I hate being cold. The worst part is cold hands and feet, and these are common when you are out running for 1 1/2-2 hours. Knowing this, my mom made me a pair of mittens made from a wool sweater and polar fleece. She wanted to make sure that my wrists stayed warm so she made them really long. I teased her that it will be just fine to run with my tank top and mittens. (They also double as sleeping bags for those really cold nights)
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!
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.
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.
As I have been running, and for extended periods of time, I have been listening to the New Testament. It is interesting to have Matthew, Mark, John and Luke speaking to me as I plod along. I am listening to the NIV Dramatized Bible which makes it very interesting, not like the monotone single reader which other sets have. It is a great resource to have! As I am running I am able to listen to large portions of Scripture, allowing me to get a wider view than simply reading a paragraph or chapter at a time. I also have been challenged as I hear the interaction which I often skim over as I read. To hear a group of Pharisees denounce Jesus, or an angry crowd threaten Paul brings out the life which I often miss as I read through the passage hastily.
The only problem is when I am running through the woods and the sounds of an earthquake hit. That scares me.
One of my favorite places to run is Bredesen Park. It has walking/biking trails running through ponds and woods. I enjoy it because 1. I don’t have to worry about getting run over by a bus, 2. The blowing snow and rain – so common to this month – are partially blocked by trees, and 3. I get to see a plethora of animals such as deer, ducks, geese (although I despise them), and others. This past week as I was running in the snow I saw a marten bound across the trail.
As I run and take in the beauty around me, I praise God. Although this creation groans for a final renewal (Romans 8:23), it also declares the glory of God (Psalm 19).