Run the Race

This weekend, I am completing a five week series that I have been preaching entitled "Run the Race." I have used the metaphor of a Triathlon to get us through a discussion about our spiritual journey based upon Paul's encouragement for us to "run the race with perseverance."

I have had so much fun with this series and I have seen and read so many things recently through different lenses. On vacation, I was reading an article from Runner's World entitled "The Latest Model." As I was reading, I was struck by how it engaged me from a Christian perspective. The subtitle to the article said it best, "No matter how long you've been running or how fast your times, there's always room for improvement."

I couldn't fit the illustration into the series after all was said and done, but it still captures my thoughts about the church. Take a read. Don't forget to read it with your christian lenses on and tell me what you think.

Brown Grass

Today, they are predicting rain. Some might grumble a little bit. We’ve had a pretty good run on nice weather as of late. The temperatures have been pleasant. There have been some warm days, but all in all it hasn’t been too bad.

The only down side of the good weather that we have been experiencing is the lack of rain. It has caused the lawns to take on a nice brown shade.

I listened to a garden and lawn expert the other day say that often times we think that our lawns are dead. This isn’t the case, he explained. The lawn is merely dormant. With the lack of rain that we’ve experience over the past few weeks, lawns go into a dormancy faze. Grasses have the ability to go dormant for varying lengths of time depending on genetics, health of the grass, and sometimes the strength of the root system.

“Not too worry,” was the explanation. “All it needs is a little water.”

That got me thinking a lot about the ritual of the summer season in the church and the very real possibility that many of us have gone dormant spiritually. Often times we take breaks in the summer, we fall away from our spiritual disciplines, and we find the latest and greatest excuse as to why we didn’t come to worship.

When we go through those seasons, we tend to go into a spiritual dormancy. Everything is going really well on the outside. It’s sunny and warm. But in reality, we are not getting the things that can sustain us and so we turn brown and brittle.

You can make a good case that all is not lost. The psalmist writes that those who plant themselves by streams of water will prosper and bear fruit (Psalm 1). If you have good genetics, a good root system, and you are relatively healthy – all you need is a little water.

Jesus once said, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them (John 7:37b-38).”

Are you in a spiritual dormancy? If you are, maybe all you need to do is reconnect and reestablish your relationship with Christ. Are you thirsty? Maybe all it will take is a tall drink of the water that will bring streams of living water from within you.

Now is a great time to come out of that dormancy. Fall programs are beginning and ministries in churches are coming back to life. Tap into something, it won’t take long for you to brighten up.

Today, they are predicting rain. I hope that we get a lot of it! And I hope that you get drenched.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Transitions

As you know, over the past three weeks we have been hearing a series of messages in worship entitled “Run the Race.” I have been using the metaphor of a Triathlon to talk about faith and our life of discipleship. We began the journey with our swim and dove into faith, we went through transition, and we have just talked about the longest leg of the journey, the bike.

This week, we again come to another transition. In a triathlon, this is a different transition than the first time. Like life, transitions in a triathlon are different.

Working toward this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about transition. It’s hard not to think about it quite frankly. Many people that we know are undergoing transition this week sending children to college for the very first time, some are welcoming them home again, and others are just ready for the summer to be over. I saw that in action this afternoon as I passed Geneva College and watched throngs of people checking in, rushing around, and having that look.

“That look” is different for all of us and that is certainly the case on the campus this morning. Some look excited, but inside they are balled with stress. Some look lost, and they really are. Some look as if they could burst into tears at any moment, and the boys just hope that mom will wait until she gets into the car, secretly hoping that no one sees them feel the same way.

But that look is probably similar to other transitions that are happening over the next weeks. Kindergarten, first bus ride, being the youngest again in a school, waking up earlier than ten in the morning are the transitions that are happening.

I was reading a little from the book of Proverbs this morning. The book of Proverbs is amazingly simple and complicated at the same time. It talks about its purpose in the very first words. Quite simply, proverbs is there for our “learning,” “wisdom,” and “instruction.” You can’t read that far without stopping and simply trying to digest the message that it has for you.

That was true when I read words that reminded me of all the children, youth, and young adults who are undergoing transition this week. Chapter three begins by simply saying, “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you (v.1).” And then they continue, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (vv. 5-6).”

Learning how to cope with life is just part of life, and it certainly is a part of our faith. We must go through hardship, testing, adversity, and sometimes trials in order to become stronger. Each time we go through transition, we learn how to cope with the next transition that will certainly come our way.

Take some time today, not only to pray for all those who are going through transition, but also those are learning to Trust in the Lord. Come to God today in prayer and seek to be more devoted in your own life. Say a simple prayer, trust in God, acknowledge him and see if he will not straighten the road that lies ahead.

Again, this week in worship we continue our sermon series with “Run the Race: T2.” We will also be blessed to witness to our faith in Baptism. Come and see how God can work in your life. I look forward to seeing you.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Olympic Passion

What are you watching these days? Beyond the news of tragedy that exists each day in our world, and the repetitive coverage of a Presidential race that began well over a year ago, chances are that you are one of the millions of people watching the Olympics.

I love watching the Olympics. I watched just a little of the opening ceremonies on Friday, but my real focus has been on the sports. As you know, I love sports anyway, but I am really enjoying the sports that you don’t get to watch regularly. I remember watching Wide World of Sports as a child and being fascinated with the different sports that exist. How can you not be gripped by the “agony of defeat?” (Cue the music).

The other day, I was captivated by Water Polo. I know that captivation may be stretching it, but I really was. I found myself cheering for the team as they were scoring, and running to the Internet to find some rules that I was not understanding. My wife heard me rooting for the team, and she wound up sitting with me as we rooted the Americans past the Chinese.

Not only do I enjoy the sporting events, but I also enjoy the human interest side of the sports, the stories bring life to those who are competing. We are brought into their lives through picture and through story that make the unknown competitor a real human being with hurts and desires just like the rest of us.

Did you hear about the mother in her thirties who is competing in gymnastics for Germany? She is competing in her record fifth Olympic games and was a part of the former Soviet Team in 1992. Following the dismantling of the former Unified team, she competed for her native Uzbekistan. She was married, had a son, but her journey was not over. It was her son’s diagnosis of Leukemia that landed her in Germany. She continued to compete because the prize money helped her pay for his treatment.

What about the swimmer from Korea who at the age of 14 was the youngest member of the team and to compete in his first Olympics. He qualified for only one event in Athens, and in the preliminary round fell off the starting block and was disqualified before he even began. Four years later, he stepped to a different podium after he won the 400m Freestyle.

In addition to the human interest stories, are the accounts of the athletic preparation and the mindset of the athlete. Steroids are a point of interest for the media, but they are also trying to focus on what athletes are doing to remain clean. The dedication, the mindset, the commitment, and the devotion to excellence and winning is staggering. The athletes that are competing at this level have one focus and one focus only – Winning.

It’s inspiring to watch someone give everything they have to one thing. Their entire focus and attention is about being a better athlete, doing everything that it takes. Watching someone like that makes me want to be better. I want to have that same passion.

But don’t worry! I’m not thinking about entering Olympic trials in the triathlon. What it makes me think about, however, is my own passion and devotion to Christ. Am I doing everything necessary to be a fully devoted follower of Christ? Am I putting everything that I have into making my life reflect that of Christ? Am I an example for others to follow? Am I measuring up? Am I falling short? Am I running the race?

I think all of us have to ask those questions of ourselves. And when we ask them, we can’t stop there. If we are falling short, falling off the podium before we even begin, we have to make changes in our lives. We have to be so committed that we are willing to do everything necessary to become what we are not; a fully devoted Christian.

We are thinking about that in this message series. What does it take to run the race with perseverance and endurance? What does it mean to cast off the weight of sin in our lives? Are you doing it?

This week we continue our series with “Run the Race: Traveling the Many Miles.” I invite you to come empty and ready to be filled by Christ. Devote yourself to him and I know that Christ will fill you. I look forward to seeing you this week in worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Willow Creek Day 1

Tracy is attending the Gifted To Lead Forum today at Willow Creek. I took her this morning so I could have the car if I needed it. I am spending the day working on my sermon for this Sunday as part of our Run the Race Series.

Wow! I don't think that I have fully come to terms with the size and magnitude of this place. Willow has always placed a high emphasis of making a kingdom impact in today's world. They are reaching people, and they are doing it in grand fashion. Even with the size, you are immediately welcomed and led in the right direction. I wonder just how many of our churches are doing the same thing?

This will be the second year in a row attending the Leadership Summit. This is the first at Willow. I will say it often - more people in Church leadership need to be attending this type of Leadership Conference (especially from the UMC in WPA).

Chicago Excursion

Tracy and I left this morning for Chicago, IL. We are going to the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Community Church. We are both excited about our time here. Last year, you may remember that we attended the Summit via Satellite at Orchard Hill. This year, we decided to come to the real deal.

Tomorrow, Tracy will be attending the Gifted To Lead Forum for Women. It is a one day interactive Forum with Nancy Beach and Nancy Ortberg. Tracy is so excited about the possibility of interacting with other women leaders. While she is at the Forum, I will be working on my sermon for this week for our Run the Race Series.

But - I guess the reason for writing tonight is to describe our experience at Gino's East. We asked some friends who have been to Chicago for some ideas on food, and this was their pick! The website says that Chicago is known for its pizza, and Gino's East is the reason why. Our opinion is that they are absolutely correct!!!!

First of all - you walk into this place and you know that you are in for something different. There is graffiti all over the place. They actually give you crayons to write on the walls. So of course, I left my mark.

But the highlight of the night was our deep dish sausage and cheese pizza. I wish flavors could be pasted to this site. No words other than to say it was some of the best pizza that I've had. I love thin crust pizza, but this ranks up there. It was cool.

So we are waiting until tomorrow to venture over to South Barrington. Until later . . .

Run the Race

Our Sermon Series in August is entitled "Run the Race". We invite you to join us for worship for an exciting series that will challenge your faith. Run the race that is set before you - what do you have to lose?

Finding Rest

They say that sometimes you need a vacation after a vacation. The work that you do prior to vacation exhausts you and the vacation refreshes. However, the drive home and the plane rides, and the pile of mail that greets you upon your return only causes you to need another vacation.

Some have noted that the E-pistle has been on vacation. This has largely been due to prep work for vacation, the vacation, and the aforementioned the pile of mail that I went through upon our return.

However, I can honestly say that even today when I am preparing to go on a continuing education event, and I am trying to complete tasks that can only be done in the office, I am not in need of a vacation after my vacation. Don’t get me wrong, if someone offered an all expense paid vacation to Hawaii, I’d go! But I am truly rested.

I am blessed to have been able to take a vacation and get some much needed rest. I continue to say, even a week after returning, that I had a truly wonderful time doing nothing. I was truly blessed.

There was nothing more enjoyable to me than sitting on the shoreline, listening to the waves crashing. The constant sound of water moving in and out with the tides is soothing to me. I read books, I read magazines. I watched my children play in the sand, and run in an out with the waves. I listened to the girls gasp at the sight of sand crabs, and delight in the sight of dolphins moving along the shoreline. I grasped my littlest child’s hand as we ascended and descended the lighthouse steps, and I flew a homemade kite on historic grounds like Orville and Wilbur Wright. I ate far too much ice cream, and I ran with reckless abandon down a sand dune that will never be the same. I held hands with my beautiful wife as we walked along the beach.

Sometimes, all we need is a change of scenery, a change of perspective. In many ways, that simple change can be the rest that we need. I was able to get that on vacation. I saw things from a different angle, I listened with new ears, and I opened myself to the presence of God in my midst.

Do you get to do that? I’m not only talking about driving 500 miles away to the beach – but the perspective part. Do you get to do that? Do you get to find rest in the Lord? If you are saying right now that you haven’t or don’t, are you asking yourself why? And if you haven’t – are you planning a way of doing that. I believe we need to do that. Sabbath rest is important, not only weekly, but regularly. It recharges us, it refreshes us, and causes us to delight in the Lord.

The psalmist writes, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9.

Today, I am thankful for God’s abundant grace, his love, and the refuge that he provides for me. I hope that you can find that same rest in his shadows, and feast abundantly in his house. If you haven’t recently – find time in the near future. God will bless you!

This week, we are continuing our Series entitled, “Run the Race” and I will be preaching on transitions in our lives. It is an exciting series, and I hope that you will not only make an effort to be in worship, but invite a friend. I look forward to seeing you this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg