Christ-mas Contentment ( Part 2 )

....but Mary treasured up all these things & pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

"Treasured Up"....I wonder if that meant contentment @ the time ?

I wonder if she had any................................................

"IDEA" ????

Merry Christ-mas !

Christ-mas Contentment ( Part 1 )

This has been & continues to be an interesting year.

Constant talk of economic woes , job insecurities , & overall
"Doom & Gloom" dominate the airwaves , television & the internet (thank-you Al Gore). I am looking for some relief from the onslaught of negativity.

Maybe my solution is to be found in the Nativity . What about a bail-out from the Christ - Child ? Do you think He could rescue us (me) from the "Money-Man" ? Do you think the Messiah gives a flyin' flip about our (my) financial & or material "woes" ?

These have been topics of minor discussion w/ some of my friends as well as members of the Ninth Ward Social Club. We often talk of "money matters" when we run & also during the business day (thanks C.J.!) . Usually we discuss things such as excess ( Hummers, for example) or wishing we had "this or that" payment finished etc.

However , I am thankful that the people w/ whom I am around the most are a content lot. Even yesterday , during a nice 10 mile effort w/ a couple of N.W.S.C. members , the topic of contentment reared it's head.

On the "home stretch", the former Cross-Country stand out Gwayne finds a "ten spot" less than two tenths of a mile from the finish ! I am sure this was not "luck" as some would deem it , however, I was a little "dis-contented" @ my friends fortune.

What makes you "dis-contented" ? How are you "envious" of another's position or circumstance ?

Try this "tip" as we enter the Christ-mas season........ask the "Holy One" for a "bail-out"....ask Him to give you the gift of "contentment" this season . See if He will not give you the gift of being free from envy & jealousy of other's possessions & positions & circumstances (even if it's finding $ 10.00 while running ! )

Try it.....it's OK to go ahead & open it early !!!

Phillipians 4:11; I am not saying this because I am in need , for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

** to be continued....

"Confrontation"

I would like to thank the "Juice" ( O.J. Simpson for you "non sports" people ) for providing the basis for this edition of "The Runnin' Redneck".

I have never met O.J.personally , but I want to congratulate him for winning the "Quote of the Week" contest. This wasn't a public contest per se , but it did spark the creative "juices" ( no pun intended ! ) for me this time.
I have kept you in suspense long enough...& the winner is:

"...I thought I was confronting friends & trying to retreive my property".

Maybe O.J. should look in to ( in a few years) a career in politics. That could quite possibly be the best "spin" that I have ever heard in my relatively young life !

No problem "Juice" , when you have a little situation that requires some confrontation , just take a couple of "pals" & some guns & work it out !
Is it any wonder why God flooded the earth ?
Anyway......I digress !

What do we do when a situation arises that needs correction or confrontation ? Talk about it w/ others in a gossiping fashion ? Throw that person "under the bus" & have nothing further to do but "talk behind their back" ?

What should we do when a situation arises when we must confront ? Fortunately for us as followers of Christ , the Bible gives us instructions on how to handle those "sticky" situations .

It is , or probably will not be easy , however when followed , the situation will always work out to the benefit of all that are involved.

Per the Apostle Paul : Dear brothers & sisters , if another Christian is overcome by some sin , you who are godly should gently & humbly help that person back onto the right path. Gal.6:1

Do you think that is a more productive way ? Make no mistake however that Paul could bring some "heat" into the situation if it was warranted. " Oh really" you say ! ?

For further reading ( in case you are ever in need ) :
2 Cor.7 & 2 Cor. 11:22 - 27 & 2 Cor.13:2

Gobble Wobble Results

The 10th. Annual or so Gobble Wobble was a success....a quality group of "Wobblers" this year braving the 25 degree frosty clear morning . Quality run w/ deer & rabbit sightings as well as good conversation.

Statistics as follows:
6436 yds. from the "tips"
Par 72
Time 46:26
"Good Times"

Happy Thanksgiving do the "Gobble Wobble"

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you !

I have been thinking of a few things of which I am thankful..I guess this edition will be a bit of a "repeat" for most....you know , the typical "thanks" for family, friends , health, jobs, the list goes on to "infinity & beyond"!**

However , I realize that there is alot for which I am thankful. I am very thankful for my loving wife & our kids. I am thankful for my home & my job. I am certainly thankful for my friends...even when we "bust each others' chops"! I am thankful for my church family & my health. I am thankful for the country in which we live. On & on & on.......

Make a list or mental note for the things in which you are thankful . Really think about it ! Look all around....you will have no trouble finding all sorts of things in which you can be appreciative.

So, enjoy the week (a short one for most)...eat lots of turkey & all the trimmings , watch some football & parades w/ family & friends....slow down a bit & be thankful.

Oh yeah....if you feel so inclined...do a Turkey Trot or in our case..a "Gobble Wobble".....burn off some of that "thankfulness"!

See ya' next time...........

**Buzz Lightyear in "Toy Story"

1 Thessalonians 5:17 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

"Feeding the Pig" or "Two Sides to Every Coin" pt.2

Hopefully a few of you have read the last edition & looked up the scriptures to get an idea of what I was writing about. Perhaps, I even created some interest in wanting to know where I was headed w/ my thoughts.

I warned ya' that I like to ramble & this will be no different I suppose.

Since my last post..we ran our usual Thursday morning run & guess what happened....You got it ! I found 35 cents !! Feeding the Pig indeed !! To find more than a few cents @ a time is rare..but 35 cents... Sweet !! In case you are wondering...I didn't check to see if the coins were "heads or tails" ! I grabbed 'em up & took off running to catch my boys !! ( No one waits for change hounds).

By now you must be wondering where in the world is he going w/ this ? I will try & be brief !

I stated that I am no political guru & I readily admit that the Presidential Election did not go my way. I am no fan of bigger government & I disagree w/ Mr. Obama's "spread the wealth ideas" & I feel strongly about his voting record on abortion issues.........HOWEVER....

There are "Two Sides to Every Coin". I have stated in the past that I am a follower of Christ , so what side of the"coin " does that put me ??

1 Timothy 2:1-2; I urge you first of all , to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them & give thanks . Pray this way for kings & all others who are in authority , so we can live in peace & quiteness , in godliness & dignity.

"Feeding the Pig" or "Two Sides to Every Coin"

I am glad that the election is finally over !! Does it seem that this has been going on forever or what ? Now before you get all worked up & think this is going to be a political message.....I just say "hold on" & allow me to ramble for awhile.... !

A founding member of the "Kickin' the Rooster , 9th Ward Social Club" & I have a fondness for picking up change that we see while we are running. I thought that perhaps we were the only ones doing this until I read an article on http://www.runnersworld.com/ about the same subject . I was a little "miffed" that someone had stolen my idea , but hey...it's a free country ! I am rambling , but I warned ya' !

Anyway..I (we) have found several coins on our routes , always picking them up regardless of whether it is "heads or tails". Which brings me to another point...( I warned ya') that I don't believe in "luck", so I pick up my "finds" , against another members advice , bring them home & "feed the pig" ! I don't really know what I have"banked" over the miles, but it isn't enough to allow early retirement !

So I haven't gotten rich & I am picking up coins whether or not the right side of the coin is "up"...what does that have to do w/ anything about the election ? Glad you asked !!

I warned ya' that I was going to ramble....."Feeding the Pig" ....

1 Samuel 8:5 , 19-22: ......"give us a king like all the other nations have".
But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. " Even so, we still want a king " they said. " We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will govern us & lead us into battle".
So Samuel told the Lord what the people had said , and the Lord replied, "Do as they say, & give them a king". Then Samuel agreed & sent the people home.

Continued......next time , "Two sides to Every Coin".

My Turn or "Oh No..Thank-You " !

I think I am suffering from mental block...this issue of "Runnin' Redneck" is going to be a short one ! It isn't that I don't have anything to say really, it's just that I am @ a loss of words because I have been somewhat humbled this week.

There were several instances this week in which some folks made a point to say that they appreciated things I had said or written etc. The fact that someone took time to say that to me this week caught me a bit "off guard".

For starters, I had a visit from a former co-worker ( who now lives in Missouri) that I had not seen in 16 years ! He had retired & wanted to see some people in Tennessee , so he just started driving & visiting etc. A friend of mine told me that he was coming to see me. He arrived & we visited for about 2 hours & he went on his way.
He thanked me for a note that I had written him when he left our company....made me think...my turn...Oh no , thank-you !

One of my close friends ( http://www.dinosenesi.blogspot.com/) just completed his first half - marathon. I have been just as excited about it as he was & we have been exchanging plans & how to deal w/ aches & pains & all of the "running stuff " , questions etc. in which he asked my opinion.
He did well in his "half "..hit his goal , & sent me an e-mail that thanked me for my help. Made me think...my turn ...Oh no , thank -you !

Lastly , another person that didn't give me enough points on the UT / Alabama game won the high stakes wager of a cup of coffee @ a great coffee shop in the area. After agreeing to the "points ", he complimented me on this blog ( imagine that ! ). Made me think...my turn...Oh no ..thank - you !

I admit that this hasn't been earth shattering , but allow me to say that these events struck me this week.
Would I take the time to drive a long distance to see someone ? Would I send someone a note to thank them for my input on my race ? Would I compliment someone on things that they had written that spoke to me ?

Thank - you for making me think this past week.....

Ephesians 4:29;.....Let everything you say be good & helpful , so that your words will be an encouragement to those that hear them.

INCOMPLETE

I have had a rather boring week...sometimes that is a welcomed thing..mostly though even boring gets boring after a day or so.

I was "incomplete" for most of this week. My wife was away on business & I was left to " hold down the fort". Makes one appreciate our wives. We have been "yoked" for almost 24 years & I am truly " incomplete" when she is away etc.

Now, I will be truthful & say that I certainly enjoy time to myself , but I wouldn't want to have it that way too often. We are about being active together & going places together & basically just trying hard (w/ God's grace ) not to become a statistic. I am very thankful for her indeed !

For those of you that are married...I pray that you will be persistent in growing old together . My prayer would be that we would always realize that things will not be perfect, but we will persevere until the end.

So...this week, I hope ,will not be as boring....we are "complete" & looking foward to another time of learning ( whatever that may include) how to be good finishers !

Proverbs 31:10 & 11-12
Who can find a virtuous & capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies.
Her husband can trust her, & she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life.

What Did Ya' Lose This Week ?

How did you finish the week? What did you lose this week?

Certainly the topic of most conversation has been the current "economic crisis" in our country as well as the world.
So...what did you lose this week ?

Thousands of dollars.....going to have to work another lifetime? Did you find yourself "lighter" this week....maybe not just in the hip pocket, but what about your weight perhaps ? Hopefully you didn't lose your keys or your favorite coffee mug or something of that nature !

I lost a couple of running days due to an unexpected visit from Achilles Tendonitis ! Please don't weep openly...!

We spend an entire lifetime trying to hold on to things don't we ? We work & save so as to not lose a retirement...we put keys in the "same ol' spot" so they won't be lost. We tag our pets...some tag their clothes ..the list goes on & on.

Our gain or "will to succeed "drives us doesn't it.....Really think about that....."DOESN'T IT" ?

If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul ? Is anything worth more than your soul ?
MATT. 16:25-26

ACL Baby !! ( I Dont' Mean Anterior Cruciate Ligament Either !)

I am most happy to report that I ( we ) have returned safely from the Vortex , otherwise known as the Austin City Limits Music Festival.


Allow me to "set the tone", if you will.....Our son is a Senior in High School this year . He is a huge music fan & a very good guitar player ...particularly "Texas Blues" i.e. Stevie Ray Vaughn etc. , so w/ that being said , his wish for a graduation gift was to attend the ACL.

After much planning ( by my wife ,a former travel agent) & saving ($$) the time was upon us to travel to Austin,Tx. to this 3 day festival.

I am a fan of music & the city of Austin , however I was a little hesitant about this event.
We arrived Thursday & after a nice meal @ Magnolia Cafe ,we settled in to be ready for the concerts on Friday.We arrived @ the gates to Zilker Park & were "in" about 11:00 AM.

Oh my gosh !!! 45 acres of park space w/ 8 stages , food courts, art tents & porta-johns too numerous to mention! The music was ongoing & we took it all in @ a slow pace.
After listening to: ( I'll mention ONLY the ones I liked!), Eli Young Band, Freddie Jones Band & Jackob Dylan we left & headed out to eat.

Saturday brought more of the same ( Longhorns vs. Razorbacks also) & the music was great w/ John Fogerty , Black Keys & Allison Krauss & Robert Plant as well as others. I enjoyed alot of the music & alot I didn't care for @ all. Austin enjoyed the music & food & got to visit SRV's statue @ Town Lake Trail (awesome running place) & also visited a guitar shop where SRV shopped.

Well , to bring all of this to closure, I will say that I am thankful that I live where I do & that for the most part people are God-fearing folks here. I was surrounded down there w/ filthy language & the constant scent of "wild herb" burning ! It was a place to realize....just as Jakob Dylan sang..."Evil is Alive & Well" !

I am not w/o fault to be sure , but I was thankfully reminded of the price that Christ paid for all of us to have our sins forgiven & live w/ HIM eternally. I am thankful also of the time I had w/ my son to enjoy w/ him something that he really looked foward to doing.

So , no running wisdom this time (although Austin is A HUGE "running town" ) & I did visit a Run Tex store. To be sure , I was glad to be back in this "running town" , ready to rock & roll & most importantly .....clear out my lungs !!!

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned & fall short of God's glorious standard.

Friends, Lines & Porta-Johns

What goes on in & around lines is a study in humanity . I enjoy being around folks ( for the most part) & conversation is a significant part of my career & social life.

I have enjoyed quite a few "conversations" this week. The subjects have ranged from the financial crisis , football, work related, this Blogspot (thanks to Bill , my P.R. director!) & of course during our running. It seems to me that we are defintely created to be "social creatures" to one degree or another.

I met some new folks this week @ a meeting & of course talked w/ old friends @ work & while running. I even had some brief conversation in the lunch line & of all places ,while waiting to use the Porta John ! BTW , have you ever been in that line ? !
Anyway , the art of conversation is becoming a lost art. Blame the Ipod generation or whatever you choose. We have simply gotten away from it @ times.

I am thankful for conversation this week. I am thankful for friends that listen & talk back while we run or waiting in line @ a meeting. So, "thanks" ( you know who you are ! ), for the "words" ...even though you might have been bored or"pre-occupied" w/ something else !,@ least you "faked"it !!!

Seek some conversation, encourage someone, slow down & have some coffee on the porch ....it will be worth it to all !!

Proverbs 17:17: A friend is always loyal, & a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 18:24: There are "friends" that destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

The Trail of Blood,Sweat & Tears !

Ok....I admit the title is not original, but there is an

element of truth to it ! BTW, I do remember the band Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Yesterday, a couple of members of the Kickin' the Rooster Ninth Ward Social Club & I participated (key word!) in the Bays Mt. 15 Mile Trail Run.

This is no "pattie cake" event....it is 15 miles of trails , some single track & plenty of rocks & hills.

Did I mention that there were HILLS ?

The day was humid, but otherwise perfect for a trail race. Plenty of fun was ahead for all !

The race starts w/ an immediate 4.5 mile plodfest up to a fire tower & then goes pretty much "solo backwoods " for the next 7 or so miles & comes back around a lake & finishes @ a wildlife exhibit.

It is some of the most beautiful country one can see in this area. The mountain views ( when you aren't gagging to breathe & can look up !) are spectacular. The backwoods are a welcomed "quiet place" where running is truly a pleasure.

I didn't have quite the day that I wanted, but the "boys" & I will be back ! ( remember Thin Lizzy!) I finished in 2:26, after running ,walking ,falling & praying & running again.

My friends Bill , Jon & David had a great race...finishing in the 2:37 area. Congrats to them ..the first time @ that distance for all !! We all had a hard working fun time , but there was a sense of accomplishment w/ this one.

I say all of that to say this:

I am a Christ Follower & I am in absolute awe on days like yesterday of His Creation ! The scenery was beautiful , the plants & wildlife were all on display. What about the human body ? What a "machine" !!! The man that won the race was 1:35 !!! All of those different created "machines" pushing themselves to their personal limits for the day. Makes one feel humble indeed !

Don't be in such a hurry that you can't check out His creation this week. We are truly blessed , if we have sight to see! Read Psalm 19 & check out verses on His Creation.

Psalm 19:4-5

The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it. It bursts forth like a bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run a race.

"You Started When it Was Raining"?

"You started when it was raining" ? That was the question asked by a fellow "runner" that I talked to tonight @ the gym. As I mentioned previously we " runners" tend to be an obsessive lot...sometimes borderline idiotic i.e. "running when it started" !

It has been another terribly dry summer here...thankfully today we had a nice , much needed rain. Which brings me to our run this morning:

A charter member of the Kickin' the Rooster Club & I headed out this morning while it was raining steadily. ( Some members of our "club" were "no shows") attributed to the rain or simply being smarter...you decide ! The longer we were out , the harder it rained...it was a "soaker" & we were in the middle of it ! Now I realize that this is no great accomplishment , BUT , when is the last time that you did something that didn't make sense just for the heck of it ??!

Don't be afraid to "start when it was raining "....do something for the sake of the puddles !

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made , let us rejoice & be glad in it !

Taking Things for Granted

"People that run " OR "runners" ( whatever the case may be ) tend to be obsessive about the sport. I know, I claim one of the above titles ( whatever the case may be ) , so I can say w/o a doubt that this tends to be true.

After yesterdays 10k, my Running Buddies & I ( all members of the Kickin' the Rooster Ninth Ward Social Club) , were re-hashing our times. What went right , what went wrong, how we felt, who we beat & who we couldn't believe beat us & "where did he come from"? & on & on...you get the picture !

As we were walking toward the water & fruit tents, I spotted one of our local Heroes . He is a young man about seventeen or so that is well known in the area. He had just participated in the 3k event & was talking w/ some folks as my freind & I walked by. The thing about this young Hero is that he is a double amputee...running on prosthetics ! He was enjoying the "congrats" from folks as they passed by.

My friend & I were whining & moaning about how we could have done better etc. , when I realized that we were missing the whole point of the moment. We take so much for granted ! Here was a man w/ prosthetic legs & I was whining about my race time. I bet he wasn't concerned about next time or how he could overlook the joy of the moment & instead focus on "getting better". He was taking it all in !!

What all do you take for granted ? Why not challenge yourself today to be thankful for the day & be content w/ what the moment gives ?

Focus on the race yes, but be happy you are able to run !!
The Apostle Paul put it this way: " ......I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances ." Phil. 4:11

Pretty Good Time !

Pretty Good Time for me today @ the 10k considering a summer cold & running on 1 & 1/2 lungs ! 42:45 (plodder's time)...8th in the age group...strong group this year w/ the top two under 40 minutes.

My lovely bride won her age group & brought home some hardware ! ( It's the training!)

Good turn out on a humid , overcast day. No one puked except my friend's daughter !

15 mile trail race next...Good Times ! This is a tough one !

New Adventure

This is a new adventure for me....We will see how it goes & maybe have some fun & share some runnin' tales & stories !