Here's a passage from Luke 7 that I've been focused on recently.

"Now when He [Jesus] concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  [The New King James Version]

The servants of this centurion told Jesus that the centurion was deserving of Jesus' miraclous power. How many of us would make that claim? This could be lip service from the servants, trying to say anything to get what they were sent for. But I think they were speaking what they truly believed.

After all, this centurion was seeking help to save one of his servants. Remember the centurion was a commander of 100 men. Out of all 100 men, the centurion was seeking help to heal a single one. Sounds familiar to Luke 15 - leaving the 99 sheep to find the one lost. So this centurion was practicing what Jesus spoke of 8 chapters later (makes you wonder if Jesus came up with the parable based on this centurion's actions).

So the centurion had to be an upright type of guy. There's more proof in the servant's words to Jesus. In order to convince Him that their master was indeed deserving, they said their master "...loves our nation, and built us a synagogue."

HE LOVES OUR NATION. This was why they believed him to be deserving. And why not? This nation of Jews were God's chosen people. They were the ones to bring glory to His name. And the nation to bring blessing to all other nations.

I believe that we are blessed and fortunate to live in this nation called the USA. America is built on Judeo/Christian beliefs. And America is definitely spreading the message of God and Christ. What other nation would God rather support (save for His already chosen nation of Israel)?

I want to be worthy just like this centurion. I want to love my nation. Which means that I love what my nation was built on: my God, the holiness of my God, and blessing the name of my God.

Maybe I should go build a synagogue.

How much should a Christian be involved in politics? I think many Christians adopt a view to not be "involved" in politics. Below is a post from http://secondestate.blogspot.com on August 10, the author, a faithful beliver and friend of mine, writes ...

"Not only is the subject overwhelming, but the Bible doesn't provide a lot of direct guidance on the topic. Pray for your leaders.  God sets up authorities. Seek first the kingdom of God. If anything, there seems to be a passivity in the commands regarding government."

Even though a subject is overwhelming, we shouldn't be intimidated to address it and grapple with the details. How many Christians spend hours debating between pre-destination vs free-will, or whether our nature is inheritatly good or evil.

There are plenty of challenging concepts, philosophies, and  situations that Christians eagerly dive into. But for so many, there's a reluctance to enter into the political spectrum. I think many Christians are scared to enter into the world of politics. Do we feel as if we aren't equiped? Or that we cannot engage in the debates and show love at the same time? Or that politics is all scandals and dishonesty and not appropriate for Christians? I'm afraid that many would answer is yes.

Haven't we all heard these phrases in Sunday school - "Jesus is the answer" or the bible is the "Instructin Book for Life"? Apparently, these don't apply when speaking of politics. We are equipped. We have the word of God at our fingertips. He hasn't given us directions on every aspect of life except politics. He's given us guidance on everything.

I feel like I need to stop making my own points now and actually find some scripture that equips us to be involved, to run for office, to call our congressmen, to be passionate about the welfare of our country.

For all my non-running friends out there, I'm going to share with you a way to NOT make yourself look like an idiot. So listen up.

People at work, church and in between that know anything about me know that I run. So the conversations may turn to my recent marathon I'm training for or the one I just finished. Then comes the question - "How long is that marathon?" AAAGGGGHHHH.

Let me provide some other questions that compare to this -
What time is noon in California?
What type of ball do that team use in basketball?
What direction does the sun rise in your neighborhood?
How many eggs are in that dozen?

Here's the scope on a marathon, every marathon. The length is 26.2 miles. Just like every 100-yard dash is 100 yards long. Just like every mile run is one mile long. A marathon whether it's in Colorado or Beijing is 26.2 miles.

Homer Simpsons is Banned?!?!?!?!
Here's an article on China's recent decision to ban all foreign cartoons.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,208203,00.html

Does China not realize that in order to better your products you need competition. Now that they are facing competition (not that their cartoons were EVER superior to The Simpsons), rather than trying to improve their products, they choose to eliminate their opponent.

Listen up China. Here's two words for you ... Free Market!

Can you imagine if America did something like this? For instance, if legislation passed that prohibit any foreign vehicle; foreign movie; foreign food. And for what? To bolster our own productions in these areas. How incomplete would our movie experience be without Crouching Tiger? Hhhmmm. On second thought maybe somethings would be better to bar.

Today was the day. THE day. I woke up at 5:30 to run the Pikes Peak Marathon. Let me provide some detials for you.

The race began in Manitou Springs, CO (15 min from my house). The start line is at 6,295' above sealevel. At 7:00 a,m., I and nearly 1,200 people began running on the main strip in Manitou. After passing the COGS railway, we turned onto Barr Trail. (www.barrcamp.com)

Eventaully, after 13.1 miles from where we started, I reached the summit of Pikes Peak at an elevation of 14,110' above see level. Doing the math, you'll see that's an altitude gain of 7,815' (just a reminder, a mile is 5,280'). After reaching the top, I had the priveledge to turn right around and run down the exact way I came up.

So, after another 13.1 miles, I finished at the bottom of Ruxton Ave in Manitou Springs with an elevation of 6,345'.

My Ascent time this year was an improvement on my last two attemps, but I still didn't get the goal I was shooting for. I made it in 3 hours and 29 minutes (I was shooting for 3:10). But on my downhill time I actually ran this year, as opposed to last years hike when I kept telling myself that this hurts and I'd feel better if I just walk. I toughed it out and took the repeated pounding like a man. I finished the marathon in 5 hours and 43 minutes. Last year was 6:29.

Now I do need to clarify what I mean when I say that I ran this race today. About 50 percent of the ascent was actually a fast, power hike, with most of the downhill running and leaping. I'm sure there are some people who run the entire way, but they are some sort of mountain god. Namely, Matt Carpenter. He won again this year and shattered the old record. I was pulling for Matt since we had a few interanationals that were here challenging him for the win. He our hometown hero when it comes to Pikes Peak (www.inclineclub.com)

Fortunately, yet with a little disappointment, I didn't take any falls. Sure it hurts and slows you down (I met one lady who had fallen and missed her goal by only 3 seconds). But the cuts, blood, scars, and dirt are worn proudly by runners.

I think this will be the last year I do the Ascent or Marathon for a while. Not that I didn't enjoy it. But there's other races that I'd like to run. Other places I'd like to visit and run in. I think I'll volunteer at one of the aid stations.

By the way, THANK YOU to all the aid station volunteers.

My company is big into diversity. So much that we have a group of people that form a team to educate and encourage the employees on accepting diversity. They work to ensure our company is 'diverse.' One of this team's goal is to have a workforce resembling the community in which we live. However, our minority workforce has greatly surpassed the representation that is within our city and area. Yet this 'diversity' team continues to enforce the hiring of minorities.

Our unwritten, strongly encouraged policy for a hiring committee is this -
If two canidates interviewing for the same posiiton are of equal caliber, possessing the same competencies on all levels, then hire the one who fits into a minority category.

First of all, why even address the situation? Will there ever be a time when two people are equal on all levels? The chances are highly unlikely. So why pose the situation? I've concluded that perhaps this elevates the weight carried by the minority status of an applicant from nothing to an influential level. Which would lead a hiring committee to decline a white, male for a minority person who might rate slightly lower in the selection process qualification.

My second issue with this unwritten rule, is the solution. Why is the ruling automatically in favor of the minority? How would the decision be made had both candidates been of the same race, sex, or ethnicity? ... between two black women? ... between two Hispanics? ... between two Jews?
If selecting between a Latino and an Inuite, will the Inuite be choosen because he belongs to a group that's even more of a minority than the Latino minority?

When two candidates are on equal qualifying levels, where the hiring committee can not clearly or comfortably choose one over the other, then follow up interviews should take place. Let the candidates come in and prove for themselves why they are qualified for the job, and that they should be hired on their skill alone. Not if they belong to a minority group.

Hiring criteria, even in a tie breaker, should not be based on the race, sex, or ethniciy. A white man is no better at waiting tables, construction, or management because he is white. Nor is a black man any better due to his skin being black.

I'm ready for people to be hired based soley on their skill, competence, and qualifications suitable to the position. Otherwise, flip a coin.

I’ve been reading the history of Captain America.

Here’s a few sites to get the scoop -

http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/c/captainamerica.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America

Also, Michael Medved commented on Captain America’s (Marvel’s) response to 9/11.

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-medved040403.asp

He doesn’t appear to be quite the same hero he was back in World War II. But I still like Captain America as a symbol of liberty and justice.

Recently I tried out a new pair of running shoes. They're a narrow fit, so it comfortably cinched to my toes. The laces don't allowed any noticeable loosening, providing great ankle support. They are gray and rigid, two great features for trail runs on rocky, dirty terrain. In addition to the dual layer supported sole, they feature a 'roll bar' under the arch to help prevent over-pronation, and since I'm extremely flatfooted I figured this would be the perfect fit. But these shoes have wreaked havoc on my body. My feet, legs, knees, and back have all been sore and in pain the last few days. 

Why did I try something new? Why didn't I just stick with the same shoe that I had purchased the 3 previous times? It got me thinking about a group discussion I was in last year about conservatism.

What I gathered from the discussion leader was that conservatism held the belief that unnecessary change was wrong. Tradition and routine are the preferred way as opposed to change and rebelion.

I took me a while to grasp the essence of this definition. After all, there are plenty of good things that came from change - the fight for independence in the founding of our country, the abolition of slavery, and for my fellow Christians, the entire message of Christ (this crazy bearded guy did not follow the tradition and rebeled against the religious leaders).

What I finally had to focus on was the word 'unnecessary.' Just as the cliché states 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' But when is change necessary? How do we know when things are 'broke?'  I do believe this is the question to ask. After all our energy is limited, so it shouldn’t be used on unnecessary things.

Quick Physics Lesson: Newton's First Law - Things in motion stay in motion. On a frictionless surface, a wheel would roll forever. But to get a wheel to slow down, stop, or even go the opposite direction requires an opposing force. When change happens, and we all know it is inevitable, our energy should be focused on it.

The difficulty remains first in determining what necessitates change. I do believe boredom and apathy in life are reasons for change. The risk with the changes, though, is weighted on the importance of the possible outcomes. Having a cherry coke instead of the original is on quite a different level than determining whether to choose a new career path.

Picking out a new pair of shoes is a decision of small consequence, or so it seems. But upon future decisions that appear to be of little importance, and the larger ones for that matter, I'll keep in mind the philosophy that routine is good and I ask myself, "Is it broke?" I think my feet with thank me.

It may not seem like a very in depth subject but running dialog could fill pages. So I'll do my first list on the things I like about running. I'm sure this won't be my only post about this wonderful sport.

I like to run.
I like the rhythmic movement of running.
I like achy feet and legs.
I like being able to run anywhere at anytime - it's a mobile activity.
I like paying $75+ for a pair of shoes that I'll retire in 3 months.
I like eating and drinking whatever I want, in any quantities, and not gain a single pound.
I like knowing what a fartleg is.
I like when nurses take my pulse and comment "you must be a runner."
I like donating a whole pint of blood in 120 seconds. (I actually havn't timed it, but I will next time)
I like the relaxation that comes before, during, and after a run.
I like to run.

I've been big into running for three years now, and it's not slowing down. Most long distant runners hit their prime in the mid-30's. That's because running is a long term disciple sport. At 27, I'm still learning what foods my body likes before races, the best type of shoes for me, and just how fast can I go at the beginning of a race without having  my energy zapped halfway through. So I'm looking forward to improvement over the next decade (or two)

I'll be running/hiking the Pikes Peak marathon for the second time in just a few weeks. I won't deny that there might be a slight bit of insanity in the brain for wanting to do this. But there is a high thrill of accomplishment, energy, and excitement after completing the race, as well as during all the training. Here's some websites for more info on America's Challenge - www.pikespeakmarathon.com & www.runnersworld.com/pikespeak.

See you on the trails.

 I'm getting the hang of this thing called blog. The next few posts I'll be discussing a few big elements of my life.

Since April of 2004 I have been a part of Colorado Springs premier Improv group - The Stick Horses in Pants. Comedy with a Kick! www.thestickhorses.com

Improv has made a large impact on my life... in two ways.

1) This is a group of friends meets consistently nearly every week. Now there are three of us that have been with the group right out of the gates and the newest member added to the stable was in late 2005, with some others that have come and gone in between.

Our commitment to each other and growth together is astounding. This group is the closest thing I've experienced to the body of Christ. Many parts making up one body is a image example of the Christian church. Coincidentally, this is the same mantra modeled by an improv group. We are one group. This is in line with our great country as well - E Pluribus Unum.

2) "Life is a stage." It's a line we all know. But it's come to have much more meaning to me through improv. I've actually been doing improv longer than 2.5 years. I've been involved in this art since the day I was born, 27 years ago. After all I'm living life without a script.

A fellow horse continually encourages the group to add things to the scene and bring something to the table. Basically - CREATE. The improv scene can go anywhere and do anything. Nothing is predetermined and the rest of the story is up to me (and my team). The same goes for this life I live on earth. The stage is lit. The choices are mine. The result is yet to be written. 

That's the story of this Horse. Check out our site at - www.thestickhorses.com.