Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Run Free
Some grownups make a living jumping over barriers and running through water like hunting dogs. Isn't the world just great?
Thursday, June 11, 2015
A Take on Coaching
From 1,001 New Worshiping Communities on "Coaching"
A coach is not someone who will tell you what you should do. But a coach can come alongside you as you seek to discern the way forward in your context. A coach can provide you the margins to reflect and discern God's agenda for this ministry amidst the chaos and constant decision-making that is the nature of church planting.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
The Cover of Runner's World Magazine
I am trying to get on the cover of Runner's World Magazine.
Why???
1) Running is one of the odd contexts that God has provided for me to spread the good news. The cover of Runner's World is a new way for me to share what inspires me as a runner.
2) Our church has just turned five years old and is receiving a surge of new energy and support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and now, what looks like a possible formal partnership with Presbyterians (PCUSA) and their 1,001 New Worshiping Communities initiative. These intersections have been both intentional and organic. In much the same way, running and the mission of the church have intersected intentionally and organically since the very birth of the Tobacco Trail Church (Pentecost 2010).
3) When the Tobacco Trail Church was in its' infancy, even still in the womb, I was a bike rider in the Race Across America. That story wove together Durham Cares, 16 local agencies, eight bike riders, a support team including another 15 volunteers all while raising more that $100,000 for Durham charities. Maybe a pastor/runner on the cover of Runner's World could raise money and/or awareness for the next initiative in God's project for the church.
4) I am about to turn 40 (June 18) and need all the help I can get meeting my summer running goals--personal bests for the distances of one mile and 800 meters. I am confident that God is forming me to be #olderandfaster. I could use some personal accountability so that I stay faithful. Will you encourage me?
You can vote for me to be on the cover of Runner's World at this Link. I hope you will set a daily reminder because you can vote every day from now until July 22nd. What might seem like a hassle, or have you thinking, "I don't know this runner guy," instead, think is this daily click as a prayer for a small church plant in central North Carolina. Call it a prayer for future Baptist and Presbyterian church plants and the exploration of this post-denominational season we seem to be entering. Call it a hope for the aging runner within each of us that we might all grow younger and more child-like in Christ who redeems us.
Why???
1) Running is one of the odd contexts that God has provided for me to spread the good news. The cover of Runner's World is a new way for me to share what inspires me as a runner.
2) Our church has just turned five years old and is receiving a surge of new energy and support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and now, what looks like a possible formal partnership with Presbyterians (PCUSA) and their 1,001 New Worshiping Communities initiative. These intersections have been both intentional and organic. In much the same way, running and the mission of the church have intersected intentionally and organically since the very birth of the Tobacco Trail Church (Pentecost 2010).
3) When the Tobacco Trail Church was in its' infancy, even still in the womb, I was a bike rider in the Race Across America. That story wove together Durham Cares, 16 local agencies, eight bike riders, a support team including another 15 volunteers all while raising more that $100,000 for Durham charities. Maybe a pastor/runner on the cover of Runner's World could raise money and/or awareness for the next initiative in God's project for the church.
4) I am about to turn 40 (June 18) and need all the help I can get meeting my summer running goals--personal bests for the distances of one mile and 800 meters. I am confident that God is forming me to be #olderandfaster. I could use some personal accountability so that I stay faithful. Will you encourage me?
You can vote for me to be on the cover of Runner's World at this Link. I hope you will set a daily reminder because you can vote every day from now until July 22nd. What might seem like a hassle, or have you thinking, "I don't know this runner guy," instead, think is this daily click as a prayer for a small church plant in central North Carolina. Call it a prayer for future Baptist and Presbyterian church plants and the exploration of this post-denominational season we seem to be entering. Call it a hope for the aging runner within each of us that we might all grow younger and more child-like in Christ who redeems us.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Writing Voice
In your natural way of producing words there is a sound, a texture, a rhythm--a voice--which is the main source of power in your writing. I don't know how it works, but this voice is the force that will make a reader listen to you, the energy that drives the meaning through his thick skull.
Peter Elbow, Writing Without Teachers
Peter Elbow, Writing Without Teachers
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Fire At Your Heels
Fire At Your Heels
Moses - Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Marble sculpture. "And we know, when Moses was told, in the way he
was told, "Take off your shoes!" He grew pale from that simple
reminder of fire in the dusty earth. He never recovered his complicated way of
loving again and was free to love in the same way he felt the fire licking at
his heels loved him."-David Whyte
Friday, May 8, 2015
This could have been...
...me. But for the Grace of God it was not. #thanksJesus
I survived my life at Furman (no fault of the school), just my time of life. I remain forever grateful.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Exquisite photo of Golden Gate Bridge
Check out @universenme's Tweet: https://twitter.com/universenme/status/587719375576150018?s=09
The first time I processed truly losing a loved one, not death, but of the heart, I was running across this bridge. Three quarters of the way across, I stopped, prayed, lamented, and turned back and ran toward my future.
What landmarks mark a turning point on your journey?
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