Monday, March 18, 2024

"Ego Greek"

At the gym, one often sees "ego lifting." That's when you lift more weight than you should because you want to impress others. Sometimes I see "ego Greek." You don't need to mention the Greek word or tense from the pulpit, but you do it anyway. Frankly, most people aren't even faintly interested in technical language. They could care less about "the present passive imperative" in Eph. 5:18. It's not that the tense, voice, and mood of the verb "be filled" aren't important. They are! But you trying to bring up scholarly language may be counterproductive. Try to find simpler ways to say what you think is important. 

Ego lifting may seem like a good way to impress others, but it's ultimately a self-defeating habit. 

Likewise, don't NEVER use Greek from the pulpit. But when you do, make sure it's for a very sound reason. 

Latin Versus Greek Personal Pronouns

This is an unintuitive thing I've discovered in my study of Latin grammar. 

Latin has the pronoun "I" and "you" but lacks a third person pronoun ("he"). The demonstrative or relative pronouns are used instead. In Greek, we find all three persons, as we will see in today's Greek class.

All I can say is, God did a good job at Babel of creating languages to be different! 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

A Fun Weekend in Carolina

Sometimes we need to break up our routines. Here's how I did that this weekend. I began by driving to Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina. As usual, I avoided the major highways. Country roads are always my favorites (nod to John Denver!). Check out this Christmas tree farm I saw on my drive.

Christmas tree farms help drive the local economy, providing thousands of jobs each year. In fact, did you know that the North Carolina Christmas tree industry is the second largest in the nation? I didn't either! Everywhere I went I saw the signs of spring. Lovely.

After about 3 and a half hours on the road, I finally arrived at the Pilot Mountain visitor center. 

In the past I've always hiked to the top. 

But yesterday I decided to change things up a bit. You need to plan to travel for a total of about 7 miles round trip. 

The hike is rated moderate to difficult -- for obvious reasons! 

As I said, instead of hiking the trail I decided I'd run up and back. 

Hey, if you're wanting to climb the Alps, you should probably do some cardio once in a while, don't you think? 

It took me about 80 minutes to arrive at the summit parking lot. Once you are there you have a short walk to the lookout point. 

This view makes the effort worth it every time! 

I galloped back down the trail, hoping fervently I wouldn't faceplant! Thankfully, I wasn't as klutzy as I usually am.

It was a wonderful day, blessed with extraordinarily pleasant weather. I rested up in my hotel room so that I would be nice and fresh before speaking this morning. It's a rural congregation where one of my former students pastors. It was their "Missions Emphasis Sunday." 

Never have I been more warmly welcomed. Essentially, this is a congregation that is ON FIRE for the gospel. In fact, here's the church's mission statement:

"It is our mission to glorify God by equipping local members to make global disciples."

I love it! This church not only teaches about missions and evangelism but does it as an integral part of their discipleship program. I think missions is in their blood. 

I could share a lot more but I've got to wash clothes and get my meals ready for the week. Remember, friend, when Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection, he didn't vacate planet Earth. He left his followers behind, filled them with his Spirit, and asked them to carry on in his name. Now, as then, we are his hands, his feet, and his heart. And if we are successful in mirroring his character, people all around us will recognize God and will want to know him. So let's do our job and do it well! 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Have a blessed week! 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Weekend Plans

I'm off for a couple of days of hiking and speaking. Have a good weekend everyone! 

Friday, March 15, 2024

A Place of Refuge

For 27 wonderful years, Becky and I lived in La Mirada, California. Those were some of the best years of our lives. I studied at, then taught at, Biola University. Before the kids came along we were able to buy our first house. It was only about a 7 minute drive from campus. Our house is the top circle. Biola is the bottom circle. And the arrow is a riding ring. 

For us it was a HUGE piece of property -- a full third of an acre! I think it was here that we learned to love farming even before we became farmers. On this small piece of land we had:

  • 2 donkeys
  • 2 horses
  • our chicken coop mansion
  • several goats
  • 21 fruit trees
  • 3 avocado trees
  • our vegetable garden
  • and, of course, our Shelties

As I said, just down the road from us, the city of La Mirada maintained a riding ring and a bridle path. I had both to myself since nobody else seemed to own horses. I guess you could say it was as close to country living as you can have in the middle of the city. Becky, of course, grew our own vegetables and canned our own fruit. I think the best part was being able to pick a fresh avocado whenever I wanted to (I love avocados)! With this background, I guess I'm not very surprised than one of our kids ended up becoming a full-time farmer. 

Their farm is only about 20 minutes from mine. Isn't that kind of the Lord? And yes -- we help each other. 

As I look back today, I wonder if Becky and I would have ever become involved in farming if we had bought a typical subdivision home rather than a property that was zoned R-1 (agricultural). Jesus often retreated with his disciples to a sanctuary -- a hiding place where they could release their heavy loads, put body and soul back together, and, most of all, reconnect with their heavenly Father. The farm has become this place of refuge for me. 

Please don't forget that Christ has called us to take breathers once in a while -- to rest up, to celebrate the empty tomb, and to be still and meditate on God. I hope you have a place of refuge like that in your life.  

P.S. The weather has turned rainy again. But tomorrow should be nice. I hope to get in a hike! 

Circles and Lines

Each year I teach an overview of the book of Philippians to my beginning Greek students. We start with a few words about the background of the letter in Acts 16. Three people are mentioned by Luke. Lydia was a wealthy seller of purple. The jailer was a Roman citizen and a mid-level government employee. The slave girl was used by her masters to tell fortunes. Legally she wasn't even considered a person. 

Don't miss the lesson. All are represented in the body of Christ. Ours is an all-embracing faith. The shut door is the door of unchristian isolationism. The open door is the door of welcome.

That said, please let's not draw circles where God draws lines. Please let's not confuse an open door with condoning what God condemns. I have no idea why people think that speaking the truth in love is an unloving act. Love and truth are two sides of the same coin. And only the truth can set us free from whatever unbiblical practices we engage in. The idea that biblical teaching on same-sex marriage can be dismissed as "not loving" will hardly stop with same-sex marriage. 

Again, Christ drew both circles and lines. It's not a good idea to confuse the two. 

Called to Teach

One of the things I love most about teaching is watching students discover their calling in life. Some of them will become teachers themselves. Is there any greater job for those who teach? Is there any greater joy than knowing that God used your mouth, your lips, your tongue, your throat to communicate truth people live by? As God makes them into teachers, he'll also use their Facebook posts, their blogs, their publications to instruct the church.

Teaching is a calling like no other. You'll be engaged in touching the lives of those who are starving for truth. There's a famine in the land. There's a thirst for the word of God like I've never seen in my almost 5 decades of teaching. Hunger for truth is everywhere. Christians are more ignorant of Scripture than I've ever known them to be.

What a joy to watch students of mine -- not all but some -- commit their entire lives to teaching the decrees and regulations of God to the people. It's been said that there are two important days in your life: the day when you were born, and the day you discovered why. For some of you, that reason will be to give yourself completely and unreservedly to the assignment of teaching. Which means -- don't shortchange your time of preparation in seminary! 

Thursday, March 14, 2024

A Lovely Day on the Farm

There is nothing more relaxing than being outside. I spent 5 hours outdoors today. After all, the temps got up to 78! I also met up with my kids and grandkids who were on the other side of the farm stacking hay on their trailer for a delivery. I love nothing more that the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the farm. I love seeing how excited all the animals get when my son and his wife drive into the farm. I love the everyday chores and jobs. I love cutting the grass. Such a calm, natural, and beautiful existence. I know it's not for everybody. But I enjoy it. 

Have a lovely evening wherever you are! 

Reuben's up to two toofies!

Homemade raisin bread and fresh eggs from my daughter. Yes, she spoils me.  

BOTH Testaments Are Sacred Scripture

In some circles today, it's popular to want to unhitch Christianity from the Old Testament. They say, "We're a New Testament church only!" However, Christ said that the Scriptures spoke of him. The only "Scriptures" he knew was the Old Testament. So if you don't know the Old Testament, you can't know Christ. The Old and New Testaments are two sides of the same coin. So if  you unhitch your church from the Old Testament prophets, it's probably only a matter of time before you unhitch your church from the New Testament apostles. 

How Some People Learn Languages Kinda Easily

How do some people learn foreign languages so easily? 

More importantly, is there anything we can learn from them that might benefit us?

I talk about the role of interest, memory, and attitude.

If you're learning a foreign language, you probably have a genuine interest in that language. Some of you genuinely like it. To you, it's like a game you're playing or a sport you love. When I studied Greek for the first time, I literally fell in love with the language. Next came Hebrew (which I still read almost daily) and then German (which, surprisingly, has never left me even though I haven't lived in Switzerland since 1983). When you love something, that "something" tends to come easier!

Memory also plays a massive role in mastering another language. Some people seem to have been born with an ability to easily memorize things. They quickly grasp the system of the language and its patterns and rules. Vocabulary also comes easily for them. Of course, everyone can do it if they just invest some time and effort.

Finally, the biggest reason why some people learn languages more easily than others is that they aren't afraid of failure. They're not afraid of saying something wrong, and they rapidly improve because of it. In my opinion, the biggest mistake students make is being too afraid to use the language. 

It's easier to learn languages due to a combination of factors. But these come to mind when people ask me about them!

Education is NOT Neutral

Our mindset is the foundation for SO MUCH of what we do. This applies to the field of education. Without question, the humanities have lost their sense of direction. Students leave college with no commitments and no sense of direction. The "permanent things" (T. S. Eliot) -- the norms of human action -- are being replaced by purely pragmatic concerns. The dramatic influence of skepticism is now seen throughout higher education. Universities have abandoned the quest for ultimate, normative truth. A worldview of relativism has replaced a biblical worldview.

Please think about this if you're thinking of sending your son or daughter to a prestigious North American university. There is no such thing as a neutral philosophy of education. Every educational system has an ultimate goal. This isn't the time for conservative Christians to abandon the quest for ultimate truth. The Sophists of our age have driven a wedge between reason and revelation, between knowledge and truth. But the Bible never pits reason against revelation. No real progress can occur until we realize that no educational system that ignores biblical revelation and religious values can qualify as a quality education. 

Just a thought! 

Hamstring Stretches

Good morning my friend. Here are two exercises for looser hamstrings. 

Just doing these 2-3 times a week (perhaps at the end of your gym workout, as I did today) should increase your mobility and flexibility. 

Plus you get some protection against injury while running or lifting.

Of course, simply keeping your body limber, supple, and active throughout the day is more important than a dedicated program of stretching!

Have a beautiful day!

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Doctrine + Duty

It sometimes helps to have a simple guideline whenever we open our Bibles. The Bible dwells on two prominent subjects in all 66 of its books. The subjects are (1) how we can know God, and (2) how we can walk with God. Every passage of Scripture focuses on one or the other subject. Every time you turn to a passage of Scripture, it is either primarily proclamation or exhortation, kerygma or didache, theology or practice, dogmatics or ethics, doctrine or duty. For example, the special ethics of Romans 12-15 are connected to the previous doctrinal chapters in Romans 1-11. Likewise, in the book of Ephesians, Paul moves from indicative to imperative in 4:1 with the solemn transition, "Therefore, I urge you ... to conduct yourselves as those who are worthy of the calling to which you were called." The movement from doctrine to duty is an essential part of the gospel. Before God demands anything from us, he grants us his grace and salvation. Obedience and discipleship are a consequence of justification rather than its precondition. 

This truth is a decisive mark of Paul's ethical teaching and distinguishes it from mere moral instruction based on merely human values. The "works" we can do as believers are "fruits" to be borne. Good works are a privilege Christians enjoy, not a burden they must bear.

The entire Bible is like this. Either it is talking about the ways of God or our walk with God. It concerns what we believe about him and how we can grow in our relationship with him. The Bible is both a theologian's textbook and a backpacker's travel guide. It's for thinkers and doers. It's a doctrinal book that drips with practicality. Someone has put it this way: "If you say you believe that you should, then why do you behave like you shouldn't?" That's a great question!

Have wonderful evening. 

It's Okay to Jog

It's okay to jog!

As you can see, I am a slow runner. But it's okay to run slowly! 

Jogging is perfect for injury-free running. It can also help you lose weight and prevent many lifestyle diseases such as type-2 diabetes. Running slowly is a healthy and natural way to run. Even during marathons you will see people moving at 3-4 miles per hour, which for many of us is close to walking speed. Jogging is more like a brisk walk. Walking, on the other hand, is pleasant but for many people like me is done at too low an intensity to be considered exercise. Of course, when I race I go all out. But between racing and walking, I think slow running is the perfect middle ground. It's accessible to most of us. It's not TOO strenuous but strenuous enough to be effective.

You probably guessed it by now but, yes, I am going to ask you to consider it! 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The Message in the Misfortune

Don't miss the message in the misfortune! Instead, ask "What lesson is there for me?"

When I was a newly minted teacher at Biola, I attended a very prestigious meeting of biblical scholars called the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting. In attendance were some of the most famous scholars of the day. I mean, their names were very well known. Their publications were standard classroom textbooks. As for me, I hadn't even earned my doctorate yet, and I certainly didn't have any publications under my belt. I happened to stumble upon one such scholar in the hallway between sessions. Although I felt intimidated even to approach him, I drummed up the courage to introduce myself. We chatted for a few seconds. Suddenly he saw a colleague of his -- a man of equally grand status in the scholarly community -- and, without saying a word, abruptly walked away to speak with him.

Think back to your own experiences. Remember when the opposing basketball team gloated over their victory when they defeated you in the championship game? There was a message in the misfortune. You were reminded of the importance of good sportsmanship. Or how about the time you failed that exam in college? You were reminded of the need to develop good study skills and self-discipline. Do you remember being betrayed by that person you trusted and loved? You were reminded of the importance of loyalty.

What lesson did I learn from my encounter with that scholar? I was reminded of the importance of listening. When students feel heard, their potential for success multiplies exponentially. When we listen to our students, they feel honored as individuals. 

If you're a teacher, get in the habit of asking your students questions about themselves. When we are genuinely curious about what they say, we are communicating an authentic desire to get to know them beyond the classroom. Good listening can make teaching more enjoyable both for you and for your students.

Learn to give God thanks for each situation, whether good or bad. There's a message in it! 

Biceps Curls

This is something I discovered to help me build my biceps. Many of you probably do this intuitively. It's really helped me optimize my workouts. The range of motion of biceps curls doesn't have to be up in your face. Keep your form as natural as possible. As long as you're keeping the weight out in front of you, controlling the eccentric (the lowering part of the movement) while maintaining good form, you'll see gains.

Make the biceps flexion your whole priority, which will generally mean bringing the dumbbells to about chest level and really feeling that bicep muscle! 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Seven Reasons I Love Teaching

Here are 7 reasons why I love teaching so much:

1. Surprising students. You never know when one of them will make a connection with the material and do something fabulous with it.

2. Discerning that sometimes the best students aren't those sitting in the front asking all the questions.

3. It provides me with a way to know that I am making a positive contribution to the future. Every semester I can see it in the faces and words of some of my students,

4. I enjoy spending time with my students.

5. I realized that this was what I was made for and I decided to stay in the profession no matter what.

6. I enjoy helping people learn, inspiring them to become passionate about the learning experience.

7. Every student has a teacher or guide in his life. A teacher is a person who can influence students and motivate them for their very best future.

Watch Out for Greek Prepositions!

Greek prepositions can be slippery beasts.

In class today I'm introducing the prepositions. Sometimes a Greek preposition can be added to a verb. But it's not always clear whether the preposition should be taken directionally or not. The verb ekballō is comprised of the preposition ek and the verb ballō. Thus:

"ek" = out

"ballō = I throw

Hence "I throw out." 

BUT ...

The verb anaginōskō ("I read") is made up of:

"ana" = up

ginōskō = I know

But the verb definitely doesn't mean "I know up." 

English can have the same problem. You don't have to have been born and raised in Hawaii like me to know that a pineapple isn't an apple that grows on a pine tree! 

Beware of over-exegeting  prepositions! 

How Many Reps?

How many reps should you do per set? For many of my exercises, I tend to do 3-4 sets of as many reps as I can. For example, I might do 20 reps of a lat pulldown. 

Obviously your total rep numbers will decrease after a few sets. Many beginners make the mistake of "getting their reps in" instead of going to near failure on their sets. For example, they might only do 12 reps when they could push themselves to 15. 

This isn't to say that you can't count your reps. But it's better to make your reps count. Experiment with various rep ranges and see what works best for you! 

Sunday, March 10, 2024

My First Race of the Year: The 2024 "Run on the Runway"

The 10K distance is not for everybody. But I have a strong personal attachment to that distance. It was the first race longer than a 5K that I ever did. It's sort of the next step before you do a half marathon (and eventually your first marathon). There's a lot of racing wisdom to be gained by running 6.2 miles. 

One of the 10K races I look forward to the most is the "Run on the Runway" in Greensboro, NC, every March. I just signed up for this year's event. Many runners consider it kind of like a pep rally to kick off their racing season. I've already done this delightful race twice. Before the start of one of them I had someone take this corny picture. You can clearly see the landing stripe on the runway. 

What I really enjoy about this event is that the field is divided into waves based on pace so that you're running with people who are of the same ability level. It's also a great flat course, which makes it truly the perfect race to dust off your racing shoes. 

If you're a runner, I think you would enjoy it! 

The "Cloud of Witnesses" in Heb. 12:1

The "cloud of witnesses" in Heb. 12:1 aren't just spectators!

Some of us have the idea that the people sitting in the stands are just watching the runners and cheering them on. While that's true, the idea behind the word "witness" is someone who bears testimony to what he or she personally knows about. In short, the people watching the runners are runners themselves. Think of the famous Bolder Boulder 10K race in Colorado. Here's what I saw when I entered the stadium last May. 


Eventually the stadium was filled with 50,000 people, all of whom had run the race. So when we think of the witnesses in Heb. 12:1, let's understand them as not just an audience!

Just something to consider. 

Saturday, March 9, 2024

10 Reasons Why You Might Want to Avoid the Title "Senior Pastor"

This is an interesting topic that results in different suggestions depending on who you ask. For example, some people may not believe in the plurality of elders to begin with, so this is a moot point for them. That's not my usual wheelhouse. 

For those who are pondering what to do about the title "senior pastor," here are 10 points to consider.

1. "Senior" is never a modifier to "pastor" in the New Testament. (The title "Lead Pastor" has the exact same problem.) There is only one exception to this (see #2). 

2. The only reference in the New Testament to a Senior Pastor refers to Christ, not to any man (1 Pet. 5:4). 

3. A clear pattern exists in the New Testament of each church being led by a group of godly elders. As far as we know, none of them was ever addressed as senior pastor nor did any of them assume a senior pastor role. 

4. The title senior pastor may breed an unhealthy dependence by the congregation on the man who holds that title. This is often most sharply felt when the senior pastor is succeeded by another man. 

5. A plurality of co-equal elders can perhaps more easily mitigate the effects of a fall by a senior pastor. 

6. If the office of senior pastor was indeed the biblical pattern, why is there no passage in the New Testament giving the qualifications for senior pastors? On the other hand, qualifications for elders (overseers) abound in the New Testament.

7. The claim that Timothy and Titus served as senior pastors lacks scriptural support. Timothy and Titus seemed to function mainly as Paul's apostolic assistants as he established and strengthened the churches he founded. Undoubtedly they worked closely with the local church elders to ensure sound doctrine and practices, but this association seems to have been a temporary one rather than one that continued on an ongoing basis.

8. There is no analogy in the world similar to the leadership style and role of New Testament elders. On the contrary, the CEO-model of ministry is specifically censured in the New Testament.

9. The kingdom of God has only one King. The flock has only one Shepherd. And the body has only one head. Elders delight in giving him the preeminence he deserves (Col. 1:18). 

10. The apostle Peter sets an example for other leaders when he refers to himself as a "fellow-elder" (1 Pet. 5:1). Remember, if anyone in the early church had the right to call himself the "first among equals," it was he. 

There might be more I should add, but it's already been a long day. Personally, although I believe this is an important topic, I think the overall health of a local church might be better assessed by characteristics other than the titles they use for their leadership. I know quite a few senior pastors and love and respect each of them. Some of them were given that title out of love when they first came to the church. They have not brought the matter up because raising the issue would be a sin against love and would needlessly and uncharitably offend their congregations. I deeply respect that. Finally, Josh. 1:17 says that the people committed themselves to pray for their new leader Joshua ("May the Lord your God be with you"). Speaking as a "lay person," I believe the greatest thing we can do for our church leaders is to pray for them. That's the best gift we could ever give them. Pray regularly; pray specifically; pray intentionally. Our time could not possibly be spent in a better way than by praying for our leaders and letting them know how much we love and appreciate them. 

Do You Love to Study the Bible? Here's Why

I used to hesitate before writing blog posts about my workouts. I no longer really hesitate, and I've made some great connections with people as a result. Today being Saturday, I was scheduled for a pretty heavy-duty session. Here I am at the end. 

My workout was hard but really, really fun. I am always uneasy when things go too easy. Doing my absolute best becomes the criterion of success. 

During my workout I listened to the book of 1 Corinthians in the NKJV -- one of my favorite Bible transitions. 

When I was done I just had to check the Greek of 2:10 because I heard something that sounded a bit different than I was used to. Paul paints a fascinating picture of the Holy Spirit in this verse. 

First he says that the Spirit searches. The verb used here can mean search, inquire, investigate, and even research. It's the word Jesus used to describe the Jews who "searched the Scriptures." The word can thus refer to diligent study and investigation -- which is what I LOVE doing during my Bible time! Moulton and Milligan in their book The Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament quote a third century papyrus in which the searchers are customs officials who rummage through our luggage whether we want them to or not. Secondly, the expression deep things became a second century technical term used by the Gnostics (an early heresy) who claimed to be entrusted with the "deep things of God." Now notice what Paul says about all this. He says that the only one who can investigate the deep things of God is the Holy Spirit, who is depicted here as a restlessly inquisitive researcher, a deep-sea diver seeking to fathom the infinite depths of Almighty God. The implications for us are at least fourfold:

1. Only God knows God -- and the one to whom God reveals himself.

2. The Holy Spirit in turn has revealed God to those who are in Christ.

3. The researching Spirit is now the revealing Spirit.

4. This Holy Spirit lives in us! 

Thus Paul writes: "What we have received is not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit of God who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." 

Think of it. A double gift of God. First the Scriptures, and then the Holy Spirit to reveal the Scriptures to us.

No wonder we love to study the Bible! 

Friday, March 8, 2024

Like Is a Mission Trip. Take It

This is one of my all-time favorite books on missions and evangelism. I'm going to reread it this weekend. 

It was published the year I graduated from Biola. It was John Stott who taught me that the prime agency of missions is not the occasional evangelistic crusade or the formal mission board but rather the regular people of the church. "Every member missions," is the term. Each member of the congregation must get deeply involved. 

But what should you do? Missions is simply being sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. You go through the doors he opens. It doesn't matter whether that's across the street or across the world. Here's something else to consider. Missions is leveraging your special gifts and abilities for the sake of evangelism. I recall one of my 3 trips to Armenia. On this trip I had been asked to teach at the Baptist seminary there. But when the Armenian Orthodox seminary heard that I was I coming, I received a gracious invitation from their dean to speak to their assembled seminarians. 

Then something even more surprising happened. The University of Yerevan's department of linguistics asked me to lecture to their students. I'm not sure why. My guess is that they had heard that I was the author of several books with the word "linguistics" in their titles and assumed that I was an expert on the subject (which I definitely am not!). Now remember, this is a secular university. But the Lord used my training in ancient Greek along with my publications to open a door for the gospel that boggles my mind to this day. 

Many of these students are from neighboring Iran. 

I have always considered classroom teaching to be my main calling in life. But God has also called me to write, and I have tried to obey him. And though I do not think I have the gift of evangelism, I want to keep being involved in world evangelization until the day I die. Can there be any greater joy than helping someone come "from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God"? 

My friend, life is a mission trip. Take it. Regardless of your location or your vocation! 

SPAM for Supper (So Ono!)

I have loved Spam since I was a child in Hawaii and I still love Spam today. You have never lived until you've eaten fried Spam. 

Still today, I consider the breakfast of champions Spam, eggs, and rice. And don't get me started on musubi with teriyaki Spam. 

Sorry for the boring post!

Two Brief Thoughts about Running

Two things from today's run:

1. When it comes to distance running, bigger isn't always better. I thought about this when I saw these guys on the trail today. 

My guess is they were from the local high school. One of them was short, the other tall. Running's a sport where the Davids almost always beat the Goliaths. I once read that the average height of Boston Marathon winners is 5 feet 6 inches and 130 pounds. I'm 6 feet 4 and 230 pounds. (I believe the polite term term is "large framed" haha.) Your average 50-year old weighing less than 155 will almost always outrun your average 30-year old weighing 200. For this reason, some have argued that just as races have age groups and male-female divisions, allowances should also be made for weight with at least two weight groups. Maybe someday. Either way, I'll just keep plodding along! 

2. If you run and have injuries, running probably didn't cause those injuries. Most injuries have their root cause in a structural weakness you were born with. In my case, that's a rather obvious case of pigeon toes. 

It's just one of many possible foot abnormalities. This doesn't stop us from running, of course. But since biomechanical factors play a role in running injuries, you should always be aware of your own deficiencies and adjust your running form accordingly. 

Hope you're well! 

Thursday, March 7, 2024

"Sister-Wife" (1 Cor. 9:5)

I love this expression in 1 Cor. 9:5:

Most translations render this as "a believing wife" (ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, etc.). But the KJV is better: "a sister, a wife."

This year I would have been married to Becky for 48 years. There was no one like her. She was like an organ of my own body. For 37 years she was the woman lying next to me. It's staggering to think about it today. A wife is more breathless than any natural wonder. You gradually become unconditionally coadunated into each other. Separation from one's spouse is not like separating two pieces of lumber. It's like trying to separate the layers of plywood without destroying it in the process. It's impossible. Of course, "husband and wife" isn't the only way to describe a marriage. Paul's expression here reveals that marriage is both a marital partnership and a spiritual one. And -- paradoxically enough -- it's only the latter relationship that lasts into eternity. 

Becky was my wife for almost 4 decades. But she will be my sister forever. The greatest correspondence between us was our shared faith. We were two persons, yes, but two persons existing not only in marital union but as partners in the gospel. We saw ourselves as God saw us -- united not only by a marriage covenant but by the New Covenant. I stress this point because this is a major way in which marriage reflects our relationship with God. I venture to say that it wasn't until Becky and I realized our calling to live for something bigger than our marriage that we began to experience the full blessing of marriage. This conviction arose from the fire. It didn't come easily. But once God changed our perspective  -- B was my "sister-wife" -- our marriage became a high and holy calling. Marriage is precisely the path of Christian discipleship -- coming to understand that the ordinary way we live our married life together has everything to do with our calling to make disciples of all nations. 

Today, as a single man again, I like to think of Becky's death, far from being a black cloud hanging over my head, as a constant reminder of the preciousness of life and the importance of living each moment with the cherished hope of contributing to eternity. Our God, if you will, made us for love. And we can give ourselves to the Lord and to others in love whether we are married or not.

It's taken me 10 years to come to grips with Becky's passing. It's a process, not a step. Maybe that's why I love marathons so much. The suffering involved in running 26.2 miles forces you to face the deepest challenges of life head-on. But when you do, you discover that the Lord is every bit as close to you as your spouse once was, only immeasurably more so. 

Why Strength Training Is Important As We Age

Hey, friend. Today I wanted to talk with you about the importance of strength training as you grow older. (I'll intersperse some videos from today's upper body workout in case you're interested.) 

As you know, I try to combine cardio (running, biking, hiking) with strength (resistance) training. By far, most people I know do one or the other. I try to spend equal time on both, with a similar degree of intensity. I enjoy heavy weight training. ("Heavy" is a relative term!)

I feel that both cardio and strength training are necessary for optimum fitness. I am amazed at how few doctors I've met in my lifetime who did any serious exercise themselves. I have had only one GP that had any understanding at all about me and my exercise goals. Patients are told not to overdo it, especially as they age. In my opinion, however, exercising too little is a greater problem for the aging than doing too much. 

Since I began weight training I have had no problems and I get a thorough checkup from my cardiologist twice a year. My exercise routine is actually not all that strenuous. God seems to have blessed me with a tremendous amount of energy, and exercising in this manner seems to really add to the health of my entire being. Age doesn't matter as long as we do what we really love! I am approaching 72 and am still lifting. 

And as I have aged, I've incorporated new methods to support my joints and tendons (like passive hangs). I still run, of course, but weight training is critical for strength. When we were young our hormones made allowances for our inactivity. But as we age, diet and exercise become crucial for good health. Rest and sleep help too. (I average 9-10 hours of restorative sleep every night. That is a huge blessing from the Lord!) I take probiotics and multivitamins daily, and try to maintain the calcium in my bones by getting outdoors on sunny days. Unfortunately, it is seen as normal for aging people to stop exercising altogether. But those I've seen who have never stopped being active are much happier and healthier than average. 

A lot of people confuse the consequences of never exercising with the consequences of aging. Also, strength training is more than simply "exercising." It is training for increased strength. 

It is training to combat the weakness of aging. It is training to avoid falls. It is training to continue to do what you do now when you become old. Sure, exercise is good for you, but strength training is essential for the aging person more than exercise. I am 71. I feel lean, fit, and healthy. I give credit to my daughter who invited me to watch her run the Marine Corps Half Marathon several years ago. From her I learned all about nutrition, strength, flexibility, and discipline. Running -- and now strength training -- are experiences that get better over time. The longer you do them, the more your body adapts and you enjoy the benefits into the future. 

It's not that I wasn't active before I began running. I've been farming for 25 years and we built our own house. This involved three years of repetitive lifting, pushing and pulling of wood planks, using nail guns, etc. I gradually "beefed up." But what helped me enormously was when I began to incorporate regular cardio and weight training into my weekly schedule. 

Let me close by saying that just because you've been in excellent health, never had an accident or a major disease, etc., don't be naive. Definitely keep on running, jogging, lifting, and so on, but embrace your elderhood. You're not invincible. But that's the point. As you get into advanced age, you have to be more vigilant than ever regarding your joints, muscles, and overall health. So why not give it a whirl? It's okay to try new things.

God bless and have a great day. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Living Valiantly

During my Bible time this morning I read 2 Timothy. Someone has said that this letter should be read on our knees. I was sitting down sipping coffee at Bo's. But Paul's words were no less impactful. I read the book in one sitting, just as Timothy would have done when Luke handed him that small scroll in Ephesus. It didn't take me long. The letter has only 83 verses. 

I read it slowly, like an aging man might value the final words of a dying friend. Though Paul is in a Roman dungeon, there is nothing bitter about his words. His conscience is clear. There are no regrets, no sins to confess. If I've done the math correctly, Paul was 60 years old when he died. Becky died at the same age. It's strange to think that I've outlived both of them by 11 years. They had so much in common. Despite incredible hardships, they faced the end of life without losing either their passion or their zest for living. When I ponder their lives (and deaths), I think of an English word I haven't heard in quite some time. It's not a common adjective today. That word is valiant. The dictionary defines it as "possessing exceptional valor; intrepid in danger; brave; courageous; determined." Synonyms include

  • bold
  • gallant
  • manly
  • undaunted
  • fearless
  • stalwart
  • gutsy

In the KJV, the word "valiant" occurs only once in the New Testament. In Heb. 11:34 we read of those who "waxed valiant in fight." The NIV has "powerful in battle." The NLT reads "strong in battle." And the ESV has "mighty in war." The word is often used in English literature to describe characters who faced great danger or adversity with bravery and heroism. Gregory Peck once starred in a movie called Only the Valiant. It's the story of an army captain who defends his small garrison against an Apache attack in order to buy time for the main fort to build up its forces. That captain was indeed a "valiant" man.

As I face aging and death, I hope and pray I will do so valiantly. In 2 Timothy, the situation in Ephesus had become desperate. The church was facing an emergency that called for urgency. Christians are not to be alarmed at evil tidings, for our hearts should be fixed on trusting in the Lord and depending on his word. Throughout the book of 2 Timothy, we read about Paul's love of and devotion to the word of God. It's what sustains us in times of adversity. It's what holds us together when the bottom drops out. It's what you rely on when you are facing death, be it in a Roman prison or in hospice care after a 4-year battle with cancer. It's what you need when you're alone in life. No wonder Paul told Timothy to read it, teach it, preach it, proclaim it, make it known. The Bible is the "faith" that Paul says he kept in 4:7. 

Are you ready to pray, not "Lord, bless me" or "Lord, use me," but "Lord, teach me of yourself, that I may glorify you, whatever it takes, whatever it means, whatever happens to me"? Only a conscience schooled in the Master's classroom, and illuminated by the Spirit, can guide us aright as we face the end of life. I think both Paul and Becky would agree. 

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Add a Goal!

Every one of us must have a mountain to climb. It might not seem any bigger than a molehill. The size doesn't matter. All we need is a meaningful reason to be engaged in the pursuit. Try something you've never tried before. You'd be surprised at how many options there are out there, be it tennis or golf or soccer or karate. It might even be a literal mountain. A challenging goal like an alp changes my daily workout into something quite exciting. 

Add a goal to your workouts and things will change!