Worship

Wanted to relay a few things here.  Later this week I'll be posting about my race build and other information. For now....enjoy....

I thought to myself....or, felt it being whispered into my heart......"It really does not get better than this here. Here, on earth. In this life, in this world. This feeling, the filling of it-it's what matters. It just feels like what people reach for."

This is so hard to explain-but so definite when it hits.

Today in church, during worship with my son's arm around me singing at the top of his lungs, my wife in my other arm and my daughter next to her, "it" for a brief moment all hit. It was right. I just felt blessed and so fortunate--so warm. Assessing the morning leading up to this "feeling" I listened to my friend preach and discuss being a "Dangerous" follower of Christ-- meaning, living to love others, be merciful, graceful...you know, things that are dangerous. Stuff people (myself included) don't do in a "me first" culture. As I evaluated the week-listening, it was nauseating making a list in my mind of the times (this week alone) I failed. My mouth, attitude, thoughts, actions, motives, anger, ego, fill in the blank....opportunities to love my kids, be patient, a good employee, friend, follower...get it?   If I am able to sit and pour over the data compiled from a week of training and evaluate performance-why shudder at doing the same in things that matter-right?  I am blessed. Things happen and I relish, or revolt. In training, work, life...whatever.

Totally transparent here, totally honest--This morning with my family clutched together worshiping my King, our Creator, I was shaken to know what I've been lent on this planet---is from nothing I've done. If it was...I'd be screwed.  God-thank you for this. Thank you it's not a religion and you reach for a relationship. Oh God, thank you so much.

Mark Driscoll states religion has gotten him in trouble in the past---me too. It leaves feelings of pride. Checked boxes....good, I'm warmer. Not checked, deflated, I'm colder. Too much red ink on the test... results dictate reactions. All that to say...Church today was awesome. What a gift to have the freedom and ability to experience community together. To reflect on my commitment to walk reflecting Jesus in my life. To show my children that racing, training, Ironman, protein, carb's, watts, means nothing unless it's done as an act of worship. To function how we are wired by him, because of him, and for him. Cool....

Shifting focus-I've been asked by a few of you what I hope to accomplish in Kentucky racing my next Ironman. I hope to do this....

Destroy it. Go faster than I ever have. Hurt. Get a time and placing so unbelievable that the only explanation is Jesus Christ.

Because If I can explain the accomplishment, analyze the "how and the why" it's not me in the first place.