Day #5 of being on Sabbatical. I have finished 2 races, no injuries, good finishes. I'm pleased and looking forward to more races. I have begun reading 4 books: "Sabbath" by Wayne Muller, "Walking the Labyrinth" by Travis Scholl, "Eat This Book" by Eugene Peterson, and the Bible by the Holy Spirit.
I was given "Sabbath" by Pastor Don Hasse before he passed, it was given to the entire staff at CLC at the time. In the introduction it talks about how those who have gone through near-death experiences often come out on the other side with a new appreciation for life. They take more time to "be in the moment" with others, to rest and be refreshed, and to live intentionally. I find that I sometimes live from event-to-event and miss day-to-day life. This book is great for me right now.
"Walking the Labyrinth" was given to me last year by the author whom I worked with at Camp Arcadia for a week. He and I will also be working together during the second week of family camp this year. I am very much looking forward to spending the week with him. He challenges me to grow deeper in my devotion-life. He makes me aware that God is in our every moment.
"Eat This Book" was a part of my seminary training, and I skimmed it, mostly looking for enough information to pass a class. I set it aside years ago for a time such as this. It opens the door to reading scripture with new eyes, or mouth as it were. The idea is that the bible is more than information or knowledge to be gained, but it is meant to dwell in us and shape us. Its intent is to reveal God's work and his kingdom. It shows us something that no other book can, God himself.
In light of the above, I am reading through scripture that it might simply dwell in me and guide me. I am also reading the bible with an eye toward stewardship. I am seeking to grow and be moved in how we are directed to be stewards of all that God has given us. This of course includes our body.
I ran 8 miles today on the Monon Trail. It is a beautiful day. My Garmin says I need 36 hours of recovery after racing Sunday, spin class yesterday, and running today. I think I will take its advice. I am headed to Camp Lutherhaven for 2 nights starting tomorrow. I can't wait. From there I will spend Friday night in Muncie before the Indiana Sprint Tri on Saturday at Ball State. The race director said that I could invite anyone to join me with a 10% discount code of PASTORMAXTEN. How cool is that?
I'll catch up with you after the race...
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Sabbatical #5 - T minus 1
It is my final day before the Sabbatical begins. I have a box full of books to take from the office with me, song sheets for Camp Arcadia, travel itineraries, race registrations, and my guitar. I am very excited, and just a bit anxious. Is it weird to feel pressure about going on Sabbatical? Everyone is very encouraging. The expectations are very high it seems. My prayer is that God uses it for His purpose. I have plans to rest, spend time with family, train, race, travel, and read. We will see what plans God has for it.
The staff at Carmel Lutheran had a nice send-off for me yesterday. I was given many aids for speeding up my triathlon times: arm-floaties for the swim, Energy drinks to so sustain me, training wheels for my Tri-Bike (when I'm wobbly coming off of the swim), cushioned insoles for my running shoes, some extra wide platforms (paper plates) to attach to my shoes for running stability in the long runs, and finally baby powder, to prevent chaffing. I should be set!
I was able to run in the Carmel Half-Marathon this past Saturday. I met my 2 goals:
1) Don't get hurt
2) Finish under 2 hours
It was fun to see so many CLC disciples out there, and to run about half of it with Pastor Scott.
Race #1 of 12 is done. Next on the list is the Carmel Sprint Triathlon this Sunday.
The staff at Carmel Lutheran had a nice send-off for me yesterday. I was given many aids for speeding up my triathlon times: arm-floaties for the swim, Energy drinks to so sustain me, training wheels for my Tri-Bike (when I'm wobbly coming off of the swim), cushioned insoles for my running shoes, some extra wide platforms (paper plates) to attach to my shoes for running stability in the long runs, and finally baby powder, to prevent chaffing. I should be set!
I was able to run in the Carmel Half-Marathon this past Saturday. I met my 2 goals:
1) Don't get hurt
2) Finish under 2 hours
It was fun to see so many CLC disciples out there, and to run about half of it with Pastor Scott.
Race #1 of 12 is done. Next on the list is the Carmel Sprint Triathlon this Sunday.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Sabbatical #4
Just over a week until the Sabbatical starts. I'm collecting books that I want to read. I've been training for a half-marathon (Carmel Marathon) that will be this coming Saturday morning. Unfortunately, my hamstrings have been bugging me, so I have not been able to do as much prep as I'd like. My goal for the half-marathon this week is to finish without hurting myself. I have to keep telling myself that my time is not important. (That is very hard for me to do).
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Sabbatical #3
So getting ready for Sabbatical is a bit stressful. You know how frantic it is to get ready for vacation for a week or more. Well, I feel like I'm getting ready for a 14 week vacation. But trust me, there are no complaints! I feel blessed beyond words for this opportunity. Here is a run-down on the Sabbatical that I shared at Cornerstone Lutheran this past weekend...
Begins April 22 Ends August 7
108 Total Days
52 travel days
10 Triathlons (1 Half-Ironman 70.3 distance in KONA, 3 Olympic Distance, 6 Sprint Distance)
2 Run-Races
Trips to London, Hawaii, Florida, Woodstock NY
2 Personal Spiritual Retreats
1 Week long Triathlon Training Camp
Goals:
- explore relationship between spiritual and physical discipline
- Read through the bible and journal stewardship references
- Enjoy time with family
- Train and Race
Begins April 22 Ends August 7
108 Total Days
52 travel days
10 Triathlons (1 Half-Ironman 70.3 distance in KONA, 3 Olympic Distance, 6 Sprint Distance)
2 Run-Races
Trips to London, Hawaii, Florida, Woodstock NY
2 Personal Spiritual Retreats
1 Week long Triathlon Training Camp
Goals:
- explore relationship between spiritual and physical discipline
- Read through the bible and journal stewardship references
- Enjoy time with family
- Train and Race
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Sabbatical #2
Through the Lilly Foundation, Carmel Lutheran Church was awarded a "Congregational Renewal" Sabbatical for the 2016 year. I applied to use a Sabbatical for a Health/Wellness Journey to explore a passion of mine: exercise. I began a journey of exercise back in 2003 or so, when I weighed in at around 230 pounds and was living with my family in Southern California. When I couldn't play with my 2 boys without getting out of breath, I realized I needed to do something so I could play with them more. I had played soccer in college and weighed 180. Then I kept eating like a 20 year-old for the next 15 years. I got to be too big, and felt horrible. I was undisciplined in my health, and it overflowed into all areas of my life. When I became more disciplined in my health habits, I noticed a difference in other areas of my life as well. My proposal for the Sabbatical was to further explore this connection... to be continued.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Sabbatical #1
After 5 years absence, I'm back on my Blog Site. I have the great blessing of being awarded a Sabbatical for my family and myself beginning mid-April. I will be keeping a BLOG during the Sabbatical about what we are doing and how God is revealing himself through that time. I hope you follow along!
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Search for TRUTH - Reformation Remembered
In our world we often the term “truth” bantered about. It is even debated as to what “truth” can actually mean, and whether there is absolute truth or if it is perhaps a “relative” term. Some say that there is a reality of TRUTH that is “out there” that stands independent of human thought or reason, it simply “is”. And others would say “truth” is determined by individuals and what they experience on their own. Whether you believe there is absolute truth or if you believe it is relative, it is hard to discount the events of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and the impact that it has had on the history of human civilization. For in this event the future of the quest for TRUTH in both camps was shaped forever.
The search for Truth guided the reformer Martin Luther as he came to believe that the Catholic Church had strayed from the Truth that he believed was contained in Holy Scripture. The church was integral to the everyday life of the vast majority of people at this time in history. There was not a need to determine whether truth was absolute or relative, the church determined truth for everyone. Martin Luther challenged this idea, and believed truth was found in scripture alone. And because of this belief, he was placed at odds with what the church was doing and teaching. Luther believed scripture taught that a person could only be saved by the grace of God, and not by his own works in any way. This is known as the gospel, or good news: you are not required to do good works in order to earn God’s favor. This was not the teaching of the church at the time: a person had to earn favor with God and ultimately be rewarded with forgiveness and salvation. And because of this split, one could argue that this opened the door to relativism and post-modern thinking even over 400 years ago. Martin Luther’s challenge of the dominant message of the church created an atmosphere of questioning authority and beliefs that you could say continues today.
The Reformation of the 1500’s led to a split within the Christian world that continues today. But the Reformation has also had an impact on the way all people view the world itself. It is hard to deny the impact on our world and culture that Martin Luther and his ideas have brought.
The search for Truth guided the reformer Martin Luther as he came to believe that the Catholic Church had strayed from the Truth that he believed was contained in Holy Scripture. The church was integral to the everyday life of the vast majority of people at this time in history. There was not a need to determine whether truth was absolute or relative, the church determined truth for everyone. Martin Luther challenged this idea, and believed truth was found in scripture alone. And because of this belief, he was placed at odds with what the church was doing and teaching. Luther believed scripture taught that a person could only be saved by the grace of God, and not by his own works in any way. This is known as the gospel, or good news: you are not required to do good works in order to earn God’s favor. This was not the teaching of the church at the time: a person had to earn favor with God and ultimately be rewarded with forgiveness and salvation. And because of this split, one could argue that this opened the door to relativism and post-modern thinking even over 400 years ago. Martin Luther’s challenge of the dominant message of the church created an atmosphere of questioning authority and beliefs that you could say continues today.
The Reformation of the 1500’s led to a split within the Christian world that continues today. But the Reformation has also had an impact on the way all people view the world itself. It is hard to deny the impact on our world and culture that Martin Luther and his ideas have brought.
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