The Best and Worst of 2023
3 months ago
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Four Loves.
"There is indeed a peculiar charm, both in friendship and in Eros, about those moments when appreciative love lies, as it were, curled up asleep, and the mere ease and ordinariness of the relationship (free as solitude, yet neither is alone) wraps us round. No need to talk. No need to make love. No needs at all except perhaps to stir the fire."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
A cow bought the farm...
I had a very interesting weekend. As a staff we were going to Sorata for a retreat. It's a trekking hotspot. It was a beautiful place. We enjoyed some wonderful time relaxing together, worshipping, enjoying camp fires, eating good food. It was a nice weekend. It's a little rough being gone Saturday and Sunday and then having school on Monday...but all in all it was worth the time and effort.
It was a good weekend...except for an incident that happened on Saturday. It's sort of hard to believe that it actually happened. On Saturday as we drove down, I was driving "the beast." The beast is a 1978 (I think) Toyota Land Cruiser. It truly is a beast. We were driving along through Bolivia on a nice road, going about 40-50 mph (the beast doesn't go anywhere very quickly). We were in a farming area and there was a cholita walking her herd of cattle/sheep/donkeys towards us in the other lane. No worries. The cows gave every indication that they were quite content in their lane.
However, about right when I reach the herd, one of the cows decides it likes something on the other side of the road. So it gingerly walks across the road, sadly, right in the path of the oncoming truck. I slammed on the brakes but there just wasn't enough time to stop. I slammed into the cow going about 30 mph.
It was horrible. Thankfully, no one inside the truck was injured. Sadly, the cow did not fair so well. It didn't die, but was laying in front of the truck in shock. A crowd quickly gathered. Thankfully, the Molenas were close by. Marcos Molena is Bolivian and works for the school. They turned around and came back to help. I don't know what we would have done if he hadn't been there. A truck full of americans. Killed a cow. The crowd could have quickly gotten out of hand. Marcos was able to talk to them and explain what happened and we were able to settle the matter quickly. We had to pay for the cow, about $400.
Ironically, the beast comes equipped with a bull guard on the front. So the damage was minimal. Nothing happened to the engine. Which says a lot about the beast, because hitting an 800-1000 lbs. cow at around 30 mph probably would have totaled any other car.
It was a sad thing that happened. I felt really bad about hitting and killing such a big animal.
However, through all of it, even though some things about it are hard to understand, God's grace and provision did shine through.
No one was hurt.
Marcos was there to help.
The truck still drives fine.
I was driving instead of one of the girls.
There were others in our group nearby to help gather together the money.
The crowd did not riot or get out of hand.
And other little ways.
So it was not a fun experience. But I am glad everyone is okay. And hopefully the people in the town will be touched by our attitudes and actions towards them. We didn't get mad or angry or protest the price. We expressed our sympathy and our regret that it had happened. We paid for the cow. And Marcos prayed for them and the situation before we left. Hopefully, they saw something of the love of Christ in the craziness that happened.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."
George Eliot
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Live the questions.
"...I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."
Rainer Maria Rilke, 1903
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Lake Titicaca (it's okay, you can say it)
Lake Titicaca is a beautiful place. I believe it sits at around 12,500 ft. And is the highest navigable lake in the world (that's according to Bolivia...this factoid is debated by other countries with higher lakes:). We can safely say it's ONE of the highest navigable lakes in the world. We had Monday off from school so 7 of us teachers went to Lake Titicaca. One of the teachers, Stephanie, got us the hook up through a friend of a friend who owns a lake house there. It was awesome. We relaxed, read, played games, hiked, tossed the disc. It was a nice way to spend our weekend.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Week 5 done.
Well, that was a riveting discussion on Conditional Immortalism :)
In other news...
We've finished the 5th week of classes. We are tearing through this semester.
I just went running. It was very hard... That's all I have to say about that.
Have a good weekend!
In other news...
We've finished the 5th week of classes. We are tearing through this semester.
I just went running. It was very hard... That's all I have to say about that.
Have a good weekend!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Conditional Immortalism.
http://wisdomandfollyblog.com/2009/08/04/a-defense-of-conditional-immortalism/
Hey faithful readers:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above blog post.
The more traditional view of Hell is that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell and suffer conscious torment for eternity.
Another view of hell called Annihilationism says that there is no punishment in hell...when you die you are just annihilated.
The view presented in the blog, Conditional Immortalism, does hold to a very real punishment in hell...however, it is only for a designated time. Ultimately, a non-believer, after punishment is destroyed and will no longer exist.
The blog, wisdomandfollyblog.com, is my professor's and his wife's, Jim and Amy Spiegel. Spiegel is a professor of philosophy at Taylor University. At Taylor I was in a band with him and with Steve and Chris Jones. I got really close with them and with Jim's family my last couple years at Taylor.
Many of you know I start many thoughts and stories with, "Well, Spiegel says..."
I hope you are able to get something from his and Amy's blog.
Hey faithful readers:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above blog post.
The more traditional view of Hell is that if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell and suffer conscious torment for eternity.
Another view of hell called Annihilationism says that there is no punishment in hell...when you die you are just annihilated.
The view presented in the blog, Conditional Immortalism, does hold to a very real punishment in hell...however, it is only for a designated time. Ultimately, a non-believer, after punishment is destroyed and will no longer exist.
The blog, wisdomandfollyblog.com, is my professor's and his wife's, Jim and Amy Spiegel. Spiegel is a professor of philosophy at Taylor University. At Taylor I was in a band with him and with Steve and Chris Jones. I got really close with them and with Jim's family my last couple years at Taylor.
Many of you know I start many thoughts and stories with, "Well, Spiegel says..."
I hope you are able to get something from his and Amy's blog.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Motorcycle.
I went and looked at a motorcycle today. Unfortunately, the mechanic was working at it so it wasn't in a condition to ride. The bike is pictured second from the left. It's a Kawasaki KMX 200 2 stroke dirt bike/motorcycle. Scott, my roommate, and I rode over on his bike to the mechanic. He left his bike there to get some maintenance done on it. It was awesome riding on the bike over to the mechanic. So freeing to be on a bike...feel the breeze in your face...there's not the jerking and bumping and crowded stuffiness that comes with public transportation. I'm really excited to have a bike of my own and to be able to explore the city with more freedom. The bike I'm looking at is owned by the mechanic...so hopefully, that means it's in good condition.
Should be ready on Wednesday. Perhaps the next post will be sitting on my new motorcycle.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
from Bolivia..
My first post from South America. I arrived here in La Paz, Bolivia on July 26, 2009 at about 6:30 am. We had a very warm welcome from the other staff and other local missionaries as we got our luggage and made our way out of the airport. It was really nice being greeted by warm hugs and handshakes. We were even each given a bottle of water to drink. Hydration is very important the first few days as you adjust to the altitude and the climate.
We were then all shuffled into various vehicles that were to take us to our new homes. Isaac and I are living in a house. It was an interesting adventure getting into the house. None of the keys we had actually worked... So we were forced to jump the gate and open it from the inside. Then the house keys wouldn't work. So we were forced to find a broken window, jimmy the latch, and climb in. Actually...not very encouraging how easy it was to break in :)
But, no worries, we rolled with it. Alison, one of the returning teachers, made us some muffins. She even went to the store while we unpacked and got us a few things to eat, i.e. yogurt, eggs, bread, fruit, milk, cereal. So even though we had to break in, we still felt welcome.
The first week was spent with Ashlyn and Alison showing us the city. Ashlyn and Alison are both returning teachers. They came early to organize and run the orientation week. We learned our way around the city. We learned how to use public transportation. We got cell phones. We went shopping for blankets and things we forgot or were planning on getting here. It was a good week. It was a fairly smooth process...surprisingly. Moving from one Country to another Country can come with all sorts of complications...but I'm actually amazed how quickly I began to feel comfortable and at ease.
This second week has been a Teacher Work Week. All the teachers are here now. And we've been going to the school every day (except today (Thursday) because it's Bolivia Day! Don't forget to celebrate Bolivia's independence!). We've had meetings. We've organized classrooms. We've organized schedules. We've prepared lessons. It's been busy but really good.
It's starting to really sink in that I'm going to be an actual teacher with an actual classroom with actual students giving actual lessons and grades in an actual accredited school...sort of intimidating...okay, very intimidating! But I'm liking my schedule. 8, 9, 10, and 11/12 grade Bible classes. The curriculum looks good. There's just a lot I'm going to have to remember to do, like give out homework assignments and grade papers and stuff like that...teacher stuff that I've never really had to think about doing.
Altitude. Thankfully, hasn't been a huge issue. There's the occasional shortage of breath when going up stairs or climbing hills. I had a couple of interesting experiences going for a run and riding my bike to work...both were fine until the road goes up...then it's amazing how difficult it becomes. Like you're breathing very hard but it's not really helping at all.
...
Well, i started the above post on Thursday evening. It's now Saturday morning. It's rainy out. And we have to go to the school again for Open House for the parents and students. With the rain, I'll be interested to see how many people come.
If no one comes, it will still be good to be there and work on some more lesson plans.
We were then all shuffled into various vehicles that were to take us to our new homes. Isaac and I are living in a house. It was an interesting adventure getting into the house. None of the keys we had actually worked... So we were forced to jump the gate and open it from the inside. Then the house keys wouldn't work. So we were forced to find a broken window, jimmy the latch, and climb in. Actually...not very encouraging how easy it was to break in :)
But, no worries, we rolled with it. Alison, one of the returning teachers, made us some muffins. She even went to the store while we unpacked and got us a few things to eat, i.e. yogurt, eggs, bread, fruit, milk, cereal. So even though we had to break in, we still felt welcome.
The first week was spent with Ashlyn and Alison showing us the city. Ashlyn and Alison are both returning teachers. They came early to organize and run the orientation week. We learned our way around the city. We learned how to use public transportation. We got cell phones. We went shopping for blankets and things we forgot or were planning on getting here. It was a good week. It was a fairly smooth process...surprisingly. Moving from one Country to another Country can come with all sorts of complications...but I'm actually amazed how quickly I began to feel comfortable and at ease.
This second week has been a Teacher Work Week. All the teachers are here now. And we've been going to the school every day (except today (Thursday) because it's Bolivia Day! Don't forget to celebrate Bolivia's independence!). We've had meetings. We've organized classrooms. We've organized schedules. We've prepared lessons. It's been busy but really good.
It's starting to really sink in that I'm going to be an actual teacher with an actual classroom with actual students giving actual lessons and grades in an actual accredited school...sort of intimidating...okay, very intimidating! But I'm liking my schedule. 8, 9, 10, and 11/12 grade Bible classes. The curriculum looks good. There's just a lot I'm going to have to remember to do, like give out homework assignments and grade papers and stuff like that...teacher stuff that I've never really had to think about doing.
Altitude. Thankfully, hasn't been a huge issue. There's the occasional shortage of breath when going up stairs or climbing hills. I had a couple of interesting experiences going for a run and riding my bike to work...both were fine until the road goes up...then it's amazing how difficult it becomes. Like you're breathing very hard but it's not really helping at all.
...
Well, i started the above post on Thursday evening. It's now Saturday morning. It's rainy out. And we have to go to the school again for Open House for the parents and students. With the rain, I'll be interested to see how many people come.
If no one comes, it will still be good to be there and work on some more lesson plans.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Missionary
I'm currently in Southaven, Mississippi. I'm here attending the PFO (pre-field orientation) for my new job teaching through NICS (Network of International Christian Schools) in La Paz, Bolivia.
PFO is 2 weeks of meeting teachers, learning about third culture kids, learning what to expect living, teaching, and serving in a new culture.
It's been good.
I wasn't super excited about these 2 weeks. Mostly because my time is running short here in the US. It's hard to give up 2 weeks when I only have 5 left. However, I'm very hopeful that this will be an invaluable and enriching time.
I had a really interesting and good conversation with Nate at dinner tonight. He's the director at the school in Venezuela.
He was explaining something of the political and spiritual climates in Venezuela and Bolivia...I guess South America in general. It's a dark place. The Bolivian president, Ayma, has been on television offering animal sacrifices...
And the nature of these schools is powerful ministry. Since these schools offer an excellent international education people from all walks of life are willing to come and learn. They are receiving a Christian education along with all the other subjects. But they don't mind "putting up with" I guess the Christian aspect because they are respected, accredited, international schools.
So these schools have a platform to ministry to people that many churches and ministries don't have!
This director, Nate, warned me that it is a battlefield. I need to have people specifically praying for me. I need to specifically begin preparing for ministering and serving in what will definitely be a very difficult place to live and work...
I think the conversation for the first time really brought home what I'm going to do. I'm going to live and serve Jesus Christ as a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia. It can easily feel like just a really cool job...a sweet new opportunity...an awesome international experience in a new culture...which it is ALL those things. I'm excited for the adventure of it all.
However, I don't want to forget the strong spiritual opposition I will encounter.
I definitely need to be prepared. And I definitely need all the prayers I can get.
PFO is 2 weeks of meeting teachers, learning about third culture kids, learning what to expect living, teaching, and serving in a new culture.
It's been good.
I wasn't super excited about these 2 weeks. Mostly because my time is running short here in the US. It's hard to give up 2 weeks when I only have 5 left. However, I'm very hopeful that this will be an invaluable and enriching time.
I had a really interesting and good conversation with Nate at dinner tonight. He's the director at the school in Venezuela.
He was explaining something of the political and spiritual climates in Venezuela and Bolivia...I guess South America in general. It's a dark place. The Bolivian president, Ayma, has been on television offering animal sacrifices...
And the nature of these schools is powerful ministry. Since these schools offer an excellent international education people from all walks of life are willing to come and learn. They are receiving a Christian education along with all the other subjects. But they don't mind "putting up with" I guess the Christian aspect because they are respected, accredited, international schools.
So these schools have a platform to ministry to people that many churches and ministries don't have!
This director, Nate, warned me that it is a battlefield. I need to have people specifically praying for me. I need to specifically begin preparing for ministering and serving in what will definitely be a very difficult place to live and work...
I think the conversation for the first time really brought home what I'm going to do. I'm going to live and serve Jesus Christ as a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia. It can easily feel like just a really cool job...a sweet new opportunity...an awesome international experience in a new culture...which it is ALL those things. I'm excited for the adventure of it all.
However, I don't want to forget the strong spiritual opposition I will encounter.
I definitely need to be prepared. And I definitely need all the prayers I can get.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
12,000 ft...
...is a high elevation. I will call this elevation home for two years. Cincinnati is a lot lower than that...I'm really curious how my body will react and adjust over 2 miles above sea level. I'm anticipating altitude sickness. I've already experienced altitude sickness at 10,000ft in the mountains of Colorado. Just a headache. How long will a headache last? I don't like to take advil...would it even help? Does Coca tea help? How long before I don't feel like a chain smoker just walking around town? Will I ever be able to get in a hard workout? Mountain biking? Trail running?
I hope so.
Will I notice a difference when I'm back in the states visiting?
It will be fun to experience.
I'm not feeling many nerves yet about my trip. I know it will be difficult to leave my family, friends, and the familiar. I know I'll have some depression and loneliness. I know some days I'll probably wonder why in the world I decided to do this...but mostly, I hope I'm just rock solidly founded in Christ, and hope I can rest in the peace knowing that He's in control...even on awful days.
I think what I'm most nervous about is the responsibility of teaching and preaching the Bible to a bunch of non-believing high schoolers...I don't want to just tickle ears. I want to be true to the Word. I want to preach Truth and Love.
I love the approach Piper, Driscoll, Chandler take in their congregations...I want to have that sort of intentional approach.
But it's just a chapel service. Is that different than a church? It's a Bible class to non-believers...I'm not really sure what I'll be teaching.
This first year will be interesting. I hope I can maintain a humble approach to teaching and living in Bolivia. I'm sure I will probably learn as much, if not more, as I'll be teaching...
I hope so.
Will I notice a difference when I'm back in the states visiting?
It will be fun to experience.
I'm not feeling many nerves yet about my trip. I know it will be difficult to leave my family, friends, and the familiar. I know I'll have some depression and loneliness. I know some days I'll probably wonder why in the world I decided to do this...but mostly, I hope I'm just rock solidly founded in Christ, and hope I can rest in the peace knowing that He's in control...even on awful days.
I think what I'm most nervous about is the responsibility of teaching and preaching the Bible to a bunch of non-believing high schoolers...I don't want to just tickle ears. I want to be true to the Word. I want to preach Truth and Love.
I love the approach Piper, Driscoll, Chandler take in their congregations...I want to have that sort of intentional approach.
But it's just a chapel service. Is that different than a church? It's a Bible class to non-believers...I'm not really sure what I'll be teaching.
This first year will be interesting. I hope I can maintain a humble approach to teaching and living in Bolivia. I'm sure I will probably learn as much, if not more, as I'll be teaching...
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Thanks for asking."
I watched There will be Blood last night. Thomas hadn't planned on watching the movie with me. However, there we sat, enthralled. I'll give the film that, it is engaging. Beautiful cinematography. Slow, beautiful study shots. Fascinating characterization. It's an interesting story...I'm not sure what to think, really. The flim kept my undivided attention. It's rare that a movie will do that. I usually get bored, antsy, eager for the credits to roll.
Daniel Day Lewis' character is brilliant. His dialogue. His mannerisms. His expressions. His way of speaking to people. His solitude and privacy.
I would say more...but I'm not ready to yet. I need to ponder this one for a few more days. If you've seen it, then I'd love to read your thoughts and impressions. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth your time.
Daniel Day Lewis' character is brilliant. His dialogue. His mannerisms. His expressions. His way of speaking to people. His solitude and privacy.
I would say more...but I'm not ready to yet. I need to ponder this one for a few more days. If you've seen it, then I'd love to read your thoughts and impressions. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth your time.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Boston Marathon 2009.
I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon on Monday. 26 miles, 385 yards. Hopkinton to Boston. It was an amazing day.
I wasn't nervous about the run. Curious is more how I would describe my feeling. This marathon was the least prepared I'd ever been before a marathon. The past two months I hadn't been running. I ran 12 miles on the Monday a week before the race. I was sore for three days. Then I ran 5 miles on the Friday before the race...before that, it'd been about 7-8 weeks since I'd ran. I haven't been a slug, however; I've been training quite intensely on the bicycle. But still...even with all the cardio and endurance cycling provides...26.2 miles is a long way...and pounding on the legs and body is quite brutal. And being sore after 12 miles, I wasn't quite sure how I would hold up. I was curious. Will I feel okay? Will I have a total melt down? Will it just be average? Will I pull out some sort of crazy feat?
The weekend was great. I stayed with friends in Boston on the North shore. My friend Laura also went for the weekend. So it was a great time being with friends. Very relaxing.
Another friend, Angie, was also running the race. I stayed with her on Sunday night, close to downtown, in her apt. It was great having a friend also running the race. We were able to encourage each other in our lack of preparations :) Her brother made us breakfast in the morning. And it was nice just having a friend on the bus to Hopkinton.
Race morning was perfect. The weather was cool and slightly overcast. The energy in Hopkinton was fabulous. 26,000+ runners taking care of last minute race preparations. Talking, laughing, hanging out, getting ready. Sort of a nervous energy just crackling through the town.
I ran Boston in 2007...the worst weather I've ever run in. COLD. WINDY. RAINY. It was awful. I mean, it was sweet running Boston, but it was awful. The runners suffered. The times suffered. The crowd turn out suffered.
I remember being impressed with the crowd in 2007. It was still a lot more people cheering than normal. And I remember being a bit sceptical when people told me it was probably about 1/10th of the normal turnout.
They were not exaggerating.
Since the weather on Monday was so beautiful, the crowds were full and energetic. The number of screaming spectators along almost the entire 26.2 mile length of road was overwhelming! People handing out water and gatorade. Kids asking for "high fives" and handing out orange slices. It was great! It awesome how the city gets behind this race. And definitely made running a lot more enjoyable.
My run went well. I was maintaining about a 7 minute mile pace for most of the race. I was really good about staying relaxed and focused, not letting the crowd or the downhill sections lure me into running faster than I knew I should. I was on pace to do it in just over 3 hours, thinking maybe if I felt good enough I could pick it up at the end and come in under 3 hours. However, the last 6 miles or so, the hills took it out of me. I never slowed down too much, but I also didn't have the leg turnover to pick up the pace at all. I finished with a time of 3 hours and 7 minutes.
The highlight of the race: Wellsley College. There's a big sign proceeding the Wellsley section which reads, "Feel the Scream." They are not kidding. About a half mile before you get to Wellsley you can already hear them screaming. And when you get there...it's wild. 1000s of screaming college girls :) holding signs that say "Kiss me!" Well, all right. Mostly I just ran along the fence giving "high fives." A few times, though, I went for it. Twice I got cheeked...they turned their faces at the last second. One time, though; money. Wellsley...yeah, I'll be back to Boston some day :)
So, yes. It was a great weekend. Great time with friends. Great time relaxing away from work and the daily grind. And a great race. I'm quite sore, though. I think I'll just relax and take it easy.
I wasn't nervous about the run. Curious is more how I would describe my feeling. This marathon was the least prepared I'd ever been before a marathon. The past two months I hadn't been running. I ran 12 miles on the Monday a week before the race. I was sore for three days. Then I ran 5 miles on the Friday before the race...before that, it'd been about 7-8 weeks since I'd ran. I haven't been a slug, however; I've been training quite intensely on the bicycle. But still...even with all the cardio and endurance cycling provides...26.2 miles is a long way...and pounding on the legs and body is quite brutal. And being sore after 12 miles, I wasn't quite sure how I would hold up. I was curious. Will I feel okay? Will I have a total melt down? Will it just be average? Will I pull out some sort of crazy feat?
The weekend was great. I stayed with friends in Boston on the North shore. My friend Laura also went for the weekend. So it was a great time being with friends. Very relaxing.
Another friend, Angie, was also running the race. I stayed with her on Sunday night, close to downtown, in her apt. It was great having a friend also running the race. We were able to encourage each other in our lack of preparations :) Her brother made us breakfast in the morning. And it was nice just having a friend on the bus to Hopkinton.
Race morning was perfect. The weather was cool and slightly overcast. The energy in Hopkinton was fabulous. 26,000+ runners taking care of last minute race preparations. Talking, laughing, hanging out, getting ready. Sort of a nervous energy just crackling through the town.
I ran Boston in 2007...the worst weather I've ever run in. COLD. WINDY. RAINY. It was awful. I mean, it was sweet running Boston, but it was awful. The runners suffered. The times suffered. The crowd turn out suffered.
I remember being impressed with the crowd in 2007. It was still a lot more people cheering than normal. And I remember being a bit sceptical when people told me it was probably about 1/10th of the normal turnout.
They were not exaggerating.
Since the weather on Monday was so beautiful, the crowds were full and energetic. The number of screaming spectators along almost the entire 26.2 mile length of road was overwhelming! People handing out water and gatorade. Kids asking for "high fives" and handing out orange slices. It was great! It awesome how the city gets behind this race. And definitely made running a lot more enjoyable.
My run went well. I was maintaining about a 7 minute mile pace for most of the race. I was really good about staying relaxed and focused, not letting the crowd or the downhill sections lure me into running faster than I knew I should. I was on pace to do it in just over 3 hours, thinking maybe if I felt good enough I could pick it up at the end and come in under 3 hours. However, the last 6 miles or so, the hills took it out of me. I never slowed down too much, but I also didn't have the leg turnover to pick up the pace at all. I finished with a time of 3 hours and 7 minutes.
The highlight of the race: Wellsley College. There's a big sign proceeding the Wellsley section which reads, "Feel the Scream." They are not kidding. About a half mile before you get to Wellsley you can already hear them screaming. And when you get there...it's wild. 1000s of screaming college girls :) holding signs that say "Kiss me!" Well, all right. Mostly I just ran along the fence giving "high fives." A few times, though, I went for it. Twice I got cheeked...they turned their faces at the last second. One time, though; money. Wellsley...yeah, I'll be back to Boston some day :)
So, yes. It was a great weekend. Great time with friends. Great time relaxing away from work and the daily grind. And a great race. I'm quite sore, though. I think I'll just relax and take it easy.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Into the Wild.
I finished the movie Into the Wild for the second time. It's becoming one of my favorites. It is a difficult movie to watch. The story is beautiful and tragic. It hangs heavy with me. After the movie is over I can feel the film for a couple days...
I think the film is such an experience for several reasons:
1. In some ways the character, Alexander Supertramp, reminds me of my bubby. The movie is sad...and makes me even sadder when I imagine this happening to my brother.
2. In general, the character is likeable. The people he meets love him. You, the viewer, love him. It's sad to imagine their feelings and reactions when they found out what happened.
3. The end is just so tragic. He journeys to Alaska alone. While there he comes to realize that "Happiness only real when shared." However, at this point he's trapped. The river is flooded and can't be crossed. He also mistakenly eats a poisonous plant. So you long for him to leave, journey back to his friends, and really start embracing life...but he can't. You watch him die.
4. And the story is just good. It's inspiring. You love what he's doing and how he's doing it.
I also like how the film is set up. It is set up like chapters of his life. The chapters have a flow to them. You see his childhood, becoming a man, learning wisdom, etc. And while the flow of the chapters makes a lot of sense, the timing is all over the place. The things he learns have a study flow, a logical progression. However, the time in which they're learned jumps all over the place. He might learn something while on the Bus in Alaska. Then his next lesson comes before he even leaves for Alaska. Perhaps that helps us as the viewer to see life more completely...not as a series of random events, lessons learned along the way, but as our collective experiences, relationships, past and present, shaping us and molding us into who we are. I like that.
The movie awakens in me a desire for adventure. I love his spirit. I love his refusal to settle. He's not charmed by things of this world: power, fame, wealth. I do not want to be charmed by these things either. However, there is also a twinge of sadness throughout the movie. You see him in relationship with people he meets along the way...and it's sad that he's choosing such a lonely road. Especially, in the end, at his end, when he realizes what he's missing, the people he's missing...and as happy as he's been in the mountains of Alaska, it would have been made sweeter by sharing it with loved ones.
It's hard to reconcile these two things in my mind. He awakens in me a desire to live freely and adventurously. However, I also share his desire for community and relationship...for a family. I'm wondering how the two go together. I don't think the only answer is living like a hippy in Slab City. Part of me wants to sell it all and just go on the road, into the wild. However, I know from past experiences, and also from watching his experience, that would not ultimately satisfy. We are made to be in relationship and in community.
Ultimately I want to honor God with my life. I don't want to settle. I don't want to just slip into the mainstream. However, I also don't want unrealistic romantic ideas of what life should look like to keep me from being happy or content.
I'm excited about Bolivia. It will certainly be an adventure. I'm stepping into the unknown. New job. New people. New place. New language. New culture. I pray that I can constantly rely on the Lord for strength, for wisdom, for peace.
4. And the story is just good. It's inspiring. You love what he's doing and how he's doing it.
I also like how the film is set up. It is set up like chapters of his life. The chapters have a flow to them. You see his childhood, becoming a man, learning wisdom, etc. And while the flow of the chapters makes a lot of sense, the timing is all over the place. The things he learns have a study flow, a logical progression. However, the time in which they're learned jumps all over the place. He might learn something while on the Bus in Alaska. Then his next lesson comes before he even leaves for Alaska. Perhaps that helps us as the viewer to see life more completely...not as a series of random events, lessons learned along the way, but as our collective experiences, relationships, past and present, shaping us and molding us into who we are. I like that.
The movie awakens in me a desire for adventure. I love his spirit. I love his refusal to settle. He's not charmed by things of this world: power, fame, wealth. I do not want to be charmed by these things either. However, there is also a twinge of sadness throughout the movie. You see him in relationship with people he meets along the way...and it's sad that he's choosing such a lonely road. Especially, in the end, at his end, when he realizes what he's missing, the people he's missing...and as happy as he's been in the mountains of Alaska, it would have been made sweeter by sharing it with loved ones.
It's hard to reconcile these two things in my mind. He awakens in me a desire to live freely and adventurously. However, I also share his desire for community and relationship...for a family. I'm wondering how the two go together. I don't think the only answer is living like a hippy in Slab City. Part of me wants to sell it all and just go on the road, into the wild. However, I know from past experiences, and also from watching his experience, that would not ultimately satisfy. We are made to be in relationship and in community.
Ultimately I want to honor God with my life. I don't want to settle. I don't want to just slip into the mainstream. However, I also don't want unrealistic romantic ideas of what life should look like to keep me from being happy or content.
I'm excited about Bolivia. It will certainly be an adventure. I'm stepping into the unknown. New job. New people. New place. New language. New culture. I pray that I can constantly rely on the Lord for strength, for wisdom, for peace.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Death and Resurrection
I've been thinking about Christ's death and resurrection lately.
I think I understand the point of the death. I'm sure I don't understand it fully. But I get that Christ lived a perfect life. The penalty of our sin is death. And Christ paid that penalty on the cross. He took the punishment for my sin. He had to die because of my sin, our sin. He is the atoning sacrifice. Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Penal - death is required. Substitutionary - Christ died in my place. Atonement - through his blood we're made one with God, the relationship is reconciled.
And I believe in the resurrection. I believe Christ rose from the dead after three days. I believe that it was prophesied. I believe he said he was going to come back to life. However, I have trouble getting my mind around why he had to come back to life. What did it accomplish...what was completed with him coming back to life?
My friends and my mom have given some good insights.
The wages of sin is death. Jesus paid the penalty in dying and conquered death by coming back to life. So death has no power over us. We are in Christ, we are new creation.
Jesus is also our High Priest. He is our intercessor before God. In coming back to life, he returns and is our constant and eternal intercessor.
Also, the fact that he said he was coming back to life. Coming back to life and appearing to his disciples, proved who he is! He is who he said he was!
So, yeah, this really has nothing with endurance sports, or going to Bolivia...just something that was on my mind.
I'd love to hear/read any further thoughts.
I think I understand the point of the death. I'm sure I don't understand it fully. But I get that Christ lived a perfect life. The penalty of our sin is death. And Christ paid that penalty on the cross. He took the punishment for my sin. He had to die because of my sin, our sin. He is the atoning sacrifice. Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Penal - death is required. Substitutionary - Christ died in my place. Atonement - through his blood we're made one with God, the relationship is reconciled.
And I believe in the resurrection. I believe Christ rose from the dead after three days. I believe that it was prophesied. I believe he said he was going to come back to life. However, I have trouble getting my mind around why he had to come back to life. What did it accomplish...what was completed with him coming back to life?
My friends and my mom have given some good insights.
The wages of sin is death. Jesus paid the penalty in dying and conquered death by coming back to life. So death has no power over us. We are in Christ, we are new creation.
Jesus is also our High Priest. He is our intercessor before God. In coming back to life, he returns and is our constant and eternal intercessor.
Also, the fact that he said he was coming back to life. Coming back to life and appearing to his disciples, proved who he is! He is who he said he was!
So, yeah, this really has nothing with endurance sports, or going to Bolivia...just something that was on my mind.
I'd love to hear/read any further thoughts.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Ironman? Not this year...
As I mentioned earlier, James 4 has been the verse, or verses, of the year.
I had big plans for 2009. I was signed up to compete in the 2009 Louisville Ironman. I had my training regime all worked out. I was going to swim and run through the winter...ride when weather permitted. I was going to train hard for the 2009 Boston Marathon. I figured that would break up the focus of the training year. I could focus hard on the marathon. Then after the marathon I could focus hard on the Ironman. It was all planned out. I was motivated. I was enjoying being in the pool...a first for me. I was running well, swimming better, and cycling well. It was looking to be a great first Ironman.
Things started to go awry when a job opportunity came along. Late in December I heard about and applied for an overseas teaching position. There's a school in La Paz, Bolivia called Highlands International School. It is a Christian school. I have a friend who's been teaching there for the past three years. She loves her job and the stories and adventures she goes on always sound amazing. Well, I was informed of an opening at this school for the Spiritual Life Director... I applied. I interviewed. I was offered. I accepted!
Initially, I was hoping I could take the job and compete in the Ironman...surely it would all work out. As I continued with the interview process, however, the Ironman started to seem less and less likely. School would start in the middle of August. I would need to be there end of July...best case scenario, I would come home for the Ironman weekend, compete, fly back and continue teaching.
The director didn't think this to be the ideal situation. It would make me miss a lot of school. I would miss a lot of training... and it would have made for a grueling week of traveling and competition... So the more I thought and prayed about it, I decided to forgo the Ironman and take this job.
So that's what I've done. I have decided not to compete the Louisville Ironman. I leave for Bolivia on July 25!!!
I'm excited. really excited. It feels like God has a hold of my life. I'm on the road to God only knows.
I'm still running Boston Marathon. It's next Monday. But since Louisville fell through my training hasn't really been going great...I've been cycling a TON! But running...not so much. So Monday will be interesting.
Should make for a fun weekend, though. I'm going to Boston with one of my close friends and we're meeting up with and staying with some of our close friends. Should be awesome.
I can't promise that I'll write an update after the marathon...but I will try.
This blog is no longer an Ironman training blog ("when was it ever an ironman training blog?") I will try to keep things current though. I will try to share about my experiences in Bolivia, teaching, living, serving.
Keep it real, y'all.
I had big plans for 2009. I was signed up to compete in the 2009 Louisville Ironman. I had my training regime all worked out. I was going to swim and run through the winter...ride when weather permitted. I was going to train hard for the 2009 Boston Marathon. I figured that would break up the focus of the training year. I could focus hard on the marathon. Then after the marathon I could focus hard on the Ironman. It was all planned out. I was motivated. I was enjoying being in the pool...a first for me. I was running well, swimming better, and cycling well. It was looking to be a great first Ironman.
Things started to go awry when a job opportunity came along. Late in December I heard about and applied for an overseas teaching position. There's a school in La Paz, Bolivia called Highlands International School. It is a Christian school. I have a friend who's been teaching there for the past three years. She loves her job and the stories and adventures she goes on always sound amazing. Well, I was informed of an opening at this school for the Spiritual Life Director... I applied. I interviewed. I was offered. I accepted!
Initially, I was hoping I could take the job and compete in the Ironman...surely it would all work out. As I continued with the interview process, however, the Ironman started to seem less and less likely. School would start in the middle of August. I would need to be there end of July...best case scenario, I would come home for the Ironman weekend, compete, fly back and continue teaching.
The director didn't think this to be the ideal situation. It would make me miss a lot of school. I would miss a lot of training... and it would have made for a grueling week of traveling and competition... So the more I thought and prayed about it, I decided to forgo the Ironman and take this job.
So that's what I've done. I have decided not to compete the Louisville Ironman. I leave for Bolivia on July 25!!!
I'm excited. really excited. It feels like God has a hold of my life. I'm on the road to God only knows.
I'm still running Boston Marathon. It's next Monday. But since Louisville fell through my training hasn't really been going great...I've been cycling a TON! But running...not so much. So Monday will be interesting.
Should make for a fun weekend, though. I'm going to Boston with one of my close friends and we're meeting up with and staying with some of our close friends. Should be awesome.
I can't promise that I'll write an update after the marathon...but I will try.
This blog is no longer an Ironman training blog ("when was it ever an ironman training blog?") I will try to keep things current though. I will try to share about my experiences in Bolivia, teaching, living, serving.
Keep it real, y'all.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Verse of the year...
James 4:13-17
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
"Go to such and such a place...run marathons...compete in Ironmans..."
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
"Go to such and such a place...run marathons...compete in Ironmans..."
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