Marine Corps Marathon 36: My First Marathon Recap

I know it has been awhile since I've posted on this blog. Life has been busy and writing has been put on the back-burner. If it makes any of you feel better, I have another blog, www.living-wisely.org, which I have also neglected recently. One of the things that has occupied my time is my personal health. When I last posted on this blog, I was hovering near the 300 pound mark. I knew that if I didn't make changes, I would never make it to a ripe old age, and I probably wouldn't be as effective for Christ as I should be. so in January, 2010 I began to run. It was slow and painful at first, but as I changed my eating habits and shed the weight, I came to a point where I enjoyed it. Last week, I accomplished a goal I had set 10 years ago. I had kept to myself that at the age of 30, I decided to run a marathon before I turned 40. So with 54 days left, I ran my race. The following is my race recap:

The day before the marathon, the weather was horrible. Nearly every type of bad
weather occurred. It was cold, rainy, sleeting, snowing. In short, it was terrible. Even
still, I was resolute. I was going to run the Marine Corps Marathon in a blizzard if
necessary. But Sunday morning came and it was gorgeous. My family and I were
staying with my aunt and uncle in Mount Vernon. Uncle Stuart drove me down to the
starting area.

It was nice to have him there for encouragement as the butterflies made the rounds in
my stomach. I had invested a great deal of time in training, but I still had questions
about this distance - 26.2. I was so energized with anticipation, that I didn't need a
jacket on the cold morning. I dropped it off with my bag, and made my way to the
starting line. We were encouraged to cue with others at our anticipated pace, so I went
to the 4:30 to 5:00 group. I would be happy with under 6 hours, but really wanted to
break 5.

I watched with interest as three people skydived to the starting line. Two Osprey
airplanes flew over. I sang the National Anthem with fervor. And then the start! After two
years of training, I was finally running a marathon! I remembered the advice and
coaching of my running friends, run slow Jeff. Don't start out too fast. Be comfortable. I
remembered the advice, but I didn't heed it. I occasionally checked my Garmin and
would see a 9 or 10 minute pace. I would slow down for a bit, but then the speed would
creep back up.

The first 4 miles were fun. I talked with a guy from Charlottesville VA for awhile, then he
moved on. The first bridge I crossed was a bit slippery, but I managed without incident.
It was about this time (mile 4 to 5) that I learned marathoners lose their modesty fairly
quickly as dozens would duck into the bushes for what I assume to be the call of nature.
Entering Georgetown was awesome. There was a bluegrass band, and a little later, a
bagpiper and drummer encouraging us onward. About mile 6.75 to 7 miles, I started to
feel some pain in my calves. I decided it was probably from running too fast or from
running on asphalt (which I didn't do enough of in training), so I ignored it and pressed
on. I was looking forward to seeing my wife and kids at mile 10, but I missed them in the
crowd. I struck up a conversation with Dave, who was running his second marathon,
and we ran together for the next 5 miles. Dave was crucial to my success because he
kept me running at a better pace than I previously had been running.

Dave and I lost each other at the mile 16 water station, and shortly after that, I saw my
family! What a wonderful feeling to be cheered on by your loved ones so late in the
race. Paige, my youngest, was holding a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts so I grabbed
one of the three in the box. After eating half of it, Brooke told me that I had just eaten my
wife's doughnut. At that point, I didn't care, but later I apologized. It's amazing what
running a long distance race will do to you. I've avoided sweets and fatty food for so
long, and during this race, I didn't think twice about shoving that stuff down my throat!
The next 3 miles were uneventful, but I was starting to slow down a bit. I made it to the
14th Street Bridge in a little over three hours (mile 20). I was happy to "beat the bridge"
as the Marines stop runners by a certain time. When I reached 20.5 miles, my world
changed. I experienced pain and fatigue in a way I've never experienced before. I felt
like a popped balloon as all of my energy immediately left my body. My quads and
calves were so sore. I bent over and tried to stretch. I knew that if I didn't start moving, I
never would finish. So I walked. Each step was painful and full of effort. I prayed that
God would take the pain so that I could finish the race. I knew my family were waiting at
the finish line. I knew that my friends were cheering for me from around the U.S.  I didn't
want to let anyone down, especially myself.

At about mile 21, I started to run. Slowly at first, but in no time, I was back to about an
11:30 pace. I found the second wind to continue! It's true that you can go farther than
your body thinks it can. I was a bit slower around mile 23. At this point, the 5 hour pace
group caught up with me. I tried to keep up, but they steadily pulled away. I determined
to keep running and get to the finish as best I could. Between mile 25 and 26, a guy laid
down in the road and didn't get up. I said a prayer for him and kept moving. At mile 26, I
could hear the crowd at the finish line. I knew it was almost done. I made the turn and
started the uphill run to the finish. I was not going to walk up this hill!

With a tenth of a mile to go, I saw my aunt and uncle in the crowd. They were taking
pictures and waving excitedly. I picked up my pace. I saw the finish line. Legs pumping.
Legs screaming in pain. I kept moving forward. As I crossed the finish line, I thought,
"why in the world did I do this?" I felt horrible. After a couple of minutes, it sank in that I
had just completed a race that a third of those who entered did not finish. I realized that
I had completed a goal I had set for my self ten years ago. I completed something that
two years ago I knew was impossible. Waves of relief and joy washed over me (but I still
ached horribly).

A second lieutenant placed the finisher's medal around my neck, shook my hand, and
told be congratulations. I soon saw my mother and father on the other side of the fence.
I got their attention and told them I wanted to go home. Seeing my family at the finish
line was a source of great joy. My girls rushed up and hugged me. At that point I thought
about the time they granted me to be away on training runs. I appreciate their love and
support.

I want to say that the Marine Corps Marathon was incredibly well organized. I don't
know how many hundreds of marines provided assistance along the route, but I
appreciate them all. Semper fi, Devil Dogs. Semper fi!

Civil War Part 2?

This article, http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94803, has been causing a considerable amount of concern for me. On the one hand, I am happy that the government is watching out for dangerous attacks, but on the other hand, I am worried about who they think the enemy might be. I agree that domestic terrorists, supremacist groups, and fringe militias need to be monitored. However, as I read the article, I see a number of issues (many important to me) that are not fringe issues. I am concerned that supporters of "right wing" causes may be unfairly targeted.

The first sentence of the article noted that the DHS report "warns against the possibility of violence by unnamed "right-wing extremists" concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty and singles out returning war veterans as particular threats." What conservative American isn't concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty? More disturbingly, the DHS report (and thus the federal government) considers it's own military veterans as a threat. 

Couple this article with the statements made by the Texas governor (I respect this so much I may nearly consider moving to TX) about the 10th amendment state's rights, and one may think that a serious struggle is being played out underneath all of the political mumbo-jumbo. Could it be that a president who purportedly models his presidency after Lincoln is leading the nation into a second civil war? 

I pray this is not the case. 

Thoughts on the End of Evangelicalism

Michael Spencer wrote an article which was published on the Christian Science Monitor website earlier this week. The link is here: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html. I think a number of things Spencer wrote are right on target, however I disagree with a number of statements he made. For instance, Spencer stated, "We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity." While evangelical Christianity is experiencing a major change, I disagree with the notion of a major crash. What I believe is occurring is a realignment of priorities and a shift in methodology. It is true that evangelicals were too closely aligned with the cultural war and political conservatism, but this is due to the fact that political conservatism is the ideology most closely aligned with the values of evangelicals. Furthermore, we are to engage our culture in order to transform our culture. We are to be a city on a hill. The problem arose when evangelicals decided to engage in the culture wars through political action RATHER than through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit by means of the gospel. While Spencer and I agree with the cause of the problem, we disagree with the result. Spencer believes that "Evangelicals will increasingly be seen as a threat to cultural progress. Public leaders will consider us bad for America, bad for education, bad for children, and bad for society." When examined from a global perspective (as well as a historical perspective), we learn that the church flourishes when it is the subject of public persecution.

Spencer's second point about the failure of the church to pass on orthodox doctrines would appear to be correct. In order to sustain the church through the shift and persecution, we must do a better job at passing on a biblical worldview. The same is true for his fourth and sixth point. The three points are essentially the same point made several times. 

The third point Spencer made was "There are three kinds of evangelical churches today: consumer-driven megachurches, dying churches, and new churches whose future is fragile. Denominations will shrink, even vanish, while fewer and fewer evangelical churches will survive and thrive." I think the notion of three kinds of evangelical churches is simplistic and naive. While it is true that there are megachurches, dying churches, and new churches, it is also true that there are a number of small, medium and large (not mega) churches which are thriving. Furthermore, there are unknown numbers of simple churches thriving and multiplying across the nation. These churches fly under the radar and are ideal for urban centers. The evangelical church is growing, but it doesn't look like the 20th century church. 

Spencer's last point is ironic since he previously railed against consumer driven churches. Suffice it to say that the Kingdom of God does not rely on money to flourish. Neither does evangelicalism. We are not talking about an organization in the same manner as a business or non-profit (though churches are classified as such). What we are discussing are ideals, theologies, and principles. A reliance on money is what stifles the growth of the church. How many pastors of dying churches have said "we can't start new churches because we don't have the money."  This lack of faith in the provision of God is a root problem for a number of churches.

It is true that denominations are declining, and a large number of churches will close their doors. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just as the vinedresser must prune sickly branches, so too does the church need occasional pruning. 

But are we losing the culture wars? According to the American Religious Identification Survey, http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/,  the situation is not clear. Baptists have gained two million adherents in the last 7 years, but are still declining in proportion to the population of the United States. Mainline denominations are declining with 38.6% of mainline Protestants now identify themselves as evangelical. Most significantly, 27% of Americans are functional agnostics/atheists in that they do not expect a religious funeral. Obviously, the work is set before us. It will be difficult work, but it is the task set before us. Jesus Christ promised his church "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." The church will grow when it returns to its mission.

Should Church Planter's Ask Community What They Are Looking for in a Church?

LifeTree Church is involved in a canvassing campaign where we are
going to talk to every person within a one mile radius of our meeting
location in the next 4 months. We're not just leaving cards or door
hangers. We will come back to the houses we miss. Our goal is to share
the gospel with each household. I was recently talking with a good
friend about this campaign and he asked the question of whether we
were just witnessing or were we also asking what people were looking
for in a church. My answer seemed harsh to him (and it is contrary to
Bill Hybels). I said that I don't really care what the unchurched
people are looking for in a church. It isn't that I am not concerned
about their needs. I offer to pray for them.

When I read the scriptures, and study the first century church, I see
that the Holy Spirit guides the church not the community. In fact,
when I think about who God made responsible for the direction of
ministry at LifeTree Church, I see that it falls to the elders of the
church in prayerful obedience to the Holy Spirit. That means it falls
to me and the other elders of the church.

When we allow people outside of the church to dictate our direction,
we are telling them that our God doesn't know where to take us or that
we can't hear God at all. I think that the church is experiencing
difficulty in reaching the lost partly because we place ministry
directives in the hands of non-regenerates. We have the truth. They
are either searching for the truth or happy to live a lie. We need to
be more vocal in proclaiming that we have the truth they need.

Isn't that what Paul did? Look at Acts 19:1-7 for instance. Paul met
some disciples in Ephesus, but he seemed to think they were missing
something. Why else would he ask if they had received the Holy Spirit?
When they replied that they didn't even know about the Holy Spirit,
Paul proclaimed to them the truth. He didn't ask if they thought they
needed to know Jesus. Further on, he is presented before Felix,
Festus, and Agrippa. Each time, he doesn't ask what the Romans would
like to see in the church. Rather, he tells them why they need to be a
part of the body of believers. Agrippa even commented in Acts 26:28
that Paul was on the verge of convincing him to become a Christian.
The point is that Paul knew what he had was valuable. In fact, the
gift of salvation in Jesus Christ which Paul conveyed to every Jew and
Gentile he encountered was more than valuable. It was vital. That is
why he was content to suffer.

We, the Christ followers of the twenty first century need to
understand this. We certainly need to ask people what concerns of
theirs we may pray for, but we also need to know that the truth to
which we witness is greater than any program we offer or market
analysis we might conduct. To know our community is important. To know
our mission is vital. To know Christ is the greatest of all joy.

The State of the Church in the United States

We are at WAR!! The church has been engaged in a war from its very institution. No, we are not fighting against the any particular religion or nation. We are fighting against powers and principalities. We are followers of the one true God fighting for the kingdom against the powers of darkness. So how goes the battle for the kingdom in the United States?   According to some we are losing the war at home. Bill Easum stated that 75% of churches in existence today will not be here in 22 years. Church membership has been decreasing in nearly every denomination. C. Kirk Hadaway calculated that 70% of Southern Baptist churches were either plateaued or declining. However, he did not differentiate between the churches which were growing by conversions and those growing by transfer growth in the 30% of churches experiencing growth.   Bill Day of the Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health noted that when one defines healthy church growth to include conversion growth, the number of growing, healthy churches drops to 11%.   Based on these statistics, it seems like we need to change our tactics. Is there a new gospel presentation that will be more effective? Maybe we need to change how we worship God. We should have more drums. We should have less drums. Perhaps the answer is a bus ministry. All of these ideas are useless for our current church membership!   When a king mobilizes his army, he doesn't simply give people weapons and send them to battle. Not if he wants to win. Weapons training and state of the art weaponry are important, but if the king has an army of weaklings, it doesn't matter what kind of weapon they carry.   Similarly, the methods of evangelism a church utilizes is important, but if the pastor does not build up the body of believers, they will fall in the fight (don't stretch the metaphor too much. I am not saying they will lose their salvation. I am saying that they will be ineffective and afraid to engage in the battle).   I believe that churches are declining because we pastors have set low expectations for membership. Let me describe a typical church process for membership. The pastor finishes his sermon. The time for the invitation is at hand. The pastor may or may not share the gospel, but he will offer an invitation for people to come and give their lives to Christ, recommit their hearts to Jesus, or join the church. When the potential new member comes forward, a brief discussion ensues, a pray is lifted up, and the person fills out a membership card. The amount of discussion depends on how much time is left in the song of invitation. Afterwards, the pastor presents the person for membership (either as a new believer or as a transfer of membership), and calls for a vote to approve the person for membership. Everyone says "amen." Any opposed? Of course there are none. Welcome to the family.   Does this sound familiar? Certainly there are variations, some churches have added a new members class. What I would like to know is "How is the church protecting the sanctity of the body?" Another question I'd like answered is "how does this process make effective disciples?" The answer is that it doesn't. If it worked, then people would be progressively becoming like Christ.   There isn't a single answer to solve this dilemma, but I think that a greater emphasis on discipleship and accountability would go a long way in developing Christian soldiers. I also think that churches should institute a member candidacy period in the process. When someone desires membership in the church, they should be encouraged (new believers should be celebrated via baptism), and then entered into the member candidate stage. During this stage, the pastor and spiritual leadership (elders, deacons, etc. whatever the ecclesiology of the local church stipulates) watch and pray for the candidate. When the candidate displays fruit, then he/she should be invited to covenant with the local church body. It is very much like an engagement period prior to marriage.   Also, we should disciple our church members and hold them accountable for their spiritual growth. We need to help them develop the heart of Christ within them. Then our church members will see the lost and seek to rescue them from the fires of hell.   Our churches need to change how they operate. We are in sleep mode because the buildings are paid for, salaries are being paid, and we're able to keep the lights on. If established churches acted like church plants – if we operated under the principle that we either win souls or lose our funding – then we would operate differently.   This is a great time to be a soldier for Christ. The amount of spiritual interest is high. People are searching for meaning in their lives. They are looking for solutions. Unfortunately, they are not looking to the church. We need to show them that the church has the answer. We need to show that Jesus Christ is the only answer that will satisfy.   I invite comments on other ways we can help the church to become more effective at making disciples. Let us labor together to share the good news.

I'm Coming Back!!

My apologies to all of you who would like to read my blog on a more regular basis. I have found that blogging takes time, and I have needed to devote time to other things over the last four months.

Well, things are still hectic, but I think there are some thoughts I need to get down. People get ready. Jesus is coming, and I am writing again.

My next post will be this evening and it concerns the state of the church in the USA.

Simple Living in the United States

I have been reading Christopher Heuertz's book, Simple Spirituality: Learning to See God in a Broken World. There are a number of things Heuertz wrote that I don't agree with, but one area in which God has been challenging me has to do with living a simple lifestyle while caring for the needs of the poor. As I read, I think about all of the material blessings we have been given and know in my heart that my family needs to get rid of many things. A plan has come together to sell those things we absolutely don't need, pay off all of our debts, and give more of our income to the church to be used for ministry to the poor. 

A great plan, but then I get a strange thought. What if the body of Christ, the church, lived this way? What a testimony we would have in this culture of excess!! 

Why don't we do it? A proper understanding of stewardship reveals that nothing we have and nothing we are belongs to us. It is all God's. We are merely entrusted with His riches to use for His glory, ministering to His children and those He loves. This doesn't mean that we live as paupers. It means that God gave us the resources to use properly. What does that mean? In the next few days (or weeks, months, etc.), I am going to be thinking about the theology of wealth. Please share any comments or thoughts you have on the subject. Join me on this journey.