Tag: buffet

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Being Uncomfortable

Yesterday I was able to run for the first time in several months. I think I have run maybe 4 or 5 miles total since July. So as a part of this therapy to break down things I was told to run a few miles every other day . Last night I went out for a one miler. Everything felt odd – even my shoes. Every step was uncomfortable – not really because of pain, it just did not feel right. It was just plain awkward.

So here we are on the 11th day of the new year. Many of you are trying new things, many of you are working to change and transform yourself.  And you are probably sitting in a time where you feel really awkward and uncomfortable with what you are doing.    That is how it is when we get out of our comfort zone.  It’s just plain awkward.

But here is what I know – the more I get out there on the roads, the comfort will return, and the growth and strength will return as well.

I think it’s no wonder that Paul equates the Christian life with one of a runner.  Because each day, we must continue to push, continue to change, continue to train, continue to stretch our comfort zones, and we will see change.

Change – not to achieve something, but change that happens ‘in view of His Mercies” that brings glory to the father.

Keep it up.

 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27  New International Version (NIV)

 

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Braces

I have thought about braces a lot recently.  For starters, I recently finished paying for the first set that I will pay for, and secondly that set completed it’s work yesterday. Yeah! But actually the work is not complete, now’s there’s that part called the retainer – that’s helps keep it all in place.

Think about braces for a moment.  All that metal strapped to a set of crooked and misplaced teeth.  Then over time, an adjustment here and a little pressure here, and some rubber bands to pull on the other side.  Each month small adjustments.  Behind all those metal smiles there is a transformation taking place, until finally one day the braces come off and viola!  There are teeth that are straight and correct aligned and ready to once again eat hard candy and popcorn!

Don’t you wish there were braces for your spiritual life.  Just strap on some metal, allow some one else to make adjustments and then boom, one day – everything is in it’s correct place and we are ‘perfect’.   Unfortunately, it’s not that way.  However, we can learn from all the minor adjustments and the way that all the small changes going on behind the braces create huge changes when it’s all said and done.

That reminds me of the verse behind this whole Daily Buffet thing.  A verse that I come back to often

 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

27but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 American Standard Version (ASV)

That version may be funny to read, but I love that word buffet.  Each day we continue to train, we continue work our selves, making small corrections, and minor adjustments – all along knowing that we have a prize out in front!

Keep going!

And don’t forget to brush!

 

 

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I Run…

yeah, what a great holiday this is – National Running Day!  Of course I had planned on a nice easy run this morning when the temperature was in the normal range, but I overslept a few minutes too long, which messed up my schedule, so I will have to go out tonight in the record heat.  That’s correct,  why not make it a challenge.

And of course a day and a post about running sends me directly to one of my favorite verses in the whole entire bible. Yes, the one over in 2 Corinthians that I used to have on my wall in my bedroom when I was a young boy right next to my running goals.

 

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, New International Version)

And as most of you know this is the cornerstone verse for this blog, when it is take from the American Standard Version:

24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, American Standard Version)

On the National Running Day web site, they have various statements that fill in the I Run… badge that you see at the top of this post.  I think this verse is a pretty good way to fill in that statement – “I Run.. with certainty, making my body my slave, and winning the prize!’

Get out and run a little today, even if it is from the front porch to the mailbox and back. And more importantly, run the race of life in a way as to get the prize and keep on buffeting your spiritual body each and every day!

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Just for Funsies

Many of you know that over the weekend, I teamed up with 11 other guys and ran a 195.5 mile relay race from Chattanooga to Nashville. Each of us had 3 legs ranging between 3.8 and 8.9 miles, with out total mileage between 12 and 22 each. The relay started Friday morning , went all night, through the dark and cold, and we continued until we reached the finish line in downtown Nashville late Saturday afternoon. It was a crazy night, our team with 160 other teams running through no where Tennessee with head lamps and reflective jackets. However, through all the decorated vans, sore hamstrings, bottles of Gatorade and packets of Goo, the one thing that continues to surprise me was one question. There was one question I was asked repetitively in the weeks leading up to the race, during the race and even after the race. “What do you do this for? What Charity?”
Every time I was asked I paused and then with regret said “None, it’s just for funsies.” I felt bad that I wasn’t raising money or raising awareness of some cause. But really it wasn’t just for funsies, although I did find it to be a great time. It was more about challenging myself, using the gifts that God has blessed me with and “buffeting my body” each and every day. I think it’s good for us to continue to find things that help strengthen our bodies for service to Him. For me, being able to push my body physically and keep it fit, helps me realize the spiritual strength that is also available to me, although it’s manifested in another way. For you, it may be something different, but all us need to remember that this physical body is a gift from God and something that we need to use for his Glory

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, New International Version

So why did I do this, I did it to in some sort of weird way to bring honor God by keeping my body fit and ready for service. Today, keep finding ways to buffet your body, and bring it under subjection both spiritually and physically, and bring glory to your creator.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV