Major "Milestone"

On January 1, 2006, I resolved to take better care of myself, and as part of my fitness strategy, I decided to take up running. I started out by trying to make it around one block here in town without passing out from lack of oxygen. Gradually over time, I kept increasing my distance, little by little.

Yesterday, I recorded my 1,000th mile of running!! Now to the running enthusiasts out there, this is probably no big deal, in fact they're probably wondering "What took you so long??" To me, a person who in the past only ran when I heard the dinner bell ringing, this is a major milestone!! It's like running from here to Denver Colorado and back!!

I'm officially hooked on running, and as long as my middle age joints and back hold up, I'm going to keep lacing up my shoes and get out there and pound the pavement. It's a great form of exercise, it helps me to unwind from my day, and it seems to help keep me from putting on additional pounds, at least for now!!

De Colores

Welcome New Emmaus Pilgrims!

Welcome new pilgrims of Emmaus Walks 85 & 86! From what I've heard, both of them were resounding successes. God continues to work in the lives of those who make the commitment to attend these Walks in a mighty way.

If you're interested in attending a Walk, feel free to contact me, and I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. the next set of Walks are October 18 - 21 (Men) and October 25 - 28 (Women) in beautiful Garden City, Kansas.

You can read more about this event at www.breadoflifecommunity.com. Give God 72 hours of your time, and you will be blessed for a lifetime!!

De Colores

Deception

A pitch that my son has been working on is the curve ball. The baseball is released with basically the same arm speed as the fastball, but the grip is different, resulting in a side spin than makes the ball curve, and hopefully drop at the same time. It is used when you have "set up" the batter with some fastballs. When he sees the pitch coming out of the pitcher's hand, he thinks another fastball is coming, and takes a swing at it, only to find it coming in slower and with movement. If it is done right, it can be a very difficult pitch to hit.

The curve ball is meant to deceive the batter. Just when he thinks he has the pitcher's velocity figured out, the curve ball comes along and fools him.

Satan throws a lot of "curve balls" in our lives. Just when we think we've got it figured out, and actually feel comfortable with life, he throws something that messes us all up. Sometimes it is something bad, and causes us much pain and suffering. Sometimes, they actually can appear to be good and even enticing. We fall for them and then suffer the consequences.

The bible warns us of Satan and his curve balls. Right off the bat in Genesis, Eve was deceived by Satan into thinking that she could eat the fruit from the Tree of Life. John 8:44 says "The devil has nothing to do with the truth. There is no truth in him. It is expected of the devil to lie, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Be careful of the "curve balls" that Satan throws at you. Ask God to help you stand firm and not be deceived.

De Colores

Wyatt update

Little Wyatt made it through his liver transplant surgery yesterday. The surgeons were pleased with how it went. Let's now hope and pray that the liver functions as it should, and that his body will accept it. Thanks for praying for him, keep lifting him up!!

Wyatt

One of our employees has a son named Wyatt, who was born with a congenital defect in his liver. It has never functioned as it should. He has been on a liver transplant list for about a year. He is now about 2 years old.

A couple of times this past year, his parents received a phone call of a potential liver for Wyatt, and they would race to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, only to be told that the liver was either not a match, or was not suitable for transplant.

Yesterday, they received another call, and made the trek again. This time, it looks like it is for real! If you read this blog anytime on Tuesday, March 6, I would appreciate it if you would take the time to say a quick prayer for Wyatt and his family that the surgery will go well, and that his parents will stay strong.

I also think it would be appropriate that a prayer be offered for the family who unfortunately had to lose a loved one.

In Like A Lion

How crazy has our Kansas weather been? Yesterday, the last day of February, we had a high temperature of 70 degrees. The wind was light, and the golfers were streaming by our house.

Last night, I woke up to lightning, thunder, high winds and some kind of precipitation pounding against our bedroom window. This morning, it was snowing, and a couple of inches was covering the ground!! Looks like March has come in like a lion!!

Oh well, we all know that the weather here in Kansas changes rapidly. In a few days, we are supposed to be back in the 60's again.

Psalm 24 reminds us that God is control of our earth and the weather that we have. It says "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."

I'm sure glad to know that in all the craziness of this weather, I have a God who is steadfast and in control!!

De Colores