Taking the First Steps

June 11, 2013 in Leadership, Running with 0 Comments

The commitment has been madesub-logo

  • The hotel has been reserved.
  • The airline tickets purchased.
  • And registration for the race secured…
  • …now it begins.

About eighteen months ago I signed up to run a half-marathon thinking I would do it and check it off my bucket list. Instead I caught the bug.  That first half-marathon turned into three more in twelve months and before finishing the fourth one I had signed up for a full marathon. I never thought this would happen.

Yesterday was the first day of training; 4.75 miles in the books and only 620 more until the start line for the Chicago Marathon on October 13.

I am a little nervous about all the training miles but am less so because I trust in

  • my coach (leader)
  • the plan
  • and the team.

Isn’t that the way it should be for any endeavor at work, at home or a personal goal?

  • secure a good leader
  • make a good plan
  • gather the right resources and then…execute.

Now in my marathon training it is all rides on the execution of the plan.

Making it to the end of any project can’t happen until you take the first step. Today I took mine although there was more than one (estimated 7140 (42 minutes x 170 steps per minute)).

Have you ever run a marathon? I would love to read your story or suggestions on running your first marathon.

Looking Ahead

June 10, 2013 in Leadership, Spiritual Journey with 0 Comments

bigstock-Walking-in-snow-22605575The instructions were clear: to walk and make a straight path in a yard covered in snow you have to always look at your target and keep walking…don’t stop.

I remember hearing this as a child and begin to wait for a snow covered yard to prove the theory wrong.

It snowed…I walked…turning around occasionally to see if the path I was creating was straight. The segments looked straight, but upon reaching the target I realized I had created a line that zig-zagged across the yard.

I head back to the starting point going out of my way to leave enough undisturbed snow so that I can try their way.

Starting with my eyes on the target and keeping my eyes on the target I head out through the snow, never looking back until the destination. Then a look back revealed a straight line.

If you stop along the way and look back Continue Reading…

Finishing Takes More Than “Intention”

May 22, 2013 in Family, Leadership, Spiritual Journey with 0 Comments

A few weeks ago I was asked by one of my son’s classmates if I would pray the closing prayer at their baccalaureate Businessman looking at arrows pointed in different directionsservice. (I am thankful that the students of his class at a public school go out of their way to sponsor and plan this event.)

I really felt it was a great honor and responsibility.

I am quite aware that these services can be religiously ‘all inclusive.’ It was my desire, in the short amount of time that I had, to make a statement for what I believe through what I said and what I prayed.

Here is what I said:

You might not have known it when you started first grade but someone set you on a path that they wanted you to finish. In just a few shorts days this journey will be over. Someone got you started but in the end it was your decision, to continue to get you to this destination.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

Did you notice that in this scripture there is an implication of going somewhere…”make straight your paths?”  Continue Reading…

Where Have We Been?

May 16, 2013 in Preparing for Worship, Worship with 0 Comments

“And when the priests came out of the Holy Place…”bigstock-holy-presence-12656525

There is a lot packed into those few words for worship leaders. implications, results and challenges.

Those words come from the book of 1 Kings chapter 8, where the nation of Israel was preparing to have its first worship service in the new temple. The priests were getting everything in order, but before they led the people in worship they went into the presence of the Lord. That would have been into the inner sanctuary, the Holy Place.

The words that follow in scripture are:
“…a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”

The implication: the priests, before leading others, took time before worship to prepare…their hearts…spending time in in God’s presence.

The result: God’s presence was so strong, so heavy, that the ministers could not stand.

The challenge: Have I spent enough time in God’s presence to recognize His presence? to worship? to lead others?

The formula of putting a service together is something that can become routine: if we do this or add this to the service we could get this reaction. But Continue Reading…

Thankful for a Godly Mother

May 10, 2013 in Family with 0 Comments

At the end of this week we get to celebrate mothers…Sunday is Mother’s Day. As I think back across my life I am bigstock-Spring-flowers-in-vases-isolat-16555646overcome with thanksgiving knowing that I was raised by a Godly mother.

I remember
* hearing my mom praying in her bedroom
* supporting my dad in his full-time ministry position
* always opening her home to people who needed a place of comfort
* showing unconditional love to me and my sister
* standing firm on her convictions
* setting boundaries for us her children, communicating expectations
* finding the place in her home that she does her quiet time
* seeing my mom worship and showing us how to be involved in worship

These days I smile Continue Reading…

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