Friday, October 19, 2012
Gears
From Our Daily Bread:
My first bike had one gear. Whether I was going fast or slow, uphill or downhill, that gear did everything. My next bike had three gears: one for level surfaces, one for going uphill, and one for going downhill. My third bike had ten gears, allowing me an even broader range of choices. Even though my last bike had several gears to choose from, I didn’t use all of them every time I rode. Some were best suited for starting and climbing, others were reserved for gaining speed, and others were best for a leisurely pace. But the thing about gears is this: Even though I wasn’t using all of them at the time, it didn’t mean I would never need them.
The same can be true in regard to our spiritual gifts and abilities. During times when I feel I am not being used to do certain things I once did, instead of feeling useless and unappreciated I thank God for the “gear” I’m currently able to use. Just because a skill is not needed right now doesn’t mean it never will be.
Our spiritual gifts are needed in different ways at different times. Needs and circumstances change in unforeseeable and unpredictable ways. The apostle Paul reminded Titus, “Be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). May that be true of us as well.
Heavenly Father, I need to remember thatwhat I do is up to You, but how I do it is upto me. Whether I am busy or still, may I bepeaceable, gentle, humble, kind, and loving.Keep your tools ready—God will find work for you.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Don't get caught seeing Stars
Thanks Dale!
1st Corinthians 9:25-27Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.
Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.
This devotion got my attention this time thanks to Dale and God's Word. I have seen this verse and have read it over and over again. It has hit me like a ton of bricks, as if I was a cartoon character seeing stars. God has made some big adjustments in my life. Today I gave Him my all my very best all day long. It feels good to actually do something right for once. Got up at 4:30 am prayed to Him on my way to work on my bike. Didn't complain about being froze in 7* weather because I had faith that He would reward me with 30 + * temps going home. At work I worked by myself and got the work done with His Hands because we were short 3 out of 4 workers today. His plan was perfect today at work because I had time to spare and left out of work on time. I also prayed on and off all day since I had no one around to talk too, kind of lonely and spooky. I prayed for others, not for myself to get the work done. : )
So now I am on my way home and yes God is Great because I rode hard for 1 hour of my hour and a half ride, kind of wish I would have had the power tap on just to see how much watts God was pushing me. Especially when the car sloooowly passed me with grinning faces. Love it when that happens, but it always seems to happen with a tail wind, well almost everytime. Made it home and my mom had supper for my wife, that is very ill due to her pregnancy, daughter, and me. Ok so it was just for me but she did bring a lot of other stuff for them. Becky still can't eat and is losing to much weight and she should be gaining instead. Prasie the Lord because Becky felt so much better tonight, Doctors gave her a perscription that has helped her, I pray for her health tonight and the weeks ahead. God blessed our evening together as a family and now I write this this for my blog that hasn't been updated for a long time. Thanks Dale for His word!
Win With Him!
JC
1st Corinthians 9:25-27Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.
Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.
This devotion got my attention this time thanks to Dale and God's Word. I have seen this verse and have read it over and over again. It has hit me like a ton of bricks, as if I was a cartoon character seeing stars. God has made some big adjustments in my life. Today I gave Him my all my very best all day long. It feels good to actually do something right for once. Got up at 4:30 am prayed to Him on my way to work on my bike. Didn't complain about being froze in 7* weather because I had faith that He would reward me with 30 + * temps going home. At work I worked by myself and got the work done with His Hands because we were short 3 out of 4 workers today. His plan was perfect today at work because I had time to spare and left out of work on time. I also prayed on and off all day since I had no one around to talk too, kind of lonely and spooky. I prayed for others, not for myself to get the work done. : )
So now I am on my way home and yes God is Great because I rode hard for 1 hour of my hour and a half ride, kind of wish I would have had the power tap on just to see how much watts God was pushing me. Especially when the car sloooowly passed me with grinning faces. Love it when that happens, but it always seems to happen with a tail wind, well almost everytime. Made it home and my mom had supper for my wife, that is very ill due to her pregnancy, daughter, and me. Ok so it was just for me but she did bring a lot of other stuff for them. Becky still can't eat and is losing to much weight and she should be gaining instead. Prasie the Lord because Becky felt so much better tonight, Doctors gave her a perscription that has helped her, I pray for her health tonight and the weeks ahead. God blessed our evening together as a family and now I write this this for my blog that hasn't been updated for a long time. Thanks Dale for His word!
Win With Him!
JC
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Champions
Sometimes we would like to be a Champion. Other times we just want others to be Champions. I have found over the years that it is not worth trying to be a Champion for yourself. The satisfaction you get when you win is no where as close as when someone you Love wins. This 2011 season coming up is full of Champions. We have all raced together and we know how to win together. We all know our limits and have communicated in the past, can't wait.
In my life communication has helped me get closer to doing the right thing every day. It all depends on who you communicate best with. God makes things happen in your life for many reasons. He communicates to us everyday, the real question is are you listening? I find it so much easier to do everything with my attention on Him. So glad that He has created others to help me grow in the best of all we do. Having fun in life is what He wants for us. The bad things in our lives are very hard to get through when our trust isn't in Him. I hope that I can focus more on Him every day so that way I can be a Happy Loving person more.
In my life communication has helped me get closer to doing the right thing every day. It all depends on who you communicate best with. God makes things happen in your life for many reasons. He communicates to us everyday, the real question is are you listening? I find it so much easier to do everything with my attention on Him. So glad that He has created others to help me grow in the best of all we do. Having fun in life is what He wants for us. The bad things in our lives are very hard to get through when our trust isn't in Him. I hope that I can focus more on Him every day so that way I can be a Happy Loving person more.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Altoona and Caylin at School
I have been really wanting a victory in cycling for a long time. It is great to get a good result at a big race like Altoona, but I feel like I can do better. My wife will be starting me on a workout program in a week's time after my last race of this year and I look forward to the 2011 cycling season with RGF. I learned a lot about myself this year and I think that next year will be the best yet. I will have another weeks vacation and possible talk of 4 10 hour days at work which would help big time with cycling and family time. Right now our family focus is on Caylin as she has started school and let me tell you she is a lot like me when I was her age, not good for the kids that pick on her. She has already stood up for herself as she was pushed down to the ground and she got up and pushed the boy down. I am trying to teach her to tell the teacher or adult instead of pushing back because she does not want to get in trouble at school or at home. I am glad she stuck up for herself, but she really needs to let the school take care of the rest and protect our girl. She has been telling us everything which is a great start, praying that will last forever. So one day of racing next week, labor day in Detroit and then it is time to work out for next year. Here is the team press release about Altoona: http://www.rgfsolutionssportsmarketing.com/pdfs/229.pdf
The Spoon
A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished.
They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew, which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, "I don't understand."
"It is simple,' said the Lord. "It requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other.
The greedy think only of themselves.'
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.
Remember that
I will always share my spoon with you.
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished.
They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew, which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, "I don't understand."
"It is simple,' said the Lord. "It requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other.
The greedy think only of themselves.'
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.
Remember that
I will always share my spoon with you.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Reckless Bike Race in Grand Rapids
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-cycling-classic-ne/elite-men/results
Another hot day of racing for more than an hour and a half. This was going to be the hardest race for me this year. Grand Rapids has always been nice to race at the last 3 out of 4 years that I have been able to race there. The course was a little different than two years ago. I really enjoyed the course this year. I knew that my legs felt great before the start, even after sitting in the car for more than five and a half hours. Our team Cleveland Clinic Sports Health / RGF pb Felt Bicycles had started with 4 riders, Cruise, Alan, Adam, and I. The race started out with attacks only from Bissel Pro team and it didn't stop from start to finish. I stayed at the front of the race all but 10 laps when I burnt too many matches staying in the top 10 for 20 mins. I took a chance and played tail gunner at the back of the 60 man field for 10 laps until I felt better. I noticed Adam was doing a great job staying up front so that took the pressure off as well. As I moved up front again and made some very hard breaks following wheels I hit a pot hole that should have been filled before the race. Four laps later my tire was flat. Thanks to the Sram support, (team sponsor) I got my new wheel and was back up front. It was too late though as a Bissel rider was solo and no one was chasing. With maybe 20 mins. to go, Kenda Pro team and Flying V pro team riders took off. I followed and all three of us worked together to get a break from the field. United Health joined us later and we had a Bissel rider messing it up.
During this whole race I saw another side to Pro racers that I don't care to see. Some of the Pro racers were trying to wreck others on purpose. They looked like they were biting others ears off as they were yelling at each other. I guess I never thought about it but man this is their job and they want to win so they can get sponsors for next year. I really didn't care for Bissel racing the way they did. Bissel had a guy jump away before the turns and the teammates would sprint to the next turn and slam on their brakes to try and wreck everyone behind them. This also happened when I jumped on a Kenda pro riders wheel and it was a good thing I was looking forward when he did this to me or I would have taken is rear derailer off. He wanted me to pull through and I didn't want to at that time so when he slammed his brakes I went flying by. This kind of racing doesn't make it fun and it is very childish and arrogant. Praise God no one was seriously hurt this time.
Back to the break that almost lasted to the end. The field was close to us maybe 10 seconds with a gap to the solo Bissel leader and from the field. So United Health rider jumped and I jumped passed him wanting him to grab my wheel as we had a small gap. We would have caught the solo rider but who knows what would have happend after that. I wish I would have tried to join the solo rider but I don't know if I would have caught him. That was the last attack of the day. All I had to do was hang on till the end and just maybe a top ten liked I had hoped for before the race started. I knew I spent to much time working the last break and as the last 3 laps were coming to an end our group now had over 15 riders as they came from the field. Kenda led out the last 2 laps before the final lap. As we went by the start finish line we flew up the brick section up the false flat. My eyes were on United Health Pro as they took the first two left turns at the fastest speeds of the day. We took the quick right turn and left turn next as I got put back a couple of places before another brick section. As we took the last 2 left hand turns I was keeping pace with the lead out train but could not pass but one Bissel rider in the end for 9th place. I know it would have been a better result if our full team was at the race today. I look forward to racing with the whole team in the next few months. My Zipps and Felt bike worked perfectly as it crossed the bricks today. Also Hammer gave me some more great products to help get in the top ten against the best U.S. Pro Crit Racers. Look forward to a better result in the future. Thank you Lord again for our safety and health to do this sport that we love.
Another hot day of racing for more than an hour and a half. This was going to be the hardest race for me this year. Grand Rapids has always been nice to race at the last 3 out of 4 years that I have been able to race there. The course was a little different than two years ago. I really enjoyed the course this year. I knew that my legs felt great before the start, even after sitting in the car for more than five and a half hours. Our team Cleveland Clinic Sports Health / RGF pb Felt Bicycles had started with 4 riders, Cruise, Alan, Adam, and I. The race started out with attacks only from Bissel Pro team and it didn't stop from start to finish. I stayed at the front of the race all but 10 laps when I burnt too many matches staying in the top 10 for 20 mins. I took a chance and played tail gunner at the back of the 60 man field for 10 laps until I felt better. I noticed Adam was doing a great job staying up front so that took the pressure off as well. As I moved up front again and made some very hard breaks following wheels I hit a pot hole that should have been filled before the race. Four laps later my tire was flat. Thanks to the Sram support, (team sponsor) I got my new wheel and was back up front. It was too late though as a Bissel rider was solo and no one was chasing. With maybe 20 mins. to go, Kenda Pro team and Flying V pro team riders took off. I followed and all three of us worked together to get a break from the field. United Health joined us later and we had a Bissel rider messing it up.
During this whole race I saw another side to Pro racers that I don't care to see. Some of the Pro racers were trying to wreck others on purpose. They looked like they were biting others ears off as they were yelling at each other. I guess I never thought about it but man this is their job and they want to win so they can get sponsors for next year. I really didn't care for Bissel racing the way they did. Bissel had a guy jump away before the turns and the teammates would sprint to the next turn and slam on their brakes to try and wreck everyone behind them. This also happened when I jumped on a Kenda pro riders wheel and it was a good thing I was looking forward when he did this to me or I would have taken is rear derailer off. He wanted me to pull through and I didn't want to at that time so when he slammed his brakes I went flying by. This kind of racing doesn't make it fun and it is very childish and arrogant. Praise God no one was seriously hurt this time.
Back to the break that almost lasted to the end. The field was close to us maybe 10 seconds with a gap to the solo Bissel leader and from the field. So United Health rider jumped and I jumped passed him wanting him to grab my wheel as we had a small gap. We would have caught the solo rider but who knows what would have happend after that. I wish I would have tried to join the solo rider but I don't know if I would have caught him. That was the last attack of the day. All I had to do was hang on till the end and just maybe a top ten liked I had hoped for before the race started. I knew I spent to much time working the last break and as the last 3 laps were coming to an end our group now had over 15 riders as they came from the field. Kenda led out the last 2 laps before the final lap. As we went by the start finish line we flew up the brick section up the false flat. My eyes were on United Health Pro as they took the first two left turns at the fastest speeds of the day. We took the quick right turn and left turn next as I got put back a couple of places before another brick section. As we took the last 2 left hand turns I was keeping pace with the lead out train but could not pass but one Bissel rider in the end for 9th place. I know it would have been a better result if our full team was at the race today. I look forward to racing with the whole team in the next few months. My Zipps and Felt bike worked perfectly as it crossed the bricks today. Also Hammer gave me some more great products to help get in the top ten against the best U.S. Pro Crit Racers. Look forward to a better result in the future. Thank you Lord again for our safety and health to do this sport that we love.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Math
The Beauty of Mathematics and the Love of God! This is TOO cool!
Just the math part is good enough, the end is even better.
I bet you will NOT be able to read it without sending it on to at least one other person!
I received this e-mail and thought it was pretty cool! Keep scrolling it gets better.
Beauty of Mathematics!!!!!!!
1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321
1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111
9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888
Brilliant, isn't it?
And look at this symmetry:
1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321
Mind Boggling...
Now, take a look at this....
101%
>From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:
What Equals 100% ?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100% ?
Ever wonder about those people who say they
Are giving more than 100% ?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%...
How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
Answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
And:
K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%
But:
A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E
1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%
THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
If you find this interesting share it with your friends & loved ones.
Have a nice day & God bless you
Just the math part is good enough, the end is even better.
I bet you will NOT be able to read it without sending it on to at least one other person!
I received this e-mail and thought it was pretty cool! Keep scrolling it gets better.
Beauty of Mathematics!!!!!!!
1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321
1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111
9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888
Brilliant, isn't it?
And look at this symmetry:
1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321
Mind Boggling...
Now, take a look at this....
101%
>From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:
What Equals 100% ?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100% ?
Ever wonder about those people who say they
Are giving more than 100% ?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%...
How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
Answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
And:
K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%
But:
A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E
1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%
THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
If you find this interesting share it with your friends & loved ones.
Have a nice day & God bless you
Friday, November 20, 2009
Commit To Him
Day 81; Now I have started to take care of my physical needs. I have loved reading the Bible everyday and posting it on facebook. I feel it keeps me accountable to God and it helps when others help out as well. I am not surprised but it has been 41 days of no junk food. I wish I would have been a do'er earlier in life. I have made a lot of wrong choices, and I am so glad I am making better choices now. I am not perfect and never will be. I can tell you this for sure, I have that joy back and am going to let my light shine for Him.
So here is how God has been working in my life. I hope this helps you in your life. I feel God's word speaks to me everyday. I pray that His word works in my life daily for others. I try to focus all on others and not on myself. It is very hard to do all the time and I don't know why but it is the hardest with family. My family is the best and I just really want them to be happy and they are. I have to talk to someone and it is usually my family first. It is a great thing to go to your family first but they also need to feel loved too. I have spent some more time on the phone talking about cycling recently, more on that in a second. I have spent time being a servant of the Lord and have enjoyed that as well. Also I have been riding more on the weekends with friends. All of this time away from family and things have been better than before. My wife and I have enjoyed spending more time together. Also Caylin and I spend more time together playing the wii and her learning the Bible. I feel all these things are going on because I spend more time caring about them. This all has to do with the Bible changing my life. God will continue to mold me the way He wants as long as I Love Him with all of my heart and life. Last year was a good year but I have enjoyed the last 81 days more and so has my wife. She says I am doing good and we are doing good. I have tried to be their for my friends as well. I pray that I will do everything He wants me to do and this has been hard for me.
So with God, family, and friends in my life the next thing is cycling. God has brought cycling into my life to enjoy as well. I didn't have that joy in cycling that my good friend talked about this year. I feel very confident in taking the leadership role of RGF Team Captain for 2010. I have to say I feel more at ease with the great job that the RGF leadership board is doing. That is why I have been on the phone so much. Panther is no longer a part of RGF for 2010. I have decided to stay with Polo because Panther wanted me to commit to races and I told them I would do my best to show up at the races but couldn't make any commitments. It has all worked out better this way for everyone I feel. Polo is an Awesome Team Owner. I feel that it has been very easy for me to continue cycling for Him and Polo. They have always been closer to me than any other cycling group. It is so hard to leave from guys that feel like family. It was also hard to leave Panther and new teammate Kirk Albers as well. When Andy told me I could sit in more at the races I thought wow that is huge. Things come up and in this case family came before cycling. I am glad that Paul was honest with me and made it to easy to leave Panther. I wish Panther the best and I can't wait for RGF 2010 to mix it up with them. The new RGF Elite Team will be posted soon at our Team website. http://www.rgfsolutionssportsmarketing.com/ I am really excited about 2010. I feel I have improved every year racing. I am below race weight for the first time during the off season and will have more hours than last year as well. I have also avg 15 hours per week for the last 3 weeks. God is working in my life in all things to the Max and I am going with the flow of Him.
Listening and Doing:
James 1: 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
So here is how God has been working in my life. I hope this helps you in your life. I feel God's word speaks to me everyday. I pray that His word works in my life daily for others. I try to focus all on others and not on myself. It is very hard to do all the time and I don't know why but it is the hardest with family. My family is the best and I just really want them to be happy and they are. I have to talk to someone and it is usually my family first. It is a great thing to go to your family first but they also need to feel loved too. I have spent some more time on the phone talking about cycling recently, more on that in a second. I have spent time being a servant of the Lord and have enjoyed that as well. Also I have been riding more on the weekends with friends. All of this time away from family and things have been better than before. My wife and I have enjoyed spending more time together. Also Caylin and I spend more time together playing the wii and her learning the Bible. I feel all these things are going on because I spend more time caring about them. This all has to do with the Bible changing my life. God will continue to mold me the way He wants as long as I Love Him with all of my heart and life. Last year was a good year but I have enjoyed the last 81 days more and so has my wife. She says I am doing good and we are doing good. I have tried to be their for my friends as well. I pray that I will do everything He wants me to do and this has been hard for me.
So with God, family, and friends in my life the next thing is cycling. God has brought cycling into my life to enjoy as well. I didn't have that joy in cycling that my good friend talked about this year. I feel very confident in taking the leadership role of RGF Team Captain for 2010. I have to say I feel more at ease with the great job that the RGF leadership board is doing. That is why I have been on the phone so much. Panther is no longer a part of RGF for 2010. I have decided to stay with Polo because Panther wanted me to commit to races and I told them I would do my best to show up at the races but couldn't make any commitments. It has all worked out better this way for everyone I feel. Polo is an Awesome Team Owner. I feel that it has been very easy for me to continue cycling for Him and Polo. They have always been closer to me than any other cycling group. It is so hard to leave from guys that feel like family. It was also hard to leave Panther and new teammate Kirk Albers as well. When Andy told me I could sit in more at the races I thought wow that is huge. Things come up and in this case family came before cycling. I am glad that Paul was honest with me and made it to easy to leave Panther. I wish Panther the best and I can't wait for RGF 2010 to mix it up with them. The new RGF Elite Team will be posted soon at our Team website. http://www.rgfsolutionssportsmarketing.com/ I am really excited about 2010. I feel I have improved every year racing. I am below race weight for the first time during the off season and will have more hours than last year as well. I have also avg 15 hours per week for the last 3 weeks. God is working in my life in all things to the Max and I am going with the flow of Him.
Listening and Doing:
James 1: 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
