Sabbatical #7

I thought I'd give you an update on the Sabbatical so far...

When I last left you, I was headed to Camp Lutherhaven near Ft. Wayne for a few days. The retreat was great. I spent 2 nights in "solitary" if you will. I read my 4 books, and took a few walks as well as a couple of runs. I spent some time on the trainer with my bike. I had the opportunity to go to lunch with Brenda Jank who operates an organization called Run Hard. Rest Well.  Her husband Tim Jank is the Executive Director of Camp Lutherhaven. It was great to spend time with her and find out about what she is doing in the area of Health and Wellness in our church. She asked if I would be interested in being a contributor to the website. If I have something to say, I might. She recommended 2 books that I purchased since then, one on Spiritual Disciplines, and one on the Enneagram personality type indicator. I look forward to diving into both of those soon.

My favorite part of my time at Camp was a walk that I took to explore the property. I wasn't sure what to think about, so I started to pray the Lord's Prayer. I must have said it 20 times on my walk, slowly reflecting on each phrase. Each time I said it, I had different thoughts. It was meaningful. When I returned to my room, I started reading "Walking the Labyrinth" again. The author Travis Scholl then started using the Lord's Prayer in the book as an outline for his prayer meditation. Perhaps my reading of his book took me to the same place in my spiritual journey that God was taking Travis, and we ended up at the same place at the same time. I was taken back a bit by that experience, thankful for the chance to have such an event occur in my life.

After 3 days/ 2 nights at the camp I traveled south to Muncie for the night to race on Saturday at the Indiana Spring Sprint Triathlon at Ball State. I checked in at the race the night before and hung out with the race organizers (American Multi-Sport) for a bit and talked about the Sabbatical. They are both brothers in Christ and I appreciate their vision of athletics and competition. I raced in the rain on Saturday. It was not the best of race conditions, and my bike did not want to stop at the corners. I took the ride very slow, especially at the turns. Despite my caution, I was able to place first in my age group. I then traveled home.

Next installment coming soon. I'll catch you up on my trip to St. Louis, my 4th race, and my trip to Woodstock NY! (That's where I am now)

Sabbatical #6 - It has begun

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...

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.

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).

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

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.

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!