faithrunner

If you have been following some of my exploits in five fingers , you have read my disappointment with the KSO for trail running . I continue to run in them on streets and grass without any issues. Well, five fingers has created the right amount of protection to still have a minimalist feel to running on rough terrain. The five finger sport/trek provides enough protection for open field, packed trails, and rocky paths. I broke mine in at my parent's farm in East Texas in their open fields and wooded paths. I found them light and flexible like the KSOs, but with enough protection not to slow down on rocky paths and hard-packed trails. I had no deep bruises in my insole or heel like I did with the lighter KSOs. The only draw back was the occasional long-stem weed between my toes, but that's part of the five finger experience. I like the added traction on both the sole and toe of the shoes . The added plastic covering on the top of the toe seems like it will come in handy on wet...

Solitude and silence are to your soul what clean air and water are to your body. Without them it is as if your soul breathes in air at the airport smoking room, and you drink from standing water in the street. No wonder we are a people of shallow lives and aimless days . Until we stop, find a place to be alone, and listen we can only react to life like cats swiping at a pesky mosquito. One of the reasons we don't seek solitude and silence is we are afraid of what we may hear from our hearts and from God. If we slow down we may hear the cries of our heart that call us to change the harmful habits we have created to protect them from the healing relationships of others. Or, we may hear the whisper of God's voice that calls us to a new life in Him that will challenge the mindless, self-absorbing things we do to fill the space between sunrise and sunset. But we MUST find the quiet and alone places if Jesus is our Leader . He modeled a life submitted to the Father and was laser-b...

We continued our investigation of the spiritual practice s last Sunday by actually reflecting on a passage of Scripture during our worship time. If you want to hear how we did that, you can listen here . I used the common rubric of asking these three questions: What? So What? Now What? ( Google those questions and you can see other applications of the questions.) The passage we reflected upon was John 14:22-27 . Why don't you give it a try? Read the passage, then ask, What? about what you read. Who's speaking? What's going on around the conversation? Where are they? This involves the spiritual discipline of study . Read the passage again, and then ask, So What? This is the spiritual discipline of meditation . This is listening to the Word of God through the Holy Spirit as God speaks to you about God, the world around you, and you. Again, read the passage, and ask, Now What? This is the spiritual practice of simple obedience. What did you hear God say for you to do in the...

Why would I tell you to "read the Bible" in such a complex, information-saturated, diverse world? That sounds like a step backwards or too narrow a call for someone who is educated and sensitive to the convictions of others. However, of all the things I can encourage you to do in the chaotic world in which we live that will feed your soul and introduce you to the God of the Universe , I can tell you with all confidence: Read the Bible . Why the Bible? Whether you embrace it or not, the Bible makes some unique claims about itself that intrigue me enough to want to read it. (Not to mention a life-time of life-changing encounters with God in its pages.) Here are some claims the Bible makes about itself: It is a light and a lamp for living. ( Psalm 119:105-106 ) It is living and active and can cut to your soul. It's more than ancient literature. ( Hebrews 4:12 ) It is " God-breathed ." Not many books make that claim. ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) The prophets o...

My son-in-law is an account executive for the newly forming, Frisco-based, Texas Legends , an NBA D-League team. Last Saturday, he invited us to a walk-through of the Dallas Mavericks practice facilities and locker room. I'm not a huge NBA fan, but I have been to enough games to definitely jump at the chance when Ryan invited Graham and me to join him. We were greeted by Donnie Nelson , the owner of the Legends, in the Mavs practice court under the AAC arena . I soon found myself intrigued with the special nature of what I was getting to do. This was where the sweat and coaching of a championship team took place before and between games . We were then led into the locker room where the players "live" during the season. Our host kept saying that everything is within 10 feet of the players' lockers so they could train and be cared for without excuses of distance or inconvenience. That's Graham and me at Dirk Nowitski's locker wearing his practice jerseys. I on...

If you have read this blog any, you know I enjoy exercise and participating in group activities . Since my heart incident in 1993 , I have changed my lifestyle and diet to prevent an early demise from the things I have control over. My days are numbered , but I don't want to be the one responsible for going home early. I have found a full-body workout at my local YMCA that has really challenged me physically and has given me some core and upper body strength I did not have when I was just running or cycling . It's commonly known as "boot camp." It's an hour of a variety of moves, stretches, and anaerobic exercises that puts my 57-year-old body into hyper-drive. Added to my weekly rides and runs, this workout has given me stamina I have not had before. I recommend it if you are able. (Yes, I wear my five fingers the entire time.) So, what does my exercise update have anything to do with my spiritual life? Just as physical strength to do well in a competition t...

As a LifeGroup leader at Legacy Church , you are a shepherd or pastor for those in your group . You embody our core value that "authentic community fosters spiritual growth and transforms lives." Your role is not just an administrative position to see that everyone attends or that there are enough snacks . Your primary role is not even to make sure you cover the curriculum for the meeting. Your role as a shepherd or pastor is to nurture and care for the spiritual well-being of those in your group . This is an awesome responsibility, but can be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. To care spiritually for someone you must first to know his or her needs . Pause now and look through your roster . Do you know everyone in the group? Do you know where they are on their spiritual journey? Have you taken time to ask what they are expecting by being in your group? As you go through the roster, say the name of each person and pray the prayer Paul prayed for his friends in Ephesu...