Pics from Today's Workout and Run

Growing up, my buddies and I enjoyed telling each other this story. Imagine you're on a World War II sub and the commander of the vessel addresses you over the intercom:

"Now hear this. Now hear this. This is the captain speaking. That is all."

We thought that was so funny. The point of the joke I imagine was something like, "You don't need the captain to tell you what to do. Just do it!" 

Let's get real. So many people are trying to find their mojo to get off the couch and run or walk or bike or whatever. I get so sick of hearing myself and other people constantly making excuses about why they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing, the things they actually want to do. Sheesh. Stop being such a crybaby. Just ditch the excuses and go out and do it. 

Listen, if you're healthy, you get to do this. 

Be grateful you can get out there and stop your griping. If you don't feel like it, you will feel more awesome than usual when you get it done! 

After my workout at the gym, I even got in another 7 miles at the High Bridge Trail. 

And without even thinking about it or planning it, I had achieved my weekly goal of 17,000 steps a day. 

That is all I have to say. The point of this is that the only person stopping you from becoming active is YOU. Some people would kill to go just one mile in your shoes. So adjust your attitude! 

Please Pray for Oahu

Prayers for my home island please. Windward Oahu is experiencing 1-2 inches of rain per hour. On the North Shore the rain has triggered rapid flooding. 

Roads in and out of Haleiwa are cut off, as is the Pali Hwy. between Honolulu and Kailua. Floodwaters have inundated streets, swallowed vehicles, and prompted evacuation orders for over 4,000 people. In some places power has been off for over 60 hours. Please join me in asking for God's protection over every home, every family, and every community affected by the storm -- especially the children, the elderly, and the homeless. That he would give wisdom and protection to the first responders and all those volunteers who are working to rescue the stranded. That he would calm the winds and end the storm soon, if it is his will. 

In 19 years of living on Oahu, not once did we experience anything like this. Lord, have mercy on us. 

How to Build Muscle (= High Effort)

It's so easy to fall into the trap of just pumping out mindless volume when you're lifting rather than focusing on training harder. I've been guilty of this all too many times. No, you don't have to lift all the way to failure on every set. But time under tension is what builds muscle, and tension comes from lifting close enough to failure, so you'll build muscle as long as you're training with high effort. It's so simple, but by just focusing on two things can literally take you from minimal gains to exploding your progress over night:

• Practice proximity to failure with good technique on all your sets.
• Aim for small weight/rep increases over time. 

I'll try and do the same when I get back to the gym tomorrow :) 

Oopsie

Hmmm. What's "sich" doing here?? 😒

(Full transparency: I make silly mistakes like this all the time in German.) 

Grant and Longstreet: A Lesson in Irony

I'm loving this biography.

I'm only 100 pages into it and already I sense a master biographer at work -- good storytelling, an engaging narrative, and a nuanced portrayal (no hagiography here). The author has a great eye for detail. I feel like I'm right there with Grant as the life of our 18th president is laid out with as much showing as there is telling. 

One day in 1854 after Grant had been forced to retire from the army and had taken up poor dirt farming, he ran across James Longstreet in St. Louis. Longstreet was shocked to see how poorly dressed his old friend was and how far down the social ladder he had tumbled. Grant pressed a 5 dollar gold piece into Longstreet's hand to repay a 15-year old debt. "You must take it," insisted Grant after Longstreet refused. "I cannot live with anything in my possession which isn't mine." Longstreet reluctantly accepted the money. At Grant's wedding, James Longstreet had served as his best man. Later, Longstreet and two of Grant's groomsmen would join the Confederate army. 

All three would later surrender to Grant at Appomattox. 

The war is full of such ironies. Irony reminds us that outcomes often contradict intentions. The world never operates exactly as we expect it to. We are constantly being forced to analyse the gap between what we think will happen and what actually occurs. This is one reason historians have always found it difficult to decipher Ulysses S. Grant. 

Don't read this book unless you're prepared to rethink your predisposed biases about the man. Frankly, I'm having trouble putting it down. 

Spring Has Sprung

Happy first "official" day of spring! How are you celebrating it? Here's what I did. 

As I ran, this happy mantra kept going through my head: "Keep going as far as you can see. And then you'll see farther."

My friend, commit to the Lord whatever you do. And he will establish your plans.

Have a wonderful day! 

Ultra Training Day

Okay. Only 50 days -- count 'em, FIFTY! -- before my ultra trail run in Farmville. Here's my promise to you. No matter how well how I do on race day -- finish or take a DNF -- I will have trained as hard as I can for the event. I'm hoping for the best (or at least a good photo op). Some might call this behavior risky. But I like to live on the edge. Take chances. Take risks. These strategies aren't for everyone, but I think they keep me healthy and happy. My cardiologist says I need to view this ultra not as a race but as a long run. We agreed that even if it took me ten hours, I can probably still pull out 32 miles given my fitness base. We also talked about doing all my runs in zone 2 (60% of maximum heart rate). I used to always go pedal to the metal. Live and learn. So, thank you for hanging in there with me. For your words of support. For your emails just to check in. It means the world to me. It really does. 

Here are some pictures and vids from today's activities. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, so feel free to skip. My destination today was obviously the High Bridge Trail. To get there you drive northeast from Farmville along the River Road until you hit the trailhead. Here's the entrance. As you can see, it's waaaaay out in the middle of nowhere. 

You run mostly on crushed gravel -- remember, it's a former railroad bed. But eventually you get to experience the highlight of the trail, the bridge itself. 

Today I plodded on for 8 miles. That used to sound like a lot of miles to me. But to complete the ultra I've got coming up, I'll need to complete exactly 4 times that number of miles. Right now this is all a bunch of numbers in my head. After my run I mosied over to La Parota, my favorite Mexican eatery by a long shot. I got my usual meal of chori pollo because I am addicted to this dish (it WILL be in heaven, guarans). 

Here's me talking to my server. 

Yes, I know my pronunciation stinks. Earlier in the day I lifted for 1.5 hours working mostly my arms and back. 

I love this place. Your gym rat friends are always waiting for you to show up. (Fun fact: Thinking about going to the gym burns anywhere between 0 and 0 calories. Bet you didn't know that. You have to actually show up.) I'm told that all this gym work helps to stabilize your body and helps with alignment when you run. I hope so. When I go to the gym I go to work and work hard. I don't mess around. I am in the zone. I get my stuff done and get out. 

Anyhoo, winter has felt really long this year but the days are finally getting longer and the temps are rising slightly. Spring is right around the corner. I just know it. But for now, I leave you with me running off into the sunset.

Have a wonderful evening!

Birthday Shout Out

This little guy turned 43 today.

He's now married and he and his wife have 7 kids. My how time flies. 

Happy, happy birthday son. I love you. 

If English Were Spoken with German Syntax

"Hello. How goes it to you?"

"To me does the head woe."

"Oh no! Will you a headhurttablet?"

"Yes, gladly. A thousand thank!" 

In Praise of the Greek Infinitive

Don't you just love the Greek infinitive? I do. And I'm thrilled I get to teach that subject in class this coming Monday. Let's look at a couple of examples from the Greek New Testament, shall we? In Phil. 1:21, Paul writes, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." I've underscored the infinitives. Like verbs, infinitives have tense (aspect). Here Paul communicates both a continuing idea ("to live") with a culminative idea ("to die"). He's saying, "For to me, to go on living is Christ, and to die is gain." In ancient Greek, there was a well-known saying, "to zēn chrēstos," meaning "to live is good." Paul drops a zinger when he makes a small phonetic change to "to zēn christos," meaning "to live is Christ." In essence, Paul changes "Life is good" to "Life is Christ." For the believer, life is occupied with Christ in everything he or she does!

Let's look at another example. In Acts 20:7 we read "On the Lord's Day, when we gathered to break bread ...." Why did the early church meet? It met in order to observe the Lord's Supper! This is a beautiful truth. The infinitive "to break bread" describes a central practice of the early church. These believers did not gather mainly to worship. The worship of God belongs to every activity of life. If we are alive, we are worshipping God, including when we gather on the Lord's Day. Instead, according to verses like Acts 20:7 and Acts 2:42, sharing a meal formed the central activity of the church's gathering and fellowship. The center was not a pulpit or an altar but a table, where the risen Christ was honored and remembered. That's why, in my book Seven Marks of a New Testament Church, I entitled the chapter on "the breaking of the bread" (Acts 2:42) "Christ-Centered Gatherings." 

This is a far cry from the pulpit-centricity of our contemporary churches. Christ, not a man, was central. I like how Elizabeth Elliott puts this in her book Shadow of the Almighty: "I am convinced that nothing so dear to the heart of Christ as His Bride should be left without explicit instructions as to her corporate conduct. I am further convinced that the 20th century has in no way simulated this pattern in its method of 'churching' a community." I love that! In the first century, the community gathered as a Christ-centered community. As one writer noted, "From Pentecost forward, sharing a full meal was the assembled community's most frequent and persistent practice."

The infinitive? A great part of speech!

The Waikiki Wall

The Waikiki Wall is one of my favorite spots on Oahu. This pier extends into the ocean and creates a protected area for swimmers and families. 

It's famous for its panoramic views of Waikiki Beach. Waves can get big here with south swells. Last summer, I boogieboarded here almost every day. 

At "Da Wall" in 2025. 

Although Waikiki is flooded with tourists, here you'll find tons of locals. It's one of my favorite places to relax when I'm in Honolulu, which is practically every day. 

Have a wonderful day!

Today's Run

I spent the morning at the Tobacco Heritage Trail in Victoria, Virginia,

It was 38 degrees but not too cold to get in an outdoor run. 

Of course, if there's a bar, there's pullups! 

Have a great day! 

My View Just Now

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the Lord be praised." 

"As Iron Sharpens Iron ...."

An old maxim says, "If two people are exactly alike, one of them is unnecessary." 

I thought of this while putting the final touches on my talk for the Clearview Apologetics Conference coming up soon. It seems that each speaker will have differing opinions about textual criticism. The presence of opposites means giving, and maybe losing, a little of ourselves. And that's a good thing. For out of diversity comes growth. Paul was no yes-man, but he needed Silas and Barnabas and Timothy and Titus and Priscilla and Aquila and scores of others (see Romans 16). That's healthy.

One of the most exciting ways to watch the Holy Spirit at work is to sit among a group of Christians with totally different ideas about how to do something. One thought sparks another. Occasionally (though rarely) everyone comes to one mind. Yet out of it all comes a fantastic testimony of what can happen when brothers and sisters interact directly with each other. We become individually and corporately more effective. 

If you're planning on joining me at the conference this year, here's a prayer we might pray:

God, I thank you I am not very sharp all by myself. I need other people who are different from me. Ease my anxiety when I am at the conference. Open my mind to change. 

Gray Hair Is a Splendor

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor. It is attained by righteousness" (Prov. 16:31). 

You are getting old. It shows up in your skin, in your waistline, in your graying hair. God uses these things to remind us that life is temporary. None of us lives forever. Life is a gift from God, to be taken back whenever he determines.

As we grow old, we can choose to regard aging as a blessing. God has allowed us these extra years to praise his name, to serve him and others, and to enjoy all the evidences of his goodness. We can wear our wrinkles with humble gratitude. 

Gray hair is a sign of God's blessing, whether we acknowledge it or not. Each silver strand is a reminder of a life lived, of lessons learned, of seeing God's goodness when we feel weak and inadequate. 

The Koolau Range: A Cathedral Sculpted by God

Not far from the bright lights, sandy beaches, and busy streets of Waikiki lay the steep, forested slopes of the Koolau Range on the eastern side of the island of Oahu. It is a cathedral sculpted by the hands of our God. The green mountains rise quickly from the flat, densely populated lowlands. These mountains are often shrouded in clouds and remain hidden from the sunny beaches below. On my trips back home I often seek out places where the traffic of Honolulu gives way to an environment of moist, lush greenery. You are surrounded by a myriad of plants the likes of which you've never seen before if you're from the mainland. Huge ferns the size of large bushes and trees that reach high into skies form a dense layer of magnificent beauty. The sheer vertical cliffs and deep fluted valleys offer a dramatic, otherworldly landscape. 

The cliffs offer intense hiking experiences and breathtaking views of windward Oahu. The Koolaus are nature's masterpieces on the island. I kept thinking about that as I did my pullups at the Y today. 

The legs that achieved today's step count are the same legs that I hope will allow me to climb the Koolaus again in August. 

The pali is never out of sight when you are in Kailua. I snapped this picture on my visit there 3 years ago. 

If you're a visitor, consider hiking one of the many trails the region offers, including the Lanikai Pillbox Trail, Maunawili Falls, and the Olomana Trail. You won't regret it. 

Interesting Use of the Left Hand on the Piano

I have long been fascinated with the piano riff that begins Elton John's famous piece Someone Saved My Life Tonight. The first few bars use a diatonic pattern in which the bass lines follow the notes on the scale and these notes form the basis for the chords played with the right hand. From the beginning you can't exactly tell what key the song is in. Elton's purpose is to keep the listener off balance as to the tonal center of the piece. Combine this base pattern with a brilliant melody, and you've got a monster hit from a musical genius. The song was released in 1975 when I was a senior in college and playing piano duets with my roommate from Brazil in the Biola chapel services. I love playing this riff to this day as it requires extreme concentration with your left hand as you play the bass lines. The piece is a masterful arrangement to be sure. 

"Only" 1,074 Pages

Can't wait to get started! 

More on Translating Matt. 28:19-20

I love Jesus' Great Commission in Matt 28:19-20, don't you? 

And I enjoy reading this passage in as many different Bible translations as I can get my hands on. Well, today that translation was Adam Boyd's Text-Critical English New Testament. It offers an essentially literal (word-for-word) translation that nicely balances accuracy and readability. When, however, such literal renderings are "unclear, unnatural, confusing, and/or misleading," Boyd employs "a more dynamic approach" that requires "only minor adjustments to make the translation conform to natural English usage and style" (pp vi-vii). This is pure genius!

Here in Matt. 28:19-20, I did hit a couple of potholes while reading Boyd's translation, however. Three to be exact:

1. He writes, "Go and make disciples...." What happened to the Greek conjunction oun?

2. We read, "And behold ...." "Behold" seems a bit archaic to me.

3. Boyd has Jesus saying "I am with you always...." The Greek, of course, does not have "always" here. It reads "all the days." 

Now as for oun, note the following:

• CSB: Go, then, and make disciples
• ESV: Go therefore and make disciples
• GNT: Go, then, to all people
• KJV: Go ye therefore, and teach
• LSB: Go therefore and make disciples
• NIV: Therefore go and make disciples
• NKJV: Go therefore and make disciples
• LBLA: Id, pues, y haced discipulos
• HOF: Deshalb geht hinaus
• LUTH: Darum gehet hin
• SCH: So geht nun hin
• VG: euntes ergo docete omnes gentes
• HWP: So you guys, go all ova da world

Perhaps Boyd just didn't see the oun? As for "behold," rightly or wrongly the word is considered archaic since it is used rarely in modern English and often appears only in older writings or formal/religious contexts. No, I'm saying that we never use the term. "If you ever visit Oahu, be sure to visit the Diamond Head Crater. It's a sight to behold." I'm just saying that other expressions might work better in contemporary English:

• CSB: And remember
• TLB: and be sure of this
• MOUNCE: And remember

Finally, "all the days" need not be rendered "always" when there are so many alternatives available to the translator today:

• AMPC: I am with you all the days
• CEB: I myself will be with you every day
• DARBY: I am with you all the days
• ISV: I am with you each and every day
• MSG: I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day
• VOICE: And I will be with you, day after day
• LBLA: yo estoy con vosotros todos los días
• LUTH: ich bin bei euch Alle Tage
• NGU: Ich bin jeden Tag bei euch
• LSG: je suis avec vous tous les jours
• VG: ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus

So there you have it. Take all this for what it's worth. One of the great joys we find as we dig into the Scriptures is that God is speaking directly to us. As you pore over the Scriptures and take them seriously, he will bless you in special ways. And Bible translations like this one by Adam Boyd can be of great to help to us in this process. Observation means carefully reading and thinking about what the Bible actually says. So as you do this, writing down notes and observations (like I've done in this blog post) can help clarify your thoughts. "Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and over the fingertips" (Dawson Troutman). True Bible study always involves a pen and pad! 

No, the Swiss Are Not Rude

I'm eager to get back to the Swiss alps this summer, Lord willing. I'm praying about climbing the Mettelhorn this year. (Go here to find out why.) The Swiss have an undeserved reputation for being unfriendly. They may be reserved but they are never snobbish. Swiss people are cool. They are very family-oriented. Most are well-educated and well-traveled. They are polite and considerate. And if you can speak German with them, they are thrilled. 

Speaking German with my server at breakfast. 

The Swiss are very industrious. They never make excuses for mediocrity. They take care of their land, and they take care of each other. In short, they are warm and welcoming. Please don't stay away from Switzerland because you think you will be treated rudely. 

Hawaii Calls

My body is in Southern Virginia but my mind has disobediently wandered 4,800 miles to the shores of Waikiki Beach, where the waves are breaking between 4-8 feet today. 

Lord willing, I'll be back there in August for 10 days of wave riding. Yep, once a surfer, always a surfer, at least in one's mind and spirit.

Becoming a Better Version of You

Fact: Chasing a number on the scales is anxiety producing. Everyone's frame is different. Instead of chasing a predetermined number on the scales, it's better to focus on body composition goals. At 6' 4", I am pretty lean and so it is a good balance between fit and aesthetic. 

Lifting is one of my favorite hobbies. At 195 pounds, I don't want to get any heavier because I enjoy running and climbing as well. To me, optimal weight is where you feel good about yourself. Don't compare yourself to others. Just try to be a better version of you, mentally and physically, as the days go by.

Risk Taking (and Regrets)

Who else at my age remembers realizing for the first time that you rarely regret the risks you took in life but deeply regret the actions you didn't take?  

Biceps Training

It's your arms that get you up steep rock faces and your arms that let you paddle out to the waves. That's why I train my biceps. Biceps exercise selection boils down to three main points.

1. A supinated grip is more optimal than a neutral grip. This maximizes the tension on your biceps per se rather than than your brachialis or brachioradialis. 

2. Comfort is key. Focus on variations that feel smooth on your joints (wrists and elbows) and allow you to progressively overload over the long term. Everyone is different here, but I personally prefer dumbbells over barbells for my biceps training.

3. Focus on the bottom half of the range, since overall the biceps grow best when trained at longer lengths. 

Here I am doing biceps curls at the gym today. 

Combine this with a couple of sets of pullups and you're good to go! 

New Book about Hawaii!

Lookie here. I just got this.

My son stumbled upon it in a used bookstore and bought it for me. Looks like an interesting read. The chapters are:

• Introduction 
• The Hawaiians
• The Caucasians
• The Chinese
• The Japanese
• The Portuguese
• The Okinawans
• The Koreans
• The Filipinos
• The Samoans
• The People of Indochina
• Toward an Interethnic Society

Did you know that over 40% of marriages in Hawaii are interracial? Or that a "hapa" (mixed) identity is pervasive wherever you go? Or that mixed-race people feel normal? Or that the diverse ethnic groups (Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Haole, etc.) have emerged to produce a distinct local culture and language? No, Hawaii isn't a racial paradise. Far from it. But it does offer a powerful example of cultural coexistence. 

I miss the diversity of the islands. 

Finishing Is Better Than Starting (Eccl. 7:8)

This morning, as I sipped coffee at Bo's, I spent quite a bit of time in the book of Ecclesiastes. I ended up doing a deep dive into Eccl. 7:8. Here's the verse in Hebrew:

And here's how the New Living Translation renders it:

Finishing is better than starting.

Patience is better than pride.

If you would, think back with me for a  moment to the spring of 1863. That January, dashing Joseph Hooker had replaced Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac. 

As a result, the Union army underwent several significant changes following Hooker's ascent to power. These included a new furlough system, improved food and living conditions, a return to a regular corps organization, a reorganization of the cavalry under George Stoneman, and unique badges for each of the army's corps.

As spring approached, Hooker devised his plans. Unlike Burnside, he would not make a frontal attack on Lee at Fredericksburg. Instead, he would attempt to move around Lee. Part of the army would distract Lee by crossing the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg. But the real attack would take place to the north. Both wings would eventually converge at a small crossroads known as Chancellorsville, 10 miles west of Fredericksburg.

What happened next is well known to every Civil War buff. Jackson's flank attack left the Union army stunned and paralyzed. 

Instead of an active assault on Lee, Hooker hunkered down behind his lines at Chancellorsville. His commanders wanted to attack, but Hooker simply announced he was going to retreat. Fatigued and humiliated, the Federals withdrew back to their original lines. Eventually Lincoln replaced Hooker with George Meade, who would soon become the hero of Gettysburg. All agreed that had Hooker pressed the offensive, he might have defeated Lee's badly outnumbered army once and for all. Instead, the attacks that would have gained the day were never made. 

So much for "Finishing is better than starting." 

As for "Patience is better than pride," need I remind you of what Hooker said before the Battle of Chancellorsville? "I have the finest army the sun ever shone on. I can march this army to New Orleans. My plans are perfect, and when I start to carry them out, may God have mercy on General Lee, for I will have none." This, by the man whose failed generalship will forever be remembered by historians. 

I run across an alarming number of Greek students who are impatient with their studies. They want to get on with the task. "Who's got time for participles and infinitives?" They need to pause and read Eccl. 7:8. Preparation for Christian work is critical. Spiritual, intellectual, and practical readiness is required to serve effectively in a ministry context. Not least, it cultivates virtues such as patience, perseverance, and humility.

Recently I read about a brand new conservative seminary that was founded out west. It will offer a 72-hour M.Div. degree. The school claims to be designed to train pastors who will preach the Bible in their churches. I see that the curriculum includes standard courses in theology, church history, Old and New Testament survey, apologetics, pastoral counseling, church administration, and expository preaching. Yet according to its online catalog, it offers not a single course in Hebrew or Greek. Not one. Despite claiming to employ "a consistent grammatico-historical interpretation of the Bible." This is shocking. The biblical languages are vital for proper interpretation. This knowledge ultimately benefits both the preacher and the congregation. Of course, to achieve it you have to pay a hefty price. It comes only to those who are willing to bear hardships and inconveniences in the meantime. 

Student friend, learn a lesson from Joseph Hooker -- and from the myriad of churches today that are awash in impoverished preaching and doctrinal confusion.  

Finishing is better than starting.

Patience is better than pride.

Today's Gym Session

Aging friend, this is your time. 

If you hesitate, life will just go by and you'll miss it. 

Life's too short to hold back. 

Results start when excuses stop. 

Your physique is only 10% of the transformation. The rest is:

• healthy habits
• confidence
• self-discipline
• a sense of stewarding God's gifts to you

You already told yourself this year was going to be different.

It's not too late to get started.

Choose hard. 

Don't be that old guy left with regrets. 

"Grant" by Ron Chernow

Just ordered this book. I'll read anything by Ron Chernow. 

I was born and bred in Hawaii but fought the Civil War in all the sandboxes of my youth. I remained pretty ignorant about the war until I began reading James McPherson, Shelby Foote, Bruce Catton, and Michael Shaara. They say it's a wise man who knows his own ignorance, so I must be a very wise man indeed. I do know, though, that the Union victory at Appomattox (a mere 1.5 hours from my farm) would have been impossible without a George Meade and especially a Ulysses Grant. He managed the war effort brilliantly and with unrelenting tenacity. I have much to learn from his life. 

Eager to read the book.

Poetry in Motion

And I felt good when I scored 8 points in a game.

Wilt.

Coby.

And now Bam. 

Congrats, sir. 

Check One

Did you go to the gym today?

Yes, I'm locked in.

No.

No, but I will.

Rest day (haha). 

Gematria Warning

The Greek preposition dia occurs exactly 667 times in the New Testament. Whew, that was close! 

What Losing Becky Taught Me

Guys, if you have given your life over to Christ, God has adopted you into his family. As his children, the Father will still discipline and guide us (for our good), but we will always be secure in his love. He can even bring good from painful circumstances. Let's lean hard into him today. 

Once a Sports Lover ....

Triathlete in the making.

Moms and dads, enjoy them while you can. They're young and then they're grown. It goes by just that fast!

Blessed to Be Able to Walk!

Just finished my steps for the day. 

I'm so grateful and blessed to be able to do this. I'm working hard on getting ready for my next race. It's a big undertaking but gonna be worth it!

Bolder Boulder 2026???

I've run this 10K race twice, once in 2023 and again in 2024. Will I do it in 2026? 

I absolutely LOVE this race. With 50,000 runners, it's the 6th largest race of any distance in the U.S. Its Memorial Day program is the best in America bar none. Plus, no city looks prettier than Boulder this time of the year. And the weather for running is usually ideal. Here's my view while entering Folsom Stadium at the end of the race in 2024. 

If I do return this year, I am seriously contemplating attempting to climb the Flatirons. 

I've done some hiking there. But climbing them is another story. They say the easiest and most accessible of the Flatirons is the second. One of the things I like about this route is that it ends right at the trail so there's no downclimb to worry about. I will definitely have a local guide me though. Here's a video of a climber doing the second Flatiron. It's probably a little tougher than these guys make it look!

Have a great day!

The Current State of Textual Criticism

I love it when essentials are made simple and brief. Simplicity helps us understand the essentials. Brevity helps us remember them.

Year ago, Tom Peters and Robert Waterman wrote a book entitled In Search of Excellence. They went on a search for the best companies in America to find out what made them successful. Their goal wasn't to write a major treatise on the subject but to keep it simple and brief so that anyone could understand some of the secrets of successful corporations. Just before naming 8 attributes of great companies, they made this statement:

"The excellent companies were above all brilliant on the basics. Tools did not substitute for thinking. Intellect didn't overpower wisdom. Analysis didn't impede activities. Rather, these companies worked hard to keep things simple in a complex world."

The book became an immediate bestseller. Two statements stuck out to me. First, "brilliant on the basics." And second, "simple in a complex world." I've discovered in my own life that when things are made simple without being simplistic -- by that I mean free of verbal mumbo-jumbo -- I'm able to put them into action in my life. I think that's one reason I've always been drawn to Bible study. Some people say the Bible is a complicated book and it takes trained experts to understand it. I strongly disagree. I think you can be simple without being simplistic. In fact, I think that's what's needed in biblical studies today more than ever.

Later this month I'll be speaking at a conference on textual criticism. I will argue that the science of New Testament textual criticism is in a state of disarray. Why, we can't even agree any more on the goal of textual criticism. It used to be quite simple: to recover the original text of the New Testament. But that was then. Today we're told this goal is too simplistic. So what should we use in its place? Well, again the waters get muddy. Options include:

• authorial text
• editorial text
• initial text 
• final text
• multivalent texts (note the plural)

But the term that has taken the academic world by storm is Ausgangstext. That's right. Why use an English word when you can substitute for it a high falutin German word? I seriously doubt that any of my North American colleagues who brandish the term Ausgangstext could even hold a simple conversation in German. This term is trendy, yes. But helpful? Not really. That's the problem with trends. I'm reminded of what Dr. Houghton says about the text of Eph. 1:1 in his new Textual Commentary (p. 465): 

"The trend in modern translations is to include 'in Ephesus' but with a note of the variant reading."

Personally, I find trends annoying. Trends come and go. At lightning speed. Some of them cause you to scratch your head how they even got started in the first place. 

• AI-generated art is now replacing human creativity and craftsmanship.
• Gender-reveal parties have become over-the-top spectacles.
• Playing music in public without headphones. That's just plain rude.
• Filming people in distress instead of helping them.
• Glorifying "senior pastors" and treating them like gods.

I can't wait for these trends to go out of style. Likewise, I can't wait for common sense to return to the field of textual criticism. I mean, how in the world did Westcott and Hort get away with their notion of a Lucianic recension of the Byzantine text for all those years? There is not a scrap of evidence -- ZERO -- that any such thing ever took place. And how about their 8 examples of conflation? This argument for Byzantine posteriority is so inane I won't even attempt to rebut it. As for Eph. 1:1, if you feel the words "in Ephesus" are not original, just relegate them to the footnote. But what purpose is served by including them in square brackets? 

Is the discipline of textual criticism stalled? I think so. Is it too early to speak of a "Twenty-first Century Interlude in Textual Criticism"? I think not. Have we come to the point where the intellect has overpowered wisdom? I believe we have. Complicated tools have now replaced common sense. 

Christians everywhere should be concerned about the current state of textual criticism. After all, the Bible does not belong to the academy. It is God's word. It is the church's book. 

Generation Z's "Quiet Revival"

Very glad to see that Generation Z is rediscovering older hymns and traditional worship music. As one of them put it, "My grandmother saved it, my mother threw it away, and I'm buying it back." No, there's nothing wrong with contemporary music (although it's not my cup of tea). Both groups want authenticity, but the traditional congregation grounds it in the beauty, musicality, and intimacy of historic forms. The past two Sundays I've been speaking in a church where -- if you can believe this -- the congregation uses hymnals so people can concentrate on the words and even sing parts if they want to. The worship is much less performance-styled than I'm used to in most churches I visit. 

Who knows -- maybe even the organ will make a comeback someday. Wouldn't that be amazing.  

Speakers up. 

Tonight's Dinner

I composed the following menu for dinner tonight. 

I wrote it down feeling that so remarkable a gastronomic occasion was worth recording:

Carottes avec vinaigrette.
Boeuf et poulet avec sauce indienne à la mangue. 
Eau sans glace. 

I finished my dinner in less than ten minutes, eating rather faster than top class seminary professors are expected to.

It was a marvelous meal. 

Life Is All about Perspective

I'll admit it. I like living on the edge. That's why I voluntarily signed up for another 32-mile race in May. You pay the registration costs and then you go for it. But why? Why do we do what we do? 

Honestly, it's simply the challenge. Can I, as a 74-year old, run 32 miles? I say, I'm glad I'm trying. My kids think I should. There is nothing more symbolic of hard work, determination, and doing what I said I would. It's a benchmark, and the challenge of even getting there is hugely motivating. 

At one point, that benchpoint was completing a marathon. Now it's the ultramarathon distance. I keep craving the challenge. Be honest with me, friend. How do you deal with the "boring" aspects of life without becoming unhealthy? Whether it's in my teaching or my preaching or my relationships, I crave intensity. It's an all-consuming passion that makes life both exciting and memorable. 

People say an ultra is too far for a seasoned citizen. I say, I'm still glad I'm trying. Setbacks? I'm sure there will be plenty of them. Uncertainty? I am consumed by it. Yet if there is any possible way I can do this, I will do it. I know my body will say no. It's done that 3 times already at the ultra distance. But I can't entertain that thought. It's simply not a possibility for this old man. 

Live boldly, my friend. You control the moment. Drive straight into life with abandon. Imagine the person God wants you to be, and then simply commit to it. Embrace the pain. Discover a new passion. Whatever you do, and wherever you go, don't be afraid to make a big splash. Today I did 10 miles on the treadmill. 

Multiply that by 3, and you have an ultra. 

I'll need to finish at least 60,000 steps to complete an ultramarathon. I do know one thing. It's never what you expect. Yet just as we can't expect the sad stuff, we can't expect the great stuff. Honestly, I could not have dreamed up a life as good as the one I'm living right now. Blessing after blessing. I still have high hopes and expectations for my life, regardless of how many years the Lord gives me. I want to chase down impossible dreams. And I want to be able to roll with the punches when things don't go as planned.

Life is all about perspective. Attitude. Making the most of it all. 

Have a wonderful day! 

Take It Easy

Becky and I would often load up the kids and pull our tent trailer to the desert for summer vacations lasting anywhere from 2-5 weeks. We always made it a special goal to stop by Winslow, Arizona. Listening to the Eagles while standing on that corner is something I'll never forget. Born in 1952, I grew up with the best music. I love this band so much! 

Sunscreen Please!

During today's run the temp was over 80 degrees. Hard to believe that I had to put sunscreen on in March. Just one of those days that it got up to 81 degrees while I was running. Of course, I piled on the sunscreen. UV radiation exposure can cause skin cancer as well as premature aging and painful sunburns. People like me who've spent their entire life outdoors are at higher risk for UV damage and skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the U.S. I use SPF 50+  whenever I go outdoors. Have done so for years. As you know, I am a skin cancer survivor. 

Thankfully, my MOHS surgery was a complete success. Today I wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Please, friends, remember to put your sunscreen on. Hot summer days have nothing to do with skin cancer. Sun exposure at peak UV index time does. I always put on sunscreen before going outside. Please do the same.

Today's Training Run

Running is only a part of your life. It's not your entire life. When we get so wound up in our running goals -- I have my fourth 32-mile ultramarathon coming up in 8 weeks -- if affects everything we do. At the same time, running only affects a part of your life. And remember -- nobody really wants to hear about your running life anyway. 

Training is something that's uniquely personal. My humble opinion is that anyone training for an ultra needs to be training in the right heart-rate zone as well as consistently with what meets their own goals. As for me, I have no clue. I've only done 3 ultras before. I ask myself: Is what I've done in the past to prepare for an ultra the same thing I need today at 73 (74 on race day)? Today I did a training run at the High Bridge Trail. 

You know this trail well. It's where I love to train. And it's the same trail I'll be running the ultra in May. No doubt the recipe for running a strong ultra includes determination, motivation, and putting an element of pressure on yourself. But for the love of money, find the balance between training and overtraining. Don't let running ruin your life. Don't let it sacrifice your health. Don't become another victim of overtraining. Don't run until something backfires. Set the right training zones to improve those metabolic and cellular adaptations that optimize your fitness level. Then leave them alone. 

At any rate, I had a wonderful day enjoying God's magnificent creation while running and getting in my daily steps. Those who age should give thanks to God for his faithfulness and his promise to carry and comfort us as we grow old. Even as our bodies age, choosing to be thankful is a spiritual, soothing act. Aging brings us closer to the promise of eternal life and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Today was leg day at the gym. Can these twigs (aka legs) get me 32 miles in May? Stay tuned!

The weather could not have been better for a 6 mile run. 

I've never a had a running coach. Running simply means being fully aware of your own body. It's not an end in itself. It's a means to an end. Running means being alive. And good running form can only increase efficiency, which in turn can lead to a faster pace. Today I ran around a 14-minute mile pace though I did get down to 13-minute miles at times. As you know, I think my running form is anything but great. I think that no matter how we got our start in running, there is a reason we haven't stopped. We are all looking for a way to boost ourselves mentally, a way to make our bodies stronger, a way to find ourselves rejuvenated. I'm no exception. 

Light at the end of the tunnel? This is just plain fun. I know that running is not a panacea (that means "cure all" for all of you public school kids out there), but it's a clear start. 

Mayday Mayday!

Anyone trying to master a foreign language will love this video:

By the way, the word "Mayday" (usually said two or three times to get everyone on the radio to stop chattering and listen) comes from the French "M'aidez," meaning "Help me!" 

Now you know! 

Thomas Hudgins on the Ambiguous Word Order in Rom. 16:22

Here's a good question for all you exegetes out there: Do the words "in the Lord" belong with the verb "greet" or the verb "write" in Rom. 16:22? Yep, classic case of ambiguity. Great answer here!

Wake Forest Wonderland!

Ran at Joyner Park today. 

8 miles on a drop dead gorgeous day.

Care to join me? :-)  

Ah, Languages

My accent when speaking French is very German since German is my second language. It is amazing how much of an influence languages have on us!

Church Today

This morning we rejoiced to witness a baptism. I love this! 

Water baptism is such a significant act for the Christian. It is an outward, public declaration of an inward transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. "Buried with him in baptism, we now walk with him in NEWNESS of life." The word "newness" reminds me of the daffodils that have begun to bloom on the farm. 

Daffodils are adored because they are the first golden messengers of spring, signaling the end of winter's cold dark days. They symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, and a fresh start. They bring instant joy and positivity to the farm landscape. 

At 73, I have a deeper appreciation for the simple things of life, even the very breath in my lungs. I have a sense that, despite challenges, the best is yet to come. Life has been a beautiful journey. The sense of gratitude is itself a magnificent gift from God. My message this morning was from Matt. 1:3-6 as I reflected on the goodness of the Lord in the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Grace is highlighted over reputation, unconventional and vulnerable situations turn out to be a blessing, and difficult circumstances are used for the growth of the individual by God's power. 

A good sermon transcends mere speaking to become a life-altering encounter with the truths of Scripture. In short, a good sermon feels both timeless and timely, enabling the congregation to know more about God's amazing grace and less about the preacher. 

Thank you, Lord!