Tag: strength

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Strength to the Weary

One last thought on that triathlon.  I know you are sick of hearing about it, but this is what I do after these sorts of events, I analyze it over and over in my mind.  Yes, way to obsessive.

Anyway, I was thinking last night, about where I lost time, and how I lost a lot of time in the run.  Immediately after the event, I thought it was because of tired legs.  But after running those 2 miles in my head again, I realized it was actually due to a lack of focus, and a bit of fear.  I started focus on the pain, and those around me, instead of focusing of my effort, attitude and the race in front of me.  And then the fear of the all too familiar pain that comes with pushing yourself extra hard.

So, what does that mean to you?  Well, for one thing when you do a triathlon, don’t make the same mistake I made!  But more importantly, when you are doing your daily life, like today, focus on your effort, your attitude and the race in front of you.  And ignore all the rest of that stuff – God will take care of that!

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:28-33 New International Version (NIV)

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Renewing

I dropped off the car this morning for a oil change, a recall correction and a minor fix. It’s always an interesting experience at the garage!

Is so good to know that at the end of the day the small corrections will be complete and the vehicle will be back to good, for a while!

Sometimes, I wish I could just drop myself off at the local people dealer, and have them fix recalls, defects and minor wear and tear on my spirit!

Oh wait I sort of can

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

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Giving Honor and Glory

Well Tim Tebow is at it again.  And again he makes the pages of the Daily Buffet.  Is there any person out there that is more of a lightning rod for his faith them Tim Tebow.  And have you noticed that Tim Tebow is almost one word.  It’s not Tim, nor is it Tebow.  It’s almost always Tim Tebow. He is continuing his just win approach on the football field and last week he and Jake Plummer had some words. I missed this last week, so maybe many of you have already discovered this tidbit.

To say it was words, is actually dramatizing the situation.  Simply put Plummer said – ‘stop talking about Jesus every play’, and Tim Tebow responded -‘I can’t’.  That’s the Daily Buffet abridged version.  Check out real quotes here.

I think it’s really cool to see the poise with which he answered these questions.  It appears that he maintains his position of love, humility and grace, but still stays steadfast.  That’s a pretty good example.  Plus it reminds me of some words of the Son of God from the book of Matthew.  I really like The Message version here:

 32-33“Stand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you? Matthew 10:32-33

Today, draw strength from Tim Tebow’s example and realize that if he can stand firm in front of the entire world with the TV cameras on him, maybe you can stand firm in your little corner of the world.

Plus, it has some benefits!

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Transformers Friday

I saw on TV last night that it’s Transformer’s Friday.  I like that.  They said it is because that ridiculous movie is being release on DVD, I say, it is because I have another great example from a cross country runner to share, and I think it will create some transformation in you!

I was actually shown this clip on Wednesday night.  The group of men that I met with on Wednesdays are planning to spend the month of October talking about fatherhood, and more importantly being courageous as a father.  This study actually coincides with today’s release of the new movie “Courageous“, which I urge all of you to find some time to go see.  ( if you are in the Chattanooga area – there is a large group of men going to view this movie Monday night – please join us!)

So, back to the point. during our time on Wednesday, we reviewed this video about Ben Comen, a high school cross country runner with Cerebral Palsy.

Really, you need to check out this video.  It’s an ESPN piece from a few years ago.  This dude has a lot of courage and a lot of strength to push himself despite his physical disadvantage.  If you don’t have time today, please take the 8 minutes this weekend to watch this little clip, I think you will be glad you did.

And then you can take encouragement from Ben, as you fight against whatever uphill, unbalanced, and rocky challenge  you are dealing with as you run through your life.  Hopefully, you will be able to look at whatever is knocking you down with a little more courage and strength – after all, we have Him on our side.

9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

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Limits

My post is quite late this morning due to some morning commitments.  Even now I am balancing posting something meanfuling with a hand full of thorn producing, life killing tasks.

So due to that and because it’s Friday, which means that everyone is thinking about Football or the coming weekend,  here is just a simple thought for today.

I found this quote which I thought was worthy of some consideration

“Our duty as men is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist.” – Teilhard de Chardin 

It’s an interesting thought, and one that I think is even easier for those that have entrusted themselves to the Christ.  Take a look at here

13I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13  New International Version (NIV)
 
and here

 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 New International Version (NIV)

It seems that we as humans tend to want to place limits on ourselves – based on our experiences or our confidence in ourselves.  But wow, when you consider where you strength comes from, it seems that maybe those limits are self imposed, and we would do good to consider the words of Mr. Teilhard.

What do you think?  Let’s be loosed from our limits!