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant:
“Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. STRENGTH! COURAGE! Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”
During this reading journey, I was faced with chapter 11 today. Immediately I could relate with Joshua who had it far far worse then me today. God truly went before him and he’s just blowing every army away that he fights. Then all of a sudden, like a posse, herds of kings start uniting against Joshua. Check this out in verse 4:
“They came out in full force, all their troops massed together – a huge army, in number like sand on an ocean beach – to say nothing of all the horses and chariots.”
I immediately get this image of the movie 300, in which King Leonidas and a force of 300 men are fighting the beach infested army of the Persians. It just seems impossible doesn’t it? Why try? Can you imagine how Joshua must have felt trying to remind himself of everything God told him in chapter 1?
Once again God tells him in 11:6 “Don’t worry about them. This time tomorrow I’ll hand them over to Israel” and guess what? In verse 16 “Joshua took the whole country!”
Are you facing any of these:
- Office desk piled way high
- Unlimited emails and calls
- Nutrition plan got shot over the weekend
- You gained 3 pounds last week
- You’ve got over 10 hours of physical training and not tons of time
- Your marriage is barely making it
- You fill in this one
Have STRENGTH and COURAGE my friend! God is going before you and he’s going to help you win the fight! We must let him take away our worry and fear, because the battle belongs to the Lord! Don’t get off track with your fitness and spiritual goals! Strength and courage….. strength and courage
If You Live
This morning I awoke to the chaos of a Monday morning. So many things to do to start a new week, including meeting the needs of two little monkeys called “boys”. Amy took off early to work so I had to hit it running. After Camden was dropped off at school, Cale & I came back to the home front to finish off breakfast and tackle a few chores. I was about to focus on my “personal agenda” before my Bible peeked out from below the coffee table.
I knew their were a few more chapters in Leviticus in my reading plan, and to be completely honest, wasn’t appealing. I’ve been skimming through the details of burnt, grain, and peace offerings. I’ve been rushing through the feasts, instructions to Priests, foods, infections, and bodily discharges. You know all the things that are relevant to my life right now! I completed chapter 19 where God reminds me who he is and what he expects of me.
He sounds off a dramatic list of “do not’s” and follows that up in chapter 26:14-39 with what the consequences will be such as: curses, fruitlessness, lack of protection, fear, disciplined, humble us, punished, hold his nose at the “pleasing aroma” of our sacrifices (prefers obedience rather than sacrifice), will be scattered, and ultimate confusion.
I’ve read this book quite a few times in my life, but have always lacked the enthusiasm. Can you tell? However, this morning as I was trying to rush through to be caught up in my reading plan, almost like rushing back to the house in my car after dropping off Camden. It’s almost as though God was in the passenger seat and reached over and yanked up the emergency brake! Needless to say, I pulled over quickly and was all ears!
I began to read chapter 26:1-13. Then….. I read it over again….. and again. It’s not a passage I’ve heard in quite awhile, so basic, but yet so profound. I wish I could say I’ve applied it well in my life. I’m like most people….. I forget and need to be reminded. This is the part of the book where God says, but….. if you “do this” I’ll reward you.
While in Bible college in homiletics class over 13 years ago, I was taught to dissect passages of scripture. What I loved with this is taking a highlighter, changing colors, underlining, bolding, making words bigger, basically whatever speaks to you! It’s amazing to place your name in spots with “you” when God is speaking to make it far more personal. So….. I took some time, even though there’s tons of other things to do today, to allow this passage to bypass my mind and cruise control into my heart. Read this slowly and let it speak to you as it has me.
“If YOU live by MY decrees and obediently keep MY commandments, I will send the rains and YOU will thresh until the grape harvest; YOU’LL have more than enough to eat and will live safe and secure in YOUR land. I’ll give YOU MY full attention: I’ll make sure YOU prosper, make sure YOU grow. YOU’LL still be eating from last year’s harvest. I’ll set up MY residence in YOUR neighborhood; I won’t avoid or shun YOU; I’ll stroll through YOUR streets. I’ll be YOUR God; YOU’LL be MY people. I am God, YOUR PERSONAL God who rescued YOU.” Our Heavenly Father, Leviticus 26:1-13
Here’s what leaped out at me as I reflected and pondered. If I will “do” and obey his instructions for my life he will keep me safe and reward me, he wants to bless me beyond my imagination! He doesn’t want to just put rules over me to torture me or frustrate me. He wants to give me His favor! He will give me more than enough, keep me safe, give me his full attention, prosper me, grow me, and even give me leftovers from the year before! He’s my father and I’m his child AND…. He’s absolutely head over heels in love with me, he proved it by rescuing me, he wants to hang out with me all day, walk with me in personal relationship, and he’ll never leave me.
What leaped out at you? What encourages you about this passage? What thrills you? How can we line up the focus of our lives to receive all that He has for us? Are we obeying or are we living life on our own? I want it!!! How about you?
pastor dad
A few months ago a friend passed along a book that I finally got to munch on. It confirmed in me so many thoughts I’ve already been pondering….. thoughts like “How can I be a better husband when I screw up all the time” and “How can I show my boys more love when most of the time I feel like I’m disciplining them all the time”. This weekend I’m getting away for a men’s retreat to focus on the theme of being more holy as a man. I’m pumped about it! Hopefully it can challenge me even further. Reading this book called “Pastor Dad” by Mark Driscoll (click here to download for free) reminded me of my own Dad. He called a few days ago and said many words but the phrase that stuck out and ringed over and over was, “Son….. I’m so proud of you!”.
Proverbs 23:24–25 says, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Here’s some quotes that I hope will challenge you as well for those of you that are Dads:
- “Lazy fathers are disobedient to God, but want to have children who are obedient”
- ”If a man is going to be a good father, he needs to start by living in such a way that his children will celebrate his life and respect him as a respectable man”
- “As a father, you must recognize that if your child will be sitting in a classroom for six or eight hours a day, for twelve years, you must know the teachers, their curriculum, and the goal of that education, because you are responsible before God for the cultivation of your child and no matter which educational option you choose for your children, you and your wife must be their primary influence and instructors”
- “A Godly father gives spiritual sustenance to his children. It is dad who should also be reading the bible with his kids, praying with them, and answering their questions—not just mom, the church sunday school teacher, or the youth pastor”
- “A Godly father also provides socially for his children by bringing them into a healthy church community”
- “A wise dad may realize that a personal quiet time for himself is unwise; rather than hiding away in a quiet place to read the bible, it is often best to do so in the noisy living room where the kids can see and climb on their dad while he reads his bible”
- “A father must first teach his children what they are to do and not do, then teach them consequences if they disobey, and then enforce his teaching”
- “In addition to discipline for sin, a father is to provide protection from sin for his children”Here’s a powerful illustration about Godly discipline that he shares:
“One day he was not obeying, he was not being respectful, he was tormenting his sister, and he was overwhelming his mother. When I walked in the door from work, my wife and daughter looked as if they had just run a marathon. When I disciplined him, it just increased his anger and defiance. His attitude grew meaner until he tried to punch me, a move Proverbs refers to as folly that is bound up in the heart of a child. Ephesians 6:4 came to mind, and I felt that I was exasperating my son. As I prayed, God brought Job 1:5 to mind, and so I picked up my son, who was thrashing his body wildly, and carried him upstairs so we could be alone.
I lay down on my bed with my son on my chest and held him as I began to pray for him. The first thing I prayed for was that the Holy Spirit would come and convict Zac of his sins. I then prayed that Jesus would take the anger out of his heart and give him a new heart of love and obedience. I then started repenting of Zac’s sins for him, naming each of them he had committed that day in great detail. As I held him, I rubbed his back, which calmed him down, and I asked God to forgive him for his sins and give me wisdom to be a good father. My son broke in a way I had never seen. His crying was so deep that he heaved on my chest for over ten minutes, covering me in his tears and having difficulty breathing through his crying. He was repentant, and he was broken. He realized that he was sinning against his family and he was sinning against god. He also realized that I was responsible for him and that he was implicating me in his sin. Eventually, he lifted his head to look me in the eye and said, “Daddy, I’m sorry.”
All this talk…. I’m gonna sneak into Boulder for a hike with my oldest boy right now
boulder 70.3 race review
Five years ago I got bit by a bug….. a tri bug. It’s crazy how many lessons I’ve learned through the sport. Yesterday, after months of training, I crossed the line for my A race of the year. My goal was to finish in the top 50% of my age group and finish sub 6 hours with the following specs:
Swim 45:30
Bike 2:55 (19.2mph)
Run 2:14 (10:13 pace)
T1 2:45
T2 2:00
Total = 5:59:15
To my complete amazement I finished in the top 37% of my age group and sub 6! Not bad for living in the mecca of the sport. I’ve never broken the sub 6 in a half ironman before. The top two reasons I would have to say is getting serious about nutrition so I didn’t shut down during the run & focusing on my biggest limiter in triathlon…… my running pace.
My actual specs were:
Swim 43:36
Bike 2:37 (21.3mph)
Run 2:12 (10:08 pace)
T1 2:16
T2 1:40
Total = 5:37:44
I’ve never had a race go so well. I’ve decided to throw out my top 10 reasons why I think things worked out so well:
- Race Weight — Trimmed down to what I believe is my ideal race weight of 155 so there was no excessive baggage that I had to carry
- Speed & Hills – Weekly workouts apart from endurance run to help me get faster & grow leg strength
- Race Simulation – Every week did Stroke & Stride…. Learning to run a faster 5K & swim in open water more
- Knowing the Course – Swam at the reservoir weekly, biked the course at least 5-6 times, ran the course 3-4 times
- Hydration & Salt – Wore a camelbak two days leading up to get tons of water & sprinkled salt like a mad man on my food
- Nutrition – Focused on this like a scientist….. knew exactly what my body needed, when I needed it, & how much I needed at exact times
- Equipment – Last fall I sold my road bike & bought a tri bike which had a larger ring which allows me to fly on the flats & down hills….. perfect for this course. I also invested in a global trainer watch for GPS, pace, time, & pace per mile on the run to know exactly where I was every mile of the run
- Training Log – In years past injuries plagued me, but this year I watched my mileage like a hawk to prevent over-training
- Triathlon Club – Surrounding myself with other triathletes far better than myself to grow my knowledge & help stretch my abilities
- A Cause - My good friend gave his life last week fighting for our freedom. I wore his picture on my race belt and raced in his honor yesterday. It makes a difference when you’re tired & want to just stop. I talked to him throughout to give me his leg strength. One participant said, “It’s really cool…. you racing for someone other than yourself. Not too many people do that out here.”
a soldier tribute….. to my friend & brother
Last night I tossed & turned with flashbacks of memories of the past. It was almost like my friend and brother was in my room with so much to say but couldn’t. I could almost feel his peace & confidence at what he’s been tasting on the other side. I’m struggling at the same time at the loss of life. Besides grandparents I’ve never had a good friend pass. In one day the experience of shock…. disbelief….. grief….. and then anger….. then grief again.
It was almost like yesterday that I went on a survival camping trip with him. After a few hours in the wilderness, trying to make fire with our socks, and having a little worm of a snake crawl between my legs, my manhood was lowered as we hiked at 2AM through some mountains in Arkansas to sleep in my car. However, I got him back a few months later when he bailed sleeping by a campfire that went out to find him asleep cuddled like a toddler in my car the next morning!
It’s been comforting to read the words of others on his facebook wall and to be encouraged by others on the phone. However, my greatest comfort is found this morning as I continue my journey in THE BOOK. As I meditate on scripture and think about my brother and friend, I’m reminded of a few things about him that I’ll never forget.
1. He was focused
Nearly two years ago five guys formed a League of Brothers. We would meet every week on a Wednesday night and open our lives to each other. During this time we all faced struggles, but my friend and brother seemed to be a constant. At such a young age, he learned early on to not consume himself with earthly treasures, but heavenly ones. I particularly remember one night we decided to go to a cemetery to bury strongholds. He buried a medal he had received from the military that he put pride into and self-recognition. I knew by his example how focused he was on making a difference for Christ. He would talk about his mission and reaching other soldiers for Christ. He wasn’t distracted, but he had discovered the most important thing.
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
2. He was fearless
Gen 18:22 “The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.”
There was another night I can remember in which we went Geocaching. We went late at night hunting this treasure that seemed to be buried under the flooded waters of a lake. Although it was cold and most of us were hesitant on getting our feet wet and getting hypothermia… guess who advanced without fear? Like the born leader he was meant to be he literally went through waist deep water lifting his legs as he broke the ice with each step.
I saw that same determination and confidence as he zeroed in on the RSU campus. He knew that typical Bible clubs weren’t getting it done, so he initiated a ministry called Rescued. He decided to not just talk about his faith, but to show people his faith by serving others with the love of Christ. I can still remember him showing up at my house with several others to clean up my backyard. He could careless what anyone else thought! Many college students turn away from saving their campus, but my friend and brother remained standing and prayed to the Lord for souls.
3. He was favored
4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. 7 For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.
There’s no doubt my friend and brother was the apple of his heavenly father’s eye. According to Matthew Henry’s commentary he states, “
“God loves them and the work of his own grace in them. He is himself a righteous God, and therefore loves righteousness wherever he finds it and pleads the cause of the righteous that are injured and oppressed; he delights to execute judgment for them, Psalms 103:6. We must herein be followers of God, must love righteousness as he does, that we may keep ourselves always in his love. He looks graciously upon them: His countenance doth behold the upright; he is not only at peace with them, and puts gladness into their hearts, by letting them know that he is so. He, like a tender father, looks upon them with pleasure, and they, like dutiful children, are pleased and abundantly satisfied with his smiles. They walk in the light of the Lord.”
As I reflect on this I’m encouraged to trust in God even during this time and secure myself in depending upon Him to protect and make me joyful at a hero that has gone onto heaven. I don’t know the specific details of what went down or exactly how it happened. In time I will, but for now I have no doubts that my friend and brother was being examined closely since the day he was born, woven together originally, and set on mission for his country. Even in his moments God was watching him closely. My friend and brother would soon see the face of God because he was virtuous and favored. He’s done far more to impact other’s lives in his short span then 99% of others that will live a lifetime!
4. He is free
He had his own struggles of life he battled daily. I got to hear about his worries, his future plans, and his problems. But now he’s free of those bondages. He’s free to no longer fight the fight of war in the physical realm…. He’s free of holding his weapons. Or the fight of faith. Just like Paul he’s “fought the good fight, he’s finished the race, he’s kept the faith!”
Rest in peace Anthony Peterson
filling the tank
This morning I’ve had some extended time to just soak in the presence of my heavenly father. I’ve been able to read several encouraging blogs, listen to some new worship downloads, and catch up in my one year bible plan. I think there’s so many times I just stop off and fill my spiritual tank with a couple of dollars so I don’t run out of gas. Every been there? Maybe it’s a quick church service to put $10 in that lasts us until Tuesday. Well….. this morning it’s been the fill up. I can’t stop thinking about how big God is really is in my life. Here’s ways I fill up my tank:
- Spend a few hours engulfing his word and praying about how I can apply
- Going on a men’s retreat in a few weeks to be challenged by other men
- Listen to my boys tell me what they got out of kids church
- Talk with Amy about what God’s doing in both of our lives
- Go to church to worship with others and hear an encouraging message
- Go on a run, bike, or hike and worship God for his creation
- Listen to worship songs on my IPOD
This past Sunday morning I woke up early with a friend to officially become a true Coloradian….. hiked up not just my first 14′er, but my first four! We conquered Decalibron! It was some of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen. As we would stand amazed upon each summit…. I couldn’t help but inwardly thank God for his creation…… for Him in my life. It made me think of Luke 9:43 that says, “And they were all amazed at the greatness of God”. I was meditating on Psalm 8 earlier that tosses out this:
1 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made themt a little lower than the angelst
and crowned them with glory and honor.
9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
I can’t hardly comprehend that! As I was on top of those mountains thinking about God and how amazing he is….. it didn’t stop there! He was mindful of me! He’s thinking about how he can crown me with his glory and honor! I still can’t digest that! A lyric from a song I listened to this morning was: “Standing on this mountain top, looking at just how far we’ve come, knowing that every step you were with us.” After climbing Decalibron I attended a church service in which they sang a song called “Our God”. The lyrics fueled me up “Our god is greater… our god is stronger. Awesome in power… you’re higher than any other…. our god… there’s no one like you… “
There’s a reason Jesus would regularly escape away to the mountain tops and bring his friends. Luke 9: 28 reads “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray”. I just hope that I don’t forget to stop from time to time to not just put a few dollars in my tank, but to completely fill it up and keep it filled up. I plan on tackling more 14′ers not just for the challenge, but……. to see God’s fingerprints all around me.
