faithrunner

The Hunger Games Trilogy My wife has read all three of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins . I have not, but I have seen the first two films based on the books , and after seeing the second one, Catching Fire , this weekend, I came home and started reading the third book, Mockingjay in order to discover the ending.  Why?  I became intrigued with the main character, Katniss Everdeen, the Victor from District 12 and the Mockingjay . It was not Jennifer Lawrence's performance in the films alone. She captures our imagination and pulls us into the story by her acting. No, my intrigue came from our love for her character as the heroine of the saga.   Why do we love her so much?  Here are six reasons why I think we love Katniss Everdeen so much. 1. We love her because she is a reluctant rescuer.  Katniss was thrust into her role by fate and choice. She did not seek to be the heroine, but as she realizes the importance of her life in connection w...

I enjoy running, climbing and cycling. I do not win any medals nor do I finish first in my age group, so if you are wanting lessons from a winner, check out Runner's World Training or training and racing at Ultrarunner Online . But, I have discovered connections between my running and leading an organization. I also make the connection between physical wellness and spiritual maturing in my book A New Way of Living . (I figured if Paul, the Apostle, made those connects, I could too.) Here are three lessons I have learned from my 15+ years of running that I shared with our Board of Governors and Hub staff at B. H. Carroll as I have begun my new role as President of the Institute . 1. Your core determines your strength . A runner's core is key to provide the strength to complete whatever distance he or she chooses. Most people have lower back problems because their abdomens are week. In running, when the core goes the back and legs go, and you are done reaching your PR. ...

View of Acrocorinth from Temple of Apollo I recently traveled to Greece for a speaking engagement, and I had a day to make a side trip to the ancient ruins of Corinth . This was my first trip to Greece and Corinth. Both made a significant impact on my life and perspective on the biblical record of Paul, the Apostle's, ministry there. While the overall experience was deeply meaningful, I will stick to my day in Corinth. The Lechaion Road As you know from Acts 18:1-17 , Paul came to Corinth from Athens and stayed there for a year and a half. He would have most likely walked through the city on the Lechaion road with Acrocorinth towering in the background and lined with shops . Here he may have met the Jewish couple from Rome who made tents like him. ( Acts 18:2-3 ) The agora, or, marketplace, was the primary mission point for Paul. This was his habit most every where he went. ( Acts 17:17 ) Inscription of "synagogue of the Hebrews"  Luke, the author...

At the summit crater Guided by RMI Guides , Geoff and Bridgette at about 0850 PDT on 12 August 2013 we crested the summit of Mt Rainier, WA . Few other thrills have matched the accomplishment and exertion of effort. Although the wind and blowing snow only allowed us about 20 minutes in the crater of the summit, I savored every second. I carried a flag to honor those on my new journey with B. H. Carroll Theological Institute . I want that flag to represent all who are part of that community of faith and learning as they reach the summits to which God has called them.  Me crossing the ice bridge We left Camp Muir about 0100, and began our climb on the Disappointment Cleaver route . By the time we reached the top of the cleaver, three of our group had turned back. As I sat where I turned back two years ago, I knew I would make it unless something outside my control happened.  The Ice Step The most frightening section of the climb was the sect...

Saturday was training day, and for a flat lander like myself who only hikes Class 1 walk ups I was happy for the refresher mountaineering class. We left Paradise parking lot about 10 and made it back to our rooms about 5. A full, but very fun day.  The guides were informative and patient with all of our jokes and jabs at each other. Chemistry matters in group sports, and we have excellent chemistry.   We all now have been trained in self arrest, team arrest with and without an ice axe, running belays, rest step, crampons and more.  The most helpful exercise to me was walking in crampons on the rock face. The is the terrain of Cathedral Gap and Disappointment Cleaver. We walked both individually and as roe team. I am ready for that challenge this time.  Everyone completed their training and returned to base without injury and in good spirits. We all should summit, and the gives us all confidence.  Today, Sunday, we head to Camp Muir, and head out on our summ...

Day two started early  with breakfast at The Kitchen in Enumclaw, Jim's hometown. We then drove to the Sunrise parking lot on the other side of Mt. Rainier than where we will be climbing Monday.   We hiked to Frozen Lake and got lost for the first time on the trip-but not for long or seriously, but glad we have guides on Rainier.   You can see Little Tahoma, Cathedral Rock and Disappointment Cleaver, my nemesis from the last trip, from an opposite angle. It was good to see and know the landmarks.  We got to RMI guides base area in time for orientation and gear check. We met Jeff and Peter (Bridgette later) our guides. Jeff was fun and informative. He will be awesome.  Off to the day of training on the Muir Snow field. 

We are in Seattle to make my second attempt of Mt. Rainier. We saw our goal from the sky as we flew in and then spent the rest of the day wandering around in the lowlands constantly looking over our shoulders at its beauty and power.  We had fish and chips at a seaside shop called Spuds and then sat on Alki Beach to eat. Flawless weather and idyllic backdrop to a restful day waiting for the rest of the team to arrive and allowing Jim to host us on his home turf. Why did he ever move to Dallas? (I'm glad he did, but we have none of this to offer.  A ride on the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry gave us a taste of the ocean and beauty of the landscape and cityscape. I love the international flavor of the population and the culottes that roam the streets like the breezes that come in off the seas. Your own ethnocentricity fades when walking among them.  We made our final purchases at the REI Flagship store with its artificial waterfall but great gear and then headed out to meet the r...