If you've ever seen a sunset at Waikiki, you know it's not just about what you see but about what you feel.
And somehow that feeling stays with you long after you've returned to the mainland. In high school we used to surf here until it got dark. It was like heaven on earth. This is probably the view people picture when they think about Hawaii. Then when they finally see it in person they realize it actually looks even better.
I am SO ready to see it again.
You know a hotel in Waikiki has stories to tell when it's been around since 1927.
This was 9 years after my father was born in Honolulu. In 2013, I had reserved a room for Becky and me at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in December of that year. Her battle with cancer had being going on for 4 years and I wanted us to enjoy one last trip to Hawaii, where we had spent our honeymoon. When Becky passed away in November, I was faced with the question: Shall I still go, or shall I cancel the trip?
I went.
For 10 days I celebrated the memory of my wife of 37 years. Here, in these pink halls, I learned a basic truth of Christianity -- that total self-emptying is detachment from all this world has to offer. We were not financially poor. But I had been asked to accept poverty of another kind. It was time for me to accept the situation as from his hands, to let go of the reins and place myself entirely at his disposal. I finally accepted the grace that God had been offering me all along but which I had never really had the courage to accept. I had learned to thank God for things I would never have learned to thank him for without the suffering itself.
And such thanksgiving, in the midst of darkness, clears a way for grace.
If we were going out for a cup of coffee together today, there are things I would tell you. I would tell you these things because I know you are my virtual friends. So ...
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I absolutely love our local YMCA. It's the perfect place to get in a 90 minute workout.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I love the biceps curl.
It is incredibly effective because it isolates the upper arms to build muscle size and pulling strength. Remember: these are the muscles that allow you to scramble up mountains in the alps and paddle out in Waikiki.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I also love pull ups because they require no equipment beyond a bar, work major muscle groups simultaneously, and are the ultimate test of strength.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I love running because running is one of the most efficient and accessible workouts you can do.
Even 10 minutes a day at a slow pace can significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, lower your blood pressure, and even help you live longer.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I love getting in my daily step count because it can boost cardiovascular health, lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, and aid in weight management.
It's a simple, highly effective way to increase overall physical activity and longevity.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I love it when a person achieves his or her ideal physique.
This is not just about aesthetics. It's about your everyday life by boosting confidence, optimizing health, and providing a deep sense of accomplishment. The physical and mental benefits ripple into your daily routine.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I love the benefits of being fit. Fitness improves your physical and mental health by sharpening cognitive function, preventing chronic diseases, and reducing stress.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that I hate the impact social media has had on the church. This is a significant and complex issue, but it's been on my mind. I hate how it perpetuates a slavish dependence on the opinions of others when the Lord wants us to have a personal encounter with his word daily. I hate how it consumes our days. I hate how many have traded time in God's word for screen time.
If we had a cup of coffee together today I would tell you that as we approach the summer months, our family is crawling out of a few hard months but we clearly see the light ahead. Life is never easy but hardships are always temporary, and for that I am grateful.
Know anyone who's enjoyed the career of a lifetime? Maybe that person is you. If so, you are uniquely blessed.
The most important role for any individual is that for which God has equipped him through nature and Spirit-given ability. It is vital that each Christian function in the capacity for which God has equipped him. Some may begin, like the apostle Paul, with a special intervention in life that settles the question of vocational call once and for all. At the age of 24, I was asked to teach 11 units of Greek at Biola. I didn't realize it at the time, but that invitation was a Damascus Road-like call to holy vocation and a life set apart for a special ministry. Never forget that God has a special purpose for you. Ask yourself, "How can I best find God's purpose and bring together all that I am and have in a vocation and location that will most effectively promote the accomplishment of his purpose in the world?"
This brings up the matter of how to regard personal tastes, talents, and aptitudes in choosing a career. Obviously, God bestows special gifts that wait to be discovered and used. But there is also such a thing as bowing too low before the altar of ability. Talent is not the ultimate indication of what the Lord wants us to do with our lives. If personal fulfillment is my only goal in life, I have yet to discover the meaning of discipleship, which is self-sacrifice for God's kingdom. Out of love for the Lord or love for others, the disciple will learn to sacrifice his own desires and even his own "rights." The final test of one's calling is, "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done." Apparent success, or even a genuine sense of fulfillment, is not in itself a proof that a person is in the center of God's will. So although personal fulfillment is quite legitimate to consider as one piece of the puzzle, it can hardly be the major factor in the choices of a true disciple. In fact, tastes, talents, and aptitudes are often more acquired than inborn and can be developed and even altered through experience and education.
As I look back over my (so far) 50-year teaching career, my gratitude to God knows no bounds. Finding joy and satisfaction in one's vocation is all about discovering the intersection between personal fulfillment and serving a greater purpose. The result is a profound sense of peace and happiness. Embracing your God-given vocation allows you to align your passions with your responsibilities, creating a fulfilling life that resonates with your true self.
Discerning God's call isn't always easy. It certainly wasn't for me. But when we find that call and answer it, we store up eternal happiness for ourselves and help bring about the kingdom of God.
Below: A young Dave just beginning his studies at Biola. He had no idea at the time what his vocational journey would look like. But the Lord knew, and that was all that mattered.
Take a second and imagine this ....
Early morning in Waikiki. The sun just beginning to light up the beach. People quietly walking on the shore before the crowds arrive. That peaceful morning feeling out here is something special.
No matter how many times you've been to Oahu, Waikiki will always be special.
Was (where else?) at the High Bridge Trail.
I'm back to my normal step count.
To everything, there is a season. Nobody outruns aging. But that's beside the point. These days I'm almost twice as slow as the race winners. But I'm happy. I'm happy to be alive, healthy, and vigorous. Running still excites me, regardless of the pace or distance. Running means that I'm alive and well. Which is a beautiful thing and a huge undeserved blessing.
A U.S. President once said, "It is not the critic who counts. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood. At the least, he fails while daring greatly." I agree.
Dare greatly, my friend.
Some beaches are crowded and noisy. And then there are places like this.
Soft trade winds. Turquoise water. The Mokulua Islands in the background. That peaceful feeling that makes you forget what day it is for a while.
What's your favorite beach on Oahu? Mine is -- and will always be -- Kailua.
One big race down, one to go in 2026-2027. What shall it be? The London Marathon? The Berlin Marathon? The New York City Marathon? The Honolulu Marathon? These are all on my bucket list.
Training for a marathon shifts your mindset from "I'm running for exercise" to "I'm training for a mission." This psychological shift creates a powerful motivation loop that forces consistency and discipline. A race that creates a "countdown effect" makes every missed workout feel like a missed opportunity.
I hope to be able to decide soon. Paying a registration fee (anywhere from $100-$200) creates a sense of obligation to "get your money's worth." Meanwhile, here's my workout from today. I hope you enjoy it!
There's a version of you that never misses training.
That never skips meals.
That never wastes time.
That version of you is waiting.
Results start when excuses stop.
Due to the recent drought, our hay is somewhat thin, but its quality is outstanding.
I'm still pinching myself that our farm is now in its third generation.
I wouldn't change this life for the world.
I pray you have a wonderful week!
Without any ado:
1. Consistency is key. Everything works as long as you stick with it.
2. Progressive overload is a must. Improve something -- weight, reps, or control -- every session.
3. Less is more. Training 3 days a week with high intensity can yield superior results when compared to 6 days of overtraining.
4. Recovery is essential. The only volume you grow from is the volume you can actually recover from.
5. Train the mind as much as the muscle. Ensure that the goal is the maximal contraction and lengthening of the muscle.
6. Intensity beats perfection. One hard set with decent execution outperforms a "perfect" set lacking intensity.
7. Stop obsessing over the finish line. Tying your happiness solely to a number on a scale makes the journey emotionally exhausting. Begin to prioritize non-scale victories and embrace the nonlinear nature of weight loss.
There you have it, my friend. Unblock your God-given potential. Maximize what you have been blessed with for his honor and glory!
Today I'm giving a huge shout out to the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. My daughter and I attended a performance last night and we both had an amazing experience.
It is NEVER wrong to enjoy this music -- at any time, ever.
Hey guys. It's been a fun day so far. Got in a hard workout at the Y, including some outdoor pullups as finishers. Nice and tiring!
Now I'm looking forward to baling today. Then this evening I plan on taking my daughter to the Richmond Symphony for a performance of Holst's magnificent The Planets. Do you have a favorite? Mine is definitely "Jupiter."
Heading outdoors to work. Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Stellar blurbs are great to have if you're an author. They're not the only thing that readers care about, of course, but they do matter. For me personally, I will be inclined to buy a book if (1) the subject matter of the book appeals to me, (2) the book contains recommendations from scholars I trust, and (3) I think I can find the book useful in my teaching and/or writing. I am often asked to write a blurb for a book, though I rarely agree. I have an ethical responsibility not to endorse a book I haven't read personally, and that takes a lot of time. Oftentimes a book endorsement doesn't correspond to my own research. But occasionally a book comes along that I find myself happy to endorse, such as this one. I feel that Andrew's book is truly revolutionary in the field of textual criticism. I wish it well.
My recovery from last Saturday's ultra is going well.
I'm almost back to my average of 17,000 daily steps.
Tomorrow I'm having a massage. I might also have my first post-race run (though I might save that for Sunday). Thank you for hanging in there with me. For your words of support, for your emails and text messages, for your advice. It's meant the world to me. Some of you have asked how I'm doing since the race. Fine. It's not like I'm some elite athlete or anything. Just trying not to take myself too seriously. Someone once said, Don't ask yourself to do something beyond your ability. Ask yourself what you need to do NOW for a happy life. That person you were 30 years ago is gone. But you're still a person with talents, abilities, skills, hobbies, interests, and goals. That's what you should be pursuing.
Hoping to run again soon,
Dave
In the ISV, we translated the word didaktikon in 1 Tim. 3:2 not as "able to teach," but rather as "teachable." The lexicons show both meanings, but we felt the latter was intended here, especially when you consider that ALL of the other qualifications to be an overseer had to do with character qualities, not skills or aptitudes.
Now, I'd like to apply this to strength training. I think a major reason why so many lifters are killing their gains is their ego. It's their arrogance. It's people thinking they know everything. It's the guy who's been in the sport for maybe 6 months and all of a sudden knows everything. Now they're a guru. You know, I'm 73 years old. I've taught Greek for 50 years. I study very intensely all the time. Greek is what I do for a living. But I'm not even close to knowing everything. I'm not even a 1 out of 10 in my mind. There's always more to study and learn.
Friend, keep learning a priority for yourself. When you're at the point of saying, "Okay, I know everything, I'm the expert, I know more than anyone else," that's a very dangerous place to be. That's when you're not going to get any better, be it in your Greek studies or in your strength training.
If you want to continue to make gains and get better and progress and eventually reach the top of your genetic ceiling as a bodybuilder, you're going to have to keep an open mind. You're going to have to read and study and think and rethink. You're going to have to listen to people in the field who are credible. Not all of them are, of course, but still there are great sources of information. Find people who know more than you do. Follow them, keep learning, and keep experimenting.
The thing I think I've done fairly well over my career is I love to grow and learn. So I've been able to find a lot of things that work well both as a Greek student and as an athlete. And not only have I found that they work well for me, they've worked well for others. I want you to have that inquisitive mind where you're always trying to learn, always trying different things. I think if you do that it keeps you fresh. It gives you energy. It will keep those gains coming.
So let's make sure we push the arrogance aside and ego to the side and keep learning!
This morning, after a rich time in Romans 12 (more on that later), I set out for the gym. Here I want to tell you that training with lighter weights, as I do, can actually achieve muscle growth, thus challenging the traditional dogma that progressive overload via heavy weights is the only path to building size.
Chasing heavy numbers easily leads to fatigue and poor engagement rather than hypertrophy. Instead, focus on concentrating on how well you connect with the muscle during an exercise. If you lose that mind-muscle connection or feel other muscles taking over, the weight is too heavy. Don't be afraid to test your form. Test different angles, tempos, and ranges of motion. The goal is to find what best stimulates the specific muscle you are targeting that day.
After my gym session it was time to drive to the High Bridge Trail (yes, that trail!) to get in a few miles of walking.
It was awesome.
Also pictured here is the first of several acres we cut today.
Thus begins our 2026 hay season. A new season of farming is a time of hope, renewal, and intense labor. It's a clean slate where the possibilities for a fruitful harvest are endless. It is a time filled with both physical activity and quiet anticipation as we transition from spring to summer. I LOVE this time of the year! There is a DEEP satisfaction in the anticipation of watching crops grow and then finally seeing them come to fruition. May to September can be make it or break it for farmers. Too much rain can damage crops, but not enough rain can also damage crops. It takes the perfect amount of rain, sunlight, and warmth to produce crops.
In the meantime, I can't wait to share with you what the Lord is teaching me from Rom. 12:2!
Kailua will always be in my heart. I spent my life there until I went to college in California. Today, Kailua is nothing like it was when I was growing up there. Moss-sliding in Maunawili. Manapua man. Andy's. Shooting hoops. Kailua Surfrider class of 1970. Craig's Bakery. Liberty House. Drive in theater. Piggly Wiggly. Kainalu Elementary School. Kailua Intermediate School. Kailua High School. Hiking Olomana. Pali Lanes. Kress. Holiday Mart. Kailua Arms. Craig's Bakery. Wigwam. Shorebreak. Kaimake Loop. Kaha Place. Lanikai Beach at night. Dirt biking where Target is today. Parties at Pohakupu. Taking "The Bus" into town (Honolulu). The Mokes (Mokulua Islands). Beach every day.
Kailua will never be gone, just different.
I miss Kailua.
Fishing is such a great outdoors pastime for kids. When grandsons love to fish, it creates unforgettable bonding times, with many taking up the hobby as young as 3, learning to bait hooks, cast out the line, and handle the fish they catch.
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| I'm so glad I stocked this pond with bass. |
Watching my grandkids fish is a great way to put daily life on hold and create priceless memories. Whether it's their first fish or a big catch, grandsons often feel immense pride and joy in their success.
Fishing is a wonderful bridge between generations, as my grandsons and I are discovering!
The Living Bible renders Eph. 6:15 as, "Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God." Read that again. Do you understand what Paul is saying?
Everyone who runs knows just how important footwear can be. Good shoes are crucial for running as they provide essential cushioning, support, and stability, which help reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance. Properly fitting shoes can absorb shock, improve comfort, and ensure efficient movement over long distances. Good cushioning reduces impact on joints and minimizes fatigue during long runs. Good support offers stability to prevent injuries during the repetitive motion of running. Good durability ensures longevity and performance. In short, good shoes tailored to individual foot types and running styles not only enhance performance but also play a crucial role in injury prevention.
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| A too narrow toe box can easily lead to blistering during an ultra. Not fun. |
For 50 years I've taught New Testament Greek. But my greatest burden has always been the "thrusting out" command of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers into the harvest field!" (Matt. 9:37). I've tried to deal with the many hindrances that need to be faced by believers who have made a decision to follow Christ into full-time missions work (and that's all of us). Plugging in where God has placed us is what it's all about. Believe it or not, he wants to use all of us to bring people to Christ. Jesus is with us. We are co-laborers with him. Do we believe that? We're not prepared if we don't.
Are you saying that evangelism is a way of living? You bet I am! Evangelism is a way of revealing the universals of God's character through the particulars of everyday living. A key step to becoming a redemptive person is to be prepared at all times is to hold up our dreams, goals, and desires to his radiant glory. Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim. Touched by that glory, we proclaim, "Here am I, Lord. Send me!"
Remember, the Lord never calls us to do something unless he enables us to do it. Simply do what God calls you to do. Try sharing, clothing, rescuing, providing, setting free, counseling, caring. Do it deliberately, with evangelism in mind. Then stand back and watch your light shine, shine and shine.
Put on your gospel shoes!
This month Ira turns 5 and Peyton turns 11, so we celebrated at the local Chinese buffet.
The owners, the service, the endless food -- all fantastic. The boys eat so much I'm surprised they haven't been officially banned from the restaurant.
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| Yes, two of my grandsons (aged 16 and 14) are already taller than me (I'm 6'4"). |
I love you, Ira and Pey!
Perfect day for swimming lessons ... at your local swimming pool.
(I taped this on July 2 of last year. This beach is for experienced swimmers only. Please do NOT swim here if you're a visitor to Oahu.)
It's really trendy these days to talk about not going to failure when you lift. Failure is simply too hard, we're told. But I don't believe that. I really think that if you want to reach your full potential, you're going to have to go to failure or very near it. This is going to really play into that last set you perform. You have to take at least a few sets to failure, and when I say "failure" I mean as many repetitions as you can do with good form. It's as simple as that. If you can't complete another rep with good form you've hit failure. Personally, I like to lead up to the big set by performing lighter sets of the same exercise as a warm up. I call these "feeder" sets that get you to your top set without exhausting yourself. That's how you challenge yourself and that's how you get stronger. You'd be surprised at what your body can handle. You'd be surprised with how you can push yourself. What I want you all to ask yourselves is how many quality sets are you doing. If I'm going to build a program for myself I like to think about training each muscle three times a week with one really hard set to complete failure per exercise. If I'm being 100% straight with you, I really care about the hard sets, the really hard sets that make a difference when you're a natural lifter. You have to do those sets or you will never reach your potential. But while intensity is important, be careful that you don't overdo it or you will increase your risk of long-term injury rather than maximizing muscle stimulation. Always aim to balance intensity with physical longevity.
Thanks, as always, for putting up with these exercise posts!
Below: Today's final set of pull downs on the cable machine.
And on the lat machine.
This lovely lady would have turned 73 today.
I love her and miss her! How I thank God that he gave me a loving wife to be my best friend ever.
She was the most beautiful and wonderful of all women. She was like Eve to me -- the only woman in the world. My love for God and my love for Becky always seemed the same to me, and so it was. All love is from God, but there is no love quite like marital love.
Marriage, for the Christian, is a continuous means of loving and serving God. And ever since Becky's passing he has kept on affirming his love for me with one blessing after another. Indeed, the very distance I feel from Becky today is paradoxically a measure of the overwhelming closeness of God. Naturally it is painful to lose one's spouse. Yet at the same time it is rich and comforting to know that there is one thing in this life that can never change, and that is how Christ binds himself to us all our life long and even into eternity with cords of love.
Happy Birthday, my love!
Getting fit is simple but it requires brutal honesty and total consistency. I treat my health like a business, emphasizing the need to track my progress and invest in my own quality of life. Key strategies include progressive overload and prioritizing intensity over volume. Tomorrow I'll return to weight training at the Y. Today I resumed my daily steps at a slow walk.
For you to actually get lean and feel good and start enjoying your life, it's your mindset that matters.
If you're unfit, you either do something about it or do nothing. Instead of looking at yourself in the mirror and hating yourself, use what you see as motivation. Start respecting yourself more.
Get outside more. Do enough steps per day. Make yourself healthier. Make the process easier. Yes, it's going to cost money. Start investing in a good gym.
It's for you, your health, your mindset, your life.
That's it. It's not hard. You won't be fat for much longer if you just stay consistent. You'll start enjoying your life. You'll start loving yourself more. You'll start appreciating others more.
You got this, bro.
If you're not sick of my blogging yet and want to know how I'm feeling the day after, here ya go. For starters, I slept nine and a half hours last night. I didn't wake up one time. I think my body was basking in the glory of its PR. Coming down from the high of racing is like the day after Christmas. So much buildup, such a great day, then suddenly you're back to the status quo. When I got to Bo's this morning I was hoping someone would ask me how I am so I could tell them about my race. Maybe I'll go to the grocery story and wear my race medal and see if anyone asks.
Recovery so far has consisted of coffee, church, and lunch at the Olive Garden to celebrate the memory of one great wife and mother. Marathoner Hal Higdon once recommended recovering one day per each mile run. That would be 32 days (I calculated that myself!) of recovery purgatory. No way I'm going to do that. Don't get me wrong. It's not like I'm going to do another race anytime soon. I'll do the sensible thing: build back slowly, gradually start getting in my steps again, and (per the advice of my daughter) get a professional pedicure. Let's just say I have very little soreness today, I can think about the High Bridge trail and not be totally repulsed, and I'm not sick.
I'll take at least a week off before doing even a short run, no matter how much I'll hate it. I'll build up slowly, with patience. I will listen to my body. It will tell me. Right now it's telling me to replenish energy stores and repair damaged tissue. Even though I'm physically resting, my brain is going a million miles an hour. Knowing when to say "when" when you're Type A is so hard, but there will always be another run and another race. Rest days are like taking daily vitamin pills -- not always something you want to do but something that keeps you feeling and looking better in the long run. I've discovered I'm a big risk-taker (bet you didn't know that), perhaps too much so. I need to be challenged. I need to find out how much effort I can put out, what I can endure, if I measure up. But -- if a fitness program is to succeed, it must promote good health.
Words will never be able to express what running has meant to me.
It's a lot easier to grow old if we are neither bored nor boring. There is no limit to reaching our God-given potential. That "great cloud of witnesses" (Heb. 12:1), who now rest from their race, are cheering us on.
Okay. I think I've worn out all my friends and family and they are getting pretty tired of all this talking about running!
As you know (if you really do keep track of the stuff I do), today I ran my 4th 50K/32-mile ultramarathon. I got to the race venue and could hardly find a place to park. The 100K runners had arrived early. Their race started an hour before ours did. Eventually I found a place to park and got my race bib. The RD (race director) Dan then began to wax eloquent, giving us runners much helpful information about the race. I was also just hanging out with all the other runners. You might recall that this year's race was themed "TV shows from the 80s and 90s." I saw a bunch of crazy costumes, including the one worn by this guy. I thought it made him look amazingly a lot like David Hasselhoff.
Finally it was "go" time. I went out with the middle-of-the-packers and settled into my normal pace for races of this distance.
The race went surprisingly well for me. Oh, there were the usually glitches, like this blister ...
... and this bleeding (yes, I cut my toenails before the race but apparently not carefully enough. Something to work on for my next time).
At any rate, like I said, the race went a lot better than I had anticipated. In fact, it was by far the easiest and most enjoyable of the 4 ultras I've done to this point in my life. As I drove home, I pondered the question, "Why was this so?" I can think of 3 possible reasons.
1) The weather. My oh my, it could simply not have been better. The temp never once got above 75, and most of the race was run under a cool cloud cover. Again, the weather was PURR-fect, and this is not always the case. But it was today thank the Lord.
2) My steps. I think that maybe getting in an average of 17,000 steps daily for the past year and a half made an amazing difference in my strength and stamina today. My legs never once felt tired, and in fact I ran the second half of the race (the last 16 miles) faster than I ran the first half. And when I finished the race, I felt surprisingly refreshed and relaxed.
3) My weight. The last time I did a 50K race I weighed 240 pounds. Today, I weighed -- get this -- 45 pounds lighter than before. You know, maybe there IS something after all to the injunction in Heb. 12:1 to "strip off every weight"!
Really, the only thing I do not like so much about these races is how lonely it gets out on the course. Today I counted fewer than 70 participants in the 50K race, and once everyone gets going, the field begins to thin out and before you know it you're running all by yourself for miles and miles on end.
But that's really the only downside about these events. Every race I've run with Virginia Adventures was worth every mile. Today the wheels never came off, and I ran most of the race with a big smile on my face. I finished in 8 hours, which was a new PR for this distance if I calculated correctly.
I got a lot of congratulatory texts from my family, which I GREATLY appreciated, but the fact is that the people in my life who love me don't really care how fast I run or even if I run another race. They're just sincerely happy to see me happy, and vice versa.
This doesn't mean that I still won't train hard, but it does mean that as long as I give it 100% I can be at peace with myself. And I know I gave it all I had today.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. After the race -- Mexican food! What else could you want???
Today they will gather long before sunrise. The event? A 50K/100K race in Farmville. I think you're supposed to have a race strategy before running an ultra. Mine is simple: do not stop. If you stop, you will probably never start again.
This strategy has worked for me 3 times, but only the Lord knows if it will work for me again. Mentally and physically, an ultra breaks you down. It's a miracle anyone finishes. If and when you do, you feel elated, broken, fatigued, and significantly thankful. I've cried afterwards.
The more I run, the more running reveals to me who I am, an ever aging widower who is stronger than he ever imagined he could be. I have learned, with my own two feet, that there will be good patches and bad patches in life, and that neither lasts forever. My first ultramarathon was one of the highlights of my life, ranking up there with my wedding day and the birth of my first child. Best of all, my amazing family has been incredibly supportive.
During every race, you're faced with a moment of truth: will you quit, or will you persevere to the end? The analogy with the Christian life is obvious. The person who finishes an ultramarathon has accomplished a great feat simply because they finished. Running the Christian race is no different. And both are due ultimately to the grace of God.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Dear students,
Welcome to the last day of the semester and the school year. You have now completed a year of Greek. Your hard work and effort have truly paid off. This achievement is a significant step to your future success both in life and in ministry. I could not be more proud of you.
G. K. Chesterton once said of Abraham Lincoln, "This great man had one secret far more unpopular among his followers than the habit of drinking. He had the habit of thinking. We might call it the habit of secret thinking, a dark consolation like that of the habit of secret drinking."
As you now begin to read your Greek New Testament regularly, please remember that Bible reading is a form of spiritual discipline. The disciplined mind weighs every important question of life and asks if Scripture speaks directly or indirectly to the matter. Today, at 73, Bible reading is more important to me than ever before. I know what a resilient man of discipline looks like, and I am determined to follow that path. The disciplined Bible reader is a master of questions. There is an art to asking questions of the text, and relatively few people master it. You be one of them.
Too many people see Bible study as a sprint -- something fast, furious, and quickly finished. But encountering God's word is more than a quick burst of speed. It's a marathon, and it demands endurance, determination, and a kick at the finish.
As the age of 22, I fell in love with my Greek New Testament. Fifty one years later I'm still in love.
The race isn't over yet.
Visiting Oahu this summer? Be sure to watch the bodyboarders at the Waikiki Wall. This is the supreme bodyboarding spot on Oahu. This was taken last July.
No surfboards are allowed, so there's no need to fear being run over by a 12 foot board! This wave breaks over the reef and offers the perfect wave for bodyboarding. The Wall is easy to find. It's the long boardwalk with a gazebo at the end. Parking is available right across the street at the Honolulu Zoo.
All you need is a bodyboard and some fins!
I am so ANCY to get back there in August!
This is one of the most significant books I have ever read.
It represents the author's doctoral dissertation at the University of Tübingen (Germany), written under the direction of Otto Michel and Ernst Käsemann. Nobody today knows those names. But when I was in seminary, those names were famous among New Testament scholars. And Tübingen was considered one of the centers of New Testament studies.
Jewett's dissertation was published in 1971 by Brill. Nine years later, I began my own doctoral studies in Europe. I had applied to and had been accepted by two universities -- the University of Tübingen, where I would study under Peter Beyerhaus, and the University of Basel, where I would study under Bo Reicke. I ended up at the latter. But it was Robert Jewett's Tübingen dissertation that excited me about doctoral studies as no other book had done before that. Modeling my own work to a degree on Jewett's exemplar, I ended up writing my own dissertation at Basel under the title Paul, Apostle of Weakness.
One of Jewett's chapters deals with Paul's concept of sōma -- "body." For Paul, the body is not merely a physical shell but is imbued with theological significance. It represents our whole person in relation to God. Paul introduces the idea that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This highlights both its importance and its sanctity in the life of the believer. The body is a sacred space imbued by the Holy Spirit of God. This teaching has implications far beyond moral conduct. It includes issues of diet and self-control. Recognition of the body's importance has implications for both spiritual and physical well being. Paul encourages believers to see their physical existence as integral to their spiritual identity and mission in life.
When I began writing my own dissertation, I found the work of Jewett to be a singular exemplar of all such writing. In the New Testament, Christians are encouraged to take care of their bodies because they are viewed as temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies were purchased by God through Christ, and stewardship of this gift allows us to honor him. Our bodies belong to him, but we are their stewards, their managers. Maintaining our health is a way of showing our gratitude to God for the salvation we've already received from him. That's why we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, which is defined as a form of spiritual worship.
Christian, take care of your body! God has created us body and soul. ALL of our lives belong under his Lordship. We should honor God in each and every aspect of our lives, including the way we take care of our bodies. Lord willing, these arms will get me up the Mettelhorn in the alps this summer.
These shoulders will allow me to paddle out at Waikiki.
These calves will allow me to run this weekend's 50K.
Friend, why not stop making an exception for self-control in the area of your physical health and fitness? You do not exercise or take time to prepare healthy meals because this takes self-discipline and self-control. However, with the aid of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, God has given you the gift of discipline and self-control. This means that you should:
What you do with your body is important to God -- and to others. Ask him to make you a blessing to those you meet, pointing them to Jesus as you have the opportunity. Make your health and fitness a testimony of your relationship to Christ for others to see!
I hope so.
Here are the details from the race director.
He says he will be awarding prizes to runners who "dress as a character from your favorite 1980s or 1990s TV show." Let me know in an email who you think I should dress up as. Right now I'm leaning toward this dude ...
Or maybe this one ...
