Running Partners, Part 3

I just returned from a long run. It was my first two hour run since my last marathon, so it was an interesting experience. The weather was cloudy and damp, with occasional showers, but I enjoyed the run.
I spent the first hour running with John Piper. Amazingly he was able to keep up and preach an entire sermon on 2 Corinthians 8 (I believe God is trying to tell me something since I have heard three excellent sermons on the same passage in less than three weeks! Pastor Odens just spoke on the passage yesterday stressing that we must be involved in not only Thanksgiving, but "Thanks-living.")
Then after John Piper had finished, I switched running partners and ran around Lake Harriet with Don Carson. He was being interviewed about the importance of theological training. This interview is a must listen for any student, pastor, or theologically concerned believer. One of his many convicting statements was that "many theological students enter seminary seeking to be mastered by the Word, but gradually fade into desiring to only master the Word" (This is a rough quote since we were running around the lake). He also discussed the danger of having an "upstairs and "downstairs" in a students spiritual life. The student diligently studies the text downstairs, and attempts to live a pious life upstairs, but they never meet.
The final half hour was spent surrounded by some of my favorite Christian artists singing about the Gospel and glories which await those who believe.
The only real regret I had was that I didn't bring along some food! I got so hungry that I was tempted to stop at every gas station and restaurant and ask for a sample!

What is a leaf pile if you can't jump in it?

Remodeling

In our new home we have decided to take on a drastic remodeling. We are getting rid of our windows. Now this may seem overly aggressive to some of you, but we have weighed the evidence and have determined that this is for the best. Here is what we have found:

The positive elements for keeping windows -
1. "Everyone" has windows
2. The long history of windows
3. Windows will be better in the future
4. To much hassle involved in getting rid of one's windows

The negative elements for keeping windows -
1. Nasty stuff can come in through windows
2. Much is let out through windows
3. The opening up and closing of windows can take a long time - and time is important!
4. The construction of windows definitely makes a better opening than a platform.

Really, Macs are the way to go, that is why you won't find Windows in our home.

Imitation and Immaturity

I was walking through a store a while back and passed a few people looking at a jewelry display case. I overheard the teenager say "Are those real diamonds? Look how sparkly they are! Who cares!" I noted it as a good illustration of the mentality found among many Americans today - "I don't care if it is real at long as it sparkles."

For all those hunters

We saw these by the hundreds!

Montana Road Trip

Heading out to my Grandfather's funeral in Sheridan, Montana we were able to enjoy the beautiful snow AFTER it had fallen!

Playing Pool/El Billar Americano

Someone gave my parents a pool table so we have spent some fun times playing. Please don't ask who won....
Alguién les dió a mis papas una mesa de billar americano entonces estamos divirtiédonos jugando. Por favor, no preguntes quién ganó....

Raking

The teens had a raking activity this past week. They were able to rake lawns as an outreach to several families. There was fun all around as they jumped into the large leaf piles and made caramel apples to finish out the afternoon.

Considering my Grandfather's Life

Hebrews 13:7-8
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (ESV)

One of the primary reasons why I am attending my Grandfather's funeral in Montana is in order to consider the outcome of his way of life. He faithfully served God for the extent of his life, and I desire to see how God has used him in the lives of others.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I might follow his example. Last summer we celebrated with them their 65th wedding anniversary. What an evidence of God's grace in their lives - to bring together two people and keep them together for sixty-five years! Crystal and I have been married for 2 years and 11 months, but I pray that I will learn from and live by his example in order that we may enjoy at least 62 years and one month more.
My childhood of growing up as a son of a pastor was a great experience, and I assume that it was the same for my father's childhood. My grandfather was a pastor for the majority of my father's life, and yet that did not deter him from entering the ministry as it does with so many others. It also is significant that not only my father, but both of his brothers have become pastors as well.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I may be strengthened in my life. Ministry is hard at times, and to see someone who faithfully ministered throughout his entire life is a great encouragement. Hebrews 12 encourages believers to take strength from those who have gone before in order that they may run the race that is set before them. Some stepped out in faith to head to a new land, some stepped up to face the battle, some stepped down from their positions of prominence in order to follow God. Some were beaten, many were killed, but this world was unworthy of them all. My Grandfather was a man who has joined the ranks of men who have gone before. His testimony encourages me to run this race.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I may seek to know Christ more. As I contemplate the work of Christ in the life of my Grandfather, it gives me the desire to know Him more. Jesus Christ completely transformed his life for I was able to see the fruits of the Spirit in his life (Gal. 5:22-23), something which is completely out of reach for the unbeliever (John 15:5). What God was able to do in and through him baffles the mind. Truly the Gospel of Christ is the power of God.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I may rejoice in his present condition (2 Timothy 4:7-8). I would be a fool not to be jealous (Phil. 1:23).

Give it up...

A pastor recently spoke in chapel about giving as explained in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. This passage highlights three incentive for giving which amount to one.
1. God gives grace to give (1-2)
2. God gave himself to us (9)
3. God can supply the needs of others through us (14-15)
These 3 incentives amount to one overarching incentive -
GOD is the incentive for giving

At the outset of the message, he made the observation that this topic is normally not addressed in colleges or seminaries - due to the general lack of funds possessed by students. I also noticed that the topic is rarely addressed in churches because the pastor may feel guilty about "asking for money." Both of these reasons - lack of funds or guilt -are tragic. They are robbing believers of the benefits of giving!
An example of a giving spirit is found at Desiring God. I truly appreciate the work which they are doing making many books available for free download at their site. They also have Desiring God audio book as a free download. I understand that this is not possible for all authors, but their desire to further the Gospel and not the bank account has challenged me.
Am I willing to give freely of what could financially profit me? The statement "If you want to know what someone loves, look at their bank statement" does have merit.

Old People

So often a visitor evaluates a prospective church by the younger generation present. I am not so sure that young people are the best determinate of spiritual life in a church. Do they have it? I sure hope so! But the trend among the younger generation as a whole is that they are transitory and noncommittal. Therefore, one may join a church because of a large group in that particular age group, but the majority of the group could be gone the next year.
I would postulate that a better determinate of spiritual vitality in a given congregation is in the old people. Is the older generation full of joy and growing? Are they interested in encouraging and edifying the saints? Do they love and admonish others? Are they willing to do their part in the Body of Christ? If you find a church where the older generation loves Christ and seeks to know Him, latch on!

Running Partners, Part 2

During the past two runs I listened to a theological debate on eschatology. I really enjoyed it, although the second hour got pretty heated. I may be different, but I really enjoy listening to theological debates where people get spirited. Disagreements are not intrinsically wrong - they are necessary! How is one ever supposed to grow unless they are challenged on their beliefs? If they are right, they will learn how to defend that. If they are wrong, they will hopefully learn where to change. At the end the participants were honest about their love for the truth and their love for each other, which was very encouraging.
This is not only true for eschatology, but for every area of our life. We must be willing to challenge others and be challenged by others.

Grandpa Grotzke's Homegoing/Abuelo Grotzke está en su hogar celestial

2 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

2 Corintios 5:1-5
1 Porque sabemos, que si nuestra casa terrenal, este tabernáculo, se deshiciere, tenemos de Dios un edificio, una casa no hecha de manos, eterna, en los cielos.
2 Y por esto también gemimos, deseando ser revestidos de aquella nuestra habitación celestial;
3 y si así estamos vestidos, no seremos hallados desnudos.
4 Porque nosotros que estamos en este tabernáculo gemimos con angustia; porque no quisiéramos ser desnudados; sino revestidos, para que lo mortal sea absorbido por la vida.
5 Mas el que nos hizo para esto mismo es Dios, el cual también nos ha dado las arras del Espíritu.

Kid's Connection

Liberty Baptist has a Kid's Connection each summer where kids are invited to come and participate in an "Awana" type program.

New Kicks

I purchased new running shoes and started to enjoying running again! (If you run, don't run in uncomfortable shoes - you will hate ever minute of it.) For the past few weeks my whole body has been groaning inwardly as I awaited a new pair of shoes. I tried on at least ten different pairs looking for the right ones because I didn't want any more blisters. Two new brands that I had never heard about but put out some good shoes are Brooks and Karhu. In my shoe quest I found new running stores, I ran to stores, I searched online, and even looked at Mall of America. My favorite running store is a smaller store in Edina called Gear Running Store. The owner was extremely friendly and very helpful. I also visited TC Running in Eden Prairie, another very helpful store.
The moral of the story is this - find a good pair of shoes, and run.