What Changed People's Minds About Abortion and Jesus in Mere Minutes

I saw a few minutes ago where John Piper tweeted: "Just watched the "180 Movie" again with my daughter. Lord, make us bold. If you haven't watched it: http://www.180movie.com."

Ray Comfort is the one behind the movie. God has used Ray Comfort (and his partner, Kirk Cameron) to do some incredible things in the Christian community specifically in the area of sharing the Gospel. Ray has spoken into the Christian culture and pointed out where much Gospel theology and many Gospel presentations have erred.

But, he isn't one to just sit back and criticize. He is a constructive critic. He has done an incredible job of creating "training" videos as he and Kirk take to the streets of California to share the Gospel with anyone who will listen.

The video below is called "180." In it, Ray shows that within just a few minutes, he is able to cause folks who do not profess to be Christians to see that they are mistaken in regard to their view of abortion and salvation. You'll enjoy watching this 33 minute video!

I'll give you a warning, though. This is real life stuff. It's people who have no room for Jesus, church or anything of the sort. While this video bleeps out words, it utilizes the "bleep" button quite a few times. It also shows plenty of horrendous, heart-wrenching footage of the victims of the Holocaust. Proceed with caution.

I have embedded the documentary below (in spite of the "Warning" in the first few seconds of the video) because their site, http://180movie.com/, gives permission to do so.

Reflections on my Lake Minneola Half Marathon Race

Moments from the Finish Line!

I've been looking forward to this race for a few months! I have run in five 5K races. Yet, ironically, while I celebrated how quickly I was able to reach the finish line only 3.1 miles from the starting line, I lamented how brief the race was. 5K races are finished almost as quickly as they start. While they have their own special niche in a runner's repertoire (I'll certainly continue to run them), I wanted something a little more substantial. I wanted to enter a race that would take longer to run than it took me to drive to the event.

Toward the end of last year, I was toying around with the idea of running a marathon. I'm so glad that a couple of my dailymile friends encouraged me to give the half marathon a try first. I'm glad I did! I finished this race in a respectable 2:04:18 for an average pace of 9:30/mile. I came in 171st place out of 445 half marathoners (official results here). In my gender/age group (40-44), I came in 16th place out of 26 (official results here). I'll take it, especially since I plan to set a PR in my second half marathon!

But back to my first sentence. I had been looking forward to this race for a few months. It was a strange feeling but I just didn't have that passion this morning at the start of the race. The race was enjoyable once it got going but I lacked that deep down desire to conquer the course like I've had in previous races. Here's how it played out:

I couldn't go to sleep last night as I mentally ran the race course in my mind. I was imagining myself starting at a slow and steady pace and making my way around the race course. Yet, I was also battling with a little anxiety. On training runs, I've run as far as 13.1 miles a couple of times (a few months ago). Yet, there have been times when I set out to have a long run and discovered that I didn't have it in me. I would abandon the training run after 4-5 miles and no one knew the difference. This race was different. Everyone who crossed the Start Line would either cross the Finish Line 13.1 miles away or they would get a DNF beside their name ("Did Not Finish!"). Who wants THAT beside their name?! Because of serious pain in my left Achilles tendon about a month ago, I had to drastically reduce my mileage. I questioned my fitness/endurance as I approached this race.

I finally dozed off just before midnight. My eyes opened around 3:15am and I drifted in and out of sleep until I finally got up at 4am. Great! Only 4 hours sleep before a 13.1 mile race!

After taking the hour drive to Clermont, Florida, I got out of the warm, dry car and stepped into cool temps (low 60s) and a drizzly rain. A lot of folks were getting a chill. The restroom lines were long!

I lined up with 444 other half marathon runners about 15 minutes before the 7am start time. However, due to the rain, the race officials didn't want to risk messing up their computers and other electronic gadgetry that would monitor our start and finish times.

The race finally got started at 7:30. We had been standing in the cool, drizzly rain for all that time . I wasn't surprised when the horn blew and the race started to see a lot of runners dart to the porta-potties about  a quarter mile into the race. I joined them. I lost about 2-3 minutes in that first mile. Fortunately, the rain didn't last and everyone was able to focus and settle into their race pace.

The first couple of miles were in a residential area and it was neat to be a part of a group that was 445 strong running a race down the streets. Neighbors were in their front yards or on the side streets watching and some applauded as we passed. I think that the tragedy in Boston this past week played into some of their sentiments.

After the first 2 miles, the route became fairly scenic. Part of it was on a wide, paved bike trail through the woods and the other was along the streets lining Lake Minneola. But, let me tell you that the beauty of that lake wasn't really capturing my attention in the race. The few times I glanced at the lake, I couldn't help but realize how far across it was ... and I was going to have to run around the thing! I quickly refocused upon the road ahead of me.

I had a game plan regarding two specific areas. First, I kept my watch on "heartrate." I had a chest monitor that enabled me to keep tabs on how hard my heart was working. I was concerned that if I let my heart rate get too high, I'd crash and burn before the end of the race. In 5Ks, I allow my heart rate to max out at around 189 and I simply hang on for 3.1 miles. However, I tried to keep my heart rate around 175-180 for this race. After the race, I noticed that my average was 176bpm.

Secondly, I planned on how I would navigate the water stops that were placed about every mile and a half along the route. I never drink water during a 5K race. But, because I was sweating like a pig in this race, I knew that  I had to fight against dehydration as this 2 hour race played out. So, as planned, I stopped to walk at ever water stop. I suspect I didn't lose too much time doing that. I only walked for about 15-20 seconds each time. That way, I could give my legs a break and keep from splashing the water all over my face. (Have you ever tried to drink while you're running?)

In the last 3-4 miles, I had to stop to walk more than I wanted. I was out of gas. But as I observed my heart rate on my watch, I made it a point to take off when it got down to 170bpm. On my next half marathon, I hope to be in better shape so I can run the whole thing.

The last 1/4 mile was rewarding. All of those who had finished the 5K and 12K races as well as those who had finished the half marathon were at the Finish Line to applaud everyone who crossed the line. It felt pretty cool. 

As I crossed the finish line, I had two conscious thoughts: 1) Mission accomplished! and 2) I'm headed to bed!

My 1st Half Marathon: Tomorrow's the day!

Got my race pack. I'll leave the shirt in the closet until I finish the race but can't wait to put on the race bib tomorrow and run my first half marathon!

 

Here's the map of the race course. Below this map is a video I took overlooking Lake Minneola. I took the video from the spot on the map just to the right of the word "Finish."

 

 

 

 

OneCry & National Day of Prayer

Here's some information I received a few moments ago from OneCry. Mark your calendars and plan to participate. Our nation is dying and desperately needs a fresh encounter with Jesus.
______________

"On the National Day of Prayer, OneCry will be live on hundreds of radio stations across the nation and around the world, uniting believers in prayer for revival. Listen live from your home, car, mobile device, or online at www.OneCry.com.

"We will be joined by Francis Chan, Matthew West, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Nick Hall, U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, and many others.

"Be sure to join us from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Eastern on May 2nd."
______________

You can text "NDOP" to 59769 to get a reminder the day of the prayer gathering.

Only 3 days until the Half Marathon!!!

I cannot adequately express how excited I am to participate in my first half marathon in 3 days! If you've never discovered the joys of running, any attempt I make to explain my excitement wouldn't work. If you are a runner, no explanation is needed.

This wall shows off what God can do in the life of someone
who simply takes advantage of the abilities and opportunities
that He gives! Life can be adventurous if you are a good
steward of what God has entrusted to you.

I can't wait to add another race bib to my collection. But this time, it won't be for a short 5K (3.1 mile) race as fun as they may be. This one will be for a half marathon (13.1 miles) that requires much more training, endurance, and mental strength. I am so grateful that the Lord has given me the abilities and opportunities to do well in this sport (at least for a 42 year old!).

Here's a map of the race course  around Lake Minneola in Clermont, Florida with the mile markers in bold black numbers:

Lake Minneola Half Marathon Route (April 20, 2013)

The Boston Marathon Tragedy: 'Grace' or 'An eye for an eye?'





Yesterday, as I engaged in study in my church office, my phone made it's characteristic noise that let me know I had received an e-mail. I reached over, tapped the screen and read: "Explosions Rock Boston Marathon Finish Line." About 20 minutes earlier, two explosions brought the much celebrated Boston Marathon to a halt as the rescue mission began. Some had been killed. Many had been wounded. Blood was everywhere. An atmosphere of celebration and cheer turned to one of fear, chaos, shock, and gut-wrenching grief.

As I awoke this morning, I read that the death toll had risen to 3 with the number of injured climbing to well over 100. There is a grave concern that some of those who are injured will not survive.

As is the case with millions of other Americans, my heart aches. My heart is angered. How dare someone ruin something so wholesome as the Boston Marathon! It is in that place that achievement is celebrated. Hard work has paid off. And thousands of Americans line the streets to cheer and encourage folks they don't know and have never met.

And then someone sets off two bombs!

How are Christians to think about this ... at least in regard to how we think of the perpetrator? This is important because as followers of Christ, we really don't have an option to determine for ourselves how we are to react. As Christ-followers, we need to know what the Scripture says so that we can think and respond accordingly.

Some think that we are to love and forgive the one who did this thing. Others think that he is deserving of the 'eye for an eye' principle. In fact, according to Scripture, he should get ... both!

Let's take a look at some relevant Scripture...

In Romans 12:9-21, we read how we as individual Christians are to relate to others. It begins with "Let love be genuine." That makes sense because the two greatest commands are to 1) love God with everything we've got and 2) love everyone we encounter just as we care about ourselves.

Yet, in these verses, God acknowledges that not everyone is going to be easy to love. Thus, the need for the following verses:

Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them."

Romans 12:17 "Repay no one evil for evil..."

Romans 12:19-21 "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

I've heard that there was a 'person of interest' being guarded at a Boston hospital as soon as 2 hours after the ordeal. Could it be that they already have the perpetrator? Well, looking at the verses we've just read, is our only response to love him and forgive him (if he is actually the one who did this horrible thing)? Are we supposed to bless him and not exercise any sort of revenge?

If those questions are directed at individual Christians, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" But, if those questions are directed at the U.S. Judicial System, the answer is a resounding "No!"

Why do I make this distinction? Because the Bible does.

The very next verse after "overcome evil with good" is the first verse of Romans 13. In the previous verses, it stated clearly that we aren't, as individuals, to seek revenge. We are to let God take vengeance. Well, how does God take vengeance upon the evil doer? Simply read the next verses.

Romans 13:1-4 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer." (emphasis added)


This is how the "wrath of God" against evil mentioned in Romans 12:19 plays out. It comes through the government. God has personally set in place the governing authority over each country (He's given each country exactly what they deserve). Further, they are set up by God to be "an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."

Simply put, individual citizens are to show grace and mercy to the most guilty of criminals. Governments are to execute blind justice. Individuals are to love and forgive. Governments are to punish.

In fact, if you look at the three instances where the "eye for an eye" principle was commanded in Scripture (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21), you would notice that the context addresses Israel's judicial system, not Israel's individual citizens. The judicial system was to administer punishment equal to the crime (not greater or less than; i.e. "an eye for an eye") and the individual citizens were not to take justice into their own hands.

So, in regard to the Boston Marathon tragedy, Christians should pray for the one responsible. We should pray for his salvation. We should pray for him to acknowledge his wrongdoing and make things right. If he was thirsty and we had water to give him, we should give it. If he is hungry, we should feed him.

But, at the same time, our judicial system should not let us down. Its purpose is to exercise blind justice. As individuals, we are to extend grace. But, for the betterment of society and as a deterrent to further crime, the judicial system should deal harshly and fairly with the perpetrator to the full extent of the law.

Grace AND 'An eye for an eye' apply!
 

Ellis Family Pictures 2013

We had some family pictures taken recently. I thought I'd share them. God has blessed me in so many ways!!!