The Journey of 42,000 Steps

I read recently that a marathon is comprised of roughly 42,000 steps. This weekend I embarked on that 26.2 mile, 42,000 step journey. On Saturday I completed my first ever marathon and it took me 4 hours and 24 minutes to reach the finish. Coming into this race I wasn't sure what to expect; many people told me that the toughest miles to run were 17-20. I must admit I found the toughest miles to be miles 23-26. The finish line was on Alki Beach right across the street from Spud's Fish n' Chips. As I saw it in the distance it never seemed to get closer. My cramping legs and body was saying stop, but I forced myself to keep moving.

Running those 42,000 steps leaves me with a nice feeling of accomplishment, however I didn't run a marathon just for the heck of it. The reason I ran was to bring focus and attention to our annual summer camp. Many of our students and leaders ran the marathon with me with the express purpose of raising funds for others. I love that, no one was running simply for themselves. Our students ran with purpose in every step. Their purpose was to help students experience summer camp this August.

I am so thankful to each person who ran, raised/gave money, and all who supported us along the way. I know that this cause is bigger than any one of us individually. I can't wait for Lift 2010, it's going to be an amazing week together at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. All I can say is thank you.

I want to end this post with a question...

Are you making plans to join August 16-20 at Lift 2010?

Let's Go for a Run

In the seven years I’ve been leading our youth ministry summer camp has proven to be the single most life-changing event we offer to students. In those seven years Live Youth Church has ministered to hundreds of young people and seen tremendous results. Amazing things happen in student’s lives when they commit to spending the week with God at summer camp. Lift 2010 promises to have the same effect this coming August.

Every year a week or so before we leave for camp my inbox and voicemail are full of requests for scholarships. I’ve made it our youth ministry’s policy to make sure that no student is turned away from camp based on lack of funds and year after year people have stepped up to sponsor, support, and send our students to camp. I am so impressed by the generosity of people and it’s caused me to ask myself this question. “What am I doing to help send students to camp?”

Sure Stacey and I write a donation check, organize car washes, and find yard work that needs completion, but again the question beckons, “What am I doing?”

In light of all this I’ve decided that there is something I can do. While I’m not in a financial place to bankroll every student to camp and I don’t have a get rich quick scheme that will magically raise enough money for our entire camp; it finally dawned on me… I can run. No, I don’t mean run away from the problem. I mean I can run to raise funds for students to attend summer camp. I am running in the Green River Marathon, 26.2 miles, in hopes of raising enough money to scholarship students that would otherwise miss out on camp.

My goal is to raise enough money for 52 students (one for every week of the year) to attend camp on full scholarship. Every half-mile I run during the marathon will send another student to camp and will inspire me to keep running. This is where you enter the picture... I need your help to make this dream of mine a reality.

Camp is $250 per camper and every dollar you give will go directly to help send a student to camp. In total, I’m hoping to raise $13,000 towards camp, which seems like a lot given the current economic climate, however I know we can reach our goal if everyone is willing to contribute something. Please give careful thought as you decide what you’d like to give. Any gift from $5 to $5,000 helps and we’re extremely thankful for it. Please make checks out to “Fairwood Church”. You can also give online at www.fwchurch.com/serve_give.

My 26.2 mile journey begins at Russell Road Park in Kent at 8:30 and will end at Spud’s Fish n’ Chips at Alki around 12:30. If you’d like to be at the finish line to celebrate with me I’d love to see you there. Thanks for your financial support, it means a great deal to me and even more to the students that will benefit as a result of your generosity.

If you'd like to help out please contact me, donate online or send checks to:

Fairwood Church

13120 SE 192 PL

Renton, WA 98058

Just a Thought...

Just a thought...

Often when I'm around people that are praying I hear things like:

"Lord we just pray that you would...."

"We're just asking that you..."

"Lord, just show up tonight..."

I'm not trying to be hyper-critical or anything; I just feel like it's time we drop the just when we pray. It's as if we're asking God to do something in our lives as long as it's not too much of an inconvenience for Him.

In all of these cases the word just comes off... well... just so passive. It's like what we're really saying is, "Hey it'd be nice if you could lend a hand down here God, that is of course if you're not tied up."

Or:

"Hey God, I know you have a lot to do so if you could just get this one tiny favor taken care of I'd really appreciate it."

When I read scripture I read things like:

"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face... I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

"You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it... Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" (John 14:13-14)

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:16)

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6)

I propose that we eliminate the "just-prayers" from our repertoire. They seem so wimpy. Let's boldly ask, believe, and expect God to act on our behalf. We serve a risen savior who is for us; in fact, He says we're going to do even greater things than He did:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works..." (John 14:12)

To borrow a phrase from a friend of mine, "Let's pray dangerous prayers," and let's not be so shocked when He answers!

Just sayin'...